Book of the Week Poll
Welcome to the Love Bytes Book of the Week Poll!
Here are the books which achieved a 4.5 or 5.0 review last week from our reviewers.
As a reminder, the top two books from each week’s poll will roll into our Book of the Month poll at month’s end. Happy Voting!
Please scroll to the very bottom for the voting section.
POLL SCHEDULE:
This poll will remain open until at least 6PM, Amsterdam time next Friday. The actual closing time will vary depending on blog staff schedules…
Narrow Margins by JJ Harper
Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: Narrow Margins
AUTHOR: JJ Harper
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 268 pages
RELEASE DATE: May 30, 2017
BLURB:
Well known as a playboy, Griff Broderick, MotoGP world champion, didn’t realize a chance meeting in a club would lead to him looking at his life in a whole new way. What was more surprising to him, the person who changed his life was a man!
Twelve hours after the greatest night of his life, a knock on his door threatens to take that life away from him. Choosing to take the chance, Griff ignores the offers of help from the one person who knew the truth: Corrie Deschamps. Losing his job, Griff has time to ponder his errors and mistakes. He knows, the biggest one was losing Corrie.
Corrie Deschamps, injured army veteran, knows the night with Griff Broderick was only a one night thing but the stubborn man’s refusal to accept his help has Corrie frustrated. Was Griff really so ashamed to admit he was with a man? But then Corrie stumbles into a life he never expected, with a man he thought he’d never see again: his brother, Raff McMahon. He tries to forget the one night he spent with Griff Broderick, the greatest night of his life.
Another meeting, at De’ath of You Enterprise headquarters, brings them together again. Corrie’s reaction is not one Griff, or the owners of De’ath of You, expected. Refusing to have anything to do with him, Corrie storms off.
Griff knows how hard he is going to have to work to prove himself to Corrie, to get his forgiveness for rejecting him and his help. How can he prove Corrie is the man for him? That he will never want another person, male or female.
Corrie doesn’t trust Griff, never believing the gay-for-you premise, but he wants him. Corrie’s body yearns for him. Can he get over his fears and accept him into his life, and into his heart?
Will Griff be prepared to be seen with another man? Will he accept his sexuality? What happens when he gets bored and wants to return to the race track and MotoGP? Is there a place for Corrie in that lifestyle?
It’s time for them to man up and claim the love and life they want.
This is a gay love story and involves hot, steamy sex between two men and is therefore recommended for readers over the age of eighteen….Read More »
Return of the Chauffeur’s Son by Tara Lain
REVIEWED BY: Christie
TITLE: Return of the Chauffeur’s Son
AUTHOR: Tara Lain
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 200 Pages
RELEASE DATE: June 2, 2017
BLURB:
So, I was originally excited to read Return of the Chauffeur’s Son because it was written by Tara Lain, and I love her writing. But after finding out that this book is an homage to the 1954 movie, Sabrina, starring Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, and William Holden, I totally freaked. This is one of my all time favorite movies, and for Tara Lain to write a gay romance homage to such a fantastic film was the icing on the cake in my eyes. And, a spectacular homage it was.
Luca McGrath has been in love with James Armstrong since childhood. But, James is straight. And, his family is rich. Super rich. And, Luca is the son of James’ family’s chauffeur. So, in hopes that Luca find a more suitable love interest (y’know, like someone who can love him back), his father sends him to culinary school in France. Now, after a successful internship working in New York for a famous restaurant, Luca is back home in Napa Valley, California, ready to make a name for himself in the restaurant/ cooking world. However, he finds that his love for James never faded.
Dylan Armstrong, James’ older more responsible brother, is blown away when he first lays eyes on a much grown up Luca McGrath. He is also in the middle of one of the most lucrative partnerships of Armstrong Industries’ history, and James has decided to explore his sexuality. With Luca. Which will potentially blow a multi-billion dollar deal. Instead of panic (or ram his head into a wall) at Luca’s return and James’ newfound curiosity, Dylan decides to distract Luca by taking him out. Only, Dylan finds that he has strong feelings for the chauffeur’s son too, and becomes quite jealous over his affections being elsewhere other than on him.
Add into the mix that in order for Luca to obtain the head chef position at the restaurant he was just hired, he needs to come up with the winning dish at the Napa Valley Food and Wine Festival (ousting the current 5yr reigning champ, a restaurant named Montaigne), a new love interest who works at said rival establishment, and James’ fiancé who absolutely adores Luca.
If you are familiar with the movie Sabrina, whether it be the original 1954 version, or the remake with Harrison Ford, then you are in for a wonderful treat with Return of the Chauffeur’s Son, as it is indeed a brilliant homage to a phenomenal movie. And if you are not familiar with it, don’t worry, it is still a wonderful book that I am pretty positive you will highly enjoy.
Tara Lain, this may actually be my favorite book of yours so far. Honestly, it is wonderfully written. I practically felt Luca’s heart race upon first meeting Dylan, then his heart drop to his toes when he found out that James was engaged. And don’t get me started on the iconic Conservatory scene! From start to finish, Return of the Chauffeur’s Son was fantastic!…Read More »
Crashing Hearts (1-2) By Zane Menzy
Reviewed by Roberta
This is a Series Review of Crashing Hearts Series (Books 1 – 2)
AUTHOR: Zane Menzy
PUBLISHER: Self Published
SERIES REVIEW:
I have to say that this series really made me look at what I think of people falling in love , making horrible decisions and hiding who they are. I have to say that this series was really wonderfully done. I love the fact that the author gave us so much to work thru, the characters, the timelines…I enjoyed getting the back stories from all of these characters and seeing their growth and watching them truly admit who they are…that was really wonderful to watch.
I have to say that Zane really knows how to keep a reader interested in the stories that he lays out for you. I am thinking that I found another author to watch out for as he had me hooked and I couldn’t stop reading this series to find out how this was all going to turn out. Starting off in the now and them moving back into the past and then back to the present…to see the ramifications of decisions made long ago and then the ones from the present…you realize that life is a series of choices that sometimes leads up to the best decisions of our lives and others…they leave us unsure of ourselves and who we are.
This is the review for book 1 and 2 , the review for book 3 will be posted later this week 🙂..Read More »
Sex in C Major by Matthew J. Metzger
Reviewed by Chris
TITLE: Sex in C Major
AUTHOR: Matthew J. Metzger
PUBLISHER: JMS Publishing
LENGTH: 426 Pages
RELEASE DATE: May 27, 2017
BLURB:
Stefan has … fantasies.
He knows chasing those fantasies is only going to end in disaster, but he can’t seem to stop his self-destructive spiral. He’s a transgender man struggling to come to terms with the intersection of his identity and his sexual fantasies as a submissive. He needs someone to take control before he loses it completely.
Daz can take control. He can teach Stefan everything there is to know about sex and submission, but for some reason, he can’t get inside Stefan’s head. Daz can stop Stefan’s self-destruction but not the fear that fuels it.
Stefan needs to know who he is before he can accept what he is. And it’s Yannis — Daz’s aromantic, asexual, stern, and sarcastic partner — who has the answer.
Counterblow (Shatterproof Bond #4) by Isobel Starling
Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: Counterblow
SERIES: Shatterproof Bond (book #4)
AUTHOR: Isobel Starling
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 169 pages
RELEASE DATE: May 26, 2017
BLURB:
Set after “Return to Zero” (Shatterproof Bond book #3) After the devastating events in the Scottish Highlands, Sam and Declan have moved on to a new, deeper level in their romance. Their commitment to each other is unquestionable; however, there are plenty of questions that need answering about other aspects of their lives, and those who sought to end them. Sam is trying his best to deal with the day to day frustrations of his injuries. He’s completely dependant on Declan for everything, and hates the way the scales have tipped in their relationship. Although he’s officially on leave, Sam’s mind cannot stop replaying all that happened to him and questioning why, and who is behind it all. Declan’s relief at having Sam home throws him into house-husband mode. He’s happy to take the reins and care for his partner, however, beneath the surface Declan cannot help but be drawn back to how he felt in the Highlands, and how they were betrayed by a man who was supposed to have their back. Declan had promised Sir James Aiken that he would pay if he hurt Sam, and now Declan has to decide how he can deliver his payback and put his and Sam’s world back on an even keel….Read More »
Life as a Teenage Vampire – Amanda Meuwissen
Reviewed by Christie
TITLE: Life as a Teenage Vampire
AUTHOR: Amanda Meuwissen
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 303 Pages
RELEASE DATE: October 2, 2016
BLURB:
The last thing Emery expected at the end of his senior year of high school was to become a vampire and fall in love with his best friend…
Emery Mavus just wants to survive his senior year of high school. Becoming a vampire complicates things. So does a bizarre mentor, a group of vampire hunters, and an unexpected, new attraction for his openly gay best friend, Connor. An occasional uncontrollable hunger for blood might be the least of his worries….Read More »
Mature Content by Megan Erickson and Santino Hassell
Reviewed by Cinnamon
TITLE: Mature Content
SERIES: Cyberlove Book 4
AUTHOR: Megan Erickson and Santino Hassell
PUBLISHER: Megtino Press (self published)
LENGTH: 254 pages
RELEASE DATE: June 2, 2017
BLURB:
My life plan is to be brutally honest all the way to the bank. Don’t believe me? I run a popular YouTube channel called TrashyZane, and my claim to fame is oversharing about every aspect of my personal life. Sometimes while tipsy. Not everyone loves my style, but I have a long history of icing out people who can’t handle me. I have no time for judgmental foolishness.
Except, apparently, when it comes to Beau Starr. His channel is the polar opposite of mine, and so is he. Wholesome, inspirational, and clean-cut. Everything about him should turn me off, but when we hook up following a confrontation at a convention, my world flips upside down. Not only does Beau Starr turn me on, he uses the exact combination of dirty talk and roughness needed to turn me out.
But we still hate each other. I think….Read More »
Heels Over Head by Elyse Springer
Reviewed by Amber
TITLE: Heels Over Head
AUTHOR: Elyse Springer
PUBLISHER: Riptide Publishing
LENGTH: 366 Pages
RELEASE DATE: May 29th, 2017
BLURB:
Jeremy Reeve is one of the best divers in the world, and he’s worked hard to get where he is. He intends to keep pushing himself with one very clear goal in mind: winning gold at the summer Olympics in two years. That medal might be the only way to earn his father’s respect as an athlete.
Brandon Evans is everything Jeremy isn’t: carefree, outgoing, and openly gay. With his bright-blue eyes and dramatic tattoos, he’s a temptation that Jeremy refuses to acknowledge. But Jeremy can’t ignore how talented Brandon is—or that Brandon has no interest in using his diving skills to compete.
They’re opposites who are forced to work together as teammates, but Jeremy’s fear of his own sexuality and Brandon’s disinterest in anything “not fun” may end their partnership before it begins. Until a single moment changes everything, and they help each other discover that “team” can also mean family and love….Read More.
Frank at Heart (A Foothills Pride Story – Book 6) by Pat Henshaw
Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: Frank at Heart
SERIES: A Foothills Pride Story (Book 6)
AUTHOR: Pat Henshaw
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 95 pages
RELEASE DATE: May 31, 2017
BLURB:
Everything about thirty-five-year-old Stone Acres hardware store owner Frank McCord is old-fashioned—from his bow tie and overalls to the way he happily makes house calls to his dreams of lasting romance, true love, and marriage. Frank’s predecessors have run the store and been mainstays in the small California town for over a century. While genial Frank upholds tradition and earns the respect of friends and neighbors, he fears he’s too dull and old to attract a husband. Then handsome thirty-six-year-old electronic games designer Christopher Darling and his fifteen-year-old son, Henry, come into his life. Christopher has everything Frank could want in a potential partner: charm, kindness, and compatibility. Also, he’s a terrific father to Henry. When their Stone Acres home turns out to be uninhabitable, Frank offers the Darlings temporary lodging in his ancestral farmhouse, where he and his tenant Emil reside. Since Emil thinks Frank is his, sparks fly. Suddenly, Frank’s monotonous life promises to explode with love and threatens to change him forever….Read More »
Cry Wolf (Underwood District #1) by Greta Stone
Reviewed by Sarina
TITLE: Cry Wolf
SERIES: Underwood District #1
AUTHOR: Greta Stone
PUBLISHER: Skeleton Key Publishing
LENGTH: 409 pages
RELEASE DATE: April 10, 2017
BLURB:
Peter is a kitsune. Chaos follows him wherever he goes. Good intentions, bad intentions—it doesn’t matter. Even mimicking the howl of a friend he hasn’t seen in over a decade turns out to have disastrous consequences.
The wolf doesn’t have a name. For now, he goes by Luca. He has no past, and as an escaped slave, if he can’t stay hidden in the shadows, he’ll have no future. When someone steals his howl, he’s drawn to investigate, and ends up saddled with a mouthy fox who insists they used to be friends once upon a time.
Petty problems and a dubious reunion are pushed aside the longer they’re stranded together. The Underwood is a dangerous place.
They have two choices: work together or die.
Join Greta Stone in a dark paranormal MM romance retelling of Aesop’s fable, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, and David P. Mannix’s classic novel, The Fox and the Hound….Read More »
Redemption (The Protectors #8) by Sloane Kennedy
REVIEWED by Caroline and Jen B.
TITLE: Redemption
SERIES: The Protectors #8
AUTHOR: Sloane Kennedy
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 362 Pages
RELEASE DATE: May 18, 2017
BLURB:
My job is to save lives. But what if the one that needs saving is the one I was sent to take?
At 33 years old, Phoenix Jones once had a stellar military career ahead of him. But when tragedy struck his family, he walked away from the path he’d chosen to be there for the one who needed him most. Except fate is a bitch and when she once again takes Phoenix’s future in the cruelest of ways, he must find a new path.
When a former army buddy introduces him to Ronan Grisham, the leader of an underground vigilante group, Phoenix knows he’s found a new family and nothing and no one is going to take that from him again. So when Ronan asks him to shadow a young man who participated in a brutal crime against Ronan’s husband, Seth, when he was a child and appears to be targeting him again, Phoenix doesn’t even hesitate for a second.
Even knowing what he must do if the young man proves to have gone back to his old ways.
Because family is everything…
I can’t come back from what I did. I’m not sure I even want to…
An ugly childhood left Levi Deming with little to do but dream of a day when he’d be free of his tormenters so he could carve out a simple life for himself, preferably somewhere far away from the family who never let him forget he was less than human. But one terrible choice at the tender age of 16 changed everything…
Wracked with guilt for the role he played during a home invasion gone horribly wrong, a now 24-year-old Levi is trying to piece together a life where he can maybe do a little bit of good, even knowing it won’t make up for the lives he helped take and it definitely won’t give back the future he stole from the young man whose agonized screams still haunt him night after night. If it were only about him, he’d walk into the nearest police station and happily tell them to lock him up and throw away the key.
But it isn’t just about him anymore…
I expected to find a hardened criminal. What I found was something else entirely…
With Ronan’s orders to terminate young Levi if he so much as even jaywalks, Phoenix expects an easy job with one clear outcome. But when a violent encounter forces Phoenix to interact with Levi, he quickly realizes the case might not be as black and white as he thought. Instead of finding a criminal with no conscience, Phoenix discovers a young man battling impossible odds and near crippling guilt.
When his feelings of disgust and anger begin to fade and turn into something else, the would-be hitman is forced to make a terrible decision between the family he needs and the young man more intent on seeking judgement than redemption….Read More »
Release Day Review: Evan Sent by J.P. Bowie
Reviewed by Kimberley
TITLE: Evan Sent
AUTHOR: J.P. Bowie
PUBLISHER: Pride Publishing
LENGTH: 152 pages
RELEASE DATE: May 30, 2017
BLURB:
Fiction and reality become intertwined when a young movie actor playing the role of a detective finds himself in a real-life drama that threatens to bring a sudden end to his career.
Evan Ericson is young and beautiful, a former fashion model and a gifted actor. When he is offered the role of a detective in a new film noir indie movie, he jumps at the chance, certain that this is his opportunity to leave behind the notoriety of appearing in porn movies and his dependence on drugs.
Mark Henderson is an out-of-work actor searching for his big break. When, by sheer chance, he lands a part in a new indie movie, he can’t believe his luck. Nor can he believe it when he meets Evan Ericson. Sparks fly at their first encounter. When rehearsing their roles, Mark’s world is rocked by Evan’s kiss and a new Hollywood romance is born.
But things thought long buried in the past have a nasty habit of rearing their ugly heads, and being stalked and threatened by a manic drug dealer is not something either Evan or Mark envisaged in their future together. Will Hollywood magic be enough to keep them safe or will Evan’s bad-boy reputation tear them apart?..Read More »
Wake by K. Evan Coles & Brigham Vaughn
Reviewed by Tammy
TITLE: Wake
PUBLISHER: Pride Publishing
LENGTH: 261 pages
RELEASE DATE: May 30, 2017
BLURB:
A love worth the wait
Carter Hamilton and Riley Porter-Wright room together as Harvard undergraduates. An immediate friendship forms, but as the years pass it deepens into something neither man understands. As attraction simmers under the surface, lines begin to blur. When they move back to Manhattan, they gradually slip into the lives their families have envisioned for them.
Both men marry, but in time, Riley realizes he’s ended up in a passionless relationship like his parents while his career takes center stage. Although he loves his wife, Carter misses the emotional and physical connection he shared with Riley.
The weight of Riley’s feelings and his growing discontentment with his life eventually push him to tell Carter the truth about how he feels. Shocked and unable to face his own feelings, Carter rejects Riley.
As each man comes to terms with the lies they’ve told themselves, each other and the people around them, they find their lives changing in ways they never imagined. They soon discover that the truths they’ve been longing to tell shake the foundations of their friendship….Read More »
Serpent’s Kiss by Layla Dorine
Reviewed by Dan
TITLE: Serpent’s Kiss
AUTHOR: Layla Dorine
PUBLISHER: Encompass Ink
LENGTH: 319 Pages
RELEASE DATE: April 5, 2017
BLURB:
While searching for their missing sibling, Zaiden and his sister Kaandhal, come across the last pureblooded psy-clairvoyant of their kind. Unfortunately for them, the psy-clairvoyant Darian has no idea who he truly is and isn’t interested in learning, much less helping Zaiden and Kaandhal locate their missing brother, Zxex.
A bounty hunter by trade, who’s been all but banished from his family due to his visions, Darian is a bit cynical about his ability to be of any assistance to them. Nevertheless, Zaiden brings him back to their home Rhumba, where Darian discovers that very little is what it seems.
With plots unfolding all around them and discoveries about his own heritage leaving Darian reeling, he is left with the choice of whether to embrace who and what he is, or spend every moment with them as a prisoner on the fringes of their society.
Add in a pesky little bond that only seems to grow the more time he and Zaiden spend together, and several factions looking to gain possession of him and Darian is left wondering if his visions just might be the least of his troubles….Read More »
Excellent choices!
Great books!
Damn! I wanted to vote for the JP Bowie, Evan Sent