I ❤️ Yaoi: Nan demonai hi janai hi by Lionni

Good morning yaoi lovers! This week's feature is the Free! doujinshi, Nan demonai hi janai hi by Lionni!

Sousuke's birthday is coming up, so Rin asks him what he would like as a gift. Unfortunately, Sousuke does not give him the answer he'd hoped for.

I was pleasantly surprised by how emotionally charged this doujinshi is! It's pretty heavy on the angst, but you can feel just how much Rin & Sousuke care for one another. It's beautifully written and drawn. Highly recommended!

Read Nan demonai hi janai hi here.

~ M

Homerun by strictlybecca

Homerun by strictlybecca

In the midst of a zombie apocalypse, Agron and Duro honed their fighting skills and effectively rid the world of quite a few "crawlers". Agron is immediately mesmerized when they come to the aid of a stranger who is almost overtaken by a horde. Duro can't help but roll his eyes at the fact that his brother finds time to flirt while also killing zombies.

 

I couldn't help but laugh during this quick read! Agron and Duro are the ultimate silly zombie-killing duo! They have some pretty cool moves, but my favorite part of this story is Duro's reactions to his brother's shameless flirting. Nasir can hold his own, but something about the unfiltered giant of a man intrigues him. Give this funny story a try!

 

~ M

Book Review: Heart Trouble (Ashe Sentinel Connections #6) by D.J. Jamison

When Gage Evans gets a look at his hot nurse, he's smitten immediately. Too bad he's given the nurse the impression he's some kind of daredevil. It couldn't be further from the truth. Gage is a college journalism instructor writing a series of guest columns that require him to jump into new experiences -- a fun bucket list, but one that does nothing to convince Ben he's not an adrenaline junkie.

Fresh off his latest heartbreak, nurse Ben Griggs is wary when one of his patients shows an interest in him -- especially when that patient showed up in the ER after a motorcycle accident. Ben's ex was a biker, a friend with benefits, and he dropped Ben cold when someone more interesting came along. Ben isn't the kind of guy who can hold the interest of an adrenaline junkie like Gage Evans for long. The last thing he wants is to lose his heart to the wrong man again.

The more Ben gets to know Gage, the harder he is to resist. He can only hold on for the ride and keep his guard up as much as he can. But Ben's lack of trust seriously gets in the way of building a relationship, and Gage will only be patient so long. Can he trust Gage enough to give him heart, or are they destined to have a fling that goes nowhere?

This was a frustrating read for me. I did not find any fault in the writing or the flow of the story. Everything came down to the characters; well, one character in particular. Gage is a complete delight. He is kind, patient, funny and a total sweetheart. He's willing to do anything for the people he cares for and I admired his determination. Ben, on the other hand, was very hard to like. His constant insecurities, doubt, pessimism and occasional selfishness and manipulative attitude made me wonder why Gage want to be with him so badly. Yes, Ben is good looking and he and Gage shared a passionate sex life, but, in my opinion, that's not enough to put up with all of his baggage.

All in all, this is a nice read, but be warned Ben will frustrate you. However, Gage and side character Zane will give you a nice, calming respite in between Ben's Debbie Downer fits.

I received a copy of this book from the author and voluntarily provided my honest review.

Buy Link

Amazon

~ M

Book Review: Paint the Stars (Free Fall #3) by Christina Lee & Nyrae Dawn

Ezra Greene has made a pretty decent life for himself. He has a nice apartment and spends his days doing the one thing he’s always loved—creating art. Despite being somewhat of a grumpy recluse, he’s even made a few loyal friends. When he takes a side job painting a mural at a local holistic center, he can’t help being curious about a certain friendly and self-assured yoga instructor, even if he doesn’t buy into any of that Zen crap. His holier-than-thou family already tried fitting him inside a box, and he swore he’d never be molded into anybody’s belief system again.

For Daevonte Randall, adulthood has worked out pretty well. He’s close to his parents and lives with an awesome roommate. He’s content with weekend hookups, teaching yoga, and taking college courses. What he doesn’t expect is to be so intrigued by the brooding and reserved painter he’s been tasked to stay after hours with at the center. Something fascinates him about Ezra, even after Daevonte’s attempts at flirting gets him friend-zoned on the spot.

As weeks pass, Ezra and Dae get to know each other, and soon their friendship catches fire. But Ezra’s been burned pretty badly before so trust and intimacy has to be earned. Daevonte feels up to the task, but it proves difficult as Ezra continues to keep his emotions in check. Dae’s only willing to wait so long, and when they’re dealt a surprising blow, Ezra needs to decide if love is worth the risk, that is…if it’s not too late.

I really enjoyed this story! Both Daevonte and Ezra are likable characters, even though Ezra could be a little too grumpy and set in his ways. I like how they both brought out different, positive aspects in each other and learned from one another. This is a very slow build, but the pay off is well worth it. Definitely give this story a try. It's filled with complex characters that will keep you on your toes and wondering what's going to happen next. 

I received a copy of this book from the authors and voluntarily provided my honest review.

 

Buy Link

Amazon

~ M

Water Birth by KireinaAme

Water Birth by KireinaAme

Makoto and Haru are happy, in love and married. Of course the next step would be children, so now the two men are eagerly awaiting the birth of their first. It should come as no surprise that Haru chose a water birth.

This is a very sweet one shot! I know some people are turned off by mpreg, but I think the author did a pretty good job with it. You can feel love Makoto and Haru have for one another, and the joy the experience once their child is born. Give this story a try!

~ M

artwork credit: yuilien

You Know How to be the Bigger Person by chelztoddbrooke

You Know How to be the Bigger Person by chelztoddbrooke

While grocery shopping with their young son and daughter, Agron and Nasir's family experiences the ugliness of society. Even though the situation is handled, Agron worries how the incident has affected his children.

This story is wonderful! Although the subject matter is somewhat heavy, I loved the family dynamic. The kids are really adorable, and I found myself wishing I could continue reading about this family long after I'd finished the fic. Highly recommended!

~ M

photo credit: Starz, Inc.

Book Review & GIVEAWAY: You Had Me at Hero by Michael P. Thomas

When seventeen-year-old Mark Potts fell from a balcony, he lost both the use of his legs and any faith in heroes. Now twenty-nine, he’s long-since come to terms with his injury. His job provides more opportunities for eye-rolling than for riding to anybody’s rescue, but with two kids to bring up, he barely has time for his husband, much less for heroics. Besides, Starr Bradford is a policeman -- how many heroes does one family need?

Mark and Starr love each other madly, but stress management is a load-bearing pillar of their happiness. When Mark’s coping skills fail him at exactly the wrong moment, he’s left hanging by a thread of words he should’ve kept in his mouth. He has the power to repair their relationship, but when Starr’s workday suddenly goes south, will he get to wield it? Keeping it together long enough to find out is a job worthy of any superhero!

This was a pretty quick read that flowed well. I liked the main characters and thought they had a great, relatively uncomplicated, relationship. It was interesting to read about how children came into their lives and how well both Mark and Starr took on the role of father. Even though there was a small amount of exposition for Mark and Starr, I wish there had been more. Sometimes I felt as though I picked up their story somewhere in the middle. There were pieces I felt were missing that could have fleshed out the characters and the overall storyline much better. 

The "big misunderstanding," in my opinion, seemed a little overblown by both of the main characters. I was confused as to why that particular incident caused so much worry and angst, at least from Mark's point of view.

All in all, this is a nice read. I appreciated how Michael P. Thomas inserted important social commentary into the book, particularly when it came to race. It's not perfect, but the effort is there and I respect him for that.

I received a copy of this book from the author and voluntarily provided my honest review.

Buy Links

JMS Books | Amazon

~ M

Stand Up for the One You Love by Lycosolen

Stand Up for the One You Love by Lycosolen

Michaela has a few words she'd like to share with Oliver after discovering he knows about Sam's murder. Connor is taken aback by her condescension and decides to have a few words with her.

Tense and engrossing, this story is a great complement to episode 3x11. I loved the way that Connor stands up for Oliver and shows that Oliver is one of the few people they can trust. Give this quick read a try!

~ M

picture credit: ABC

Blog Tour: Jared's Family by V.S. Morgan

Title: Jared’s Family

Series: Sequel to The Gift and Sam’s Temptation (can be read as a standalone)

Author: V.S. Morgan 

Genre: m/m, Interracial, Contemporary, Western 

Publisher: Decadent Publishing

Cover Designer: Tibbs Design

Available Now

After witnessing his mother’s death, a once outgoing preschooler is now a quiet shadow of himself. The little boy suffers nightmares and rarely speaks, choosing to use the basic sign language he learned in daycare. Desperate to help his little nephew, Virge Stevens takes a leave of absence from the LAPD to bring Donovan, known as D to Montana for the therapy he needs.

A chance meeting at the library changes Virge and his nephew’s lives forever.

Jared Malone is one of five brothers, right smack damn in the middle. He is the peacemaker and the one who gets shit done. When his younger brother gets sick, Jared fills in reading to small children at the library. There he encounters a tall, dark, and handsome stranger and his cute little boy. Jared is immediately drawn to Virge but is still dealing with the betrayal of an abusive ex.

As the Malone family welcomes them to the ranch and into their lives, Virge’s instant attraction for Jared grows, but the cowboy is fifteen years younger than him. Will he be rejected?

Both men have secrets. Secrets that could destroy the connection between them. Can they overcome the odds and find happiness together?

Book Review: The Loudest Whisper by Dakila Reed

When one knows he's about to die, he just takes what he can to make the remaining days the best.

Erol knows his time is ticking away. In the outside, he's brimming with energy, kindness, and good-natured wit. He doesn't need anybody to know in a few months he's never coming back. A man with an emptying hour-glass for a heart as himself, he's accepted that not all things in his to-do list will ever be accomplished.

Hart is a dead man living in a monotonous life. One previous heartbreak is enough for a lifetime. When Hart walks in to find his new temporary assistant in the name of Erol to be everything he dislikes, he makes it hard for the young man to follow with the job. The kid adores a rock singer he hates. The kid is too colorful it hurts his eyes. It's like the kid's there to challenge everything he could live without.

Hart is sucking it up, what's three months in the contract anyway?

Little do they know, the three months timeline is long enough to weave fantasies. A timeline which is also too short for two men finding themselves wanting to live more than ever. Together.

I was a little skeptical when I first read the blurb for this book. However, I'm glad I took a chance and read it! This is a beautiful story about a man who wants to live life to the fullest and experience everything he can in the short time he has left on earth. Erol was an absolutely delightful character. He was exuberant and patient and everything many of us aspire to be. Hart, on the other hand, is a man who has been hurt and finds it difficult to move past the pain he's kept in his heart for so long. Even though their initial interactions made me want to reach through my Kindle and strangle Hart, I enjoyed the slow progression of the friendship he developed with Erol. 

Unfortunately, there were quite a few editing errors in this book, which is a shame because they distracted from an otherwise lovely story. Erol calling Hart "Boss" and "Boss H" irked me a bit, but I won't hold that against the book. That particular aspect just wasn't my cup of tea.

All in all, this is a lovely story that will warm your heart and inspire your soul.

3.5 stars

   I received a copy of this book from the author and voluntarily provided my honest review.


Buy Link
Amazon

~ M

I ❤️ Yaoi: Boy of the Water, Boy of the Sky by Nattsu

Good morning yaoi fans! Today's selection is the Free! doujinshi Boy of the Water, Boy of the Sky by Nattsu.

Makoto can't help that he's fallen in love with this best friend and vows to keep his feelings a secret because he doesn't want to lose Haru. Little does he know that after the incident during training camp, Haru's feelings intensified. He tries to show Makoto that he'll always take care of him, but, as usual, Makoto is a little clueless.

This is a truly lovely story! The artwork is gorgeous, and I couldn't help but enjoy the awkward and sometimes tense confessions between Makoto and Haru. This is perfect read for Valentine's Day! Check it out!

Read Boy of the Water, Boy of the Sky by Nattsu here.

~ M

A Stand Up Man by SubtextEquals

A Stand Up Man by SubtextEquals

Spartacus convinces Agron to show off his comedic skills during open mic night. Even though he's nervous and more than a little apprehensive, the discovery of a beautiful raven-haired audience member encourages Agron to pull out all of his best (but in actuality bad) flirting skills. Will Nasir be impressed or brush him off?

If you're in the mood for a silly read, this is the perfect story! We all know Agron's flirting ability is questionable at best, but in this story we get to see more of his skills and continue to experience second-hand embarrassment. lol A Stand Up Man is a very quick read that's guaranteed to make you chuckle (or shake your head in exasperation). Check it out!

~ M

Book Review: Love Lost by Hayden Hunt

Derek and Scott dated in college, but jealousy and insecurity drove them apart. Fast forward several years and the two men find themselves together once again, only this time Derek is training Scott in a new position after he moves back to their hometown. Although engaged, Derek feels stuck. He loves his fiance as a person, but he just doesn't feel any kind of spark or passion with her. He can't help but think back to his relationship with Scott, the one he compares to all others. Will the former lovers be able to move forward and let go of the past or will they be doomed to repeat it?

I had issues with this book. The overall premise is great, but unfortunately the execution did not work for me. The book was littered with typos and grammatical problems, and in the span of 2.5 chapters, the name Britney was spelled three different ways.

In terms of the characters, Scott was very likeable and sweet. I often found myself frustrated with Derek's character, though. He tried to be a good person and in many ways, he was; however, I just can't get past his part in the "big misunderstanding". It only took a fleeting moment for him to regress and it was disheartening to watch. in the aftermath, I felt that Scott was a little too forgiving, but you can't help who you love.

All in all, this story had a lot of potential, but I think it was pushed out a little too fast. The editing issues made it difficult to fully focus on the story, and I ,as a reader, felt I had to suspend belief on certain issues just to move the story along.

I received a copy of this book from the author and voluntarily provided my honest review.

Buy Link
Amazon

~ M

Meaningless by DatHeetJoella

Meaningless by DatHeetJoella

What would have happened if Makoto hadn't regained consciousness after Haru pulled him out of the ocean?

This story is so great!!! The author gives a different look at what happened after Makoto almost sacrificed himself trying to save Rei during training camp. The emotions DatHeetJoella portrays will leave a lump in your throat as you watch the Iwatobi crew try to come to grips with the accident and its aftermath. For those who may be a little fearful of the direction of this story, please read the warnings. You'll soon find that you have nothing to worry about. ;) Definitely give this powerful story a try! It'll be worth every minute!

~ M

animation credit: Kyoto Animation

I ❤️ Yaoi: Kodomo x Otona no Houteishiki by Mayami

Hello fellow yaoi lovers! This week's selection is Kodomo x Otona no Houteishiki by Mayami! This is more of a shōnen ai story, but it's worth the read!

It's Chiharu's first day of kindergarten and he's very nervous. Fortunately, his teacher, Aiba-sensei, is more than willing to help him through his first day jitters. Chiharu's father, however, doesn't feel Aiba can handle his son, let along a classroom full of children. Aiba makes it his mission to prove Chiharu's father wrong, but ends up inserting himself into the little family.

This is absolutely ADORABLE! I know your heart will melt reading this manga. Not only is the story fluffy, but it also has a few humorous moments as well. The artwork is lovely and I especially enjoyed seeing Chiharu's father in a more casual style of dress and manner. If you're looking for a quick, sweet and drama-free read, this is the only for you!

Read Kodomo x Otona no Houteishiki here.

~ M

What Future Holds by F*ck_The_Gods

What Future Holds by F*ck_The_Gods

After witnessing the birth of a child, Agron begins to think about the possibility of starting a family with Nasir.

This quick one-shot is so heartwarming. You will melt as Agron declares to the love of his life that he wants to raise a family with him. The plot is pretty straight forward, but also extremely sweet and perfect for all Nagron fans!

~ M

photo credit: Startz, Inc.

Book Review: The Weight of It All by N.R. Walker

Henry decides to make some changes in his life after his boyfriend breaks up with him due to his weight gain. At first, he just wanted to make his ex realize what he'd lost, but soon his reasons for the lifestyle change shift when he encounters his personal trainer. Reed shows Henry that anything is possible and that superficiality can affect everyone, no matter how they look.

Overall, this is a sweet story about self-discovery and self-reflection wrapped in humor and romance. I'm sure many have seen this ugly duckling-type of story in other books, movies and TV, but that doesn't make this story any less entertaining. All of the characters are very likeable and I found myself rooting for the main characters.

I have absolutely no complaints about the writing. N.R. Walker has always been superb when it comes to evoking feelings from readers. The only thing that really stood out to me were the numerous conversations the main characters had with their friends. I know some of this is necessary for the sake of exposition, but I felt like the main characters talked to everyone else more than they talked to each other. My other point of contention was the flurry of self-deprecating jokes from Henry. I completely understand that snarky humor is just part of his personality, and it really worked on several occasions, but after a while it became too much. I will say that the jokes were somewhat toned down as the book progressed.

All in all, this is an enjoyable read that I would recommend to any m/m romance fan! Oh, and I am still looking for Henry's citrus tart recipe! Yum!

3.5 stars

Buy Links
Amazon

~ M

Blog Tour: A Face without a Heart by Rick R. Reed

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | DSP Publications

Cover: Aaron Anderson

Publisher: DSP Publications

Length: 56,887 words

Blurb

A modern-day and thought-provoking retelling of Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray that esteemed horror magazine Fangoria called it a book that is brutally honest with its reader and doesn't flinch in the areas where Wilde had to look away. A rarity: a really well-done update that's as good as its source material.

A beautiful young man bargains his soul away to remain young and handsome forever, while his holographic portrait mirrors his aging and decay and reflects every sin and each nightmarish step deeper into depravity even cold-blooded murder. Prepare yourself for a compelling tour of the darkest sides of greed, lust, addiction, and violence.

Blog Tour: Soothsayer by Cari Z.

Title:  Soothsayer

Author: Cari Z

Publisher:  NineStar Press

Release Date: January 30

Heat Level: 3 - Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 68,200

Genre: Romance, Action, urban fantasy, magic, magic user, psychic/soothsayer, myth/folklore, mafia, reunited, road trip, spirits, posession

Add to Goodreads

Synopsis

Cillian Kelly can look into people’s eyes and see their fates. He’s running from a past filled with mistakes, lying low and selling his services on the sly. When he learns that Sören Egilsson, a man who sacrificed himself so Cillian could escape imprisonment two years ago, is somehow still alive, Cillian has to find out how. What he gets is the body of the man he loves possessed by an ancient spirit who draws Cillian into a battle to the death for the right to control Sören’s fate, and the power that comes with it.