Category Archives: Books

Book Review: Into Deep Waters – Kaje Harper

Posted on September 21, 2014 | Leave a comment
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via goodreads

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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via Goodreads

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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Book Review: The Darker Side Of Trey Grey – Tara Spears

Posted on September 18, 2014 | Leave a comment
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This book is an unfathomable and almost ominous story recounting the young life of Trey Grey. Sexually abused by his stepfather since he was twelve, Trey has developed an obsessive compulsive disorder and can’t seem to escape his past – now working as a prostitute to support himself while schooling. Heavily burdened by his abusive past, Trey foray into a relationship with Justin – a sweet young man who’s suffering from manic-depressive and anxiety disorder similarly caused by an abuse as a child. Sharing something in common, Trey saw a glimpse of hope of finally moving forward with his life and finding love that will help him escape the darker side of his life.

The book is a stark portrayal of teenage abuse that is quite difficult to swallow because of its gravity. I wasn’t moved to tears by the writing and reading it but it got me awfully mad because I know that these sort of things happens in real life. I loved how the author has offer a lot of “love interest” options for Trey ending it with probably the most suited no matter how unstable the other guy is. I loved that there was no sugar coating in presenting Trey’s flesh gig and ordeal that I could almost feel what’s going in his head.

With an utterly realistic rendition of Trey’s character, this book will take you to that darker side of this young boy’s life and will make you feel hopeful somehow – about things, love, life or just about anything.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Six Degrees of Lust (By Degrees #1) – Taylor V. Donovan

Posted on September 17, 2014 | Leave a comment
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via Goodreads

Now, I’ve to tell you how I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. At first, I was hesitant to give it a go because of its awful book cover but when I started reading it, I can’t seem to stop until I reach its last page. There’s obviously so much about this book having like a gazillion secondary characters which made me almost confused at times. Although sandwiched by tons of supporting characters, I loved that the central characters still have the spotlight for themselves.

Sam’s character can get pretty annoying at times but the funny thing is how he almost always contradicts himself when it comes to Mac that it’s almost adorable. Mac on the other hand is a wet dream personified. I just wished that he’s not such a power bottom for Sam. Oops. LOL

Anyhoo, this is the first book from the “By Degrees” series and yes, the book ain’t finish and sadly – no resolution was concluded with all the amazing characters in it but it was still a very nice read of course. It’s like am appetizer to the main course. Now I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Bad Company (Bad in Baltimore #1) – K.A. Mitchell

Posted on September 16, 2014 | Leave a comment
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This is a book that has so much potential but didn’t quite reach it. Kellan Brooks lost everything when his dad threw him out and cut all of his resources. That’s when he found himself in a gay bar proposing to be the boyfriend of Nate Gray – his childhood best friend who hated him for what he did when they were younger. Despite their troubled past, Nate agreed to Kellan’s plan unaware that it will eventually backfired on him the moment he find himself falling inlove for his “straight” best friend.

Now my main problem with the story is the fact that Kellan is/was supposed to be straight and realized that he’s actually not. I mean, that’s BS right? This doesn’t sit well with me at all. But hey, I didn’t mean to awfully take the story so seriously but I just don’t like that fact that I was really annoyed by it.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Faith & Fidelity (Faith, Love, & Devotion #1) – Tere Michaels

Posted on September 16, 2014 | Leave a comment

21454390New York City Vice Detective Evan Cerelli has lost his wife, the only person he ever loved and slept with. He’s trying to get on with his life, build a life for his children. Former Homicide Detective Matt Haight is a ladies’ man, all sex/no commitment. He’s depressed, having a midlife crisis, and not sure where his life is headed.

The two find friendship in the bottom of a shared bottle. When the friendship turns to love, it shakes two straight men to the core and flips their lives inside out. Kids, families, careers that are not gay-friendly — can all the love in the world overcome the obstacles to faith and fidelity? via Goodreads

I totally enjoyed reading this book for a lot of reason. The writing was exemplary and the characters are very, very interesting – unexpected but interesting. I’m not really buying the “suddenly gay” stuff between Evan and Matt but I’m a firm believer that you cannot choose who you love. Really. Harhar.

I loved how realistic the sex scenes were written as well as the issue with Evan’s in-laws. I’m glad that Tere Michaels didn’t go that way trying to make a fairy tale ending. I thought the ending was just perfect as it is.

This was a rather relaxing and feel good book that will make you smile wistfully and believe in love and second chances.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Shattered Glass – Dani Alexander

Posted on September 15, 2014 | Leave a comment
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via Goodreads

First, can I just say that the title for each chapter were a bit anti-climactic. I thought the writing was really good and the dialogues are spot on. On the downside, Austin’s interesting character does not seem to fit in at all in the story. His lines were genius and were very funny but somehow it felt forced because of the book’s premise.

The “I found out I was gay at 26” didn’t really sit well with me. The Jessie connection with Iss was a bit forced If I may say so. The overprotective nature of Peter was almost a disorder. I’ve also noticed how there’s too many things happening in the story that were rather unnecessary. Overall, it was an a-ok read. A bit slow-paced with uninteresting characters aside from Austin but like what I’ve said, it’s still pretty decent for a book with a very ambitious plot.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

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