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

Levi Ramone entered the gay porn market for one reason, and one reason only–he needed the cash to pay his momma's spiraling gambling debts.

Seven years later, he's a veteran with a reputation as one of Blue Boy Studio's most ruthless tops, and when his boss suggests it's time for a change, he finds himself staring down the barrel of a gun. Figuratively speaking, at least.

Enter Sonny Valentine, a go-go dancer at Blue's sister club, Silver's. Levi has secretly admired Sonny from afar for years, but there's one problem–he can't stand Sonny and the feeling is entirely mutual. When Levi learns Sonny is to play the third part in a scene he considers his worst nightmare, he figures things can't get any worse.

But when preparations for the scene from hell collide with tragic events in his personal life, he finds his fast growing, red hot attraction to Sonny the one thing left between him and a bullet.

Always fashionably late to the party...

Look at the table setting at the Blue Boy party!

I think I might one of the few stragglers who hasn't read Bullet. This is also my second Garrett Leigh. Can I still visit the party with my low Leigh credentials? I promise after reading the re-release version of Bullet...I'll make more an effort to read her work.

The novella stars seasoned porn actor Levi Ramone is a well known top in the industry. Ripped, bearded and rough, Levi is a lumbersexual wet dream. (Oh the new cover fits him, does it not?)Does he enjoy his job? In a way, yes. He gets all the ass he wants and doesn't have to worry about commitments. But...he's virtually alone. His father committed suicide and his mother is an alcoholic with a grudge against her son, Levi doesn't have really close connections. The majority of his money is pay for his mother's bills despite her animosity towards him. He's desperate for cash to help.

It's a sad existence.

Enter the "bitchy twink" (in Levi's eyes) Sonny, a fellow Blue Boy porn actor who also works at the pron studio's go-go club as a dancer/stripper. Sonny sees there is more than meets the eye to Levi. He calls Levi out for not being into his porn scenes, being too aggressive and not considerate. When Sonny and Levi's boss offers more money to star in a threesome, Levi accepts. Even though Sonny gets under his skin and the fact that he'll have to lost his butt cherry.

That setup though...

"Dude, you don't want to go there for the first time without a good lead off. Do you want me to suck you off?"
"What? No!"
"You're kinda coy for a hard-core porn star. It's cute."

Sonny picks through the wall Levi builds around himself. He also helps Levi discover the untapped pleasures...below. As the upcoming bottoming scene looms as the novella progresses, there is also Levi's broken home/ dealing with a harridan of an alcoholic mother.

Now I thought it might've went one way with the mother, I was not expecting some of the resulting blows from that front. Or bottom assistance/prep/seduction

Though Sonny is helping his future scene actor out, there seems to be an underlying current of care...along with the obvious attraction between both men. Also for a book about porn, it's not as sex filled as you might think. I'm still new to Leigh's writing style, but methinks angst is her forte, yes? There was definitely a decent amount of emotions from Sonny to help carry this novella along, along with the obvious courting via anal play.

When Sonny and Levi finally culminate the obvious courting...the book ends!

Where is the rest of the story? I had to stop myself from shaking my Kindle upside down. There is no way Levi and Sonny just ends the relationship like that.

Right?

*listens to the squawking from the party*

There's follow up in the rest of the series? Is that so?

Well, hell looks like I need to rest of this series! I'm so curious to see what happens with the other characters. And Sonny and Levi of course...there's a hint of unresolved drug abuse somewhere along the line.

I'm invested.

Gonna see if I can get my Garrett Leigh dance card filled out now that I've joined the party:

I enjoy what I've read so far.

Recommended for readers who like some angst, some sexy and characters that have some baggage too.

Find on Goodreads!

Review: Ben and Shiloh (Belladonna Arms #4) by John Inman

Shiloh Smart is alone and looking for a fresh start. Convinced he’s finished with love forever, he signs a lease at the Belladonna Arms, a tacky, run-down apartment building situated high on a hill in downtown San Diego.

Determined to turn his back on romance, Shiloh works hard at carving out a life for himself where love doesn’t stand a chance and staying single is all that matters.

Then his drag queen landlord’s nephew, Ben Moss, moves in. Thanks to a rumor Ben has heard since childhood of a fifty-year-old crime and a fortune in stolen money, he sets out to find the loot supposedly hidden decades ago in his uncle’s apartment building.

The minute Ben spots a kilted Shiloh toddling off to work at the Scottish restaurant up the street where he waits tables, he falls hard and fast for the aloof young redhead. Even a hidden treasure can’t compete in Ben’s eyes with the beautiful waiter with the fiery copper hair.

But even while he diligently works to break down Shiloh’s defenses, Ben doesn’t give up his quest for buried treasure. Soon, as their friendship deepens, the two young men join forces in a search for the stolen cash.

As the treasure hunt gathers steam and all the tenants get involved, Ben and Shiloh come to realize the greatest treasure isn’t buried in the Belladonna Arms at all. It’s buried far deeper—in each other’s hearts!

Greetings my fellow Belladonnians.

We gather here today to wallow joyously in the love pollen that spreads through the Belladonna Arms.

We gather to honor OTT drag queens with hearts of gold, kilts, firsts, friendships, gingers and did I mention kilts?

Given the state of our world, I really needed this story and I can always count on John Inman to give me a tale that makes me turn into a puddle of goo with the aforementioned love pollen. I’m generally not a huge fan of overly sweet stories, but John’s flavor of sweet totally works for me. The good dose of humor, snark and sexy times gives the Belladonna Arms series more personality than most. The depth of the secondary characters gives these books their appeal just as much as the MC’s and it actually seems wrong to call them secondary characters.

The whole series has great balance. Serenading Stanley, Book 1 was incredibly romantic and set the stage for the rest. Work in Progress, Book #2 and Coming Back, Book #3 in the series were just as romantic but they also tackled some heavier issues with respect while still hanging on to the hopeful romance. Ben and Shiloh circled back around to a more Serenading Stanley feel to me and it makes the overall series arc more relatable. The focus stays on the characters and the issues we’re already been privy too without getting diluted by an unnecessary amount of more drama just for the sake of it.

There are two new residents introduced in Ben and Shiloh and yes, they were Ben and Shiloh. Shiloh is a young man who has been burned by love and booted out of his two timing ex’s apartment. He’s a server at a Scottish themed restaurant, hence the kilts. The kilt is like catnip to many, myself included and it was funny to read it worked into the story line throughout.

Shiloh ends up at the Belladonna arms and under the wing of Arthur the resident landlord and drag queen. I love when Arthur meets people for the first time, it’s always amusing as hell. Not long after Shiloh settles in, Ben arrives. Ben is Arthur’s nephew and when the residents heard he was moving in there was all kinds of speculation about what he would be like. No one really expected a massive mountain of muscle with a handsome face and a sweet as pie personality though, so it was a pleasant surprise all around. Shiloh thinks Ben is a little off as one would expect from a relative of Arthur’s because it turns out there’s an urban legend about a cash trove stashed somewhere in the Belladonna Arms and Ben is convinced he can find it. Shiloh is convinced Ben is nuts. Yummy, but nuts.

The two of them get to know one another through a series of mishaps and run-ins while Shiloh is just going about his life and Ben is treasure hunting. Ben also makes it his mission to court Shiloh and I absolutely loved every moment of the wooing. Shiloh didn’t give in too easily, he was still a little gun shy about the whole love pollen thing, but Ben is a sincere and persistent persuader and soon enough the guys are on their way to building a forever type of relationship.

That’s one of my favorite things about this series, the characters don’t wait to get together until the end, they get together earlier on so I get lots of page time with them and their relationship. And the page time with Ben and Shiloh was delicious. There is no doubt that they trip each other’s triggers. The descriptions of them and pretty much everything they do was wonderfully thorough. The two are complete opposites physically and the author worked the kilts into their time together as well which will make many readers very happy. There was more to their alone time than the rubbing of tingly bits too, they were ridiculously romantic, funny and caring with one another and I needed to read that and get it into my life right now.

The mystery is secondary to the love story, but it isn’t forgotten and the wrap up was fun and it fit into the Belladonna Arms history just right. There’s HEA’s all around as the love pollen in this one was at epic levels and I’d recommend the entire series to anyone feels like they need to fall in love with love again.

For more information on Ben and Shiloh, check it out on Goodreads and over at Dreamspinner Press.

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

Review: The 12 Days of Hipster (The Avona Tales #2) by Raine O'Tierney

Sequel to Bowl Full of Cherries

Last Christmas, Tyler Lang accidentally accepted David Griffith’s invitation for dinner. Yes, it was an accident. See, hipster (don’t call him that!) Tyler doesn’t date guys, and even if he did, he certainly doesn’t date jocks. A rude and hasty exit right when the date was getting good left things awkward between them.

David Griffith isn’t really a jock. Well, he’s a former athlete who loves sports, but “jock” has a certain connotation that doesn’t quite fit the intelligent, hardworking store owner. A jock wouldn’t have given Tyler Lang the time of day. But even after that little, ahem, stunt with the fire escape, David can’t stop thinking about the hipster a year later. Which would be fine if fate didn’t keep butting her nose into their business, making it impossible for the jock and the hipster to avoid each other this Christmas.

A hilarious holiday romp, set to the music of the Winter Sounds.

This book was so funny! I loved A Bowl Full of Cherries, the first in this series featuring the twin and best friend of this book's MC, Tyler, and this follow up did not disappoint.

Tyler is the kind of MC you love to hate but love at the same time. A hipster who does everything he can to avoid being labelled a hipster, except, you know, actually not being a hipster. He's ironic without realising it. He is spoilt and whiny and an utter pain in the arse... but I love him. I really do. Mainly because, underneath that awful exterior is a kind soul who does care. He is so funny, especially as he tries so hard not to be. 

David is, Tyler has decided, a jock. What he actually is, is a hardworking chap who liked sports and spends his life trying to please his father. His father, it goes without saying, is a grade A wanker. Selfish, domineering, manipulative; successful is business but not at all nice to his children. His family is completely different to Tyler's and the contrasts this book has work well.

Tyler and David work so well together, despite Tyler taking a while to admit he's bi; not because he has any problem with bisexuality but it would just be too hipster of him if he was bi and he refuses to be labelled hipster, Together, they remind me of a cat and dog, the kind where the dog is being hissed at by the cat throughout the day, but they still cuddle up at night and the cat gives the dog headbutt loves when nobody else is looking. They're relationship made me go awwwwwww, but it also made me laugh out loud. 

I love that this book contained not just Tyler and David's POV, but also that of Rell and Crowley from book 1. Seeing how their relationship progressed and the dynamics between the four of them, was the icing on the cake for me.

This book, though certainly a seasonal read in some respects, is actually utterly readable at anytime of the year, it's a story that is partly set at Christmas, rather than a Christmas story. If you want to read something funny I really recommend this.

A copy of this story was given in exchange for an honest review.
For more information, see Dreamspinner Press or  Goodreads.

Review: The Unlikely Prospect (States of Love) by Lex Chase

In Prospect Harbor, Maine, lobsterman Harper Cook has always loved the sea. He and his two brothers work the harbor waters, in a fishing village of one thousand where everybody knows everybody else’s business and nobody wants to be different.

When it’s time for the annual Men of Maine pinup calendar, Harper’s brothers eagerly volunteer him. Harper isn’t thrilled to bare it all to raise money for an elementary school playground—until he meets out-and-proud Los Angeles out-a-statah Sean Blackburn: the highly available first-grade teacher with Hollywood heartthrob looks.

Harper has no desire to ever stand out from the crowd, but Sean persists and earns Harper’s friendship. Through Sean, Harper opens up to new possibilities. Things get steamy, but Harper still protects his heart. Though the right pressure in the right place might crack even a loner lobsterman out of his shell.


States of Love: Stories of romance that span every corner of the United States.

Like shedding lobsters, it was time for Harper Cook to come out of his shell.

Harper Cook is a simple man, he lives in a small simple Maine town working on his family’s boat as a lobsterman. Harper is a man who is loyal to his family and when his brother Joe signs him up for the Men of Maine Calendar to raise money for a new playground at his niece's school, Harper agrees. When his brother tells him that he’ll have to go see the new 1st grade teacher who is putting the calendar together and I who is “like” Harper, he gets frustrated. When Harper learns that he’ll be Mr. December in the calendar and that he’ll be sporting his birthday suit… well Harper doesn’t back down.

I adored Harper. He’s a good man but socially awkward in the most endearing way. I loved being in his head as he accepted yet wrestled with his sexuality. From his dreams of love at first sight to his “high school hormones” and vast amounts of conditioner he goes through, Harper is a 40 year old man who has never explored his sexuality… with another man. BUT when he meets Sean Blackburn, the 1st grade teacher and wrangler of the Men of Maine calendar, Harper decides to open up and see where things go.

Harper Cook never had a damned thing to be embarrassed about. As far as anyone knew, anyway. His mumma—God bless her resting soul—she’d taken his quiet ways as dignity instead of awkward shyness. He’d open up when it was time.

Sean was a fantastic character. He’s so patient and accepting with Harper that you can’t help but fall for him and fall fast. Their trip out on the boat was so much fun. From Sean posting pics of Harper to what happens before they get rescued, I was on board and ready for more. Sean, he sees Harper and gets not only his awkwardness but that Harper is a virgin and needs a few lessons… yep, lessons.

“You’re fascinating,” Sean said, and Harper met his gaze in confusion. “Don’t think I don’t see it.”

Harper's brothers really are amazing. I loved how Joe gave him the push by saying Harper would do the calendar and basically set up his brother with Sean. The scene after the rather detailed lobster cracking (a bit that I skimmed because my stomach and heart couldn’t take it) when Danny and Joe show up and how they instantly included Sean in the ribbing warmed my heart. They are always in the corner of their brother and only want the best for him.

Yeah, this was sweet story and also, sexy as hell! *whistles* What Sean and Harper get up to; what Sean does, what he makes Harper ask for and what Harper needs was nothing short of sexy. Sean has a dirty mouth and even Harper has a few moments. But again, while it was really sexy there was so much intimacy and emotion that felt so true for the romance.

This book is a sort of sexual coming of age with a 40 year old man and it’s wonderful. Not only the exploration of Harper and his sexuality but the character exploration of Harper as a man with a creative mind. Goodness, I am rambling.

I will just say, I have the biggest, cheesiest and sappiest look/grin on my face from that end. What a wonderful and romantic way to end a story about two men with such character finding their way to one another. Just… perfect. Le sigh.

Find on Dreamspinner Press or Goodreads!

Review: Act Two: New Beginnings (For Whom the Heart Stone Burns, #2) by Kari Gregg

Who is seducer and who the seduced?

Kellan Fik raced to Nitcha when a master seer scried his rival’s fosterling as his destiny and his mate. Becket was a bibelot—devoid of magic. But the man wasn’t the shy, submissive virgin Kellan expected. Ponderously tall, outspoken, and a shockingly skillful lover, Becket intrigued Kellan and inflamed his desires. Becket was also the key to unraveling the puzzle of Becket’s guardian and Kellan’s chief competitor, Theodore Douglas.

Kellan courts Becket with powerful charms and the dizzy wonder of their every caress. His hope? Convincing his wily lover to share his secrets and cement their bond. Becket isn’t what he seems, but neither is Kellan. Together, they must learn to trust despite the lies and intrigues… before it’s too late

Once again, I finished a story by the Gregg a little confuzzled, slightly aroused and wanting more.

Act Two: New Beginnings starts directly after that steamy ending in Act One: Safe Travels. You will be lost not reading in order.

Becket, the bibleot, is fully ensconced in the world of Ket. The giant ginger from Earth is to be trothed (arranged married) due to a sentinel scrying for him. His sentinel is Becket's uncle Theo's rival, Kellan is immediately attracted to Becket. And Becket can't deny immediate attraction as well.

So maybe this magic stuff might not be all that bad for the man devoid of magic?

The two have to be guarded until Becket makes a decision. Bibelots are to be protected since they're supposed to be unworldly. Becket doesn't fit the mold. And Kellan wants his man, his bibleot...now. He schemes to get his ginger right where he wants him.

The kittery buzz of arousal arcing between him and Becket wasn't a magic Kellan could scry in a pool of water or mix inside a witch's bottle. It couldn't be conjured with herbs or focused with stones, candles, or heartfelt pleas to the four powers. The attraction that drew Becket a stumbling step closer was more primal. Elemental.

Told from Kellan's POV, Act Two continues the heavy high fantasy world building. It starts in the constrictive, stone dwelling aerie Nitcha and ends in the tree dwelling aerie of Melaeum (think massive Redwoods with elevators!) Besides the hot attraction between Kellan and Becket, there is the mystery of both men. Kellan is a master magic practitioner who knows Becket is lying about where he's from and can't figure out why he is or who he is. The reader already knows Becket's background from Act One, don't expect a rehash in Act Two.

Kellan can't put his finger on where the lies start with his bibleot, but Becket is his. And he'll take him, lies and all. I enjoyed being in Kellan's head. I want to know more of these "secrets" that he kept alluding to. Melaeum definitely is a more interesting world. Kellan and Co. had to fly to get there on mythical creatures!

My fantasy loving heart squeed when Pegasus, griffins and phoenixes were mentioned. I hope for more of that in future Acts. The story is the beginning of Kellan and Becket's bonding. Becket's uncle and his magical crusade is secondary to Kellan's rush to troth, There is a presence of imminent danger, but no one knows where it's coming from.

Becket and Kellan succumb to their lust but surprisingly it doesn't take up the entire book. What does is more of the world building. We get to read about stones and their magic or gardening and its yield. It doesn't overtake the book, but it is heavy throughout.

Immediate gratification lovers, this is still not one for you.

The story is still slowly unfurling, along with the world.

But this was the start of the foundation of Kellan and Becket. I like them together. I can't wait to read how they grow together s a couple and how they face this magical world of Ket with its intrigues.

Add to your shelf on Goodreads!

Review: Shirt by Amy Lane

2nd Edition

After a meet-cute in a bathroom and a whirlwind courtship, Ryan is ready to introduce Scotty to his parents. But a misunderstanding and some stubborn cuff buttons tangle Ryan up in an oxford shirt at a really inopportune time. Can Scotty take this opportunity to teach Ryan one or two more lessons about falling in love?

Previously published in the Curious: A Woman's Introduction to Gay Romance anthology by Dreamspinner Press, 2010.

I’m doing things a bit backwards here. I’ve already read the next two books in the Ryan and Scott series, so I’m backtracking now that the first book has been re-released.

‘Shirt’ takes readers to the early days in Ryan and Scotty’s relationship. After falling love and quickly moving in together, Ryan is about to introduce Scotty to his parents. Between worrying about what his parents will think of Scotty and Scotty’s ill-timed decision to seduce Ryan, Ryan reminisces about how he and Scotty first met.

If there’s a single gif that can explain this book, I’d say it’s this one:

‘Shirt’ really is a fluffy pink unicorn dancing on a rainbow. There’s no angst or drama, just two men basking in the honeymoon phase of their new-found love. It’s definitely insta-love, which often annoys me, but works fine in such a short and sweet read.

I enjoyed getting to see how the relationship began, especially the bathroom incident. The sequels allude to the scene in the bathroom, but don’t give any details. I thought it was a very funny meet-cute, and so indicative of Scotty’s personality.

Who, other than Scotty, would meet the love of his life in a bathroom while hiding from a horny secretary, and then proceed to compliment the size of his new-found love’s penis?

Plus, we’ve got Ryan’s introduction into the world of gay sex. Fans of butt-sex virgins will be happy.

Having already read both Phonebook and Puppy, Car, and Snow, I felt like I had a better understanding of Ryan and Scotty. But I don’t think that’s necessary to enjoy this short story. I would highly recommend continuing with the rest of the series though, because it’s some great fluff.

If you’re looking for a short, sweet, and sexy read, ‘Shirt’ will fit the bill. It’s free too!

Find out more on Dreamspinner Press or Goodreads.

Review: Clockwork Heart (Clockwork Love #1) by Heidi Cullinan

Love, adventure and a steaming good time.

As the French army leader’s bastard son, Cornelius Stevens enjoys a great deal of latitude. But when he saves an enemy soldier using clockwork parts, he’s well aware he risks hanging for treason. That doesn’t worry him half as much, however, as the realization he’s falling for his patient.

Johann Berger never expected to survive his regiment’s suicide attack on Calais, much less wake up with mechanical parts. To avoid discovery, he’s forced to hide in plain sight as Cornelius’s lover—a role Johann finds himself taking to surprisingly well.

When a threat is made on Cornelius’s life, Johann learns the secret of the device implanted in his chest—a mythical weapon both warring countries would kill to obtain. Caught up in a political frenzy, in league with pirates, dodging rogue spies, mobsters and princesses with deadly parasols, Cornelius and Johann have no time to contemplate how they ended up in this mess. All they know is, the only way out is together—or not at all.

Warning: Contains tinkers, excessive clockwork appendages, and a cloud-sweeping tour of Europe. A little absinthe, a little theft, a little exhibitionism. Men who love men, women who love women, and some who aren’t particular.

Steampunkalicious!

I'm not going to perpetrate like I've read tons of steampunk but I can say this is the best steampunk I've ever read, the most steampunky with dirigibles, oodles of clockwork and let's not forget the outfits! There's something about buckles and bodices that do it for me. 

This AU Europe that HC built beamed off the page like a beacon creating a movie in my head. I want to live there and fly around on The Brass Farthing and learn to tinker. I could pirate! What? I could. There is a pesky war between France and Austria that's been going on far too long engineered by Conny's nutters archduke of a father who's deluded himself into believing that he can unite Europe and RULE IT ALL!!!!!!!! *insert manic laugh* but clockwork and sky pirates! We all have our priorities. And I'll risk a war zone for some buckled up pirates with accents. 

Conny is a tinker apprentice to THE master tinker in France, Felix. Right from the start I liked Conny and as the story unfolded I wanted to squeeze the stuffing out of hug him (probably too tightly and too long). Conny happens across Johann half dead on a corpse barge and has to help him. Because Conny is that guy. He's the most charming blend of sweet, devoted, depraved and slutty. I love him. He has the biggest, most tender heart and the dirtiest, filthiest mouth. They just go together like bees and honey and create the magic. Did I mention how much I love him?

"I want you to fuck me while people watch us. Is that all right? Will you hate me if you find out I'm a terrible slut?"

NOPE! 

*stares off into middle space remembering all the sweet filthy... swilthy?*

Anyways...

In the process of fixing up Johann's limbs he's notices a metal shard in his chest that will kill him unless... he "borrows" Master Felix's clockwork heart. It's for a good cause, right? Right.

And thus the adventure begins! I'm not sure why the clockwork heart becomes such a hot commodity shortly after Conny "borrows" it, but it does and the interested parties are quite... determined in trying to claim it. So much so that Conny, Johann and Conny's best friend, Val, are forced to go on the run with Johann's former pirate crew on The Brass Farthing. And it was so much fun! This book was a blast to read. Every time I turned around something else was happening or another great character was being introduced. I daresay it was swashbuckling. Swashbuckling sky pirates!

And it just so happens Johann is Austrian to Conny's French so... star-crossed lovers! 

The language fumbling they did initially was adorable. We got both of their perspectives and seeing how frustrated they both were until they worked out they both spoke English was so endearing. I loved all the French and German as do both of them, particularly during the sexy times. *suggestive eyebrows* I'm sorry but' fuck me' in French is oodles hotter than 'fuck me' in English and I'm glad someone has recognized this universally accepted fact. On second thought, not sorry. Because truth!

"Baise-moi. Prends-moi par derrière. Défonce-moi."

Admit it. Your undies just spontaneously shuttlecocked off your body, right?

Johann is an 18 yr old virgin who's got nein experience in the relationship/attraction/romance department. He's a little confused and surprised by his feelings for Conny but there's none of that denial nonsense. He just doesn't know what to do. Good thing Conny's been around the block and over the table and in the back rooms and in the middle of the local tavern. Have I mentioned how much I love him?

No one does humiliation and exhibition like HC. She the Mistress of these particular kinks and they are on point in Clockwork Heart.

Their relationship builds and takes them in some interesting directions some of which they struggle with, but they always work through. I appreciated that they are possessive in their own way and built their relationship prior to dabbling in polyamory. But what I kept coming back to was the way Conny sees Johann. Johann is mostly clockwork and he never once sees him has deficient, maimed or disabled. Quite the reverse actually. He's so turned on by Johann's clockwork and that clockwork gets put to some good use.

*coughs*grunts*trills* IDK what sound I'm making but it's circling this block.

HC adds layers of character development over the course of the story as well as their back stories without being information dumpy until not only were there two fully realized main characters but secondary characters that are fleshed out too. I'm just putting it out there right now. If book 2 doesn't involve Captain Crawley and Valentin I'll be having a litter of kittens. You've been forewarned.

These types of series are my favorite-the ones where strangers become family and they keep folding in members strengthening their group exponentially. And this one has swashbuckling steampunk pirates! 

#NothingButWinning

Clockwork Heart is the complete package of fast paced adventure, fantastic steampunk imagery, a tender star-crossed lovers romance and face melting filth. 

Couldn't recommend anything more.

An ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Find out more on Goodreads.

Review: College Boys (Men of Holsum College, #1) by Daisy Harris

When soccer star Chris Fischer moves next door to an openly gay classmate, he doesn't realize the wall between their rooms will be so thin he'll hear his neighbor's every move. But soon he and Peter become friends, and Chris is intrigued—imagining what happens on the other side of the wall.

Active on the Queer Student Council, Peter Cohen wishes he wasn't so damn hot for his straight neighbor. He can't tell if Chris is flirting or in denial or what, but Chris's innocent overtures lure Peter into flirtation that throws his world into chaos. Peter doesn't want to date a closet case, but he desperately, passionately wants Chris.

Soon Chris must choose whether to run away from his new feelings or embrace a relationship with the guy he loves. And Peter must decide if he can give his heart to a guy who hasn't yet figured it all out.

A story just about every MM reader read...except me.

You know what they say...

Love that episode.

Anyhoo, what can I say that hasn't been said already? Probably not much.

Set in Vermont, Chris, Tennessean straight college soccer player moves into a single dorm room that has been shoddily split into two singles rooms with a paper thin wall to separate him and his neighbor. His neighbor is Peter, a gay student who Chris had a morning wood, totally not gay encounter with earlier in the year.

Uh-huh.

So while Chris gets to mourn his mother's passing in peace away from his teammates, he also gets to know Peter and they become friends. And masturbatory helping aids? Well, the wall separates them, so...it's totally not gay. Right?

I came for the 'out for you' but was pleasantly surprised with the additions to the plot. I liked Chris mourning. (wished it didn't get pushed to the wayside once the sexy times started. But who wants dead mom thoughts when boners are present?) I really liked Chris working through accepting that his sexuality wasn't as concrete as he'd thought - though the homophobic teammates were assholes and sometimes Chris made dick moves, his heart was in the right place. I'm glad it wasn't another gay boy dating a closeted boy story.

And the sex read natural. I liked the progression. Well most of it. And my smut loving heart rejoiced when I got the double whammy. You know what time it is: Virgin meets Butt Virgin Time

*purrs* And tears (during sex).

There were things I felt were too soon like the level of HEA. Not saying twenty-somethings aren't that mature but...virgins making such weighty promises after such short amount of time? *raises eyebrow* Methinks the hormones might be talking here. Also while I did applaud Chris' acceptance...it might've been a little hasty.

Overall, enjoyable story. It's hot, there's a solid plot and I'll be back for more of this series.

For more information on Goodreads or Booklikes!

A copy provided via Netgalley for an honest review.

Review: Toy With Me by Annabelle Jacobs

Aaron is hiding something in his drawers—but that’s not his only secret.

When he moves in with his new housemates, Aaron intends to tell them about his sexuality from the outset. But a large pink item of a personal nature, given as a joke, scuppers his plans and he misses his chance.

Fellow housemate Rob is out and proud. He guesses Aaron is gay, and when he finds Aaron’s other secret concealed in his sock drawer, he takes it upon himself to help Aaron out with a little sexual experimentation.

What do you need to know about this book? Let's summarise:

1. University guys
2. Huge pink dildo
3. Fun times (including first time toy play...)
4. .....actually, nope that's all you really need to know. I suppose I could tell you that it's a thoroughly enjoyable read, written in Annabelle Jacobs wittily romantic way. Or that, even though it's <10k it is still a proper story and not just PWP. Or that it's one of the sexy secrets quartet. But, truly, you don't need to know that stuff. Points 1-3 cover it quite enough.

A copy of this story was given in exchange for an honest review

For more information check out Goodreads

Review: Clockwork Pirate by Lyn Gala

Alex hid his unnatural attraction to men for many years. That changes when the pirate Beche takes Alex after capturing his ship. At first Alex believes his fate is death and the only question a matter of how he might die. However, the longer he is on the ship, the more he realizes that Beche hates the world because it is unfair in ways Alex never understood. As Alex begins to respect this strong, independent man, Alex’s dormant desires begin to reassert themselves.

Beche hates the titled classes and their government enforcers. They might have outlawed slavery on paper, but they never came to the islands to free him or his family. Since his skin is black, society has little respect for him. Beche expects no more of this latest captive, but soon Beche begins to realize that Alex is a naïve and beautiful man who values family and struggles with his own place in society. That poses an even larger problem because Beche does not want to send Alex back to a world that will mistreat him, but he has no place for a lord on a ship full of pirates.

Clockwork Pirate is everything I love about steampunk and LG-great gadgets, wildly creative and fantastic characterization. I'm almost starstruck with her range; she's conquered sci-fi, contemporary and now steampunk. If that's not enough to sell you, try this on for size:  GFY and a virgin AND interracial AND AND PIRATES! That concoction right there is full of win. The gift that keeps on giving, I tell ya.

The fact that LG chose an interracial relationship in post Civil War America and that she didn't shy away from the race relations topic made it more compelling somehow. Contemporary issues were deftly woven into a steampunk setting with an injection of swashbuckling adventure all working together to make the experience absorbing. 

Beche is a product of oppression, yet he wasn't depicted as bitter or vengeful, but judged people individually and has an enormous capacity to forgive which spoke volumes about his character to me. His first mate also happens to be the man who wielded a whip against him at the behest of his monstrous father, and Beche considers him family. I'm not sure most could conjure up the ability to forgive to that extent. Make no mistake though, Beche is a pirate captain and capable of ruthlessness, which is how he meets and captures Alex.

"He is so gentle I fear the world will treat him badly."

Alex is tenderhearted and loyal. He sacrifices himself to save his sisters and his crew then finds himself disturbingly attracted to his captor. You see, Alex's father subjected him to aversion therapy for his urning nature, so the hurt runs deep. What I enjoyed most about Alex's character was the dichotomy. He could easily be mistaken as delicate, but he's got a core of steel. He's not worldly by any means despite his margrave title, and he's somehow managed to retain an almost childlike naivete. His sisters, however, do not share these qualities and they both make for entertaining secondary characters.

"Why would you lie with a man? They're rough and unpleasant." She sat up a little straighter. "Of course, I do not include you in that judgment, but really? A man?" Aster appeared more bewildered than accusatory, and the fear in Alex's chest eased some. 

The writing is classic LG. The story is nicely paced, low angst with great characters, enough sexy times to quicken a pulse and outstanding world building. What I found in equal parts puzzling and amusing was the gender labeling thing. I didn't know what to make of it, but, frankly, I found I didn't care because I was enjoying the ride so much. 

Cool gadgets are cool.

If LG decided to expand on this book, I would read more from this world.


If steampunk isn't your thing, it's not overpowering. If steampunk is your thing, get on this already!

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

Find out more on Goodreads!

Review: A Bond of Three by K.C. Wells

In the kingdom of Teruna, the red-cloaked Seruani teach the Terunans the art of love. Taken from their homes at seventeen to be trained, they are shunned as outcasts by society and considered the lowest of the low. So when Prince Tanish falls in love with the Seruan Feyar, the man who took his virginity and the only one to share his bed, he is not about to declare that love. No one can ever know, because the consequences would be too painful to consider for both of them. 

When the king of Vancor visits Teruna, he promises that his son, Prince Sorran, will marry Prince Tanish to solidify the alliance between the two kingdoms, with the proviso that the virginal Sorran is instructed in the art of pleasing his husband-to-be. When Tanish’s father chooses Feyar to be this instructor, the lovers decide Prince Sorran must be taught that this is to be a marriage in name only…. 

A resentful prince, unwilling to share his lover. 

A resentful Seruan, unwilling to share his prince. 

And the shy prince whose very nature sparks changes in the lives of all those around them. 

Teruna is about to change forever.

This book was not my cuppa. 

I wanted it to be. I mean, look at that cover. 

Let's all take a moment to admire the pretty… 

I like fantasy. I like ménage. This should've been a slam dunk. Actually, this would make a decent porn script. Light on plot, heavy on sex with dudes walking around in easy access robes. I'd watch that. Hard. Fast-forwarding through all the talking bits mind you, but still.

If you're like me and enjoy books with conflict, some angst, edge and/or meat on their bones, this is not the book for you. If, however, you enjoy books that are sweet, feel good and leaving you feel like you've just skipped through a field of daisies, you are going to love the stuffing out of this thing. I, however, felt like I was being subsumed by a tidal wave of Sunny Delight.

I wanted to sink my teeth into the fantasy world, but aside from knowing Teruna and Vancor are allies against Kandor, I know nothing not even why Kandor is their mortal enemy. Feyar is a Seruan which essentially translates into courtesan only in Teruna they are reviled rather than revered for unknown reasons, thus Tanish and he are forced to conceal their love. Yet, they still sleep together every night. To cement the alliance between the two provinces Sorran is offered up as consort to Tanish. Tanish vows that nothing and no one will separate him from Feyar. For a couple minutes until Sorran's sweetness changes his mind. Same goes for Feyar. This is all chalked up to "the bond".

I wanted to sink my teeth into the story and be challenged by it, but it's predictable. Multiple opportunities for conflict and grit were stranded. Sorran has some unusual gifts that also could've provided something substantive that weren't elaborated on or explained well. The Seruani being treated abominably was the only point with any weight which I can't help but see as a thinly veiled parallel of the raging contemporary debate on marriage equality. Admittedly, a political hot potato that's deserving of discussion, has sparked countless debates and as much as I and a whole fuckton of other people would like it to be resolved favorably for all LGBTs, I in no way believe that the world will morph into a utopian society capable of amalgamating a ruling body's decision into their ethos within the span of a few months. An idealistic sentiment indeed that coincides with the tone of this book perfectly, but one I couldn't help but view as childlike magical thinking and somehow inappropriate for a topic this divisive. 

The sex is in the medium hot range and there is plenty of it which was really the only teeth sinking that occurred, figuratively speaking of course. Teeth are ill-advised. Mostly. Except when they're not. Never mind. It did give me pause that Sorran, a buttsex virgin prior to meeting his bond mates, after all of two trips to Pound Town decides he's man enough for DP. You go, Sorran. Go hard or go home, right? Then again, I don't feel as though I know any of these characters; they're all two-dimensional. But they are hot for each other. That hotness translates into 2 Hearts.

Objectively speaking, this book has an audience. Clearly. Just look at the reviews it's gotten thus far. Unfortunately, I'm not part of that audience, so take this review with the proverbial grain of salt. Read the other reviews.

Recommend to fans of escapist fluff.

An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more on Goodreads.