NO PLACE THAT FAR by L.A. Witt and Aleksandr Voinov

NO PLACE THAT FAR by L.A. Witt & Aleksandr Voinov

 

Pages: 215

Date: February 12, 2015

Grade: 4

Details: no. 5 The Distance Between Us

Own / Kindle

The blurb:

“Still finding his footing after a long-overdue divorce, Marcus is looking forward to some mind-numbing drinking while ogling the grooms at Chris and Julien’s wedding. He never expected his attention to be diverted by the gorgeous best man.

One of Julien’s French Foreign Legion buddies, Timur doesn’t speak much English, but language is no barrier to Marcus understanding exactly what the huge Tartar wants—a one-night stand.

Except that one night turns into two, three, then more, which puts Marcus on edge. After Timur is done house-sitting for the honeymooning couple, he’s headed back to the Legion for another five years. Like it or not, once Timur gets on that plane, the fling is over.

Unfortunately, Marcus forgot to tell his heart not to fall in love. And this time, if history repeats and he makes another wrong decision, he may never see his tattooed Legionnaire lover again.

Warning: Contains a soldier who makes up for his lack of English by using his hands to read his lover’s body; a chef-turned-bartender who no longer believes in love; a length of paracord that probably wasn’t meant to be used this way; and a couple of newlyweds who are game for some four-way play.”

My thoughts:

I’m running out of even remotely original things to say about the books L.A. Witt and Aleksandr Voinov write together (or individually for that matter). Whatever magic it is they create while co-writing, it works for me. Every. Single. Time.

No Place That Far was no exception to that rule. It’s a wonderful romance with just the right balance between fun, hot, and angst. If there was anything I missed in this story it was something that didn’t occur because it didn’t fit. Dialogue in Witt-Voinov stories invariably sparkles. In this book there was far less of that. Not because the authors have suddenly lost their magic (I doubt that could ever happen) but because one of the characters – Timur – just doesn’t speak enough English to make verbal ping-pong a realistic story element. In fact, I admire the authors for everything they could convey without being able to use dialogue. Having said that, I did miss those sparkling conversations I’ve adored in other books.

And then for the plot detail I know some readers are going to have a problem with; the foursome. Far from bothering me I thought it was beautiful, very hot and extremely well done. It was great to spend more time with Chris and Julien and the four men together had me mesmerized.

I still haven’t read all the books in this series and I’m sorta glad about that. Over the next few months I’ll be able to buy, read and enjoy the titles I’ve missed so far. I can’t think of many ways to better spend my time.

Filthy Marcellos: Lucian by Bethany-Kris

Today I'm delighted to welcome Bethany Kris and her latest release, Filthy Marcellos: Lucian to my blog. Read on for all the filthy and juicy details:

Filthy Marcellos: Lucian

Book One in the Filthy Marcellos Trilogy

by +Bethany-Kris Bragdon 

Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Organized Crime, Suspense

Length: 98k, full length

Release Date: February 2^nd, 2015

Blurb:

Lucian Marcello is aware of the expectations following him as the oldest son of one of North America’s most infamous Cosa Nostra Dons. Family in his world is more than blood and sharing a last name. It’s the honor, respect, business, and the life. Being a Capo is just a stepping stone until it’s time for him to take on the role of underboss but a chance meeting with her could be the one thing he’d risk it all for.

She is exactly what he didn’t know he was looking for.

Jordyn Reese spends her time trying to stay under the radar of a man who wouldn’t think twice about killing her. Unwillingly affiliated with a dangerous MC gang, her life is dominated by the men surrounding her and her future rests solely in how useful she can be for them. The last thing she needs is some Mafioso gaining her more unwanted attention from the club.

He is everything she should stay away from but can’t.

Notoriously violent when it comes to getting what he wants, Lucian will stop at nothing to make the target on Jordyn’s back disappear. But sometimes the worst threats are the ones you can’t see until it’s too late. The truth behind Lucian’s history is about to take center stage in more ways than one, and it’ll either save him … or kill him.

This world leaves everyone a little filthy.

Buy Links:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | iTunes

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Marcellos-Lucian-Bethany-Kris-ebook/dp/B00SBXRNPI/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8 
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/filthy-marcellos-bethany-kris/1121082745?ean=2940151663267&itm=1&usri=2940151663267 
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/filthy-marcellos-lucian
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id959035085

Book Teaser

Book Excerpt

Out of the corners of his eyes, Lucian did see part of her bare shoulder and the black curls hiding her face, though. It wasn’t so much the amount of flesh she was showing as it was the peeks of what looked like a cherry blossom tattoo crawling over her shoulder and dipping down her back where it disappeared from his sight.

“Hello, guys. I’m Jordyn. I’ll be serving you tonight, or something close to it. What’ll it be?”

The sultry tone of her voice was something Lucian and his body noticed the moment she spoke. It was almost like a mixture of innocence and experience, if that were possible. She didn’t sound entirely bored, but she didn’t sound like she was in it to win it with her job, either.

Dante looked to his father, his earlier comment about not consuming the drinks being silently said again. Antony must have took note.

“A bottle of Jack, unopened. Four—” Antony stopped up short, his lips tugging down into a frown as he passed a glance towards Gio. The youngest brother certainly didn’t need to be drinking tonight. “Make that three glasses. We’ll pour.”

Leaning forward was the worst mistake Lucian made since waking up that day. He certainly hadn’t expected to see her again. At least not in a place like this. She was on his mind all damned week, those eyes of hers, cream-like flesh, and a mouth that just at the sight alone, make his own water.

What’d she call herself? Jordyn, was it?

Merda.

Shit was right—he was in so much of it.

Suddenly, Lucian was not in the zone like he needed to be.

He was so incredibly fucked.

Also, Lucian realized he was right about his first assumption when he thought she had ink under her dress that day at the confessional box. Cherry blossoms started somewhere beneath the lace and leather bottoms she wore and trailed up over her side, before crossing over her left breast which was also covered by nothing but a lace and leather brassiere, and then curved over her shoulder.

There was another tattoo, too, but in the darkness, Lucian couldn’t read the scripted words.

Strangely, the immediate rush of possessiveness that flooded his veins surprised him. She was still so beautiful, like crazy. The more skin his gaze crawled over, the tighter his pants became. Lucian caught himself wondering what those blossoms would taste like under his tongue.

Yeah, he was not where he needed to be. This unknown woman knocked him off kilter and she probably didn’t even know it. What was wrong with him?

Unfortunately, his father seemed to realize his son’s abrupt change in posture and mood. “Lucian?”

At the sound of his name, the girl’s—Jordyn, he reminded himself—eyes flashed to meet his in the corner, those dark lashes of hers blinking rapidly like she also didn’t believe what she was seeing. Lucian swallowed the thickness building in his throat. Thankfully, Jordyn didn’t act like they had ever met or seen one another before. She simply went on doing her own business.

“Unopened bottle of Jack and three glasses. Anything else?” she asked, avoiding Lucian’s piercing gaze.

“Yes,” Antony said, still watching Lucian closely. “The owner is Ron Daney, correct?”

Jordyn stood a little stiffer, her shoulders squaring. “I beg your pardon?”

“The owner is Ron Daney, Vice President of the Brooklyn chapter of The Sons of Hell,” Lucian said gruffly, trying to swallow back the huskiness forming. “We’re not ATF or the feds, let’s just be clear on that, sweetheart. Ron, he’s in tonight, yes?”

Jordyn nodded warily. “Always is.”

“Good,” Antony replied with a grin. “Send him a drink, whatever he likes. Do be sure to tell him it’s from a guest. Antony Marcello and his crew. Do not mistake my name when you tell him. Be sure to point me out so he sees me. Understood?”

“Got it.”

 With that, the woman Lucian simply needed to glance at to turn his skin ablaze and his heart stuttering, was walking away.

She didn’t look back.

Add to Goodreads TBR

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23624951-filthy-marcellos

 Books in the Series

Filthy Marcellos: 

La Cosa Nostra is not just a choice of regime and routine, it’s a culture. Born as mafia royalty, the Marcello brothers were raised ingrained with the beliefs and rules of what it meant to be a Mafioso prince. It is for life. Their status is considered a given right. They will always be these people. They will always be Marcellos.

Coming Soon

Giovanni, Book Two

Goodreads TBR

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23714256-filthy-marcellos

Dante, Book Three

Goodreads TBR

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23714289-filthy-marcellos

Giovanni, Book Two Goodreads TBR

Dante, Book Three Goodreads TBR

Author Bio

Bethany-Kris is a Canadian author, lover of much, and mother to three young sons, one cat, and two dogs. A small town in Eastern Canada where she was born and raised is where she has always called home. With her boys under her feet, snuggling cat, barking dogs, and a hubby calling over his shoulder, she is nearly always writing something ... when she can find the time.

Find her on Facebook, Twitter, her blog, Pinterest, Goodreads, or Amazon.

A CHRISTMAS MEMORY by Max Vos

A CHRISTMAS MEMORY by Max Vos

 

Pages: 69

Date: 31/01/2015

Grade: 4

Details: No. 1 Memories

Own / Kindle

The blurb:

J.J. has always hated the holidays. Presents, decorations, the traditional family Christmas…It’s all his colleagues in the staffroom can talk about. J.J. avoids these conversations like the plague. He’d do anything to keep his co-workers from seeing the real J.J, the gay man who doesn’t want to be noticed. When he slips up and reveals that he is all alone with no plans for Christmas, the well-meaning ladies of his high school want to take him in for the holidays. 

Oh hell….

Enter Coach Adam Sutton who comes to his rescue—and now J.J. is trapped by this hulk of a man who won’t take no for an answer. And he would have to be someone J.J finds attractive, wouldn’t he? Too bad he’s straight and J.J’s not about to step out of the shadows and make a move on him. He likes his arms where they are, thank you very much.

But Adam has a secret, one which is going to turn J.J’s world upside-down. Adam wants to give J.J. a Christmas to remember, but as it turns out, both men’s lives are never going to be the same again…

My thoughts:

There’s something about Max Vos’s writing, his characters and his way of telling a story that hits a nerve with me. I couldn’t for the life of me tell you exactly what that something is, but it strikes a chord.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with J.J. and Adam. J.J.’s journey from dislike, through begrudging friendliness, to attraction and more was beguiling. Adam was just adorable. In my mind’s eye his this big, huge, powerful teddy bear of a man. I couldn’t stop grinning every time he was mentioned.

This story contains minimal angst. There is some since J.J. is rather determined to keep his orientation under wraps, but once Adam makes his move, the soul-searching is almost completely gone.

Adam’s family were a breath of fresh air. I get why a lot of stories include disapproving and hostile families – unfortunately they are a reality all too many queer people have to deal with – but I like seeing the other side of the coin portrayed as well.

The sex in this book is as raw as it is beautiful. These men come together with every fibre of their being and the reader is lucky and privileged to be allowed to indulge their voyeuristic tendencies.

I’m glad I discovered Max Vos’ words recently and can’t wait to continue with these ‘Memories’ stories.

BELLS AND BALLS by Sue Brown

BELLS AND BALLS by Sue Brown

 

Pages: 96

Date: January 30, 2015

Grade: 4+

Details: no. 4 With a Kick

Own/Kindle

The blurb:

“Rob Barker had plans for his weekend and they didn’t involve struggling through the pre-Christmas crowds with the five-year-old niece he barely knows. Left with no choice, he grudgingly takes Pearl to see the sights of London but, instead of following the list his sister-in-law gives him, Rob takes her to With A Kick, an ice-cream shop with a difference. 

His plan is foiled when he discovers With A Kick is closed for a private children's party, but the owners kindly let Pearl join in. Rob’s mood improves considerably as he watches Father Christmas hand out presents. Not only is Santa a hot red-head under the beard, he is also one of his rugby team-mates, Mick, a man Rob has always lusted after. After Mick confesses a mutual interest, he agrees to meet Rob at With A Kick’s evening party—where there are definitely no kids - or girls - allowed.”

My thoughts: 

This is the second book I’ve read in this series and I can honestly say I enjoyed Bells and Balls at least as much as I did Hissed as a Newt (which reminds me I really have to go back and read books 1 and 3 soon). I like Sue Brown’s men and the way they interact both with each other and with the world.

Rob Barker’s day with Peril – excuse me, Pearl – had me in stitches at times. I have to admit that it took me a few pages to get to like Rob but as I got to know him better he more than grew on me. By the end of the book I was a fan of this snarky yet bighearted man.

Mick was lovable right from the moment he was introduced which made all the pain he subsequently went through that much harder to read about. On more than one occasion I wanted to give him a hug and tell him all would be fine. Thankfully Rob was there to do that job for me.

The slow emergence of a relationship between Mick and Rob was a joy to behold. The way these two big rugby players are almost shy with each other and both in fear of what their family’s reaction to them being gay might be was cute and a nice reminder that appearances rarely tell the full story. It was wonderful to read a story in which coming out of the closet played a big role without being the theme of the book. First and foremost this is the engrossing story of two men coming to terms with who they are and finding each other on their somewhat surprising journey. And of course I've got this thing about rugby players...

Bells and Balls was extremely hot for a story that has little to no sex in it. It takes a good writer to make lust as hot – if not hotter – than any sex scene good have been, and Sue Brown did a wonderful job.

All in all this was a delightful story. I found it all but impossible to put the book down once I started reading and while the story is complete, I was sorry to have to say goodbye to Rob and Mick by the end of it. 

Introducing HEART OF ATLANTIS by Deidre Meyrick

I am delighted to welcome Deidre Meyrick and her new book to my blog today. I was lucky enough to read Heart of Atlantis in an early incarnation and can assure you it's a wonderful story that will enthrall and delight you.

Heart of Atlantis

By Deidre Meyrick

Series: Purgatory, Inc.

Publisher: Evernight Publishing

Genre: MM, Fantasy/Supernatural romance

Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Release Date: January 30, 2015

Blurb:

Marin was a cursed merman. Where he once walked the streets of Atlantis—where he found his true love—he now swam, alone. Until he was offered a way out: out of his curse and into the heart of another. But would he be able to love another as he did his true love?

Marley was a loner, a treasure hunter with wild theories about Atlantis who fantasized about mermen. He'd always felt a little out of place, always searching for something, and wanting nothing more than to belong to someone completely.

Between them lay several lifetimes and a wicked sorceress bent on possession. Is a soul deep connection enough to bring them together and to break a curse that was meant to never be broken?

Excerpt:

“Marin? Do you believe in fate? In reincarnation?”

“Reincarnation?”

“Past lives. The soul living beyond the death of one body into another.”

“Ah, yes. Transmigration. As it so happens, I do. Why do you ask?”

Marley sighed, flexing his fingers ever so slightly. Just enough to barely touch Marin's. “I think I may have known you then. From before.”

“I think so too, Marley.” Marin held his breath momentarily before he continued. This was the time. This was it. “Aeëtes, his eyes—although everyone in his family had eyes of as dark as the night sky, my Aeëtes’s eyes were a striking blue. As blue as the Aegean Sea or a sky on a clear winter's day.With one exception. His right eye was two colors. Partly the beautiful blue, but like a wave lapping the shore, the blue met with a golden brown.”

Marley's breath caught as Marin described eyes that were identical to his own. Even down to how his parents' eyes were of a drastically different color. No one could ever explain why there was such a difference; they just accepted it as part of who Marley was. “Like mine.” It was barely a whisper, but enough for Marin to hear.

“Yes, just like yours.”

Buy Link:

Evernight Publishing:http://www.evernightpublishing.com/heart-of-atlantis-by-deidre-meyrick

Deidre Meyrick bio:

Deidre Meyrick is a lover of happy endings, and believes in taking advantage of the good in any moment. She’s a glass half full kind of optimist with a dash of realism and hedonism thrown in, and maybe a splash of rum for good measure. We only live once, right? She’s lived in several states but calls the Florida coast home, where on any given day you may find her sitting on the beach with her toes in the sand and a notebook in her hand.

Deidre Meyrick Social Media links:

Website: deidremeyrick.wordpress.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deidreRVC

Twitter: https://twitter.com/laDEEda51

The Mating of Michael

THE MATING OF MICHAEL by Eli Easton

 

Pages: 237

Date: 28/01/2015

Grade: 4.5

Details: no. 3 Sex in Seattle

            Loaned from Jaycee Edward

Kindle

Blurb:

“Everyone admires Michael Lamont for being a nurse, but his part-time work as a gay sex surrogate not only raises eyebrows, it's cost him relationships. Michael is small, beautiful, and dedicated to working with people who need him. But what he really wants is a love of his own. He spends most of his time reading science fiction, especially books written by his favorite author and long-time crush, the mysteriously reclusive J.C. Guise.

James Gallway's life is slowly but inexorably sliding downhill. He wrote a best-selling science fiction novel at the tender age of eighteen, while bedridden with complications of polio. But by twenty-eight, he's lost his inspiration and his will to live. His sales from his J.C. Guise books have been in decline for years. Wheelchair bound, James has isolated himself, convinced he is unlovable. When he is forced to do a book signing and meets Michael Lamont, he can't believe a guy who looks like Michael could be interested in a man like him.

Michael and James are made for each other. But they must let go of stubbornness to see that life finds a way and love has no limitations.”

My thoughts:

The Mating of Michael surprised me in the most wonderful of ways. It is one of those books with the perfect balance between sweet, funny, angsty and thought-provoking.

Michael is adorable. It is impossible not to fall in love with him the moment you meet him. The truly amazing thing – and something I both appreciated and admired – is that Michael never comes across as too good to be true. He’s borderline close to being too sweet at times but Eli Easton manages to portray him as a fully fleshed and realistic character, as prone to less than sensible decisions as the rest of us.

James is almost the opposite. He goes out of his way to keep his distance from everyone who approaches him, and it would have been easy to dislike him except that his reasons for being stand-offish are plausible and he is totally aware of his shortcomings.

When these two men come together we’re taken on a slow, sensual, alternatively laugh out loud funny and angsty, romantic journey. Yes, the crisis in their relationship was predictable and unavoidable from the very start. It was also completely realistic and caused by an issue that makes you wonder what you might do under similar circumstances.

I always love reading a book within a book and to say I would love to read ‘Sentimental Cyanide’ - the book James writes when all hell breaks loose - would be a gross understatement. That story-line grabbed me as much as James and Michael’s romance did.

I am so glad Jaycee raved about this book on Facebook. I’m not sure when, if ever, I would have come across this book if left to my own devices and it would have been a crying shame to miss out on this well written, wonderful and uplifting tale.

The Gasman Cometh by T.J. Masters

THE GASMAN COMETH by T.J. Masters

 

Pages: 24

Date: January 24, 2015

Grade: 4+

Details: Working Hard, Loving Harder Series

Own / Kindle

The blurb:

“The Gasman Cometh tells the story of sexy young central heating engineer Chris who is sent to the home of the older and more confident Colin Andrews to repair a fault. So far the lad's life has amounted to little but Colin takes a shine to his repair man and circumstances now lead him to want to help turn things around. Of course mistakes must be punished, but who says that love cannot start with a spanking?”

My thoughts:

‘The Gasman Cometh’ is a very short story. It is also rather intriguing, very hot and at moments rather cute. I thoroughly enjoyed my quick but very intense encounter with Colin and Chris. It was impossible not to feel for Chris who is convinced he’s failed at the game of life and about ready to give up on himself. Colin’s actions to help the younger man may be unconventional, they are also inspired and show Chris a side of himself he hadn’t know existed.

Personally I wouldn’t have minded a bit more time with these two men since I’ve got a feeling Chris’s further sessions with Colin would have been as hot and interesting as the one in this story was. Having said that, I have no problem imagining how things might proceed from here so the author has successfully done his job and given me a clear picture of the men and their possible future.

This was the third book by T.J. Masters I thoroughly enjoyed in less than a month so it’s safe to say I’ve found myself yet another author to keep a close eye on.