Wild Life by crazyellephant

Wild Life by crazyellephant

While on a road trip, Alec encounters a hitchhiker down on his luck. Even though he usually likes to travel alone and enjoys the solitude and quiet, something about the man makes Alec want to help. They set off on an adventure across that country that challenges them and opens their hearts to love.

I LOVED this story! It consists of only a few chapters, but they are quite long and I devoured each and every one them. This road trip AU will make you fall in love with Alec and Magnus all over again, and their interactions felt very realistic and not like they were straight out of a romance novel. I can't say enough about this wonderful story that tugs at the heart strings. Definitely give it a try! You won't regret it!

Wild Life was inspired by a prompt based off of this picture of Harry. ;)

~ M

Book Review: Another Way (Another Way #1) by Anna Martin

Although he's in a steady relationship with his girlfriend, Jesse Ross goes to others in order to sate his most secret needs. Jesse is a submissive and has been seeing his male Dominant for close to two years unbeknownst to anyone in his life. He harbors guilt, knowing he's doing this behind his girlfriend's back, but he could never ask her to perform the kind of acts he receives from his Dom, Will Anderson. Things change when both men develop feelings for one another. Jesse must come to grips with the realization that he wants to be with a man and he has to figure out how to tell his girlfriend. Will must take a step back and be patient while hoping the man he cares for so deeply chooses him.

I LOVED this book! BDSM isn't ususally my cup of tea, but in this story I really enjoyed it. The focus on the relationship between Will and Jesse and the intense emotions they shared is what really caught my attention from the start and made me fall in love with the book. Jesse is confused and scared, but Will's patience, love and compassion allows him to make the right decisions for himself, Will and their evolving relationship. Jesse and Will's "sessions" made my heart race and their more tender, emotional moments with one another warmed my heart. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and know others who enjoy m/m romance will as well.

Buy Links
Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

~ M

Waiting Game by bumblebeesknees

Waiting Game by bumblebeesknees

Magnus has never hid the fact that he's endlessly curious and an unabashed snoop, but the ring he discovers in Alec's dresser is genuinely by accident. He thinks he can wait for Alec to reveal this secret in his own time.

"The box is made out of dark mahogany. When Magnus picks it up with shaking fingers and without conscious thought, he sees that is has the marriage rune seared on the side in deft, elegant strokes.

'But that's just absurd,' Magnus thinks as his mind comes to the only logical conclusion. It can't possibly, possibly..."

I've read a lot of really great Malec stories over the past few months, but I have to say this is one of the very best! bumblebeesknees takes an issue between Magnus and Alec post-2x20 and presents in a very real and visceral way that pulled at my heartstrings in the best and worst ways. I don't want to say much more because I don't want to ruin the plot, but I highly recommend that you read this story. You will not regret it!

~ M

photo credit: Freeform

Book Review: Angels and Man-Beasts by T.L. West

Zachary is an ordinary young gay man. He works for his father, has a crush on his straight roommate, and likes to procrastinate.

While visiting his aunt’s old cabin, he finds a wounded man, and the door to safety is forever closed. At first, Zachary doesn’t know what to make of the handsome stranger dressed as a knight, but he feels a connection with him.

Zachary’s life is turned upside down as his eyes are opened to the supernatural world. Not only must he survive dangerous man-beasts, but he is also forced to make sense of what it means to fall for an angel, and involve himself in a war between the Gods.

This is a very quick read, but I had a few issues with it. I didn't really feel any kind of romantic chemistry between Zachary and Barachiel. Yes, they had physical chemistry, but I didn't believe they had the potential to fall for each other. They barely had any interaction, so it was difficult for me to understand their sudden connection. I also felt like there were holes in the story. Maybe I missed something, but it seemed like the situation involving Zachary was never fully explained. The book just kind of ended and that was that. The sex scenes seemed to be to thrown in to the book and were unnecessary in my opinion. That time could have been better spent establishing the main characters and their connection to one another. The world created by the author was very interesting and a threat of war between the angels and man-beasts captured my attention, but I was left with more questions than answers.

All in all, this was an okay read, but with the help of a good editor or beta, this book could have had real potential.

2.5 stars

Buy Link
NineStar Press | Amazon

~ M

Blog Tour: In Over Our Heads by CJane Elliott

Hello! Thank you to Slashsessed for having me on today to share my new release, In Over Our Heads, a second chance romance set in Key West. This is the second book in my Stories from the Shore series and follows the events in All the Way to Shore.

A confession: I’ve never been scuba diving myself, although I’ve snorkeled in Grand Cayman (a scene in All the Way to Shore) and loved it. And I’d only been in Key West once very briefly when I wrote the story. So I asked some experts (and fellow authors) for advice. Dev Bentham is an m/m author who also happens to be a certified dive instructor and she ensured that my descriptions of the scuba instruction and dive were accurate. C.S. Poe is an m/m author who happens to live in Key West and she corrected my version of Key West geography. I’m much indebted to both of them!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

When did you write your first story and what was the inspiration for it? My very first story I remember writing was when I was around 12 or 13. It featured a girl named Bunny B. who goes to a party and sees some racy things happening. The inspiration was me eavesdropping on one of my older sister’s friends who was talking about parties and S-E-X. My ears were wide open! So my interest in writing erotic fiction started early.

Where did the desire to write LGBTQ romance come from? It seems my interest in m/m also started early. In a high school English class we were given a prompt in the form of a picture of man standing in a doorway (either leaving or entering). I remember writing that the man was leaving his marriage because he’d realized he was gay (nowadays I would call him bisexual). And I wanted to give him a happy ending. This was years before I stumbled into the world of fanfiction and found these stories everywhere.

Tell us about your work in progress and what you’ve got planned for the future. I’m plotting the third book in the Stories from the Shore series, which will be the story of Miles from In Over Our Heads. I’m planning to use NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in November to get 50,000 words written! We shall see how that goes.

Title:  In Over Our Heads

Series: Stories from the Shore

Author: CJane Elliott

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Release Date: October 16, 2017

Heat Level: 3 - Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 67,000

Genre: Romance, Second Chances, Vacation

Add to Goodreads

What Are You On? by light_wood

What Are You On? by light_wood

After Sam's death, Connor spirals out of control. One pill to calm his anxiety turns into two, which turns into harder drugs, and before he knows it, he's addicted. How did it come to this?

This is an interesting look at a "what if" situation in the HTGAWM universe. What if Connor really  was addicted to drugs and how would Oliver handle it? light_wood handles the tension, despair and helplessness of both men well and I'm looking forward to seeing how Oliver and Connor's relationship fares. Check it out!

~ M

image: ABC

Flames by jadegreendragon

Flames by jadegreendragon

When closeted firefighter, Alec, rescues Magnus from his burning building, sparks (literally) fly. Magnus can't seem to get the beautiful angel who saved him out of his mind, and Alec seems to inexplicably drawn to the dazzling man with an easy smile and radiant disposition.

*swoon* With each chapter that is released, I fall more in love with this story. Alec and Magnus are two of the sweetest people ever and I can't help but revel in their interactions with each other and their family and friends. This story has a great mix of tension, angst and cavity-inducing fluff that will definitely make it a new favorite of yours! Give it a try!

~ M

photo credit: Freeform

Book Review: The Past Comes Home (Ames Bridge #2) by Silvia Violet

Twenty years ago, Paxton Marshall realized he liked boys, in particular his brother’s best friend, Brad. Pax now runs a successful art gallery, but he’s never found anyone who stirs his heart the way Brad did.

Brad Watson is back in town for his twentieth high school reunion. However, the celebration of long-ago days is the last thing on his mind. He’s there for one reason: to finally tell Pax how he feels.

Pax is shocked to learn Brad is not only gay but also interested in him. Dating a man in Ames Bridge isn’t as simple as it sounds, though. In order to make a relationship work, both men will have to bolster their courage and alter their expectations.

This is an enjoyable read with likable characters that will make you root for their happiness and success. I really liked Brad and his strength, tenacity and big heart. Pax was a little more difficult. Don’t get me wrong, I liked him, but his persistent, and often unfounded, doubts about Brad grated my nerves a bit. Even though several background characters were introduced throughout the book, I didn’t feel as though it was weighed down by them. They were all necessary to effectively tell Brad and Pax’s story.

If you’re in the mood for a sweet, second-chance-at-love story, The Past Comes Home is the one for you!

3.75 stars

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

Buy Link
Amazon

~ M

I ❤️ Yaoi: Children’s Toys by Aozora Megumi (Free! Doujinshi)

Hello, yaoi lovers! This week's feature is the Free! doujinshi, Children’s Toys by Aozora Megumi!

Makoto can't stand it when his friend Haru has to go home with his mom after a play date. Their mothers soon discover that the little boys adore each other very much and rely on one another in many ways.

This is pure, unadulterated fluff that will truly warm your heart! Makoto and Haru are so adorable and I love the way that the artist portrayed them. If you're in the mood for a quick, but very sweet, read, this is perfect for you!

4.5 stars

Read Children's Toys here.

~ M

Open Up, Everything's Waiting for You by WasabiMalec

Open Up, Everything's Waiting for You by WasabiMalec

Alec is running; running from pain and running from the past. When he finds himself in a sleepy town, he thinks he might be able to have a fresh start, especially after meeting the friendly and enchanting local art teacher. Will he be able to move on for good or will ghosts reappear and haunt him forever?

I was slightly apprehensive about reading this story since it's inspired by a Nicholas Sparks book. His stories aren't my cup of tea, but I was very pleasantly surprised. The author took Alec and Magnus and placed them in a really interesting AU that had me riveted. This is definitely one to check out!

~ M

photo credit: Freeform

Blog Tour: Picture Winter by Amy Aislin

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Cover Design: Melody Pond

Publisher: MLR Press

Length: 47,000 words approx.

Blurb

Do something new today.

Why he looks at his horoscope every day, Elias Hood doesn't know. It's all garbage, and no nickel fortune ever helped him climb all the way up the corporate ladder. He's about to make Vice President. Rocking the boat with "something new" is the last thing on his mind.

But there's this guy.

Ty Green can make friends with a tree and Elias can't help falling for his easy-going vibe and his perfect smile. He's a fellow Capricorn, like Elias, but that's as far as their similarities go. Ty works to live--he doesn't live to work. When Elias takes his horoscope's advice and asks Ty out, both men are in for a shock. But as Elias's walls start to come down, they might just realize that they have more in common than they think. In fact, they might even want the exact same thing.

Who knows? Maybe horoscopes aren't just trash after all.

Blog Tour: All or Nothing by Felice Stevens

All or Nothing an all-new, steamy MM romance by Felice Stevens
is available NOW!

All or Nothing by Felice Stevens Publication
Date: October 3rd, 2017
Genre: Contemporary MM Romance

A past he couldn’t forget.
 

Adam Barton is living his dream of working as a firefighter in his small Texas town, but a tragedy from his youth continues to haunt him. He decides New York City is the perfect place to start a new life and joins the FDNY, living and loving his own way—no strings and nothing personal. Until he catches sight of Rico Estevez, the sexy chef with the mysterious smile who rocks his world. After one explosive night together, Adam craves another….And then another. The more he and Rico are together, the more Adam wants him. 

A future he never imagined 

Rico Estevez is living a lie. For years he’s hidden his sexuality, afraid to hurt the career of his politically ambitious father. He’s the perfect American―the best schools, top of his class and most importantly, to his father, a successful businessman. Who needs a boyfriend when sex is so easy to find? Starting a torrid love affair with Adam Barton isn’t a problem; neither one is looking toward forever. But Rico’s father is about to get the chance of a lifetime and Rico feels forced to play by his rules. 

Rules are made to be broken.
 

Adam proves more unforgettable than Rico ever imagines, but he gives in to family pressures above personal desire. When a fire reunites them, both men discover their passion for each other hasn’t died; rather it’s stronger than ever. Want turns to need and something more dangerous to their hearts—love. Adam and Rico know if they want to have it all, they can let no one and nothing stand in their way of a life together.

Mine Alone by Oxymoroff

Mine Alone by Oxymoroff

Haru loves listening to all of the reasons Makoto loves him.

This is a very quick read, but it is extremely sweet and heartwarming. It's just a moment in time where Makoto and Haru reflect about their love for one another, and I can't think of anything better from these characters. 💚💙💚💙

~ M

picture credit: Kyoto Animation

Lay It All on Me by deathdario

Lay It All on Me by deathdario

UPDATE: Unfortunately, this story has been removed from Archive of Our Own.

Alec offers himself as a stand in for a corporate marriage after he realizes how much Isabelle loves her boyfriend. Magnus has a girlfriend, whom he loves with all his heart, but tries to fight his developing feelings for Alec, his arranged husband.

The arranged marriage trope is quickly becoming a favorite of mine in the Malec fandom, and Lay It All on Me does not disappoint! I absolutely adore this story! You will want to wrap Magnus up in the biggest hug and protect him from the cruel world, and your heart will melt by how utterly incredible, both inside and out, Alec is. I highly recommend this engrossing story! It's one of my favorites!

~ M

picture credit: Freeform