Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE: The Spark Between Us

SERIES: L.A. Fire #2

AUTHOR: I.M. Flippy

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

LENGTH: 181 pages

RELEASE DATE: May 28, 2021

BLURB: 

As one of the stars of L.A. Fire, TV’s hottest new show, I’ve learned to know my place.

I’m not one of the young hotties who gets paid to light up the screen with my smile and take off my shirt.

I’m around to help ground the cast. After half a lifetime in Hollywood and one big mistake that almost destroyed me, I know how to do my job.

And just as importantly, I know how to avoid mixing The Business with pleasure.

But my co-star Emilio doesn’t make it easy.

Emilio is young, talented, beautiful, and every time we’re near each other, I feel myself wanting to get closer. Sometimes, I even think we’ve got a lot more in common than I’d like to admit.

There’s definitely a spark between us.

But is Emilio worth risking everything I’ve worked so hard to build?

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE:  King & Queen

SERIES: Relic Book 3

AUTHOR:  Maz Maddox

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  216 pages

RELEASE DATE:  May 21, 2021

BLURB:

Running into your one night stand is always awkward.

It’s especially awkward when said hunky hookup pulls you into a secret war over fossils and a kidnapped, newly awakened Albertosaurus shifter.

As if my life wasn’t already a mess (understatement), now I’m cruising through Canada hunting down an ancient monster who tried to kill us, attempting to get my social media career off the ground, and ignoring my feelings for my one time fling.

Royal is hot as fire, funny, brilliant and has a thing for dinosaurs almost as much as I do.

Probably because he is one.

Bonus.

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE:  Sink or Swim

SERIES: Relic Book 2

AUTHOR:  Maz Maddox

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  226 pages

RELEASE DATE:  March 19, 2021

BLURB:

Trapped on a cruise ship with a man I absolutely hate is not how I wanted to spend this fake honeymoon. Especially when my “fiancé” has a deadly ex on the same boat.

Jackson is everything I’m not: brash, careless and a former fossil thief. But he’s my ticket to getting what I want — the original Spinosaurus fossils that have been lost for decades. Now I have to play the part, win the fossils and try not to kill him in the process.

The danger of being caught, tortured or killed isn’t what scares me.

Navigating the waters of this fake relationship is threatening to pull me under.

And I’m terrified of sinking.

Reviewed by Anna Lynn

TITLE:  Wicked Outlaw

SERIES:  Ward Security #6

AUTHOR:  Jocelynn Drake, Rinda Elliott

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  303 pages

RELEASE DATE:  May 21, 2021

BLURB:

Cole loves the city. He loves the noise, chaos, and having tacos delivered at 2 a.m.

He loves his job at Ward Security. He might look like a bodyguard, but there’s nothing better than being counted as one of the hacking tech triplets.

There is no way he will ever love horses, cows, and the great wide open of Texas. At least, that’s what he thinks until JB Alexander rides into his life.

He can’t deny the burning attraction of JB’s easy smile and weird sense of humor.

And while they’re dodging gun shots, crazy neighbors, meddling family, and secret plots, Cole might be forced to admit that he’s found an even greater love.

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE:  Smash & Grab

SERIES: RELIC Book 1

AUTHOR:  Maz Maddox

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  190 pages

RELEASE DATE:  July 17, 2020

BLURB:

My standard issued lab badge reads “Simon”, but it really should say “unexciting nerd with no social life”. Don’t get me wrong – I love what I do with a passion, but it doesn’t leave a lot of time for much else. Especially romance.

While chipping away at my work, I’m suddenly the person between hired cartel muscle and the fossil that will define my career. Which isn’t the most insane part of the story.

My savior is a chaotic, bat-wielding punk with a bubble-gum pink mohawk and a killer smile.

In a mad dash to escape the thieves, my knight in studded armor sweeps me across the country while hitting every tourist trap along the way. While smuggling a fossil, might I add.

Oh, and did I mention this pink punk can shift into a dinosaur?

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Leo

SERIES: Bar 28 #3

AUTHOR: JJ Harper

PUBLISHER: self published

LENGTH: 184 pages

RELEASE DATE: May 28, 2021

BLURB:

After a destructive relationship ended five years ago, Leo Ritchie hasn’t trusted himself or anyone else enough to try again. He has great friends and loves his job at BAR 28, and for now, it’s enough. That and the late-night online chats with @Brunobear.

Bruno Alderton, one of the most successful male models in the world, has had enough of the constant travelling, jet lag, long hours, and no one to come home to. He spends the lonely hours talking and swapping trivia with his online friend, @Leolion.

Being summoned home to attend his sister’s twenty-first birthday party may not as bad as he thought. Bruno finds the most gorgeous man he’d ever seen. The man he wants to have in his bed every night.

Leo knows he’ll only cause the beautiful man heartache. But the temptation for one night is too strong to resist.

What happens when they both realise they can have what they want with this stranger? Who will be the one to fight for them, and who will want to run away?

This is a sweet and sexy gay romance, filled with tender moments and emotions that will make your heart happy. Leo is the third book in the BAR 28 series and can be read as a standalone. This book is based in the UK and is written in British English.

Please look inside for TW.

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Ex-Rivals

SERIES:   Local Beats #3

AUTHOR:  Zoe Lee

PUBLISHER:  Foolish Endeavors, LLC

LENGTH: 199 pages

RELEASE DATE:  May 13, 2021

BLURB:

The best way to get over your past is to get back under it.

Julian Corelli
After fifteen years, I’m back in Chicago for a new job, with enough sass and charm to power the whole city. There are two million people here, and only one I never want to see again. Except who do I come face-to-face with on my very first night back? My ex-rival, my ex-classmate, my ex… nevermind.

Camdon Gaines
As if getting over a breakup isn’t bad enough, the worst person I’ve ever had the displeasure to know is at my favorite club on guys’ night, laughing with my best friends. He’s still the most infuriating man, but at least I faced him, lost my temper a little, and now it’s case closed.

Except now that we’ve crossed paths again, it’s like we’re cosmically handcuffed together. Everyone else thinks he’s the funniest, cleverest man in the city and they want to be his new bestie. But I know the real Julian and there’s no way I can ever trust him again after what he did to me—especially when he’s acting like I’m the one who ruined everything.

This is a 70k word enemies-to-lovers, second chance, slower burn romance with a guaranteed HEA. It’s the third book in the Local Beats series and can be read as a standalone, but is more fun if read in order.

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:   Nothing Special Box Set Books #1-5

SERIES: Nothing Special

AUTHOR: A.E. Via

PUBLISHER:  Via Star Wings Books

LENGTH: 1,386 pages

RELEASE DATE: July 19, 2020

BLURB:

To be accepted into the most notorious narcotics task force on the East Coast is an incredible honor. A rogue collection of the most feared and unorthodox detectives, independent of standard departmental jurisdiction. Headed up by two of the baddest Lieutenants with the Atlanta Police Department – Cashel ‘God’ Godfrey and Leonidis Day.

“We were a unit tonight, moving as one. Even apart, we are deadly, but when combined – we are fuckin’ unstoppable.”
~~ God ~~

This set contains Books 1-5.   NO NEW CONTENT HAS BEEN ADDED.    

Reviewed by Stephen K

TITLE: Looking Past

SERIES: Unconditional  #3

AUTHOR: Michael Bailey

PUBLISHER: Independent

LENGTH: 285 Pages

RELEASE DATE: May 7^th  2021

BLURB: 

Ten years ago, Ben Worthington ran away from home after a violent confrontation with his father. He’s lived with the anger and resentment that confrontation caused ever since.

To the outside world, Dylan Barrows has it all together. But he struggles with the guilt from his inability to protect his older brother from his abuser.
Tragedy brings them together, and an unknown shared history threatens to tear them apart before they can begin looking past their issues … and finally find love.

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE:  Fire in the Ice

AUTHOR:  Ryan Taylor and Joshua Harwood

PUBLISHER:  Wainscott Press

LENGTH:  266 pages

RELEASE DATE:  May 14, 2021

BLURB:

What if love threatened to destroy everything you’d worked for?

Hockey right winger Tyler Jensen isn’t thrilled to get the news he’s been traded to the Bethesda Barracudas. The team may be red-hot in the rankings, but there’s someone there he’d rather not have to see every day.

Defenseman Kevin Moore is one of the top-rated rookies in the country. He’s living the dream playing for the Barracudas—until he hears that his old high-school crush Tyler is joining the team. Ty was once everything Kev wanted, but their age difference got in the way. Tyler decided a three-year gap was too much and left Kevin behind.

In Bethesda, Tyler doesn’t take long to notice that Kevin has grown up into precisely the kind of man he can’t resist—brawny, brainy, and beautiful. Kev feels the pull too, and as the men become closer, they work hard to keep their budding relationship secret. Professional hockey may be welcoming gay players now, but Ty and Kev aren’t sure management would like the idea of two Barracudas taking teamwork to an entirely new level.

As the playoffs loom, news of their romance gets out. Ty and Kev, caught in a storm of controversy that threatens to destroy them, need a power play to save their careers. How will they find one before it’s too late?

Fire in the Ice delivers on the promise that second chances can work and dreams can come true. If you like exciting hockey, plenty of humor, a beautiful HEA, new adults, young athletes, and enough heat to burn down the house, this book is for you.

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE: Getting Friendly

SERIES:  Never Just Friends #3

AUTHOR:  Saxon James

PUBLISHER:  May Books

LENGTH: 347 pages

RELEASE DATE: May 24, 2021

BLURB:

LEON

When I’m looking for a hook up, I want three things:
Big, thick, and rough.
So it doesn’t make sense that I can’t get my new hire out of my head.
He’s a tiny guy with big ideas … and he’s my apprentice which means he’s completely off limits.
But he’s already under my skin.
And for the first time with any guy, I don’t think I can hold my own against him.
Physically, yes. Emotionally, no.
Auggie makes me weak.

AUGGIE

Growing up, I always wanted to go into the family business and follow in Dad’s footsteps.
Until in my senior year of high school when he told me to find a new dream.
No one would let a small, clumsy guy like me on a construction site.
And after trying and failing for years, I was starting to believe him.
Then LJ Constructions calls me for an interview and when I meet Leon, he becomes my new dream.
He’s hot as hell, self made, and instead of putting me down, he sees what I’ve always seen in myself.
But I’m not dumb enough to throw away this one chance, not even for him.
Not even if I really, really want to.

Getting Friendly is a low angst friends-to-lovers romance with spa dates, a size difference, and an adorably awkward MC.

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: The Swap Masquerade

AUTHOR: Annabella Michaels

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 219 pages

RELEASE DATE: May 28, 2021

BLURB:

“A night of passion and pleasure awaits you. No names, no faces, just the chance to live out your wildest fantasies. Leave your keys in the bowl and let fate decide who you’ll end up with.” After years of hiding his sexuality from his family and teammates, Elliott Stone is tired of living a lie. However, with only three months left until the baseball season is over and he graduates from college, he’s determined to keep his secret for a little bit longer. But the words written on a party invitation offer another option. One that might allow him to finally explore what it’s like to be with another man. Gavin Holt loves being a college professor, but living and working in a small, conservative town makes discretion essential when it comes to his sexuality. That’s why he likes going to Swap Masquerades. Hiding his identity under a mask is the only way he can truly feed all of his desires without anyone finding out. Behind a mask, is the one place they can both let their inhibitions go, but what happens if the person finally revealed is someone who’s off limits?

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: 99 Days

AUTHOR: Matt Converse

PUBLISHER: Encompass Ink

LENGTH: 82 pages

RELEASE DATE: May 27, 2021

BLURB:

Life as we know it will never be the same.

Flying saucers are spotted all over the world. But after one crashes into the San Francisco Bay, they disappear. Not far from the crash, Mitch rents his spare room to Claytone and quickly develops a crush. But what he doesn’t know is that Claytone will soon turn his world— and heart, upside down.

Claytone’s final revelation will reach even further; it will change life on planet Earth— forever.

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE: Leif’s Serenity

SERIES:  Brigs Ferry Bay Book 4

AUTHOR: Misty Walker

PUBLISHER: Self-published

LENGTH: 278 pages

RELEASE DATE: May 26, 2021

BLURB:

Leif
The world knows me as Leif in Wanderlust, travel blogger.
Through the lens of my camera, I take my followers along as I vacation in some of the most beautiful places all over the world.
Sure, it can get lonely, but I’m literally living everyone’s best life and loving every second of it.
Until I’m hired for a job in Brigs Ferry Bay, Maine, where I meet a local diner owner, Fernando.
One steamy night together turns into two, and two… turns into a week of bliss.
Our instant connection leaves me questioning my motives for why I do what I do.
Am I replacing meaningful relationships with the approval of strangers?
And why can’t I get Fernando out of my head?

Fernando
Tourist season in Brigs Ferry Bay is the best season when your number one rule is to not sleep with the locals.
Small towns get six degrees of incestuous if you’re not careful.
So when a sexy travel blogger with a nerdy vibe struts into my diner, I call dibs.
He’s the perfect distraction from the dumpster fire that is my life right now, since Pops was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
I didn’t expect to actually like the guy or miss him after he went on his way.
But I do, and I can’t stop the intrusive thoughts telling me what we have is more than lust.
Now my biggest problem is convincing a wanderer to stay in one place with me.
I’m the cat, he’s the mouse.
Game on.

*Brigs Ferry Bay is a steamy MM romance series. While each book can be read as a standalone, to get the full experience, they’re best read in order.  Enemies to lovers, hurt comfort, age-gap romance, and so much more.  Fall in love with the charming small-town gay romances of Brigs Ferry Bay.

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Head to Head

SERIES: Nerds vs Jocks #3

AUTHOR: Eli Easton and Tara Lain

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 312 pages

RELEASE DATE: May 25, 2021

BLURB:

If these two don’t kill each other, they might fall in love.

Rand hates Jax because he’s the laid-back, vegan-eating, tree-hugging, total-Zen-until-I-get-a-chance-to-screw-you president of Sigma Mu Tau, the nerdy fraternity that’s the sworn enemy of Rand’s house, Alpha Lambda Alpha. What a phony!

Jax hates Rand for being the privileged, rich-heir-to-an-oil-empire, environment-destroying, soul-sucking president of the ALA jocks—but mostly because Rand hated him first. Rand has sent nothing but hateful vibes his way since the day they met. What a douche!

The enemies have never had a single conversation that didn’t involve shouting—until Jax’s old Buick breaks down on a road trip and Rand plays reluctant rescuer. Jax is forced to sit on Rand’s dead cow seats. Rand learns chickens can enter the living room and that Jax’s beliefs are more than skin-deep. The bitter rivals embark on a quest to save a family member and discover that sometimes animosity is a mask for crazy-hot attraction. With this much face time, head-to-head might become heart-to-heart.

HEAD TO HEAD is an enemies to lovers, forced proximity, opposites attract, searching for his sister, clashing cultures, MM romance—with a whole lot of fracking. 

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Ex-Daredevil

SERIES:   Local Beats #2

AUTHOR:  Zoe Lee

PUBLISHER:  Foolish Endeavors, LLC

LENGTH:  261 pages

RELEASE DATE:  December 3, 2020

BLURB:

When there’s no way to prepare for love, will they be daring enough to earn it?

Eliott
When a cute guy literally fell out of the sky and into my world, I couldn’t resist the challenging glint in his eyes. Gavin was the opposite of the kind of man I thought I was looking for, but maybe there was something more to him than just a daredevil who worked for a rock star.

Gavin
The last thing I expected was to be curious about the stuffy lawyer whose car I nearly crashed into during a skydiving mishap. There was no way a man like Eliott would ever be able to take me seriously. But I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to find out if we had anything more than mutual attraction in common, so I bet Eliott that I can get him to love something dangerous.

This is an opposites attract MM romance featuring banter and a bet. It is the second book in the Local Beats series, which can all be read as standalones, and has a guaranteed HEA.

Reviewed by Stephen K.

TITLE: To Light a Fire

SERIES: Speak its Name #1

AUTHOR: Kristian Parker

PUBLISHER: Pride Publishing

LENGTH: 82 pages

RELEASE DATE:  25 May 2021

BLURB: 

Frank never thought he would find love…until he met his friend’s servant.

It’s 1922 and Frank Harris has finished his exams at Cambridge. He had planned on going home to his parents’ Midlands shop until his friend Charlie Fitzwilliam issues a surprise invitation to stay at his family’s stately home.

Frank has nursed a secret attraction to Charlie since their first meeting and can’t resist a chance to spend time with him, but once there, it’s Tanner, a manservant, with whom he instantly falls in lust.

Charlie tries to force a local girl on Frank, and although Frank knows he should keep up appearances, it’s Tanner who sets a fire in him.

To Frank’s astonishment, Tanner is attracted to him too, and their mutual passion kindles, then burns strong. Only, their feelings must remain a secret—discovery would mean the ruin of them both.

But how long can love that blazes this bright be hidden?

Reviewed by True

TITLE: Ponyboy

SERIES: The Braided Crop Ranch #2

AUTHOR: AE Lister

PUBLISHER: NineStar Press

LENGTH: 263 pages

RELEASE DATE: April 12, 2021

BLURB:

Owen Lipke is looking for adventure. When he hears about a ranch in the Muskokas catering to kinky men who don’t want to settle for backroom amateurs, he signs up in a second.

At the Braided Crop Ranch, Owen finds what he’s looking for: A sex-positive space with safety protocols and Doms (trainers) who know their business. And a stable full of well-behaved ponyboys to prove it.

Owen thinks his trainer, Kamal, is hot as hell but finds being a ponyboy isn’t as intuitive as he expected. As he struggles to learn the basics of equine pet play under the firm hand of his trainer, he finds himself falling for the experienced older man.

And perhaps Kamal is developing a thing for the young, adventurous newcomer. But there are rules about fraternizing with staff at the ranch. And Owen wonders if it’s wise to fall in love with the pragmatic trainer who unravels him layer by layer to expose his deepest needs and most secret proclivities.

But perhaps wisdom is overrated. And maybe the rewards of adventure are only achieved when you abandon caution and take a huge leap of faith.

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Cash & Cary

SERIES: Men of Memphis Blues (book #1)

AUTHOR: Sam E. Kraemer

PUBLISHER: Kaye-Klub Publishing

LENGTH: 190 pages

RELEASE DATE: May 14, 2021

BLURB:

Cash Mitchell

Cary Brewer is the best catcher in the country, and he’s part of the reason I’m starting my first Major League Baseball game for the Memphis Blues. He told me the first day of our minicamp that he’d make my life a living hell. Oh, he achieved that goal in spades, but I doubt in the way he intended.

Tragedy never takes a holiday, and having suffered one, I’m not ready for another. When it happens, Cary is there to support me. I have a guardian angel who’s been looking out for me, and I never knew it.

Now, I wonder what the cost will be for both of us—since I’ve already fallen for him.

Cary Brewer

Skip Mitchell told me that his nephew is a hell of a pitcher. Seeing the kid in action proves the man right. But when I lay eyes on Cash Mitchell, my gut ties itself in knots. Ask anyone—I’m not that guy.

The attraction I’m fighting tooth and claw will only be detrimental to both of our careers. I need to get away from him, but how do I do that?

The kid has me completely under his spell, and the blue in my uniform will match the blue in my pants if something doesn’t give.

This work of fiction is approximately 55,000 words in length, ends in an HEA, and can be read as a standalone novel.

Reviewed by Taylin

TITLE: Playing It Out Straight

AUTHOR: Andrew McQuinn

PUBLISHER: Independently Published

LENGTH: 306 Pages

RELEASE DATE: June 7, 2020

BLURB:

All coming out stories are told in two parts
The Before and After…

This is the year I come out.
Repressed by his father to be someone he is not, and feeling alone in his quaint, sleepy coastal Maine town, seventeen-year-old Kyle McKinley needs a fresh start. Then his father dropped a bombshell. They were moving across country to Santa Monica, California.
Recently, nineteen-year-old up and coming actor Scotty Valentin gave up all hopes of finding a boyfriend. Relationships in Hollywood came with a price, all for the cost of his privacy and trust.
Kyle and Scotty meet by chance. The chemistry between them is instantaneous, leaving Kyle wanting more. But at what cost? Could Scotty be the answer Kyle’s been bother running from and searching for?

Playing it out Straight is the Before.