Ava March - Bound to Him

I finished Bound to Him shortly after posting the review for Bound by Deception; but it was late and my brain cells were all sleeping so I thought it would be better to leave well enough alone.

Okay, Wow!  This second story in Ava March's Bound series was way more tension-filled and emotionally volatile, but I loved it!  Mind, at times, I wasn't any too fond of Vincent; good thing for him Oliver really loved him. But really, there's just no other way for it to have gone. Especially not with Vincent's need to please his father - and what a bastard HE was - and his fear of not living up to society's expectation (Poo on society's expectations). 
But I did love that both Oliver and Vincent had lessons to learn; it wasn't all Vincent after all! 

Once again, Ava has shown just how amazingly she can combine, in the words of Devon Rhodes, hot and history. Very intense and extremely Yummy!
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Lord Vincent Prescot’s life couldn’t be better. Thriving investments, well-respected by his peers, and mind blowing sex with a man who submits to his every desire -- what more could he want?

Lord Oliver Marsden should be more than happy with his life. He’s been in love with Vincent for over a decade and six months ago the impossible happened and they became lovers. But since then, nothing has changed. More specifically, Vincent hasn’t changed. Oliver has tried to be patient -- it took a lot for Vincent to accept the fact he preferred men. But what felt like a tiny distance between them six months ago now feels like an ever-widening chasm. Why can’t Vincent stay the night? Is it too much to ask for Vincent to call him Oliver and not Marsden? He knows Vincent cares for him, but does Vincent love him?

Then Vincent’s father asks him for a favor -- one that involves marriage. If Vincent agrees, he’ll have the respect he’s craved from his father his entire life but he could lose Oliver. Nor does Oliver make the decision easy. To keep Oliver, he’ll have to do more than deny his father. He’ll have to give Oliver his heart.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, Domination/submission, male/male sexual practices.

Available at Loose Id

Ava March ~ Bound by Deception

Before reading Bound by Deception, I'd read only one other of Ava March's books. That one was Convincing Arthur and I was totally and completely hooked.  I've only read these two so far, well no, I'm nearly finished Bound to Him, a sequel for Oliver and Vincent (love it by the way!) but I've got the rest of her books sitting in my TBR. She writes sensual and very sexy historical romances set in the Regency period. Of course I love them; I'm a fan of Regency romances but add to them hot man-on-man loving and I'm all over it!  Especially when the author writes with such passion and detail.  With Bound by Deception, Ava March has definitely cemented her place on my favourites and auto-buy list.  Man, can she write!

Oliver and Vincent's story includes BDSM, but it's more Bondage and Domination / submission than S and M... which is just fine with me.  But most of all it's a love story in a dangerous time for men to love men. And Ava shows just how difficult it must have been to risk everything. For Vincent his changing feelings for his best friend contain a definite danger and it's obvious in the way that the story develops. 
While today there's no legal threat of death, there is still danger to those in the GLBTQ community and that angers and sickens me.  Society has improved, but it still has a very, very long way to go.  
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Lord Oliver Marsden has a secret. He's been in love with his childhood friend for years, though Vincent's never shown an interest in him beyond friendship. Ruggedly handsome, wealthy, and successful, Vincent is everything Oliver is not. And above all, Vincent doesn't prefer men.

Then Oliver discovers Vincent hires a man during his visits to a London brothel. Desperate to be with Vincent, Oliver orchestrates a deception, switching places with the brothel's employee. When Oliver arrives at the bedchamber, he's in for another surprise. Restraints and a leather bullwhip? Apparently Vincent isn't as conservative as he appears.

Lord Vincent Prescot has a secret of his own. One kept locked away and only indulged on the first Thursday of every month. But this month's appointment is different. The mysterious man is so perfect, so beautiful in his submission, rousing protective instincts Vincent can't deny. And to make matters worse, Vincent actually kisses him. Yet Vincent refuses to believe he might truly prefer men, for it could mean the end of his hopes of earning his father's respect.

Will betrayal destroy them or will they be bound together by deception?

Available at Loose Id

More by Sloan Parker

I knew before I read Sloan Parker's new, and first, book More that I would love it, but I had no idea how completely it would draw me in.  I've read a lot of books that reach out to my heart and my mind and that live on long past the time I read the last page; but More?  I"m completely overwhelmed. 
It's taken me a couple of hours --and lots of thought-- to be able to even to get to the point of being able to write down how strongly this story affected me.  There are so many words running around in my head that it's hard to just pick one and start with it.  But I guess I'd have to go with "magic".
Not the magic you find in paranormal or supernatural stories, but the magic that comes to life when you meet someone that changes your entire life, someone that brings out, not only the best, but all that you are.  And that is how I feel about this amazing first book by the very talented Sloan Parker. 
The story is told through the first-person viewpoint of Luke. He's a man that has closed himself off, except for the superficial, from the rest of humanity.  He's got no hope for a life filled with love and he thinks he's fine with that.  But the evening that the story opens with will change everything; the men that he decides to spend this one night fucking are far beyond anything he could ever have imagined.  In fact, it's the dynamics of the three of them together that changes everything; not only for Luke either.  Neither Matthew or Richard were looking beyond the night.  And watching as the magic takes hold of all three of these men is, at the very least, enthralling.

I've read other ménage stories and I've really enjoyed them.  The titillation factor definitely played a large part in that, but it's always been the emotional connection between the characters that makes a successful ménage.  But with More, it wasn't the sex that really got my attention.  Yes, the sex was sizzling and über-steamy... but it was the connection between the three men that really makes this story, and ménage, work like no other that I've ever read. 
Part of the beauty inherent in the relationship between Luke, Matthew and Richard is that, while they're very different and with varying strengths, they are yet very equal partners.  The three of them together are better, and more, than just any two of them alone.  They are all totally complementary and utterly necessary to the success of their life together. They each have their own assets that are needed by the whole; there isn't one more dominant partner, although it may appear to be so at times. But being with them as they forge a bond is an amazing adventure and an incredibly rich experience. 

Truly, this is a book that enriches the soul as it entertains the mind; and that's not a statement that I make lightly at all. 

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More by Sloan Parker
Loose Id, LLC
Genre: LGBT Polyamory (M/M/M), Suspense, Romance
Length: 245 pages (Novel plus)

BUY HERE

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Summary:  For fifteen years Luke Moore has lived by three rules: stay off his father's radar, never spend more than a single night with any man, and never fall in love again. But one night of explosive sex and two men whom he can’t get out of his head have Luke breaking them all. Richard and Matthew push him past all his boundaries—both sexually and personally—and now he’s no longer hiding from his senator father; he’s taking him on. And he isn’t just falling for one man; he’s falling for two. If you're going to break the rules, might as well break them big.

But Luke’s father has his reasons for hating how his son lives, and he’ll do whatever he can and use all his power to keep Luke away from Richard and Matthew.

Can this threesome find a way to make their unconventional relationship last with the world around them trying to pull them apart? And will Luke be able to keep breaking his rules for Richard and Matthew, or will he head back to his familiar way of life just when his new lovers want to bind him tighter?

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Male/male sexual practices, menage (m/m/m).
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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.

Three Wrong Turns in the Desert by Neil Plakcy

Three Wrong Turns in the Desert was an amazing, adventurous and sensual story.  I really hadn't known what to expect; the only other Neil Plakcy story that I had read was in the Best Gay Romance anthology edited by Tom Graham ~ Mi Amor, Mi Corazon, Mi Cielo.
It was a wonderful and yet humourous romance and it really set me up to like anything by Mr. Plakcy.  So when the opportunity arose to read his story Three Wrong Turns in the Desert, I jumped at it.  I was glued to the pages as Aidan and Liam's relationship began, grew and developed. And the exciting elements of intrigue reminded me of Robert Ludlum and the manner in which he mesmerized his readers. Mr. Ludlum is still, in my mind, one of the very best in the genre ~ and here I found the same intensity in a romance... wow!
I absolutely adored Aidan, a man who found himself in circumstances that he could neither have forseen or knew how to deal with, but with Liam by his side, all was possible.
Liam was more of a mystery, but as the story progressed Neil Plakcy slowly peeled back the layers behind which Liam had hidden himself. I loved watching as he and Aidan found something together that neither of them had ever expected to have. Beautiful, heart-pounding, erotic and always a story that will be a joy to return to again and again. 
Here's hoping that there will be more stories featuring Aidan and Liam; I for one will get them as soon as they're out!

And I've already ordered, and received, Mr. Plakcy's Mahu books... really looking forward to sitting down, digging in and letting go.

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BOOK INFO:
Neil Plakcy; Three Wrong Turns in the Desert; Loose Id; September 2009


BOOK DESCRIPTION:


From the moment he sees handsome Liam McCullough showering naked behind a Tunisian bar, ESL teacher Aidan Greene wants to screw the sexy bodyguard. At first, though, a dead courier and beefy hired thugs get in the way. But Liam soon convinces him -- with wiles and smiles and solid logic -- to join him on a race across the desert for a rendezvous with a Tuareg tribe at a remote oasis. Then nothing can stop them from getting naked and getting it on. Together they explore the passion Liam hid from as a closeted Navy SEAL, and the love Aidan's missed after his long-term boyfriend kicked him to the curb.


From the back of a motorcycle to a Turkish bath to a remote dune in the desert, these two Romeos find ways to bring each other to the heights of pleasure. So what if they’re carrying the password to a million-dollar Swiss bank account and being chased by Libyan intelligence agents determined to stop them at all costs? Love and lust fuel their passion and not even three wrong turns in the desert will keep them from surviving this adventure alive -- and together.


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

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.

As You Are by Ethan Day

I admit it... I gobbled this book down and I'd sit and do it all over again right this minute. Truly!


Ethan's been a favourite of mine since I saw, okay read, an interview he did with Amanda Young. By the time I got to the excerpt for Self Preservation, his first book, I was completely and utterly hooked.  Not only is he a funny, funny man but he's got an imagination that rivals... well anyone's.  The characters that he lets loose on the pages of his, to date, three books are believable, unforgettable, extremely likeable ~ even when at their bitchiest ~ and all have a uniqueness all their own.

As You Are details Julian Hallowell's search for a forever-happily-ever-after love with Mr. Right. But it's so much more than that. It's introducing us to a whole raft of characters that really take on a life of their own. These characters, people, exist as solidly as my next door neighbour... or at least they seem that way to me. 
And funny?  Oh my heavens... I can't believe how much I laughed. Julian had some outstanding moments... and as a matter of fact I was bookmarking pages all throughout the book.  And if it wasn't something that Julian was doing or saying, it was Gabby, or Delilah.
Then there were the tears, and the raging, a little invectives being thrown around. 
But most all it was total and undeniable enjoyment... too bad it went so fast.

I feel privileged to have been able to spend time, once again, with some of the people that lurk in Ethan Day's mind; they're gonna be sticking with me for some time to come... and that's even before I re-read the stories!

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Book Info:
Ethan Day; As You Are; Loose Id; September 2009

Teaser:
Julian has no idea what he wants to do with his life - except Danny, his roommate. He's tried everything to make Danny fall in love with him, to no avail. But when he finally throws himself back into the dating scene, has he given up too soon?

Book Description:
OPERATION Danny…that’s all bartender and recent college graduate, Julian Hallowell has had on his mind the past year. Julian may have no idea what he wants to do with his life, but he definitely knows he‘s in love with the boy next door: the next door down the hall to be exact, housing his roommate and used textbook store owner Danny Wallace.

WHILE Julian has done his level best to make Danny fall for him, all his hard work has been in vain. Danny doesn’t seem to view Julian as anything other than a roommate and friend. So when new guy in town Andy Baker asks him out on a date, Julian can’t think of a good reason to say no.

INSTEAD, he institutes a Reverse Operation Danny plan, which he’s positive will purge all thoughts of love and lust for his roomie out of his head. He’s ready to move on and start looking for his next Mr. Right, and Andy just might fit the bill. But has he given up too soon?

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

Dreaming of You by Ethan Day

This is Ethan Day's second book and the promise shown in his first book ~ Self Preservation ~ is wonderfully kept. There's something about Ethan's characters to which I really respond; they're so very real and likable, even when they're being bitchy.
They've got their flaws, foibles and fantasies but they've got heart, loyalty and a genuineness that makes them people that I'd love to know. The friendship between Aden, Nathan and Finn ~ superb... and hilarious, always a giggle or three. Aden and Logan ~ sizzle & burn! but also romantic... very, very romantic.
I'd love to insinuate myself into Aden's circle of friends 'cause there's something about Aden that gets to me, way down deep. Of course, I felt exactly the same way about Davis in Self Preservation.

To be honest I get the same feeling reading anything by Ethan Day; his sense of humour is a delight and a riot and you never know what he's going to say next! But whatever it is, it's worth reading and always more than just enjoyable.

In September, I believe, Ethan's got another book due: As You Are. I can hardly wait... well I can, but I'm going to be impatient while doing so.

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SYNOPSIS:
Copyright 2009 Ethan Day.
All Rights Reserved.

Restaurateur Aden Ingle has been in love with the perfect man since his fourteenth birthday. Unfortunately, his perfect boyfriend only exists in his dreams. But Aden’s always believed it was his destiny to meet his dream man, and he's perfectly content to wait around for him to walk into his real life.

When he meets Logan Price at a Hotel/Restaurant Trade Show, he finds himself drawn to this man who shakes him out of his dream world. Pretty soon, the flesh and blood reality is becoming more appealing than the fantasy. The only problem is Logan lives half way across the country in California.

Aden's going to have to choose whether to give up everything he’s built for himself professionally and uproot his whole life for Logan, or wait for the man from his dreams to become a reality.

So yep... I found another author who's become, on the strength of the one story that I've read, a favourite and auto-buy author. As this is Ethan Day's debut story, I'm looking forward to many more years of love and laughter as he lets us into the world of his imagination... or at least the part of it that gets published!

I "found" Ethan Day and his story Self Preservation via Amanda Young's blog wherein she did an interview with him.
I loved it; I laughed so much just reading the interview that I was sure that his story would be a winner. I was right!
The characters were very well developed and as the story progressed, getting deeper into Davis' heart and mind was an amazing ride. His emotions were my emotions and I was completely taken in.
Davis' best friend, Deseree ~ oh heavens. I love her! She's sassy, smart, caring and her in-your-face attitude is just what Davis needs to keep grounded.
The memories of Davis and Jack's passionate romance, in turn, made me giddy and broke my heart.
Tadd was an enigma throughout most of the story, but even he, Davis' rival, was a great character.
And Alex, oh my! His pithy comments cracked me up time and again, and the way he and Deseree played off each other was priceless.

As for the romance.... Whew! Both romances, past and present, were fun, erotic, tender and heartwarming. Oh, and can you say Steamy?
Yet this fantastic story was also everything a romance should be and Ethan's description of his story as a romantic comedy? Bang on.

So I wrote up a review (most of it reprinted here... or something) and I've posted it in a couple of places hoping that more people will come across this story, 'cause I think that it's one of those that should be shared, and shared widely.


5 stars... er hearts ~ LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this debut story by Ethan Day... and to be honest I certainly hope he has more where this came from, a LOT more! This man's humour is slightly skewed ~ but I LIKE it ~ and his characters, unforgettable. The story, well I couldn't read it fast enough... but when I was done I felt as though I was saying goodbye to a dear and treasured friend.This story joins the line-up on my (virtual) keeper shelves.Oh, and when it's out in paperback ~ don't get in my way 'cause I'll run anyone over that slows me down on my way to get my copy!

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BOOK INFO:

Ethan Day; Self Preservation; Loose Id, LLC; February 2009 [54K]
Erotic Gay Romantic Comedy

SYNOPSIS
(from Ethan Day's website)

Davis is a Historic Preservationist who’s stuck in the past. It’s been six years since his steamy four year relationship with stage actor Jack Monroe ended and Davis still can’t imagine his life with anyone other than Jack, the only man he’s ever loved.

When Jack calls and invites Davis to his wedding to Tadd Austin, a prominent architect in Chicago, Davis is stunned. There’s no way in hell Davis can stand by and watch the life he always expected to get back slip away to some guy Jack barely knows.
Tadd Austin, indeed…more like Toad Ass-ton, Davis thinks. He’s going to the wedding with only one goal in mind. To do whatever it takes to win back Jack…the Toad is toast!

Jack is stuck between the possibilities of what could be with Tadd and the passionate past he had with Davis. In the short amount of time Tadd has known Jack, he’s fallen hard. He’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep from losing the new love in his life.

Alex Parker is a wealthy British playboy who’s always had a different guy on his arm and in his bed. He’s never been one for convention and is a bit taken back when he stumbles across Davis. He’d like nothing better than to knock Jack out of Davis’s head once and for all.

Only true love will survive as the tug of war ensues in this Bermuda love triangle from hell.

Copyright 2009 Ethan Day. All Rights Reserved.
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