Quickie Reviews For You (9)

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A short post featuring a few quick reviews. Short, sweet and all in one post.

For this edition of Quickie Reviews, I am featuring books that have received a 4 Star rating. The Amazon price posted below is the current price at the time of this post. The prices could change at any time.

curiousCURIOUS (The Finn Factor #1)
by R.G. Alexander
GOODREADS
AMAZON (currently $2.99)

The warning for this book had me Curious. Then I bought it and devoured it in one sitting. This book almost slid onto the 5 star list, but the beginning of the story played out a little too quickly for my tastes. Definitely going to keep reading this series.

jack5.500x8.500.inddGUILTY PLEASURES
by Kitty Thomas
GOODREADS
AMAZON (currently $4.95)

I was recommended to read books by this author if I want to read a dark and not-so-frilly romance. This book will not be for everyone. It is a walk on the dark side in the romance books with dark subjects and scenes.  Personally, I enjoyed the book even with the knowledge that it is out of my usual comfort zone.

good neighborsGOOD NEIGHBORS
by Sheila Roberts
GOODREADS
AMAZON (currently $FREE)

A quick novella that comes in at 77 pages on Goodreads. Rarely I can find a novella that I enjoy enough to give it a high rating. Usually there isn’t enough to the story to grab on to, but this one surprised me. The only downfall to the story was the Hero. I didn’t quite connect to him as much as I would have liked.

straight boySTRAIGHT BOY (Straight Guys 0.5)
by Alessandra Hazard
GOODREADS
AMAZON (currently $FREE)

Another short novella that surprised me. Straight Boy comes in at 48 pages according to Goodreads.  That being said, the 48 pages actually held some story within that short amount of reading time. Not only were the sexy scenes just that, but there is some humor thrown in occasionally to lighten the mood of a prison sex read.

addicted to youADDICTED TO YOU (Addicted #1)
by Krista Ritchie and Becca Ritchie
GOODREADS
AMAZON (currently $FREE)

A bad boy addicted to booze and a naughty girl addicted to sex. This can be a volatile combination to work with in a story but the author(s) pulled it off. These characters went through really bad times to the point of where I didn’t think either one could survive giving up the addictions.  The ending left me craving more and I do recommend having the next in the series on hand.

Mini-Merger: Guys on Top by Riley Simpson

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mini merger

 

Mini-Merger: Guys on Top
Author: Riley Simpson

Gabe smiled mischievously, “Are you proposing some kind of mini-merger between us?”

Gabe’s not interested in players – he’s interested in serious business. As the VP of Summers Enterprises, he has to oversee an intense company merger with Chaucer Enterprises, but his counterpart at Chaucer, Jag, seems to be all about seduction and fun and games.

But as Gabe gets to know Jag, and why the man is known by that name, he discovers a sexy charmer who’s hard to resist. Perhaps there’s more to Jag than meets the eye, and one unexpected late night encounter will tell Gabe everything he needs to know.

This book was not a hit for me. I expected a M/M romance but got something else. This is a short read that comes listed at 21 pages.  I understand that 21 pages are hard to flesh out character personalities and actual romance.  Being that short of a book makes not only the romance almost nil, but leaves the reader with feelings of no connection with each character.  I felt like I was reading a submitted short story to a men’s magazine.  It was short, to the point and almost clinical in character feeling. If you are looking for a short read with no depth or swoon worthy moments of love, then skip this 21 page story. Go for a full length novel. Yet, if you want something quick, straight to the point and mainly just a sex fueled chapter, then this is your go to read.

[sc:rate1 ]

GOODREADS / AMAZON

Quickie Reviews For You (3)

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Another short post featuring a few quick reviews. Short, sweet and all in one post.

handymendoitbetterHandy Men Do It Better: Step One by Dan Sexton
1 Star
– This book was a hot mess of juvenile horny men.  I honestly had the hardest time making it to the last page of this book.  By the end of the book, I had no desire to continue the series.
GOODREADS / AMAZON (currently FREE)

 

mountainheroMountain Hero: Book 1 by Cheryl Yeko
3 Stars
– This was the predictable read, but written well enough to pass the time.  I enjoyed the two main characters but I did wish it had been just a tab bit longer.  There were a few weak points in the story. The side characters were bland to me.
GOODREADS / AMAZON (currently $1.99)

 

thepleasureprincipleThe Pleasure Principle by Jane O’Reilly
2 Stars
– I am probably going to be in the minority here but this book wasn’t as well liked for me as it was for others.  I just couldn’t bring myself to enjoy the characters.  Yes the cover is hot. Yes the sexy time in the book was hot. Unfortunately, that was all I could bring myself to enjoy.
GOODREADS / AMAZON (currently $3.14)

 

marketingbeefMarketing Beef by Rick Bettencourt
2 Stars
– This one had a few moments of laughing out loud dialogue.  One character is a shy introvert with parents who were fixated on tormenting him about a birthmark when he was younger.  In the other corner, we have a suave ad executive.  The sex scenes are minimal and not very steamy. The ending was much weaker than the first half of the book.
GOODREADS / AMAZON (currently FREE)

 

scornedScorned: From the Inside Out Book 1 by S.L. Scott
1 Star
– Another book that I am sure will leave me in the minority with my rating of one star. This relationship between Dylan and Juliette is a mess bordering on abusive and emotionally disturbing. I couldn’t stand either character and the story was eye rolling.  I couldn’t believe half of the things each one of them did in the whopping 85 pages I forced myself to read. One more book to add to my list of series I won’t continue.
GOODREADS / AMAZON (currently FREE)

Review: The Backup Boyfriend by River Jaymes

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19059695

 

The Backup Boyfriend
Series: The Boyfriend Chronicles #1
Author: River Jaymes
Release Date: 11/28/2013

SUMMARY
From Goodreads

Professionally, Dr. Alec Johnson has almost reached his goals. As this year’s recipient of a humanitarian award with his ex, Dr. Tyler Hall, Alec’s work with the homeless is about to be recognized. Unfortunately, his personal life sucks because now he has to attend several events alongside Tyler—with his ex’s new boyfriend in tow. In an attempt to lift his mood and break out of his rut, Alec purchases a motorcycle he has no idea how to start.

Dylan Booth doesn’t have time for Dr. Clueless and his fickle 1964 Harley, but the cocky mechanic can’t say no to the request for help. Having spent his teen years on the streets, and losing his best friend to HIV, Dylan decides teaching the do-gooder how to ride is the least he can do. But watching Alec flounder in his ex’s company throws Dylan into protector mode, and the confirmed hetero introduces himself as Alec’s new boyfriend.

The ex suspects Dylan is lying.

Alec claims Dylan’s plan is insane.

And Dylan’s not sure he can fake being gay.

But he’s a master bullshitter, and the phony PDA soon turns ultra-hot. Alec can’t afford to get attached, and Dylan’s learned everyone eventually leaves. Unfortunately, playing the backup boyfriend is starting to feel way too real…

CONTENT WARNING: This book contains Man-on-Man action, adult situations, and language.

MY THOUGHTS

“I wouldn’t miss this fake-homo show for all the Gucci Shoes on Rodeo Drive.” 

That sums up the book for me. I heard everyone buzzing about The Backup Boyfriend by author River Jaymes and everyone kept telling me to go buy it.  So I finally caved and bought it for myself to see what all the hype was about.  Readers, you do not want to miss out on reading this book!

Alec Johnson just lost his two year boyfriend to another man.  So what does any sane Doctor do when this happens? He goes out and buys a motorcycle.  Not a brand spankin’ new one, but one that needs some TLC.  Enter Dylan Booth, aka HOT STUFF, into the mix.  Alec takes his bike to Dylan to repair and to teach him how to ride.  Out of the gutter readers! We are talking about riding lessons on the bike.  (The other rides come later in the story.)  Reluctantly, Dylan decides to go ahead and help Alec with the riding lessons and fixing up the bike.  When he meets Alec at his house to get started, he has the pleasure of meeting Tyler, Alec’s ex boyfriend.  Tyler just happens to be arriving to pick up the last of his stuff and also brought along his new boyfriend.  Dylan feels bad for Alec and becomes protective of his feelings.  Alec reminds him of a childhood friend that he protected on the streets and end up losing to HIV/AIDS five years ago.  This is where the setup of the Backup Boyfriend comes into play.  Dylan pretends to be Alec’s new boyfriend much to everyone’s surprise.

What happens is sexual tension, playful banter, outrageous scenes of humor and plenty of romance that will have you sighing with happiness.  Another reason I loved this book is the fact that it addresses the issue of labels.  We are constantly putting names to things such as gay, bisexual, etc.  What I like about Dylan in this book is he doesn’t like those labels. It is not that he doesn’t want to accept that he is bisexual or gay, he just wants to be himself with no category that he should fit in.  Love isn’t something that can be defined and put away neatly in a little box with a label on it and people shouldn’t classify it as such.  Plus his sarcastic humor was a blast to read whenever he was within five feet of their mutual friend Noah.

Personally, I can’t wait for more of this series. I have already added her previous work to my wishlist to buy soon. Author River Jaymes is an author that everyone needs to watch.

FAVORITE QUOTES

Dylan stared at a well-dressed, clean Alec holding the baby with a sizeable line of drool now hanging from her mouth, dangling in the air. Seriously, someone needed to shut the main water line off and fix that horrific leakage problem.

“What the hell were you thinking, Dylan?”
Dylan’s face burned, and he secured the towel tight around his waist as several sarcastic replies came to mind.
I was tired of playing for the same team.
I suddenly had the urge to experience life as the little spoon.
I wanted to be able to wear the You Suck, And I Like That In A Man T-shirt you gave me.

MY RATING
[sc:rate5 ]

AUTHOR WEBSITE / GOODREADS / AMAZON

Review: Cost of Repairs by A.M. Arthur

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13558062

 

Cost of Repairs
Author: A.M. Arthur
Series: Cost of Repairs #1

SUMMARY
From Goodreads

Fixing the home can heal the heart — if you can find all the pieces.

Police officer Samuel Briggs is getting to know the people on his new, third-shift beat, but he’d prefer they not know too much about him—or the painful past that drove him away from New Mexico to start fresh in small-town Stratton, PA.

All he wants is peace, a manageable routine, and time to fix up his project home. There’s no room in his broken heart for a new relationship. It’s crowded with too many memories. But there’s something about the Dixie’s Cup short-order cook, who’s flirty one minute, distracted the next, that piques Sam’s interest.

Part-time cook, part-time hardware salesman and full-time handyman Rey King lives to work—but not because he loves it. Relationships? No time. Until one glance at Sam’s haunted eyes sends a plumb line straight to his wary heart.

One afternoon of impulsive, no-strings sex begins to grow into a cautious friendship. But when Rey is seriously injured protecting a friend, the cracks in their already shaky foundation begin to show. Falling in love wasn’t in either man’s recovery plan…and this time, the risk could be too great.

Warning: Contains one emotionally wrecked cop, one angsty short-order cook, a few too many secrets, some meddling small-town folk, and plenty of hot man-on-man action.

MY THOUGHTS

Cost of Repairs is the first book in the Cost of Repairs series by author A.M. Arthur.  It is a M/M Romance with the main characters being Sam Briggs and Rey King. As the warning above mentions, there is angst and hot man-on-man action aplenty in this book.

Sam Briggs has just moved to Stratton, PA. He left New Mexico after a tragedy had him needing to get away from the painful memories. Rey King has also had some hard times and is barely making it day by day.  When they both meet, the sparks fly and they both find something they weren’t looking for.  What starts out as a fling, ends up being just what they both needed in the love department.

If you are thinking this is just a book about falling in love between the two, you are wrong. This book is full of angst and the happy times are few. With that being said, the angst made this book actually work.  I found I was curious about the dark pasts of both characters.  I wanted to learn their dirty little secrets.  I wanted them both to be able to work past those things and just be good together.  While the book did slow down in parts and get a little repetitive, I found myself not really minding too much because the characters carried the story for me.  I was already curious about the two men that I didn’t mind reading about the unimportant things that were thrown in.

Overall, I am pleased that I heard about this book.  I now have a new author in the M/M world to follow and to enjoy.

MY RATING

[sc:rate4 ]

AUTHOR WEBSITE / GOODREADS / BUY ON AMAZON