Monday, 16 March 2015

A Christmas Memory 2 by Max Vos

A CHRISTMAS MEMORY 2 by Max Vos
 
Pages: 89
Date: March 16, 2015
Details: No 2. Memories
Kindle


The blurb:

“It's been a year since coach Adam Sutton changed JJ's life with a Christmas proposal. Now happily married, the two men are dealing with everything life is throwing at them - new family members, homophobia and prejudice, not to mention an unexpected offer that is about to change both their lives - forever.


My thoughts:

Reading these Memories books by Max Vos are a bit like wrapping yourself up in a cozy blanket, in front of an open fire with a huge mug of hot chocolate (with or without a shot of rum according to your preference) within easy reach – pure comfort.

There’s nothing not to love about JJ and Adam nor the rest of the Sutton family. In fact, when all the Sutton’s get together they remind me a lot of my in-laws. Of course they run into issues and prejudice but problems are dealt with and solved, the broken are healed and love does indeed conquer all. And absolutely nothing happens without a huge helping of wonderful food.


Feel free to say this book glosses over issues, offers solutions which are too easy and an overly idyllic family picture; I’m not even going to argue with you. All I’ll say is that this book made me smile and laugh; I felt wonderful and uplifted when I finished the story and I am already looking forward to reading A Valentine’s Memory in the not too distant future. Sometimes all I demand from my reading is that it entertains me and leaves me feeling better. These books do exactly that.

JUNK by Josephine Myles

JUNK by Josephine Myles
 
Page: 351
Date: March 15, 2015
Details: No. 1 The Bristol Collection
Kindle


The blurb:

Letting go is the first step to healing…or bringing it all crashing down.

When an avalanche of books cuts off access to his living room, university librarian Jasper Richardson can no longer ignore the truth. His ever-growing piles of books, magazines and newspapers can no longer be classified as a “collection”. It’s a hoard, and he needs professional help.

Professional clutter clearer and counselor Lewis Miller thinks he’s seen it all, but even he has to admit he’s shocked. Not so much by the state of Jasper’s house, but by the level of attraction he still feels for the sexy bookworm he remembers from school.

What a shame that Lewis’s ethical code forbids relationships with clients. As Jasper makes slow but steady progress, though, the magnetic pull between them is so strong even Lewis is having trouble convincing himself it’s a temporary emotional attachment arising from the therapeutic process.

Jasper longs to prove to Lewis that this is the real deal. But first he’ll have to lay bare the root of his hoarding problem…and reveal the dark secret hidden behind his walls of books. 

Product Warnings
Contains a level-headed counselor with a secret addiction, a bespectacled geek with a sweet tooth, a killer “to-be-read” pile, embarrassing parents, a van called Alice, and deliciously British slang.


My thoughts:

This was a wonderful read about two everyday young men with personal issues they have to overcome if they want to have a future together. Jasper’s hoarding problem was fascinating because it was both recognisable and unimaginable to me. I completely get the need to hang on to books and magazines (newspapers not so much), but can’t imagine allowing it to ever get as bad as it gets in Jasper’s case.

Lewis’s fear that Jasper has established a need for his guidance and support rather than fallen for him is understandable, as is his need for proof that Jasper can function without him around.

It was impossible to read this story and not root for the two men, even as there were moments when I wanted to scream at them to recognize the good thing they had together already. Jasper’s secret broke my heart and Lewis’s insecurity about relationships made me want to wrap him up in a massive hug.

I not only loved the two main characters but fell hard for those they interact with as well. Lewis’s family was laugh out loud funny at times and I can’t wait to read Stuff and get to know Mas better.

All in all this was a wonderful and engrossing read. Besides, what’s not to love about a book in which one of the secondary characters is described as follows:

“Jos. The tall Dutchman...”


Especially since I happen to know a tall Dutchman named Jos. J

Sunday, 15 March 2015

LIMBO by Clare London

LIMBO by Clare London
 
Pages: 28
Date: March 14. 2015
Details: ARC received from author
Kindle

The blurb:

One wet, freezing night, a beautiful angel and a monstrous demon seek each other’s secret company. Yoshiel and Labal would never be allowed to meet on normal terms, but they’re desperate: they’re both trapped in the human world, and have had a horrific penalty extracted from them by their masters.

Only they know what they’ve done to deserve punishment, and only they can appreciate just how ironic and cruel that punishment is. Will they be left to suffer forever in this strange limbo state, or is it a test to see how they may learn from each other? Their forbidden meeting will either prove their undoing – or their release.

My thoughts:

I’m always delighted when I find a unique story; a tale that surprises me and leaves me in awe of the author’s imagination. Limbo is just such a story. I’m not sure how I would tag this book. It’s not really a love story and yet it is brimful of emotion. It’s not ‘just’ a sexy romp either, although things do heat up nicely at one point.

I would call this is a study of what makes us who and what we are, while asking whether our nature is set in stone or adjustable. As such it is irresistible, intriguing and at times almost heartbreaking. The anguish both Yoshiel and Labal experience as a result of their trespass sprang off the page – real and recognisable.

The two ‘men’ together are hot and beautiful and yet that’s not really what this story is about. This is a story is about the before and the after, about learning from each other, embracing change and opportunity and being true to yourself while remaining open to new possibilities.

I really don’t want to say a whole lot more about Limbo. I think this is one of those stories you’ll enjoy most if you come to it from scratch. The slow revelation of what exactly is going on with Yoshiel and Labal and why it is happening had me on the edge of my seat and mesmerized.

To say I wouldn’t have loved to spend more times with Yoshiel and Labal, would be a blatant lie, and if Clare London ever decides to write a ‘what happened next’ story about them, I’ll be among the first to read it. Having said that, you won’t hear me saying this story was too short. I found everything I could have wished for in these 28 pages; the background I needed, an insight into the characters and their plight, a beautiful coming together and a perfect, if somewhat bitter-sweet, ending. Colour me impressed.




Thursday, 12 March 2015

Opposites Attract by Lily G Blunt: All the Info and a Long and Steamy Excerpt


BY

LILY G BLUNT

Contemporary M/M Erotic Romance

Length: 14 000 words

RELEASE DATE:

12th March



BLURB:
Chris and Andreas are opposites in character.

Both fear the other wants to move on.

Can being stranded on a mountainside resolve the doubt that is threatening to tear them apart?


WARNING: EXPLICIT CONTENT

“THAT’S IT, babe. Look at me.” I raked my fingers through Andreas’s hair and yanked his head back. Still leaning over the sink, he obediently stared at me in the bathroom mirror. Our blue eyes connected, pupils fully dilated with arousal. He loved it when I treated him rough like this. I tilted forward over his back and nipped on Andreas’s ear lobe. “Keep your eyes on mine as I enter you,” I purred, my breath long and moist against his heated skin.

Andreas, as usual, complied. He loved eye contact when we made love. Pulling back slightly, I stroked my cock along his crease, poised and erect, ready to push into him. Lining up with his well-prepared hole, I returned my gaze to his and eased in gently. With each inch, his eyes widened a fraction, his jaw dropped lower, and he gasped louder.

I kissed along his shoulder. “Oh yes, babe. You feel so good.”

His eyes remained fixed on the mirror—on me—as I moved in and out of his warmth. Deep, slow thrusts, accompanied by my slaps to the smooth, pale skin on his ass, resulted in groans from deep within his chest.

“Yes, harder, Chris.”

I obeyed his wish, and made Andreas yelp with pleasure.

He wrapped his hand around his cock and stroked fast. “Gonna come soon!”

Grunting with each forceful push, I gripped his hair tighter, holding his head in place, and squeezed his now pink rump. Two more thrusts and I came hard inside him, moaning. My heart pounded against my ribcage, and waves of heated pleasure ebbed through me.
“Oh my God, I’m coming.” His voiced echoed around the small hotel bathroom.
I grinned. What must the people in the next room be thinking?

Andreas stood upright, his hand moving rapidly over his cock. He shot his load into the sink and squirted over the marble surround. The third and fourth jets sprayed up on the mirror and trickled down.

Despite panting loudly, we managed to giggle. “Oh babe, you’re so hot when you come like that.” I kissed his neck and eased out of him. “And being so noisy too—I love it.”

I dropped the condom into the bin and stepped into the bathtub. “Need to get a move on.” I turned on the shower and soaped myself down.

Andreas wiped the remaining lube off his crack, had a piss, and returned to the bedroom, wiggling his ass at me on his way out. I grinned at the red marks still evident on his naked butt.

I dried myself down with one of the fluffy white towels, and then joined Andreas. Now sporting a pair of shorts, he sat on the balcony with his feet perched on a chair, a book in his lap. I loved him dearly, but he seemed to have his nose in a book twenty-four seven these days. Every time I came home from work or back from one of my sports clubs, he’d be there reading. Either that or engrossed in his decoupage craft, or whatever his latest hobby was.

After dressing in my cycling gear, I packed up my rucksack with the provisions I needed for the day, and then went to join him on the balcony.

“Mmm… looks like it’s going to be another warm day.” I looked out across the hotel pool and gardens, to the mountainside beyond. The sky was clear and blue. Wispy clouds drifted around the snow-covered peaks in the distance. Lush green grass and woods filled the lower slopes near the resort. Cable cars, looking like dots in the distance, moved slowly upward. Summer season in an Alpine resort was my idea of heaven: outdoor physical activity, plenty of fresh air, and hot sex when I returned to the hotel in the evening. Pity Andreas didn’t share my passion—apart from the sex, that is.

Andreas glanced up from his book. “You should have a nice day for exploring.” He returned his gaze to the page, seemingly oblivious to the scenic view in front of us. “Rain is forecast later this evening, but you should miss that.”

A cool breeze blew around the damp hair at the base of my skull. “That’s good. Can you put some sunscreen on the back of my neck, hun? It’s stinging a little today.”

“Mmm… sure. It looks a little red.” Andreas leaned over and grabbed the tube from the patio table. He wiped the moisture from the back of my neck and applied the cream thoroughly.
I turned to face him, and he coated my face, neck, and the skin exposed above the vee of my T-shirt. A sad look crossed his eyes.

I stroked a wayward hair out of his sight. “You’ll be okay on your own?” I felt a little guilty, but he could have come with me if he wanted.

In the distance, cowbells chimed and a motorbike sped past the front of the hotel, spoiling the early morning peace and quiet.

Andreas sighed. “Yeah, I’ll be fine. Got plenty to keep me occupied here all day. I’m used to keeping myself busy anyway.” His voice trailed off on the last sentence.

“I’ll see you later this afternoon, then.” I kissed him swiftly. “Have a good day.”
“Yeah, you too. Make sure you grab some breakfast on your way.” Andreas pulled me in for a hug. “Take care. Love you.”

“Love you too. Later.” I scooped up my rucksack, checked for my phone in my pocket, and marched out of the hotel room without a backward glance.

After retrieving my mountain bike from the hotel’s bike park and buying a meat-filled pastry from the local bakery, I cycled to the cable car station at the edge of Saalbach. Pleased I’d made it before the manic tourist rush, I managed to grab a gondola for myself with plenty of room for the bike.


I took out the still-warm pastry from its wrapping and wolfed it down. Most guests would be eating their breakfast in hotel dining rooms throughout the resort, as would Andreas soon—alone. I liked getting out and about early to avoid the crowds. Andreas preferred to take his time and stay in the hotel for most of the day. Sometimes I thought he might be agoraphobic, but then he’d go shopping for our food, and he’d spend time with the people in his craft and book clubs. He wasn’t particularly fond of sports. Our friends always commented on how different we were, personality-wise. Some even called him a wimp and a sissy. I responded with my clichéd science statement of opposites attract to shut them up. Andreas was perfect for me. We got along well, hardly ever argued, and the sex was always hot and steamy. Yum! Just like this morning’s session.

Spending time apart doing our own thing only added to our closeness when we were together. We didn’t get jealous or possessive, and didn’t push our interests down each other’s throats. He was happy doing his own thing while I got on with my adventurous pastimes. I’d never get him to paraglide or canoe, but then I wouldn’t knit or weed the garden.

Andreas was drop-dead gorgeous. People always asked if we were brothers, which I took as a compliment. We had the same dark hair coloring, were of similar height, and I was only more muscular because of all the physical activity I took part in. My sexy Andreas managed to keep in good shape: he was in charge of the food shopping and cooking in our house, and made sure we both ate healthily.

I brushed the greasy pastry crumbs off my T-shirt and grinned, knowing he’d scold me later when I told him what I’d eaten for breakfast.


The cable car moved swiftly up the mountainside, giving fabulous views of Austria’s Hinterglemm valley. I turned around and looked back toward the hotel and to the mountains behind, where I’d spent the previous day exploring. I spotted the hut where I’d stopped for lunch—a small speck of brown surrounded by shades of green—and the winding tracks I’d followed on my way down. I wished Andreas could share the fabulous views and enjoy the ride alongside me. I’d take photos from the top for him, but that wouldn’t be the same as experiencing it for himself.

As the gondola approached the highest cable car station, I positioned my bike. As soon as the doors opened, I shot out. I checked the time of the last returning gondola, noting I had over seven hours to explore—plenty of time.

The panoramic view from this height was breathtaking. I wheeled the bike with one hand and stood on the viewing platform, taking photos with my phone. I selected a selfie and sent it in a text to Andreas.

Spectacular views. Wish you were here. Later. Xx


~O~


BUY THE BOOK:


OPPOSITES ATTRACT

is also part of the STRANDED Anthology

~O~

REVIEWS FOR 



OPPOSITES ATTRACT by Lily G. Blunt ♥♥♥♥♥

 Another absolutely beautiful story! Both Chris and Andreas are such interesting characters! This story was well written and suspenseful. I was on the edge of my seat to see how this came out and really wanted more!

*****


I loved this story. It began with Chris and Andreas, who are as different as chalk and cheese. Chris is the sporty outdoor person, and Andreas comes across as someone who is quiet and an introvert, together on holiday. Andreas thought the holiday was so they could spend some time together, but Chris had decided to book himself on excursions and continue his sporty outdoor pursuits, so this meant Andreas was alone in the hotel room every day. This then gave Andreas time to think about his relationship with Chris, and this in turn gave him very grave doubts. Chris just assumed everything in their life was rosy, until something happened to him, that made him take a good long look at his life and how he treated Andreas, and he soon realised he could be in jeopardy of losing Andreas forever…….. do they manage to be honest with each other, and talk things out….. I’m not saying, but what I will say is that this is quite a hot read.
*****


This was just a fantastic book from the first short to the last short. I usually don't give 5 Stars to anthologies on the grounds that I am reading a huge book containing short stories, but this was different.
The best news of this collection was that each one was so well written, I had no cause for complaint.
*****



Lily G. Blunt writes contemporary gay romance and erotica. She loves to explore the relationship between two men and the intensity of their physical and emotional attraction. Angst often features in her stories as she feels this demonstrates the depth of the men’s feelings for each other. Lily is forever writing imaginary scenes and plots in her head, but only a few ever make it to the page—there never seems to be enough hours in the day despite having left the teaching profession to concentrate on her writing!

Lily discovered the wonderful world of m/m romance novels four years ago via fan fiction and went on to write stories in her spare time. With the encouragement of her friends and readers she decided to publish some of her work.

Lily has several self-published stories available on Amazon. She is also published with Torquere Press and Wayward Ink Publishing.

Easily distracted from her writing, Lily makes videos using clips from gay-themed movies and posts gorgeous pictures of men kissing or making out on her tumblr and Facebook pages. Lily is also an avid supporter of GLBTQ rights and advocates equality for all.


Lily lives in central England with her rather bemused husband, two twenty-something children, and a ‘mad as a bag of frogs’ Shetland Sheepdog.

LINKS AND CONTACTS:



Wednesday, 11 March 2015

Morticia Knight introduces The Fear of Surrender: The Blurb, A Guest Post and An Excerpt

The Fear of Surrender (The Hampton Road Club 3)




Master Thomas sees a submissive man aching for surrender if only Linus can be convinced not to fear The Hampton Road Club.

Linus never wants to return to Hampton Road after being attacked by a Master there. Even though he aches for the attention of Master Thomas  -the one who he’d originally wanted - he isn’t sure he can ever trust another Master not to abuse him again.

Thomas is furious with himself for not protecting the beautiful young submissive whose company he’d enjoyed on a few occasions. He’s relieved that there have been some recent changes to help protect the submissive men who offer themselves at the sadomasochism club. It’s about time to bring the club into the progressive age of the 1920’s. Now that the new rules are in place, perhaps he can woo Linus into giving him a chance.

As Thomas goes out of his way to be kind to him, Linus wonders if he’s misjudged the Master. He’s still not sure if there’s a future for them. What if he never wants to surrender to another man? When he allows Thomas to teach him the joys of Dominance and submission, Linus discovers that he not only wants to surrender, he wants to be claimed permanently. If only Thomas’ old life doesn’t come back to haunt them and destroy their chance of being together forever.


If You Had Never Heard of BDSM Before…


Thanks for having me here today Helena! I’d say that one of the things I’ve enjoyed about writing The Hampton Road Club series, is that not only is it M/M BDSM  - a particular fave of mine – but it’s set in the 1920’s. Now I love the roaring twenties, but there’s more to writing this series than that. Many of the characters in the books – particularly the young ones – haven’t the slightest clue that such a thing as sadomasochism exists as a sexual practice. Nor have they ever heard of bondage and toys, and they most certainly have never considered what it would be like to surrender themselves to a Master. It’s all a big unknown – there aren’t any books or films to enlighten these men. They have to discover it for themselves or hopefully meet others who are likeminded.

The men who indulge in their darker desires at The Hampton Road Club have to be extremely careful. Not only because they are gay, but because any type of activities that are what would be considered BDSM in contemporary times - would’ve been labeled a perversion that would cause any adherents to be treated in an institution or arrested and incarcerated. I’ve read news articles from that era where castration was used as a way of discouraging so-called ‘deviant’ behavior. I had to bear all of those issues in mind while writing this series.

Linus, the young submissive in The Fear of Surrender, only discovers that such a thing exists when he meets an older man at a speakeasy who had hired him as his companion for the evening. Linus doesn’t sell his body, but does accompany men to the pansy clubs as their date for the night and occasionally performs some sexual favors. Ned, his gentleman for the evening, takes him to The Hampton Road Club and suggests that he might find what he really needs there. He encourages Linus to find a man who really cares about him and who can fulfill his needs.

In Book 2 of The Hampton Road Club, The Rules of Love, Linus has a bad run in with a Master who mistreats him. Right when he thought he really had found what he was looking for, the club becomes sullied for him. Even the beautiful Master Thomas who he’d played with a few times and had begun to fall for no longer seems safe. As The Fear of Surrender begins, Thomas is hopeful that he might get another chance with Linus and is willing to do whatever it takes to win him over. In this scene, Linus considers giving Thomas that chance.


Excerpt from The Fear of Surrender (The Hampton Road Club 3):


Linus stared at his hand in Thomas’. He tried to remember if they’d held hands the three times they’d been alone. The times Linus had allowed Thomas to touch him, had wanted it.
But I still want it.
He squeezed Thomas’ fingers. It was all so confused in his head. Before the whole Preston disaster, Linus had been sure Thomas had wished for him to be his gentleman friend. Of course, Linus had also been very excited about all the activities he knew Thomas would desire from him. Then there had been the anticipation over the new ones he figured Thomas would eventually reveal.
They hadn’t held hands—not really. Not the way they were doing at the moment. It had been more like Thomas’ grip around Linus’ wrist the one time he’d tied his hands together in front of him. He’d bent Linus over a large padded ottoman then placed a blindfold over his eyes. He’d asked if Linus he’d ever worn one before. When he’d replied honestly that he hadn’t, Thomas had gently explained that it would help heighten the sensations of what he felt. It was also a way for them to build trust with each other. Then he’d asked Linus if it was okay to use it on him.
That was the difference. He asked.
A thread of nervousness ran under his skin. He’d never lied to Thomas, but he might’ve made it seem that he was more experienced than he really was. He’d been so attracted to him that when Thomas had first approached him at the club and asked if he liked to be spanked, he’d blurted out that he did. Thomas had also wondered if he wanted to be tied up and he’d nodded vigorously, scared but excited at the same time.
‘Words please. You know what to do.’
But he hadn’t. He didn’t. Instead, he’d played along so that Thomas wouldn’t choose another boy. When he eventually did choose another boy, Linus had already believed that he was the only one who held Thomas’ interest. Was that still the case? Or would there be others Thomas would go around with while he was also seeing him. If so, maybe he shouldn’t accept Thomas’ offer after all.
His hand felt so nice, so warm. It made it seem as if he wasn’t all alone, far away from his mother and father and all his brothers and sisters. It was even better than that because with Thomas, he had all the attention. So he had to know for sure. Because if he was going to be with Thomas, he really did want all the attention on him.
“If I give it a try, give it a chance—will it only be you and me?”
Thomas furrowed his brow. “Are you asking if I’ll be with any other men while we’re getting to know one another?”
Linus nodded, then remembered. “Yes.”
“I’m going to assume that you don’t want to go to the club, correct?”
“I’m sorry…”
Maybe Thomas would take back the offer. He squeezed Linus’ hand.
“Don’t. This is important to me so I want to do it right, give us a fair shake. I’ll still be going to the club—”
“Oh.” He dropped his chin and tried to pull away. Tears stung at the backs of his eyes. Thomas held on to him, gripping him tighter.
“You didn’t let me finish. I’m a board member and there are some important meetings coming up regarding rules to make the club safer. I need to be at the club for those. Plus, that’s where my friends are. You are more than welcome to come with me at any time, but that’s not something I expect. I just want to be honest with you about where I’ll be. However, I promise I won’t be with any other man either there or anywhere else while you and I figure this out. Agreed?”
Linus relaxed and looked up at Thomas, giving him a small smile. “Agreed.”
Thomas smiled back. “Good. That’s going to be one way where I can gain your trust.” Thomas regarded him as if he wasn’t sure what to do with him next. “I tell you what. I’d like to take you to dinner tomorrow night. I’ll pick you up at seven o’clock at the guesthouse and we can go from there. Sound good?”
“You mean like a speakeasy?” The last thing Linus ever wanted to do again was go to another one of those places.
Thomas patted their joined hands with his other one. “No. I want to take you to a nice, respectable Italian restaurant I know of in Pasadena called Del Rio’s. Do you like Italian food?”
“Um, I don’t know. There was an Italian family that lived a couple farms over, but we hardly ever saw them and I never ate any of their food.”
Thomas appeared to be holding back a smile, maybe a smirk—Linus couldn’t tell.
“Well then, I suppose this would be a good way for you to find out if you do. I’ll see you at seven o’clock.”
Thomas gently unlaced their fingers and it hit Linus that everything had just been decided. He usually preferred that, but it was all so fast. He’d be alone with Thomas in the car again. It was okay, at least he thought it was, but…
“Wait!”
Thomas paused from where he’d been about to swing a leg over the bench. “What is it?”
“Where’s the restaurant?”
“It’s on Colorado, near Fair Oaks Ave. Why?”
“Oh, um, I could save you the trouble and just meet you there instead. At seven o’clock, you know, like you said.” He swallowed hard.
Thomas relaxed back on the bench. “You don’t want me to drive you?”
“It’s not that…” He squirmed. It wasn’t fair not to be honest with Thomas if he expected Thomas to be honest with him. If things progressed with them, he’d eventually have to confess that he’d misled him back at the club as well. “Okay. It is that. But I don’t want you to be mad at me. I just um, I need to get to know you better. That’s all.”
“I’m not mad, Linus. Thank you for telling me the truth—that’s going to be very important in order for us to have a chance together.” Thomas rubbed a hand across his beautiful golden hair that Linus loved. The gesture was in seeming contemplation over Linus’ statement. “All right. If that’s what you need to do. May I ask how you’d be getting there?”
Linus had the impression that Thomas was going to extra pains to accommodate him and he felt bad. It always made him happy when he pleased other people. He did want to please Thomas. He really did like him an awful lot. But he wasn’t ready yet.



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