Review: Tread Marks & Trademarks by S.A McAuley

Reviewed by SinChan
Tread Marks & Trademarks (Team Maker Jock #1) by S.A McAuley
Wilde City Press
Novel: 200pgs
5 Pants Off

Blurb:
Alex Maddox may be a genius. Or not. In thirty-four days he’ll know for sure. The robot he’s been perfecting for the last four years is finally ready. Alex won’t accept anything less than perfection—if he can keep a broken air conditioner, a flaky twin brother, a thirtieth birthday, and falling for the Norse god of advertising from derailing him.

Christian Lawson is an advertising god. A blond hottie with the beautiful brains to match. He’s worked hard to move past the accident that nearly took his legs, but it’s been years since he let any man get close enough to see just how deep his scars really go.

Christian isn’t the advertising executive Alex expected, and Alex isn’t the coolly confident inventor Christian’s had his eye on for years. But what they discover in each other may just be better than what either of them could have hoped for.

Review
Alex is working on a robot with the newest technology that can potentially change the world of robotics. His twin brother and friends set him up with an advertising/marketing agent, Christian, and they hit it off. Together, they design and present Alex's robot at the Maker Summit. Alex worries if his presentation will be a success, but when it is, there is another set of problems.

Alex is gay and geeky. He prefers commitment over one night stands and continuously seeks the man who loves what he loves and understands his geeky side. He's a very endearing character and I love his interactions with his twin brother, Micah. Alex is the smart and geeky one while Micah is the life of a party. They pretend they are on bad terms but they really care about each other. Micah and his lover play a major role as Alex's support system and guide him throughout the story.

The romance between Alex and Christian doesn't seem forced (their mutual geekiness probably helped with that). Christian is super charming and excels at his job. He has a bad leg from a motor accident, which further shows how he copes with lost and trauma. His imperfections make him very human and easy to connect with. Even though their development into full time lovers seem a little fast, they are perfect for each other.

The second half of the story focuses on Christian and paying for surgeries on his leg. In addition, the team is trying to take Alex's robot to an international level on their own and they need financial help. Christain's old flame steps in and causes some trouble between Christian and Alex. This half of the novel has a different feel because it's more focused on Christian. It's not as exciting as the first half because Alex is the more excitable character and the anticipation of the robot's success is greater in the first half. Nevertheless, the second half is important as a sequel and answers how Christian and Alex will work as lovers in the long term.

This is a really creative story with a lot of details on robotics and marketing but they fit in naturally with the dialogue and aren't overbearing. I love the use of acronyms in the story and other little touches help to orient the reader to the high-tech, creative maker culture. It's fun to read about the maker culture that Alex is a part of and how that fits into the economic world. This story has excellent writing and fabulous characters that really help to make the novel an enjoyable read for me.

5 Pants Off

Review: Taking A Chance by Anne Brooke

Reviewed by SinChan
Taking A Chance by Anne Brooke
Wilde City Press
Short Story
4 Pants Off

Blurb:
The moment model and part-time actor Benjamin spots the sexually alluring Alan outside his local restaurant, he’s determined to get to know him better. So he takes a chance and pretends to be Timothy, the blind date Alan is waiting for.

When Alan asks him about submission, safe words and spanking, Benjamin knows the sensible thing to do would be to leave. Funny then how he finds himself eager to know more. Will it be a date to remember and, if Alan discovers his deceit, could he ever be persuaded to take a chance on Benjamin?


Short Review
I love the story set up. Alan approaches Benjamin, thinking that he's Timothy. Benjamin decides to take a chance to know Alan better and plays along. Unfortunately, Benjamin doesn't know that Timothy is into BDSM, but he's not opposed to the idea either.

Alan is very upfront and clear about his intentions for Benjamin, so much that he surprises me too. On the other hand, Benjamin is totally unprepared for Alan's questions about his sexual activity. However, Benjamin is straightforward and honest with his answers that it's refreshing to read the dialogue. It all makes this book a fun read.

This climax builds up as Benjamin's guilt over lying to Alan intensifies. But the ending doesn't finish off with a flourish despite the great start, so it isn't satisfying for me. The ending is not surprising, heart-warming, or memorable. It's just okay....

Overall, this is a fast, fun read that has an interesting mix up of identity. I definitely recommend this short read when you need a distraction and something to brighten up your day.

4 Pants Off

What's Happening This Week!

Hey folks, hope you all had a wonderful week. It was a super busy last week here on POR, lots of reviews and guest posts. This week is a little slower but just awesome as we begin our second book a week giveaway. The winner for the first one has been chosen and I will announce later on today. If you didn't win this week there is still many chances to come and the books just keep getting more awesome.

For publishers/authors, it's the holidays and we want your stories. If you have any holiday themed books feel free to send them in for review so we can start posting up some Christmas joy.

Omo, Doctor Who 50th and can I tell you guys how I was in heaven all of Saturday night. My younger sister thinks I'm completely nuts but she doesn't understand the awesome that is The Doctor. I loved it all!

Without further ado, here’s whats causing a pants losing this week...

Reviews:
Serve Me by Various Authors (DarienMoya)
Housekeeping by Kim Fielding (SinChan)
Ghost of A Chance by Ari. McKay (Fehu)
A Package Deal by Mia Kerrick (Whuppsy)
A Marrying Man by Sandrine Gasq-Dion (DarienMoya)
Surprise, Surprise by Star Noble (SinChan)
Danse Macabre by Janette (Fehu)
The Gospel According to Cher by S.A Garcia (Whuppsy)
Taking A Chance by Anne Brooke (SinChan)
Single Use Only by Pender Mackie (Whuppsy)

Other Posts:
A Book A Week Giveaway: Bad Idea by Damon Suede 
Queer Romance Blog Hop: My Interview 

Have A Great Week!!

Review: Northern Star by Ethan Day

Reviewed by Fehu
Northern Star by Ethan Day
Wilde City Press
Novel: 249pgs
4 Pants Off

Blurb:
Deacon Miller never had it all—he never really believed he could. Growing up in a broken home with an alcoholic mother and a revolving door of truly pathetic father figures taught him to keep his expectations low. Now at twenty-seven, on the night before Christmas Eve, his life is turned upside down yet again; his boyfriend has dumped him, he just fled the holiday family reunion from hell, and now to top it all off, a blizzard has left him stranded in an airport hotel.

Steve Steele has spent the better part of his forty-four years living a lie, ignoring his attraction to other men in an attempt to fit into the mold of the man he thought he should be, instead of living life as the man he knew himself to be. Recently divorced after coming home from work one day and coming out to his wife, Steve has floundered over the past year, desperately attempting to wade through the guilt and find the courage to start again.

That’s when a chance meeting in a hotel bar brings two lonely men together… and what should’ve been a one night stand turns into something much more than either one ever expected.

Review
Charming story with some serious undertones and very lovable characters. Deacon is having a bad day right before Christmas Eve: his boyfriend dumped him, he fought with his mother again and now he is spending Christmas Eve alone in the hotel bar. Meet Steel, Steve Steel, a car salesman who also comes to the bar and takes notice of the sweet sad guy, with big brown eyes. Sparks fly between them; of course something happens to disturb their intimate time. Ashley, Deacon's teenage sister calls him, only to tell him that their mother, has again been drunk driving and crashed and now she was not only in hospital, but facing jail time. Being a good big brother Deacon has to go back to the house he grew up and take care of his sister.

Steve cannot forget the guy he met, but Deacon hasn't called him back, but he approaches him, when he surprisingly finds him working in the gourmet grocery store, where Steve likes to shop. Of course Deacon has insecurities and his mother and his past are coming back to haunt him, when he finally has found some happiness.

I'm glad to say thankfully it wasn't all that dark and sad like it might have been. While this is not the fun and light story like Sno Ho, the book has enough light moments, that there was no dark or sad and oppressing atmosphere. Instead there were characters who had insecurities, were not perfect and might have been slightly damaged, but in no way broken. I like that most about this story, that hope was present all the way; something did turn up at the moment it was needed. You might say that it's not realistic, but I for one was very glad that this book focused on the good in the people and showed that everyone could get a happy ending. The characters are the very heart of this book.

Should You Read It? I would recommend it for people who like romance, but also don't mind some hurt/comfort in their romance. Also there is a more than 10 years age gap between the characters; it's not a problem for me, but not all people like that in their romance stories.

4 Pants Off

Wilde City 4th of July Sale!!!

Wilde City is having a sale and you are invited! be sure to check out their offerings, and its also a nice way to discover a new publisher and authors.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY TO MY U.S FRIEND

Review: The Beginning of Knowledge by Anne Brooke

Charlie Harding presents: The Beginning of Knowledge by Anne Brooke
Wilde City Press
Short story
4 Pants Off

Blurb:
When University administrator Alan Castleton meets temporary worker and talented pianist Luke Milton, he doesn't expect to become obsessed with the handsome young blond. But soon he is heavily involved in a passionate and angry affair, and exploring the dark shadows of his own personality in a way he's never encountered before.

The more Alan tries to break free from his obsession, the deeper it entangles him. The dangerous split between his reason and his sexual desires threatens his peace of mind and, when the crisis point comes, he must decide once and for all the kind of life he should lead.

Review:
I didn't know what I would be getting when I started this short, but I was expecting great because I have always enjoyed Anne Brooke's stories in the past. There is so much diversity in her writing, like the fun and sexy Delaney's series, the rich characters of The Heart's Greater Silence, and the intense emotional feels of Where You Hurt the Most. And once again another of her stories will remain with me. The Beginning of Knowledge is intense, dark, and deeply erotic.

Alan Castleton is a University administrator and he's unwinding by having drinks with a few friends. That is until he meets Luke Wilton, and his night of relaxation becomes sexually charged. Alan is instantly attracted to the young man but somehow this feels different, more intense and a whole lot of dangerous. Walking away seems like the better option, but he will still have to see Luke at work and just having the man close messes with his choices to make the right decisions.

The men begin this molten dangerous affair that is far from romantic and all kinds of unsafe. Yet, they're attraction borderline obsessiveness for each other is captivating and a little bit sad. It’s a case of something new that is just moving along too fast, and this need that drives them leaves no room for communication which really is the bane of their problem. Their loving is explosive; hot even but because it doesn't feel right with Alan it doesn't feel right with you the reader. Alan is a rich character and his suffering (yep, I'm going with suffering) is palpable and I really just wanted him out of there. It’s a relationship that was dangerous from the very beginning and would have only gotten worse; their need for each other was frightening.

Once again Anne Brooke has pulled off an emotional winning read in so few pages. Her talent for capturing human emotions, kink, and flawed characters never ceases to amaze me. I am glad it was a short story because anymore would have been just too intense to read. The ending is bittersweet but it felt right and I am happy with it (satisfied). If this is the kind of reads Wilde City Press is pushing out, then I am so on board. The Beginning of Knowledge is another winner by the queen of shorts, Ms Anne Brooke. A most fitting title for the story.

"Luke slid off my cock, landed back on his arse from his kneeling position, and looked up at me. His eyes were glazed, as if his mind were somewhere I couldn't reach and I'd been nothing more than a means to get him there. I slapped him. Good and strong with the back of my hand. His head jerked sideways, and he groaned, not with pain but with something far darker and richer I couldn't begin to think about." (Pretty much all of this)...

4 Pants Off