Category Archives: Books

Book Review: Full Disclosure – Kindle Alexander

I’ve been eagerly anticipating this one since reading “Double Full,” and I’m sure glad it didn’t disappoint. Not at all.

Deputy US Marshal Mitch Knox is still on the hunt to catch the culprit of the hate crimes he’s been working on for months. While taking some time off from the case in a Dallas bar, he spots the shy and sexy state trooper, Cody Turner. An involvement with Mitch is the last thing Cody needs on his way to reaching his dream of becoming a Texas Ranger. But Mitch is the persistent sort, and he’d do anything to get close to the sexy cowboy, though both are unaware of the looming danger that may threaten more than their careers.

I find it somehow different from the rest of Kindle’s books, but it was a welcome change. Usually, it’s the main couple that really grabs your attention, but this time, there are extra characters that somehow steal the spotlight from them every now and then. Not that it’s a bad thing, since I think it works well with the story. Now it feels like 2015 takes forever to arrive waiting for Aaron and Kreed’s story(?)

Anyhow, this may be a different approach from what we’re used to from the previous books, but being part of a super sexy series, I don’t think there’s any need to fret 🙂 Once again, SUPER AUTHOR Kindle Alexander delivered and provided us avid readers our romantic fix this year (twice now after “Always”), and we’re treated to old and new characters that we’ve come to love.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

Book Review: Barging In – Josephine Myles

via goodreads

via goodreads

After reading some ridiculously good books by Josephine Myles (The Hot Floor, Handle With Care, The First Impressions shorties), I find this one a bit disappointing. Well, I liked Dan’s character here. Something’s missing in this book. I’m not sure if it’s the lack of convincing backstory as to why Robin’s an extremely irritating sod or the “strange” but unsupported characterization of the secondary characters. Plus, the supposed “hot scenes” here aren’t that promising. The last chapter was also was very anti-climactic. I just don’t like it whenever I feel like skipping a page or two in trying to move forward with the story. Arrgghh. I don’t like giving this a low rating but sadly,  it didn’t work for me…

Rating:  2 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Paid In Full – A “Supernatural” Fanfic by nicb0723

via goodreads

via goodreads

I’ve read this “Supernatural” fanfic just right after reading “How To Repair A Mechanical Heart” and I really, really liked it.What with all the fanfic lessons on “…Mechanical Heart,” I suddenly felt old! Yikes!Anyways, this is about Jensen and Jared so let’s get into it shall we? Paid In Full is your regular M/M romance  boy meets boy with a twist story – totally dancing in the world of clicheclub but it’s a wonderful kind of cliche. It’s very light, uber-adorable – oh that ridiculously cute bromance going on between Jensen and Jared is a total mushload of rainbows and unicorns! If you’re up for something feel good and quick… okay that didn’t sound right…lol. Okay so just give it a try since it’s free Okay??

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Here’s the link to download the story: http://archiveofourown.org/works/232505

Book Review: Aidan and Ethan (Seeking Redemption #1) – Cameron Dane

via goodreads

via goodreads

I loved Cameron Dane’s Dreaming In Color. It was heartwarming and wonderfully written. This, however kinda disappoint me a little.

Aidan and Ethan are best of friends who took refuge from each other during their high school days. The day of their graduation, they finally got the courage to tell how they really feel for each other. It turns out that they’ve been in loved with each other for a while now. To Ethan’ surprise and great dismay, Aidan left the day after leaving him distraught and heartbroken without getting any kind of explanation from the other man. Thirteen years later, Aiden is back as the new chief of Redemption’s Fire Department where Ethan works as a volunteer. Aidan swore that he will do everything to make up to Ethan and get back to his life no matter what.

As much as I loved Cameron Dane’s writing in Dreaming In Color, I find this book a bit lackluster in delivery. The romance didn’t deliver the spark that I was looking for between Aidan and Ethan. The plot was a bit “flat” to begin with and I feel like there should’ve been more to it but the author just fell short in pushing a stronger conflict. Don’t get me wrong though, it’s still an a-ok book. I’m just having a hard time finding that same charm and appeal I felt from the first book I’ve read from Mr. Dane.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Cross & Crown (Sidewinder #2) – Abigail Roux

via goodreads

via goodreads

I’m first to admit that I’m not Nick O’Flaherty’s biggest fan because I find his character a bit overbearing especially after his overexposure in Ball & Chain (Cut & Run #8). In Shock & Awe, Nick was okay but it was the irresistible and uber-adorable Kelly Abbott that made my heart melt like Hershey’s. The first Sidewinder book didn’t impressed me much but it was enough to tease me more in anticipation to its second installment that is Cross & Crown.

Now having read the whole thing, I was somehow at a loss. I don’t know whether I should hate the book or not. In Cross & Crown, Nick O’Flaherty was assigned to solve a homicide that involves a witness with amnesia and his boyfriend / former recon teammate Kelly Aboot acting as his consultant in the case. Then there’s ex-CIA hitman Julian Cross (Warrior’s Cross and Armed & Dangerous) all leading them to a web of treasure hunting, Irish mob and well, some unnecessary brouhaha.

The Irish mob connection  with Nick feels a bit forced and almost unlikely with Nick’s rep from the Cut & Run series. It’s just a bit off, good thing he’s actually Irish.

The movie National Treasure was mediocre at best and this books feels like the movie adapted into a book. I really feel bad saying this. I wished I’ve the same love for Nick and Kelly similar to Ty and Zane but of course Ty and Zane are like in a totally different league. (Oh can I just say that Nick’s totally overreacting on Ty, what a drama queen!) I know that this is Nick and Kelly’s adventure but right in this book, Nick was just beyond oversell.

Now, a bit of a good stuff here is we get a glimpse of Tyler and Zane! Yay! We also have Julian of course who is now married to Cameron! These characters actually made the book attractive because seriously, it’s overload with information – fictional or not.

I’d still recommend for people to read it especially my fellow Cut & Run series disciple. This is after all the Sidewinder team – the team of our very own “doll”

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Book Review: The Nothingness Of Ben – Brad Boney

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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.

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

via goodreads

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

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

via goodreads

via goodreads

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

Book Review: Shades Of Gray – Brooke McKinley

via goodreads

via goodreads

 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

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

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via goodreads

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