Author Archives: paddylastinc

Book Review: The Prince and His Bedeviled Bodyguard (Paranormal Princes #1) by Charlie Cochet

Posted on July 1, 2021 | Leave a comment

This was a cute little read. There’s this cute world building, almost like a cutesy version of Once Upon A Time but where there is a fairy tale world and the real life merging. Did I say cute? lol Okay, so it’s just over a hundred pages, with Owin, an ocelot shifter and his assigned bodyguard Grimm, a wolf-shifter exchanging banter all throughout the story.

At first, I was just annoyed with Owin’s acting like a little diva towards Grimm every now and then but I appreciate his growth over the course of his whole ‘quest’ – something that he needs to fulfill to show his worth as one of the crowned Princes of this Shifter World led by the naughty king of all shifters, Alarick.

What I loved most about the story is that it’s cute and quick. Initially Owin and Grimm’s banter felt a bit too much but since everything feels like happening simultaneously, there’s no room to overthink it. It isn’t as memorable as the other stories and characters from the author but I guess, not everything is on THIRDS level.

I do love the epilogue though. It was sweet and funny. I’d still recommend this one for some light and fun reading and I’d most likely be reading the next story in the series.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Kindle Edition, 154 pages
Published September 19th 2019

About the Author
Charlie Cochet is the international bestselling author of the THIRDS series. Born in Cuba and raised in the US, Charlie enjoys the best of both worlds, from her daily Cuban latte to her passion for classic rock.

Currently residing in Central Florida, Charlie is at the beck and call of a rascally Doxiepoo bent on world domination. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found devouring a book, releasing her creativity through art, or binge watching a new TV series. She runs on coffee, thrives on music, and loves to hear from readers.

Please also note that this blog is reader-supported. When you buy through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission.

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AmiAmi English Twitter’s 10th Anniversary Campaign!!!

Posted on July 1, 2021 | Leave a comment

July 2021 is the start of AmiAmi English Twitter Account’s 10th year and they are giving away 10,000 AmiAmi Points (10,000JPY worth) to 10 lucky winners in a campaign draw! Below are the rules on how you can participate while the campaign is still running!

AmiAmi is one of my trusted online shop for anime figures and other merch, and if you haven’t read my review / tips on how to use their website, do read it here: Ordering Anime Figures from AmiAmi. Best of luck!

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Book Review: Pretenders by Alexa Land

Posted on June 30, 2021 | Leave a comment

Okay, so let me tell you first that I love me some fake boyfriend trope, and if there’s one author who could deliver it for me, it’s going to be Alexa Land. Her Tinder Chronicles is probably one of the best in the genre, and her First and Forever series is such a comfort read for me. Pretenders is no different. This is classic Alexa Land.

Wes needed someone to go to the wedding of his ex-boyfriend who’s marrying his big brother *gasp* I know! I’m like –why would you do that to yourself? Anyway, so he decided to hire an escort to play the part. Then comes Ash, who’s not an escort but is the escort’s friend who decided to offer the job to him instead.

I just loved this couple. From their very first meeting, there’s already that spark between them, and the way they’re the opposite of each other made their ‘pretend relationship’ even sweeter in the face of Wes’ nasty family. ‘Loved that Ash played the part well and is always on Wes’ defense. I was just a bit annoyed by how passive Wes’ was towards his family, but yeah, that’s just me.

This was an easy read. It will not spoil anything, but you’d love how Wes and Ash’s relationship didn’t get too complicated throughout their agreement because they acted like the adult they are. It’s just fun, it’s funny, and it was so good seeing Nana and her crew too! I thought I was long over her whole gay shenanigans, but apparently, I still find the gang extremely adorable! If you’re looking for a quick and entertaining read, then this book should do the job.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Kindle Edition, 222 pages
Published May 29th 2021

About The Author
I write and independently publish M/M love stories. My best-selling Firsts and Forever series includes: Way Off Plan, All In, In Pieces, Gathering Storm, Salvation, Skye Blue, Against the Wall and Belonging etc…

I’ve also published Feral, a paranormal M/M romance, and The Tinder Chronicles, a paranormal trilogy.

For more information, please visit my blog at:http://alexalandwrites.blogspot.com/ Follow me on Twitter @AlexaLandWrites or find me on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?…

Please also note that this blog is reader-supported. When you buy through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission.

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Book Review: Code Red by N.R. Walker

Posted on June 29, 2021 | Leave a comment

Code Red follows the story of Maddox Kershaw, frontman for the mega superstar band Atrous. It is narrated by Roscoe Hall, one of the band’s managers (Maddox’s “personal” manager), who happens to be in love with Maddox and vice versa.

The book mainly focuses on the behind-the-scenes of one of the most famous acts in the world, the pressure of always being on top, of always being perfect, and delivering the goods to their fans. It also touched heavily on the mental health of Maddox, who happens to be the Beyoncé of the group.

The book was written in a single POV, which was very surprising, rather refreshing because it’s been ages since I’ve read something with a single POV character, much more from the author. I don’t hate that it was just narrated by Roscoe, but I would’ve liked to know what Maddox was thinking or really get a feel of his voice.

I loved that the author focuses heavily on mental health. What’s happening to Maddox was quite harrowing, so that’s a bit difficult to read. (This book came out when the #FreeBritney movement was finally vindicated after Britney Spears herself revealed to the world how awful her conservatorship has been for the last 13 years and is a big fan, I was horrified to no end, and I could only imagine the fame and this whole brouhaha taking a toll on her mental health) It’s the reality. No one is exempted from suffering from mental health issues.

Another thing that I liked about the story is that there are no villains here and no unnecessary drama concerning our main characters. The development of their relationship was relatively quick since it happens in the first part of the book, so it feels secondary to Maddox’s issues.

If there is something I didn’t like much about this, it’s probably Maddox’s interaction with his bandmates because it was pretty repetitive. Their group dynamics were very positive but not exciting. Outside of Maddox, I didn’t get a feel for the rest of the band. They’re secondary characters if you know what I mean.

I loved the epilogue, and I thought it’s sweet. I loved the less-to-no conflict structure of the story, and I appreciate the subject matter very much because it’s very relevant. It’s not one of my top five favorites from the author, but I thought it’s a good read overall.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Kindle Edition, 404 pages
Published June 24th 2021

About The Author
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn’t have it any other way. She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who live in her head, who don’t let her sleep at night unless she gives them life with words.

She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things… but likes it even more when they fall in love.

She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal. She’s been writing ever since.

Please also note that this blog is reader-supported. When you buy through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission.

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Pride News: History Maker Kataluna Enriquez, first Trans Woman to represent Nevada in Miss USA 2021!

Posted on June 28, 2021 | Leave a comment

There are so many groundbreaking things that happened this year within our community but since I am also a big fan of beauty pageants, I thought I should share the history-making feat of Kataluna Enriquez – the first transwoman to win the Miss Nevada title, and is set to represent the state in the Miss USA pageant later this year.

Filipino-American Transgender woman Enriquez wore this rainbow-inspired gown and bested 21 other candidates from the state to win the coveted title!

If she wins the Miss USA title in November, she will become the second transgender woman to participate in the Miss Universe beauty pageant after Spain’s Angela Ponce competed in 2018. Way to go sis!!! Congratulations!

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Book Review: Upside Down by N.R. Walker

Posted on June 28, 2021 | Leave a comment

Blurb: Jordan O’Neill isn’t a fan of labels, considering he has a few. Gay, geek, librarian, socially awkward, a nervous rambler, an introvert, an outsider. The last thing he needs is one more. But when he realises adding the label asexual might explain a lot, it turns his world upside down.? ?
Hennessy Lang moved to Surry Hills after splitting with his boyfriend. His being asexual had seen the end of a lot of his romances, but he’s determined to stay true to himself. Leaving his North Shore support group behind, he starts his own in Surry Hills, where he meets first-time-attendee Jordan.?
?A little bewildered and scared, but completely adorable, Hennessy is struck by this guy who’s trying to find where he belongs. Maybe Hennessy can convince Jordan that his world hasn’t been turned upside down at all, but maybe it’s now—for the first time in his life—the right way up.

Upside Down is another delightful story from N.R. Walker and we get asexual characters in it – yasss representation! Maybe I’m not just reading enough books with asexual characters, but I loved it when one of my favorite authors does it!

The characters here are all-so-interesting. We’re all given little backstories, including the supporting characters that do not distract us from the main characters themselves.

Here, we have the adorable, geeky, not-in-a-annoying-way-no-filter funny Jordan O’Neill. He also happens to be cute and loves wearing matching outfits! Did I say adorable?! He’s just so squishy! Do you get what I mean? He’s just so cute and ADORABLE!

Hennessy, on the other hand, is the perfect opposite of Jordan. They complement each other so well. I loved his calm demeanor and how he’s so patient and understanding with Jordan. I think we all need a Hennessy in our lives when we’re trying to decompressed and not worry about anything in the world.

I do love the cute bus meet-ups and the Soup crew – it’s just so freaking adorable! I mean, that’s a rom-com movie scene right there, and I’d be eavesdropping the hell out of them too!

I do love the author’s sensitivity here, what with Jordan’s freak-out on whether he is asexual or not. I loved how the author addresses Jordan’s issue here. From the get-go, it was apparent that he’d freak out sooner or later, but it was just very nice how the author paced it.

The epilogue is just pure love. Where can I get someone like Jordan or Hennessy? Love the conclusion of the story and their friends’ ménage à trois too! I’m wondering if the author would have the time to write something about them too because that’d be very interesting to read(I won’t be dropping the characters’ names, but they are amazing too).

This is another solid story from N.R. Walker – just entertaining, charming, and very enlightening in a way. Just read it y’all! ❤

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Kindle Edition, 251 pagesPublished March 19th 2019

About The Author
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn’t have it any other way. She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who live in her head, who don’t let her sleep at night unless she gives them life with words.

She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things… but likes it even more when they fall in love.

She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal. She’s been writing ever since.

Please also note that this blog is reader-supported. When you buy through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission.

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Book Review: Farview by Kim Fielding

Posted on June 16, 2021 | Leave a comment

Blurb: Ravaged by a horrific experience, Oliver Webb flees the smog-bound city of Greynox for a quiet seaside village and the inheritance he’s never seen: a cottage called Farview. He discovers clear skies, friendly imps, and a charming storyteller named Felix Corbyn.

With help from Felix’s tales, Oliver learns surprising secrets about his family history and discovers what home really means. But with Felix cursed, Oliver growing deathly ill, and an obligation in Greynox hanging heavy around his neck, it seems that not even wizards can save the day.

Still, as Felix knows, stories are the best truths and the most powerful magic. Perhaps the right words might yet conjure a chance for happiness.

This story is simply beautiful! This is the 24th Kim Fielding story that I’ve read and loved! I just loved the imagery this story conjured up; I could see the vivid landscape of the cottage and its glorious view of the sea, smell the sunshine, feel the storm, hear the chirping of the imps. This book was magical, poetic, and haunting altogether.

I loved the character the author created in Felix, so charming that you’d want nothing hurting him. His whole demeanor also feels magical, which is ironic because his ‘curse’ is supposedly an anti-magic one.

Oliver’s character, on the other hand, isn’t like Felix. His disposition was shaped by his surroundings growing up with an absent father (and mother since she died when he was two), a slew of nannies by his side, and a life that isn’t going anywhere until he decided to claim a cottage he inherited near a fishing village.

I adored watching Felix and Oliver’s relationship develop; though Oliver was resisting at first due to his illness, I thought it was sweet, it was heartbreaking at times, and you’ll root for them. You see, they’ve gone through a lot, individually. You can feel their sadness, but they are still hopeful, especially Felix, who is the “spirit” of the village.

I also loved the people of the village. They all have unique characterizations as they add more flavor to the story. I loved the stories of Felix recounting the history of the town and its people. I also loved Julian and Kit, the main character from the first book of the series, Treasure. I haven’t read the first book, but I am now very excited to read it because they seem to be very interesting and the whole vibe of the setting is just absolutely fantastic.

Farview is a beautiful contemporary story, which I would categorize in the fairy tale genre. The writing, as usual, was very descriptive and consistent with the mood of the book, which I’ve already expected from one of my favorite authors. It is a definite must-read!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Kindle Edition, 268 pages
Published June 10th 2021 by Tin Box Press

About the Author
Kim Fielding lives in California and travels as often as she can manage. A professor by day, at night she rushes into a phone booth to change into her author costume (which involves comfy clothes instead of Spandex and is, sadly, lacking a cape). Her superpowers include the ability to write nearly anywhere, often while simultaneously doling out assistance to her family. Her favorite word to describe herself is “eclectic” and she finally got that fourth tattoo.

Please also note that this blog is reader-supported. When you buy through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission.

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Book Review: Integrity by Willow Scarlett

Posted on June 15, 2021 | Leave a comment

Blurb: Tyler Kostritch is famous for his integrity. It’s just a pity he’s lying to everyone.
Ty gave up a promising MMA career to focus on his band. As the frontman of Proletarian Yell, he’s famous for the aggression and brutal honesty of his live performances… all while hiding in the closet, and never risking relationships.
After years of hard work, Proletarian Yell finally have their big break: a tour with the hottest metal band around. It’s the best thing to ever happen to Ty.
Until he meets Hale.

“We’re real. We’re part of a movement. You’re just a boy band playing dress-up.”
Hale Tahmid, vocalist of the staggeringly-popular Funeral Kiss, is everything Ty’s not: Showy, flirty, openly gay. Hale’s the quintessential rock star from his staggering good looks to his attention-craving love of social media.
The two bands couldn’t be more different, and their vocalists are opposites. They clash from the moment they meet, a constant verbal sparring and battle of personalities.

But they can’t ignore their extreme attraction. Hale’s passionate and ruthlessly dedicated, facing Ty in a way the ex-fighter never imagined. The temptation is too right to resist.

“I’m nobody’s dirty secret.”
Ty lives in a castle of lies that would come crashing down if he came out. He’d risk losing his band, his family, and everything he’s worked for.

How can Ty choose between his love and the music he’s built his world around?!

One of the things that Tyler was so hung up with is that ‘some gay people aren’t gay enough because they aren’t showing it’ – I was like, “dude, move on already. You keep on repeating yourself.” I find him very irritating initially, but he kind of grew on me. Hale, meanwhile, is one fantastic character! He’s fun, flashy, and very much relatable. I loved the diversity of the author’s characters in her books (so far, I’ve only read this and Coin Tricks), and I loved learning so much about their culture – this time, a bit of Bangladeshi culture. I think it’s essential that authors explore diversity with their characters because it makes their stories more interesting, realistic, and getting the feeling of inclusiveness.

A very well-written story and a definite must-read if you’ve enjoyed Coin Tricks. (Read my review of Coin Tricks here)

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Kindle Edition, 140 pagesPublished May 12th 2016

About The Author
Willow Scarlett is a queer romance writer from New Zealand. In early 2015, she quit city life and moved to a ski hut at the foot of Mt Doom. She now happily lives and writes in a tiny town which is home to more alpacas than people.
Her greatest joy is in creating holistic romances, bringing characters through friendship and lust to consuming, eye-opening, world-fulfilling love. Her stories often feature punks, rebels and outcasts. Willow is an avid jogger and cyclist, a neocrust violinist and an enthusiastic fan of horror movies.

Please also note that this blog is reader-supported. When you buy through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission.

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Book Review: Given to the Beast by Adam Charles

Posted on June 14, 2021 | Leave a comment

This one was quite enjoyable. My initial guess about Kyro turns out to be wrong. I was thinking of shapeshifter and the likes, but apparently, it’s way beyond our world; there’s no way for him to return there, which is sad. So, he’s become lonely. Enter Michael, who volunteered to save his village because apparently, he is the most “viable” candidate. Little did he know that his out-of-this-world mate-to-be will change his life forever – for good.


I loved how he gets Kyro’s quirks and encourages him to show himself to the villagers and somehow try to change their views about him. It’s a lovely read, again, too short for me but as I’ve said, very much enjoyable! Oh, and yes – I was hoping for an MPREG route, so I was a bit disappointed that it didn’t go that way. All good, though.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Kindle Edition, 76 pages
Published August 16th 2015 by Laud Love Press

About the Author
Adam Charles lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He did this for the man who helped him come out of the closet, and despite his hatred of snow, it has been completely worth it.

Please also note that this blog is reader-supported. When you buy through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission.

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Book Review: Big Love by Rick R. Reed

Posted on June 14, 2021 | Leave a comment

Summary: Teacher Dane Bernard is a gentle giant, loved by all at Summitville High School. He has a beautiful wife, two kids, and an easy rapport with staff and students alike. But Dane has a secret, one he expects to keep hidden for the rest of his life—he’s gay. But when he loses his wife, Dane finally confronts his attraction to men.

A new teacher, Seth Wolcott, immediately catches his eye. Seth is also starting over, licking his wounds from a breakup, and the last thing Seth wants is another relationship—but when he spies Dane on his first day at Summitville High, his attraction is immediate and electric.

As the two men enter into a dance of discovery and new love, they’re called upon to come to the aid of bullied gay student Truman Reid. Truman is out and proud, which not everyone at his small-town high school approves of. As the two men work to help Truman ignore the bullies and love himself without reservation, they all learn life-changing lessons about coming out, coming to terms, acceptance, heartbreak, and falling in love.

Sadly, the multiple POVs didn’t work for me because as I started to get a feel of the character or at least about to enjoy that particular moment by the character, it will immediately be cut off by the succeeding timeline with a different character’s POV altogether. This also feels like there are two separate stories between Dane and Seth’s relationship and Truman’s struggles at school. I guess the story didn’t develop the way I expected it to. I thought there was a lack of focus on the struggles of each character, making the story flat as a result. I think it’s still an okay read – I may not just be the right audience for it.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

ebook, Published May 18th 2020 by NineStar Press (first published April 4th 2016)

About the Author
Rick R. Reed is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than fifty works of published fiction. He is a Lambda Literary Award finalist. Entertainment Weekly has described his work as “heartrending and sensitive.” Lambda Literary has called him: “A writer that doesn’t disappoint…” Find him at http://www.rickrreedreality.blogspot.com. Rick lives in Palm Springs, CA, with his husband, Bruce, and their two rescue dogs, Kodi and Joaquin.

You can also like Rick on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/rickrreedbooks or on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/rickrreed. Rick always enjoys hearing from readers and answers all e-mails personally. Send him a message at rickrreedbooks@gmail.com

Please also note that this blog is reader-supported. When you buy through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission.

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