Review: Three Under the Christmas Tree by Silvia Violet

Ace and Gavin haven't had a threesome in far too long. When Ace meets the perfect guy to join them, he can't think of a better way to kick off the holiday season.

Jonathan is charmed by the sexy couple, and he quickly realizes that what started as a fling has the potential to be a whole lot more.

Gavin feels their connection just as strongly, but even after weeks of the three of them hanging out, he's afraid to suggest they turn their friends-with-benefits arrangement into a serious relationship.

The joy and shared experiences of the season have a way of making magic happen, if only all three men could find the courage to ask for what they want.

This ended up being a good solid story with some nice kinky sex to break up the monotony of Christmas stories. However, I've definitely read this story before. You would have to.

Exhibit A- The happy loving couple in an open relationship are looking for a third, they stumble upon the perfect guy and they all fall in love. But oh no the third guy isn't sure if he's welcome into this happy loving relationship and (yep, you guessed it) no one has an adult conversation.

So that brings me to the biggest problem in this story. The misunderstanding. Jonathan (the third) hears a small portion of a very insinuating conversation, doesn't stick around to hear the end of the conversation, and storms off in a huff of broken heart without a word.

Even though 'the misunderstanding’ doesn't irk me like it does some people, I still find it a bit… standard, like the go to for end-of-book drama. So while this didn't make me hate the book, it just made me feel.. indifferent towards it.

The light in the dark was the sex. There was probably a bit too much dialogue for my taste but the power exchanges and rough fucking were a dream after reading so many sweet Christmas stories.

I probably won't read this again, simply because I've read this story before… but better versions of it. However it really was a welcome change to all the cutesy Christmas stories and I'm glad I read it.

A review copy was provided.

Release Blitz + Giveaway: Beyond the Tunnel (The Wizard Shifter #1) by Daniel Mitton

Beyond the Tunnel (The Wizard Shifter #1) is out! Celebrate with Daniel Mitton and Signal Boost Promotions today! Check out the excerpt and enter in the giveaway. You could win a copy of My Name is Karl!

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Exstasy 

Length: 79,777 words 

Blurb

What would you do if you rode into a mountain tunnel in North Carolina and then rode out into a different world? Adam Stephens is about to find out…


Adam Stephens is a man with a mission. It has been three years since they chopped that malignant brain tumor out of his head, and he is off on a solo motorcycle camping trip through the Appalachian Mountains.


When he rides into the Pine Mountain Tunnel in North Carolina and rides out into another realm—a realm that comes complete with a big sexy grizzly bear shifter, mages, and an evil sorcerer—he isn’t sure he isn’t lying in the tunnel after crashing his bike. Can such a world exist? Or is he dreaming? If he is dreaming…it sure is realistic.


Along the way, there will be some major hurdles to surpass including no indoor plumbing…and no coffee. A man needs some basic luxuries, correct?

Excerpt

“Fine, if it’ll get you off my damned back, I’ll take the cell phone. And you already know I’m taking my Kindle so I can read in those serene mountain campgrounds that I picked out along the way.” Adam roared, as he stomped down the hallway to get the phone from his bedroom.


“Oh, you mean those campgrounds in the bear infested forests, which you picked out without even seeing them?” George yelled down the hallway sarcastically. He had made it clear to Adam—repeatedly—that camping in a tent in the mountains, alone, was the dumbest idea he had ever heard of. “Oh, and don’t forget, you’re riding right by where they filmed Deliverance. Someone might just tell you that you have a pretty mouth.”


“I could get so lucky,” Adam said quietly as he walked back into the kitchen. “And as to the campgrounds, I’ve already got my sites picked out and pre-paid, so it will be an easy trip. Relax, I’ve already got my bike packed. I’ve double checked everything, and if there’s anything I forgot, it isn’t like there isn’t a Walmart store every twenty miles along the way. I can stop and buy extra supplies. I’m not going to be riding through the wilderness.


“For your part, Georgie…don’t forget to come over and feed my cat. Otherwise, poor Cooper will be dead before I get back. And this time don’t forget the cat box! When I went away for those few days last year, you didn’t scoop and it was practically liquefied when I got back. That was disgusting dude, disgusting.”


Twenty minutes later—George having been mollified—Adam climbed on his motorcycle to begin his epic journey from South Florida to the Quebec line in New Hampshire. He had his tent, his sleeping bag, and enough food for a few days. Now if didn’t rain, the trip would be fantastic.


Not quite three days into his trip, and Adam was riding through the mountains of North Carolina already, which was quite a feat on a motorcycle—if he did say so himself, especially on these back roads. In a car, he might have done the trip in one day, but on his bike, it was far more strenuous on his body. Better to ride safely than quickly, and besides the views were fantastic. The Blue Ridge Parkway was proving to be as beautiful as he’d heard, and at least, so far, he hadn’t seen any bears.


Camping the first night in Florida had almost been a washout, after riding through thunderstorms nearly the entire length of the state and having to set his tent up in the middle of a downpour. Then last night in that creepy deserted campground in Northern Georgia, with all its bear warning signs, was so cold. How it was possible to be in the thirties when it had been ninety when he left his house in Cape Coral was beyond his comprehension. He could only wonder what the coming night’s campsite would bring. He hoped they would at least have hot showers at this one. His shower that morning in Georgia, with only ice-cold water and a thirty-eight-fucking-degree breeze blowing in through a louvered stall wall, had almost killed him. His balls had retracted so far that he didn’t think they’d crawled back out of his body since. At least it had warmed up fast and was now somewhere pleasantly in the seventies with bright sunshine.


Sighting an exit sign ahead, Adam pulled off the Parkway and stopped at the combination rest area and information center. He needed to pee, and it would probably be smart to grab a physical Blue Ridge Parkway map. His map app on his smartphone kept trying to direct him off the Parkway to a much faster Interstate Highway option.


After using the rest room, Adam walked into the information center, picked up one of the free maps from the display by the door, and approached the cute bearded guy behind the counter. “Does this map show all the tunnels and campgrounds? I’m heading for Linville Falls tonight, and I’d like to keep track of where I am during the day.”


“It does, but man, I’m glad it’s you, not me. That’s a long way to go on this type of road in one day on a motorcycle. Good luck with that.”


Adam smiled and thanked him. Walking back outside, he took one last look around, decided he probably didn’t need to walk up the trail to the scenic overlook, and instead walked back to his bike. He put his helmet back on, climbed on the bike and headed back to the highway.


He had no idea that he wouldn’t be making the campground that day.


God, I love these. Adam’s spirit was flying as he roared into yet another of the stone tunnels along the route. This one, the Pine Mountain Tunnel, was supposedly the longest on the Parkway and it was even better than the previous ones. As he rode into the pitch-black darkness, his light glinted off the reflective lane markers along the center line. Just imagine how much stone is over my head right now…I wish this would go on for miles.


Adam pushed his acceleration up and zoomed through the darkness toward the light that he could now see at the other end. Within seconds he flew out…into a torrential rainstorm. What the fuck, it was just sunny!


Adam’s bike slammed into a huge mud puddle, splashing water up and all over him, effectively drenching him before the heavy rain even had time to get him wet. He slammed on his brakes and tried to come to a rapid stop. Instead, his large, heavy motorcycle slid sideways in the loose mud and the next thing he knew he was going down. His bike hit the ground on its right side and then stalled, leaving Adam lying on the ground with it. He groaned. Damn, that’s going to hurt later.

Author Bio


Daniel Mitton is not a statistic. When the doctors broke the news to him that he would be dead by the end of 2013 from brain cancer, he scoffed at them. He has proven them incorrect, and continues to prove them more incorrect every day.


He is now pursuing his lifelong dream of telling other people his stories in writing. His overactive imagination used to get him in trouble. It will be interesting to see what happens this time.


My Name Was Karl is his first self-published work, but he already has two other books in a queue somewhere at a publisher.


Daniel was born and raised in northern New Hampshire, but now lives in sunny Southwest Florida with his husband of nearly twenty-eight years. He totally doesn’t get why some people complain it is too hot in Florida!

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Review: On Your Knees, Prospect (Kings of Hell MC #3) by K.A. Merikan

--- There is freedom in blacking boots for the right man. ---

Jake. Kings of Hell MC Prospect. Obedient. Desperate for approval.
Vars. Dominant. Stern. Undead.

Jake is itching to become a patched member of the Kings of Hell MC.
For two years he's toiled as the only prospect. So when a new guy swans in and thinks he'll get a patch in no time just because he's got friends in high places, Jake is there to stand in his way.
Only that the guy is older, more experienced, drives a Harley, and has the kind of boots Jake craves to lick.
But he won't.
Because he only fucks patches.

Vars is ready to find a new home in the Kings of Hell MC after a messy relationship led him straight to hell. In comparison, the pretty, blue-eyed prospect could be just the pleasant rebound he needs.
The boy is a brat, but that could be amended with a firm hand and a gag.
If only Jake was ready to admit to his submissive needs, Vars would gladly take him under his wing.
That is, until he finds out something inhuman resides inside of Jake.
Vars didn’t cheat death only to call out to it again.

But stuck together in one room, keeping each other’s secrets, they might just have to become allies, no matter how unwilling. Because if there is something Vars can’t resist, it’s a boy with pleading eyes.

*

“You are mine now, boy. This room is soundproof. No one will hear you scream.”
“Yes, sir. My body is yours.”

*


POSSIBLE SPOILERS:
Themes: motorcycle club, alternative lifestyles, demons, monster, tattoos, secrets, crime, self-discovery, gothic, fresh start, submission, stalking, PTSD, May/December, self-acceptance, enemies to lovers, Daddy/boy, body horror

Genre: Dark, paranormal M/M romance
Erotic content: Scorching hot, emotional, explicit scenes, BDSM

Length: ~130,000 words (Book 3 in the series)

WARNING: This story contains scenes of violence, offensive language, and morally ambiguous characters.

To say I was looking forward to this one would be an understatement. I mean…. just read that title! Spectacular!

Jake and Vars did not disappoint. The tension was Off. The. Charts. It was palpable on every page and made me want to lick it all up.

Unfortunately all the delicious sex came to a sudden holt for me when these two had their 'official’ BDSM scene. It is absolutely me personally, but I've come to love more 'creative’ type power exchanges, not so much andrew crosses and floggers. The scene was actually very well written and detailed, it just slowed the pace for me.

This is definitely less scary than the other books. It had a happier(?) feel to it, well…. until the end when we find out what the evil demons plans. All that can wait until the next book though. Still mythical and just a bit creepy though. Perfect.

I have come to love all the side characters in this intriguing series, Laurent my sweet lovely, Elliott my spoilt brat, Knight the show pony and Grey quiet but fiercely loyal. So excited for Grey's book!!!

Review: The Forest of Dark Delights (A Cox Fairytale #1) by James Cox

After the beast became human, Belle turned into the animal.

We all know the story. The dangerous and ugly Beast finds his true love in Belle. After a horrific fight with Gaston, the beast is finally transformed back into a man. What happens after that? It’s almost two years later and Belle is no longer the sweet woman the Beast fell in love with. She sweeps into towns with her ruthless army to pillage every book she can find and add it to her library. Beast is lonely, saddened by the lover he can’t understand but soon an old enemy returns to the castle.

Gaston is not the man he used to be. He made a promise to himself when he survived that fall, broken but alive. He’d make his amends to the beast. Someway, somehow.

When Gaston and Beast start a forbidden romance, the evil that is Belle returns to the castle…

Well I can't decide if it was a mistake to read this book or not. I adore Beauty and the Beast and now I may never be able to watch those movies the same ever again. I mean Belle turns into the most psychotic book hoarder in history! Who knew?

If the town did not agree to give up their books she’d send in her army. They’d take care of the villagers, steal the books, then burn the buildings to the ground.

So Belles gone crazy and Adam is at a loss of what to do for the woman he was once so in love with, therefore he has once again become a recluse within his castle. Then Gaston comes along, offering to help until Adam can forgive him for almost killing Adam 2 years prior (remember the knife to the back on the tower!). One of the ways Gaston can help out is by offering to elevate Adams mood…. If you know what I mean *waggles eyebrows*.

As it turns out big Gaston is a big ol’ bottom and Adam is quite the rough dominant. I was not disappointed by the sex!

Adam pushed a little deeper then pulled out and gave the area another spit. He wasn’t a gentleman, not tonight. Tonight, he was the beast. Adam thrust forward, urging half his length in Gaston. The man tangled in shackles groaned and winced. “Take me,” Adam whispered.

Then there was some serious face fucking. It was all very fairytale like….not.

I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of Gaston's character and the development between Adam and himself. It took a while for them to be more than convenient fuck buddies, but they got there in the end and I really enjoyed all of it!

So was this whole story more than slightly ridiculous? Yes absolutely. Did that make it all the more better? Yes absolutely. This is not the type of story to take to seriously, so only go into this if you're after some silly, sexy fun!

If you want to read something different, fun and sexy as hell, this is probably the book for you, but be prepared it will ruin Beauty and Beast for you.

I am soooo eagerly anticipating the rest of the series!

Guest Review: The Amaranth Maze by Hayden Thorne

A legend of a long-dead murderer buried in a mysterious maze. A cruel, childish trick gone wrong. A dangerous vow made in trust by a shy and lonely young boy. And somewhere in the idyllic Swedish countryside, a centuries-old entity is summoned from its thorny grave.


Fourteen years later, twenty-two-year-old Fredrik Niequist returns from his travels, a brilliant financier who intends to break new ground in the Swedish agricultural industry by commercializing local nature magic. He is also newly engaged to a wealthy childhood friend in a cynical and loveless partnership.


Twenty-year-old Lauris Ahlberg, meanwhile, turns his mind to botany as a promising apprentice to an English botanic occultist. As he studies a flower species displaying marks of the night world, he realizes the tainted flowers’ sudden appearance near his home and the ominous pattern they form signify a terrifying presence coming from a familiar source.


When Fredrik and Lauris cross paths again, old wounds break open, and promises of forever after ring hollow as the two awkwardly rekindle their friendship. And in the meantime, a creeping threat takes physical shape, breaking past its prison of thorns in order to lay claim to what has long belonged to it.

Guest Reviewer - NeRdyWYRM

Decidedly Strange

This book made me realize that pseudo-historical paranormal m/m is not my cup o tea. That's not to say this wasn't a good story or that it wasn't interesting or entertaining—because it was—but it was a struggle for me to reconcile the world the author created with my inner realities.

In this one you have a hidden society of witches/wizards with proclivities towards certain types of mostly benign magic. The MCs run afoul, through a childhood prank, of a dead serial killer who is haunting a maze in search of an eternal 'bride'. It takes years for things to come full circle, but Fredrik and Lauris get caught up in it's attentions again, which remain fixed firmly on Lauris.

No. No vampires here. Blood-sucking vines, yes, okay. But seriously, what's more creepy than a dead serial killer with his hooks in a very sweet earth wizard? Ugh.

Friendship between Fredrik and Lauris (despite childhood cruelties) turns into a relationship hounded by classism and elitism and a bunch of other -isms. Denial is a factor and, of course, don't forget the powerful ghost with nefarious and deadly intentions. Blood-sucking roses have got nothing on that fucker.

This one wraps up in true, "love conquers all" fashion, which is one point in this story's favor. It was well-written, the pacing was good, and I liked the MCs together. There were also enough paranormal twists to make this one interesting and while I would have liked to understand the purpose of the hidden magical society of this world a little better, it didn't take too much away to not be privy to many of the particulars.

If you like unique paranormals with a historical twist, this is a good one to pick up and read. It highlighted a subset of the genre that just isn't for me, but only because it doesn't tickle all my braingasm spots and not for any other reason. I liked the plot on paper and the execution was perfectly fine, but I think I'll skip similar books in future. Let us know what you think. I'd be interested to find out.

More reviews by NeRdyWYRM can be found on Goodreads here.
Images (when present) may be subject to copyright.

An ARC copy of this title was provided for an honest review.

Giveaway + Blog Tour: Banded Together by KC Burn

Happy Release Day, KC Burn! She's here today to celebrate the release of Banded Together! She's brought an excerpt & a splendid giveaway too!

I’m KC Burn and I’m thrilled to be here at Boy meets Boy for the release day of Banded Together. I hope everyone had a lovely holiday, and you’re ready for some romance!

There’s a lot of me in this book. Not that I’ve ever fronted a band or been a professor. Not quite that literal! But punk rock is a dear love of mine.

At the risk of dating myself, my first musical “choice”, where I decided what I wanted to listen to, rather than what my parents did, was Duran Duran. It didn’t take long for me to move on to new wave and alternative bands like New Order and Depeche Mode. Along the way, I also became aware of bands like The Clash, Sex Pistols, and The Ramones, then bands closer to home (Canada) like D.O.A. and Treble Charger.

Punk and industrial music were part of my formative high school years and I love it still to this day. Obviously it’s not as common as it was in the eighties, but I also love a good Mohawk (one with commitment, not a fauxhawk). There are some unfortunate associations of punk rock with far right politics but so many bands from my youth had social justice elements, like rejection of classism and racism. If you listen to the lyrics from current punk bands like Green Day or Rise Against or Dropkick Murphys, they’re filled with social commentary and it’s not in support of the conservative right.

Whew! That took a turn for the serious side! That’s not the only reason I love punk. The spiked hair, guyliner, and shit-kicking boots are pretty sexy in my opinion. And I gave Devlin some of what I consider the sexiest and most attractive parts of a punk rocker.

His counterpart, Dr. Jack Johnson, is also a reflection of another love of mine – archeology. Dr. Jack isn’t anything like Indiana Jones – and rightly so, since Indiana Jones wasn’t the most scrupulous academic. But Dr. Jack still goes out in the field, and the idea of going on digs and finding artifacts appeals to the part of me that still loves Indiana Jones. One day, I’ll write that adventure book with a dashing, daredevil archeologist, but for now, I give buttoned up Dr. Jack the perils of becoming enamored of a student. An older student, but a student nonetheless.

Banded Together is also filled with a lot of places I went to in high school and university – a lot of nostalgia for me. In the midst of that, cranky Dr. Jack and free-spirited but hurting Devlin rapidly became one of my favourite couples. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Blurb:

Punk’s not dead, but it’s time to redefine life.

Devlin Waters thought he’d have music forever. But the tragic death of his best friend ended the twenty-year run of his punk band, Negative Impression. Unable to process the loss, Devlin distances himself from everyone and everything that reminds him of the band. But forty-one is too young to curl up and wait for the end. In a search for a second career, he finds himself at university, with a bunch of kids young enough to be… his kids. His sexy archaeology professor, however, makes Devlin think about life beyond his grief….

Dr. Jack Johnson does not appreciate Devlin’s lack of respect, his inability to be serious, or his chronic lateness. Worse, he hates that he’s attracted to a student. When he realizes Devlin is the rock star he crushed on in his youth, he drops his guard—against his better judgment.

Before they can move forward together, Jack must admit to Devlin that he’s not only an admirer, but he also sings in a cover band. How will Devlin react to his ultimate fanboy when his own music has died?

Banded Together is available at Dreamspinner Press and Amazon.

Excerpt:

Most of the first lecture Jack could deliver in his sleep, and a good thing too. Several times over the rest of the hour, Jack found his eyes wandering to the latecomer in the second row. By rights, in a class this full, he should never have found a seat so close to the front, but the rest of the “fresh out of high school” crowd seemed to have an ingrained terror of sitting too close to the front, and the damn lecture hall filled from back to front.

Mature students weren’t uncommon, but usually it meant a couple of people his father’s age interspersed in the sea of kids in their late teens. It had been a gift, because as yet, he’d had not one man who attracted him show up in any of his classes. Not any of his undergraduates. Some of his graduate students had held some appeal, but it hadn’t been hard to avoid any impropriety.

This man, though, was going to be a distraction of the first order. A few years older than him, maybe as many as ten, sandy blond hair, freckles, laugh lines at the corners of hazel-colored eyes. Lean, fit, wearing jeans that lovingly cupped an ass made for sin, and a package that could tempt a saint. Something about his jawline and the sharp line of his nose gave Jack a frisson of déjà vu, but that had to be his mind playing tricks on him. No way could he have met and forgotten a man like that.

Jack Johnson might be a nerd, but he was no goddamn saint, and the sheer temptation of this man—this student—was going to make this class a million times more hideous. Last thing he needed was to battle a fucking hard-on in front of four-hundred-plus students.


Bio:

KC Burn has been writing for as long as she can remember and is a sucker for happy endings (of all kinds).  After moving from Toronto to Florida for her husband to take a dream job, she discovered a love of gay romance and fulfilled a dream of her own -- getting published.  After a few years of editing web content by day, and neglecting her supportive, understanding hubby and needy cat at night to write stories about men loving men, she was uprooted yet again and now resides in California. Writing is always fun and rewarding, but writing about her guys is the most fun she’s had in a long time, and she hopes you’ll enjoy them as much as she does.

Visit KC at her website, on Twitter, on Facebook, or find out about new releases by signing up for her newsletter.

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Review: The Soldier Next Door by Brigham Vaughn

Sometimes, love is right next door.

All twenty-seven-year-old Travis Schultz is supposed to do is keep an eye on the kid next door for a few weeks while his parents are out of town. Eighteen-year-old Owen Wheeler has other plans. Newly graduated, with plans to enlist in the Army, Owen wants to get laid before he ships out and he’s had a crush on Travis for years.

The age difference and the responsibility he’s been entrusted with make Travis hesitant, but the attraction is too much to deny. When the casual one-night stand turns into something more, Travis has no idea how to tell Owen how he feels. He misses his opportunity before Owen leaves and is left at home with a broken heart when Owen cuts off all contact.

When they meet again years later, Owen is in the midst of recovery from being injured in the line of duty and Travis will have to decide if he can forgive Owen and try again.

Reader Advisory: This book contains brief mentions of PTSD and war-related injuries.

Holy short story Batman!! I didn’t even know I was at the end until I turned the page at 84% and hit an excerpt for another book. Umm... ok? The good news is that I was interested in reading more. The bad news was the ending was rushed and many parts throughout were glossed over, which compromised the completeness of the story.

Owen is an 18 year old recent high school grad that enlisted in the Army. He’s also a virgin and wants to cash in his v-card before he ships out for basic in a month. When his parents go on vacation and ask Travis, the next door neighbor to keep an eye on Owen, he decides that close, penetrating contact will be the best course of action. Repeatedly. Travis, being such a nice guy, is willing to help Owen out and take one for team USA.

What started as a cherry popping turned into a month long sex-fest. The men get to know each other as more than just neighbors and when Owen ships out, they continue their “relationship” during stolen moments through basic and even into Owen’s first duty station. Feelings become involved and then Owen goes radio silent and leaves behind a heartbroken Travis.

It isn’t until a July 4th BBQ five years later that the men see each other again.

So then what happens? I don’t know. It ended. They got a HEA or maybe it was a HFN? Or it’s whatever blow jobs and fire works equate to?

There was a story there and could have definitely been expanded to be a longer novella if not novel. I enjoyed the bones of the story and the characters were likable. I wouldn’t mind a reworking to add length, a fully realized plot, and added depth to the characters beyond the shallow details that we were given. The potential is there but this is more of the CliffsNotes version than an actual, fully fleshed out story.

Review: Came Upon a Midnight Clear by Katie Porter

A 2017 Riptide Holiday Charity Novel

Up-and-coming film producer Kyle Wakefield lives in the closet rather than risk the wrath of his influential, conservative parents. The only time he took a chance on love was a tempestuous teenage affair with Nathan Carnes. But when Nathan proved himself hell-bent on self-destruction and wound up in prison, Kyle closed off his heart.

Almost a decade later, Kyle’s production partner hires Nathan’s stunt company, Second Chances, to work on a big-budget action film in London. Nate is floored by his explosive reunion with Kyle. But he sure as hell isn’t surprised that Kyle still treats their mutual needs—and Nate—like dirty little secrets.

As the London holiday season casts its dazzling spell, the two men find themselves falling in love again. Kyle is one breathless kiss away from declaring himself to Nate—and to the world—but they cannot ignore secrets borne of youthful mistakes. To protect their bright new future, Kyle and Nathan will need all their passion and trust . . . and a little Christmas magic.

NOTE: This is a lightly edited reprint of a previously published novel.

This was just the right amount of holiday spirit for me, meaning it takes place during Christmas but doesn't rely on the "miracle of Christmas" trope to sustain the relationship. Came Upon a Midnight Clear is essentially a story about second chances and maybe one of redemption on Nate's part.

Nate and Kyle went to boarding school together and fell in love. They made plans. They were going to buck tradition. They were going to be together despite their socioeconomic disparity. But life had other plans.

Nine years later and a three year stint in prison for Nate they find themselves on the set of Fast Money as stuntman and producer and the passion reignites between them with very little tinder required. There is a lot of water under their bridge, a lot of miscommunication and non-communication that may be problematic for some, but I understood their desire for each other. Both believe their is an egg timer ticking down to yet another separation and this time it will likely be for good, so grab what you can while you can, right?

Their physical connection and chemistry bursts off the page and in many ways they communicate through sex: sometimes angry, sometimes tender, sometimes kinky and oftentimes intimate; it's clear they both struggle putting their wants and needs into words. Except during sex when all bets are off. Dirty talk, public sex, rimming, a little D/s and neither holds anything back. But once they do begin to dissect the past and what exactly happened things begin to improve. Along the way there was some marked relationship development beyond the bedroom that convinced me of their ability to endure whatever life throws at them in future.

If you're in the mood for some erotic, second chance romance give Came Upon a Midnight Clear a try. I'll be on the lookout for more from this author in the future.

A review copy was provided by the publisher.

Review: Regret Me Not by Amy Lane

Pierce Atwater used to think he was a knight in shining armor, but then his life fell to crap. Now he has no job, no wife, no life—and is so full of self-pity he can’t even be decent to the one family member he’s still speaking to. He heads for Florida, where he’s got a month to pull his head out of his ass before he ruins his little sister’s Christmas.

Harold Justice Lombard the Fifth is at his own crossroads—he can keep being Hal, massage therapist in training, flamboyant and irrepressible to the bones, or he can let his parents rule his life. Hal takes one look at Pierce and decides they’re fellow unicorns out to make the world a better place. Pierce can’t reject Hal’s overtures of friendship, in spite of his misgivings about being too old and too pissed off to make a good friend.

As they experience everything from existential Looney Tunes to eternal trips to Target, Pierce becomes more dependent on Hal’s optimism to get him through the day. When Hal starts getting him through the nights too, Pierce must look inside for the knight he used to be—before Christmas becomes a doomsday deadline of heartbreak instead of a celebration of love.

This is quintessential low-angst Amy Lane. Or as low-angst as Amy Lane gets!

Recuperating from a bad car accident, and a failed marriage, Pierce Atwater hopes that a month in his friend’s waterfront Florida condo will help get him back on his feet. There he meets Hal Lombard, a young man torn between what he wants and what his parents expect of him.

It doesn’t take long for the two exiles to become friends, and then something more.

This novella consists almost entirely of Pierce and Hal, with only very short interludes by secondary characters. It makes for “quiet” and easy read.

When readers first meet Pierce, he’s a bit of a grouch. In pain because of his injuries, he’s lousy company. Hal is the exact opposite - he’s bubbly and lives in the moment.

Their first meet-cute sets a pattern for their relationship. Pierce is a bit of an ass, but Hal doesn’t let that stop him from pushing into Pierce’s life.

And Pierce can’t seem to stop himself from wanting Hal to push in.

I thought that the two were very sweet together from the start. Both men struggle with challenges in their personal life, but bring each other some happiness to ease their troubles. I couldn’t help but root for them!

It doesn’t take the two long to give in to the growing attraction between them, and they’re just as cute as a couple. There are a few bumps of their own making, but it’s fairly smooth sailing for Hal and Pierce.

However, I thought that the relationship development wasn’t fully fleshed out. I would have preferred to get a better sense of how and why Pierce and Hal fell for one another, aside from being two lonely queer men feeling the holiday blues in Florida.

That being said, the two click together seamlessly, and their happy ending is worthy of a Hallmark Christmas movie.

Overall, I enjoyed ‘Regret Me Not’. If you’re looking for a sweet, low-angst, and low-drama holiday MM romance, give this novella a try!

A review copy was provided by the publisher.

Review: Trick or Treat by Sydney Blackburn

Drew hates labels, but loves Halloween and he wants a trick-or-treat of his own. At his mother’s​ to deliver emergency candy, she has him get the door in his gender-bending costume. The handsome man with the little trick-or-treater would be Drew’s perfect treat.

David’s attraction to Drew is no trick. He wants the whole Drew, in all his unlabeled glory, making Drew think this could be a treat that lasts long past the holiday.

Well, this was a delightful treat! I’ve been gorging on the Christmas stories since before Halloween and it really is time to come out of my gingerbread house and read something different. And since I’m not ready to give up holidays all together yet, heading back to Halloween seemed like the perfect plan and I was so right!

This story of Drew and his hookup with promise is utterly adorable. Drew labels himself as a genderfluid pansexual man, but he also labels himself just because he kind of feels like he has to. Being a model, a lot of his relationships/hookups see him as an embodiment of a label, but none have taken the time just to know Drew. And oh, how sad is that? He’s funny, he’s fabulous and he loves and appreciates his mother. What’s not to love there?

He’s put together an amazing costume for Halloween and he has an all too brief meeting with a man he has an instant connection too. Drew is helping his mom with a candy crisis and answers the door to David (hot and hunky connection guy) and his nephew trick or treating. Drew drops a hint as to where he’ll be later and HEY, guess who shows up at the club?

This is a short story, so I didn’t get a whole lot of David, but the author did a really great job of showing me who he was through Drew’s eyes and I was as smitten as Drew was in no time. I loved how David made Drew feel, how Drew felt important and cherished even if they just met. This is one of those stories that gives you the most optimistic of HFN’s and I would love an expanded version of Drew and David’s story. There’s a lot to work with just on the setup here alone and the characters are ones I would love to get to know better.

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