Review: Dirty Talk by Joey Jameson

Vegas is a hot phone sex operator who knows just how to make your deepest, darkest fantasies come true either with a gentle whisper in your ear or with a rough growling command. When he’s in control, you know you’re in good hands. Vegas can tickle or scratch whatever itch or fetish a caller can throw at him.

But his job at the exclusive ‘Black Vanilla’ has its dark side, which becomes all too clear when Vegas receives a call one night that hits a little too close to home.

Somewhere out there, someone’s watching him. Someone who’s taken their fantasy one step too far. It isn’t long before Vegas finds himself entangled in a web of dark and dangerous obsession. An obsession that can only end one way.

“Dirty Talk” will take you deep into the world of stimulating oral desire and blur the lines that exist between our ultimate fantasies and harsh reality.


There are a couple of things I need to make clear right off the bat. This is not a romance, and the ending is very ambiguous. That being said there are a number of hot sex scenes and the mystery is very clever.

So, Vegas works at a New York City phone-sex call centre called Black Vanilla. He does this happily and has made a lot of friends there. One day he starts getting very creepy calls from someone who… let's just say isn’t too concerned about Vegas’ health and wellbeing.


So the story revolves around the stalker and how that situation slowly escalates, and I have to say it was done very well. I was definitely freaked out! Vegas didn’t shrug it off as nothing and attempt to be hero and although he was definitely scared, he didn’t let it run his life. I liked that, it felt more realistic.

Now Vegas... Vegas, Vegas, Vegas, he sure does get around in this book, I swear everyone finds him attractive and he finds everyone attractive.


The sex was hot though! I even liked that we got a variety of people. Once again I guess it felt kind of realistic for a single gay man in New York and his progression of relationships did help progress the story.

There are a few problems I had with this story. Honestly it's probably most things other than the sex and the stalker. I felt the story lagged a bit to begin with. We were introduced to about 10 different characters and given an info dump for each character as well as Vegas’ history, and I get why all that's important, it just felt too clumped together. Also, the third person POV constantly pulled me out of the story. It's definitely not my favourite narrative style.

The characters felt a bit fake, maybe because they were all rich high-class, super good looking, gay men working at a phone sex centre. I mean, I’m sure the people actually working at these places aren’t all models, otherwise they wouldn’t be doing the sex over the phone, am I right?!? But really, I didn’t connect with Vegas greatly.

Then of course there’s the ending. It frustrates me to no end when I don’t get a conclusion to a mystery. I scoured all the other reviews out there for this book, and no one had any other insights that could put all my thoughts to rest.


This is why I recommend reading this review (or other reviews) so you’re prepared for the ending. If people go into reading this with the ambiguous ending in mind, I think it might get rated much higher.

I’m rounding this up to 3.5 (even though it feels like a 3) mainly because there were no flaws in the actual story told and the mystery was very engaging, which is the main point of the book. Once again, I think if I had taken the time to read some reviews and therefore been more prepared starting this, I might have rated it higher.



A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

Find out more on Goodreads and below!

Author Bio

Joey Jameson lives in Brighton, UK; a world of decadence, glamour and intrigue. He believes life is better when drizzled with naughtiness and drenched in layer upon layer of sparkling glitter. His work is best appreciated with a hard drink and the lights down low and will leave you wondering just what goes on in that twisted little mind of his.
He is the author of Candy from Strangers, Blackout, Twisted and Interview with the Porn Star.
Stay tuned for more scintillating work to come your way soon…


Email: misterjoeyjameson@gmail.com
Twitter: @joeyjameson


Excerpt
Joey Jameson © 2016
All Rights Reserved
The familiar beeping in his headset stirred Vegas from his own thoughts. He was somewhere other than in that chair, chewing on his nails and twisting a long piece of expensively highlighted blond hair between his index and middle fingers. He was somewhere warm and sunny, sipping on a sickly-sweet cocktail and enjoying the feeling of the sun on his already tanned skin. The longer his eyes remained closed, the more intensely real the scenario became; the feeling of the hard-back chair he was sitting in melted away and was replaced with the comforting and luxurious feeling of a soft, plush chaise lounge. The scent of stale coffee and bad cologne wafted away, and a breeze carried in the aroma of fresh, salty sea air. Instead of moans and groans being faked from the cubicles around him, he swore he could detect the faint cries of seagulls in the distance.
The beep sounded again in his ear, louder this time and almost more persistent, as if it became more aggravated the longer it went unanswered. His big blue eyes fluttered open only to be assaulted by bright, unflattering fluorescent lighting. Vegas let out a long sigh and looked around at his surroundings, blindly finding the answer button on his computer screen with his fingers. There was a faint crackling as the line was connected, followed by a silent pause.
That was always the worst part. The beginning. No matter how many years Vegas had been doing his job, the first few moments of each call were always the trickiest; both parties unsure how to proceed and nerves getting the best of the caller. If they could get past the first awkward silence, then it was certainly a lot more fun. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, breathing into the headset.
“You’ve landed with Vegas,” he whispered in his most sultry tone. “What’s your pleasure?”
Silence. Except for the sound of shallow breathing.
Vegas knew the type; excitement was settling in as the caller began to realise the possibilities of the situation he’d just gotten himself into.
Where will you take it, handsome?
“Hey, how you doing tonight, hot stuff?” Vegas tried again as he ran through all the possible lines he could throw out to get the caller talking. “My name’s Vegas, you lookin’ for a good time tonight?”
More breathing on the other end. Ragged and short, as if he was jogging or something.
But Vegas knew he wasn’t jogging. He was pumping his fist, Vegas could tell. He let a few more seconds pass, and then instead of talking, he decided to let out a few soft moans of pleasure to signal to the caller that he was into it, too.
That always gets them going.
“Your name’s Vegas,” said the voice on the other end finally. He sounded husky and gruff. And manly.
Vegas couldn’t decide if it was a question or a statement, so he just went with it.
“Yeah, baby,” he cooed softly.
“Never been,” the caller said simply.
“Well, tonight’s your lucky night,” Vegas added with a soft giggle.
“Let’s hope so.”
His voice was low; his words were accentuated and brief, like it took effort to keep it that way. To Vegas, a sexy voice was all he needed to get into a call. It always helped if he compared the voice to that of a celebrity.
“So what you look like?” the caller asked.
Brad Pitt. This guy sounds like Brad Pitt.
“Hmm, what do you want me to look like?”
If he wanted to keep the guy on the phone, it paid to throw that question back on the caller.
“I like muscles,” he muttered, as if through gritted teeth.
This guy sounds close already.
“Well, then this is your lucky night baby, ’cause I’m nothing but muscle. Hard, slick, smooth, and beautifully built.” Vegas shot out adjective after adjective, stressing each one as if they were satin-covered kisses.


Blog Tour & Giveaway: The Case Of The Purple Pearl (End Street #5) by Amber Kell & RJ Scott



Series Recap Tour & Giveaway

The Case Of The Purple Pearl

 (End Street Book #5)

 Amber Kell & RJ Scott

Authors: Amber Scott & RJ Scott

Cover Design: Meredith Russell


Blurb

After failing in a quest to win the Fae Queen’s approval, Halstein is locked in a world of stone. Forced to remain a gargoyle he spends his days on Sam’s desk pining for his lost love.

Prince Idris’s lover went missing and was presumed dead. Alone, Idris lives a life away from court, starved of energy but unwilling to sleep in the room he once shared with his beloved.

Can Sam and Bob save these fated lovers before it's too late? And will Bob’s ultimate sacrifice be enough to free Hal from his prison?

Author Bios



Amber Kell has made a career out of daydreaming. It has been a lifelong habit she practices diligently as shown by her complete lack of focus on anything not related to her fantasy world building.

When she told her husband what she wanted to do with her life, he told her to go have fun.
During those seconds she isn't writing, she remembers she has children who humor her with games of "what if" and let her drag them to foreign lands to gather inspiration. Her youngest confided in her that he wants to write because he longs for a website and an author name—two things apparently necessary to be a proper writer.

Despite her husband's insistence she doesn't drink enough to be a true literary genius, she continues to spin stories of people falling happily in love and staying that way.

She is thwarted during the day by a traffic jam of cats on the stairway and a puppy who insists on walks, but she bravely perseveres.


E-mail: amberkellwrites@gmail.com








RJ Scott is the bestselling gay romance author of over ninety MM romance books. She writes emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, millionaire, princes, and the men who get mixed up in their lives. RJ is known for writing books that always end with a happy ever after. She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isn't with family either reading or writing. 

RJ also writes MF romance under the name Rozenn Scott.

The last time she had a week’s break from writing she didn't like it one little bit, and she has yet to meet a bottle of wine she couldn’t defeat.






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Giveaway + Blog Tour: Kyle (Legacy #1) by R.J. Scott


Exclusive Excerpt & Giveaway

RJ Scott - Kyle (Legacy #1)

Author: RJ Scott

Release Date: September 2 2016

Length: 



Blurb:

Two men destroyed by the past learn to live—and love—again.
Kyle Braden has nowhere else to go. With no money, no prospects, and no drive to be something else, he turns to the only man who promises him help. Jack Campbell-Hayes wants to show Kyle that he can be more than he ever thought.

Kyle gets to realize just how far he’s come from being the scarred man who shut everyone out, when the first person through the doors of Legacy Ranch carries a gun and threatens to kill anyone who comes near him. Kyle wants to be the man that someone turns to for help and it scares him.

Thrown out of his house and with three years on the streets marking every inch of his body, Jason Smith is scared. His life is an evil mess of hate and despair, and even the offer of a fresh start and a clean bed isn’t enough for him to hand over his gun. He’s cheated death twice, and he’s not letting there be a third time—he might not be so lucky.

For these broken men, Legacy Ranch offers more than a place to live and work.

It offers hope.

A new story set in the world of Jack and Riley Campbell-Hayes and the Double D Ranch, Texas.



Exclusive Excerpt 


Kyle wanted everyone to go so he could get a start. Liam would be coming back every so often, to help on days when he could, but Legacy was Kyle’s domain, and the idea of isolation here was about the only thing making him smile.

Yes, it was Jack’s charity, and that still grated on him, but it was a new start.

“Thank you,” he murmured and held out a hand to Jack.

Confusion filtered into Jack’s cornflower blue eyes, but he held out a hand and shook firmly. “No need to thank me,” he said a little gruffly. “You’re the best person for the job.”

Kyle bit his lip to stop himself from saying something stupid, like “not sure why you think that.”

Instead, he said, “I won’t let you down.”

“I know you won’t,” Jack said with a smile, and with not one hint of threat in the words.

The sound of hooves had both men turning. Kyle’s heart sank; Riley was joining them.

Riley drew his horse to a halt and slid smoothly to the ground. “Hey, guys,” he said, as he walked over and bumped shoulders with Jack.

“Thought you were waiting for a call?” Jack said, and then his eyes widened. “Tell me you didn’t leave Hayley waiting on a million dollar deal phone call.”

“Knowing her she’d probably get us two million,” Riley huffed.

They smiled stupidly at each other, so much connection between them, and Kyle almost relaxed. Riley wasn’t talking to him, or asking him if he was okay, or sending thoughtful enquiring glances his way.

But then it changed, and abruptly he was the one in the spotlight. “Hey, Kyle,” Riley said.

“All settled in?”

Kyle nodded. He didn’t talk to Riley. Riley asked him questions, and he was tall and built, and there was something about him that was off. What could a millionaire oilman see in a cowboy like Jack? Why were they together? What did Riley want? He had to want something—that was the only way being in a relationship began, and ended. All Hank had wanted from Kyle was for Kyle to suffer, and to rent him out, and Kyle’s two other hookups after leaving the Bar Five had been nothing more than sex and pain. 

Kyle had seen Riley and Jack disappear into their barn, and from the teasing comments Liam made, seemed like the barn was some kind of den of sex or something. Kyle didn’t go anywhere near it. Or indeed Jack, or Riley if they were alone.

Kyle bet Riley made Jack go to his knees. He just bet that behind closed doors, Riley wasin charge.

That was all wrong.


Author Bio



RJ Scott is the bestselling gay romance author of over ninety MM romance books. She writes emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, millionaire, princes, and the men who get mixed up in their lives. RJ is known for writing books that always end with a happy ever after. She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isn't with family either reading or writing. 

RJ also writes MF romance under the name Rozenn Scott.

The last time she had a week’s break from writing she didn't like it one little bit, and she has yet to meet a bottle of wine she couldn’t defeat.



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Review: Three More Wishes (Three Wishes #2) by Sean Michael

Come to Rainbow Island, where all your sexual fantasies will come true.

James, Guard and Damien are back, still running their resort, where every fantasy, no matter how perverse, may come true. The three men continue working out the bumps in their threesome, but when it comes to their clients, they’re a well-oiled machine. Which works perfectly for the three new couples arriving in paradise.

Cameron is losing his sight, and he knows that he’ll be useless once it goes completely. He’s cashed in everything to leave his life behind for one last fling. Xander is on the island for a fantasy, too. He’s looking for someone to love on, someone to care for and Cameron seems to be the perfect match, but can they make it work?

As a writer, Ben always writes the script, which is why his fantasy is to give up control. He’s told his fantasy can’t be fulfilled, so he settles in for a relaxing vacation on an island paradise instead. Is he really as safe as he thinks he is?

Finally, Leo is a consummate top, always wanting to better his technique. He wants to know what it’s like to be a sub, but it won’t be easy for a Dominant to bottom for five days. Leo will do his dead-level best to measure up—his only worry is who the boys choose to be his fantasy top…

Don’t miss out on these fantasies come true.

Reader Advisory: This book contains a scene of fisting as well as scenes of kidnap and dubious consent. 

Publisher's Note: This book has previously been released elsewhere. It has been revised and re-edited for re-release with Pride Publishing.



The setup for Three More Wishes is a porntastic Fantasy Island with insta love, boners weeping with constant need and HEA’s for all around. The formula is fun and if you start the book knowing what you’re getting into, you can enjoy it for the happy fuckfest that it is. Don’t try and analyze it and make it into something it’s not, just wallow in the need like a happy little slut, clock out from reality for a bit, and relax on the sultry shores of Island Pound Town.

Full disclosure, I have not read the first book with the first three wishes and the backstory of the triad that are the island’s hosts, but there was enough info to get the gist without leaving me in the dark. The book starts with Guard and Damian working on getting back into James’s heart and his pants. These three are the triad that run the island and they each have a role in making sure their client’s fantasies get fulfilled. The three don’t show up again until the end so you can consider them the prologue and epilogue. What little I got from these horny bastards I liked so I would definitely like to read more of them on their own.

Like I said, there’s a formula here and each wish follows it pretty faithfully with enough variance to keep things interesting. A man has a fantasy, he throws all his dollars at the island and the island finds him his perfect prescription for magical peen. They have five days to bone their way to happiness, and none of them waste any time. I’ve got to give them all props, for that and since I’m sure these trips are not cheap my frugal inner self appreciated them not wasting time on ridiculous niceties when the clock was ticking.

I’m positive there is something in the water there because the magical peen never fails to lead to not only perpetual boners, but true love and HEA’s.

The first story with Cameron as the main MC was the longest and probably my favorite. It’s completely implausible but whatever, he was just so sad and needy and when he was fit with his magical peen (much like Cinderella and her slipper – with the slipper being the peen. Obviously) and then all his dreams came true and I was happy for him. It’s sweet enough to give a reader cavities, but when two guys are matched up that well, you can’t help but let your heart grow three sizes and love the love by way of the dick.

The second two stories had a focus on BDSM as a fantasy element, but it’s more BDSM-lite and I did like how the author used their fantasies to get to the root of what the characters really needed which wasn’t necessarily what they wanted. So, they spent their time on the island fucking their way to inner peace and self-realization.

Three More Wishes is a fun read that makes you feel a little decadent for enjoying it so. It’s a perfect beach/vacation story for when you should be decadent and a little ridiculous. Embrace it, screw it into submission, fist it because that's how we show love, but mostly, just relish it like these tops relish their needy bottoms.

Get more information on Three More Wishes over at Goodreads.


**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**

Review: Into You by Jay Northcote

What do you do when the body you wake up in isn’t yours?

Olly and Scott promised to be best friends forever. They grew up on the same street, went to the same school, and did everything together. But one hot summer night, teenage experimentation caused hurt feelings and confusion, and their friendship was destroyed.

Four years later they’re both eighteen years old and in their final term at school. Scott is a football star and Olly’s preparing for a main role in the school play. After a heated argument in the street—witnessed by their mysterious, elderly neighbour—they wake up the next morning stuck in each other’s bodies.

With no idea how to get back to normal, they have to co-operate in order to hide their secret. Spending time together rekindles their friendship, yet feelings run deeper for both of them. With the end of school fast approaching, the clock is ticking. Unless they discover how to change back, they could be stuck in the wrong bodies forever.


This was a delight. Jay Northcote is a hit or miss for me and this time it’s one of those stories she nailed for me.

Imaginative and adorable. Colourful and positive.


It was cute, it was fun and it made me feel good. I seriously recommend this one!


Olly and Scott were BFF for most of their lives. But 4 years ago, it all ended after a kiss. Now they are 18 and the rift between them gets bigger and bigger with each passing day.

Until there is this argument. The last straw. The next morning, they are in each other’s body. After the initial shock, they decide to act as the other one in the most natural way they can manage, to try not to wreck each other’s existence, as to make everything seem as normal as possible.

But that means being together most of the time.

Just after reading the blurb I was thinking about Freaky Friday.


Only that this was a romance, and a great one at that.

Olly is out of the closet and Scott is struggling to look keen for the sake of his girlfriends. Olly is supported by his parents, whereas Scott feels crushed under his father’s homophobia. Olly plays Romeo in the school play, and Scott is successful in football (European football). They are as different as day and night, but somehow they were so good together. Once upon a time. Until that kiss happened and everything crashed and burnt.

Of course, there are hilarious times, when they feel weird at seeing themselves from the outside, when they kiss each other and in fact are kissing themselves, when they have entirely at their service a foreign body they have longed for a long time, when they wake up with a morning or they find something similar at night which doesn’t let them sleep. They have to go to each other’s classes. They have to answer to their “real” names and deal with friends with whom they are not familiar at all…

And there are serious matters, too. How to deal with true feelings which never stopped existing. How to deal with parents that are so different to their own. How to deal with not being ashamed of who you are, or how to learn to be free in order to have what you yearn for.


They get to be under each other’s skin. And to face feelings that never had a chance to die.

They can’t wait to be in their own body again.


Even though that also means there will be no reason to be together once that happens.

They cannot ever consider the chance that the other one feels the same, right?

Right?


I loved the story, but I loved the fact that I couldn’t put he book down even more. These characters are adorable (even the secondary ones are balanced and easy to like). Even when what drove them apart gets in the middle, they comply and make an effort to reach each other’s hand. They are not obtuse for the sake of it. They feel hurt and sad at their situation, and both of them would love something different. Both of them would love to get back what they used to have together.

Their interactions are awkward at first. They don’t know how to behave when being together. At first they are too angry at each other, but also frustrated and lonely. Then it becomes friendship again. Something they had missed for a way too long. And finally there is this “maybe” and this “hope” that turns into this “love”.

When the future is so scary and uncertain, it’s heart-warming that beautiful and powerful things can survive. I wish I found more optimistic and fairy-like tales like this one without being sappy and sugary. It makes you believe in second chances, in the best destiny ever being within reach. You just have to believe in it to make it possible. You just have to grab it with both hands and make it real.

BTW, I sort of imagine Mrs Wychwood like this:



An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more on Goodreads.

Giveaway + Blog Tour: Shatterproof by Xen Sanders


Xen Sanders is making his first exclamation point lite clubhouse appearance today. 

Hey there. I'm Xen Sanders, and thank you for joining me for the release of Shatterproof! (I will have you know that exclamation point was under duress. Grr. I am grrr and dour and deadpan man-thing. Really.)

I'm immensely grateful that some of my favorite blogs have opened their doors and given me an opportunity to talk about a book that means so much to me, and that comes from so much personal experience. Stick around to chat, ask questions, and join in the discussion for a chance to win a $30 Riptide gift card and a $25 Amazon or B&N gift card! (@*$%!#ing exclamation points...)

About Shatterproof

Saint’s afraid to die. Grey can’t stand to live.

Grey Jean-Marcelin wants to die. He thought painting his passion—vivid portrayals of Haitian life and vodou faith—would be enough to anchor him to this world. But it isn’t. And when the mysterious man known only as Saint saves Grey from a suicide attempt, it’s more curse than blessing—until Grey discovers that Saint isn’t just an EMT. He’s a banished fae, and can only survive by draining the lives of those he loves.

All Saint needed was a simple bargain: one life willingly given for another. But as Saint’s feelings for Grey grow deeper, centuries of guilt leave him desperate to save a man who doesn’t want salvation, even if Grey’s life means Saint’s death.

When Grey’s depression consumes him, only he can decide if living is worth the struggle. Yet his choice may come too late to save his life . . . or Saint’s soul. And whatever choice he makes, it may shatter them both.

Purchase at Riptide

Excerpt

An alien race has just visited Earth for the first time and has picked up one of your books and started reading. (We assume they have some sort of translation device.) Which one do you hope they snagged?

Oh. Oh god. I would definitely have to say Shatterproof, if only because I think any of my other books would give them the impression the human race are a bunch of broken, deviant degenerates constantly taking our damage out on others through rampant, often aggressive sex.

I mean. We kind of are.

But I don’t want it to be my books that give that away. So, you know, Shatterproof. It might actually give the illusion that we have empathy, tenderness, warmth, love…heart. That we aren’t afraid to talk about mental health issues, that we care about POC, that we have a depth of emotion at once wrenching and beautiful. I wouldn’t mind being the author who made the aliens cry. Would they have tear ducts? I mean, are we going with the idea that the universe continuously replicates patterns that work and thus alien life would follow the Star Trek model of human + head ridges + some minor additions that are pretty much just there for the kink factor? Or are we looking at complex carbosilicates who would probably be very confused and disturbed by the leaking things in our eyes?

Then again, the book might also make them think fae and vodou loa are real, but I can’t be held responsible for their suspension of disbelief.

If they show up at UN asking the way to Tir na n’Og or demanding to meet Bawon Samedi, it’s not my fault.


About Xen Sanders

Xen Sanders is a New Orleans-born Southern boy without the Southern accent, currently residing somewhere in the metropolitan wilds of the American Midwest. He spends his days as a suit-and-tie corporate consultant and business writer, and his nights writing genre-bending science fiction and fantasy tinged with a touch of horror and flavored by the influences of his multiethnic, multicultural, multilingual background—when he’s not being tackled by two hyperactive cats. He wavers between calling himself bisexual and calling himself queer, but no matter what word he uses, he’s a staunch advocate of LGBTQIA representation and visibility in genre fiction.

He also writes contemporary romance and erotica as Cole McCade. And while he spends more time than is healthy hiding in his writing cave instead of hanging around social media, you can generally find him in these usual haunts:
• Email: blackmagic@blackmagicblues.com
• Twitter: @thisblackmagic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xen.cole
• Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/ColeMcCadeBooks
• Website & Blog: http://www.blackmagicblues.com

He’s recently launched the Speak Project, an online open-access platform where anyone can anonymously or openly share or read stories of abuse—a way for survivors to overcome the silencing tactics of abusers to speak out against what was done to them, and let other survivors know they’re not alone.
http://blackmagicblues.com/speak/

He also runs an advice column called Dammit, Cole, where he occasionally answers questions about everything from romance and dating to the culture of hypermasculinity, from the perspective of a male romance author:
http://www.blackmagicblues.com/category/dammit-cole/

Looking for more? You can get early access to cover reveals, blurbs, contests, and other exclusives by joining the McCade’s Marauders street team at:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/mccadesmarauders/


To celebrate the release of Shatterproof, one lucky winner will receive $30 Riptide Credit and a $25 gift card to B&N or Amazon. Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on September 10, 2016. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!


Review: Wes' Denial (Tease and Denial #2) by Joseph Lance Tonlet

Novel: 103,000+ words / 301 pages
Genre(s): Gay, Erotica, BDSM


Please see the complete list of tags below.

Wes has spent his life looking for that one special guy who will understand and love him—all of him. From his tender vanilla side, to his darker debauched side.

Throughout high school, his successful career in the Marines, and as a BDSM Dom, he’s remained confident his partner is out there waiting to be found.

However, several events shake his normally unflappable self–assurance.

And, even after he finds Grif, will his past catch up with him and possibly drive his soul mate away?

Tags: GAY, EROTICA, BDSM, D/s, DEGRADATION, SPH, BITTERSWEET


Holy mother of god! I need a moment to compose myself after that ending!! Phew, what a ride.

So this story is a continuation of Grif’s Toy, but is from Wes’ POV. Sweet, sexy, dominating sadistic Wes….


Much like Grif’s Toy, we visit different points in Wes’ life in a random order. I was happy to see most of the book was set within the time period of Grif and Wes being together. The story starts right where we left off at the end of Grif’s Toy, and follows them over their next two years together. We also get to see Wes when he’s seventeen and first getting an idea of his dominating side, when he’s in his early twenties at boot camp and coming across his more sadistic side, and then when he’s thirty-ish and seeking guidance from a well known Dom, Thomas.


Wes has experienced some pretty terrifying moments in his life and has buried his guilt and shame so deep down that no one, not even Grif is aware of it. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole book waiting for the moment he told Grif. That last 15% was super full-on.

The depth of emotions experienced and displayed in this book were just wonderful. I absolutely adore Wes and Grif. The love and connection between these two is so palpable, and it turns what could be an overwhelmingly sadistic love story into a very sweet and romantic one.


They are just as mind-blowingly sexy together as they were in the first book. God Wes is one twisted mother-fucker and I absolutely adore him for it!!


“Your orgasms will always have to be fucking earned. Every. Single. One. Long gone are the days where you were able to take them for granted. Today will be no different. I’m gonna beat you, I’m going to make you scream, and I’m gonna fuck you like I own you— because I do. After all that, I’ll uncage you and start again….”

Oh yes, you read right, there is now a cock cage! And Wes is proud as punch ;-).


There were a few moments that felt a bit rushed. I didn’t really feel any connection between Wes and Thomas, especially not enough to elicit the response Wes had to that particular situation (sorry no spoilers :-P ). It was one of Wes’ more guilt ridden memories and I can see why, as it was fairly terrible and seemed so at odds with who Wes is as a person. I guess I could understand that reaction more if it was someone who he felt as much about as he did Grif, but I just didn’t see that with Thomas.

This can’t be read as a standalone, so if you haven’t read Grif’s Toy definitely read that first. This series won’t be for everyone, it's got far too much sadism/humiliation for people who want a fluffy love story and far too much fluff for people who want a sadistic story, but I absolutely loved the balance. That epilogue though, phew... prepare the tissues! I haven't been able to think of much else in days.

Highly recommended of course.


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Review: Take Two by Shira Anthony

Shiver me timbers! When Professor Wesley Coolidge accepts a summer job as a historical consultant to a pirate movie being filmed in North Carolina, the last person he expects to bump into is his soon-to-be-ex, movie star Sander Carson. Just like the flamboyant pirate he’s playing, Sander, aka Sam Carr, is used to getting what he wants, and he makes it clear he wants Wesley back in his life.

Sam acknowledges it’s his fault they split up. He lost Wesley when he left their life in New York City behind for a career in Hollywood. But Wesley has finally managed to put the pieces of his heart back together, and he isn’t interested in Sam and Wesley: The Sequel. Sam soon realizes that convincing Wesley to give their relationship a second chance will take much more than apologies and reminders of good times past. If he wants Wesley back, Sam will have to show Wesley that they really can sail into the sunset together—a real-life happily-ever-after that won’t end once the final credits roll.


"We don't feel like a couple. It's like we're running in the same direction, but we're not on the same team."
I've had this song [Charlie Puth - "We Don't Talk Anymore"] stuck on my brain the entire time while reading Take Two by Shira Anthony. This awesome song and a fave couple from Sense8 (fans of the show should figure out which closeted couple) on my brain I should say.

Why? This story is about how non-communication can break down a relationship. A couple who suffers from "right person, wrong time." Love, sex and compatibility are definitely big key factors to have a great relationship, but the biggest is communication. Without it, the strongest can even fail. As what happened in Take Two.



Thirty nine year old NY history professor Wesley Coolidge is finally getting his life back on track. Work's great, he has a new academic boyfriend and...he's weeks away from having his divorce finalized. His soon to be ex-husband is famous actor thirty five year old Sander Carson aka Sam Carr. With a marriage of ten years and a separation of three years, it's time for them to move on.

Even though Wesley loves Sam just as much as Sam loves Wesley.

Even though their spark never faded.

The problem is the lines of communications faltered as Sam made it in Hollywood and hid their marriage in the closet. (The closet isn't to blame for the divorce)

The author bills the story as funny, and it might have had a moment or two that made me smile...I don't think it was funny. It's more fluffy and cute. It could have easily been another addition to the Dreamspun line, if you squinted just right.

Second romance, established couple, big grand gestures and sneaky machinations to make your lover realize the spark is still there...all key elements for a light second chance romance. Sam is very stubborn and charming. He tricks Wesley to North Carolina to his pirate set for a job and goes out the way to make sure Wesley know he doesn't want the divorce. (There's no cheating & low angst)

There is something about Shira Anthony's writing that is infectious for me. I get swept away in her characters. They're not outrageous or OTT, simple men who have real life problems and don't mind a little romance.

I do have quibbles. My main one being Wesley realizes why he needs to divorce Sam. At least, I think he did. Wesley is shy, doesn't seem to like grand, dramatic gestures (which after a decade....Sam should have known) and he didn't want to fall under the charismatic Sam spell. He admits it's hard to resist but seems to be on the same communication wavelength that Sam wasn't trying to find. Sam was more of a talk at Wesley than listen and talk to him type of man.  I wanted more from Sam. I needed more from Sam. I could see the new boyfriend plot device. from a mile away. I could see the natrual disaster plot device from ten feet away.

What I wanted to see was Sam finally get the light bulb upstairs and quit the personal 'CGI' and get real with his man. Wesley held strong...mostly. It might come off as wishy-washy, but I think Wesley explains his reactions.

I did wish the boyfriend angle was non existent. I don't think it really added to the story. The entire HEA seemed like a rebound which defeats the purpose of reconciliation for me, if they're trying to avoid making the same mistakes again.

But it's light and happy. And I shouldn't go looking for depth and maturity. That's not this book.

It's a good read. Sweet love scenes (minimal sex scenes, it's more about reconnection) Not my favorite Shira Anthony, that of course being the deceptively angsty ones like Prelude.

Sweet, light, big romantic gestures, established couple yum yum (not my kink, tbh), pirate actors (definitely my kink), geeks and hunky actors can all be found in Shira Anthony's Take Two.

Find out more on Dreamspinner Press (releases 9/9/16) or Goodreads!

Visit the main location of Take Two here with Shira!