Loose Id

Review: Cherish

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Cherish
Cherish by Tere Michaels
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really liked this quick novella and return to Matt and Evan. Michaels is really at her best when writing in this series and I’m always happy to revisit the characters no matter what. This particular novella is light and doesn’t necessarily advance the relationship much but I’m not complaining. It’s a wonderful look at two favorite men and their chaotic, crazy family. The writing is top notch as always and the ending gives a hint that there might be more similar revisits in the future. Continue reading →

Review: Gasp!

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Gasp!
Gasp! by Z.A. Maxfield
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Overall I liked Gasp but perhaps I’ve moved out of serious fandom with this author. The books remain good and the same quality as always but they don’t engage me enough anymore. I find myself skimming parts and liking the characters well enough but forgetting the book pretty quickly once it’s done. The story is entertaining to read but not enough for me to really escape into the drama and romance. Part of that is the lopsided pace with the beginning starting slowly only to revel in the details of Nigel and Jeff together but then change the pace entirely by separating the two. I found these changes abrupt and jarring when I’d just settled into the slow, smooth upscaling of their relationship. Not to mention there are a few holes and leaps in the plot but I will say there are more good things to like about the book. Continue reading →

Review: The Bacchi

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The Bacchi
The Bacchi by Belinda McBride
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5-4 stars

I’m a fan of this author’s alternate world stories and was excited to see another one. The Bacchi is peripherally associated with An Uncommon Whore and When I Fall but can easily be read as a stand-alone book. The world building and occasional character from the previous books shows up but I think the author offers enough details to understand this one on it’s own. The writing is clean and engaging and the characters draw you in from the start. The world building is creative and interesting even as it draws on so me considered taboos. There is some m/f but really it’s minor and I honestly wouldn’t think it would bother a lot of readers. This is definitely an m/m romance with some hermaphrodite and other species kinkiness added in. Continue reading →

Review: Your Biggest FAN

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Your Biggest FAN
Your Biggest FAN by Missy Welsh
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I tend to like Missy Welsh’s books because they focus on younger men, just figuring themselves out. These characters tend to have inherent immaturity, due to their age, but that gives them charm and likability. They’re not perfect but struggling to be happy with who they are. Your Biggest Fan is along those lines this time with a closeted jock that happens to like cross-dressing and a self-professed “hairy Greek” that is a bit of a nosey troublemaker. Together the sparks fly and all issues are resolved pretty easily. The plot is nice and attempts some real depth but the shorter space means just about any issue or conflict is very easily resolved. This keeps the tone and pace easy and light and negates the weighty topics that are actually addressed. That’s not necessarily a bad thing but the resolutions are particularly cheery and light. Continue reading →

Review: One Good Year

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One Good Year
One Good Year by Rowan McBride
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I vaguely remember quite liking both this author and the previous book so I snapped this one up on that brief passing feeling. While this sequel is decent and helps recall events from the previous book, it feels too incomplete and flounders looking for a strong purpose. Initially I was really excited to read from Spade’s first person POV but soon I realized he’s just as empty and mysterious as he was in the first book. Without Ace’s charming personality to help cover any gaps in the writing and storyline, this sequel leaves a lot to be desired. The author’s winning voice and engaging manner shines through and makes the novella easy to read and get through but it easy falls short of the original and by a lot sadly. Continue reading →

Review: One Man’s Treasure

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One Man's Treasure
One Man’s Treasure by Nicole Kimberling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

One Man’s Treasure is a thoroughly enjoyable read and visit down memory lane with familiar characters. You can easily pick this up without having read the previous books, as I had only a passing memory of the characters and situation when I started this latest book, so don’t worry if you’re a latecomer to the series. Those that remember the series more than my faint memory will appreciate a lot of the nuances and details that connect to the previous books. The formula is similar for almost all the books in the series where Peter finds a mystery and gets in trouble trying to solve it. Yet the crisp writing and endearing narrator help overcome any sense of “been there, done that” with a repetitive formula. Continue reading →

Review: Secret Light

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Secret Light
Secret Light by Z.A. Maxfield
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The last few ZAM books have been good but they haven’t hit the high notes of previous books for me. Finally Secret Light delivers the addictive and engaging prose by Maxfield I love so much. Here the story flows so easily with wonderful characters that the few flaws and obvious story manipulations are easy to forgive. There’s not such a defined happy ending but it fits with the time period and general story making it easy to see there likely will be a happy ending, even if it’s not spelled out. The tone is more subdued, as fits the story and characters, so this isn’t exactly a feel good holiday story, nor is it exactly a Hanukkah story, but it’s definitely worth reading and I quite liked it. Continue reading →

Review: When I Fall

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When I Fall
When I Fall by Belinda McBride
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

I’m not sure what’s going on with sequels lately but they haven’t been living up to the greatness of the first books. Sadly, When I Fall is no different. An Uncommon Whore was such a vivid and wonderful book that I’m so disappointed and saddened in When I Fall. It has the same world and excellent writing but after that I’m left to wonder exactly what I read. The characters feel very different from the first book and unfortunately I couldn’t connect to either one. There are too many secrets, too many political plots and no real resolution or happy ending. Instead the happy couple just ignores their many, many problems in a move that makes me think these two actually won’t end up together. Continue reading →

Review: Riot Boy

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Riot Boy
Riot Boy by Katey Hawthorne
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Riot Boy and I’m glad I took the chance on it. It’s a fun, super sexy erotic ride with well done punk and a dash of supernatural to top it all off. The story is mostly erotica, made up of numerous back-to-back sex scenes with a few breaks in between. Most of the plot takes place off page and the relationship develops exclusively through sex. Although this may require some suspension of disbelief I really enjoyed the writing and the sex is incredibly hot so I went along for the ride. The plot isn’t very well fleshed out nor is the supernatural element but it’s still a fun, hot read that I’d recommend for those looking for something easy and entertaining. Continue reading →

Review: Long Way Home

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Long Way Home
Long Way Home by Carolyn Gray
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Long Way Home is technically a sequel to Red-Tainted Silence but it’s easily, and perhaps better read as a stand-alone story. RTS is such a good novel that any sequel would have a tough time measuring up. The author smartly went for a secondary character to star in the sequel but it lacks the intensity and excellence of the first book. This one is ok/decent enough but it pales considerably when compared to the first book. The writing, the characters, even the plot all seem to struggle making this a choppy and ultimately disappointing story. Continue reading →