Something Different by S.A. Reid

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Something Different by S.A. Reid

GOODREADS BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Tired of his life's endless grind, family man Michael Maguire allows himself one night of deviation. Desperate for something different, he seeks a prostitute in notorious Brixton Park. But Michael, searching for a girl out of PRETTY WOMAN, instead finds blue-eyed, beautiful James Campbell. Tempted and stirred in ways he never imagined, Michael embarks on a sexual adventure with a rent boy from London's infamous Bethnal Green. And what begins as a purely sexual exchange gradually transforms into something else, as James finds himself in desperate circumstances and Michael is moved to help. Drawn increasingly to James, Michael finds himself facing up to the iniquities in his daily life. And finally he must deal with a horror that threatens to explode Michael's safe, conventional existence.

MY REVIEW:

This is the first book I’ve read by S.A. Reid she has an easy to read writing style and she tells a great story. I am definitely looking forward to reading more by this author. Something Different is told from both of the main characters point of view and was easy to follow, which is very important. I found myself really pulling for James and Michael right in the beginning. This is a truly a HEA m/m romance story that I thoroughly enjoyed.

We are first introduced to a man named Michael Maguire as the story unfolds you can sense the struggles he has with his life, work, home, children and marriage. One day Michael decides to step outside the box of what he calls his life and goes into the park where people pay for fast anonymous sex. As he is sitting there watching a young woman and older man disappear into the washroom he is approached by young man named James. James the cute rent boy with a great smile mentions to Michael that he has some great skills and can do anything a woman could do for him and possible even better. Michael seems to think about this and his options and decides to go with it and ends up taking James to the Holiday Inn.

This story is about the relationship that develops between Michael, a technical writer and James, Rent boy. Like I mentioned earlier the story is told by both points of view and is captivating, I couldn’t put the book down. The character development was great and made you like both of the character right away. 

This is not like Pretty Woman type of book where he comes in a swoops James off his feet, Michael help James to accomplish some important things in his life and makes him feel like he deserves these things. As for James he also contributes to their relationship in many ways by giving Michael the power and control to run his own life, becoming a new confident happier man. Both these men never seemed to smile till the met each other.

I also really appreciated how the author touched the subject of sexual abuse and to me was very realistic, I was glad to see how she wrote there is no difference in feeling of loss of control and or having no power being sexually abused by a woman or man.

Ok so in ending my review I want to thank the author S.A. Reid for giving the m/m romance group the chance to read and review your book. It means a lot when an author takes her hard work and gives it to the readers to review at no cost. So thank you very much for this opportunity.

I would recommend this book to all my friends who enjoy reading m/m romance. This book is not about sex this book about falling in love.

View all my reviews

Men Under the Mistletoe by Josh Lanyon

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Men Under the Mistletoe

By Josh Lanyon, Harper Fox, Ava March, K.A. Mitchell.

Anthology includes:

My True Love Gave to Me by Ava March
Is a historical romance about getting a second chance at love. This short story is very good and I enjoyed it.

Winter Knights by Harper Fox

Is unique story that has a supernatural twist it was an excellent short story.

Lone Star by Josh Lanyon

Lone Star is a great story and I have to admit I read this story first. Mitch returns to Texas after being gone for 12 years. The saying sometimes you can go home again is the term I would use about this short story, and when you read about the sexy man Web who is waiting for Mitch to return you know why I picked this story to read first. This is a great romance providing you can learn from your past mistakes.

Christmas Proposition by K.A. Mitchell

Harper wrote a short story around a Christmas Tree farm and it’s a great setting for a hot romance story. Mel and Bryce make a great couple this story is hot and some great scenes in it.


View all my reviews

Hushed by Kelley York

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Hushed by Kelley York


This is one of the best novels I have read this month maybe even this year. When I first received Hushed I thought it was going to be about a young man who is seeking revenge on behalf of his best friend Vivian. He would do anything for her, even kill.

So as we start reading this story Archer has just killed one of the men on his list, you see how his love and his need to protect Vivian is what is driving him to do these murders. The more you read about Vivian and Archer the more you start to feel compassion for Archer.

So now you’re reading and your feeling sorry for the murderer. I actually disliked Vivian and the way she treated Archer the dysfunction of their relationship is pretty clear.
Then along comes Evan, who you can see has a crush on Archer, so now you’re seeing a romance blossom between these two young men and your praying somehow this is going to end in a happy ever after situation, even though you know from reading this far that Archer has killed a few people and Evan is aware of what is going on.

As the story continues you see Vivian spinning out of control and praying for Archer to get away from her and staying closer to Evan.

Archer knows deep down that he wants and needs Evan in his life, the romance in this story is as important as the murders at the beginning of the book. Evan admits he doesn’t want to be a monster and wants to stop killing. Everything get so mixed up together, the romance, the murders, the messed up relationship he has with Vivian meanwhile you’re still hoping that it all works out in the end for Evan and Archer.

The book is about love, family, murder, romance, and it is gut wrenching and heart breaking.

The author Kelley York did a fantastic job with this story and is an amazing author, I have given this book a 5 star rating. I would recommend to all of my friends.


View all my reviews

Bulletproof by Mary Calmes

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Not to sure what to write about this book so here is what the book description is:

Sequel to A Matter of Time I & II

Jory Harcourt doesn't have to go looking for trouble. Wherever he goes, it seems to find him—particularly when his partner, Sam Kage, is working undercover on a federal task force.

After the recession forces him to close his business, Jory goes to work as a matchmaker and event planner. From there, it's only a matter of time before his big mouth and up-front attitude make him the rope in a tug-of-war between a trust fund baby and a drug-smuggling criminal. Then, as if that situation weren't delicate enough, Jory's undercover lover shows up working for the smuggler.

Between the men who want him and the men who just want him dead, Chicago is getting a little crowded for Jory, so on the advice of his brother, his boyfriend, and the FBI task force, he heads for Hawaii... where a serious accident threatens his quality of life. Can Sam and Jory keep the faith and prove that their relationship really is bulletproof

I do enjoy Mary Calmes writing it is easy to read and she writes extremly well.



View all my reviews

The Burdens of Truth by Etienne

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


In this story Etienne writes about four new characters; Dr. Ian Sanderson who teaches and Georgetown and his partner Lt.Colornal Randy Richardson who works at the Pentagon and both men have a teenage son. We also get to read about some familiar faces from a earlier Avondale book.

The story involves kidnapping of the two sons, escape, a couple close calls as the kidnappers try to get the boys back, and a new budding romance for a marine.

Etienne writing keeps you turning the pages. His writing is descriptive and detailed as in his past books he describes the food and restaurants so well you really want to go try it out. I even tried one of the wines that were mentioned in a previous book.


View all my reviews

Condor and the Crown by John Simpson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Condor and the Crown is the fifth book of this series, the story starts off with David and Shane along with their son Jack moving to England. David Windsor has been appointed to serve as the American Ambassador to England.

It is a quick read, in this story there is a kidnapping, a rescue and of course even a budding new romance for the new president son. There is not alot of hot m/m sex scenes if that is what the reader is looking for.

John's writing never disappoints me though, it easy to read, keeps me interested and when I sit down to read his books I don't stop till I've read the last page.

This book did leave me with hope of a story between Darren and Micheal. (have to read to find out who they are)


View all my reviews

Dylan by D.V. Patton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


In this story we are introduced to Dylan, he is a kindhearted, hardworking, beautiful young man. He works hard, help's take care of his home and mother who had cancer and he has a feeling its back.

The story is about friendship, love loss and growing up. Half the book is when he is 17 years old and what he experinces then the last half jumps into his life when he is around 20 years old. The story is written well and it does make you feel for Dylan it made me laugh a couple of times. It a good story.
D.V Patton writing is good I found only a couple of errors, I am not to sure I liked that it jumped 3 1/2 years but he did try to fill in some of the blanks for us.
All and all I enjoyed the book and left you hoping that Dylan has truly found his happy ever after.

View all my reviews/a>

Bear, Otter, and the Kid by T.J. Klune

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book is not just a love story between two men; this is a love story between two brothers and their friends. The story starts when Bear’s mother decides to leave her two son’s for a man, leaving a note and just over 100 dollars telling him to take care of Tyson his 6 year old brother and make sure to pay the rent each month. 
The story is written in present tense and there is a lot of dialogue inside bear’s head, also some flashbacks to the past and present time. Even though the story was difficult to read it was written beautifully I was tempted a few times to skim some of the dialogue in Bears head as it felt like there was just too much. But I kept reading not allowing myself to put the book down. I will say it was worth the read, and I gave the book a 5 star rating.

The friendship between Creed, Otter and Bear is strong until Bear kissed Otter, Otter takes this change in Bears behaviour as something he may have pushed or somehow coerced Bear into feeling. Otter flees for 3 year, to cover this up. Bear has never been the same since the day Otter left, knowing deep down he feels like a part of him is missing.

The coming together, the struggles Bear faces when he realizes he is in love with a man, who happens to be his best friend’s older brother, and the daily struggles he has taking care of his brother and facing his mother years later. This is a story that I would recommend and is a must read.


View all my reviews

Love Turns the Page by Etienne

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Love Turns the Page (Avondale Stories #7)

GOODREADS BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Tom Foster has his life planned out, and he’s systematically pursuing his goals. At twenty-two, he’s been organist and choirmaster at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd for three years, he’s working on his doctoral thesis, and he's beginning a secondary career performing in concert. There is no room in his schedule for romance... until Noah Webster, a gorgeous green-eyed blond, walks into the church one evening to audition for the choir.

What starts as an arrangement of convenience—Tom’s usual page turner is unavailable, and Noah agrees to do the job—soon turns into a fast friendship. Then Noah, who is saddled with an obnoxious roommate, rents the spare bedroom in Tom’s house, and ultimately the two men become lovers and partners in life. But before they can ride off into the sunset together, they must face one major obstacle: Noah’s violent, homophobic Southern Baptist father.
Etienne is one of the first authors I read in the m/m genre, so of course I will say he is a favourite of mine. This story is the 7th book in the Avondale series, and I love that you get to see all the different characters from his other books it’s like seeing old friends.

MY REVIEW:
Love Turns the Page is a romance book between two young men, we meet Tom who is an organist and choirmaster and is working on getting his doctorate and Noah who walks in to attend the choir audition and ends up becoming Tom’s page turner as well a member of the choir. Noah has a beautiful voice and Tom soon realizes that he will accomplish some great things.

As the story unfolds we see Tom and Noah falling in love and starting a life together, but nothing is that simple. Noah comes from a very religious family and knows if they find he is gay that he will lose his family and probably be disowned.

The events of what happens after Noah father finds out he is gay is startling. Bigotry, hate from his parents lead to some horrible outcomes.

The story is well written and I enjoyed it right to the end. I gave these book 4 stars, the only problem
I had with the story is how fast the relationship started and how the relationship moved to becoming a very committed couple. But I loved it at the same time.
The other thing I want to mention is that the author Etienne in this series not only introduces us to some great characters he introduces and describes the places they attend in detail, some of the restaurants/churches as well as towns they go to are real places and his descriptions make you want to go find these places to sit and have a meal or a glass of wine. Etienne is a terrific author and I love this series.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves HEA.


View all my reviews

Unnatural by Michael Griffo

My rating: 4 of 5 stars





In the town of Eden in northwestern England stands the exclusive boarding school known as Archangel Academy. Ancient and imposing, it's a place filled with secrets. Just like its students. .

For Michael Howard, being plucked from his Nebraska hometown and sent thousands of miles away is as close as he's ever come to a miracle. In Weeping Water, he felt trapped, alone. At Archangel Academy, Michael belongs. And in Ciaran, Penry, and especially Ciaran's enigmatic half-brother Ronan, Michael finds friendship deeper than he's ever known.

But Michael's only beginning to understand what makes the Academy so special. Ronan is a vampire--part of a hybrid clan who are outcasts even among other vampires. Within the Academy's confines exists a ruthless world of deadly rivalries and shifting alliances, of clandestine love and forbidden temptations. And soon Michael will confront the destiny that brought him here--and a danger more powerful than he can imagine. . .
Michael Griffo is an award-winning writer and one of six playwrights whose career will be tracked by WritersInsight.com until 2010. He is a graduate of New York University, has studied at Playwrights Horizons and Gotham Writers Workshop, and has written several screenplays.

MY REVIEW:

This is a story of a young man named Michael who is living in the small town of Weeping Waters, Nebraska with his mother and grandparents. The Michael we get to see in the beginning of the book is very unhappy, sad, you feel so bad for him. He is picked on at school, bullied, isolated and struggling with who he is and his attraction to other boys. He dreams of a better life. His grandparents are distant, him mother is depressed all the time, it’s quite the sad tale. Then to make matters worse Michael’s mother commits suicide. Next thing he knows his father arrives from England to take Michael back to London after his mother’s funeral. Michael doesn’t hesitate in leaving; he cannot believe his luck he finally gets to leave the small town of Weeping Waters and hopefully begin a new life.

When he arrives in London he finds out his father is away on business and his chauffer will be driving him directly to the boarding school he will be attending; Archangel Academy a school for boys. Arriving at school Michael feel a tremendous weight of his shoulders he feels for this first time in his life he is actually home and maybe he could be happy here.

We are introduced to some of the other characters in the book and we get to see some of what they are thinking about. The author does a terrific job with each of the characters points of view.

But of course the best part of any romance is when Michaels see Ronan standing in the rain they both can’t take their eyes of each other. Of course in everything that starts nothing goes as smooth as they want but they both know they feel strongly for each other. This is an amazing story of two young men finding love and accepting who they are.

This is a YA/Paranormal romance between two young men, author Michael Griffo does a terrific job at writing a paranormal romance and puts his own twist on the types of vampires we read about. It’s new and different and I really enjoyed reading Unnatural. There are many other characters in this book that make it a terrific read. It's not just a romance novel though there is murder and some mystery and I recommend this book to anyone who loves paranormal books.

Sometimes love just catches you by the tail.

Chayton Winston is a veterinarian. He is also a werewolf. Much to his Native American parent's chagrin, he has always dreamed of a fair-haired, Caucasian mate. However, he never imagined his mate would be male. As a heterosexual man, he's not quite sure what to do with a male mate, but more than willing to find out.

Keaton Reynolds wakes up, in wolf form, and finds himself with a mate. He's instantly attracted, but not so thrilled to find out the man is straight. Having been in a relationship once before where his partner professed to be "Not gay" left a bad taste in his mouth. Keaton wants to make a break for it and pretend he never set eyes on Chay-but Chay is not ready to let him go.

Together the two work to solidify their shaky relationship and battle the prejudices against homosexuals. Chay must deal with not only his mother's prejudices against gay men but also her hatred of white people.

When a power struggle in Keaton's pack threatens Keaton's life, the two men learn to depend on one another and their relationship to get them through it.

by J.L. Langley