Pre-release Review & GIVEAWAY: Dead Man and the Restless Spirits by Lou Harper

Reviewed by Susan Lee

TITLE: Dead Man and the Restless Spirits (Book #1)
SERIES: Dead Man series
AUTHOR: Lou Harper
BLURB: Dying sucks hairy monkey balls, even when you’re not the stiff.

Denton Mills has a secret: he can see dead people. Or rather, how they died. It’s quite a drag in a city like Chicago, teeming with the echoes of the no-longer living. Rather than whine about it, Denton has learned to live with his troublesome talent. His adaptability comes in handy when he meets his enigmatic new neighbor.

Bran Maurell catches Denton’s eye right away, but unfortunately Mr. Tall, Dark, and Mysterious is as standoffish as he is alluring. However, after an unexpected introduction from Bran’s cat brings the two men together, Denton discovers they have a mutual interest in the spirit world. Herbalist by day, Bran moonlights as a witch, performing house cleansings for a fee.

From Bran, Denton learns that his knack for interacting with the dead qualifies him as a necromancer. It makes good business sense for them to team up and rid Chicago of its pesky spirits one grateful client at a time. Amongst ghostly adventures the attraction between the men is impossible to ignore. They seem like perfect partners—unless Bran’s not-so-little secret comes between them.

Warning: men loving men, ghosts with attitudes, and a portly feline with hidden talents.

Note: Denton also plays a small but important role in Spirit Sanguine.

REVIEW:

Lou Harper is a new-to-me author and I really really enjoy her style.  Her writing is funny and quirky and sarcastic and those all appeal to me.

The story is about Denton, who as a necromancer, is able to see dead people as well as feel & summon spirits. He doesn’t know much about his gifts or how he can utilize them until he meets his new neighbor, Bran. Bran is mysterious and a man of few words and Denton is drawn to him immediately…despite it being obvious, the guy has secrets.

Denton in his pierced, care-free, take-no-sh*t way is charming and funny. Bran in his brooding, stoic, powerful way is sexy and enigmatic. When Denton is finally able to break down the walls with Bran (and get to his secrets!), the pairing is likable and the partnership between them is sweet. Bran teaches Denton how to utilize his gifts and Denton teaches Bran how to lighten up!  Being a sucker for a strong man reduced to a sap by love, I really enjoyed this coupling.

The story as a whole is interesting. It reads more like an episodic serial than a novel and that actually felt like I was getting to know these MC’s over a span of time and shared experiences. That also, however, made the story feel choppy and I found myself putting my kindle down often and not being compelled to power through in one sitting. And though the story, I could tell, wanted to break through and be fresh and original, it harkened me back to a similar feel & plot in Jordan Castillo Price’s “PsyCop” series…which had the benefit of being my “first” and thus, of course, I compare all others to it. Dead Man & the Restless Spirits, in my mind, places a distant second.

Though I really do like Denton and Bran, I didn’t really get to know them well enough to LOVE them.  I think I just need more.  It’s a solid book 1.  I am looking forward to the series continuing and I do recommend this to anyone who enjoys this paranormal-in-a-contemporary-setting genre.

Susan’s Rating:

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Susan Lee is one of the official reviewers on The Blog of Sid Love.

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Book Review: Defiance by Laura Harner

Reviewed by Macky

TITLE: Defiance (Book #3)
SERIES: Triple Threat (Pulp Friction Books)
AUTHOR: Laura Harner
PUBLISHER: Hot Corner Press
BLURB: Archer, Zachary, and Jeremiah are hired to bring a full stop to a runaway blackmail scheme threatening to derail the K-Train Express—local football legend Kebow Trainer’s career. When the investigation turns over the rocks of Zack’s memories, he realizes there are a lot of different types of closets—and he reaches beyond the circle of his two lovers for help closing the door on the past. Now, the trio must find a way to catch a blackmailer while they work through their pain to find pleasure. Because anything two can do, three can do better.

REVIEW:

Book three in Laura Harner’s addition to the Pulp Friction series and Zack, Archer and Jeremiah have been asked to investigate the case of famous football player, who is being blackmailed. But as they look into it, Zack is confronted by ghosts from his past, the case bringing back painful memories of a young sub, who he felt he had let down as a Dom, with very unhappy consequences that he has never forgiven himself for. This again interferes in his relationship with Archer and Jeremiah.

The dynamics between the three of them are quite complex. Zack had lovingly and happily subbed for Archer for many years but he had a history of having natural Dom tendencies as well. At the insistence of his lover Archer (who felt that despite their intense love for each other, Zack would never really be fully satisfied with just being a sub), Zack was made to choose a sub for himself who you’ll know if you’ve followed the series up to now is the endearing Jeremiah. A change in their partnership which at the beginning Zack fought against.

The first two books dealt with Zack’s reluctance to fully embrace Jeremiah’s sub to his Dom and because of it, he had put the young inexperienced man in danger. So, their path has been a bit of a rocky one. However, the bond is strengthening between the three lovers and as this story starts, they are getting more comfortable with the lifestyle they now share. Each story is a mix of a one-off case to be investigated and the ongoing relationship issues. There is a breakthrough but again as I always say with these short stories… Read them to find out what!

This is a series within a series (Pulp Friction) that – like all the others – is getting more interesting as it goes along, once again interweaving characters from the other books within the circle. This time it’s the snarky Wick Templeton who makes a guest appearance. Another favourite character of mine.

I really do love this whole series and even though I’m not a great fan of D/S themed stories, I really like reading the Triple Threat books. It’s not too much in your face but still steamy and hot in the sex scenes and I always look forward to seeing these guys. One tiny niggle – I did find the ending abrupt but apart from that it’s still another winner for me and I’m hoping there’s much more to come. I liked a lot!

Macky’s Rating:

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Macky is one of the official reviewers on The Blog of Sid Love
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Book Review: Heart of Stone by Ari McKay

Reviewed by Macky

TITLE: Heart of Stone
AUTHOR: Ari McKay
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
BLURB: Stone Harrison never knew he had an aunt; he certainly never expected her to bequeath him one of the largest spreads in central Nevada. But something about Copper Lake Ranch and its foreman, Luke Reynolds, speaks to him, offering a chance for the home he’s never really had.

Luke wants Stone to succeed as a rancher and put the legacy of his shiftless father behind him, but he’d also like Stone to share his bed. Unfortunately, Stone is convinced that the world is a harsh place that will never accept two men sharing their lives. Much to Luke’s dismay, he refuses to risk Luke’s life despite the intense attraction they share.

The tension between them escalates when a series of calamities strikes Copper Lake. An unexpected and unwelcome visit from Stone’s dandified cousin, James, only makes things worse. Stone’s ability to run the ranch comes into question, but the threat of losing it means less to Stone than the threat to Luke’s life. Stone will do anything it takes to protect the man he loves—even if it makes him a murderer.

REVIEW:

Heart Of Stone is a proper Historical Western with everything you would expect and want from it. As I was reading this, I was actually imagining myself curled up on a chair, on a Saturday afternoon watching it all unfurl on the TV as a Saturday Matinee. Take away the fact that this is m/m romance novel (and in my opinion, it is a true romance) the rest of the story suits the classic Western tale perfectly.

A strong, silent Cowboy drifter, with a mixed native American blood and an angst ridden past, gets a letter saying that a long lost relative (who he’s never met before) has died, leaving him a successful working ranch. Arriving there he meets the foreman, who is his complete opposite – warm, friendly, hard working and a complete gem when it comes to helping him work the ranch. They strike up a friendship. Things are going well till a spate of mishaps start befalling the ranch, each one becoming more dangerous putting not only the ranch and its animals at risk but the lives of the men running it. Someone is out to run him off his land. So, with the help of his foreman and ranch hands and certain characters from the town, the lone Cowboy fights to save his livelihood!

OK, so thats the version you’d be watching on Saturday afternoon – cheering for the good guys, boo hissing the baddies and finally seeing the Cowboy save the day and get his “Mary Lou” the heroine who shows our gruff drifter cowboy that he can be loved and finally have a settled home life with all the trimmings… But of course this is no ordinary western is it?

Stone Harrison is our lone Cowboy and Luke Reynolds is the foreman he comes to rely on but of course the difference in this story is that both these men have no interest in women and never will have but living in a time when being gay could result in nothing short of losing your life, both have lived their lives, up to meeting each other, keeping it well and truly hidden. Of course the attraction and lust is there and after a while Luke’s warm teasing manner breaks down Stone’s brittle persona and reservations, causing the inevitable to happen. But, the morning after, Stone pushes Luke away for fear of their relationship not only harming the running of the ranch, but his and Luke’s lives.

“This was now his home, and there wasn’t any place he’d rather be. Part of what made that feeling, though was one smart-mouthed cowboy with a gleam in his eye and a teasing word on his lips. A cowboy who seemed quite willing to take Stone as he was and even take him to bed. And that was the one thing Stone knew could never happen.”

From then on they revert back to a working relationship that strains their friendship but stubbornness and underlying feelings run high and when danger strikes the ranch they have to put it all aside to ensure the safety of everything they’ve worked to achieve.

Add in some great small town characters, a proper slimy baddie, his hired henchmen, some very well paced sexual tension and two REALLY likeable MC’s and I think you’ve got an absolute cracker! There’s a lovely back story involving Stone’s Auntie, who’s left him the ranch, that I thought was a refreshingly sweet addition to this type of tale and a lovely little twist at the end that made me smile and left me feeling the fuzzies! One surprise I did have was that this is a collaboration of two authors. I’d never have known because the story flows beautifully. Nice one ladies!

I honestly didn’t put this down once I started it and ended up reading it all in one sitting. I think it’s probably one of the nicest m/m westerns I’ve ever read. There’s not oodles of sex but what there is, it is still sexy, full of chemistry and very romantic. I found it to be a lovely romance that didn’t insist on them jumping into bed every five minutes but still had that sexual frisson that kept you glued to their “will they/won’t they” love affair. This is a good solid story with sex…not sex with a bit of story thrown in. Perhaps this is why some readers have rated it lower? I don’t know but for me this engaging book is a winner and a total keeper. I absolutely loved it. One little niggle was that I thought they should have cottoned on to who the baddie was a lot earlier, I knew the moment he arrived in the story he was going to be trouble, and I was a wee bit disappointed in how he gets his comeuppance but because of the end of the story, which I loved, I saw why it had to be that way so I gave it leeway, and this is a story, at the end of the day and great one at that, so it’s 4.5 rounded up.

Now I’m left hankering for another tale of the Wild West with strong silent cowboys in chaps riding the range… as long as they’re sexy ones. Slap my thighs and  YEEHAW! You know what they say about riding a cowboy… (winks and grins)

Macky’s rating:

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Book Review: Unexpected Demands by Kaje Harper

Review by Macky

(Read Macky’s review for:
Book #1 of Hidden Wolves series: Unacceptable Risks
Book #1.5 (Free Read): Unsettled Interlude)

TITLE: Unexpected Demands (Book #2)
SERIES: Hidden Wolves
AUTHOR: Kaje Harper
PUBLISHER: MLR Press
BLURB: Becoming Alpha made Aaron responsible for protecting his new pack against outside threats, but fighting his own desires might pose an even bigger challenge.

When Aaron took down a crazy dominant wolf and inherited half a pack, he knew the Alpha job wasn’t going to be easy. A week later, he’s finding out what an understatement that was. Having a gay wolf in his pack brings lethal threats from other werewolves. Then humans locate his wolves and move in to try to capture and exploit one of them. Aaron has enough pressure and demands without letting his long-suppressed sexuality escape his rigid control. But keeping his distance from a young man who appeals to all his senses could be Aaron’s biggest challenge.

REVIEW:

” When you’re Alpha of a werewolf pack, even as small and non-traditional as mine, you have to BE Alpha. No doubts, no worries, at least where the lower-ranked wolves can see you. I’d been faking that all week, ever since pack leadership had fallen into my hands.

Since I’d ripped it from Karl’s bleeding body.

A rap on the door startled me, then the door was flung open before I could respond. Vincent looked in. His normal air of detached amusement was replaced with a frown. “Aaron, there’s trouble at Simons……..” 

So starts Aaron’s story in the second delicious book of Kaje Harpers most excellent Werewolf series… Hidden Wolves. At the end of book one, Simon and Paul’s story, Aaron is left a reluctant Alpha to a splinter group from the original pack after defeating the evil second Karl. Simon and Paul are making waves amongst the other, larger established packs because of their gay bond mating and as well as trying to keep them safe – because the other packs are chomping at the bit to have Paul and Simon exterminated because no one believes its a true bond –   Aaron is himself trying to keep the fact that he’s also gay from everyone around him, but finding it very hard as he has to take a young troubled Zach under his wing and temptation is staring him in the face and groin! To make it worse it becomes clear that Zach reciprocates his feelings so whats a man ( and his inner wolf ) to do?

Wow! The pack politics and hierarchy in Kaje’s  books are so convincing that like I said in my review of ‘ Unacceptable Risk ‘, you could really believe that they exist and are living amongst us. These shifters are staunchly homophobic and fiercely protective of keeping that existence secret from the human world. They’ll go to extreme lengths to keep from being outed to the human race but only as a last resort. They’re not rampant killers or monsters and this is part of what Paul can’t fully come to terms with. His humanity is still at odds with some of the things he’s witnessed but his love for Simon is foremost so his loyalties are now with the pack he’s become part of. For them the choices they sometimes have to make are purely for the survival of their race, so when Simon is kidnapped halfway through the story and no one knows by why, Aaron and his small but loyal pack have a race against time to find him. Is it some other Wolves or something far more sinister?!

What a roller coaster this book was. Full of intrigue, suspense and so strongly plotted that once again I was glued to every page. Aaron’s character is perfectly spun. He’s up against a lot of resistance from the start but he stands his ground and protects his pack with strength and dignity, even though he’s not sure that being Alpha is what he would have really chosen had it not been necessary to kill Karl. It was great to see more of Simon and Paul and all the other secondary characters who’s roles in the story are strong and totally supportive of the story line.

” In most cases the pack second took his ( the Alphas ) place. That was probably a hard enough transition to make. But it couldn’t compare to suddenly becoming Alpha when you hadn’t even imagined it. I had been sixth in the pack, safely high but not in line for the top spot for decades to come..”

But Aaron is dominant and as soon as he takes on the role of Alpha, the bond with his pack is palpable and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep them safe.

” MINE, THESE WOLVES ARE MINE. I was protective, and at the same time I fought a need to get every one of them down on the floor in submission………for seven years with this pack and six years with the one before it, I had locked away half my personality and made myself the perfect unobtrusive subordinate. Now the locks were breaking.”

A big part of the story is centred around the budding secret sexual relationship between Aaron and Zach and same as before the love scenes are sizzling hot, not repetitive or yawn worthy like some that are churned out in this genre, but there’s no doubt once Simon goes missing the book shifts into first gear and from then on its one hell of an exciting ride.

Apart from the two interludes that Ms Harper has so graciously provided as follow ups to both books, its now an impatient wait for book three, and it can’t come too soon. I’m loving this series and again it gets a perfect five stars for the brilliant writing style and superb imagination of an author I’m now pretty much in awe of! Suddenly I’m starting to look at my neighbours a bit more closely. I’m sure the broken leg of the guy across the street shouldn’t be healing quite that quickly…..Hmmmm! It seems to be alright naaaoooooow!! LOL.

BUY LINK: Book Store

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Macky is one of the official reviewers on The Blog of Sid Love
=====================================================

Check out all our recommended books in Sid Love’s eBook Store:
Recommended Books

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Book Review: Unacceptable Risk by Kaje Harper

Review by Macky

TITLE: Unacceptable Risk (Book #1)
SERIES: Hidden Wolves
AUTHOR: Kaje Harper
PUBLISHER: MLR Press
BLURB: Simon Conley was born a werewolf, making him one of a tiny minority in a sea of vanilla humans. The safety of the pack lies in absolute secrecy, sometimes violently enforced. In a species where pack-members are born and not made, being gay is considered a perversion. So when Simon falls in love with a human man, he’s twice damned. Even his Alpha’s grudging tolerance may not be enough to shield him from the hatred of the other top wolves. Then his lover Paul stumbles across pack secrets Simon was sworn to keep, and if the pack finds out, they may both end up dead.

REVIEW:

If this was Review-a-Vision then you’d be blinded by a grin the size of the Grand Canyon because right now I’m one very happy reviewer and feeling even more so because I know I’ve got three more books –  one novel and two ‘ interlude’ shorts –  to read and review from this brilliant Werewolf series by Kaje Harper. What’s even better is I get to read them for free. Yaay…How cool is that!

I’ve been reading M/M for just over two years and for some strange reason have only just got around to reading Kajes books. I can’t believe I waited so long! Before striking gold with this series I’d not long ago read ‘The Rebuilding Year’ a standalone contemporary romance that I loved, and then because I enjoyed that so much read the  first book in her wonderful series ‘Life Lessons’ that also wowed me, so I was intrigued to see if she could impress me with a series set around a genre that to be honest I’ve become more than a little jaded with …

So, colour me VERY impressed.

Loved, loved, loved it! Probably the most realistic take on Werewolves that I’ve ever come across. Nothing over the top or beyond belief, this story almost made me believe that unbeknown to us humans, Werewolves  are living amongst us, working alongside us and living their lives quietly and secretly, just hiding below the radar and keeping themselves to themselves. It was believable and totally engrossing.

“We’re a rare species, trying to survive surrounded by millions of humans. We don’t have super strength, or immortality, or mental powers like in the movies. We survive by not being seen.”

” But, on the down side, that means no superpowers. If neither man nor a wolf can do something, odds are we can’t either. If we are magic, there are a few things I wish the wizard had added in.” 

The world building around the Were’s is brilliant. The pack mentality is there and the mate bond that of course we’ve come to expect from wolf lore but this has has little to do with full moons or rampant flesh eating monsters with claws and big teeth! They heal fast, live quite a bit longer than humans, have enhanced senses and shift of course but  Kajes wolves are more dangerous to each other than the humans they hide from.

“And the pack lived by rules, fiercely enforced and unbreakable”

So when Paul stops to pick up an injured Simon in his wolf form one night, little does he know how his life is going to change.

Simon is a funny, warm and loving character. I adored him. His status within the pack is tenuous because he’s gay, having talked his way out of a death sentence because of it, he’s barely tolerated by the rest of the wolves and although he tries to live his life without getting too involved,  is caught up in pack politics, as a faction led by the Alphas evil second and ex enforcer Karl, tries to take over the pack using Simon as a catalyst. Falling in love with Paul, who he ( and his wolf )  recognises as his mate, puts them both in danger.

‘Simon sighed and hauled another stool close enough to sit. ” I like you. I like you a whole lot, and I want you even more than that. Because my real life is a mess, and the last thing I need is to have someone I care about mixed up in it. But somehow I’m not smart around you.” ‘

Paul’s character, who I also loved, is initially straight but again Kaje handles the Gay For You aspect of their relationship in such a way as to make it seem completely natural for Paul to be drawn to Simon. No rushing these two into insta love, it all happens slowly but surely and together they generate some wonderful sexual tension and chemistry… the love scenes are hot but never gratuitous. Not an easy relationship, Paul has to make some life altering decisions and I was on pins but at the same time hoping beyond all hope that they’d make it work because you know these endearing guys are truly meant to be together.

Everything about this story thrilled me. The excellent plotting, the gorgeous romance and the fresh take on the paranormal world it showcases. I know I’m supposed to find something niggly to counterbalance the gushing but truthfully I can’t pin point anything negative at all. I devoured  every single word and can’t wait to get to the next one.

The best paranormal book I’ve read for a long time, hope others agree. Deserves every one of its 5 solid stars. Next please!

BUY LINK: Book Store

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Macky is one of the official reviewers on The Blog of Sid Love
=====================================================

Check out all our recommended books in Sid Love’s eBook Store:
Recommended Books

(Support this site and buy the books from my A-store)

Book Review: Spirit Sanguine by Lou Harper

Review by Macky

TITLE: Spirit Sanguine

AUTHOR: Lou Harper

PUBLISHER: Samhain Publishing

BLURB: Is that a wooden stake in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?

After five years in eastern Europe using his unique, inborn skills to slay bloodsuckers, Gabe is back in his hometown Chicago and feeling adrift. Until he’s kidnapped by a young, sexy vampire who seems more interested in getting into his pants than biting into his neck.

Harvey Feng is one-half Chinese, one-hundred-percent vampire. He warns Gabe to stay out of the Windy City, but somehow he isn’t surprised when the young slayer winds up on his doorstep. And why shouldn’t Gabe be curious? A vegetarian vampire isn’t something one sees every day.

Against their better judgment, slayer and vampire succumb to temptation. But their affair attracts unexpected attention.

When Chicago’s Vampire Boss makes Gabe an offer he can’t refuse, the unlikely lovers are thrust into peril and mystery in the dark heart of the Windy City. Together they hunt for kidnappers, a killer preying on young humans, and vicious vampire junkies.

However, dealing with murderous humans and vampires alike is easy compared to figuring out if there’s more to their relationship than hot, kinky sex.

REVIEW:

Not having read many books by Lou Harper I was sort of new to her writing style. I had read a couple of shorts by her which I’d found very enjoyable, but this was my first full-length novel and after finishing, it certainly won’t be my last.

Spirit Sanguine was a real treat. I went off the boil with vampire books quite a while ago, the problem being that like a lot of tropes they’d been done to death, each one jumping on the others’ bandwagon and every one sounding and reading like a carbon copy of its predecessor.
Not this one. It was a breath of fresh air and an absolute pleasure to read. Split into three separate short stories it introduces two brilliant characters – Gabe the slayer and Harvey the vamp –  both completely different to the usual slayer/vamp combo that we’re used to in general PNR books, including m/m and het ones.

So what’s so different about this one? Well, for a start, it’s funny. Harvey is great at the one liners and Gabe’s somewhat deadpan character a great recipient for them, they bounce off each other superbly and I found myself sniggering and giggling all the way through. Just my type of sense of humour… I love snarkiness in a story and this is full of it!

 The vampire sighed. ” Don’t be a grumpy pants. Let’s say we agree you’re a slayer.”

“I should’ve disemboweled you last time,” he muttered. ” You’re  just saying that. Entrails make a big mess.” Gabe felt the body under his hand shake, and he realised it was from laughter. ” Don’t make me laugh it hurts.”

“And you just happened to have six very sharp wooden sticks on you. Or were you just happy to see me?”
Harvey’s vamp is miles away from the snarly fangy, Grrr Arrrgh vamp behaviour that we generally know of, for one thing he’s vegetarian ( yep! I said vegetarian * snort* ) but he’s certainly no wimp, proving it quite a few times and Gabe finds things out about his past that makes him ponder all he’s been taught about killing vamps and the vampire community as a whole, causing him to rethink his role as a slayer and as the stories progress so does the relationship between these two totally engaging characters. I loved them both but I must admit Harvey was an absolute star and stole the show with his witty banter but Gabe has his moments too!

“You may be past it, but I can still die. How would you like that on you’re conscience?”

Starting as just a sexual attraction – and boy do they sizzle together – they become linked in ways that neither of them ever expect and all this just adds to the freshness of the ongoing plots. The book is split into three distinct stories, each one with its own storyline but at the same time linked by certain characters and threads. This was a nice change too. Lou could have quite easily put them out as three separate short stories but she gives them to us as a sort of anthology and I really liked that! The first of the three is the one where they meet and it is very amusing, setting up the tone and introducing the different vamp lore that Lou Harper has built around her characters, as Dill one of Harvey’s ditzy friends goes missing and they join forces to find him. Then the next two take on more sinister turns as Gabe and Harvey are now more established as a couple and Gabe starts work as a sort of private detective for the local big wig ‘mob style’ boss vamp. The middle and last each dealing with rogue vamps, murders, missing persons and cross dressing Vamps. Exciting but fun at the same time!

Talking of secondary characters we get to meet some great supporting ones, who add even more wit and substance to the book as a whole. There’s one character called Denton ‘ Dead Man’ Mills, who I believe is going to get his own book and if thats true then I’m first in line to read that one! All I can say is to meet this gang of quirky characters ( Twinky human Dill and his two ‘ daddies’ are also favourites ) you need to read this fantastic book. I personally couldn’t find anything negative to say about it…of course that’s my opinion, but I just fell in love with everything to the point were I had my rose coloured glasses on and pure enjoyment was driving me. I guess everyone will have their own thoughts on it but I’ll be very surprised if the majority of readers aren’t entranced with this refreshingly different take on the paranormal.

Please Ms Harper bring us more of Gabe and Harvey. There’s loads of mileage in these two and  I need to sink my ‘ fangs’ into more of their sexy juicy stories… A definite 5 STAR read for me!

BUY LINK: Book Store

==================================
Macky is one of the official reviewers on The Blog of Sid Love
=====================================================

Check out all our recommended books in Sid Love’s eBook Store:
Recommended Books

(Support this site and buy the books from my A-store)

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Book Review: Beholding Beauty by Sam Singer

Reviewed by Macky & Sid

TITLE: Beholding Beauty
AUTHOR: Sam Singer
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
SUMMARY: Craig Ryan’s modeling dreams crashed and burned on the streets of LA. Still, a man has to eat, and the escort biz pays well, and the sex isn’t bad. Actually, Craig enjoys his new job and benefits. That is, until a client called Dee hires him. Dee is a mystery. He keeps his face hidden and prohibits touching, even when touching his mouthwatering body becomes Craig’s fantasy.

Falling for a customer was never in Craig’s plans. But wrapped inside Dee’s peculiar requirements, there’s a sense of loneliness and pain that strikes deep within Craig, awakening his own need for something more—something with a future beyond one-night stands.

REVIEW: This is one of those short stories which are very sweet, very romantic and very enjoyable.

Craig is a gorgeous young man who wants to be a model but like a lot of guys who don’t make it, ends up working as an escort with ‘benefits’. He’s hired by a mysterious client, Dee, who insists that he doesn’t want to be seen or touched… he only wants companionship. Craig is intrigued by this quiet, shy man and after a few meetings, he grows to enjoy their platonic visits which are spent just talking or watching old movies together. Later, they even begin a tentative friendship that turns into feelings of attraction very soon and in Craig’s case, it transforms into love. But after gently breaking down Dee’s barriers and finally making love one night, Craig’s curiosity gets the better of him and he’s angrily ordered out of Dee’s life for good…or so he thinks?

Without giving too much away, I’d say it’s not a big jump to guess why Dee doesn’t want to be seen because the clues are all there and in a way the story falls down a little because of it. It’s hard to believe that during all that time they spent together, Craig never connects the dots or that he never manages to get even a glimpse of his face or body but I filed it away under the heading ‘Poetic Licence’ and just settled down to enjoy the lovely tender romance growing between them. I just wished the story had been longer because I’d have loved to have seen more of the time spent together in the six weeks that the story jumps, but it is the length it is and you get the information you get, so its a matter of accepting that and either picking holes or simply enjoying. I chose to enjoy and I’m sure many readers will, because the characters and the romance are so endearing. It finishes on a sigh-worthy HEA that gave me the warm and fuzzies and carries a lovely message that beauty isn’t always a physical thing and that everyone deserves a second chance. I found it very enchanting and its staying on my kindle. Lovely!

Macky’s Rating:

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Macky is one of the official reviewers on The Blog of Sid Love
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Sid’s Review: I recommend it because the way this story pulled me into Craig’s world, it was incredible! The writing is smooth and takes you. The characters’ emotions pierces through your heart and lets you feel what they are feeling. I loved Craig and I loved Dee. What happens in this story is touching, and also so very romantic that it gives that fluttery feeling into your stomach. The message that the author tries to give in this story is valuable and that is what makes this book so special.

I agree with Macky that there were flaws, but a story that can manage to hide those flaws and shine like a true star is definitely worth a read!

If you are looking for a romantic story to read over the weekend and feel the power of love win against all odds, your search ends here!

Sid’s Rating:

BUY LINKS: Dreamspinner Press  ||  Amazon

Book Review: Finding Shelter by M.J. O’Shea

Review by Macky

TITLE: Finding Shelter
SERIES: Rock Bay Series
BOOK: Three
AUTHOR: M.J. O’Shea
SUMMARY: Justin Foster has nineteen years of nothing but trouble behind him. After escaping his abusive father, he finds himself in Rock Bay, Washington, with his cousin Travis. Justin is bruised and has a hard time trusting, but with the help of his family and the small town, he might be able to heal.

Logan O’Brien is also new in town, hoping he can finally get away from his past and the memories of the girlfriend who shattered his heart. It doesn’t take him long to realize Rock Bay can be more than safe harbor: it can also be home. And for the first time in his life, he finds himself captivated by a man—by Justin.

Justin is attracted to Logan too, but he’s also wary. Physically, Logan reminds him a bit too much of the closeted jerks who used to beat him up after school. But after one awkwardly amazing kiss, he’s smitten, despite how his past and insecurities continue to haunt him. Logan’s love, faith, and stubbornness are just what Justin needs to believe their love is worth fighting for.

REVIEW:

From the moment I picked up Finding Shelter I knew I was on to a winner. I’ve been a massive fan of M. J even since I read her co-authored works with Piper Vaughn. So when she started writing the Rock Bay series, it was a no-brainer purchase. Book One Lex and Tally’s story ( Coming Home ) was my favourite and stayed in pole position after reading book 2, Mason and Drew’s tale ( Letting Go ) which I also enjoyed,  but Logan and Justin’s story has just taken pride of place and is now número uno in the whole series, just for the fact that it had me feeling all tingly and smiley from the moment that gorgeous Logan set eyes on the lovely sweet Justin.

Logan is probably one of the nicest MC’s I’ve come across in M/M genred books. He’s kind, patient, loving, protective and…… straight! Having just finished a long term relationship with his ex-girlfriend he’s living with his best friend Mason, who’s now in a committed relationship with his new boyfriend Drew (characters from Rock Bay: Book 2). Not having a homophobic bone in his body, Logan is very touchy-feely,  a tactile
“hugging” person and everyone, male or female, gets the same treatment.

Justin is small, bit girlish by looks owing to his pretty features and long straight hair. He’s scared of his own shadow. A not-so-happy home-life and having an abusive alcoholic father who hates him because he’s gay aren’t the only reasons. All his young life, he’s been bullied at school too, so he’s wary of people. That is the reason he finds making friends difficult except for his cousin Travis, who you’ll know if you’ve read the series, works at the coffee shop, owned by Lex and Tally(from Book 1). To escape his unhappy home life, 19 year old Justin runs away to Rock Bay to stay with Travis, hoping his father won’t find him, and ends up getting Travis’ job at the cafe when he leaves town to be with his girlfriend. Being worried about  his cousin, Travis asks Logan to befriend Justin knowing and trusting that he’ll look after him whilst he’s gone.

The minute Logan sets his eyes on him he’s totally smitten. The fact that he’s attracted to a guy surprises him but he’s not fazed out about it at all and he’s deeply drawn to this lovely young man. Ditto for Justin, but of course Justin not knowing how gentle he is, sees Logan in the same light as all the other people who’ve been negative in his past and backs away. Not allowing Logan to get close to him he’s cold and unfriendly and this makes Logan act completely out of character, he’s so off kilter he becomes a bit of a bumbling idiot every time he’s in Justin’s company … bless him! Plus, as far as Justin knows the man he’s lusting after is straight so that’s a definite deal breaker!

This was what I enjoyed most about the story. These two guys dance and pussy foot around each other for a long time, both deeply attracted but at the same time scared to make a move. A lot of the time when writers introduce this type of instalove in a story they have the characters jumping into bed within a couple of pages but in this the ‘ will they? won’t they? ‘ aspect of their growing friendship and romance is drawn out really nicely and the sexual tension is delicious. Two extremely endearing characters who together create a lovely chemistry that had me feeling warm and fuzzy all the way through. There’s a touch of conflict built around Justin’s dad and a bit of a misunderstanding before it concludes and they get their HEA ( no spoilers there) but the heart of the book is definitely watching Logan break down Justin’s defences as they fall in love. One of the nicest GFY stories I think I’ve ever read. It’s a book I know I could pick up to read again and again when I just want something to make me feel good! A proper comfort read its sweet, cute and romantic and its firmly made its way into my never delete pile. I didn’t just like this…. I loved it!

5 STARS!

BUY LINKS: Dreamspinner Press  || Amazon

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Macky is one of the official reviewers of The Blog of Sid Love
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Do you wish to read the Rock Bay Series – Book 1 & 2?

BOOK 1: Coming Home
SUMMARY: Tallis Carrington ruled Rock Bay with his gang of jocks and an iron fist—until a scandal destroyed his family’s name. Ten years later Tallis is dead broke, newly homeless, and on the walk of shame to end all walks of shame. He needs money and needs it fast, and Rock Bay is the only home he knows. But the people of Rock Bay haven’t forgotten him—or the spoiled brat he used to be.

The only person in town willing to overlook his past is Lex, the new coffee shop owner, who offers Tally a job even though he appears to despise Tally based on his reputation alone. When Tally discovers his gorgeous boss is the kid he tortured back in high school, Lex’s hot and cold routine finally makes sense. Now Tally has to pull out all the stops to prove he was never really the jerk he seemed to be. After all, if he can win Lex’s heart, the rest of the town should be a piece of coffee cake.

BUY LINKS: Dreamspinner Press  || Amazon

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BOOK 2: Letting Go
SUMMARY: Drew McAuliffe has lived in the small town of Rock Bay most of his adult life. He’d like to be happy, but not at the cost of having his private life under his nosy neighbors’ microscope, so he keeps his bisexuality under wraps.

After a messy breakup that caused him to pack up and move to Astoria, on the Oregon coast, Mason Anderson decides to avoid drama of the romantic kind. All he wants is to start over—alone.

But Drew and Mason were meant to meet. The long looks and awkward half hellos chance offered were never going to be enough. But when they do finally come together on the worst night possible, misconceptions and problems from their pasts get in the way. Until Mason learns to trust again—and until Drew learns to let go of who he thinks he is—a real connection is nothing but a pipe dream.

BUY LINKS: Dreamspinner Press  || Amazon

Book Review: Triple Trust by Sage Marlowe

[Menage and More ManLove: Erotic Alternative Menage a Trois Romance, M/M/M, HEA]

Summary: When Dylan Mitchell hires the indecently beautiful part-time fidelity tester and full-time cynic Cole Peckham to find out how loyal his boyfriend Seth Knowles really is, he is ready to expect the worst. What he doesn’t expect is the immense temptation Cole presents to him—and to Seth. Or the instant attraction Cole feels for both of them. Deeply disappointed by Dylan’s lack of trust, Seth leaves Dylan both single and heartbroken, but free to turn to Cole for comfort. A cruel twist of fate soon requires Cole to put much more into this fresh relationship than he’d bargained for. While he is determined to give his best, it looks like Dylan might need more than Cole can give him—especially since Dylan is still in love with Seth. But when two can’t make it work, three might be just what it takes to create the perfect relationship…

** A Siren Erotic Romance

Reviewer: Macky

Warnings: This review may contain spoilers

REVIEW:

Dylan and Seth are an item, they’ve been together for about a year and a half, and are in love. Dylan however has some self esteem issues, he doesn’t think he’s good enough for his gorgeous younger partner and gets it in his head that perhaps Seth is seeking his pleasure outside of their relationship. Seth is a bar tender who works late hours in a gay club that has plenty of hot tottie as a temptation so of course this plays on his mind as well. So the silly man decides to hire a ‘fidelity tester’ to see if Seth is open to advances! First little niggle here, because there’s no real explanation given for what has made him suspicious, it’s all just based on his insecurities and the only reason he gives Cole – the man he hires – is that Seth won’t move in with him? Why would that be so significant to make him think his man could be cheating, I didn’t get that!

Cole is a drop dead gorgeous, beautiful specimen of man and if anyone could test a persons fidelity then its him. Ok so far so good but then suddenly it all starts to fall apart when Dylan feels an immediate attraction for Cole, Cole finds himself fancying Dylan, Seth has already been having thoughts of watching Dylan in a three way and when Cole tries to tempt Seth at the pub only to face rejection because Seth really does love Dylan, its Cole who takes over in his fantasies of Dylan with a faceless man. Up to this point that’s all these feelings between these three guys are….fantasies, but I must say they all ( Colt included) fantasize the same thing a hell of a lot!

Then the brown stuff hits the fan as Seth overhears Dylan arranging to meet Cole to get the news. Dylan gets the good news about Seth but because both of them are feeling an attraction there’s a bit of mild flirting that ends with Dylan telling Cole that yes he is attracted but he loves his partner too much,  so it finishes with him giving Cole a peck on the lips as a goodbye and who should see it but Seth.

Unfortunately from that point on I started to get really aggravated by these supposedly grown up, mature men who are basically led into all their subsequent dilemmas by thinking with their ever rampant man bits and not their brains! Dylan ends up with Cole but there’s conflict, Cole approaches Seth for help but he walks away, rightly so in a way but then he’s back again when Dylan has a family crisis and Cole is pushed away by both Dylan and Dylan’s horrible family….. I hated his sister Diane, she does something so rotten and spiteful but just gets away with it and then later Cole does something really nice for her and I wanted to slap  him for doing it! I’d have decked her way sooner than that but that’s just me… Ooh horrid woman!

To cut a long story short Dylan ditches poor Cole and within a couple of days Seth and Cole are an item! Right from the word go and from the blurb you know the result is going to be a threesome after these lot have gone through the wringer to get there, so obviously there’s more going on than that but the thing that bothered me most was how easily these men could claim to be so deeply in love with each other one minute but when things got tough could just as easily bail on the relationships without trying to work things out, and then find solace so quickly in the arms of each others exes. It seems to be all about the sex really and not so much the emotion. I know this is a ménage story but by the end I was wondering how these three could ever really make a threesome work because of their strange love triangle so formed. But to give them and Sage Marlowe credit, in the end they do.

Towards the finish,  the one person who I didn’t take to at first became the one who I was rooting for most and that was Cole. I think I liked him the most because under his cocky attitude was a man who despite his looks just wanted to be loved, at one point its hinted at that he’s been let down by someone he loved and there’s a poignant back story about him that also paints him in a more sympathetic light. He doesn’t want to be lusted after just because of his appearance.

Overall  its not a bad story, its written well and in a very easy reading style but its not the best ménage one I’ve read either. I look for sizzling chemistry between the MC’s and in the bedroom there’s some hot stuff going on but its a bit emotionless considering there’s supposed to be love in the mix. Happily it does have a HEA and so for the most part its satisfying but it couldn’t go more than three stars for me because of the slight disconnect I felt for certain characters.

Macky’s Rating:

Links to Buy: AMAZON

For more information on the author, visit: Sage Marlowe’s Website

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MACKY is one of the official reviewers of The Blog of Sid Love.

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MACKY – the reviewer!

Hi, my name is Macky. I’m a Goodreads member  and about two years ago I was reading more or less everything but m/m because I’m a total book junky. I’d never really thought about LGBTQ literature, it was all a bit too risqué. I mean Im straight, I’m in my 50’s, a woman and my wee dabble into erotica was strictly m/f. Then I discovered the wonderful world of ebooks and kindles and suddenly it was like reading behind a plain cover, I was free to test the waters into genres that I wouldn’t have dared put on my bookshelves. Nobody could see what I was reading, I could lock prying eyes out with a password and fib if asked “What are you reading at the moment?”. So I tentatively dipped a toe and my journey into m/m commenced. BOOM! It was like an epiphany. I was hooked. It was love at first read. My love affair carries on today and it’s a kind of jealous love because I don’t let any het stuff worm its way in any more!  Or is that obsession? LOL! I’m not frightened of going out of my comfort zone but there are certain things that baffle me so you won’t see a lot of reviews about hardcore BDSM for example or PWP. I guess I’m a romance girl. Each to their own in that respect. Its more “I don’t get the dynamics ” , than just plain eeeeeeew!

Now I proudly tell all and sundry exactly what I’m reading because I’ve been blown away by the diversity and fabulous writing skills of brilliant authors who have introduced me to hundreds of awesome books that I’ve had the great pleasure to add to my ever growing electronic library. My wish is that one day these stories will take their place beside all the mainstream blockbusters and authors and that we’ll be buying them from the supermarket shelves just like all the rest. Personally I’ve had some of the best reads ever, over all my years as a reader, from this genre and I’d love to spread the word. Don’t get me wrong theres been some flops amongst them too but isn’t that the case in all reading matter. My reviews are based purely on enjoyment factor and emotional connection, when I read its all about how the book makes me feel, what emotional state it leaves me in and finally does it go into my keepers? I’m not a nit picker, I get too lost in a story to do that but I am truthful about my feelings. Sid has seen something in my reviews ( I’m still wondering what! Ha ) so I hope I can do justice to the ones I read for the blog.  Thanks Sid for giving me the chance to do something I enjoy and babble on about it!

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Please join me in welcoming MACKY to The Blog of Sid Love. You will see her a lot around in coming days, recommending you quality M/M books that might have missed your eye.

Note to Authors: The Blog of Sid Love is taking in review requests for books in all genres to be featured in the month of May. If you wish to get your book – newly released or an old one – reviewed on my blog, send me a notification right away through the Contact Me page.