Book Review: Good-Time Boys Series by Carol Lynne

I recently read the Good-Time Boys series by Carol Lynne. Rather than write separate posts for each book, I figured I'd devote one post to the entire series.

Sonny's Salvation

2.5 stars

Very short, so it was difficult to connect with the MCs. Their romance happened very quickly and I found myself more interested in Sonny's and Garron's brothers. Hopefully I'll get a better sense of the MCs after reading the subsequent books in the series.

Garron's Gift

3 stars

This was an okay read. The pacing was kind of slow, so I found myself skimming through much of it. Garron and Sonny's new situation was heartbreaking, but it was nice to see them working through it. The blossoming romance between Rawley and Jeb stood out the most in my opinion. The mystery, unfortunately, seemed to lag and the abrupt ending/cliffhanger was irksome. I will continue with the series to see how the story wraps up.

Safe in Harbor by sadtomato

Safe in Harbor by sadtomato

Still mourning the loss of his long-term partner, Peter, two years after his death, Carlisle's friends and family band together to help him move on and live the life they know Peter would have wanted him to live. After begrudgingly arriving in paradise for his all-inclusive vacation, Carlisle's initially closed off and quiet, not wanting to do anything but relax and then go back home. When a handsome student, Edward, breezes into his life, Carlisle is torn. Should he accept the attention and affection from this adorable young man or keep to himself and not betray the memory of his deceased partner?

I loved this one shot! Carlisle's pain was so real and heartbreaking that I found myself wanting to reach through the screen and give him a hug. However, seeing him slowly come out of his shell and enjoy life (and Edward) was really sweet to witness. I would definitely recommend this story to those who enjoy sweet stories about second chances at love.

~ M

Book Review: My Bittersweet by N. Wood

Nicholas' life is anything but easy. His beloved cat recently passed away and he's having a hard time moving forward. When an waiter makes an innocent, but inappropriate, joke, he feels as though his world is crumbling. Add to that the fact that he works a dead end job at a grocery store and has to endure abuse from his homophobic step-father, things couldn't get any worse.

The waiter, Archer, feels horrible about what happened, so when he comes face-to-face with the sad man on the receiving end of his bad joke, he tries his best to make it up to him. What ensues is a sweet romance that will tug at the heartstrings.

Nicholas broke my heart over and over again in this book. Until Archer steps in, it seems as though his life runs in a never ending cycle of pain and despair. It also doesn't help that he thinks so badly of himself. Archer, on the other hand, is full of life and joie de vivre. He manages to bring light and happiness into Nicholas' life with his his constant positive outlook and strong desire to love him.

I must admit that much of this story is difficult to get through. There are plenty of good times, but there are also a lot of moments that are painful to read. N. Wood crafted a story that not only shows how love and the right person can turn someone's life around, but it also teaches all of us to appreciate the people we have in lives because they can be taken away in the blink of an eye.

There were a few grammatical errors in the book, but nothing too distracting. I also want to forewarn readers that this story does not have a HEA (highlight text to read *spoiler*). I know that some people like to know this prior to reading, but don't let that deter you from this emotional roller coaster of a story.

The author provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Buy My Bittersweet here.

~ M

Ready for You by celestialdawn2123

Ready for You by celestialdawn2123

When Jasper sees Edward at a club while hanging out with friends, he is immediately enamored with the gorgeous man. They immediately have a connection and an incredible attraction to one another upon first meeting, but as they get to know each other better, Jasper learns just how great Edward really is and falls hard. There's only one problem...Edward has a boyfriend.

This story is really cute. There is a good amount of angst and fluff, which is a perfect combination in my eyes. Please take a few moments to read this sweet story. You won't be disappointed! :D

~ M 

My Kind of Rain by writerchick0214

My Kind of Rain by writerchick0214

On a typical day at the prison, Daryl takes Glenn to a special place where he finds solace during troubling times.

I thought this one shot was adorable. I LOVE Daryl Dixon and have always held a soft spot for Glenn (isn't he the epitome of a bad ass this season...well, after Daryl of course). Seeing two of my favorite Walking Dead characters happy and in love during a zombie apocalypse? Perfection!

~ M

p.s. How cute is that gif? lol

Book Review: See by Jackie Nacht

Fourteen-year-old Drew is constantly bullied and ridiculed at school after coming out months before. In an act of desperation, he decides it would be better for everyone if he ended his life. Before he has the chance, an apparition, who looks to be a boy his own age, appears and pleads with him to reconsider. Explaining that he is Drew's future husband, Mason sets out to show Drew that life is indeed worth living.

I really enjoyed this story! It was heartbreaking to read about the torture Drew endured at the hands of his narrow-minded classmates, but my heart also warmed when he was shown his life in the future. The MCs, as well as the secondary characters, were very likable and I found myself hoping Drew wouldn't carry out his plan because so much happiness was in store.

One thing I took from this story is that no matter how bleak things may be right now, only you can take the necessary steps to make it better. There is light at the end of the tunnel and life can be so good and definitely worth living. I highly recommend this book!

~ M

Too Much by SilverAnemone13

Too Much by SilverAnemone13

Seth has imprinted on his good friend, Emmett, but is afraid to tell him because he doesn't want to be rejected. Little does he know that Emmett's feelings run deeper than mere friendship.

Sweet and adorable, this story will surely bring a smile to your face. The pairing of two of the most jovial Twilight characters was a joy to see and I wish there were more stories featuring this pair.

~ M

Hurt by texasbella

Hurt by texasbella

Carlisle possesses a certain something that attracts Jasper in way he's not used to. Even though he tries to resist his friend, and ignore their sexual tension, Jasper gives in after an innocuous night of hanging out. The only problem is that Jasper has a girlfriend...and Carlisle thinks their "relationship" is much more than it is.

I found this story to be quite refreshing, especially as a horror fan. It's not fluffy, romantic or sweet. It's disturbing, frightening and borderline sickening. I always enjoy reading stories in which favorite characters are characterized in completely different ways. Carlisle is not the benevolent, compassionate man that we've all come to know and love.

I don't want to give too much away because you should read it and make your own conclusions. I do, however, want to warn readers that a good amount of blood is involved, so if that makes you uncomfortable, you may want to skip this one shot. Everyone else, let me know what you thought!

~ M

The Bronze Prince by TwiBoy

The Bronze Prince by TwiBoy

Trying to have some semblance of a life on the streets, Edward sells his body to "Papas" who use him for their own satisfaction. When he encounters a mysterious man, who both arouses and frightens him, Edward's world, as he knows it, is forever changed.

This is a story that will have you on the edge of your seat from the very beginning. The chemistry Edward and Jasper share is so strong and palpable that you'll wonder if Jasper is using his empathetic powers on you. I don't want to say too much because I don't want to give away the plot, but believe me when I say this is one story you don't want to pass up!

~ M

Book Review: Operation: Get Spencer by Jambrea Jo Jones

Cute story about Ben, who is straight, realizing he's in love with his best friend, Spencer. He decides to reveal his big news while they attend New York Comic Con (NYCC). Even though the overall story was sweet, I felt like something was lacking, but I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe it was the story's short length, which led me to feel as though the characters weren't developed enough.

A highlight for me was the mention of NYCC and San Diego Comic Con, both of which I've attended myself. It's always nice to recognize locations in a book. :)

Buy Operation: Get Spencer here and here.

~ M

The Only Place I Want to Be by love-tart

The Only Place I Want to Be by love-tart

New to the area, Jasper stumbles upon a coffee shop that he immediately falls in love with. It has great coffee and baked goods, but more importantly, it has a beautiful bronze-haired employee who makes his heart race. Jasper and Edward share a connection, but both are hesitant to make a move; Jasper believes Edward is straight and Edward is shy. When they're friends scheme to bring them together, there are immediate fireworks and the beginnings of something incredible.

Fluffy, sweet and adorable, The Only Place I Want to Be is a delightful, heartwarming one shot that will surely bring a smile to your face. I fell in love with both Edward and Jasper and rooted for their HEA. The secondary characters are likable and gently nudge the MCs together without being annoying and pushy. Definitely give this story a shot. It's the author's first try at slash and I think she did a great job!

~ M

Flash by Yulliah

Flash by Yulliah

Every time Edward encounters Jasper, he sticks his foot in his mouth. He thinks the blond is sex on legs, but his misconceptions color Jasper's true nature. As times goes by, Edward manages to piss Jasper off more and more to the point where he can barely stand to be around Edward. Will the two men overcome their differences or allow past wrongs and prejudices keep them apart?

This was a pleasant surprise! Filled with angst, a little humor and drama, I really enjoyed this one shot. Edward and Jasper's journey is really fun to watch even though Edward's words and actions made me cringe and wonder how he and Jasper would ever find common ground, let alone love.

Yulliah never disappoints with her stories, and Flash is definitely one you should check out!

~ M

Snap to Attention by DelphiusFanfic

Snap to Attention by DelphiusFanfic

Carlisle, an up and coming photographer, suddenly gets the opportunity to photograph one of the hottest male models in the industry, Jasper Whitlock. Anxiety runs high because if things go wrong, it could potentially end Carlisle's career. He must also grapple with the fact that he has an intense attraction towards the model. Jasper, on the other hand, is a diva. His success has allowed him to act a certain way and treat people a certain way...usually badly. When Carlisle ignores his antics and eventually puts him in his place, Jasper finds this behavior frustrating and incredibly arousing. Will the two men fall into each other's arms or come to blows? You'll just have to read this one shot to find out!

I really enjoyed this! It's refreshing to see this particular pairing because Jasper/Carlisle stories are rare. The mixture of a hot, somewhat bratty model and an assertive, take no b.s. photographer is perfect! Even though the one shot is very satisfying, I can't help but hope that we see more from these characters in the future. Definitely check out this awesome story! I can assure you, you won't be disappointed!

~ M

Author Spotlight: Chris T. Kat, Author of New Release, Secret Chemistry

I recently had the opportunity to interview author Chris T. Kat. Her newest release, Secret Chemistry, is released today.

Check out the interview below!

A couple of your books, including your latest, Secret Chemistry, involves shape-shifter characters. What about shape-shifters interests you most and makes you want to write about them?

I've always had a thing for paranormal books, and especially for stories with shape-shifters. The thought of humans changing their form fascinates me to no end! There are so many questions in need of answers, like: Do the people know about their ability to shift into an animal or does it come as a surprise? How much of the typically associated animal behavior shows in the human's personality? How do the shape-shifters deal with their special abilities? Are they glad about them or do they wish for them to vanish miraculously?

I think it would be awesome to see the world from an animal's point of view—at least for some time. Also, how does it feel to walk on all fours, or to be able to run really fast and jump over whatever gets in your way? How does it feel if someone else pets you? Like I said, I'm simply fascinated by the whole concept. :)

How did you come up with the concept for Secret Chemistry?

I'm not only fascinated by the idea of shape-shifters but also by foxes, especially the red foxes. Some would probably call it an obsession... These animals combine typical characteristics of dogs and cats, a mixture I find very endearing. Their outer appearance also appeals to me: the coats in various shades of red, the black socks, the white belly, the white tip of their tail, the bushiness of their tails and... I could go on forever!

However, since I wrote a fairly long fanfic about a were-fox I didn't want to go the same route again. I've read a lot of werewolves-stories and love them but for Secret Chemistry I wanted to add a little twist: what if there weren’t only pure blooded werewolves but hybrids too? How would the werewolf community react? Just like that, the concept for Secret Chemistry was born.

Book Review: Secret Chemistry by Chris T. Kat

In 1993, thirteen-year-old werewolf shapeshifter, Tim, discovers he is mated to a hybrid wolf-fox, Jay. This is not good because hybrids are looked down upon and killed almost immediately since they are a threat to the pure werewolf bloodline. His troubles only seem to double when he discovers that his mate not only a hybrid, but male and currently only three-years-old. Tim looks past all of these things and connects with little one on a purely platonic level while trying to save him from being murdered. In the process, the two are separated and Tim must spend the next 18 years wondering what became of his mate. When an adult Jay unexpectedly comes back into his life in 2011, Tim vows to never let him go, even if it means giving his own life to protect his one and only.

I typically do not read shapeshifter books, but found this one to be quite interesting. It has a great mix of suspense, romance and angst all rolled up into a rather engrossing storyline. An 18-year time jump could be disastrous, but Chris T. Kat handled it in a way that allowed the reader to see the growth of the characters without feeling as though we had been haphazardly thrown into another time period. Both of the MCs were very likable and I found myself rooting for their reconciliation. I was anxiously on the edge of my seat during the build up to Tim and Jay finally mating, so much so that I could actually feel the tension, frustration and desire the characters emanated.

In my opinion, the stand out character was Robin, Tim's younger brother. He was absolutely adorable and I hope he gets his own book someday. Utilized as comic relief and a voice of reason between the characters, I found myself wanting to know more and more about him. I felt as though Tim's other siblings sort of disappeared after a while and wished their stories could have been wrapped up a little better. I wanted to know if Laura took the advice of her doctor and wife and stayed away from riding until she was fully recovered from childbirth. Secondly, I wanted to know what happened to Debra, the most annoying and spiteful of Tim's siblings. She was such a nasty character who seemed to inflict pain on her family, particularly Tim, for no reason other than her own enjoyment. 

All in all, Secret Chemistry was a very enjoyable read that I would definitely recommend to others.

The author provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Buy Secret Chemistry here.

~ M

Book Review: Wallflowers by Sean Michael

DJ and Ryan had a passionate relationship in college, but parted on bad terms when Ryan refused to come out of the closet. Seven years later, the men are reunited at the wedding of a frat brother where old feelings resurface. Will Ryan finally come out for the man he loves or will they be doomed to repeat history?

I thought this was a sweet story. Both of the MCs are relatable and likable and I was really drawn in to the story. DJ was a delight and took his blindness in stride when he could have ended up bitter and angry. He obviously missed his sight, but realized that life must go on and he had to live.

My only complaint was the somewhat choppy and disjointed writing style. A few times I had to go back and re-read passages to make sure I understood what was happening. Also, the overuse of "man" and "dude" to address characters grated my nerves after a while.

All in all, this was a very sweet story about rediscovering what matters in life.

Buy Wallflowers here and here.

~ M

His Daddy's Eyes by SlashGalAgget

His Daddy's Eyes by SlashGalAgget

After losing his sister in a tragic accident, Jasper finds himself the guardian of a new bundle of joy. Even though he's reeling from the loss of Rosalie, he knows that he needs to be there for her son.. A new, handsome employee throws Jasper for a loop and he must reconcile his desire to take care of his nephew and the desire to find true love.

So far this story is really sweet. Jasper is absolutely adorable and is a great father-figure to little Matthew. Edward's introduction was unique to say the least (lol) and it will be interesting to see how he and Jasper come together, especially since the mystery of Matthew's father's identity points right at the object of Jasper's desires. The secondary storyline involving Emmett and Alice is delightful and will bring a smile to your face.

It is definitely going to be fun watching this story unfold!

~ M

Beauty and the Geek by Emma Lee Rose

Beauty and the Geek by Emma Lee Rose

Emmett and Jasper were friends as children, but drifted apart during high school. When they are brought back together as adults, neither can deny their growing attraction.

This is an adorable story about two friends who reconnect in more wonderful ways than one. The heat and chemistry between the two men is palpable and I'm surprised this story hasn't received more attention. Definitely check out this charming story!

The Closet by YetAnotherFan2010

The Closet by YetAnotherFan2010

Jasper is a loner. He tries to lay low and keep out of people's way. His fellow students think he's a freak and bullies constantly target him with hurtful words and fists. Edward, on the other hand, is quite popular and barely has a care in the world. When the two young men volunteer at the hospital, they embark on a secret friendship, meeting in the janitor's closet during breaks. Even though they're from two different worlds and are opposites, they soon learn to rely on each other for support and companionship.

This is one intense story, but at the same time there is a tenderness that Jasper and Edward share that makes you root for them. My heart broke over and over again for Jasper as he endured the constant belittling by his ignorant and narrow-minded classmates, teachers and mother. The story is not yet complete, but I can tell you that I'm on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happens next with this flawed, yet beautiful couple.

~ M

Book Review: Bless Us Every One by Gina A. Rogers

To his neighbors, Edan is a weird recluse who never leaves his house and is in a perpetually bad mood. Much like the Grinch, his heart starts to melt and grow when an optimistic and positive neighbor, Tim, knocks on his door and asks for help putting up Christmas lights. The two men develop a sweet friendship that eventually grows into something much more,

I really enjoyed this short story. It has the classic "be thankful for what you have because it could be much, much worse" theme, but it's not done in a cliche and corny way. Tim's outlook on life was beautiful and I couldn't help but absorb some of his positivity. Edan was scarred, both physically and emotionally, so it was nice seeing him slowly open up and heal with the help of Tim.

Since the story was so short, I would love to see more from this couple. I have a feeling there is much more to their story. Bless Us Every One is the perfect feel-good Christmas story that will warm you heart.

Buy Bless Us Every One here and here.

~ M

Let the Rain Come Down by KellanCougar

Let the Rain Come Down by KellanCougar - COMPLETE

Living on the streets isn't easy, so when Jasper, a hustler, notices a frazzled and thin young man rifling through the trash for something to eat, he immediately empathizes. Jasper knows exactly what it's like to not know when his next meal will come. Selling his body seems to be the only option at this point, but Jasper knows he can't do this forever. When he finally approaches the skittish young man, he is determined to take him under his wing and do everything in his power to ensure that Edward is safe.

This is a beautifully powerful story. I immediately fell in love with Jasper and Edward and was heartbroken hearing about both of their struggles. However, the way they relied on and supported each other is what really touched me. Even though this story has its fair share of angst, it's also quite sweet and poignant. Please give this gem a try! You won't be same afterwards.

~ M