Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Fired Up

SERIES: Fever Falls #1

AUTHOR: Riley Hart

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 232 pages

RELEASE DATE: January 2, 2019

BLURB:

ASHTON
If there’s one thing I know, it’s how to play the game…both on and off the field. If it hadn’t been for that one teenage slipup where I kissed Beau Campbell, I’d be able to keep fooling myself. Football is the one thing I use to distract myself from the truth, and when I screw-up and lose the game I love, I find myself right back in Fever Falls. And right back face-to-face with Cranky Campbell, who hates me even more than he did when we were kids. Whatever magic he held over me then is still there. As much as I fight it, I still want him. And I always get what I want…well, except with Beau, who constantly calls me on my crap. Why do I like that so much?

BEAU
I might’ve spent years watching Ash live out my dream—without the off-field antics and orgies with women, at least—but I’ve made a good life for myself. I’m a firefighter, and I coach my brother’s football team for those with developmental disabilities. But when Ash swings back into town armed with his monster ego and an arsenal of stupid nicknames, everyone is in awe of him. Nope, not me. I don’t care if our kiss years ago was responsible for my sexual awakening. I won’t fall for Ashton Carmichael. Though that resolution would be a whole lot easier if he wasn’t so tempting. Once he finds his way into my bed, I’m screwed—in more ways than one. But there’s more to Ash than meets the eye, buried beneath his ego, sarcasm and how we burn up the sheets together. Soon, it’s more than a game. We don’t just get each other fired up, we just might win each other’s hearts.
Too bad things are never that simple…

Reviewed by Dan

AUTHOR’S WARNING:

 Please note that the Lil Harvest is in the genre Horror as it contains the effects of demonic manipulation, and as a result, content in these works may contain graphic scenes of depravity, cruelty, and violence—sexual or otherwise—that could be offensive and potentially triggering to some readers.

REVIEWER’S WARNING:

This is a story of demons interacting with a young rape victim and the resulting activities which involve severe rape scenes, non-con sex, humiliation and death. It is not for the faint at heart and should be avoided by anyone who would be triggered by the definitely non-con rape scenes.

TITLE: The Endowment

SERIES: The Lil Harvest #1

AUTHOR: Meraki P. Dark

PUBLISHER: Taboo BookxXx

RELEASE DATE:  December 17, 2018

BLURB:

In the beginning, an Incubus was merely a low-ranking demon who fed on the sexual terror he could inflict upon a human being—sometimes from a distance or cloaked as a dream. But that was before one of them got the idea to turn a human with nothing to lose into the perfect demon feeder.

Kendrick was a mere stable boy under the rule of the cruel Lord Sterling. A stallion breaching the fence set off the Lord’s sadistic tendencies on the innocent stable boy. Had it not been for a Lil-demon (incubus) watching and feeding off the torment from the shadows, it would have been just another abuse at the manor. But the demon, Bakzel, made the stable boy an offer he couldn’t refuse. The offer of getting revenge. Yet every wish has a consequence, but Kendrick was too broken to think about that when the Lil-demon cast the spell.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Refuge

SERIES: Fight for Survival #1

AUTHOR: H.L. Day

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 310 pages

RELEASE DATE: April 10, 2018

BLURB:

If you no longer recognize someone, how can you possibly be expected to trust them with your life?
Some might describe Blake Brannigan’s life in the small Yorkshire village of Thwaite as bordering on mundane. His job in a café doesn’t exactly set the world alight. But, he’s got his own house, a boyfriend, and a close-knit group of good friends. For him, that’s more than enough to lead a contented life.
Then in one fell swoop, everything’s ripped away when he’s forced to flee the village with only his boyfriend for company. He doesn’t know why they’re leaving. He hasn’t got the faintest clue what’s going on, and he’s struggling to understand the actions and behavior of a man he thought he knew. A man that it soon becomes clear knows far more about what’s happening than he’s letting on. A man hiding a multitude of secrets.
When the true extent of what’s happening comes to light, Blake is rocked to the core. Peril lurks around every corner. The smallest decision suddenly spells the difference between life and death. If Blake’s to have any chance of survival in this new and frightening world, he’s going to have to unearth buried secrets, figure out whether love really can conquer all, and face emotional, physical, and mental challenges the likes of which he could never have imagined.
One things for sure, when life suddenly boils down to nothing more than the desperate need to find refuge, priorities change. Blake’s certainly have.

Reviewed by Donna

TITLE: Over and Again

SERIES: Casus Fortuitus #4

AUTHOR: Brooke Edwards

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 125 Pages

RELEASE DATE: December 23, 2018

BLURB:

It’s been a hell of a year in New York City. Detective Cohen Bailey is determined to put Jake Bartlett, the last remaining threat, behind bars for good. To do that, he’s going to need all the help he can get. Their team is still reeling from almost losing two of their own and Cohen knows that if there was ever a chance to prove himself, this is it.
Brock Hart is a pinch-hitter for the Department of Justice, a mobile asset that moves with the big cases and steps in to clean up messes when they occur. Prosecuting isn’t all done in the courtroom, and Brock’s got a personal connection of his own to this particular case. Detective Cohen Bailey is attractive, competent and more importantly, half Brock’s age. Brock’s better off sticking to his long-time no-strings arrangement than risking it all on Cohen.
The more they dig into the web surrounding Bartlett, the more certain they become that there’s something bigger going on. Neither of them have the time to fall into bed together, let alone fall in love, but if there’s anything Brock’s learned it’s that sometimes, the best choices are the ones you don’t mean to make.

Reviewed by Taylin

TITLE: Is It Over Yet?

AUTHOR: L.A. Witt

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 176 pages

RELEASE DATE: January 8, 2019

BLURB:

Rhys Powell and Derek Scott are divorcing. Mistakes have been made, lines have been crossed, and there’s no going back. Both men are exhausted and ready to move on.

But their daughter is getting married soon. In the name of not putting a damper on her wedding, Derek and Rhys agree to keep the divorce on the down-low and show up as the happy couple everyone still believes they are.

And between a roller coaster of a road trip and the love and joy surrounding the wedding… Derek and Rhys just might remember why they fell for each other in the first place.

Are they only kidding themselves? Or can a rekindled spark really light the way to forgiveness?

Reviewed by Donna

TITLE: Cause and Effect

SERIES: Casus Fortuitus #3

AUTHOR: Brooke Edwards

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 162 Pages

RELEASE DATE: September 14, 2018

BLURB:

In the aftermath of a psychopath’s obsession-fuelled murder spree through New York, Detective Daniel Callahan feels like he’s been hit by a wrecking ball. It turns out that watching your best friend and your boss fall in love only to nearly lose it all takes a toll on a guy’s emotional stability.
Peter Saracen has an out-of-control crush on the belligerent detective who seems to want nothing more than to toss him into a cell and throw away the key. When the body of an unidentified gang member is pulled from the East River and an old nemesis breaks out of prison, Peter finds himself on a whole new collision course with Daniel.
The line between personal and professional begins to blur. The dangers of the present take aim at the fragile possibility of Daniel and Peter’s happily-ever-after, while ghosts of the past threaten the deepening bond between Daniel’s boss James Carter and Assistant US Attorney, Derek Moore. With everything against them, there might not be any coming back from this.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Made in Portugal

SERIES: Made In #1

AUTHOR: Ana Newfolk

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 264 pages

RELEASE DATE: June 1, 2018

BLURB:

At 10 years old Joel was uprooted from his home and everything he knew in Portugal to start a new life in the States. At 26 he finds himself returning for the first time in thirteen years. So what if looking into the eyes of his childhood best friend again still makes his heart race out of his chest?
Living in sunny, laid-back Portugal isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. For David, dreams of being a pastry chef come second to working in his family’s café where his renowned custard tarts draw in the crowds. Seeing Joel brings old feelings back. Feelings he’s not sure he’s brave enough to acknowledge to anyone other than himself.
With the inspiration of an old travel journal, the two friends embark on a real journey through memories in a country where looking back into the past runs as deep as the blood that courses through their veins.
Falling in love was never meant to be a stop along the way, but maybe inevitable when you have the adventurous spirit and courage to pursue what you want, make love under the stars and even figure out how to jumpstart an old Citroen 2CV in the middle of the Alentejo countryside.

Reviewed by Jess

TITLE: Gents: Steamy Stories from the Age of Steam

AUTHOR:  Henry Alley, Anonymous, Nick Campbell, Tom Cardamone, Dale Chase, Verona Hummingbird, Rhidian Brenig Jones, Matthias Klein, Kolo, Katie Lewis, Dale Cameron Lowry, Jeff Mann, Mike McClelland, Charles Payseur, Felice Picano, Claudia Quint, Rob Rosen, Jack Saul; ed. by Matthew Bright

PUBLISHER: Lethe Press

LENGTH: 264 pages

RELEASE DATE:  September 18, 2018

BLURB:

Return to an era of foggy back alleys and Macassar oil in every man’s hair. Editor Matthew Bright has assembled a glorious cadre of authors, including such award-winning storytellers as Felice Picano, Tom Cardamone, and Jeff Mann, and readers will take delight in following the trysts of 19th century noblemen, servants, and rakes. Illustrated with genuine Victorian era erotic photography.

– Extract: Sins of the Cities of the Plain (Jack Saul)

– Hiraeth (Rhidian Brenig Jones)

– The Romp (Dale Chase)

– The Blacksmith’s Son (Katie Lewis)

– Like Trains in the Night (Verona Hummingbird)

– Mombasa Vengeance (Mike McClelland)

– Extract: My Secret Life (Anonymous)

– The Story of a Criminal Practice (Nick Campbell)

– Progress Be Damned – (Rob Rosen)

– Luc Orphenlin and the Hodag of Rhinelander (Charles Payseur)

– The Whipping Master (Dale Cameron Lowry, Author)

– London, 1888 (Jeff Mann)

– Steam in Antartica (Matthias Klein)

– Extract: Teleny (Anonymous)

– Henry/Hendrik (Henry Alley)

– On a Passage to the Queen’s Jubilee (Kolo)

– Mr. Okada and his Calotype Camera – (Claudia Quint)

– Grey Salamanders – (Tom Cardamone)

– All My Oceans of Blood and Ink – (Matt Bright)

– The Invincible Theatre (Felice Picano)

– Extract: My Secret Life (Anonymous)

Reviewed by Donna

TITLE: Bigger Love

SERIES: Big Love #2

AUTHOR: Rick R. Reed

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 191 Pages

RELEASE DATE: November 13, 2018

BLURB:

Truman Reid is Summitville High’s most out-and-proud senior. He can’t wait to take his fierce, uncompromising self away from his small Ohio River hometown, where he’s suffered more than his share of bullying. He’s looking forward to bright lights and a big city. Maybe he’ll be the first gender-fluid star to ever win an Academy Award. But all that changes on the first day of school when he locks eyes with the most gorgeous hunk he’s ever seen.
Mike Stewart, big, dark-haired, and with the most amazing blue eyes, is new to town. He’s quiet, manly, and has the sexy air of a lost soul. It’s almost love at first sight for Truman. He thinks that love could deepen when Mike becomes part of the stage crew for Harvey, the senior class play Truman’s directing. But is Mike even gay? And how will it work when Truman’s mother is falling for Mike’s dad?
Plus Truman, never the norm, makes a daring and controversial choice for the production that has the whole town up in arms.
See how it all plays out on a stage of love, laughter, tears, and sticking up for one’s essential self….