Reviewed by Dan

TITLE: Caledonia Destiny

SERIES: Blessed Bane Book 1

AUTHOR: Lexi Ander

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

LENGTH: 356 Pages

RELEASE DATE:  July 6, 2018

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A twist of fate changed both their destinies.

The wyrbears, once a long-lived species, were being lost to the forest in their prime. A people borne of a curse, their abilities not a gift but something wrongly taken, they nonetheless live in harmony with their animal spirits. But over time the curse they lived under changed, mutated, and now what once was a refuge from the world when they became too weary is culling mathan in their prime.

Ewen mhic Friscalach, the leader of his peoples, lost his father too early and is now a widower with four children. The vow he made as a youth to break the curse afflicting wyrbears has been buried by grief and responsibility.

Roi mhic Alric, a priest of Cerridwen and seer, watched his fellow priests slaughtered and his temple desecrated. The only thing that kept him going the last three horror-filled years was the vision Cerridwen had granted him of his emancipation. If freedom came at the cost of his life, well, he was more than ready for the Otherworld.

A fated meeting upon a bloody field of battle. A wrong done long ago. Their choices could save a people… or send them into extinction. Either way, their love will be legend.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Liam for Hire

SERIES: London Stories #2

AUTHOR: A. Zukowski

PUBLISHER: Beaten Track Publishing

LENGTH: 216 pages

RELEASE DATE: August 24, 2018

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Liam Murphy has kicked his drug habit and now pays for the high living costs in London as an escort. His life is finally in balance. His only problem is that he obsesses about the minimum number of times he has to bend over to make ends meet. As long as he has his emotions under control, it’ll be fine. That’s what Liam keeps telling himself until he meets the young widower Alastair, also known as Ali, whose emerald eyes remind him of Ireland.
“I…I want us to have sex as though we’re making love.”
Making love? Jaysus.
I scratch my head. “Okay. You mean more kisses and shit?”
Ali laughs.
“And shit.” His face lights up and he looks about ten years younger. “Like cuddles.”

Featuring Liam from The Boy Who Fell to Earth
This title contains material some may find objectionable or trigger-inducing: mature content, drug use, suicidal thoughts.

Reviewed by Cheryl

TITLE: Hex and Candy

SERIES: Strange Bedfellows #1, Dreamspun Beyond #26

AUTHOR: Ashlyn Kane

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 214 Pages

RELEASE DATE: August 23, 2018

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True love’s kiss can break the curse. But then what? Cole Alpin runs a small-town candystore. He visits his grandmother twice a week. And sometimes he breaks curses. Leo Ericson’s curse is obvious right away, spiderwebbing across his very nice body. Though something about it worries Cole, he agrees to help–with little idea of what he’s getting into. Leo is a serial monogamist, but his vampire ex has taken dating off the table with his nasty spell, and Leo needs Cole’s companionship as much as his help. When the hex proves to be only the beginning of his problems, Leo seeks refuge at Cole’s place. Too bad magic prevents him from finding refuge in Cole’s arms. Cole’s never had a boyfriend, so how can he recognize true love? And there’s still the matter of the one responsible for their troubles in the first place….

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Rocked Hard

AUTHOR: Morticia Knight

PUBLISHER: Pride Publishing

LENGTH: 371 pages

RELEASE DATE: August 21, 2018

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Can the touch of a rock god last forever?
Legendary alt rock singer, Aubrey King, is making a comeback after many years out of the spotlight. Rumors of his sexuality have always dogged him, and while he’s never come out publicly, his reasons for leaving the industry had nothing to do with his fear of discovery. What matters to him is the music. That’s his truth, and so far, his only real love. He aches to find someone to share his life with, but his propensity to fall fast and hard—along with chasing men he knows can never be his—has left him all alone.
Rock journalist Bryan Gallagher was first turned on to rock music at the age of twelve when he became obsessed with Aubrey’s band, Falling in Stereo. His friends, and even girlfriends, would sometimes tease him that he was hot for Aubrey. But it was all about the music and nothing else—at least that’s what he’s always told himself. When he’s approached about helping Aubrey write his memoir, it’s not only a dream assignment, but an exciting opportunity to work closely with his idol.
When Bryan meets Aubrey, the electric heat between them is unnerving. He’s further confused by how intense Aubrey’s attraction toward him is and how deeply they connect over their shared obsession of music. While Bryan struggles with uncertainty regarding his own sexuality, he also has to navigate through the perils of working with a lover and keeping their relationship a secret.
But Bryan’s biggest struggle of all might be determining whether declarations of true love from a rock star can ever be trusted.
Publisher’s Note: This book was previously released in two parts as part of the What’s his Passion? collection at Pride Publishing. It has been revised and reedited for re-release.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Marriage Rules

SERIES: Breaking the Rules #3

AUTHOR: Jacki James

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 203 pages

RELEASE DATE: August 13, 2018

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After one incriminating photo outs him to his parents, Stevie loses everything: his family, his home, and his shot at finishing his degree. He’s at a loss what to do until the guy he’s been crushing on makes him an offer he can’t refuse.
Coming off a jilted engagement, Casey is done with relationships, swearing off marriage forever. But when he discovers sweet, sexy Stevie in financial trouble, Casey can’t help but step up and offer to marry him so he can qualify for financial aid and fulfill his dream of becoming a teacher.
They’re determined to keep this marriage a temporary arrangement by setting firm rules and sticking to them. The most import rule of all? Absolutely no falling in love. But the longer these two are together, the closer they get to crossing the line.
Once emotions get involved, who will break the marriage rules first?

Reviewed by Roberta

TITLE: The Boyfriend Game

SERIES: #BoyfriendsByBloved

AUTHOR: Stella Starling

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

LENGTH: 302 Pages

RELEASE DATE: July 27,2018

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Fake boyfriends for a week? Yes, please.

Carter Olson never expected he’d get a chance to date his older brother’s best friend, Rip Taylor.
Wished for it? Yes.
Fantasized about it? Possibly too much.
But ever thought it would actually happen? Not in a million years, since Rip is straight. But even if it’s just to try and win a gay game show, having Rip for a boyfriend—even a temporary/pretend one—is still the best thing to happen to Carter in… well, ever.
Especially because Rip’s so good at it.
Amazingly good, actually.
So good that Carter starts to hope that maybe it won’t have to end once the show’s over…

If there are two things Rip Taylor lives for, they’re having fun and being there for his friends, so a trip to Vegas to help surprise his best friend’s girlfriend with a big, flashy proposal sounds awesome. And even more fun? His bestie’s plan to try and win some prize money for the wedding by signing the two of them up as contestants on the The Boyfriend Game.
The game show is sponsored by the gay dating app bLoved, and Rip is all in. He may be straight, but he’s never been narrow, and when circumstances (a.k.a. a best friend who can’t hold his tequila) mean that little Carter Olson gets roped into being Rip’s fake boyfriend instead, that’s almost better… because who wouldn’t be able to be a convincing boyfriend to Carter?
After all, Carter’s hella sweet.
Kind of adorable, actually.
And really, really easy to get into character with…

Winning The Boyfriend Game? Rip and Carter have it in the bag.

The Boyfriend Game is a gay romance novel of approximately 75,000 words that contains some confusion about tops and bottoms, a straight guy who realizes he isn’t, an ice cube that melts much too fast, and the kind of luck that can only be found in Vegas. Every Stella Starling romance takes place in the same interconnected, contemporary world. The Boyfriend Game is a standalone book with cameos from other Stella Starling stories, a #boyfriendsbybLoved spinoff that takes place around the time of the epilogue from Ready For Love (Book One of the Semper Fi series).

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Rocking the Cowboy

SERIES: Dreamspun Desires #64

AUTHOR: Skylar M. Cates

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 228 pages

RELEASE DATE: August 21, 2018

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Opposites who go together like country and rock ’n’ roll.
Long before he was a superstar, Remy Sean had a secret crush on Jed Riley. But Jed sees Remy as a spoiled pop rocker and an extension of his father’s control. Still, Jed is willing to let Remy hide from the press on his ranch—but only as a way to get his father out of his life and business for good.
Used to being admired and fawned over, Remy keenly feels the sting of Jed’s dismissal. Can he make Jed see him as more than a pain in the ass? Or is Jed too tangled up in his ranch to see past his old hurt?
Jed doesn’t believe someone desired by so many fans could want him, a simple cowboy. But Remy is determined to change Jed’s mind and steal his heart….

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Patchwork Paradise

AUTHOR: Indra Vaughn

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 205 pages

RELEASE DATE: August 8, 2018

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Oliver and Samuel’s relationship is fairy-tale perfect. They share a gorgeous house in Antwerp, go out with their friends every weekend, and count down the days to their dream wedding. But their happy ending is shattered one late night, and just like that, Ollie is left bereft and alone.
The months that follow are long and dark, but slowly Ollie emerges from his grief. He even braves the waters of online dating, though deep down he doesn’t believe he can find that connection again. He doesn’t think to look for love right in front of him: his bisexual friend Thomas, the gentle giant with a kind heart and sad eyes who’s wanted him all along.
When Thomas suddenly discovers he has a son who needs him, he’s ill prepared. Ollie opens up his house—Sam’s house—and lets them in. Ollie doesn’t know what scares him more: the responsibility of caring for a baby, or the way Thomas is steadily winning his heart. It will take all the courage he has to discover whether or not fairy tales can happen for real.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: King Daniel

SERIES: The Lost and Founds #6

AUTHOR: Edmond Manning

PUBLISHER: Pickwick Ink Publishing

LENGTH: 284 pages

RELEASE DATE: December 12, 2017

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After discovering a blog revealing a mighty tribe where “every man was the one true king and every woman was the one true queen…” thirty-five-year-old, unemployed Daniel realizes he’s tired of being a Lost King. He wants more. But more what?
His quest to uncover the secret will drag him beyond his comfortable seclusion, into the cornfields of DeKalb and thunderous, chaotic New York City. After a hotel hookup with a sensual Englishman, the murderous rage Daniel fought to repress is finally unleashed.
In the final story arc in The Lost and Founds series, Daniel faces the ultimate choice: what would you risk to become a Found King? His fate depends on a seedy escort named Fitch, benevolence from the mysterious king named DC, and love from the elusive Vin Vanbly, who may—or may not be—dead.
This is the end.
But is it the end for Daniel?

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Reckless Behavior

AUTHOR: J.J. Harper

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 257 pages

RELEASE DATE: August 16, 2018

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Framed and imprisoned at eighteen, six years later Santiago ‘Santo’ Valentine is not the frightened teen he once was. Taught by Master Salvatore Moretti, and with walking papers in hand, Santo is determined to turn the family name around and distance it from the drugs and prostitution his father’s legacy is built on.

Santo seeks revenge on his father, the man who framed him, and the whereabouts of his younger brother, Luca.

When he finds him, in the worst place a child could ever be—a children’s home simply known as “The Pound”, where unwanted children disappear—Luca has a friend he refuses to leave behind.

At the first sight of Ezra’s brilliant, ice-blue eyes, something shifts in Santo and he knows he has to help this boy, too.

Ezra, dumped at The Pound when he was ten years old, takes one look at Santo and knows his heart is lost. He also knows he has no chance with him. He might be seventeen, but he’s nothing more than Santo’s little brother’s best friend.

After a massive error in judgment, Ezra runs, obliterating all trace of him.

Santo, sent to investigate a dancer for his club six years later, crosses paths with Ezra. Santo’s reckless behavior shocks them both and leaves them stumbling to trust their hearts.

Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: Private Charter

AUTHOR: N.R. Walker

PUBLISHER: Self Published

RELEASE DATE: August 24, 2018

LENGTH:

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Stuart Jenner’s job is high stress, high stakes, and everything he’s strived for. So why, when the apex of his career is within reach, does he stumble? At his doctor’s insistence, he books a privately chartered yacht to sail around the Whitsundays for two weeks of sun, surf, and sex. When his friend-with-benefits bails on him at the last minute, Stuart decides to go alone.

Foster Knight left the rat race behind six years ago, bought a yacht, and now calls the Great Barrier Reef his home. Sailing tourists around tropical waters is all in a day’s work, and he’s never been happier. When his next client arrives alone, the two-week charter will be the most private job he’s ever had.

Foster can see how stressed and exhausted Stuart is, and he promises him extensive rest and relaxation. Stuart slowly realises his original plan for two weeks of sun, surf, and sex might not be lost yet. Confined to a yacht, isolated by aqua-coloured oceans and the sweltering sun, Stuart and Foster are about to find out just how hot the tropics can get.