za maxfield

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: 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: The Book Of Daniel

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The Book Of Daniel
The Book Of Daniel by Z.A. Maxfield
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

While I like the St. Nacho’s series a lot, I’m not really happy with the turn it’s taken. Of course that could just be me but this book felt disjointed, rushed, and totally scattered. There wasn’t one consistent theme running throughout the book and the characters seemed to change randomly with whatever emotion they needed to express. I quite liked Daniel and Cam from the previous book but I couldn’t stand either one of them in Book of Daniel. They’re selfish, cruel, totally unforgiving, and would change at the drop of a hat. The book feels like it didn’t know exactly what direction to go but threw a few themes and concepts to see what sticks. Continue reading →

Review: Rhapsody for Piano and Ghost

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Rhapsody for Piano and Ghost
Rhapsody for Piano and Ghost by Z.A. Maxfield
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I really enjoy this author’s voice and writing, perhaps even more than the book itself. The ghosts were the absolute highlight of this story while the main couple left me cold. In particular the ingénue in Fitz drove me nuts with his idiocy and often “too stupid to live” moments. He has a lot and his bumbling, socially awkward manner should be endearing but soon turns frustrating for me as a reader. Not everyone may feel this way but for me the best part of the story by far were the ghosts; an element that didn’t even make much sense or seem to fit in well. Yet I’m very glad it’s there. Continue reading →

I Heard Him Exclaim by Z.A. Maxfield

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I Heard Him ExclaimI Heard Him Exclaim by Z.A. Maxfield

Blurb:
(Part of His For The Holidays Anthology)
Who Likes a Skinny Santa?

Steve Adams’s heart hasn’t been in the Christmas spirit ever since doctors put a stent in it and ordered him to clean up his act. No longer filling out his Santa suit or allowed to make merry, he’s forgoing the holidays this year and heading to Vegas to indulge in the few vices left to him: gambling and anonymous sex.

His road trip takes a detour when he encounters Chandler Tracey, who’s just inherited guardianship of his five-year-old niece. Overwhelmed, Chandler’s on his way to deliver Poppy to his parents. But fate has other plans and, after car trouble, Chandler and Poppy accept a ride home with Steve. Though the heat between the two men is obvious, they put it on simmer while they band together to make Poppy’s Christmas as perfect as possible.

Steve soon comes to believe that while Chandler is the right person to look after Poppy, someone needs to look after Chandler. Fortunately, Steve knows just the man for the job.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Review:
tinsel wrapped cock….

Jacob’s Ladder by Z.A. Maxfield

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Jacob's Ladder (St. Nacho's, #3) Jacob’s Ladder by Z.A. Maxfield

Blurb:

Jacob “Yasha” Livingston had a bad day. First there was the head cold. Then the orgy, the fight, and the hospital. Between that and the bus driver who ejected him — after accusing him of transmitting the Swine Flu — the rest of his day seemed fairly vague. Now he’s stuck in a small town called Santo Ignacio and he has a whole lot of thinking to do.

One thing is, when fate speaks in the form of an EMT, maybe it’s time to listen. One man in particular, EMT, Jason “J.T.” Lentz, with his shy smile and jade green eyes, seems more like an angel than a paramedic. But Jason has a date with a newer, prettier girl every night, despite the fact that he seems to return Yasha’s interest.

If J.T. is afraid of his feelings it might be Yasha’s chance to heal the healer. It’s up to Jacob’s new friends and the magic of St. Nacho’s… in St. Nacho’s 3 — Jacob’s Ladder.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

when your bf is only gay at night…

Fugitive Color by Z.A. Maxfield

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Fugitive Color Fugitive Color by Z.A. Maxfield

Blurb:
Max Lancaster’s neighbor — his muse, the young ballerina Elena– has gone missing. Between secrets from his past and the fact that he’s altering his work in his sleep, he’s worried that he’s lost his mind.

By the time forensic artist Sumner Ellison arrives as part of the investigation even Max can see himself in the role of person of interest. Sumner Ellison doesn’t believe that Max killed Elena, yet he isn’t certain Max is entirely sane. Questions arise that will test his faith in the artist again and again.

Sumner offers Max oblivion in bed and unflinching honesty. Max takes what Sumner has to give, losing himself in the younger man’s body while hiding his heart from Sumner’s love. When doubt pulls them apart, it takes the all of Max’s passion and the purity of Sumner’s faith to find answers create a love that won’t fade away over time.

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

always check the closets!

Family Unit by ZA Maxfield

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Family Unit by ZA Maxfield

Blurb:
A retired marine, Logan is methodical and conservative. Richard is a liberal pacifist who is pathologically afraid of guns. Yet the minute Logan sets eyes on Richard, his heart turns over like an old car engine and it isn’t long before his motor is revved and Richard is in the driver’s seat—even if it seems like each man is driving a different car.

Richard Hunter is parenting his grandson, and the kid—Nick—has had it rough. Richard vows nothing will stop him from creating a loving and stable home. Not even a tempting, red-hot relationship with a very attractive man. However, when Richard looks into Logan’s blue eyes it’s tough to stay focused.

It’s never easy to become a family, what with a temperamental eight-year-old, disapproving outsiders, and outright extortion attempts. But when push comes to shove, both Logan and Richard are committed family men who want to make a loving home for a little boy who needs them.


Cross-posted to TDB