Review by: multitaskingmomma My Rating: 4 of 4 Stars (Based On Short&LIght Read Category)
Jack is straight and had been searching for the right woman to share his life. He never found her. Raziel, his best friend, has been watching on the sidelines and never said a word. When Jack finally has an epiphany, it happens on Christmas and it is the best gift he'd ever received. If only Raziel feels the same way.
This is a best friends to lovers story and it is romantic as it is surreal and fairy tale like. What else is the best kind of read these holidays. This was intended to make the readers feel the thump of romance and grin like a loon. This is a dream, a fantasy, and Jack and Raziel only have to wake up and be the partners and lovers they were always meant to be.
If you like these types of stories, the feel good, angst free, romantic love stories, then this is for you.
Note: Copy provided by publisher for an honest review....more
My Rating: 3 of 4 Stars (Based On Short&Light Read Category)
A night playing paintball leads to a chance encounter with Charles' mate. The man, Spencer, is an accountant who should never have been in the Botanical Gardens in the first place. They strike a conversation after Spencer thinks he's going to be killed by a man with a (paintball) gun. One thing leads to another and their romance unfolds. But what is a were-romance without a bit of angst from a prior claimant to Spencer?
In this world, the mate is not MINE MATE MINE but rather, a potential who has to be wooed. This gives both parties the chance to think things over, to find out if they are truly compatible or not. The mating bite is there but not given until the other agrees.
I much like this twist from the usual MINE MATE MINE claiming that is flooding the shape shifter sub-genre. That Spencer has an actual choice means he can decide whether to go for a shifter who would love him forever without danger of cheating or go without said man should he turn up to be an abusive personality.
This is a short, very, very light read and yes, there are BDSM elements but it's not right up your face so makes this an effortless read.
Note: Copy provided by publisher for an honest review....more
One Step Too Close is a bit different from the other Coffin Nails books. One, this is a love affair between stepbrothers who looked to each other as real brothers so it does skate the edge of taboo. Two, this does not end the way one would expect a CN book to end. That part, I cannot spoil, you have to read it for yourself.
Jed's on the downward spiral to doom. The reasons are aplenty but the main two are: his addiction to drugs and racing, and his girlfriend. On his way down, he takes with him, Ryder. The one man he could and would rely on. The one man he truly loved and depended on. The one man he could never have for the obvious reasons.
Ryder took it upon himself to be the guardian of all: his father, his MC, his MC brothers, and his stepbrother, Jed. When he saw Jed on the edge of destruction, he stepped up and claimed responsibility ending up in jail and losing his girlfriend. Did he hate Jed because of all that was happening? No. Why?
Love.
This is a taboo/untaboo love between two men who are the farthest from the generalized view of gay men. They are lovers and they love each other. They will sacrifice everything to guarantee they stay together. They love.
If you're a fan of the MC Coffin Nails, here is one installment you should never, ever, miss out on. ...more
Review by: multitaskingmomma My Rating: 4 of 4 Stars (Based on Short&Light Read Category)
'Tis the season to be merry and puddings, fruit cakes, gingerbread cookies and eggnogs are in the list of Must Have things. In Nic Starr's Christmas story, we have front and center: the pudding.
The pudding is one of the most exhaustive dratted things I had the misfortune of thinking I could actually accomplish without hurting myself. One, the sheer amount of fruit preserves and whatnots that have to get in there did wonders for my wrists and shoulders (Note: I could not move for two frikkin days!). Then there is the act of mixing the thing together. Of course, there is also the muslin that needs to wrap it up and the carefully, carefully duck out of the way pot filled with boiling water. It has to be at the right temperature before loading the thing in. Taking it out, will take a whole new segment to write about. That I managed to escape unscathed was a miracle by itself.
Unfortunately, Steve was not as lucky as I when it came to the pudding. His heart, though, heheheheeeeee, tingles down the spine, he gets his Christmas wish of a man in Corey and more.
I love these little short Christmas stories coming out these days. This is the first of what I consider as the bake-a-Christmas-cake books that landed in my tablet. (Note: I got rid of the dratted Kindle) This is a story that makes the cook in you sit at the edge of your seat. Is Steve doing the right process, is he going to drop it? As a romance, this is breezy but as an adventure in the kitchen and within the heart, oh yes, it's a Nic Starr all right!...more
Review by: multitaskingmomma My Rating: 4 of 4 Stars (Based on Short&Light Read Category)
A Home for the Holidays is a Christmas story set in Capri. Bobby is too focused on his studies and his family fears his burn out. Their solution? Send him off to Capri and in the process, get to know his Italian relatives and forget, for once, that he is studying for the Boards. He goes and meets a family whose arms open wide and dump on him a fantastic choice of Italian cuisine and cousin Paulo.
Paulo comes out as a happy-go-lucky guy who flits from one lover to the next. He is assigned to bring Bobby around Capri, see the sights and experience the night life. Well he does, but then...
Yes, they are cousins but the nearest I could figure it out, they are third cousins—no idea how many times removed. The two young men fall in love amidst the beauty of a foreign country. As the story unfolds, a bit too fast at times, I got glimpses of movies like Three Coins In The Fountain and Roman Holiday. All set in Rome, yes. Their stories of romance fast unfolding, yes. The overall feel? Very romantic.
This is a short holiday read and it leaves one with smiles of how two men find their love in such a short time in a beautiful setting.
Note: eARC provided for by author for an honest review....more
Review by: multitaskingmomma My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
I cannot give this anything lower than five stars and Clean is definitely a Must Read. However, I must warn readers: this is not for everyone. There are triggers everywhere and it is raw. It bleeds in it's rawness, probably the reason why this is rated so high and deservedly so.
As a mother, Mia Kerick has her children always at the back of her thoughts and they are revealed in her stories. Clean delves on a topic that may be considered as one of a mother's worst nightmare. No mother wants their children to get into drug addiction.
Lanny and Trevor are young teenaged men who went down that way. Drug addiction not only attacks the body in betraying it to crave for a substance, but it also betrays the mind. No matter how logical or intelligent a brain is, it can be fooled by traitorous substances. Some worse than others.
For such a heavy, drama, angst-ridden story line, this reads clean. Not meant as a pun, but it is a clean story. No lumps, no bumps, (excepting a few typos as I do base this read on an ARC so is not considered retail perfect) and flows fast. There is no hesitation to the telling, which made this read easier than it really was.
Overall, Clean is not for everyone. It is not for me. But I do recommend it as I recognize the need for extraordinary stories out there.
Review by: multitaskingmomma My Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
I love shape-shifter stories and I must say, this is the first I ever encountered one involving this type before. I had to go and research on it, just to confirm what was written here, in the hopes I would understand the chemical reactions to the **spoil** (I won't spoil). All I could say, after reading about it for real, it was WOW! such things actually exist!
So we have a shifter story and it is not brilliant but it is definitely one of the well-written ones. I finished this in under two hours, and that was between cooking and laundry. This was fast paced and it opened a whole lot of questions but they only served to make me crave for more.
Yes, shape-shifter. Definite recommend.
Note: Copy provided by publisher for an honest review. ...more
Review by: multitaskingmomma My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
This was not perfection, but I must honestly say: this was truly magical.
Magic & Mistletoe tells of how two men finally found the nerve to ask each other out. Of course, in Harry's case, it had to take magic. For Andrew, it was purely from the gut and heart.
Q: What was wrong with Harry?
A: Foot in Mouth Syndrome.
Nobody was stricken with this dreaded disease as Harry was and there was nothing anyone could do to help him out. Until one night, a magical night, he and his friends stumble upon an enigmatic character so lovable, I truly want more tales with her involved. She does the mumbo jambo and voila! Harry has a chance at Andrew.
The problem is, Harry is doing so well with his boyfriend, he is beginning to second guess himself. Sure, his disease was in check, but was it all because of magic? And how about Andrew? Was Andrew's attraction and love for him a side-effect of the magical drug?
Read and be enchanted in this truly romantic story by Annabelle Jacobs...
...hold on, I sound like a commercial...
Read and be enchanted in this truly magical and romantic story from Annabelle Jacobs. It's a read where, from start to finish, you smile it breaks your muscles. You grin so much it turns into a grimace when you reach the end.
Review by: multitaskinmomma My Rating; 4 of 5 Stars
How To Deal is the third installment to the All Cock's series by T.M. Smith. It is the story of Kory and his policeman lover, Jon. When they were first introduced, I was one of those who wondered how their romance developed, and how it would end. I was a bit scared to get into the first book when Ms Tams first talked about it on her social network thinking its about porn actors, then again, I love her Opposites series and there was no doubt in my mind, she was going to come up with something controversial and yet totally readable. She came up with Gay for Pay and followed it up with the incredible Fame and Fortune—my favorite of the lot.
Now that it's Kory's turn, I guess I still have F&F hangover so this one fell a bit short in the sense that even here, the throuple continues to steal thunders from everyone. I just love Victor, Andrew and Matthew too much.
Kory's snarkiness is just a facade. He had learned how to cope after going through so much pain and loss. His being a porn star is just a job, nothing personal. So when Jon came into the picture, he literally got lost.
Jon had set his eyes on Kory and just fell for the guy. Jon did not care what Kory's profession was, he knew if he went into their relationship with eyes wide open. Introducing him to his family was not a hardship, but it was hard, truly hard, introducing his family to Kory. Shhhh, don't tell, but... the family is crazy!
Reading HTD was not hard, in fact, it developed so well, and so fast, it was a surprise when I hit The End. The angst is there but did not overwhelm the story. The erotic scenes were there yet it was part of the story and missing it meant you lose track on the character and plot development. I really don't know how Ms Tams does it, but she is superb at her storytelling.
Overall, this is a great addition to the All Cock's series and kind of an eye opening read. It tells stories from within the industry though I have no idea if these tales are true. I must admit to a similarity in some when I did bother to research. As a series, this is beyond the 'norm' and I like
Review by: multitaskingmomma My Rating: 4 of 4 Stars (Based On Short&Light Read Category)
After all the drama in the real world, a blast of rich, dark chocolaty goodness that is What Happens At Christmas is the best thing to happen to me. This just made me drool and sigh in romantic bliss dome.
Justin needs to go to a required Christmas office party but he just broke up with his cheating ex who may just come with his latest paramour. Justin does not want to go but he knows it's a must. Must he?
Coming to the rescue: BFF Sean.
Sean had wanted Justin for so long but the time was never right. When he discovers Justin's predicament, he knew he better do something fast before some other idiot claims Justin's heart. So he volunteers and plans the mischief. Pretending is easy, especially when the pretense is, in fact, real.
Oh this was naughty and nice, everything a Christmas romance should be. Love this little story by Northcote who came just at the right moment to iron out the wrinkles of life.
Want to smile and dream? Recommend you one click :D
Note: eARC provided by author for an honest review which was a blast to do :D This is uber delicious!...more
I did not sob. I cried. Damn Parker Williams for making me cry. Well, that is a complement as this was so good!
So Artie now has his soul complete but it may not be good for him. This only makes it easier for the demons to find and use him. Ben is away and is discovering more information regarding their foe, again I cannot and will not spoil. He wants to be beside Artie for something is pushing him back to his man.
Of course, there is the complication of the bebe who is making things known to one and all. But that is another story that you have to read on your own.
Artie wants to be complete and that means having Ben at his side. His nightmares are not helping, because the demons are using his dreams to get to his psyche.
What goes down is a fight between good and evil, love and hate, unconditional love and pure manipulation. This is such a super ending to what has fast become a fantastic Pulp Friction year.
Oh, yes, this is HEA but I did cry. There, I said it again.
Note: eARC provided by authors for an honest review. This is all honest. Honest, this series is frikkin good! ...more
Gun's coming on his own, his power has resurfaced but to what end? He is torn between who he was and who he is now. The loss of memory has changed him drastically. And then there is Laurant. What does he do with the demon who does love him?
Well, this is the end of Pulp Friction 2015 and Gun has to come out or lose everything.
This did not make me cry, but I did sob, once or twice, especially when Gun came to realize who he really is and had his HEA with Laurant. I feel happy for that lovable demon, no matter what he is. He's Artie's and Sabine's friend who risks all for them.
This is the final installment to Gun and Laurant's story and it truly closed their tale. I cannot spoil anything for the plot is thick and the mystery deep. Read Read Read and discover how they both reached their HEA.
This was ridiculously good.
Note: eARC provided by authors for an honest review. This is all honest. Honest, this series is frikkin good! ...more
Review by: multitaskingmomma My Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars
The Case of the Purple Pear is the fifth installment to the mystery that is Sam. It is also the story of the little gargoyle book end that could, a.k.a. Halstein, and his lover/mate, Idris, Prince of the Fae on the run from his evil mother the wicked queen of the Fae. It is also the most frustrating of them all because it introduces a character so interesting and intriguing he kind of stole the show from the rest of the cast and crew.
A human case finally falls in Sam's lap but it soon turned out too good to be true because the case involved a paranormal who was the extra-curricular activity of said human's boyfriend. Sam has to deal with not only having to look for the recalcitrant fae revealed in a magical camera, he also learns he and Bob have to solve a mystery that would save all of their lives.
This is an action packed installment that was really quite exhausting in the reading because of its fast pace and revelations. The question of 'Who or What is Sam?" still remains and unfortunately, this time, it still remains unanawered. (Truly the reason why I am frustrated).
RJ Scott and Amber Kell created this series a bit of a while ago and now they have re-released the first four which recounts the story of how Sam became a vampire's mate and the fear of the paranormal world he absolutely hates.
Read the first four books, listed below, to get this fifth installment right. However, this is a stand-alone as the story is very strong, stronger in fact that the first four. It's just my frustration showing its evil side.
Recommended read for those who love straight on romance, mystery, thriller and the paranormal love life of men.
Review by: multitaskingmomma My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
I never thought I would enjoy this story as much as I did. Especially the ending. That was a WOW!
The opening salvo was frightening, to both this reader and Simon. I won't tell you why or what happened, but I can tell you that it read confusing as Simon was confused. It read confusing for Simon nor the reader knows what is going on. The fight or flight instinct kicks in. Where does he go? What does he do? How was he going to get out? Will he survive?
The exhausting first chapter sets the pace for Accidental Hero then it slows down a bit, getting the reader into the basics of how Simon came to that point. Then just as quickly, another set of stressful events happen and it takes Simon by surprise. Again. He is in a poor situation but he is fighting to hang on.
Cain is an admin for Sanctuary so is dismissed by many as someone who is not the type to be able to subdue a felon. Well, he surprises Simon and the rest of the team for not only does he prove his worth, he proves he can fight when he needs to.
And drive a bad ass car he lovingly caresses and talks to...
...and pet a computer lovingly and speak to it like a lover should...
Cain is surprisingly my favorite character! He's... weird. And just plain awesome.
So Simon and Cain try to make heads and tails of a killer on the loose. Simon finds himself making a choice and he faces the bullet when he does. Cain will fight to get his lover to safety, even if it means giving up his Ferrari for a BMW. (Frankly, I am with him :D)
Review by: multitaskingmomma My Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars
Oh my, I knew there was going to be a whole lot of angst when these four's story finally gets released by I never expected this. So, how to review this?
My answer, it's difficult to review this without spilling spoilers and that would totally reduce the intensity of this read. I must confess, I managed to spank my hand away from going to the end, I wanted to know what happened at the end and skip the rest. There is so much going on here that it was quite overwhelming at times, but necessary.
Incredibly, everything made sense. Now we know the answers to the how and why between Chris, Liam, Owen and Billy. For those of you who have not read this yet, be prepared. Be very prepared. You may expect some of the things because dear Ms Jessie G teased the details several books back, but most of the stuff, you don't know. Never knew. Never expected to know.
Some may find this a difficult read as this is the story of how four men came together and finally realized their futures as they should. No, this is no menage, but their lives are definitely intertwined it is sometimes difficult to find the thread that could untangle the complicated knot. The beauty of this read is in the telling, but again, it may not suit some of you. Just remember, Ms Jessie is a master storyteller and she excelled in this one.
Why the 0.5 decrease in the rating? Simple: it was a difficult read for me but I blame that all to me, mine and myself. Overall, I do recommend this book highly for it is a necessity to get all of the Miama Heat stories come full circle. ...more
Review by: multitaskingmomma My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
I love my fairy tales and ghost stories. Then again, I truly love literature, especially Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott. I read the original text back in high school and I just fell in love.
What has that got to do with Secret of the Manor? A lot!
Warren Blake is one of those lucky bastards whose career success gives him the option to retire at forty. He had planned, he worked hard, he made amends where needed, looked at life with eyes wide open, and worked his arse off. (Sorry for the language folks, but I have to address those who cannot comprehend retirement at forty.) His plans worked to his advantage and now he has another set of plans in the works.
Buy a house in a quiet, little town and bide his time. It worked until he spies a picturesque little church, stumbles upon an unmarked grave and gets thrown into a dimension that ruins his plans for the future.
Warren finds himself in a time trap where he is a knight and is the chosen champion to save someone he knows nothing about. To top it off, a dratted swan is making his life in the past and present times frustrating. Also, he apparently has to learn how to wield a lance to survive a joust. His warhorse is willing and able, he is just too modern to fight properly.
Wait! Hold on! What is going on?
The humdrum life of Warren is suddenly thrown into a dimension of paranormal proportions. As typical of Clavelli, the slow build up and the vivid imagery gets the readers to a place in their minds that reminds so much of Ivanhoe but with a paranormal twist in the form of a witch's curse. Where is the romance? Well, you have to read it, right? Not only is the other main character the unlikeliest introduced, but he is also not the ghost.
Clavelli has this art to her storytelling. It is a different approach than what most are used to, but there is a reason to the pace and once everything is laid bare, only then can you realize the beauty and mystery of her tale. There is a whole lot going on and briar roses are just one of them.
Note: Just like her previous story, Dakota Skies, there is a characterization in the horses involved. Horse lovers out there, you'll be surprised with just how these tales revolve around the horses.
Review by: multitaskingmomma My Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Lucas is just a man, suffering from headaches and wondering what it is with the balls of light leaving his body. What makes it even more curious is these lights keep his parent's plants alive and whenever they leave his body, the headaches disappear. Until the next one blooms and the lights appear. Wanting to go out to relax with his best friend lands him in a whole lot of trouble, especially when it involves killing lights, his friend killed and vampires hunting him down. Lucas runs.
Bennett lives in a quiet town where paranormals live side by side with human mates. He is just one of the many brothers and serves as his brother's beta. He is the enforcer and makes sure the other shifters in the community follow the law as set by his brother. He never thought he would meet a stranger and smell his mate. He never expected his mate to be other than human. He definitely never expected the vampires come to their town hunting his mate down.
Leave It All is just the beginning of what could be a very interesting series involving witches, vampires and weirdly, dragons. Usually these three don't mix, but in this case, they do. What is even more interesting is, the dragon is adopted and raised by a female witch and his brothers and one sister are all dragons who had somehow been left on the wayside. There are many characters other than the two main ones introduced and this story sets the foundation of what could be a deadly series. There is a war brewing and at the center of it is Lucas' power. He is the only male witch in existence, the one the vampires want. His role is set but is not totally explained, meaning, there is a lot more to be discovered as the series continues. At the end we are introduced to Garridan whose mate may just be standing right there at the end of this first installment.
Yes folks, this is hanging. The story of Bennett and Lucas ends but the next is introduced so its not really hanging. I was just left hanging here, wanting to find out more of Garridan, wanting to find out more what Lucas' power really is all about and of course, there is Gabriel who has yet to come home...
This was quite the enjoyable read and can't wait for the next installment to drop in my hands. Hope it picks up where Garridan leaves off... recommended for those who like shifters and dragons, vampires and more.
Review by: multitaskingmomma My Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Convincing someone to give up- on his family might not be easy, in the end it actually was, easy. It took a long time for the word 'easy' to be applicable, but yeah, easier than than expected.
This book begins when Harrison and Levi meet for the first time as roommates. They are still both in high school and about to graduate. Levi is on an exchange student program and travels to Australia to basically have a half year of relaxation. He had taken his exams in advance so now he has the time to see the world and experience something new. What he finds instead, is a young man he falls for. Everything that unfolds is unexpected for both of them but it gives them both the realization they are in it for the long haul. Now, all they needed to do is get Harrison's family see that their dreams are not necessarily his. That he and his sister share a dream, albeit different ones, and see no future to what is expected of them.Their story ends when Harrison gets his impossible dreams realized. All thanks to Levi who made Harrison find the nerve to go against family wishes and expectations and follow his heart.
This is a story that is low in angst and drama but terrifically high on the romance. I love books like these. I can take the time out, go to a cafe, sip coffee or relaxing tea and just lose myself in the romance. It is books like these that make me crave an N.R. Walker because she always leaves me feeling good and grinning like an idiot.
Recommended for readers who love to smile and feel good during and after a read.
Note: eARC provided for by author in exchange of an honest review....more
My Rating: 4 of 4 Stars (Based on Short&Light Read Category)
I absolutely loved My Roommate's a Jock? Well, Crap! (Jock #1) and when this 1.5 came out I could not read it. I sobbed. Many sobbed. It was given out to fans for free at an even the author attended. Thankfully, she made this available, for Free, to her other fans once the meet was done. Of course, this was gobbled up by yours truly.
Mainly, this story tells us of what happens before Cole and Ellis get married. Both young men are now out of college and have entered the harsh reality of life. Each go about making their best efforts in finding a job and have to deal with the pain of not finding any, not getting accepted, told they were potentials, etcetera etcetera etcetera. Cole especially is feeling the pain for his intelligence could not seem to grasp the simple fact his IQ may not land him any job. At. All. Then, of course, he's getting married. The pain of doubting the self and feelings of insecurity threaten to drown Cole but Ellis is the beautiful partner who loves, comforts and supports.
This is a must read for those who read Jock #1 and are about to read Jock #2 soon to come to our ereaders some time December 2015. ...more
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