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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Review: Stay

Stay by Piper Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story is so full of angst. There are so many emotions you feel while reading this book. You are standing on the outside of the story, looking in and you want to so badly reach into the story and help both Adrian and his brother Gabriel.

Adrian show up in the previous story, Obey. And frankly, he was an ass. He treated Lucian so abominably. He was bitter and cruel and I hated him. So, I was intrigued to see how the author was going to remake him into a lovable character. Who would be strong enough to take on all of Adrian’s emotional baggage. As you read, you start to understand who Adrian really is. You see the reasons behind the external persona that he shows to the world. And at times it breaks your heart.


Sterling is the owner of The Shepherd and a Dom of a different stroke. Many other masters use pain, humiliation and other mean of control. But Sterling is a ‘kill them with kindness’ type of Dom. That is the kind of domination that he feels Adrian needs. And if he must give up his control and submit, so be it. In the long run it will give him what he wants, Adrian.


As with the first two books, this one is well written. The characters and the emotional impact of the story keeps you reading. I’m hoping that Gabriel gets the next story. And I’m hoping that more characters are added to this world. Because I’m selfish and want more stories set in this world.

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Review: Stay

Stay by Piper Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story is so full of angst. There is so may emotions you feel while reading this book. You are standing on the outside of the story, looking in and you want to so badly reach into the story and help both Adrian and his brother Gabriel.

Adrian show up in the previous story, Obey. And frankly, he was an ass. He treated Lucian so abominably. He was bitter and cruel and I hated him. So, I was intrigued to see how the author was going to remake him into a lovable character. Who would be strong enough to take on all of Adrian’s emotional baggage. As you read, you start to understand who Adrian really is. You see the reasons behind the external persona that he shows to the world. And at times it breaks your heart.


Sterling is the owner of The Shepherd and a Dom of a different stroke. Many other masters use pain, humiliation and other mean of control. But Sterling is a ‘kill them with kindness’ type of Dom. That is the kind of domination that he feels Adrian needs. And if he must give up his control and submit, so be it. In the long run it will give him what he wants, Adrian.


As with the first two books, this one is well written. The characters and the emotional impact of the story keeps you reading. I’m hoping that Gabriel gets the next story. And I’m hoping that more characters are added to this world. Because I’m selfish and want more stories set in this world.


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Review: Cataclysmic Shift

Cataclysmic Shift by Tara Lain
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was so excited to read the third book in this series and happy that Aloysius is getting his story. This is not a standalone book. You must read the first two for this one and the characters, their relationships to each other and other happenings to make sense. And all the main characters are back in this one.

As with the other stories, here again the gang is battling evil, this time in the form of witches from Europe. They want the source of Killian’s power and believe that Aloysius is that source. Hit by a blast of power trying to protect his witch, Aloysius is knocked unconscious. Scared, Killian and Blaine decide to take him to a vet Blaine knows. As he shows Killian and Blaine out, he reassures them that he will do what he can, but he can’t figure out or find anything that is physically wrong with Aloysius. In the back where Luke left him, Aloysius wakes up and he’s human. With little memory of his past. He’s also naked and surrounded by animals. His name though he remembers, it’s Alain Bellarose.

Luke is drawn to Alain. While he has spent a very long time hiding and not involving himself with people, he can’t seem to help it with Alain. Alain seems to be everything he didn’t know he was looking for. They both fall hard and fast for each other.

There are many twist and turns in this book. Luke has a hidden past that gets exposed on accident by Alain. Alain is torn by his need to protect Killian and the others. With no memory of his relationship with them, he doesn’t understand why. Then there is his need to protect Luke as well. Add in evil witches and magic fights, it’s an exciting ride through the pages.

What a wonderful way the author weaved this tale. You are both wanting and hoping for Alain and Luke to get their happy ever after. Yet at the same time you understand that for them to get it, there is a great sacrifice on the part of others. You do and don’t want the sacrifice to be made. The ending is as it should be and will make you very happy.

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review


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