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Thursday, May 21, 2015

ARC REVIEW: Suit Yourself (Men of London #3) by Susan Mac Nicol #MM #Romance


Genre: Series M/M Contemporary Romance (can be read as a standalone)

Release Date: May 21, 2015

Scarred both physically and emotionally after a motorcycle accident, twenty-five year old ex fashion model and porn star Oliver Brown is about to be stripped bare by flamboyant twink Leslie Scott—and they’ll rebuild love from the bottom up. 

BARING THE BEAST 

Twenty-five year old Oliver Brown is addicted. Two years ago, he was at the height of his career as “Nicky Starr,” fashion model, porn actor, partier without peer. Then came the accident. Hiding his scars, both emotional and physical, he’s gone into hiding. But fine clothing is some solace. A new suit by Debussy? Better even than a ride on his motorcycle Hulk or all the things he used to give and take on camera. 


Enter Leslie Scott, the flamboyant, dark-haired, heel-and-tiny-short-wearing twink sent to deliver Oliver’s newest fix. A firecracker, Leslie is dapper, generous, in touch with his feminine side but all man, and as gorgeous as any garment ever made. He makes Oliver dream of ending his reclusion, of recapturing a future forever denied him. But for that to happen, Leslie would have to strip him to the bone. Only then will they rebuild life from the bottom up.

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1c8nGMv
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1KnQ7VF

OUR REVIEW: What do you get when a fabric buyer for a high-end suit design house meets up with a damaged ex-porn star with a suit obsession? You get SUIT YOURSELF! 

Leslie Scott is exactly as advertised: witty, flamboyant, and forthright. He’s ready for a real relationship and his eyes are open for a contender. Life in the porn industry has left Oliver Brown damaged, both physically and emotionally. Living like a hermit in his luxury hide away, he’s lonely, and after two years, maybe it’s time to give life a try.

When the two meet, it’s a clash of opposites. But, Leslie is just the man to bring about Oliver’s metamorphosis and drag the man, screaming and kicking, back into the world.

I enjoyed many aspects of this book: the characters are strong and well developed; the writing is well above average; the fashion aspects detailed and clearly researched. However, the book lacked intensity. I was not dragged along by the story to rapidly turn the pages to find out what happened next. 

It's warm. It's comfortable. It's a great read for a lazy Sunday, whether on the beach or in front of a fire. 


OUR RATING: 3.5 stars

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

ARC REVIEW: Henry's End by Julie A Richman #MM #Romance


Genre: Standalone M/M Contemporary Romance

Release Date: May 11, 2015

Dreams. 
I used to have them—before the nightmares started. 
I dreamed of nice guys, love…normalcy. 
Things like reading the Sunday paper in bed with my lover.
But who needs dreams when your reality is filled with a string of faceless dominating men in uniform? Men that pack a thick bulge and are only too happy to satisfy my deviant sexual cravings.
Me. That's who.

And then HE walked through the door and shared with me, a total stranger, his intimate dream of love. Damn him for verbalizing every single detail of the dream I buried long ago.
And now I don’t know how I'm going to live without that dream. 
Or him.

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1IxIE4a

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1KYDbTG

Henry’s End Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/p95fRusmaVo

OUR REVIEWHenry's End is a fascinating journey through one man's adult life. In this saga, spanning several decades, we meet the men who enter Henry's life and leave him changed, sometimes for the worst, sometimes for the better. In the end, he becomes the man he needs to be to find true happiness with the man who shares his dreams.

In Henry's End, the author touches upon, realistically and convincingly, some very current issues affecting the gay community: abuse, violence, discrimination, HIV/Aids, but also the true and lasting friendships that develop both inside and outside the community. For me, Henry's relationship with with his straight male friend Schooner is one of the high points of the book.

The writing in many of the scenes was very powerful. One scene in particular nearly killed me. You'll know which one when you read it. 

Although Henry's End is listed as gay romance, and it definitely contains romance, it does not follow the typical path of one. We do not meet the man who will ultimately share Henry's future until the final quarter of the book. This did not take away from my enjoyment of the story, but those who like a gay romance that concentrates on only the two heroes, should take caution.

OUR RATING: We give this book 4 stars!

Saturday, May 9, 2015

ARC REVIEW: Legion by Rider Jacobs #MM #Fantasy #Romance



Banished to the mortal realm for a crime he didn't commit all Nico wants to do is return home. Legion feels love is weakness, it's an emotion only felt by fools. Answering a bundled summoning attempt Legion's world is turned upside down by the exotic Nico. Intrigued by the mortal, Legion finds himself unable to stay away. Refusing to believe he might actually be falling in love he sets out to discover who has cast such a wicked spell on him. Nico has a secret though, one that could end his relationship and destroy his chance to return home.

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1KuN6iJ
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1FVZJ7o
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1FbYy4R

OUR REVIEW: LEGION is an ambitious story, involving multiple realms and their inhabitants. After a fateful altercation, Legion becomes ruler of the banished, damned, and seven other realms, while his brother, Adoni, is king of twenty-nine realms (twenty realms, according to Legion). Legion is a truly powerful, but also very lonely being as can be attested to by this funny conversation with Legion's best friend and second in command, Balthazar.
"F*ck you." The warrior snorted and gestured meaningfully.

"Thanks but you're not really my type." Legion said.

"Really? You have a type? I thought all it took was for them to fall on their back. Oh wait, that's me, you haven't had sex in the last millennium. Are you sure you know how it's done still?"
Rest assured, Legion does remember, as can be attested to when he meets Nico, slave to a wizard.

The story moves along quickly, with plenty of hot sex scenes, toward that moment when Nico's secret is revealed. There is a lot of humor mixed in with the more dramatic and poignant moments.

Earlier, we said that the story was ambitious. There is a huge world with a lot of characters being built here, one mostly based on existing mythology, but one that has its own rules as well. In some cases, the story moves a little too quickly, leaving the reader a bit confused. The characters are larger than life, very colorful and unique, which is great. At the same time, it makes their decisions and rationale difficult to comprehend. I would have like to see the author delve a little deeper into Legion's psyche so we could understand him better. This is  also true of Nico. Although we spend a fair amount of time in his head, we aren't any closer to understanding his secret and why he did what he did.

Over all, we found the story to be an entertaining and fast-paced ride into a world far removed from our own. We look forward to more from this author.

OUR RATING: 3.5 stars