Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE: Between Enzo and the Universe

AUTHOR: Chase Connor

PUBLISHER: The Lion Fish Press

LENGTH: 335 pages

RELEASE DATE: January 14, 2020

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If Enzo listed his problems, being single wouldn’t be anywhere near the top of the list. It might not even be in the top twenty list of problems that he faces on a daily basis.

His grandmother is dead. His parents are dead. His sister and brother are dead. He has no money. No friends. No job. He’s all alone in a country that will always seem strange. Soon, he might not even have a home.

And he’s so angry. At life. Himself. God. The universe. Everyone.

Except for the man he sees in the market. Something about the man with the red hair (who only speaks English) tells Enzo that the universe might not be completely against him for once.

‘Between Enzo & the Universe’ is a story about a boy who emigrates from France with his family to Canada in the hopes that a better life might be found. Enzo arrives in Canada as a boy with a happy, healthy family…and ends up a young man with no one left in the world. How does the universe apologize for that?

Enzo meets an American at the autumn festival and over the course of a night, they will share their dreams, their passions, and the events that made them the people they are. They will eat, laugh, talk…and come to realize that they both share a dream for the future.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Ain’t Snow Mountain High Enough

SERIES: Snowed Inc – Valentine’s Inc #8

AUTHOR: Brittany Cournoyer

PUBLISHER: self-published

RELEASE DATE: February 6, 2020

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Rest and relaxation weren’t the only things on Alex’s mind when he agreed to go winterize his friend’s cabin in the mountains. Since he’d been struggling to meet his deadline for his book, he figured a quick weekend getaway was just what he needed to get his creativity flowing again. What Alex hadn’t counted on was coming face-to-face with Rhys—the only man Alex had let close after his world had nearly ended. Only Rhys took his battered heart and disappeared with it.

Fresh air and a few days off were exactly what Rhys needed—whether he knew it or not. After booking Rhys a cabin for the weekend, his best friend packed him a bag and sent him toward the mountains. Lack of GPS and a cabin mix up lead Rhys back to Alex. An unexpected snowstorm traps them together.

With nothing but a few walls between them and Mother Nature preventing them from leaving, will Alex and Rhys take advantage of fate bringing them together again? Or have hearts been broken far beyond repair?

Ain’t Snow Mountain High Enough is book 8 of the Valentine’s Inc. series, but it can be read as a stand-alone. It’s a second-chance novella that ends with a happily ever after.

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE: Back in Black

SERIES:  McGinnis Investigations

AUTHOR:  Rhys Ford

PUBLISHER:  Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH:  240 pages

RELEASE DATE:  Feb 4, 2020

BLURB:

There are eight million stories in the City of Angels but only one man can stumble upon the body of a former client while being chased by a pair of Dobermans and a deranged psycho dressed as a sheep.

That man is Cole McGinnis.

Since his last life-threatening case years ago, McGinnis has married the love of his life, Jae-Min Kim, consulted for the LAPD, and investigated cases as a private detective for hire. Yet nothing could have prepared him for the shocking discovery of a dead, grandmotherly woman at his feet and the cascade of murders that follows, even if he should have been used to it by now.

Now he’s back in the dark world of murder and intrigue where every bullet appears to have his name on it and every answer he digs up seems to only create more questions. Hired by the dead woman’s husband, McGinnis has to figure out who is behind the crime spree. As if the twisted case of a murdered grandmother isn’t complicated enough, Death is knocking on his door, and each time it opens, Death is wearing a new face, leaving McGinnis to wonder who he can actually trust.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Snow Way Out

SERIES: Snowed In – Valentine’s Inc #7

AUTHOR: Nora Phoenix

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 197 pages

RELEASE DATE: February 4, 2020

BLURB:

He’s twice his size and a lot older, but will Mac let Quentin come out on top?

Quentin is searching for…something.

Respect.

Answers.

His identity.

Most of all, he’s searching for a man who will let him be in charge, despite the fact that he looks like an elf.

But all that will have to wait because right now, he’s searching for shelter after getting stranded in the middle of nowhere, New York with a massive snow storm about to hit. He finds an unexpected host in Mac, a man the whole town seems to hate. Mac has secrets…but so does Quentin.

Sparks fly between them, but can it lead to more when Mac is twice his size, a lot older, and practically a virgin… and when Mac can’t leave and there’s no way Quentin will stay?

Snow Way Out is a steamy contemporary gay romance with an age gap, a dash of kink, a ton of snow, a gentle giant of a man, and a bossy twink. It’s a standalone book in the Snowed In – Valentine’s Inc. series, which are only connected by the same writing prompt.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Trials

SERIES: Crossing Nüwa #2

AUTHOR: Sean Ian O’Meidhir & Connal Braginsky

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Publications

LENGTH: 190 pages

RELEASE DATE: February 4, 2020

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With the help of technomage and hacker Theo, rare snake shifter Robbie escaped his mother and clan, who planned to use him as breeding stock. While still working to break through the conditioning and mind control of his past, Robbie is enjoying exploring a new relationship with the worldlier Theo.

But their fight isn’t over yet.

A trip to his aunt’s house for Thanksgiving is highjacked by political intrigue, leaving the couple wondering who their friends really are. They cannot help but be drawn into larger plots while trying to find justice for Robbie at his mother’s trial. When clan rivalries turn deadly, they’ll need their allies—and each other—more than ever.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: T.A.G. You’re Heard

SERIES: The Assassin’s Guild

AUTHOR: A.G. Carothers

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 151 pages

RELEASE DATE: February 3, 2020

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Hello again, Mr. No here, communications agent for T.A.G. and your inside source to your favorite agents.

Our next file is on Operation Gingersnap and none other than Agent Code name Mr. Kr, aka Connor Foley Turgenev, our snarky and hyperactive computer genius.

Connor gets hit with a blast from the past that he’d thought was long dead. Yoshi and the rest of Upper Management must scramble to save him before his situation turns dire.

In the meantime, will nearly losing Connor push our gentle giant of a Chef, Asbjorn Sternberg, to open himself up to Connor and truly be the Daddy and partner that Connor wants and needs? Or will he let injuries obtained while serving in the Norwegian Army fuel his self doubt?

Find out this and exciting news that might change the face of T.A.G.’s future in this next installment from the archives.

The Assassins’ Guild Series are enclosed stories but they are all connected and best read in order.

T.A.G. You’re Seen

T.A.G. You’re Heard

T.A.G. You’re Felt

Reviewed by Donna

TITLE: Enticing Enigma

SERIES: Miracle #12

AUTHOR: Shea Balik

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 5451kb

RELEASE DATE: January 26, 2020

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Be who you are. That was Asher Walker’s motto. The only problem? He was someone who loved to talk. It didn’t matter what the subject was, because he could find a way to have a conversation with anybody. Even if it meant gossiping about others. He didn’t mean to spill everyone’s secrets, but he also didn’t know how to stop himself from doing so. It tended to make those he met stay as far away from him as possible when all he wanted was to make friends.
Zayn Phelps hated to be around people. To him, it was akin to what he imagined hell would be like. The worst was when he had to carry on a conversation that involved more than the weather. If he had the choice, he’d rather face a firing squad then a group of people.
They say opposites attract, but no one ever explains how to compromise in order to stay together.
Will Zayn find his inner socialite? Or will he end up gagging his mate to find some peace?

Reviewed by Cheryl

TITLE: Consorts of the Red King

SERIES: Standalone based in the Sentinel Universe

AUTHOR: Eden Winters

PUBLISHER: Rocky Ridge Books

LENGTH: 364 Pages

RELEASE DATE:  October 26, 2019

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In deepest space the ruthless Federation lays waste to one rebel colony after another, leaving comrades-in-arms Van Orskey and Tayn Kassik without family, without a home, and without hope.

With nothing left but each other, they run contraband and smuggle fugitives from the safety of their ship, the Cormorant—with the occasional clandestine mission for the rival Coalition thrown in. Their heists have not gone unnoticed, though even the bounty on their heads doesn’t prevent them from being a thorn in the enemy’s side at every opportunity.

Pissing them off? Big mistake.

From the day of his birth Prince Jorvik of Akiak learned duty, wisdom, and honor from his father, leaving him ill-equipped to withstand betrayal by his Federation-puppet uncle. He has no love for the greedy off-worlders who plunder his world’s natural resources and enslave his people. To defeat his foe, he needs the cunning, fearlessness, and touch of treachery only outlaws can offer.

Two off-world mercenaries make unlikely partners in Jorvik’s quest for vengeance, but the more he learns of them, the more common ground he discovers. In each other’s arms they find passion, heat, and maybe, a reason for living—until their common enemy threatens to tear them apart.

To survive, they must take on the corrupt Federation.

And win.

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  The Mating of Michael

SERIES:  Sex in Seattle

AUTHOR:   Eli Easton

PUBLISHER:  Self Published

LENGTH:  240 pages

RELEASE DATE:  January 30, 2020

BLURB:  

Everyone admires Michael Lamont for being a nurse, but his part-time work as a gay sex surrogate not only raises eyebrows, it’s cost him relationships. Michael is small, beautiful, and dedicated to working with people who need him. But what he really wants is a love of his own. He spends most of his time reading science fiction, especially books written by his favorite author and long-time crush, the mysteriously reclusive J.C. Guise.

James Gallway’s life is slowly but inexorably sliding downhill. He wrote a best-selling science fiction novel at the tender age of eighteen, while bedridden with complications of polio. But by twenty-eight, he’s lost his inspiration and his will to live. His sales from his J.C. Guise books have been in decline for years. Wheelchair bound, James has isolated himself, convinced he is unlovable. When he is forced to do a book signing and meets Michael Lamont, he can’t believe a guy who looks like Michael could be interested in a man like him.

Michael and James are made for each other. But they must let go of stubbornness to see that life finds a way and love has no limitations.

Reviewed by Taylin

TITLE: Adam Bomb

SERIES: Moguls, Royals and Rogues #1

AUTHOR: Kilby Blades

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

RELEASE DATE: January 21, 2020

LENGTH: 254 pages

BLURB:

Moguls, Royals, and Rogues

Can a lifelong friendship survive the fallout?

Levi Cossio’s best friend Adam has always been larger than life: a smoking-hot billionaire hotelier whose charm can bend the world to his whim. When New York City stops being big enough for both of them—at least if Levi ever wants to fall out of love with Adam—he leaves it behind for a job in in San Francisco.

But when Adam pulls an Adam—upending the calm new life Levi has come to love with a plea to lend his talent to a worthy cause—Levi is helpless to resist. Adam will be the first Fortune 100 CEO to come out of the closet on a grand scale. He needs a trusted ally on his PR team. Levi is a lauded portrait photographer. And the job will only last three weeks.

Levi accepts on one hidden condition: he’ll keep his new friends away from Adam, certain that if they get a whiff, they, too, will fall under Adam’s spell. Bent on keeping his two lives separate, Levi barely makes it through the first two weeks unscathed—and then Adam drops another bomb….

Reviewed by Dan

TITLE: The Night

SERIES: Love in O’Leary – Book 5

AUTHOR: May Archer

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

LENGTH: 212 pages

RELEASE DATE:  December 6, 2019

BLURB:

One night in Vegas I gave him my heart… one day later, he broke it.

Look, I’ve never claimed to be a nice guy. I don’t do pretty words, I don’t give polite smiles, and I refuse to be sucked into the sappy bucket of sentimentality that is Christmas in small-town O’Leary. Smiling neighbors, overly decorated trees, a town parade, a Santa contest? Ho ho no. I do shifts as a firefighter, and I go home alone.

I fell into the trap once — that stupid night in Vegas — of believing there was more out there for me. I took a chance on a guy with magical green eyes and a gorgeous smile. The next day, Liam McKnight was gone. He took my heart with him… and left his wedding ring behind.

Except now my once-upon-a-time husband has reappeared with a kid in tow, and there are carols, lights, and cookies everywhere I turn. And worst of all? The spark between us burns brighter than ever, because whatever happened in Vegas definitely didn’t stay there. Liam came to town looking for an ending, but what’s building between us feels an awful lot like a beginning. Too bad it’s going to take more than a dozen interfering O’Learians to convince me to take a second chance on heartache, on love… on us.

Reviewed by Anna Lynn

TITLE:  Candy Hearts

SERIES:  So Over the Holidays #2

AUTHOR:  Erin McLellan

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  209 pages

RELEASE DATE: February 3, 2020

BLURB:

Mechanic Benji Holiday is so over Valentine’s Day and men who don’t get him. A weekend getaway with friends to escape the holiday hubbub is exactly what he needs. But William O’Dare—a stern and silent nightclub owner with “Be My Valentine” practically stamped on his forehead—throws a wrench into Benji’s plans.

William has spent years focused on his career, and it has cost him friendships and love. Inexperienced in the business of romance, he’s on the hunt for the perfect partner, and he’s armed with specific criteria to guide him. But William didn’t expect a hunky mechanic wrapped in satin and lace to show up on his doorstep.

Unable to resist their attraction, Benji and William agree to be secret fake valentines for the weekend, but secrets have a way of getting out. William gets struck by Cupid’s arrow, and as the weekend winds down, he doesn’t want fake or secret. He wants Benji to be his valentine for real and for keeps.

Candy Hearts is a male/male Valentine’s Day novella featuring a house party power outage, meddling friends and siblings, naughty lingerie and naughtier toys, homemade Valentine’s Day cards, and a happily ever after.

Reviewed by Taylin

TITLE: Everyday History

AUTHOR: Alice Archer

PUBLISHER: Shine Even If

RE-RELEASE DATE: January 28, 2020

LENGTH: Approx. 90k words

BLURB:

If you woo, win, and walk away, a second chance is going to cost you.

Headstrong Ruben Harper has yet to meet an obstacle he can’t convert to a speed bump. He’s used to getting what he wants from girls, but when he develops a fascination for a man, his wooing skills require an upgrade. After months of persuasion, he scores a dinner date with Henry Normand that morphs into an intense weekend. The unexpected depth of their connection scares Ruben into fleeing.

Shy, cautious Henry, Ruben’s former high school history teacher, suspects he needs a wake-up call, and Ruben appears to be his siren. When Ruben bolts, Henry is left struggling to find closure. Inspired by his conversations with Ruben, Henry begins to write articles about the memories stored in everyday objects. The articles seduce Ruben, even as Henry’s snowballing fame takes him out of town and farther out of reach.

Reviewed by Taylin

TITLE: Stay Lucky

AUTHOR: Leta Blake

PUBLISHER: Leta Blake Books

LENGTH: 219 Pages

RE-RELEASE DATE: January 9, 2020

BLURB:

A second chance to build the family of their dreams…

Dr. Grant Anderson long ago gave up on a relationship with Leo Garner. After all Leo left him for a movie star, and who can compete with that? But now, Leo’s back with his adorable, genius daughter in tow, leaving Grant consumed by three important questions:

1)Did Leo come home without the movie star because he’s looking for a fresh start?
2)Does he want a do-over with Grant too?
3)Why else would Leo be hanging around Grant’s hospital so much anyway?

The attraction between Grant and Leo is undeniable, and soon their affection reignites as well. But will their luck hold out through health scares and family drama so they can find their happy ending at last?

*Originally published in 2018 under the same title using the pen-name, Halsey Harlow.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Ozzy

SERIES: Such a Colorful Feeling #1

AUTHOR: Rowan Massey

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 374 pages

RELEASE DATE: August 10, 2019

BLURB:

Ozzy could ruin Jace’s life to buy his own freedom…or let himself fall in love and save Jace’s life instead.

Two dozen new types of recreational drugs were invented in the eighties. Now there’s no one left who isn’t a user. As a result, civilization is falling to its knees. The skies are polluted, having a job puts you in the minority, and public services like health care and police protection are for the rich.

In a town called Emporium, Ozzy works as a rent boy in a seedy club. When Jace, an overdosing teenager, is dropped at his feet, Ozzy sees an opportunity. His cruel pimp and mayor will let him cross the guarded borders of town and escape to a better life if Ozzy finds his own replacement. Jace, although he’s disabled, seems like a candidate.

But things won’t be that simple. Jace is sick and won’t last long. Under increasing pressure to save himself from his pimp, Ozzy races to save the life of the guy he’s not supposed to be falling for.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Chasing Chance

SERIES: Gilcrest University Guys #1

AUTHOR: M.E. Parker

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 175 pages

RELEASE DATE: March 17, 2019

BLURB:

There are moments in your life that become part of you. They become so ingrained in your memory that you can’t let them go, no matter how hard you try. Some may seem small and insignificant when they happen. Others are so big and important that you know, even while you’re in the moment, that your life will be forever changed. For me, almost all those moments—both the small and insignificant as well as the big and important—were moments I shared with Chance Wyrick.

If I were in a support group for hopelessly pathetic gays, I’d have to introduce myself by saying, “Hi, I’m Andy Michaelson and I can’t stop myself from thinking about Chance Wyrick.”

From the time we met, when we were only six years old, and for the next twelve years, he was my best friend. I fell in love with him along the way. I couldn’t say exactly when it happened, only that it happened.

Words of advice:

Never fall in love with your best friend, especially if he’s one of the most popular kids at school, the best high school quarterback in the state, or if he happens to be your next-door neighbor.

But most of all…

Never, I repeat never, fall in love with your best friend if he’s straight. Nothing good can come of it. Trust me.

Our friendship was over before we finished our last year of high school. My best friend became my ex-best friend. I hoped to forget about him when I went off to college. But Chance followed me there. So did all the memories.

I tried to forget him. I did. But he was more beautiful than ever. He was the starting quarterback for Gilcrest University. He was larger than life. He was impossible to ignore. We hadn’t spoken in years, but the memories still hit me out of nowhere, and they still hurt.

By the time I started my third year at Gilcrest, I was beginning to think I’d never be over him.

As it turns out, I was right…

Chasing Chance is the first book in the Gilcrest University Guys series. It’s a full-length, “friends to lovers” romance novel. It has “coming out” and “first-time gay” themes, is stocked full of STEAM, heartache, and laughter, and it has a guaranteed happy ending. The series will follow the love stories of four college friends. Chasing Chance is the first of two books that will tell Andy and Chance’s love story. Look for book two, Catching Chance, to come out next month!

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Sam’s Soldiers

SERIES: Boys of Brighton #2

AUTHOR: M. Tasia

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 119 pages

RELEASE DATE: December 29, 2016

BLURB:

Emergency room nurse Samuel Mason is offered a ménage relationship with two ex-military men and discovers a love more dangerous—and more exquisite—than he anticipated.

Welcome back to Brighton, Texas. Where any man can find home.

THE POWER OF THREE

As an emergency room nurse at Brighton General, Samuel Mason spends most of his days caring for the sick and injured, and his nights alone. Until now.

Jack “ Spider” Forrester and Dante Snow have arrived. Retired from the Army, they provide protection to those in need. They’ve come to Brighton to guard Sam’s cousin from a dire threat, but it’s Sam’s world they turn inside out. Jack wears his heart on his sleeve but is no pushover, and Dante is scarred from a past he’d sooner forget. They two are partners in all things, from the bedroom to the office to the street, and they want Sam to join them…for as long as they’re in town. But there is danger ahead, and not just from the type of men these skilled, muscled heroes have sworn to take down. The danger of falling in love.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Doctor’s Orders

SERIES: Paint #3.5

AUTHOR: Emma Jaye

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 48 pages

RELEASE DATE: September 28, 2019

BLURB:

Cutting, coke, calling Nate.

All three would help the clawing anxiety caused by the upcoming trial of Alex’s father. All three would cause Dr. Cooper to rush home from his life-saving job to deal with his neurotic boyfriend.

Adding watching kink to his list of coping techniques, particularly his secret medical fetish, helps until a little voice in his head persuades Alex to try one of his fantasies.

Who knew that adult stars lie about their innocence and that acting out scenes can have horribly awkward painful consequences?

It can also lead to your dreams coming true.

Previously published in the anthology ‘Come Play’.