Review: Hound Dog & Bean by B.G Thomas

Reviewed by Whuppsy
Hound Dog & Bean by B.G Thomas
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 275pgs
4.5 Pants Off

Blurb:
There's been little love in H.D. "Hound Dog" Fisher's life since the death of his beloved mom when he was a boy. Bounced around the foster care system, he ran away as soon as he could… and took the foster dog with him. As far as he's concerned, only dogs have no ulterior motive, never hold a grudge, and offer unconditional love. Now he helps run a no-kill shelter and leaves relationships where they belong: in the back room. 

"Bean" Alexander settled in Kansas City to open his coffee shop after years of traveling. He never expected to open his heart too. When a man with a grudge takes a swing at H.D. while in line at Bean's shop, Bean jumps to intervene. 

So taking a hit for H.D. gets Bean noticed, and H.D. feels obligated to pay a debt. But then the unexpected happens. A series of misadventures causes H.D. to open up—but falling in love makes him turn tail and run. Trust is a tough road to travel. Will good friends, a dog named Sarah Jane, and a bit of folk magic be enough to bring Hound Dog and Bean a happy ending?

Review
This was such a cute lil story. I enjoyed the time that I spent reading it.

We begin this story with H.D. who is just about the cutest lil hippie guy EVA!! He grew up in the foster system and now works at this no kill shelter. He’s been free with his body, but never his heart. He feels that people aren’t always so good to each other and that only animals, dogs in particular are the best things to ever happen to him. H.D. has this ability in regards to placing animals with people. It’s almost like the same thing with himself as well. He seems to think that he always knows what is the best for him, even when it’s quite clear that he doesn’t.

Now, Bean is just the sweetest darn thing I’ve read in long while. He’s got this cafe that he’s started after working in the coffee business for a few years. He’s mad some amazing contacts that he’s kept up with and has this establishment that he’s quite happy to call his own. He’s got this great heart and he’s been saving up all this love and passion for just the right person. He’s honest and loyal and kind everything that you could possibly wish for in a person.

Now, I will be the first to admit, I’m such a sucker for B.G.’s books. I love them! They tell a story. It’s not that insta-love that you find in so many books. These characters have some issues to work through and the author doesn’t make it always so easy. I like that there is a bit of angst in the story, but I also like that you know that you’re going to get an HEA.

The secondary characters in this book were truly great. I love that the two best friends of these guys were such good friends to them. I love that even with what was happening between the guys, that they still had made a relationship between them work and didn’t let it affect them. They proved that you can still be there for your friend, and yet still allow love and happiness comes into your life. The guys weren’t the only things happening in their lives. They were such good supportive characters. They added a bit of humour and overall charm to the story.

I will say that overall, this book was really sweet and had plenty of charm. There was ups and downs. There was love and laughter. There was angst thrown in to add some tension in the story. But what’s a story without a bit tension to make it that much better when the MC’s get together. You’ll enjoy the time you took reading this book.

4.5 Pants Off

Review: Grumple Monkey and the Department Store Elf

Reviewed by SinChan
Grumble Monkey & the Department Store Elf by B.G Thomas
Dreamspinner Press
Short Story: 95pgs
4 Pants Off

Blurb:
Kit Jefferies, a part-time department store Christmas elf, is an artist who loves life and his family. Unfortunately, his car dies at a rest stop in the middle of nowhere as he is heading home for Christmas. Enter Nick St. George. 

Nick is a very unhappy man—he's achieved his professional goals only to find the rest of his life bleak and empty. Deciding there was only one way to make everything right, he is on his way to San Francisco on a dark mission, and even the horrible sleet storm that blocked his path won't deter him. That's when he found Kit. 

At first, Nick is pretty sure rescuing Kit was a big mistake. Kit's personality is just too, well, effervescent. But as the miles go by, Kit begins to bring light to his dark heart. It might even be bright enough to illuminate a Christmas miracle.

Short Review
Grumpy Nick wants to be in San Francisco on Christmas Day but he's stuck in a snow storm from hell. He meets cheerful Kit who wants to go home for Christmas and Nick gives him a ride despite the fact that he can't stand Kit's cheery attitude.

The MCs are two extremes on opposite poles of personality. When the POV switches and both MCs get a turn to speak, their different life outlooks are really apparent. Kit is definitely more vibrant, full of life and possibilities, while Nick is the pessimist.

I don't like Nick's character. He's too grumpy for me. The reason why he's rushing to go to San Francisco for Christmas Day is a surprise at the end because I didn't get the depressing vibe from Nick at all. I'm glad that Nick finds Kit and rediscovers doing what he love and surrounding himself with love and Kit's art works.

Overall, this is a really fun, entertaining read that's uplifting and perfect for the holiday season.

4 Pants Off

Review: Bianca's Plan by B.G. Thomas

Bianca's Plan (Evergreen) by B.G Thomas
Dreamspinner Press
Short Story: 91pgs
4 Pants Off

Blurb:
Bianca worries that her daddy, Gavin, is lonely and decides he needs a boyfriend for Christmas. So she enlists her father's best friend, the straight and unattached Curtis. Gavin has a Christmas wish, too, and Curtis setting him up on disastrous dates isn't part of it! Meanwhile, Curtis finds life becoming complicated as he tries to please Bianca, make Gavin happy, and fend off his own unexpected mixed feelings. Will anyone's wish come true?






Review:
Bianca has a plan, and she knows she can pull it off with the help of her fathers’ best friend, Curtis. It’s the holidays and she feels her dad Gavin is lonely so she wants to set him up on a few dates (In hopes he will find that perfect someone). At first Curtis wants nothing to do with the plan but when faced with the reality of what he might be feeling and what Gavin feels for him. Suddenly he's gung-ho, in getting him a boyfriend and in the meantime proving he feels nothing for a man.

Gavin just wants to be home with his little family for Thanksgiving but working gets in the way, and god knows he needs the job. With a daughter to take care of and bills to pay, he is willing to suffer with his moneygrubber boss if only for a few hours. Well, thanks to the weather he gets to head home early and be with the people he loves the most and that includes his best-friend Curtis. Even though what he feels for Curt might be a little more than friendly love, he's content with how things are and wouldn't change them for the world.

Suddenly, he finds himself going on horrible dates with a know it all florist, the dad who doesn't mind a hook-up when his kids are in the house, and the young looking twink who calls himself Blue (and talks just a little too much about things no one really cares to know about). It might be time to confront the partners in crime and let them know, he's in no rush to find a boyfriend and he has all he needs for the holidays.

That Bianca is an evil genius, I was on to her plan from the very beginning. I love reading about smart outspoken kids in books, it makes me smile because yes, kids can be all adult like when they want. The dates that Gavin went on provided the book with a light kind of entertainment, both hilarious and realistic. Moreover, it felt so universal, like if you had a bad date, they would probably fall under the three: the know it all, the pervert just looking for a hook-up, and the just a pretty face.

I was both annoyed and frustrated by Gavin's feelings emerging (I was like dude, stop freaking fighting it). Plus, he came out with style and at an office party. Office parties are where the good shit goes down. Overall, I enjoyed Bianca, Gavin, and Curtis. They made me smile a lot.

Should You Read It? Yeppers, it was just super cute and so entertaining. My first time reading B.G Thomas and it won't be my last. Another great addition to the DSP holiday stories.

4 Pants Off