Undaunted by Devin Harnois

REVIEWED BY CINDY

TITLE: Undaunted

AUTHOR: Devin Harnois

PUBLISHER: October Night Publishing

LENGTH: 263 Pages

RELEASE DATE: January 23, 2017

BLURB:

A warrior’s broken soul.
A vampire’s kind heart.

Kelas Vartorvi escaped from one vampire only to find himself bound to another. Roshan saved his life and honor demands Kelas stays by his side until he repays the debt.

Roshan takes his broody new werewolf bodyguard in stride. Slowly, his relentless good nature begins to break down Kelas’s walls.

And their tentative friendship becomes something more.

An unexpected visitor from Roshan’s past throws them into a political plot and gives Kelas a chance for revenge. But are the gods blessing Kelas, or asking for a sacrifice?

Content warnings: Contains slavery, violence, body control, bottom shaming, misogyny, and rape mentioned in backstory. All sex between the heroes is clearly consensual....Read More »

Blue by B.G. Thomas

REVIEWED BY CINDY

TITLE: Blue

AUTHOR: B.G. Thomas

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 240 Pages

RELEASE DATE: May 15, 2017

BLURB:

Blue McCoy has lived on the streets for a long time, surviving by his wits and doing what he must, and he’s not above using his youthful appearance and air of innocence to his advantage. It’s not an easy life, but he’s happy. He has everything he really needs: the clothes on his back, a house to squat in, a sweet dog. Everything except that special someone to love him.

Six months ago, John Williams’s wife left him because she was bored. “Even your *name* is boring” were her last words to him before she walked out. Now he’s by himself in a big house, trying to figure out what direction his life should take. He’s never been so alone.

A chance encounter sets John on a new path, a path that becomes clearer when loneliness sends him to a local animal shelter to get a dog—and he finds an angel instead. An angel named Blue. A crisis brings them together, but it is something else that keeps them there. Could it be love? A love that can forever end two men’s deep loneliness and bring them the support and sense of belonging they’ve searched for all their lives?….Read More »

Skin Puppet (Reightman & Bailey #3) by Jeffery Craig

Reviewed by Dan

TITLE: Skin Puppet

SERIES: Reightman & Bailey #3

AUTHOR: Jeffery Craig

PUBLISHER: Jeffery Craig Books

LENGTH: 419 Pages

RELEASE DATE:  April 28, 2017

BLURB:

In Skin Puppet: Reightman & Bailey Book Three, the whole gang from Capital Street is back and almost ready for business. It’s just two weeks until The Reightman & Bailey Agency officially opens, but Melba Reightman and Toby Bailey have things pretty much under control. After the horrific events of the last six months, things starting to feel almost normal again. They’re both happy to just hunker down and do what’s needed to make their new business a success. So far, everything looks to be “all systems go and full speed ahead.”

An inconvenient lisp resulting from a busted lip slows things down a bit for Toby, and makes him sound embarrassing like a cartoon character. And there’s the whole awkward situation with Jon Chiang. One minute Zhou Li’s nephew is cold and distant, and the next minute…well, Toby could swear the guy might be interested in something more. It’s all very confusing.

Melba’s got her hands full completing last minute paperwork so they can open for business. To complicate matters further, there’s the huge stack of invitations Madame Zhou dropped off, all needing to be hand-addressed. Melba doesn’t really think they need to throw a huge grand opening party, but there no use in arguing the point with the bossy owner of Green Dragon. To top things off, the sneaky octogenarian has strongly hinted Melba needs a new dress.

With so much going on, the news about children missing from the area hasn’t really registered on anyone’s radar. The single flyer posted by a desperate mother looking for her missing daughter was disturbing, but it’s really a matter for the local police, not the Reightman & Bailey Agency. Right?

Wrong. Things are never that easy.

WARNING: This novel deals with mature subject matter.…Read More »

Play Chopin for Me by Max Vos

Reviewed by Danielle

TITLE: Play Chopin for Me

AUTHOR: Max Vos

PUBLISHER: Max Vos Inc

LENGTH: 216 Pages

RELEASE DATE: May 13, 2017

BLURB:

After a devastating fire, Dale Lusk shows up at his sister’s door in nothing but his boxers and a raincoat, desperately needing her help. Losing both his restaurant and home has left Dale without direction or a place to live.
While pushing her handsome brother into a new wardrobe to match his model looks, Chrissie introduces Dale to Al Borkowski. Al is in desperate need of a roommate before his grandmother takes more control of his life.
Little did Chrissie know when she pushed the two men together the sparks that would fly and the changes that would happen in all of their lives….Read More »

Liar, Liar by T.A. Moore

Reviewed by PizzyGirl

TITLE: Liar, Liar

AUTHOR: T.A. Moore

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 216 Pages

RELEASE DATE: May 12, 2017

BLURB:

Just another day at the office.

For some people that means spreadsheets, and for others it’s stitching endless hems. For Jacob Archer a day at the office is stealing proprietary information from a bioengineering firm for a paranoid software billionaire. He’s a liar and a thief, parlaying a glib tongue and a facile conscience into a lucrative career. He just has one rule—never get involved with a mark.

Well, had one rule. To be fair, though, Simon Ramsey is dark, dangerous, and has shoulders like a Greek statue. Besides, it’s not as though Jacob’s even really stealing from Simon… just his boss and his brother-in-law. Simon didn’t buy that excuse either after he caught Jacob breaking into the company’s computer network.

That would have been that—one messy breakup, one ticket to Bali booked—but it turns out that the stolen information is worth more than Jacob thought. With his life—and his ribs—threatened, Jacob needs Simon to help him out. Or maybe he just needs Simon.…Read More »

Scripted by Parker Avrile

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Scripted

AUTHOR: Parker Avrile

PUBLISHER: Paris April Press

LENGTH: 218 pages

RELEASE DATE: May 16, 2017

BLURB:

A gay marriage of convenience plays out on reality TV.

Noah and Brenner are lifelong friends trying to make it to the top of the heap in Hollywood. When their agents inform them the new reality TV show only accepts married couples, a quickie wedding is in their future.

Brenner can’t shoot for second place. Only the top prize pays enough to cover his mother’s medical bills. He can’t be choosy about the roles he accepts– and he can’t tell anyone how tough it is to play the happy hubby of the guy he’s had a crush on for years.

Noah has screwed up on social media one time too many. Playing Brenner’s husband on the new show might be the only way to cash in on his bad boy image. Trouble is, he has a secret– and he doesn’t know how long he can keep it from Brenner when they’re sharing the same bed.

“Scripted” is a full-length 60,000 word contemporary gay romance novel with NO cheating, NO cliffhangers, and a guaranteed Happily Ever Ending. Expect a tropical island where clothes mysteriously disappear, best friends are destined to become lovers, and somebody is determined to hog all the cupcakes.…Read More »

Slow Heat by Leta Blake

REVIEWED by Caroline

TITLE: Slow Heat

AUTHOR: Leta Blake

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 118,000 Words

RELEASE DATE: May 16, 2017

BLURB:

A lustful young alpha meets his match in an older omega with a past. 

Professor Vale Aman has crafted a good life for himself. An unbonded omega in his mid-thirties, he’s long since given up hope that he’ll meet a compatible alpha, let alone his destined mate. He’s fulfilled by his career, his poetry, his cat, and his friends.

When Jason Sabel, a much younger alpha, imprints on Vale in a shocking and public way, longings are ignited that can’t be ignored. Fighting their strong sexual urges, Jason and Vale must agree to contract with each other before they can consummate their passion.

But for Vale, being with Jason means giving up his independence and placing his future in the hands of an untested alpha–as well as facing the scars of his own tumultuous past. He isn’t sure it’s worth it. But Jason isn’t giving up his destined mate without a fight.

This is a stand alone gay romance novel, 118,000 words, with a strong HFN ending, as well as a well-crafted, non-shifter omegaverse, with alphas, betas, omegas, male pregnancy, heat, and knotting. Content warning for pregnancy loss and aftermath.…Read More »

Boneyard (Thaumaturge #2) by Cal Matthews

Reviewed by Chris

TITLE:  Boneyard

SERIES:  Thaumaturge #2

AUTHOR:  Cal Matthews

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  228 pages

RELEASE DATE:  May 25, 2016

BLURB:  

Ebron White never thought of himself as a murderer.

In fact, he’s always been the exact opposite – he has the power to raise the dead. But a fatal encounter with a murderous band of witches has changed his life and left him with a whole host of problems.

Like his guilty conscience.

And the corpse hidden in his bathroom.

Together with his vampire boyfriend, Ebron is trying to get rid of the bodies and get his life back together. But his powers are starting to get attention – and Ebron and Leo may be facing bigger problems than either of them imagined.…Read More »

The Sun Still Rises by Laura Bailo

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: The Sun Still Rises

SERIES: World of Love series

AUTHOR: Laura Bailo

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 86 pages

RELEASE DATE: May 17, 2017

BLURB:

Erik’s father lived for Pamplona’s yearly festival and the running of the bulls. Now he’s gone, and Erik flies to Pamplona on a whim to see the festival his father loved—without booking a room first. He’s looking at sleeping on the ground until friendly David from the tourism office offers to share his home.

When Erik realizes he trusts David, that he might even be willing to face his anxiety to get to know David better, he begins to understand what this trip could mean. Pamplona is even more beautiful when seen through David’s eyes, and Erik might have traveled around the world just to find himself. But can he hold on to his newfound confidence—and to David—when it’s time to go home?

World of Love: Stories of romance that span every corner of the globe.…Read More »

Rent Mate by Ash Penn

Reviewed by Tammy

TITLE: Rent Mate

AUTHOR: Ash Penn

PUBLISHER: Pride Publishing

LENGTH: 260 pages

RELEASE DATE: May 16, 2017

BLURB:

Liam has principles, and sharing a home with a rent boy goes against every one of them. Even a rent boy as alluring as Martin.

Martin ‘Button’ Bailey is a twenty-one-year-old rent boy with an aversion to gay men. Liam West is his reluctant flatmate with an aversion to rent boys. Especially those who go by the name of Martin Bailey.

That suits Martin, because it means there’s no chance of Liam wanting anything more from him than the occasional argument. Sex is never going to be an issue between them because Liam is one hundred percent straight. He’s also in love with their third flatmate, Katie. Even if that love is painfully unrequited.

While it’s fair to say that Liam can’t stand Martin, he wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to the guy. So, when Martin comes home one day covered in bruises, Liam can’t help but show concern. A concern that is quickly batted aside, until the next night when Martin shows up having been half-drowned in the river.

Reason enough to believe someone is out to get him.

As Liam becomes more embroiled in the mess that is Martin’s life, the two men find themselves drawing closer together. And other feelings begin to develop. Unexpected feelings that a budding friendship can’t quite cover.

Reader Advisory: This book contains references to sexual abuse of a child.…Read More »

Summer Stock by Vanessa North

Reviewed by Amber

TITLE: Summer Stock

AUTHOR: Vanessa North

PUBLISHER: Riptide Publishing

LENGTH: 239 Pages

RELEASE DATE: May 15th, 2017

BLURB:

Tabloid scandals have driven TV star Ryan Hertzog to North Carolina’s Outer Banks, where he’s hiding out doing summer stock at his cousin’s seaside theater. When a hookup with local handyman Trey Donovan results in Ryan being photographed butt naked, he vows to keep his pants on and his hands off Trey. How was he supposed to know Trey would turn out to be the summer stock set builder?

Trey isn’t looking for a relationship; he’s still recovering from the emotional fallout of an abusive marriage. But Ryan’s laughter draws him in again and again, and he’s not about to say no to fooling around.

As the summer heats up, the paparazzi catch Ryan in increasingly compromising situations. Ryan might be too much drama for a summer fling—and Trey might be just an intermission from Ryan’s Hollywood life. But if they take their cues from Shakespeare, all’s well that ends well....Read More »

The Struggle Within by Tyler May

REVIEWED by Caroline

TITLE: The Struggle Within

AUTHOR: Tyler May

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 435 Pages

RELEASE DATE: April 15, 2017

BLURB:

Through Ryan’s trials, there are three different perspectives: a best friend watching from the outside, a lover desperate to get in, and his own mind.

His struggles were theirs. He just didn’t know it.

A tragic accident changed Dr. Ryan Jacobs’ life and freed him from a past he thought he’d never escape, but with that freedom came the realization: he could escape the man, but would be bound to the torturous battle within his mind. Fighting for control of his thoughts, he lived recklessly in a life of addiction and the next good time. Wearing a mask of deception, and hiding it beautifully behind his playboy ways, he fooled himself into thinking this was the real him, but he couldn’t fool everyone.

Dr. Michael Jonas considered Ryan more than just a friend, he was his family. With the support of his wife, Michael held Ryan’s hand, listened to him cry, and helped him through the hardest events of his life. He could see through the fake smiles and playboy attitude, seeing his best friend for the man he really was. After Michael’s wife had given birth to their first child, Michael vowed never to let pain affect his family again, Ryan included. But Michael carried his own burdens and watching Ryan struggle was harder than he thought. It tore him apart, silently, until there was only one choice. Save his best friend before it was too late.

As a high-powered attorney, Jayson Alexander thrived on easy thrills both in his professional and personal life, but when his heart broke the rules, he had no choice but to break it and run from the pain. Obsessive about controlling his own life, he set goals and rules and tried to ensure his own happiness, but life had a different plan. So he sought out answers and took on a case that would eventually change everything. He was drawn to Ryan from the moment he laid eyes on him. With a magnetic connection he couldn’t deny, he found Ryan irresistible, but he found out quickly the connection was more than physical. Jayson wanted Ryan, but how could he fight the demons Ryan’s mind was creating and stop them from pushing him away?

Ryan built a force field around his heart, vowing after that tragic day, no man would be allowed close enough to ever hurt him again, but with the support of his best friend and the man he loved, could Ryan beat The Struggle Within once and for all?

Due to strong sexual content and language, The Struggle Within is intended for mature readers 18 years of age or over.
Trigger warning: The Struggle Within may contain a subject matter that is sensitive to some readers as it deals with domestic abuse, self-harm, and addictive behavior. The author asks that the reader please take these warnings seriously and requests discretion be advised....Read More »

Shift (Wolves of Hunter’s Rock #1) by Shelley Grayson