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Book Review: Resisting the Dream by Ann Marie James

9/26/2021

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Synopsis: FROM EXCITING AUTHOR OF LGBTQIA ROMANCE ANN MARIE JAMES
Book three in the Everyone’s Mechanic series
Can two overachievers discover how to make love work?
Nikolai is the fun-loving, flamboyant cousin of Sergei Barinov. He doesn’t know a lot about cars but is happy working as the desk person at Everyone’s Mechanic while he completes his doctorate in finance and accounting. While his parents never accepted who he was, he at least had Cousin Sergei’s family to love and support him. Comfortable in his own skin, he dresses according to his mood, which could be a skirt and makeup or sweatpants. He has crushed on Brandon since he met him but has never been able to be around him without doing something embarrassing. He would love a chance to show Brandon that he’s not just style without substance.
Brandon began interning with Sergei’s company in college and has since worked his way up to be his right-hand man. He is very regimented, likes his routines and needs to stay focused to complete his many duties for Sergei. Brandon is also balancing secretly raising his now-fifteen-year-old brother. He has watched from afar as Nikolai went from being a gangly, awkward teenager to a stunning adult. Brandon might wish he could take the time to get to know Nikolai better, but he doesn’t feel he can add one more thing to his already-full plate.
When Sergei tasks the pair to work together to plan an LGBTQ youth center, sparks fly. Will they decide to take a chance—or will outside forces ruin the possibility before they can even get started?

Review: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. 
By and large, I loved this book. My only issue was I felt the bond between Brandon and Nikolai felt a bit rushed, especially with all the sudden life changes. It felt like they went into mutual domesticity too fast to feel natural to me. I would have liked a little more build up to their venture into family life. Aside from that, the writing was great and I enjoyed the characters themselves​

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Podcast Episode 49: Book Review-Rocking the Boat by C. Koehler

11/6/2020

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Synopsis: Nick Bedford coaches the men’s rowing team at California Pacific College, a small liberal arts school in Sacramento. He’s quiet, dedicated—and closeted. He struggles with professional ethics and NCAA rules as he denies his attraction for Morgan Estrada, one of his rowers. While they may not be far apart in age, the difference between coach and athlete leads Nick to worry about exploitation.

But Morgan has desires and a mind of his own, and what he wants is his coach. As the spring racing season advances, Morgan feels his coach’s eyes on him. Morgan may be gay, and while he’s not out to team, he hasn’t hidden it, either. It may be a coach’s job to check out an athlete’s form, but Morgan hopes Nick’s interested in more than his technique.

Morgan corners Nick in the boathouse, and Nick admits that while he wants Morgan he can’t have him. Morgan laughingly points out that he’s not bound by any of those rules and he wants Nick. Nick and Morgan start a relationship, but Nick worries whenever they’re in public: what if someone sees? An anonymous complaint from a rower to the athletics director sends Nick’s worries into overdrive just as the crew prepares for the make-or-break race of the year.

Review: This one took me a little while to get into. There was a lot of information in the beginning that wasn't the most interesting to me, but I understand the need to explain this particular sport. Then as I got into the story, it was almost funny how the two misunderstood each other, until the ethics questions came up and I began to be a bit annoyed with Morgan. Not to mention, Morgan has a best friend that's in love with him and he doesn't seem to notice, so I felt more connected to the friend personally. I might have liked this to be a bit longer and have a bit more resistance on Nick's end before ultimately giving in anyway. 

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Podcast Episode 41-A Book Review: Young King Arthur And The Round Table Knights by Siryn Sueng

9/1/2020

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Synopsis: Arthur grew up a peasant, but when he was fourteen, Excalibur chose him, and now as King Arthur, he must learn to play the game of royalty quickly…or suffer the consequences.
There was no reason for Arthur to think he would ever become king.
A peasant and son of a baker, Arthur grew up in the castle town of Camelot. When he attended the Choosing Ceremony, it was merely to see who would draw the Holy Sword, Excalibur—to see who would inherit the throne of the recently departed King Uther. He never expected the sword would choose him…
But it did.
Now, at the young age of fourteen, he has become King Arthur, and for all the power he has gained, he has made just as many enemies. Surrounded by the Knights of the Round Table, and led by the mysterious mage, Merlin, Arthur is grateful for his allies, though he would just as soon return to his old life. Surely, someone more worthy should be chosen as king.
Arthur is in the middle of chaos, a world where everyone wants more than they let on, where many hate the idea of a young boy with no noble background being crowned king; where cold stares and whispered words are just as sharp as an assassin’s blade.
As Arthur fends for his life, he must draw on the strength of his knights, especially fifteen-year-old Mordred, who becomes closer to him than the mere bounds of duty. He must become king, not just in name, but in his heart.
And he must do it quickly, because his enemies want more than just his crown…
Young King Arthur And The Round Table Knights releases on September 18, 2020!

Review: I had to take this one on because I love anything related to King Arthur and Merlin. I appreciated this so much. It's a new and different take on the legend, without betraying the core of who each of the characters are. It's a little different with the knights being so young and yet having such a strong sense of responsibility but it works. I wonder how much more the author will go into the legend, what will change and what might stay the same. I can't wait to read some more.

Book link: 
Author Link
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Review: Spring Frost Romance by Johnny Miles

7/11/2020

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Synopsis: 
Spring is coming, and under the melting frost, desire stirs…

Jackson Frost is youthful and charming, even if he can come off as a bit cold at times. Griffin Kloss is a gruff, 30-year-old failed businessman in need of nurture as he licks his wounds. When the two meet, it’s love at first sight. And there’s something about Jackson that’s magical.

And mysterious.

Jackson has secrets, and with the spring thaw coming, it’s harder for him to keep them from his lover. As Griffin deals with an ailing mother and a life that seems to slip away, he longs to hold onto Jackson, even if it means denying the worst of his fears.

Some things are not meant to last, but Griffin is determined to find the one exception, even if he must learn to believe in a new kind of magic.

The magic of the heart…

Review: This was a short one for me. Jackson Frost is kind of obvious. I knew who he was right away, but that didn't bother me. It makes it interesting. Griffin is a regular guy down on his luck and dealing with discovering his mother seems to be in the early stages of Alzheimer's. Jackson is on vacation with some friends and meets Griffin in a bar. It's one of those instant connection type of things, though there's a little frustration in the beginning as they can't get to the fun stuff completely. Ultimately we get the HEA, I think, but the ending seemed a tad bit abrupt to me and there are some questions left unanswered. Doesn't kill the story or anything, just things that made me curious. Overall enjoyable for a quick read.


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Review: Lucifer's Odyssey (Primal Patterns #1) by Rex Jameson

5/2/2020

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Synopsis: What if Earth was not the only planet Jehovah cared about? What if humanity was not the only intelligent race that Jehovah had created? What if the war between angels and demons had a much more ancient history that spanned three universes and many billions of light years of space?

The Lucifer’s Fall trilogy of the Primal Patterns series is the story of the most celebrated demon warrior and king in history, and the birth of a moral and intellectual renaissance in the Chaos Universe. The first book, “Lucifer’s Odyssey”, traces the demon prince Lucifer from his imprisonment by Jehovah on Earth to the betrayal of his parents in Chaos and a shaky alliance with the Elven people. Filled with irreverent humor and fast paced action, Lucifer’s Odyssey beckons you to take a journey through space and time into a story where elven technology meets the ruthlessness of the demon race and the potential of Jehovah’s great creations.

Review: 
I'm not sure when i downloaded this to my kindle but I am glad I did. This was such a different take on the old Lucifer and Jehovah story.  This Lucifer is dfferent than most takes of the character that I've read, he's not a smooth talker or super persuasive. Has an anger issue, but he's not inherently evil. He has a twin, Jehovah is not exactly god, and definitely not the creator of the universe, nor is he Lucifer's father. I was intrigued enough to continue reading. There's demons, demon wizards, angels, and elves. There's political intrigue and some racism. A few references to different mythologies, but this seems like a universe all unto itself and a very interesting one. I intend to continue reading more into the series to see where it goes​

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Review: Stay Lucky by Leta Blake

3/31/2020

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Synopsis: A second chance to build the family of their dreams…

Grant long ago gave up on a relationship with Leo Garner. After all Leo left him for a movie star, and who can compete with that? But now, Leo’s back with his adorable, genius daughter in tow, leaving Grant consumed by three important questions:

1) Did Leo come home looking for a fresh start without the movie star?
2) Does he want a do-over with Grant too?
3) Why else would Leo be hanging around Grant’s hospital so much anyway?

The attraction between Grant and Leo is undeniable, and soon their affection reignites as well. But will their luck hold out through health scares and family drama so they can find their happy ending at last?

Review: This one took me a little while to get into. The time skips back and forth were a little jarring for me. It was confusing because I didn't expect it. But once I got past that, I really enjoyed this story. I love Grant. I like his witty and sarcastic nature, his blunt demeanor, and the fact that at least for a while he was cynical and stuck to it. Leo took a minute to grow on me, just because he's the one that left and kept Grant all cynical. The kid, Lucky, makes up for that. Then his illnesses and his determination to be happy despite being sick made me warm up to him. By the end, I was happy they ended up together.


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Review: Adam Bomb by Kilby Blades

2/5/2020

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Synopsis: ​Levi's best friend, Adam, has always been larger than life: a smoking-hot billionaire hotelier with imposing charm. When Manhattan stops being big enough for both of them—at least if Levi ever wants to fall out of love with Adam—Levi accepts a job in in San Francisco.

But when Adam pulls an Adam—upending Levi's calm new life with a plea to lend his photography talent to a worthy cause—Levi is helpless to resist. Adam will be the first Fortune 100 CEO to come out of the closet in grand fashion. He needs a trusted ally on his PR team. And the job will only last three weeks.

Levi accepts on one hidden condition: he’ll keep his new friends away from Adam, certain that if they get a whiff, they'll fall under Adam’s spell. Bent on keeping his two lives separate, Levi barely makes it through the first two weeks unscathed. Then, Adam drops another bomb….

Review: I wondered how well I would relate to this one given the characters. Thankfully, I found Levi and Adam super interesting. They're fun because they were friends. Everything isn't easily predictable in this one, not the story, not the characters, not the roles they play in certain areas of life. I like the Levi is so fiercely independent, refusing money from Adam. I like that Adam doesn't do things thinking he can buy affection. Most of all, they have flaws. Adam doesn't seem to know how to release control and Levi is so adamant on not being controlled or indebted to someone that he'll refuse help from Adam repeatedly. There's a happy ending, but there's work to get to that ending so I thoroughly enjoyed the story

Buy links: 
Amazon

Barnes & Noble
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Gargoyle's Embrace (Polar Nights #3) by Siryn Sueng

2/13/2019

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Synopsis: As the owner of a high-profile exotics bar for the supernatural, Krystalf is used to attention. Being the son of wealthy and powerful parents and a formidable second-tier mage himself, Krystalf is also used to being the target of petty humans looking for a healthy ransom. Luckily, his life in Tromsø, Norway is usually quite peaceful.


Then…the fae arrived. After a brutal attack, Krystalf is left shaken as he witnesses for the first time how powerful they are. And at how helpless he truly is against them.


For the devilishly-handsome Auren, a gargoyle from Cara, Egypt, finding his mate was the last thing on his mind. He’s been painstakingly hunting the host of fae who attacked his home. That hunt leads him straight to the arms—and heart—of the mysterious mage, Krystalf. Yet, more questions than answers arise once Auren sets foot in Tromsø. Questions regarding how Auren knows a certain incubus—and perhaps the reason why the fae have come so far north…

Review: So this is the third installment, and I still have questions. These magical beings know so much about each others races, but not about the Fae that are now hunting them. The reason and method behind their mating is also still confusing. There are some answers about Jakai, but we're left with more questions than answers in the end. I'm not sure how the next book will go in this series, but there has to be a next one at some point. There's more information in this book than the previous two, at least, and enough to keep me interested once there's a fourth one.


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Review: Wolf's Kiss (Polar Nights #2) by Siryn Sueng

2/13/2019

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Synopsis: Under the lights of the beautiful city, Tromsø, the call for pleasure fills the snowy air. 

Having left the deep north in an attempt to bury past demons, Halken finds himself drawn in by a gorgeous blond dryad. With his original plan to leave Tromsø tossed out the window, he takes his dance partner home, fully intent on mating with him. 

Nolan has heard rumors about werewolves, what they like in the bedroom. He quickly finds out that most all of these rumors are true. Taken in by his sexy wolf, he finds himself in the most erotic of situations with Halken…and begging for more. 

Halken talks little of himself, preferring to keep his past exactly where it belongs. In the past. 

But what he left there has a mind of its own. A deranged rogue wolf stalks the city, following the scent of what he wants—and he will have it, one way or another. 

Review: I feel like this one and the last one could have been combined into one story since this one essentially picks up right where the first one left off. As with the first one, there's plenty of sex, but it's a little different for Nolan and Halken than it was with Valyn and Jakai. Wolves apparently like a little BDSM. The issue with the Fae from the first book takes a back seat to a rogue wolf. I would have liked to see more of Halken. While we get more backstory, he's not exactly the hero of the story at the end as I would expect. I feel like these stories are good, the writing and concept are good, but I wish they were longer and explained more.


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Review: Incubus Touch (Polar Nights #1) by Siryn Sueng

2/13/2019

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 Synopsis: Sex under the northern lights has never been so arousing. 

Valyn enjoys the snow-covered city of Tromsø, Norway, because of the long nights, and the northern lights that bring more than just color to the skies above. As a siren, the energy that floods the city beneath the strong pulses of the aurora are both needed for magic and sought after for intense pleasure. 

During the winter, the urge to be claimed drives many of the mythical populace. It is Valyn’s third winter without a partner, and the overwhelming need for sex is almost too much to bear. Until his search in an underground club leads him to an incubus named Jakai. Finally, after so long, Valyn has found the man to share his life with. Jakai is mysterious, but kind, and the sex is far more erotic than Valyn ever imagined it could be. 

But in the deep dark, there are things that crawl through the snow. The fae are far less civilized and out for blood. When Valyn spots a terrifying figure in Jakai’s yard, the peace in Tromsø begins to break apart — and the fae’s presence is just the beginning. 

​Review: So, I received this in exchange for an honest review. It's in my preferred genre but it's not exactly my usual read. It's shorter and the pace is very fast. It seems more like a serial than a standalone. The writing itself is good and the premise of the story is also good. It simply moves much too fast. Valyn is a male siren looking for his mate. Jakai is an incubus who winds up being his mate. The instant knowledge of a fated partner can be a bit jarring, especially as the story progresses and you notice that Jakai has to have an interesting background. By the end of the story, I was intrigued enough to read more, mostly because Jakai is a lot more powerful and useful than any of the other characters and I really want to know more.

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    Drako is an author and blogger, writing paranormal romance and LGBT fiction and reading almost any genre to review. 
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