Reviewed by Cindy

TITLE: Shouting Match

SERIES: Amore Matchmaking Book 1

AUTHOR: Pandora Pine

PUBLISHER: Self-published

LENGTH: 260 Pages

RELEASE DATE: January 11, 2022

BLURB:

After the death of his father, Capone Lombardi was tasked not only with keeping his father’s legacy alive, but also to look after his mother and three younger brothers. Putting his own love life on the back-burner, he’s spent the last five years ensuring the family restaurant, Lombardi’s, thrives. It’s pretty sad that the closest he’s gotten to cuddling is nearly being arrested by a ridiculously hot cop with a hard-on for speed limits.

Forty years old and sick of one-night stands and prowling the bar scene, Detective Fuller Sims goes to local Italian restaurant, Lombardi’s, one night for drinks. What he’s not looking for is the youngest Lombardi brother to talk him into his matchmaking scheme. But Fuller is tired of being alone, and Brando Lombardi insists he knows exactly where to find the man of Fuller’s dreams—his overworked older brother, Capone—the guy Fuller almost arrested a few hours earlier.

Taking a chance on each other, Capone and Fuller find out that Brando might have matchmaking skills after all. When a blizzard sets its sights on the rugged Maine coast, a shouting match between the new lovers sends Fuller out into the raging storm. Can Capone find him before it’s too late?

Shouting Match is book one in the exciting Amore Matchmaking series. It features four gay brothers, their eccentric mother, an ornery goat, and way too much pasta.

Reviewed by True

TITLE: Winter of the Owl

SERIES: Seasons of the Lukoi #1

AUTHOR: Iris Foxglove

PUBLISHER: Belladonna Press

LENGTH: 224 pages

RELEASE DATE: December 21, 2021

BLURB:

Sava has the best house in all of Lukos. He built it himself, dreaming of the day when he and Milan, the man he loved, could live there and brave the harsh winters of Lukos together—only to be devastated when Milan was found dead in the spring. Fraught with grief, Sava resigns himself to spending his winters alone.

Then a stranger appears on his doorstep, and everything changes.

Victor is a scholar from Gerakia, a land known for its long summers and vibrant history, and he has never been more
unprepared in his life. Abandoned on the inhospitable island of Lukos after a disastrous relationship, Victor has to adapt quickly to survive. It helps, of course, that he’s taken in by Sava, who has the biggest heart of any man Victor has ever known. Victor and Sava start to make a home together, growing close as snow falls outside, but the true danger of a Lukos winter is closer than they suspect…

REVIEWED by Jay V.

TITLE: Ghost of Truth

SERIES: Medium Trouble #2

AUTHOR: Alice Winters

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 338 pages

RELEASE DATE: January 13, 2022

BLURB:

Hiro
When I first realized that I could see the dead, I never imagined that it would allow me to help save the lives of others and pull me into Detective Maddox Booker’s path. Through my ability, ghosts have become some of my greatest friends and allies.

But now, someone’s dead and his ghost is gone. Ghosts have sought my help for my entire life, wanting to be heard, but something is keeping them quiet, almost hostile as our search for the ghost of the dead man leads us to a small village. Even though everything looks normal on the outside, I’m starting to wonder what’s happening on the inside.

Maddox
Life is better than it’s ever been. Hiro’s by my side and has brought my best friend Reggie back into my life—if we can consider Reggie’s harassment (even as a ghost) a positive. And even Hiro’s horde of ghosts won’t keep me from asking him to move in with me. The only issue is that work is never quiet, especially when Hiro is able to dive into a whole new side of a case by speaking to the victims of the dead.

But when someone takes Hiro from me in the middle of the night, I know that I will do absolutely anything to get him back, and I will make them pay for what they’ve done.

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  Strings Attached

AUTHOR:  Riley Hart

PUBLISHER:  Self Published

LENGTH: 267 Pages

RELEASE DATE:  January 14, 2022

BLURB:

I spent college worrying about responsibilities and earning my teaching degree, so before graduation and moving to Atlanta with my best friend, Ross, I figure I deserve a little fun. I’ve never been with an older man, but the guy at the bar grabs my attention and doesn’t let go…for multiple rounds, all night long.

The next day, when Ross introduces me to his dad, the last thing I expect is for him to be my hookup from the night before, in town from Atlanta for his son’s graduation.

The best thing would be to pretend it never happened, which is easier said than done. The more I talk to Harrison, the more I like him. We enjoy teasing each other, spending time together, and despite how successful he is, we both know what it’s like to have nothing. Neither of us wants a relationship, so when Harrison suggests a no-strings-attached fling, it’s perfect.

But between bills, worrying about Mom, and wondering how I thought I had what it takes to be a good teacher, Harrison’s always there, even when it’s hard for me to accept help.

Falling for Harrison wasn’t part of the agreement.

I don’t know how to trust, there’s a seventeen-year age difference, and he’s my best friend’s dad.

No strings attached has never been so difficult, because I’m pretty sure I want to be tied to Harrison for good.

Reviewed by True

TITLE: Evil Omega

AUTHOR: S. Rodman

PUBLISHER: Dark Angst Publishing

LENGTH: 204 pages

RELEASE DATE: January 14, 2021

BLURB:

Gay. Necromancer. Werewolf. Supervillian. Power bottom.

Silas is all of these and more.

Silas Northstar is an outcast. A wolf shifter without a pack. A hated and feared necromancer, infamous for killing an entire pack. He aspires to become the true supervillain people whisper he is.

He is also an omega. Heat cycles are a fact of life, but he has no problem finding casual fun with humans to satisfy his needs. He can’t imagine that ever changing. He doesn’t do lonely, and he definitely doesn’t do feelings. He doesn’t need an alpha.

Dean Westlake is a happy-go-lucky alpha who is trying his best to settle into his new pack in a new city. The pack’s Alpha, George, is an idiot, but Dean is glad to not be alone anymore. Few packs will accept a second alpha, so he knows his choices are limited. He needs to make this work.

The rumors of the city’s supervillain sound far-fetched. He’s not worried.

Then the Westlake pack captures Silas. That night he goes into heat. Someone has to deal with it.

Dean gets the honor, and the fireworks begin.

The morning light shows Silas has vanished. Everyones says no one can keep Silas Northstar for long.

Dean vows to prove them wrong.

Content Warnings

This book contains explicit sex scenes between the two main male characters.

Trigger Warnings

There is reference to past non-consensual sex.

A main character overhears non-consensual sex.

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE: Clean Start at Forty-Seven

SERIES: Forty-Seven Duology, Book 1

AUTHOR: Nora Phoenix

PUBLISHER: Self-published

LENGTH:  261 pages

RELEASE DATE:  January 12, 2022

BLURB: 

I’m done hiding who I am.

Pretending to be straight, to be the loving, devoted husband and successful ER doctor everyone wanted me to be has been exhausting.

I numbed the pain any way I could, and in the end, it cost me everything. My job, my marriage, the relationship with my grown kids.

But now I’m in recovery, and for the first time, I’m living my true life as an out gay man.

I need to get my act together, to get healthy again. Benoni is my new personal trainer…twenty years my junior. He makes my mouth water and certain other body parts react. Oh, and he’s also my son’s best friend.

I’m forty-seven years old. It’s time for a clean start. But where does Benoni fit in?

Clean Start at Forty-Seven is part one of a duology, an emotional MM romance with an age gap, first time gay, loads of hurt/comfort, and the beginnings of a beautiful Daddy/boy relationship. It contains themes of opioid addiction and religious homophobia. Please check the trigger warnings in the front of the book.

Reviewed by True

TITLE: Shaun’s Salvation

SERIES: Maine Men #5

AUTHOR: K.C. Wells

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

LENGTH: 249 pages

RELEASE DATE: January 8, 2022

BLURB:

Romance is the last thing Shaun wants, but what if it’s exactly what he needs – and deserves?

A selfless son barely holding on

Shaun doesn’t have much of a life. When he’s not working in the restaurant in Portland, Maine, he’s home looking after his dad, who has dementia. The only people he sees on a regular basis are his coworkers, and Nathan, his dad’s carer, except he and Shaun are like ships that pass in the night. And on those dark nights when Shaun feels so alone, thoughts of Nathan are all he has to cling to.

A caring nurse

It didn’t take Nathan five minutes to know Shaun is a special guy. He’s dealt with enough indifferent families to recognize Shaun has and will always put his dad first. That’s why Nathan is willing to go above and beyond – Shaun is worth it. Nathan’s attraction to him has to go on the back burner, not that Shaun has noticed: Shaun’s focus is all on his dad.

Maybe it’s time for Nathan to convince Shaun he can keep that focus and still have a life – a life that includes love.

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE: The Boyfriend Gambit

SERIES: Crimes of the Heart #3

AUTHOR: Elle Keaton

PUBLISHER: Dirty Dog Press

LENGTH: 230 pages

RELEASE DATE: December 30, 2021

BLURB:

How do you repair a broken heart when you were the one who broke it in the first place?

Charley

It’s been four years since Simon broke up with me, but who’s counting? I’m fine these days, thank you very much. I don’t need a man to make me happy.

Simon

Past me had to make a choice. Current me knows it was the wrong one. Future me hopes I can fix it. I’ve never stopped loving Charley this is my last chance; our last chance.