Review: One Night Ever After by Tere Michaels

Reviewed by Fehu
One Night Ever After by Tere Michaels, Elle Brownlee, Elizah J Davis
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 254pgs
3.5 Pants Off

Blurb:
Just a Drive by Tere Michaels

After weeks of flirting, “One Night” Wyatt Walsh spends a fabulous night with his shy coworker, Benji Trammell. As Wyatt tries to sneak out the next morning, he receives a call from his frantic, very pregnant best friend Raven—she needs him immediately. With no other way to get from New York City to the Pennsylvania town where Raven and her husband live, Wyatt accepts Benji’s offer to drive him there. Wary and unsure of each other, they start the trip at odds, but as time goes on, the barriers that usually keep people at a distance fail. And what started out as “just a drive” becomes a step toward romance.

Just a Stranger by Elle Brownlee

The excitement of meeting a stranger in a club can’t be beat. Loud bass sets the rhythm to Michael Wiercinski’s primal urges as he flirts with Andrew, a cute guy offering the promise of a hot night with no strings, no complications. Still, when their night is done, Michael admits there was something about Andrew that left him wanting more. Months go by with no sign of Andrew until Michael moves back home to help after his father’s heart attack. Once there, Michael is completely amazed to find Andrew Lucas living in his hometown. Despite surprising “complications” in Andrew’s life, Michael vows to take advantage of this second chance to make Andrew more than just a stranger.

Just a Weekend by Elizah J. Davis

James is a homebody in a predictable, if not altogether comfortable, rut. He’d rather stay in with a book than brave the Seattle bar scene. One night, after allowing his friend Kara to coax him out for drinks, he meets Devin—charming, gorgeous, and way out of his league. With a little bit of help from Kara, James leaves with Devin to indulge in a night together, which is as much time as he’s bound to get with a guy as hot as Devin. He doesn't expect the easy rapport that quickly develops between them, and when the weather conspires to keep them together, James wonders if this could be more than just a weekend fling.

Review
A surprising anthology, I expected to like the first story but ended up liking the last story a lot more. The first story is about Wyatt, who is a love them and leave them kind of guy and who is called to the aid of his best friend, his pregnant best friend, just after his one night stand with his co-worker Benji. Benji is shy and has some secrets of his own; surprisingly he is very helpful and offers to drive Wyatt, even after he was pretty mean to him in the morning after. Like I said Benji turns out to be a very helpful guy, a bit too helpful to be believable and there was a lull in story, considering that it is a short story, I would have liked a bit more action. Since Wyatt was mostly a jerk and Benji nearly a saint, I found it hard to relate to them. So I wasn't as emotionally involved in this story as I had expected. What worked was the writing and the dialogs. It's a well written story, well edited, but I personally wish it had some more spice.

In Just a Stranger we meet Michael and Andrew; one is a cop and the other a landscape architect. After a great night Andrew leaves without a word and Michael is surprised, when he meets the guy again in his own hometown, after moving there to help his parents. Andrew has a reason for not wanting further attachment; he has to take care of his sisters children.  The children were quite sweet and Michael was surprisingly hung up on a guy he just met on one evening. I really liked Michael’s family and that they did come around and rallied to help his get his man. All in all this was a rather sweet story, I might have wished they took longer to fall for each other, but other than that it's a nice read if one needs a HEA and a pick me up story.

Just a Weekend features James and Devin. David was a bit of out of luck later and had to move home on a trip with a friend he meets James, who takes him home. A snow storm makes them stay together for the weekend, but their time is interrupted by James's sister in law, who needs him for babysitting.

I liked James and Devin, they were both sweet and James was a bit of a homebody, who is always there for his family and a very nice guy. Devin is a bit of an opposite at least he likes to go out more and is more social. So they are a great fit and it was cute to see them play with the kids and make pillow castles in the living room. I was invested in the characters and there was enough personal drama to keep me reading. The story is well written and there was happening enough things that I was entertained and wanted to see them both get their happy end.

3.5 Pants Off

Duty & Devotion

Duty & Devotion (Faith, Love, & Devotion #3) by Tere Michaels
Loose-Id

Novel: 161 pages

5 out of 5

Blurb:
After their happily ever after in Faith & Fidelity, Matt and Evan move forward to a new chapter of their lives -- inside the bedroom and out -- with some surprises in store for both. Evan struggles with labels and feelings even as he wants to give in to his baser desires. Matt, now the ideal househusband of Queens, New York, has his own set of struggles -- who is he now? What does he need and want?

A visit from his friend and one-night stand Jim Shea (of Love & Loyalty) throws everything into disarray as Evan's jealousy and unease push Matt's buttons -- and not always in a good way.

Review:
All the ways I love this series, the ways are so very many. This series was just splendidly written with wonderful characters, and the overall story line is so simple and just moves and works so well. Tere Michaels is a wonderful writer and whatever she is working on next, I am so owning.

This is the third book in this wonderful series, and the sequel to Faith & Fidelity , and I am all kinds of in love with Evan and Matt. From the first book we gather this was friends becomes lovers, and the first male on male relationship for both our main characters. Evan had just lost his wife, and Matt was the friend and then other feelings started happening. There were a lot of struggles on Evan’s part dealing with the lost of his wife, the only person he has ever been with and loved. Here comes Matt a male, and he starts stirring up all these feelings. Both men start a tentative relationship, and the road ahead is not an easy one.

The second book takes place a few months after and Matt and Evan now live together with the kids. Evan’s kids know of the relationship and have accepted him with open arms. Matt is now a househusband, taking care of the home, looking after the kids, doing the shopping etc. Evan is still a cop, he works late hours which puts a strain on the relationship, and to make matters worse, Matt still keeps in contact with James (read previous book F&F) which Evan is very jealous of.

Even though this might seem like newlywed bliss, obstacles keep popping up for the guys, the main issues being; Evan unable to deal with the fact that he is now a part of a gay couple, his nervousness to have sex, and his jealousy issues. Even though Evan pissed me off a lot in this book, I still love him.

This series is wonderful because it takes the gay relationship one-step further, and proves it is not always about sex. This is a real relationship, with real feelings, and the realities of what it would be like if suddenly you find yourself loving the same sex. The sexual aspect of this book was not high, but it was just so erotic, even though actual sex happens very later on, the build up to it was a sweet progression. I am deeply in love with this series, I am deeply in love with Matt and Evan and I will be revisiting them time after time.

I just love this series, if you like M/M fiction then this series will guarantee to warm your heart. 

5 Pants Off

Go Ahead Take Those Pants Off

Love & Loyalty

Love & Loyalty (Faith, Love, & Devotion #2) by Tere Michaels
Loose-Id

Novel: 205 pages

5 out of 5

Blurb:
Detective James “Jim” Shea is a Seattle homicide detective who has never taken his work home with him – until now. A case has gotten under his skin and though it’s “over," it isn’t for Jim. The emotional toll has left him vulnerable and tied to the victim’s dying father.

Meanwhile, Hollywood comes calling for a hot story, and screenwriter Griffin Drake sees the tragic case as his ticket to more serious fare than his usual action blockbusters. But to get the whole story he needs to win over the stoic and protective Detective Shea.

Neither man has had much luck when it comes to romance or long-term relationships and neither is particularly looking but there's an attraction from their first meeting that can’t be denied. Their impromptu first date seems to have no end in sight – quickly becomes a barreling freight train of romance.

Looming problems outside threaten their relationship – death, secrets and broken trust – and they'll have to learn loyalty to save their newfound love.

Review:
This series is just keeps surprising me, I am all kinds of blown away. I was personally not looking forward to Jim and Griffin's story, because I wanted more Evan and Matt. Was this a surprise or what, I loved these characters and I am so happy that Jim(James) got his own HEA.

We met Jim in the first book Faith & Fidelity and he was like the other man, so instant hatred,lol. Well he gets his own book and we get to know him in a way that’s all types of good. He is the strong silent type, the good cop who takes his work seriously. When a case he was working on doesn't have a happy ending, he makes it his top priority to take care of the victim’s family. Blaming himself for almost everything, his personal life is basically non existent. His straight friends are always trying to hook him up, and he is just tired of it. Well seems he is gonna find his true love in the most unlikely circumstance, and with the least likely person.

A relationship that began when Jim’s old case was being turned into a movie. Griffin wanted to have a sit-down interview of sorts, but this interview leads both Jim and Griffin to get all kinds of personal. A night of hot sex leads to a relationship of sorts, but guess what real feeling start to happen, who would have thought. Will Mr screenplay writer be able to make it work with a cop who has been there and pretty much done that and something else. With impending doom coming from both corners, how will this relationship bloom.

I love Tere Micheals writing style, its fun and crisp. You will love every bloody character you meet in this book, they all carry a wit and so much personality. Jim is a sweetheart, he can offer so much but he lacks the power to convey his feelings, but Griffin gets him and together they are dynamite. The sex is super sweet, but who cares this book offers so much, sex is the side issue. I am just so in love with this series and want to be a voyeur in these books. A little bit of peeping never killed nobody (just avoid the cops). Just an awesome series and they are definitely worth checking out, cus you will be checking out of your pants by all the hotness in this book.

5 Pants Off

 Go Ahead Take Those Pants Off

 

Faith & Fidelity

Faith & Fidelity by Tere Michaels
Loose-Id

Novel

Gay For You/Contemporary Romance

5 out of 5

Blurb:

New York City Vice Detective Evan Cerelli has lost his wife, the only person he ever loved and slept with. He's trying to get on with his life, build a life for his children. Former Homicide Detective Matt Haight is a ladies’ man, all sex/no commitment. He's depressed, having a midlife crisis, and not sure where his life is headed.

The two find friendship in the...moreNew York City Vice Detective Evan Cerelli has lost his wife, the only person he ever loved and slept with. He's trying to get on with his life, build a life for his children. Former Homicide Detective Matt Haight is a ladies’ man, all sex/no commitment. He's depressed, having a midlife crisis, and not sure where his life is headed.

The two find friendship in the bottom of a shared bottle. When the friendship turns to love, it shakes two straight men to the core and flips their lives inside out. Kids, families, careers that are not gay-friendly -- can all the love in the world overcome the obstacles to faith and fidelity?

Review:

What can I say about this book, it has everything I love about M/M lovin. Guys with no previous experience about all that is man love, real men no wet behind the ears young boys, plus it has heart and leaves you with a tear in your eye, then makes you smile because its that bloody good.

THE RUNDOWN- Evan just lost his wife and he is feeling the pain. The book begins with him getting ready for the funeral and its so heartbreaking; instantly leads you to tear up. His pain and anguish is so real you instantly want good things for him.. What then follows is Evan's descent into depression and the fake smile he has permanently glued to his face. What does one do when they have literally lost the live of their lives and you have four kids to raise all by your lonesome. His friends are treating him like glass and he just wants the pain to end. What he never expected is his saviour to come in the form of Matt Haight. Matt has known his fair share of pain, and he is like the lone man always from the outside looking in. A frienship sparks new ideas and it also starts to heal.

EVAN- He is just so believable in his pain, he was a loving husband and a so-so father. Now with his wife gone he just feels like a failure, and he blames himself for her death. As a cop he knows about protection and he failed the one person he swore before god and man to protect. Evan is like an eggshell he is one crack away from spilling his yolk. Life has no meaning and the ache in his heart is eating at him slowly.

MATT- Is the epidemy of lonely, he gets his kicks from one night stands and putting himself in the category of a ladies man. Ostracized from the police force because he nailed some crooked cops, he leaves and moves on to personal security.All this changes when a frienship leads him to some truths about himself and he realizes how very alone he has been.

PLOT- Its very simple in all its complexity, two men with no previous desire for men start falling in love. Let me tell you its no easy road, Evan has a whole lot to overcome such as telling his children, and coming to terms with the fact, that he might be happy without his wife. It's an emotional rollercoaster for both men, where one is willing to put his all, and the other is scared of losing everything.

FEELINGS- Loved it, so sweet and genuine. It's a slow moving grind that makes it so authentic Evan has real issues that makes the story line all that better. Matt is bloody awesome and sexy, the things he says just blows my mind. Evan is sweet, almost childish in his discovery of a new love. Together they are explosive, I had a girl boner through the entire book. There is no actual sex in the book, but the foreplay is all sex on the beach, and lust like teenage necking, a new discovery in feelings and a feirce passion. So good y'all, Evan and Matt don't disappoint.

5 Pants Off