Review: Early to Rise (Toms & Tabbies Tales #1) by V.L. Locey

There are few things worse than being left at the altar by the man you thought loved you. Just ask Simon Wilder. He knows all about it. He also knows a thing or two about getting fired. It`s been a rotten week for Simon and making major life decisions during such turmoil may not be the wisest thing Simon has ever done. Or is it?

Packing up his clothes, his collection of Tony Orlando CD`s, and his cat, Sambuca, Simon leaves the hustle and bustle of Philadelphia behind and heads out to live on his uncle Tiberius` farm in the mountains of Pennsylvania. Starting over on the farm where he vacationed once as a child is a going to be just what the doctor ordered, as long as that doctor is the good-looking large animal veterinarian, Gentry Martin. Is a sexy country vet the cure for a love-sick city boy?

This was my first read by this author and I will definitely be reading more. I fell in love with Simon’s character right away. He’s one of those guys you want to be friends with as soon as you meet him on page. He’s snarky, “emotionally vibrant” and just plain funny. He’s not over the top though, he didn’t try too hard to charm me which made me love him all the more.

After having his heart broken, and broken hard, Simon packs up and heads out of town. He leaves his beloved mother behind (I liked her, a lot, and YAY, a fictional mother to get behind) but takes his cat Sambuca and heads to his Uncle’s farm. He stayed with his Uncle Tiberius as a child and has very fond memories of his time there. Of course his mother reminds him how his time on the farm actually went, but who needs reality when you really just need a fresh start. I have to say, I wasn’t expecting much for the relationship between Uncle Tiberius and Simon and I ended up so pleasantly surprised. The two of them quickly fell into a routine and ended up being exactly what the other needed without even realizing it.

As Simon gets his feet muddy in his new life on the farm, he crosses paths with the very handsome and very charming Dr. Gentry Martin. Serendipity shines on these two as Simon is experienced in health care admin and Gentry needs a new office manager in his veterinary practice. The heat between them is palpable and the flirting leads to some seriously amusing and embarrassing fails for poor Simon. Those fails put the problem of dating an employee into stark relief for Gentry and this is where I had my only issues with the story. The romance between the two stuttered repeatedly and I honestly just felt bad for Simon. They were obviously meant to be together and there was just a little too much back and forth for the length of the story for me to fully fall in love with them as a couple. I love Simon, I like Gentry, I just didn’t get a chance to love Gentry alone and then them together.

I was completely charmed with the story of Simon, his family and the farm. I would have actually been totally fine with reading this without the romance, not that I didn’t appreciate it, I did. The characters were just that good though, I would have read about them regardless. For me to have bought into the romance fully I would have just need more. And I would have LOVED more.

So, I really enjoyed the read overall and I chuckled out loud more than once. I will be reading more by this author, no question and I would recommend it for a light and fun afternoon read. Read it for Simon and read it for Uncle Tiberius and you’ll have a guaranteed good time.

For more information on Early to Rise, check it out over on Goodreads.

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

Review: Spell Bound (The Warlock Brothers of Havenbridge #1) by Jacob Z. Flores

Mason Blackmoor just can’t compete with his brothers, much less his father. They represent the epitome of black magic, strong, dark, and wicked, and though Mason tries to live up to his respected lineage, most of the spells he casts go awry. To make matters worse, his active power has yet to kick in. While his brothers wield lightning and harness the cold, Mason sits on the sidelines, waiting for the moment when he can finally enter the magical game.

When a dead body is discovered on the football field of his high school, Mason meets Drake Carpenter, the new kid in town. Drake’s confident demeanor and quick wit rub Mason the wrong way. Drake is far too self-assured for someone without an ounce of magical blood in his body, and Mason aims to teach him a lesson—like turn him into a roach. And if he’s lucky, maybe this time Mason won’t be the one turned into an insect.

Not surprisingly, the dislike is mutual, and Drake does nothing to dispel Mason’s suspicion that the sexy boy with a southern drawl is somehow connected to the murder.

If only Mason didn’t find himself inexplicably spellbound whenever they are together, they might actually find out what danger hides in the shadows

This is only the second book I've read by this author - but it certainly won't be the last. Here Jacob Z Flores has created a world which I already love...anyone who likes YA stories that have a fantasy/paranormal twist will like these. I love that whole it's our world but with elements much of society doesn't know about theme of books and TV and this embraces that genre so well.

Mason is a character who is hiding a secret and this affects how the world at large views him. Even his closest friends don't truly know him, this seemed very metaphorical to me of teenagers the world over. He has an image to uphold, but truly he only has that image as a way to shield himself. I love that Drake was able to work his way through the shield and into Mason's life, intended or not.

At times this book was laugh-out-loud funny. My particular favourite was 'park whoring'. I'm a park whore fan myself - could watch it for hours. Even if I do call it free running... The whole book managed to find a great balance between humour and action.

I'm eager to find out more about this world, though this story wrapped up I'm not done with these characters. t feels to me like there is a whole lot more to find out about the Blackmoors and the world they inhabit. I also feel like there is more to Aunt Millie than we learnt about here...I often have a feeling in these kinds of tales that the general public in the worlds know more than they are letting on. More than the supernatural characters realise...Danny from Teen Wolf anyone?? I like this because it feels like the simple story we're shown in the first book is just the first layer - I can't wait to read more of this series to see where it goes.

A really enjoyable read, and as I said, an author I'll be looking out for more of.

For more info check out Goodreads.
A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Behavior Problem (Outlaw MC #3) by James Cox and GIVEAWAY!

What if bad guys ruled the world and the good guys were the outlaws?

Deviant doesn’t do friendly. He’s had a hard life and it shows in his behavior. The Outlaw MC of Mars is starting to expand thanks to some tough women who want to change the law. In the government’s eyes, women are only needed for breeding. Deviant is volunteered to train them. What he doesn’t expect is to meet Tage. The handsome man blushes more than a hard spanked butt. And what a fine pair of cheeks he has. Deviant made a promise to himself. Never fall in love. That makes a man vulnerable to hurt, to loss, to become broken. So why does he feel this undeniable attraction to Tage?

Deviant doesn’t do romance or cuddling or any of that other shit. With a covert war against the government going on, the last thing he needs is a weakness.

Will the shy Tage bring the big badass biker to his knees?

Another fun and sexy (and stressful) installment to the Outlaw MC series. I love the premise of these books, there is really nothing better that a big ol’ badass with a heart of melty chocolate around the right man. James always manages to create perfect partners, Tage and Deviant are no exception. This couple is a little different than the couples in the previous two books. Deviant is a full member of the biker club, but Tage’s life couldn’t be further from that of the Outlaws. But, just because he isn’t that ‘flavor’ of badass doesn’t mean he’s any less a hero.

Deviant is slightly left of stable, his name is Deviant after all and let’s face it, s’hot. But, his slightly unhinged nature can be a bit of a liability at times and he’s sent away from the clubhouse for a but while they are under heavy (well, heavier than usual) scrutiny. Which leads me to my bitch fest and heartbreak moment. . . . OMFG, what about Lover??? Bad things happen my friends, bad things. I know more is coming and James wouldn’t dare break my heart on purpose, but damn! All I can tell you is, don’t get too comfortable and things don’t always swing the Outlaw’s way.

I loved how Deviant pushed Tage out of his comfort zone and in a more subtle way, how Tage made Deviant fall right out of his. Deviant is definitely not a warm, fuzzy cuddler, but Tage sure makes him wish he were. It slowly starts to show in him though and he’s a little surprised about his feelings, but he didn’t go all alpha denial about it which drives me nutters, but he still stayed in character and believable. Deviant’s favorite thing is to make Tage blush, it turns his crank hard and is just part of his charm that I love.

His gaze reached between my legs I was sporting some morning wood that would make a whore wince.

“Dear God,” Tage muttered, staring at my bared junk. I grinned.

“Yeah, they broke the mold with my dick.”

His cheeks blushed.

So many great blushing moments.

There is a consistency in James’ books that I really appreciate, he writes women really well. We all have read enough MM to be familiar with the plethora of stereotypical female characters that can make this reader embarrassed for her gender. Not so with James’ characters and when there is a female character she reads ‘real’ and I for one, love to read about them.

I can’t have a COX review without a favorite quote:

Romeo pulled away and then the long white ribbons of cum erupted from the prospect’s slit. It was like liquid, cloudy confetti.

The MC’s do know how to party.

And . . .

Tage was too tight for just spit and courage.

See what a sweetheart Deviant is?

If you haven’t been part of the Outlaw MC journey yet, I highly suggest you join in.

AND to celebrate the recent release of With Tongue and Teeth (Outlaw MC #4), James has been kind and generous enough to offer up a book from his back list. Just leave us a comment with your contact information and you’ll get a chance to win! We’ll draw a lucky reader on May 18th.

For more information on Behavior Problem, check it out on Goodreads.

Review: One Perfect Night by Lisa Henry

Townsville, Australia, 1943.

Tanner is a captain in the US Army, stationed at a radio post on an island in the middle of nowhere.

Nick is a coastwatcher, a man whose voice Tanner has only heard before over the radio waves.

They meet in the middle of war, when nothing is certain but this: Tanner and Nick are owed one perfect night.

Lisa Henry is one of the most talented writers I have read in that she can turn her hand from light-hearted fluff, to something other-worldy, to something deep and angst filled seamlessly. I cannot say how much I admire this talent.

When Lisa offered up five copies to commenters of this book for a read to review I have to admit I jumped straight in without even checking out the book she was offering. That is how much faith I have in this author's writing. I should have remembered her penchant for pulverising my heart though...

This book is beautiful and poignant especially with the 70th anniversary of VE day (here int he UK) coming up. We here so much about war, both current and past, we know the facts and the figures and the atrocities that occurred - yet sometimes it is the little stories that truly bring it home how much devastation war can cause.

This story is about one perfect night. One perfect night in the midst of the second world war - and it was beautiful, it was a moment out of forever that could not be taken away from either of them. I won't lie and tell you this story has an hea, because it doesn't, and that is not what it is about. It's about that moment of brightness in the darkness. 

Though this story is short it packs a punch. It made me stop and think - it still makes me stop and think. What Nick and Tanner had in that moment, it was destined to never be more. Even if things didn't turn out how they did, at that time (I believe) homosexuality would not have been tolerated, so there was never going to be more than one perfect night. The night where two people from completely different worlds meet. Do I believe in soul mates? I think after reading this I do. Maybe a soul mate doesn't necessarily mean forever and ever, but instead just for now?

I don't know, but what I do know is that this is a story well worth reading. Lisa Henry will make you remember the little heartaches in the huge scheme of horror. She'll also make you remember the moments of perfection that seem all that much brighter because of the darkness surrounding them.

For more information check out Goodreads.
A copy of this book was given with a view to an honest review in return.

Review: For a Rainy Afternoon by RJ Scott

Robbie MacIntyre manages a small post office in the old Station House on the outskirts of sleepy Barton Hartshourn northwest of London. He’s stunned when the owner, Maggie, a close friend, bequeaths him not only the post office, but also Station House.

The rest of her estate is left to an American writer, Jason Young, and when he moves to the village, Robbie is thrown by the attraction he has for the man who has more of a claim on the Station House than he does.

Then there is a box that holds several rare first editions and a cookbook. Only when the secrets of the ingredients in a particular recipe are finally revealed does everything begin to make sense, and a love cut short seventy years earlier is finally discovered.

I have a love of books set in the English countryside. I don't care which part of England, actually I like books set in the countryside anywhere in the UK. There is something about the romance of books with rural villages as their setting that make my heart sing. They are purely indulgent for me and I enjoy them unashamedly. Gossipy knitting circles, the pub that is the heart of the village, families that have known each other for decades or longer, newcomers, village schools...whatever stereotype is involved it's pretty much guaranteed I'm going to love it. I don't care that I've pretty much always lived in small English villages and know many of it to be er, shall go with, not entirely accurate (these days) I still love it.

This book was no exception, like others of its ilk it warmed the cockles of my heart. Take one local dealing with the death of an elderly neighbour, friend and bequeath-er (is that a word??? it is now), throw in an un-met American relative, a little bit of old lady magic and watch the sparks fly. I can't say how much I enjoyed this little gem, it's the perfect Sunday afternoon book, whether it be read lazing in a sunny garden with a nice glass of wine or curled up in front of a roaring fire with a cup of tea.

As well as watching Robbie and Jason fall in love we learn about Maggie's own lost love from seventy years prior. RJ Scott does a wonderful job of weaving the threads together. I have to say Maggie is a wonderful character and I love how her meddling ways set up Robbie and Jason - even though she is no longer with them.

I would say that to anybody who enjoys a good old fashioned love story then this is a story for you. Warm, moving and romantic, it is a beautiful little read.

Review: Just Jack by Meredith Russell

When the line between fairy tales, magic, and the real world become blurred, can love really conquer anything?

Leo Marsh is having a bad day. He just caught his boyfriend cheating on him, and not for the first time, then he falls, quite literally, for a man who has to be too good to be true....
When Leo slips and falls on some ice in front of Jack, Jack sees something all too familiar in Leo's eyes. For over fifty years, Jack has existed in a solitary life of ice and bitterness. Just like Leo, he was betrayed by a man he loved, and swore no one would ever break his heart again: he gave up on love, and it seemed love had given up on him.

But if by fate or magic, Jack and Leo find their paths crossing for a second time, and with a little guidance from friends, dare to take a chance on each other. The problem is, Jack isn't the charming and uncomplicated guy Leo thinks he is. When Jack gave away his ability to love, he became something else, someone cold and unloving. He became Jack Frost.

As Jack and Leo get closer, Jack is left torn and confused. Jack yearns for anything that reminds him of his humanity, but the truth is, he feels nothing, not warmth, not love, and he knows he might never be able to love Leo the way he deserves to be loved.

Books that blur the lines between fantasy and reality are a favourite of mine. Reading is my number one for of escapism and I like the fact that worlds created are not restricted by what we know about this world but only by an author's imagination.

In Just Jack, Meredith Russell creates just such a world. Jack - a real life Jack Frost - had his heart broken years ago and he vowed to never love again.The supernatural took that vow and turned him into one of many Jack Frosts, cold hearted mischief makers. For Leo Frost the day he wants to vow to never love again is the day that he meets Jack and for both of these men life is about to change.

Though this book is on the light-hearted side of writing it explores the love we share with fellow humans, as friends, as lovers and how it is an integral part of being human. A heart is easily broken but is it really better to close ones self of from all hope of love? In a world where Jack has wondrous abilities with ice but a cold heart we share his venture into trusting again.

Is it possible for him to trust again? And how much of a hand does fate have in Jack and Leo's interactions? I enjoyed this story, it was just different enough to catch my interest with the age old debate of love and love lost at its heart.

Review: Dreams of the Forgotten (Book 3 of Sumeria's Sons) by Lexi Ander

For Tristan and Ushna, nothing comes easy and with each passing day the challenges grow and the dangers multiply. The safe home they are building for their family and tribe is threatened from all sides, and the peace they seek is being torn apart by enemies and internal strife. Tristan dares not reveal his condition to any but those closest to him, all the while he's plagued by dreams he cannot remember upon waking…

And over all of it hangs the knowledge that his time with Ushna is running out. Because Ushna already has a Flame awaiting rebirth, and though Tristan would die to protect that bond, he constantly struggles against his beast who demands they bind Ushna to their side. 

Objectively speaking (or at least my attempt at objectivity) if you enjoy MPREG, you'll probably enjoy this installment. I, on the other hand, do not enjoy MPREG. I like smut and adventure, both of which are woefully lacking in this installment. THEY DON'T EVEN BANG IN THIS ONE! NOT ONCE! This is precisely why I don't like the pregnancy plot twist in my reads, not even my M/F reads. Once somebody gets knocked up there goes all the smut. Right out the window.

In this installment Tristan is even more of a delicate flower and because he's hormonal he gets treated with kid gloves. By everyone. Oodles of pregnancy talk/woes/bitching permeate book 3, none of which was interesting in the slightest. Tristan's beast keeps trying to unleash and he keeps it leashed for fear of harming the pups, though that doesn't stop "the beast" from rising to the surface every 15 minutes or so, usually snarling or growling or some such thing. Tristan begins having dreams which morph into nightmares involving a triad and the tribe continues to expand. There were a couple of interesting plot twists, though I'm not sure those will be enough to motivate me to continue with this series.

Overall, I'm still not on the Tristan bandwagon and I'm actually thinking his temperament is ill-suited for leadership but he seems to be adjusting well to motherhood/parenting. He'll be that crazy parent in the stands at the peewee games yelling at the other kids for not stepping up like his baby or he'll use "the voice" and have everyone within a 5 mile radius kneeling in supplication. 

Like I said previously, had I known in advance MPREG was on the horizon I wouldn't have requested these to review, but here we are nonetheless. Again, this series is not my cuppa but many others will enjoy it. 

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

Find out more on Goodreads.

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Dreams of the Forgotten by Lexi Ander

Book 3 of the Sumeria's Sons series

Blurb(s): 

For Tristan and Ushna, nothing comes easy and with each passing day the challenges grow and the dangers multiply. The safe home they are building for their family and tribe is threatened from all sides, and the peace they seek is being torn apart by enemies and internal strife. Tristan dares not reveal his condition to any but those closest to him, all the while he's plagued by dreams he cannot remember upon waking...

And over all of it hangs the knowledge that his time with Ushna is running out. Because Ushna already has a Flame awaiting rebirth, and though Tristan would die to protect that bond, he constantly struggles against his beast who demands they bind Ushna to their side.

Pages or Words: 63,000

Categories: Fantasy, Gay, Paranormal, Polyamory, Urban Fantasy
Goodreads Link 

Publisher: Less Than Three Press

Cover Artist: London Burden

Excerpt:

Ushna's Lupe, the third form of half-man and half-wolf that all Lycan warriors used for battle, pushed forward as his need to protect took over. Short, fine, black hair burst through his skin under my hands as his chest and arms thickened, his face elongated, and his mouth filled with jagged teeth. Even with fingers tipped with razor-sharp claws, he was careful as he delicately held me in his protective arms. He growled loud and long in warning.

The light switched on, flooding the room with blinding white light. I heard Gregori in the background yelling in anger, followed by a hollow thumping noise, and wounded yells. I scented who'd invaded our bedroom before I gazed over Ushna's shoulder.

Several weeks ago, Elder Koller had made a call to pull childhood friends of ours, Stanley Kendall and Jory Swaine, from California. The suggestion had been made after the Magi Triad had tried to kidnap both Gregori and Ushna, and the elder knew these two were men I trusted. We had been expecting them at any time, and I would've laughed at their antics if I wasn't worried Ushna would eviscerate our friends.

Gregori, his red hair wild, clad only in blue sleep pants, had a fistful of Stan's dark hair and a foot planted in the middle of his back, bowing Stan over backward. Gregori wielded a shoe like it was a Sumerian sword and beat Jory with it. Jory tried to defend himself against the onslaught of the shoe and fight off the two guards who were attempting to subdue him.

"You stupid idiots!" Gregori yelled at the top of his lungs. "You could've hurt him, you oversized oafs! What's wrong with knocking?!"

Thwack. Thwack. Thwack.

"Ushna is going to eat you and I should let him! It would remind you to respect your alpha!"

Thwack. Thwack. Thwack.

"Senseless overgrown children!"

Half a dozen guards filed into the room, taking charge of Stan and Jory, relieving a bedraggled Gregori. Scowling furiously at our friends, Gregori gradually crawled onto the bed, talking soothingly to Ushna, who hadn't stopped growling. I ran my hands down his fur-covered back to soothe him.

"Everything is okay, Ushna," Gregori cooed.

I cupped my hands around his face, gazing into his ruby red eyes. "I'm okay," I whispered to him. "Come back to me."

He released the Lupe, and Ushna the man emerged, the harsh and horrific features melting away. His body shuddered, muscles clenched and convulsed as his control returned.

It'd been years since I'd seen our two friends. Where Stan was dark, Jory was light. Stanley Kendall had wavy dark brown hair that roughly covered his brow, but didn't quite touch his collar. His eyes were so brown they were virtually black. He sported a couple days of growth on his chin and cheeks. The stubble looked good against his bronzed skin.

Jory Swaine, on the other hand, had short blond hair, was clean shaven with bright turquoise eyes and golden skin. Stan was broader through the chest with his athletic build while Jory was leaner. Both wore leathers; Jory's pants where loose, hanging low on his hips and revealing the waistband of his boxers, while Stan looked like he was poured into his.

Ushna turned a furious gaze on Stan and Jory, who were standing in the farthest corner, appearing chastised and contrite. "What in the hell were you thinking!" He roared at them. Gregori and I made shushing noises, but Ushna continued to rumble.

"Ah… surprise?" Stan offered weakly, slightly confused.

"Ushna, it's okay; they didn't know," I said.

Ushna snapped his human teeth at our friends. I swear if we'd been alone, I would've jumped and taken him right there.

"Xenres, are you injured?" Corey Bahar was the first to swear a blood oath to me. He'd been Captain until this unexpected growth of the tribe and now he was the newly appointed Arms Master of the Royal Guard. In private, he was most adamant in the use of my title, Xenres, which meant prince in our language. Corey didn't take his sable gaze off Stan and Jory as he approached me. The man looked like he'd been up for hours with his braided blond hair gleaming, clothes pressed and tucked. Did he ever sleep?

Jory chortled at Corey's words, which caused Gregori to throw a shoe and bean Jory in the head.

A string of curse words exploded from Jory. "Dammit, Gregori! What the hell was that for?" He rubbed the sore spot.

Gregori didn't answer. Corey's question was all it took to make Ushna start snarling again as he ran his hands over me, checking for obvious injury. Gregori rubbed small circles on Ushna's back. I grabbed his hands and craned my head around to get him to look me in the eye, to see me.

"Hey, hey! I'm okay. I'm not hurt." I kissed his hands.

"I want Nathan to look at you." Ushna's worried gaze continued to study me. Nathan Janick, my brother and the resident doctor, had meticulously cared for me during my pregnancy so far.

"All right." I knew nothing less would appease him.

Stan watched our exchange. The longer he listened, the more confused he appeared. "What's the big deal?" He crossed his arms, scowling hard. He and Jory had acted as they normally would around us, with carefree roughhousing.

I grabbed Ushna's attention before he could bark back a reply. We'd purposely kept my pregnancy within my inner circle. I hadn't left the Clearwater area, which was my territory. When I needed to go to town, I wore a ring Gregori had made for me, a ring of illusion that had hid my swollen stomach. I didn't meet with outsiders without it.

We hadn't told Stan and Jory. All communication had gone through Elder Janus Koller, who'd recruited them to work for the Elder Council in the Enforcement Division. Neither Ushna nor I had spoken to these two before now. Needless to say, we hadn't anticipated their surprise.

"Master Corey," I calmly said, "we're all right. I'm sorry we woke you." I needed privacy for the talk we were going to have with our old friends.

Corey gave a slight bow. The expression on his face let me know we would be revisiting the issue of posting guards outside the bedroom. I had been successful at convincing Corey that the small group of warriors staying in the house was enough security. We didn't need someone standing on sentry duty in the hallway. To appease Corey, I had even agreed to allow an armed detail to shadow me around the ranch when I left the house. This stunt of Stan's and Jory's would make Cory feel vindicated in his original assessment. I would have to talk quick at the next security meeting to keep the arrangements the way they were now. 

"It was no bother, Xenres." Corey shot Jory a hard look when my friend snorted a laugh. He appeared to be gauging whether Jory was being disrespectful to me or making fun of him. "I won't be far if you need me," he said before closing the door behind him.

Jory tried to hide his smirk by rubbing a hand over his face. I knew what was coming before he opened his mouth. "Damn, Tristan. You've got people bowing and scraping to you. What've you been doing?"

Lexi was kind enough to indulge our curiosity and put together a play list for our viewing/listening pleasure!

Here is the link to the public Youtube playlist 

Dreams of the Forgotten Soundtrack

As I'm world building, I choose music that I think will go well. I don't always select something because of the words of the song. Most of the time it has to do with the underlying feeling of the song that lends to the mood of what I'm writing. There really isn't one music genre I don't listen to. From instrumental to thrash metal, a wide range of songs usually end up on the soundtracks I create for my stories. There are a few song that are staples, no matter what I'm working on. 

Let's get the smexin' on:

Alex & Sierra - Little Do You Know

Avril Lavigne - Let Me Go ft. Chad Kroeger

Bad Company - Feel Like Making Love

Celtic Music 

Adrian von Ziegler - Wolf Blood

Adrian von Ziegler - Feather & Skull

Adrian von Ziegler - Prophecy

Demon Hunter - I Am a Stone

finger eleven - One Thing

Hoobastank - Crawling In The Dark

Korn - Coming Undone

Lifehouse - All In

Unkiss Me - Maroon 5

Metallica - The Unforgiven

Foo Fighters - The Pretender

Train - Ordinary

Fight Inside - Red

Rev Theory- The fire

Seether - Words As Weapons

Tantric - Down & Out

Skillet - Hero 

SHINEDOWN - The Crow & the Butterfly

10 Years - Shoot It Out

The Cure - Burn

A huge thank you to Boy Meets Boy for hosting me today. I hope you enjoyed the list and good luck with the giveaway!

About the author:

Lexi has always been an avid reader, and at a young age started reading (secretly) her mother’s romances (the ones she was told not to touch). She was the only teenager she knew of who would be grounded from reading. Later, with a pencil and a note book, she wrote her own stories and shared them with friends because she loved to see their reactions. A Texas transplant, Lexi now kicks her boots up in the Midwest with her Yankee husband and her eighty-pound puppies named after vacuum cleaners.

Where to find the author:

Web site

Facebook

Twitter

Blog

E-mail

Buy Link:  Less Than Three Press

1.     $20 Amazon Gift card, $20 All Romance Gift card, hard copy of Dreams of the Forgotten, swag (pens, bookmarks, and such)

2.     $20 All Romance Gift card, hard copy of Dreams of the Forgotten, swag (pens, bookmarks, and such)

3.     hard copy of Dreams of the Forgotten, swag (pens, bookmarks, and such)

4.     e-book copy of Dreams of the Forgotten

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Dates & Stops: 

27-Apr Joyfully Jay, Emotion in Motion; 28-Apr Prism Book Alliance, Hearts on Fire; 29-Apr Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Love Bytes, Vampires, Werewolves, and Fairies, Oh My; 30-Apr The Novel Approach, Decadent Delights; 1-May BFD Book Blog, Divine Magazine; 4-May Molly Lolly, MM Good Book Reviews; 5-May My Fiction Nook,Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves; 6-May Inked Rainbow Reads, Chris McHart; 7-May Amanda C. Stone, Cate Ashwood; 8-May Boy Meets Boy Reviews, Rainbow Gold Reviews

Audiobook Review: Something Like Winter (Seasons #2) by Jay Bell

There are two sides to every story. When you’re Tim Wyman, sometimes there are three.

Tim hoped moving to Texas would mean a new beginning but soon finds himself falling into the same tired patterns. Until he meets recklessly brave Benjamin Bentley, who introduces Tim to a world of love, sex, and warmth. Certain that society won’t understand what he and Ben have together, Tim struggles to protect their relationship, even if it means twisting the truth. Buried beneath his own deceptions, Tim must claw his way to the surface in the hopes of learning to fly.

To say this book is beautiful would be a gross understatement. 

There's just something about Tim's story that is so real and heartbreaking and humbling. 

As a teenager, he was confused and unsure about his attraction to guys. He knew it was there, but he certainly didn't think it meant he was gay. Let's not be hasty here.

But he met Ben, and I completely agree with Tim, Ben brings out the best in him. Tim was growing and learning and changing. He learned so much about himself through his time with Ben. But some things happened too fast for Tim. He lost control of the situation with Ben, and with that, lost the most important thing in his life. 

Tim moves forward, I wouldn't say he moves on, but definitely forward. He floats through life; he finds some successful relationships and some very damaging relationships along the way. His story was the most heartbreaking for me, he was so broken and so lost. Nobody was there to really love him except his best friend, Eric. He became Tim's closest friend, something he could trust and confide in. They were never anything more than that, but it was everything to Tim. 

Oh, Tim. Every time he thought he found something solid to hang onto, it was gone. He was again left alone. He was floundering. He was desperate. He made some great mistakes, but it was all in the name of love. That makes it sorta okay. Right? Right??!? 

I think so. 

Love is desperate and raw and messy and heartbreaking. Tim took all of that emotion, mashed it all together and made some really bad choices. But I'm pretty sure he'd do it again, if it meant getting Ben back. Ben was it for him. 

Throughout the 10 year or so span of these books Ben and Tim touch each others lives, coming in and out for brief moments but they were never able to find the right moment to be together. Well, in the end they finally found their moment. And it was beautiful.

All that and I didn't even mention the complete brilliance that is Kevin R. Free's narrating. He captured the essence of every character. He made me love characters that weren't particularly memorable for me before. Allison can step right on up as my #1 Book Girlfriend. 

Something Like Winter is more than worth the read and the reread. This was my second time, I originally read the ebook and have now listened to the audio. Next time (because there will so be a next time), I'll have to pick up a paperback.

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Songs of the Earth (Book 2 of Sumeria's Sons) by Lexi Ander

Thrust into the role of Prince of the Lycans, Tristan strives to find his footing in a life suddenly rife with secrets and lies—and danger. Betrayed by a Goddess meant to safeguard him, desperate to protect his consort and their growing tribe, he can only prepare for the worst and struggle to hope.

And then the worst comes to kill them…

Oops. I tripped and fell into a MPREG series. MPREG is not my gig and I do wish this had come with a tag but since it didn't I'm endeavoring to maintain some neutrality. I did enjoy this installment of the series mostly because these two remind me a WHOLE LOT of another couple of wingnuts near and dear to my heart-Gideon and Eva. These two are not as coocoo for each other as Gideon and Eva but it's hard to top those two. I also enjoyed the mythological aspects and the battling. A good sword fight is always a win with me. There was even a golum! 

Book two picks up where book one left off with the first of Tristan's experiences with the Goddess Ki and Ushna getting all territorial. Ushna gets territorial frequently. Translation:  they fuck each other senseless. Often. In the office with biting and broken furniture and howling and in the middle of the day! They wrecked a desk and a chair got turned into kindling when someone walked in on them. Stupendous! If it was all sex and battling I'd be turning cartwheels right now, but the dialogue came across as stilted or just plain hokey, I'm not crazy about Tristan and then the MPREG... 

Songs of the Earth highlights my overarching issues with this trope-one of them always turns into the girl complete with all the cliched characteristics of a nesting/pregnant female. Tristan even begins to relish going to the grocery store. I'm certain I'm either over-thinking it or overreacting but this strikes me as misogynistic. Tristan is even the "alpha" of his tribe and future king yet Ushna frets over him like a baby doe, growling and barking at random strangers who look at him sideways. Granted, some of this is warranted but... As long as I'm on this soap box, when someone tells you you can have children and that's not something you ever thought possible YOU ASK QUESTIONS! It's not Ki's fault Tristan's a dipshit.

The story itself was entertaining with them trying to build a new tribe and several new secondary characters and plot twists with existing characters all of which kept the pacing upbeat. I have a good feeling about that curly haired ginger, Gregori, but I don't want to jinx myself. I'm also hopeful that Tristan will unleash the beast in the final installment.

Recommend to shifter fans and MPREG enthusiasts. 

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

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Review: A Shot of J&B by Lou Sylvre

Six years ago, Brian Harrison helped save the life of Jackie Vasquez, and he’s never really forgotten him. After the rescue, Brian ended his employment with Jackie's uncle Luki and left the US for England, aiming to distance himself from the confused feelings—not lust, but not brotherly—that then sixteen-year-old Jackie engendered. Now Jackie has become a man, and when they meet again by chance, lust with a dose of D/s rope kink is definitely on the list of possibilities. As they get to know each other, though, lust shows every sign of growing into love, deep and true.

When Jackie moves to London for graduate studies in criminal psychology, he and Brian hope they’ll be able to enjoy each other's frequent company. But they haven't factored in the claim Brian's police job with Scotland Yard will make on his time, especially when the “Gaslighter crimes” sap investigative resources. An abandoned aide dog named Soldier leads to a breakthrough clue, and a chain of discoveries fall like dominoes. As Brian rushes to beat the criminal’s game before it escalates to true terror, he comes to an undeniable conclusion: Jackie Vasquez, the man he loves, is in mortal danger.

The framework of this story is good; it's the fleshing out bits that I took issue with. I chose this book for obvious reasons and those reasons played only a bit part which, I admit, was disappointing, though not my primary quibble. The redundancy and spoon feeding of minutiae is what sapped my enjoyment. I will say if I'd read this book as little as two years ago I likely would've had a very different reaction, so bear that in mind.

A Shot of J&B can be read as a stand alone, though it seemed to be a spin-off of an earlier series involving Luki Vasquez. Brian is living in London and working his way up the ranks of Scotland Yard. Jackie and he met when Jackie was still jailbait. Brian was involved in rescuing him from a sociopath and they both left lasting impressions on one another. They meet up again and carry on a brief long distance relationship prior to Jackie being accepted to a graduate program in London. The secondary thriller storyline involves two women teaming up to study the effects of fear on the human psyche through a series of malevolent "experiments". Both of these women are whackadoodles and it's clear early on who they are and what the end game is which when coupled with the too tidy ending left me wanting.

The good elements to this book are a long haired ginger MC, shibari, MANTIES, thriller aspects, sort of part of a series-all things I like. It came down to the writing style, a writing style I found mostly frustrating and had me skimming frequently. 


Example:  

He followed his own instructions, took some deep breaths, got himself a glass of water and drank it down, stretched, then sat down with the letter and a pocket knife. He cut the envelope neatly on one end and extracted the paper inside.

There's telling and there's showing and then there's overkill, overkill that usually involved sentences that stretched into paragraphs akin to the above topped off with stilted dialogue.

I will say the sex was medium hot. I could've done with less labeling of power dynamics and I'm not a fan of the sub being cast as perpetually in need of rescue and meek despite protestations to the contrary, but there is no doubt they are hot for each other. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough to sustain my interest in the long run. 

An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Channeling Morpheus (Channeling Morpheus #1-5) by Jordan Castillo Price

Michael is a waif in eyeliner who's determined to wipe vampires off the face of the earth.

Wild Bill's got the hots for Michael, and will stop at nothing to go home with him.

Forget about moonlit castles and windswept moors. These bad boys haunt all-night diners and cheap motels, cut-rate department stores and long, lonely stretches of the Interstate. Ride along with Wild Bill and Michael as the twists and turns of Channeling Morpheus for Scary Mary unfold in America's Heartland.

 "Mallet? Check. Wooden stake- hickory, of course? Check. Crucifix? Check. Holy water? Check. Eyeliner? Check."

This was on page one and all I could think was OMG THERE'S GUYLINER.

Then we met Wild Bill...

"He was... amazing. Tall and lean, with ripped up jeans and spiked blond hair, earrings, a snake tattoo on his neck and chipped black nail polish."

Well, fuck me, could they be any sexier? 

Ah yes, I found that they can.

Channeling Morpheus is a set of the first 5 novellas in crazy ride with Michael and Wild Bill. Michael is set out to find and kill the vampire who murdered his best friend, Scary Mary. Along the way, he meets Wild Bill. Bill decides to join in on the fun and help Michael out. Only thing is, Wild Bill is a vamp himself. Which kind of put a wrench in Michael's whole "all vamps are evil" theory. 

But, holy hell, thank the book gods that he did. 

Now, this isn't your run-of-the-mill vampire romance. Ha! No, it is certainly not. It's dark and gritty and twisted and creepy as all get out. And it's also sexy as fuck.

All the stories are under 100 pages, which makes for a fast paced read because a lot happens in each installment. Michael continues on his journey to rid the world of the bad vampires, but at the same time, learning more about them. It certainly makes me curious to know where they go from here. 

I totally felt the connection between Bill and Michael deepen throughout the novellas. 

"I'd been combing through my vocabulary for a word that meant lust-smacked. And skinless. And fucked up, and scared, and invincible. But I'd come up empty-handed. 

All I could say was, 'I love you, you know.' Because that was about as close as I could come up with words."

That, my unicorn friends, is great writing right there. This describes so perfectly what I felt between them. Something raw and lusty. I would have felt this regardless of this quote being there or not, it was woven into every part of their relationship. 

I loved the POV switches. Each book alternates the POV and book 1 started with Michael, so I was a little thrown when I started the second novella. It took me a minute to realize that it was Bill, but I was too ecstatic to be bothered.

All in all.. I FREAKING LOVED IT. Will I pick up the rest of the series? I'll give you one guess.

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more info on Goodreads.