4 Stars for Highly Strung (Food of Love #1) by Justine Elyot #MMF #Musicians @JustineElyot @PridePublishing

Title: Highly Strung (Food of Love #1)
Author Name: Justine Elyot (Pride Publishing)
Publication Date & Length: June 11, 2012 – 208 pgs

ook one in the Food of Love Series If music be the food of love, no wonder orchestral life is so passionate. The new violinist with the Westminster Symphony Orchestra knows she shouldn’t have a crush on its glamorous leader, Milan Kaspar, but Lydia just can’t help wanting a piece of the arrogant Czech virtuoso. Capturing his attention by refusing to play along with his plans for the orchestra, she soon finds herself drawn into his bed – a bed he shares with lovers of both sexes. But Lydia wants more than wild and inventive sex – she wants to get behind Milan’s sophisticated veneer, to find the man inside the performer. She seems doomed to failure, until a trip to his home country changes everything… Reader Advisory: This book contains menage relationships, bisexual characters and exhibitionism/voyeurism, plus some scenes of angst.

I really liked this book and the inclusion of the world of being a concert violinist.

The plot is fun and a bit twisted. I did feel at times like I didn’t full understand or get the connection or reason behind Milan’s actions. However, I did get part of the attraction and desire between the main characters.

I don’t know at the end of the book that I would particularily want to know more about the characters as I was just at a meh point since it all seemed a bit rushed and disconnected from the build up to that point.

There are certainly some decent naughty scenes in the book, but not as hot as some others I’ve read.

Renee

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4 and 3 Stars for Turkish Delights by Trina Lane #MMM #Menage #Totally_Bound

Title: Turkish Delight
Author Name: Trina Lane
Publication Date: March 6, 2015

Three very different men from three different countries look to build a love greater than any wonder of the world.

Project manager Garrett Sloan builds majestic hotels for the rich and famous around the world, but when it comes to love, all his relationships seem to crumble. His latest project lands him in Istanbul, where the desire he’s held for a certain French architect heats up under the Middle Eastern sun, and his resolve never to mix business with pleasure melts beneath the added hot stare and skilled hands of a Turkish mason.

The three men discover they want to build a relationship to stand the test of time. Much like Kyle LaFleure’s buildings and Emir Şahin’s stonework. As the bonds between Garrett and his partners grow stronger and more complex they work to lay the perfect foundation on which to build a lasting relationship. Can the three men construct a relationship that will endure? Or will their love reach its zenith when their shared task of finishing the ultimate Ottoman luxury hotel reaches it completion?

Three very different men from three different countries look to build a love greater than any Wonder of the World, while builing one of the most luxurious hotels in the world.

What stood out the most for me was the author’s knowledge of Istanbul, the architecture within the city. The terms in building and creating the masterpiece of a boutique hotel will make you feel as if you are watching the whole project come to life before your eyes. The isn’t to take anything away from the heartfelt and very sexy journey with these three very different men that have a chemistry and maturity for this journey that makes for a most enjoyable story!

Reviewer: Kimberley

I have to confess that it took me a few chapters to get into this story.  The writing felt clunky at the start and I didn’t feel an immediate connection to any of the three main characters.  I felt that they fell for each other too quickly in a way that felt more like an extended hook-up than a romance leading to true love.  I became more engaged as we learned more about Emir’s family and Kyle and Garret’s professional lives. I really felt for Emir by the end of the story.  Having spent some time in Istanbul, I enjoyed the beautiful descriptive passages about the city and the architectural details of the hotel the three men were building.

I didn’t like the way the book skipped through time very quickly without us learning more about the three men’s lives outside of the relationship and the hotel.  Their lives, interests and other relationships could have been developed so much further.  This book was definately more erotica than romance, focusing on the sex between the three men.  While I love hot m/m/m menage, I found myself skimming through some of the later scenes.  Some of the descriptions of the sex felt mechanical – at one point a sexual act was described as a “method”.  Also, to be very picky,  the American author’s description of her English and French main characters’ lives didn’t ring very true to a UK reader.

However, despite these niggles, I found myself quite attached to the three men and their hotel by the end of the story and would recommend the story to those who enjoy their stories more erotica than romance.

Sarah

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I can be shy and boisterous, introverted and extroverted. I like to get dressed up in pretty clothes and think slippers, t-shirts and sweats are just fine. I love spending time with close friends and alone with a good book and glass of wine. I have been passionately addicted to romance novels since the age of thirteen and enjoy almost all genres of romance. My only requirement is that all reads have a happily ever after ending. When I am not devouring a new book by one of my favorite authors or thinking up new storylines for one of my own, you can usually find me watching a movie with my husband and cat, working with my other passionate obsession photography, or listening to my iPod. Quite frequently a combination of all the above.

I started writing on a whim when one of the thousands of stories that float around in my head stuck during the daily commute to my office. As the week progressed the storyline got more elaborate. I decided to write it down and it eventually became SEALing Fate.

I want to encourage everyone not to be afraid of trying something new. It’s scary and thrilling but the rewards can be grea

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3 and 4 Stars for Remarkable Restraint (Grad School Guys #1) by Devon Rhodes #MM #Romance @devonrhodes @Totally_Bound

Title: Remarkable Restraint (Grad School Guys #1)
Author Name: Devon Rhodes
Publication Date & Length: March 20, 2015

This is book one in the Grad School Guys series.

When Justin gets fed up with his best friend Chaz avoiding him, he decides it’s well worth sacrificing his favorite T-shirt to try to save their relationship.

Chaz is finding it impossible to hide his attraction for his straight roommate, so he tries avoiding Justin until he leaves for the summer. He just has to get through a few more days, then he’ll be home free—at least until Justin comes back in a couple of months. Still, he firmly believes space between them is the best answer for now.

But Justin is not a man to be ignored. He’s known Chaz for almost a decade, and can tell when something is weighing on his mind. And being shut out is not acceptable, especially just when he’s finally ready to commit to more than friendship. When closer than usual proximity just before his trip to Central America turns up the heat between them, he takes matters into his own hands by restraining Chaz’s hands—and feet—until he gets some answers.

The results are explosive and more than either could have dreamt, but the abrupt shift in their relationship is almost impossible to reconcile in the short time they have left together. It will take remarkable restraint from both to find a way to weather the separation, stay friends…and to grow into something more.

Reader Advisory: This book contains light BDSM elements and bondage.

Publisher’s Note: This book was previously released in the Games In The Dark Anthology. It has been considerably expanded for release with Totally Bound Publishing

Justin and Chaz are such a cute couple even when they don’t know they are a couple. I really enjoy how you get to see their relationship develop and despite them both being slightly stupid when it comes to love and themselves, they have a great relationship.

Justin is one who is not to shirk his responsibilities and I really like that about him. Chaz is an easy-going, lovable character. He’s almost naiive and innocent, but the thoughts he has about his best friend are less than pure.

The exchange and development of their relationship is gradual, but not so slow that it makes the book drag, which I appreciated.

While I wish there were more written when they were physically together, I can appreciate their long distance relationship too.

I hope there will be a continuation of their story.

AvidReader

This is a hot new adult short story.  Justin and Chaz have been best friends forever, but it is only well into graduate degrees that Justin finally finds the courage to admit his attraction to Chaz.

Chaz has always fancied Justin, but he assumed his friend was straight.

As a dominant, Justin takes the lead initiating submissive Chaz into a sexual relationship with him.  Unfortunately, he has to leave the country for two months, so much of this story focuses on the two men’s long-distance relationship.

For me, the story lost stars because of the long-distance relationships.  This is a short story.  The focus is sex, but the two lovers aren’t even in the same country for  much of the book.  Yes, there were sexy presents, toys and phone calls, but I felt more actual sex was needed.

That’s not to say the story was only about sex.  There were some very sweet passages as Justin and Chaz worked through the dramatic shift their relationship makes as best friends become lovers and partners.

Sarah

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I have always had my nose in a book and my head in the clouds!
Now I’m finally doing what I love as a career.
When I’m not lost in my imagination, you can find me in beautiful Oregon

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4 and 3 Stars for His Soldier by Anna Lee #MM #Erotic #Military @annalee59

Title: His Soldier
Author Name: Anna Lee
Publication Date & Length: March 6, 2015 – 200 pgs

Sometimes you find love where you least expect it, for Sergeant Ryder Brooks that’s writing letters home to Dean Anders, his army pen pal…

After a tragedy, in a way to honor his brother and try to cope, Dean becomes a army pen pal to Sergeant Ryder Brooks. The two connect through letters and phone calls for a year, falling in love and making plans to meet when Ryder finishes his tour. However, in an effort to save one of his men who steps on a mine, Ryder loses his leg. Broken and depressed, he doesn’t think Dean will want him. But once Dean learns what happens, he immediately goes to Ryder, determined to help him heal and show him that he loves him no matter what. Ryder has a long road of recovery ahead of him, but with Dean’s support, he realizes his life isn’t over, it’s just beginning if he’ll only give them a chance.

This was a wondering story. It has pain, loss, but it also has happiness and hope. We all know that when a soldier comes home, sometimes they come home to a different type of fight, but not any less important.

I loved the relationship that Ryder and Dean embark on. Their long-distance letters bring both peace and hope to lives that were both damaged by war.

I really wanted to hug Joel every time he was mentioned in this story. He was supportive, open-minded and grateful. Not only did he witness what true friendship was, he also demonstrated it right back. The friendship is one that will withstand anything.

I wanted to boot Bentley in the rear each time he was mentioned. It is asking too much of anyone to hide any type of relationship – to not allow his friends to be who they are. Bentley was someone who never was going to learn that lesson and the fact that he tried to hurt both Ryder and Dean, that he had no redeeming qualities, I could have done without him in the book.

Finally, I LOVED Dean’s family. When I say family, I mean those he surrounds himself with. DNA does not make your family. It was so awesome that Dax was his friend – so often people have no where to turn.

I really enjoyed this book

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This book had me crying from the second page.  If you’re a fan of Nicholas Sparks or John Green, you will enjoy this raw, emotional story.

When Dean loses his brother in Afghanistan, he signs up to offer pen-pal support to another deployed soldier.

Ryder is a sergeant deployed in Afghanistan.  When Dean’s first letter arrives, Ryder is lonely and experiencing huge stress.  But Dean’s letters start to quickly make Ryder’s life just a little bit better.

The two men write and talk over the course of Ryder’s deployment.  After nearly a year, they are close and looking forward to Ryder’s return.  When Ryder loses his leg in a last minute act of heroism, plans change.

Ryder needs rehabilitation and emotional support when he returns and he doesn’t want to make demands on a man he’s never actually met.   Both men struggle with relationships and and neither man trusts easily.

I really loved the premise of this book, but the execution was slightly clunky.  The book needs a final grammar and punctuation edit.  The developing emotional bond between the two men was at times overshadowed by a series of complex sub-plots and discussions that seemed to repetitively re-hash the same topics.  There were obvious reasons for the sex scenes being delayed and tentative, but it was difficult to sense any real heat in the bedroom scenes that were included.  Supporting characters, like Beth, Joel and Jessie were well developed, but more villainous characters were pretty one dimensional.

But still, the men are sweet and their emerging relationship is charming.  The story of loss and new hope is gentle and tender.

Ultimately, Anna Lee definitely knows how to pull at heart strings.  You will need a box of tissues, a glass of wine and a tub of Ben and Jerry’s for this one.

Sarah

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Hey Ryder,

So, uh, I’ve never really done this. I mean I had a pen pal when I was, like, eight, and I waited for the mailman every day to see what Skylar would say about kangaroos in Australia. Everything is so techy now, you know, email, texts, and written letters are rare. I guess that was part of the appeal—this just feels more important taking the time to write by hand. And you deserve that.

The reason I decided to become a pen pal is I recently lost my brother and, well, I thought in his memory I’d do more to give back and find ways to support guys like him going through hell over there and fighting for our country. I want to say thanks, and I honestly do admire you. I don’t think I could do it. I’m a creature of comfort and complain ridiculously when it’s hot.

Anyway, I keep going on about me. Thanks for everything you’re doing. I hope you’re staying safe. I’m sure you got a lot going on so if I don’t hear from you it’s okay. I just wanted to let you know I’m thinking of you and wishing you a safe journey home.

Take care,

Dean

Anna Lee graduated from the University of California Riverside with a Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing. Living with a disability, she has overcome many challenges and puts her passion for life and love into her writing. She lives with her family and dogs and enjoys writing late into the night. When she isn’t writing, Anna enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephew or chatting with her friends about her favorite books and TV shows.

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5 and 4 Stars for Blue Blood’s Trifecta (Wind Warriors #6) by Cheyenne Meadows #MMF #Action @Totally_Bound

Title: Blue Blood’s Trifecta (Wind Warriors #6)
Author Name: Cheyenne Meadows
Publication Date: March 27, 2016

When past meets present things begin to sizzle.

When an emergency call goes out, FBI agent Ryan tags along with his sister on a Wind Warrior mission. Along the way, he meets Tempest, a beautiful female pilot who stirs his desires and Rogue, a former Army buddy. Seeing Rogue again brings out feelings Ryan doesn’t understand and isn’t prepared to accept.

Their old rivalry returns as both men want Tempest, who happens to be Rogue’s employee.

The mission that had brought the three of them together comes back to haunt them all with danger hanging over the head of every Wind Warrior and their loved ones.

Can Ryan work through his newfound interest in Rogue even as he’s falling for Tempest? Will they pull together and unite in time to save each other from a hired assassin?

Publisher’s Note: This book was previously published elsewhere. It has been revised and re-edited for release with Totally Bound.

I loved this.  Lots of action, hot men, strong women… fantastic.  I love books about super covert ops, but this time, two women were included on the front lines which made it even better.

The romance in the story focuses on Ryan, an FBI agent who was once an army ranger.   He has feelings for Tempest, a kick-ass helicopter pilot and aeronautical engineer and Rogue, a former military buddy who is now Tempest’s boss.

The action in the story focuses around Ryan’s sister Lark’s covert ops group called the Wind Warriors and Ryan’s own role as an FBI agent.

I’m going to have to read back over the first five books in the series to get the whole story, but there was enough offered to make this a good stand-alone action book.  In this book, the good guys are hunting heroin dealers who are out for revenge.

This was a really sexy book – though the sex really only took part in the second half of the book.  Leading up, we have all sorts of action, attraction and angst.  The chemistry between all three characters is explosive and the author puts her imagination to good use thinking up new ways to use all the possibilities three characters bring.

A great read!

Sarah

Ryan, Tempest and Rogue are kick ass, take no prisoner’s type people. This trio is both hot and tender towards each other.

Although I have not read the previous stories, I did not feel that I was missing too much – I could follow the story well.

Ryan and Rogue’s characters, while similar, were also so different. I appreciated that Meadows was able to create that distinction. So often soldiers are written to be all the same, but these two were rough, tender, fierce and sweet depending on the situation.

The action in this story was fast paced, well executed and exciting. The love in this story was great between each pair, but lacked a little for me amongst the trio itself.

This was a great story, but I wish the interaction and romance was more played out. It was more about the mission and less about the relationships.

AvidReader

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// Cheyenne Meadows – Erotic Fiction Author published by Totally Bound – The home of Erotic Romance //

Growing up in the Midwest, I began reading romance novels in high school, immediately falling in love with the genre, to the point where I decided to write professionally for a career. However, that dream splattered against a brick wall, resulting in a quick death in my first writing class in college when my professor told me bluntly that I wasn’t any good at it. I shifted gears quickly, and left my writing dreams behind, eventually settling on becoming a nurse.

A few years back, I stumbled across a fan-fiction writing site on a favorite author’s webpage. I began to read stories others wrote, not only making some wonderful close friends from the experience, but also, really learning to write for the very first time. Here I was able to share short stories, practice my writing skills, and truly develop into a writer. More than that, the experience allowed me to revitalize my dream, as I rediscovered joy in writing. Now, I spend my days off with my alpha male characters, quick witted heroines, and see how much trouble everyone can get into.

When I’m not working or writing, I enjoy working in the garden, canning, and seeing my backyard as a living canvas for my whimsical landscaping, and, of course, reading romance novels.   

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NEW 4 Star Review for Claimed by Love by Skye Jones – #Menage #Paranormal #Erotic

Title: Claimed by Love (Wild Hunters #1)
Author Name: Skye Jones
Publication Date & Length: December 22, 2014 – 214 pgs

Kayley’s passion-filled dreams of two sexy men torment her nights … but meeting them in real life turns her world upside down! Passion brings them together, but a menace from one’s past threatens to destroy them. Now they’ll have to risk it all and fight for their love. Skye Jones presents Claimed By Love, Book 1 of her exciting new paranormal romance series Wild Hunters.

Kayley Edwards has spent the last four years closing herself off after a vicious attack by her lover left her scarred and terrified. After fleeing her native Alaska, she ran the length of the country and began a new life in Miami, far from family and friends.

When her cousin and his friends decide to vacation nearby, he invites her to join them because he has important news. Determined not to let fear rule her life, she agrees to meet with them, only to have her world turned upside down. His friends include the two gorgeous men who’ve haunted her dreams for months, kindling her desire and challenging her to take a chance on love.

Pack alpha, Luke Johnson, has dreamed of Kayley for years. He and his mate, Sean Wallace, know she is meant to be theirs. But how will she react when she finds the world they inhabit is one she never imagined existed?

As passions collide, Sean finds himself acting as a bridge between his strong-willed alpha and a skittish Kayley. Can they break through her defenses and convince her to join them?

Just as it seems the three may have a future together, a ghost from Sean’s past strikes at the heart of their happiness. They must fight for everything they hold dear to win their chance at love.

Content Notes: Hot, Anal Intercourse, Non-Sexual Violence, Paranormal, Shifters, Wolves, Suspense, Ménage, M/M, M/M/F

Skye Jones’ menage a trios werewolf novel is a pretty good read. Kayley finds herself dreaming of two men. She discovers the men, Sean and Luke, seemingly by chance, and after some tortured soul-searching, there’s a hot threesome. Very hot. Story as advertised, and I was pleased.

There’s a lot more to it, of course. Kayley’s recovering from sexual violence, as is Sean. There’s plot where more sexual violence, and graphic physical violence, occur. Be warned. Beasts lurk here.

And it is essential shifter worldbuilding–alpha males and strict gender roles and masculinity contrast (rather nicely) with the femininity Kayley brings. Which is what drew me (moth to flame) to the story in the first place. There’s no debate, no attempt to define or explain the obvious. Refreshingly bisexual, from a publisher that might be defining the genre. Claimed by Love delivers.

C.E. Case

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4 Stars for Gage’s Gift (Kansas City Heat #5) by Jenna Byrnes #MM #Police @Totally_Bound

Title: Gage’s Gift (Kansas City Heat #5)
Author Name: Jenna Byrnes
Publication Date: March 27, 2015

A child is snatched from her home, the one place she should feel safe. Will the KCPD find her before something more sinister happens?

Detective DeMarcus Gage of the KCPD Missing Persons Unit knows that most child abductions are perpetrated by family members or persons known to the child. True ‘stranger’ abductions are rare—and taken very seriously by the police. When eight year old Leticia Braden disappears from her front yard the family is ruled out as suspects but actual leads are few.

Her traumatized parents need all the support they can get, and designate Leticia’s uncle Jack Braden to be their liaison with detectives. When he meets Jack, Gage struggles to keep his mind on the case. The two men share an immediate case of lust, which they fight to keep under control for more reasons than one. Jack’s not out of the closet, and Gage isn’t keen about sneaking around. A relationship beckons, but finding Leticia is their first priority. And as every cop knows, time is not on their side.

This is book 5 in the Kansas City Heat series but can be read as a stand alone.

DeMarcus Gage is a Detective on the Kansis City Missing Person’s Unit.

Jack Braden is the uncle of a little girl abducted from her street.

When Gage answers the call of a missing 8 year old, and meets the sexy uncle Jack, the attraction is immediate. However the priority is finding the missing little girl.

This might have been a short story but you don’t feel like you are missing out on anything. The author is knowledgeable about police terms. I couldn’t help being impressed with the professional attitude by Detective Gage during the investigation, even with his growing attraction to the Uncle. The uncle, Jack is not out to everyone, and he struggles with that secret. You can feel his anguish.

This story captures your attention with sexy, intense men dealing with a serious situation and resolving it in a timely manner. I would read more in this series!

Kimberley

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Jenna Byrnes could use more cabinet space and more hours in a day. She’d fill the kitchen with gadgets her husband purchases off TV and let him cook for her to his heart’s content. She’d breeze through the days adding hours of sleep, and more time for writing the hot, erotic romance she loves to read.

Jenna thinks everyone deserves a happy ending, and loves to provide as many of those as possible to her gay, lesbian and hetero characters. Her favorite quote, from a pro-gay billboard, is “Be careful who you hate. It may be someone you love.”

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4 and 5 Stars for The Truth As He Knows It by A.M. Arthur – #MM #Romance #Giveaway @am_arthur

Title: The Truth As He Knows It
Author Name: A.M. Arthur
Publication Date & Length: February 10, 2015 – 289 pgs

Lies are the chains that keep you weighed down at rock bottom.

Officer Noel Carlson isn’t out to anyone in small-town Stratton, Pennsylvania, only to distant friends and family, so a relationship is out of the question. That doesn’t stop him from wanting one, though.

When a night-shift call brings him face to thonged butt with a hired stripper whose girl-party gig went terribly wrong, Noel takes pity on the guy and lets him go. But he can’t get the encounter out of his mind.

Shane has big-time debts to repay, especially to the brother who sacrificed nearly everything for him. His two jobs, in a deli and as a stripper, leave him no time for a social life. But a non-date of hot sex and takeout food with Noel? He can squeeze that in.

The bond they form is stronger than either expected or wanted. Especially since the step Shane’s about to take to put his brother—and his soul—back in the black isn’t quite legal. And he never calculated just how much his determination to make things right will cost him in the end.

Warning: Following on from the Cost of Repairs series, this book contains a closeted cop who’s looking for love, an indebted stripper who doesn’t believe he’s worthy, and a tasteful abundance of dirty guy sex. Also contains references to past physical abuse some readers may find disturbing.

The things you will do for a loved one.

LOVE the cover!! It’s intense and you can feel it.

This journey with Officer Noel and Stripper Shane pulls you in from the beginning. The author does a phenomenal job of making you feel. I felt like I was in the corner of each page, living it right along with them. I wanted to jump in and hug both Hero’s.. many times!!

Officer Noel Carlson isn’t out to anyone in small-town Stratton, Pennsylvania, only to distant friends and family.

Shane has big-time debts to repay, especially to the brother who sacrificed nearly everything for him. Shane’s two jobs, in a deli and as a stripper, leave him no time for a social life.

When Officer Noel and Stripper Shane meet the first time, there are sparks, but both are “on the job” so to speak. Noel and Shane had traumatic events in their pasts and it leaves them shy to trust someone. What ensues can be described as an intense-sexy hot-heartbreaking-heartwarming journey that you won’t soon forget. There are secrets. There is a friend that Noel is standing by after a traumatic beating left him with the loss of his short-term memory. A brother that embodies everything you want in a family member. He made sacrifices for Shane and your heart will break for him. Every aspect of this journey was handled the way we all wish life was. It was tough, but once out in the open, each issue was dealt with in a timely manner. That is not to say that there weren’t some really gut-wrenching moments, but I loved the way this author didn’t drag out the drama. The sexy time was smoking hot!! A few ugly cry moments that will wrench your heart. A.M. Arthur has a way with words that will stick in your heart!…. everything you want in a romance!!!!

My only disappointment, the side story with Tristan was kind of left up in the air.

Tears and Smiles!!!

If you love vulnerable, masculine sexy men attracted to men (which I am) don’t hesitate, read this!

Kimberley

Have the Kleenex ready. This book was unbelievably good. It was written so well that once you started it, it just flowed and kept you interested.  There were so many emotional events that I was amazed how well everything was handled in the writing.  The author tackled several large issues; bullying, abuse, and loss of loved ones. I was impressed with the  sensitive way that the author captured how Shane felt when he reported the woman from the party.

The love between Noel and Shane was amazing, add in Shane’s brother and there was so much caring.  So many times I found myself breaking out the tissues, I loved how Noel took care of his friend Tristin and how Shane excepted him.
And Shane, so many secrets he needed to keep that I found myself hurting for him.

This was a fantastic read! I loved it and highly recommend this book.

Sherry

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“I want to see you again,” Shane said.

Noel grinned, flashing those dimples. “I’d like that too. My work schedule is pretty weird, though. I’m first shift, which is eleven at night to seven in the morning, five days, starting tomorrow.”

Shane worked that one around. It gave them daytime hours, and evenings on Wednesday and Thursday. He worked at the deli tomorrow, and Saturday was off the table. Probably Sunday too, for good measure. “When do you sleep?”

“Usually when I first get home, from about eight to two or three. Sometimes longer, depending on the night.”

“So you’re usually free dinnertime until like ten?”

“Pretty much.” Noel cracked an unexpected yawn. “Sorry, my schedule is a little off after spending the day with Tristan. I try to keep similar sleep times on my days off so I don’t get too screwed up.”

Shane stood, surprised. “How long have you been awake?”

“About thirty hours.”

“Shit, why didn’t you tell me that?”

“Because I wanted to do this tonight. I’ve been thinking about you all week, and I’m glad I saw you at Mineo’s today. Really glad.”

“Me too.” Shane draped his arms around Noel’s waist. “And since this has been a fantastic night, I’m going to go before you pass out from exhaustion.”

“Do you want to get together tomorrow?”

He considered it for about two seconds. “My weekend’s pretty booked with work and stuff. Monday? We could maybe go out for real this time?”

“Sounds good. I’ll call you when I get up Monday and we can hammer out the details.”

“Okay.”

Shane collected his clothes and dressed, taking his time because Noel was watching. The opposite of a striptease, and Shane kind of loved the novelty of it. He meant his good-night kiss to be soft, quick, but Noel held him tight and devoured his mouth until Shane was breathless and half-hard. God, he could kiss Noel for hours and not get tired of it. But he saw the fatigue in Noel’s eyes, and it was time to leave.

“See you soon,” Shane said. “And thanks for dinner.”

“You’re welcome, cowboy.”

Shane strolled back to his car with a bounce in his step, positive he’d never be able to hear the word “cowboy” again without thinking of Noel Carlson.

A.M. Arthur was born and raised in the same kind of small town that she likes to write about, a stone’s throw from both beach resorts and generational farmland.  She’s been creating stories in her head since she was a child and scribbling them down nearly as long, in a losing battle to make the fictional voices stop.  She credits an early fascination with male friendships (bromance hadn’t been coined yet back then) with her later discovery of and subsequent love affair with m/m romance stories.

When not exorcising the voices in her head, she toils away in a retail job that tests her patience and gives her lots of story fodder.  She can also be found in her kitchen, pretending she’s an amateur chef and trying to not poison herself or others with her cuisine experiments.

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4 Stars for To Stand Close by Faith Ashlin #MM #AlternateReality @Totally_Bound @Ashlin_Faith

Title: To Stand Close
Author Name: Faith Ashlin
Publication Date : March 27, 2015

Can love grow and survive for two men on opposite sides of the deepest of chasm—slavery?

In this world one country has cut itself off, and is closed and mysterious to everyone else. What’s the secret it’s hiding? Magic? Monsters? No, just the cruel reality of slavery. But inside its borders life goes on as normal, and it competes with the rest of the world at sport just like everyone else, just to prove that it’s the best.

Nicky accepts that, and is happy in his own small, simple life as a gymnastics coach. He accepts it because he’s never known anything else, but he stays as far away from the brutality of slavery as he can, until he’s given a present he doesn’t want and isn’t allowed to refuse.

As for love? Well, he loves his sport, isn’t that enough?

Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of slavery.

This is the strangest book I’ve read in a very long time.  The premise is of a closed rogue military state not too far from our own countries, where residents enjoy the same language, television and culture as we do.  Well, until we get to the slavery part.

This is so much more than a gay romance.  It is a story of friendship and devotion.  Tere were elements of Atwood and Orwell here, but the author doesn’t focus on social criticism.  Instead, she gives us Nicky, a very talented gymnastics coach who is preparing an elite team of women’s gymnasts for the world championships.

And she gives us Michael.  An American backpacker turned sex slave who is gifted to Nicky by his atheletes’ grateful mothers.

So.  Bizarre.  But really well written. The gymnasts and their training regimes are witten in such painstakingly vivid detail we can almost smell the chalk, sweat and leather.   Equally vivid is Nicky’s cramped, claustrophobic one bedroom flat.   In contrast, the exact details of the country outside Nicky’s flat and the gymnasium remains blurry and grey.

The relationship that develops between Nicky and Michael is awkward and uncomfortable.

The relatioship that develops between Nicky and Michael is awkward and uncomfortable.  The way Nicky tries to be a good slave owner gives us so much scope for social comentary.  But the men remain real, not symbols.

The central problem of the story is so much more complex than that in most romance writing.  If you own someone, how do you ever know if they really love you?  Is it right to give love to or desire love from a posession?

I’ve only given this book four stars because I would have liked to see more world building and the ideas presented could have been developed so much further in a longer story.  Perhaps a sequel or a prequel will have to assauge my curiosity.

Even if the premise sounds odd, I would recommend reading this book.  It was a very good read.

Sarah

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When Faith was clearing out her attic many years ago, she found a book she’d written as a ten-year old. On rereading it she realized that it was the love story of two boys. Over the years her fascination with the image of beautiful young men, coiled together as they fell head over heels in love, became a passion for her.

Since that first innocent book – written in purple sparkly pen – she has written many stories, set in varied worlds but always with two men finding their way to happiness.

Nothing much has changed because now she can be found in a daydream, wandering around the supermarkets of London, or sitting in a meeting at work still dreaming up stories.

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4 Stars for Best Chance (More Than Friends #6) by Aria Grace #MM #Romance #Erotica @ariagracebooks

Title: Best Chance
Author Name: Aria Grace
Publication Date & Length: February 28, 2015 – 90pgs

Book 6 of the More Than Friends Gay Romance Series
Each book may be read as a stand-alone. Reading in sequence is not required.

More Than Friends #1 (Free)
More Than Friends #2: Drunk in Love
More Than Friends #3: Choosing Happy
More Than Friends #4: Just Stay
More Than Friends #5: Hands On
More Than Friends #6: Best Chance

Vinnie is happy as a bartender at Ray’s and not looking for anything serious to complicate things. He has great friends and a simple life. When Chance comes into his bar, he brings more than just the possibility of a fun fling.

Vinnie isn’t sure he’s ready to commit, especially when there is a toddler in the mix.

This is a charming story of two men who had a relationship in high school meeting up more than ten years later.

Vinnie is a slightly directionless red-headed bar tender.  In his late twenties, he hasn’t ever made any serious commitments or had a long-term relationship.

Chance is a single father.  He is building his own business while caring for a young son.  After a long hetero marriage he is finally ready to be honest about the fact he is gay.

Back in school the men fooled around for a summer.  They never talked about their feelings and the relationship ended when they went back to school.

When Chance walks into Vinnie’s bar and the men meet for the first time since school, things are more than a little bit complicated between them.

This short story is tender and nuanced.  It is told alternately from Chase and Vinnie’s perspectives.  The dual narrative allows Grace to sensitively explore both men’s memories, feelings and insecurities.

An excellent short story – I just wish Grace had written this as a full novel!

Sarah

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“It’s not exactly the penthouse, but it’s home.” I reach back for Chance’s wrist and tug him in behind me.

“I didn’t come here for the amenities,” he says, resting his hand on my hip and squeezing.

“No?” I turn so his arm is wrapped around my waist. “What did you come for?”

My face is inches from his. His warm breath washes over me as I stare into those desperate eyes.

“This.” Chance’s eyes drop to my mouth as his head tilts and he leans into me. As soon as his full lips close over mine, I want to sing. I instinctively open my mouth to accept his tongue as it lightly brushes over mine. We aren’t tentative kids anymore. We’ve both had time to perfect our techniques over the years so by the time I drag Chance into my room, I’ve touched every space in his mouth that I can reach.

Our hands aren’t left idle as we tug on clothes and pull down zippers until we’re both naked and panting on my bed.

“God, I’ve missed you, Vin,” Chance says against my chest as he drops kisses on my skin.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Aria enjoys the year round sunshine and laid back environment of the west coast. She lives with her husband and two children on a quiet hill that gives her lots of time to read and write. Her first series was a semi-traditional look at sexy gigs found online. She has now ventured into the exciting M/M world of gay erotica. She loves to hear from readers so please feel free to drop her a note or visit her at http://www.ariagracebooks.com.

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