Author Visit: Trevor Project Book Sale - 'tis the season to help donate to a worthy cause

Christmas is right around the corner...wouldn't you like to donate to a good cause by reading?

Piqued your interest?

PACKAGE NAME:  Hot Reads For The Trevor Project

Get ready to lower your thermostat because your winter is about to get hot! For a limited time only, get SIX great reads by some of the hottest authors in M/M! A guilt-free guilty pleasure at an incredibly low price with all proceeds going to The Trevor Project!

ABOUT THE TREVOR PROJECT:

Founded in 1998 by the creators of the Academy Award®-winning short film TREVOR, The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.

THE BOOKS:

- ROAD RUNNER (ENCHANTMENT #1)

By Rain Carrington

In the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico, lives a man who has secrets. Levi Kape watches people at a bar nightly, writing things in his notebook and trying to blend in with the locals. His secrets keep him from getting close to anyone until Bobby Dawes comes off the road after a long haul in his 18-wheeler. After getting to know Bobby, he realizes he’d never been close to anyone. That was about to change.

Levi can’t settle down and not because he doesn’t want to, but because it could endanger his life. Bobby is a gentle, loving and strong man who doesn’t do commitment. He’s also a man that Levi wants more than anything, including his own safety.

Danger causes Levi to leave but he can’t forget the truck driver that drove into his life, changing everything. When Levi leaves, Bobby goes back onto the road, trying to forget the “Golden God” he’d fallen for, but with some help from friends with connections to dark people and places, Bobby finds his man and swears never to let him go again.

Can they save each other not only from the men who want Levi dead but from years of never seeking or finding the love they found in one another? Will the ultimate betrayal cost them the trust they need to make it work between them? Can Bobby save him, or be lost in a dark world alone…

- CAGED: LOVE AND TREACHERY ON THE HIGH SEAS (BAAL'S HEART #1)

By Bey Deckard

Sheltered and lonely, Jon's life changes drastically when a strange ship sails into the harbour of his small port town one day. Trapped between the possessive pirate captain and his murderous first mate, he must learn to adapt or he will lose himself completely. An epic tale of love, treachery and revelation, this first installment of the Baal's Heart trilogy brings you into the lives of three men so bound together by jealousy and lies that they must sail to the very ends of the earth to find forgiveness.

Deckard's first novel is a masterful portrayal of sorrow, hope, and passion, with a narrative that twists the reader through a world set in the Golden Age of Piracy. A thrilling look into the darker side of human nature, Caged effortlessly melds serious historical fantasy with five star erotica.

- DANGEROUSLY HAPPY

By Varian Krylov

Aidan has always played it safe. Instead of pursuing his dream of creating innovative music that makes his soul sing, he settled for a degree in software, a job in a cubicle, and a spot in a generic band with his buddies.

And he's always been straight. But when he's seduced by magnetic local literary luminary Dario, Aidan must decide whether to keep playing it safe, or succumb to a ravenous passion and a nourishing love unlike anything he's experienced before. Will he find the courage to go after real happiness if it means admitting he's in love with a man?

Their journey together isn't easy. Sometimes it isn't safe. Even if Aidan has the courage to admit he's in love with Dario, can he endure the repercussions of the traumatic event in Dario's past?

- LUXURIA: THE OSWALD WITCHES

By Mathew Ortiz

Duncan Blackthorne carried a heavy burden for one so young. One of the most powerful witches of the Earth Clans, his singular ability to control fire was both blessing and curse. The wallflower of his family, they had no idea of what turbulent waters churned under his calm surface. Never expecting to find love, he trudged through life, expecting nothing. Until the man in his dreams became more real and insistent, Duncan realized his dream lover was so much more than expected. Suddenly he had a real world dominant that rocked his body and a dreaming ghost lover who captured his heart. Now what the hell was witch to do?

- GRIF'S TOY (TEASE AND DENIAL #1)

By Joseph Lance Tonlet

Grif believes he’ll live his life as a virgin. After all, who would want him? How could anyone find him, a guy who came with less than man-sized equipment, worthy of their love?

What he hadn’t counted on were the two amazing men who would change his life. After entering college, he meets Tate, his fun-loving roommate. While years later, with Tate now just a memory, Wes, a handsome, rugged ex-marine who runs his own security firm enters his life.

Both men lead Grif through a twisted mesh of pleasure, pain, and denial, as they force him to see his value, despite his size and insecurities.

- SAM AND DEREK: THE WHOLE STORY

By Brad Vance

Sam Bradford is a down-on-his-luck former Special Forces soldier when he meets Derek Constantine, sexually confused billionaire. Together the two men will play a series of games that bring them ever closer together…and which in the end may be the death of them…

Sam’s Reluctant Submission

Sam's down to his last five dollars when he meets Derek, who makes him an offer - come to my estate for a manhunt, evade me for two days, and you'll make ten grand...but if I catch you, you surrender your ass to me! Sam's got SERE training and he's pretty sure his straight ass is safe, but anything can happen when the hunt is on...

Sam’s Reluctant Submission II: Urban Manhunt

In Part I, Sam lost his ass to Derek, but kept something more important – Derek submitted him, but didn’t break him, and that’s what Derek really wanted. Now Derek wants a rematch – fifty grand for an urban manhunt, if Sam evades Derek’s crew…if he doesn’t, it’s four on one and Sam’s ass is toast!

Sam’s Reluctant Submission III: Search and Rescue

In Part 2, Sam lost his ass to Derek again – and loved it! Which left him wondering if he was gay after all. Maybe a three way with Jake and Eddie will help him figure that out… And when Derek calls Sam to get his help with a search and rescue effort, what sexual sparks might be generated if they clash again in a “threematch”?

Sam’s Reluctant Submission IV: Avenging Devils

The epic conclusion to the saga of Sam and Derek! When Derek’s dark past rears its head to jeopardize the couple and their friends Jake and Eddie, Sam will have to call on his old Special Forces buddies to do battle with The Factory, a malevolent cartel bent on revenge. Will Sam and Derek rescue Eddie from his kidnappers? Will seeing Sam explore his top side with Eddie make Derek jealous…or make him want Sam to do that to him? Most frightening and dangerous of all, will Derek finally say the L word!

BONUS STORY - Eddie’s MMA Submission – the story of Sam’s friends Eddie and Jake

Eddie works across the street from Downtown Fight Academy. And he can't stop thinking about Jake, the hot MMA fighter he ran into at the store. When Jake offers to train him, Eddie's ready to throw down in the Octagon. But when Jake has him submitted, and pulls out a weapon you won't see on TV, will Eddie tap out...or take the punishment?

Here's the purchase link!

More information about these awesome authors giving back:

- Rain Carrington

When she isn't taking out gay bashers with her mean right hook she is at her desk writing steamy stories of man on man love. Rain also spends time with her beloved family and friends and in her spare time maybe sleeps for a few hours.

Rain is an ally in the gay rights crusade, she also loves animals and tries her best to stop animal abuse.

She is at her desk now getting some of her other stories ready for publication and will let them out as she they are ready so keep an eye out for Cabin Fever next!

- Bey Deckard

Born and raised in a small coastal town in northern Québec, Bey spent his early summers on his uncle’s boat and running wild on the beaches of the surrounding islands, lighting fires and building huts out of driftwood and fishermen’s nets. As an adult, he eventually made his way to university and earned a degree in Art History with a strong focus on Anthropology. Primarily a portrait painter and graphic artist, Bey sat down one day and decided to write about the two things that he felt most passionate about: sex and the sea.

Bey currently lives in the wilds of Montréal with his best buddy, a spotty pit bull named Murphy. Caged: Love and Treachery on the High Seas is his first novel.

- Varian Krylov

Since her girlhood in a sunny coastal town in California, Varian Krylov has nurtured a love of words and a curiosity about the deep, dark forces at work in human nature, especially sexuality, and how they often paradoxically twine with our tenderest impulses. Her stories tend to explore the sometimes fine line between what arouses, and what frightens, what we’re driven to, and what we’re ashamed of.

As witty and seductive as I am sarcastic and self-deprecating, I spend as much time as possible thinking and writing about sex. No, not dense, inscrutable post-feminist texts on media representations of gender and the body--that was grad school. I write stories--short stories, novels, and starting a few weeks ago, screenplays--most of which poke and prod and the dark little corners of human sexuality. In a sense, nothing's taboo, anymore. There's no act, no fetish that hasn't been made utterly banal in the proliferation of porn. What intrigues and excites me is the exploration of the conflicting impulses, the twisted psychology and turbulent emotions of people who find themselves unable to resist desires that lie beyond their own moral boundaries.

- Mathew Ortiz

Mathew Ortiz was born in Nuremburg Germany in 197O, the son of a quiet Army man and his loud Hungarian wife. Spending only two years in Germany, his family relocated to Fort Smith, Arkansas where he spent his youth in exile. Here is where he attended primary school and college, obtaining a degree in Nursing. He moved to Phoenix and met the bane and love of his life, Tim. When not on his laptop watching Are You Being Served or Keeping Up Appearances, Matt can be found either napping or reading with gusto.

- Joseph Lance Tonlet

Joseph is a born and raised Southern Californian--with a twenty-year stint of living in the Midwest. He loves the laid-back lifestyle of San Diego and considers himself lucky to live where people dream of vacationing.

A lifelong reader of m/m fiction, he began his writing career one night sitting at his MacBook and has never looked back. He writes to bring the characters he dreams about to life.

- Brad Vance

Brad Vance writes gay romance, erotica and paranormal stories and novels, including the breakout hits "A Little Too Broken" and "Given the Circumstances." Keep up with Brad at BradVanceErotica.wordpress.com, email him at BradVanceErotica@gmail.com, and friend him on Facebook at facebook.com/brad.vance.10

If you're interested about this awesome package - 6 titles for an unbelievable price of $10, check out the buy links on this page. The sale ends January 1st, 2015!!!

Review: Brooklyn Bound by Jenna Byrnes

Tucker and Gabe discover they’re soulmates. If only they can get Gabe’s wife Brooklyn to admit her own true desires.

Tucker Gleason is a junior partner in the prestigious law firm of Dryer, Stokes and Associates. His career is going well—he’s on track to make full partner, having won more cases than any other lawyer in the firm. His love life is another matter. On his own for too long, he gets a much needed jolt when he meets one of the owners of the construction company hired to build the new law firm offices.

Gabe Conner is a happily married man, until he meets Tucker and is reminded of the hot gay relationship he experienced in college. Thinking it was just youthful experimentation, he never mentioned it to his wife. But now that he’s met Tucker and the two men are so drawn to each other, he has no choice but to bring it up.

Brooklyn Conner isn’t as shocked to learn her husband has gay tendencies as she is to find out he’s interested in one of her bosses. She’s a paralegal at Dryer and Stokes, and worries about losing not only her husband but also her job if things fall through with the sexy junior partner. She can’t resist their advances when they both join forces to seduce her, and quickly decides she doesn’t need to. Sex with two men is hot. Until Tucker’s true appetite is revealed, and Brook’s vanilla world is turned upside down.

Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of M/M intimacy and ménage in a polyamorous relationship between two men and a woman.

Publisher's Note: The stories in this series are linked solely by theme and can be read in any order. This book can be read as a standalone title.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Brooklyn Bound is a card carrying member of Pornlandia. Pornlandia has a different rating system because, let’s face it, we've left romancelandia. I don’t know about you but I like my porn without a lot of dialogue. More grunting, moaning, affirming things, a well placed declarative sentence is welcome and perhaps a little secular deity calling. I could do with less bothersome, awkward conversations and pathetic attempts at a plot, but that’s just me.

Brooklyn Bound begins in a most promising fashion with Tucker at a gay BDSM club. At 2% a hot thing gigantor (in all ways *wink*) Master with long flowing black hair directing his two slave boys on how to properly suck his cock definitely piqued my interest. Tucker turns around and sees a three-way daisy chain/dude sandwich then a four way Cirque du Soleil thing happening. I’m thinking just jump in there, buddy! Let’s get this party started! Dark Fabio even propositioned him! Next thing you know Tucker’s all tuckered out in his jim jams at home missing his ex? How you gonna turn down dark Fabio, bro? Not even a shower jerk off once he gets home because he can’t get it up for anyone since losing his beloved 2 yrs ago.

*narrows eyes*

This does not sound promising. Absolutely NO soft peen in my porn. Soft peen is for the birds.

*proceeds with caution*

Tucker heads to the office the next day for a meeting with the contractors who are building new office space for his law firm.

Now, we're getting somewhere!

Construction workers are always randy! Here we go. Tucker sees Gabe and his heart skips a beat followed shortly thereafter by his declaration of sexual preference presumably in an effort to entice Gabe into a boy sandwich because why else would you discuss your sexual preferences in a business meeting? Alas, Gabe’s all shy boy with his Fabio hair and *sputters* goes back to work?!?! Curious. Ole Tuck shook off his “I can never love again” blues with a quickness, didn't he? And then Superman turned into that guy. You know that guy. That guy that starts stalking you after meeting you for 5 mins. That guy that when he asks for your number you give him 867-5309 and when he says, “we don’t use that prefix” you say, “the phone company made an exception just for me. Trust me.”

Turns out Gabe’s stalking uncovered a major roadblock. Gabe’s hitched to Brooklyn who, wouldn’t you know it, is not only a girl but also works for his firm. WHAT are the chances? That makes checking out the competition easier, doesn't it? This goes about as well as that Lone Ranger movie did for Johnny Depp. You know why? Because Tuck has no experience with the ladies and he’s all awkward and shit. Damn the luck! He’s just always struggled with foot-in-mouth-syndrome when it comes to chatting up the ladies.

Have you noticed the marked lack of sex? I sure did.

Tuck decides he’s not the guy to interfere with another’s relationship right up until he sees Gabe and his Fabio locks the next day and can’t resist a kiss and a cock squeeze because Gabe should know what he’s missing. Oddly enough, this works mostly because Gabe’s got a secret and Pornlandia. Gabe likes to be pounded but hasn’t been since before he hitched his wagon to Brook, so you can imagine how needy he is. Everything’s a go except… the pesky wife who doesn’t know about Gabe’s pounding history. Not to worry! A steak dinner and a quick powwow is gonna fix this deal and then they are all gonna get their freak on. Together. Even though Tucker’s gay and bad with the ladies. Whatever. It’s gonna happen!

Except… 

Buzzkill Brook isn’t all that keen but she ain’t gonna lose her man! They have some odd and somewhat confusing sex after which she slaps him in her drunken stupor and stumbles off to pass out. Why I then have to read about her alarm being reset by Gabe continues to stump me and in my opinion alarms have no business in Pornlandia. We’ve strayed way off the reservation here. Clearly everyone needs a reminder-Pornlandia. Pornlandia with a marked lack of actual porn thus far. I need you people to focus. 

“I’ll make it worth her while, believe me. What woman could resist two men taking care of her every desire?”

*scurries off to put on porn goggles*

I can’t believe I forgot those! Oh wait, the lack of sex thus far. Nevermind. Perhaps the porn goggles will explain how gay Tuck is going to rock Brook’s world with his non-existent history of rockin’ the ladies’ worlds. Fingers crossed he's got his hands on some Viagra or something because… soft peen. Soft peen is not gonna be popular with needy Gabe nor his ball and chain.

Well, newly and inexplicably comfy with the ladies Tuck comes over to talk and… *cue Sean Paul*

“Brook, baby. I’m getting ready to fuck his wanton ass. Would you like to watch my cock go in?” She patted Tucker’s cheek so he’d release her, and scooted down for a better view.

“Wow. Look how his hole flutters.”

“I had three fingers in there. I think that’s enough. When he goes to fuck me, I’ll need at least four to prep my ass. Maybe five. He’s huge.”

Yo! Less chattering. Please refer back to paragraph one. PORN FOUL!

So enthusiastic, short lived couch sex happens, which is but phase one of Tucker's plan because smart lawyer is a bait and switch kind of guy.

The next part of his plan would require a bit more finesse. He couldn’t come right out and tell Gabe that he was a closet submissive who craved a Master’s touch. He’d have to bring him around slowly. The traditional method of introducing D/s was to slip commands into sexual acts, and turn them into a role-playing game. It was a proven effective technique, best used on someone when he was emotionally open and vulnerable. Once he’d gotten his new lover used to the idea of a Dominant leading their play, he could turn the tables and let Gabe dominate.

Fascinating. 

I’m getting my learn on now.

I don’t know about you guys but I’m starting to get the feeling Brooklyn’s the third wheel in this bizarre love triangle. Tuck’s got another thing coming if he thinks Brook’s going curbside without a fight, though.

Brook searched her dresser drawers for the sexiest lingerie she owned. A lacy, strapless black teddy cut high on the thighs would fit the bill perfectly. Slipping into the bathroom, she stripped and donned the outfit. In the back of her closet she found the tall ‘fuck me’ heels she’d purchased one day on a whim, but hardly ever wore for fear of snapping an ankle. She’d simply have to be careful, because she was dressing to impress tonight. If Gabe and Tucker wanted to be alone together she’d give them cause for second thoughts, making herself too irresistible to ignore.

BECAUSE THEY'RE GAY! G.A.Y.
They like boys.

They dig the buttsex.

They like peen.

Do I need to draw you a picture?

Well, technically I didn't draw that or take it for that but… details. The message is clear:

No ladies needed.

The wife’s always the last to know, isn't she? Wait, what the hell am I talking about? It’s Pornlandia! Sheesh, with the dearth of sex happening in this porn I almost forgot. Again.

*adjusts porn goggles* Could they be defective? *shakes them*

Anyhoo, the sexy lingerie gauntlet gets thrown down among other things promptly followed by her hightailing it to her parent’s house the next morning to give Gabe and Tucker time to bond? You cannot simply pick up the gauntlet once you’ve thrown it down. There are gauntlet throwing down rules of engagement and running off to visit the folks is a violation. You do not leave said possibly (read: probably) gay husband alone with his newly acquired gay lover FOR THE WEEKEND, but what’s done is done. Let the cockanigans begin a.k.a. phase 2 of Tuck’s “master” plan.

Confessions about submission are uttered; clothes and M&M’s are bought. Don’t ask. A new truck is perused which makes it pretty clear Gabe ain’t the sharpest tool in the shed, but boy does he take to dominating his boy like a duck to water.

His puckering hole fluttered open, and he sat firmly on Tucker’s lap. “Aw, God.” 

“Yes, oh yes.” Tucker tried to buck his hips, an impossible chore with Gabe’s full weight on him. 

“Slow down, you ass slut,” Gabe chastised. “I’m calling the shots here, and don’t you forget it.”

Ok, so maybe a duck to water is overstating things a bit. Whatever. Pornlandia, people. Pornlandia minus a condom because who needs those? Everybody’s clean, right? You can just tell these things. AND the condom automatically becomes a non-issue once declarations of love occur, right? In the front seat of an SUV. After mutual BJs. And M&Ms with peanuts cause that makes it more… seriouser.

Brooklyn returns rom her folks and she’s having none of this Tucker bribing with her man with M&Ms and clothes and whatnot. They are going to turn back the clock and go back to being *cough* “vanilla” and possibly find another boy toy. Sure. Why not? It’s still Pornlandia. I still got my goggles on. It can happen, right? You can’t buy love!

Unless…

You throw in paying for the rest of her law school and offering her a job after she graduates then all bets are off.

*cue REO Speedwagon*

Brook and Tuck decide they’re going to surprise their master by binding their arms behind their backs and blindfolding each other. How’d they accomplish that? Beats the hell out of me. I’m going with dick wizardry because it explains all things.

3 Hearts for entertaining me with their enthusiasm for their lackluster sex, peanut M&Ms and the dark Fabio sighting a 2%. Hindsight being 20/20, I should’ve stopped there, then again had I not persevered I would’ve missed out on all this pseudoporn with far too much talking, boring sex, a transparent plot, dick wizardry and an overabundance of fluttering holes which reminds me, minus 1 heart for that. Holes fluttering are a porn foul, so 2 hearts it is.

Recommend to… you know who you are.

An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more on Goodreads.

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: Slow Bloom by Anah Crow

Ricky Talbot, fresh from his first year at university, is looking to have a perfect summer. He gets to work for the man he's had a crush on for years and spend the rest of his days in the pool, training for the swim team. Jack Corson, on the other hand, is a suburban hermit with a tangled past. Jack's a lot more experienced than Ricky, cantankerous and more than a little anti-social. When an unexpected one-time encounter between the two of them turns into more, Ricky and Jack must see if they have what it takes for love to bloom despite all of their differences, the distance between them while Ricky's away school, Jack's past and Ricky's parents. Can their slow-blooming love come to fruition?

MANTIES AND SWIMMERS?

Hells yeah!


*growls*

^^^^Me prior to reading this and me after… 


I LOVED THIS. LOVED IT. 
Like, I want to squirrel it away and make out with it and cuddle it and carry it around with me like Linus and his woobie.

I've been in a minor book rut lately, reading a couple pages here, a couple pages there but nothing was grabbing me, so Baby suggested bears and twinks and I perked up then I thought MANTIES! Lo and behold if I didn't get bears, twinks AND MANTIES! Plus, Anah Crow.


This is a slow burn or bloom, however you want to phrase it. It unfolds slowly but surely and these authors show you every bit of their romance. They don't hold back even a little bit. Sure, it probably could have been edited down and I'm so glad it wasn't because I loved even the tedium. 

Ricky is home after his first year of college and his father has arranged for him to work on Jack's lawn in exchange for access to his pool to keep up his training. Something as ordinary as a broken lawnmower is the catalyst for this romance. Jack notices the "golden lawn boy" having a meltdown. Who could resist Ricky?

Lithe swimmer's build.
Blond curls.
Golden tan.
Cut offs.
Shirtless.

Who could blame the man? I bet he was kinda sweaty too. *groans*

It begins as just an illicit encounter. Ricky's had a crush on the eccentric, gay, curmudgeon of a neighbor since he was 15. A blow job is a dream come true! Until he gets gay bashed and the only person he can think of to call to pick him up is Jack. A connection is formed that night, but they're both just happy to spend the summer together. My god, do they make good use of that summer. They are so hot for each other, they scorched off the page. Oodles of kissing, biting, rimming, begging, dirty talk, needing with some kink mixed in: spanking, bondage and MANTIES.

"Now I'm going to have to go waste time lying in the hot tub and jerking off while I think about how good it would be to rip those shorts off you and tongue your ass until you come everywhere, then flip you over and suck you hard again so I can fuck my mouth on your dick until my throat is sore for days and you come so hard you can't remember anything but how to worship my cock with your sweet, rosy mouth, looking like you live to get your mouth full of my come, even if you always end up with it dripping down your chin so you look completely debauched and fucked."

My kindle crackled a little bit a few times. I didn't expect anything more than a hot, sex filled summer romance. How could I with a 30 yr age gap between them? Honestly, this can't go anywhere, except it did. Somewhere along the way Jack stopped being such a curmudgeon, at least around Ricky. He got used to Ricky being there, talking to him, being with him, going shopping with him and just spending time together. The last scene between the two of them at the end of that first summer damn near brought me to tears it was so bittersweet.

They moved against each other like they could almost soak into one another's skin and then the desperate need to be close would ease.

Ricky goes back to school and things sort of go back to normal, but Ricky misses him and turns up for Jack's annual Halloween party with a stunning surprise for him and things just progress from there. They call, they email, they buy sentimental things for each other and that evolves into special trips to spend time together which just makes the ache worse when they have to part again. Surprisingly, there's very little angst. They're both very open and honest with one another and the trust grows exponentially with every rendezvous. What I liked best was even though Jack's got his own footpath around the block nothing was the same for him. He opens himself up in ways he never has before and he just… loves Ricky. He wants him to be happy. He wants what's best for him and more than anything else he just wants Ricky to be Ricky. He's old enough and wealthy enough to fit himself into Ricky's life If that's what Ricky wants.

And he does. He has to battle both his friends and his parents to convince them that he loves Jack for Jack and doesn't care about the age difference and those are some tough battles. His friend Jason doesn't pull any punches and his mom says some really hurtful things in the heat of the moment, but love is love and it doesn't do math.



Every one of these characters came alive on the page. Some added to the subtle telling of Jack's backstory. Some added levity. Jason actually reminded me a lot of Blake from ThePrescott College series only smarter. Every conversation felt honest and genuine. All of it added to the magic that is Slow Bloom.

Maybe it just hit me at the right time. Maybe it was the MANTIES. Maybe it was the bear/twink trope I love, but this is going down as one of the best things I've read all year. I really wish this author would write more.

A version of this review was previously posted on Goodreads.

Review: A Slow Process of Understanding by Faith Ashlin

How does a world that accepts slavery affect both master and slave? Can two people build a new life for themselves with a start like theirs?

In an alternate world very similar to this one the all-powerful State controls just about every aspect of life—including the sanctioning of slavery. Jimmy, enjoying the privileged life of a television actor, has never really given the matter much thought, or paid much attention to the fight for freedom going on around him.

So what is Jimmy meant to do when a careless, drunken moment, leads to him being permanently bonded to a slave he doesn’t want? Does it change who he is? What he is?

Trouble is, Jimmy isn't sure who he was to start with. He's never thought about it.

And what about his slave, Nate? Can a slave force Jimmy into learning something about himself? 

This was me for about 30%...

Jimmy is an idiot.
Jimmy is a spoiled idiot brat.
What's wrong with Nate?
Why is there no chemistry?
There is zero spark. No heat. Nada. Zilch.
They have sex, but I don't feel a thing about it.
Why am I reading about this couple?
There has got to be more to this.

Then..........

BOOM! I get it. Faith Ashlin is a genius.

A Slow Process of Understanding, indeed. It's an apt title if there ever was one.

I feel like I should just stop here to avoid spoilers. I won't go over any plot, it's one readers need to experience on their own. I'll just stick to what worked and what didn't.

What worked: Jimmy. Yeah, he was an idiot for a lot of the book. That was an accurate understanding I had. But there was so much growth and change in him. I couldn't help but admire his bravery. His change wasn't forced, it was slow and thoughtful and natural. He had a few very harsh self-realizations he had to face, but he did. He faced them head on.

The first 30%! I didn't really get what was going on the whole time and I admit, was a bit confused as to what the point was. But once I did, everything clicked and fell into place. I thought it was so well done and artfully crafted.

Oh, Nate. His pain and struggles were so real. Even though the story wasn't from his POV, I got a real sense of what he was feeling.

The way they formed their relationship was wonderful. It was heartbreaking at times, but it was necessary in order for Jimmy to become who he needed to be. They created a solid foundation of trust and openness before moving forward.

What didn't work: The length. It was a little long winded at times. It was in the redundant conversations between Nate and Jimmy. I get they had a lot to work through, but I feel like I read the same conversation about 5 times.

Obviously, my likes seriously outweighed my dislikes. This is my second book by Faith Ashlin that has kept me up until stupid-o'clock, and it certainly won't be my last.

Find out more info on Goodreads!

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

GIVEAWAY TIME with Perie Wolford and the audiobook of Turning 16

 

Sam never liked his birthdays because not a single one of them was happy...

When he turned 1, he fell face-down into his birthday cake; when he turned 5, he broke his left arm and when he turned 7, he broke his right arm and his left leg; when he turned 12, his house caught fire. Now Sam is about to turn 16 and he is dreading the day.

The only birthday wish he has is for Jake who is the Mr. Popular of Arcadia High to even acknowledge his existence, or better yet give him a happy-birthday kiss.

But Sam knows that it’s not gonna happen. Or is it?




Turning 16 is out on Audible and our very dear friend Perie Wolford is here to give YOU a copy.

Yeah, Merry early Chrismakwaanzaka right? I love this series and you can check out my original review for Turning 16 here and Turning 17 here. Perie does justice to the teen years so well and if you haven't checked out the series yet, you really need to and what better way than to get a gifty from the author himself!

He's got a sackful of coupons to give away so, you know the drill:

Leave us contact information (preferably email) in the comments and the first 25 commenters will receive a coupon for a FREE copy of Turning 16 thru Audible. Get signed up by 12/31/14 to get your copy!

Feel free to share a story about what turning 16 meant for you too. The more embarrassing the better and then you'll know you can relate to Sam!

Thanks to Perie for coming by to visit and for being his awesomely generous self!

Fangirl Moment: Review: Dirty Kiss (Cole McGinnis #1) by Rhys Ford

Cole Kenjiro McGinnis, ex-cop and PI, is trying to get over the shooting death of his lover when a supposedly routine investigation lands in his lap. Investigating the apparent suicide of a prominent Korean businessman's son proves to be anything but ordinary, especially when it introduces Cole to the dead man's handsome cousin, Kim Jae-Min.

Jae-Min's cousin had a dirty little secret, the kind that Cole has been familiar with all his life and that Jae-Min is still hiding from his family. The investigation leads Cole from tasteful mansions to seedy lover s trysts to Dirty Kiss, the place where the rich and discreet go to indulge in desires their traditional-minded families would rather know nothing about.

It also leads Cole McGinnis into Jae-Min's arms, and that could be a problem. The death of Jae-Min's cousin is looking less and less like a suicide, and Jae-Min is looking more and more like a target. Cole has already lost one lover to violence he's not about to lose Jae-Min too.

Jenni Lea and the Ebook:

Rarely does a book have the ability to surprise me. It's the reason why I don't really like reading mysteries. I always, ALWAYS figure out whodunit way before I ever finish the book.

This book though, shocked me. Here I was, thinking I was so smart to have figured out the perpetrator when something happened to bring me to a screeching halt.

I was wrong.

I didn't know whodunit! I was left with my mouth hanging open and grasping at straws to try and figure out who else it could be. And when they were finally revealed it was the last person I would have ever suspected.

I liked other aspects of this book as well. I really connected with Cole and his dry, almost self deprecating humor. I liked Jae-Min as well. He's no Miki but I really warmed up to him.

There were a few cringe-worthy descriptions used during the sex scenes but I knew about them prior to reading (I peeked at a few reviews beforehand) so I was able to brush past them fairly easily.
 

Ann and the Audio:

I read this one a long time ago and when I started my Audible account, this was at the top of my list of books to listen too. I had already listened to Sinner's Gin and fell in love with Tristan James. I figured at that point I had hit the pinnacle of audiobooks. Then, I listened to Greg Tremblay as Cole McGinnis. Dammit, that man can read the WORDS. You know how the movie is never as good as the book? Audiobooks can be the same way. Then you see/listen to one that does justice to the words you love and you fall in love with the stories and characters all over again. That's how I felt with Dirty Kiss.

I would imagine this would be a tough story to narrate. It's an intricate story, with lots of characters and a bevy of twists and turns. The things that made it a great story to read could make it a tough story to listen to with the wrong set of pipes. Thank grilled cheezus Rhys Ford's words were paired up with Greg Tremblay's narration. The character voices were all unique and he nailed the moods perfectly making the story easy to follow. I lost all kinds of hours listening to this one, I just couldn't turn it off.

Just a warning, well a couple actually. Be aware of your surroundings when you get to the smexy parts. You don't want to get cockblocked by RL in the middle of a Rhys Ford written sex scene as read by Greg Tremblay. Secondly, be ready to queue up the rest of the series because like all wonderful indulgences, you can't stop at just one.

Review: Favorite Son by Will Freshwater

Born into a blue-collar family, John Wells beat the odds and came out a winner. As chief of staff to Patrick Donovan, a US senator and aspiring presidential candidate, he enjoys all the power and privilege of a DC insider. But while riding high on a wave of success, he’s blindsided by a series of betrayals from the people he trusts the most. In the space of a single day, John's perfect life unexpectedly unravels when his career falters and his marriage implodes. Following a final, devastating blow, John assumes a new identity as “Peter” and flees to Provincetown, where a tight-knit community of eclectic characters slowly transforms him.

Peter finds himself drawn to Danny Cavanaugh, an enigmatic carpenter who is struggling to come to terms with his own troubled past. As they work together to renovate a local landmark, the two men forge an unlikely friendship that blossoms into love and becomes the foundation for a new life they hope to build together. But when a reversal of fortune pulls John back to DC, the treacherous world of politics he thought he’d left behind threatens to destroy his chance at true happiness.

Favorite Son is different than the usual M/M romance fare. Especially in that the romance is not the focus. 

John's life is slowly, but surely, falling apart. He loses everything that is constant and important in his life in basically one swoop. So, he runs to a new town where nobody knows him and becomes a 'new' self as Peter. 

Peter meets an interesting, open and accepting group of people. They instantly bring in Peter as one of their own. The characters were fun and quirky and added a bit of humor to Peter's horrible situation. 

One of the residents is Danny. Peter is instantly attracted to him and feels that it's mutual. I do love a slow burn and relationships being built on friendship. This is exactly how Danny and Peter's love story goes. The problem I had was that I didn't really feel anything from Danny. Given that the story is from Peter's POV, I never understood Danny's choices. I couldn't get a feel for him and he was quite unlikeable to me. Luckily, the romance wasn't the focus. 

The story is really about John/Peter finding himself. I found it interesting how he changed who he was depending on where he was at. When he went back to DC he slipped back into being John flawlessly, just like he became Peter when in Provincetown. But, in the end, I feel like he was able to combine the two and really be himself in his new life.

While I can appreciate a story without much romance, I was a little bored throughout Favorite Son. I had to make myself pick it back up each time. There were parts I really liked, like Peter's character and the cast of characters in Provincetown, but the pace was too slow for me.

Favorite Son is something different and features a great group of characters, even if it was a bit slow, still a nice change from the usual M/M romance.

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

Find out more info on Goodreads!

Review: King of Cups by Elinor Gray

Christmas, thanks to massive winter storms that blanket the Europe. He's facing a holiday spent in a hostel eating cold beans out of a can, when Hugh Campbell, his friend from university, surprises him with an invitation to Scotland. If Charlie is going to miss Christmas with his own family, he might as well spend it with someone else's. But nothing is ever that simple, especially when Hugh's mum puts them up in Hugh's old bedroom together. Charlie's been nursing a crush on Hugh since they met, but he can't ruin a perfectly good friendship over that.

Hugh knew his mum and dad would see right through him, but he should have expected that Charlie would get the boyfriend treatment. Rather than dispel any illusions, he and Charlie agree to let the matter lie and to act as normal as possible. But when Hugh's friends get on his case about Charlie, he'll deny his attraction until the sun comes up. Not that anyone believes him.

Without the distractions of school work or flatmates, the tension of being alone together grows. Charlie is headed home after the New Year, and then will be gone for good by the summertime. Can they sort out their feelings before it's too late? Or will this just be another missed opportunity? 






*Sighs*

If, like me, you can't get enough of romance at this time of year, then this needs to go on your tbr pile, immediately. Christmas jizz, SRAL calls these books, and I can't read them fast enough.

This has all the right ingredients for the perfect Christmas romance recipe...

• Two good friends
• One delayed flight
• A handful of interfering pals and/or family
• One perfect winter setting

Put the two friends together. Add in a delayed flight and let the ideas simmer gently until the perfect one is formed. This idea should look like the two friends unexpectedly spending Christmas together. Add in a handful of interfering friends and/or family and let their interference start to combine the two friends together. This process is not an exact science, a conclusion will often be reached by or on Christmas day, sometimes it will be new year and occasionally even longer. Some good writing, well developed characters and general all round swooniness will move things in the right direction, at a pace best set by the author. When all the above have combined to work together add in one beautiful winter scene, and the romance is complete. Sit back with a cup of tea and sigh contentedly as the exchange that first, oh so yummy, kiss.

Yep, for me this book is a perfect winter warmer and I'd highly recommend it to all Christmas jizz  winter romance fans.


I'm certainly going to check out more books by Elinor Gray.

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