I just did. You can vote for up to ten ladies daily via fhm.com.ph but you’ve to register first.
Results of the poll will be publish on July 2016!
I just did. You can vote for up to ten ladies daily via fhm.com.ph but you’ve to register first.
Results of the poll will be publish on July 2016!
Date of Publication: March 4, 2015
Genre and Themes: LGBTQ Contemporary Romance
Format: 176 pages, ebook
Publisher: Self-Published via Createspace
ISBN: 9781507840719
Cover Artist: Garrett Leigh
Characters: Leo, Tristan, Edwin
Passing Through is a predictable story but in a good way. Leo is a workaholic from London who found himself driving to Cornwall to spend some time with his beloved uncle Edwin whose days are numbered due to cancer. There he meets Tristan, a friend of Edwin who’s lodging and fixing up the latter’s cottage. They got to know each other and soon found themselves exploring each other’s body and history. At the end of the day, the question still remains unanswered between them – what are they willing to give up for love and happiness?
Passing Through is one of those books that doesn’t leave much of an impression long after reading it. It is however, a book that is technically well-written. That may not sound enticing at all but I think a lot of people will really enjoy how Jay Northcote went back to basics and dish out a story that is not embedded with complicated plot lines, unbelievable twists that doesn’t make sense and some loopholes that the author totally forgotten to address by the end of the story. This book isn’t like that.
There’s beauty in simplicity and Jay Northcote was able to present that in this story. I liked the angle concerning Edwin and his secret but found it a bit too much at times. The parallelism dragged the story a bit in my opinion. The whole story just revolves around these three guys which I thought was okay but I won’t mind a tiny bit of drama. It is not my favourite from Jay Northcote but it’s definitely still worth reading.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
About The Author
Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England, with her husband, two children, and two cats. She comes from a family of writers, but she always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed her by. She spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.
One day, she decided to try and write a short story—just to see if she could—and found it rather addictive. She hasn’t stopped writing since.
Jay writes contemporary gay romance about men who fall in love with other men, usually set in or near her home town of Bristol. She enjoys the challenge of bringing the men in her head to life through her words. Jay has five books published by Dreamspinner Press, and she also publishes her own titles under the imprint Jaybird Press. Some of her books are now available as audiobooks.
Date of Publication: July 24, 2015
Genre and Themes: LGBTQ, Romance, Family Drama
Format: 330 pages, ebook
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
ISBN: 9781634763738
Cover Art: AngstyG.
Characters: Henry Hood, Sam Rakestraw, Ishmael Hood
Get Your Shine On obviously has the formula taken from the author’s The Sugar Tree series because of its setting in the South and the couple with a kid but it actually has its very own charm with humor that is so spot on, commentaries’ so blunt they’ll make you flinch and characters so vibrant its feels like you’re actually living their lives. I just loved everything about it! There are some plot points in the story that were a bit predictable but in a way that feels so natural to the story.
I loved Sam and Henry’s relationship! It’s quite realistic and I loved how they have their own careers and are making a home together and not caring one bit about the nasty naysayers in their little hometown. Oh, how I absolutely adore Ishy!!! What a sweetheart! I just want to adopt him! He’s a bit slow on the uptake sure but he’s still a kid after all and I loved how his voice was so consistent all throughout the story. It was easily predictable why he’s like that but at the same time, it’s still a bit horrifying to actually read it!
I enjoyed how fast-paced the story was and how each character made an impact in the story. And that beautiful, heartwarming ending was just beyond! Just perfection!
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
About Nick Wilgus
I sold my first short story to The Horror Show Magazine at the age of seventeen and I’ve been writing ever since.
From murder mysteries to romantic comedies featuring gay couples, I’ve been channeling my dreams and demons for almost four decades. Along the way, I picked up a Lambda Award nomination, was named one of the best columnists in the state of Mississippi, and had an award-winning movie based on my first novel, MINDFULNESS AND MURDER.
A former newspaper editor, I’m a proud dad who lives in Tupelo, Mississippi right down the street from the house where Elvis grew up.
Date of Publication: April 15, 2016
Genre and Themes: LGBTQ, Romance, Age Gap
Format: 189 pages, ebook
Publisher: Jaybird Press
ASIN: B01E18FZP6
Cover Artist: Garrett Leigh
Characters: John Fletcher, Rhys Callington
I love Jay Northcote’s style of writing – most of the time. She’s got a very easy style which translates into her stories. Her stories are mostly feel-good with usually likable characters. Imperfect Harmony is about John and Rhys who both lost their ‘partners’ and are still grieving their losses. When John decided to join a group choir where Rhys works as a leader, they didn’t expect that their love for music would lead them into something that neither man thought they have forever lost. But their 19-year age gap isn’t lost to John and it make take more than music to convince him to give love a second chance.
I didn’t enjoy the story that much but I didn’t hate it. I just find the whole setting of the story boring and I really didn’t the feel connection between John and Rhys. I love May-December love stories but conflict-wise, this one just didn’t work for me. Jay Northcote’s writing is still smooth here as usual, her characters are likable but the subdued vibe throughout the book totally didn’t elevate the romance aspect of the story. In short, I find the story a bit lazy.
I’m still going to recommend this one to those who are looking for some easy read but I am not going to put this one on my reread list anytime soon. Rest assured though that I’d still be getting Jay Northcote’s titles in the future.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
About The Author
Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England, with her husband, two children, and two cats. She comes from a family of writers, but she always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed her by. She spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.
One day, she decided to try and write a short story—just to see if she could—and found it rather addictive. She hasn’t stopped writing since.
Jay writes contemporary gay romance about men who fall in love with other men, usually set in or near her home town of Bristol. She enjoys the challenge of bringing the men in her head to life through her words. Jay has five books published by Dreamspinner Press, and she also publishes her own titles under the imprint Jaybird Press. Some of her books are now available as audiobooks.
Date of Publication: February 26, 2016
Genre and Themes: LGBTQ New Adult, Family, Romance
Format: 232 pages, ebook
ASIN: B01CAVI2F6
Characters: Sid Riley, Wiremu/Wire
First, can we just take a minute to admire that uber-lovely cover? That is one beautiful and enticing cover! Yup, there ya go…
On with the story, it’s very much easy to say that out of the 70 plus books I’ve read so far this year, this is definitely one of my favourites. The story is just all kinds of lovely from the main characters up to its secondary ones and the goodness just won’t let up until the last word of the book!
The story is narrated by Wire all throughout the story telling us about his job, about his family and how he met Sid Riley whom he eventually fell in love with.
“My name’s Wiremu: Like William but said Widdymoo” Okay, I totally don’t get this one so I am going to stick with Wire.
You may be wondering why the book is called Coin Tricks. Basically, it is some sort of homage to what Sid does on the side, rather what he really enjoyed doing and that is magic! I thought it was real sweet how Wire and Sid started to really get to know each other after Sid was caught by Wire shoplifting just so he could give something for his sister’s birthday and Wire eventually deciding to bring foods to Sid’s place. I guess, most people would find that odd but that is how Wire is built. He’s got the kindest heart – built like a brick but very much a teddy bear at heart.
This is not just a romance book though. Half of the story revolves around Wire’s family and the concept itself. It’s heavily embedded with Maori culture because Wire’s from a Maori family and I guess that is how close-knitted Maori people are. I loved that aspect of the story because I could totally relate with it. We Filipinos have this close-knitted extended family as well and we always like to keep in touch, and even if we’re older and we can support ourselves – some of us decides to still live at home because that is where “our” family is. ‘Not saying this is an exclusive trait (obviously) but I just loved how easily relatable the family angle in the book is.
As for the romance aspect, it was very subdued. Every ‘romantic’ gestures by Wire towards Sid can be construed as platonic and I think at first, it was simply platonic because he wanted to help Sid get back on his feet or at least help him out on ‘raising’ his little sister. As the story developed, the subtle change in their relationship was just a joy to read. I loved that they both have insecurities but they don’t let those insecurities cowered them into keeping their feelings from each other.
I’d also like to mention how Wire’s character reminds me so much Alan Fletcher from J.L. Merrow’s Muscling Through. There’s just all kinds of similarity with their characters and the sweet innocence nature of their personality will just melt your heart like Hersheys.
I am totally recommending this to anyone who’s up for a wonderful, feel-good and beautifully written read. Pick it up you sappy people because I’m pretty sure you’d fall in love with the story as well.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
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.

SAN DIEGO, CA – JULY 26: In this handout photo provided by Warner Bros, Colton Haynes of “Arrow” attendss Comic-Con International 2014 on July 26, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Smallz+Raskind/Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. via Getty Images)
I thought I should post something about Colton Haynes after officially coming out! Of course, we all knew him as Jackson in Teen Wolf whose character got offed (?) at the second second season of the show and as Roy Harper/ Arsenal in Arrow but I guess, like myself – you were equally surprised when he left both shows. Apparently, there’s a reason for that…
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly’s Marc Snetiker, Haynes said:
“I asked to step away because I cared more about my mental and physical health than my career at the time,” the actor tells EW, opening up about his personal and professional life for the first time in quite some time. “I’ve had terminal anxiety my entire life. Physically ill, fainting. I’m 27 years old, and I have an ulcer. I had to step back.”
And I’m glad he did because according to him, he’s happier and healthier than ever and I think that’s most important yeah? Well done Colton!!!! Well done!!!!
Date of Publication: April 21, 2016
Genre and Themes: LGBTQ Romance
Length: 189 pages, ebook
Publisher: Blue Heart Press
ASIN: B01EDDUAMM
Covert Artist: Sara York
Characters: Spencer Cohen, Andrew Landon
Warning: This review contain some spoilers.
I absolutely adore this series! There’s just something so special about this couple – Spencer and Andrew – that makes you want to give them all the love in the world.
Spencer is just freaking unbelievable! For someone who’s been bruised by his past, his countenance and outlook in life is just beyond amazing and he’s not even aware how good he is with people, how is kindness touched the people around him! What a really special guy!
Andrew on the other hand is just adorkable in so many ways! Who wouldn’t love this guy? Seriously? He’s shy, smart, sexy, sophisticated and …I’m running out of S adjectives but what I’m trying to say is that he’s all kinds of perfect! He’s Spencer’s perfect guy!
When I was reading the second book, I knew that something from Spencer’s past will finally be able to burst his happy bubble in L.A. A sad call from Sydney was all it took for him to confront some remnants of his past. It was a rather bittersweet reunion between Spencer and a member of his family and more heartbreaking that suicide has to pave a way for them to reconnect. Ideally, I would’ve like the father to just go and offed himself but the villains in the story doesn’t always die, the same way in real life. I cried for Spencer, Archer and Lewis and the times they’ve all lost together because of his parents’ bigotry and conditional love. What a waste, really. If only Spencer could turn back time.
The story may have a bit of a sad tone but overall, there’s overflowing love in it! Their friends, family members and the guys themselves are just spreading love all throughout the story. I love stories like this because it makes me feel good and makes me believe that love will always prevail in everything. I am totally channeling Dumbledore.
And really, that epilogue just about killed me! I loved it! Such a perfect ending to a beautiful series! Thank you N.R. Walker!
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
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…
Posted in Books
Tagged Book Review, N.R. Walker, Spencer Cohen Book 3, Spencer Cohen Series