Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: At a Stranger’s Mercy

SERIES: Badges and Bullets #1

AUTHOR: Brittany Cournoyer

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 235 pages

RELEASE DATE: March 22, 2019

BLURB:

Making eye contact with a killer wasn’t exactly how Bradley Danforth had planned to start his day. As an accountant, he craved structure and routine. What he hadn’t anticipated was being part of a real-life murder mystery with him cast in the starring role.
Death and sorrow were part of Max Donohue’s job description, leaving the detective hardened after years on the job. On his latest case, he’s the one stuck protecting the only witness in a sadistic homicide.
One death becomes two… then three. And soon Max and Bradley find themselves playing a deadly game of cat and mouse. Can Max save Bradley from the clutches of a serial killer? Or will the killer finish what he started?

At a Stranger’s Mercy is the first installment of a continuing series featuring the same two characters. It’s a suspenseful murder mystery that depicts detailed crimes, strong language, and adult situations. While this series will include a romance, it’s a slow burn that develops throughout the series.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Out in the Offense

SERIES: Out in College #3

AUTHOR: Lane Hayes

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 187 pages

RELEASE DATE: January 10, 2019

BLURB:

Christian Rafferty is a talented quarterback with a big secret. He’s determined to make the most of his final season on the football field, and if possible, avoid any confrontations with his conservative parents about his future. It shouldn’t be difficult; he’s become adept at keeping his public and private lives separate. However, when a math class threatens to derail his plans to graduate on time, he realizes he may need outside help.
Rory Kirkland has a reputation for being a tough guy. He’s a former wrestler and recent college graduate who needs a real job. Until he finds one, tutoring is a decent temporary gig. Luckily, his brain is his biggest asset. Rory is a genius. He credits his sport for helping him deal with angst and rumors about his sexuality when he was younger, but he doesn’t care what others think anymore. He likes his new status as an out and proud bi man; and he recognizes something of himself in Christian. But Rory didn’t count on falling for him. When an unlikely friendship collides with intense attraction, both men begin to realize that coming out on offense just might be the surest path to love.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Jordan vs. All the Boys

AUTHOR: John Goode

PUBLISHER: Harmony Ink

LENGTH: 180 pages

RELEASE DATE: February 19, 2019

BLURB:

There’s a time when life changes, when childhood is left behind and the first fumbling steps are taken into adulthood. One group of friends sets out for a summer of adventure and discovery. Jordan, Brandon, Ethan, and Dominic are ready to grow up and test themselves. But will their friendship buckle under the strain as they face the inevitable misunderstandings and conflicts? If they can hang on to their bond, it will see them through to the ultimate victory….

Finding love.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: All Souls Near & Nigh

SERIES: Soulbound #2

AUTHOR: Hailey Turner

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 374 pages

RELEASE DATE: March 19, 2019

BLURB:

You can’t bargain with death if you’ve already sold your soul.

Special Agent Patrick Collins has been reassigned by the Supernatural Operations Agency to New York City. Navigating his new relationship with Jonothon de Vere, the werewolf he’s now soulbound to, is nothing compared to dealing with territorial disputes between the vampires and werecreatures who call the five boroughs home. But the delicate treaties that have kept the preternatural world in check are fraying at the edges, and the fallout is spilling into the mundane world.
Manhattan’s club scene is overrun with the vampire drug known as shine and the subways have become a dumping ground for bodies. When the dead are revealed as missing werecreatures, Patrick and Jono find themselves entangled in pack politics twisted by vampire machinations.
Learning to trust each other comes with problems for both of them, and the gods with a stake in Patrick’s soul debt aren’t finished with him yet. Bound by promises they can’t break, Patrick and Jono must find a way to survive a threat that takes no prisoners and is stalking them relentlessly through the city streets.
Old and new betrayals are coming home to roost but the truth—buried in blood—is more poisonous than the lies being spun. Trying to outrun death is a nightmare—one Patrick may never wake up from.

All Souls Near & Nigh is a 104k word m/m urban fantasy with a gay romantic subplot and a HFN ending. It is a direct sequel to A Ferry of Bones & Gold, and reading the first book in the series would be helpful in enjoying this one. Please see the disclaimer at the beginning of the book for content some readers may find triggering.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: In Safe Hands

AUTHOR: Victoria Sue

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 230 pages

RELEASE DATE: March 19, 2019

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Former helicopter pilot Maverick Delgardo’s injuries ended his Air Force career, leaving him bitter and one drink away from becoming an alcoholic. When his sister asks for his help on a private protection case to babysit a disgraced pop star, Mav reluctantly agrees.
Deacon Daniels, one time lead singer and idol to his teenage fans, saw his career and reputation ruined when a reporter’s exposé led to a devastating scandal. Without money or a job, a heartbroken Deacon has lost custody of his baby niece. And just when he thinks his life can’t get any worse, a stalker’s threatening messages escalate to murder.
Mav only agreed to one meeting, but his protective instincts kick in, along with an attraction to Deacon. When the body count increases, however, Mav is unsure he is up to the task of protecting Deacon from a killer. But it is too late for Mav to step away, now that he’s lost his heart, and he must find the strength to reassure Deacon and his niece that they are in safe hands no matter the cost.

Reviewed by Jess

TITLE: A Lord of Love

AUTHOR: Sara Dobie Bauer

PUBLISHER: Carnation Books

LENGTH: 35 pages

RELEASE DATE:  March 19, 2019

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During negotiations for a truce between the feuding Price and Morgan families, Lord John Morgan makes a shocking offer: he will give the Price family their land, in exchange for Harrison Price’s hand in marriage.

John has long been enamored with Harrison, the beautiful son of his late rival. Harrison is nineteen, inexperienced, and known for being cold and bitingly brilliant. The union seems impossible, but John is determined to win the affections of his young obsession.

Will the frigid Harrison concede, or will the object of John’s adoration leave him alone at the altar?

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: How Not to Break

SERIES: LOVESTRONG #4

AUTHOR: Susan Hawke

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 239 pages

RELEASE DATE: March 9, 2019

BLURB:

Take one former SEAL with a healthy dose of regret…

Nick St. Cloud is living with shame from the one time he let his lust override his sense of honor. He’s haunted by the memory of when he made love to his best friend’s eighteen-year-old son. The tragic accident that happened that same night has only compounded his guilt. A decade later, he’s doing his best to be there for Charlie’s son, but anything more than that just wouldn’t be right… would it?

Plus the younger guy who he’s tried to forget…

It’s been ten years. Ten long years. Does Shaw Michaelson feel bad about having seduced his dad’s best friend? Umm, maybe? Although he could’ve done things differently, Shaw can’t find it within himself to be sorry for the hottest night of his life with the one man he’s never been able to forget. The man he’s patterned every subsequent relationship after… yeah, Shaw totally has a type.

Equals a pair of men who deserve a second chance at a first time.

The two men are living in an uneasy peace within the same small town and circle of friends, being careful not to let the other get close enough to open old wounds. All their walls fall when a stalker begins terrorizing Shaw, sending him running to the one man he knows will keep him safe.

This is the fourth book in the LOVESTRONG series about finding love and being yourself in a small town. Intended only for 18+ readers, this is an mm romance full of all the fun, fluff, and feels you’d want from an S. Hawke book.

Note: Possible trigger warning for the mention of an animal being harmed off-page and the psychological trauma of being stalked.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Country Talk

SERIES: On the Radio #3

AUTHOR: Pandora Pine

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 262 pages

RELEASE DATE: December 6, 2016

BLURB:

Two tragic pasts, one last chance…

Grammy-award winning country music star Sam Lexington had it all, chart topping songs, a legion of loyal fans and the acclaim of the industry until a tragic tour bus crash killed his band mate and lover, Jonathan Hughes. Exposed as a gay man, he is shunned and reviled by the country music community and his fans. Sam disappears from public life while his records are banned from being played on the radio.
PRIDE XM Radio program manager Rhett Myers is fighting demons of his own. The former lead guitarist for heavy metal band King’s Creed is taking life one day at a time, struggling to keep his heroin addiction from reclaiming his life. He throws all of his time and energy into resurrecting the radio station to keep his mind off Sam, who he’s been pining for since the moment they met.
When Rhett makes a bet with Sam that he can be the first openly gay singer to get a song to number one on the country music charts, he never dreams Sam will ask him to co-write the song. Together almost constantly, Rhett’s not sure how long he can keep his feelings for Sam a secret.
Can Rhett and Sam conquer their demons and make beautiful music together? Or are they all talk?

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Chasing Fate

SERIES: Copper Creek Shifters #1

AUTHOR: Jacki James

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 157 pages

RELEASE DATE: March 14, 2019

BLURB:

It’s time to put away silly ideas about whether or not you should be an Alpha and accept that it was never up to you in the first place.  You can’t protect what’s yours unless you claim it and take your rightful place.

Chase Coleman is content with the life he’s made for himself as Sheriff of a sleepy little West Texas town. He might have walked away from his role as the Alpha apparent of his home pride but he didn’t regret making the choice to live as an out gay man.
Paxton Summers could see that Chase was the Alpha of the town’s shifters whether he wanted to accept the title or not. Once he realizes that he and the sexy sheriff are fated mates, it becomes his mission to make Chase see he never had to choose between his destiny and being true to himself—because Copper Creek was exactly where he was meant to be.
Chase just needs to see that he hadn’t left his future behind at all, instead all along he’d been Chasing Fate.

Reviewed by Taylin

TITLE: Whiskey to Wine

SERIES: Leaning N#3, Dreamspun Desires #78

AUTHOR: BA Tortuga

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 181 pages

RELEASE DATE:  March 19, 2019

BLURB:

Leaning N

Love is hitting the slopes, and the competition is fierce.

It’s Gay Ski Week in Aspen, and blind sculptor Bleu Bridey and his ex-fiancé, Dan, are at the Leaning N Ranch to unveil Bleu’s latest commission.

Former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Shields is there too… and he’s Bleu’s true love who got away. Seeing Bleu again, Ryan remembers how they couldn’t get enough of each other in college.

Too bad it looks like Bleu is with Dan now, because Ryan would love to remind Bleu how good they were together, in and out of the sheets.

Between Ski Week parties, a bunch of exes, a private ski lesson, and one terrible accident that leaves Bleu stranded and Ryan in rescue mode, it’ll be a wonder if these two manage to survive, much less find a few seconds alone to remember how much love they have to keep them warm even in the worst of storms.