Review: Night of the Living Manny by Julia Talbot

Something besides love is growing….

Manny Brenden Torrance is good at his job. He's dealt with all sorts of children and parents, but he's never met anyone as intriguing as Liam Whitehouse. Liam is a scientist with three kids, whose job is keeping him away from home more and more. That's where Brenden steps in to help.

Liam has secrets, though. He's working on a project for a pharmaceutical lab that could change disease management. Or destroy it. While he and Brenden start a romance they both want to continue, things at Liam's job come to a head, and suddenly the whole family of Dad, manny, three kids, and a big drooly dog is on the run from the one thing that might keep Brenden and Liam apart. And infect the world.

This was not a romance situation, it was a job.

Well this was cute if you find lab created zombie-esque romances on the cute side. Seriously though, this was light and fitting for the line.

When Manny Brenden Torrance takes an urgent job just when he’s planned a month off to himself and his beast of a dog Moose, he gets more than a handful of kids to take care of. Brenden walks straight into a struggling family with a widower whose job is keeping him from quality time with his three children and three kids who really need more time with their dad. It’s a good thing Brenden and Moose have a butt load of experience when they meet the Whitehouse clan. But has all their manny training prepared them for what they really signed up for?

Told from Brenden and Liam’s POV, we get the whole story as Liam finally gives in and gets help in the form of a manny to manage his family. Liam lost his wife a few years ago and while he is keeping his head above water, the weights of his job are dragging him under and he just needs that bit of help to not drown. Susana, Peter and Brittany are good kids, but they are kids who are teetering on the verge of disaster with their dad trying to balance it all. Thankfully, they all know what’s really happening and after a grumble or three, open up to Brenden being around.

The story is told well and I liked that we got to know all of the characters before the pandemic happens and the need to survive kicks in. We don’t know what’s up with Liam’s job and the emergency until we are decently into the book, so we get on page time with everyone setting a relatable foundation. It was nice to know where everyone stood with their feelings and it wasn’t just the “OMG we might die” that made everyone fall in love and everyone okay with the new family situation.

We’ll figure this out. You’re a scientist and I’m a manny. We can do anything.

I liked Brenden and adored Moose. The story is really light even given the virus situation but Brenden was down to earth and loved his job. He falls hard for every member of the Whitehouse family and when given the opportunity to let his feelings fly for Liam, he doesn’t hold back.

Liam is a good guy who has always wanted to do the right thing. His job has its challenges and after losing his wife the stress comes down three fold but Liam is too smart not to ask for help. Liam is also too smart not to be honest with his kids or with the new manny he thinks is hot and also is developing feelings for.

All of the kids were unique and had qualities that gave the story a bit of realism while being just a tad bit of unbelievable to stay straight with a paranormal read. There is insta-love in this but with the outbreak and the possible decline of civilization on the line, I will go with it and let the men fall in love.

I guess for me, this felt reminiscent of another story I read of lab created “zombies” where things weren’t as light and I will admit, the lightness of the Dreamspun series didn’t lend itself to this story as well as some others.
But that’s just my opinion, your mileage may vary.

Don't miss the Night of the Living Manny blog tour stop HERE!

Tag Team Review: Campus Life (CYOA #2) by T.C. Orton

All books in this series are stand alone.
A choose your own adventure for adults!
Young, dumb, and full of... You get the picture.

Welcome to Mentis University, your name is Joseph Smith and you've been unremarkable all your life. No - really, you've been absolutely, unequivocally, insert-smart-word-here mundane since the day the doctor slapped your ass and you let out a sigh. HOWEVER, you did manage to achieve one thing this year - you transferred to a better college. Bravo! (Mentis University has been rated number 2 on Top 10 worst colleges to attend for the last seven years... Guess where you were before this)

Since no one else from your hometown of - insert rural American town here - managed to claw their way out of mediocrity, you decided there was no point in hiding anymore. And thus, at an energetic twenty-one years old, you're now an openly gay man. Congratulations.

Of course, there's not much point in being openly gay if there are no gays to be in your opening. So, after spending a few days getting accustomed to your new life, you flopped onto your single bed, closed your eyes, and prayed to the lord... (And you're still waiting for the day Cher tweets you back)

"Please," you begged. "Guide me to a man who will treat me right... or pound me like a piece of veal."

Luckily for you, someone was listening...

Dear Reader

You will assume the role of Joe Smith (first-person, present tense) and guide him through his final year of college. Don't worry, you won't be expected to do anything as absurd as learn mathematics, but you will, on occasion, be provided with choices that will impact the outcome of the story.

3.375 average

Lost in a Book - 3 Hearts

I’ll be honest, I was squeeing for this before I ever read the blurb. This is my first foray into CYOA as an adult. I was obsessed with them growing up and didn’t even know they had an option for them in romance. *dreamy sigh* There are times when I read and just want to yell at the characters in a book for the decisions they are making and this format obviously puts the power in my hands…. which apparently I was pervy AF when I started because WHOA… that was quite a rabbit hole I fell down.

Campus Life puts you in the driver’s seat of college senior, Joe Smith. You are faced with decisions of the student variety from roommate fights to coffee crisis and coming out to lusting after a hot ass professor.

There are a plethora of directions to go, with completely different outcomes. It’s a short, quick, and OTT read. This isn’t a deep story where you leave with new appreciation for life and humanity. It’s silly, lacks depth with characters and plot, and even the less sex focused choices end in lots of sex. I went super pervy the first time through *shrug* and ended up saying “Yes, sir” and being on board with being called a slut. *shrug* There was a tad more character development when I went the complete opposite route and wanted to find a nice guy with more substance than filling holes… still had lots of sex but there was a tiny bit more to that story than me being on my knees.

It was a light, quick, and entertaining read. Recommended for fans of CYOA-pornyland looking for a break from serious.

Fantasy Living - 3.75 Hearts

I had a lot of fun reading through the fifty zillion (not really that many, but more than 2) story arcs in this book.

I came to three conclusions.

1 - I really missed choose your own adventure style books
2 - The author may or may not have a thing for 6’2”+ men
3 - Joe is thirsty as fuck.

I’m not sure Joe came across a male he didn’t want to bend over for. Which worked out well for this multi arc erotica (and me).

I’m not even going to tell you all the ways Joe bends over because those are spoilers and I think you should just read the book for yourself.

I didn’t manage to read all the endings (there are a lot) but I got through what I believe are the main story arcs and also flipped through a few alternate endings because that’s the type of person I am.

I could probably go another round or three just because it was fun the first zillion times. I never got bored. I liked the author’s voice and some bits made me laugh out loud (in real life!).

A few things squicked me out, and there was some content that was over fetishised for my taste. Some problematic content in one of the arcs did not bring me joy.

Each story line is pretty short so you could get through most of it in a day. There isn’t a high amount of character building but what is there works well.

In this style I would definitely read more from this author and if you need something really light, high in erotic content, and good for some giggles, this is the book for you.

If you choose right, you may even get a HEA ;)

A review copy was provided for an honest opinion

Review: To Hell You Ride by Julia Talbot

Second Edition

Big Roy is a hard-rock miner with a not-so-secret love for the theater, so when he hears a new troupe of actors are coming to the Telluride Opera House to put on a Shakespeare play, he saddles his mule and makes the trek into town to see it. The play doesn’t disappoint, but the beautiful lead actor, Edward Clancy, certainly does. Clancy is rude and arrogant, and Roy figures he’d never have a chance with such a man. He’s wrong, because Clancy needs some entertainment himself, being stuck in a hellish mining town for the long, snowy winter. Come spring, though, Clancy knows he’s going to want to move on, and he thinks Roy will be easy to forget. Then tragedy hits, and Clancy has to rethink his entire life. Can these two strike gold?

First Edition Published by SCREWDRIVER An imprint of Torquere Press, January 2007.

Roy is a huge fan of the theatre and attends as often as his meagre earnings as a miner will allow. One evening he attends a Shakespeare play and is instantly lustful over the lead actor, Sir Edward Clancy, until he has a poor encounter the next morning while meeting the local journalist to share his review of the play.

Clancy has no time for anyone but those he chooses as bedpartners, but a bad review from Roy makes Clancy livid and determined to get a retraction, at any cost. Even if he has to trudge up a mountain on a mule and demand it from the unsightly oaf who uttered the fateful words against him.

This is fun, witty, and light. Roy and Clancy manage to make their time together work, even when they fight. They have good chemistry and strong personalities. Clancy being stuck for the winter in a small town makes for entertainment on its own. Roy has to squash hopes for a future as Clancy continues to insist that once the snow melts he is off to sunnier places. Clancy is in denial and even though he has some *feelings* his plans will not change.

“Nonsense. I will not run after the man.” Clancy sat on the bed ticking, hand on the post. “Really, what good would it do? We’re not at all suited.”
“No. He love you. You love you. Only thing you have in common.”
Clancy glared. “That is quite enough out of you. Don’t you have a new job to attend?” “Tomorrow.”
“Well, I think you should go now.” He bounced up again and began filling his trunk.

I loved the way this story evolved. Clancy was endearing in his self-obsession. Roy was just the man to match his stubbornness and while not educated, he is a force with the witty banter and retorts. Clancy thought he had Roy pegged, and could outwit him, but no sir, Roy could match him with an equally sharp tongue and quick mind.

I like this style of writing, and found the setting and plot engaging. Even though Clancy is vein and self-involved he was a really enjoyable character to read. Roy was loveable, and didn’t allow Clancy to stomp on him. He was a mix between firm about his place and giving enough to enjoy his time with Clancy.

Their chemistry was steamy, and their relationship building was wild and at times conflict ridden. I loved them both equally, for very different reasons.

If I’m in the mood for something from the past, Julia Talbot is a sure bet for me. Even if you’re not a fan of historical romance, this is worth it for the sass.

a review copy was provided for an honest opinion.

Review: Oscar (Leopard's Spots #2) by Bailey Bradford

One sexy wolf is determined to show a grouchy kitty just how perfect they are for each other.

Oscar Travis has always been different, and not just because he’s a snow leopard shifter. Petite and pretty in a family where even the women are bigger and stronger than he is, Oscar has been protected by them—except for the times when no one could keep him safe. When he had to take another shifter’s life to protect his own family, Oscar’s world became a scarier place, at least in his head, not that he’s going to let his family know that. He will, however, help his dad Henry hunt down the cougar shifter who is trying to destroy one of Oscar’s own, his brother-in-law, Lyndon.

Which is why Oscar finds himself in San Antonio. Curiosity—always Oscar’s potential downfall—is the reason he’s in one of the city’s biggest gay nightclubs. And it’s his bad luck that he is cornered by four obnoxious shifters who are out to ruin his night. Josiah Baker has other plans for Oscar, plans of mates and forever, but once he makes sure his kitten is safe, he’s ditched like a bad memory. Good thing he’s a shifter too, and a determined one who doesn’t shy away from Oscar’s attitude. He sees the hurting man behind the pretty façade, and no one is going to keep him and Oscar from the happy ending they deserve.

Insta stories are not really my thing as a general rule. Fated Mate stories are even less appealing. But… for some reason this series is a lot of fun. It has a serious story arc but it is still light and fluffy with some decent humour and a lot of sexy times. I’ve slowed down on my erotica reading, but I can still enjoy them every now and then. Oscar is one of those times when I enjoyed the heck out of erotic content.

Beware, if you haven’t read book one, this will contain spoilers from Levi.

Oscar is still traumatised from having to kill Lyndon’s brother, but is really trying to hide it from his family while accompanying his dad, in search of Lyndon’s father, to try and get the Tavares siblings to stop trying to kill each other.

On a night out during a brief reprieve from searching, Oscar makes his way to a gay bar in the hopes he’ll get lucky with at least some sexy dancing and a kiss. Enter Josiah, a wolf shifter who comes to Oscar’s aid when a group of wolves try to back Oscar into a corner. Oscar is equal parts furious, and intoxicated by the encounter, and Josiah is silently celebrating for finally finding his mate.

These two are sexy together. I enjoyed their exchanges. They seem to get each other quickly, thanks to the mental bond that has clicked into place, which enables them to read each others thoughts. There is no battle for dominance, and they seem to both just enjoy being together and basking in the sexual chemistry that is happening in their newly formed relationship.

Some of the relationship building was too fast for me. While I get insta-lust, it felt like the mind reading thing created a shortcut for the getting to know you part, which is part of my joy with romance. Looking at it from an erotica point of view, it works fine, but I would have liked more in that space than just the sex.

This is fairly fast paced with the action part of the story. The good thing about it is that Oscar starts to settle into a new role within the family that suits him much better than the role he had.

Josiah just wants to be in Oscar’s orbit and that is really sweet. This story is next to zero relationship angst, which works for me just fine but may be too easy for others.

The larger series arc is interesting, and I’m curious how that will evolve. I like that this small isolated family of Snow Leopards are finally branching out and seeing how they fit in the shifter world.

If you’re into light sexy reads, this definitely fits, and is a great way to lift ones mood if you’re having a rough time. Complete erotic escapism with a decent action plot to round it out. I’d recommend this to most readers.

A review copy was provided for an honest opinion.

Review: Hearts and Flour by Tara Lain

Second Edition
Can a raw food enthusiast find love with a guy who bakes cupcakes?

When Micah Truveen’s devoted health-food customers start showing up with white flour, Micah wants to chew nails! To make his misery worse, he finds his yoga teacher boyfriend in bed with another guy the day before Valentine’s Day. Micah decides to drown his misery at a friend’s anti-Valentine’s Day orgiastic hookup party—and meets the beautiful Queen, a gorgeous cross-dresser who’s got Southern sugah in his mouth and the right equipment under the dress. But when the hookup turns serious, Micah has to compromise to protect Queen’s secrets from his beloved grandmother. With everything against them, can two hearts rise above the flour?


First Edition published by Etopia Press, January 2013.

I think it’s important to note that when reading the blurb I somehow missed the word orgiastic. If I had paid better attention, I probably wouldn’t have chosen a story with that being important enough to mention in the synopsis. But, I did choose it and in turn gave my best shot at enjoying it.

As the blurb mentioned, Micah is obsessed with health and eating raw. He’s extremely uptight and wants everyone else to be just as passionate about their health and consumption of shakes that smell like “fresh cut grass.” When Micah catches wind of some sugar and flour creations in the hands of his loyal customers, he nearly loses his mind.

“She looked up at him with big brown eyes. Her cheeks bulged hamster-like and the huge godforsaken cupcake she held poised in front of her face sported a large missing piece. Frosting clung to her lips like cocaine on an addict’s nose. “Mmmpfff.”

Quentin is new to town and opened a Cupcakery that’s become extremely popular. He’s kind, laid back, takes care of his grandma, and still locked in the closet along with all the dresses, wigs, and manties he adores wearing.

After breaking up with his cheater boyfriend, Micah gets invited to the orgiastic party.

“A night of meaningless sex in the name of anti-Valentine’s Day, right? Screw Cupid and all manufactured holidays.”

At this “party,” Micah meets Queen (Quentin) in all “her” red dress, blonde wig, and thong wearing glory. Obviously this is a fuckfest party so Queen and Micah waste zero time getting down to business.

“Queen’s lips came up by Micah’s ear and one hand grasped Micah’s dick. “I want you to stain me and muss me. Ride me and put me up wet, darlin’.”

Before departing, Micah gets Queen’s number so they can actually get to know each other beyond a quickie in the bathroom.

*sigh*

The rest of the book didn’t increase my enjoyment either. Miscommunication, irrational reactions, a crazy ex, and a focus on sex which wasn’t compelling enough to keep my interest left me disappointed. Quentin is from the south and for some reason has this completely affected speaking vocabulary. I’m from the south, have lived in many southern states and it felt *very* fake. Also, he’s 24 and says dear. A lot.

“Let’s not waste that lovely erection on mere masturbation, dear.”

Their conversations were awkward, and interactions cheesy. I’m talking a straight up cheesefest.

“You turn me on like a Ferrari ignition.”

Anywhoo, it wasn’t all negative. I liked Quentin’s sassy grandma. I also liked the way Micah was so uptight about the cupcakes at first. His reactions to them made me smile and I was looking forward to the epic moment when someone loosened the strings on his control. Another positive was manties… because manties!

This book didn’t work for me. There were many elements that held promise but nothing became fully realized. It wound up being ball of fluff covered in jizz from the orgiastic party while lacking anything I could sink my teeth into- besides the epic cupcakes that I’m now craving. Not recommended.

Review: Prelude to Love by Anne Barwell

Music speaks directly to the heart.

Two very different men face turning points in their lives after the collapse of long-term relationships….

Joel is a music teacher who knows it’s time to forget his ex and move on, while Marcus runs a lawn-mowing business and has come to Wellington to escape the reminders of a recent breakup. Although they’re opposites, when Joel and Marcus connect, their romance has the potential to hit all the right notes.

Too bad neither of them feels ready for new love.

With family and friends in common, dating is risky—things could get messy if it doesn’t work out. The sweet song of possibility draws them to each other, though, and they share a kiss following a Chopin prelude. But it will take some practice and perseverance to find their perfect harmony….

This is a very light read in every way. Light on the romance, light on the drama, light on the character development and light on the intimacy. It’s not a bad book, it’s just so light that I feel like I needed more substance to really enjoy the story.

Joel and Marcus met years ago when Joel’s best friend Darian married Marcus’ sister Ella. Both men had an attraction to the other but both men were in relationships at the time and were respectful of that. Over the years, random encounters and dinners have provided the men to see one another but it’s not until Marcus decides to move his life to Wellington for a fresh start that they begin a friendship.

Told in dual POV’s we know how the men feel about one another from first time Marcus is duped into taking his niece to piano practice with Uncle Joel. Everyone around them has the thought the men would be perfect together but they dance around the attraction for a few weeks until Marcus gets stranded at Joel’s place by coincidence or more so by meddling family.

I like both men but something held me back from being engaged with them as individuals or a couple. Both men come to the relationship with baggage of past lovers and Joel also has the family baggage of how his father treated him when he came out. A few instances of Joel’s mother and sister brought some life into him but I couldn’t connect to Joel nor Marcus enough to buy into their romance.

The small bit of drama with the couple was just that, a bit of drama that they get over quickly and the epilogue was cute but the speech felt forced.

It wasn’t a bad book, just not the fluff that I am used to with the Dreamspun houseline.

Review: Three Hearts by Grace R. Duncan

Liam Scott is sick. That’s not supposed to be possible. As a wolf shifter, he’s supposed to be able to heal. The omega gene he was born with means he’s capable of carrying shifter young and Liam is worried that whatever is wrong will mean his one-day hope of having pups will be dashed. But despite the fears keeping him away from the doctor until now, he knows he needs to go.

It turns out the sickness is temporary, but the treatment causes a whole other problem.

Mason’s alpha gene means he’s one of very few wolves who can impregnate an omega male. For two years, he’d been watching Liam, but things kept getting in the way. When Liam shows up in heat, Mason recognizes the opportunity he needs and doesn’t hesitate make to Liam his mate and the father of his pups.

But Liam has old wounds and fears to work through which the pregnancy is only making worse, and Mason isn’t sure how to get past them to show he’s serious about making a life together as loving mates. It’s not until a female wolf decides Mason should be hers that Liam makes his biggest worry known—and Mason can finally put the fears to rest.

 

This was the mpreg-iest mpreg story I have ever read.   

Liam is an independent omega who has no plans on mating or starting a family any time soon.  He’s got his eye on the future and it doesn’t include some overbearing Alpha-hole or a gaggle of ankle biters getting underfoot.  Sure, he one day hopes to have the family he’s always dreamed of but that’s for when he’s older, not right now. That all goes out the window when his heat suppressant meds go on the fritz and he finds himself alone in the presence of Alpha and long-time crush, Mason.

This story is sweet.  And… that’s about it.  There’s not much angst to it.  What little angst there is comes by way of miscommunication or, really, just not talking to each other.  I wouldn’t say there is much of a Big Misunderstanding (thank God, because I hate that trope!) but I did utter a few choice words at Mason’s obtuseness when it came to his lack of saying how he truly felt.

As for the rest of it, well, to be honest it was a bit bland.  A little too… domestic.  It was all about breeding Liam, meeting the parents and buying a new home.  There was not much else to it.  Frankly, I was bored through a good chunk of it.  It didn’t feel like I was reading an A/o shifter mpreg story; instead it read more like a sheltered suburbanite’s pregnancy diary.  There was none of the “mate, mine!” that I look for when reading mpreg.  There was no sinister villain out to get anyone.  There was no danger.  The woman out to steal Mason away from Liam referenced in the blurb wasn’t really a part of the story; just a small plot device thrown in near the end to facilitate the resolution of their miscommunication issue.

Now, I’m all for reading some brain candy, of which this story definitely qualifies, but I need some action or charm to balance out the fluff and there was not enough of either here for me.  I want the chocolate bar with the caramel and nougat center.  This was more like a Chick-O-Stick.  I’ll eat it if it’s offered and maybe even enjoy it but it’s not what I would pick when standing in the candy aisle.

This is not to say that I didn’t like the book because I did for the most part.  The birth scene was worth quite a chuckle and the epilogue was over-the-top ridiculous just the way I like it.  I ‘awwed’ when I got to the family tree at the end and saw they got mated on my birthday.  The story is well written with few editing issues and it flowed smoothly (albeit a little too slow for me).  So, it’s not a bad book at all.  It’s just not my type of brain candy.

A copy provided for an honest review.