Reviewed by True

TITLE: Double Trouble

SERIES: Lost and Found #1

AUTHOR: Barbara Elsborg

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

LENGTH: 360 pages

RELEASE DATE: October 21, 2021

BLURB:

Seven years ago
Fifteen-year-old Raffety’s freaked out from the moment he arrives at summer camp. Something isn’t right about the place, parents, kids and the counsellors. The only good thing is Jonah—and their first kiss.
Trouble is Jonah’s middle name. He can’t just ignore that Raffety clearly doesn’t belong at the camp, and risks everything to help him escape, even their budding friendship.
Jonah’s actions have damaging repercussions for both boys. Raffety returns to a very different world than the one he left, one where his mum is terrified of strangers who insist they’re pack. As for Jonah, his father decrees he’s gone too far. His memories of Raffety are wiped and Jonah’s exiled to Faerieland.

Present Day
Breaking cover for his mum’s funeral lands Raffety back in the claws of a pack that never stopped searching for him. The alpha is claiming Raffety’s an omega, and prime breeding material. Erm, no way. Raffety would rather eat his own eyeballs. He needs to figure out a way to escape—and quick.
Indentured to Paranormal Resolutions for his sins, which are many, Jonah’s ordered to extract a mark from the clutches of a pack of werewolves. The mission fills him with dread: the wolves know he stole their gold and if they catch him, they’ll eat his guts, with or without ketchup―gulp! But defying his boss isn’t an option. Not if Jonah wants to live.

Is it chance that Jonah and Raffety end up in the same trap, or is it more? Could fate be giving them both a helping hand, or have they just landed in the worst trouble of their lives?

NOTE FROM AUTHOR
A few scenes in this story appeared in a book that is no longer in publication.
In addition, it is not an Omegaverse story but the possibility of a male shifter getting pregnant is part of the plot. No on-page detail is given.

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Here Without You

SERIES: Cooper’s Ridge #2

AUTHOR: JJ Harper

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 371 pages

RELEASE DATE: October 22, 2021

BLURB:

Archer Hawkins and Mallory Halston literally run into each other and a
true love story is born. Archer pursues Mallory with absolute determination making him fall hook, line, and sinker.

“I really would like to get to know you, Mallory.” His voice husky in my ear._

_“I don’t think it’s a good idea, I’m sorry.” I’m already kicking myself for turning him down. “That’s okay, I’ll ask again tomorrow, and the day after, I’ll get you to say yes in the end.”_

But just when they’re about to get everything they ever hoped tragedy strikes leaving Mal alone and adrift. Putting his past behind him Mal
stumbles upon Cooper’s Ridge. Changing his name to Carter, he takes a chance, becoming a bartender at The Last Drop Inn, and embarking on a new life.

Local attorney, Dan Mortimer, has finally found and captured the heart of Cooper’s Ridge’s newest resident, Carter.

_“I was coming in to see you, and maybe get you to agree to dinner with me. C’mon Carter it’s only dinner, I’m a nice guy I promise.”_

But when Dan’s college friend comes to town to recuperate after a horrible car accident, it seems the most important men in his life may have something to answer for. And just how far will an evil, conniving, homophobic mother with a vendetta go to bring them all down?

This book can be read as a standalone

Here Without You is a gay ménage story with plenty of hot sex and strong language and is therefore suitable for readers aged 18 and over.

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Decaf and Bear Claws

SERIES: Rocky Mountain Java #1

AUTHOR: Minerva Howe

PUBLISHER: Turtlehat Creatives

LENGTH: 103 pages

RELEASE DATE: October 19, 2021

BLURB:

Reed and Tyler get more love. And another baby!
Bear shifter Reed Conifer-Ronson and his husband Tyler have found their happily ever after together in the Colorado mountains, They’ve got each other, a thriving coffee roasting business, and a baby girl they love more than anything in the world. The problem is that Reed is completely overwhelmed with all of his responsibilities. Tyler is away a lot for the business, he’s convinced his daughter hates him, and he just wants a few hours of uninterrupted sleep.

When Tyler realizes what Reed needs, he does his best to make it up to Reed, but when they find out that Reed is pregnant again, they both know something has to give. Can they find a life and love balance that suits them and make their family work even with all the difficulties?

This is a gay shifter mpreg romance novella that follows Coffee and Honeybuns.

REVIEWED by Jay V.

TITLE: Ghost of Lies

AUTHOR: Alice Winters

SERIES: Medium Trouble #1

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 415 pages

RELEASE DATE: October 21, 2021

BLURB:

Hiro

Though I was born with the ability to see the dead, I struggled with it until my brother was killed and his ghost was left behind. Now, I’m determined to figure out who is responsible for his death… the problem is that Detective Maddox Booker, the one working the case, is a grumpy and stubborn man who wants nothing to do with me and definitely doesn’t believe in ghosts. It doesn’t help that I keep finding myself looking ridiculous in front of the detective, thanks to interfering ghosts who enjoy laughing at my expense. Still, the more I’m around Maddox, the more I realize that beneath that surly exterior is a kind and caring man who will do anything to help.

Maddox

When another man dies, I know we have a serial killer on our hands—the same murderer who has remained elusive for a year and a half. To add to my frustration, I keep running into Hiro at crime scenes only to hear him claim that he can talk to ghosts. The words of the dead could lead us to the serial killer and even tell us who is next, but ghosts? There’s no such thing as ghosts. Hiro is determined and charming, and no matter what I do, I can’t stop letting him get involved. He’s definitely snagged my attention, but when he nearly winds up dead, I know he’s getting closer to the truth—and if I don’t do something soon, he might be next.

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Something Like Heaven

SERIES: Mystical Mates (prequel)

AUTHOR: Susi Hawke

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 94 pages

RELEASE DATE: October 12, 2021

BLURB:

Love is beautiful and glorious and… something like heaven.

As a guardian angel, Nikolai has one job—to protect his charge. That’s it. Nothing more, nothing less. Follow the Corporate manual and watch over the charge in his care to the best of his ability. Which isn’t a problem since following the rules is what he does best.

Until now. Until this charge. Until Nicolai begins to… feel.

Nikolai is stunned when he first experiences human emotions. The next shocker comes when he falls in love with his own charge—his Jonathan. Whether or not to save Jonathan when his life is at risk isn’t even a question, neither is sacrificing his grace to make it happen.

This 26k short read novella is the prequel for an upcoming series. Watch out for an adorable demon, dreams coming true, and the biggest shocker two cis males could never expect to receive. Yes, this is an mpreg story! I hope you find all the heart and laughter you can expect from Susi Hawke.

Reviewed by True

TITLE: Romantic Rescue

SERIES: Romantic Series #2

AUTHOR: Blake Allwood

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

LENGTH: 234 pages

RELEASE DATE: September 23, 2021

BLURB:

A nasty fall on a hiking trail represents Daniel’s crumbling life, but a handsome park ranger will rescue him in more ways than one.

Catching your boyfriend and best friend together would be bad for anyone, but being arrested for punching your best friend in the nose makes it much worse. When Daniel heads into the mountains for some alone time, things go from bad to awful as a fall leads to a life-threatening injury.

Ranger Joseph is everything Daniel has dreamed of, but his dreams never involved being carried down a mountain on a stretcher. As Daniel mends he discovers a relationship with Joseph may be his one chance for true love.

Daniel can’t seem to catch a break; just as his life starts improving, he’s attacked by an unknown assailant. With his life now in jeopardy, can the fledgling relationship survive or will everything he cherishes be lost?

Romantic Rescue is part two of the MM/gay Romantic Series. If you like instant love, hurt to comfort gay romances, and just a touch of suspense, then you’ll enjoy this heartwarming novel by Blake Allwood.

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Free Fall 

AUTHOR:  Maya Hashim

PUBLISHER:  Evernight Publishing

LENGTH:  264 pages

RELEASE DATE:  September 21, 2021

BLURB:

In 1967, nineteen-year-old Sid Cohen—an aspiring folk singer from New York City—is drafted against his will and sent to Vietnam. He finds himself unexpectedly drawn to Lieutenant Rupert Hart, a handsome English officer who thinks he knows what the Americans need to do to win the war if only they would listen to him. At first, Sid just wants desperately to go home. But as his erotic relationship with Hart intensifies, he realizes that he would do anything to stay by Hart’s side.

Reviewed by True

TITLE: Dark Horse

SERIES: The Braided Crop Ranch #3

AUTHOR: AE Lister

PUBLISHER: NineStar Press

LENGTH: 271 pages

RELEASE DATE: October 19, 2021

BLURB:

Adam Marsland has a plan.

He’s been managing the Braided Crop Ranch for six years and wants to bring everybody he can find back for a week of games, competition, and celebration.

Henry Swift was a ponyboy at the BCR during its very first year. He learned to trot, pull a cart, and submit to his trainer. He’s never quite left the experience behind and is excited to receive Adam’s invitation to return.

But it’s not only the Ranch and its sex-positive atmosphere pulling Henry back to the seclusion of the Muskoka wilderness.

Ever since their first frantic and lustful encounter in the woods, Henry’s had a thing for Adam Marsland and his memories of his tumultuous time on the ranch have haunted him for years. Adam’s still at the ranch, and now Henry can go back and discover if the older man has any regret for the way things turned out in the past.

But the gymkhana Adam’s planning means the return of a plethora of ponyboys and trainers and Henry wonders if he will have trouble reminding Adam how much they wanted to be together back then, and how possible it might be for them now, in the midst of the excitement and testosterone.

No one ever said love was easy, but Henry is determined to make the most of his chance.

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Story Hour

AUTHOR:  Vinni George

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  58 pages

RELEASE DATE:  September 30, 2021

BLURB:

Nash
When I volunteered to work on a float for the LGBTQ Booksellers and Librarians Association and march in the Chicago Pride parade handing out flyers for Drag Queen Story Hour, I thought it would be fun and a good way to spend the day shirtless. I never imagined I’d meet the man of my dreams in the crowd, but there he was. We didn’t get a chance to talk, and now I’m left wondering if the connection I felt was real. Can you meet your soul mate in only a second?

Reed
I hadn’t wanted to go to the parade with my friends, but they insisted I needed to be reintegrated into Chicago’s gay society after years spent outside the city and promised the Pride parade would be the best way to start that process. I was less than convinced until a guy shoved a little neon green flyer into my hand and my heart recognized him as mine. Now I just have to track him down at something called Drag Queen Story Hour. Maybe my friends were right, and I am out of touch.

Story Hour is a 16,000-word standalone short that features a chance meeting, sexy librarians, a summer storm, and a shared appreciation for Chicago’s architecture.

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: The No Strings Theory

SERIES: College Boys of New Haven #4

AUTHOR: Hayden Hall

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 227 pages

RELEASE DATE: October 15, 2021

BLURB:

I keep falling for Dallas, and it’s not just gravity’s fault.

Dallas

Kai’s nothing like I expected.

The scrawny kid I once knew is gone, replaced by a nerdy, curious young man who crawls deep under my skin. The moment he enters my life, he disrupts everything.

I don’t do attachments. I don’t do dates.

There are so many other college guys to keep me distracted.

Yet I can’t get him out of my head.

I shouldn’t want my best friend’s little brother. But I’ve never been great at resisting temptation.

What starts as messing around in secret, soon becomes a lot more serious. I’m gambling my friendship and risking more than I should. But I’m falling, and I’m falling hard.

Kai

I’ve had a crush on Dallas since I was old enough to crush. He’s my oldest fantasy; my only fantasy. He’s also an obnoxious, insufferable, smug jock with the stupidest adorable dimples and a gorgeous… Uh… Where was I?

Oh right, he never noticed me except when I was the punchline of his jokes.

He’s also the very definition of a guy I shouldn’t want. Just ask my big brother; he warned me time and time again not to look up to Dallas. He’d lose his mind if he only knew the things Dallas and I did when the lights were out.

But Dallas and I have an agreement: no strings attached. That way, we get to have fun and nobody needs to know. I get to live out my fantasies, to get them out of my system. No harm done, right?

Yeah. I was dumb enough to think my crush on him wouldn’t come back to life. It’s not gravity that’s pulling me in.
Now I’m falling for him faster and harder than ever despite knowing what’s at stake.

The only way this ends is with a lost friendship and a broken heart.

It’s too late anyway. I’m in free fall already.

The No Strings Theory is the fourth book in College Boys of New Haven series but it can be read on its own. It is a full-length story featuring best friend’s younger brother, forbidden love, nerd/jock relationship, close proximity, and the happiest of endings. Sink your teeth into this sweet and steamy romance.

Reviewed by True

TITLE: Black Ice Heart

SERIES: Unveiled Magic #1

AUTHOR: Abrianna Denae

PUBLISHER: RTBT Publishing

LENGTH: 337 pages

RELEASE DATE: October 19, 2021

BLURB:

Born into a wealthy and historically infamous family, all Ryson Melford wants is to live a simple life.

A twist of fate leads him to a man named Jack, changing everything. One touch and Ryson knows he’ll do whatever it takes to keep Jack in his life, despite the warnings from his brothers.

But Jack is not what he seems. Harboring dark and deadly secrets, he’s a mystery that is inexplicably tied to the Melford family. The closer Ryson and Jack get, the more dangerous things become as the present begins to reflect the past, threatening to destroy what is left of Ryson and his brothers.

Ryson finds himself trapped between doing what is right for his family and the man he is unexpectedly connected to. When truths come out and past mistakes are repeated, blood will be spilled…and a magic that was all but forgotten is unleashed in a battle that may spell the end for all of them.

This book may contain material that may be upsetting to some readers. Please read the disclaimer inside for details.