Category: m/m

The Burnt Toast B&B – Heidi Belleau & Rachel Haimowitz

BurntToastBBAuthor: Heidi Belleau & Rachel Haimowitz
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Word/Page Count: 176 pages epub
Published: January 2015

This is the latest installment from the Bluewater series – all (except for one) of the books in this series has been great, so I purchased this without reading the “about” section, so I had absolutely no idea what to expect.

This is the first book I’ve reviewed where one of the main characters identified as transgender. I have to say, this book was very well done – and took a situation which could seem a bit uncomfortable for people who do not read a lot of books outside of the gay man/gay man story line, and made it not only accessible but also engaging.

The main characters are a stunt double from the popular Wolf’s Landing and owner/operator of a B&B. It’s not an easy love story, but that’s what makes it so fantastic. They struggle. They search for answers. They have fun. They love each other.

I highly recommend this book to people who like a good love story, with bumps in the road, ups and downs, and a “reality” check. Also, if you haven’t ventured into books with a transgender character, start with this one. (You may need to google a few pronouns that come up…)

Out of four…
Overall Read: ♥♥♥♥
Sex Heat: ♥♥
Plot: ♥♥♥

Player vs. Player – Amelia C. Gormley

PlayervsPlayerAuthor: Amelia C. Gormley
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Word/Page Count: 215 pages epub
Published: December 2014

I was a bit hesitant at first to read this book – it sat in my “waiting to buy” queue for almost two months (which for me is ages). I am not a gamer, at all — but I’m glad I dove into the gaming world with this book.

This book is a murder-mystery book wrapped around the gaming world, trying to change culture through art, the love between brothers, and a love story. There was definitely a lot of references to gaming and gaming terms which had me clueless – people, for the love of Nancy, explain what you are saying in terms all readers understand.

That being said, it was a good read. I couldn’t put it down – trying to get to the bottom of the mystery, the “who done it” piece and seeing where the various story lines went.

The two main love interests had a few twists and turns (well done for keeping me guessing), and their story shined through the plot. The sex was a bit… odd. Maybe weirdly placed throughout the book, but tame. This is a great read for gamers (I think – I mean, you would probably understand the gaming parts), people who love a good mystery, and a love reconnection story.

Out of four…
Overall Read: ♥♥♥
Sex Heat: ♥
Plot: ♥♥♥♥

By the River – Katey Hawthorne

Author: Katey Hawthorne
Publisher: Loose ID
Word Count: 30,388 (72 pages epub)
Published: 2012

This was my first time reading Katey Hawthrone – and I’m glad I picked it up. The summary of the book was a bit mysterious – I couldn’t tell if I was going to get a shifter book or a love story from the description, so I did not have many expectations going in.

The story was about a hometown guy moving back home for no reason other than he was pulled back there. In fact, it seems like he’s lived his life and made decisions because they felt right – without ever looking into the reason behind them. On one of his runs he sees another man that he’s attracted to, and from then on, they are inseparable. Oh, and did I mention that the man lives on the river?

The read itself was intriguing, I kept wanting to see what was next and ended up reading it in one sitting (a very quick, short read). The attraction and pull between the main characters was very well-written. However… I am still unsure how/why/if there was a fantasy element in the book. It was never really explained and that was a bit… peculiar. In addition, this book practiced one of my biggest pet peeves – it ended in the MIDDLE of the story. I still have no idea why he was different, how it ends up, why the craziness is there, what happened to his mom, did they return, and so on. She cut the book way too short and kept me wondering (which is NOT a good thing once I get to the end).

The sex and heat, was good though – it was more about their connection than the actual act most of the time. In fact, I believe they only had “sex” once, but were active along the way. The characters seemed connected and very much into each other – and it was hard to look away!

Out of four…
Overall Read: ♥♥
Sex Heat: ♥♥♥
Plot: ♥

This is a quick read and HOT – vanilla sex for sure, but if you like a strong connection with a little bit of mystery, than this is a great read for you. It combines heat and sometimes graphically describes the actions, and other times hints at what’s going on. If you are able to look over the plot holes (and incomplete story), than I would recommend this.

On the Dotted Line – Alexa Snow

Author: Alexa Snow
 Publisher: Torquere Press
Word Count: 50,330
Published: 2012

While the convention of this story has been told many times before (wealthy doctor falls in love with a poor retail guy), but the story overall was a decent read. Typical instant attraction in a moment of urgent panic, and then stumbling/fumbling to match up correctly, and end with the secret (being poor) being spilled to a happily ever after.

There was nothing earth shattering about this story – in fact, there were a few boring moments, but I liked both of the characters on their own – and together. The one lingering question is I have no clue what the obsession with pens was or why it was in the story – it was never explained (that I can recall at least).

The sex was ok – very vanilla, very middle of the road. There was attraction there which came through nicely, but nothing over the top. Two “normal” guys who liked each other with a small bit of turmoil thrown in, came together when they had sex.

Out of four…
Overall Read: ♥♥
Sex Heat: ♥
Plot: ♥♥

I would recommend for any newbie’s to m/m as this is a very easy love/romance story with very light sex and heat. It’s also a quick read for anyone who’s looking for something a bit more low-key with better character development.

A Cat Named Hercules – KC Kendricks

Author: KC Kendricks
 Publisher: Amber Quill Press
Word Count: 29,951
Published: 2012

This had the word CAT in the title, which meant I obviously had to read it. From the sexy cover, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect, other than some serious hotness and a little kitty thrown in. What I got was a bit different – this is a story of two men coming together because of a cat. New to town, the main character goes with his friend to a charity event and finds a stray kitten calling to him – concerned about the kitten’s well-being, the local vet arrives and the two fall in love with each other.

This main plot of this story revolves around one man finally being true to himself and his courage to finally live as the gay man he always knew himself to be. Through a few misunderstandings, they work everything out and have the kitten to thank for everything.

The sex was very tame and very vanilla – and no, there was no animals involved. 😉 It was a fun and easy read, without the typical angst of coming out stories. The warnings read voyeurism and sex in public places – but I wouldn’t label either incident as such, so if you’re into that, this isn’t the book for you. Overall, a decent love story between one confused man and one patient man, who bond over their cat.

Out of four…
Overall Read: ♥♥♥
Sex Heat: ♥
Plot: ♥♥

This is a great book for a quick lazy afternoon read, or someone who is looking to venture into m/m without any of the “scary” parts.

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Getting Off the Ground & Infinity Pools – L.A. Witt

Getting Off the Ground
Author: L.A. Witt
 Publisher: Amber Quill Press
 Number of Words: 20,803
Published: 2011


Infinity Pools
Author: L.A. Witt
 Publisher: Amber Quill Press
 Number of Words: 40,767
Published: 2011

 

I was SO disappointed in the first part of this “series” – “Getting Off the Ground.” It was a super-short story where two people meet while waiting to catch a flight to Hawaii. They instantly hit it off, one character, Elliot, was left at the alter by his fiance the night before and was trying to keep it together and orderly, by making lists. A nearby passenger Derek overhears Elliot’s predicament and decides to start chatting him up. This was a meeting of opposites attract, they had an intense connection, and then it ended 52 pages into the story. I was ANNOYED. It took me awhile to get into the concept and story, which is unusual for me and a Witt story, but I stuck it out and wanted to find out what happened next. As soon as I saw “Infinity Pools” available, I was hoping that it would be better (and longer) than the first one and tell me what happened – and it finally told me what came next! However, these two books such have been published together as one…

The story was a bit basic and very surface level as in none of the bigger issues they were dealing with, were ever really dealt with. The story was a vacation fantasy story with two unlikely men coming together and essentially spending two weeks having sex and falling for each other. Most of the story was carried by the sex which was hot, but got a little boring at times. I found myself drifting and then trying to figure out who was doing who and what was going on. Don’t get me wrong, there was some serious sizzle at times, but about half of the sex scenes could have been taken out of the book and it wouldn’t have been missed.

Out of four…
Overall Read: ♥♥
Sex Heat: ♥♥♥
Plot: ♥♥

This is a great read for someone who is looking for sex, and lots of it. These are two “normal” guys that hook up, and hook up, and hook up – and fall in love through spending time together over two weeks in paradise. It is an easy and engaging read that you don’t want to put down until you get to the end, but it does stay out of some of the areas that would have created deep and interesting characters.