Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE: Maybe This Time

AUTHOR: Lauren Blakely

PUBLISHER: Hot Men Books

LENGTH: 125 pages

RELEASE DATE: October 27, 2020

BLURB:

There’s one thing I need in my life right now and one thing only — a new job.

So I’m stoked when I land a dream gig as a bodyguard for a rock star.

But there’s definitely one thing I do not need at all — a complication.

Like being wildly attracted to the guy who just hired me.

So I vow to do everything I can to deny the intense attraction for the man I’m sworn to protect.

All I have to do is ignore it. Eventually it’ll go away, right?

But that’s not what happens one night after a concert…

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE:  Rough Contact

AUTHOR:  Beth Bolden

PUBLISHER:  Self Published

LENGTH: 438 pages

RELEASE DATE:  October 14, 2020

BLURB:

Their romance is forbidden. Their love is a secret.

Neal Fisher knows heartbreak. It’s the clock ticking down in the Super Bowl. It’s missing the most important field goal of his life. It’s losing everything: his thirteen year career as an NFL kicker, his future, and his pride.

Jamie Wright knows love. It’s everything on the line as the crowd holds their breath. It’s a perfect kick as the ball soars through the goal posts. It’s NFL fame and glory laid out before him.

Neal is on his way out, and Jamie–if he can withstand the tryout pressure– is on his way in. The one person Jamie should avoid is the veteran kicker, and the last thing Neal wants is to sink Jamie’s chances. But a chance meeting and a wild and undeniable chemistry proves to be irresistible.

Neal thought he knew heartbreak. Jamie thought he knew love.

They were both wrong.

Their romance is forbidden. Their love is a secret.

But if they trust each other, maybe their growing relationship won’t end in tragedy. It might even be the beginning of football’s greatest love story.

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE:  Faking a Groom

SERIES: Marital Bliss Book #3

AUTHOR: DJ Jamison

PUBLISHER: Self published

LENGTH: 362 pages

RELEASE DATE:  September 20, 2020

BLURB:

Can two men fake an engagement for the greater good? Avery Kinkaid has been bowing to his father’s will far too long. But when his dad supports anti-LGBTQ legislation, he’s had enough. Sen. Kinkaid says things would be different if Avery had a fiancé in the wings. Well, fine: He’ll just have to get one. Rory Fisher is an activist with a heart of gold and nerves of steel. He’s not afraid to call Avery on his BS, and that’s why Avery knows Rory is the perfect fake fiancé to help him take a stand. If he still feels a little too much for his ex, well, he can shove that down and suck it up to beat his dad at his own game. Until Rory encourages his most hidden desires. Until he makes Avery feel stronger, braver, and freer than he’s ever been. Loving Rory is easy, but Avery’s father won’t just sit back and let them have their happily ever after. They will have to fight: for their love, for justice, for a future together. This is one power struggle they can’t afford to lose.

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  Liars

AUTHOR:  Lucy Lennox and May Archer

SERIES:  Licking Thicket #2

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  307 pages

RELEASE DATE:  October 27, 2020

BLURB:

Parrish Partridge’s True Facts:

There’s nothing hotter than a tall, gruff, bewildered, tattooed mountain of a man cuddling a sweet, orphaned baby, so you can tell yourself that you’ll resist him…

But that’s a lie.

And when that man asks you to do him a favor and pretend to be his very temporary, very fake fiance to help him get custody of that adorable baby, you can pretend you know better than to say yes…

But that’s a lie, too.

And when you actually get to know your kind, strong, pullet-loving prince of a fiance, and all his crazy, lovable, meddling neighbors, you can tell yourself you’re not really falling for Diesel Church and the town of Licking Thicket…

But that might be the biggest lie of all.

Reviewed by Danielle

TITLE: Uneven Justice

SERIES: The Asylum Fight Club #7

AUTHORS: Tibby Armstrong & Bianca Sommerland

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 649 Pages

RELEASE DATE: July 25, 2020

BLURB:

Life in the wings has its disadvantages…

One-time third-wheel in the boy-band Glam Grenade, Danny DiMarco’s existed just shy of center stage for as long as he can remember—a supporting player to two best friends who depended on him to pull their weight. While they made bank, he’s left reeling when his father’s death tangles his future in the red tape of empty contracts and drained accounts.

But the show must go on.

Jackson ‘Jacks’ Turner wears many hats, most of them gathering dust. An ex-model and an in-denial fashion designer, what he doesn’t plan to accessorize with is a newbie sub who shows up on his front doorstep looking for an introduction to the world of D/s inside Anniston Falls’ exclusive gay, members-only club.

Shea Warren is no stranger to covert ops. A Navy SEAL, he knows the ins and outs of hiding in plain sight. When Danny runs afoul of the club’s most powerful cliques on his first…and second…night as his roommate’s guest, the mission becomes clear. Protect the sweet, unassuming sub before he becomes a casualty of Jacks’ wear-em-once style.

There’s no rehearsal for this next set.

The Asylum might be more accepting of sequins and spandex than most, but Danny’s not coming to come out. In fact, with sponsors whose conservative ties pay his bills, it’s more than undesirable. It’s impossible. Except, sometimes Cupid has other plans.

Just when Danny needs to hide most, he’s headed for the last place he ever wanted to be…

In the spotlight.

Reviewed by Sadonna 

TITLE:  Catch Me

SERIES:  Tattoos and Temptation #4

AUTHOR:  Mia Monroe

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  214 pages

RELEASE DATE:  October 16, 2020

BLURB:

It’s never worked with two. Is three the magic number?
Cairo has been my bestie for years. He’s sexy, charming, and absolutely gorgeous. Even though the attraction is strong, my track record taught me to keep the line between friendship and more intact.

But then Luca entered our world with his southern drawl, bedroom eyes, and sexy smirk, quickly making a play for not one but both of us. Sounds like a recipe for trouble. I refuse to hand over my heart and get it stomped on again. No matter how hard both of them try to convince me I’m safe.

Luca and Cairo can chase, but they’ll never catch me…

Catch Me is a super steamy friends to lovers MMM story with a charming and determined Southern boy, two friends who can’t see what’s right in front of them, and piercings in fun places. It is book three in the Tattoos and Temptation series featuring hot Miami nights, Latin desserts, and guys with ink.

It can be read as a standalone, but it’s definitely more fun to read in order.

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE: Jonty’s Christmas

AUTHOR: Barbara Elsborg

SERIES: Unfinished Business #1.5

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 90 pages

RELEASE DATE: October 28, 2020

BLURB:

Have you ever had something that you’re really looking forward to but dreading at the same time?

Jonty’s always longed for a traditional family Christmas, and his boyfriend Devan thinks it’s the perfect time for Jonty to meet his big, boisterous, Christmas-loving family. But Jonty’s sure Devan’s parents aren’t going to think he’s good enough for their son. He probably isn’t. But he is good for Devan and the arrival of an unexpected guest gives him a chance to prove it.

Jonty never backs down from a challenge. His mouth won’t let him. But his brain is telling him that if he interferes, he might wreck any hope of acceptance. On the other hand, could his reward be the best Christmas present ever?

Reviewed by Anabela

TITLE: How to Make the Perfect Man

SERIES: Some Like it Haunted Collection

AUTHOR: Catherine Curzon & Eleanor Harkstead

PUBLISHER: Pride Publishing

LENGTH: 62 pages

RELEASE DATE: October 27, 2020

BLURB:

Love isn’t science. It’s alchemy.

Needing a date for the hottest Hallowe’en party in town, scientist Aubrey Waldegrave sets to work creating his perfect man. Unfortunately, the Adonis who emerges from his laboratory is a free spirit who has no time for Aubrey’s brogues and tweeds.

Alchemist Trismegistus Nimlet can turn anything into gold, but when his apocathery’s alligator starts talking back and his werewolf allergy leaves him sneezing, it looks like Halloween might be a washout. Worse still, is Tris really about to lose the chap he secretly loves to a manmade surfer dude who’s more flash than Frankenstein?

With werewolves leaving fur in the ornamental fountains and a banshee making enough noise to wake the dead, Aubrey’s Halloween is going from bad to worse. All he wanted was to make his perfect man, but what if he was right there all along?

Reviewed by Cheryl

TITLE: Pied Piper

SERIES: Grim and Sinister Delights # 6

AUTHOR: Emma Jaye

PUBLISHER: Purrindoors Publications

LENGTH: 284 pages

RELEASE DATE: September 18, 2020

BLURB:

The best thing the only male siren can do is die, without ever saying another word. One more night of life proves one too many. His mother’s family want Domino alive until he’s fulfilled the prophecy of fathering the most powerful siren ever to exist. Then his bones will become commodities on a mage’s shelf.
Goading his captors into ending his miserable, guilt-ridden existence fails thanks to a new, irritating, and cheerful abductor who claims to be saving his life but lies through his teeth.

Silent sarcastic sirens with a death wish aren’t Jude’s typical bounty. But the job to return a runaway to his mage father sounds like easy money for the leopard shifter. Money that will help fund Jude’s only goal in life, ending the rats who murdered his family.
Not getting involved with his bounties is a life rule Jude never breaks, but there is something about this kid, besides having a voice that could wipe out every rat in existence with a word.

Bone amulets, prophecies, and shifters bind this dark web of secrets that could cost not only their lives but the world.

Pied Piper is a dark paranormal romance set in the same DeMMonica world as Emma Jaye’s Incubus series.

Grim and Sinister Delights is a dark romance series based on classic fairy tales and stories. You will find standalone tales of gay romance that range in darkness and kinks. If you dare to take the challenge, read them all to find yourself lost in a classic that you think you know. These stories are for adult readers and may contain morally ambiguous themes.

Reviewed by Taylin

TITLE: Flirting With Fire

SERIES: A Shore Thing Novel #3

AUTHOR: Grace Kilian Delaney

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

RELEASE DATE: October 20, 2020

LENGTH: 287 pages

BLURB:

A stuntman with a love for fire.
A yoga teacher in search of zen.
A holiday season neither will forget.

Stunt performer and self-declared badass, Tate Astbury returns to his hometown to spend another dreaded Thanksgiving with his dad. But his father forgets and makes other plans, resigning Tate to a quiet and depressing holiday alone unless he can find someplace else to celebrate.

When Tate’s mischievous friend learns about the unfortunate twist, he dares Tate to enter a radio contest to become a fake boyfriend for a desperate caller’s holiday dinner, and Tate never turns down a dare.

Endre Michel is a mess. His yoga business is on the cusp of ruin, and his moms are visiting from out of state for the holiday, intent on meeting his boyfriend, a person Endre invented. Through the contest, he meets Tate, a crude, tattooed older man who plays the role of doting boyfriend so well, Endre suspects and hopes it’s not all for show.

Neither man can deny the unintended connection, and they struggle to overcome the distance between Tate’s put-together Hollywood career and the chaos surrounding Endre’s unsteady future—a situation that intensifies when an unthinkable tragedy uncovers a dark and painful truth.

Flirting with Fire is a standalone holiday romance with several cups of angst, questionable jokes, a bird with a wicked sense of humor, a bed with loud, squeaky springs, and an HFN/HEA ending. For best enjoyment, read Living on a Dare and Dancing with a Star, the previous books in the Shore Thing series.

CW: suicide, substance abuse disorder, grief, mental illness

Reviewed by Sadonna 

TITLE:  Free Me

SERIES:  Tattoos and Temptation #3

AUTHOR:  Mia Monroe

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  228 pages

RELEASE DATE:  September 16, 2020

BLURB:

Only his ropes can unravel the past.

I never thought I’d see him again, but when my former best friend shows up ready to make amends, it becomes clear just how tied to the past I am. He disappeared when I needed him the most, leaving me to navigate my truth alone. Now he’s back.

Nixon’s art leaves me vulnerable, defenseless, and I like it. Bound by desire and past hurts, giving him complete control might be exactly what I need to set me free.

What neither of us expected? The ropes free him too…

Free Me is a sensual second chance, former friends to lovers, bisexual awakening story featuring Shibari. It is book three in the Tattoos and Temptation series featuring hot Miami nights, Latin desserts, and guys with ink. It can be read as a standalone.

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  The Happy List

SERIES: Better With You #1

AUTHOR:  Briar Prescott

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  307 pages

RELEASE DATE:  October 25, 2020

BLURB:

Gray
There are some things I excel at:
– Exercising rigid control over every aspect of my life
– Making sensible decisions at every turn
– Being organized, predictable and responsible to an abnormal degree
In short, I’m boring as hell and in desperate need of a change.
Luckily I have my best friend by my side and a newly written to-do list to guide my way through the murky waters of finding happiness.
It’s all very promising at first, but as weeks pass, I start to realize that the best part of my day has always been Kai.
And when I see him out on a date with some guy?
Let’s just say I’m definitely not happy about it.

Kai
I’m back in Boston after ten years of traveling, and I’ve fulfilled all my goals:
– See the world
– Figure out what to do with my life
– Get over my impossible crush on Gray
Check, check and check.
Life’s good until I accidentally find Gray’s happy list, which contains some very interesting things that friends never ever do with each other.
And as weeks pass, it becomes clear those not-so-innocent parts are the ones Gray is determined to explore with me.
In short, I’m screwed because no matter how hard I try, I can’t resist him, and pretty soon I’m forced to admit that I’m not as done with my crush as I thought I was…