Tag Archives: Book Review

Book Review: The General and the Horse-Lord – Sarah Black

Posted on December 8, 2014 | Leave a comment

“I NEVER want you to regret loving me.” Gabriel’s hands were gentle, moving down his chest.
“How could I? That would be like regretting the way my heart beats.” 

via Goodreads

via Goodreads

 

General John Mitchel and his favorite pilot Gabriel Sanchez served in the military for more than twenty years and have also been lovers for as long as they’ve worked together. After retirement, both men decided to give their love a chance to be in the open. But are they ready to face the consequence of this one big move?

I’m actually utterly floored by this story from Sarah Black. It’s just wow. After a disappointing read via Marathon Cowboys, it’s as if I already expected this to disappoint me but no. This is a gem. The storyline was a realistic one with characters so utterly likeable that you can’t help but totally feel for them and the life they could’ve had together long before their retirement. There’s this bittersweet melancholy about the couple’s relationship. I also love Kim’s [John’s nephew] colorful personality that somehow became a catalyst for John and Gabriel to finally come out in the open. It’s a lovely departure from the too good to be true stories tackling similar theme.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Leave a comment

Posted in Books

Tagged , , , ,

Book Review: Fall Apart – S.E. Culpepper

Posted on December 7, 2014 | Leave a comment
via Goodreads

via Goodreads

Damon Wright is a regular guy with friends he could always depend on, a creepy insistent ex and a family he feels awfully responsible for. In one of his best friend’s wedding where he is delivering his Best Man speech, he apparently captured the eyes of the wedding’s hot photographer Alarik that leaves him reeling.

Alarik, who’s got all he could ask for is still searching for that wonderful feeling of falling in love. Meeting Damon feels like he’s found a way through it. But when life gets in the way, they both need to stand strong in order to survive it.

I’ve obviously enjoyed reading the series so far and getting to know new characters in this installment was such a welcome delight. I just loved Alarik and Damon and I didn’t think that I’d missed Zane and Mark [Book 2] when they appeared here. Although this story has more perspectives than any book I’ve read in my life [LOL], I find it an extremely good idea because it makes you feel attached with each character, building up excitement for the upcoming books in the series. With regards to the main couple here, I find them both utterly adorable and realistic. The dialogues, even with the secondary characters are dynamic and the story arc was obviously carefully thought of. Writing style-wise, S.E. Culpepper is up there!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Leave a comment

Posted in Books

Tagged , , , , , ,

Book Review: Question Mark – S.E. Culpepper

Posted on December 7, 2014 | Leave a comment

13418642Recently dumped by his ex, Mark Newland is struggling to reinvent himself in order to avoid the same situations he’s had with his previous relationships. Heading for a vacation in Bora Bora, he stumbled upon Hollywood’s most eligible gay bachelor Zane Whitlow. Zane had his own trouble of finding love without his fame getting in the way. Meeting Mark feels like a refreshing balm for him that made him abandon his usual approach in dating. Both guys have they own fear and insecurities – things that they have to overcome in order for their budding romance to work.

I read this story non-stop. I love Mark’s character because he’s totally relatable. Zane, though reminds me a bit of the gay version of “Julia Roberts of Notting Hill” came across as this very sincere yet vulnerable character. Hah! They have all the money in the world but they cannot buy happiness and all those blah blah. I know that the characters here are somehow (will be) part of upcoming series but I find the interchanging POV too much at times. Nevertheless, the story has great characters, over the top but convincing enough plot lines and an incredible conclusion. I think I may have to read the rest of the books in the series.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Leave a comment

Posted in Books

Tagged , , , , ,

Book Review: The Boyfriend Mandate – River Jaymes

Posted on December 7, 2014 | Leave a comment

22692930[Book 2 of The Boyfriend Chronicle Series]

After a number of failed relationships, Doctor Tyler Hall decided to stick to one simple mandate that is NEVER TO DATE ex-boyfriends. But when his world collides again with his first love and first boyfriend stuntman and cancer survivor Memphis Haines, the doctor’s resolve seems to falter.

Tyler was the douche ex-boyfriend back in the first book in the series, The Back-up Boyfriend which featured his then ex and fellow Doctor Alec Johnson and his now boyfriend Dylan Booth. I didn’t think that Tyler will be able to redeem himself in this book after what he did to Alec. I never liked his character in the first book given that he was portrayed as the villain in it. In this book though, we see the true side of Tyler and why he did what he did to Alec. Here, we get a glimpse of the young mathlete geek who fell in love with his jock roommate in college. It was a nice story but rather long and repetitive.

And can I just mention the excessive use of “Judas Priest”, “Christamighty” “Jesus Fucking Christ” – I feel like reading these expressions every couple of pages and they get annoying at times. I’m like really??? 0_o I ain’t religious or anything but man’ that’s a whole lot of usage which is not necessary at all in some parts.

This was a good book to say the least. I’m not particularly jumping up and down after reading it but it’s alright. Definitely not as good as the first book in the series but it’s good. I’d still read the upcoming books in the series if ever there is another in the future – which I’m guessing will be for their rich, flamboyant gay friend Noah. Yup, I’d definitely read it.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Leave a comment

Posted in Books

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Book Review: Buried Bones – Kim Fielding

Posted on December 6, 2014 | Leave a comment

Buried Bones[Book 2 of the Bones Series]

After killing the guy who turned him into a werewolf and tried to kill his boyfriend, Architect Dylan Warner and handyman Chris Nock knows that they still have a lot to work on with in their relationship what with Dylan’s once-a-month transformation from man to beast and Chris’s difficult childhood. Working on their issues, a ghost haunting in Dylan’s home forced both men to deal with their pasts. Dylan is trying to deal with the aftermath of killing Andy by learning new things about the guy and Chris got face to face with someone from his childhood he’d almost long forgotten. These events led to new discoveries about both men’s pasts that neither of them ever expected.

I am in love with this series and I loved both MCs here. I thought Chris’s character was just way adorable and I love the easy chemistry between him and Dylan. It was instalove for me when I read the first installment of the series and for some reason, I’ve gotten pretty busy doing [or reading] other stuff that I didn’t get back to this until now. It’s wonderful to finally revisit the story of this wonderful couple. I loved how the author made this second installment seamlessly compatible with the first book without missing its charm. Dylan character is still someone you’d root for and his love and patient for Chris was just oh-swoon-worthy. Sometimes, with these sort of books involving supernatural being – there’s always a preconceived idea that there’s going to be a lot of exaggeration and almost ridiculous story-line because it’s fantasy after all but the author made sure that in this book, it feels like living an existing world where the characters just feels like your next door neighbor. Do you get my drift? If not, I rather have you grab a copy of this five-star [from me and from a ton of people] rated series and read it for yourself 🙂

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Published May 22nd 2013 by Dreamspinner Press (first published May 21st 2013)

Buy now:
Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

About The Author
Kim Fielding lives in California and travels as often as she can manage. A professor by day, at night she rushes into a phonebooth to change into her author costume (which involves comfy clothes instead of Spandex and is, sadly, lacking a cape). Her superpowers include the ability to write nearly anywhere, often while simultaneously doling out homework assistance to her children. Her favorite word to describe herself is “eclectic” and she finally got that third tattoo.

All royalties from her novels Stasis, Flux and Equipoise are donated to Doctors Without Borders.

Leave a comment

Posted in Books

Tagged , , , , ,

Book Review: Dominic (Slater Brothers #1) – L.A. Casey

Posted on December 6, 2014 | Leave a comment
via Goodreads

via Goodreads

“I more than like you but don’t feel near love yet, so I put the word love and life together and got live so I live you. I’m in live with you, pretty girl” – Dominic

From a debuting author from Ireland, the story of Dominic Slater was penned that would surely make the tweens [as of press time, they already are] and not so tween-nation swoon all over this bad-ass, hot, cocky and slightly immature 18 year old American expat in Ireland who tormented Bronagh Murphy’s life and introduced her to the world of underground fighting, his equally demigod-like brothers and found a way to shatter Bronagh’s heavily guarded heart.

I ordered this one right away when a friend of mine recommended it after discussing the Beautiful Disaster series. I looked it up and with stunning reviews, I figured that this would probably be a good fix after soaking myself up with all the fantasy and sci-fi reads I’ve had so far. And if this is nearly as good as “Beautiful Disaster,” well then, I’ve no problem losing some money over it.

Okay, here we go…

So at first, I wasn’t entirely convinced of Bronagh’s character. I was already expecting that she’d go Bella Swan on me like “I’m a weak girl, I cannot defend myself. I’m such a klutz and can’t live without my man and all” but I was utterly and completely wrong. Bronagh’s everything but weak. What a feisty character and I totally loved her! I mean seriously, she’s like a dream. I’m tired of all the female MC being all so annoying and overly conflicted with themselves but Bronagh’s a refreshing gal that I even find myself comparing her with Pidge of Beautiful Disaster [Hhhmm, Lucky 13 still edge her out though].

Now let’s go over Dominic – it has to be about him mostly right? After all, he’s the guy in the title and well – he’s like the most perfect book boyfriend based on the author’s description – at least physically. See, I’m trying to really assert my thoughts about this guy but I just can’t get over the fact that he’s only freaking 18 years old! I mean yeah, he’s handsome, cocky and all but he’s basically a baby – ugh. No further comment.

Now let’s move on with the rest of the Slater brothers I’m mostly interested more than Dominic himself. Let’s start with Ryder since he’s dating Bronagh’s sister – he’s kind of off limits for now so let’s also not discuss him any further. LOL

We have Kane, the one with the scar in the mouth for apparently doing some of the hoodlum jobs for Marco Miles (See, I really cannot really you more about Marco because then I have to spill everything here). Let’s move forward with their bisexual brother Alex. He’s like my favorite If I’m being honest [perhaps because of my affinity to MM genre] I could just imagine what his story will be, I reckon it’ll be a great idea for the author to cross over the MM genre at least just for this character. [DEAD – apparently, Alec’s story was already released and he was paired with a woman –it sucks I know].

Lastly, Dominic’s twin brother – the white haired Damien. I love his adorable image in the book but for the life of me, I can’t imagine his snow-white hair. The only time I saw a snow-white hair person was while watching Top Model series. Okay, nuff said.

Going back to the story, though I find the premise a bit over the top which was very intentional by the way, I still went along with it because of the smooth way the story was written. Now I’m just a bit worried with the upcoming series because they may be a bit repetitive, I still believe though that the author will rise to the occasion. This first book in this rather exciting series is not that bad. Not bad at all.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Leave a comment

Posted in Books

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Book Review: Laying Ghosts – James Buchanan

Posted on December 5, 2014 | Leave a comment

Laying Ghosts[Book 3 of the Deputy Joe Series]

Finally settling after getting kick out from his church, living with his boyfriend Kabe and still solving cases after coming out – Deputy Joe Peterson now needs to deal with officially coming to his family with his parents return from their mission and a whole deal of family reunion. It’s also time for both Joe and Kabe to lay all ghost of the past which includes a grim family tragedy that gripped the Peterson family for decades and an unwanted thing from the past that Gabe never wants to remember.

I really do love this series. It’s actually surprising for me because I’m usually not that into reading a book {much more a series] with religious shit all over it and it actually does not have much of it if I’m being honest. The first two books have more of that undertone and this [final book?] has that mere acceptance that one plus one won’t result into two. This third installment definitely showed us the development of Joe’s relationship not only with Kabe but with the rest of his small town involving his work and family. I loved that the consistency of Joe’s POV is still there from the first book up to this one.

I’m still now comfortable with the BDSM aspect of this series to be honest. I still find it slightly odd and rather scary whenever Joe goes all dominant with Kabe during all their sexy times. It was a bit uncomfortable because Joe’s plenty scary and I feel like he might snap (totally) anytime especially with the ever so patient and loveable Kabe. I think this is the only factor which I didn’t like about the series.

The whole family tragedy that got Joe all worked up was quite predictable but it was a great transition for most of Joe’s family to finally accept him and Kabe. What’s really so great about this book and the series in general is how utterly realistic the story was. There’s depth, there’s true emotion and a character like Joe is really quite hard to forget.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Leave a comment

Posted in Books

Tagged , , , ,

Book Review: Six – Tara Spears

Posted on December 5, 2014 | Leave a comment
via Goodreads

via Goodreads

This story is part of Goodreads Don’t Read In The Closet Event in 2013 – Love Has No Boundaries Volume 2 and is only my second read from Tara Spears who penned the dark and unbelievably stunning “The Darker Side Of Trey Grey”. Again, I’m astounded by how insanely good she tells her story! The title “Six” represents the number of years the two men in the story spent their lives on something that dramatically changed their lives before meeting each other. Angel is a kindergarten teacher who became a single parent after his partner for six years left him bereft but thankful at the same time because of his daughter – a little angel of his own. Marcus on the other hand had stayed married with his wife for six year before realizing that it won’t ever work for them. They divorced but not without his wife leaving him with two young children. I particularly loved these kinds of stories. They’re the kind of stories that goes straight and tug to your heart. I adored Marcus’s character – what an amazing guy! Angel on the other hand was just adorable! This story has everything you could ask for a beautiful romance between two loving men. Their chemistry is strong, their dynamic beautiful and the dialogues are just WOW! The sex scenes are freaking hot and both MCs are just perfect for each other. Tara Spears – you are amazing!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Leave a comment

Posted in Books

Tagged , ,

Book Review: Spin Out (Deputy Joe Book 2) – James Buchanan

Posted on December 4, 2014 | Leave a comment
via Goodreads

via Goodreads

Deputy Joe Peterson understood the risks when he got involved with ex-con Kabe Varghese. He didn’t, however, see fit to warn Kabe. Now, in the middle of searching for the killer of a local boy, he has to contend with his career and his relationship spinning out of control. Solving the case may be easier than repairing broken trust.

After Deputy Joe came out of the closet and was excommunicated by his church, he’s now trying to move on with his life making some major adjustments. He’s now very much involved with ex-convict Kabe Varghese and is trying to make things work with the guy. This was a really good follow up to Hard Fall. The story is more dynamic and we learned more about the couple. I really enjoyed the crime-solving side of this series; it’s very CSI and much more focused this time around. I noticed though, a subtle shift to Kabe’s character. He seemed less masculine compared to his bad-ass characterization in the first book. I really loved it when Dev’s character made an appearance. That hotel room scene with him and Joe was almost sensual. I was like, c’mon guys – just freaking do it already! The other side of my brain though, was like “Joe, you don’t wanna do this to Kabe!!!”. I’m very much happy with it but I’m still uncomfortable with their semi-BDSM set up. Nevertheless, I’m still looking forward to get my hands on the third book of the series. ‘never thought I’d like this series this much.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Leave a comment

Posted in Books

Tagged , , , , ,

Book Review: Hard Fall (Deputy Joe Book 1) – James Buchanan

Posted on December 3, 2014 | Leave a comment
via Goodreads

via Goodreads

Deputy Joe Peterson is Mormon and in the closet. Then ex-con Kabe Varghese lands in town on parole. When a tourist falls off the mountain, Joe finds he needs the help of this cliff climbing adrenaline junky to solve the case. Will Kabe tear him apart or does Joe need to fall hard before he can start living?

This book was very easy to like and both MCs have their unique charm which made them pretty much relatable. I loved Deputy Joe’s character because of his unpretentious way of looking at things. I’m not really a big fan of stories with religion getting in the mix but I’m not against authors who could write well within the subject. James Buchanan explored a lot of things here – the life of a closeted homosexual man in the law enforcement who also practiced his religion and is living in a very small town. Now try to top that picture! That’s a total no-no to read right? Fortunately, the seemingly predictable and boring storyline was saved by the appearance of ex-convict adrenaline junkie Kabe (like Gabe with a K), turning Deputy Joe’s life upside down. The CSI-ish side of the story was a bit predictable but is convincing enough so it was not so bad. I do not like the BDSM undertone of it because it feels a bit off with Joe’s persona but like what they always say – it’s always the quiet ones. J So there, I’d say this was a good first book of a series. The second ought to be better though.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Leave a comment

Posted in Books

Tagged , , , , ,