Category Archives: Books

Review: St. Nacho’s (St. Nacho’s #1) – Z.A. Maxfield

Posted on September 14, 2014 | Leave a comment
via Goodreads

via Goodreads

Reading this book was like watching The Hurt Locker, it was told through Cooper’s perspective – an ex-Juilliard student who’s trying to escape his past that led him to St.Nacho’s – a popular gay bar in California. There, he met Shawn, the beautiful deaf bus boy who showed him something that renewed his belief in love and forgiveness. But his past came gnawing at him that took him back to where all the dark demons of his life started.

The book was painfully slow-paced and the tone of the narration was too depressing – as in all throughout the book! This is my third book by Maxfield and the writing was totally different from the first two books I’ve read from her. This first book from the St.Nacho’s series felt a bit too detached in comparison.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Leave a comment

Posted in Books

Tagged , ,

Book Review: Drawn Together – Z.A. Maxfield

Posted on September 14, 2014 | Leave a comment
via Goodreads

via Goodreads

This one has the characters pattern comparable to “Crossing Borders” and the sudden realization of one’s sexuality. I thought the MC’s here are interesting enough that made me go on with the story. I also believe that Ms.Maxfield have this fetish on long-haired, frail beautiful boys and they’s actually pretty hot so bonus points for the author! LOL

The latter part was a bit slow-paced that it almost tested my patience but I went through it just to see how Yamane and Rory will end up (I keep wondering what Rory’s real name is)

Overall, the book has got some loopholes but the author was able to maintain the smooth sequencing of the story.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Leave a comment

Posted in Books

Tagged , ,

Book Review: Crossing Borders – Z.A. Maxfield

Posted on September 13, 2014 | Leave a comment
via Goodreads

via Goodreads

Crossing Borders is a pleasantly written story that centers on Tristan coming to terms with his sexuality and his unexpected journey to love with Police officer Michael Truax. Like what I’ve mentioned, this was a very pleasant book with a very fluid story and realistic dialogues. Although the ending was a bit weak, the simplicity of the story was rather nice that made the book a very good read altogether.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Leave a comment

Posted in Books

Tagged , ,

Book Review: Daylight Again (Hell or High Water #3) – S.E. Jakes

Posted on September 13, 2014 | Leave a comment
via Goodreads

via Goodreads

In Daylight Again, more ghosts from Prophet’s past are presenting themselves to be dealt with. This time, it is with the help of his lover Tom Bodreaux. Together, along with Prophet’s old NAVY SEAL team and another mercenary who’s been following him for years, they are to face more adversaries to finally heal some wounds and discover more secrets that will either make or break Tom and Prophet’s relationship and the people around them.

Written in similar fashion as the second book, this one has considerably increased the thrill factor of the series. Each character were introduced well and it’s not as slow-paced as the first book. One thing I disliked about it though is the confusing sequencing every now and then.  The editing kinda throws you off at some point. Overall though, I thought the series is getting better. I’m actually excited to read the follow up fourth book and yes, I’ll stop comparing it to the Cut and Run series J

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Leave a comment

Posted in Books

Tagged , , , , ,

Book Review: Long Time Gone (Hell or High Water #2) – S.E. Jakes

Posted on September 12, 2014 | Leave a comment
via Goodreads

via Goodreads

As a follow up to “Catch A Ghost” from the Hell Or High Water series, Long Time Gone focuses on Tom Boudreaux as he finally faces his tumultuous past. Set in New Orleands in the middle of a hurricane, Tom found himself arrested for murder and with his partner Prophet helping to clear his name. With death and past ghosts on their feet, Tom and Prophet realized that there’s actually a lot more that they have to do to neither one of them expected to be confronted with.

I’m actually glad that this one made up for the rather “bland” mood of the first book in the series – plot wise. Prophet and Tom’s story has gotten better and here, the sequencing is much more organized. I also loved the fact that it’s not very predictable this time and there is an element of surprise, though, I still couldn’t get over how similar this was to Cut & Run. I know it’s unfair of me to compare both series but hey, I’m on the third book which means I’m actually starting to like the series after all.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Leave a comment

Posted in Books

Tagged , , , ,

Book Review: Catch a Ghost (Hell or High Water #1) – S. E. Jakes

Posted on September 11, 2014 | Leave a comment
via Goodreads

via Goodreads

I’ve had this book on my to read list for a few months now and I’m sure glad that I’ve taken the time to read it during one of my downtime days. It’s the first book from the Hell Or High Water series that centers on Prophet Drews – a former Navy SEAL, used to work for CIA and is now employed as a mercenary at Extreme Escapades LTD. Tasked in a case involving the “ghosts” from his past, he was assigned a new partner by the name of Tom Bodreaux – an ex-FBI agent, a voodoo stuff believer and one who also keeps the demons of his past at bay. Together, they are to wage their way into the world of cage fighting that led to the dark past of Prophet. Now, both are fighting their way to escape those ghosts and the attachment they had through all these.

These type of books are what I’m into recently especially after reading the Cut & Run series which is by far my favorite LIKE EVER. Now with “Catch A Ghost” there’s this awfully distinct similarity of its character to Tyler and Zane’s character from the Cut & Run series. And if I’m being honest, it almost read like a copycat. There’s also this disconnect from Prophet and Tom – they are not that likeable at all. The book tends to be confusing as hell especially with all the excessive flashbacks of Prophet. There’s too many things happening in the book and too many characters that it’s almost hard to catch up. I’m not giddy about reading its second book but I’m still going to give it a chance to redeem Prophet and Tom’s adventure – perhaps it’s the piercing that got ME more than the story. LOL

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Leave a comment

Posted in Books

Tagged , , , ,

Book Review: Take Me Home – Sloan Parker

Posted on September 10, 2014 | Leave a comment
via Goodreads

via Goodreads

The concept of the book was relatively old – best friends who have feelings for each other but were afraid to admit because they don’t want to ruin the friendship. It’s actually a fairly good foundation for Kyle and Evan’s story to develop throughout the book only if it didn’t feel a bit of a drag midway. The “journal” angle was very much welcomed because it gave the story a very melancholic feel about it. So in perspective, the book provided a rather solid ending despite the unnecessary and prolonged scenes in the lot.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Leave a comment

Posted in Books

Tagged , ,

Book Review: Dreaming In Color – Cameron Dane

Posted on September 10, 2014 | Leave a comment
via Goodreads

via Goodreads

I’ve had this book on my to-read-list for like the longest time and I can’t believe that I’ve waited so long to have a go in it. The book was wonderfully written and I’m rather pleased that my preconceived idea about it was proven wrong.

The sight of the red door saves Colin Baxter in his dream, but very quickly a man appears and the dream becomes a thing of raw sexual need with a person Colin can’t identify. He just knows the man needs him, and Colin aches to find and heal his lover…even if the man doesn’t really exist.

Marek Donovan just wants to be left alone to lick his wounds and recover from a terrible loss. The rundown house in Fiji suits his minimal needs just fine. He doesn’t want to face the world again, and on a small, secluded island figures he’s safe from everyone and everything. Particularly guilt from his past.

Dreams of this nameless man and his house plague Colin for two years, but he’s come to care about his phantom lover so deeply he doesn’t want them to end. Then Colin visits Fiji and comes face-to-face with the house from his visions, prompting him to believe these dreams just might be his destiny.

Colin knocks on the door, determined to find answers. What he finds is a man he already knows. via Goodreads

The setting in Fiji was beautifully imagined and it’s such a great but ironic backdrop for the rather painful pasts of Colin and Marek. It’s a novel that feels like it came out of a movie first. The history behind the house, Colin’s dream, Payton’s death and all – it’s such  a perfect script for a movie which somehow rendered the novel a bit cliche but the good kind of cliche.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Leave a comment

Posted in Books

Tagged , ,

Book Review: Special Delivery (Special Delivery #1) – Heidi Cullinan

Posted on September 9, 2014 | Leave a comment
via Goodreads

via Goodreads

After raving so much about “Nowhere Ranch” and “Dance With Me,” I maybe a bit underwhelmed with this book or it’s simply not just me thing. As I’ve mentioned, I’m not exactly big on bdsm-themed story but I’ve no problem with the subject. The threesome just made me a bit uncomfortable that I caught myself skipping a page or two at the latter part of the book. Don’t get me wrong though, the book was written beautifully but aside from the bdsm aspect of it, there’s just too much sex in it. It’s like 80% sex and the story’s fine and all but I wished there was more “meat” into it. It’s almost pornographic but it’s not because there is still a sense of connection there especially with Mitch’s character. Now I’m not sure if reading the succeeding book in the series would be a good idea soon. So there, if you’re not squeamish like me about group sex and some bdsm stuff, dive in and give this book a go.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars 

Leave a comment

Posted in Books

Tagged , ,

Book Review: The Death Cure (The Maze Runner #3) – James Dashner

Posted on September 8, 2014 | Leave a comment
via goodreads

via goodreads

In this final book of The Maze Runner Trilogy, a lot of things have been revealed including the horrors of the Flare, the “Underworld /The Walking Dead” vibe is back and the fate of the characters we’ve come to love from the first book. Those who survived the scorch trials were given a choice to get their memory back (now that apparently all the tests have been completed) and discover the truth about themselves and the world as it is now. That includes Thomas who vehemently refused the offer. Eventually learning that he’s really got no choice in the matter, Thomas devices a plan to escape the WICKED facility and travel to the walled city where the virus was “rumored” to be contained. In the hopes of discovering the cure, Thomas and his remaining ally blended in the city which was eventually overrun by the infected ones. This led to a decision where Thomas has to sacrifice for a cure or sacrifice the lives of people he care about or the world entire that is.

With a conclusion as emotionally charged as this, I can’t help but cry after Thomas had to keep his promise with one of his ally. That was beyond heartbreaking and I think is one of the highlights of the book. The survivors of both mazes came full circle when they returned back to the maze (glade). That particular scene was so riveting that it’s almost depressing. I didn’t quite expect the ending to be like that but I find it pleasant and somehow almost too ideal. There was just too many loves loss and if they (WICKED) could actually create / isolate a safe haven to begin with, such casualties should’ve been avoided. I was thinking all throughout the ending, whatever happened to that bitch who keep sending those e-mails? Oh hell, this one’s a pretty good ending, is all I’m saying. One of the best series I’ve read in a while in this genre.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Leave a comment

Posted in Books

Tagged , , ,