No Fear by S.J. Frost

A wonderful follow-up story to Conquest, S.J. Frost's No Fear takes us further into the lives of Jesse and Evan and of the band. We also get to know Brandon more and I have to say I totally love this guy! What a super big brother he is and he seriously needs an HEA. Will he or won't he? You'll have to read the book to find out!

Jesse and Evan's relationship continues to deepen and the emotional connection that we, the reader, get to experience is phenomenal. I really love the way that S.J. Frost writes her characters and their stories. There's no lack of hot & sweaty sex... but more, there's no shortage of love. This really is a romance that I will come back to again and again, along with its predecessor, Conquest.

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Book Info:

No Fear (Conquest #2) by S.J. Frost
Publisher: MLR Press
Genre: Romance, GLBT (M/M), Contemporary
Buy Link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=CONQU002
 
Summary: After Conquest's long tour, singer Jesse Alexander is ready to head home with his partner, Evan Arden. When Conquest hits the studio again, Jesse finds competition from two new bands and tensions reach a breaking point. Facing challenges unlike any he's ever known, Jesse must somehow duplicate Conquest's success and reach his ultimate goal: showing NO FEAR and announcing his love of Evan publicly.

Blue Fire by Z.A. Maxfield

I've had a number of Z.A. Maxfield 's books in my TBR for awhile now, always going to get to them, but there was always another book to read first. But I was told, in no uncertain terms, that I had to read Blue Fire NOW.  So I did and I am so very glad that I listened. 
Blue Fire is far more than a story; it's an experience that will give everyone a slightly different viewpoint not only into the lives of Jared and Adam, but also a small glimpse, perhaps, into themselves.
When an author can draw you into the world that they've created and keep you there even after the story's ended, you know that this is an author to watch. 

The story started off as Jared's house was destroyed by fire; in many ways this was more a prologue than the beginning of the story.  We learn a bit about Jared and a bit about Adam, but neither of them really become people until their story  truly begins after this introduction.

Emotionally this was a sometimes demanding, but always rewarding, journey. My heart went out to Jared Kenny, a man who had lived most of his life at the whim of others; he'd never had the opportunity to know who he was. Learning how to answer this question for himself as an adult was very challenging and, at the beginning, I wondered how, or even if, he would be able to do it. 
This leads us to Adam Collins, a fire fighter whose heart is as big as the outdoors and who is Jared's first step to his new life. Adam is amazing; although he is younger than Jared, he's the wiser of the two. His life has been lived as he's wanted it; he's strong in body, mind and heart and his attraction to Jared is immediate and compelling.
What follows is an amazingly tender, sometimes heart-breaking, but always hope-filled tale that could very well be called a new classic. This is a story where the characters, their growth and changes, drive the plot and it will take you to places you have only dreamed of.  It is also a fascinating look at glass and the beauty inherent in its many faces... frankly I'll never look at a bowl or marble the same way!
So if, like me, you've had this book sitting in your TBR then do as I did, move it immediately to your RRN list and READ RIGHT NOW! You won't regret it.

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BOOK INFO:
Z.A. Maxfield; Blue Fire; Loose Id; July 2009 [94 pgs / 27K]

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Genre: LGBT Erotic Contemporary
Length: Novella

Fire cost Jared Kenny his home and all his memories of the man he’d loved for over half his life. But it also brought him firefighter Adam Collins and the purest blue eyes Jared had ever seen.

Despite the best efforts of his department, Adam had to watch with Jared while Jared’s house burned to the ground. Something about the man touched Adam and made him want to follow up and protect him. Later, when the two of them gave in to their passion, it burnt and bared them both.

So Jared ran…from Adam, from his past, and from everything their future together could hold. He tried to start a new life, taking only his newfound passion for glass and his obsession for a finding a particular shade of blue, the blue of the heart of a flame. It took a near-tragedy to teach him that the blue he sought, he'd had all along…in his firefighter's eyes.

Publisher’s Note: this book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, male/male sexual practices.

Coin Operated Boy by Bryl R. Tyne

This is the latest of Bryl Tyne’s stories that I’ve bought and read and loved. In the short time since I discovered the stories of this wonderful writer, I’ve acquired them all. Bryl’s story-telling is fresh, vital and engaging and the characters are very real people... even if they’re not human.

Case in point, Chal.
Although, to be fair, even as an android he has far more human characteristics than expected. His creator, Silk Pecatti, was an absolute genius when it came to robotics and in Chal all his talents came together to create an astounding whole. In fact Chal amazed even Silk once he found him again.

Chal... wow! This really is his story. Coin Operated Boy details his journey of discovery from nothingness to finally understanding the reason for his existence and his place in Silk’s life.

I was, by turns, amused, amazed and astounded and completely and totally engaged. Bryl delights in bringing an emotional self-discovery to the characters and we, who follow along, are not only entertained but find for ourselves a nugget of truth in our lives.


Well done Bryl... and keep the stories coming. As long as you write ‘em, I’ll buy ‘em!

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Book Info:
Bryl R. Tyne; Coin Operated Boy; Noble Romance Publishing; October 2009 [

After serving time for violating the Android Fair Usage Act, Rye “Silk” Pecatti is hell bent on locating and reacquainting himself with his super android, Chal. Chal was created to learn and to retain human emotions, but Rye never figured in the “will factor.” With an android that’s learned to bargain his way through life, enterprising takes on a whole new meaning, and Rye discovers that yielding control to his creation may be the only way to truly fulfill both their needs.

Pure Sex by D.J. Manly

This story captured not only my imagination, but also my heart.
Not always an easy story to read, it is still very much a heartfelt and unapologetically erotic one that kept me reading long past my bedtime, yet I count it a very worthwhile exchange.
Emotionally barren, seemingly, Lance has reasons for his lack of belief in 'love' and he is certainly not prepared at all for his reaction to Tobias. Toby, on the other hand, grew up knowing love and acceptance but he's become rather jaded since working for Jackson Scott. Neither man is open to the feelings that the other engenders, but Toby does, overall, have a much easier time coming to terms with what is happening between them.
I cringed, I cried, I mourned, I celebrated and I always, always loved spending time getting to know both Lance and Toby. What a journey and what an author!


Needless to say I have a number of other books by the wonderful D.J. Manly and I know that I will be enjoying them as well.

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Book info:
DJ Manly; Pure Sex; eXtasy Books; October 2009

Book Description:
Lance has never known love, and he scoffs at its existence. The only thing that matters to him is security, and that's why he makes contracts with wealthy men. They keep him in luxury and he fulfils their hearts desire. Lance is presently in need of a new client, and he sets his sights on the billionaire, Jackson Scott. And all goes smoothly until Jackson's personal assistant, the enigmatic Tobias Naso, decides to throw a wrench into the wheel.

Tobias would leave Jackson's employment in a heartbeat if it wasn't for the fact that he is helping his sister to support their grandmother in a very expensive care facility. Jackson is demanding and possessive and Tobias hardly has a life. Lance Cooper is just another thorn in his side, a scheming con man after Jackson's fortune. He makes it plain to Lance from the beginning that he doesn't approve, but when Jackson insists Tobias join them for a little recreational activity in the bedroom, things really start to get complicated.

Convincing Arthur by Ava March

Oh my heavens! This story had me so emotionally involved that I was in tears throughout most of the last half. Ava March has created a story that I would happily, very happily, read again and again... and again. The manner in which she introduced us to the shared past between Arthur and Leopold was smoothly done and detailed enough but not so much that we would lose focus on the here and now.  The cast of characters was small, but all the more telling for that.

Leopold Thornton is so much more than his reputation and his past would suggest and the reason for both is his unrequited love for Arthur Barrington. My heart broke for the years of Thornton's pain and yet rejoiced that he had another chance at love with the only one he's ever had such feelings for.

And I loved that Thornton continued, over and over, to surprise Arthur; Arthur thought that he knew all about Leopold ~ the gossip and rumours about Thornton were fairly explicit ~ but really, it was a mask, a panacaea.
Arthur, well I liked him too. I felt so much for Thornton, but Arthur had longings and dreams unrealised as well; but the heart of the story was definitely with Thornton... and I loved every second, every choked breath, every tear of it.

And even though the end was not cut-and-dried ~ and that usually leaves me a tad dissatisfied ~ I had not one problem with it. It worked for the story and for the times... but oh would I ever love to see more of Thorn and Arthur... yes, indeedy!

Oh, and the cover? Absolutely GORGEOUS!  and yeah... love it!


BTW, I'm off to buy the rest of Ava's books... wow!

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Ava March; Convincing Arthur; Loose Id; July 2009 [25K]

Book Description:
Mr. Leopold Thornton missed his chance ten years ago. He isn’t about to let this one pass him by.

Given Leopold’s reputation for vice and debauchery, Mr. Arthur Barrington has a fair idea why the sinfully beautiful man invites him to his country estate. A shooting excursion? Unlikely. Especially considering Arthur is the only guest invited to the estate. He shouldn’t consider the invitation, but a few days of mind-blowing sex could be just the thing to help him get over the heartbreaking end of a ten year relationship. Then he can return to London, to his thriving law practice, and quietly search for an amiable man who understands the meaning of the word discreet and who recognizes the value of commitment.

There was a time when Leopold wasn’t such a rakehell. When every night didn’t end with an empty bottle of whisky. When he believed in the rewards of patience. When he didn’t give himself over to just anyone who’d have him. Old habits die hard, especially when tempted by six feet of solid muscle, but Leopold will only have a few days to convince Arthur he can be that man again -- that his love is genuine and he’s worthy of Arthur’s heart.

Fire Season by Lex Valentine

I really enjoyed Lex's first two books in the Tales of the Darkworld series... but this one took flight and left me breathless.

This is the third book released in the series, but the events take place prior to Shifting Winds and Hot Water. But that really isn't an issue; each of the stories can stand alone very well. Yes there are connections, but on the whole, it's a connection of character rather than events. This is a riveting, fascinating, fall-in-love-with-the-heroes story that is sure to please the romantic as well as those who enjoy a HOT and steamy erotic romp.

There are so many excellent individual points in Lex's creation of the Darkworld that I really enjoy. It's a world where the paranormal ~ magic, dragon shifters, vampires ~ co-exists with humans, albeit subtly; the commercial world of death is a very interesting focus; the titles are always more than a way to differentiate her stories, they actually end up being a part of the story; and always, always they are most wonderful and heartwarming romances. What's not to love!?

If you haven't read Fire Season yet... don't wait a second longer!

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Book Info:
Lex Valentine; Tales of the Darkworld - Fire Season; Pink Petal Books; 2009

Book Description: Black dragon Holden Antaeus isn't looking for a mate. His life is filled with family, work, and dating. Women adore him and he's never short of offers for sex, but a relationship isn't something he's interested in. When Holden's brother Sean hires a new executive for Antaeus International, Holden's whole world, and everything he's ever believed about himself, is blown to bits. Garret Renquist is a green dragon, intelligent, witty, bi-sexual, and hot for Holden. Despite the fact that Holden is positive he's heterosexual, the moment he meets Garret, something happens inside him. What follows is a journey through stereotypes and ingrained beliefs as Holden struggles with the fact that his destined mate is a man. 

Smart Alex by AKM Miles

In one of the Yahoo groups where I spend some of my time, there had been some discussion about AKM Miles and the fantastic books that she writes; of course I had to check them out. I bought three books ~ Dare To, a Christmas short Dare's Christmas Gift and Smart Alex. I've just finshed the latter and now have added ALL her books to my gotta-get-soon list.

Her stories have so much heart, so much emotional richness and detail that, while you could easily be overwhelmed, the characters keep you grounded. There is one element in both the stories that I've read that leapt to my notice, but it in no way hinders my enjoyment. It's that the romance moves fast... and by fast may I say 'warp speed'? But in AKM Miles's stories, it's the relationships between the men that are the focus, the meat of the story. Not so much that they do fall in love ~ because that's a given ~ but how their love helps them through the very difficult situations and / or events that occur in the story. It's about hope, friendship and love and how all these are necessary for love to withstand the very worst that can be thrown at it.

In Smart Alex, our hero Smart is a young man who's trying to find a place where he fits. He knows he's gay ~ at least he's pretty sure he is ~ but he's never had an opportunity to find out for himself. That is, until he leaves his small hometown and heads off to university. Luckily for him two of the first people he connects with, Mike and Tommy, are the kind of friends everyone should have. They take him under their wing and offer him a friendship the like of which he's never experienced.

I absolutely LOVED the dynamics of the relationships: Smart with Mike and Tommy and then Tommy and Mike... oh those two are so very special. When Smart meets Alex, fireworks ignite... and love finds a home.
This story is not only a romance, but a story of the strength of true and lasting friendships and just how vital they can be in our lives.

If you love a story in which you can lose yourself and yet, at the same time, discover the strength of friendship and real love, then AKM Mile's Smart Alex is just the book for you. But don't stop here; I guarantee that you'll discover that the rest of her stories are just as amazing!

If I Were a Lady by Bryl R. Tyne

Bryl Tyne is brilliant and I totally loved this story! It was a fantastically written story about Kendra who knows who she is. The problem is that the outside, or at least part of the outside, doesn't match what she feels and knows inside. At 29 she knew that she was a spinster, that she would never find a man who could love her as she was. I felt for her in her dilemma and mourned that she didn't believe that her dreams would be come a reality.

Enter Val who gave her hope, even when she fought it. I was mesmerized and totally involved in their story and I cheered and cried and raged along with them.

A touching and wonderful story that is completely fascinating and yet beautifully enlightening. This story is a favourite and will join my other re-reads.
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If there was one thing that I felt was slightly off about If I Were a Lady, it was that everything between Kendra and Val happened really, REALLY fast. But that's the only thing and that was, by no means, a real problem... just one of those annoying little gnatty things.

Shifting Winds by Lex Valentine

'Kay I've been finding all these lovely new authors since I've been spending more time over at Ethan Day's, Carol Lynne's and Amanda Young's Yahoo groups.  Not so good for the chequing account but absolutely lovely for my reading pleasure.
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I've actually read the first two books of Lex's Tales of the Darkworld ~ Shifting Winds and Hot Water ~ and loved them both... I'm just trying to fit in some of my other new-to-me authors as well before I get to the third ~ Fire Season. 

I'm totally loving the world that Lex has created and having dragons and vamps in the same story... too, too luscious!  The prologue is excellent, both as an introduction to Elysia and Declan as well as to the story to come.  The emotions it engenders are heartfelt and set the reader up for an alluring and sexy, yet heartwarming romance.  The sex is hot yet it's more than just aerobic activity... there's an emotional depth that's impossible to miss.  And there's just something about the black dragon that really gets me all steamed up.  *yum*
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Book info

Lex Valentine; Tales of the Darkworld Book One ~ Shifting Winds; Pink Petal Books; March 2009

Book Description

Vampire Elysia Granville and her brothers own a cemetery in the Darkworld. When Elysia goes to the Undertaker’s Ball on Halloween in search of a one night stand, she finds more than she bargained for. Elysia isn’t looking for a mate or any kind of relationship. When she makes the mistake of choosing black dragon Declan Antaeus to relieve her sexual tension, she ends up finding fulfillment on more levels than she ever dreamed of.

Heart Song by Jambrea Jo Jones

On one of the Yahoo groups to which I belong someone mentioned something about this new book being released by Jambrea Jo Jones called Heart Song.  So, being the book fiend that I am I checked out the excerpt and wow!  I was hooked and immediately headed off to get my own copy. 

Then yesterday while at one of the groups discussion turned to J3's book and I mentioned that I didn't need to enter a contest for the book 'cause I'd already bought it.  As I was reading, or rather re-reading Ethan Day's Dreaming of You at the time, and had a number of new books that I wanted to devour.. er read, I said that I'd be reading it soon-ish. 
One of the other posters encouraged me to read it NOW and she was so enthusiastic about it I decided that I'd read it as soon as I finished my book. 

Am I ever glad that I listened to her! Even as I started reading I was entranced; the power that this story had to get one's attention was surprising.  As I contiued I honestly felt as though I'd been whacked upside the head and grabbed by the heart; the emotional impact as I was reading had tears running down my face and I couldn't see to read.  In fact even as I write up this review I can feel the emotional tug. 

I'm not going to put the excerpt here, just the brief blurb... and let me tell you it's a real tease.

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Rafe lost his love, but did he really have it to begin with? He finds out more than he bargained for after the death of his ex-lover. Will he ever find the love he is looking for?
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So if you're looking for a wonderful short story with a big impact, give Jambrea Jo Jones' Heart Song a try... you won't be sorry! Oh and yeah... the cover's not too bad either. *wink*

Lora Leigh's BOUND HEARTS series...

The stories in this series ~ I've read the first six ~ are not for the faint of heart... or those who don't enjoy erotic romance.
Lora Leigh writes a LOT of romances with an eroticism almost unparalleled and everytime I start a new LL story I'm reminded of this.

Her stories in the Bound Hearts series are almost extreme ~ at least to my untutored palate ~ but in each one there is an emotional committment between the H and h that really gets to my heart.
The basis of the series is a group of men who belong to the Trojan Club. These men are extremely and highly sexual; their sexuality demands that they give their women ~ to whom they are totally and completely committed ~ all the pleasure they can. This includes ménage, light bondage, anal sex, spanking and liberal use of sex toys.

Now first off, this is not anywhere near to anything in my own life, but I sure do love to read these stories. Yes, the titillation factor is high, but what keeps me coming back are the romances, each and every time.

Each story is very much character driven; it's the people that take these stories to where they go. But in the last two that I've read ~ Sacrifice and Embraced ~ there is an extra element added.

In Bound Hearts 5: Sacrifice, Kimberly Madison is the beneficiary of a long-term family trust:
"(The Trust) was established generations ago. It states that she must marry a man her father approves of and that she must be a virgin to inherit Briar Cliff, the estate that has passed down in her mother’s family for generations." (page 20, Sacrifice by Lora Leigh)
The Trust has been going for generations and Briar Cliff is an extremely valuable estate; in each generation the oldest female has to follow the rules outlined or the entire thing will revert to her father or other male heir. In five years the conditions of the Trust become null and void, and Kimberly could inherit the whole thing... but only is she holds to the rules:
She is to remain a virgin, submitting to a tri-monthly physical exams ordered by her father, until she marries as he dictates.
However once the five years is up, the Trust will no longer exist.
Enter Jared Raddington. His father was one of the foundering members of the Club; his mother has fairly recently married Kimber's Senator father; Jared has been chasing her for the last year with no success. He finally realizes the reason she runs from him is that he is her weakness.
And oh boy, the story rockets from here. I was entranced and very emotionally involved in Kimberly's dilemma. But Jared was a wonderful man for her and the story was very nicely done.

In Bound Hearts 6: Embraced, Marey Dumont has been very attracted to Saxton Brogan for many years. But her very violent ex-husband has had her running from her attraction knowing very well that Vince would have no qualms at all committing murder.
Certainly a darker story and; for a fair bit of it I was pretty ticked with Marey and her vacillation, but it all worked out ~ eventually. Not my favourite of the six stories I've read to date, but I did enjoy it. Especially Sax's committment and love for Marey; he was perfect!

In the series I have one more ebook ~ Shameless ~ to read and then two print books to follow. The 7th book is Forbidden Pleasure, the 8th is Wicked Pleasure: I definitely have my reading cut out for me... but I think that I'll be taking a break.... *whew*