Category Archives: Books

Book Review: A Betting Man (Men Of Manhattan Book 1) – Sandrine Gasq-Dion

A Betting Man[Book 1 of Men Of Manhattan Series]

Out on a bet with his best friend Blaine to win the heart of the first person to come through their office door, Kent Samson, an ad exec from a prestigious ad agency in New York never imagined that he’s going to win over Terry Baron’s heart easily and actually fall for the guy himself.       Both of them are keeping secrets and are escaping from their past. But when shit totally hits the fan – will the repercussion be more than they can handle?

I liked that this story was written so flawlessly aiming to be an easy read. It’s fast, fun and the characters are very much likeable. It also set up a lot of characters that we’ll surely be seeing in the upcoming books in the series. I always find it funny trying to separate the distinction of characters that are going “gay-for-one-guy” and claiming “bisexuality.” Or are they simply the same? Anyway, on with the book – I loved that the author made this story unrealistically pleasant – like everyone was so accepting and it’s all rainbows and butterflies. I mean, it’s always good to read something that will make you feel good and actually root for the characters that you’re reading. I’d say this was a really good start of a series.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Book Review: Red Dirt Heart Book 3 – N.R. Walker

23155382This third book is the ultimate Guide on How Not to Drool and Swoon Too Much over Charlie Suttona really, really terrible guide!  O_o

This was just the perfect follow up to the love story of Charlie & Travis! Now that Travis is a permanent fixture at the Sutton Station, everything seems to go perfectly for Charlie as long as he has Travis.

Until Travis had to leave the Station.

Swamped by lot of other stuff, Charlie realized that he’s got to man up at some point even without Travis by his side. Though his heart was totally breaking into pieces…

This is just perfection in every level. Here, we get to see Charlie at his most vulnerable state. His growing and glowing love for Travis was just beyond – it’s so beautiful that it almost hurt. I loved how Charlie now tries to communicate more and be open about his sexuality. I love the development of their relationship and how that affects the people around them.

At the end of the second book, Travis found a baby wombat and I didn’t really care about it until I read this book. I got curious and googled “baby wombat” and it looks like a fat rat mixed with a tiny itty baby bear. So this is what Charlie’s Nugget looks like! It was totally cute how he’s so taken with Nugget which shows more of Charlie’s nurturing nature – so that is not an exclusive Travis trait yeah?

It’s really beautiful how Charlie has changed so much over the course of the series. It’s just a year since he and Travis have been together [in this book] but it feels like it’s been forever! I just totally adored how this series turned out to be so good that it makes you greedy and read more and more about Charlie, Travis and the folks of Sutton Station! Yep, new fan here!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Red Dirt Heart Book 2 – N.R. Walker

22957237“All I could feel was the pulse of our heartbeats where we joined, throbbing and pounding through every fibre in my body. We rocked back and forth, always kissing. And on the cold, cold ground by the flickering warmth of the fire, we made love. The way he held me, the way he looked at me, it was the closest to heaven I’d ever get without dyin’. “

 Now this one I liked very much. When American agronomist Travis Craig arrived in Sutton Station, he never expected to find love through its young owner Charlie Sutton. Six month into their relationship, both men are still trying to figure things out. Travis being the relaxed and the outspoken one feels like Charlie keeps on pushing him away unknowingly. But when Travis was asked to leave the country, Charlie’s stubbornness seemed to skyrocket which also landed into a desperate hope of making the love of his life stay more than anything else – whatever it takes.

 I really did enjoy this one immensely. Here, I get to appreciate more of the book’s secondary characters. I loved the way Travis is pushing Charlie to doing things that he normally won’t do and I loved how Charlie allows Travis to push him into doing ‘em. It was a symbiotic relationship between them. The development in their relationship was beautiful – I loved the flowy storytelling through Charlie’s perspective. His character is such a worryrat but you can really relate to him. I think that’s what’s beautiful about this couple. They’re so easy to love and so easy to relate to.

 Oh, and I loved the way Charlie came out! That was an epic coming out! I was like cheering internally for him! Yay! Go Charlie! And that interview with the immigration – I cried for the first time reading this series. That was like the best scene ever in this book aside from Charlie coming out at the meeting.

 This is definitely a great follow up from the first book and I cannot wait to read the next one. Charlie, Travis and the red dirt of Sutton Station has definitely grown into me. This is a total MUST-READ.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Red Dirt Heart Book 1 – N.R. Walker

20818091Aside from me being a fan of N.R. Walker’s stories, this book was also highly recommended by some friends. I’ve a lot of books on my to-read list and decided to just dive in this series right away due to its raving reviews. I actually liked most things about the book but there are also things which I didn’t like. First thing you need to know is that this story was set in Australia and second, it’s set in a freaking desert in Australia. Charlie Sutton runs the Sutton station on his own [a farm / ranch and is about a million acres 0_o – ikr?] after his father died and was isolated from most of the world [yeah, say almost literally] – life just seemed to go on with a few staff at the station until American agronomy student Travis Craig came into his doorstep and change everything Charlie has ever known.

The feel of the story somehow reminds me of the vibe of Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. The laid-back Marlboro country feel of the red dirt in this side of Australia was almost hypnotic. I loved that N.R. Walker could easily convey that. My concern is the too slow-a-pace of the first half of it. I feel like going through the pages with nothing happening with the characters.  If this was what slow burn is and another definition of underlying sexual tension between Charlie and Travis, I’m all for it but I had a friend inside my brain screaming, “Get on with it already!”

On a more positive note, I loved the couple here. Charlie and Travis are only in their twenties and I liked the fact that they act their age but with maturity. I loved Charlie’s gruff persona and his diarrhea of the mouth was rather funny. Travis is also a beautiful character with his nurturing and sensitive nature. They really balanced out each other well.

Yes, I find the first half of the story dragging itself into this red dirt hole but it picked up and I started to understand (or appreciate) it better. It was some sort of mood building which I thought took longer than necessary but was forgivable.

This first book was about Travis’s introduction to the red dirt harsh environment where Charlie grew up. This was also Charlie feeling alive after the longest time and finally letting go of some of his angst. It was a beautiful start of a promising series. There were minor stuff that didn’t work for me but Charlie and Travis easily made their way to my heart.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Model Love – S.J. Frost

18664798It wasn’t the characters that drowned this story into nothingness but it’s the thinly veiled plot that didn’t deliver its characters the story they deserved. I’m actually very disappointed with it especially after reading the first three books of the Conquest series. I was like, “the same author wrote this right?” – What seriously just happened?

The story simply goes like this – Ian used to be a successful model whose life turned upside down after the death of his twin brother who also happened to be a model. Encourage by his friend and former agent to take some time off from his new day job as a waiter (and from grieving going on three years now) he found himself in Bora Bora with the beautiful islander Temaru who helped him realized a lot of things which includes letting go of his grief, guilt and his heart in order to fall in love again. And sadly folks, it stopped there. They fell in love, Ian got back on his feet and then it ends. I was like, “that’s it?” Yes, the story totally lacks development. It was a lazy novel yes but I think this was simply a fluke on the author’s part given the greatness that is the Conquest series.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Relief Valve – J.L. Merrow

Relief Valve[Book 2 of The Plumber’s Mate Series]

I actually liked the first book better than this installment. I thought the first one was more focused in comparison and a lot funnier. Now that Tom and Phil are officially dating despite their rather unpleasant past, they are now in the stage of really getting to know each other more including their respective families. I really loved how J.L Merrow writes her stories – the usual sarcastic and dry humor was there, the quirky characters and the story most of the time just goes with the characters so smoothly. Tom’s character here is just one of my favorite characters I’ve read from her and it pains me that I didn’t get much from him in this book despite having his character telling the whole thing. Perhaps, I’m just too annoyed with Phil’s character up until now since reading the first book (I think he’s really got it pretty easy) and the way Tom viewed him really irks me. Tom’s a pretty laid back character with a self-deprecating attitude to go with it. Phil, the grumpy detective was rather too shelled for me. I’m still waiting for that moment where I’ll warmed over his character but it didn’t happen in this book. This book isn’t less enjoyable though, even if I liked the first one better. I still love the way their relationship developed. At least there’s something happening yeah? And there’s Tom’s cats – Arthur & Merlin!!! I loved their scenes whenever Tom talks about them. It was a good book, a good follow-up in the series and I’m really looking forward to reading the third installment. I’d like to give Phil the benefit of the doubt 🙂

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Keys To Love – S.J. Frost

8524793[Book 3 of the Conquest Series]

“He’s shown me things I never saw before. We went camping and I peed outside! And we had sex outside, too! Have you ever had sex outside? Of course you have. Look who I’m talking to. But I never had and it was amazing!”

The third installment of this series centers on the band’s keyboardist Julian Forrester and his quest for love. With everyone (aside from Brad) finding their special someone, Julian is feeling left out in the romance department. Then he meets music teacher Morgan Chandler who works as a roadie for their first solo world tour. Morgan have had a crush on Julian for so long prior to him getting the job and getting the opportunity to be near the guy opens a lot of possibility for him. Now, will this encounter turn into something more?

Now see, the beauty of a great story is how an author is able to create an attachment between his characters and his readers. This story like the first two books has that. In this installment, I immediately fell into the charm of Julian and his laidback innocence. I was also easily smitten by Morgan’s sense of responsibility and yeah – he’s a total babe too. LOL

What’s so good about this story is that it was not overly sappy. It’s just right and then there’s the gang. Jesse’s still driving the crazy train (he’s just so adorbs!) and still got that personality we come to love from him. The reason I’m giving this one short of five stars is because I feel that it was prolonged a bit considering its very thin plot. I’ve no serious complaints about that though. It was still, overall a very good read that I’m sure fans of the series would enjoy! I know I did.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Love Lessons – (Love Lessons #1) – Heidi Cullinan

Love Lessons[Book 1 of Love Lessons Series]

Kelly Davidson is a Disney-loving-allergy-magnet freshman who arrived at Hope University thinking he’ll be able to find his Prince Charming and explore his recent outing from the closet.  Then he was roomed with the campus Casanova Walter Lucas who doesn’t believe in fairy tale endings and whose goal is to bag as many guys as possible and just be his happy self.  With the sexual tension building between them, either of them needs to compromise their beliefs. One has to learn the lesson about “true” life and the other needs to realize that true love does exist.

 It’s been awhile since I’ve read something from Heidi Cullinan (not really that long, but about a couple of months or so) and this book just gave me all those beautiful Disney-ish feelings. I just loved the on-the-get-go chemistry between the MCs here. Kelly is too adorable (those blushes!) and so as Walter. There’s something about their easy chemistry that makes me all gooey inside. I loved the fact that they’re so opposite but still manage to be compatible in so many ways. Kelly’s naïve disposition was never annoying in any way. It’s actually a bit refreshing. His character reminds me a bit of Connor Owens from Sara Alva’s Social Skills only because they’re both too innocent but Kelly’s character’s way ahead of Connor and much, much better.  Walter on the other hand was just disgustingly endearing. He’s cocky, strong, out and proud but deep inside he’s actually got some issues but he doesn’t show it to the world at large. Only the closest knows all about them and I loved how he’s somewhat best friend with his professor and also opened up with Kelly. I loved his vulnerability because it makes you want to take care of him even more. Behind his Casanova façade laid a sensitive and somehow lonely boy with abandonment issues. I think he’s one of my favorite Heidi Cullinan characters.

 The way this story was told through the perspective of both MCs was also a welcome delight. I loved the fact that they have family issues but the author didn’t see the need to drag it further where some author will milk it until the story bleeds to oblivion. This is what I really liked about Heidi Cullinan. There’s some sense of reality in her stories. There’s a certain reality grasp that readers will be able to relate more intimately. I’d really love to read more about this couple and as this is a start of a new series from the author, I’d definitely go grab the next book! This is truly a must-read series!

 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Book Review: No Fear – S.J. Frost

7743539[Book 2 of the Conquest Series]

Wow. What an incredible follow up to Jesse and Evan’s story. In this second installment of the Conquest series, the author introduced a bunch of secondary characters – some interesting; the others are flat out ridiculous.  Anyway, the story goes on for our beloved couple [the superstar couple]. Jesse’s still cocky as hell and Evan’s still incredibly stoic and overly attentive towards Jesse. This book is basically their coming out story. I honestly can’t at these two. I love how the whole dealio about stupid Trish was finally put to rest. Gosh, that girl is exhausting. She totally grated on my nerves. What I also appreciate in this sequel is how more carefree Jesse is. He’s acting a bit childish at times but he’s still funny at the same time – childish in a good way is all I’m saying. He’s definitely a character I’d remember for a long time.

I loved how solid this sequel is despite the many dynamics that open with different characters involved.  The story is definitely meatier. I actually find it ridiculous that it’s just only now that I discovered this series. I’d definitely go check out the rest of it what with the first two being so great and all.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Something Like Summer The Movie: Introducing Davi Santos As Tim Wyman!

Davi Santos

Yassss!!! I’m so stoked to finally know the actor who will be playing one of my favorite book characters of all time. The movie adaptation of Jay Bell’s bestselling young adult romance novel Something Like Summer has revealed its last main cast which already includes Austin McKenzie (L.A.’s sold-out Spring Awakening) as Ben, Ben Baur (Logo TV’s Hunting Season) as Jace, Ajiona Alexus (TVOne’s The Rickey Smiley Show) as Allison and just last night – Davi Santos as TIM WYMAN!!! It’s was a great cast overall and I couldn’t wait to actually see the chemistry between Davi and Austin.

Austin McKenzie, Davi Santos, Ben Baur, Ajiona Alexus

Austin McKenzie, Davi Santos, Ben Baur, Ajiona Alexus

For all of you guys who haven’t read or at least heard about Something Like Summer – it tells the story of the relationship of Ben Bentley (Austin McKenzie) and Tim Wyman (Davi Santos) over the course of a dozen years, starting when they get together in high school, go their separate ways, then try for a second chance, only to face the worst kind of failure.

The novel won widespread praise from readers on Amazon.com (4.6 stars out of 5), Apple’s iBookstore (4.5 stars) and Goodreads (4.2 stars). 

Something Like Summer

click the image to buy your copy of the book (available on kindle, audiobook and paperback edition)

Written with sincere honesty and relatable characters, you’d surely enjoy this book and take the journey with Ben and Tim.

Now on to the film adaptation again,  you can help bring Jay Bell’s acclaimed young adult novel & Davi to the screen as Tim Wyman by contributing to the $100K Indiegogo campaign before it concludes this coming Sunday. Please share with all your friends http://igg.me/at/likesummer  

imagery and youtube pitch c/o jaybellbooks.com / indiegogo.com