Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: Dead Silent

SERIES: Cold Case Psychic #3

AUTHOR: Pandora Pine

NARRATOR: Michael Pauley

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

RELEASE DATE: October 12, 2018

LENGTH: 7 hours, 11 minutes

BLURB:

After a dramatic end to the Justin Wilson case, Psychic, Tennyson Grimm heads to a small island off the coast of Maine, hoping to clear his mind and renew his spirit. When the dead won’t let Tennyson rest, the psychic curses his gift and orders the spirits to leave him. He wakes the next morning to silence, and finds truth in the saying, “Be careful what you wish for.”

Detective Ronan O’Mara has been tasked by his boss with the chore of finding a more “sedate” cold case to investigate this time around. The handsome cop is only too happy to oblige. He chooses the twenty-year-old case of a family patriarch who was murdered on Christmas night, 1997. The only possible suspects are either his wife or his daughter, who were both with him at the time of his death. Ronan figures this one will be a piece of cake. All he has to do is get his favorite medium to talk to the deceased man’s spirit.

When Tennyson reveals the truth about what happened in Maine, he’s forced to take a hard look at who he thought he was, and what his gift really means. Ronan does his best to help his lover cope with his new normal while he uses good old-fashioned police work to figure out a family who put the ‘dis’ in dysfunction.

Will Tennyson be able to find the key to unlock his gift, or will the spirits stay dead silent?

Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: Diversion

SERIES: Diversion #1

AUTHOR: Eden Winters

NARRATOR: Darcy Stark

PUBLISHER: Rocky Ridge Books

RELEASE DATE: October 12, 2018

LENGTH: 8 hours, 22 minutes

BLURB:

There are good guys, bad guys, and then there’s Lucky.

Former drug trafficker Richmond “Lucky” Lucklighter flaunts his past like a badge of honor. He speaks his mind, doesn’t play nice, and flirts with disaster while working off his sentence with the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau. If he can keep out of trouble a while longer he’ll be a free man–after he trains his replacement.

Textbook-quoting, by the book Bo Schollenberger is everything Lucky isn’t. Lucky slurps coffee, Bo lives caffeine free. Lucky worships bacon, Bo eats tofu. Lucky trusts no one, Bo calls suspects by first name. Yet when the chips are down on their shared case of breaking up a drug diversion ring, they may have more in common than they believe.

Two men. Close quarters. Friction results in heat. But Lucky scoffs at partnerships, no matter how thrilling the roller-coaster. Bo has two months to break down Lucky’s defenses… and seconds are ticking by.

Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: Exhale

SERIES: Flesh and Bone #1

AUTHOR: Joel Abernathy

NARRATOR: Kirt Graves

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

RELEASE DATE: September 12, 2018

LENGTH: 9 hours, 10 minutes

BLURB:

Two men haunted by the same ghost…

Falling for “the other man” in my marriage was never part of the plan. Then again, according to Nicolae Ursache, I am the other man, and human wedding vows don’t apply. Not to werewolves.

Nicolae is a smug, arrogant alpha male stereotype–and I do mean alpha in the literal sense–but when the same people who killed my wife kidnap my teenage daughter, he’s my only chance at getting her back. The fact that Nicolae was my wife’s rightful mate means that we share a mutual interest in bringing Ellie home, but I never could’ve imagined how he planned to do it.

I will do anything to protect my daughter. Even if it means becoming the plaything, or worse, of the man I loathe most.

Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: Craft Brew

SERIES: Trouble Brewing #2

AUTHOR: Layla Reyne

NARRATOR: Tristan James

PUBLISHER: Harlequin Audio

RELEASE DATE: October 8, 2018

LENGTH: 7 hours, 50 minutes

BLURB:

Assistant US attorney Dominic Price is staring down the barrel of his father’s debts. The bull’s-eye on his back makes him a threat to everyone he cares about, so when his lover wants to go public with their relationship, he bolts. Not because he isn’t in love—he can’t stomach the thought of putting Cam in danger.

Kidnap and rescue expert Cameron Byrne is determined to figure out what trouble Nic is running from, but devastating news from home brings him back to Boston and to the cold case that has haunted his family for two decades. Shoving aside his pride, he calls Nic for help.

Together they search for answers, navigating the minefield of Cam’s past. But when they get too close to the truth, Cam must use every skill in his arsenal to save the man he loves…before it’s too late.

Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: Saddle Up 

SERIES: Clean Slate Ranch #3

AUTHOR: A.M. Arthur

NARRATOR: Greg Boudreaux

PUBLISHER: Harper Audio

RELEASE DATE: September 17, 2018

LENGTH: 9 hours, 4 mins

BLURB:

Reyes Caldero keeps his past buried deep and his emotions buried deeper. But what he doesn’t say he always makes up for with his actions. When the hot chef he once saved from an abusive ex turns up at Clean Slate Ranch, the quiet cowboy is happy to act on their sizzling chemistry, even if he’s not ready to share his secrets—or his heart.

Miles Arlington needs to get the hell out of San Francisco, and heading north for a job near Clean Slate Ranch seems like just the thing. It doesn’t hurt that his secret crush slash onetime rescuer happens to work at the ranch. Miles has never been one for the outdoors, but the superhot Reyes has him ready to saddle up.

Reyes is happy to keep things casual, even though his heart has other ideas. And when Miles is forced to confront his past again, Reyes and Miles will have to put all their trust in each other if they want any chance at building a future together.

Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: Strong Side

SERIES: Allison Hendricks

AUTHOR: Eastshore Tigers

NARRATOR: Christopher Boucher

PUBLISHER: Self-published

RELEASE DATE: September 6, 2018

LENGTH: 5 hours

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Their chemistry on the field is undeniable. But can they ever be more than friends?

Jason Hawkins is about to throw the biggest Hail Mary pass of his career.

If he can’t turn NFL recruiters’ heads this year, he’ll lose his shot at the one thing he’s ever been good at. But every quarterback needs a man he can count on down-field. For Jason, that man just might be the Tigers’ new receiver, Derek Griffin.

Four years ago, Derek nearly lost everything after being outed by his teammates.

Now he finally has a chance to get it all back as a walk-on for Eastshore College… if he can resist his immediate attraction to the gorgeous and very straight star quarterback.

An instant connection during practice leads to an easy friendship that only grows stronger off the field. Derek is convinced friendship is all it’ll ever be, but a very confusing moment of impulse leaves both of them fumbling for answers about their relationship.

As curiosity gives way to passion and passion gives way to something deeper, Jason and Derek will have to tackle their own personal demons to bring home the win and earn their happy ending.

Reviewed by Christian

TITLE:  One Man’s Trash

SERIES: The Heretic Doms Club #1

AUTHOR:  Marie Sexton

NARRATOR:  John Solo

PUBLISHER:  Marie Sexton

LENGTH: 12 hours, 2 minutes

RELEASE DATE:  November 20, 2017

BLURB:

After four tours in Afghanistan, Warren Groves couldn’t settle into civilian life. For the last 12 years, he’s survived by working odd and often illegal jobs for some of Denver’s less fortunate. His personal life is equally unsatisfactory. He can barely remember the last time he had sex, let alone the last time he got to use somebody hard and rough, the way he likes. Fate intervenes when a favor for a friend leads him to a pretty, young rent boy named Taylor Reynolds.

Taylor’s spent the last few years on his own, working as a hustler, going home with anybody who’ll give him a warm meal and a place to sleep. He enjoys having a bit of force used against him, and he makes Warren an offer he can’t refuse – all the sex he wants, as rough and dirty as he likes, in exchange for room and board.

At first, Warren thinks he’s struck gold. Taylor’s the perfect roommate – he cooks, he cleans, and he’s dynamite in the sack. But Taylor has some dark demons in his head and some even darker cravings. Falling for somebody as volatile as Taylor is dangerous enough, but when Taylor’s urges turn truly self-destructive, it’ll be up to Warren to decide just how far to let things go.

Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: Dirty Bites

SERIES: Cole McGinnis #6.5

AUTHOR: Rhys Ford

NARRATOR: Greg Tremblay

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

RELEASE DATE: December 5, 2016

LENGTH: 3 hours, 48 minutes

BLURB:

Danger. Desire. Loss. Love.

In every story, there are a thousand more bound up and waiting to be told; here are just a few from the Cole McGinnis Mysteries.

As a heartfelt thank you to the readers who fell in love with Cole McGinnis, Kim Jae-Min and the rest of the cast, Rhys Ford takes us on an adventure in this collection of stories and vignettes. In this eBook and audiobook set, Jae shares his heart as he learns to see, to love, and to accept Cole and the way life changes, sisters of the heart look on the boys they love, and key players in Cole’s life are interviewed about the man who brings mayhem and love into their world. This collection features special notes from Rhys Ford as well as Greg Tremblay, the narrator of the series, previously shared stories from blog tours, holiday posts, and spotlights an all-new story written exclusively for the celebratory collection.

So, sit back and enjoy a taste of Cole, Jae and everyone else in Dirty Bites, a Cole McGinnis Special Collection.

Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: Highway Man 

AUTHOR: Eden Winters

NARRATOR: Darcy Stark

PUBLISHER: Rocky Ridge Books

RELEASE DATE: August 23, 2018

LENGTH: 1 hour, 43 minutes

BLURB:

Killian Desmond’s dreams died in a flash of pain and the scream of twisted metal. He lost it all the night a tour bus sailed off a mountainside, sending his band – with his brother – to their deaths. Killian is dead, too, if the papers are to be believed, and living a half-life of odd jobs, rodeo rides, and pick-up gigs. The road that once meant freedom is now Killy’s exile. No strings, no ties, no names for the one-night stands.

Answering a tribute band’s ad thrusts him face-to-face with his past and into the arms of the one man who just might understand.

Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: Dirty Heart

SERIES: Cole McGinnis #6

AUTHOR: Rhys Ford

NARRATOR: Greg Tremblay

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2016

LENGTH: 7 hours, 19 minutes

BLURB:

A Cole McGinnis Mystery

Former LAPD detective Cole McGinnis’s life nearly ended the day his police partner and best friend Ben Pirelli emptied his service weapon into Cole and his then-lover, Rick. Since Ben turned his gun on himself, Cole thought he’d never find out why Ben tried to destroy him.

Years later, Cole has stitched himself back together. Now a private investigator and in love with Jae-Min Kim, a Korean-American photographer he met on a previous case, Cole’s life is back on track – until he discovers Jeff Rollins, a disgraced cop and his first partner, has resurfaced and appears to be working on the wrong side of the law.

As much as Cole’s fought to put the past behind him, he’s soon tangled up in a web of lies, violence, and death. Jeff Rollins is not only trying to kill Cole’s loved ones, he is also scraping open old wounds and long-forgotten memories of the two men Cole loved and lost. Cole is sure Rollins knows why Ben ruined all their lives, but he isn’t looking for answers. Now Cole is caught in a cat-and-mouse game with a cold-blooded killer with the key to not only his past but his future.

Reviewed by Lisa

TITLE:  Slow Heat

SERIES:  Heat of Love #1

AUTHOR:  Leta Blake

NARRATOR:  Michael Ferraiuolo

PUBLISHER:  Self Published

LENGTH: 14 hours, 7 minutes

RELEASE DATE:  May 7, 2018

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-30s, 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.

Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: Down and Dirty

SERIES: Cole McGinnis #5

AUTHOR: Rhys Ford

NARRATOR: Greg Tremblay

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

RELEASE DATE: February 9, 2015

LENGTH: 6 hours, 43, minutes

BLURB:

From the moment former LAPD detective Bobby Dawson spots Ichiro Tokugawa, he knows the man is trouble. And not just because the much younger Japanese inker is hot, complicated, and pushes every one of Bobby’s buttons. No, Ichi is trouble because he’s Cole McGinnis’ younger brother and off-limits in every possible way. And Bobby knows that even before Cole threatens to kill him for looking Ichi’s way. But despite his gut telling him Ichi is bad news, Bobby can’t stop looking…or wanting.

Ichi was never one to play by the rules. Growing up in Japan as his father’s heir, he’d been bound by every rule imaginable until he had enough and walked away from everything to become his own man. Los Angeles was supposed to be a brief pitstop before he moved on, but after connecting with his American half brothers, it looks like a good city to call home for a while–if it weren’t for Bobby Dawson.

Bobby is definitely a love-them-and-leave-them type, a philosophy with which Ichi wholeheartedly agrees. Family was as much of a relationship as Ichi was looking for, but something about the gruff and handsome Bobby Dawson makes him want more.

Much, much more.

Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: Beyond the Grave

SERIES: Cold Case Psychic spin-off

AUTHOR: Pandora Pine

NARRATOR: Stephen Dexter

PUBLISHER: Self-published

RELEASE DATE: September 14, 2018

LENGTH: 3 hours, 27 minutes

BLURB:

Museum curator, Harrison Kirkpatrick, has been fascinated by the American Revolution since childhood, but never in his wildest dreams did he ever imagine falling in love from afar with a soldier who fought for America’s freedom. Through a series of events too wild to be believed, Harrison is thrown back in time to 1775, mere days before the Battle of Bunker Hill, finding himself at the business end of a musket held by the very man he has been pining for.

Massachusetts Militiaman, Gannon Chalmers, does not know what to make of the strange man he finds wandering around Bunker Hill days before his unit is to engage the British Redcoats. Is this man friend or foe? What he does know is that there is an undeniable attraction growing between them that he must resist at all costs.

As the battle draws closer, so do Gannon and Harrison. Can they deny the passion threatening to explode between them like a powder keg? Or will Gannon’s abundance of caution keep him from giving in to the one man who could lay claim to his heart?

On the brink of a war that will change the history of the world, the pair must decide what price they are willing to pay for freedom, and how much they are willing to sacrifice for love.