Mexican Heat by Laura Baumbach and Josh Lanyon

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Mexican Heat by Laura Baumbach and Josh Lanyon

 

Both ebook and print covers.

Club Madrone…

Free Reads Pimpage

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Since I rarely sleep at night, I was up reading J.M. Snyder’s free offerings I found on her website. They’re short, free reads so I won’t review them but I will say you should read these stories. They’re a great introduction to Snyder’s work and shows interesting characters with a strong romantic streak even in short glimpses.

Great Free Reads….

My Fair Captain by J. L. Langley

*In all the reviews about this book I think the phrase “gay regency in space” seems the most used and most apt. I’m not sure who came up with the phrase but it’s all over the reviews for this book and I had thought perhaps it’d be a space opera; kind of but not really. Instead the author offers a historical setting of Regency period with an all-gay society where the young men of royal blood are treated very similar to young virginal women of old. Throw the entire setting into futuristic space to explain the acceptance of same sex marriages as well as covering any historical missteps and you have a historical gay bodice ripper with a female in disguise character. But you know, I still loved the book.


My Fair Captain by J. L. Langley

Blurb: 
Talk about a compromising situation!

A storm of political intrigue, murderous mayhem and sexual hungers is brewing on planet Regelence.

Swarthy Intergalactic Navy Captain Nathaniel Hawkins ran from a past he had no intention of ever reliving. But when his Admiral asks him to use his peerage, as an earl and the heir to a dukedom, to investigate a missing weapons stash, he’s forced to do just that. As if being undercover on a Regency planet where the young men are supposed to remain pure until marriage isn’t bad enough, Nate finds himself attracted to the king’s unmarried son.

All Prince Aiden Townsend has ever wanted was to be an artist. He has no interest in a marriage of political fortune or becoming a societal paragon. Until he lands in the arms of the mysterious Earl of Deverell. One look at Nate’s handsome face has Aiden reconsidering his future. Not only does Nate make a virile subject for Aiden’s art, but the great war hero awakens feelings in Aiden he has never felt, feelings he can’t ignore.

After a momentous dance at a season ball, Aiden and Nate find themselves exchanging important information and working closely together. They have to fight their growing attraction long enough to find out who stole the weapons and keep themselves from a compromising situation and certain scandal.

(and again… cuz yea) 

Review:

Nathaniel Hawkins killed the son of a family friend in a duel on his home planet of Englor and was subsequently disowned for his actions. Leaving that world and past behind, Nate embarks on a new career and life within the “IN”. An intergalactic monitoring group – think the United Nations but in space. When IN weapons go missing on the planet of Regelence almost twenty years later, Nate is asked to investigate as he’s familiar with the customs of the planet so similar to his home planet. Nate agrees but finds his focus more on the king’s son than the investigation, unable to control his physical reaction to the young man.

Aiden Townsend has very little time and interest in anything outside of his art endeavors. Thankfully not the heir to the throne he can indulge these whims and focuses so heavily upon them, he cares little for anything or anyone else. His repeated denials of a career and consort fall to the wayside once he falls in Nate’s arms, literally. From then on, Aiden can’t fight the physical attraction anymore than Nate can and begins to see the future he’s always denied he’d have.

Aiden is the third of five sons to the king and his gay consort. All the sons genetically engineered to have the majority of the DNA between the two men while effectively eliminating any pesky X chromosomes that are unwanted. The sons are also genetically manipulated to be gay before birth. While there is a bit of sketchy explanation offered based on Greek warriors, this idea is discomforting to say the least. The concept of genetic manipulation involving a variety of characteristics and genetic markers is not so futuristic but the idea of tailoring your perfect child to include how you would like their sexual orientation to be would be just as disturbing if it was a gay child forced to be heterosexual. It’s unfortunate the author choose to go this route to explain her gay society instead of a more permissive society.

That aside, Nate and Aiden were charming, developed and charismatic men. Their chemistry is immediate and obvious as is their physical reaction, which is uncontrollable and pops up repeatedly and often. The sex between the men is smoking hot with a slight D/s kink to give it flavor, which fit slightly with the differences in ages. Aiden’s quirky and entertaining personality left little doubt to his own charm and strength as a compliment to the gruff and serious yet caring older man. Their relationship developed quickly and without much artificial tension or drama, more so the progression was swept along on the tide of supporting characters, mystery subplot, and sexual chemistry. Thankfully there was a lack of the usual hue and cry over age and acceptability. Instead, this relationship was encouraged to grow and flourish from every corner.

Helping that relationship is the cadre of secondary characters that are plentiful and engaging. From the king and consort, who deserve their own prequel, to Aiden’s various brothers who all have scene-stealing personalities, each secondary character adds to the flavor of the story in a unique and captivating way. This includes Nate’s adopted son Trouble, who for all his name suggests really shone in the brief confrontation with Raleigh, showing a surprising depth and interest that had hereto been lacking in the outwardly immature and impertinent rascal. Jeremy, aka Trouble, was flat as a character until that scene where he showed hidden intensity and appeal, which grew for the remainder of the novel.

Additionally the ball scene with the various young men and dance cards was entertaining, witty, and appealing. The show of masculine ingenuity and defiance was a refreshing change from the overly feminine undertones to the role-reversal society. A serious caveat to the story hinged upon the young men in the traditionally feminine roles of coveted, virginal prize until they are wed or reach twenty-five years old. The young men alternate between witty, engaging men with a definite masculine feel to giggling men who gossip, oogle uniforms, and linger at closed doors. Often feminine characters could replace these men with no more than a change of pronoun. However, for all this was occasionally detracting, the author tempered it thankfully with scenes of humor, chemistry, and irresistible characters that allowed the disbelief to flow easily along with the fast pace and inviting prose.

Overall, I admit – I devoured this book. It certainly was not without its missteps and problems but the strength of the author’s writing shone in the ability to keep an interesting plot and likeable set of characters moving even while these problematic elements occurred. The sex scenes in the book were hot and explicit but thankfully spread enough that they neither overwhelmed the book nor were absent, it was just enough to keep the temperature of the romance well above the typical bodice ripper. Nate and Aiden, while not favorite characters, were certainly charming and appealing with an allure unique to their situation and relationship. The supporting cast all beg for their own stories which no doubt will be forthcoming. I’m sure the same problems will exist in future editions of the family saga, but as with this one, I doubt it will bother me enough to stop reading and enjoying.

 

Finally, in summary of a complete rambling review –  this story delivered on well-written characters, developed relationships, humorous and witty dialogue and an interesting, albeit anemic, mystery to keep a consistent thread throughout the series. No doubt lovers of the author’s work and even new comers will enjoy this book, you won’t want to put it down.

Get it HERE!

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Secret Desires by Stormy Glenn

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Secret Desires by Stormy Glenn

Blurb:

Everyone has secret desires, especially werewolf, Leyland Summers. He dreams of two sexy mates to bring all of his fantasies to life. When he encounters a sexy cowboy who wants to take him for a wild ride, what does he say? Hell yes!

Coming to ranch country for a picture shoot, Leyland was shocked to find not one, but two mates. Being a tri-omega, he had always known that he would have two mates. He just never expected to find them in the same place. Or to find out that they had been lovers for years.

Having two mates is no big deal for Leyland. He grew up with two fathers. But having two mates that were already in love is something all together different. How is he supposed to share Lucas with Jake…or Jake with Lucas? And where does that leave him?

Cowboy Porn…

Fugue by Rick R. Reed

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Fugue by Rick R. Reed

BLURB:
Who is the master and who is the slave?

In Rick R. Reed’s tortuously sexy short story, you might not always know. Fugue takes the brave reader into the dungeon playroom of a master and his boy. It’s the kind of place where “darkness skitters into corners, hiding in shadows where the walls disappear.” A boy is chained to the pipes along the ceiling. Hooded, he can only experience the sensations his master delivers with his whips, fingers, tongue…

But in the boy’s mind, a dream state takes him places even the master could not imagine…places where the established pecking order is turned upside down. As he’s being deliciously whipped, tantalized, and tortured, the boy takes a mental journey on a late-night train where his adventures are even more raw and erotic than what goes on in this very dungeon.

Come along for the Fugue…and answer for yourself the question: who is the master and who is the slave?

I am his…

Stroke of Luck by Jourdan Lane

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*I got this title free from the author in a give away (yay! I won something and actually got what I won!).

 

Stroke of Luck by Jourdan Lane

Blurb: Dale and Brandt are doing all right on their ranch in Colorado, raising horses and living together. Brandt still has a jealous bone, and sometimes they fuss about the small stuff, but Dale knows they love each other, and that things will straighten themselves out as long as he and Brandt are honest with each other.

When an old friend arrives from Texas, though, jealousy rears its ugly head, and Brandt and Dale find themselves at odds. Can they help Evan get back on his feet, and keep their own feet on the ground about their relationship with each other?

Note:  Brandt and Dale first appeared in the popular anthology, Cowboy Up.

Hot Cowboys..

The One That Got Away by Rhianne Aile & Madeleine Urban

The One That Got Away by Rhianne Aile and Madeleine Urban

Blurb:

When David Carmichael suffers a migraine and then a broken shoulder, Trace Jackson, his best friend, simply moves in to take care of him. Their easy camaraderie continues with no problems until David discovers an undercurrent of heat and tension flowing between them. Despite knowing his best friend is straight, David is slowly falling in love. What he doesn’t know is that Trace is struggling with a similar discovery. 



Trace has never desired another man before. He’s a ladies’ man with quite the reputation, considered a top prize around town. But his close, treasured friendship with David makes the emotion and arousal growing between them irresistible. Soothing David’s doubts, Trace makes it clear that he wants to know if they can make it work. Because Trace is sure he wouldn’t love another man — that’s not the issue. He just loves David.

 

A gay for you that mostly worked..

Primal Red by Nicole Kimberling

Primal Red by Nicole Kimberling

Blurb:

Peter Fontaine is a reporter writing for a free weekly newspaper in the quirky little town of Bellingham. Nick Olson is a reclusive painter with questionable past and a studio in the Vitamilk Building. Peter has a knack for choosing to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. In this case that place is the Vitamilk Building and the time is the moment that Shelley Vine, local art professor and rising star of the art world, is stabbed to death.

Determined to understand why Vine was killed, and convinced that breaking the story could jumpstart his career as an investigative journalist, Peter begins his own investigation into her death. As Peter uncovers more information about Vine, Olson, and the interconnected lives of the rest of the artists at the Vitamilk Building, he finds himself falling in love with Nick.

Peter wants a story but he also wants Nick, and it looks like he’s going to have to make a choice before the two can paint the town Primal Red.

Quirky but not wholly satisfying..

Zachary Zangel’s On the Way to the Wedding

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Now, I don’t like to write bad or snarky reviews. I prefer to well, like, the books I’m reading and it’s rare I’ve come across a book so horrible I ask, is the author on crack? Sure I may not like this or that, but for almost every book I dislike I can usually understand why the book got published and usually even bad authors have big followings. However, putting that aside, I seriously questioned for hours after reading this spectacularly bad piece of … fiction…

Loose Id… what were you thinking? Seriously. No one stopped this and said "boy, this reads worse than a bad porno." Who edited this and thought "yanno, there IS a market for people with dicks described as small elephants."  

I’m so astonished at how bad this is. So…read on at your risk.


Zachary Zangel’s On the Way to the Wedding

Blurb:

If Erik and David were Tofutti, David would be vanilla swirled with pistachio and Erik would definitely be cherry vanilla — but not for long. Erik’s divorced with a six year-old son. He’s also gay and a gay sex virgin. He knows nothing about how men love each other…until he meets David.

Erik might be new, but he’s eager to learn. Top, bottom, it makes no difference; he loves it all. And David is more than happy to be his teacher, from the basics to the not so basic. Then they run across a flight attendant who entices them into their first three-way, for educational purposes, of course. Next comes a group of frolickers at a gay guesthouse whose activities convince Erik that joining in may be more fun than being monogamous.

Of course, there’s the proverbial monkey wrench. Erik’s ex-wife objects to their son being around a gay couple. But you never know what’s going to happen — on the way to a wedding.

[This is a deceptively good cover. But it’s a lie.]

 

 

Review:

I thought about writing a complete review for this but really, I don’t want to put more effort in than the author did so I’m going to use his style and give an outline of the relationship with relevant quotes. I have tried as much as possible not to add additional commentary. I don’t think I’ve ever known on page 6 that I would loathe a book before.
 

Erik and David meet in a department store and decide to go to dinner with the upfront knowledge that there will be sex immediately after. They managed to make it through dinner by copiously groping each other, which then begins their relationship. They do make it back to the apartment before David begins to educate the closeted Erik.

“I pulled off the few almost-invisible hairs stuck to my lips, then stood, kissed him, and snowballed. And that’s how he discovered the taste appeal of cum.”


The next night after their first "date", Erik introduces David to his son as Erik’s boyfriend and they go on a family outing. By the end of the outing, David is in love with both father and son. Here’s an example of Erik’s son, ten year old Little Rik using his words at the movies when an older pair complained about a child at a Russian sub-titled film.

Disgusted, Little Rik turned around and said, “First of all, I’m not Chinese. I’m half Korean. I can so read, thank you very much. Probably better than you can. How dare you question my intelligence, you dolts? You’ve got a lot of nerve. And I was trained properly in good manners, so if I did get restless, you’d never know it. Humph. Stupid bitches, both of you.”

I looked around for somewhere to hide from embarrassment, but the women pretended to have heard not a word. Erik, meanwhile, gazing out into space, ignored it all. 

I knew it wasn’t up to me to correct him, but Erik hadn’t, and I felt uncomfortable. “Little Rik,” I admonished, “you shouldn’t…”


“But they started it, sir.”

I couldn’t argue with that, so I let it drop.

 

The parenting was overwhelming in this book. By the third hook up or "date", Erik and David openly grope each other at the opera and decide they are monogamous. Erik has also nicknamed their "meat" "bob and boing".

10 days from the start of their relationship and 2 days from becoming monogamous, Erik brings David home to meet the parents, who want David to call them Mom and Dad. Oh and Dad sits on the bed with his naked "sons" while they discuss how much they fucked the night before. Thankfully Dad didn’t mind the hyena braying that is his son in the throes of orgasm. He’s just glad the two are having a good time.

Thank god the Swedish have no hangups about sex like the ultra conservative Americans. But even though the men are declaring their undying love and so forth, David just can’t resist a married man’s “thick, piece of junk”. However, David displays some amnesia and rationalizes it because:

All I could think about Erik. But I told myself, I haven’t made any commitment to him. We’re dating, but neither of us has said anything about being exclusive. So why shouldn’t I? When opportunity knocks…

Moving on, less than a week after the cheating incident, David and Erik are engaged, wanting to move in together and have a ceremony to symbolize their lasting commitment. Good thing Erik doesn’t know David is enjoying snowballing with others.  But not to worry, David is there to teach our virgin but hairy gay boy about tea bagging with “giant hairy nads the size of freakin’ turkey balls” on the night of their engagement.


Now, this was all in the first 60 pages of the book, which totals 170 pages. I was starting to majorly fatigue on the abundance of bad writing but I persevered.


In the remainder of the book, David comes clean about cheating but Erik gets over it after a few days. They then regularly get together in a threesome with a nearby flight attendant because David clearly likes variety. The book has a lengthy aside were Erik’s shrew ex-wife forces both men to grovel at her feet for her approval of their marriage; they beg, months later she approves. But the stress of the marriage forces the men to run off to a gay resort where they meet Erik’s boss and have an orgy.

Here is when David drags Erik over to meet Charlie, Erik’s boss, at the gay resort thereby outing both Erik and Charlie to each other:

“But Charlie recovered quickly enough to smile, shake hands with me, and put his arm around Erik’s shoulder. And to introduce both of us to Mikey. 

“Mikey isn’t my boyfriend,” Charlie said, “but I wish he was. He’s a firecracker. Sucks dick like you wouldn’t believe and takes my big one up the ass like a pro.”

If only we all had bosses like that. But once again, don’t worry because gay guys on vacation have orgies and Bob and Boing, attached to our intrepid heroes who are ready to play. And play they do. However, as much fun as that was, the duo head back to New York to find out Erik’s ex-wife decides she can’t find any good men so she gets herself a girlfriend and the men skip their own wedding, calling an hour after they were supposed to show up and said it was too stressful, they eloped on the beach.

“Just as I was telling him how much I loved him, he delivered a massive load of cum, not onto my chest or face, not into my mouth, but over my head, going splat in the sand.”

 


This went splat a long time before that. I may have nightmares about some of it.

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I wavier between incredulity, laughter, and anger that this was published along side such books as St. Nacho’s, Ghost Who Wore Yellow Socks, Lovers Dreamers and Me and many other quality novels. This is marketed as an erotic contemporary and it is far from either. There are so many clichés, stereotypes, ignorance and flat out BAD writing, I want to laugh and then burn the book.

Do not buy it. This is a bad porno mockery.

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Collision Course by K. A. Mitchell


Once again, I simply fail. Newest and Brightest not exactly what I review, though I do get around to it eventually. When looking over my TBR list, I peered at the covers and what do my eyes spy? More man titty from the lickable Anne Cain. As if that alone is an indicator of greatness, I plucked a never read before author from the depths based on naked man chest. Shallow? Perhaps but read on for more depth than just hot surfer.

For true Marvin Gaye Fans..