Reviewed by Anna Lynn

TITLE:  The Key to His Heart for Christmas

AUTHOR:  Rebecca James

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH: 70 pages

RELEASE DATE: November 28, 2019

BLURB:

On his way home in the middle of a snowstorm, firefighter Dane McCormick spots a man huddled beneath an overpass. Knowing the town’s only shelter is full to capacity, and being a firm believer in helping others, Dane stops and offers the man a warm place to stay.

Sayer Mills has learned the hard way not to be too trusting, yet something tells him he can trust the handsome firefighter who kindly offers him shelter from the elements. The young widower has sequestered himself in his cottage in the woods with only his huge dog for companionship, and Sayer finds himself wanting to bring a little joy into the house in return for Dane’s kindness.

With mutual attraction growing between the two men, Dane wonders if he can convince his house guest to stay longer than the holidays, and Sayer second guesses his plan to head to the next town.

The Key to his Heart for Christmas is 21k of holiday sweetness mixed with the passion you’ve come to expect from a Rebecca James MM romance.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Wishing on a Dream

SERIES: A Snow Globe Christmas #2

AUTHOR: Michele Notaro

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 266 pages

RELEASE DATE: November 20, 2019

BLURB:

I can’t really complain about my life; I have a job I love and a best friend that fills the void of my nonexistent family, but sometimes I’m lonelier than I like to admit. Especially with the holiday season approaching, I can’t help but wish I had someone special to share it with.

My friend gives me a snow globe with a man and a snowy owl inside, and for some bizarre reason, this man starts showing up every night when I close my eyes. It’s… not real, but I can’t seem to get the guy out of my head. It probably shouldn’t surprise me that my brain conjures up the perfect man in my dreams… well, almost perfect if he’d stop claiming to be a warlock. But the crazy thing is that all of it—that he—feels so real.

When I start falling for the man, the warlock, I can’t help but wish that what we have in my dreams could be a reality. I know it can’t, but at least when I’m asleep, I can be with him—with Alaric.

Although this book is part of A Snow Globe Christmas series, it is a complete stand alone and it isn’t a requirement that you read the previous books to follow along. We wish everyone a happy holiday season.

REVIEWED by Jen B.

TITLE: Fractured Men

SERIES: Hunt&Cam4Ever

AUTHOR: Adira August

PUBLISHER: Adira August

LENGTH: 262 Pages

RELEASE DATE: November 28, 2019

BLURB:

Sometimes what you never thought would happen, does. All at once. A furnace explodes taking your house with it. A cop at the door says your father’s dead. Or lightning strikes from the ice-blue eyes of a much-too-young-for-you man you pass in a doorway.
One year to the day later, the young man was my husband.

I slid onto a counter stool and Cam handed me a mug of coffee. A big slice of his grandmother Dee’s apple pie waited on a brick red ceramic dish. Our cell phones lay on Cam’s side of the breakfast bar.

He made quite the ceremony of turning my phone off and dropping it into the silverware drawer. “For the seven days of our honeymoon, you are not a homicide detective.”

Somebody should’ve told the killer.
THE BOYS ARE BACK in a “cozy mystery” done Hunt&Cam style that would give Agatha Christie the vapors! Love, sex and murder at an isolated canyon resort with our fave BDSM honeymoon couple. Cam really wants to get Hunt away from his job and onto a horse—God willin’ and the creek don’t rise.

Only then it started raining. … And something popped up.

For adults who like puzzles and power dynamics.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Pas De Deux

AUTHOR: Jamie Craig

PUBLISHER: JMS Books LLC

LENGTH: 230 pages

RELEASE DATE: September 11, 2019

BLURB:

Hotshot defense attorney James Scott always follows his gut — even when it tells him an obviously guilty man is a victim himself. Homicide detective Owen Duke doesn’t have time for gut feelings — he lives by logic and evidence. And all the evidence tells him that Scott’s client is guilty of the cold-blooded murder of a young ballerina.

Scott, a notorious media darling, is willing to risk his reputation and his career on the kid’s innocence. But his undeniable charm is not enough to save his client’s life. He needs Owen Duke, a man who stands for truth and justice, even if the detective hates Scott and his gut feelings.

What’s supposed to be an open-and-shut case quickly becomes a quagmire of lies, murder, and rotting corruption. Suddenly, instead of being a thorn in Duke’s side, James Scott is the only person in San Francisco the detective can trust. As the attraction between them deepens, they race to save an innocent man, but can they save their own hearts in the process?

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Broken Cord

SERIES: Boystown #12

AUTHOR: Marshall Thornton

PUBLISHER: Kenmore Books

LENGTH: 210 pages

RELEASE DATE: March 12, 2019

BLURB:

In the latest installment of the Lambda Award-winning Boystown Mysteries, it’s summer 1985.

As Nick’s personal life begins to unravel, Nick throws himself headlong into investigating the murder of a woman married to a much older, wealthy man. It appears that only her husband could have killed her, but Nick is sure that’s not what happened. Meanwhile, Rita Lundquist makes her presence known, posing a continuing threat to Nick and those around him.

Reviewed by Anna Lynn

TITLE: Someday

SERIES: The Delicious Series

AUTHOR: Stella Starling

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

RELEASE DATE: September 27, 2019

LENGTH: 228 pages

BLURB:

“When you’re around, you’re all I can see.”

“Someday, my prince will come.”

Danny is an artist with the best job in the world, creating beautiful things at Delicious, the bakery his best friend owns. The only thing that would make life better is finding his own personal Prince Charming, but despite a life-long addiction to happily-ever-after, Danny doesn’t really hold out much hope for that. He’d rather stay alone than compromise who he is for men who are only interested if he tones down his flamboyant personality.

“Someday, I’ll find a better life.”

Mace first learned to protect himself while growing up in a harsh foster care system. Serving an unjust prison sentence taught him even more valuable life lessons. Don’t let your feelings show. Trusting people only gets you hurt. It’s okay to want things, just don’t expect to ever actually get them. Now that he’s a free man again, Mace lives by those life lessons, keeping to himself and saving for a better life… even if he has no idea what that better life might end up looking like.

“It’s you. My better life is you.”

When their paths unexpectedly cross, Mace finds himself questioning everything life has taught him, from his sexuality to the wisdom of trusting someone with his heart, and as the two men get to know each other, Danny’s dreams go to war with his doubts. Actually getting everything he wants sounds like the stuff of fairytales, but sometimes, even in real life, dreams really can come true…

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: A Very Terry Christmas

SERIES: A Snow Globe Christmas #1

AUTHOR: Jacki James

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 103 pages

RELEASE DATE: November 18, 2019

BLURB:

A small-town florist who loves all things Christmas.

A big-city computer guy who doesn’t.

Terry is full of the Christmas Spirit. He can’t get enough of all the things Nicolas despises most about the season. When Nicolas gets roped into putting his newly remodeled home on Avana Springs Christmas house tour and quickly realizes he is in over his head, Terry is the perfect person to help him.

If only the two could keep their hands off each other long enough to decorate.

Two men who are opposites in every way are bound to be a disaster in the making. But with a little Christmas magic, they may find they are a perfect pair.

Although this book is part of A Snow Globe Christmas series, it is a complete stand alone and it isn’t a requirement that you read the previous books to follow along.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Boys & Toys

SERIES: Ace’s Wild #9

AUTHOR: Morningstar Ashley

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 110 pages

RELEASE DATE: November 19, 2019

BLURB:

After years of staying away from Jax Marsh, Kalen Desford finds himself in an impossible situation when the guy becomes one of his roommates. Kalen can’t help that the puppy love he’d had for the introverted and gorgeous man has grown into a full-blown crush. The problem? Jax doesn’t seem to notice—or care.

Oh, and Jax is the little brother of Kalen’s best friend.

Forgotten laundry—with a little something left behind—and a bright idea from Kalen leads both men into Ace’s Wild. Some shared laughter and a few confessions change things between the two roommates. Kalen jumps in headfirst, no matter the possible consequences from his best friend. Alone for a week during Thanksgiving break, Kalen and Jax find they share more than they thought.

And let’s face it…boys will be boys…especially with their toys.

For the first 90 days of this title’s publication, all sales and page reads will be donated to The One-N-Ten. Their mission is to serve LGBTQ youth and young adults. They enhance their lives by providing empowering social and service programs that promote self-expression, self-acceptance, leadership development and healthy life choices.

Boys & Toys is part of a multi-author series of books that take place in the same fictional town. Each story can be read in any order. The connecting element in the Ace’s Wild series is an adult store owned by Ace and Wilder. The main characters from each book will make at least one visit to Ace’s Wild, where they’ll buy a toy to use in their story! The only characters who crossover to each book are Ace and Wilder. And with various heat levels, there’s sure to be something for everyone!

Reviewed by Sadonna & Danielle

TITLE:  Noble

AUTHOR:  Rinda Elliott

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  124 pages

RELEASE DATE:  November 26, 2019

BLURB: 

Unrequited love sucks.

Samuel Dunham fled his foster home and family at nineteen, heartbroken. The cause of his pain? The bed and breakfast’s big, shy caretaker, Nolan Sadler. Revealing his feelings for the man hadn’t just been embarrassing, it had been a disaster.

Now Samuel is older and has vowed to keep his heart safe. But the sudden death of the B&B owner forces Samuel home.

Home, where his adopted family wants him to stay. Home, where he must face Nolan. Home, where he must find a way to resist falling back in love with a man who will never love him in return.

Noble is a standalone Christmas MM novella with an age gap, nosy family, sexy times, and a true love that time can’t stop. It deals with Nolan’s issues with depression, so some might find that triggering.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Rules to Break

SERIES: Davey’s Rules #2

AUTHOR: Susan Hawke

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 311 pages

RELEASE DATE: September 26, 2019

BLURB:

Davey’s Rule #91: Daddy never loses faith in his boy.

Bryan Miller is satisfied with his uncomplicated life. He’s a discipline Daddy who’s not in the market for any kind of permanent relationship. And why should he be? Like the waves he surfs in the small beach town he calls home, there’s always another body available to warm his bed when he tires of the current flavor of the week.

Preston Wallace is a snotty rich brat with enough attitude to keep all the Daddies from giving him a chance. He gets it… people are jealous of him for being rich, hot, and fit. It would take a strong Daddy to take him in hand.

A casual conversation on the night of Preston’s twenty-fifth birthday ties these two stubborn men together in a bet right out of the musical My Fair Lady. Can Daddy Bryan turn the obnoxious brat into a dateable boy within a ninety-day timeframe?

Strap in for a roller-coaster of emotions as Bryan takes firm control of a brat who might just need to know someone cares enough to try.

This is the second book in this series about not-so-perfect Daddies, adorable “boys,” and one sassy brat with an insane list of rules. Grab your fan and tissues because this series comes with both a high heat advisory and all the squishy feels you’d want from a Susan Hawke book. Possible trigger for the death a background character

Reviewed by Anabela

TITLE: Into the Deep

AUTHOR: Amara Lynn

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

RELEASE DATE: September 19, 2019

LENGTH: 146 pages

BLURB:

Luck has never been on Lamark’s side.

After his father’s untimely death, the new captain casts Lamark off the ship, leaving him in a dinghy in the middle of the ocean. Lamark is sure his life is over.

In a stroke of luck, Lamark encounters a merman, who saves him from drowning and brings him to a deserted island. Lamark quickly learns that on this mysterious island, not everything is as it seems, and danger lurks in every nook. This island may very well be the death of him.

Adventure, romance, and maybe some swashbuckling await Lamark, so long as he’s not too lily-livered to venture into the deep…

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Promise

SERIES: Single Dads #3

AUTHOR: RJ Scott

PUBLISHER: Love Lane Books Ltd

LENGTH: 207 pages

RELEASE DATE: November 2, 2019

BLURB:

Leo Byrne is a cop, Jason Banks is an ex-con. Even after one stolen kiss, something has to give before Leo can convince Jason that falling in love is even an option.

Adopted at a young age, Leo is part of the sprawling Byrnes family. With his dog Cap, three siblings and a whole mess of nieces and nephews, he is never lonely, and his life is full. Love is the last item on his to-do list, but seeing his best friends Sean and Eric happy and making new families makes him want things he doesn’t think is possible. Kissing Jason at an event to honor his bravery was one thing, but anything other than that is off limits. Until Jason has no one left to turn to, and it’s Leo who helps him at his lowest. Taking Jason and his daughter into his home is one thing, but falling for the ex-con is something else altogether.

Jason made a deal to keep his daughter safe and spent years behind bars as a result. Volunteering as a convict firefighter was as much about helping the community as saving his sanity, but now that he’s out, he doesn’t even have that. He’s lost his future, his self-respect, and has no friends or a place to call home. Worst of all, even after rescuing his daughter he still can’t keep her safe from the man who wants to use her as a bargaining chip for money. Meeting Leo might give Jason a way to keep Daisy safe, but falling for the stubborn cop means the truth has to be revealed, and he could lose everything all over again.

Duo review by Becca & Annika

TITLE: Someday, Someday

AUTHOR: Emma Scott

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

RELEASE DATE: November 24, 2019

LENGTH: 411 pages

BLURB:

How long would you wait for love?

Max Kaufman was kicked out of his home as a teen and his life has been an uphill battle ever since. From addiction and living on the streets, to recovery and putting himself through nursing school, he’s spent the last ten years rebuilding his shattered sense of self. Now he’s taken a job as a private caretaker to Edward Marsh III, the president and CEO of one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. Max soon learns Marsh’s multi-billion-dollar empire is a gold and diamond-encrusted web of secrets and lies.

The longer Max works and lives with the Marsh family, the tighter the secrets tangle around him. And his heart—that he’s worked so hard to protect—falls straight into the hands of the distant, cold, and beautiful son of a dynasty…

Silas Marsh is set to inherit the family fortune, but his father is determined his heir be the “perfect” son. Before Silas can take over the company and end its shady business practices, he must prove himself worthy…and deny his true nature.

Silas must choose: stand up to his father by being true to himself and his undeniable feelings for Max. Or pretend to be someone he is not in order to inherit everything. Even if it means sacrificing a chance at happiness and real love.

REVIEWED by Jay V.

TITLE: Last Call in Wonderland

AUTHOR: Rob Browatzke

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 334 pages

RELEASE DATE: August 4, 2019

BLURB:

Wonderland is the hottest gay club in River City, but the world is changing. Brandon, head bartender and hotty, is getting older. Jesse and Colton, the Wonder Twins, are navigating their open relationship. The Queen of Hearts, resident headliner, finds herself challenged by a newcomer. And Chess, Wonderland’s owner, makes a decision to close the bar.

REVIEWED by Jen B.

TITLE: Adore

SERIES: On My Knees Duet #1

AUTHOR: Ella James

PUBLISHER: Barkley’s Books

LENGTH: 240 Pages

RELEASE DATE: November 13, 2019

BLURB:

The heartrending conclusion to the On My Knees Duet, a forbidden MM romance by USA Today Bestseller Ella James…

You think you know me.
That’s the way I want it.
Making you feel like we know each other—like we could go grab a beer sometime—is part of my job. Maybe the most vital part.

It doesn’t hurt that I’m easy on the eyes, single at 35, and born richer than sin. My aesthetic matters much more than it should, but all the better for my worthy cause.
And it’s a worthy cause.

I’ve made an art out of making you feel good, and my influence makes you want to be good. Good like me.
You think you know me, but you don’t.
Everyone has secrets. Mine could cost me everything.
So I’m a fortress. No one’s ever even gotten close.
Until tonight.
See that man, the tall guy dripping on the bow of my yacht? The one I just pulled from the ocean?
He’s the one who’s going to cost me everything.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Rocking Cedarwood

SERIES: Cedarwood Pride #5

AUTHOR: Megan Slayer

PUBLISHER: Pride Publishing

LENGTH: 156 pages

RELEASE DATE: November 26, 2019

BLURB:

Can the geeky teacher moonlighting as a rock-and-roll metal god find the one man to see both sides and want it all with him?

Ever since Michael Jepsen walked into Cedarwood Elementary and spotted Niall Grayson, he’s been hooked. He wants to explore every inch of the sexy third-grade teacher in all sorts of hot ways. But Michael has a secret—during the summer months, he morphs into his alter ego, Bandit, and rocks stages all across the country. Can he keep his job at the school while living the rock-and-roll lifestyle and snag the man of his dreams?

Niall Grayson never thought he’d catch Michael’s eye. Becoming more than good friends never crossed his mind. He’s not good at letting people into his private life and he prefers to keep his heart guarded, but something about Michael makes him want to open up. Will he be able to accept the different facets of Michael or will the relationship fail before it gets started?

These two are determined to rock Cedarwood to its core.

Reader advisory: This book contains expressions of homophobia by multiple secondary characters, blackmail and a forced outing.

Publisher’s Note: This book was previously released elsewhere under a different title. It has been revised, expanded and reedited for release with Pride Publishing.

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Matchstick Men:  Hunter Dane/Camden Snow Origin Story

SERIES:  Hunt&Cam4Ever

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  248 pages

RELEASE DATE:  September 26, 2019

BLURB:

Sometimes it’s the cop who needs to hit the floor…

Haunted by the worst case of my career, I knew only one way to exorcise the images from my mind, the victim from my soul …

1. Inside the club, I scanned the room. He was here—Camden Snow—a sex god in the guise of unpretentious youth. Only his ice-blue eyes gave evidence of the Dom who took whomever he wished, whatever way he wanted, with a look and a nod. Merciless. Cam found me watching him and fixed me with his arctic gaze. This time, I didn’t walk away. He cocked an eyebrow.

Well?

The last thing I needed was mercy. I dropped to my knees.

Three days after their explosive first encounter …

It was munch night at the most elite underground BDSM club in the Rockies…

…relaxed and informal, highlighted by the weekly Matchstick Challenge game. Detective Sergeant Hunter Dane, reigning champion, looked forward to a relaxing evening to start his 3 days off. A few beers on the deck. A sexy interlude. Stumping a challenger with a new puzzle. Home early for a decent night’s sleep.

But some people are so deadly serious about their games.

Now Hunt has a fresh body and a new puzzle to solve in twenty-four hours if he wants to find a killer.

And Dom Camden Snow comes along to help with a few games of his own in mind. Sherlock and John were never like this!

Reviewed by Dan

TITLE: Mind Magic

SERIES: The Triad of Magic #1

AUTHOR: Macy Blake

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

LENGTH: 220 Pages

RELEASE DATE:  October 29, 2019 (first published April 22, 2012)

BLURB:

Magical species must never mix.

According to the rules, Simon Osborne should ignore the children’s cries for help. After all, they’re werewolf cubs, and he’s an apprentice mage. But for once in his life, Simon breaks the rules and rescues the cubs, saving them from a demon intent on draining them of their magic.

Of course, all actions have consequences, and Simon’s bold move earns him the displeasure of his peers and the attention of the cubs’ alpha, a man named Gray Townsend.

The last thing Gray needs is a mage in his life, but Simon did save his son. Since Simon is now a friend of the pack, Gray doesn’t have much choice about it—or the forbidden attraction that goes along with it. Unfortunately for the alpha, he needs Simon’s help to track down the demon behind the kidnappings—before it strikes again. Simon and Gray must join forces to protect the pack, even as they struggle to resist the temptation that threatens to destroy them both.

2nd Edition. Originally published in 2012 as Poppy Dennison.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Under His Command

SERIES: Hybrid Heat #3

AUTHOR: Kiki Burrelli

PUBLISHER: self published

LENGTH: 148 pages

RELEASE DATE: June 28, 2018

BLURB:

A bond that surpasses blood.

Thorne has found a home as second-in-command among the hybrid bikers, and while he considers his pack mates brothers, he never forgets the stepbrother he was coerced into leaving behind. From first sight, Thorne knew he was meant to protect his stepbrother, Sage and he never stopped, until his parents pushed Thorne out of his home by threatening Sage’s safety. His parents thought their bond was unnatural and while it broke Thorne’s heart to leave, he believed it was what was best for Sage. The pack would protect Sage better than an eighteen-year-old lone hybrid shifter.

When the world tells them no.

Twelve years Sage has spent getting over losing his protector, his bodyguard, and his only friend. Thorne had been his entire world, until he suddenly wasn’t. Gone without a trace, at thirteen, Sage couldn’t believe the boy who held his heart would leave him. He spent months running away from the compound he lived in with his parents and lion pride. He’d been sure that Thorne was out there, needing his help. But, after several cruel punishments and years without more than an envelope of money sent through the mail from his former savior, Sage had to realize, his soul mate was gone. Gone, but never forgotten. With only a return address, Sage sends a letter hoping it will bring Thorne home while also dreading that it will.

They say yes.

Thorne worries that returning to his hometown of Dry Creek, Texas will cause more harm than help, but he received Sage’s letter and Thorne has never been able to refuse Sage anything. Except, when he gets there, he finds his hometown in disrepair. Relations between the humans and shifters are at an all-time low, and the sweet, innocent little stepbrother Thorne left in the safety of the pack his now foul-mouthed, sharp-witted and knocked up. Thorne knows the father of Sage’s unborn isn’t his mate. Thorne is Sage’s mate, and he’s spent too long trying to ignore that fact.

Thorne has to pick up the pieces of his broken relationship with Sage and put them back together before he loses Sage for good. Or, before the Protectors of the Pure, an anti-shifter group, unveil their latest plan to wipe shifters off the face of the earth.

Under His Command is a full-length, stepbrother mpreg romance with sugar, spice and a guaranteed HEA.

Trigger Warnings include: mentions of abuse, mentions of drug addiction and alcoholism, and death of a parent.

Reviewed by Anna Lynn

TITLE: A Long Road to Love

AUTHOR: Dakota Storm

PUBLISHER: JMS Books

RELEASE DATE: September 21, 2019

LENGTH: 4,994 Words

BLURB:

Dr. Gabe Adler has had a crush on Chase, his best friend’s brother, since forever. But after one, sweet encounter Chase turned Gabe away and they haven’t spoken for years.

Then a midnight call from his best friend Dylan sends Gabe to the hospital. Chase had been shot in the line of duty and, with no family nearby, Gabe is the only one Dylan can trust to look out for his brother.

Gabe checks on Chase and realizes his injuries are even worse than expected. After Chase pulls through an emergency operation, he wakes up to Gabe watching over him. Will he kick Gabe out of his life again? Or can they make a new start?

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: The Ruin of Me

SERIES: Juxtan #3

AUTHOR: Tricia Owens

PUBLISHER: self published

LENGTH: 141 pages

RELEASE DATE: September 22, 2019

BLURB:

Hadrian ni Leyanon, though a member of a mission to bring his sorcerous father to justice, possesses no friends in the land of Juxtan. With a bounty on his head sure to attract every mercenary in the land, he already deals with the most dangerous: his former lover Caled. Hadrian can present no defense against the cocky, confident mercenary, but he isn’t so certain that he wants one.

Hadrian is the bane of Caled’s existence. He is a silver-eyed peddler of lies. Magickally bound to him, Caled is unable to kill him, but he is determined to make the sorcerer suffer. Unfortunately, the longer Caled spends in his company, the more he learns of Hadrian’s cruel past and how it shaped him into the man Caled fell in love with.

As the two men and their fellows pursue Hadrian’s father along the coast, Caled and Hadrian must confront the emotions that should no longer exist between them. They are enemies. They are supposed to hate each other. Yet in the shadowy abode of a society of the insane, they must rely on each other to survive.