Review: Wheels and Heels by Jaime Samms

Wheels And Heels (Stories from the Hen & Hog #1) by Jaime Samms
Riptide Publishing, Amazon, Goodreads
Novel: 265pgs

3.25 Pants Off

Blurb: As a teenager, Ira Bedford fled a troubled home life and people who didn’t understand his penchant for feminine things. In the city, he fell in with Cedric, who found him work as an underage stripper. It took him years to escape Cedric’s influence and try to build a life of his own.

Now, he just wants to be left alone to create his art. But Cedric’s on-going harassment means Ira had to drop out of art school, is squatting in a friend’s apartment, and is still relying on his allure as a sexy, skirt-wearing exotic dancer to pay his bills.

Then he meets Jed. Part-time bartender and the apartment building’s superintendent, Jed is just the right mix of strong, kind, and protective to pull Ira out of hiding. He also welcomes Ira into his chosen family at the Hen and Hog Pub. But Ira yearns for more. Still, he doesn’t dare to hope that Jed will want him and his questionable past, his skirts and high heels, his hang-ups, and the profession he seems unable to escape. But Jed will do anything to prove him wrong.

Review

HEELS AND FEELS

A part of me likes this story and another part of me is in my “meh-ish” feels. While it was cute and all that, for me it’s also easily forgettable. 

Ira, struggling art student and exotic dancer. He loves the prettier things in life, and while he remains true to himself by wearing his heels and skirts it gets him a lot of flack. Throwing the dancing for money in the mix and people generally just stereotype him for a tweaked out whore. Ira has his quirks and he’s also got his demons that he’s trying to get away from. Then there’s Jed who came to his rescue on his bike. Jed who is the epitome of a nice guy, and what Jed needs to understand is that Ira doesn’t need saving (or so he keeps insisting). 

What I really was hoping for, was to enjoy this story a lot more but alas that wasn’t the case. I didn’t not like it but it’s a sort of  “meh” like. It wasn’t horrible but it wasn’t very good either. Ira’s contradictory personality made it sometimes irritating to read, and some of the fool choices both men made could have been easily avoided. The villain in the story could have easily been handled and way too much time was spent on his unnecessary story-line. I found that part to be hella weak and everything could have been handled quickly. Between Ira and the over exaggerated mean guy, I didn’t want any more. 

I did enjoy the setting of the story, the very own streets I’ve walked here in Toronto. So kudos for a strong sense of place. Also, the supporting characters were quite interesting and there are a few people that I’m very interested in and would love to read their story. 

Overall, I liked it but still felt a tad bit disappointed. Which is darn shape because it had the makings of a really good book but the delivery was off and I found the book to be contradicting itself sometimes. Ira wanted to be seen as strong and that he didn’t need a protector but would feel happy about being protected and got mad when Jed failed one time to come to his rescue. The fact that Ira likes to dress up was a great part of the book but sadly it didn’t help my enjoyment.

Review: Sanctuary Found by Sloane Kennedy

Sanctuary Found (Pelican Bay, #2) by Sloane Kennedy
Amazon
Novel: 307pgs

4 Pants Off

Blurb: Coming home should be the easiest thing in the world, but I've never felt more lost...

When his stellar military career comes to an abrupt and terrible end, thirty-two-year-old Maddox Kent returns to the town he never planned to step foot into again, hoping to mend the rift he himself caused with the brother he left behind. But coming home means facing some hard truths about himself and his actions. When he has the chance to start making amends by helping his brother with the wildlife sanctuary he runs, Maddox is thrown another curveball when a stranger appears...

As long as we keep moving, everything will be okay. That's what I keep telling myself, anyway...

For twenty-one-year-old Isaac, Pelican Bay is only supposed to be a stopping point on the trek from San Francisco to New York. With his little brother, Newt, in tow, Isaac is just looking to make things right by returning something of value to a person he wronged. But "getting lost" in the next big city proves to be a problem when the brutal Minnesota winter claims Isaac's car and strands him and Newt at the animal sanctuary. When the owners of the place offer him a job, a desperate Isaac agrees, despite the presence of a man Isaac instinctively knows could be his downfall...

It should be so easy to let him go, but I can't. And not just because I want to protect him...

Nothing about Isaac makes sense to Maddox. Not his piercings or makeup or flashy clothes. And most certainly not the snarky mouth that doesn't match the vulnerability Maddox sees in the younger man's eyes. But one thing does make sense to the hardened former soldier. Isaac is running from something, and Maddox's gut is telling him not to let Isaac and little Newt go until he can ferret out the truth.

But having Isaac around means trying to make sense of something else Maddox isn't expecting... his own body's response to the beautiful younger man. Aside from their explosive chemistry, nothing about the straitlaced soldier and the secretive misfit works.

But maybe that's exactly why it does...


NOTE: Can be read as a standalone (no cliffhangers) but more enjoyment may be had by reading book 1, Locked in Silence, first.


Review

 LACY PANTIES FOUND

The second book in the Pelican Bay series and what I like to call the hating ass town. I was kind of iffy about reading this one since the first book pissed me off so much and I didn’t want to deal with that kind of emotion again. Luckily, this book was most focused on the couple and I didn’t have to deal with inhabitants that spend all their days drinking haterade. But, while there was less about the town it didn’t mean there weren’t snippets that pissed me off, and Maddox that guy he pissed me off, but we cool now. 

We first met Maddox and Isaac at the end of “Locked in Silence” and from the get go you could tell their story was going to be interesting and sexy as hell. I can honestly say I was not disappointed. Isaac who is running from something with his little brother get taken in at the animal sanctuary and begin to build a little family with the guys from LiS and of course Maddox. While sparks fly between the two men their coming together is rather tumultuous and there’s a lot of preconceived notions that have to be thrown out. 

Maddox is dealing with PTSD and his very first attraction to a man and it’s messing with his head. Also mans doesn’t know how to use his words so he finds himself in a lot of situations where Isaac is jumping to conclusions and he’s doing nothing to diffuse the bomb. Isaac, was very defensive and could not differentiate between help and pity. His redeeming quality is being able to put it all on the line to keep his little brother safe and his willing to do it all to make sure they have money to survive. 

An incident in a motel room leads to a clash between the men but it also begins their love story. Isaac understands Maddox like no one else could, and Maddox finds himself caring deeply for the young man and his little brother. They begin to burrow themselves within his heart and he starts to think maybe he isn’t such a waste man and maybe he can begin to heal from old hurts and right the wrongs of hurts he’s caused especially to his brother and perhaps he can have some form of redemption. Because the sanctuary isn’t just for the animals, it’s become a place of refuge for him also.  

Alright, the story was good. The writing was good, and just everything came together really well. I was hella annoyed in the beginning with Maddox rehashing the hating ass town of old, and his involvement in isolating and hating on his brother and let me tell you folks it did nothing to help me go over to his side of things. I will never forgive that a town isolated and hated on a man who did nothing wrong, and Maddox knew how problematic his parents were and still acted a darn fool. The town melodrama then melts into the background (hallelujah) and our love story rises like a Phoenix from the ashes. Isaac and Maddox start to heat things and melt all the snow they were surrounded by.  

The plotty device, while very sad didn’t really add any meat to the story. I could have done with more of Maddox’s PTSD , and less of Isaac hooker boy ways but I understand the need in creating a backstory for Isaac hooker ways, but there would have been nothing wrong if he was just doing it because he wanted to. I absolutely adored Newt, Issacs little brother he really created a nice balance in the story and was an important part of the story. Children can just be backdrop in stories, providing no real presence but Newt was very much a part of Sanctuary Found and its as much his story as it is Maddox/Isaacs.  

Overall, a great addition to the series. It had the right amount of heat with sweet and while it didn’t “wow” me it didn’t disappoint me either. Sloan Kennedy is becoming an author I enjoy reading. Her stuff, some formulated but still very entertaining and I always find myself unable to stop reading. Looking forward to reading more about this town and hating ass ways, who else will succumb to love in Pelican “town haters” Bay?? 

Review: Book #1 Locked in Silence

Review: Taylor Maid by Tara Lain

Taylor Maid (Dreamspun Desires #5) by Tara Lain
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 218pgs

4 Pants Off

Blurb: He'll marry the maid to get $50 million but a secret could queer the deal.

Taylor Fitzgerald needs a last-minute bride.

On the eve of his twenty-fifth birthday, the billionaire’s son discovers that despite being gay, he must marry a woman before midnight or lose a fifty-million-dollar inheritance. So he hightails it to Las Vegas… where he meets the beautiful maid Ally May.

There’s just one rather significant problem: Ally is actually Alessandro Macias, son of a tough Brazilian hotel magnate. But if Ally keeps pretending to be a girl for a little while longer, is there a chance they might discover this marriage is tailor-made?

Review

Maid To Love You

I do believe this might be my fave book in the Dreamspun series so far. I found it cute as hell, and I love a man that dresses up just because he freaking can. This book had secret riches, a surprise dick, and two young dudes just falling in love. It was adorable!! 

Taylor Fitzgerald is on the cusp of his 25th birthday and looking forward to it because he will inherit 50 million that his grandfather left him. What he didn’t expect was that his inheritance came with a little extra something, he has to be married in order to receive the money. Just one day until his birthday and Taylor has to find a wife fast, only problem is that he’s very much gay and marrying a man won’t do. Taylor needs the money to do some good, so what’s a man to do when he needs a wife? He’ll have to pay someone to fill the role for a bit. 

With a plan to put into action Taylor makes his way to Vegas, but his plans don’t fall through and all he has left is to convince the pretty maid with the beautiful voice to accept his marriage proposal. Ally May is beautiful and Taylor is drawn to her which he can’t quite explain because he’s never been attracted to a woman, when Ally accepts the proposal and they get married everything seems to be falling into place. All that’s left is to convince the lawyers that this marriage is a love match, and to convince his dick that he isn’t attracted to women (his dick ain’t listening). 

Ally is enchanting and Taylor is very much under her spell. She’s beautiful, charming, intelligent, and sexy as hell and she has everyone believing their little charade. Taylor is very much close to getting his 50mil, but Ally’s surprise penis puts a dent in their plans and suddenly the attraction makes total sense. Can Taylor get his money's worth or is the future bleak for him and his wife now turned husband? Well Taylor is willing to go down with the ship and enjoy Ally’s company in the process because a search for a wife gave him the husband he never knew he needed. 

He cocked his head. “Truthfully, I’m a little nervous.” 

“Why?” “Maybe you won’t like me as a boy.” 

“Uh, excuse me, sir. Was that your ass I was just fucking?” 

Seriously, this book was fecking cute. There isn’t anything really plotty, and it’s not great but it is a feel good read. Tailor Made has that kiss the frog turn to a Prince vibe but with a twist (kiss the wife turn to a Prince). Throw in the asshole dad, the ever in your business lawyers, and the neat coming together ending and you have a nice well balanced read. For a moment there I thought they were going to not have the money and I almost cried, that would have upset me so much and I don’t even know why 😭 sometimes you gotta have the money for the kids. 

Overall, a sweet read with a happily ever after. Loved the concept of a man who isn’t afraid to dress up a little (well a whole lot in this case) there was even tucking. Taylor Maid was very sweet!!

Similar Reads: Choices and Changes by K.L Belanger, Dressed to Thrill by Kimberly Gardner 

Review: Black Hurricane by Erica Pike

Black Hurricane (Boston Boys #3) by Erica Pike
MLR Press
Novel: 259pgs
4 Pants Off

Blurb:
Twenty-three year old Jasper Jones fell in love with Dean McQueen at fourteen, but after a disastrous relationship, Jazz would like nothing better than to see the rock star choke on his own vomit.

After a catastrophic reunion, Dean seems bent on destroying Jazz’s life. It all started when an impromptu bar performance ended up on YouTube and Jazz became an internet sensation overnight. The name “Jazdean” keeps popping up in headlines and the paparazzi stalk his every move. To make matters worse, Jazz is about to end up on the streets for the second time in his life.

In a desperate attempt to keep his home, Jazz signs a deal with Dean’s band, Black Hurricane, to perform at a couple of concerts. It feels like one of Dean’s feeble attempts to get Jazz back, but painted into a corner like he is, Jazz has no choice.

Note: Can be read as a standalone

Review
I am a huge fan of the Boston boys after reading A Life Without You by Erica Pike and that was the book that made me fall in love with the author. So yeh really excited to read Black Hurricane because Jazz has been an amazing sexy character throughout the series and I just was so ready for his HEA. While Black Hurricane is absurdly entertaining I was still disappointed with the overall story and I did not love it as much as I had hoped.

Jasper *Jazz* Jones is single, hot, and has an amazing group of friends. Yes, life is little challenging with making a steady income and keeping his home but he's willing to put in the hard work. When his friend Eric offers a serious amount of cash to take some pics Jasper jumps at the opportunity but he's regretting his decision because that would mean he gets to see Dean McQueen after many years. Dean is the leader of the wildly successful rock group Black hurricane he's also an asshole who broke Jazz's heart back in high-school. Sucks cus he's still sexy as fuck and Jazz just wants someone to ruin that smug face. Jazz his hoping that Dean doesn't recognize him and he doesn't but he's hell bent on getting Jazz into his bed. When Dean shows up at Jazz's place of work his cover his blown and Dean finds out exactly who he is.

Now it becomes a game of cat and mouse with Dean going after his prey and Jazz hell bent on never getting sucked back in. He knows staying away from Dean is the best course of action, too bad Dean can't take a hint and his financial dreams get answered when he's offered to join Black Hurricane on a few charity concerts. Old hurts and old love collides which causes tense filled rehearsals and a sexually charged atmosphere. Now Jazz must listen to his heart or walk away from Dean forever.

Alright, this book confused me in the very beginning. Like Jazz goes to take the pictures of Black Hurricane but comes off like he didn't know Dean was in the band all along and was all surprised then the story moves into like he did know it all along. Maybe I missed something but that was the impression I got. I'm also starting to find the characters a bit superficial which surprises judging from how the series started to where the characters are at now. A Life Without You had so much substance, the characters were so rich and I wanted to know everything about them. Now, I feel like I don't want to know them because I might end up disappointed. There clouded in parties, glitter, and fucking and that’s all I'm seeing.

Yet, the story was still very entertaining and while I'm all types of confused to what happened with such a promising series I am still kinda in love with them. I like Jazz as character but I used to love him and as for Dean he gets a bad rap in this book. I would have liked more from his POV because he's been through some things and it was just too much about poor ole Jazz.

Should You Read It? It’s still a yes for me, and while the last two books doesn't compare to the first in the series they are fun to read. So I still enjoy Erica Pike and I still am looking forward to the other characters story.

4 Pants Off

Review: Book #1 A Life Without You

Review: Book #2 Absolutely Eric

DarienMoya

Review: Plan B by SJD Peterson

Plan B by SJD Peterson
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 200pgs
2.5 Pants Off

Blurb:
Danny Marshal has always lived his life out loud, but his androgynous appearance is only a small part of who he is. One night at a frat party, Danny meets Lance Lenard, football jock and apparent straight guy. Lance is shocked when he's immediately attracted to Danny's feminine side. Danny is happy to be the subject of Lance's first man-on-man experiment—until Lance begins to struggle with the fact that despite his appearance, Danny is indeed a man.

Lance's whole life has been focused on his goal of playing in the NFL, and he knows those dreams will be smashed if anyone finds out about his little secret. Although Lance has come to hunger for Danny's touch, he's not willing to give Danny what he's grown to crave: a boyfriend who's proud to love him for every flamboyant and snarky cell in his body.

Life sends Danny and Lance in different directions, each of them focused on his respective Plan A. But the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.

Review:
All the ways I was excited to read this book, it even made unto my list of January pants droppers so expectation was high (ya think I would learn my lesson by now). I am a huge fan of androgynous characters who like to play with their look and this book looked like it had it spades. Well, it didn't go the way I expected and ended up getting all the bad feels.

Danny Marshal doesn't hide who he is, he likes to be pretty and man is he ever good at it. A little make-up here and some six inch heels and he looks spectacular. Off to be the wingman to his best-friend Bo at a college frat party, Danny would rather be elsewhere but what the hell's a best-friend for? Danny is happy that his friend has found a girl, and Katie seem very sweet but it’s her brother that get things stirring. When Lance asks Danny if he sucks dick, the night goes from bad to worst. Danny is pissed and just wants to head home, to forget what the dumb jock asshole said. It’s a good thing he never has to see Lance again? Or so he thinks.

When Danny runs into Lance again, he never expected him to be polite or to show some interest. Suddenly, their hanging out together, Lance is coming to his plays, and making an actual effort to be a good guy. While Danny fights his attraction, Lance admits he's also attracted to him when he dresses and looks feminine. Which leads to stolen kisses behind closed doors, and sneaking around and Danny wants more. He's lived out and proud his entire life and will not resort to hiding so Lance can keep his straight act up in public, it’s better to walk away no matter how much it might break his heart.

This book has all the things I love reading about but somehow this didn't work for me. With Danny being the first person narrator, I think this is where the story went wrong for me cus I feel like Danny had no story to tell. All I kept reading from him was how fabulous he is, and he could be out getting laid and what not. There were moments when I got real sincerity from him but it all got lost when he would say something obnoxious. He needed a moment to realize that it wasn't all about him, and that is why I did not enjoy him as a character.

Lance had the story to tell, but he just came off as the bad guy. He got no time to prove himself, and everything was done on Danny's time. He was more sincere in his feelings, even bordering on desperation but he remained like a speck in the life of the person who mattered. Where he wasn't willingly being a bastard, Danny did things out of selfishness trying to hurt Lance (gawd, he was petty). I think I told him to "suck it" a few times, and after awhile I just stopped caring and the story lost me. Since Danny was the main focus, and I don't like him (not even a little) Plan B was a disappointment. I don't even want to call it a romance, because I didn't feel it.

Should You Read It? This is one of those books that will vary depending on the reader. I once again could be the odd one because it has all the things I like reading about, a cross-dressing character with attitude, but I think over the entirety of the book that’s all it was. Danny lacked depth, and he really shouldn't have been the entire focus of the story. This is just all me though, because others seem to like this one a lot.

2.5 Pants Off

Review: The Italian Connection Vol.1 by Alex A. Akira

The Italian Connection Vol.1 (Dojo Boys #4) by Alex A. Akira
Triple A Press
Novel: 213pgs
3.5 Pants Off

Blurb:
This swiftly paced 2 Volume romantic Yaoi love story tells the story of the multi-talented thief/dancer Philippe Michael Ponty. First introduced in Dojo Boys: Dragon & Crow Volume II, the now 22 year old platinum haired, petite Adonis struggles to make a home for himself in America.

Volume I finds Philip settling in Connecticut in disguise as he doesn't want to draw too much attention to his true line of work. Despite his caution, he meets and befriends a local rock musician Tommy Sear, who despairs of ever having his band make it.

Quickly smitten by the dark haired, shy Asian male that is Philip, Tommy seeks to make the young man his, but Philip doesn't believe in love, besides he has a very real problem, he can't seem to get the victim of his last burglary, green eyed, virile Italian male... out of his mind.
With Philip's encouragement, Tommy renews his efforts to get his band Sear a record deal. He makes a demo and shortly after a scout contacts him, from Italy no less.

The Italian scout is coming to America hear them play in the hopes of signing Sear to the much sought after label Romano Studios. But Tommy has a secret and he's afraid that without Philip's help, they may not get the deal.

Review:
So I went into reading this one without having read the first 3 volumes, and though there were characters I was unfamiliar with, the story was pretty easy to follow. The book begins with Philippe a lithe thief breaking into a home, research says no one should be home but his plans get thwarted when a beautiful man is asleep in a couch in the very room he needs to steal from. Philippe is attracted to him, and wish he could have seen the man under different circumstances but he's got a job to do. What he never expected was a confrontation with the sleeping man and a kiss that would come to change his life.

Julian Romano is in Italy for a little R&R after a very nasty break-up with his partner. He's hurting and was being a bit destructive, and as a part owner with his twin brother Gregori of Romano Records, he needs to have his wits about. What he never expected was to be robbed on his vacay, and to want the thief something fierce. Many months later he's still pheneing for his little thief, but alas real life calls and it’s time to head back home and get back to work.

The book is very fast paced, and I did enjoy pretty much all the characters but I had a few niggles. The constant knowing what every character is thinking was annoying, really killed the flow of reading. So I found myself not reading all those inner thoughts written in italics (it was like a character always having an aside). The flashbacks also felt very contrived and out of order, which once again messed with overall delivery (it probably cause some confusion for readers). While most things seem all over the place, the author manages to bring everything together, but still left me with questions and anticipating reading the next volume. Things is about to get serious.

The thing to remember is that this book is yaoi, from the very core of the plot to how the characters talk to each other. There is a lot of story happening, with many characters and eye rolling moments. The Italian Connection is a fun read, with likable characters, and pretty men all around. An insta love thing going on which works with the story line and Philip's past which is very questionable, will not be for all readers (underage talk of sex) something which is not unusual in yaoi so I wasn't bothered. Overall, I liked it and can't wait to read volume 2.

Should You Read It? If you are a fan of yaoi and enjoy reading about pretty men then this book is for you. The sex part of it is very tame, and mostly it’s all very character based. Needed to be bit cleaner in delivery, but I liked it nonetheless. Plus, that covers is all kinds of pretty!!

3.5 Pants Off

Review: Analyzing Emory by Lily Grace

Analyzing Emory by Lily Grace
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 236pgs
3.75 Pants Off

Blurb:
When a family friend offers him the job of resident psychologist at Chicago’s GLBT Center, Kyle Michelson jumps at the chance to reinvigorate his career, move on from his recent breakup, and get his life back on track. Kyle hopes returning to the familiar territory of his hometown will do him good, but meeting Emory Brenner at a club changes everything.

Anything but familiar, Emory leaves Kyle breathless from the start. There’s just one problem: Kyle wants more than a one-night stand, Emory doesn’t do relationships, and neither man can resist the other. Luckily for Emory, he never has to see Kyle again. Or so Emory thinks until he runs into him while volunteering at the GLBT Center.

Kyle makes Emory want things he never thought he could have and chips away at secrets Emory has kept locked away for years. On the surface, Emory’s recovered from his past: he has a job at a record store and a roof over his head. But putting his trust in another person, having a relationship, means opening himself to more pain—and that is a risk he can’t take.

Review:

Kyle Michelson has just moved back to his hometown to be a psychologist at a youth LGBTQ centre. It’s wonderful being home, because his life back in New York had nothing new to offer him. Helping teens is something he's always wanted to do, so basically he just landed his dream job. The best way to celebrate being home is to hit up the local gay club Spin, but Kyle has no plans to take anyone home, until he sees the beautiful man dancing and also eyeing him.

Emory likes to dance and get lost in the music; it’s there that he can get a new persona. The confident, sexy man that everyone wants to take home, never seeing the scared boy underneath. When his eyes land on the professor looking hottie at the bar, Emory knows he's found his man for the night but what he never expected was that the man would see more than a sexy twink. Kyle being a Dr scares Emory, and when he takes him home Emory just wants to get to the fucking so he doesn't have to feel anything, and Kyle doesn't come to expect anything. When he does something out of the norm like spends the night and eats breakfast with Kyle, Ems knows he's got to bail fast because nothing good can come from him being with someone.

Kyle likes the beautiful boy, and he isn't one for one night stands but Em wasn't someone he could turn down. As much as he is hoping to get to know the young man it’s clear that their night of hot loving is a onetime thing. So for Kyle its time settle in to his new home, and get ready to start his new job. What he never expected was to see Emory again, and for Emory to pretend not to know him.

The author took the alternate route for the men to get to know each other, with the sex part out of the way the build to a friendship/relationship was paced well. I like how they always had to confront their feelings while in the workplace, tortuous for different reason but both wanting the same thing. Mistakes, douche moves and jumping to conclusions which added a bit of something to the plot (not the greatest things but enough that it wasn’t completely bland).

I liked the characters, but I got really tired of Emory's "I'm just a poor boy from a poor family, and had to suck cock for a bit of money". He harped just a little too much when it was very obvious Kyle never cared. I know, his past was tough but for someone who volunteered at a Youth centre you would think he would leave the pity party behind. Kyle is...Kyle, nothing extraordinary about him, but a good counterpart to Emory. Together they are cute, sexually though very tame. Not a lot of sizzle to cause a lot of pants losing but I enjoyed their story.

Should You Read It? If you are looking for something simple and uncomplicated, then this read could be for you. I feel like the story/characters could have gone one step further because it felt very safe (not a bad thing but something more angst driven would have been nice). The cover is so very perfect for the book!