Author of the Month: Interview with Kari Gregg

 
THE GREGG IS HERE! KARI GREGG aka THE GREGG HAS LANDED AT BMB REVIEWS!
And she's our January author of the month! We read and book chatted, In The Red. We unicorns are very happy to have her here! Especially this unicorn (SheReadsALot). I've been a fan of the Gregg for years. There is just something about her characters that I truly dig. And she doesn't waste her time on filler which I respect. In fact, let me share my experience with the Gregg.

The Gregg is a ten foot cyborg from planet Fuckatron. And her stories are awesome, depraved tales when she turns on the fuck force. Not for everyone but it's like sonnets to me.

The Gregg experience: Pretend you're at home alone, and it's the middle of the night. You're thirsty. So as you make your way to get a glass of water, the ten foot cyborg busts through the wall, grabs you, bends you over the first available surface and emphatically describes obscene and lewd descriptions in your ear, while pressed against your back. You're feeling a wealth of emotions: fear, lust and surprise. The Gregg continues on, no matter how you feel, pressing harder, words are getting hotter, you're under the spell. And once the Gregg is finished, the Gregg leaves you in the same position and hightails it outta there. Now you're panting, maybe shaking and bewildered wondering WTF just happened?

Either you dig it or don't. But I can't stop coming back for more with the Gregg. ;D

We interviewed our January author of the month, asked her a couple of questions fans might be interested in knowing like the lengths she goes to understand her characters or the current free series she has going on. And maybe you're curious about sequels? Check it out!

BMBR: How in the world do you come up with your plots?

The Gregg: Plots? Oh. You mean I'm supposed to have those? LOL. Nah, seriously, I come up with an idea and then I put it away for a while. I revisit it occasionally, tweak it. Let it grow, add a bit here, take away some, blend it with that other idea way over there. When I'm done messing with it, most of the time that idea only superficially resembles whatever initially set me off.

BMBR: Is there a favorite genre or theme you like to write?

The Gregg: I'm not much of a contemporary gal. Most of my stuff is paranormal, scifi, and fantasy so I suppose I like to be taken somewhere beyond our ordinary world. I like my damaged heroes too, not because they are weak but because they are so very strong. When life knocks you on our ass and you get back up? That's strength.

Also, sex pollen. I have a horrible, dreadful weakness for sex pollen. >:D

BMBR: Favorite character(s) you've written?

The Gregg: I'll always have a special place in my heart for Micah and Eli, my heroes from the first m/m story I ever wrote, Spoils of War and its sequel, Plunder. I'm still in love with Noah and Wade from Pretty Poison. Brian from In the Red. He was so wonderfully fucked up, but the guy just never quit. Ever. I really admire that.

BMBR: What would be something we'd be surprised to know about you?

The Gregg: I'm taking aromatherapy classes. There's no national certification for that, LOL, but I'm in a NAHA approved Level II program, yeah. Hero of my current project is a massage and aromatherapist and there's a horrifying amount of disinformation -- dangerous disinformation -- on the vast interwebs about aromatherapy. I didn't want to get it wrong or write something that could hurt anyone, so...the class. The material isn't easy (I vastly underestimated my ability to recall chemistry and physiology), but vedy interesting nonetheless. I'm genuinely enjoying it and in a month or so, you may begin referring to me as the Empress of Woo Woo. I'll have earned it. ;-p

BMBR: Sequels? Will we ever get any from you? *coughs**In the Red**coughs*

The Gregg: I promised readers a prequel of IO (I, Omega) in 2015, but other than that, I'm focused on the current project. Beasty long story. Can't think beyond it. I must've been crazy, high, or both.

BMBR: You're not an author known to shy from kinkier and darker topics, is there something we shouldn't expect to read from you?

The Gregg: Hm. Let me think. No.

LOL

What can I say? Never came across a button I didn't want to push. (Please note I never claimed to be especially smart.)

BMBR: Your favorite go to author(s) or book(s)?

The Gregg: Oh, I've tons of author go-to's. Josh Lanyon, K.A. Mitchell, Ava March. Wait, can I amend the shouldn't-expect question to include historicals? Because as dearly as I love Ava March's stories, that is definitely and for sure not in my skills set. Adore reading historicals, but my trying to
write one would be a catastrophe.

BMBR: Any upcoming books or projects we can look forward to in 2015?

The Gregg: Tame a Wild Human is releasing with Riptide on January 19th. I'm also working on something very, very different called For Whom the Heart Stone Burns. I haven't created a hub page for it on my site yet, but soon. Until then, I've uploaded the first two chapters onto the blog on my home page. Heart Stone is a high fantasy novel plus consisting of 4 parts, or acts, and the plan is to post the first of those -- 6 chapters (or 31K) -- on holidays marching forward Christmas Day to Beltane on May 1st. Lots of magic. Casting grids, smudging, calling the elements, mythological
beasties that maybe aren't so mythological...and heart stones. What's it like to be one of the few who have no magical ability in a world where magical powers are bred into the bone? Becket Douglas is about to find out. And turn those casters on their heads while he's at it too. ;-)

We'd like to thank The Gregg for stopping by. Or should we say, Daisy Silky Cheeks, her new unicorn name.

Daisy is a very clever horse with deep, mysterious eyes. She has a mane as silky as a cat's tail, and she casts happiness spells.

Review: Love You Senseless (Men of London #1) by Susan Mac Nicol

One of London’s up-and-coming chefs, Eddie Tripp has just the right recipe to drive tragedy from the mind of Gideon Kent—and leave him senseless with desire. 

THE MEN OF LONDON 

From Soho to Norwich, there’s no escaping love. 

A TASTE OF FOREVER 

An award-winning chef with his own restaurant and an inexhaustible passion, Gideon Kent once had everything. Then came tragedy. It stole more than Gideon’s home. He hasn’t cooked since.Until Eddie Tripp. Fun-loving and vivacious, the Norfolk redhead’s a real up-and-comer in Gideon’s kitchen—and other places. Slim where Gideon’s broad, easy-going where Gideon is growly, he and Gideon seem polar opposites, and yet Eddie conjures flavors that would tempt anyone with a taste for perfection. The sauce of love is already simmering, and this pair is about to dine on the most delicious dish they’ve ever prepared. Because Eddie’s been Gideon’s missing ingredient all along.

Let's just get this out of the way I LOVE LESLIE! There. I said it. Leslie and his Louboutins, pink tees and Papa Smurf slippers can get directly into my pocket. Leslie alone will propel me to continue with this series.

Alrighty. Now that that's out of the way let's talk about the rest.

We have two chefs, Gideon and Eddie, one of which is a ginger the other of which is named Gideon. Don't judge me I have a thing about that name. It's what made me choose this book. Well, that and the chefing. I'm kind of obsessed with chefs, cooking, watching cooking shows and have somewhere in the neighborhood of a bazillion cookbooks. Conservative estimate. The upside of my obsession is I feel like I have a good grasp of all things culinary including chef demeanors. 

Gideon fits the prototypical chef mold-tempermental, arrogant, and passionate. Gideon was an up-and-comer on the London culinary scene until a tragic accident took away his sense of smell and taste, a chef's lifeblood. He tries to cope with the tragedy very unsuccessfully and it boils over from time to time. He probably goes too far a couple of times but Eddie is a chef too and does an admirable job of putting Gideon in his place. Eddie as a character is pretty bland. He blushes a lot and is into Gideon. He's sweet and loyal to his friends. Other than that… *shrugs* There are two women who work with them in the restaurant that are so annoying. I wanted to staple things to them.

I was enjoying the story, their journey, thought there was adequate conflict between them, their sexy times were pretty hot and I liked the quirkiness of Eddie's roommates who will undoubtedly be featured in the rest of the series until the cousin kerfuffle. I don't know what the purpose of that was. I thought Gideon and Eddie had enough to contend with without adding outside drama. From that point on I felt like the story sort of skidded into the finale on cheese skates. 

Final note: it's unacceptable for an author to forget their MC's name. 

Recommend to culinary enthusiasts and those who enjoy hurt/comfort reads.

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

Find out more on Goodreads.

Review: Handsome Slave Seeks Horny Hero (Handsome Heroes #5) by James Cox

Ever is hot, Rykna is cold and they’re about to melt each other’s clothes off.

Rykna is a rare Verglas breed. He has icy skin when he’s horny and his sperm turns in to snow. He survived war and vicious slavery. Rykna is on a mission to find his family and finds his sister is being auctioned off to the winner of a space race. Now, all this handsome slave needs is a pilot.

Ever is in need of money in order to return home and far from his stalking ex. The only way to do that is join Mr. Tall, dark and angry in the space race. He’s a pilot and horny for the grumpy Rykna. Ever also has a problem with his hot skin, burning his clothes off being the main issue. Trying to fly through asteroids and weapons pointed at them would go a lot easier if his junk wasn’t hanging about for all to see.

Can these two work together to win the space race?

All hail THE COX and his cum of many colors (and textures and flavors and temperatures ).

Before we talk about the incredibly varied ways James Cox can present cum and peen, I have to digress a little. You know what sucks? When RL takes over and you don’t get to do the fun stuff you really want to do. I actually read this back in November as soon as it hit my inbox. That is what one does when THE COX hits ones inbox. So, I read and I highlighted and I loved. Then RL happened and NOTHING fun got done for like, two months. Then things started to chill, I looked at my review list, had a mild panic attack with regards to how far behind I was and dove in. I started the review for Handsome Slave Seeks Horny Heroes and saw how much I had highlighted and there was no way I could do HSSHH justice without a re-read. Believe me, it was no hardship, so I read it again. Now I can write a review that isn’t dependent on my faulty memory and speak with some sort of authority on the cum and peen.

I had a crush on Rykna after Handsome Men Blow. He obviously had more of a story to tell and I really just wanted him to be happy. After the life he led he deserved it. I loved his grumbly self and really wanted to see who James dreamed up for him. He had to be a tough cookie to break down Rykna’s walls and thaw his heart. <------- see what I did there? Rykna is a Verglas, meaning his body core temp is lower than other species and when he gets horny his skin gets all ice crystally and when he cums it turns to snow. Yeah, Rykna can make CumCones. HOW COOL IS THAT?

Rykna is searching for his sister Nyka. They may be the last of their species and he hasn’t seen her since they were separated as children when their world was invaded and they were forced into slavery. He’s been outfitted with a ship by King Malvern but he’s admittedly no pilot.

“I fought and fucked like a beast, but I didn’t fly well.”

I gotta respect a man who knows his strengths and weaknesses.

He gets a lead on his sister but in order to get to her he needs to win the Space Race of Heroes. In order to win the Space Race of Heroes he needs to find himself a pilot. He actually gets pretty lucky when a pilot finds him. Rykna isn’t thrilled but he’s no fool and recognizes that this is his one chance and he better get over his independent ways if he plans on saving his sis. I knew James had written the perfect match for Rykna when Ever was introduced. He’s a fiery ginger with attitude and snark to spare. The pilot thing helped too. The Space Race of Heroes throws these two together in a life or death competition and challenges are thrown at them constantly. It was really a fun and adventurous read. And hey, guess what? When Ever has to take off the pendant he wears constantly his high body temp burns his clothes clean off. HOW COOL IS THAT?

So, Ever is racing naked and it is torturing the absolute bejeezus out of Rykna. Being a slave for so many years, Rykna has been denied all the lovin’ and has a lot of making up to do. When the race ends, the adventure doesn’t and these two are starting to feel more than lust for each other. Rykna is nervous, he’s never had the luxury of feelings for another this way before and he’s afraid to want too much. My Ever did not disappoint and he doesn’t leave Rykna alone to continue the search for his sister, Ever is in this adventure for the long run. He’s really just so damn cute in his good hearted and cocky horniness. And his eagerness to help Rykna and make him happy made me happy.

The ending was pain free and resolved pretty quickly, but I was good with it. I came for some adventure but stayed for the horny.

I remember when James was writing this book. He did this super cool thing on FB where his fans would give him a name and he incorporated the name into the story. I had to get in on those shenanigans and gave him my clubhouse alias to use and HE DID!

Sidebar: One time we were chatting in the clubhouse about some really stupid shit which I’m sure was hilarious at the time and we were coming up with what name we would have if we had to go with the “just one name” thing and always talked about yourself in the third person. Mostly because that’s what badass people with one name do. Seriously, it was really funny at the time. Well, to me and JL at least. So, of course I became Jet because when your name is Jet, you do badass shit and badass shit happens to you. JL became Jem because she is, truly outrageous. :End Sidebar.

I’m reading along and BAM, there’s Jet and I was so right, he’s a badass! He’s “a big burly man with a long black beard”. Yep, that’s Jet alright. He outfits Rykna’s ship with weapons because he owes Ever a favor and if it were cool for a person with one name to squee, Jet would have to admit that Jet squeed like a preteen at a boy band concert when she read it.

Thanks James for giving us another fun ride with the Handsome Heroes and for letting your fans play along with you and your men. Gotta go, Jet’s off to the next one!

For more info on Handsome Slave Seeks Horny Hero check it out on Goodreads.

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

Review: Heat (Salisbury Stories, #1) by RJ Scott and Chris Quinton

Serving up passion, family, love and hate, with a side order of arson.

Lewis has lost nearly everything, and now it seems that Devon is here to take the last thing he has left - working in his beloved restaurant, Laurels. But when an arsonist threatens everything Lewis loves, he realises sometimes everyone has their ghosts, and he discovers an unexpected ally who is prepared to risk everything for him.


* * * * *

Set in the small cathedral city of Salisbury, Master Chef Lewis Mandineau no longer owns the Laurels, the restaurant that had been in his family for generations. Betrayed and robbed by an ex-lover, he's had to sell to Trelawney Enterprises, an American corporation. That isn't all Lewis has to contend with. Rachel, his beloved younger sister has been left severely hurt by the car crash that killed their parents, and taking care of her has to be his priority.

Enter Devon Trelawney III, sent to assess the viability of the restaurant and its staff. Devon knows all about family tradition. But he also knows sentiment has no place in business matters, and the Laurels' potential is swamped by the debts it has accrued. Devon is a hardheaded businessman, first and foremost, but Lewis and Rachel test his resolve in different ways. Soon Devon is forced to admit that what seems like an impossible love can sometimes become something very real.

First of all I owe a HUGE apology to RJ Scott and Chris Quinton. I read this book waaaaaaaaay back in October of last year and had fully convinced myself I had already reviewed it here. Then I realised i hadn't. And I loved it. LOVED it. It is one of those books that had me grinning from beginning to end. Now I've read...bear with me while I have a quick count up on Goodreads....whoa, I need an intervention...100 books since I read this one. That's right ONE HUNDRED.

And yet I can still remember it - and remember it with a smile because I really enjoyed it.

Lewis - the man who has lost everything, pretty much, is giving over control of his business. Except it's more than a business, it's his heart and soul. Devon, the arrogant American who has just bought the restaurant couldn't really care less about the heart of it, if the numbers don't add up then it needs to change.

I have to admit, from the start I was prepared to love Lewis and hate Devon. Was my alliance with the Brit because of his nationality (no, I promise) but because I'm a sad sap who love those who don't give up in the face of adversity. There was very little Lewis had left but he still held his head high and tried his best. Where many would say fuck it, he didn't. Not even when Devon came in throwing his weight about. Nasty individual.

Except he wasn't. Not really. He was just trying to prove himself as much as Lewis was. It made for an interesting partnership. It worked. It made my heart beat a bit faster. Because you know what - Lewis may not have been a damsel in distress, but it turned out Devon was a knight in shining armour. I feel all squishy inside thinking about them.

Salisbury is a beautiful place for this book to be set and I love how the city is a part of this story. The timeless cathedral city adds an atmosphere to this book, it sets a tone, a backdrop that gave this story more...more...

...just more.

I have to mention Rachel, Lewis's younger sister. I love the positivity portrayed in this disabled character. She is a strong person in her own right, not just there for a sympathy vote and I really enjoyed her role in the story.

An excellent story I would recommend to all.

A copy of this book was received for an honest (but thank god not timed) review.

For more information on Goodreads!

Review: Desert Heat by Lucy Felthouse

Their love is forbidden by rules, religion and risk. Yet still they can’t resist.

Captain Hugh Wilkes is on his last tour of duty in Afghanistan. The British Army is withdrawing, and Wilkes expects his posting to be event-free. That is, until he meets his Afghan interpreter, Rustam Balkhi, who awakens desires in Wilkes that he’d almost forgotten about, and that won’t be ignored.


Please note: this book was previously published as part of the Unconditional Surrender bundle.

I'm about to sound 16 different kinds of sexist. Apologies in advance for any butthurtedness I may cause.

This felt very m/f to me. Let me just clarify my position here. I've worked with soldiers. I have ex-military in my family. I've befriended active duty and veterans alike and the common denominator between them is they're all (to varying degrees) prickly hard-asses. They don't talk about their feelz unless there's some sort of dire consequence. In fact, let me tell you a story. A friend of mine's husband, a commissioned officer, had been on multiple tours to Iraq. At one point, the military made it "mandatory" that all returning service men and women have a psych eval. He didn't go. Ever. Neither did any of his friends/acquaintances/soldiers and that shit was MANDATORY. 

So the fact that the first time Wilkes and Balkhi take the fuck truck to Pound Town one of them brings up The L Word didn't strike me as very authentic. 

And the second time they're talking about their future? Together? After Wilkes has been mostly avoiding Balkhi since they got to the FOB? Maybe the falling into the love happened primarily off the page because it caught me off guard.

"I think I love you, Rustam Balkhi. Now please, make me come."

I'm not saying it couldn't happen I'm just saying I had a hard time believing a career soldier, a Captain no less, and a Muslim Afghani interpreter would be so forthcoming. I'm thinking their masking capabilities and stuffing their emotions would be highly attuned, so my suspend reality button didn't fully engage.

Anyway… the first 50% or so reads as a very dry account of military life on the FOB in contemporary Afghanistan in a fizzling war in a country still fraught with danger. Ms. Felthouse seems to have a firm grasp of military speak and the level of dexterity sometimes required interacting with a chain of command that showed but didn't make for an exciting read. 

The dialogue felt stilted more often than not and there was an excess of superfluous information that didn't serve a purpose. Case in point:

Reaching down, he grasped the base of the condom, holding it as Balkhi clambered off. Casting around for the wrapper, he removed the rubber and carefully stuffed it inside, then placed it on the sideboard, out of the way.

I didn't hate it and I would likely read something else from this author. I'm guessing she's fairly new to the m/m genre and I like where her head's at with choosing military MCs. That shows promise.

Recommend to military fans and those interested in dipping their toes into the m/m pond.

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

Find out more on Goodreads.

Review: Winter Hearts by Fyn Alexander

Luke Chandler says he wants nothing more than a quiet life on his land-claim in Dakota Territory. But what he also wants is a partner. The problem is, loving other men in 1881 means a lonely life for a man like Luke. As the son of a butcher from Boston, his desire for a loving domestic relationship seems nothing more than a dream, until one winter night, a snow storm blows a young man to his door in need of shelter. As the winter drags on, bringing with it a slow-burning love, his hopes begin to soar. Along with those hopes, his fears of the reactions of the people in the small town of De Smet grow.

Sam Smith is a romantic, but he also holds a strong family loyalty. He leaves Boston to get away from his parents’ expectations for a while, always knowing he must return at some point. The sweet young man does not anticipate meeting a rugged, honest man like Luke, who is desperate for love while at the same time afraid of the repercussions. The first time Luke holds him in his arms, Sam plans on making Luke his darling man.

My first Fyn Alexander and certainly will not be my last.

This author has built a house on my TBR mountain. The premises are SRAL appealing: large age gap, a young twink type and an older bear type, D/s and alludes to kinky sex. Why did I wait so long that her books can pay me mortgage for their residence in my TBR? I dunno. I get distracted.

I'm paying attention now.

I am not sure if I can call her writing formulaic (yet) but I am usually pretty good at sniffing those out. And this is a formula that works for me. Did the story read like a true historical romance? Eh, some parts did, some parts didn't. It kinda read like a contemporary to me, if you ignore the fact the character rode horses instead of driving cars. The tone and, sometimes, the dialogue read modern. I think readers who don't gravitate to the more traditional historical settings might like this book.

Sam Smith (which kinda weirded me out while reading the beginning because I kept thinking about the singer)  is a gay Harvard law student who left his Boston Brahmin (wealthy) lifestyle to be independent and farm on his own claim of land in the Dakota Territory (De Smet, SD). He wants to ignore his lavish lifestyle and homosexual partying ways much to his family's anger. Sam lied about his age, nearly freezes to death in a snow storm and meets a fellow gay Bostonian (Luke Chandler) in the town on De Smet in 1881 (what are the chances?) Luke is surly, older larger than Sam's 5'11", hairy and closeted. Luke has been spurned in the past for being who he was so he denies any temptation and represses, represses, represses.

We have one surly, bear type and a carefree, twink-like dandy trapped in shanty for a very long winter is a recipe for hot man loving right? Well...sorta in this book. The two got together fairly quickly, Sam of course has hearts and butterflies in his eyes. He loves his "darling man" and loves to cook, clean and nurture his bear any way he can. However, the sex scenes while hot, were a little inconsistent in the hotness factor, especially in the beginning. It was almost fade to black and little disappointing but it got better once the story hit its stride in the middle.I would describe the sex as spicy vanilla. Maybe light D/s undertones? I wouldn't have minded a scene but that just because I'm greedy

Predictable? A little.

Was the story entertaining? Most definitely.

The story started a little rough to me, then we get this instant connection between the main characters. I could see what the main conflict would be from the first chapter and it played out exactly how I imagined at the crux of the story.

But I found myself being drawn to Luke and Sam. I stopped caring about why a 19 year old would be so determined to serve a grumpy, 30 year old who had such a tough time returning his affection. But Luke loved his Sam, in his own fucked up way. They grew to be a great little couple with their little issues: Luke and his closet, Sam and his lying. They made it work with a cast of characters: the villain Morley and slutty bottom twink/dandy Courtland were the most memorable. The drama wasn't too over the top but sometimes I rolled my eyes. I mean could a guy really be so blase with their homosexuality in 1881 without more drastic repercussions? Sam...he was so open with his sexuality in a time where you'd be killed or lynched for openly admitting you were in love with the same sex. I could griped more about it but damn it I really liked (not loved) this story. *ponders* I think I expected a little more girt and realism. The epilogue was gratuitous sugar. I could have done with out it or maybe made it shorter.

I want to read contemporary Fyn Alexander to compare.

Overall, a decent story, with good characters. I was satisfied. Can't go wrong with a bear and his twink, no matter how you dress them.

For more information on Goodreads or Booklikes!

Review: First Class Package by Jay Northcote

*Free Read*

A geeky science writer has a crush on his postman—but will he ever make a move?

Working from home suits introvert Jim until he gets a special delivery—an extremely cute, temporary postman called Patrick. Jim’s drawn to his wide smile and sexy legs, while Patrick can’t keep his eyes off Jim’s package.

Their doorstep attraction seems mutual, so asking Patrick out on a date should be easy. There’s just one problem—Jim could fit all the pick-up lines he knows on the back of a postage stamp.

As Christmas approaches, Jim knows the end of Patrick’s postal-delivery contract is looming. Taking a chance might be worth it if it keeps Patrick coming to his door.

This book is free to download at All Romance eBooks and Smashwords and in most Amazon regions.

Lorix -

A free read by author Jay Northcote is never to be sneezed at - and this was absolutely no let down.

Short and sweet but still hot and sexy First Class Package is a must read. It's fun and well, just exactly what a cute, kinda holiday read, is all about. Who doesn't like a surprise package? Especially when delivered by a sexy postie, Jim certainly does. In fact he cares not if the package is a surprise or an expected delivery, as long as Patrick is delivering it.

For a fun, free, sweet and sexy read featuring a hot postman, a geeky geek  and an abundance of cuddly toys you need look no further! Recommended to beat the winter blues.

Ann -

So, apparently Jay Northcote is the queen of the Christmas meet-cute. Because seriously, this was adorable. Jim is shy and awkward, he’s been working from home alone for too long but he knows what he wants when he meets his new delivery man Patrick. He wants Patrick and Patrick’s package he just doesn’t know how to make it happen. At least in a cool, not completely geeky way. So, he goes with his awkward geekiness because it’s really all he knows and by damn if it doesn’t work. That’s the feel good thing I loved about this one, Jim didn’t have to change and Patrick fell for him just as he was. I love that. There was minimal angst and what was there was charming and sweet. These two found one another at just the right time. This is the kind of Jizzmas story you can read all year as the Christmas is on the low and the feels are on the high. This one will be a reread for me and I definitely wouldn’t complain about more from these two.

Review: Wollstone by Hayden Thorne

The moment Emil Gogean sets foot inside Wollstone Academy’s fairy tale-like campus, he realizes his freshman year in high school is bound to be a very strange one. The school itself, a uniquely romanticized boarding school for boys, boasts remarkable elements that appear to be deliberate -- as though a hidden power has chosen woodland details, a chapel ruin, and school masters who seem to hearken back to a long-gone age, with a clear purpose in mind.

When strange things begin to happen to Emil, an unnerving warning from his late grandmother returns to haunt him. A warning about Emil attracting the attention of the king of the dead.

Strange faces in wood patterns and mullioned windows. The apparition of a boy among the trees. The unfathomable feeling of sadness permeating the idyllic environment. Emil gradually learns that Wollstone is more than just a school, that the answers to a three-hundred-year-old mystery surrounding a tragic romance lie in the ruined stones of a small chapel and in Nature itself. And that Emil, whose appearance in school has set certain wheels in motion, will have to place himself at the mercy of three mysterious students if he wishes to learn the truth about Wollstone, the boy lost in the woods, and himself. 

Before I even start my review about the story I want to draw your attention to the cover - isn't it beautiful? It really appealed to me anyway and that, along with the blurb and it's YA premise, is what drew me to this book and accept this review request.

Set in a boarding school, new kid at school, Emil, is no stranger to the supernatural. He is aware of the presence of more than most can see, but it isn't a huge part of his life - til now. Sent to Wollstone Academy at the wish of his beloved (and now dead) grandmother, Emil quickly realises there is more to this ancient school than first meets the eye. Time and events ensure he is soon knee-deep in a three hu7ndered year old mystery.

Although Emil is a gay character, and in a way this is integral to the storyline - it's about loves lost - it is not a book about a teenager dealing with being gay. It is a mystery story, a ghost story, a paranormal story, whose protagonist happens to be gay. i think more books of this structure should be available mainstream. But now is not the time for a political debate on reading materials and how available they are to the younger generation.

Hayden Thorne has created a wonderful mystery, great characters and a fabulous setting....and this is where I have a confession to make.

This book took me ages to read because I was bored by it. But for the life of me I can't figure out why. I am wholly convinced it is firmly a case of it's me, not you. My head is a weird place, some very, very popular books just don't work for me. On paper everything about this book should have dragged me in and had me hooked. I've analysed and re-analysed why this isn't the case....and I am yet to come to a conclusion. I can't actually fault anything about it, yet it didn't work for me. I would hate others to be put of by my apathy towards it though. This is the kind of book I do want out there, available.

Maybe I've finally convinced myself I'm not a teenager anymore(hell it only took twenty odd years). Maybe I am just not the target market. Whatever. If this book interests you give it a go. I truly cannot say why it didn't work for me - and I really would like to see it succeed. I'd love people who have read this and enjoyed it to let me know, I want to work out why I didn't - I almost feel like I failed this story and it's author. I truly hope you love it.

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

For more information 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.

Review: May in December by Dawn Flemington

Bruce Deirmann has lost everything. His job, his house, his children and his partner. The holidays are fast approaching and even though he has a well-meaning ex-wife cheer leading him on and his daughter’s wedding in the wings, he still feels hopeless. At the end of his rope, he is challenged to make an early resolution--to start living again.

Jorry Nelson is a quirky dog walker who’s made a few resolutions himself. Alone in the world, he is determined to better his life and get out of the illegal job he is trapped in. A childhood friend of Bruce’s children, he enters Bruce’s life at the right time and the attraction on both parts is immediate.

Love blossoms like May in the cold of December. However, trouble follows Jorry and though he and Bruce are working on a new beginning for the both of them, will Jorry be able to leave his past activities behind? Or will they haunt the couple and tear them away from each other before true love and happiness have a chance to live?

The front cover and blurb drew me to this book when a review request came in. It sounded like a potentially great story. I have to admit, that when I started reading I wasn't disappointed - we meet Bruce and I liked him. I liked his characterisation and the way his relationship with his ex-wife, still friend was portrayed. Unfortunately, the story grew too fantastical for me as it went on. What could have - should have - worked as a great story about the growing relationship between Bruce and Jorry and the difficulties of Jorry's past and the age difference between them didn't, because it felt like the author threw everything bar the kitchen sink into the mix. 

While the characterisation was great for the two MC's, the villains of the piece were almost cartoon-like in their villainousness? Villainy? Vill....nastiness. It just all went too far, I was rolling my eyes and skimming great chunks - yet I still cherished the moments between Bruce and Jorry. Their relationship kept me reading.  While it could have felt wrong, Jorry being a childhood friend of Bruce's children, it didn't. Bruce was just right for Jorry. I loved the dynamic of the two of them. And I liked Bruce's family - ex-wife and children and the dynamics there too. 

It really was just the storyline that went too far. Had one twist too many. One coincidence too far - and in my opinion that's a shame. A good editor, beta reader, honest friend - anyone just to say, "Whoa, hold your horses, we're moving away from Pleasantsville, Funreading Land, to Are You Serious?-ton. This bit does not work," and the book could have been reigned in...redeemed. 

Of course, as I always say - this is just my opinion and my opinion is only worth as much as the next person's. And if the next person loves this story then that is equally as right as me knowing it didn't work for me and the reason's why. 

I will keep Dawn Flemington on my radar, I have a feeling she can, and will, write some beautiful relationships. For it to work for me personally though I need a little less drama.

A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.

For more information on Goodreads!

Happy Hour Chat: In the Red by Kari Gregg

Good day, and happy January and 2015 to all of you lovely ladies and gents! This month's happy hour chat was delayed a bit due to holiday schedules and unicorns living Wild and Crazy Lives™.  

However, fear not! We are here! And we are chatty!

This month's happy hour chat book was In the Red by Kari Gregg. As you've no doubt guessed from the reviews that have been floating around BMBR this month, Kari Gregg is our January author of the month.

In case you missed it, there was also a great interview with Kari Gregg earlier this week. Now sit back, relax, and get ready for a squirmy and super sexy time!

Ann of Ween Gaybles: I loved the book, I hope I remember stuff

Sunny: me, too, Ann

Cuppers: Was it just the 4 of us that read it?

Lorix: I managed to read it before bed last night! Just - didn't think I was going to!

Sunny: 5, I think

Cuppers: 5 sorry

Sunny: lol...

Cuppers: ok… well… I hearted it real hard.

Cuppers: it were FUCKHAWT!!!!!!

Ann of Ween Gaybles: YES Cuppers - FUCKHAWT!

Ann of Ween Gaybles: i like that word

Sunny: I'm mad there isn't a sequel, though :(

SRAL: I really, really liked it! >:)

Audrey: Quick recap of the book's blurb: Forensic accountant Brian Foster was a rising star at TFOS -- the FBI's Terrorism Financing Operations Section -- until he was abducted, "questioned," and left for dead. His nine days of captivity broke him. Brian retreats to the mountains of western Maryland where he amasses enough weaponry to declare himself an independent nation and enough lamps to pinpoint his location from the International Space Station. He's losing the battle against paranoia. Too bad TFOS needs him. Brian stumbled onto something big when he vanished last year and TFOS needs that case resolved. Now.

The FBI tasks Special Agent Zachary Murdock with gluing Brian together and returning him to TFOS. Brian will steady once he focuses on work instead of his neuroses. As Zachary nudges Brian back into the career that cost him dearly, Brian's paranoia escalates. Personal and professional lines blur. Zachary isn't sure which presents the biggest complication anymore: Brian's peculiar brand of crazy, the case they're working, or the closeted submissive's surprising -- and enthralling -- kink.

Zachary and Brian both know, when the case heats up and they're forced to run, they're operating at a loss, though: they are in the red.

Sunny: My favorite scene...when they first opened the toy box...when Brian kept spreading his thighs further...so hot.

Ann of Ween Gaybles: *nods* Brian has some seriously enthralling kinks

Ready to hear about Brian's kinks? Then click on and check out the rest of the chat after the jump! :)

Review: Unexpected Moments (Unexpected #2) by Bailey Bradford

Love begins at the most unexpected moment.

Carter Hausemann and Eddie Canales are embarking on a new romance. They know they’re compatible sexually. Now it’s time to find out if they’re meant for each other—and a third man, because Carter has always known what he needed, he’d just been afraid to reach for it.

Eddie will do whatever it takes to make Carter happy, and since he’s not the jealous type as long as he’s included, he’s more than willing to see if a relationship can work between three men. But first he and Carter need to concentrate on them.

Dare Habrock has the microbrew everyone’s talking about. He also has a secret that has kept him from having a lover in far too long.

When these three meet, they begin to understand that love flourishes in the most unexpected moments.

But someone is determined to destroy every bit of joy they have.

Bailey Bradford books are my crack. Every reader has the author that they just gotta read and when said reader starts a series by said author there is no stopping until the series is complete. For me, it doesn’t matter if it’s perfect, doesn’t matter if there are flaws because there is crack in them thar pages and I need my fix.

Bailey Bradford writes hot fucking sex scenes, or sexy hot fuck scenes, whatevs, she writes them and I read them. Repeatedly. Unexpected Moments was a great example. So, this is the “what comes next” from the short story Unexpected Places. I didn’t pick up on that until about half way through and I’m going to read that next for kicks and the aforementioned scenes. But, I can tell you, you don’t need to read that first, not that you don't want to, because I'm sure you do. There are some references to what happened in Unexpected Places, but nothing that would leave you feeling lost.

ETA: Duuuuuuuuuudes, I read UP last night and you definitely want to read it. Definitely.
That is all, now back to our regularly scheduled review . . . .

The book starts with Carter and Eddie meeting for a first real date. It didn’t take me long to figure out they had already boned in UP, in a menage no less, they were feeling a connection and decided to get together again. The two get to know each other better in bed and out. Their complimentary kinks are trigger trippers and I loved these two together. They are deliciously filthy with no apologies and I love reading that. They both know what brought them together so there is no need to be coy now. Spank that ass until it’s hot and raw and tell Peachy ALL the details.

Carter has always dreamed of being in a relationship with two men. He’s been honest with Eddie all along and the two of them are on the same page about being open to adding a third to their relationship if the right man came along. Conveniently enough he does in the form of Dare. Dare was a total sweetheart and I fell in love with his quiet strength. He’s understandably floored at the offer Carter and Eddie make him, but they are all honest from the get go and decide to give it a shot. Carter and Eddie don’t meet Dare until well into the book and I was feeling pretty solid with where Carter and Eddie were going. I wasn’t sure how Dare was going to fit in, but his personality and story were so different from the other two I had no problem buying into his place in the relationship.

During all of this, Carter is being threatened by a stalker and the danger is getting more real and more serious as the story progresses until Carter is attacked in his own home. The attack puts things into perspective for the three of them and clears the angsty cobwebs of being in a menage relationship more quickly than they may have otherwise. The relationship between the three of them is pretty fairy tale throughout. They communicate, listen, are honest and reasonable throughout. I mean, what the hell? It may not have been super realistic, but I’m glad there wasn’t a bunch of ridiculous drama with jealousy and neediness. That wouldn’t have fit the story or these guys well. I’m sure they are all on their best behavior still, it is all pretty new, but knowing that there is more story coming after this makes me fine with the ease and the fluff of the relationship.

That and the heat. Sweet grilled cheezus, the heat.

Now, after Carter is attacked he’s not in any condition to do any menaging. Does that stop these cats? No, no it does not and good for them. And me :D. Carter may be down for the count but his sweet little mouth still works for talking and describing and I appreciated the play by play muchly.

There were some editing errors, nothing that took me out of the story, but there was one point where one character was referred to with the wrong name. It wasn’t awful but it was at a pretty intense moment and I did a “wait, what?” thing and had to read it again to make sure I was following along.

If you’re looking for sweet and dirty romance with no relationship angst this is your story. There is a lot that can still happen for these three and I’m already anxious to see what comes next and how they are going to resolve the logistics of them committing permanently, not to mention all the sexy shenanigans along the way.

For More Information on Unexpected Moments, check it out on Goodreads!

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