Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  CLUBBED TWO: Anxiety, Anger, Activism

SERIES:  Stories of Gay Love #2

AUTHOR:  Robert A. Karl

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  297 pages

RELEASE DATE:  January 31, 2022

BLURB:

CLUBBED TWO is historical fiction, set in Philadelphia from 1982 to 1992. Club Sanctuary can be seen as a metaphor for the greater LGBTQ community, but it is written as a real place, with characters who are fabulous, funny and flawed.

The author combines historical characters and events with fictional ones, creating a story that’s entertaining, informative and emotional. The love story between the two main characters, Joey and Henry, serves as a vehicle for connecting the stories of diverse, Queer characters.

This second book in the CLUBBED series continues the story as the LGBTQ community fights prejudice and ignorance in an effort to be recognized as people worthy of respect. Will the community be torn apart by fear, or will they come together to support PWAs (People With AIDS)?

Experience the drama, the beauty, and the excitement as well as the music, fashion and fads of the 80s with CLUBBED: Anxiety, Anger, Activism.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Blood Pressure

SERIES: Serial Investigation #7

AUTHOR: Rhiannon D’Averc

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 234 pages

RELEASE DATE: March 31, 2021

BLURB:

A victim locked in a closet.
A detective trying to get out.

Ram has spotted his dream locked room mystery case on the news – and he’ll stop at nothing to get himself involved with it. The problem is, newly-minted DCI Alex Heath isn’t too happy about it – and neither is his successor as DI…

An invitation to go home and visit family should be a happy occasion, but for Will, it’s quite the opposite. Spiralling into doubt and fear about Ram outing him to his parents, Will risks pushing him away entirely. And when he does go home, things aren’t going to be plain sailing. Will’s father is an ex-Ambassador, and he’s got many years of finding out secrets behind him.

As both are rocked by revelations about Will’s past and his present, Ram and Will have to contend with doubting policemen, ugly habits rearing their heads, and the struggle to trust one another. And there’s the question of how Harry got that black eye…

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  CLUBBED: A Story of Gay Love: Trials, Tribulations and Triumphs

SERIES:  Stories of Gay Love #1

AUTHOR: Robert A. Karl

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  249 pages

RELEASE DATE:  April 12, 2021

BLURB:

CLUBBED: A Story of Gay Love, is a celebration of Queer Culture. Set in Philadelphia in the 1970s – 80s, the narrator (Joey) shares stories of diverse characters in the queer community. He also shares the story of the positive, successful relationship he has with his partner, Henry. A story of trials, tribulations and triumphs, this book is a loving tribute to the strength and love in the LGBTQ+ community.

CLUBBED is Book One of a planned three-part historical fiction series exploring and celebrating queer culture.

Reviewed by Anna Lynn

TITLE:  Wings of Fire

SERIES:  Godstone Saga #4

AUTHOR:  Jocelynn Drake

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  372 Pages

RELEASE DATE:  February 25, 2022

BLURB:

The dead wait for Caelan.

Secrets can kill.

The Goddess of Fire calls from the Isle of Stone, and Caelan must obey.

But the new king must first unravel a lifetime of secrets if he wants to have any chance of saving Drayce’s life.

Caelan and his companions battle dragon clans and cranky gods in their quest to protect their world from the Goddess of the Hunt.

And if they’re lucky, they might even get a little help from an unexpected source.

Reviewed by Larissa & Kat

TITLE: Jilted: Jaren

SERIES: The Foster Brothers Book 1

AUTHOR: Nora Phoenix

PUBLISHER: Self-published

LENGTH:  262 pages

RELEASE DATE:  March 4, 2022

BLURB: 

USA Today bestselling author Nora Phoenix kicks off a new contemporary gay romance series with the story of a tattoo artist who finally has a shot at winning the heart of the one man he never thought he could have.

Years of pining.

Years of keeping his distance.

Years of lusting after Jaren, the one man Reid couldn’t have.

Because Jaren is straight.

Worse, he’s engaged to Reid’s sister. In other words: he’s off limits. Impossible.

But a day before the wedding, she calls it off, leaving Jaren with nowhere to go.

So what’s a man to do? Well, offer Jaren a place to stay, of course.

A shoulder to cry on.

A bed to sleep in.

And maybe someone to share that bed with?

Jilted is the first book in The Foster Brother series, a contemporary MM romance series about four men who chose to be brothers. It has hurt/comfort, found family, bisexual awakening, first time gay, and a guy who finally realizes that what he wanted most was right in front of him the whole time.

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE: All Inclusive

SERIES:  California Crush, Book 2

AUTHOR: Mia Monroe

PUBLISHER: Self-published

LENGTH: 229 pages

RELEASE DATE: March 11, 2022

BLURB: 

My best friend is the man of my dreams, but is there any chance I could be his?

My best friend is gorgeous. No, really. Like can’t take your eyes off him gorgeous. He’s also sweet, a little shy, and yet has a crowd of men clamoring to share his bed. I envy him in that way, while my desire for him grows.

What’s holding me back from making my move besides endangering my closest friendship? My pitiful lack of experience. Even if he was interested in me, how could I possibly compete with the men he’s dated before?

But when one of our coworkers plants an idea that’s too good to pass up, I’ll find out if we’re only meant to be friends or if our relationship can be All Inclusive.

All Inclusive is a best friends to lovers, mutual pining, opposites attract romance starring a shy but popular ginger-haired angel and his outgoing but inexperienced bestie. It is book 2 in the California Crush series, featuring tan lines, thick thighs, and plenty of hot guys. Book your vacation and meet the men of Hillcrest Hideaway.

REVIEWED by Jay V.

TITLE: The Hitman’s Guide to Righting Wrongs While Causing Mayhem

AUTHOR: Alice Winters

SERIES: The Hitman’s Guide #4

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 348 pages

RELEASE DATE: March 3, 2022

BLURB:

Leland
Growing up, I was taught that getting too close to someone would be my downfall. But I’ve proven that wrong now that I’m happily married to Jackson, the greatest man in the world. The issue is that mayhem always seems to find me (which is definitely not my fault), and this time, it comes in the form of a woman looking for her daughter. What starts as a simple missing persons case turns into so much more, forcing me to rely on my found family and others, including a muscley “bear” who will definitely not whisk away my husband with his irritatingly sexy accent—I mean, yes, I’m very focused on this case… Jackson, don’t look at me like that.

Jackson
While Leland is “code potatoing” (whatever that means on his strange cheat sheet), I’m left questioning what he’s gotten himself into this time. At least he’s willing to let me assist him, even if he’s still positive that I should just “sit pretty” and let him handle everything. But with the girl missing, he knows we need to work together to determine whose game we’re playing because not everything is as it seems. Of course, when one gets involved with Leland, nothing is ever simple. But maybe that’s just the way I like it.

Reviewed by True

TITLE: The Devil’s Demigod

SERIES: Hellbound #3

AUTHOR: Alexa Piper

PUBLISHER: Changeling Press

LENGTH: 157 pages

RELEASE DATE: March 11, 2022

BLURB:

Not long ago, necromancer Lionel didn’t know who his parents were or why they abandoned him. He’s starting to think that ignorance was bliss as the fact he has a death goddess for a mother is becoming increasingly hard to ignore. That his father is a murderous magic user comes as an even darker revelation.

Lucifer is well aware that his boyfriend and powerful necromancer Lionel is not the easiest person to love, but Lucifer is the Devil, and he doesn’t lie, not even to himself. He’ll take Lionel any way he can get him, and Lucifer will do whatever it takes to keep Lionel safe. It’s turning into a fulltime occupation with Lionel’s penchant for attracting murderous individuals.

Lionel will have to come to grips with his own still unfamiliar demigod magic before the past can catch up with him, but he also needs to figure out if and how he can love the Devil. Lucifer cannot wait for his long game to tame his stubborn necromancer to bear fruit, but before the Devil can savor his prize, he might have to rescue Lionel yet again, this time from getting lost in the labyrinth of the past.

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Too Like the Lightning

AUTHOR:  Travis Beaudoin

PUBLISHER:  Sonder Street Books

LENGTH:  301 pages

RELEASE DATE:  March 4, 2022

BLURB:

Andrew Madigan had everything he ever wanted.

He’d worked hard to build this perfect little life. A stable relationship with a successful man. A beautiful home in a quiet suburb. And best of all, a job where he spent his days talking about literature.

Then his tenure was denied and, too quickly for him to stop it, everything crumbled.

Now, with his dreams in the dust and his confidence shattered, Andrew has one summer to figure out his next move.

Bulbs, Florida, is like no place Andrew’s ever known. It’s small and provincial. It’s hot as hell. Storms roll through every single day. But Andrew just has to keep his head down. Finish his book, find a new job, put things back on track. Easy-peasy.

He didn’t plan on making a friend.

Coley Brandt has a green thumb and an easy smile. He’s much younger than Andrew, but he puts Andrew at ease, makes him feel at home. Their time together reminds Andrew what having a purpose feels like.

Suddenly, this long, lonely summer feels too short.

But Coley has dreams of his own, and they’re a million miles away from the life Andrew’s trying to get back.

Maybe this is just a summer fling. Maybe, like the lightning, it’s only meant to be glorious for a moment before it disappears.

Or maybe it’s something more.

Too Like the Lightning is a steamy small-town, age-gap romance. It’s perfect for lovers of second chances, coffee on the back porch, thunderstorms, poetry, and happily ever afters. 85,000 words

Reviewed by True

TITLE: Ronan’s Boy

SERIES: Escape Club #2

AUTHOR: J.J. Harper

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

LENGTH: 225 pages

RELEASE DATE: February 28, 2022

BLURB:

Can Ronan keep his firecracker safe? Or is it better to let his best friend help him?
Ronan is tired of hooking up. Of watching other men at Escape find their forever boys. He wants his own and he knows he’s out there.
Cody will be the perfect boy for the right Daddy, he needs to have the precise Dom-to-Daddy ratio. But he isn’t exactly tripping over men who want more than a night of fun.
So, yeah, needle meet haystack.
Then one night, they were both in the right place at the right time.
Ronan can’t take his eyes off the perfect boy in the silver hot-pants, and tight, cropped T. He knows if he takes this boy home, he’ll never want to let him leave,
Cody knows from the moment their lips touch he will never want another Daddy. Ronan is the man he’s been looking for.
When Ronan introduces Cody to his best friend, Harley, new fantasies set in. Could he share his boy? Would Cody want them both?
Danger threatens Cody and the life he has with Ronan. Maybe having two Daddies is safer?

Ronan’s boy is an age-gap, no age-play gay romance with plenty of hot and steamy Daddy/boy action.
Intended for readers aged eighteen or over.

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Caleb’s Redemption

SERIES: The Belle Fort Wolves (Book 4)

AUTHOR: C. K. Noel

PUBLISHER: Siren Publishing

LENGTH: 91 pages

RELEASE DATE: March 7, 2022

BLURB:

[Siren Classic ManLove: Erotic Romance, Alternative, Shape-shifter, Paranormal, Romantic Suspense, MM, HEA]

Wolf shifter Caleb Phillips thought betraying his alpha ended his life—instead, it led to a new beginning.

Oscar “Oz” Havershin’s brother vanished. Now he’s a grizzly shifter with one mission—find Ollie.

Fated mates meet… but are either of them ready?

Caleb’s guilt over how he wounded his pack pale in comparison to the high cost of his actions. He wishes he was the one to die, instead, he lives with scars of not just his past, but his betrayal. Leaving home might just be the best thing he’s ever done. Maybe his luck’s turning around, but is he good enough for his fated mate?

Oscar’s single-minded focus on finding his brother derails when he comes face to face with Caleb. He’s warned to be patient with his mate—Caleb’s been through a lot. But patience isn’t Oscar’s best trait. His bear’s ready to mate; can he help Caleb heal, find his brother, and live his happily ever after?

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  Pushing the Limits

SERIES:  Secrets Kept #2

AUTHOR:  Riley Hart

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH: 

RELEASE DATE:  March 8, 2022

BLURB:

I was fourteen when my dad married Lane’s mom and our families became one, when my favorite moments were those spent staying up all night, talking or watching Lane create art.

There aren’t many things more inconvenient than loving your stepbrother. I know the limits, and that’s pushing them too far.

Over the years I’ve pulled away from him. It was easier when he left for New York, but now he’s back, not only in Atlanta, but in my home, trying to get back what we lost.

How can I tell my own stepbrother that I want him in my bed? That I want to call him mine?

One kiss changes everything.

Our tight-knit family won’t understand. Our friends won’t either. But no matter how much I don’t want to disappoint them, now that we’re where we belong, I won’t walk away. Even if I have to lose everything to keep him.

Pushing the Limits is a stepbrother romance with a cocky main character, who shows his vulnerability through the one man he’s not supposed to want, sexy painting, and a love that defies the odds.