Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Spreadsheets

SERIES: Ace’s Wild #8

AUTHOR: Jaclyn Quinn

PUBLISHER: self published

LENGTH: 92 pages

RELEASE DATE: November 12, 2019

BLURB:

Can one night change your whole life?

When Jeremy Anderson goes into Ace’s Wild, it takes him completely out of his comfort zone. So, he is in no way prepared for the gorgeous, raven-haired man who walks through the doors.

A chance encounter turns into an amazing night he’ll never forget, with a man he’ll never see again.

Fate, apparently, has other plans, though—plans that seem to include the tall, dark, and handsome Griffin Welles.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Ukuleles & Scrums

SERIES: Mitch & Cian #4

AUTHOR: Helena Stone

PUBLISHER: self published

LENGTH: 68 pages

RELEASE DATE: October 17, 2019

BLURB:

Falling in love is easy. Building a life together takes more work.

Nine months after getting together, Mitch and Cian are studying in Dublin and sharing an apartment. For both, this is a dream come true and even boring household chores become fun when they do them side by side.

Tensions arise after Cian joins an inclusive rugby club and Mitch a ukulele orchestra. Insecurities, jealousy, and lack of relationship-experience soon lead to resentment, and each struggles to balance romance with their individual interests. After Cian and Mitch accept separate invitations to Halloween parties, hoping the other will accompany them, their doubts grow.

Will All Hallows’ Eve drive a wedge between them or could there be another miracle in the making?

Ukuleles and Scrums is the fourth novella in the Mitch & Cian series. While it could, possibly, be read as a stand-alone story, the reader will enjoy it more if they read A Miracle in the Library, Lessons in Love, and Pride of Place first.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: The Voxlightner Scandal

SERIES: A BJ Vinson Mystery #6

AUTHOR: Don Travis

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Publications

LENGTH: 283 pages

RELEASE DATE: November 19, 2019

BLURB:

No good deed goes unpunished, as investigator BJ Vinson is about to discover.

Writer John Pierce Belhaven was murdered before he could reveal the name of another killer—one connected to the biggest scandal to rock Albuquerque in years. Two of the city’s most prominent citizens—Barron Voxlightner and Dr. Walther Stabler—vanished in 2004, along with fifty million dollars looted from Voxlightner Precious Metals Recovery Corp. It only makes sense that poking into that disappearance cost Belhaven his life.

But BJ isn’t so sure.

He’s agreed to help novice detective Roy Guerra reopen the old case—which the wealthy and influential Voxlightner family doesn’t want dredged up. But Belhaven was part of their family, and that connection could’ve led to his murder. Or did the sixty-year-old author die because of a sordid sexual affair?

Reviewed by Cindy

TITLE: Soft Limits (A Deviations Novel)

SERIES: Deviations Book 6

AUTHOR: Jodi Payne

PUBLISHER: Tygerseye Publishing

LENGTH: 220 Pages

RELEASE DATE: November 12, 2019

BLURB:

Fans of the iconic Deviations series will fondly recall Bradford as the beloved owner and Master of the elite and exclusively male BDSM club that anchors the series, and also as the wise man who introduced Tobias and Noah.

Dominant Bradford’s story is one defined by sudden opportunity, unimaginable heartbreak, and new-found purpose. His calling is to provide a safe and supportive environment for men in the lifestyle. Bringing Doms and subs together is his superpower, yet he feels fated to be alone himself.

In this prequel to the series, you’ll not only discover Bradford’s own history, but also how Bradford is first drawn to Nikki, a beautiful and hungry young man living on the streets, and the unexpected ways Bradford grows and changes while helping Nikki understand a world of strange, new desires.

Deviations readers already know outcome of Bradford and Nikki’s journey together. Soft Limits is a deep-dive into Bradford’s story, into what makes the Dom tick, and how he ended up with ownership of the club. It also introduces Nikki, the sub that tests Bradford’s patience, steals his heart, and soothes his soul.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: See Me

SERIES: Finding Free #2

AUTHOR: A.M. Arthur

PUBLISHER: Briggs-King Books

LENGTH: 344 pages

RELEASE DATE: November 15, 2019

BLURB:

Unmated omega Karson Jenks has already had three heats, but he’s barely twenty and too busy at university to ponder finding a mate. But all thoughts of planning his own future flee when someone he loves gets a devastating medical diagnosis. Their close-knit family rallies to support each other, and the last thing Karson expects is to stumble across his bondmate in a public lobby.

Alpha Rebel Lee spent the first eighteen years of his life as an emotional and physical hostage to brutal men, and he did his very best to protect his two adopted brothers from the worst of the violence. Two years after their rescue—and intense, in-patient psychological therapy—Rebel is a free man, eager to reunite with his beloved brothers, and to rebuild his life. What he doesn’t need is the complication of scenting his bondmate. Rebel has no job, no real education, and he lives in cheap government housing. What on earth can he offer an omega mate?

Karson is thrilled to have discovered his bondmate but also intensely curious about the Lee siblings. They aren’t blood related, have no birth certificates, and didn’t even exist on paper until two years ago. When Karson’s constable sire investigates further, the secrets he discovers rock both families to their core. With someone Karson loves dearly fighting a losing battle and Rebel terrified to step up for his bondmate, both men must learn to rely on each other to get through the most devastating week of their lives.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: For Sam, Times Infinity

AUTHOR: Suki Fleet

PUBLISHER: Stars and Ink Press

LENGTH: 217 pages

RELEASE DATE: November 15, 2019

BLURB:

After growing up in care, all Sam wants is to make a home for him and Tommy, his kid brother by choice. But it’s not as easy as he thought, especially when his social worker finds him a job miles away. And falling for the surprising boy at work only makes things harder.

Evra is different, his past a mystery. Being truly himself is not something he’s ever felt safe enough to be with anyone, not until Sam, the shyest boy ever, saves his life at work and Evra finds himself inexplicably trusting him. Wanting him.

Problem is, Sam is leaving, unable to stand being so far away from Tommy. And Evra can’t leave, not when he has consequences to face.

Making things work might seem complicated, but sometimes falling in love has its own consequences.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Gage

SERIES: Trenton Security #3

AUTHOR: J.M. Dabney

PUBLISHER: Hostile Whispers Press LLC

LENGTH: 176 pages

RELEASE DATE: January 27, 2019

BLURB:

The forbidden is the sweetest lure.

Trenton Security’s Public Relations go-to was Hayden Gage. He loved his job, and it kept him distracted from the demons haunting his nightmares. His past wasn’t up for discussion, and Hayden wouldn’t allow it to intrude on his future. Yet, that was easier said than done when his best friend came to him desperate for help, and it put him right on the path to his one weakness.

Young didn’t equal lost.

Derrick Thorpe lived in the shadow of his father’s mistakes. Although he was adopted by Linus Trenton, he wanted to prove that he wasn’t like his biological father. When he was asked to go undercover to help at Trenton Security, it put him in close quarters with Gage. Being Gage’s was only an act, but when lines blur, what happens when the operation ends?

This book contains some subjects readers may find objectionable.

Reviewed by Danielle

TITLE: After the Crash

SERIES: A Small Town Hearts Novel

AUTHOR: Emma Calcott

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 265 Pages

RELEASE DATE: November 11, 2019

BLURB:

Rule #1 Straight military men will always be straight, no matter how much you wish otherwise
Rule #2 Being a billionaire won’t change that (probably)
Rule #3 The whole thing between you when you were in high school? It was only fantasy
Rule #4 One-sided fantasy
Rule #5 God, how great would it be if it was a two-sided fantasy?
Rule #6 Okay, getting off track
Rule #7 Hiring your hot high school crush is totally okay
Rule #8 If you don’t let your feelings get in the way, everything will be fine

Marshall Lloyd is about to be very not fine. Not only is his high school crush back in his life, but he’s matured into a gruff, brooding, drop-dead-gorgeous specimen of a man that makes Marshall’s wet dreams seem about as exciting as drying paint. The only problem: Fox Fraser, the individual in question, is straight.

Super straight.

The kind of straight that would make a ruler jealous.

But if what Marshall sees when he looks in Fox’s eyes is to be believed, he’s broken, too. There are scars inside of him that no one notices. No one but Marshall. It’s not wrong to want to help him, is it? To hire him to take care of things around the house so he can get back on his feet? It’s just work. Work that leads to lingering looks. To prolonged touches. To… mmph. It’s better not to think about it. Marshall’s fantasies aren’t real. A guy like Fox would never pin him to a wall and do things to him like that.

Maybe.

Probably.

Right?

After the Crash is the first book in the Small Town Hearts series, which features heroes scattered across the rural United States who find love where they’re least expecting it. In addition to explosive chemistry, you can expect sneezing bushes, tea that tastes like hay, and a wet wrestling match that’s just boys having fun, Mom.

REVIEWED by Jay V.

TITLE: Starting from Scratch

AUTHOR: Lane Hayes

SERIES: Starting From #2

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 275 pages

RELEASE DATE: October 13, 2019

BLURB:

Charlie Rourke is an ultra fabulous human whirlwind on a mission to launch the next biggest band in the world. However, he might have taken on more than he could handle when he signed on to manage Zero. Promoting a rock band and finding gigs shouldn’t be hard. They’re a talented group with a ton of star power. If Charlie can find the right record label, he’s sure he can help them get to the next level. The only problem is the skater boy slash bassist with a quirky sense of humor. He’s annoying and silly, and he’s exactly Charlie’s type. Except he’s straight.

Ky Baldwin isn’t afraid to switch things up. He loves a challenge as much as anyone, but Charlie doesn’t make things easy. Zero’s manager is a force of nature with a razor sharp tongue, a quick wit, and a no-nonsense attitude. Ky can’t stop thinking about him. Winning over Charlie becomes Ky’s pet project. But when the ice between them thaws, neither is prepared for the intensity of going from enemies to lovers. They’ll have to decide if they’re willing to start from scratch and take a chance on the unexpected.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Rainbows Over Cedarwood

SERIES: Cedarwood Pride #4

AUTHOR: Megan Slayer

PUBLISHER: Pride Publishing

LENGTH: 135 pages

RELEASE DATE: October 8, 2019

BLURB:

Book four in the Cedarwood Pride series – a newly edited and expanded version!

The moment Ashley gave up looking for the right man, he showed up in the form of restaurateur Colt Harrison. Sexy has never looked this good.

Ashley Willis didn’t think he was interested in joining the dating pool…that is, until he catches a glimpse of Colt. The sexy diner owner makes him hot all over and has him thinking all sorts of dirty thoughts. But Ashley has to worry about more than his sex drive—he’s a single dad. What goes on in his life affects his son. Will Ashley play it safe or find the love he deserves with Colt?

Colt’s been happily single for the last few years. He likes his complications to stay at the diner. Then he meets Ashley. The geeky art teacher is everything Colt’s dreamed of having in his bed. Will the fact that Ashley’s a single father be the deal-breaker or will the naysayers in Cedarwood break up this couple before they get a chance to find love?

Reviewed by Lisa

TITLE: Toy

AUTHOR: R. Parr

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

LENGTH: 380 pages

RELEASE DATE: April 29, 2019

BLURB:

Troy the toy isn’t looking for a relationship. He gets all the sex he needs whilst working at Priapus: a brothel in inner city Melbourne.

Over the past three years, he has learned to turn himself off and load his Tommy program whenever he is with a client. A saleable commodity in today’s consumer society, he is well aware that his cute twink appeal has an expiry date, but he is content for now with the status quo.

That is, until his homophobic high school bully books an appointment.

Seeing Nick Stephanides again after all these years gives Troy’s operating system a bit of a jolt. Troy has always assumed that Nick is straight, but Nick is gay, lonely and determined to start a bromance with Troy. How can Troy say no to those broad shoulders?

Troy and Nick begin a tentative friendship, whilst Troy continues to provide good customer service to his clients, some of whom have very interesting requests.

Offering advice and support are his friends at Priapus: Melissa, his manager, who keeps a maternal eye on her boys, Brett, the bear and Ari, the surfie dude, whose passionate love affair is the catalyst for much soul searching, Qiu, the cheery Goth and Damien, the beautiful redhead who, for some reason, tenses up at the mere suggestion that Troy might one day break his dating embargo.

And then there’s Desmond the politician, who pays to watch Troy dance.

Of course, Troy’s operating system is bound to glitch sooner or later. Will it be Nick who finally sneaks under his defences? There is that ancient proverb about Greeks bearing gifts…

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Interpretive Hearts

SERIES: Dreamspun Desires #94

AUTHOR: Amanda Meuwissen

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 197 pages

RELEASE DATE: November 19, 2019

BLURB:

Love is easy once you learn the steps.

In the competitive world of dance, Teddy was a flawless performer and hardass choreographer who students feared and admired in equal measure. But hip surgery ended the glamour and drama, and now Teddy is recovering at his beach house, lost and listless.

Until he meets Finn, his neighbor, who is too perfect, gorgeous, and kind to exist—but very ill timed. In a seaside town as small as theirs, they can’t avoid each other, especially since Finn is also Teddy’s new physical therapist. But Teddy isn’t the man he used to be, and though Finn flirts shamelessly with him, Teddy can’t believe a has-been dancer is worthy of someone so young and full of life.

Finn’s sunny smile is also hiding heartache. Pursuing Teddy challenges both his professionalism and his self-preservation, but if he can convince Teddy to trust him, maybe they both can heal.

REVIEWED by Jen B.

TITLE: The Guy in the Window

AUTHOR: Cara Dee

PUBLISHER: Cara Dee

LENGTH: 208 Pages

RELEASE DATE: November 5, 2019

BLURB: 

I was in the middle of my divorce when Adam messaged me. I believe his exact words were, “Hi. I think you’re my dad’s brother. Would you like to get to know me?”

My brother and I had never been close, so I’d only met his adopted son a few times when he was very young. Instinct told me to ignore the message, and I did. For a few days. It took an exhausting fight with my soon-to-be ex-wife and half a bottle of whiskey for me to change my mind.

Adam first became “sort of my nephew.” Next, he became the guy who helped me find an apartment in the building next to his. He was a sweet, cheerful young man doing his best to raise his four-year-old daughter, which led to him becoming the guy who wanted to help me patch up my relationship with my own daughter.

Then one night as I got ready for bed, I looked across the alleyway to the next building, where I saw him getting ready for bed too.

I couldn’t look away to save my life.

It was the night he also became the guy in the window.

Reviewed by Donna

TITLE: Taking Care of Business

SERIES: The Necromancer’s Smile #3

AUTHOR: Lisa Oliver

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 187 Pages

RELEASE DATE: September 18, 2019

BLURB:

When Sy learned that Connor, the young familiar who’d been staying with him, had been captured, he knew immediately that he could find him. After all, what use was it, him being a Necromancer, if he couldn’t locate lost souls. The fact he was hosting Dakar’s parents at the time, shouldn’t have made it an issue. After all, they were pack orientated and understood the need to bring a family member home. Didn’t they?
Dakar had been a loving son for fifty years, so when his mom pitched a fit at him, for being part of the efforts to bring Connor home, he was a wee bit annoyed. Unfortunately, he had bigger things to worry about. A demon had set his sights on his mate, and while that wasn’t as unusual as you might think, this particular demon came with complications.
Everything is coming to a head for this unusual family. A wicked sprite, an off-course priest, and a demoness who isn’t all she appears to be are just some of the hurdles Sy and Dakar will have to cross before they finally get their HEA. And what was a dragon doing in the middle of a field?
This is an MM paranormal romance story and part of a trilogy. It contains men loving men, as well as cheeky spirits, a Necromancer growing in confidence, and a wolf shifter who’s getting more familiar with magic every day.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Rites of Spring

SERIES: Rites #1

AUTHOR: J.V. Speyer

PUBLISHER: JMS Books LLC

LENGTH: 202 pages

RELEASE DATE: September 11, 2019

BLURB:

Cameron has built a good life for himself despite his rough start. He can’t trust enough for romance, but he’s okay with that. He’s got good money coming in as a graphic designer and just inherited a duplex in Plymouth from his estranged grandfather, so he doesn’t have to worry about keeping a roof over his head. He likes his tenants, he has friends, and he’s content with that.

When two guys claiming to be paranormal investigators show up on his doorstep tell him the tenants contacted them about “phenomena” in the house, he knows they’re con men right away. For one thing, they claim he was the tenant. He sends them packing. It doesn’t matter that one of the con artists is the hottest guy Cameron has seen in years — if anything, that just makes Cameron more suspicious.

Then things go wrong in the house, things he can’t shrug off or ignore. The past Cameron has worked so hard to leave behind is coming for him, and it’s angry.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Under His Control

SERIES: Hybrid Heat #2

AUTHOR: Kiki Burrelli

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 181 pages

RELEASE DATE: May 18, 2018

BLURB:

A jaded older shifter trying to be the alpha he isn’t collides with a cocky, young Dom…

Garth isn’t a well-liked member of his bear shifter pack. He’s got a sharp tongue and a deep-seated hatred of humans spawning from a traumatic experience years ago. Garth believes that a man his age should have his life figured out. He should be an alpha, he should find a mate to start a family with. Except, all of Garth’s nasty quips, shoves, and snarls are him trying to pretend to be that thing he is not. If he isn’t an alpha, what is he? Cassius, the youngest hybrid shifter to join the pack, is cocky, arrogant and all alpha. He also won’t stop getting under Garth’s skin, making him long for things he can’t have.

Cassius knows he doesn’t have the years or seniority in his pack but that’s fine, he doesn’t want to control a group of people. He longs for control over one man in particular. Cass isn’t sure how he is the only one to see how amazing Garth is, but he’s glad he is the only one to notice how talks of submission and spanking affect the shifter in a way that Cassius will do anything to explore. He’s obsessed with Garth—his mate—and knows that if he would simply give into his true nature as a submissive, Garth wouldn’t feel like he has to keep everyone away from him with his rudeness.

But attempting to get Garth to see past the difference in their years and understand he would be happiest under Cassius’s control will mean nothing if Cassius and the other hybrid bikers don’t discover who has been targeting shifters. All over the area, entire packs are being harmed by a strange new drug that has everyone on edge. Cassius and the rest of the hybrid bikers must find the people responsible for poisoning entire packs of shifters before they are the next ones targeted.

Under His Control is a 60k word Mpreg romance that contains an age gap relationship as well as some light to medium BDSM elements. It is the second book in the Hybrid Heat series and can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.

Reviewed by Becca

Retro review by Dan

TITLE: Elemental Love

SERIES: Warlocks #1

AUTHOR: L.M. Somerton

PUBLISHER: Pride Publishing

LENGTH: 191 pages

RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2016

BLURB:

An untrained warlock is a dangerous man to love.

On his twenty-first birthday, Evrain Brookes discovers he is an elemental warlock. The spell suppressing his talent lifts and he has to get used to a whole new existence. The protection that kept him safe during his childhood is gone, his skills are wild and uncontrolled and there are those that seek to use him for their own gain.

Evrain’s grandmother is a witch, his godfather another warlock. Between them they do their best to keep Evrain on the right path. He learns that in order to gain control of his formidable powers he will need to ‘channel’ through a life partner, a process that only happens with consent and through love. But how will he ever find a man prepared to put up with a Dominant warlock for a boyfriend?

Dominic Castine has no idea that Evrain’s grandmother sees him as a prospective partner for Evrain. He tends her garden and she teaches him about herbs–a trade off they both enjoy. He is drawn to Evrain’s charismatic presence but doesn’t understand why he wants to drop to his knees and submit to him.

When Agatha is murdered, Evrain and Dominic are thrown together as she manipulates them from beyond the grave. Dominic becomes the pawn in a terrifying game between warlocks whose powers he barely comprehends.

In the end, lives will depend on his courage, his willingness to grant Evrain control and the power of love.