Review: Relief Valve by JL Merrow

Relief Valve (The Plumber's Mate Mysteries #2) by JL Merrow
Riptide Publishing
Novel: 341pgs

3 Pants Off

Blurb: If you dig up the past, be prepared for some dirt to stick.

The relationship between Tom Paretski, a cheeky plumber with a gift for finding hidden things, and PI Phil Morrison may only be a few weeks old, but already it’s under attack. Tom’s friends and family are convinced the former bully isn’t good enough for him, and they’re not shy about saying so.

Then Tom’s prickly older sister, Cherry, is poisoned at her own engagement party. Tom’s left reeling and not knowing who to suspect. Could it be her new fiancé, Gregory, a cathedral canon with an unfortunate manner and a taste for taxidermy? Or someone from her old writers’ circle, which she left after a row? Or could the attack be connected to her work as a barrister? Meanwhile, Tom’s honorary auntie’s left him a gag gift from beyond the grave that could be more significant than anyone knows.

Phil’s fighting against the clock to solve the case before somebody ends up dead. And with the poisoner hiding a dark secret, Phil’s terrified Tom could have been the target all along.

Publisher's note: This is lightly edited reprint of a previously published novel.

Review 

Relieved It Finally Ended 

I’m trying to figure out what went wrong with this sequel. I freaking loved the first book Pressure Head, it had so much charm and wit and I really liked it. Relief Valve lacked all the fun, and Tom’s voice lacked all the things I loved from him in the first book. I mostly found him flaky, and a little annoying.  

Tom and Phil are still together after the crazy that was the first book. They’ve settled into their life, Tom the Plumber and Phil the P.I. It’s still not clear how together they are, and their relationship is still sought of up in the air, but their British and ain’t no one discussing feelings. When Tom's Aunt dies and leaves him some crazy unusual instructions to find her will, he has to reconnect with his sister. That goes all types of awkward, and it’s clear that they’re not very close.  

Seems his sister is getting married and Tom is all types of surprised. When the engagement party rolls around, things doesn’t go as expected and soon Toms standing over the convulsing body of his sister and it looks like not every one is feeling the love. Someone has just tried to kill his sister and it’s Tom and Phil on the case.  

First of all, I was looking forward to mystery aspect of it all and the use of Tom’s gift. What gift you wonder, he’s able to find things, just about anything really. His ass didn’t use the gift at all, just spent his time being a sarcastic bastard bordering on the line of downright asshole. The storytelling to who was trying to poison his sister lacked finesse and not even cast of Midsomer Murders towns people (seriously I love that show) could make it any better. It did have some British wit, and I did laugh a little but mostly I was bored. Could the real Tom please stand up! 

Secondly, the book was too long. It was dragged out with some over the top reveal that didn’t even fall well with the story-line and the reveal of the villain was a letdown. No one quirky character could save this for me, I just can’t understand what went wrong…I’m not here for Relief Valve and was relieved when it finally ending. Still like Tom and Phil doing each other though 🤷🏽‍♀️ 

Overall, not a fan of this second offering. I will be checking out the third part because I do like J.L Merrow as an author and I’m not giving up on Tom and Phil. I legit like these dudes, and everyone is allowed to have an off day. 

Review: Book #1 Pressure Head

Review: Kill Game by Cordelia Kingsbridge

Kill Game (Seven of Spades #1) by Cordelia Kingsbridge
Riptide Publishing
Novel: 304pgs

4.5 Pants Off

Blurb: Homicide detective Levi Abrams is barely holding his life together. He’s reeling from the fallout of a fatal shooting, and his relationship with his boyfriend is crumbling. The last thing he’s prepared for is a serial killer stalking the streets of Las Vegas. Or how he keeps getting thrown into the path of annoyingly charming bounty hunter Dominic Russo.

Dominic likes his life free of complications. That means no tangling with cops—especially prickly, uptight detectives. But when he stumbles across one of the Seven of Spades’s horrifying crime scenes, he can’t let go, despite Levi’s warnings to stay away.

The Seven of Spades is ruthless and always two moves ahead. Worst of all, they’ve taken a dangerously personal interest in Levi and Dominic. Forced to trust each other, the two men race to discover the killer’s identity, revealing hidden truths along the way and sparking a bond neither man expected. But that may not be enough to protect them.

This killer likes to play games, and the deck is not stacked in Levi and Dominic’s favor.

Review

Lets Play A Game ♠️ 

“What do you want?” he asked, pulling Levi close. “Tell me.” Levi was too worked up for modesty or ambiguity. “I want you to fuck me with all the strength you used to bust through that door,” he said.

I’d like to say I’m dead 😵, this book has rearranged my entire year. I didn’t know I needed Kill Game until I read it. It has the most professional villain I have ever read in a M/M book. As a fan of true crime, forensic shows, and murder mysteries I am fangirling like crazy. I was pulled into the world of Seven of Spades, and it’s got me, it’s got me good. 

Levi is a detective in Las Vegas and he’s just out there doing his job. He’s got a billionaire boyfriend, he loves his job and is basically living the dream. Unless you factor in the fact that his boyfriend hates what he does, he’s dealing with some personal trauma and he’s just landed himself smack dab in the middle of a serial killer. The Seven of Spades ♠️ has taken a personal interest in Levi and nothing good will come from that. 

Dominic Russo is a bounty hunter, it might not be the most elegant job but it pays the bill. His large build was made for busting the bad guys and he takes full advantage, plus putting bad guys/gals behind bars feels a little good. When Dominic gets dragged to a murder scene he knows he didn’t get called there by chance. He was meant to see it, he was meant to find it and he’s become another card in the deck to SoS ♠️.

What ensues is a pursuit for a prolific killer whose dead set on getting rid of anyone they find untrustworthy. Levi and Dominic get thrown together to play a killers game and with that they’ll discover an attraction, and try to stop a killer.  

Can I just say that this book is soooooo plot driven I’m going insane. I can’t call this a romantic suspense because all the lovey doves shit falls last in this story. This is purely the SoS ♠️ show and him/her is running things. The crime scenes are so intricate, well thought out, and my crime loving heart is in swoon. It reminds me of those CSI (original CSI, Grissom and all) episodes featuring that miniature killer who had those well thought out murder scenes. Staged bodies set up exactly to their liking and leaving no physical evidence behind. I love that vibe! 

I love Levi and Dominic, not necessarily together but individually. Levi is just (sigh) I don’t know why but right now that man is my aesthetic. He just reminds me of a big cat, all purring and claws out. Dominic, that big teddy bear. I’m down for these dudes. 

The writing is brilliant, just every freaking thing is working. I have my idea of who the Seven of Spades is and it’s kind of obvious to me. So Levi and Dominic need to start paying attention, look closely boys (objects in mirror are closer than they appear). 

I’m so looking forward to how this series unfolds, and I’m jumping straight into book two. Levi and Dom has got me all types of shook. Looking forward to more kills from Seven ♠️… 

Review: Absolution by Sloane Kennedy

Absolution (Protectors #1) by Sloane Kennedy
Amazon
Novel: 256pgs

3.5 Pants Off

Blurb: But what I felt most was the perfection of what these two men were giving me. And I knew in that moment that I would do anything to keep it. Anything. --Cole

After four years abroad, artist Jonas Davenport has come home to start building his dream of owning his own art studio and gallery. But just as he's ready to put the darkness of his past behind him forever, it comes roaring back with a vengeance.

The only thing keeping ex-cop Mace Calhoun from eating his own gun after an unthinkable loss is his role in an underground syndicate that seeks to get justice for the innocent by taking the lives of the guilty. Ending the life of the young artist who committed unspeakable crimes against the most vulnerable of victims should have been the easiest thing in the world. So why can't he bring himself to pull the trigger?

After years of fighting in an endless, soul-sucking war, Navy SEAL Cole Bridgerton has come home to fight another battle - dealing with the discovery that the younger sister who ran away from home eight years earlier is lost to him forever. He needs answers and the only person who can give them to him is a young man struggling to put his life back together. But he never expected to feel something more for the haunted artist.

Cole and Mace. One lives by the rules, the other makes his own. One seeks justice through the law while the other seeks it with his gun. Two men, one light, one dark, will find themselves and each other when they're forced to stand side by side to protect Jonas from an unseen evil that will stop at nothing to silence the young artist forever.

But each man's scars run deep and even the strength of three may not be enough to save them...

Note: This book contains M/M/M sexual content and is intended for mature audiences.

Trigger Warning : This book contains references to childhood sexual abuse.


Review

Absolute Absurdity 

I like to think I’m a connoisseur in all things M/M/M, I know what I’m looking for and I want to see the things that make it a relationship and not just something that’s only about sex. Absolution offered up an OK take on a ménage relationship but it fell short in some areas. 

Jonas Davenport has been through some things. A life on the street has taught him that humans can be downright evil and sometimes there’s no one to save you. Jonas has gotten through every hardship life has thrown at him and he’s got the scars to show for it. Now he’s making a new life for himself, leaving his demons behind and maybe getting a chance at being happy. 

Mace Calhoun has got a job to do, but why is it so damn hard to pull the trigger. Getting rid of Jonas Davenport should be easy peasy, his rage for what he’s done to children should make putting a bullet through his head a no brainer. Yet, Mace is unable to pull the trigger and he finds himself wanting to get closer to the beautiful man. Is his innocent face and demeanour hiding something more sinister. Is he just a wolf in sheeps clothing. He protects but he also attacks.  

Cole Bridgerton, his ass just shows up. I’m having a hard time understanding his place and why he shows up. His connection is that Jonas was close with his sister for a bit, and had information to share. He gets caught in the web and so on and so forth. Now he’s got to protect the man/men he’s falling for. 

Alright Sloane Kennedy, I see you. I see what you were trying to do here but I feel the content was too heavy and the relationships not executed well. In what reality can anyone comeback from someone thinking they’re a pedophile. This disgraceful thing forever hanging in the air, and the only reason Jonas is alive is because Mace was thinking with his dick and not with his head (well his big head). While there was some anger on Jonas’s part I feel like his anger wasn’t enough. In a realistic feel, this shit needed a a few weeks to settle. 

The plot devices are “meh” at best. Would have made for a better read if the relationship was the focus instead of the after school special type bad guys. The relationship, and I use that word with some trepidation because it was three guys boning. A ménage needs to be discussed and handled with care and these three were running around like chickens without their heads. I have no clue what their setup was, and the intricacies that make a great ménage. Like can two guys have sex if one isn’t there, and at one point it felt like it was going down that road and it made me uncomfortable. I wanna know the details man…. 

I can’t say I like anyone character more than the other, they all felt very one dimensional and for me easily forgettable, actually let me retract that statement. I will never forget that Mace was gonna kill Jonas because he thought he was pedophile. On god, that will stay with me. Never forget. 

Overall, I didn’t hate it but I can’t say I’m in like either. It was a fun read 🤷🏽‍♀️ and I did get through the book quickly, but as I said it didn’t quite come together for me and I don’t find the ménage relationship believable. I will be checking out the rest of series because I do enjoy Sloan’s writing style and I’m interested in these protectors. Who else will they be shooting by mistake.  

Review: The Millionaire Upstairs by M.J. O'Shea

The Millionaire Upstairs (DreamSpun Desires #1) by M.J. O'Shea
Dreamspinner Press
Novella: 198pgs

2.5 Pants Off

Blurb: He might be hard to work for, but he's impossible to resist.

Sasha Sobieski has the perfect job working at legendary American fashion house Harrison Kingsley—or at least he used to. He just never thought he’d have to work for Harrison Kingsley himself. Harrison is exacting, difficult, cold, and hands-down the sexiest man Sasha has ever seen.

After years at the top, Harrison Kingsley knows what he wants, when he wants it, and exactly how he’d like it to be delivered to him. What he wants most right now? His new assistant. Sasha is mouthy, opinionated, and he drives Harrison mad. Problem is, Harrison can never tell if it’s with anger… or desire.


Review

The Rich Asshole Upstairs  

So here I am on the Dreamspun Desires bandwagon, and wanting to see what all the fuss is about. I love the idea behind the series, and just the overall harlequin-y feel of it all. If there isn’t a title called “The Millionaires Secret Adoptive Baby” then I might as well call it quits now. Every series has to have a secret baby. 

Sasha Sobieski just landed his dream job of working with a top fashion designer house “Harrison Kingsley”. A small town boy like him never dreamt he’d be working with the big dogs, and after two years with the company he’s finally making a name for himself. To his utter shock and surprise, his boss asks him to lend a helping hand to her egotistical/asshole of a brother Harrison. Sasha and Harrison do not get along, based solely on the fact that Harrison has always been a class A jerk to him. Ruling out the fact that Harrison is drop dead gorgeous and his voice alone can send Sasha into vapors, he’s a jerk, brilliant but a jerk. 

Harrison Kingsley, designer extraordinaire and a Oscar worthy jerk. His sister grants him the use and expertise of Sasha and what does he do, treat him like a maid all in an effort to keep him at arms length. Because Sasha is too pretty and pretty things are a distraction (cue major eye rolls).  

Ah, what can I say. This started out strong, Sasha’s voice was exciting and interesting, then Harrison comes along and feck things up. There were moments of cuteness and breakthrough and Harrison and Sasha seemed like they would make a great couple and then Harrison would open is mouth and things would go down. I’m not talking just being mean, I’m talking the most demeaning shit you could say to a person. I wasn’t here for Harrison at all, because fool me once shame on you fool me twice, well shame on me. Fool me thrice, then I’d officially call myself a fucking idiot and this applies to Sasha. Dude should have packed his bag and left buddy in the rear. No sob story can cover up the fact that he’s an asshole.  

I would have loved this, man I would have loved this but the writing felt like some bad soap opera, this hot and cold thing was giving me whiplash. There was no clear balance and I was glad when it was over. I liked Sasha well enough but Harrison can suck it! Dreamspun your first offering left much to be desired but I’m not giving up on you yet.   

Review: Remember When by Harper Logan

Remember When by Harper Logan
Amazon
Novel: 216pgs

3 Pants Off

Blurb: Could forgetting everything bring them together? When Cuke awakes in the hospital, a piece of him is gone. Three years have disappeared from his mind, and he’s doesn’t even recognize his life - or the people in it. And then there's this super hot guy who appears to be his boyfriend...

Bouj will never be able to erase the memory of Cuke's skull cracking against the pavement during a typical game of basketball. He'd do anything to help his roommate piece his life back together, but he runs into an awkward situation when Cuke seems to think Bouj is his boyfriend. He knows he should correct his friend's mistake... and yet, something stops him.

Will Bouj realize that his feelings for Cuke run deeper than heterosexual affection? And even if they find love in each other's arms, will Cuke ever remember how they got to this point? 

Review

Trying to Forget

I’m having a hard time with how I feel about this one. On one hand I really liked it and got through it quite quickly, and on the other hand; what in all the crack in the world. This was totally crazy, weird, and a touch juvenile. While the premise sounds like it could make for an interesting read, the delivery kind of fell short.  

Cuke just took a basketball to the head and now he’s in the hospital with no recollection of the past three years. Seems like the ball has left more than a little bump on the head, seemed it also shaked his brain up. In a hospital room with no one he recognizes, and the good looking guy holding his hand seems to be very familiar with him so there can only be one explanation. That guy is his boyfriend (because logic).  

What ensues is ridiculous game of charades between Cuke and Bouj. Cuke can’t explain the person his “boyfriend” is trying to tell him he’s been for the past 3yrs, nothing about anything makes any sense about the person he’s become and the one he remembers. He can’t quite figure out why his relationship with Bouj is so awkward and he’s wanting to got to the sexy bits already. Seems he’s got his head in the clouds and the boyfriend might actually just be a best-friend.  

Alright, so as I said the book had potential but it really turned out to be ok and lack lustre. The dialogue is juvenile, it lost most of it charm and became all cliché and I was not impressed. Surprisingly I was never bored reading it, and was surprised by how quickly I got through the story. I’ll give it that, I could not look away. 

Cuke and Bouj together didn’t quite work for me and then the insta-love element really threw me from their characters. I felt as if they were playing dress up with their lives and I couldn’t buy it. Their relationship started off as a lie, and just remained a lie to me. I wasn’t invested! 

Overall, I kinda liked it. The plot was over the top, it wasn’t executed quite well, and that cover has nothing to with anything. Remember When didn’t quite deliver but in all honesty I didn’t hate it. I’m willing to see what else the author has to offer.