Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: After the Final Curtain

SERIES: Social Sinners #5

AUTHOR: T. L. Travis

PUBLISHER: Encompass Ink

LENGTH: 89 pages

RELEASE DATE: August 13, 2019

BLURB:

What do our boys have in store for us this time around?

Through pain, attempted suicide, addiction and loss their bond never faltered. They’ve watched other bands come and go; some weren’t cut out for life on the road. Others simply…disappeared.

But they climbed their way to the top, one painstaking grip at a time. So, what’s up next for our boys?

Book 5, After the Final Curtain is the fifth and final installment in the Social Sinners series. This book comes, with a surprise announcement.

Book 1 – Behind the Lights (MM) Joey’s POV

Book 2 – In the Shadows (MM) Stoli’s POV

Book 3 – A Heart Divided (MMM) Mickey’s POV

Book 4 – Beyond the Curtain (MM) Diamond’s POV

Book 5 – After the Final Curtain (MM/MMM) All

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Stay With Me

SERIES: The WITSET Series #1

AUTHOR: Patricia Logan

PUBLISHER: Westburg Publishing

LENGTH: 302 pages

RELEASE DATE: July 22, 2019

BLURB:

More than nineteen years ago, ATF special agent, Kane Delancey, witnessed his father’s murder at the hands of an enforcer for the Boston mob. He put his past behind him when he and his family entered the witness protection program. Now, many years later, the murderer he testified against, is about to go free on a technicality. The FBI and US Marshals are asking Delancey to go undercover to help to stop the killer before he has the chance to tap his son as successor.

Luca Price is a fun-loving young jewelry store manager with a bright future ahead of him. After a robbery, he suddenly comes face to face with a man who takes his breath away. Kane Delancey is big, brawny, and downright alpha male, everything Luca’s ever dreamed of. When their attraction strays from the professional, Luca hopes for so much more but there’s no way he’s going to be forced to live life in the closet for anyone, no matter how perfect the man is.

Kane has been straight all his life. He can’t imagine a scenario where he’d want to take a guy to bed, much less form an intimate relationship with one. Then he meets Luca Price, stunningly beautiful, smart, and sweet in a charming way that has nothing to do with him being gay. When Luca’s path crosses with the man Kane is chasing, Delancey is suddenly faced with a different challenge… keeping Luca and his own family alive while trying his best to end the murderer’s legacy.

*NOTE*

Stay with Me contains an excerpt of Play with Me (Book 2… coming soon)

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Berserker

SERIES: Twirled World Ink #1

AUTHOR: J.M. Dabney

PUBLISHER: Hostile Whispers Press LLC

LENGTH: 180 pages

RELEASE DATE: September 15, 2017

BLURB:

Welcome to Twirled World Ink where the crazies run the asylum.

The hum of a tattoo machine was Brian “Berzerker” Anderson’s favorite sound in the world. He’d won a coveted spot at Twirled World Ink with a legend in the business, Gib Phelps. Creating beauty with his large, scarred hands was his happy place—the place where he fit in the world. Although, nothing could remain perfect forever, his boyfriend of over a year decided to move on and up without him in tow. He had two choices, return to living with his friends and co-workers or take an offer too tempting to pass up.

Landon Phelps grew up in an unconventional home as the only child to Legendary Tattoo Artist Gib Phelps and mother, Peaches. He always felt a bit out of place when he became a boring accountant instead of following in his parents’ footsteps. Boundaries were in place early on; he didn’t date the employees of Twirled World Ink. Sometimes rules were meant to be broken. Bezerker was his idea of perfection, large, husky and tattooed; the thick, grab-worthy beard was a bonus. So when the boyfriend became the ex, Landon decided it was time to get his man.

With the help of the matchmaking Twirled Crew, can Landon finally get Berzerker to see him as more than a friend and the employer’s son?

Author’s Note: Although this is the first book in a series each book is a standalone and every book deals with a separate couple.

2ND EDITION **REEDITED**

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: A Rhythm You Feel

SERIES: The Rock Gods: East Coast Label #1

AUTHOR: Ann Lister

PUBLISHER: Rock Gods, Inc.

LENGTH: 347 pages

RELEASE DATE: July 29, 2019

BLURB:

Blade: As the lead singer of Hard Core, I’ve been taught several key life lessons. Unfortunately, I’ve also ignored many of them in the last twenty minutes alone, which is why I’m now being chased by a hoard of crazed fans.

But my worst misjudgment today? Going outside in public without security or a backup plan. Screaming fans come with the job and the fame is as much of a blessing as it is a curse, but I still couldn’t imagine doing any other line of work.

Music owns me and I am happy to be her bitch.

Nico: I knew who he was as soon as he burst through the front door of my store and I was absolutely starstruck and speechless. Yes, me with my own hardened attitude and jaded outlook on life had lost the ability to talk in the presence of Blade.

I’m an ex-con. I paid my debt to society, and I have my own brand of scars to show from the time I spent behind bars. My life’s regrets stain my soul as much as the ink of my tattoos color my skin. Solace for me came with ownership of a bookstore. It was a peaceful place to work until a certain rockstar blew in from the street like a Category 5 hurricane.

Hurricane Blade was about to make landfall and I wasn’t sure I’d survive the storm.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Predatory

SERIES: Port Lewis Witches #3

AUTHOR: Brooklyn Ray

PUBLISHER: Ninestar Press

LENGTH: 149 pages

RELEASE DATE: June 24, 2019

BLURB:

Donovan Quinn is faced with the impossible: unleashing the wild energy inside him. In the aftermath of a rushed, thoughtless sacrifice, his circle mates brainstorm a plan to appease the Queen of Water. Meanwhile, Donovan desperately tries to find a way to access the lonely Earth magic hiding inside him.

​But with his heart reaching for Tyler, the aggressive and volatile head witch of his circle, and friendships being tested at every turn, Donovan is at a standstill with his magic. Saving his friends, his circle, and his heart becomes far more complicated than he ever thought.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: The Phisher King

SERIES: The Phisher King #1

AUTHOR: Clancy Nacht & Thursday Euclid

PUBLISHER: Eine Kleine Press

LENGTH: 275 pages

RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2017

BLURB:

In his nightly ritual of trolling dude-bros online, college student and hacker Hunter Walsh uncovers a terrorist plot to bomb Seattle Pride. When his digging hits a wall, he anonymously surrenders his findings to the FBI—only to discover he didn’t cover his tracks as well as he’d thought. Agent Callum Riggs shows up on his doorstep with an ultimatum: Help the FBI find the culprits or face jail time for his hacking. Hunter hates and mistrusts the Fed, but he has no other choice.

Straight-arrow Cal has better things to do than babysit a pink-haired criminal—even if Hunter is everything Cal wants and has never let himself have—but he can’t ignore the lethal threat Liberty Association poses to their community. When the Bureau refuses to allocate more resources to the case, Cal is forced into a devil’s bargain, not only tolerating Hunter’s rebellious behavior in exchange for his help but serving as Hunter’s personal bodyguard 24/7.

Will these total opposites work together to foil a deadly plot? Or will their constant bickering and seething sexual tension endanger everything both men hold dear? And if they do succeed, can enemies become lovers, or will their differences keep them apart?

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Heart Strain

SERIES: Interlocking Fragments #1

AUTHOR: Michele Notaro & Sammi Cee

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 262 pages

RELEASE DATE: July 22, 2019

BLURB:

Holden~

When I get a call that my twin brother’s been shot, I’m in shock as I head back to Baltimore to be with him. Seeing him in a coma is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do; sitting here not knowing whether he’s going to live or die is the worst thing I can imagine. But at least Jameson is with me—he makes it more bearable, and I don’t feel like I’m in this alone. With everything going on, I probably shouldn’t be checking out my brother’s work partner, but I can’t seem to help it. Jameson’s been so sweet and kind and considerate; not to mention he’s so sexy I can’t keep my eyes off him.

Jameson~

My partner getting shot and ending up in a coma brings everything in my world to a screeching halt. He’s not only my partner on the police force, but my best friend and confidant. When I see his twin brother, Holden, sitting in the waiting room, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude that he neither blames me nor pushes me away. Now I’m doing my best to take care of him and support him; if only I’d stop noticing how his emotions reflect in his eyes and wondering how it would feel to touch him.

Will the bonding that takes place during their long bedside vigils become more than they expected? Can they be honest enough with themselves and each other to take it to the next level? And if they do, will Holden be willing to sacrifice the life he loves for the brother he’s kept at arm’s length for almost ten years and the man who could end up being his everything?

Heart Strain is the first book in the Interlocking Fragments series, but is a standalone novel. Each book in the series will feature a different couple, but the couples will show up throughout the whole series. This is a contemporary romance intended for 18+.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Possessed: Duty and Sacrifice 3

SERIES: God Jars Saga #3

AUTHOR: Devon Vesper

PUBLISHER: Magelight Press

LENGTH: 256 pages

RELEASE DATE: December 12, 2017

BLURB:

Valis works as a man possessed, but there’s no outrunning the past.

In war training, Valis advances quickly, but in magic training, he’s lucky not to blow himself up trying to wield his dual magic. Constant growth spurts make him outgrow his training armor and his attraction to his mentor, Tavros, rising to molten levels puts Valis under added pressure.

And there’s one more problem Valis can’t seem to shake—his birth father, Roba. He demands Valis pay him a visit in exchange for information, but his request is one Valis can’t accept.

But Roba is not a man who deals well with being told no, and he will do everything in his power to get his way. And his way may just haunt Valis forever.

The M/M romance in God Jars is a very slow burn. The God Jars Saga contains explicit material including violence, abuse, and M/M sexual encounters, and is not advised for anyone under the age of 18.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Yours, Forever After

AUTHOR: Beth Bolden

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 400 pages

RELEASE DATE: September 6, 2019

BLURB:

Fifteen years ago, Prince Graham of Ardglass barely escaped from the ancestral castle with his young life. Rescued by a magical creature and spirited off to a faraway valley, he grew into a strong, capable man—never shirking his duties on the farm, but forever bitter over his father’s betrayal. But just when he has finally come to terms with being lost and staying lost, a visitor arrives in his valley and changes everything.

After a lifetime spent lost in his beloved books, Prince Emory awakens to find his villainous aunt working to usurp the throne of Fontaine. When she sends him on a dangerous quest, he’s certain the journey is a trap, but he’s not willing to accept defeat without a fight.

But a fight is something Rory is unprepared and untrained for, until he’s saved by a handsome, unassuming farmhand and his snooty, smug, and surprisingly talkative unicorn.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Reveal

SERIES: Men of Hidden Creek season 4 #4

AUTHOR: H.J. Welch

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 323 pages

RELEASE DATE: September 6, 2019

BLURB:

“I wish this were real with you.”

Geeky Jason Miller has never really been with a man, and his bullying colleagues at NASA know it. But when an innocent white lie gets out of hand, Jason never would have guessed his gorgeous-but-straight childhood friend would leap to his rescue.

Firefighter Channing Forster saves people every day, so when protecting his former next-door neighbor turns into faking a relationship for a work getaway, he doesn’t hesitate. As the weekend goes on, though, Channing starts to think that he doesn’t just see cute Jason Miller as a buddy anymore.

Are Channing’s feelings for Jason real enough that he could be his first? Jason needs to accept his true self before he can love another. But when his colleagues and boss discover his many secrets, will he lose everything forever, including Channing?

Welcome to Hidden Creek, Texas, where the heart knows what it wants, and where true love lives happily ever after. Every Men of Hidden Creek novel can be read on its own, but keep an eye out for familiar faces around town! This book contains not-so-fake boyfriends, a stowaway kitty, and enough fireworks to out-shine the Fourth of July.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: The Demon Lord of California

SERIES: Infinity 8 #1

AUTHOR: Jeanne Marcella

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 242 pages

RELEASE DATE: March 18, 2019

BLURB:

Stripped of his psychic powers, Calico Winghorse barely made it to 19th century Earth via his interdimensional portal. As a mixed-blood phoenix concealing himself in human form, he opens a bakery in the San Francisco Bay Area and quietly licks his wounds. But the unique method of his escape has drawn the unwanted attention of Infinity Corporation.

Representing this angelic-run company is Agustín Chávez de la Cruz, the Demon Lord of California. Even though Agustín is the corporation’s heir, he finds himself demoted from his daily duties for a new assignment: take absolute control of the portal.

​As Agustín formulates a more gracious avenue of acquiring Calico’s gateway, the demanding head of IC interferes, further complicating matters. From this unexpected interlude, Calico and Agustín realize they both wish to establish more than a mere business arrangement. So negotiations stumble along, all the while Calico ensures that the good people of the city are getting their fill of baked goods.

Yet due to Calico’s injuries, the portal remains vulnerable to the darker forces that want it at any cost. Agustín will have to push both his angelic heritage, and his own psychic powers to the very limits to mend someone who not only bears celestial blood, but who is also the god of space and time.

REVIEWED by Jen B.

TITLE: Final Lover

SERIES: Exit Strategy

AUTHOR: Jocelynn Drake

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 246 Pages

RELEASE DATE: August 16, 2019

BLURB: Two assassins meet, don’t kill each other, and fall in love.

It’s happily ever after, right?

Not so fast.

Reformed mercenaries Justin Mallory and Gabriel Prescott have taken the big leap of living together. They’re even working together.

But “one last job” has them taking a falsely accused man and his young son into their home for safe keeping.

While dodging bullets and fellow hitmen out for the $27 million bounty, Justin and his G Love realize that falling in love was the easy part. Building a life together might be more than they bargained for.

Join Justin and Gabriel for their final adventure as they protect an innocent man and uncover the missing piece to their forever.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Tales of Bryant

SERIES: Tales of Bryant #1

AUTHOR: V.L. Locey

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 133 pages

RELEASE DATE: April 8, 2019

BLURB:

Four Seasons. Two Men. One Love.

For struggling film student Isamu Taylor, life’s refrain is about to change from boring documentary about a passionless delivery boy to a blazing and wildly erotic love story.

After spending weeks admiring handsome but older Manhattan executive Brian Gilles while delivering brioche to him in Bryant Park, the man of his lusty dreams has just expressed a desire to get to know Isamu better. A night on the town is just the beginning of a whirlwind romance that will span not only four seasons but countless years.

Amid the beauty and charm of Bryant Park, New York City, two men are about to discover that love knows no age or economic boundaries. This is a collection of four short stories starring these two amazing men, their one sublime love, and the park where it all started.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Escaping Mortality

SERIES: Escaping Trilogy #3

AUTHOR: Sara Dobie Bauer

PUBLISHER: Ninestar Press

LENGTH: 127 pages

RELEASE DATE: January 28, 2019

BLURB:

Their ocean journey was successful, and Andrew and Edmund found an Elder just in time. As they wished, Edmund is now a vampire like Andrew. They have eternity together, but first, they must visit Edmund’s ailing mother in the English countryside with their flock of immortals, including the Elder, who has taken an ominous liking to his new creation.

When they arrive at Edmund’s family estate, his sick mother and her loathsome best friend await them. While ducking religious curses, Edmund struggles to harness an unexpected power gifted him by the Elder. Andrew fears for his beloved as Edmund becomes more and more monstrous—but vampires have always been monsters, haven’t they?

A battle is coming, for Edmund’s heart and his soul, and Andrew will lose neither. He escaped island exile and a near tragedy at sea to be with Edmund, the beautiful young sailor he loves. Andrew will do anything to keep Edmund by his side, but his most dangerous adversary may be Edmund himself.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Abandoning Ship

SERIES: Valentine’s Inc. Cruises #7

AUTHOR: Susan Hawke

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 198 pages

RELEASE DATE: September 2, 2019

BLURB:

When the seas of love grow choppy, sometimes the best course is to abandon ship! 

Two years ago, Ryan Abernathy was too tongue-tied, too introverted, and entirely too nervous to flirt with his hot but presumably straight new roommate. So when Ryan’s sister swooped in and scooped the hottie up for herself, he accepted his fate and kept his crush a secret.

Sawyer Muller never meant to find himself in a fake relationship with his sexy roommate’s sister. And how was he supposed to know that Ryan would become his bestie and star in way too many of his dreams?

Things get complicated when Julia Abernathy strikes a deal with Sawyer to upgrade from fake boyfriend to groom, though they only need to stay married long enough for her to get her trust fund. They plan a fun cruise ship wedding with her entire family in tow. Sawyer figures it sounds like an adventure, and when they quietly divorce later, he’ll finally be free of all the fakery.

With Julia and Ryan’s homophobic, snooty family present, the pressure is turned up… especially when Sawyer finds himself jilted at the altar and drowning in a sea of blame. His only life preserver is the Abernathy sibling he can’t admit to wanting… Ryan.

This is an mm romantic comedy set in the Valentines Inc. world. Watch out for an awkward first kiss, a record-making group wedding, and sexy competitive shuffleboard. Before you board this ship, make sure you pack a fan because things are about to heat up on board this vessel!

Reviewed by Cheryl

TITLE: Release

SERIES: Rent Boys #1

AUTHOR: A E Ryecart

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

LENGTH: 218 pages

RELEASE DATE:  August 9, 2019

BLURB:

When life holds them captive, can love be their release?

Selling his body since he was a fifteen-year-old runaway, rent boy Sean Farrell has learned the hard lesson that the only way to survive the streets is to act tough and cocky. But an act is all it is, as underneath he’s never felt more adrift as he struggles with crippling self-doubt. Sean’s distilled life into three simple rules: earn enough cash to get by, stick close to the friends who have become his family — and don’t let anyone steal his heart.

Art is Laurie Cassell’s profession and passion. His calm and ordered life is just how he thinks he wants it, but it’s becoming harder to ignore the creeping feeling that calm and ordered has become dull and predictable. Laurie craves more but doesn’t know what, or not until a man with dark hazel eyes and a bad attitude swaggers into his life — and leaves with his heart.

Two men who should never have met, let alone fallen in love. Can Sean and Laurie release the other from lives that are holding them captive?

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Roped Adventures

SERIES: Cedar Falls #22

AUTHOR: Shea Balik

PUBLISHER: Siren-Bookstrand Inc

LENGTH: 125 pages

RELEASE DATE: October 19, 2017

BLURB:

Welcome to Cedar Falls, a small North Carolina town nestled amongst the Smokey Mountains.

Where the people are friendly and the men are hot. Zack Adams was afraid of everything. He lived a boring a life, even getting a safe, mundane job as an accountant. But there was something missing. He needed to find it to break the chains that were holding him back.

Cullen Burke lived his life to the fullest. When doctors said he’d never walk again after an accident, Cullen proved them wrong by not only walking but learning to rock climb. Now, he wanted to find that man he could love for the rest of his life. It only took one look for Cullen and Burke to fall head over heels in love. If only Zack’s insecurities didn’t keep getting in the way, they could find their happily ever after.

Maybe what Zack needed was an adventure.