Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Heart’s Desire

SERIES: Boystown #11

AUTHOR: Marshall Thornton

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 210 pages

RELEASE DATE: August 10, 2018

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It’s February 1985. Nick struggles to recover from a gunshot wound, while taking on the case of a woman with a mental illness, who may or may not have witnessed a murder. As he attempts to determine exactly what the woman saw and how much danger she may be in, he juggles the approaching DeCarlo trial, an ill Mrs. Harker, and the sexually precocious Terry. Valentine’s Day with boyfriend Joseph produces some big changes in their relationship. Life is evolving, but there’s no guarantee it’s for the better.

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Beautiful Chaos

AUTHOR: Riley Hart & Devon McCormack

PUBLISHER: Treycore Publishing

LENGTH: 257 pages

RELEASE DATE: October 14, 2018

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SILAS

My home is my sanctuary. Or is it my prison? Some days it’s hard to tell.

I’ve confined myself behind these walls for protection. I have my reasons, but that doesn’t change the profound loneliness I’ve discovered in the process.

Then one day I find myself drifting toward the window to see him. Corey Marshall, my new neighbor. Quiet, reserved, and cute as can be. He infects my thoughts, becomes the image I fantasize about.

I want to taste his lips, smell his scent…feel what it’s like to be inside him.

And soon, watching becomes exchanging gifts and messages, which becomes so much more.

It’s wrong to want this as badly as I do, but I can’t help myself. I crave him so desperately. It’s hard to tell if what we’re doing is going to make me lose my mind or change my entire world, but it’s too late to turn back now…

COREY

I’ve never been quite right. Too high or too low. Pain is my constant companion…at the hands of my abusive ex, and often from myself. The sweet relief is only temporary, but in those moments, it’s like I can finally breathe.

Then I meet him. Silas Rizner calms the chaotic storms inside me. He makes me feel loved, treasured, even when I don’t deserve it. I cherish the moments we share–cooking, cuddling, and when Silas reads to me until I fall asleep. When he’s inside me, it’s the only time in my life I’ve ever felt complete.

Silas becomes the glue that holds me together, that bandages my scars. Inside the walls of his home, we’re almost safe, but our demons are always there, waiting to break free.

We’re a mess. We’re broken, chaotic, beautiful; we’re in love.

But not even love can slay our monsters. No, only we can do that.

Unless our monsters destroy us first.

TRIGGERS: Self-harm, depression, anxiety, mentions of past domestic violence.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Vow of Protection

SERIES: Personal Protectors #1

AUTHOR: Brittany Cournoyer

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 246 pages

RELEASE DATE: October 8, 2018

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Walker ~
Living a life of privilege isn’t always what it seems to be. While Walker has never wanted for anything material-wise, the two things he doesn’t have are his parents’ love and support. Walker tries his hardest to be the perfect son by allowing his father, the Governor, to dictate his life for him. All that changes when an awful day leads to a brutal night, causing Walker to fear for his safety and hire the only person he knows can protect him.

Beckett ~
Peace and an easy way of living, that’s all Beckett wants after serving twelve years in the army. Working for his Uncle Rusty’s bar as a doorman and occasional bouncer, the last thing the tattooed man with the take-no-crap attitude needs is to have to save the obnoxious kid who gives him attitude at the door. After ensuring that he’ll survive, and having a not so pleasant run-in with the guy’s parents, he leaves the hospital never expecting to see him again.
Walker and Beckett come from two different worlds. Where Beckett fought for his country and now enjoys the simple life, Walker works as his father’s campaign manager and lives a life of luxury. But when Walker’s safety is threatened, and he offers Beckett a job as his body guard, their lives became entwined and the two men begin to find that maybe they aren’t so different after all. Soon bickering and fighting turns to friendship and something…more. The only problem is, Walker’s straight… isn’t he? And can Beckett figure out who is behind the attacks in time to save Walker?

*Vow of Protection is book one in the Personal Protector series. This book contains situations for adults only and also talks about past drug use and rape.*

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Truth Will Out

SERIES: The Merrychurch Mysteries #1

AUTHOR: K.C. Wells

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 204 pages

RELEASE DATE: October 30, 2018

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Jonathon de Mountford’s visit to Merrychurch village to stay with his uncle Dominic gets off to a bad start when Dominic fails to appear at the railway station. But when Jonathon finds him dead in his study, apparently as the result of a fall, everything changes. For one thing, Jonathon is the next in line to inherit the manor house. For another, he’s not so sure it was an accident, and with the help of Mike Tattersall, the owner of the village pub, Jonathon sets out to prove his theory—if he can concentrate long enough without getting distracted by the handsome Mike.
They discover an increasingly long list of people who had reason to want Dominic dead. And when events take an unexpected turn, the amateur sleuths are left bewildered. It doesn’t help that the police inspector brought in to solve the case is the last person Mike wants to see, especially when they are told to keep their noses out of police business.
In Jonathon’s case, that’s like a red rag to a bull….

Reviewed by Dan

TITLE:  Kindred Spirits

SERIES: The Castaway Series

AUTHOR: Alexa Land

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

LENGTH:  282 pages

RELEASE DATE:  October 12, 2018

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Elijah Everett knows he should feel good about the progress he’s made over the last four years, ever since he ran away from a terrible situation at age sixteen. With the support of his loving, adopted family, he recently graduated from college and has a good job and an exciting new life waiting for him on Catalina Island. But his past has left him with little confidence and a list of fears a mile long, and Elijah wonders if he’ll ever fully heal.

Cassidy Juric doesn’t talk about his past. He doesn’t talk about much at all, actually. And yet, Elijah thinks he recognizes a kindred spirit in the gorgeous young ranch hand. The two are undeniably drawn to each other, and a tentative relationship starts to develop. But when the devastating truth about Cassidy’s past is revealed, Elijah wonders if asking Cassidy to trust himRead More » might be asking the impossible.

Can two broken men learn to open their hearts and take a chance on love? Or will the ghosts of their past prevent them from building a future together?

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Edge of Living

AUTHOR: H.L. Day

PUBLISHER: Self-published

LENGTH: 218 Pages

RELEASE DATE: October 26, 2018

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Sometimes, death can feel like the only escape.
It’s been a year since Alex stopped living. He exists. He breathes. He pretends to be like everyone else. But, he doesn’t live. Burdened by memories, he dreams of the day when he can finally be free. Until that time comes, he keeps everybody at bay. It’s been easy so far. But he never factored in, meeting a man like Austin.
Hard-working mechanic, Austin, has always gone for men as muscular as himself. So, it’s a mystery why he’s so bewitched by the slim, quiet man with the soulful brown eyes who works in the library. The magnetic attraction is one thing, but the protective instincts are harder to fathom. Austin’s sure though, that if he can only earn Alex’s trust then the two of them could be perfect together.
A tentative relationship begins. But Alex’s secrets run deep. Far deeper than Austin could ever envisage. Time is ticking. Events are coming to a head, and love is never a magic cure. Oblivious to the extent of Alex’s pain, can Austin discover the truth? Or is he destined to be left alone, only able to piece together the fragments of his boyfriend’s history, once its already too late?

Trigger warning: Please be aware that this story deals with suicidal ideation. If this is a subject you find uncomfortable, then this book is not recommended.

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Burning Luck

AUTHOR: Layla Dorine

PUBLISHER: Encompass Ink

LENGTH: 324 pages

RELEASE DATE: July 5, 2017

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Lucky Strike McAllister isn’t very lucky. In fact, he isn’t much of anything most days, to hear his MC tell it. Since the death of his father from cancer and the suicide of his pops, he’s done nothing but find ways to get into trouble. He’s talented with an airbrush gun and an amazing artist when he sets his mind to it, but more often than not, the things Lucky sets his mind to are pretty self-destructive.

When Thorn and his partner Cain, are forced to fish Lucky out of the ocean on a chilly fall night, both men decide he needs a keeper and who better than them to keep Lucky from destroying himself. Too bad Lucky can’t see that they’re trying to help. Bitter and lashing out, he does everything he can to sabotage the only chance he’s ever been giving at truly belonging to someone.

Will Lucky be able to put aside his anger long enough to get to know the two men who have taken such an intense interest in him, or will he run from them, his club and everything he’s ever known, and burn the last of his luck in the process?

Reviewed by Cheryl

TITLE: The Story of Us

AUTHOR: Barbara Elsborg

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 353 pages

RELEASE DATE:  October 28, 2018

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Two boys. One love. Ten summers.

Are you okay?

The first words Zed says to Caspian, and the first time someone has cared about the answer. On a hot summer’s day, the lives of two boys are changed forever. A rebel and a risk taker, Caspian doesn’t give a damn for the consequences. Studious and obedient, Zed is the good boy who is never good enough.

The two couldn’t be more different, but there’s one thing they share, a need to belong to someone who understands them, someone who cares. Their friendship goes deeper than either can possibly imagine. They’re young, in love, and planning their future when an act of betrayal tears them apart.

Fate has dealt its hand. Seasons pass. Zed’s words follow Caspian through pain, fear and into the darkest of places.

Reviewed by Dan

TITLE:  The Reluctant Ghost Whisperer

SERIES: Barrow and Sparrow, Book One

AUTHOR: Neptune Flowers

PUBLISHER: Beaten Track Publishing

LENGTH: 74 pages

RELEASE DATE:  October 10, 2018

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All you need is love, or so they say!

Owning a building company means long hours, lonely days and too much physical labour.

When Adam Barrow employs a fit, capable guy, life begins to look up. His business thrives from the extra muscle, and so does Adam. Being around chatty Johnny really helps the time fly past. Adam is shy and inexperienced in ways of the heart, but very soon his awkwardness eases and he finds himself flirting and having fun.

Johnny Sparrow has a mysterious past and seems to have a knack of stirring up inexplicable presences. From the day he arrives on a motorbike, weird things begin to happen, like strange noises and creepy mists. Even motorbike Angus has a personality!

All you need is love, but can Adam find the strength to confront the ghostly goings-on? Can Johnny find a use for the egg whisk, and can Angus really carry them both to safety?

A story of paranormal divas, supernatural aromas and head-over-heels romance.

Reviewed by Dan

TITLE: Rough Sleepers

SERIES: Lunar Shadows – Book 2

AUTHOR: Nem Rowan

PUBLISHER: Less Than Three Press, LLC

LENGTH: 308 Pages

RELEASE DATE:  October 24, 2018

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Leon, drag performer and club owner, is attacked by a werewolf one night and loses an arm—and more, after massacring his club guests. Now homeless and tormented by nightmares, he runs away from everything he knows.

Eventually, he meets Ceri, who invites Leon to live with him above a shop owned by a woman who lost her husband and son to a werewolf attack. She and Ceri are still hunting the unknown perpetrator, and Leon gladly lends his own assistance, eager to atone for his bloody past in the hopes he might one day be able to have a home and family again…

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: The Black Key Journal

SERIES: Guarding The Gods #4

AUTHOR: Ann Lister

PUBLISHER: Rock Gods, Inc.

LENGTH: 195 pages

RELEASE DATE: May 2, 2018

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This is Tessler’s private journal—the journal he’d used as a story outline when he penned his world famous Black Key Trilogy. The three-book set was semi-autobiographical by nature and closely followed the sexual awakening of a young Tessler as he grew into the man he’s become today. The journal entries are emotional and incredibly personal as Tessler chronicled his journey as an inexperienced innocent, to an intrigued intern, and out the other side as an able-bodied man with decidedly different tastes than those from before he first stepped through the doors of The Black Key Club.

Tessler guarded this journal and the secrets it held between the pages for years to protect himself from the possible judgment of others should the book ever be publicly exposed.

Now, he wants to share his journal with you—on his own terms—before someone tries to take that power away from him.

“The Black Key Journal” is a full-length erotic novel. It is a companion piece for “More Than My Words,” Book 3 in the Guarding The Gods Series. To better enjoy Tessler’s journal, it is strongly suggested that you read Book 3 before you read this novel. There is a considerable amount of erotic content in this story with numerous adult MM sexual situations not meant for younger readers. Readers 18+ is strongly advised.

Reviewed by Taylin

TITLE: Operation Makeover

SERIES: Hearts and Health #7

AUTHOR: DJ Jamison

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 293 pages

RELEASE DATE:  October 25, 2018

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Will a makeover bring his fantasy to life or lead him to a love he never saw coming?

As a professional X-ray tech, Ridley has come a long way from the geeky kid Jace took under his wing in high school. Not that his best friend has noticed. Tired of pining, Ridley decides to show Jace what he’s missing. And what better way than with a newer, more sophisticated look?

Cole’s clients at the salon where he works love him dearly. Men? Not so much. He has dated one mistake after the next, the latest of which won’t let go. He’s beginning to wonder if a guy exists who can handle his fabulousness. Then Ridley lands in his chair.

Cole agrees to be Ridley’s makeover guru, and they click effortlessly. But when Cole offers to help Ridley with his sexual confidence, passion flares and boundaries blur.

Ridley’s had his heart set on Jace a long time, but when he’s with Cole it feels too real to deny. Now he has a choice to make: the friend he’s always wanted or the man who’s given him a whole new lease on life.

Operation Makeover is part of the Hearts and Health series, but can be read as a standalone.