Review: Bookmarked by Piper Vaughn

Bookmarked (Heartsville) by Piper Vaughn
Piping Hot Books
Short Story: 77pgs

4 Pants Off

Blurb
To save his bookstore from closing, Mark Werner realizes it’s going to take a miracle—like getting reclusive, best-selling author Shepherd Knight to agree to appear for a signing.

After their disastrous last encounter, Mark doesn’t hold up much hope Shepherd will agree. Shepherd’s never made a single public appearance. In fact, Mark wouldn’t even know what he looks like had he not accidentally discovered the sexy stranger he’d been flirting with for months, aka “Tall-Dark-and-Grumpy,” was also his fanboy obsession.

But desperate times call for desperate measures. If Mark can convince Shepherd, it’ll be a major coup in the book world and might just save Bookmarked from sinking. Too bad Shepherd won’t reply to his e-mails. Yet Mark didn’t earn the reputation of having a “sunshine-and-rainbow-fart” personality for nothing. He’ll do whatever it takes to get his man… and hopefully not make a fool of himself in the process.

Review
Welcome to the gayborhood, and man don't I want to move there.

Mark Werner is the owner of Bookmarked, a quaint little bookstore in the heart of the gay-friendly neighbourhood “Heartsville”. He's struggling to make ends meet, and the worst thing would be to give up his bookstore that means everything to him. But that doesn't stop him from crushing on the dark, handsome stranger that often visits his store. When he finds out that stranger is his favourite author Shepherd Knight he can't help but fanboy. Too bad the author turns out to be a dick and shuts him down before he even gets to say a few words. Seems Shepherd Knight is not the man he fantasized about, and quite honestly he's a bit of an asshole.

When reality sets in that he might have to give up his bookstore, Mark decides that he's going to save his store. He comes up with an author event of book signings and getting the reclusive Shepherd Knight to be the featured author sounds like the greatest of plans that is until Shep prove to be a bigger asshole than Mark imagined. He doesn't get away with being a douche, this time, Mark gives him a piece of his mind and wonders why he ever had a crush on such a man. Seems being a bit mouthy paid off and Mr Knight comes around with an apology and accepts doing the book signing. Bookmarked might be finally looking towards better times, and Mark might even land his dream man.

Bookmarked is such a sweet, fun read. Lots of sweet bordering on sexy without drama and angst. Mark is such a sweet nerdy character, Shepherd is mysterious and sexy (how I like them). I always find myself falling head over heels for one of the main MCs whenever I read anything Piper Vaughn and Shepherd Knight did it for me in such a few pages. Mark and Shep together are sexy sweet, and you will rejoice for their HEA.

Overall, a sweet fun filled read. You can knock this one out in a few hours, looking forward to reading the other books in the series. 

Review: Junk by Josephine Myles

Junk by Josephine Myles
Samhain Publishing
Novel: 350pgs
4 Pants Off

Blurb:
Letting go is the first step to healing…or bringing it all crashing down.

When an avalanche of books cuts off access to his living room, university librarian Jasper Richardson can no longer ignore the truth. His ever-growing piles of books, magazines and newspapers can no longer be classified as a “collection”. It’s a hoard, and he needs professional help.

Professional clutter clearer and counselor Lewis Miller thinks he’s seen it all, but even he has to admit he’s shocked. Not so much by the state of Jasper’s house, but by the level of attraction he still feels for the sexy bookworm he remembers from school.

What a shame that Lewis’s ethical code forbids relationships with clients. As Jasper makes slow but steady progress, though, the magnetic pull between them is so strong even Lewis is having trouble convincing himself it’s a temporary emotional attachment arising from the therapeutic process.

Jasper longs to prove to Lewis that this is the real deal. But first he’ll have to lay bare the root of his hoarding problem…and reveal the dark secret hidden behind his walls of books.

Review
Jasper Richardson is a librarian and just overall cuddly geek. He goes to work comes homes and does the odd hook up via internet. He doesn't have much of a social and that is mostly in part to the fact that he's hoarder whose life is completely taken over by books. Every room in his home is occupied by books, some rooms he can't access and others there is barely room for him to get in or out of the house. Jasper is embarrassed, he's at his wits end and maybe he's finally in a place to ask for help. He decides on a local professional clutter clearing agency and hope that he can finally get his life order.

Clutter clearer and counsellor Lewis knows he and his sister have their hands full when he sees Jasper house for the first time. Jasper thinks that all the information in books is somehow important and he keeps bringing more stuff home and his home is death trap. Just one wrong move and all those books could start tumbling down on the man he finds so incredibly adorable. The upside is that Jasper is willing to make changes but there is more to Jasper than his hoarding dealing with some underlying emotional issues.

Jasper and Lewis's relationship starts as client/counsellor but it’s very clear their attraction for each other. Lewis is trying to do the right thing and keep it only professional but Jasper isn't having any of that and want more than a working relationship. Of course there are all types of thing that could go wrong and the author does tackle them so them finally coming together is legit. Lewis gives Jasper a few months to make sure his feelings are legit and that he can stand on his own but I kept thinking "Jasper is a grown ass man Lewis. He's a hoarder not a man suffering from being a man-child". Then he becomes all contradictory and moves into Jasper house (said he wasn't gonna do that anymore) which totally irked me. I feel like they could have been partners but Jasper needed to be in his home alone for a bit. I get that the love is strong but I'm not on board with the whole moving in thing.

The writing is amazing like all Jo Myles are but I'm not in love with this one. One thing I did love was seeing Brandon and Jos from When in Amsterdam and they're still freaking awesome. I liked Lewis and really liked Jasper and did enjoy them together but overall I wasn't wowed.

Should You Read It? Of course, Josephine Myles is always a must read for me in everything. While Junk did not make it as a fave for me, it’s still a pretty amazing story about a man finding his happy end and finally breathing.

4 Pants Off

DarienMoya

Review: Astronomical by Silvia Violet

Astronomical by Silvia Violet
Loose-Id
Short Story: 99pgs
4 Pants Off

Blurb:
When sexy, kilt-wearing astronomy professor Greg MacIntyre moves in next door, Blake Theriot knows he's in trouble. Blake is a research librarian, and he likes things orderly and controlled. But in his secret fantasies, he craves a big, powerful man like Greg to stir up his life.

Every time Blake tries to talk to his erudite neighbor, his brain shuts down and his vocabulary is reduced to one-word utterances, but when Blake's niece challenges him to invite Greg to dinner, he does. A few shots of after-dinner whiskey loosen Blake's inhibitions, and the two men share a hot kiss and the promise of more. Can Blake relax enough to give himself a chance with Greg, or will his fear of letting go ruin his hopes for love?

Publisher's note: This book is a revised, re-edited version of one previously released by another publisher under the same title.

Review:
There is nothing greater than two geeks in one book, but add a kilt wearing geek on a ladder and you have gold. I loved the hell out of this cute story, and it’s one of those I would love reading another 100pgs.

Blake Theriot is a research librarian and he spends all his day surrounded by books (he's a total book nerd). He also enjoys the time he spends with his niece and cooking, after his last disastrous relationship Blake isn't looking for a relationship. He likes order, lists, and making plans and adding that in a relationship has taught him a hard lesson. So yeh, single life isn't anything to celebrate but no one can hurt him that way. So when Greg MacIntyre moves in next door, Blake is taking notice. Greg is sex on legs, and sometimes you get to see those legs because Greg is the kilt wearing type. When his evil genius niece suggest they invite Greg over for dinner, Blake knows he's gonna lose his heart and pop serious boners at the dinner table.

Hard to fathom Greg being interested in him but it turns out that he is and their chemistry is off the chain. But of course there’s the doubt that eventually Greg will tire of him eventually so what’s the point in even starting something. It will take his niece and sister to show him how much of an idiot he's being, and maybe having Greg in his life wearing kilts on a ladder might be worth a little heartache.

I really liked this one, very cute and sexy because two nerds are better than one. Really like Blake, he's all bookish, insecure, and I love a man that can cook. Greg wears a kilt on a ladder (nough said). Together their cute, though not enough pages to delve in their relationship the impression is that their solid and will make it. A cute short read!

Geek Level: A solid 4 out of 5. Greg is an Astronomy professor and he says something that are just so smart and he watches The Last Airbender with Blake's niece. Blake is just geeky and loves books with the added nerd factor of his upcoming geeky niece (also into astronomy).

4 Pants Off

ARC Review: Velocity (Impulse #3) by Amelia C. Gormley

Velocity (Impulse #3) by Amelia C. Gormley
Self-Published
Novel: 210pgs
4+ Pants Off

Blurb:
REACHING OPTIMUM SPEED

For Detroit handyman Derrick Chance and his lover, Gavin Hayes, the holiday season is filled with the promise of new beginnings. Gavin’s officially moving in, and after the New Year, they’ll begin house hunting. But they both know all the talk of gift exchange, whose holiday ornaments go where, and what repairs and remodels will be needed to put Derrick’s house on the market is only a smoke screen.

Before the month is over, Gavin will have the final verdict on whether or not his dangerously delusional ex, Lukas, infected him with HIV. No matter how good Gavin’s chances appear with the three-month hurdle already passed, neither he nor Derrick knows what the future holds for them.

The holidays have always been a time of loss and mourning for Derrick, but now he has to stay strong as Gavin’s own fears and doubts assail him relentlessly. And when Lukas returns, unexpectedly penitent amid troubling revelations, Gavin has to ask himself whether he can offer Derrick the future he deserves, or whether these first few months of happiness are the best they will ever get.

Review:
In Velocity the final book in the series, Derrick and Gavin are pretty much living together. They both know they're in it for the long haul, but there are some things left to deal with, things that could drive a permanent wedge between the relationship they're trying to make work. From the beginning Gavin shared that he could be HIV positive, and though Derrick was honestly terrified he stuck around and remained a constant support. Now Gavin must face off with the man who started it all.

The entire Impulse series deals with a pretty heavy hitting issue, but it’s not an angst or sob fest. The story of the two men coming together is surprisingly sweet, and they really set fire to the pages. Where I felt the first two books focused primarily on Derrick, Velocity was Gavin's time to his face his worst demons and find solidity in his relationship with Derrick. It's the holidays, and with the looming test results Gavin is scared, and when the very man who might have infected him comes begging for help, he's unable to walk away. Suddenly, he's filled with doubts, but he is determined to get some answers regardless of whether he will like them or not.

Amelia Gormley has taken a serious topic, and presented it in a realistic manner. Gavin's fears are real, and his worry for involving Derrick is believable.  Though, the HIV thing could have been the entire focus, this book is really about Gavin standing up for himself and finding closure. Which thank the lord because he was becoming very frustrating. I really wanted to slap him upside his head, and Derrick’s passive attitude towards his stupidity irked me a lot. But I guess he really needed to figure this one out on his own, which making him getting a backbone at his disgusting ex all the more worthwhile.

Velocity, though tamer than book two is still a sexy fest. There are some hot scenes to melt the pants off your body. These characters have so much chemistry it’s freaking crazy. The very light D/s play really kicks it up the lovemaking a notch and have made me realize that I have a suspenders kink. I talk about sexy nerds, and Gavin is surely on that list.

The fact that these books are self-pubbed, and are so excellently written it should definitely be on everyone’s radar. The covers are gorgeous, the author's talent is legit, and the Impulse series is easily one of my faves. Gavin and Derrick are strong characters with a wonderful story that people should go out and discover for themselves. I can't recommend this enough!

Should You Read It? Seriously, you should go pick up all three books right now. Good point is that you don't have to wait and gobble up all three, and lose your pants all over the place. Amelia Gormley is an author to keep on radar, because I expect big awesmazing things to follow.

4 Pants Off

Review: Book #1 Inertia

Review: Book #2 Acceleration

Review: The Party Boy's Guide To Dating A Geek by Piper Vaughn & Xara Xanakas

The Party Boy's Guide To Dating A Geek (Clumsy Cupid Guidebook #1) by Piper Vaughn & Xara X. Xanakas
Less Than Three Press
Novel
5+ Pants Off

Blurb:
Ashley Byrne only wants one thing in life: to finish his tattoo apprenticeship and fulfill his dream of owning his own shop. In the meantime, he spends his nights partying, flirting, and having sex. After all, what else is there for him to worry about? Aside from his hair and his clothes, not much. He’s hot, and rest assured no one knows it better than him. He’s also used to getting what he wants—until he meets Felipe Navarro.

Fee Navarro has everything he needs: a great IT job, a nice apartment, and all the high-tech toys his geeky heart could ever want. He doesn’t do casual, and he knows guys like Ash are nothing but. Ash may burn hot for Fee, but Fee isn’t willing to take a chance on a vain, little party boy with too many tats and an oversized ego. He wants someone to share his life with, and he won’t settle for anything less. Too bad Ash has never been the type to give up easily. He has a plan, and he’s not stopping until he proves he’s more than just a pretty face—he’s someone worthy of winning Fee’s heart.

Review:
OMG my ass is just all kinds of love in love with this story just all kinds of love. It was sexy, funny, and just cotton candy sweet without the toothache. I was expecting to like this one but I was not expecting to love it, this one is a 5+ Pants Off.

Ash is the pretty party boy and he makes no apologies about it. He can get anyone he wants and knows he's above average when it comes to looks and all that. As a tattoo artist, he has dreams of opening a tattoo parlour with his best bud but until then he's gonna party the night away and also fuck it away. When he runs in to Fee while helping his brother's girlfriend move his initial reaction is geek and not interested. Suddenly he's getting all hot under the collar for Fee and decides to make a move because after all what geek is gonna turn him down.

Well, Fee turns him down and Ash is left in shock but he knows the man is interested so he goes on the offensive. I am talking the dating guide that shows you how to connect with your geek. Learn his lingo to ultimately get in his pants and win his heart. Ash is having a hard time of it and is making a fool of himself in the process. Maybe, Fee is not interested and who could blame him. He has past of dirty deeds longer than his arm and Fee looks like he would be in it for the long run. Ash is thinking maybe with Fee he could think about forever too.

I just loved the hell out of Ash. He is so funny and cute and really shined in the book. I enjoyed how he ultimately stopped trying so hard and went about being himself. Fee is now my new CLIF (character I'd love to fuck. I stole this from Amy Lane). He's all geeky but when you let him out of his cage, he sets the sheet and your pants on fire. Omo, I need a sexy nerd.

The build up of the relationship between the men was done very well. It started as friendship but developed in a very believable long lasting love. The sex is not frequent but when it does happened, GAWD I literally hyperventilated. I read so much sex that most of the time I don't really notice a difference. I noticed it here. Maybe it’s all to do with Fee's cool exterior but man.... Shit was hot. There relationship is also set in motion by supporting characters, characters I am very much looking forward to getting their own books (Ahem Jae) can never have too many sexy Korean characters.

Kudos to Piper Vaughn and Xara Xanakas for writing such an awesome book. I now dub you guys a Dynamic Duo, and your geeky ways knows no bounds. I now really want to go to a steampunk costume party, so I can drool all over the sexiness. I recommend this, and hope you fall in love with Ash and Fee as much as I did.

5+ Pants Off

Review: One Small Thing by Piper Vaughn & M.J O'Shea

One Small Thing (One Thing #1) by Piper Vaughn & M.J. O'Shea
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 214pgs
4 Pants Off

Blurb:
"Daddy" is not a title Rue Murray wanted, but he never thought he'd have sex with a woman either. Now he's the unwitting father of a newborn named Alice. Between bartending and cosmetology school, Rue doesn't have time for babies, but he can't give her up. What Rue needs is a babysitter, and he's running out of options. He's on the verge of quitting school to watch Alice himself when he remembers his reclusive new neighbor, Erik. 


Erik Van Nuys is a sci-fi novelist with anxiety issues to spare. He doesn't like people in general, and he likes babies even less. Still, with his royalties dwindling, he could use the extra cash. Reluctantly, he takes on the role of manny-and even more reluctantly, he finds himself falling for Alice and her flamboyant father. Rue and Erik are as different as two people can be, and Alice is the unlikeliest of babies, but Rue has never been happier than when Alice and Erik are by his side. At least, not until he receives an offer that puts all his dreams within reach and he's forced to choose: the future he's always wanted, or the family he thought he never did.


Review:
Rue Murray Mr Flamboyant bartender working his way through hairdressing school, has a pretty awesome life. HE makes good tip, he can a new hook-up each night if so he chooses an he’s just waiting for the call that will take him to California for his dream job. Rue’s life is shaken up when a night of experimentation a few months back walks back into his life and proclaims she is three months pregnant, and the baby is his.

Rue never dreamed he would become a father but his little girl has become the most important person in his life. With the help of his best-friend Dusty, Rue is trying to make life with a newborn work but he still needs to work and go to school. He needs a daycare/babysitter stat, but finding one is tough and expensive. Rue decides to take a chance on his next-door neighbour, doesn’t matter how weird he is.

Eric is a struggling writer, crazy Star Wars fan, and cripplingly shy. He doesn’t do crowds, he doesn’t do people, and he definitely doesn’t do babies. When his neighbour asks him to baby-sit, Eric’s first answer is even though the money will be useful. He says yes finally but for reasons that are even a surprise to him. So begins the relationship between Eric and a little baby girl, and he finds the family he never knew he wanted.

Can I just say that I love the pants off of Eric! From his very first scene he captured my heart and now I am all kinds of in love with him. I enjoyed the build-up of friendships and the slow walk it took into becoming a romance. As a mother, I freaking love reading about babies/kids when it’s written in a feel good perspective. One Small Thing is all feel good, and if you want to just smile and get a good HEA. Then OST is for you.

There is some conflict thrown in with Rue’s best friend Dustin that really makes Eric shine. It definitely killed two birds with one stone, by offering up how strong Eric is and shedding light on the character of Dusty. Which makes me all kinds of excited for his book. I liked Rue, but that’s pretty much all I feel for him. He was very strong and unique in the beginning of the book but his fire rather fizzled for me by the end. I did love his pyjamas though!

I really did enjoy reading this one and it put a huge smile on my face. As I said I love the crap out of Eric, I am such a sucker for geeky/shy characters, they are my kryptonite. I am looking forward to Dusty’s book, which hopefully has some Alice time. I wanna see how she’s thriving with so many wonderful men in her life. Hats off to Piper & M.J.

4 Pants Off