Author Archives: paddylastinc

Book Review: The Nothingness Of Ben – Brad Boney

Posted on September 26, 2014 | 1 comment

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After reading “The Return” a month ago (whose review I’ve lost in a file – to follow,) it became one of my favorite rereads ever since. Brad Boney has written that magical book that made me appreciate the m/m genre even more. The Return was released in 2013, and just a few days ago, I was e-book shopping, and I was able to secure a copy of The Nothingness Of Ben, which precedes The Return, so you can consider it a companion book. The Nothingness Of Ben was released in 2012, and I’m just glad that I thought of Brad Boney while reading some reviews before deciding which titles to acquire.

Now I’m officially a big Brad Boney fan. Like seriously, this author knows how to write some story. He’s simply incredible! His writing is genius! He’s very relevant, has a way of making his characters charming despite showing some pigheadedness (ahem! Excuse me thankyouverymuch) at some point. And fictional or not, regarding everything about it, he sure made me want to visit Austin someday!!!

What a beautiful tale of finding love at the most unexpected places and getting that unconditional love. Ben, Travis, Quentin, Jayson and Caden are LOVE. If The Return took me back through memory lane and gave e that pleasant nostalgia, The Nothingness Of Ben made my heart warm and fuzzy. This is a book well-deserved for its good reviews and high ratings. Thank you, Brad Boney!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

About The Author
Brad Boney lives in Austin, Texas, the 7th gayest city in America. He grew up in the Midwest and went to school at NYU. He lived in Washington, DC and Houston before settling in Austin. He blames his background in the theater for his writing style, which he calls “dialogue and stage directions.” His first book was named a Lambda Literary Award finalist. He believes the greatest romantic comedy of all time is ’50 First Dates’. His favorite gay film of the last ten years is ‘Strapped’. And he has never met a boy band he didn’t like.

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Book Review: Duty & Devotion (Faith, Love, & Devotion #3) – Tere Michaels

Posted on September 25, 2014 | Leave a comment
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via goodreads

I was fairly surprised to learn that there was a continuation to Evan and Matt’s journey. I just assumed everything from the first book’s conclusion. What’s even more surprising is the fact that I actually missed this family and was glad that in the same way “Faith & Fidelity” was written, Tere Michaels managed to reconnect me once again with the story. Tere Michaels does have a beautiful way with her words. There was so much goodness in the writing that it simply flows with each chapter. Each scene depicted realistic family drama and the relationship between the two men who are still in the process of accepting who they are and what they really wanted.

This is yet again a pleasant and relaxing read for all of those who enjoyed the first book from this series. I’d surely check out the next installment and list it on my next e-book to-buy list.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Try (Temptation #1) – Ella Frank

Posted on September 24, 2014 | 1 comment
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This is my very first book by Ella Frank and I didn’t find it that much exciting at first but it’s sure hot as hell. I mean, it’s like a walking porn book! Haha

Logan is a bisexual playboy lawyer-cum-sex on legs who’s used to getting anything he wanter and we have Tate, a “straight” bartender who caught Logan’s attention and desire the very first time they laid eyes on each other. With sexual tensions and all looming in the air, Logan geared up for the hunt and Tate was left succumbing to the other man’s charm.  But remember, Tate’s straight right? Right?

I honestly find it too lengthy and with that thought, I was a bit disappointed with the conclusion. I know that it’s going to be a series but I was under the impression that it’d be for “perhaps” secondary characters with the book which sorely, no one interesting enough materialized.

The book was well-written and like what I’ve said, it’s hella hot! If you’re up for some steamy hunky sex then this is the right fix for you.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Shades Of Gray – Brooke McKinley

Posted on September 23, 2014 | Leave a comment
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 I actually half-expected this to be as good as its review rating so I was sorely disappointed that it didn’t quite meet my expectations.

Miller Sutton, a by-the-book FBI agent, is starting to see some troubling shades of gray in his black-and-white world. He comes face-to-face with his doubts in the person of Danny Butler, a mid-level drug runner Miller hopes to use to catch a much larger fish: Roberto Hinestroza, a drug lord Miller has pursued for years. Danny has no interest in being a witness against his boss, both out of a sense of twisted loyalty and because he knows double-crossing Hinestroza is a sure death sentence. But he reluctantly agrees to cooperate, and as he suspects, it doesn’t take long for Hinestroza to figure out the betrayal. Miller is surprised to discover Danny’s not the career-criminal lowlife he expected; at the same time, Danny finds himself helplessly attracted to Miller’s innate goodness. They barely begin to explore the sparking attraction between them when Hinestroza’s hitman tracks them down, and then they’re on the run, both for their lives and for any kind of love. Via Goodreads

I guess my main concern about the book is how the author dragged the latter part of the story that ultimately resulted to a weak ending rendering its conflict forced and almost unnecessary. I wished I could’ve given this a higher rating but it just didn’t work for me. Danny Butler would’ve been an amazing character if not for the story’s weak storyline.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Obsidian (Lux #1) – Jennifer L. Armentrout

Posted on September 22, 2014 | Leave a comment
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Bunch of beautiful aliens and Bella Swan-like female mc and you’ll get Obsidian. I think by now I’m over female mc’s who are almost always ogling their male counterpart who all seemed to look like male supermodels from Brazil. Like seriously?

This is my very first book by Jennifer L. Armentrout and I really am disappointed with it having all the cliché of a young adult pseudo-non human romantic story (perhaps in honor of Twilight, Hush Hush and the likes?)

I didn’t exactly hate it since I find the whole X Files / Roswell vibe in it interesting but for the love of E.T., I feel like taking a stroll in clicheville trying my darnest to make it through the far end of it.

To keep this short, if you’re some spare time during commercial breaks of your favorite TV series, perhaps you can try scanning this one. So there, consider yourself warned!

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Into Deep Waters – Kaje Harper

Posted on September 21, 2014 | Leave a comment
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Into Deep Waters is a story between two men whose love has endured the test of time. They were young, gay, in love and in the midst of war. This Kaje Harper penned novel is sweet, beautiful and almost melancholic as its relives a part of that ugly World War Two era while narrating the love that ensues between the gorgeous California babe Daniel Acardi and the sweet, scrawny and sensitive Jersey boy Jacob Segal.

What readers like myself would enjoy about this book is the great pacing of the story. Harper quickly and smoothly transitioned from one chapter of this two men’s journey to another spanning over six decades. Most conflicts were played down which I deemed very pleasant as the story centers mostly on the beauty of their enduring love.

If you’re up for a quick and feel good reading, you can download this free ebook on this LINK via Goodreads. Enjoy you guys!

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Where You Are – J.H. Trumble

Posted on September 21, 2014 | Leave a comment
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I’ve read this book right after finishing “Don’t Let Me Go” by the same author. Luke a secondary character from “Don’t Let Me Go” was also present here. (I actually lost my copy of Luke’s story  – Just Between Us but I ought to buy it one of these days) This for me is way better than Ms. Trumble’s debut novel because it’s more controversial, it’s rich and feels more utterly authentic.

I for one believe that student-teacher relationship should and must remain strictly professional regardless of any nature. Andrew should’ve been more responsible being the adult in the relationship. I don’t however in anyway disregard the fact that they truly loved each other. I was like, can this shit wait for just four more months? But ofcourse, it’s a book so where’s the fun in that right? The school environment in this book also made me think how different the scenario is from the public school I came from with regards to student-teacher relationship ( (at least from my high school) where it’s almost too personal (which I really didn’t like at all. LOL) US schools are too structural for my taste and this book just enhanced that belief for me. I’m not saying that is bad but I’m sure glad that it’s so unlike my high school.

Overall, Where You Are scrutinized a controversial issue that will leave its readers with polarizing views but with a consensus that it is a truthful, well written book.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Don’t Let Me Go – J.H. Trumble

Posted on September 20, 2014 | 1 comment
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Don’t Let Me Go is an emotionally charged book that encompasses the joy and perils of young love between homosexual teens. I’ve a lot of difficulty reading this book because it felt too heavy – yeah, it’s just hitting closer to home I guess. More than half of the story was in flashback and I usually find that annoying but in this book, I’ve this intense feeling of wanting to know more about Adam and Nate.

There’s just so much of a reality in this book that at one point, I find myself grinding my teeth in annoyance and perhaps anger. [I just don’t get parents who couldn’t give conditional love to their child]

I loved how the character of Danial puts it about how short life is: “You don’t have to understand. You don’t have to agree. Just leave people alone. When I look at the moon and planets and stars, all that narrow-mindedness and hate seem so petty. The universe is such a big place. One hundred thousand light years just from one end of the Milky Way to the other. One hundred. Thousand. Light years. In the time it’s taken for light to travel from one end of our galaxy

to the other, thousands of generations have passed. It really makes you realize how small we are, doesn’t it? How short our time on earth is.”

Don’t Let Me Go is a stirring narrative of young love, fear, forgiveness, acceptance, defiance, ignorance and most of all – truth. A book that’s worth every second of your time!

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: The Coil – L.A Gilbert

Posted on September 19, 2014 | Leave a comment
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Utterly realistic and a bit depressing, The Coil tackles a lot of things – the joy and struggles of raising a special child, making ends meet, reaching for your goals, letting go and finally giving yourself a second chance at love and life. Mattie is illiterate and works in a diner making sandwiches. To make ends meet, he also succumb to prostitution on the side. Simon, a successful writer is raising his special child and is not ready (does not allow himself) to fall in love in order to protect his child and himself. Overtime as their world collide, these two men gravitated to each other  and tried to forge a new life with all their issues hanging. Will they be able to carry on or will they have to sacrifice everything they have worked for?

I thought the whole scenario about Mattie’s life  was just bleak. It’s too depressing and even his success at the end doesn’t even feel much of a consolation. I loved the use of “If you love someone, set them free” and I wish there were more dialogues in it or a narration from either character perhaps.

The middle part of the book was like a dripping faucet. It was alright but it was too slow-paced. I keep on hoping that the whole “flashbacks” of the book will be split in the middle and will continue at the end but unfortunately, it didn’t go that way. Overall, I thought the book was consistent enough with its mood, though, it became boring at some parts, it still have a pull from the readers to finish it. It’s not exactly my thing but it was an okay read.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Published October 10th 2012 by Dreamspinner Press

BUY LINK
Dreamspinner Press HERE
Amazon HERE
Barnes & Noble HERE

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Book Review:How to Save a Life (The Haven #1) – Sloan Parker

Posted on September 18, 2014 | Leave a comment
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This is the second book I’ve read by Sloan Parker and I’ve to say how impressed I am with the consistency of her writing style.  So far the story of this one centers on two men who met on a sex club trying to solve the mysterious disappearance of its club members who are mostly younger men. Walter is a retired cop handling the security of the club and is determined to find out the truth about the missing members. Kevin, a klutzy reporter going undercover is dead set on unraveling the truth about the club. With their combined effort to catch the culprit, Walter and Kevin also developed a deep passion for each other but with some complications. Kevin is closeted and Walter can’t get past their relatively wide age gap.

I loved the fact that Sloan Parker isn’t ageist! (+ points! I love me some older guys) I for one find it so hot whenever the story involves a May-December affair. That’s not weird at all right? Walter Simon is apparently a secondary character in Parker’s “More” novel which I haven’t read and I’m glad that he’s such an interesting character that he got his own story! Kevin Price on the other hand is simply the most adorable character ever! Like seriously, being klutzy and all those boxers are just fucking cute!

It’s nice that the story is quick-paced and does not involve unnecessary dramas (repetitive plot lines prolonging the story just because the author can.) I’m not sure about its second book (I guess it’s about Vargas and Seth – guess I’ll have to see about that). This I promised is worth-every-penny read so get your copy now! Yay!

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

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