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Nic Starr

Nic Starr lives in Australia where she tries to squeeze as much into her busy life as possible. Balancing the demands of a corporate career with raising a family and writing can be challenging but she wouldn’t give it up for the world.

Always a reader, the lure of m/m romance was strong and she devoured hundreds of wonderful m/m romance books before eventually realising she had some stories of her own that needed to be told!

When not writing or reading, she loves to spend time with her family–an understanding husband and two beautiful daughters–and is often found indulging in her love of cooking and planning her dream home in the country.

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Currently reading

One True Thing
Piper Vaughn, M.J. O'Shea
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Lynn Hagen
It Should Have Been You
Michael Murphy
The Prisoner (Broken, #1)
Kol Anderson
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S.J.D. Peterson, Eric Arvin, Abigail Roux, T.J. Klune, S.A. McAuley, Jason Huffman-Black
Man, Oh Man! Writing M/M Fiction for Kinks & Cash
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Artistic Appeal (Bottled Up, #6)
Andrew Grey

Four Corners by Kate McMurray

Four Corners - Kate McMurray


The Blurb...

 

Since childhood, Jake, Adam, Kyle, and Brendan have been teammates, best friends, brothers. Then one day, when they were twenty-five, Adam disappeared without a word, devastating his friends-none more so than Jake, who had secretly loved Adam since they were teenagers. Now, five years later, Adam is back, and he has his mind set on Jake.

 

But those years of anger, hurt, and confusion are a lot to overcome, and Jake doesn't find it easy to forgive. He isn't sure they'll ever fit together the way they did. Jake, Kyle, and Brendan have moved on with their lives, but Adam's high-profile career keeps him in the closet-the same place he's been for years.

 

Still, his apologies seem sincere, and the attraction is still there. Jake desperately wants to give him a chance. But first he has to find out why Adam left and if he's really back for good.

 

So what did I think?

 

This is a really interesting look at the relationship between two men, Adam and Jake as they deal with the emotions of meeting again, five years after Adam left without a word. I enjoyed the exploration of Adam's acceptance of his own sexuality and the response Jake had to his friend's perspective. "It was okay for me to be gay but not for him. I wondered how his own self-loathing affected what he thought about me. I'd worried for a long time that any judgments he held about himself applied to gay people generally or me specifically, that he couldn't muster up the pride to just say out loud that he was gay, that he condemned me for coming out. I guessed I had my answer."

 

I think my favourite part of the book was Jake's realisation of the difference between he and Adam. " I finally got what he'd being trying to tell me since Wednesday night. I was capital-G Gay: I was out to everyone, I lived in Boystown, I had rainbow tags on my luggage. He was lowercase-G gay: he was attracted to men, but that's where it ended as far as he was concerned. I was more flabbergasted than angry then, surprised I hadn't put that together sooner, and also feeling a little hurt."

 

What I didn't enjoy was the whole on again off again thing, it mainly coloured my opinion of Adam and therefore I found it hard to warm to him initially. The whole book actually had a strange unease about it. When Adam and Jake get together it doesn't even feel like happiness and joy. But what it does have is a sense of realism - real life has conflict and emotion and it isn't always plain sailing.

 

Bonus points for the fabulous ending and sweet epilogue!

 

4 Stars

 

To find out more about Kate McMurray and her books visit the website.

 

Buy Four Corners from Amazon.

  

Buy Four Corners from Dreamspinner Press.

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Home Team by Jameson Dash

Home Team - Jameson Dash


The blurb...

 

After fifteen years playing pro hockey, Aaron Buckley screws up, and his mistake and his attitude get him sent down to the minor leagues. His new team is in his old city, where he started his career in hockey, and also where he left his boyfriend behind. His luck hasn't improved since joining a team of rookies and kids, but he has discovered that Zach—the ex-boyfriend who could never compete with hockey for Aaron’s love—is still in town. Aaron has a second chance to answer the same question: Zach or hockey? But maybe it's time for a new question.

 

So what did I think?

 

I love a good romance with a sporting backdrop. There's just something super sexy about althletes and I usually like the difficulties that are faced as they balance their desire for an elite sporting career and a need to follow their heart. Home Team tells the story of Aaron who is at the fading end of his pro hockey career, relegated to the minor leagues who meets up again with his ex-boyfriend.

 

I need to say upfront that I never really warmed to Aaron. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because I didn't want him to have put a sporting career before true love but mainly I think I was put off by the present tense telling of this story. It was just off putting.

 

What I did like was the insight provided into why Aaron made some of the choices he did.."He remembers the promise he made himself more than twenty years ago. Hockey is hockey, and the rest of his life is the rest of his life. If he focuses on making hockey work, everything else will fall in place. It did, at first." There is a real sense of sadness and of regret and Aaron is redeemed by this regret, without which I don't think his relationship with Zach would have worked. "But none of that was even an option in his mind back then. It was hockey or nothing. It was hockey or Zach, and Aaron hates himself for how easily the choice was made. Zach deserved so much more."

 

The other strength to the book was Zach and the obvious passion between the two men - some great sexy bits! It's a sweet ending but I wanted it big and public as fitting for someone in the public eye. So all-in-all, a nice quick story although I found the writing style really prevents me from loving it.

 

To find out more about Jameson Dash visit the website.

 

Buy Home Team from Amazon.

 

Buy Home Team from Dreamspinner.

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Fabulous! A country singer and a rock star. How can you go wrong!

A Little Bit Country - S.J. Frost

A Little Bit Country, A Novel by S.J. Frost

 

 

The blurb...

 

Rock singer, Ash Ivers, and country music star, Jackson Abrams, have intense passion that brings them together, but will they be able to overcome all their differences when Jackson's career is threatened? Ash Ivers says and does what he wants, and with being the lead singer of the world famous rock band, From Ashes, he gets away with both. Three years ago, his mouth got the better of him, and he started a media feud with county music star, Jackson Abrams. When they’re both booked to play a charity concert, he sees his chance to finally confront Jackson in person. Though, he’s uncertain if his anger will hold against his attraction to the singing cowboy.

 

Jackson Abrams is the darling of country music. He’s polite, charming, handsome…and he has a secret that he fears could jeopardize his career. When it comes to the cocky rock star, Ash Ivers, he’s infuriated and intrigued by him. He wants their feuding to stop, but he also doesn't want to lose the attention it gives him from Ash. As Ash and Jackson meet, the heat of anger turns to passion. But when Jackson’s world starts crumbling around him, will their differences make them stronger, or drive them apart?

 

So what did I think?

 

I loved this story, from the animosity between Ash and Jackson at the beginning of the book, to the solidarity shown at the end. I loved the contrast between the two men, one a rocker with looks to match and the other a country singer, cowboy hat and all. In common they have their love of music and their attraction to one another.

 

They work beautifully as a couple - hot and sexy but oh, so romantic too "I've never had anything in my life more incredible than you." Ash felt Jackson take a breath of surprise, and before Jackson could say anything, he closed their mouths together. He knew Jackson understood he was talking about so much more than sex, and that was enough. Right now, he just wanted to be with him, no words, only emotion."

 

The city/country contrast is a highlight of the story. It's fabulous to see Ash out of his element as he deals with life on the ranch "Damn, I'm really feeling country now, riding in the bed of this mini pick-up-truck-four-wheeler-dune-buggy-thing."

 

The story is full of humour and easy teasing banter with a perfect smattering of drama as their relationship is discovered and they deal with the media fallout and impact on Jackson's career. And the ending was perfect as I always love grand gestures of love!

 

5 Stars

 

To find out more about S.J. Frost and her books visit her website.

 

Buy A Little Bit Country from Amazon.

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Make Mine To Go by Dilo Keith

Make Mine to Go - Dilo Keith


Make Mine to Go
by Dilo Keith

 

My rating: 3 of 5 stars The Blurb...

 

Genre: A mix of gay erotica and contemporary erotic romance. One key to the success of Justin and Toby's marriage is plenty of sexual variety, sometimes with other men they meet at the local BDSM club. While Toby assumes the submissive role in their power exchanges, it's more often Justin who generously caters to Toby's erotic appetites. Toby's interest in flirting with a salesman should be trivial in comparison to his other desires. Instead, it sends both men down uncomfortable paths. Toby manages to assure Justin that it was harmless fun, or so it seems at first. More troubling than Justin being unconvinced is that Toby doesn't entirely believe his own story. When Toby finally figures out he wants something only another man can give him, he knows it won't be easy to tell Justin. More importantly, is realizing a fantasy-- even an exceptionally compelling one -- worth the risk?

 

So what did I think?

 

Make Mine To Go is a short story focused on the relationship between Justin and Toby, particularly focused on Toby's desire to experience the 'thrill of the chase'. He and Justin have been married for four years and have a pretty full sexual relationship including playing at the local BDSM club and bringing other men into their bed. But Toby wants more. He wants the excitement of the new and unknown. It is really interesting to see how this delicate topic is broached and handled by the two men.

 

We learn a bit about Toby and Justin in the first half of the book, largely through their sexual exploits. The book starts with Toby being shared by Justin and their dominant friend Paul and later there is some light bondage as Justin looks to spice up their sex life. I liked the sex scenes, although I did find them fairly light in dominance and submission. Justin just didn't seem overly dominant but that was also the reason this story worked for me - I liked the way Justin just wanted to make Toby happy and Toby obviously valued Justin too.

 

The little twist at the end was also the perfect ending for the story! Now for something different. Try reading the book and then listening to the audio version excerpt  on YouTube! It was recorded for the Goodreads BDSM Group Bedtime Stories.

 

 

Make Mine To Go narrated by Will Versuch.

 

I liked the narrator's deep voice and tone. The narration was perhaps a little slow for my personal tastes but it's only about 15 minutes long so well worth listening to!

 

Provided by the Author through BDSM group TPE BAR Read2Review

 

To find out more about Dilo Keith visit the website.

 

Buy Make Mine to Go from Amazon.

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An Inch At A Time by Heidi Belleau and Amelia C. Gormley

An Inch at a Time - Heidi Belleau, Amelia C. Gormley

This was short but like it's predecessor, so very hot!

 

The Professor's Rule series

 
An Inch at a Time
by Heidi Belleau and Amelia C. Gormley

 

The blurb...

 

James Sheridan is failing history. Luckily, his professor is a rumored pervert, and James isn’t too proud to pay for a better grade with his body. Professor Carson lives up to his reputation, but he’s not unethical enough to take sexual bribes. What he can offer is some highly unconventional tutoring . . . creative use of a ruler included. The deal? Studying, followed by a “quiz.” Wrong answer? Spanking. Right answer? Reward. Ace the final, earn some mindblowing sex. It’s harder work than sexual bribery, but it beats the volunteer tutors at the student center.

 

After a few study sessions, James realizes he wants way more than a grade from Professor Carson, even if he’s not sure what that is. Carson’s a silver fox, all right, but James isn’t “bent” the way Carson is, and for him, the spankings are only supposed to be a means to an end. But the better he gets at history, the more he realizes he likes getting answers wrong just as much as getting them right.

 

So what did I think?

 

Like its predecessor, Giving an Inch, this is a seriously hot little story! All the action in the first book took place in a department store change room - one very scorching scene as Carson, who we only meet as the man on the end of the phone, directs James to do some wicked things. James hadn't had contact with Carson in over two years, not trusting his ability to stop himself from going too far under Carson's dominance - he would do anything for the man.

 

This book takes us back to when Carson and James first met and this time the story extends over a couple of months. From James first nervous attempt at propositioning his professor, to receiving his final grade. There is the potential for the student/professor relationship to seem inappropriate but I didn't get this sense at all. Carson's 'methods' may not be standard but he definitely provides James with the incentive he needs."But what I will never do is alter your test scores just because you refused to submit to me, James. Nor will I improve them just because you did submit. If you earn the grade, you'll have earned it by virtue of your own hard work and dedication. The method by which you do so will always be up to you. All I do is teach. And all this merely serves as...incentive."

 

It is wonderful to see how beautifully James responds to Carson and there is a huge sexual tension that extends throughout the story. There is also more insight given into James and his personality. Just a hint of his addiction and the things he had done to support it and perhaps why he craves what Carson gives him.

 

So now I am left wanting to see a number of things in book 3 - picking up immediately from this book with the continuation of James and Carson's relationship in the lead up to their separation or a continuation of the story from book 1 Giving an Inch where Carson and James meet up again after the change room incident. Or maybe a story from James' past or a more detailed look at Carson? But I'll take whatever I can get......

 

Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

 

To find out more about Heidi Belleau and her books visit her website.

 

To find out more about Amelia C. Gormley and her books visit her website

 

Buy An Inch at a Time directly from Riptide.

 

Buy An Inch at a Time from Amazon.

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The Barman and the SEAL by RJ Scott

The Barman and the SEAL (Ellery Mountain, #6) - RJ Scott

The Ellery Mountain Series

 

The Agent and the Model - expected 1st November 2013


The Barman and the SEAL
by R.J. Scott

 

The Blurb...

 

A Navy SEAL with PTSD, a Barman starting a new life. Maybe they can find love in Ellery. Travis Baranski, Navy SEAL, is the first veteran to attend the Ellery Mountain Veteran Center. He is having a hard time coming to terms with what he had seen and what he has done. When he has a very public meltdown in Ellery stores it is Avery Gideon who steps up to the plate and helps him.

 

Avery Gideon, a man cut off from his family for being gay, runs the only bar in town - The Alibi - and listens to many a person's problems whilst trying to forget his own. He sees something in the wounded warrior who needs a friend and very soon finds himself falling in love with Travis. Nothing will deter him from helping Travis, or from making Travis see he's still capable of loving Avery in return.

 

So what did I think?

 

The Ellery Mountain series is dear to my heart and this addition to the series didn't let me down! I was totally drawn into the story from the very first pages and found the beginning very emotional. It was so descriptive that I could feel the pain being experienced by Travis. This introduction to Travis provided insight into the experiences that had impacted Travis and resulted in him coming to Ellery Mountain to heal.

 

It was great to see the Veteran Center, that had been mentioned so much through the earlier books in the series, finally open it's doors and once again, through this story we get to reacquaint ourselves with the wonderful men of Ellery Mountain.

 

It was interesting to see the character of Travis develop through the story, It isn't a long book but there is enough depth and emotion to see the changes in Travis. The story doesn't gloss over his mental condition and he does have some tense moments when he is not coping. It is not a 'love will fix everything' situation, rather a gradual opening up and realisation that love is still possible, even with all his issues.

 

Avery was a special man and so perfect for Travis. I loved that their love came before sex and the slow pace of the development of their romance reflected Travis' slow recovery time. Avery and Travis' happy ending was wonderful! I am now eagerly waiting for Mikey's story in The Agent and the Model.

 

To find out more about R.J. Scott and her books, visit her website.

 

Buy The Barman and the SEAL from Amazon.

 

Buy The Barman and the SEAL from Total-e-Bound Publishing.

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My Only Sunshine by Rowan McAllister

My Only Sunshine - Rowan McAllister


My Only Sunshine
by Rowan McAllister

 

The blurb...

 

Tanner Wallis is nearly at the end of his rope the night Mason Seidel finds him lying next to the mangled body of a cow on the back pastures of the Seidel family's Wyoming ranch. Recently out of the hospital after he and his boyfriend were brutally beaten, Tanner is jobless, homeless, and almost penniless. His desperate hope is that Mason will believe he’s innocent of the senseless crime and give him a place to heal, both physically and emotionally, until he can get on his feet again.

 

But Mason already has enough on his plate. He's only been back on the ranch a few months, ten years after his father kicked him out for being gay, and only because his sister begged him to come help after the man's disabling stroke. With all his responsibilities—running the struggling ranch and keeping his sister and father off his back—Mason can't really afford the distraction Tanner represents. But he can't just abandon the attractive young man either. There’s trouble in spades on the ranch, but if they face it together, Mason and Tanner might find a future with a little sunshine.

 

So what did I think?

 

I woke up this morning and searched my shelves for something to read and decided on this one because the cover really caught my eye - it has a sort of dreamy quality with two gorgeous men. It was hard to look past the sexy cowboy profile but it was the pensive expression on the other man that really drew me in. I was looking for a story that would bring together two troubled men and give them their happy ending and liked the idea of the cowboy setting.

 

The story had the right elements. Troubled Tanner, homeless and running from a violent beating is found by Mason and given shelter. Mason has his own issues, returning to his father's ranch ten years after being kicked out for being gay. His father's illness means he has little choice but to accept Mason's help in keeping the place going. Mason and Tanner are drawn to each other and finally give in to the attraction they feel to one another but their relationship needs to be kept hidden.

 

The story deals with Tanner's emotional healing and Mason's struggle to deal with his angry father and keep the ranch running. The secondary characters - the other ranch hands, neighbours, Mason's sister - provide some additional interest and there is some drama as someone is killing stock all over the county.

 

I really liked the writing style and the development of the characters. I particularly liked the story Mason related about why he wears his cowboy hat. It is so easy to imagine how different his life may have been if his mother had still been around. Instead he had to deal with a homophobic father and a life away from the ranch that he loved. Although Tanner has more obviously been hurt, Mason still bears emotional scars.

 

It was gorgeous to see Tanner's response to Mason "Sexy, gruff, cowboy -wet-dream Mason. Tall and lean, with dark eyes and hair under a fancy black felt cowboy hat. Every little gay farm boy's fantasy.." but also Mason acknowledging Tanner's beauty despite his scars.

 

So I liked the characters, I liked the story and the sex was pretty intense, but something was slightly missing. I think it was most likely the sense that I had read similar before.The story is not particularly unique which is why I am rating is slightly lower, but is still a very enjoyable book.

 

To find out more about Rowan McAllister and her books visit her Goodreads Author Profile.

 

Buy My Only Sunshine from Amazon.

 

Buy My Only Sunshine from Dreamspinner Press.

 

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Take Me, Break Me by H.C. Brown

Take Me, Break Me - H.C. Brown


Take Me, Break Me
by H.C. Brown

 

 

The Blurb...

 

Reno Rocket, bass player for the rock band Dazed, thinks he’s on the straight and narrow but is his girlfriend just a cover for his confused sexuality? When the new lead singer, Tanner Star, walks in, Reno's libido snaps to attention. His attraction to the famous rock star is immediate and disconcerting. Performing with Tanner every night blows Reno’s mind, and the moment Tanner grinds against him on stage, “curious” takes on a whole new meaning.

 

Tanner wants more than a lover. He wants a sub, and he’s willing to guide Reno into the world of BDSM. In turn, Reno wants to be everything to Tanner—lover, sub, and partner—but he fears the ghost of Tanner’s dead boyfriend will come between them. At first they manage to find a balance and life is idyllic… until one rash action by Tanner plunges their new love affair into chaos. Will Reno admit to the world that he’s gay and face the media and his family’s wrath, or will he deny the love and exquisite attention Tanner’s world has brought him?

 

So what did I think?

 

I didn't mind this story and quite enjoyed the book but for me the realism about the dominant/submissive relationship was lacking which would be my main criticism. I liked the characters and the setting but Tanner as the Dom just wasn't believable.

 

It was interesting to watch Tanner and Reno interact at the beginning of the book. Their discussions/negotiations about their relationship seem a bit off and all over the place but I liked seeing them together.

 

One of the issues I had with this book was that some statements are made about the characters which conflict with other statements or actions. For example, there is a comment about Reno.."For years, he had hovered on the edge of uncertainty about his sexuality." He actually doesn't seem that uncertain given he doesn't have sexual thoughts about women and is intensely turned on by gay BDSM porn. And he's quite comfortable with the concept of submission for a man who's not sure of his sexuality. Somehow there was a lack of believeability - when Reno first used the word "Master" it just seemed strange.I just didn't find Tanner's behaviour very dominant, maybe a bit of a case of talking the talk but not following through.

 

Overall, this was nice story with some hot sex but didn't really deliver in terms of the BDSM relationship.

 

3 Stars

 

To find out more about H.C. Brown and her books visit her website.

 

Buy Take Me, Break Me from Amazon.

 

Buy Take Me, Break Me from Dreamspinner Press.

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Bounty of Love by Scotty Cade

Bounty of Love - Scotty Cade

The Loveseries:

 


Bounty of Love
by Scotty Cade

 

 

The Blurb... The night before his wedding, Zander Walsh, his parents, and his husband-to-be are all shot when they return home and interrupt a mysterious robbery in progress. After three weeks in a coma, Zander wakes up to find out he is the only survivor, and his perfect life falls apart in an instant. Hunky FBI Agent Jake Elliot is investigating the case, and he eventually apprehends the killer—who soon escapes. Following six months of searching, Zander and Jake realize they’re being stonewalled by the FBI... and that they have slowly formed an unbreakable bond that is beginning to turn into much more. Once they embark on a journey to apprehend the killer for the second time, they’ll discover that one terrible night was much more than just an interrupted robbery. Can big business and politics cover up the truth, or will Zander and Jake’s quest to unravel the mystery be the end of their newfound love and their lives?

 

So what did I think?

 

This book was an interesting addition to the series. The events actually take place years before the first two books in the series, providing a look at how Zander and Jake meet and eventually end up owning and running the lodge in Alaska. This is the lodge and the couple who appear in the first book of the series, Wings of Love.

 

The start of the book was very unexpected. The blurb does advise that "the night before his wedding, Zander Walsh, his parents, and his husband-to-be are all shot when they return home and interrupt a mysterious robbery in progress". What I didn't expect was the focus on the grief, which I thought was handled really beautifully, and the slow build up to the romance.

 

I think Scotty Cade does a wonderful job of tackling the issue of loss and grief, as shown in this book and also in the original book where Brad lost his partner to cancer.

 

However, I did find the start of the book a bit drawn out as I was eager for the romance to start a bit sooner. I just wanted them to hurry up and get together and spice things up with a bit of man-on-man lovin'.

 

The step back in time was also interesting as we see Mac in this book but it was back when his wife was still alive. It was a bit strange to hear him refer to conversations with her! So in summary, a nice story with a slow start to the romance but dealing with the grief fully to make the end romance believable.

 

Romance, sex, a bit of mystery, action and a happy ending!

 

To find out more about Scotty Cade and his books visit his Goodreads Author Profile.

 

Buy Bounty of Love from Amazon.

 

Buy Bounty of Love from Dreamspinner Press.

 

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Treasure of Love by Scotty Cade

Treasure of Love  - Scotty Cade

The Love series:

 

  • Wings of Love (book #1) - click here for review
  • Treasure of Love (book #2) - in this review
  • Bounty of Love (book #3)
  • Foundation of Love (book #4)

 

Treasure of Love by Scotty Cade

 

The Blurb... Hunky Alaskan dive master and charter boat captain Jackson Cameron is absolutely sure he’s straight until openly gay treasure hunter Dax Powers calls him and offers him the adventure of a lifetime: Dax and his sister Donatella have found the Anna Wyoming, a ship that went down during the 1889 gold rush on return from Skagway Island—very possibly carrying a fortune in gold. But real treasure is never free, and this one comes with some heavily armed strings attached.

 

Jack and Dax struggle to keep their small crew safe from a powerful threat while they fight against the attraction they feel for each other. Between the danger of the hunt, the risks in the dive, and the thrill of being lost in passion, Dax and Jack are going to have a hard time holding on to their treasure... and to each other!

 

So what did I think?

 

I was a little worried when I started reading this book, knowing the story was about Jack who was pretty much an asshole in the first book. I definitely didn't like Jack' character in Wings of Love so had no idea what to expect here. I needn't have worried. The Jackson in this book seems a completely different characters to the character we were first introduced to.

 

Some time has passed and Jackson has definitely mellowed in his attitude and there are no signs of his previous intolerance. "Jack had had a hard time dealing with Mac's sudden change in lifestyle, but eventually he'd come to accept it, and if he was honest with himself, was a little envious of their loving relationship." In fact its rather fun to see Jack get teased as he clearly develops feelings for Dax.

 

It was nice to get an update on Mac and Brad, to see where their relationship was taking them, and to have them play a role in this story.

 

It's quite an interesting tale with some mystery and intrigue as Jack's boat is hired for a trip to find treasure. While he and Dax are falling for each other and Jack is dealing with his sexuality, they have to find the treasure and ward off the bad guys. There is some similarity with the first book - similar lines and a shared gradual romance. In both books, one character is only just realising they are gay and the other isn't prepared to have a relationship unless they are fully acknowledged by the other.

 

Once again, the love is pretty instant and the sex is pretty amazing between the men with 'blinding flashes of light' and 'angels singing' - lucky Jack and Dax! There is fun, there is humour and there is some drama which all-in-all made for a enjoyable story.

 

4 Stars

To find out more about Scotty Cade and his books visit his Goodreads Author Profile.

 

Buy Treasure of Love from Amazon.

 

Buy Treasure of Love from Dreamspinner Press.

 
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A Daring Ride by Andrew Grey

A Daring Ride (The Bullriders) - Andrew Grey


A Daring Ride
by Andrew Grey

 


The Blurb...

 

Simon “Frizz” Frizzell sneaks away to the rodeo on weekends, and it’s not until after he wins a buckle that he tells his parents about his bull-riding. He knows they won’t approve of his choice of sport, but his parents own a Christian bookstore, and he couldn’t possibly tell them the whole truth: he’s gay. And so are some of his rodeo friends, like Dante and Ryan, and Jacky—a young man he wishes could have been more than a one-night stand. When Simon sets his sights on his dreams, he finds work with Dante and Ryan, and bumps into Jacky on the job. 

Jacky Douglas is a rodeo fanatic, plain and simple. He loves the ride, and he loves the cowboys. He fell hard for Frizz when they met, and theirs was a one-night stand made in heaven. When they meet again, Jacky thinks it’s a stroke of luck. Frizz takes some convincing, but once he’s on board, they begin a relationship. The fledgling romance faces a challenge when news of it travels all the way to the one place Frizz doesn’t want it to go: his parents’ bookstore.

 

So what did I think?

 

This was a nice follow on story from A Wild Ride, introducing Simon (Frizz) and his relationship with Jacky, but also providing a glimpse into the life of Dante and Ryan.

The plot is fairly simple as Jacky, rodeo fan-boy, has a one-night stand with Frizz who has secretly entered the rodeo. Of course the one night becomes more as they meet up again when Frizz takes a job with Dante and Ryan. Together they face Simon's coming out and acceptance of his own sexuality.

Frizz's parents are not accepting of his desire to ride in the rodeo and it takes a lot of convincing for them to agree to him completing and moving away to train under Dante. As the owner's of a large Christian bookstore they are even less accepting of his sexuality.

The story mixes rodeo action with the developing relationship between Frizz and Jacky. As a couple they are very sweet and supportive with lots of feelings being expressed. There's lots of sex/'making love' with quite a romantic and poetic quality to it."They made love to the rhythm of the storm...."... "Nature seemed to be echoing their passion, and as Jacky reached his peak, thunder cracked and rolled, carrying their cries of passion towards the heavens."

I liked the sweet and mushy stuff (I'm usually in the mood for this when I pick up an Andrew Grey) and I enjoyed the happy ending. I was a bit over Simon agonizing about his situation and was glad when Simon himself realised he needed to get on with this life. "I know everyone must be getting tired of me running on about this all the time." Simon turned to Jacky. "Frankly, I'm tired of it too...." Thank goodness!

The only other feedback is in relation to the use of Simon/Frizz's name. Frizz is Simon's nickname and his rodeo persona. At the beginning of the story (chapters 1 and 2) he is referred to as Simon although the nickname Frizz is used sometimes in conversation. In chapter 3, Simon isn't used at all and he is only referred to as Frizz in both narration and conversation. In chapter four, he'd gone back to being referred to as Simon, chapter five back to Frizz. I found it a bit confusing, even when he finally asked Jacky to call him "Simon", not using his Frizz bull-rider name. Anyway, maybe it was just me but I found this to-and-froing quite noticeable.

All-in-all, this story was exactly as I expected and a pleasant way to spend an afternoon!

I now publish all my m/m reviews on my blog so if you want to see all my m/m reviews in one place come visit at Because Two Men Are Better Than One!

To find out more about Andrew Grey and his books visit his website.

Buy A Daring Ride from Amazon.

Buy A Daring Ride from Dreamspinner Press.

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Good Boy by Anne Tenino

The Theta Alpha Gamma series:

 

  • Frat Boy and Toppy (book #1) - 4 stars
  • Love Hyperthetically (book #2) - 3 stars
  • Sweet Young Thang (book #3) - 3.5 stars - click here for review
  • Good Boy (book #4) - in this review

Good Boy (Theta Alpha Gamma, #4)Good Boy by Anne Tenino

 

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

 

The Blurb...

 

Brad “Frat Boy” Feller and Sebastian “Toppy” DeWitt have been together for nine months, and their relationship is as hot as ever. The only cloud Brad sees on their horizon is Sebastian’s stress over his thesis. And their uncertain future together after graduation. And how Sebastian sometimes takes Brad for granted. And Sebastian’s unwillingness to introduce Brad to his father. Other than that, everything’s awesome. All of Sebastian’s energy is currently devoted to his thesis, and getting into a top-notch PhD program. Fortunately, his boyfriend takes care of all the domestic stuff and Sebastian’s needs. Any minor strain between them will disappear and they’ll return to the status quo after Sebastian graduates. As long as nothing upsets their delicate balance in the meantime. Then a friend Brad once had a small fling with is forced to take refuge with them, and Frat Boy and Toppy’s delicate balance topples like an elephant on a waterski. Now Sebastian has to face some truths about how he’s been treating Brad, what he wants for their future, and what he has to do to get it.

 

So what did I think? I enjoy a book that allows us to revisit a couple we grew to love in earlier books in a series and that's exactly what happens here with a quick look at Brad and Sebastian's (from book 1 Frat Boy and Toppy) relationship 9 months down the road. It's an interesting look at the dynamics between Brad, with his submissive nature, and Sebastian who has been largely focused on his thesis until a surge of jealousy hits.

 

I liked that the relationship had hit a rocky patch and they were forced to confront each other, admitting what they wanted, setting clear expectations and confirming what they meant to each other. "Maybe it was because Brad trusted him so completely or because Sebastian knew he could push things further now, but he thought it was more likely to be those words they'd said to each other. They'd said vows, regardless of whether anyone had heard them or they'd had a ceremony to aggrandize them." Should I admit I actually had to look up 'aggrandize' to find out what it meant? :)

 

This is only a short book but packs in quite a bit however I still felt slightly let down. Things were resolved between Brad and Sebastian but I still felt something was missing. I'm not even sure what it was but somehow there was a lingering sense of incompleteness. But I guess wanting more is a good thing?!

 

To find out more about Anne Tenino and her books visit her website.

 

Buy Good Boy from Riptide.

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At Piper's Point by Ethan Day

At Piper's PointAt Piper's Point by Ethan Day

 

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

The Blurb...

 

Ten years and many boyfriends later, Cassidy Winters finally returns to the ancestral home of his late grandmother, Sadie Hart, despite the best efforts of his father to prevent it. Cassidy's plans of a quiet, seaside ceremony to wish a final farewell to Sadie quickly unravel. Interruptions run roughshod, beginning with Neil, who walks out of the ocean and straight into Cassidy's bed.

 

The dominos topple one by one when the little dog he rescues from the hounds of hell brings him to Ben, the hunky vet who rescues Cassidy right back. News of his arrival spreads faster than Cassidy's legs, bringing his boyhood friend and first love Nate Sommers to his doorstep -- leaving Cassidy spiraling into a multi-layered love snafu.

 

As if the island wasn't getting crowded enough for Cassidy's good taste and bad decisions, best friends Ollie and Spencer arrive in time to witness the uninvited return of Cassidy's most recent ex, Teddy, who's refusing to stay dumped. Fists fly and all hell breaks loose amid mojitos and martinis while Cassidy finds himself planning a huge party to celebrate Sadie's life. Accusations are aimed as arguments and libidos boil over, but even through the chaos Cassidy knows exactly who he wants.

 

While he's certainly willing, he isn't sure if he's ready or able for love and life at Pipers Point.

 

So what did I think?

 

Perfection! From the description in the blurb, I was looking forward to reading this book but what was delivered was so much more than I was expecting. This was a story about family and friends and fighting for love.

 

At Piper's Point is the story of Cassidy, a man returning to his grandmother's home for the first time in many years. Sadie had passed away years previously but it is only now that Cassidy is in a position to return. The first chapter is so evocative, filled with Cassidy's reminiscences of his summer's spent with Sadie. I almost felt like I was walking around the house with Cassidy as the sights and smells brought back his memories. From this moment I knew this wasn't just a book about a summer of friends and fun but a book dealing with much deeper emotions.

 

Sadie, Cassidy's grandmother, plays a large role in this book, as she did in Cassidy's life and the lives of everyone she touched. Through memory, we get to know Sadie and the impact she had on Cassidy, how important she was to the young boy with uncaring parents. She gave him love and a home and was a huge influence on Cassidy and his actions.

 

The book explores Cassidy's emotions, his feelings toward his parents and about the events of his childhood and most importantly how he finally makes the decision about his future. But through all of this there is a light-heartedness brought by the wonderful friends he has surrounded himself with and the very special love he gets from his grandmother's friend and housekeeper, Natalie.

 

Cassidy seems to draw men to him and is surrounded by admirers from his first day at Piper's Point! Between his newest conquest, his first boyfriend Nate, an ex-boyfriend who unexpectedly arrives, the local vet and his ex-lover best friends, this was not going to be a quiet summer. The tension between Cassidy and Nate is palpable as they cautiously deal with their simmering feelings while surrounded by a houseful of ex-lovers. The secondary characters are totally fabulous, particularly Ollie and Spencer. Between this group of men there is drinking, humour, flirting, fighting, sex and friendship.

 

Mixed in with all the partying is the emotional turmoil as Cassidy comes to terms with his true feelings and what he really wants out of life, leading to a beautiful conclusion that Sadie would have been happy to see.

 

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in return for my honest review. 5 Stars

 

To find out more about Ethan Day and his books, visit his website.

 

Buy At Piper's Point from Amazon.

 

Buy At Piper's Point from Wilde City Press.

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Grand Opening (The Men of PUMP, #1) - Alex Carreras FREE from Amazon.
Northern Light - E.J.   Russell This short book was a nice blend of romance with a ghostly element. It was a nice way to spend an hour tonight when I knew I didn't have time to do a lot of reading.For it's length the story packs in quite a bit. It's a story about art forgeries, about lost love, second chances and about ghosts.The tales starts with Luke on the trail of an art forger who turns out to be the man he loved and left many years ago. Of course Luke still has feelings for Stefan which Stefan returns.I liked the style of the storytelling and how Luke and Stefan respond to one another, their history colouring their reactions. There was a bit of mystery and some drama. I must admit that I do not usually read too many stories about ghosts but I like the way this one was done. I think the ghostly elements blended really nicely with the focus on Luke and Stefan's rekindled love - a good balance which suited me fine.The only downfall for this story was the length. There was so much packed into it, that it just skimmed on the surface of many things. There was opportunity to provide so much more background into Luke and Stefan's past together but also their lives apart - the tragedy that befell Stefan and the accident that maimed Luke. I would have even enjoyed seeing more about the relationship between Edward and Arcoletti.All-in-all, a nice way to spend an hour.Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy of this book in return for my honest review.I now publish all my m/m reviews on my blog so if you want to see all my m/m reviews in one place come visit at Because Two Men Are Better Than One!

Ass Over Teacup

Ass Over Teacup - Jackie Nacht This was really sweet story and a nice way to spend my lunch hour today! Ulysses is clumsy and always seems to attract bad luck "Add stepping into the pothole filled with muddy water, and Ulysses wished he could chalk it up to a bad day. However, this was pretty damn typical for him.". He also has feelings for his room mate Luke.As the story starts, Ulysses has a really bad day at work. Starting with a broken down car, his day goes from bad to worse. He also comes to the conclusion that he should stop pining over Luke and go on a blind date.However, later that night his clumsiness acts as the trigger that brings him and Luke together.Short and sweet. 3.5 starsI now publish all my m/m reviews on my blog so if you want to see all my m/m reviews in one place come visit at Because Two Men Are Better Than One!