Slow Bloom

Slow Bloom by Anah Crow & Dianne Fox

Torquere Press

Novel

5 Pants Off

Blurb:
Ricky Talbot, fresh from his first year at university, is looking to have a perfect summer. He gets to work for the man he's had a crush on for years and spend the rest of his days in the pool, training for the swim team. Jack Corson, on the other hand, is a suburban hermit with a tangled past. Jack's a lot more experienced than Ricky, cantankerous and more than a little anti-social.

When an unexpected one-time encounter between the two of them turns into more, Ricky and Jack must see if they have what it takes for love to bloom despite all of their differences, the distance between them while Ricky's away school, Jack's past and Ricky's parents. Can their slow-blooming love come to fruition?

Review:
Slow Bloom was a real treat; it blew away all my expectations and more. I was expecting summer fling between younger man and older man. Lots of sex and a quick HEA, I got so much more than that. I was surprised, and moved all in one. So I think Slow Bloom is an…

Expression of Sexuality! What I mean, is that the characters and the story offer up so many ways to look at love, sex, and relationships. Also the discovery of a young boy finding out what his sexuality is, and not just leaving it at ‘I am gay’. Personally, I have never read an M/M erotica like this and I hope to read much more like this book in the future.

Ricky is a young boy of eighteen who has had a crush on his next-door neighbour since he was fifteen. The problem is Jack is thirty years older than he is, and secondly he has no idea Ricky even exists. Everyone in the neighbourhood knows that Jack Corson is gay, but he is famous and talented so he is pretty much accepted. He doesn’t flaunt his lifestyle so no one really cares. Well Ricky cares, and after landing a job working as Jack’s gardener, he decides to make a move. A little interlude in the kitchen was supposed to be a one-time thing, a little seduction on Ricky’s part to experience what it’s like just once to be with Jack. Then Ricky is assaulted, and he calls the one person he knows he can trust and that is Jack, and it leads to one *hawt* summer.
This summer is about not only sex, but also a discovery of a young boy coming into his manhood. All the things he thought he knew about sex, about gay sex is broadened with Jack. They go on a journey, a man of forty eight who has seen it all and done about everything, is made to see things in a whole new light because of his young lover. Ricky learns about himself, and finds a confidence in Jack’s arms, that it was in every sense ok for him to just be Ricky.

The book is not without a few obstacles, Jack is afraid that he might inadvertently changing Ricky to please him, its never his intention to corrupt him but to make him reach decisions on his own. This plays out sexually, and it becomes clear that this relationship is a lot more than sex. Jack makes Ricky happy; he is one hundred percent himself with the older man. Moreover, Ricky is teaching Jack to just love.

The sex is freaking awesome in my opinion, it happens quite often but each time I am a little more shocked. It pushes boundaries, and it was boundaries I appreciated, and a little self-discovery. I like men who sometimes wear women clothing *gasp*. I thought it was the freaking greatest part of the book, and I thought ‘WHY NOT’! I like to wear boxers, baggy sweatpants, and baseball caps, and put a little swagger in my walk. So why can’t a man enjoy wearing a dress now and again and feeling sexy. It’s not a huge part of the book, but I thought it wonderful.

I really loved the book, and some readers might have a problem with the age gap. So let me say, its not about an old man taking advantage of a young boy, it might have been about a young boy wanting to land his crush, but it evolves to something greater. It is a love story, and it’s beautiful and I freaking loved it. The characters were awesome, I loved Jack, he is just this grumpy old man, but a compassionate and caring one. This book is no boy searching for a daddy cus Ricky already has one. I liked Ricky, I loved how he was unsure but he became confident and someone to respect.

This book is what I have always thought of sex and sexuality, “to each is own”. I do not think any thing about any form of sex is wrong as long as there is consent, and the person is happy. Lets be real, what might float your boat might sink my ship, it’s not wrong; just not for me.

This one is a winner people!!!

 

Taken (My Surprise Hit)

Taken by J C Owens
Etopia Press 

Novel: 158pages

5 out of 5

Blurb:

Kidnapping the brother of a mob boss was madness. If only it had stayed that simple.

It had all gone wrong. Sent as a mercenary to kidnap Kirith Martinelli from his tropical island home, Landon finds himself on the wrong end of a job gone bad. But there's more to Kirith than meets the eye - he's the brother of feared mob boss Enzo Martinelli, and he's taken Landon as his captive. Kirith makes Landon an offer he can't refuse: stay with him for three months - until he tires of Landon's body - and then Landon may go free.

Landon, fearing his own criminal family more than the man before him, quickly agrees. Three months will buy him enough time for his brothers to lose his scent, and then freedom will be his. But that freedom has a steeper price than Landon bargained for as he's drawn into the secrets of Kirith's past. He can't ignore the sadness and loss behind his captor's beautiful eyes, and Landon finds himself wondering if three months will be enough - for either of them...

Review:
Taken was my surprise hit of the year. Believe me I had no expectations going into this book; I was expecting an ok read. However, for all that is sweet and holy I fell in love. I was expecting the captured man; to fall in love with the person who captured him you know all that predictability. Let me tell you; I got awesmazingness.

Landon is to kidnap the brother of a mob boss. He is not looking forward to the job, but he is a slave to his life as a mercenary. In addition, he lives by the rules of his brothers, who at every opportunity abuse him. He dreams of the day he can escape and leave the life of a criminal behind. His brothers has other plans for him. That includes the guy who ordered the kidnapping of the mob bosses brother, and the look in his eyes says his service as a killer will not be needed. In the future, his ass would probably tell you why.

From the get go the mission smells of doom. A private island, shits way too quiet and there seems to be some sort of party. Landon worst fear is to hurt innocent people and he hopes that it won't come to that. Everything is going way too smoothly, entering the house and waiting out the victim. Until all hell breaks loose and Landon realizes that, his escape might come in the form of death.

Landon is captured by the very man he was sent to capture, and Kirith is all sorts of pissed. By the look in the man’s eye Landon knows he’s about to be used and abused. Seems his life leads him to one doom after another. When Kirith has a change of heart and offers Landon the deal of his life, he would be a fool to refuse. Is his pride worth more than his life? ‘Oh Hell No’. They both never expected to fall in love, because this was supposed to be about sex, and about Landon gaining his freedom.

The book then becomes a rollercoaster ride of awesome. Its gut wrenching, sad as fuck, sexy as hell and downright a smash freaking hit. Landon and Kirith are like molten hot lava thrown on your skin. Yes people, it burns so good. The events of the book I never saw coming, and it made my heart ache. Be prepared to be surprised, because if you honestly said you saw it coming then clearly “you are lying”. I warn you that this book is no easy love, and some readers might find the relationship of Landon and Kirith questionable. They are not perfect characters, and there is no perfect HEA. Because when life hands you lemons, you just squash the fuck out of them.

I was intrigued and am in love with a few other characters from this story, and am hoping they get their own story. I Want More!

4 1/2 Pants Off

Go Ahead Take Those Pants Off

Dark Horse

Dark Horse (Dark Horse, #1) by Kate Sherwood
Dreamspinner Press

Novel

4.5 out of 5

4/5 PL Scale

Blurb:
Dan thinks about just driving, leaving the whole mess behind. He's got enough money. He could just arrange to get his stuff and his horse shipped to wherever he's going. Taking off is what he used to do when things got to be too much, and it worked pretty well, really.

Dan Wheeler thought he'd found lasting love and stability with his life and work partner, Justin Archer. But when Dan finds himself alone again, still working as a horse trainer for Justin's parents, he has to find a way to accept that his perfect life is gone forever.

Then he meets billionaire Evan Kaminski, who arrives to buy a horse for his younger sister, and Evan's lover Jeff Stevens, a horse trainer who seems to understand more than just Dan's job. Struggling to deal with all the upheavals in his life, Dan finds himself drawn to both Evan's mercurial passion and Jeff's quiet wisdom. Is Dan strong enough to take a chance on new love, or would it be better—safer—for him to be alone?

Review:
My first book by Kate Sherwood and it came on strong, very strong. I had so many emotions reading this book, mostly I was a blubbering mess; with tears streaked face. The level of pain in the first 150pages of this book left me with a migraine, and so hopelessly in love. All I am saying is if you want a moving story, this is the book for you.

Dan is a horse trainer and a good one, living day to day is hard though.  It has been a little over a year since an accident cost him to lose his lover. Now Justin lies in a coma, just a body without life. Dan is hopeful that he will one day wake up. However, he has to be realistic and face the facts Justin is gone.  When a rich family comes to his barn, to check out buying a few horses, Dan has no idea that they are about to change his life. Justin’s parents decide that the next time he has a heart attack or seizure; they will not allow the doctors to bring him back. Dan can’t deal with that information and he becomes resentful and a bit of an asshole. The days leading up to Justin’s funeral will be a test to Dan’s sanity.

Dan finds strength in the least likely person and let’s say that Dan gets a new job, and the opportunity to begin a new life. Because in walks Evan and Jeff, though Dan is initially attracted to Jeff in the beginning he realizes that, he has a lot of love to give. Dan gets invited in a relationship that would involve all three and the next 150pages becomes all kinds of effed up, in the best way possible. Its really not a sexual realtionship until later, but these three are so connected that its clearly a relationship.

These characters have no idea what they are doing, Jeff and Evan is an established couple and inviting Dan is something they both want. I guess this where I became pissed, I have a love/hate relationship with Dan. He is endearing but he also is a bit of an asshole. His procrastination when it came to both Evan and Jeff sort of pissed me off. I hated that he was so easy with Jeff, but found it so difficult to accept Evan. Evan and Jeff are not safe from my wrath. I hated how they discussed Dan, and when they settled on a decision, they would include him. It was like a couple and a third, not a relationship involving three people.

Its no quick HEA, and really there isn’t one, but it’s a slow progression of a relationship that needs building, and even though I was irked most of the time I freaking loved it. I am all kinds of in love with Evan, he makes me happy. Jeff is just a little too perfect for my taste, and I hated his goody two shoes character, I just hated it. Dan is in a league of his own when you think messed up. I can’t blame it on his losing his partner and more on the fact that he has always been like that. He is offended easily, quick to jump to conclusions, and assumes way too much. Seriously, I had problems with Jeff and Dan; those fucking two pissed me off. I had problems with Jeff and Evan, Dan and Evan. Mostly I am just pissed cus I wasn’t there.

Sex is long way off in this book, frankly; it was well developed.  Sexual tension plays a key role, and I love sexual tension. It had the right amount to make you wanna chew your fingers off.

There is so much left to say but frankly, my fingers need a break. I do recommend this book, its a beautiful story, with real characters, and horses with some serious personality. Kate Sherwood is an author to look out for, gotta give props to someone who can write a character who is dead in most of the book, but makes you love him. Thank goodness, there is a sequel otherwise; I would be cursing Dan all the way, to wherever he came from.

I REALLY LOVED THIS BOOK!



 

Muscling Through

Muscling Through by J L Merrow
Samhain Publishing
Novella
4 out of 5
3/5 PL Scale

Blurb:
The bigger they come, the harder they fall... in love.

Cambridge art professor Larry Morton takes one, alcohol-glazed look at the huge, tattooed man looming in a dark alley, and assumes he’s done for. Moments later he finds himself disarmed—literally and figuratively. And, the next morning, he can’t rest until he offers an apology to the man who turned out to be more gentle than giant.

Larry's intrigued to find there's more to Al Fletcher than meets the eye; he possesses a natural artistic talent that shines through untutored technique. Unfortunately, no one else seems to see the sensitive soul beneath Al’s imposing, scarred, undeniably sexy exterior. Least of all Larry's class-conscious family, who would like nothing better than to split up this mismatched pair.

Is it physical? Oh, yes, it’s deliciously physical, and so much more—which makes Larry’s next task so daunting. Not just convincing his colleagues, friends and family that their relationship is more than skin deep. It’s convincing Al. 

Review:
I am such a fan of the whole opposites attract story line, where two very different people come together and make sweet love. From the very beginning, the book manages to capture your attention with striking humour and the most lovable main character in all the lands. This story offers everything I enjoy when reading. An underdog who comes out on top, and a happy ending.

The start of the book is quite funny. With a dark ally, and a very drunk as hell Larry. In comes big scary Al Fletcher to the rescue, his look says mean and hand over your wallet, but his appearance is far from the truth. Al is a gentle soul, with a kind heart, but because of his exterior people usually are afraid of him. That night of grossly misconceptions leads to an amazing story, and an amazing love.

Though the relationship moves somewhat quickly, it is very realistic to the story and the characters. Al seems like the type to love quickly and wholeheartedly, and in the terms of Larry our college professor Al becomes the exact man he needed. Two men from two very different worlds, with not much in common but they find a common ground.

This book will make you laugh, it will make you cry and you will fall hopelessly in love with Al. It also offers up a great message with “never judge a person by their appearance” because when you do. You only make an ass out of yourself. Al is simple, he might not be a genius but he could careless. Say, what you want about him, he just doesn’t give a damn. Because Al has his mom, Al has his Larry and Al his friends. Life could not be any greater.

"I guess it's not just fucking after all. Larry and me. Although, you know, the fucking is pretty good too" - From Muscling Through

Reviewed for Three Dollar Bill Reviews

Menage Mondays Giveaway!

 

Howdy All, and welcome to my first giveaway. I think its pretty spectacular, I like giving stuff to other people. Plus I really want to know what the winner will think about the books. Either you love it or hate it and if you do hate it, you can say to yourself "thank goodness it was free".

Rules are pretty simple: Be a follower or leave a comment. Maybe you can do both, to make your chances of winning higher. Make love to that widget thing at the bottom of the post.

So the prizes are for one lucky winner. 

DARK HORSE by Kate Sherwood

OUT OF THE DARKNESS by Kate Sherwood

*Remember to fill out the form below. Contest runs from October 3rd-5th. If you are the lucky winner, choice of ebook/kindle. Winner chosen by rafflecopter and random.org.*