Book Review: Spell Weaver by Megan Derr

Myka's dream was to someday own his shop, making and spelling suits that were prized throughout the world. Instead, he rejected an apprenticeship with a master who proved to be reprehensible—and touchable—and lost everything. Now, he works in a derelict shop in the wrong part of town, and it's only a matter of time before he's caught spelling without a license or thrown out by his odious landlord.

The only bright part of his days are the occasional visits from his best client, Johan, a man who works in the palace and always brings the finest suits to have spelled. When he accidentally leaves behind an invitation to the royal ball, Myka takes it, determined to have one evening where he can enjoy himself—and perhaps even spend time with Johan as something other than a spell weaver.

This is a truly delightful short story! It's your typical "Cinderfella" storyline, but with a slight twist. Myka is extremely sweet and likeable, and I particularly enjoyed the mystery behind Johan. Towards the end of the story, things seemed to move a bit fast, but I guess that's to be expected in a novella. Knowing what eventually happened to Myka was lovely, but I would have enjoyed actually reading about living his new life. All in all, this is a nice, quick read that will bring a smile to your face.

3.5 stars

Buy Links
Less Than Three Press | Amazon 

~ M

fly by manzana

fly by manzana

Working at Disneyland has its advantages. Sousuke sells balloons and pretty much has it easy. He gets to work during prime hours and, most importantly, he gets to watch a beautiful acrobat perform twice a day during the parade. When the mysterious and smoldering performer approaches Sousuke, he doesn't know how to react. Could it be a love connection?

This is an adorably sweet story that will warm you heart! The plot is very simple, but also very fluffy and smile-inducing! Check it out!

~ M

artwork credit: haku

I ❤️ Yaoi: Don't Look at Me! by Sasahara Rena (Free! Doujinshi)

Good morning yaoi lovers! This week's feature is the Free! doujinshi, Don't Look at Me! by Sasahara Rena.

After sharing their first night together, Sousuke is surprised by Rin's cold attitude towards him the next morning. He begins to think that Rin hated being with him and now has regrets. Sousuke is determined to get to the bottom of this problem, but Rin has other things in mind.

This is a silly, quick read that's perfect for a little light reading. The story isn't particularly deep, but I enjoyed the humor and the lovely drawings. Perfect for all SouRin fans!

Read Don't Look at Me! here.

~ M

Coming Up Easy by thesameoldfairytale

Coming Up Easy by thesameoldfairytale

Work and life in general have created a wedge between Nasir and Agron. What was once a passionate and romantic relationship has now deteriorated into a roommates situation, and Nasir has had enough. Is this goodbye for good?

I cannot say enough good things about this incredible story! It is filled to the brim with emotion as both Nasir and Agron lay their souls bare. I remember reading this story years ago when I first discovered the Nagron fandom, so it was a treat to revisit it. Please give this one shot a try! I highly recommend it!

~ M

Blog Tour: Blood Lines by A.L. Bates

Title: Blood Lines
Author: A.L. Bates
Genre: Gay Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller
Length: Novella
Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing

Synopsis

Mark Thomas owns his own “New York”-themed bar on an off-world colony.

Nate Fox is an ex-con gone straight.

He’s also Mark’s best friend and brother-in-law.

Mark has feelings for Nate. Nate has feelings for Mark.

But neither man is prepared to compromise their friendship or Mark’s relationship with Danny.

Blood Lines is a story about fidelity, trust, and respect. It’s a story about honesty and learning from mistakes.

And it’s a story about second chances.

Buy Links

Don’t miss the release discounts at all retailers and get your copy up to 48 hours after release.
WIP | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon AU | ARe 

Blog Tour: Collars 'N Cuffs: A Wayward Ink Anthology

Title: Collars ‘N’ Cuffs
Authors: Layla Dorine, Aimee Brissay, Lily Velden, Alina Popescu, Kassandra Lea, Carol Pedroso, Eddy LeFey, Asta Idonea
Genre: Gay Romance, BDSM
Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing

Synopsis

How about a little bondage?
Does D/s get your motor running?
Do you enjoy a serving of pain to go with your pleasure?
Does your mouth water at the thought of clamps and cuffs and other naughty stuffs?
Then look no further!
The authors of Collars ‘N’ Cuffs have dripped wax on their keyboards, flogged their erotic bones, and whipped up their creative juices to bring you a collection of stories certain to enflame your imagination.

Buy Links

Don’t miss the discounted buy prices valid until 48 hours after release!
WIP | ARe | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon DE

Blog Tour: Picked Fresh (Naked Organics #2) by Posy Roberts

Title: Picked Fresh

Series: Naked Organics #2

Author: Posy Roberts 

Genre: M/M Romance

Publisher: Labyrinth Bound Press

Hudson Oliva loves stability. He was a throwaway teen before finding Kaleidoscope Gardens, but has since thrived at the commune. When Jude Garrity moves in, life gets even better, but Hudson still craves more. He knows he has to be satisfied with their exclusive status being temporary and that Jude will eventually navigate his full sexual awakening with their other housemates.

Hudson has a journey of his own to make. It might only require going home to settle his grandmother’s estate, but he plans to use his time away to figure out how to temper his feelings for Jude and bury his jealousy once and for all. But when Jude joins him on his trip, Hudson falls even deeper in love, especially after Jude stands by his side when he finally confronts his mother for rejecting him.

However, it’s not all hearts and flowers while they travel. They’re over two thousand miles from home when Hudson learns a ruthless corporate farm threatens the commune they both love. In order to save their way of life, Hudson must ask his mother for help. And if he wants a chance at a stable future with Jude, he has to tell him the truth about his feelings, no matter if it ruins the harmony he’s tried so hard to preserve.

Blog Tour & GIVEAWAY: Collateral Damage by J.T. Cheyanne

Synopsis

Fleeing the questions and horrific memories in Miami-Dade, Trevor Garrett accepts a deputy position in the small town of Rolling Fork, Mississippi. Plagued by anxiety attacks and an abhorrence to being touched, Trevor rebuffs his best friend’s attempts to set him up. He has no desire for any type of relationship; until the local golden boy strolls into his line of sight at the neighborhood dive…

Logan Andrews just wants to take care of his mama. After years of serving his country in the Army Special Forces, Logan resigns when he learns his mother is suffering from advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease. A night out with old friends turns heated when the newest deputy in town catches his attention…

When a sexually deviant killer sets his sights on the gay men in the area, Trevor is assigned the case. In a wicked twist, all evidence points to Logan. Can Trevor’s past be repeating itself? In a race against a killer, Trevor struggles to overcome his own insecurities and clear the man whose touch sets him on fire. Will he succeed or will their budding relationship become Collateral Damage?

Buy Links

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon DE

Giveaway

Prize: Five e-copies of Collateral Damage by J.T. Cheyanne

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d3e3d66a82/

About the author
#1 Best Selling Author of Grand Slam, J.T. Cheyanne is a genre crosser who writes romance and paranormal in the m/m and m/f genres. J.T. Cheyanne resides in the beautiful state of Alabama. J.T. lives with her two sons and daughter. An avid reader since fourth grade, she has only just started writing her own stories. She also has several works published with her co-author, V.L. Moon.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Broken by Blink_Blue

Broken by Blink_Blue

After the fall out of Connor finding out about Oliver declining his acceptance to Stanford, Oliver is at a loss because Connor left their apartment and hasn't returned in two weeks. On top of all of that, Oliver also has to go to an important doctor's appointment. Connor has always been a support to Oliver during his appointments, but with their relationship hanging in the balance, Oliver knows he's too hurt to show up. Until by some miracle he does...

This is a beautiful, angsty one-shot that will make your heart break for our favorite couple as you watch them not only deal with the betrayal in their relationship, but also the serious implications of Oliver's diagnosis. I highly recommend this story. It will draw you in hook, link and sinker!

~ M

artwork credit: holyhairbrush

I ❤️ Yaoi: Blue Lust by Hinako

Good morning fellow yaoi lovers! Today's feature is Blue Lust by Hinako!

On a hot summer afternoon, Hayato meets the new transfer student, Souma, who has not been able to adapt to the new environment. Hayato always manages to be in Souma's sight and he thinks he will be able to take care of him. The familiar touch allows Souma to familiarize with the environment until he's able to smile once more. All the while Hayato tries to fix things from his past.

Wow! This manga is not at all what I was expecting (in a good way). I initially thought this was going to be a cute and fluffy friends-to-lovers story, but it's much deeper than that. It deals with self-hatred, regret, guilt and hope that's beautifully captured in the drawings and text. I highly recommend this engaging story!

~ M

I Could Be the One by wadedurnt

I Could Be the One by wadedurnt

Never had Agron expected to get close to the brother of one of his arch enemies, and neither did Nasir. They both didn't expect to get involved on a deeper level- but they make it work.

College AU! I love reading about Nagron in college! Agron & Nasir attend Capua University and, as you can imagine, high jinks ensue. Agron and Nasir's older brother belong to rival fraternities, which makes their relationship complicated, but they're determined to explore their new friendship, which is quickly becoming romantic. Of course the entire Sparty crew is in on all the fun, including our beloved Duro. I can't wait to see how this story plays out!

~ M

Picture edit: Steorie

Book Review & GIVEAWAY: Always Another Side by Annabelle Jacobs

Starting over at forty is hard work for landscape architect Jack Bowman. His long-term partner hurt him badly. With his self-esteem dented by the break up, trusting a new lover is going to take time.

Tyler Freeman is equally unlucky when it comes to love. Now that he’s over thirty-five, he’s tired of getting played. All he wants is someone special. How hard can it be to meet a man who’s honest, with no hidden surprises?

Being set up on a blind date might be a classic cliché, but it’s a stroke of good luck for Jack and Tyler. They have a lot in common, including previous relationships steeped in deceit, but it’s worth navigating their trust issues if it means laying those ghosts to rest.

Making it work finally seems possible—until an accidental discovery threatens their newfound happiness.

This is a sweet story about two mature men, who have both experienced painful break ups, finding love again. The story is pretty low on angst, so that allows the reader to really get to know the characters. If you're in the mood for a sweet love story without the typical miscommunication and misunderstandings, this is the book for you!

3.5 stars 

~ M

Blog Tour: Elysium by J.J. Harper

Title: Elysium

Series: Reunion Series #3

Author: JJ Harper

Genre: M/M Romance

Release Date: June 16, 2016

With Nico by his side, Ryan says goodbye to his old life and moves away, leaving his job and his hometown behind him.

Ready for a fresh new start together, Ryan and Nico settle down into a slower and easier lifestyle and life becomes as perfect as they could wish for.

When Ryan is unexpectedly reminded of the life he happily walked away from, his world is turned upside down when he gets notice of news that he never expected to hear. Ryan is tormented by what is being asked of him; the very thing he was promised would never be asked of him again.

A man Nico once knew returns, and Nico wishes he'd never caught up with Lyle. His ploy to keep Lyle away from Ryan fails and Lyle tells all about his previous connection to Nico. Ryan takes off, leaving no clues as to where he's gone and Nico is devastated believing that Ryan has left him.

When Ryan finally returns home; so does his past and he is forced to visit an old friend. But things are not what they seem and Ryan must fight as hard as he can to keep himself safe.

Maybe the perfect life with a happy ever after just isn't in the cards for Ryan and Nico after all.

Reading this may seriously raise you blood pressure, contains lots of hot scenes of sex between two men and has strong language throughout

This book is intended for 18+ readers.

Truce by glitterbb

Truce by glitterbb

For the sake of their daughter's happiness, Connor and Oliver call a truce.

This story grabbed my attention right from the start. Connor and Oliver are married and a have a sweet daughter; however, something has gone very wrong and now their relationship has been ripped apart. I found myself glued to the screen wondering what was going to happen next. Give this gripping story a try! It will definitely tug at the heartstrings.

~ M

We Stand with Orlando

After yet another senseless act of violence in this country, all I can do is shake my head and hope for peace and comfort for the families and friends of the deceased and healing for the injured. If you would like to support the Pulse Victims Fund, you can do so here. This is the official gofundme account that has already raised over $4 million dollars.

~ M

I ❤️ Yaoi: September Orca by Garakuta

Greetings yaoi lovers! Today's selection is the Free! doujinshi September Orca by Garakuta!

Haru doesn't understand why Makoto has ceased all physical displays of affection. He soon learns that his best friend is harboring feelings of guilt, shame and unworthiness.

What a lovely doujinshi! The story is pretty simple, but also really sweet. I think my favorite aspect of this dj is the artwork. It's exquisite! If you're in the mood for a quick read that's angsty, but hopeful, give September Orca a try!

Read September Orca here.

~ M

Goodbyes Are Always the Hardest by Gaia_Bing

Goodbyes Are Always the Hardest by Gaia_Bing

When AI Nasir and android Agron are paired together for space-flight missions, they spend ten wonderful years together. Their friendship deepens and they learn to care very much for one another. However, when Agron retires, he is forced to let go of the one being in the galaxy that means the most.

This story is absolutely enchanting. Sometimes AI/android stories (in any genre) can come off sterile and cold, but this one is not like that at all! Your heart will melt and subsequently break as you watch these two beings develop feelings for each other and inevitably be forced to leave each other's sides. Please give this delightful story a try! It will warm your heart!

~ M

Cover Reveal & GIVEAWAY: Complexity by Harper Miller

Title: Complexity

Series: A Kinky Connect Chronicles Novella

Author: Harper Miller

Genre: M/M Erotica Novella

Release Date: July 8, 2016

Fairy tale endings weren’t made for people like me. Happy for now usually ain’t in the cards, either. The dents on my wall from where my headboard kept knockin’ against the same spot was the first clue that I needed to calm my ass down. At the rate I was racking up notches and plowing through hookups, I wasn’t ever gonna find nothing real. Guess I kinda jinxed myself. I created my circumstances. You can’t get what you want if you keep falling back into the same pattern of bad habits. But then things changed. I stumbled onto somethin’ I never in a million years expected to happen. You gotta understand, I’m never the guy who wins. It was supposed to be just sex, but that shifty rhyming and scheming bastard, Cupid, pulled a fast one. I may have changed some stuff to protect a couple of people. But before you go believing the tabloids, make sure you understand that you’re gettin’ the lowdown straight from the source. I needed to get this off my chest, and it’s only fair that you at least get my side of it all. At some point, I might regret telling you any of this, but for now, you need to know.

*Disclaimer* This is a novella. Not a short story, novelette, or novel. This tale features an M/M pairing. If gay erotica/erotic romance is not your cup of tea and you are offended by same-sex relationships or crass language, you should bypass this story. Content is intended for a mature audience, 18+. Complexity is the fourth installment in The Kinky Connect Chronicles. The Kinky Connect Chronicles are short erotic stories/novelettes all wrapped up in neat little bows. These stories are standalones. No cliffhangers in the lot!

 

Book Review: Nate and the New Yorker by Kevin Klehr

Cameron has it all. He’s rich, lives in Manhattan, and even has a cross-dressing butler. But then he meets Nate, an Australian who’s bitter about love. Cameron is determined to turn this realist into a dreamer by sharing his world of classy restaurants, Broadway shows and fabulous parties. And while Nate’s friends see the makings of a fantasy romance, it’s Nate who has to learn that in order to open his heart, he has to face a painful secret.

The premise of this book seemed interesting when I first read the synopsis. Seeing opposites work through and embrace their differences is a storyline I often enjoy. Unfortunately, the lack of chemistry between the main characters, the abundant exposition and the eventual twist at the end left me a little disappointed. 

I can definitely see what the author was trying to do in the portrayal of Cameron and Nate. Cameron comes from a life of luxury who has the ability and resources to be a dreamer. Nate, on the other hand, grew up modestly and works as a waiter in his friend's cafe, so he's much more realistic about life in general. However, both characters ended up being unlikable, Nate moreso than Camerson, in my eyes. While Cameron is a braggart, Nate acted as though nothing was good unless he had some control over it. When Cameron treats Nate to a trip to New York, Nate does nothing but complain the whole time because he feels he needs to pay his own way. Cameron makes it clear that it's his treat and he just wants to spoil the man he likes. That's still not good enough. Nate makes every excuse he can to make his point and it became tedious after a while.

Then there's Nate's ex. I don't want to give too much away concerning him, but while reading, I often wondered why he was so prominent in Nate's life and why in the world they broke up at all since they seemed so good together. You'll have to read the book to find out exactly why their relationship fell apart.

All in all, this was a good effort by the author, but it just did not work for me.

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

Buy Links
Wilde City Press | Amazon

~ M

The Basics of Mermaid Classification by Utsukushin

The Basics of Mermaid Classification by Utsukushin

When Makoto and his father discover a small merman while on a fishing expedition, he develops a strong bond with the creature. He soon realizes that even though he's just a little boy, he will do anything he can to keep his Haru safe.

This is an adorable story! Seeing the friendship between Makoto and Haru grow is so sweet, and I can't wait to see what happens next! Give it a try! You won't be disappointed!

~ M

artwork credit: Ska&Hug

I ❤️ Yaoi: Seishun Hensachi by Takagi Ryou

Greetings yaoi lovers! This week's feature is Seishun Hensachi by Takagi Ryou!

Hiyori, named "the flower of high peak" because of his beauty, has lived a dull social life and has never been in a relationship. The only confession he ever received was five years ago in high school by an ikemen (good looking man)! Not knowing how to react, he ran away after giving an utterly ambiguous reply. Years later, and fed up of his social life, he prays to the god at the sanctuary to let him meet with his destined one...and just who might this destined one be? Surely not the ikemen from high school, right? Things get hot pretty fast. 

This is a cute read that made me chuckle quite a bit. The storyline is one that manga readers have seen before, but there is a slight twist that you won't be expecting. I absolutely adored the artwork! The way Uzuki is drawn will make you swoon! He is so handsome! Give this manga a try! It will definitely bring a smile to your face!

3.5 stars

~ M