Audiobook Review: Permanent Ink by Piper Vaughn & Avon Gale

Permanent Ink (Art & Soul #1) by Piper Vaughn & Avon Gale
Narration: Kirt Graves Audible, Goodreads, Amazon
Time: 7hrs and 7 minutes

3 Pants Off

Blurb: At twenty-three, Poe Montgomery is going nowhere. He still lives in his father’s basement and spends most of his time tagging with his friends. When an arrest lands him in debt, Poe accepts the front desk job at Permanent Ink, the tattoo shop owned by his father’s best friend, Jericho McAslan. Jericho is nearly twice Poe’s age, but with his ink and prematurely graying hair, he quickly takes the starring role in Poe’s hottest fantasies.

Jericho is known for his ability to transform poorly designed tattoos into works of art, but he was once as aimless and misdirected as Poe. Wanting to pay it forward the way someone once did for him, Jericho makes Poe his apprentice and is determined to keep things strictly professional. Easier said than done when Poe makes his interest—and his daddy kink—abundantly clear.

Jericho can’t resist Poe or their intense chemistry for long. But between the age gap, tension with Poe’s father, and Poe’s best friend calling him a sellout, they’ll need to ensure they’re both on the same page before they can rewrite their rocky start into something permanent.

Review

 PERMANENT FAILURE

I’m going to lead off with this is my first audiobook review so don’t hold it against me. So here goes… 

The Story: 3 Pants Off 

I was very excited to listen this one and I am just sad that it didn’t deliver. 

Poe Montgomery lives the life of a punk ass kid. He’s got crazy artistic talent but he spends his time tagging private property with his best friend. He’s been in trouble before but what he fails to realize that he’s older and a more slip ups will have him serving time. His dad has had enough of getting him out of jail, and getting on his dads bad side is a bad move since he’s basically supporting him.  But Poe is an artiste 👨‍🎨 and his talent cannot be contained. When his fathers best-friend offers him a job at his tattoo parlour he accepts grudgingly. Poe soon starts to realize that setting a foundation isn’t selling out, and the talent that he has can be used to make many people happy and it’s legal too. 

Jericho owner of Permanent Ink decides to take on his best friends son as an apprentice to keep him out of trouble. What Jericho never expected was to be getting lust filled for the brat, and Poe is strictly of limits because 1, the boy is young enough to be his kid and 2, he’s the son of a friend and that alone puts him in the no fuck zone.  

I was hoping to really like this one a lot. It has some of my fave things. The daddy kink (supossebly), tattooed dudes, and that whole disciplinary type of feel but the story didn’t quite deliver. It wasn’t as hot as I’d hoped and Poe and Jericho lacked chemistry. In the end I just had meh-ish feels. The plotty device with Poe’s best-friend failed to add excitement it only highlighted Poe’s immaturity and that brought down my enjoyment of the story. 

Also Daddy Kink!! Bitch where??? 

The Narration by Kirt Graves: 2.75 – 3 Pants Off 

I think if I had read the book I might have liked it more, because the narration wasn’t working for me. I felt like Jericho needed a stronger voice, something amidst that of a Vin Diesel level; strong and commanding. I have this weird thing with voices and sounds, I get annoyed enough that there are people I just don’t want to hear speak. While I didn’t hate the narration, it wasn’t doing me any favours. I listen to audiobooks when I’m doing errands and such, so I get to enjoy sexy scenes in the outdoors and usually sometimes I be blushing or smirking but for this one I felt nothing. The sexy times was read like the regular stuff and I felt nothing. 

Permanent Ink was a total letdown in the story and for my ears!!! 

SideNote- In a weird way I’m kinda looking forward to book 2 but I think I’ll go ahead and read the book for that one.  

Review: To Say I Love You by Anna Martin

Reviewed by Whuppsy
To Say I love You (Another Way #3) by Anna Martin
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 224pgs
4 Pants Off

Blurb:
After six years of romance and kink, Jesse Ross and Will Anderson have had their ups and downs and come through them stronger and happier. But when Jesse’s mother dies unexpectedly, Jesse is forced to return to his childhood home in Georgia to help his family cope. Will transfers from Seattle to his company’s Atlanta office, but love their way is out of the question while they’re staying in Jesse’s parents’ home. So Will buys a small house for them to fix up and find some privacy.

When their lives start to settle back into something like normality, Will and Jesse resume their recently neglected BDSM relationship. Along with the security of Jesse’s submission comes trouble, as a local man tries to lure a lonely, grieving Jesse away from Will, and one of Will’s coworkers causes tension between them. Both men are forced to reassess what really matters, and where their romance is heading.

Review
So, this is the 3rd book in the Another Way series and I’ve got to tell you, it was a pretty good read.  I’ve not read the other books, so this was a first read for me. 

Will and Jesse are already established couple.  They have gone through their ups and downs in their relationship and have come out the other side as a stronger couple. This story is truly a journey for both of these men.  They are dealing with being in a different environment than what they live in at home.  They are more dependent on each other and making it through this period of their lives.

This story starts off after the death of Jesse’s momma.  They’ve been in Georgia awhile now and Jesse isn’t ready yet to go home to Seattle.  He feels that he’s should stay there to be close to his father and sister.  Jesse also feels the need to find some semblance of balance back into his life.  They end up staying in Georgia for a bit and this is where our boys start to heal and deal.

Jesse is so off-balanced from the loss of his momma that he’s not really sure if he’s coming or going. He’s just not ready to say goodbye and leave.  Jesse is such a sweet character, he’s loving and loyal and kind and just a really good guy. He wants to be able to do the right thing for everyone and yet, he’s not really sure what that actually means. Will was a harder character for me to get a read on.  As the story is from Jesse’s POV, it was difficult to really get much of a feeling from him.  He seemed like a really good guy.  He loves Jesse, so very much.  That came through loud and clear.  He moved his life around to be able to support Jesse as he’s struggling.  He’s loyal and he loves Jesse without any reservations.  He’s a great guy.  I just found him to be aloof.  I couldn’t really put any one thought of how I feel about him.  

There was a fair bit of sex in this book.  It’s got lots of BDSM elements in here as well.  I assume if you’ve read the previous books, you know that their relationship was based on this from the very beginning.  However, that’s not all there is to their relationship.  They are a committed, loving couple.  The love that they have for each other was felt on every page of this book.  They are each other’s world. There was an instance of ménage in this story.  It was done so beautifully and tasteful, that I was really surprised and very happy at how it was written.  

There were a few characters in the story that were making a play for our MC’s, but it never went anywhere.  These two would never cheat or leave each other.  It was really nice to see that Will didn’t even notice that this character was interested in him.  He just thought that they were friends.  Jesse’s guy, the one that they had a threesome with, he was in a totally different mindset than Jesse.  Jesse was lonely and wanted a friend.  He thought that it was and when it came to a head, he let the guy down and let him know that it was only Will for him.  I think that it was really sweet the times that they made love to each other.  It showed that they are truly a couple that love each other deeply. 

The story was really good.  It flowed smoothly and I was never taken out of it by grammar errors, etc.  This was such a wonderful story of an ever-evolving relationship.  I really liked that they were an established couple and that they were staying that way.   I will say that I really enjoyed this book.  If you are indeed a fan of the series, I would say this is a great addition.  If like me, you’ve not read the previous books, this will make you want to go back and read about them from the very beginning.  They were wonderful together and I enjoyed their story. I’m intrigued to see how they got together in the beginning.

So, take the time to read this story and either fall in love with them for the first time, or fall further in love with these guys. This book had it all lots of Love, Sex and very low angst.  So, grab a drink, sit in a comfy chair and enjoy. Either way, you won’t be disappointed.

4 Pants Off

Review: Straight Shooter by Heidi Belleau

Straight Shooter (Rear Entrance Video #3) by Heidi Belleau
Riptide Publishing
Novel: 277pgs
4.5 Pants Off

Blurb:
This macho jock has a crooked little secret.

College hockey player Austin Puett is in trouble. Unless he starts treating his flamboyantly gay roommate with respect, he’ll lose his room and his job at Rear Entrance Video. But Austin’s got a not-so-straight secret of his own: nothing turns him on more than insults implying he’s gay—even though he’s definitely not!—and all his old coping methods have stopped working.

Pure desperation drives him to rent a Mischievous Pictures porn flick about straight men tricked into servicing Puck, a male dominant. Instead of letting off steam, though, it just leaves him craving more, more, more, and suddenly, Austin finds himself at Mischievous Pictures Studios for an audition. After all, you can be Gay For Pay and still be straight . . . right?

But meeting Liam Williams, the real person behind Puck, confuses Austin even more. Liam really seems to like him as a person, and Austin likes him back. And while Gay For Pay’s okay, what does it make Austin if he still wants Liam when the cameras aren’t rolling?

Review
Heidi Belleau has done it again with Straight Shooter. I have yet to be disappointed in a story by this author, and in the REV series this book hands down is my favourite. Like my feels had feels and the importance of story when it comes to labels and dealing with sexuality is legit. I'm just in awe and Austin just took my heart a piece at a time (what a dude).

Austin Puett is losing his friends and roommates fast on the account of his being a homophobic asshole to Bobby (Wallflower). He can deal with Bobby just being a gay man but throw in the women’s clothing and he's at the end of wits. Also, he's surrounded by all the gays and he's worried that maybe it might rub off him and he's on the brink of his budding hockey career and as they say "aint nobody got time for that" time for being gay at least. But getting called "fag" and a heap of derogatory names really makes him hot under the collar, and throw in exhibit B, him working at a gay porn store and Austin is beginning worry.

When the roommates give him an ultimatum, to better shape cus not all the times is Bobby going dress like a man. Austin decides it time to become tolerable and while he's doing that maybe check out a few gay porn DVDs here and there. He's feeling confident that his boners in the locker room are for naught when he remains unaffected by them. That is until he pops in a Mischievous Pictures DVD and sees Puck for the first time and his world starts spinning.

Austin considers being gay for pay and his fascination with Puck gets the best of him. He's going into this for all the wrong reasons, and that’s to be dominated, humiliated, and most of all get this "gay" thing out of his system. He never expected Liam though, and Austin finds that his life was simpler when he was just merely questioning his sexuality. Now he's opened up a whole other can of worms and can he mange it (all fingers point to he's out of his league on this one).

Oh Austin you incredibly fantastic dude! I am just so in love with this guy and his asshole fantasticness. I'm also very in love with the story that surpasses the traditional romance novel, and the expected GFY while putting forward a non complicated idea of sexuality. I'm all for more books like this, and it’s no surprise that this one is by Heidi Belleau. Making shit legit since The Saturnalia Effect and writing complex diverse characters. The REV series is 100% great and these guys fill up a space dominated by the cookie cutter white guy with pretty faces.

The relationship that develops between Liam and Austin is golden, very sweet and sexy. I'm all for this, so for this, all down wit this. Straight Shooter is a fantastic addition to an already wonderful series. Legit!

4.5 Pants Off

Review: Book #1 Apple Polisher

Review: Book #2 Wallflower

Review: Exodus by CC Bridges

Reviewed by Whuppsy
Exodus (Heaven Corp. #2) by CC Bridges
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 200pgs
3.5 Pants Off

Blurb:
Henry “Hank” Abraham’s privileged status in the floating city of Heaven lets him flout Morality Laws that control the lives of others. But when he wakes up in the arms of another stranger, only bodyguard Ian Caldwell’s quick thinking saves his life.

Though Ian’s from the low levels and the labor class, he’s used to dealing with the pampered society of Heaven. He’s assigned to protect Hank while angels, cybernetically modified humans who defend Heaven, investigate the assassination attempt. Doing his job means Ian must ignore his growing interest in Hank. Acting on their mutual attraction would certainly get Ian reprogrammed, something neither of them can afford.

When Hank follows Ian to a popular BDSM club in Downside and his ID chip is lost during a nearly fatal mugging, he finds himself locked out of Heaven. As Ian fights to get them home, rumors of impending war begin to circulate—along with more troubling news that Ian is wanted for Hank’s murder. While struggling to keep the man he has come to love safe, Ian must find out who’s behind the plot and if it’s a catalyst for war or just a convenient excuse.

Review
Hank Abraham has lived a life of so much privilege that he’s used to getting what he wants. He’s all about how he is perceived from his social peers and what’s shown on the news feeds. However, even though he’s been self-centered in his life, with the events that are happening, that is all about to change. He’s now been targeted for assassination and only one man can save him, Ian, his faithful bodyguard.

Now, Hank isn’t what you’d call the brightest thinker in the world. He’s so used to having lived his life a certain way and when that has to change, it was pleasant to see Hank really step up and grow. To see Hank become aware of another and to care what happened and as events grow bigger and bigger, to see this once foolish young man, grow into a stronger version of himself. He doesn’t always get it right, but his heart is in the right place.

Ian, is the wonderful character that is from the other side of the tracks, so to speak. He’s worked hard to get where he is in his career. He knows that no matter what, he’ll always be seen as “below” the ruling caste system of Heaven. He’s good enough to protect and die for them, but he’d never be good enough to love and be seen with in public. Another strike against him that no one knows about is that Ian is a Dom and he’s in love with Hank. Those things could very well get him in serious trouble.

It was fun watching these two characters have their misunderstandings and try to fight the attraction that they have for one another. To see both of the characters come into their own and deal with what they were feeling and especially what was happening around them. Again, I will say that I loved Hank’s transformation the most. That he’d do anything for Ian and did so. That he was no longer the spoiled young man that he had been in the beginning of the story was really nice to see.

It was nice to see that even though this story took place in a post-apocalyptic world, that there were still characters that had good hearts and others that will still use other people to get their own visions of what the world should be like. It wasn’t as horrific as some of the other post-apocalyptic dystopian society stories that I’ve read before. It was different with the use of Heaven and the 360 and Downside. The three different levels, the people, and demons.

I will say that it was a very intriguing story. I loved the romance between Hank and Ian. It was sweet with a bit of BDSM. I also liked the bit of mystery/suspense that was prevalent throughout the story. Who was behind the attempts on Hank’s life and why? What was going to happen between Hank and Ian? How were they going to live a life in the open as a couple?

Definitely worth taking the time to read this story and enjoy the love affair of Hank and Ian.

3.5 Pants Off

Review: The Foster Family by Jaime Samms

Reviewed by Whuppsy
The Foster Family by Jaime Samms
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 330pgs
3.5 Pants Off

Blurb:
Growing up in foster care has left Kerry Grey with little self-esteem or hope for his future. A college dropout, Kerry scrapes by on a part-time job at a garden nursery. His friendship with his boss and working with the plants are the only high points in Kerry’s life. He’s been dating the man who bullied him at school, but when his boyfriend abandons him at a party, Kerry wanders down the beach to drown his sorrows in a bottle of scotch. 

Malcolm Holmes and Charlie Stone have been together for fifteen years. Despite Charlie's willingness to accept Malcolm's unspoken domination in bed,something is missing from their relationship. Early one morning, they rescue a passed out Kerry from being washed away by the tide and Charlie immediately senses a kindred spirit in the lost younger man. When Kerry’s roommate kicks him out, Malcolm and Charlie invite him into their home. As Charlie and Kerry bond over Charlie’s garden, Malcolm sees Kerry may be just who they have been looking for to complete their lives. All they have to do is show Kerry, and each other, that Kerry's submissive tendencies will fit their dynamic. 

But someone is sabotaging Kerry at every turn. As he struggles to discover the culprit, he fears for the safety of his new friends. If Malcolm and Charlie cannot help, their lifelong search for their perfect third may not end with the happily ever after they imagined.

Review
This story had so much going on that I was confounded just a bit. These three men were so I don’t like saying broken, but they were broken for lack of a better word.

Kerry is this young guy who has been in foster care since he was a wee lad of three. He’s been bounced from home to home. He’s found a way to protect himself by pushing most people away. Keeping them at an arm’s length away. That way, it won’t hurt if they have to part ways. He’s allowed his high school nemesis to have sex with him without any real boundaries or care about himself. He’s this lost boy that doesn’t know his worth. That he matters and during this story, he’ll have to learn his worth.

Malcolm Holmes is one half of the two men that Kerry falls in love with. He’s in his mid-30’s and he’s also been brought up in the foster system. His experience was a bad one. He’s use to cut himself when he felt out of control. Now, for Mal, control is a very big thing. He prides himself on keeping control at all times. However, Mal still has some issues that need to be worked out. Not just with himself, but in his long-term relationship with Charlie.

Charlie Stone is the other half of the couple that Kerry finds himself in love with. Charlie works as a personal assistant in an art gallery. Charlie used to be a photographer, but he no longer does that. Charlie also was brought up for a brief time in the foster system, but he was adopted out. His life isn’t all that he thought it would be.

Charlie and Mal have been in a relationship for 15 years and they keep adding guys who could be their third. Someone who can give each of them what they need. For Mal, it’s someone to spoil and take care of, like he wasn’t as a child. For Charlie, it’s someone to give him the submission that he requires. Mal and Charlie have been in this relationship that has worked but that there is something missing. Something isn’t quite right. Kerry comes in and it shatters the illusion that their relationship is fine.

I like that all of these characters weren’t perfect. I liked that each of them had issues that they really needed to work out in order for them to actually have a true relationship. I liked that that they really had to work on themselves. That no one else could fix them. That they had to do the work. They had support, but they had to do the work.

The secondary characters were really good in this story. I liked how they really pushed the characters to see themselves. They made them take accountability for their actions. That showed that they cared. They were honest and loving to the MC’s. Gave them what they needed, but also allowed them to have the room to make mistakes and also to grow.

I will say that this book did have some confusing parts to me. I didn’t understand why Kerry went back to Seattle for months on end to his last Foster Father’s house. I mean, I got it but I wasn’t ok with the length of time that he was there. I get that he needed to work on himself, but really? I also get that he needed to leave for Mal and Charlie to get their relationship back on track for them to grow as a couple and as individuals.

I will say that I had a hard time getting into these characters. I didn’t really care one way or the other about them. I find that the story wasn’t as enjoyable to me as I’d hope. The premise of the story was so amazing to me that I think I had such higher expectations than what I got.

I would say, it’s an ok book. It wasn’t bad just different. There was so much going on that I couldn’t really connect with any of the characters. I liked that each of the MC’s weren’t perfect. That Mal and Charlie weren’t perfect. That Kerry wasn’t perfect. I liked that all three of these men had issues that they needed to work on and that they did. That they wanted to have a relationship that included all 3 of them, but they knew that they each had to fix the issues that were holding them back.

Overall, it was an ok book. It didn’t live up to my expectations, but it was a pretty good book, nonetheless. Good character growth, which I really liked.

3.5 Pants Off

Review: Strain by Amelia C. Gormley

Reviewed by Whuppsy
Strain by Amelia C. Gormley
Riptide Publishing
Novel: 375pgs
5 Pants Off

Blurb:
Rhys Cooper is a dead man. Cut off from the world since childhood, he’s finally exposed to the lethal virus that wiped out most of the human race. Now his only hope for survival is infection by another strain that might confer immunity. But it’s sexually transmitted, and the degradation he feels at submitting to the entire squad of soldiers that rescued him eclipses any potential for pleasure—except with Darius, the squadron’s respected, capable leader.

Sergeant Darius Murrell has seen too much death and too little humanity. He’s spent a decade putting plague victims out of their misery and escorting survivors to a safe haven he can never enjoy. He’d rather help Rhys live than put him down, so when Rhys can’t reconcile himself to doing what’s necessary to survive, Darius is forced to save Rhys in spite of himself.

But with each passing day, it looks less and less likely that Rhys can be saved. Which means that soon Darius might have to put a bullet in the head of the one person in years who reminds him of what it means to be human.

Review
I will tell you that I read the blurb on the Riptide Website and I requested this book because it sounded so unlike anything that I’d read before. I’ve not read a bunch of Post-Apocalyptic books before and I wanted to stretch my brain a bit and see if I could be carried away. I WAS!!! Barely stopped to sleep, I had to finish this book!!!

This was not an easy story. This was such a harsh world that Rhys and the others lived in. The story wasn’t one of things/the world getting better, however, it was about survival. This is a complex story regarding just what you will do to survive and what you need to survive.

Let’s begin with what happened to the world, hmm? So there was this man-made virus that was to be used in viral warfare, the virus worked-ish. There was the main virus Alpha that was created for the Juggernauts. These were soldiers who were first infected and used as guinea pigs to see how the virus worked. They now protect survivors from the Zombie like creatures called Revs. Revs were people who got a certain mutated strain of the virus and it didn’t kill them, however, what it did was change them until there wasn’t a shred of humanity left. The other mutated strain of the virus become Rot which is just basically saying that you’re going to die. No ands, ifs or buts about it. Nothing can stop it.

Rhys is a 19 year old young man who has lived the past 7 years in hiding from the Revs and Rot. He has been emotionally and physically abused almost from the moment he and his family arrived. He was made to feel that his being gay was against God and the Church. The religious zealot that ran the monastery and his son, were Rhys’ chief tormentors. We don’t get to see it first hand, but due to what Rhys says and his feelings and the memories that we are privy too, you get a clear vision of what his life was like.

Rhys actions throughout most of this book were so very complex and yet so very simple. He was fighting about 7 years worth of abuse in regards to what he wanted and what he craved, both sexually and emotionally. The want/the cravings that Rhys has were so mired in the harsh, religious household from which he’d been living in.

Darius was a different sort of Alpha Man for me I loved that he took on the responsibility to help Rhys out. But I also loved just the way he led his team. The strength of character and strength of mind that he showed throughout the book also drew me to him. I liked that even when he finally really owned up to wanting Rhys and the possessive feelings that he’d been having for awhile, that he still wanted to make sure that make sure that it was something that Rhys wanted. That he didn’t just gloss over them and take what he wanted, just made me fall a bit for him.

Now, I will say that this book was a really dark read. There is lots of sex in here. That must be known from the get go. You also should know that a lot of what happens is dubious consent. Rhys has to have sex with multiple men in the hopes that he will get cured from an infection that he received in the very beginning of the book. If you don’t like sex with multiple partners and what is considered dubious consent, this might not be the book for you.

I liked the secondary characters in this book. Each of them was different in temperament and yet they were all such skilled warriors. Xolani was my FAVORITE Character in this story. She was a wonderfully strong female character. She was tough and decisive. She is a strong second in command for Darius. Where he needs to see not only the obvious, but to see what needs to be done. She is AMAZING!! I love how she says some very insightful things that really makes you pause and think about the meaning of her words. The other guys/gals that make up the Jugs are pretty cool as well. No one that survived has had an easy life and yet, through it all, they retain this wonderful sense of humanity.

Overall, this book was so very well done. The story actually flowed so smoothly that I couldn’t believe that it was over. Amelia had me from the very first page until the very end. I liked that it was more a HFN, we don’t know how it truly ends. Just that this part is over. I liked that both Rhys and Darius had some issues to work on that eventually they had to learn to speak to each other and actually say what they wanted and how they felt. It was such a dark, complex story with wonderful world-building.

You. Will. Not. Be. Disappointed. By. Reading. This. Book.

5 Pants Off

Review: Wrapped in Leather by M.A Church

Reviewed by Whuppsy
Wrapped in Leather by M.A Church
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 210pgs
4 Pants Off

Blurb:
To celebrate his decision to take the next step with his boyfriend Ian, Toshi Baylor plans a romantic evening at their favorite steak house. Toshi starts the special weekend with a bang by surprising Ian at home with lunch. There’s a bang all right, but it’s between Ian and another guy. 

Jase Taylor’s auto repair shop and the BDSM club, Wrapped Up, keep him busy while he waits for Mr. Right, instead of Mr. Right Now. He’s a Dom, but playing with the club’s submissives isn’t providing the usual stress release. After a day from hell, he deserves a good meal at his favorite steak house. 

Toshi and Jase find a mix-up with their reservations: a table for Baylor, not Taylor. When Toshi invites Jase to dine with him, they discover a mutual affection for leather and a shared belief that trust must be earned. 

Before they can explore their common interests, Toshi suffers a series of attacks by vandals. Jase’s protective instincts kick in, but both wonder if it can lead to anything permanent.

Review
Toshi is a high school teacher that has been in a relationship for about 6 months and he goes to visit his boyfriend at his apartment one afternoon and finds him in bed with another guy. Toshi is upset and very understandably so. Before he leaves, he puts the shrimp from a meal that he brought over to share, all over his ex’s place. Smelly and creative, I like it.

Jase owns his own auto repair shop. He’s this great guy who wants a real relationship. But not just any relationship, he’s a Dom and he wants a submissive partner, someone who will give Jase his submission to him and allow him to be the Dom that he longs to be. Toshi and Jase meet at a steakhouse one night and they share a table together. They end up having a great conversation and being very attracted to each other. They end up getting together and begin a relationship.

I have to say that I liked that the relationship grew. It wasn’t insta-love, but they got to know each other. They got to see what a new relationship between them looks like. It was the discovery of each person as an individual and also as part of a couple. There was a bit of a mystery in the story. Someone was messing with Toshi and I have to admit, I thought I knew who it was at first and then, I figured out who the person was. I liked that I was wrong. I liked being surprised.

I really liked how this took place over several months and not just over the course of a few weeks. They had time to really get to know each other and have a chance to fall in love. I liked that it happened slowly but surely.

Overall, I have to say that I really liked this book. I loved the pacing and the way that the story flowed together. I never felt jarred out of the story, which happens a lot of the time. A wonderful read and just spicy enough to keep you wanting more.

4 Pants Off

Review: Top Bidder by Sean Michael

Reviewed by Whuppsy
Top Bidder (Hammer #20) by Sean Michael
Torquere Press
Short Story: 49pgs
3 Pants Off

Blurb:
Kurt joined the staff as a waiter at the Hammer Club because he wanted a Master of his own. He’s shy, though, and just one boy among the many looking for that special someone to dominate them. In fact, he’s working the night of the Hammer’s Annual Christmas Auction when Master Marcus asks him to fill in for a sub stuck in traffic.

Master August noticed Kurt when he first started working at the Hammer, but hadn’t approached the boy, wondering if they were compatible. When he sees Kurt on the auction block, he figures it’s the perfect time to test out their chemistry without putting any pressure on either of them.

Will Kurt and August find what they’re looking for in each other? Find out in the Christmas Hammer tale.

Review
This sweet, tender BDSM story was a quick, easy read. It was fun and easy story regarding this cute young man, Kurt. He’s just absolutely sweet as pie. He is so shy and innocent and yet he really wants to experience all that he sees at the club. But he wants it to special. Not some backroom hook-up.

Enter Master August; he’s had his eye on Kurt since he first started. He bids on and wins Kurt for the evening. He is so sure that Kurt is all that he wants and when they get together, it’s all that he dreamt of and more for both of them.

If you’ve read any of Sean’s Hammer stories, you’ll recognize a couple of previous characters that have brief cameos in this story. However, you don’t have to have read the prior books. As a standalone short story, it’s good. It was very much an insta-connection story. Not so much insta-love as it is so very short.

Overall, this is a good short story. The characters are developed enough that you get a brief insight into who they are. It flowed rather smoothly for such a short story. It was a sexy without being smutty and that made for a sweet little holiday story. Enjoy!!

3 Pants Off

Review: Dirty Deeds by SE Jakes

Reviewed by Whuppsy
Dirty Deeds (Dirty Deeds #1) by SE Jakes
Riptide Publishing
Short Story: 94pgs
5 Pants Off

Blurb:
Two seasoned operatives finally meet their match: each other.

Cillian works for the mysterious Special Branch 20: an organization that runs black ops commissioned by the British government. His specialty is deep undercover assignments with virtually no support. He’s been alone for so long that he no longer knows anything else.

Mal’s also used to being alone. Wanted in several states and even more countries, he’s not allowed in the vicinity of any of his former Navy SEAL teammates. And his current assignment is to track Cillian in order to discover the spook’s endgame. Except he’s no longer sure which one of them is getting played.

Cillian isn’t about to let the mission that’s consumed him for the past several years crumble because an outsider is poking around where he doesn’t belong. But Mal forces his way through Cillian’s defenses—and into his heart—exposing a devastating betrayal that could destroy them both.

Review
OH MY LANTA!! This book was AMAZING!!! I had my mouth open the entire time I read this short story. S E Jakes Nailed it!!

Here you have Mal and Cillian and boy, does this book grab you and never lets go!! Mal is this wonderfully brutal man that you met a couple of times as a secondary character in the Hell or High Water Series. He doesn’t speak as his throat was cut and it ruined his vocal cords. He’s a wanted man and can’t even be around his SEAL teammates without breaking the law. He’s hunting Cillian and that’s where ALL the fun begins.

Cillian is Prophet’s neighbor and a Spy for the British Government. He’s this very dark and mysterious man who keeps his thoughts and deeds close to his chest. He’s been working on finding an elusive ex-teammate of Mal and Prophet. He’s working hard and is getting closer to his target when he meets this man in a bar and his world gets turned upside down.

These two men meet and sparks are flying off the page!! From that moment on, they get to know each other via IMing. They flirt and even have meaningful conversations. They find that they have more in common than they thought, which surprises them both. They slowly but steadily fall for each other and neither of them really knows what to do with that knowledge.

There is plenty of action and violence in this story, as with any S E Jakes story. S E really spins a great story regarding her military/covert ops men. You fall for each and every one of them as you get more into their heads. These men show that even though they do these dangerous careers, they have issues that also need to be overcome. There is some good angst in this story with the secret that shows up. It will leave you breathless!!

Overall, I will say this book was AMAZING!! I didn’t want to put it down and I Definitely didn’t want it to end. The way it ended was like…WHAT?!?!

When is the next book coming and it had better be SOON!! HINT, HINT!! This is one book that you will want to read. This story is part of the EE, Ltd (Extreme Escapes, Ltd) universe. I would say that you should read the EE, Ltd books so that you get a feel for what’s going on in this story.

5 Pants Off

Review: Danny's Dom by Nick Hasse

Reviewed by Whuppsy
Danny's Dom (Talon's Keep #2) by Nick Hasse
Self-Published
Short Story: 72pgs
2.5 Pants Off

Blurb:
Danny has always known he was submissive. So when a tall, dark, handsome man saves him from an abusive encounter in New Orleans, who’s to question the knight in shining armor? Fast forward two years and Danny’s man is now his Dom, providing for his every need. But just what kind of business keeps Him away so often and calls Him off in the middle of the day? What makes Danny’s Master keep secrets from him? When things are not adding up, questions arise and it’s time to learn the truth. Who is Danny’s Dom?

Only finding out the truth just may surprise him with an element of chill to add to their already smoldering one.


Review:
Danny meets his Master after his boyfriend at the time, who is abusive to Danny, drags him out of their home for what he’s made for dinner.  His Master pulls him off of Danny and Danny follows his new Master to his car and thus starts his new life.

The next we see of Danny, he’s been with his Master for 2 years.  How his life has changed, he’s in school and has a job.  He takes care of their home.  He’s sad at times that his Master is gone for work and he’s alone more than he’d like to be.  But, he’s so happy when his Master comes home and gives him what he needs.

Ice, Danny’s Master isn’t what you’d call a “normal guy”.  He’s from the land of Fairie.  He’s a Warrior of Winter. He’s been living a dual life, if you will. He loves his pet, Danny and tries to keep his other life far away from him. This works, until someone who wants to hurt Ice makes a play for Danny.

This novella is short and very to the point. I would have loved for this story to be longer and to get more information on these guys.  I’d love to hear more about the war in the Fairie Land. I didn’t really feel as if I got a chance to “know” who the characters are. I think that if this story was longer, that I wouldn’t feel that way.  As it was, I’m rather ambivalent about the story.  I mean, it’s good but there could have been so much more to the story.  I think the fact that there was no real character development, I’m unsure about how I feel about them.

I would say that if you want a quick read with no real angst and a happily ever after, this is the story for you.

I would add, that the dedication was really sweet at the beginning of the story.  It was really touching.

2.5 Pants Off

Review: No Flag by Liz Borino

Reviewed by Whuppsy
No Flag by Liz Borino
Lazy Day Publishing
Novel: 255pgs
3.5 Pants Off

Blurb:
For Mike and Will, “No Flag” meant “come home alive”, but will their love survive what happens next?

Captain Mike Kelley does not ignore his intuition, so when sexy bartender Will Hayes captures his heart, Mike embarks on a mission to win him over to a Domestic Discipline relationship. Will accepts with one caveat: Mike must promise not to renew his Army contract. Mike agrees, and they spend a year building a life together, getting married, and starting a business.

Only days before their café’s grand opening, Mike receives news that threatens everything he and Will have built. The Army invokes the Stop Loss military policy to involuntarily extend his commission and send him back overseas. Will, left alone to cope with the café, must rely on the support of old friends who may no longer be trustworthy. Through emails and Skype calls, Mike and Will keep their love and structure alive…until the day a horrific terrorist attack occurs on Mike’s outpost.

Mike awakens in a hospital with a devastating injury and no memory of the attack. As the only survivor, Mike’s memory may be the key to national security. Mike struggles to cope with his injury and Will struggles to support the man who always held him up. Both fear they have lost their previous relationship. Will has Mike back rather than a folded flag, but in the aftermath of war, can they rebuild the life they had before? Especially when those closest to them may not have their best interests at heart?

Review
Army Captain Mike Kelly meets Will Hayes at a bar where Will is the bartender. They go home that first night and…nothing happens. Nothing happens during the first two months of their relationship. Which by the way is driving Will crazy. Will finally confronts Mike regarding what’s going on. Mike lets Will know that he’s into Domestic Discipline. Will is taken aback regarding this new information, however, he’s intrigued by the thought and he thinks that being with Mike is worth it. He just has one caveat-Mike must not renew his contract with the Army, which Mike does. They sign a contract and move forward in their Love and Lives.

For a year, they’ve worked to make their relationship grow. They get married and start a business together. Everything is going so very well and then the bomb gets dropped. Mike gets called into the office and is told that they are extending his commission under the Stop Loss Policy. They are both understandably upset, but what can they do?

While Mike is away they keep in touch via email and Skype doing their very best to keep the home fires burning. Will is getting support from his friends from college-Seth and Casey. Things are moving along until Mike gets injured during a terrorist attack. Mike returns home fearing that he’s not able to be the man that Will needs him to. That he needs to be to feel whole.

Mike, however, is the only survivor from the terrorist attack and he’s being asked to give a briefing regarding what happened before, during and after the attack. Between this and Will’s “friends” Casey and Seth giving grief, how will this end?

This book was a really good read. I loved seeing the relationship between Mike and Will blossom and grow. To watch and see how they both dealt with the separation and aftermath of the attack. How friendships endure and fail. I will say however, that I wanted to smack Will a couple of times regarding his dealings with Casey. I also didn’t understand Seth’s reactions to what was going on, but I guess it added to the angst of the book.

It was a pretty well paced book. I enjoyed how it ebbed and flowed along. There was no time that I wanted to bang my head on the wall and wish it would move along. I also loved the way the book was set up. Starts with Will learning of the attack and moves back in time to when they first met. I also like that she named the chapters. It gave you a glance into what was going to happen. I liked that the book had some angst, but it was never overwhelming or didn’t drag on and on.

I would say that this is a great book to read. You’ll enjoy reading about Will and Mike make mistakes and find their balance again. If you have a few hours and want to read a book that you will fall into, this is the book for you.

3.5 Pants Off

Review: With or Without Him by Barbara Elsborg

Reviewed by Whuppsy
With or Without Him by Barbara Elsborg
Samhain Publishing
Novel: 347pgs
4 Pants Off

Blurb:
"The most dangerous refuge could be his lover's arms. "

Everyone has at least one deep-seated fear. For Tyler, it's being in debt. He's so desperate to get out and stay out of it, he'll do almost anything-including selling his body at Saturday night sex parties.

But he refuses to open his mind to anyone, especially the men paying to use him however they want. The only time he's truly happy is during the week at college, when he can escape into his music.

The moment Haris sees Tyler playing piano at a concert, he falls hard, and he's willing to do whatever it takes to make the guy his. Even if it means-for the first time in his life-opening his wallet as wide and desperate as his heart.

20,000 to live with a good-looking guy for four months? How can Tyler resist the chance to ditch the sex party scene for good? But neither man realizes how much they're risking. And when outside forces close in, ready to destroy them, the trickiest part about the next four months could be just surviving.

Review
This story starts off with young Tyler Bellamy going to his Saturday night sex party. It’s not something that he enjoys doing in the least. He does it to pay off his school debts. Tyler grew up in foster care after the tragic deaths of his family. He’s been alone and he’s struggled. He’s now in college aiming for a degree in music. He’s only been doing this for the last couple of months, but he’s starting to hate himself for doing this, but he figures anything to help him get out of debt. It’s only his body. Never his heart or soul.

Enter Haris Evans. He’s this wealthy, older gentleman who sees Tyler the night he performs at a school recital. He is smitten with the younger man. He follows Tyler from the recital hall to his next “appointment”. Once he’s there, he sees that Tyler is hurt and afraid. Haris quickly comes up with a distraction and gets Tyler out of there. He wants Tyler and he’s willing to pay him $20,000 for four months.

As the story moves along you find out how Tyler’s family died. You find out why is he is the way he is. Why he comes across so hard and aloof. You also learn about Haris’ life. How he was born in Saudi Arabia and expelled from the country. Why he has scars on his back.

Their relationship is fraught with miscommunications and omissions. They move forward two steps and fall one step back. Yet, they keep plugging along in this boundary pushing relationship of theirs. However, what they don’t know is that they are caught up in the perfect storm from outside forces.
Tyler’s recent past of Saturday night hookups are coming back to haunt him. He’s trying to get out and they won’t take no for an answer. Haris’ past is coming back to haunt him as well. They have to band together and are fighting for their lives.

Now, for one of the best characters..Wilson!! He’s Haris’ butler, driver, etc. He’s the best little comic relief. He’s this wonderful blend of hypochondriac and sarcastic smartass. He adds the right blend of fun to this book. His love affair with taking in dogs and nursing them back to health is just so freaking appealing. I love his loyalty to Haris. I also love that he’s also Haris’ sounding board and gives him what he needs the most…the unvarnished truth.

I loved watching Tyler’s growth in this story. How at the very beginning he was the man who never gave anything of himself and how he grows into this stronger man who can both give and receive love. How he learn to trust and give of himself. It was beautiful to see. I enjoyed Haris as well. Here was a man that survived this horrific event in his past and yet he found a way to keep going. To survive his past and make something of himself. To see his growth and also find love and allow it in his life. I enjoyed watching the missteps that they took and yet still find their way back to each other.

This book was overall a great read. It has tragedy, angst, mystery, humor, love, hope and redemption. This book is worth taking the time to read. It’s always fun to read a book that combines so much goodness and let it take you away. I love watching people making their own families and fighting for them.

4 Pants Off