Review: Cold by Brandon Shire

Prison is a brutal, heartless, and demeaning environment. No one knows this better than a man sentenced to life in prison for murder. Lem Porter is a high-profile prisoner who had a solid career ahead of him in a field he loved until he killed his brother. He has spent almost eighteen years behind bars and doesn’t have much hope left. 

Anderson Passero had it all. He built a career, a name, and a relationship with a man he thought he loved. Only after he very publicly landed in prison did he realize how ignorant he’d been. He has eight months left on his sentence and he is eager to go home and put prison life behind him. He doesn’t know it yet, but he will always carry these eight months with him, and they may just help him to understand what love really means.



I struggled with this review because my love for the story is all emotional, and difficult to put into words.    My favorite MC, Lem, was serving a life sentence for killing his brother. Determined to stay in prison, he sabotaged his parole interview. Why? There are hints of self-punishment, and maybe lack of hope, but no clear reason why.  The other MC, Anderson, was eager to get out, and determined to keep his head down and stay out of trouble for the remaining eight months of his term.

The two men, distinct opposites in terms of appearance, personality, and circumstances, came together in an ill-fated romance. I loved their initial observations of and reactions to each other, and when they finally got together? Yikes, time out for a cool down.

Mixed in with the hotness, though, was a sweet vulnerability that drew me in. So gentle and hesitant, with some hope and even awe, overlaid with the bittersweet truth of reality. Reality, because with prison as a background, they hardly had a chance. The small details that showed the lack of privacy, the lack of autonomy in prison life, had me cringing in sympathy. Other details weren't so small. One violent scene had me flinching but even though it wasn't airbrushed, it wasn't overpowering, either.

As the final weeks of Anderson's term wind down, there is a sense of imminent loss and sadness. Every moment is dear, but overshadowed by the reality of their situation. As expected, the ending was sad, but knowing a sequel was on the way, I was hopeful.

Side notes:
 I loved getting to know Lem through his love of nature, work in the nursery, and memories of his of old job. The scene with Anderson and the bonsai was especially touching.

Niggles:
The "short" business tripped me up, pulled me out of the story as I had to think about the unfamiliar meaning, and it's used a lot.

Unless I missed something, Anderson didn't know old Lem was when he went to prison, how did he figure Lem's age from time served? There were a few other niggles, but I set them aside to better enjoy the story and to wait for answers in the sequel.


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Review: Merry Gentlemen by Josephine Myles (Blog Tour)

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’Tis the season of goodwill to all men…even the one who dumped you. Riley MacDermott’s ambitions are simple. Managing the annual Bath Christmas Market—which involves long hours in the cold and a whole lot of hassle—will secure the promotion he needs to afford to move out of his noisy, top-floor flat. Where not even his balcony is safe from an aggressive herring gull. The last stallholder he expects to see is his ex. Riley never recovered from their break up, and five years on the old chemistry still sparkles. So does their habitual head butting. Stan never wanted to leave the love of his life, but the pull of the woods was too strong—and Riley was firmly planted in the city. Reconnecting is painful, but Stan still jumps at the chance to stay with his old flame during the Market. And damn the consequences. As the weeks pass, the two grow closer than ever. But despite scorching sex and cozy intimacy, they both know they face a cold and lonely future. Unless one of them can compromise.

Warning: Contains sex in a shed, a seagull with a grudge, glamping, awful Secret Santa underwear, misuse of Abba song, and as many wood-related puns as the author thought she could get away with.



I’m a big fan of Josephine Myles. I’m a big fan of Christmas. It would stand to reason that I should like this book. I did not like this book. I LOVED this book.

My absolute favorite thing about Jo Myles’s books are her characters and these two MC’s are no exception. Honestly, Riley is hilarious. I love his slightly entitled attitude. Especially for the fact he doesn’t really know what he’s entitled to or why, he just knows he should have more than he does. When tasked with ridding his balcony of a seagull, who really seems to have it out for him, he thinks,

“I was meant to have servants to do that sort of thing for me by now. Or at least one servant. Just a part time cleaner would have been a good start.”

Oh Riley. Poor delusional Riley.

This is really a story about Riley and his journey to figure out what makes him happy. Riley is in that no man’s land between a young party boy and true adulthood. He knows how to be a party boy but it’s getting old and nothing (and no one) compares to the time he spent with his first true love, Stan. Riley is working towards a promotion. He is the manager of the Christmas Market in Bath and he knows if he can pull this off with a modicum of success, he’ll get his promotion. Problem is, he really isn’t sure if that is what will make him happy. He wants it because he thinks he should and it’s the next logical step for his career. But will it make him happy? Riley is floundering a little but he’s not really sure why.

As the vendors are setting up Riley is making his rounds and who does he see? Why Stan of course. Stan had given Riley balance when they were together but he’s also the one who moved away. Stan moved away because he just had to. He’s not a city dweller and in order to accomplish all his life’s goals he had to go. While Riley felt he had to stay behind. Hearts were broken. There really isn’t animosity between the two, more of a wary caution, they were young and wanted vastly different things from life and looking back, they can admit they didn’t communicate well about their decisions. They communicated like self-centered young men. Which, given their ages and stages in life, was completely normal and unfortunately predictable. There is still plenty of heat left from their years together though and it doesn’t take long for the two of them to reconnect.

So, the two start the reconnection in the steamiest of ways, albeit temporarily as the Market only lasts so long giving their reunion a bittersweet quality. They’re reminded why they are just so good together and yet how different they are too. Seriously, Riley and Stan really couldn’t be more different. Stan is the country badger to Riley’s city mouse and Riley can’t help but mock Stan’s country life. Stan takes it with a good natured humor as these two have great chemistry, and matches Riley quip for quip,

“Yeah, I’ve got myself a harem of trained badgers. They’re shy, but really filthy when you get to know them.”

I like Stan. I like Stan a lot.

Stan also reminds Riley that sex, and life, should be fun and that Riley is more than just the flighty party boy he plays at. Plus Stan doesn’t fall for Riley’s “flouncy grand exits”. Riley knows this and in the years since Stan left he’s grown up some. They both have. Riley can’t help but be frustrated because they want such different things out of life. So, the Market ends, Riley is a success and it’s time for Stan to go home. Hearts are breaking again, but, Riley is a bit older and wiser now and he really listens to Stan when Stan says as he is leaving for home,

“Goodbye Ri. Look after yourself. And try to figure out what makes you happy, yeah?”

Well, one thing that Riley is really good at, it’s what got him his promotion, he is a problem solver. He just never really saw his life as a problem until he started questioning his own happiness when Stan had to leave. Riley finally realized he could solve this problem and he sets out to do just that. He channels his inner country badger and heads out to claim his mountain man. Riley has a plan and he’s certainly not going to let any pesky nature get in his way. He’s determined to make this new life work with Stan and now just has to convince Stan to let him in. Of course he has “Riley adventures” on the way to Stan’s place and Stan doesn’t let Riley off the hook too easily at first. Not everyone is cut out to be a country badger, Riley especially and Stan knows this. Stan needs to be sure Riley is in this for the long haul. As he puts Riley through his paces with country life, Riley starts to really appreciate the beauty of the life Stan is living, once he lets go of what he thinks he should want and sees what is right in front of him.

Riley and Stan grew up, and Riley finally figures out that compromise can lead to everything in the world that will make him happy.


Just a few extra bonus things that I absolutely loved in this story . . .

I absolutely have to mention Riley’s best friend and confidante, Janine. I love when the “best friend” is portrayed in a really positive way and doesn’t fall into stereotype. Janine was great. She was a true supportive friend, but she called Riley on his BS too. I love how he is amazed at her ability to spot another gay man without fail. He says,

“You’d think that woman had been born with her own personal Grindr app installed in her brain.”

Can that be a real thing? I’d really like for that to be a real thing.


Riley is known at work for being the guy who strips down to some fancy manties, climbs atop a desk and belts out a Christmas tune at the office Christmas party. It’s what he does. So, of course, his Secret Santa gifts every year are said fancy manties. He swears this year will be different. There is a promotion on the line after all. But, after a little too much to drink coupled with missing his mountain man the ability to actually care is completely gone and he fulfills his legacy with pride. He insists on singing Santa Baby even though,

“And while it wasn’t exactly a song designed for stripping, I was of the firm belief that you could take your clothes off to any piece of music with the right attitude.”

And this is why I love Riley.



Note: A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.



Review: Shock & Awe by Abigail Roux

After barely surviving a shootout in New Orleans, Sidewinder medic Kelly Abbott has to suffer through a month of recovery before he can return home to Colorado. He’s not surprised when fellow Sidewinder Nick O’Flaherty stays with him in New Orleans. Nor is he surprised when Nick travels home with him to help him get back on his feet—after all, years on the same Marine Force Recon team bonded the men in ways that only bleeding for a brother can. He’s very surprised, though, when Nick humors his moment of curiosity and kisses him. Nick knows all of Kelly’s quirks and caprices, so the kiss was a low-risk move on his part . . . or so he thought. But what should’ve been a simple moment unleashes a flood of confusing emotions and urges that neither man is prepared to address. Now, Kelly and Nick must figure out what they mean to each other—friends and brothers in arms, or something even deeper?—before the past can come back to ruin their tenuous future.





Mmm... delicious.  I enjoyed this introduction to Sidewinder, a spin-off series from the popular Cut & Run books.  The chemistry between Nick and Kelly was off the charts, and the sex scenes were intense, raw and gritty, just the way I like them.   I also liked how the good times continued outside the bedroom.  Their dialogue and private reflections revealed a deep friendship filled with loyalty, trust and humor. It was great how they knew each other so well and could call each other on their BS. 

Why not 5 stars?
It felt rushed; I would have liked a slower build, with a little more tension before they got together.   The transition from Kelly considering Nick a good friend to wanting him sexually happened too suddenly for me.  The process also felt a little too analytical, almost as if he was evaluating the idea without emotion, just checking things off a list:
Kelly likes Nick, check
Kelly likes sex, check
Nick is hot in bed, check
Maybe Kelly would like sex with Nick, let's try it, check
Sex with Nick is amazing, check

His conclusion?  Nick and Kelly should be together because the sex is hot and the relationship would be easy. 

And that amazing sex? Happened while he was recovering from a bullet wound and could barely move.  That distracted me because I kept thinking, wait, doesn't that hurt?

As the story progressed, though, you could see Kelly getting more emotionally involved, which I appreciated.  I also appreciated Nick's reactions to Kelly's questions, propositions and enthusiastic responses ;)

For all that I enjoyed this story, though, I think it’s important to note that it is an introduction to a series, and a lot is left hanging.   So consider it a hearty appetizer, not a main course.

Side Notes:
The dirty talk...oh the dirty talk...*shivers* so good.

The ending shouldn't be a surprise if you've read Touch & Geaux. 

A bonus Sidewinder short story, Bait & Switch, was included with Shock & Awe.  Just a quick peek, really, but it gave us an update on Sidewinder and it included a very steamy scene that complimented the first story nicely.  


Review: The Caldwell Ghost & Butterflies (The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal # 1 & 2) by K.J. Charles


When Robert Caldwell inherits a haunted house, he calls on ghost-hunter Simon Feximal to rid him of the supernatural menace. But the ghost is stronger than either man realizes -- strong, angry, and desperate for release. Trapped in a haunted house with a dangerously attractive ghost-hunter and a sexually frustrated spirit, can Robert survive the night intact...and will he want to?





K.J. Charles’ “The Magpie Lord” is the absolute best book I have read all year. Not many authors can creep the hell out of you, while making you laugh and then leave you fanning yourself and re-reading repeatedly her more sensual scenes.  So of course I went all fangirl twirley when I saw that she was releasing The Caldwell Ghost, the first book in her new series The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal. I am a voracious reader but usually I don’t like to read short stories. Just when you get into the rhythm of the tale you blink and it’s over…if the story is bad it is wasted seconds of your life and if it is any good it is like that Brazilian summer exchange student that left you in a fetal position crying for more.  When I saw it was $1.99 for only 17 freakin’ pages , well yeah NOOO came to mind.  The buzz around the tale though just kept building and many of my friends were all in a tizzy about how much they really liked the story, and not one of them complained about the price. Then Charles released Butterflies the second book in the series (which is a little longer and free) amping up the cacophony urging me to read the books.  Boy, did I have major crow to eat (crow –magpies hee -snort) because man can Charles write... she crams more story into those few pages than most authors do in full length novels.
If you look at this story as an introduction to the tales, it is the perfect prologue to set the mood. The stories are Robert Caldwell’s unedited versions of previously written censored tales of  famous Ghost Hunter Simon Feximal. The set up in the first story is the meeting between Robert Caldwell and Feximal.  Simon is described as looking like an archaic priest with steely gray hair… ummm wait what really? He has a young face though, and then you realize this man has seen and done some things that have ravaged him throughout the years, but once the story gets going sexy doesn’t begin to describe the way you see Simon.  Charles has a way of vividly drawing images in your mind much in the same way the tattoos crawl across her characters' bodies...and I mean literally crawl.
Great googly moogly  K.J. Charles can scare the crap out of her readers. She has you turning on all the lights and getting under the covers, jumping at every noise. But like that idiot that goes into the other room because they heard something, I can not stop reading! Then, just as quickly, she can fog up the room in a whole different way... leaving you restless and moaning, and moaning ... whew......
ok we go on....
The series is supposed to chronicle 20 years of adventures between Ghost hunter extraordinaire Simon and his companion Caldwell. It is no stretch to compare their relationship to Holmes and Watson, Arthur and Merlin, Bert and Ern.... well ok you get the point.. These two men belong together. I don't want to go into more details because you need to enjoy the whole experience.

I had a major epiphany when reading a specific quote
I know about stories. They must have endings. A story without an ending is an unbearable itch to the reader.
Sound the hallelujah choir, this is why I hate cliffhangers!! It is like that itch in the middle of your back you can't reach.

Well I did not feel cheated after reading "The Caldwell Ghost" and yet I want to read more about them. Thank goodness I was able to go right to the next story.





Journalist Robert Caldwell is still smarting from his first encounter with ghost-hunter Simon Feximal. Their night in a haunted house was thrilling, but the aftermath leaves Robert hurt, disappointed, and resolved not to see Simon again.

But just a few days later their paths cross once more, this time investigating a pair of mysterious deaths: two corpses shrouded in butterflies.

Now Robert wants the truth – on the deaths, on where the butterflies came from, and most of all, on the attraction that still burns between him and Simon.
A free standalone short story (8700 words) in the Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal.




Butterflies starts right where we left off… yippie, I love it when we get right back into their lives and I am not left feeling that the characters were having fun without me... yay!
There is a much talked about scene in The Magpie Lord that is the single most horrific thing I have ever read ! It had me glued to the pages. I could not stop reading that scene even while my heart was thumping wildly. Well, Butterflies has an equally horrific scene, where people are being killed by thousands of swarming butterflies, choking them to death. I know what you're thinking, butterflies can kill, really? But it is so logical it will leave you running away from them faster than rats or spiders from now on.  Who effing knew….well J.K. Charles knew... Thank God.
I hate true horror stories. I don’t like blood and guts and yet I am riveted by Charles’ writing. We follow along jumping at shadows with Caldwell and Feximal while they try to figure out where the butterflies are coming from, why they would kill and who is desecrating ancient crypts… Come on!!! We all know you don’t touch the damn burial grounds…sheesh Ghost Hunting 101 people. Did we learn nothing from Scooby Doo?
The humor and chemistry between Caldwell and Feximal also help to ease the scary tension. Of course it ramps it up in other areas but I am not complaining.
I am really excited to read this series and am hoping for many more vignettes.
J.K. Charles is now an automatic buy, no matter the price or length.



Review: One True Thing (One Thing #2) by Piper Vaughn and M.J. O'Shea


Dustin Davis spent years wishing for a prince but kissing frog after slimy frog. When he sees Archer Kyriakides for the first time, Dusty thinks his luck has finally changed. Archer could be it. The One. But their hot and cold romance leaves Dusty confused: why does it feel right one moment and wrong the next? It doesn’t make sense—until the day Dusty meets Archer’s identical twin, Asher, and realizes he’s been seeing them both.

Asher Kyriakides dreams of being a fashion photographer, but he’s stuck with a job he hates and an irresponsible playboy brother whose habits drive him absolutely insane, especially when he finds out Archer is dating the cute little blond Asher can’t seem to forget. Torn between loyalty and desire, Asher does nothing but try to warn Dusty away.

 But when Archer finally goes too far, Dusty turns to Asher for comfort, and Asher knows he can’t refuse. It isn’t long before they realize they’re falling fast, but more than one thing stands in their way, not the least of which is Archer, who isn’t quite ready to stop being a thorn in his brother’s side.





Oh… wow. Just, wow. These two were meant to be together. Them being together is like perfection, it’s like… like, I just want to hug my kindle to my chest and never, ever let go. And then twirl and just smile.

I’m talking about Piper Vaughn and M.J. O’Shea, of course. They can do no wrong, I tell ya.  Their stories are loving and sweet and adorable and hot as all hell. Hands down, 5 stars. All the stars! All of them!

"I've been waiting to feel like this since I was a kid and I used to sneak my mom's romance novels.  But all those books? They didn't get it right. Not even close."   

Gah. Dusty and Asher hit me square in the chest over and over again.  With their loving words, their thoughtful gestures and the realistic development of their relationship, I was the one with the insta-love. And get this, they actually took the time to, ya know, date and everything before they had The Sex. They went out, met each other’s friends and had some playful flirting before moving to the next step.  It was romantic, realistic and rocketed the sexual tension up to almost unbearable levels.

They had some struggles to overcome and there were a couple big misunderstandings, and that can usually rub me the wrong way if it goes on for pages and pages. But, thankfully, the misunderstandings didn’t last too long and we were able to get to more of the good stuff.  Which was the perfect love that Dusty and Ash shared. *dreamy sigh* I love their love. I love their love so hard.

Okay, I have to mention Archer for a sec. What the hell is wrong with that guy? Please, please tell me we get to read his story and that he's redeemed and that I will love him, too. Please. 

Yeah, this was everything I could have wanted to Dusty’s HEA. He wanted the guy, the commitment, the home, the family and he got it all. He SO got it all.


Review: Welcome to the Dark Side by James Cox


What happens when an innocent is sent to the dark side? Anarchy is the new leader of hell. He doesn’t believe a young new arrival, Josh, can be a cold-blooded killer. He intends to find out why Josh killed two men and if he deserves the tortures of hell or the peace of heaven. If Josh has to be chained, naked and about to burst from pleasure to tell the truth, well then so be it.

Be Warned: m/m sex, flogging, bondage.

Free Read!




I don’t normally read paranormal, horror, or BDSM books because I usually don’t enjoy them. 
So why did I take a chance and read Welcome to the Dark Side? Because it was a James Cox book and that meant 
it had to be good. James Cox writes to entertain so I trusted that I would enjoy this and I did.








After ruling Hell for an eternity, the Devil did the unthinkable and fell in love. This led to his retirement
as the Ruler of the Underworld and he left his right hand man, Anarchy, in charge of Hell. Anarchy has been ruling Hell 
for the last 100 years and he's been carrying on the Devil's legacy. 








Anarchy embraces his job of dishing out punishment to those who come before him to be judged and he seems to 
enjoy his role very much. When a very young and innocent looking lad named Josh comes before him, Anarchy can't help but question
whether the boy is really guilty of the cold blooded murder that sent him to Hell in the first place. There's something
about Josh that makes Anarchy question his guilt. Unable to get a direct answer from Josh, Anarchy sends him to his 
private residence with a plan to coerce the truth out of him on way or another.
 Anarchy finally gets the truth from Josh and then Anarchy has a major decision to make…..









This is a HOT and kinky little book that ends on a sweet note. 







If you haven’t tried a James Cox book, this one would be a good one to try. 









It’s short and it’s free. Come on, what in the HELL do you have to lose? :D
 



Review: Townie and the Twink (Men of Holsum College #3) by Daisy Harris


Insightful to a fault, Gabe Ashton knows Nick Flynn’s gay even if Nick doesn’t. And after seeing how the townie looks at his "buddy," Gabe knows Nick is in love with a guy who’ll never love him back. So Gabe invites Nick to campus parties and to hang out with new people. But soon their friendship turns physical, and Gabe wonders if he’s in just as much denial as Nick is.

Nick’s straight—or so he’s always assumed. But he can’t deny that the things he’s doing with Gabe are hot. More than that, he likes Gabe in a way he’s never liked anyone else. Well, anyone else except his high school friend, John.

The hardest thing to give up is a fantasy, and the hardest thing to face is the truth. But if Nick wants the man standing in front of him, he’ll have to give up the one he never had.




Well, hell. Could these college boys get any hotter? I don’t know if I could handle it if they did.

So if you’re in the mood for some light, sexy fun… c’mon, let me tell you about Nick & Gabe.

Nick is straight. Of course he is, why else would he let his new friend Gabe blow him? Gabe has excellent gaydar. It’s like his superpower and knows Nick is gay at first sight. He slowly but surely gets Nick to realize this about himself as well.

Daisy Harris knows how to write some good sexual tension.  Oh my, with the tentative touches, the accidental rubbing and the innocent mutual masturbation… I thought I would burst into hot flames and they hadn’t even had The Sex yet. But when they did have The Sex? It was hot and rough, just how I like it. *licks lips*

So, yeah. They were hot. But Nick & Gabe were also really sweet. So sweet I caught myself talking to my book out loud saying, "Oh my gah! They are so friggin' cute." And they were. I loved how their relationship developed from friends (with benefits) to an eventual real relationship.  They really did care about each other and it definitely showed through their interactions. So darn adorable.

My only tiny gripe is the whole 'I'm not gay' thing went on a little too long for me. Seriously, you had a guy’s dick in your mouth. That is definitely gay territory. How in denial could he possibly be? But, I was glad it didn’t really change how he treated Gabe. He knew he liked Gabe and that he was someone special so he continued to treat him as such.

This series is basically all sex and fluff. But it’s goooooooood sex and fluff.  

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Review: An Unauthorized Field Guide to the Hunt by Kari Gregg

An Unauthorized Field Guide to the Hunt
On Mariket, the strongest competitors win...by losing.

Narone native and former heir of Class II shipbuilder Denbo-West Industries, Shane West surrendered his perilous birthright to compete in the Hunt and tried his luck with the lusty cats of Mariket. Shane’s mastery of survival craft in the untamed forest made him an early favorite among gamblers, fans, and arena officials. When he lured a cat into an arousing chase the first night, mating with Lore to become the season’s first victor seemed guaranteed.

Then news from Arena 4 slowed to a trickle. Rumors emerged about cats who’d gone feral as well as shocking breaches in security. Unconfirmed reports of assassins and rogue predators circulated before offworld communications screeched to a halt.

In this unprecedented glimpse inside the arena, Shane peels back the veil of secrecy. What does it take to tempt a sexy cat? How does being marked as prey by a feline lover feel? Experience the wanton pleasures of the heat with Shane and his mysterious mate—and discover which of last season’s scandalous rumors are true.

Run, pounce, fuck.

Mate?

Welcome to the Hunt.





"Life. Fear. Sex. In the arena, everything is confusing and surreal. Whatever you think you know is wrong." ~ Shane West
Kari Gregg's "An Unauthorized Field Guide for the Hunt" is a sci-fi cat shifter/alien clusterfuck of primal mating and a Hunger Games-esque competition told from human competitor, Shane West's POV. Shane is being hunted by a murderous family and the Hunt on the shifter alien world Mariket is his only salvation. He plans on taking part in the Hunt and wants to lose...in order to win. To be a "victor" means to mate with a Mariket shifter...think large, primal, lusty cats. The Hunt are for competitors to try to either win the competition by not having succumbed to the mating cats or become a victor. The hunt takes place when the cats are in mating heat - the cats can force their pheromones on you at their will but to actually have one keep you is a prize.

The start of the story is jarring. We are thrown into the hunt with Shane, slowly learning the objective of the competition and what exactly Shane hopes to gain. He's human, weaker compared to the natives of Mariket. The Hunt's arena is all lush forests with wild beasts, cats looking to mate and arena wardens roaming loose. The world Gregg built is a beautiful one. The Hunt is brutal, competitors can't be trusted and the mating...the mating is animalistic. The cats are known to stalk and fuck their prey until resistance is but a thought. And Shane catches the eye of a solitary puma named Lore. When these two were together, whether the chase, the mating, the nonverbal communication...it was memorable.

And the sex?!
"Their sex was beautiful, consuming. And cruel."

Oh. My. Stars! The sex was off the Richter scale. Dubious consent enthusiasts can definitely enjoy the primal fucking that Gregg delivers. And can I say Lore's puma anatomy--self lubricating cock and intoxicating semen...totally different. But made for one erotically intense read.

I enjoyed Lore's dominance and masterfulness over Shane. He did so with minimal effort but did not humiliate Shane. And compared to my favorite Kari Gregg, "I, Omega"- where there's a power struggle between Dom and sub-Shane fights the entire way while becoming a victor or pseudo-sub. Even when being given mating hormones to make him lust for his mate's touch all the time, Shane yields but grudgingly. I enjoyed his struggle until the very end. Just when I thought the hormones or the Lore pounding got the best of Shane...he would fight his feelings. And Lore trying to court his lover and chosen mate? Adored it for all of it's gruff awkwardness.

A few of my favorite Lore seducing Shane quotes:

"Precious," the cat said and leaned forward, angling his head. Shane longed for the cat's kiss, but instead the cat bent to nip Shane's chin. "So mine. And so hungry."

Enjoyed it!
"Want my spend, Precious?" Shane shuddered, the pleasure from his ass streaking to his balls and then to his untouched cock.
"Please. Yes. I--"
"I would give you the world."

*squeals*

Kari Gregg's writing works for me because she does not tell everything at one shot. The full picture unfurls at its own pace. (So if you need to have all the facts from the beginning, I don't think this will work for you) And her sex scenes are so elemental- blood, semen, fucking, contact, skin, fur...it's delicious.

And the last 10-15% of the story took such an unexpected twist that even after finishing (don't worry, it's a HEA), I still can't believe that happened. Fucking awesome! Violent but thoroughly entertaining and no sugar coated easy way out. The reader is thrown into the hunt from the beginning. It gave a true sense of what Shane was experiencing. At the end of the story, all questions were answered.

For less than 100 pages, this novella was one hell of an action filled, erotically masterful ride. Kari Gregg has yet to let me down. Dig her writing. I hope there will be more stories from the Mariket world *coughs*Mareo*coughs* I think this has legs to make for an interesting series.

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Author Visit: Josephine Myles Q&A and Giveaway

Today we welcome Josephine Myles to the unipornian circles and wish her well with her new release, Merry Gentlemen, available November 12th. She's brought along a holiday gift giveaway, so read on for how to enter!




Hi to the Boy Meets Boy crew—it’s great to be here on the blog! I’m doing my best to start feeling Christmassy so I can talk about Merry Gentlemen, although I have to admit, I don’t generally start feeling festive until December. This year, though, I’m strapping on the flashing reindeer antlers and digging out the snowflake earrings a whole month early.

BMBR:  Your characters are all so unique, their basic human flaws make them so realistic. Are any of the characters in Merry Gentlemen based on real people? Please say Riley, I really want to go to an office holiday party with him.
Jo: Oh, I so wish Riley was real, but alas, no. That said, there is something of a bloke I used to work with in him. That campy flamboyance and touch of vanity are very much Paul, and he was great fun at the Christmas party ;)
I just don’t tend to base my main characters on real people. I might steal an aspect of their character, background or appearance though, and occasionally a minor character has been directly drawn from someone I’ve known in the past (I don’t use my current friends—too much potential for falling out!). For instance, some of the supporting characters in Barging In and The Hot Floor were drawn from people I knew when I lived in Bath. Stella (Josh’s downstairs neighbour in The Hot Floor) was based on a lovely woman I was friends with there.
BMBR:  What is your connection to the Christmas Market in Bath? Speaking as an American it sounds like the most magical Christmas place on the planet. What was your inspiration for setting Merry Gentlemen there?
Jo: Bath’s Christmas Market is just fabulous. It started up back when I lived there, so I was around for the very first one. These days it’s a massive tourist attraction and is heaving, so I tend to avoid it unless I’m feeling particularly masochistic and want to be crushed and trampled while draining my bank account. It’s based on the traditional German Christmas markets, and I find it utterly magical... before the crowds hit!
I also chose the Christmas Market because wanted to use an iconic Bath setting in a book. I’ve set many stories there, but have tended to shy away from the tourist hot spots, probably because as a former local I know of so many other, lesser-known yet fascinating parts of the city. However, I thought it would be fun to use a central location by the Abbey and the Roman Baths that readers from all around the world would recognise.
BMBR: I know you’re a fan of all things vintage and I’ve started looking for some kind of representation of the vintage love in your books. Riley’s musical moments were so great, what made you pick those songs for Riley and which is your personal favorite?
Jo: I’m not sure so much if the songs I’ve chosen were a sign of me loving vintage, or more of me being out of touch with what’s in the charts these days! I can certainly tell you a bit about why I chose them, though.
Voulez Vous by ABBA: I have mixed feelings about ABBA, and this is probably one of my least favourite of their songs, but it’s horribly catchy and will forever have a place in my heart simply from being featured in Steve Coogan’s spoof 90s BBC chat show, Knowing Me, Knowing You. As a consequence I can’t help but smile every time I hear this song, so it was perfect for Riley’s rooftop performance.
Shaft by Isaac Hayes: One of my all time favourite 70s tunes, with probably the funkiest intro in the history of music. I just adore Isaac Hayes, and was lucky enough to see him perform live a few years ago. I chose this for Riley because I was tickled by the idea of him singing a song with such a phallic title. Sometimes I have all the comedic sophistication of a twelve-year-old boy...
Midnight Train to Georgia by Gladys Knight & The Pips: Another of my 70s favourites. For some reason this one just popped into my head, and I went with it because I liked the wistfulness of the lyrics. I thought they were a great expression of Riley’s true feelings, generally kept well-hidden under his mischievous and slightly snarky exterior.
Santa Baby: I never specified which particular version of this popular Christmas classic Riley performs at the office party, but I was definitely thinking of Kylie’s uber-sexy, breathy version. Kylie is such a gay icon it seemed perfect, and I liked the idea of him doing a very slow, sultry strip-tease to it.
Riley does end up singing a couple of carols too. I chose God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen because I wanted to work a Christmassy reference into the title, and this seemed like a good excuse to make a connection. Also, it’s one of my favourites to sing myself. As for We Three Kings—I had Riley sing my childhood favourite version with the altered lyrics, because I can’t now sing this tune without thinking of a big cigar-chuffing Arab bloke on a moped :)
BMBR: You know we M/M fans love to picture our favorite characters. Who would you pick to play Stan and Riley in the movie adaptation of Merry Gentlemen?
Jo: Hmmm, this is a tricky one as I’m totally out of step with the current crop of popular young-ish actors, so I’m going to have to go with one from back in the days when I actually used to keep up with films and tv. I think someone like Heath Ledger would have been perfect for Stan—if he’d been able to master an Eastern European accent. As for Riley... it would need to be someone with great comic timing who oozes charisma and mischief. It’s got to be David Tennant. He was my original inspiration for Riley’s look, hence the various Doctor Who references and the pinstripe suit.
BMBR:  And who could say no to a pinstripe suit? Not any of us!  Thanks for sharing your inspirations and background for Merry Gentlemen, Jo. Happy holidays to you and yours!
Thanks for having me over on the blog, and wishing you all a very merry holiday shopping season!
 Jo x

Jo brought along goodies to give away. Yay!

Jo is giving away a title from her backlist to one lucky commenter. Comment here by the end of the day on November 18th to be entered in with a chance of winning. The winner will be posted on this site shortly thereafter.

Jo's latest story Merry Gentlemen is out from Samhain Publishing on November 12th, and is available for pre-order on the following sites:

Barnes & Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/merry-gentlemen-josephine-myles/1116323113

Keep an eye out for BMBR's review of this story later this week!

Blurb:
’Tis the season of goodwill to all men…even the one who dumped you.
Riley MacDermott’s ambitions are simple. Managing the annual Bath Christmas Market—which involves long hours in the cold and a whole lot of hassle—will secure the promotion he needs to afford to move out of his noisy, top-floor flat. Where not even his balcony is safe from an aggressive herring gull.

The last stallholder he expects to see is his ex. Riley never recovered from their break up, and five years on the old chemistry still sparkles. So does their habitual head butting.

Stan never wanted to leave the love of his life, but the pull of the woods was too strong—and Riley was firmly planted in the city. Reconnecting is painful, but Stan still jumps at the chance to stay with his old flame during the Market. And damn the consequences.

As the weeks pass, the two grow closer than ever. But despite scorching sex and cozy intimacy, they both know they face a cold and lonely future. Unless one of them can compromise.

Warning: Contains sex in a shed, a seagull with a grudge, glamping, awful Secret Santa underwear, misuse of an Abba song, and as many wood-related puns as the author thought she could get away with.


Author bio:
English through and through, Josephine Myles is addicted to tea and busy cultivating a reputation for eccentricity. She writes gay erotica and romance, but finds the erotica keeps cuddling up to the romance, and the romance keeps corrupting the erotica. She blames her rebellious muse but he never listens to her anyway, no matter how much she threatens him with a big stick. She’s beginning to suspect he enjoys it.
Jo is also one of the organising team behind the UK Meet, an annual event celebrating GLBTQ fiction. She publishes regularly with Samhain, and has also been known to edit anthologies and self-publish on occasion, although she prefers to leave the “boring bits” of the book creation process to someone else.
Website and blog: http://josephinemyles.com/
Twitter: @JosephineMyles