Guest Review: Acceptable Lies by C.M. Corett

William’s task is clear: catch the blackmailer. William Richmond is an earl, a father, a country gentleman… and a former spy. Catching the blackmailer should be simple, but when William finds a beautiful, injured young man on the beach, unfamiliar desires surge. He is determined to focus on the task and resist temptation—resist Daniel, or his carefully constructed illusions will crumble, exposing his lies to the world… and himself.

Daniel’s question is simple: Should he trust William? Daniel has secrets: his identity, his past, how and why he washed up on the shore… and more. With revelations of espionage, blackmail, and the arrival of William’s colleagues, the danger of exposure grows. Daniel’s instincts tell him that William is a decent man, a man of honor, but his instincts have been wrong before. As the attraction grows, so does Daniel’s desire to confess, but if he’s wrong, he risks everything—his secrets, his freedom, and his heart.

Guest Reviewer: Chelsea

A Gay For You Historical!!! That was unexpected and surprisingly really...really….HOT!

William is an Earl (yes! Hot, right?) who finds Daniel washed up and unconscious on a beach. He notices Daniel’s beauty instantly and that attraction turns to lust, which turns to friendship as they start to get to know each other which obviously all leads up to a HEA. The attraction turned lust is where this book is special. The build up and sexual tension between Daniel and William is insanely hot! Both GFYs and historicals are typically high on the tension, due to the tabooness of the relationship and well...virginity, but adding them both together…

“William was conscious of each and every movement of Daniel’s body. The strong-legged stride. The brush of Daniel’s arm against his, sending quivers through his belly. The smooth curve of Daniel’s neck, begging for his touch. His fingers twitched. Dear God. He needed to control himself. He clasped his hands to keep them from temptation…”

So this sexual tension, where did it lead you ask? You will not be disappointed! It led to three very hot sex scenes, yes three... in a short story, that is pretty rare! The sex scenes didn't drag either, so they weren’t repetitive which can sometimes be an issue with multiple sex scenes in novellas.

Aside from the delicious sexual tension I really enjoyed Daniel and William's relationship. Their interactions with Thomas (William's son) were cute and they had quite a sweet friendship and some fun possessive moments between them.

“He swallowed the lump in his throat as Daniel smiled at some inane comment from Charlotte. The blood pounded through his veins, and a surge of possessiveness welled up from within. Mine.”

My main issue with this story was the blackmail trope. Blackmail side stories often fall flat for me in romances. They take away from the characters relationship, for an action sequence that usually feels rushed, it was no different here. I didn't really care at all about William's past or the blackmailer. Even though I occasionally love a good rescue scene, the end sequence was resolved so quickly, it didn't satisfy my damsel-in-distress-white-knight desire enough for me to want it to interfere with their romance. I really wanted more of Daniel and William and much less talk of blackmail.

I would still recommend this though. A historical GFY… so unique, if you like historicals I wouldn't pass on this one!

Dreamspinner Press
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Review: The Art of Hero Worship by Mia Kerick

Trembling on the floor, pressed beneath a row of seats in a dark theater, college freshman Jason Tripp listens to the terrifying sound of gunshots, as an unknown shooter moves methodically through the theater, randomly murdering men, women, and children attending a student performance of Hamlet. Junior Liam Norcross drapes his massive body on top of Jason, sheltering the younger man from the deathly hail of bullets, risking his life willingly, and maybe even eagerly.

As a result of the shared horror, an extraordinary bond forms between the two young men, which causes discomfort for family and friends, as well as for Jason and Liam, themselves. And added to the challenge of two previously “straight” men falling into a same-sex love, are the complications that arise from the abundance of secrets Liam holds with regard to a past family tragedy. The fledgling passion between the men seems bound to fade away into the darkness from which it emerged.

Jason, however, is inexplicably called to rescue his hero in return, by delving into Liam’s shady past and uncovering the mystery that compels the older man to act as the college town’s selfless savior.

The Art of Hero Worship takes the reader on a voyage from the dark and chilling chaos that accompanies a mass shooting to the thrill of an unexpected and sensual romance.

"Why do I need you so much? Why am I addicted to your arms and your voice and your sound and your smell?"
"I... I don't know"
"You saved me."

Right out of the gate, we're thrust into this intense scene where our MC's are victims of a theater shooting. Jason panics, and then freezes. He makes decisions he'll later regret and the only reason he got out of there alive was because of Liam. A stranger that protected Jason and got him to safety.

During this scene and shortly after, Liam and Jason make some stupid decisions. I was ready to put the book down. I was not about to read an entire novel featuring these two morons. But I eventually found my heart and realized these guys were just involved in a shooting. They panicked (of course!) and made some silly decisions. Nobody can predict how someone would react in a situation like that. We'd all like to think we'd keep our heads and be smart. Well, that's what Jason thought, too.

Jason had many regrets from that day and had a hard time dealing with the aftermath. He found comfort in the short time he spent with Liam, before he had to go back to reality. He became a shell of his former self, refusing to go out. Until he met up with Liam again and he found a glimmer of hope that he might be able to feel normal again. Jason isn't sure of why he feels this way for Liam, or what his feelings are exactly, for that matter. He's never looked twice at another guy before, but there was something about Liam that Jason needed.

"I want to worship my hero, as he so deserves. I want to show him with my body the tangle of feelings inside me. Because my emotions are all caught up like a fish in a net... and the more I struggle to escape them, the more they entrap me."

Liam needed Jason just as much, but in a different way. He saved Jason that horrible day in the theater, and wanted to always keep him safe. He felt a strong urge to keep Jason protected and for Jason to be his.

This is a double GFY story and the guys bring the emotion in spades. They had a lot of chemistry on a emotional level. They (especially Jason) have so much turmoil in their lives and struggle to move on from the shooting they witnessed. They rely heavily on each other for comfort and support. Even though both of them always thought of themselves as straight, they never tried to deny the strong feelings that developed between them.

"I think I told you this last night, but I'm going to say it again. I couldn't feel the way I do for anyone but you-- male or female. I feel so much... I think I could fall in love with you."

Emotionally? They were really great together. Physically and sexually... not so much. It's a double GFY, for goodness sake! Where was the sexual tension? They were definitely more connected on an emotional level rather than physical. I don't need sex in a book in order for me to enjoy it and I have plenty of favorites that don't have any sex scenes. But if there's going to be on page sex, I'd like some chemistry and tension. Please and thank you.

Some of the characters were OTT, especially the women. They were painted in a particularly negative light. Every once in a while it's fine with me, but most of the women in the story? No thank you. 

The dialogue felt too formal and stilted. I admit, I highlighted the crap out of this story and there were plenty of scenes and quotes that I loved, but sometimes there were quotes that I just can't picture anyone saying, let alone a college student. 

As always with Mia Kerick, there was a beautiful message in Jason and Liam's story. The Art of Hero Worship really focused on labels... and then chucking them out the door. They don't matter. Love is love.

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Rubble and the Wreckage (A Gabriel Church Tale #1) by Rodd Clark

Gabriel Church knows you can’t take a life without first understanding just how feeble life is, how tentative and weak it stands alone. If you desire murder, you hold a life in your hand. Whether you release it to grant life or grip tighter to end it, it is at your command and discretion.

Gabriel is a serial killer with a story he wants told.

Christian Maxwell studied abnormal psychology in college but chose instead to focus on a career in writing. His background comes in handy when he thinks of writing about a serial killer. He can’t think of anyone more qualified to write the story of Gabriel Lee Church, and do so in the murderer’s own words. It’s been done before, but never with a killer who has yet to be captured or convicted.

There was never anything more than a gentleman’s understanding between the two men that Christian would record Gabriel’s life story. The killer did not ask for his complicity in any crimes, nor did he ever ask for his silence. Christian’s interest in the man, though, is fast becoming something more than academic. When the writer and his subject become unexpected friends and then lovers, the question remains: What is Gabriel’s endgame . . . and why does he want his story told?

Intriguing. So intriguing.

Christian has decided he wants to write Gabriel Church's story. He's been following a string of murders and knows they're linked, and where to find the killer.

Once he and Gabriel meet up, they delve right into the meat of Gabriel's story. His past, his murders and his 'divine reason for killing'. Right about now Christian should be high tailing it in the opposite direction, praying there's isn't this 'white light' surrounding him, the same light that surrounded all of Gabriel's victims. But there wasn't and Christian stayed. He was intrigued by Gabriel. Too intrigued and probably couldn't have stayed away, even if he wanted to.

Now Christian... Christian intrigued me.

"Christian had made himself inaccessible to others; he forged the walls he intended as protection, which sadly only held him captive and distant from those who could've loved him. But the real tragedy wasn't the compilation of brick by brick construction, but the fact that Christian never even saw the wall."

He closed people off, but he had no idea he was even doing it. But the one person he let in was a serial killer. Why? Because Gabriel was unreachable to everyone else and off limits? Perhaps. Although, they certainly had a connection.

Gabriel is a complicated, complicated man. He truly believes he is doing divine work. And when suggested otherwise, like maybe he's psycho, he gets super offended. I admit, that made me chuckle.

"You make is sound like I'm some sick psycho... that I needed to kill to feel good about myself."

Oh, he's so delusional. Ummm... you are a sick psycho, dude. But I really felt his affection for Christian. Despite his hangups, I think he really cared for Christian.

I'm so conflicted with my feelings for Gabriel. There were quite a few graphic detailings of his murders. These really bothered me. Not just the violence, but the complete apathy Gabriel felt toward his victims. It was disturbing, to say the least. So disturbing in fact, it took me a few days to read this simply because I wouldn't read it right before I went to bed. I didn't want Gabriel in my head right before sleep. As much as I disliked the flashbacks, it kept who Gabriel really was in the forefront of my mind. Right when I was starting to like him again, I'd be reminded of who he really was. So, I saw their purpose, even if I didn't like them.

There was a bit of a lull in the middle, but things certainly picked up towards the end. Some reviewers didn't like the last part, due to the M/F sex and the cliffhanger, but for me, that's what I liked the most. It brought some drama and action to the present day story line. So much of the action was from Gabriel's past, it was nice for some stuff to happen right now. It added some excitement to what was otherwise becoming somewhat dull.

I'm really curious to see what's next for Gabriel, and if Christian is involved or not. I'm also curious to see how my attitude changes towards our neighborhood serial killer as I read more about him.

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Review: The Butcher and the Beast by Sean Michael

Stephen is a doctor, a practical man who wishes his sister wouldn't worry so about the pirates that plague their island home. So it's ironic that Stephen himself is set upon by just those pirates, who carry him off to heal their wounded captain.

John is a pirate Captain, master of his fate, and used to getting what he wants. And he decides he wants Stephen, even when the good doctor wants nothing more than to run away from him. Can the beast convince the doctor the sailors call the butcher to stay with him? 

A Sean Michael readable story that didn't make my brain seep through my ear.

This is actually a higher rated Sean Michael from me. Guess why...there was a plot. Not a strong one but it was there!

 "You have such passion hidden beneath that very thin layer of civilization."
"You know nothing of me. Nothing."
"And I have all the time in the world to prove to you that I do indeed know you."

Now Sean Michael or SM and I, we have like this love-hate relationship see. It's a long standing one where I feel he just has a barrel of prompts and another for names and he picks whatever is on top and goes for it. Not knocking him, the formula works right because we're buying it.

I had to take a hiatus from him. It's been nine months since I read my last SM. I broke my abstinence for pirates. I'm weak for swashbucklers. The thing is, I did not regret my choice.

Don't expect real pirating in this book. This is Sean Michael we're talking about here.

Plot schmlot when there's needing and aching to be done. This is a about pirate captain jizz wizard named John aka "Beast"that comes buckets for his virgin, straight doctor who he affectionately nicknames, "Butcher".

I'm telling you Sean Michael was playing the role of Beast to my Butcher. He was such a horny son of a gun. He wore the feisty Butcher down until he just gave in to "needing" and "aching" and sexing. The novella isn't pure sex. I repeat the sexing doesn't start until after 70% mark.

I thought I was getting punked at first when I didn't read nothing but kisses by the 60%. 

A Sean Michael where the lusty one held out from filling that needy hole with his massive monster dong until 3/4 of the book?! 
And the virgin one...had actual thoughts and spoke in coherent sentences?!!
AND DIDN'T GIVE IN TO BUTTSEX ON THE FIRST DAY?! THE PIRATE WANTED TO WAIT UNTIL THE VIRGIN BEGGED HIM?!!!

And get this... there was humor. Good humor. I wasn't laughing at the characters but with them.

"Well, you obviously don't suffer from an excess if bodily humors."
"What?" Was the man saying he wasn't impressive? He was.
"Humors? Blood, seed--you seem to lose them at a rate that would impress a leech."

I nearly forgot this was a SM book for a second.

Then SM remembered his normal script a la:

"John. I ache."
"I will ease your ache for you. I would not leave you needing, wanting."
"You...it is as if you would devour me."
"Yes, I wish to consume all of you."

And it was good. I liked the characters. There wasn't much world building (go figure), this really didn't read "historical" though it was set in I guess Earth. A manly bodice ripper...wait, a breeches ripper.

I liked it...a lot. Oh dear, I've returned to the Sean Michael Warped Zone.
But the return wasn't bad at all.

For more information on Goodreads or Booklikes!

Guest Review: Straight From the Heart (Exception to the Rule, #3) by Kimberly Gardner

College student Kyle diStefano is having trouble paying his tuition. So when he hears about a job as team mascot with the accompanying full scholarship it seems like the perfect solution. Except he knows nothing about football. But why should that stop him?

Known as the Big Cock on Campus, Dave Masterson never lets his antics with the ladies interfere with his true love, playing NCAA football. But when his coach suggests the team do some off-season conditioning at the ballet barre, most of the guys scoff. Only Dave takes him seriously.

With Dave's knowledge of football and Kyle's knowledge of ballet, it seems each has exactly what the other needs, except they play for different teams. Or do they?

Kyle knows one sure path to heartbreak is falling for the straight jock who’s teaching him the rules of the game. Dave falling for another man is going to mean nothing but trouble. But neither man can seem to help himself.

When a public display of affection casts doubt on Dave’s NFL dream, he is forced to make a choice. Stay with the game plan or call an audible straight from the heart.

Reviewed by Samantha

It's a story we've all heard before. Gay boy falls for seemingly straight jock. In this story, Kyle, the new mascot ends up in a little deal with Dave Masterson, the schools quarterback. It's a simple exchange - if Dave teaches Kyle about football, Kyle will help him with ballet.

Of course nothing is really that simple, and the boys find themselves in somewhat of a friends with a little extra benefits arrangement, one that leaves some hearts broken in its wake.

The story in general was perfectly fine. There were some very cute parts, and the characters were overall endearing. I enjoyed getting to know Joes and Mark and seeing just a bit of their dynamic as well.

Still, this was just medium level okay. There was nothing that stood out about this story or that will stay with me in the days to come. I love sports in stories, and I love GFY, but there are so many that you really have to write something special to make an impact, and this simply wasn't that. If you're looking for something cute to pass the time, then this may be the book for you, but if you want a story with impact, I'd say to continue along elsewhere.

On the bright side, I found Kyle and Dave to be quite sizzling when they were together, but as a whole I felt like the heart of the story was lacking. The content was there, but something was missing.

For more information on Goodreads or Booklikes!

Review: Out in the Open by A.J. Truman

Libraries are meant for studying – not sex

College sophomore Ethan Follett never says what’s on his mind and never wants to rock the boat. After a high school social life spent anonymous and alone, things are finally falling into place for him. He’s found a group of friends just as studious as he, and is on track for a promising legal career. Out in the open, things couldn’t be better, but secretly Ethan yearns for some real excitement in his life.

He finds it in cocky fratboy Greg Sanderson, who challenges every rigid, preconceived notion Ethan lives by. Soon, their sparring relationship turns sexual, and these enemies-with-benefits get their freak on all over campus. Yet the more Ethan comes out of his shell, the more Greg retreats into his, working overtime to keep his ladies man public persona intact. As the sex gets hotter, and they get closer to getting caught, one part of their arrangement can’t stay hidden any longer: love.

OUT IN THE OPEN is a M/M new adult romance filled with humor, heart, and hot guys. The book is intended for audiences 18+ as it contains explicit sex and language.

When the request for this book came in I wanted so badly to jump on it. This book sounded really good based on the blurb. It also sounded like my type of romance. I held off though because I usually choke and develop writer's block when I have to write a review, even if it's for a book I love. But the day this went on sale I snatched it up. Boy, am I glad I did.

This is a play on the jock & geek trope. This new author, A.J. Truman, put a slightly different spin on it and I think he was very successful. We have Greg, the partying Frat boy and Ethan, his out of the closet, yet shy and studious classmate. They end up sharing the back row of a Constitutional Law class and the sparks fly. But NOT in a good way. They clash and the snarky banter begins.

The first few chapters were a tad slow for me. Not to the point of wanting to quit but I was worried that it wouldn't get better. As the next chapters unfolded it did get better. Much better. Then I realized that I needed those beginning chapters. They were the foundation to the relationship that I now had with Greg, Ethan and their friends. Without those first few chapters I'd be using this space to bitch about lack of character development and needing more background. The beginning is a tad sluggish but don't be fooled, the action picks up quickly.

Speaking of action, this book has some action in it. Good action. Really good action! In public places. Just out of sight. I don't want to go in detail but I will tell you the sexy times are in good supply and smoking hot!

The two MCs are easy to like, though at times I did get angry with Greg. He always managed to redeem himself quickly though and I never stopped rooting for him to do the right thing. The secondary characters are mostly unique and definitely added dimension to the story. Perhaps one or two were a bit clichéd and predictable in their actions, but only if I'm really trying to find fault.

There were a few niggles and such that I'll point out. There's an inconsistency or two with some of the descriptions. Nothing major but if I picked up on them you will too. There was perhaps one minor timeline issue that I picked up on, though it could have been my interpretation. I kept going and didn't let it pull me out of the story because it was insignificant and irrelevant. I also remember either a missing or extra word once or twice but again nothing major and nothing too distracting.

Overall, I really enjoyed this author's first book and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. If a contemporary romance between a cocky frat boy and a shy law school student sounds intriguing, I highly recommend Out in the Open!

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Review: Butterfly Hunter by Julie Bozza

It started as a simple assignment for Aussie bush guide Dave Taylor – escort a lone Englishman in quest of an unknown species of butterfly.

However Nicholas Goring is no ordinary tourist, his search is far from straightforward, and it’s starting to look as if the butterflies don’t want to be found.

As Dave teaches Nicholas everything he needs to survive in the Outback he discovers that he too has quite a bit to learn – and that very often the best way to locate something really important is just not to want to find it…

You know those quiet days. Those days where nothing particularly exciting happens and you're able to do the small things you love, but at the end, you sit back and realize that a wonderful day kind of snuck up on you. Completely unintentionally.

That's Butterfly Hunter.

I was totally caught by surprise. I had no idea how hard I fell in love with Nicholas and Dave and their butterflies. No idea.

Sure, I saw all the 4 and 5 star reviews. Sure, I knew that most of my friends loved it. But while I was reading I thought it was a nice enough story. But then, all of a sudden, my heart is breaking. And I realize that I have fallen head over heels for these characters and am smacked in the face with too much emotion. 

Ms. Bozza is a genius.

Dave is so utterly likeable and endearing. I can totally see why Nicholas was taken with him right away. Nicholas was just as great and I'm pretty sure Dave noticed him right away, too. No matter how much he tried to deny it. For the first half or so, it was just Nicholas and Dave building their friendship and the foundation for their beautiful relationship. Gah, it was beautiful. Not to mention the building of sexual tension. The tension! And, oh, once the tension broke... the kissing.

The kissing.

They didn't even need to go further, or I didn't need to read about it at least, because just their kissing was so damn sexy it about did me in.

I have to mention the butterflies and the significant part they played in the story. Nicholas' passion for them was admirable and the way Dave supported him was perfect. I loved the symbolism and what they meant for Nicholas, how he connected and saw himself in them. The butterflies were the perfect secondary character.

I don't know that I've ever read such a lovely book. The tone was quiet and slow and just beautiful.