Review: Need by Todd Gregory

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Need
Author: Todd Gregory

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

On the sultry streets of New Orleans, you can indulge every desire. Even when what you crave is blood.

As far as the mortal world knows, Cord Logan died two years ago. In reality, he stalks the French Quarter, searching for victims. Cord knew that coming back to New Orleans would be risky now that he’s broken with the fraternity of vampires who first claimed him. But a chance encounter with an old friend triggers unexpected desire, and reveals a lethal curse that endangers not just his kind, but all of humanity.

Cord’s quest to break the curse leads him on a journey of carnal self-discovery and deep into the bayous. Here, where magic reigns unchecked, Cord must tap into his dark, unpredictable abilities and all his seductive powers. And if he fails, he’ll have all eternity to regret it…

MY THOUGHTS

I admit that the cover is what caught my interest. (Look into my eyes!) I can’t resist the dark and broody brow.  Then the blurb captured my curiosity into thinking this might be something different for me to enjoy in the vampire world.

This was a book that I had to force myself to finish.  There were many points where rolled my eyes and hoped I was getting closer to the finish line. This book was also bogged down by history and setup for the character with tons of narration. Back story can be a good thing, but too much is overkill.  I also need my characters to have interaction and less flashback.  While the story had promise with a good foundation, it was one that was overly done without the bang it needed.

Another thing I want to mention is that this book does fall into the M/M category of paranormal romance.  If this isn’t your cup of tea, then please step back and go back to your usual reading.  The sex scenes weren’t as sexy as I thought they would be, and at times they seemed to be there for page filler.

This was another case of great cover art luring me in, but the story failed to keep me interested or entertained.  This is not to say it was horrible or not worth a try for some, just not one I would want to read again.

MY RATING

       
I did not like this book at all!

Review: Sticks & Stones by Abigail Roux and Madeleine Urban

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Sticks & Stones
Series: Cut & Run #2
Author(s): Abigail Roux, Madeleine Urban

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Six months after nearly losing their lives to a serial killer in New York City, FBI Special Agents Ty Grady and Zane Garrett are suffering through something almost as frightening: the monotony of desk duty. 

When they’re ordered to take a vacation for the good of everyone’s sanity, Ty bites the bullet and takes Zane home with him to West Virginia, hoping the peace and quiet of the mountains will give them the chance to explore the explosive attraction they’ve so far been unable to reconcile with their professional partnership. 

Ty and Zane, along with Ty’s father and brother, head up into the Appalachian mountains for a nice, relaxing hike deep into the woods… where no one will hear them scream. 

They find themselves facing danger from all directions: unpredictable weather, the unrelenting mountains, wild animals, fellow hikers with nothing to lose, and the most terrifying challenge of all. 

Each other.

MY THOUGHTS

Sticks & Stones is the second book in the Cut & Run series by authors Abigail Roux and Madeleine Urban.

You hear that? That thump-thump-thump like Bambi’s heartbeat when running from the hunter? That would be my heart after finishing this book.

Is it from the suspense? Yes.
Is it from the sexy times? Yes.
Is it from the ending that wreaked havoc on my emotions? Yes.

Instead of going through the details of book — especially since it has been out and reviewed like crazy already — I am just going to touch base on the characters and small parts of the story.

Ty — My heart aches for this man.  At the beginning of this series, I was unsure about him.  I thought he was going to be this big jackass that would never show any type of emotion except smart ass and douche. Boy was I wrong.  The first book had me pining for him but this second book had my heart breaking for this man.  At the end of the mountain journey, I almost cried at the moment he realized he loved Zane.  Then when he tried to tell him, the tears kept on coming.  Emotions like this is why I am totally Team Ty!

Zane — For some reason, I wasn’t feeling much good about Zane in this one.  He was sexy and brought his A-game with the witty banter, but I couldn’t make the connection with him.  I think it is because of his wavering decisions and at times his misplaced anger.  Zane has problems and inner demons, but Ty’s brother summed it up perfectly.

“See, some people, they’re sticky like Velcro. You’re sticky. Your problems stick to you like fuzzballs from the laundry; you take them everywhere with you and people can see them plain as day. Ty, he’s like spandex. Nothing sticks to him, and he’s shiny on the outside” 

Deacon, AKA Deuce — *wags finger* You naughty boy.  I loved Deuce probably so much because he is so much like his brother Ty.  While he can give as good as he gets, he also has a great relationship with his brother.  Then the ending scene where he is on the phone with a pivotal player in the series left me with my jaw open and wanting to slap him for it.  I am curious to see how that is going to go down if it ever comes to be known by Ty and Zane.

Mara, Chester and Earl — Ty’s mother, grandfather and father were great.  Mara was the tender but feisty mama bear that watched out for her family.  Chester was a laugh-out-loud a minute.  I don’t think I laughed that hard in a long time when he chopped up the water hose because he thought it was a snake.  He was grouchy and I wished he would have been in more scenes.  Earl was a great character and I am curious to see his reaction in the future when his son Ty shares his feelings about Zane.

Overall, I am anxious to read book three in this series.  I can’t wait to devour it and get deeper into the story of Ty and Zane.  I just need to hope that my heart can take it!

MY RATING

Very Good! I would recommend this book!

Review: His Undoing by Aria Grace

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His Undoing
Author: Aria Grace
Genre: M/M Romance Short Story

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

When Mike found out he would be sharing a dorm with a former football star, he was terrified. He’d been bullied by jocks all his life for being scrawny and weak and didn’t have high expectations of how it would go. To his surprise, Brett was a great guy that was easy to get along with and seemed to enjoy his company. When Mike learned that Brett was gay, it was a shock but it also explained the threatening letters that Mike had been receiving. Was Mike really at risk because of a jealous ex? Was there even anything to be jealous of? 

MY THOUGHTS

His Undoing by Aria Grace is a short story in the M/M Romance genre.  It is told from Mike’s point of view.

Like other reviewers of this story,  I feel that only having the one point of view is what made this story not as great as it could have been.  I enjoyed reading from Mike’s POV but I this story would have made better sense and would have been better at the execution if we could have peeked into what Brett was feeling as well.

Mike is a guy who has always had a hard time talking to girls.  He is still a virgin, scrawny and tall, and not very muscular.  He is starting college and is dreading wondering who his roommate will be.  When he enters his new room, he meets Brett who happens to be a muscular jock.  He thinks he is going to be picked on by Brett and his friends, but they both become good friends.  Brett even introduces him to his game buddies, the cheerleaders and eventually fills Mike in that he is gay.

While Mike is trying to figure out who he really is — gay or straight like he has always though he was — he is attacked in the dorm.  This is the part that would have made having Brett’s point of view to give us a little more.  When it is revealed who the attacker was, it is a character pulled into the story from no where.  This is someone who is not mentioned throughout the story and we never even get a glimpse at this person. It made the suspense and buildup of the “who-done-it” quite a let down.

While the tender and sexy moments were written pretty well, this story really need to have Brett’s story told as well.

MY RATING

If the library doesn’t have it, don’t worry about reading it!

Mini Review: With Regret – Part One by Samantha Kay

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With Regret: Part One
Series: With Regret #1
Author: Samantha Kay
Genre: M/M Romance

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Jacob’s trust in Phil is suddenly shattered, leaving him questioning everything they had become. He thought Phil would never hurt him, never betray him, and never lie. But as he discovers the true extent of Phil’s hidden pastime, he is forced to decide what to do next: leave, stay, or seek revenge…

MY THOUGHTS

First off let me say that I read the ‘dirty version’ of this short story.  The author gives you an option to read the clean version on her blog, but I am all for the dirtier the better.  I can’t say if the Amazon version is the dirty or clean version as I purchased my copy through the Smashwords website.

Second, if you are not a fan of cheating, keep in mind that the cheating is the catalyst for this story.  I am not a huge fan of cheating in a book or in real life, but I will say that even though there is a cheating part in the beginning of this book, the fallout of that act is what the story is actually about.  It centers around the pain, the heartbreak and the strength of whether or not a relationship can survive after the cheating is found out by the betrayed partner.

While there is a bunch of groveling on Phil’s part, I am still left wondering why he would cheat in the first place.  He describes his relationship with Jacob as perfect and not lacking in anything.  He tries to explain to Jacob that it was the excitement in doing the act but I am not buying it.  Jacob is hurt and wants to hate Phil for what he has done.  Can they work past this hurtful act or will they walk away from each other? By the end of the short story, we get some answers but we are left with it up in the air.  Personally, I want to know how they are going to continue to work through this or if Jacob is going to even forgive Phil for this.  I hope the author plans on continuing the story so I can get some closure as well.

MY RATING

Okay book, but it left me wanting more!

Review: Cut & Run by Abigail Roux and Madeleine Urban

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Cut & Run
Series: Cut & Run #1
Author(s): Abigail Roux & Madeleine Urban
M/M Romance/Suspense

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

A series of murders in New York City has stymied the police and FBI alike, and they suspect the culprit is a single killer sending an indecipherable message. But when the two federal agents assigned to the investigation are taken out, the FBI takes a more personal interest in the case.

Special Agent Ty Grady is pulled out of undercover work after his case blows up in his face. He’s cocky, abrasive, and indisputably the best at what he does. But when he’s paired with Special Agent Zane Garrett, it’s hate at first sight. Garrett is the perfect image of an agent: serious, sober, and focused, which makes their partnership a classic clich: total opposites, good cop-bad cop, the odd couple. They both know immediately that their partnership will pose more of an obstacle than the lack of evidence left by the murderer.

Practically before their special assignment starts, the murderer strikes again this time at them. Now on the run, trying to track down a man who has focused on killing his pursuers, Grady and Garrett will have to figure out how to work together before they become two more notches in the murderer’s knife.

MY THOUGHTS

Somebody slap my upside the head please! Why have I waited so long for this series?

After hearing about this series throughout the entire year, I had added it to my wishlist in the hopes of starting it some day.  When the later books in the series appeared on numerous Top Reads of 2012, I moved it up in the count to get to sooner.  When I finally got to it and started reading it, I couldn’t stop!  I needed this fix as badly as Zane needed his.

I am having a hard time picking which character was the best.  Ty started out my clear favorite with his don’t-give-a-hell attitude and demeanor.  I loved his banter with fellow agents and his new partner at work.  Zane was more business in appearance, but slowly came around to be like Ty.  Then the roles would reverse in personality and my heart would flip the switch to being in love with Zane.  Just when I would fall for one, the authors would do something to tie me in knots for the other Alpha man.
Ty or Zane?
Zane or Ty?
I think I choose Ty.
No wait! Zane.
No, I changed my mind. Ty.
Yes, Ty.
For now.

Oh there was a mystery involved in this story as well.  I almost forgot since I was dreaming of Ty and Zane again.  The two are assigned to go undercover to solve numerous murders from a serial killer who is leaving a trail of tokens behind.  Several agents have been murdered already and Zane and Ty needs to figure it out if it is someone on the inside.  There is tons of action and nail biting scenes in this scene.  I thought I figured out who the murderer was early on, but I was wrong.  I am not a good person to have on your side when playing Clue.

This book is definitely one I loved.  I want to devour each book in the series now! I can’t wait to get my next fix of Ty and Zane!

MY RATING

Outstanding book that will stay on my bookshelf for rereading!