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Archive for the ‘Series’ Category

Miami Moon: Vampire’s Lair Book 1 by Geoffrey Knight

Posted in Authors: J-L, B, Erotica, Horror, Paranormal, Series, tagged , on May 8, 2013 | 3 Comments »

Miami Moon (1)Title: Miami Moon: Vampire’s Lair Book 1
Author: Geoffrey Knight
Length: 13,000 words (60 pdf pages)
Publisher: Wilde City Press
Genre: m/m erotica paranormal horror
Rating: B

Blurb:

Some of us are gatherers. Some are hunters. Some are healers.

Jason Cain ran away to Miami not only to escape his past, but to escape his future as well. He left behind a pretty girlfriend, a college education, and a promising career in the shadow of his father, a prominent Chicago surgeon. He also left behind a haunting tragedy, something that stopped him from becoming the man he was destined to be. But all that is about to change.

Under the Miami moon, Jason Cain is about to be chosen to fulfill his destiny—to become a healer.

Drawn into a forbidden world, plucked from the streets of Miami and taken to a mansion filled with danger and debauchery in the middle of a Florida bayou, Jason is about to experience male love, lust and longing like he has never known before. Here, the Vampire Xavier—the muscular, dominant master of his own lair—will give Jason the redemption and healing that he so desperately craves. The price—his mortality.

Review:

This book is the first in a series, and is part of a special line at Wilde City which given it’s endorsed by a popular adult entertainer, I’m presuming will be smuttier and less “romantic” than some stories out there. It definitely fits the bill, as this first book, a set-up for Jason’s story falls into the erotica/horror side of the genre.

As noted, this is the set-up, with Jason seeming to have “run away” from home, from a domineering father who had set Jason’s path in life, a girl friend who seems more impressed in being with a future doctor, and some kind of traumatic event that happened in an alley, which seemed to trigger his flight. While searching for a job, he’s sent to a mysterious door, and is tempted inside by a man who seems to know about his past. The next thing he knows, he is drugged and taken to a mansion where a variety of men are engaged in random sex acts, and he’s about to meet Xavier, the naked owner who has a pet alligator. (It was a nice touch.)

It seems that Jason never really considered himself gay, given the girlfriend and all, but before long he’s naked and Xavier is telling him he’s a vampire. Right. Jason doesn’t believe that until Xavier reveals himself and sends Jason running into the swamp, where he is promptly attacked by gators (silly northern boys who forget about such things). He rescued by Xavier who heals him and he accepts becoming a vampire, and hot dungeon public sex occurs on an alter.

This sets up for Jason to be a type of vigilante, as he gets revenge for what happened to himself in the alley, and then reveals that he also has healing power like Xavier did. I’m assuming there will be a series of adventures with Jason having hot smutty sex, and saving random people while taking revenge on evil-doers. It’s gritty and dark with some blood and gore, and Xavier’s got more of the horror edge to him than the typical romantic vampire hero. So if that’s what you are looking for, it certainly fits the bill and I’ll be curious to see how Jason does as he gets his life (or non-life) together following his conversion.

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But I Look Terrible in Green by Jackie Nacht

Posted in B-, Contemporary, Romance, Series, tagged , on March 19, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

17619893Title: But I Look Terrible in Green (Holiday Jobs that Don’t Suck #6)
Author: Jackie Nacht
Length: 9,452 words (39 pdf pages)
Publisher: eXtasy Books
Genre: m/m contemporary
Rating: B-

Blurb: 

Since the beginning of his senior year in college, Jimmy has lived above the very popular Irish Pub O’Dwyer’s. Sure, the music is loud and the co-eds constantly party, but the bonus is seeing graduate student Niall come in and out of work on a daily basis.

Working separate shifts hasn’t given the two much time to get to know one another. So it’s quite a shock when Niall comes pounding on his door on St. Patrick’s Day asking for help working at the pub on the busiest day of the year. Even though Jimmy just finished with his own shift, being next to Niall for the night is too tempting to resist.

Will sparks finally ignite? And will Jimmy find himself having a little luck of the Irish to finally make Niall notice him?

Review:

This is a sweet story set around St. Patrick’s Day. Jimmy has been slightly crushing on Niall, the night bartender at the pub Jimmy works at. But Jimmy works days so besides a very rare greeting, he’s never had the nerve to talk to him. However St. Patrick’s at an Irish pub is insane, and Niall comes upstairs to ask Jimmy if he can help behind the bar. Jimmy is usually a food server, but he’s happy to help out.

Things go well, and when in the heat of the moment, a “kiss me I’m Irish” necklace inspires Niall to kiss him, in front of everyone, Jimmy is really thrown for a spin. I liked that you get a look at both men, who are similar but different. Jimmy is a senior in college and has a very open family that talks about everything. Niall is finishing up grad school, and while he loves his family, the idea of them knowing every detail of his dating life, including his efforts to get to know Jimmy give him the willies.

However, the conflicting shifts, combined with school commitments and Jimmy’s soccer playing mean they barely get to see each other, so Niall is forced to reveal the truth to his uncle so he can get some switched shifts. As I said, this is a sweet light story, there isn’t much angst beyond a bit of uncertainty at the beginning and then getting their schedules more on track. But they are both appealing young men and you hope it works out for them.

Sometimes I’m content to have stories end just when it’s starting, and that’s kind of where this ends, but in this case I wouldn’t have minded a little bit more, to see them getting to know each other a bit more, and trying life as a couple. Still, if you are angsted out, this is a perfect choice for some light entertainment that leaves you with a good feeling at the end.

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Pink Bunny Ears… Seriously? by Jackie Nacht

Posted in Authors: M-O, B, Contemporary, Romance, Series, tagged , on March 7, 2013 | 2 Comments »

3959Pink-Bunny-Ears510w-220x330Title: Pink Bunny Ears… Seriously? (Holiday Jobs That Don’t Suck #5)
Author: Jackie Nacht
Length: 4,817 words (20 pdf pages)
Publisher: eXtasy Books *Free
Genre: m/m contemporary
Rating: B

Blurb:

Only for the man he loves would Merrick ever wear pink bunny ears and a floppy tail.

Three and half years ago, Merrick moved across the country to go to the small college in Washington where, in his first week, he met fellow student and local, Darren. They immediately hit it off and began dating. Now in their senior year, both have just aced their midterms and plan on going out to celebrate until Darren’s mom calls. Merrick finds himself being asked to help Darren work at one of his mom’s card shops working as none other than…the Easter bunny. Now, all Merrick has to do is suck it up and get through one day so he can have his special night with the man he loves. But little does Darren know that Merrick has more than just a date planned…

Review:

This is a cute fun little read, set around a holiday you don’t see many m/m books. The blurb explains the set-up. Merrick and Darren have been together for a long time, and despite the favour Darren asks of Merrick, to serve as the Easter Bunny at one of his mother’s stores, he likes Darren’s mom and is happy to help out, even if not his first choice of how to spend the day before they go out to celebrate. Mind you, once he sees the giant pink rabbit head he has to wear, and the fact he needs to put some air fresheners inside to kill the stale smell, he starts to question the wisdom of his acquiescence.

The story is really very light. There are lots of amusing anecdotes with the kids and their parents who come to the store, and Merrick has a pretty amusing thought process at time. A few times I snorted while reading it at his thinking.

… Darren was stuffing him into the pink body of the costume while the head sat on the counter looking at him, tauntingly. The sound of the zipper going up was like the sound of a cell door being slammed shut.

If you are looking for something with no angst, but some humour to lighten your day, it’s definitely worth a quick read. These two guys are very in love and share a special moment later, but they’re the couple we see walking down the street and go “Oh my god, they are so adorable”. A feel-good read that doesn’t leave you feeling like you just ate a dozen of those Cadbury cream eggs, but more like a small delicious Lindt bunny. :-) Sweet but delicious.

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Chevalier Book 5: The Gilded Knife by Benji Bright

Posted in Authors: A-C, Fantasy, B, Historical, Series, tagged , on February 22, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

Chev 5Title: Chevalier Book 5: The Gilded Knife
Author: Benji Bright
Length: 11,315 words (35 pdf pages)
Publisher: JMS Books
Genre: m/m fantasy historical
Review: B

Blurb:

There are tales of dashing knights and blushing ladies, and there are stories of bravery bound to become legend. Then there’s the life of a mercenary.

Four swords-for-hire — Giovanni, the supposed magician; Solister, the armored giant; Casic, the virtuous fighter; and Farrbiner, the drunken healer — try to make their pockets heavy and their grief light. On their way to fame and fortune, or maybe just notoriety, they encounter every twist and turn the criminal underworld can throw at them. In a world full of double-crosses and shady motivations, can’t a man just find a warm place to thrust his sword?

In Book 5: The Gilded Knife, the mercenaries escape to the island of Veyr after hearing news of a Chevalier on their trail, but they find more hazard than solace when they’re drawn into a plot against their will by their old acquaintance, Embrio Merculle. Their actions will forever change the future of Veyr, but will they survive to reap the rewards?

Review:

Ah, the series is starting to pick up now. Our four managed to escape the country, however when they arrive at Veyr they are “convinced” to help the man who was originally trying to purchase the sword in the first book. It seems his family will be challenging for the rule of their country and having the special artifacts will help their case. They need a mage and a swordsman to challenge the other house, winning the Gilded Knife and a better chance at taking over the rule. The simultaneous battle between Solister and two fighters and Giovanni against a female mage go poorly until a Giovanni is able to turn things around for them at the last minute.

Now that we have been given the background on each man, it’s moving forward with more of the adventure. While I enjoyed the descriptions of Veyr, the clothing and housing, I thought the author did a great job on the battle. I was caught up in the fight between the mages and Solister’s failing challenge of strength. I like a snarky character and that is how Giovanni wins. He’s not a magician who can conjure lightning bolts like his opponent, but he can trick you and confuse you and that’s how he gets the upper hand.

There is also quite a bit of intrigue as the female leader who solicited their services is not above doing anything to get her way, and when another Chevalier asks to have the four men, she’s more than happy to agree, however her nephew is not thrilled. So what will happen? You doubt she’s being upfront and honest, but …

Also you get to see a bit more about the men and their true personalities. The friendships are coming to the fore whereas at the beginning it seemed more like they banded together out of convenience rather than friendship. There was less sex in this book, only one masturbation scene, and I think it fit. Sometimes I felt the sex in the others was a bit tossed in for erotica purposes, but in this case I didn’t miss that side of the story as I was caught up in the adventure. I wasn’t sure if the series was going to hold my interest, but this book has definitely got me eager to see how things go for them next.

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After the BBQ by Matthew Lang

Posted in Authors: J-L, C+, Contemporary, Romance, Series, tagged , on January 29, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

BBQTitle: After the BBQ (A Talmor Story)
Author: Matthew Lang
Length: 9,000 words (35 pdf pages)
Publisher: MLR Press
Genre: m/m contemporary interracial
Rating: C+

Blurb:

Trent Gaudeen was going to spend Australia Day alone–on principle, of course. When an invitation comes out of the blue to attend his ex’s holiday barbeque, he goes along despite himself. Will he open a can of worms or find the perfect match to his American pumpkin pie?

Review:

I did not realize this story was set in a series, but you can read it without having read the rest of the stories, although of course I may have missed some things. It is also noted as paranormal by the publisher and while it seems the Talmor stories have a paranormal aspect and it’s referred to, there is no paranormal activity in this particular story.

Trent is an American living in Australia. He doesn’t plan anything for the day, but his ex insists he come over to the BBQ he is hosting with his current boyfriend. Trent agrees, even if it feels a bit odd, but he’s soon distracted by good food and one of his ex’s graduate students Vijay, who is of mixed Indian parentage from New Zealand. They hit it off, and after the party decide to head to Trent’s place, however an attempted mugging of Vijay soon puts a cramp in their plans as they deal with the police and neighbours. Eventually, they get the chance to be alone.

As I said, I may have understood a bit more about the paranormal activity Trent refers to that his ex did, and perhaps why Trent was in Australia. There was little things about their personalities, about Trent being a body builder , and other little personality quirks that likely meant more if I’d read the other books, but it doesn’t detract from this book in any way. They also touch on the what appears to be the rather contentious issue of celebrating Australia Day, taking into account the way local Aboriginal populations were so badly treated by the settlers. I did like that Trent and his ex got along, and there wasn’t some kind of big drama surrounding their past, and even the new boyfriend seemed fine with it. It was nice to see a rather mature take on relationships.

So I think fans of the series will enjoy seeing characters from previous books, and perhaps seeing Trent start on what could be a HEA. It is just a story that spans a weekend, but both guys seem to be leaning toward something more long-term. I’ll admit it’s made me curious about the previous installments in the series which I may just check out.

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The Dragon and His Knight by M. Raiya

Posted in Authors: P-R, C+, Contemporary, Paranormal, Romance, Series, tagged , on January 28, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

New Sip coverTitle: The Dragon and His Knight
Author: M. Raiya
Length: 7,400 words (29 pdf pages)
Publisher: Torquere Press
Genre: m/m paranormal (shifters)
Rating: C+

Blurb:
What does it feel like to belong to someone else? Body, mind, even soul? And what if the man who owns you is a dragon shifter with magic and immortality? For Wells, it means a thousand years of love, laced with danger, desire, and the freedom of the sky on Justin’s back.

But what happens when that bond is suddenly wrenched apart.

Originally published in the Mine anthology.

Review:

This story is set in the universe of Notice and tells you in part who Wells and Justin are, who showed up unexpectedly in A Sky Full of Wings. History has been that dragons capture knights to be their guides in the human world. Usually they are enchanted to stay, but Wells genuinely chose Justin and loves him. They have decided to spend time in the modern world and register for university because Wells wants to study history and see how it differs from the real thing and Justin indulges him by attending class (and usually sleeping through the lectures). However when the class discussions of dragons comes up, a painting of Justin’s brother being killed by a knight shocks both men. When they find out the artist is a young woman in the class and she jumps up and attacks them, all hell breaks loose.

She has a medallion which she slips on Wells which makes him lose his connection with Justin, but rather than freeing him, it gives him the strength to remove it and stop her from killing Justin. She is then carted off by the police and they try to find out if Justin’s brother was killed or is alive. It seems he is fine, but the girl tried a similar trick with him showing Justin’s picture. There is also a subplot of Wells wanting Justin to have sex with him in dragon form which Justin doesn’t want to, fearing he’ll hurt him.

I liked that the two men, especially Justin felt uncomfortable in the new world. Cell phones and bagels are all great mysteries and Justin tends to be a bit of one of those crotchety technophobes. So it was fun to see them adapting and realizing that the “few years ago” they saw his brother was more like 145 years.

Having read the follow-up stories, I wasn’t left with as many questions as I think those who read this one alone would be, such as who the girl is, and how she knew about them. I think fans of the other notice book will enjoy finding out a bit more about the mysterious Wells and Justin. It does give a bit more detail about the ancient dragons and how they function in the world.

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Chevalier Book 4: The Chaste Ring by Benji Bright

Posted in Authors: A-C, C, Fantasy, Historical, Series, tagged , on January 24, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

16204833Title: Chevalier Book 4: The Chaste Ring
Author: Benji Bright
Length: 35 pdf pages
Publisher: JMS Books
Genre: m/m fantasy historical
Rating: C

Blurb:

There are tales of dashing knights and blushing ladies, and there are stories of bravery bound to become legend. Then there’s the life of a mercenary.

Four swords-for-hire — Giovanni, the supposed magician; Solister, the armored giant; Casic, the virtuous fighter; and Farrbiner, the drunken healer — try to make their pockets heavy and their grief light. On their way to fame and fortune, or maybe just notoriety, they encounter every twist and turn the criminal underworld can throw at them. In a world full of double-crosses and shady motivations, can’t a man just find a warm place to thrust his sword?

In Book 4: The Chaste Ring, the mercenaries head to the riverside city of Shelsby where Casic discovers his estranged sister may be in danger. To protect her, he’ll confront foreign magic, dangerous secrets, and his own tragic past.

Review:

The focus in this book is almost exclusively on Casic and his past and relationship with his sister. Her female lover has found Casic and asked him to help free his sister from a lover who intends to use a mage and a ring to destroy her desire because he fears she is cheating on him. You find out more about Casic and the fact that he and her sister were adopted as teens, but their “father” used their special talents to hire them out as prey for his friends who would hunt them, then a mage would heal them only to do it all over again. Each member of the quartet have a pretty horrific childhood/early adulthood.

However it seems perhaps his sister doesn’t need the assistance her lover thinks she does. In this case, Casic goes undercover as a whore to try to get close to the mage who is hosting a massive gay orgy. Thanks to Giovanni’s spells, he is able to avoid having sex with anyone and manages to destroy the mage. I’m still trying to figure out what the deal is with Casic. I’m not sure if he’s straight, gay, bi or asexual . He seems a bit turned on by the groping he experiences, but it seemed to be a new experience for him. Not sure where that will go.

I’m finding it interesting getting the back-story of the men, and now I suppose we’ll see where it goes. They are on the run again and know that a Chevalier is after them, so an additional challenge to the trouble they seem able to find on their own. There’s not much that happens to push the story forward in this one, it’s more background and has significantly less sex than others, but little pieces are given that I presume will play out in a larger story arc. I know not everyone enjoys the serial nature of stories, and some may find it an interesting way to enjoy a longer story.

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Chevalier Book 2: The Salt Rose by Benji Bright

Posted in Authors: A-C, C, Erotica, Fantasy, Historical, Series, tagged , on January 10, 2013 | 3 Comments »

thesaltroseTitle: Chevalier Book 2: The Salt Rose
Author: Benji Bright
Length: 7,402 words (23 pdf pages)
Publisher: JMS Books
Genre: m/m historical fantasy erotica
Rating: C

Blurb:

There are tales of dashing knights and blushing ladies, and there are stories of bravery bound to become legend. Then there’s the life of a mercenary.

Four swords-for-hire — Giovanni, the supposed magician; Solister, the armored giant; Casic, the virtuous fighter; and Farrbiner, the drunken healer — try to make their pockets heavy and their grief light. On their way to fame and fortune, or maybe just notoriety, they encounter every twist and turn the criminal underworld can throw at them. In a world full of double-crosses and shady motivations, can’t a man just find a warm place to thrust his sword?

In Book 2: The Salt Rose, the company travels to the exotic city of Agoda-Bas at the height of its orgiastic celebration season at the behest of a former associate. But when Farrbiner finds himself tangled in a web of intrigue, sex, and memories of romance, he might soon wish he never returned to his old stomping ground.

Review:

This is alcoholic Farrbiner’s story. He has been summoned to his old master, essentially a whore master who “trained” Farrbiner in his youth until he left for other things. Seems that Farrbiner believed his lover had been killed, but is told it’s not true, and that Datura wants to hire Farrbiner to find and kill the man. This leads Farrbiner to finally sober up somewhat, and set out on a quest in the city where excess, debauchery and crime are a way of life.

This is not a romance, there are scenes of erotica, some that I didn’t find all that erotic, especially the distasteful scene between Datura and a whore in training, but then I don’t think it was meant to be “erotic”, but to show the nastiness of the master. I find this series interesting because you are getting to know the backgrounds of each character as it goes along. Farrbiner’s brother is Solister, who is looking out for him, maybe to Farrbiner’s annoyance. The truth of the ex-lover and what really happened years ago, and what is really happening now, is the stuff of ancient Roman political intrigue and petty revenge. (I was watching the History channel again.)

Because there is really not much story to move forward here, more a revelation of Farrbiner’s past, it didn’t quite have the adventure feel the first one had. And I found some of the names and language a bit confusing, which I realize in some cases it was meant to obfuscate the message, but it pulled me out a bit of the story. However, those who like a good dose of sex in with their fantasy stories will enjoy this. I am looking forward to the next two stories (which will be reviewed in successive weeks). I’m curious about the other men, and while the first story focused more on the four of them as a unit, it seems future issues will give each man his own history of what brought him to the mercenary group.

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Full Disclosure on Black Friday by Jackie Nacht

Posted in Authors: M-O, C+, Contemporary, Romance, Series, tagged , on January 8, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

DisclosureTitle: Full Disclosure on Black Friday (Jobs that Don’t Suck #2)
Author: Jackie Nacht
Length: 42 pdf pages
Publisher: eXtasy Books
Genre: m/m contemporary
Rating: C+

Blurb:

Stores open at midnight. Look for sales, the season’s hottest toys, long lines, fighting and two friends revealing their love for one another on Black Friday

Chaddrick had been friends with Xathan for years. Now that they are in college rooming together he realizes he’s actually fallen for his best friend. After having a long talk over Thanksgiving with his sister, he finally works up the courage to admit his feelings to his best friend…at the toy store he works at on Black Friday.

Xathan has given every signal to Chaddrick that he’s willing to move their friendship into relationship. He doesn’t want to lose the bond they have, but knows that Chaddrick is the one meant for him. So when he sees Chaddrick come stumbling through the toy store doors at his job…he has no idea what to expect. Tired of not admitting his feelings, he wants to tell his friend the truth. Will he be able to confess to his friend he’s in love with him and if so, can he do it in a store full of shoppers?

Review:

This is a cute story about two young guys, friends for a long time, who FINALLY get up the nerve to confess. My only confusion was WHY Chaddrick would pick Black Friday to do it, given that only someone living under a rock wouldn’t know how insane and impossible that would be.

Black Friday is not the big deal in Canada that it is in the US, in large part because it’s just a regular day for us, no holiday before, although some stores are starting it themselves. So for me to see the insider’s view of working in the stories was kind of fun, and I liked the two girls who make themselves comfy in the store and simply watch the show, including Chaddrick’s attempts to tell Xathan how he feels, except the constant stream of customers demanding attention keep stealing his opportunity.

That’s basically the gist of the story. Chaddrick is afraid he’ll wimp out if he doesn’t do it now. Both families are delighted for them, there’s not much drama as to how it will go, but the activity in the store, the sheer insanity of some people when it comes to getting a “deal” is amusing to watch from the outside. I’m just thankful for on-line shopping. So if you’re in the mood for something light and sweet with some humorous notes, this will fit the bill.

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