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Review: A.J.’s Angel

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A.J.'s AngelA.J.’s Angel by L.A. Witt
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

AJ’s Angel handles the tricky and often misused cheating theme. Some people hate this entirely and if so you should avoid this novella. If you don’t mind cheating or on the fence, this one is still somewhat iffy but could appeal. The story relies on Seb’s questionable forgiveness, which is really him wanting hot sex which translates into memory loss about prior cheating. This isn’t always successful and the tone of the story is morose since the majority of emotions revolve around cheating. It’s not a bad story to read but it’s not really an uplifting one with a strong romantic theme. Continue reading →

Review: Camwolf

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Camwolf Camwolf by J.L. Merrow
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

The more I read Merrow’s work the more I quite like her voice. Her latest, Camwolf, is an entertaining and enjoyable werewolf romance. The story takes a chance with a prominent female narrator but for the most part this works very well. The typical werewolf fight for dominance and animalistic behavior is handled well, contrasted beautifully against a mild mannered college of intelligent but reserved occupants. Some of this shift feels jarring and never quite hits an easy pace but the writing and deft characterization help overcome any qualms. I think most readers will find the story engaging and enjoyable to read.

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Review: Taking you Home

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Taking you HomeTaking you Home by Cooper Davis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Taking You Home is the sequel to the wonderful Boys of Summer. You can easily read this novel without the first one but you get more context if you read both so it’s recommended but definitely not required. The sequel is written in much the same vein as the original story where the conflict isn’t internal but external. The conflict isn’t within the relationship – nor was it last time – but now that Hunter is over his issues being labeled as gay, the two have to get Max’s family over the issues as well. To that end the story is very, very sweet and very, very romantic. Almost too much so in that the language is over the top. Everything is soul affecting, so wonderful it makes you cry, and there is so much love every moment is magical. That’s not a bad thing and reader reaction is going to vary based on how sweet they want their story. Continue reading →

Angel: 1089 by C.C. Bridges

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Angel: 1089 (Heaven Corp., #1)Angel: 1089 by C.C. Bridges

Blurb:
When this deal breaks, Heaven will fall.

Heaven Corp, Book 1

Catching two demon burglars is routine for Gabriel 1089, who’s one cog in an army of cybernetically modified humans protecting the sky city of Heaven. Until two turns into a twenty-demon ambush. When he wakes up, he’s missing his network-enabled halo—and one of his metal wings.

The down-level junk dealer tending Gabe’s wounds has hands that spark nerve endings he never knew he possessed. But for an angel cut off from Heaven, an attic in Old Trent feels more like a trap than a sanctuary.

Demons on his doorstep are nothing new for Jeff Werth. Ever since they saved his daughter’s legs, they’ve been calling in their marker. In exchange for his services—nursing Gabe back to health so they can use him as a pawn in their war with Heaven—they’ll consider the debt paid in full. Except having a powerless angel at his mercy feeds a rising desire that has him rethinking the deal.

Then the de-haloed Gabe begins having dreams that become visions…then memories. Until he’s not sure whose side he’s on. Heaven, or the simple family man who healed his broken wings…and made his heart whole.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

the urban fantasy fan in me is happy.. the romance fan is tired of the bland.

Trust Me If You Dare: Romano and Albright, Book 2 by L.B. Gregg

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Trust Me If You Dare: Romano and Albright, Book 2Trust Me If You Dare: Romano and Albright, Book 2 by L.B. Gregg

Blurb:
Hard help can be good to find.

Romano and Albright, Book 2

Feisty New Yorker Caesar Romano has a knack for getting into a jam, and this week is no exception. When his pregnancy-hormone-buzzed business partner sweet talks him into working a solo gig for his famous ex, Caesar attracts the worst kind of attention.

It’s only the beginning. Hit on by a lusty German, stalked by the paparazzi, victim of an unexpected airbag attack—and desperate for some part-time help—Ce’s running out of time, staff and patience. But what’s really got him poised to run? A looming brunch with his sexy lover’s esteemed family.

PI Dan Albright is a man of many gifts: investigation, security, sex talk and driving Caesar nuts in and out of the bedroom. Hired to protect an outrageous soap star from a deranged personal assistant, Dan’s got his hands full refereeing rival actors, locating one four-foot-eleven woman…and convincing Ce that he’s playing for keeps.

Hey, nobody ever said taking a relationship to the next level was a waltz in the park.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

light comedy with only a glimpse of dick…

The Brass Box by K.M. Mahoney

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The Brass BoxThe Brass Box by K.M. Mahoney

Blurb:
s it real, or just smoke and mirrors?

As a member of the British gentry, Marcus Fleetwood-Smythe-s life is an endless round of responsibility and duty. Charged with finding a magician for his sister-s upcoming wedding, he ventures out into the pouring rain and finds Teague, whose free spirit calls to Marcus. And makes him hunger for anything and everything his position won-t allow him to have.

Teague-s stock in trade are his wandering feet and the rather odd lineage that takes the wonders he performs on stage beyond the ordinary. But there-s nothing more magical than the sparks that fly between him and Marcus. Except the duty-bound Marcus fears letting go of a life that-s smothering him almost as much as he fears discovery.

Desire fans the flames until it flares into forbidden passion, leaving Marcus poised on the precipice of the most frightening choice of his life. Risk everything for the man who holds his heart-or watch his one chance at forever vanish in a puff of smoke.

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

who doesn’t love magic dicks… really

The Trap by Indigo Wren

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The TrapThe Trap by Indigo Wren

Blurb:
There’s no escaping the man at the heart of his memories.

Three years ago, David and his college roommate, Ethan, were on the brink of unimaginable success, ready to revolutionize an industry and reap billions. Then David accidentally revealed the attraction he’d never wanted to feel, and certainly never meant Ethan to see. Mortified, he ran from everything that mattered—the fledgling company he’d helped to build, the bright future he’d worked to secure, and the man he couldn’t let himself want.

Now he’s built a new life for himself. So what if it’s not the one he hoped for? He’s learned to look only forward, and not to envy the success Ethan achieved without him. He’s even learned to cope with the nightmares. The panic attacks. The failed relationships with women.

When an opportunity arises to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime getaway to a private island resort, David never suspects a trap is about to be sprung. One where he’ll be forced to face the truths from which he’s been hiding—and the man from whom he’s never stopped running.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

quick wit with dicks that don’t quit

Pricks and Pragmatism by J.L. Merrow

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Pricks and PragmatismPricks and Pragmatism by J.L. Merrow

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Review:

Pricks and Pragmatism is a delightful and absorbing read. It’s just a quick novella – 50 pages – but it’s worth reading. The writing is clever, sly, and witty with a lot of quick one-liners and classic characters. The tension and conflict plays off obvious and exaggerated tropes but that doesn’t diminish the entertainment factor. Luke will warm your heart while Russell is adorable as a geek. They don’t stretch beyond their pre-determined boxes but the strong writing makes this worthwhile reading. 

The full review can be found at Jessewave’s site or Goodreads. 


Bareback by Amber Green & From Afar by Ava March

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Bareback (The Huntsmen, #2)Bareback by Amber Green

Blurb:
Bare is back without brother. Brian is a huntsman, born a twin warrior, but his brother died at birth. All attempts to pair him with other untwinned boys proved ill-fated; he grew up bareback, a solo, a jinx. Determined to make his own way outside his overprotective family, he moves to a town that used to be very comfortable as the belly-button of nowhere, isolated amid the wetlands and cattle country of central Florida. Sexually facile, Brian anticipates no real difficulty finding a feeder to keep him brimming with the sexual and emotional energies a huntsman must feed on to remain human. He finds Joe.

Joe’s a straight-up straight cop standing fast in the moral heart of that once-small town. He’s well-liked and well-respected, tolerant of the weaknesses of other people (except in his own family) and oblivious to the danger at the heart of his police force. When the dark side of the police — a band of vigilantes gone pure outlaw — meets the dark side of the huntsmen — hydes who have lost their humanity and now feed on the terror and pain of their victims — Joe has to decide what price he’ll pay to save the innocent.

Huntsmen, hydes, and humans! In the blood-drenched, condo-cluttered Florida landscape, a hero takes a stand, and a man loves a man.


My rating: 2 of 5 stars

even the pretty cock couldn't save it