Review: Skythane

Skythane by J. Scott Coatsworth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It took me the first chapter to sink into the world created here. Different world, with a different language, different inhabitants living in this world, etc. But by chapter two, I was completely immersed. There is intrigue, danger, a little mystery along the way as the characters of Jameson, Xander and Quince, Morgan tagging along, journey to another dimension.

Jameson is sent to the half planet of Oberon on a mission. He’s just a simple psych, wanting to get his mission done and to get home to his life and fiancée. He doesn’t know he’s not what or who he thinks. Or that he’s a part of a plan to save both halves the planet. He’s completely undone when the person who picks him up doesn’t take him where he thought he was supposed to go. Instead, he’s now an unwilling kidnapping victim. And he’s on the run from the very people he thought he was supposed to meet. And those people keep shooting at him.

Xander lost his parents, when they were gunned down in the street. The same man that killed his parents takes Xander in, abusing him till he’s rescued. This has made Xander a streetwise, wary man, who takes jobs on the side. Sent by his friend, Quince, to pick up an off-worlder, he takes an instant dislike to Jameson. And that feeling seems to be mutual, except the longer they’re together, the harder it is to keep that dislike going. The longer they spend together, the more the relationship develops.

Quince seems to have the answers that both Jameson and Xander’s questions need answering. She also seems to have a great number of secrets she’s holding close. Neither Jameson or Xander can help but wonder what those secrets are, since they all seem to involve them.

The world created by the author is amazing, with beautiful descriptions, that made it easy to visualize. For me, this was a beautiful blending of sci-fi and fantasy. The characters are complex, with their different personalities, they are believable and real. The story-line and plot, keep you turning the pages. I can’t wait for the next part of this story.


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Review: Wild Untouched

Wild Untouched by Tami Veldura
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lovely, sweet, short story with what feels like a slow burn for finding love, but with a fast attraction from the first.

Madden is out hiking, getting back to nature and settling himself. After two tours in the desert, he needs to center himself again. There’s nobody around except for himself and the animals that live in the forest. Or that’s what he thinks. But his solitude is interrupted by the blast from an emergency whistle. Following the sound, he finds Gage at the bottom of a bank, injured.

As they make their way to a forest ranger cabin, the attraction flares between them. They let it build and act upon it once they reach the cabin. That they keep it going and building into a relationship after the rescue, is what makes this a feel-good story. (But as always, a longer story would have been nice)


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Review: Pain Play

Pain Play by Morticia Knight
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This story will not be everyone's cup of tea. There were parts of it that I wasn't completely comfortable with. That said, those parts did not take away from my overall enjoyment of the story itself. What I truly loved were the characters, Phil and Terry, and their interactions with each other. Terry, with his snarky comebacks and his nervous introspection. And Phil, with his need to balance his wants and needs against what he feels Terry wants and needs. As with all the author's stories, this is a complex story looking at the relationship between Terry and Phil, as they further explore their 24/7 commitment to each other and their lifestyle. They still have their ups and downs as they grow into their roles. Both characters are shown with strengths and weaknesses, making them have a real person feel. It is a story well worth the read.

This is not a standalone story, you must read the previous books to understand the dynamics at work here. The series is well worth the read.


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Review: Dead Man's Tale

Dead Man's Tale by Riza Curtis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fun and quirky little story of humans, ghosts, fae and other things that go bump in the night. There’s a whole lot of a great story in a very little book. This book is so well written, with great characters and a ‘pull you through the pages’ plot line.

Detective Drew Holden has the best solve rate in his prescient. Nobody knows he has a little supernatural help, in the form of a ghost. But now his solve rate is so good, his higher ups don’t believe he isn’t involved in the crimes himself. They want him under investigation by the Supernatural Liaison team. Detective Sean Farley heads the team sent to help solve the murder case Drew is working on, as well as investigate Drew. There is instant chemistry between Sean and Drew, and things get hot between them. But there are more murders and misunderstandings that come after their night together.

Loved both Drew and Sean as main characters. Absolutely love Calleigh and her interactions with Drew. Loved this book, but as with most short stories, would have loved a longer story here.


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Review: Bodyguards and Babies Box Set: Mpreg Romance Box Set

Bodyguards and Babies Box Set: Mpreg Romance Box Set by S.C. Wynne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved the world this author created. The three books in this set are set in a non-shifting world of Alphas and Omegas. There is a better balance here between the alphas and the omegas. Unlike most of these kinds of books, the omegas here aren’t weak, wimpy men. They aren’t different from other omegas, except for the fact that as solar eclipse omegas. Which means they can have babies. I loved how the author interwove the lives of the characters through each book. All three books have great, well developed characters. Wyatt’s mom, Riley’s manager, Tom and Seth’s daughter, Emily, as secondary characters, they add that extra bit to the stories. The plots are well written, the story-lines pulls you through the pages.

Book one: My Omega’s Baby

As the saying goes, love is the other side of the coin with hate. And at the start of this story, these guys love to hate. They snark and snipe and otherwise hate each other. Especially when Blade is assigned to guard Wyatt when he is threatened. Being around each other 24/7 leads to things and feelings neither one has had before regarding the other.

I love the sense of confusion both Wyatt and Blade felt while trying to figure out their attractions to each other. Do they keep fighting it or do they give in and maybe take a chance with each other? And after they give into one night of lust, there’s a baby to be concerned about. Can they be a family? It was a fun thing to watch as they worked their way to a real relationship.

Book 2: Rockstar Baby

When we last saw Riley, a rockstar on the cusp, he was in the closet and drunk while thanking Blade in book one. When Blade and Wyatt come to one of his concerts, they drag Colin along. When Riley needs a new bodyguard, Colin gets the job. They share a night of passion, but Colin won’t be anyone’s secret. But Riley won’t give up on the chance to have Colin, he wants him for more than just one night, even if it means coming out of the closet. When they give into a second night of need, Colin must come clean about being a solar eclipse omega, and a pregnant one as well. Colin comes to realize that maybe Riley really is a gentle and kind alpha, the kind that he needs.

Book three: Manny’s Surprise Baby

When Colin and Riley go to the compound to have their baby, Riley protects an omega named Pierce from a bully alpha. Bullying and abusing alphas are all Pierce has ever known. Trusting an alpha isn’t easy. When he moves back to LA, he’s staying with Colin, who helps him get a job as a manny with Seth, one of Colin’s co-workers. Seth has just become a dad to an 8-year-old daughter he never knew about. Seth doesn’t understand the pull to Pierce. He’s never been into guys. But Pierce, even with his prickly nature, calls to every protective urge Seth has ever had. So, he’s going to do whatever it takes to keep Pierce around. Besides, Emily would be devastated if Pierce left. The longer Seth and Pierce are around each other, the less they can keep their hands off each other. And under a full moon’s pull, they give in and their night of passion results in Pierce’s pregnancy. In the end, they both get what they need, a family and love.


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Review: Uncorked: A New Year's Eve Novella

Uncorked: A New Year's Eve Novella by J.R. Barten
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A lighter hearted visit with Dev and Garrett from Unf;nshed. The guys have been together about a year now. They have gone through lots of ups and downs. They have worked at compromise and being what the other needs, even if that means space from the other. And both are still committed to each other, still willing to do what it takes to be with each other. They both want a forever, but each is waiting for the other to say it first.

Christmas is a very stressful time for Dev, it reminds him that his Grandma is with him any longer. Add the stress from his job and he might be teetering on the edge. He’s going to need Garrett by his side, especially after his mom invites them to dinner on Christmas Eve. To say it didn’t go well is an understatement. But it does help Garrett see that he wants to commit to Dev in a permanent way. He devises a plan with help from Kim to do just that.

After this book, I will never look at pancakes and permanent markers the same way ever again. The gang from the first story show up in this one and are as much fun here as they were there. This was a wonderful follow-up story, I loved it.


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Review: Unf;nished

Unf;nished by J.R. Barten
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Emotional, angsty, intense and wonderful. The chemistry between Garrett and Dev comes off the pages. And yet, this story is about introspection, dealing with past mistakes and the need for honest communication between partners. Warning, there may be a trigger for a past suicide attempt mentioned.

Garrett is introverted and working to get past his ex, who because of his bipolar disorder is in jail. He decides on a semicolon tattoo for its meaning and so that he can always remember his past. He hasn’t been with anyone since his ex and he’s okay with being alone.

Dev is outgoing and fun loving. He’s at the same tattoo shop for a semicolon tattoo also. But his is for the struggle he’s gone through with his illness and coming out on the other side. He sees Garrett and wants to get to know the cute nerd sitting in his friend’s tattoo chair.

Their relationship has many ups and downs along the way. But it makes this a beautiful story as you watch them grow individually, then together, then apart, then back together again.

This story worked on so many levels. The writing is phenomenal, the author masterfully walked that fine line while telling the story of a character with mental health issues. It never overpowers the story or the characters. It is just a part of who the character is. And I love how real the characters seem when dealing with it. The lack of knowledge about it and learning more, the fear of relapses. Or not understanding what it truly means, that it doesn’t define who someone is, it is just a part of them. Or how Garrett not dealing with it lead to Pierre being his ex.

There is so much more I’d like to say about this book, and how good it is, but for once, the right words aren’t coming to me. Read it, it is that worth it.


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Review: And The World Begins With You

And The World Begins With You by Lina Langley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Best friends who have a falling out meet years down the road. This short story hits on several different tropes, second chances, office romance and maybe a little of first love.

Mikael has never forgotten his best friend, Rush. He still doesn’t know why or what happened to end their friendship. Imaging his surprise when he shows up for his new job and his boss is no other than Rush. A Rush who does seem to know him.

Rush has never gotten over the hurt that broke up his friendship with Mikael. He now protects himself at all cost. Even if that means pretending to not know Mikael.

The tension and emotions between the two keeps ramping up till something has to give. It pulls you through the pages. For a short story, this story was all the elements you want in a longer story.


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Review: Finding Home

Finding Home by Lina Langley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Very short story. The premise was promising and intriguing. And with a longer story, the author could have done so much. Here, it was too short for any kind of real development of plot or characters. I didn’t find either character totally likeable at the start and the story ended so fast I never got a real feel for them. And yet in the end with the epilogue, it did work.

Nev is forced to take a vacation and he’s never been the type to do one-night stands. But that’s what happens here with Josh. Except Nev can’t stop thinking of Josh. Maybe a vacation fling then or maybe more. But a misunderstanding happens and Nev thinks things are over before they start. But never say never. The epilogue made this story work out okay.


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Review: Unhappily Ever After: A Villain's Tale

Unhappily Ever After: A Villain's Tale by Sarah Beth James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A zany, funny, quick read. This is a fairytale told with a twist. Are the heroes always the good guys? And are the villains always really the bad guys or girls, as the case may be? And Princess’s aren’t always what they seem. Love the author’s take on this one.

It could have used another round of editing, there were several errors that caught my eye. Nothing that took me out of the story though. And I would have loved for a longer, more in-depth story. More about the dark Prince’s village and its inhabitants would have been nice. This has the potential to be turned into a series of stories too. Overall, I really enjoyed this story.


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Review: Breathe

Breathe by Piper Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! This book is a fitting end to this series. The guys from the previous stories show up here along with Marshall and Oli. This, for me, is not a standalone. You need to read the others. And they are so good, do yourself a favor and read them.

This story opens so smoking hot with sexting between Oli and Alcrest. But as you get into Oli’s life, you realize he doesn’t have any good luck to start this story. As you read his life, you feel for him. How much more can he take? Then he has a chance meeting with Marshall, or Alcrest as he knows him from online.

This story had so many ups and downs. The story takes you on a ride through all of the emotions. Your emotions are all over the place, you laugh, cry and your heart hurts, then warms as the love blooms. Then you fan yourself while reading a couple of the hottest scenes I’ve read in a while. And in the end, love wins.

As with all the stories in this series, well written, great storyline, nicely paced and the characters are full of depth. I am so sad that this series is at an end. But I am looking forward to something new from this author.


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Review: Coach's Challenge

Coach's Challenge by V.L. Locey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first in this series I’ve read, and my understanding is there’s another series (Point Shot Trilogy) I should have read first. This story is a look at Vic and Dan’s relationship, now that they are married. I didn’t have any problems following the story, even when I could tell there was a reference to something in their past. Or understanding the relationships of everyone involved with the cast of secondary characters.

I wasn’t so sure about Vic. Did I like him or not? He comes across as a bit of a jerk, but with a hidden heart of gold. But he was actually a very fun character to read, as he dealt with things that haunted him from his and Dan’s past. Things like Vic’s baby momma, Dan’s old lover and the general mayhem that surrounds a hockey team. Dan was the element that kept Vic on an even keel, pulling him back when Vic started to get sidetracked by everything happening.

Well written, nicely paced story, with great characters. I will be going back to read the others in this series as well as the Point Shot Trilogy (Because can you ever get enough hockey stories? No!) And I will be looking forward to the next in this series as well.


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Review: Heal

Heal by Piper Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story is intense, heartbreaking at times and so emotional. Much more so than the previous stories in this series. Reading this takes your feelings through the wringer. You hurt for Gabriel and what he’s gone through. He’s been so mentally and physically beat down, so brainwashed, he doesn’t realize that the man he thought he loved was really his pimp. One who never loved him, but played his emotions to control him. As you read, you keep hoping that Gabriel will allow himself to heal, that he lets the love of those surrounding him support him. You want to reach into the story and hug and hold him.

Cedric is a professional Dom. He can give a submissive everything he needs but his heart and love. In many ways, things from his past have made him almost as broken as Gabriel.

The journey that Cedric and Gabriel take in this story is so well written. The author has dealt with a very serious subject matters, human trafficking, and the sex trade industry, but written it in such a way you understand the pain and devastation caused by them without either overwhelming the story. I could not put this story down.

This is book four in this series, I don’t feel that it’s a standalone story. I think you should read the previous three books to set up the world these characters inhabit. And for you as the reader to understand the relationships that have developed between the characters that show up in this story. I can’t wait for the next book by this author.


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