Review: Touched By Talin

Touched By Talin by Tyler Gayne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jake is left with a failing business when his father dies. While struggling to get the business back on the right track, he doesn’t have time for much of a life. And what life he does have, he’s always kept hidden from his conservative parents. But when he receives a coveted invitation to the Blue Top Hat, he gives in to temptation.

Talin is trying to get over the betrayal of his ex. One night at the Blue Top Hat and he literally falls into a man he wants, Jake. Neither of them can forget the other. So Talin finds himself continuing to return to the Blue Top Hat, hoping Jake returns. But he keeps running into his scummy ex.

Outside of the building relationship between Jake and Talin, the rest of the story deals with the problems at Jake’s company. Talin is now employed there as the white knight, saving the day. But as Jake goes through the paperwork left by his dad, he discovers that someone has been stealing money from the company. From this point, the story takes twists and turns and you keep reading to find out the how and who is behind it all.

One thing didn’t work for me in this story. Jake’s in the closet because of how he was raised. But suddenly his mother is okay with him being gay. Otherwise, this is a great, well-written story that I enjoyed reading.


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Review: Faking a Husband

Faking a Husband by Rosa Swann
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Very short and sweet read about an Alpha who saves the day for an Omega that comes to his café. The Omega’s price for the rescue? A weekend spent pretending to be the Alpha’s husband.

I loved both Clay, the alpha and Aiden, the omega. At times Clay seemed completely clueless. And Aiden was equally helpless. Yet they did work as a couple. But you don’t see enough in this part of the story.

The story was an easy read. But it is the first part of what I call a serial story. Where the ending of this one runs into the beginning of the next story. So, I wasn’t quite satisfied with the ending. But overall, I did enjoy this book.


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Review: The Stone

The Stone by Seb L. Carter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow, there are lots of characters and a lot of moving parts to this story. And there are so many elements, sci-fi, paranormal, action, adventure and more that make up the whole of it. This is fast paced, with lots of action and complex storyline. It is a bit of a rollercoaster ride, with twists and turns around every chapter. Dark in places with moments of lightness. It is compelling and well written.

Patrick and Liam, are wonderful together as they build their relationship. As characters, they are real and believable. Yet the romance isn’t the primary storyline here, but it added to my enjoyment of the story. The cast of secondary characters is as well developed as the two main one. All of them add greatly to the story.

While the relationship between Patrick and Liam is established in this story, it does end on a ‘to be continued’ type ending in my mind. So, I along with many others will be waiting for the next part of this story.


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Review: High Balls

High Balls by Tara Lain
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

High Balls is a sweet and angsty falling in love story of the bad boy bartender and a twinky nerdy college TA. It is a wonderful, easy read. It is book six in the Balls to the Walls series, and while the cast of characters from the other stories show up here, it can be read as a standalone. But I highly recommend reading the series in order, I enjoyed the books that much. You meet the other characters, getting an in-depth look at how they arrived at their own happy ever after’s.

Theodore is gay, always known he was gay. So did his best friend Esther. But when Esther gets pregnant and dumped by her boyfriend, Theodore steps in to the daddy role, gladly. He’s not Andy’s biological dad and that’s a truth he has to keep hidden. It’s the lie that also sets up how he’s tried to live his life since the death of Esther. Doing nothing that would allow Esther’s ultra conservative parents from getting custody of Andy. But then he has a chance meeting with a tattooed bad boy bartender named Snake. And he dreams of having what his friends have, someone he and Andy can have a family with. Everything is so close, within his grasp, his PHD and tenured job, happiness with Snake and then it’s not.

Snake has a few dreams of his own. Theodore or Teddy as he calls him, fills all the check lists boxes for what he wants. And he couldn’t love Andy any more than Teddy does. But Snake has a few secrets of his own. When the time is right, hell reveal them, but kept secrets have a way of being exposed at the worst possible time. But Snake is ready to do anything he needs to, with the help of Teddy’s friends to help Teddy, Andy and give them the shot at a life together.

This is another of the author’s great location stories. It has all the elements that I love, romance, angst and splashes of humor. Andy as a seven-year-old, is a hoot with wisdom of a thirty-year-old at times. And, of course, there is the colorful cast of the guys from the previous books to liven things up. Over all, I loved this book.


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Review: Fox Hunt

Fox Hunt by Zoe Perdita
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is book ten in the series, and I haven’t read the others. I will be going back to read them all. That is how much I enjoyed this story. And it does stand-alone, but I’m sure that I missed some things by not having read the others. Although the characters that had previous books show up here, it is easy to understand how their stories probably went and why they are a part of this story.

Loved Edward. A fox shifter, he is homeless and has the care of his baby sister. He is at times fierce, like his protection of his baby sister Daisy. And at other times, very much the eighteen-year-old that he is. Unsure and fearful at times, confident at others. Left mute by silver in his throat by hunters who killed his dad, he has no reasons to trust hunters. But being in the wrong place at the wrong time leads to his being taken into custody. And to keep Daisy safe, he’ll do just about anything. Including moving in with an older hunter, Max. Max is sometimes torn between his duty, the things he’s done and the justice that some of his hunts deserve. He’s longed for a family of his own, can he get it with Edward and his baby sister. I love the ease in which this group turned into a family unit.

This was the only part I wasn’t comfortable with, the age difference between Max and Edward. Otherwise, the relationship that develops between them is a lovely thing to watch. This story is well written. It keeps you engaged with the characters and the storyline.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.


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Review: Improper Fraction

Improper Fraction by V.L. Locey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sweet, at times bittersweet and humorous story of best friends, who lose each other along the way. O’Malley has been in lust and love with his best friend Garrison since forever. Even when Garrison was off chasing girls. But one night, the night before they go off to college, leads to things between the friends that changes everything. O’Malley has known he was gay for a while. Finding out that Garrison isn’t as straight as he thought, gladdens him. But it confuses and scares Garrison. It will be four years

The contrast between O’Malley (Mal) and Garrison are many. Mal is a math nerd and completely non-athletic. Everything in life can be put into the form of a math problem. Everything except why Garrison left for college and baseball, then never came back. Garrison is the popular all-star athlete, with a full scholarship to play baseball.

For the past four years Garrison has been conflicted, confused and flat out scared of labeling himself as anything but straight. No one on his baseball team is out yet. And he doesn’t think he wants to be the first. But he knows how badly he treated Mal. He wants Mal to forgive him. And he still loves Mal, does he want more, maybe? But what would that do to his world?

The journey taken between these two is full of emotions on both sides. There is pain and disappointment for Mal as he patiently waits for Garrison to come to grips with who he is. There’s the growing pains for Garrison as he figures things out, about his sexuality, his career and Mal.

The characters are wonderfully written and are well developed. The secondary characters, such Garrison’s little sister Emily, Mal’s Dad and the Professor at camp all add to this story. This is well written and a great read I recommend.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.


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Review: Deacon's Law

Deacon's Law by R.J. Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

How do you balance the need to do your job, save lives and protect someone you’re falling for? This is the dilemma Deacon finds himself in. He’s undercover trying to take down a truly evil man and his family. Into the middle of all this wanders Rafe. While Deacon believes he’s innocent, how can he really tell? What do you do when the one person you want is the one you can’t step out of character for and show who you really are?

Rafe wants justice, for his mother and his father. He knows his uncle has something to do with both of their deaths. He needs to find something to prove it. While staying at his uncle’s house, he can’t fight his attraction to Deacon. But how can he be falling for someone who works for his uncle?

The first part of the story is all about conflicted emotions for both Deacon and Rafe. Deacon wants to do whatever he can to get Rafe out of harm’s way and Rafe is just as determined to not leave until he has the proof he needs.

The next part of the story happens three years down the road. Circumstances have led to Rafe and Deacon reconnecting. And the feelings from three years before haven’t gone away for either man. In the middle of danger, the relationship developing between Deacon and Rafe is a slow burn. And the sex is more sweet and caring than hot.

This story has all the intrigue, danger and angst you could want. It has some twist and turns as well. It keeps you on edge, waiting to see what happens next. This was book three in the series, it can standalone but is better read in the order of the series. I can’t wait for the next in this series.


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Review: Picture Winter

Picture Winter by Amy Aislin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A case of opposites attracts. Elias is driven, at times grumpy, stubborn, sometimes arrogant and going through the motions of his job. His passion is photography, but he can’t take the chance of trying to make his living doing that. Ty is easy going, taking pride in whatever he does. Their first meeting made me laugh. And it sets the stage for how the rest of the story goes with Elias stepping out of his comfort zone.

This is an insta-love story and it worked for me. It didn’t take away from the story at all. I loved it. It’s a lite, easy, sweet and fun read. And yet there are those moments that make you think. How much are you willing to settle for in life to feel secure? Elias doesn’t like his job and yet he won’t leave it because of the security it provides. Also, he judged Ty by the job he did without ever asking or looking further. But Ty did some judging of his own regarding Elias’ job. Yet I loved the gentle way in which he kept pushing Elias to take a chance.

All the characters in this story have a real and relatable feel to them. You understand them and feel for them. I absolutely loved Ty’s family! His mom is such a hoot. Loved it when all the kids hid in the basement.

This was a wonderful read that I truly enjoyed. I can’t wait for this author’s next story.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.


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Review: Daddy and the Manny

Daddy and the Manny by Bella Flint
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This a sweet story. And it’s a fast and easy read. It has some angst, enough to keep it interesting. And I did enjoy it, as it was written.

But this story had all kinds of potential, given the different elements that the author put out there. All the pieces are there for an intense story. You had the always professional Manny who never stepped over any inappropriate line. There’s in the closet movie star, whose life isn’t his own. Who is all about the public persona. Add in the call from his dying ex-girlfriend, telling him about his unknown before this love child. Add into this the paparazzi and tabloids, and a sleazy ex-boyfriend of the ex-girlfriend.

Hayden is likable enough most of the time. He was a bit annoying with his whole ‘I am a movie star, I live in the public eye’ persona which keeps him from doing much of what he wants outside of the whole Hollywood thing. He’s totally clueless when it comes to his daughter, always looking to James for everything about her. In some ways he was as much a charge of James’ as was the daughter, Violet. Also, it was never really stated if Hayden was or wasn’t gay. At most there are vague hints. And yet he has this interest in James. And James winds up being his first at any kind of gay sex or relationship. James, as the Manny is calm, cool and collected most of the time. He is selfless, working to unite father and daughter. And yet he falls for his boss, wants to be a part of the family he’s helping create with Hayden and Violet.

The characters needed more development and depth. I never got a real feel for either of main characters. Violet might have been the best developed of them. She was at times smart, funny, sassy and at others a heartbreaking little girl. Things hinted in the blurb never really develop either. This is a first story for the author, and I think with time and more writing she will be an awesome writer.

I received and ARE in exchange for an honest review.


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Review: Patrick's Savior

Patrick's Savior by Nic Starr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Patrick needs a place to live after he’s attracted the unwanted attention from his roommate’s boyfriend. It so happens that his friend Charlie knows of someone who needs a new roommate. And if there is an attraction there, so much the better. Put Patrick is the shy, nerdy, insecure type and may not ever act on his attraction to Simon. They’ve been living together for six months now and nothing happened.

Simon has an overriding need to help and protect others. When Charlie comes to him with Patrick’s problem with his current living situation, of course he’s going to help. And if he wants to take it farther than just roommates, so much the better. But he’s waiting for Patrick to give him a sign that he wants to take it further too.

Though all of the slow build to their relationship, both are dealing with their pasts. Patrick now has a stalker, someone who is leaving love letters in his bedroom. Things escalate from there. (And yes, I figured out who the stalker was fairly early in the story) Simon has a tragedy in his past, of the one he couldn’t save with his paramedic training. He thinks he’s dealt with it and is past it, but it does still haunt him. It also feeds into his need to save everyone else.


Another enjoyable story in the Heroes series. It has the slow burn to Patrick’s and Simon’s HEA. And the intrigue of the stalker. And although this is book three, it can be read as a standalone. But definitely better if you have read the other two. You’ll have a better understanding of the other characters and their relationships.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.


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Review: All About Zane

All About Zane by Avery J. Moon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This story has a little bit of everything in it. It has Colin, reserve military Seal, who was injured. It has his twin sister goes missing at the same time he’s injured. With his sister missing, it leaves an orphaned nephew. Then there is the asshole step-brother who wants the nephew. There is the ‘friends with benefits’ Josh, who wants to be more. Add a hunky sheriff, Gabe who isn’t out of the closet yet. An oblivious parent, a shy but fierce nanny and there’s even a dog added to the mix. It is intriguing story with its touch of murder/mystery added to the building of the relationship between Colin and Gabe.

I liked everything about this book. All the elements mesh together to keep you turning the pages. It is well written, most of the characters are likeable and real. The asshole step-brother you’re not supposed to like and you don’t. And you want to reach into the pages and shake Colin’s mom, the oblivious parent, and tell her to wake up and see what was happening. The only thing I would have wanted was some more depth into the ‘why’ of what happened. For me, it was never fully explained. But I still really enjoyed this story. And I can’t wait to read the next story in this series.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.


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Review: Loving Sarajevo

Loving Sarajevo by C.L. Mustafic
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a complex, intriguing and at times emotional story. There lots of power struggles, lust, hot kinky sex, and finally love.

Let me start by saying I felt so bad for Lucas. He’s love Gabe for 5 years. But Gabe is never there for him. And not just physically but emotional as well. But for Gabe, Lucas was comfortable and mostly easy. And he never looked at why he’d never told Lucas he loved him. When the next trip overseas takes him out of the country for a month’s time, that spells the end of their relationship.

At the beginning, Gabe is not a real lovable guy. He comes off as a bit cold and uncaring. He feels bad about Lucas and is a bit introspective but that doesn’t stop his interest in the attractive man he sees at the airport. He strong willed and always in charge.

After living his early life in the US, Nikola is back home working for his Uncle. He’s been assigned to quote ‘babysit’ the American that is coming to negotiate with his Uncle. There is an instant attraction to this man. But he has secrets, is he willing to share them with Gabe?

This isn’t a story for everyone. But it is well written with strong developed characters. The relationship that builds between Gabe and Nikola is intense. There a good deal of pushing and pulling between them, which is what you expect with two very strong personalities. I can’t wait to see what story this author comes up with next.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.


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