Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Caged In

SERIES: Ace’s Wild #12

AUTHOR: Luna David

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 146 pages

RELEASE DATE: December 10, 2019

BLURB:

The first day I walked into his office I felt an incredible longing in my soul. The moment we touched, I was breathless, a deep ache running straight through my heart. I had a feeling I wasn’t alone, but he was my boss, and damn the man for being the utmost professional.

Nearly four years have passed since that day. Four years of seeing his boys, of knowing he was a Daddy to each one of them, but never to me. Now with only days left until I walk away from my beloved job, knowing I won’t see him anymore pains me. Until a twist of fate—a chance encounter in Ace’s Wild—changes everything. Maybe now I can be the boy he’s always needed—finally permitted to be caged in by his ownership.

***

PLEASE NOTE: For the first 90 days of this title’s publication, all sales and page reads will be donated to The Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition.

Caged In 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 Becca

TITLE: The Rest of Our Lives

SERIES: Mitch & Cian #5

AUTHOR: Helena Stone

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 74 pages

RELEASE DATE: December 27, 2019

BLURB:

A year after their first kiss, Mitch and Cian have settled into their relationship and life in Dublin. There’ve been ups and downs and one or two unexpected turns in the road, but through it all they’ve gone from strength to strength.

Going home to Castleforest for Christmas means having to stay with their own families. Neither Mitch nor Cian enjoys being apart, but the sting of separation fades in the wake of a surprise from Mitch’s mother, and reconnecting with old and very dear friends lifts their spirits further.

Back in the city for New Year’s Eve, they throw a party for their friends and at last acknowledge the depth of their feelings for each other and the ties that will bind them for the rest of their lives.

This last instalment in the Mitch & Cian series comes with delightful surprises, fabulous parties, and declarations that will make your heart sing.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Omega’s Power

SERIES: Irresistible Omegas #8

AUTHOR: Nora Phoenix

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 276 pages

RELEASE DATE: November 9, 2019

BLURB:

When one needy boy makes taking it slow impossible…

Sivney is determined to take his sweet time to get to know his new lovers, Naran and Lev. After all, they each brought quite a bit of baggage into their relationship and figuring out how they fit together is not easy.

But Lev can’t wait until Sivney is ready for more. He needs Sivney and Naran to take care of him now. Preferably, like, yesterday. Will Sivney step up when Lev needs more than he’s willing to give initially?

The pack as a whole has bigger worries. Civil War is on the verge of breaking out, and since the capital is only miles away, that doesn’t bode well for the pack members. But when one of the pack members becomes deadly sick, even war isn’t their first concern anymore…

Omega’s Power is book 8 in the Irresistible Omegas series, a bestselling mpreg romance series which needs to be read in order to enjoy the plot lines fully. This MMM romance has a little kink, a lot of love, and some high angst moments, but ends with a HEA for all characters.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Blue Jingle

SERIES: Blue Elvis and Jonah #3

AUTHOR: Viva Gold

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 140 pages

RELEASE DATE: November 22, 2019

BLURB:

It’s Christmas time again and Elvis and Jonah have another adventure in store. This time, Elvis has arranged for them to visit Lapland on a luxury Christmas break. They’ll be staying in a secluded tree house in the forest and engaging in all sorts of exciting Christmas activities culminating in a visit to Santa’s grotto to meet the man himself. In true Elvis style, shenanigans ensue to make this holiday adventure a truly memorable one for all sorts of reason!

In the lead up to their holiday however, Elvis gets a visit from Jonah’s stuffy, homophobic, upper class parents which does not go well, threatening the very future of their marriage.

Will Christmas jingle all the way for Elvis and Jonah, or will it be over before it’s even begun?

Can be read as a standalone or as the 3rd one of the Blue Elvis and Jonah books.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Pure

SERIES: Trenton Security #4

AUTHOR: J.M. Dabney

PUBLISHER: Hostile Whispers Press

LENGTH: 190 pages

RELEASE DATE: August 17, 2019

BLURB:

Innocence wasn’t a personality flaw.

Nicolas “Pure” Warner lived with the curse of a cute face and a terminal blush. He was waiting for his happily ever after. Yet he’d given up on finding his one. His partner and spotter wasn’t the type to settle down but he’d always been drawn to the other man. Pure decided he could live with that, but when powers outside their control took Raul away, Pure would stop at nothing to get Raul back even if that meant leaving the Trenton Security team behind.

Touching the sun only left you burned.

Raul Martinez was a brutal fighter. He’d worked freelance for several years at Trenton Security. There was one dark spot to the perfect job: Pure. The man was sweet and looking for forever. How did the damaged and unworthy ever hope to touch the sun without getting burned? And touching Pure would be a dream come true. When Pure endangers his freedom to save him, how could Raul convince his boy that letting him go was the only option?

This title may contain triggering material for some readers.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Under His Enemy

SERIES: Hybrid Heat #6

AUTHOR: Kiki Burrelli

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 214 pages

RELEASE DATE: January 28, 2019

BLURB:

When alpha shifter Orion accepts a mission that takes him behind enemy lines he expects to find hate. He never expects to find a mate.

Crow Brownstone’s family has known much loss from the hands of shifters. It is that loss that compels Crow’s father to create the Protectors of the Pure, an organization committed to protecting humans against shifters. Being a Protector comes with sacrifice. To be accepted, Crow lives in the closet, his true identity hidden from even his twin brother, Falcon. By now, Crow is used to it and he can always sneak out for a one-night stand.

Then, he meets the first man to ever make him doubt his one night only rule. Orion rocks Crow’s world, but he is just passing through. Or so he says. When Orion shows up as one of the newest recruits on the Protectors’ compound the next morning, Crow should be terrified, instead, he’s relieved that he doesn’t have to say goodbye yet.

Only Orion would potentially ruin a mission, months in the making, by unwittingly sleeping with one of the Protectors’ leaders. Orion is there to discover their latest weapon, but he can’t seem to stop worrying about the last man in his bed. With his inner animal on hiatus, Orion is flying blind. He can’t sense Crow is his mate, until their relationship has already changed Crow’s life in ways neither expected. Orion can’t leave his mate behind, even if he must take Crow from the only life he’s ever known.

While Orion tries to convince his pack to accept his new mate, Crow’s brother, Falcon, powered by the Protectors of the Pure, will stop at nothing to take him back.

Under His Enemy is a full-length (70k) mpreg romance. It is the sixth book in the Hybrid Heat series. Though it would be enjoyed as a standalone, it would be better understood if read in order.

Reviewed by Anna Lynn

TITLE: The Diva and His Daddy

SERIES: The Hedonist #6

AUTHOR: Rebecca James

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

RELEASE DATE: December 23, 2019

LENGTH:  206 pages

BLURB:

Forty-year-old Jeovanni Mendoza is far from the Daddy Nick’s been looking for. The ex-porn star has slept with dozens of people, both on and off screen, and has yet to have a serious romantic relationship. Even though they’ve butted heads in the past, Nick has wanted Jeo for a long time and can’t say no when the sexy Brazilian biker suggests they start something casual yet exclusive. Why not, if the chemistry is sky high?

The sex is amazing, but that’s not what surprises Nick. The real shocker is that he’s enjoying every moment with Jeo, both in and out of the sack. When Nick’s family problems send him into a tailspin and Jeo seems to know exactly what to do to help him, Nick begins to wonder if the man might really make a good Daddy. But as their relationship progresses, knowing they’re only together for the short term, Nick becomes more and more convinced he won’t recover once Jeo decides it’s over.

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Holiday Fling

AUTHOR: Crystal Lacy

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:   203 pages

RELEASE DATE:  December 13, 2019

BLURB:

All Jake has to do is remember it’s a fling.

During my flight to Honolulu, the sexy guy on the next seat drunkenly admits his bi-curiosity. Naturally, I don’t hesitate to volunteer as tribute to be his first kiss. He politely declines, but then we run into each other in the hotel bar.

Thus begins a hot holiday fling with Bennett. Bennett’s on the rebound and I’ve never had a serious relationship. This thing between us can only be casual. But just because this is temporary doesn’t mean I can’t help salvage what’s left of Bennett’s Christmas.

If only I didn’t have to keep reminding myself not to catch feelings.

A sweet and sizzling-hot holiday vacation romance set in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Reviewed by Jay V.

TITLE: Evan Versus the Sharlotka

SERIES: 2019 DSP Advent Calender

AUTHOR: Chrissy Munder

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 25 pages

RELEASE DATE: December 1, 2019

BLURB:

Rumpled tech support Evan Carmichael has a crush on pristine programming supervisor Gavriil Cottan. The whole company knows it. Except Gavriil. As a closet romantic, Evan dreams of declaring his feelings with a grand gesture, something out of the movies he loves.

The company holiday potluck luncheon gives Evan a perfect opportunity. He finds out Gavriil’s favorite dessert and is determined to make an apple sharlotka just like Gavriil’s mother used to make. The only problem is, Evan is a disaster in the kitchen. Can he master the mystery of the sharlotka and the intricacies of the springform pan in time to both woo and wow Gavriil?

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Last Place in the Chalet

AUTHOR: Sue Brown

PUBLISHER:  Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH:   191 pages

RELEASE DATE:  December 24, 2019

BLURB:

Noel Garrett leaves for his Christmas vacation with an engagement ring in his pocket. But he boards the plane alone and with a broken heart when his boyfriend dumps him in the airport.

His seatmate, Angel Marinelli, takes care of him with gentle determination… whether Noel wants it or not, and Noel doesn’t expect to see Angel again. But when an overbooking leaves Angel without a room and Noel is asked to host him, one night turns into the whole vacation and they settle into the chalet and mix with an eclectic group of guests, including the Wise Guys and a pregnant woman. As they ski and spend every moment together, Noel finds himself falling for Angel, and though his feelings are returned, Noel worries it’s just a rebound romance. It’ll mean taking a leap of faith, but Noel has to make a decision before he hurts Angel, and Christmas is fast approaching

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Four Christmases

AUTHOR: Nell Iris

PUBLISHER: JMS Books LLC

LENGTH: 75 pages

RELEASE DATE: December 21, 2019

BLURB:

Will a decade-old family feud and long held secrets stand in the way of love?

Auden Whipple is searching for a bit of peace and quiet from his loud family when he stumbles across the neighbor, Porter Eldin. Porter is scorching hot on a freezing Christmas Day, and nothing like Auden expected. A moment shared by the creek begins a relationship that surprises them both.

As the Christmases pass, Auden and Porter’s relationship deepens. But the obstacle of the unresolved conflict between the Whipples and the Eldins makes Auden worried. Worried to tell his family of his new-found love, worried that the conflict will come between them.

Can two men truly in love help mend fences that have been broken for too long? Can the holiday spirit help Auden and Porter find their happily ever after?

Reviewed by Taylin

TITLE: A Holiday Homecoming

SERIES: 2019 Advent Anthology – Homemade For the Holidays

AUTHOR: Liv Rancourt

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

RELEASE DATE: December 1, 2019

LENGTH: 18k words

BLURB:

Ten years ago Jon’s passion for the piano took him across the country to New York, where a demanding concert career consumed his life and left him no time to look back. His father’s stroke is the only thing that brings him home to Seattle. The sickroom makes for a dreary holiday until Jon runs into Bo, whose inner light can make anything sparkle.

Bo loves the holidays: the food, the crafts, the glitter! A fling with an old school friend—who grew up to be his celebrity crush—makes a good thing better. The season turns sour, though, when Jon is offered a gig he can’t refuse. He wants Bo to share the moment, but Bo doesn’t fly. Anywhere. Ever. Is this goodbye, or will a handmade ornament bring Jon home to Bo?

REVIEWED by Anna Lynn

TITLE: The Boyfriend Trap

AUTHOR: J.B. Buell

PUBLISHER: JMS Books

LENGTH: 23,965 Words

RELEASE DATE: September 28, 2019

BLURB:

Male stripper Jamie has been seeing his boss, club owner Luke, for a while now. Jamie wants a more committed relationship, but Luke is dragging his heels about getting more serious with Jamie or introducing Jamie to his daughter, Sofia.

But Sofia has had enough waiting around to meet her dad’s not-so-secret boyfriend, and devises a plan to get them together.

In this sweet rom-com, two grown men find themselves outwitted by a precocious eight-year-old.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Hawk

SERIES: Sons of Destruction #2

AUTHOR:  Noelle Smith

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 300 pages

RELEASE DATE: August 16, 2019

BLURB:

As soon as Hawk and Talon touch, it’s instant…

Sons of Destruction is not your typical Motorcycle club. They’re not lawless; They are the law. SOD’s mission is to abolish drugs, prostitution, human trafficking, and to stop the criminals who run these enterprises permanently.

Shane “Hawk” Williams is the Vice President of the Sons of Destruction Motorcycle club and second-in-command to the alpha and president of the club, Axle Davis. All of their ancestors were blessed many moons ago by a Magic Man and were gifted with the power to shift from man to wolf and back again. They had a promise of protecting all those souls who are in need. For the commitment for accepting the gift from the Magic Man, they will receive a Magic blessing of their one true love for eternity.

Talon is a young man in need. After graduating from college with his culinary degree, he has his whole life ahead of him, until he lets his guard and gets abducted by a long-time rival gang. Forced to do menial jobs while being held captive by the Hell’s Guard Motorcycle Club, Talon has to hold on a little longer. Deep in his soul, he knows help is coming. He doesn’t know from who, but he can feel it all around him. He just needs to hold on a little longer. Talon knows he’ll have people coming to help him. One night in his dreams, a man tells him help has arrived, and the new MC will come and rescue Talon from his own personal hell before he’s sold into the unknown.

“I just need to hold on for a little longer. I know I have people coming to help me…”

Hawk sees the blond-beauty again at the LGBTQ Helpline fair and realizes Talon is the same man they’re looking for in their investigations and the man in his dreams. The Hell’s Guard has him, and he’s in trouble. With help from the FBI and a concerned friend, the Sons of Destruction will finally be able to stop the Hell’s Guard and rescue Talon. Will the Hell’s Guard escape one more time or will they be stopped this time? Who is behind the deaths surrounding Talon? Will the questions be answered, and the bad guy stopped? Will Talon find the peace he’s been so desperate for in his life?

THE NEW RIDE BEGINS

Sons of Destruction: Hawk is approximately 76,000 words of fast-paced action and a revelation from a former enemy. It’s also filled with love, obsessions with oatmeal, and baby farm animals in t-shirts. They will find missing family, make new friends, and live a Happily Ever After. Hawk can be read as a standalone or you can go back to the beginning. Axle is the first book in the Sons of Destruction series followed by Hawk. Sons of Destruction: Hawk is intended for readers over the age of 18.

*Content warning: Talk of suicide and sexual violence are mentioned in the storyline but never written on the page. There’s only talk about the acts in the past. Read with caution.

Reviewed by Lisa

TITLE: Purls of Wisdom

SERIES: Homemade for the Holidays

AUTHOR: Morgan James

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 50 pages

RELEASE DATE: December 1, 2019

BLURB:

Yarn shop owner and ex-soldier Noah Miller never looks forward to the Christmas season. At least this year the break coincides with Hanukkah. But before his vacation, he has to survive the December rush.

When virgin knitter Finley Mason comes into the store desperate for yarn, needles, and lessons so he can win a bet against Hazel, a woman who must be his wife, Noah agrees to help him despite his better judgment—he usually hates teaching.

As the deadline to finish his roommate’s scarf looms, Finley falls in love with the reclusive shopkeeper, and he tries his best to woo Noah with all the magic of New York City at Christmastime. Noah could easily be swept away—if only Finley wasn’t straight and taken….