Nine-Tenths of the Law

Nine Tenths of the Law by L.A Witt
Samhain Publishing

Novella

3 out of 5

3.5/5 PL Scale

Blurb:

Without trust, common ground can get pretty shaky…

“I believe you have something of mine, Zach.”

Zach Owens doesn’t even know who this angry stranger is, let alone what the man is talking about—until he learns what they have in common. Their boyfriend, Jake. Once Jake’s out of the picture, Zach’s apology to Nathan Forrester leads to a long conversation, a kiss, and a chemistry that goes far beyond revenge sex.

Nathan can’t help but fall for the sexy movie theater owner, but it’s a long way from sheet-tearing sex to mutual trust. And a series of “coincidences” that throws Zach into Jake’s company leaves him unconvinced Zach was the complete innocent in their previous love triangle.

Zach can’t seem to make Nathan believe that Jake is up to something. But protesting his innocence isn’t working, and Jake’s carefully orchestrated campaign to destroy their love could leave them both with nothing…



Review:
This book was awfully frustrating to me, at points I was so in love and then I would find myself getting equally pissed off. The subject matter was serious, how is one able to trust again after being cheated on, and can you come to care for the person who was the one your boyfriend was cheating with. Some reader might be appalled at the way both our main characters were quick to jump into bed, I on the other hand found it kind of refreshing, it sort of like sticking it to the man. They both made a sad situation very sexy.

The story begins with Zach in a bar meeting with his boyfriend, he is all happy because he knows its going to be a goodnight. All of a sudden a stranger interrupts and confronts Zach, seems his boyfriend doesn’t only belong to him. Well they both get rid of the cheating bastard who goes by the name of Jake, well Zach is feeling guilty and he decides to explain that he had no idea Jake was seeing someone else. He introduces himself and finds out the name of the other man, Nathan has been with Jake for four years, and that is like a knife to Zach’s chest. With the intent to talk things over, Zach invites Nathan to have a beer, with the betrayal fresh they decide to get back at Jake, with hot sex.

From there things become all sorts of complicated, when a one night stand between two guys who had been hurt by one man, turns to something more. The hooking up part was easy, it’s the feelings that start to happen that makes things hard. Told in first person we experience everything Zach is feeling, his doubts, happiness and his growing feelings for Nathan. From the very first scene between Nathan and Zach we get the idea, that Zach will fall hard. That one hook up leads to many nights together, and it is all about sex, the relationship was built off someone else’s deceit and trust is a hard thing come by especially on Nathan’s side of things. Not the best way to build a relationship, and trying to make things work overshadows every aspect of the book.

The characters are likable, but that all depends on the connection the reader will have with the book. Nathan’s worries became annoying, yet it is understandable the reasons behind his paranoia, he has been cheated on by someone he loved, and he happens to be in a relationship with the person, who was the other man. Very likely there would be lots of confusion. I found their inability to talk really had me grinding my teeth. It’s like they know a conversation is needed but they avoid it for a few hours of hot sex, and then they have days of worries.

Overall it was an alright read for me, the premise had potential but the constant bickering between Zach and Nathan really irked me, and at the end there was never any solutions. They at some point expressed themselves but never to the fullest, a whole lot needed to be said and it just never happened. The ending was just that, an ending, I am still feeling incomplete. I don’t know if this was done purposely, for maybe a sequel I just personally needed a little more. Once again this book is one of those that might be perceived differently from every reader, you have to call this one on your own. I just could not wrap my mind around Zach and Nathan, I liked them but they annoyed me more than anything. I will say this I did like the writing style, and there was some really sexy scenes, to be expected cus all they did was have sex. I am intrigued enough, to go and check out the author's other works.

Reviewed for Three Dollar Bill Reviews

The Price of Temptation

The Price of Temptation by M.J. Pearson
Seventh Window Publications

Novel

5 out of 5

4/5 PL Scale

Blurb:
Stephen Clair, the notorious Earl of St. Joseph, has a lover he can't afford, a social calendar that's out of control and a libido that rules his life. If he can't get control of all of them, he will fall into financial ruin. Could the youthful, handsome and dependable Jamie Riley be the solution to his problems?

Jamie Riley has a secret that keeps him from accepting the sexual advances of his employer, Stephen Clair, and a past he would like to leave behind. But Stephen is a man who knows how to awaken a passion that Jamie has been trying to suppress, and carries a price that Jamie would rather not pay. But it isn't easy to ignore passion, especially when it's so temptingly close.

Julian Jeffries, lover to Stephen Clair, has found a way of living the high life without lifting a finger. It isn't until Julian notices that Stephen has been spending time with his latest employee, Jamie Riley, that he begins to worry about losing everything he'd schemed to have. Now Julian needs to find a way of getting rid of Jamie without raising suspicion. And, as Julian knows, the best way to do that is to dig into Jamie's past and find something to use against him.

Review:

"Hmmm... JUST CHECK OUT THAT COVER"

^^HMMMM JUST CHECK OUT THAT COVER^^

More of my reviews and thoughts on my blog PANTS OFF REVIEWS


THE COVER- I know what you all are thinking, “what the hell is in his pants”? Well truthfully, I have no idea, but I really do love the cover. I love his stance and the other guy kneeling at his feet. I find it to be very sexy, and makes me wanna say, such cheesy lines like “Is that a flashlight in your pants or are you just happy to see me”, or “Is this a ...more
THE COVER- I know what you all are thinking, “what the hell is in his pants”? Well truthfully, I have no idea, but I really do love the cover. I love his stance and the other guy kneeling at his feet. I find it to be very sexy, and makes me wanna say, such cheesy lines like “Is that a flashlight in your pants or are you just happy to see me”, or “Is this a stick up and are you here to take my clothes”. The possibilities are endless and his breeches are nice and snug, another squeeze my balls a let go my ankle kinda pants.

What I really loved about this book is that it reads like a true historical romance. It was sweet, sexy, and had a certain innocence, which increased the sexiness like by 36%. It offers the handsome and sexy rake, the innocent but tough virgin, and the vile villain. I love historical m/f romance and it no surprise that I loved this one.

Stephen is gay and has always been gay, he does not hide who he is and also has an expensive kept man, in other words a mistress man. He is struggling to make ends meet, but you gotta keep up appearances for the infamous “ton”. His household is barely getting by but he has a few loyal servants who won’t leave his side. Until Jamie arrives looking for a job and then all hell breaks loose.

Jamie has arrived from the country to the city, promised a job by an earl he thinks he has it made. Until he meets Stephen the man he is to serve, and the on who tempts him so much. Jamie’s job is to get Stephen out of the financial dumps and help him bring money in. Jamie can’t help falling in love, and will succumbing to Stephen mean that he will become a kept man?

Let me tell you about this book, it pissed me off. Stephen is such a man; he sees his mistakes but he just does not pay attention to them. He wants Jamie but still keeps his whore of a man, and he is one whore of a man. He is a bad little gay slut. Though there are faults with Stephen character, he is likable and very caring to Jamie. I enjoyed Jamie; he was tough, yet gentle, innocent but not stupid. He wanted more than sex and was willing to leave the man he loved, because he would not just settle.

Real Talk- I read a lot of m/m books, and there is always something about size and precum. Like the slippery trail of precum, and the leaking tip and precum everywhere. On someone’s chest, a puddle on the floor, in someone’s eye etc…… This book has none of that, and if it did; it would have entirely changed the tone of the story. Did I miss the precum? Mmmm not really, it was a welcomed break.

I was really happy with this book, I loved the fact that everyone knew of Stephens preference for men, and label it folly of the youth, but god forbid he falls in love, then he is depraved and disgusting. What can I say people are ridiculi. I give it 5 stars for the authenticity of the historical genre, and his nice package in those breeches. I wonder how the ride on a horse would be? Something to ponder.

Last Call Europe: Black Wolf

Last Call Europe: Black Wolf by Belinda McBride
Changeling Press

Novella

4 out of 5

3.5/5 PL Scale

Blurb:
Siberians live for the thrill of the chase; wolves exist for the joy of the capture. On a foolish dare, Jasper O'Shea takes a gamble at the Last Call, letting fate chose his lover for the night.

Detective Brutus "Brutal" Ballantine came to the Last Call looking for something far different than a sly, clever Siberian Husky. Yet when the call comes over the sound system, he finds himself unable to resist the lure of laughing blue eyes and a happy tail.

The chase is on, but who is the hunter, and who is the prey? 


Review:
I was completely hooked by this book from beginning to the very end. This author is becoming a new fave of mine, she’s so good I am considering reading her M/F works. For those of you, who know me; will realize that this is huge, cus M/F erotica tends to annoy the living daylights out of me. My only problem is that this book is like 100 pages too short. I wanted more of our main characters world, and I think this is why the author is just that good. With Blaque/Bleu, I never wanted it to end, could have read about them all day and never would have been bored.

Brutus is a paranormal investigator and is on the hunt for a killer. His search brings him to London and the bar Last Call. He is there for business not pleasure, until his eyes land on a red head Siberian husky, with playful eyes and wicked intents behind his sweet smile. Unable to deny his attraction to the red head Jasper, a night of wicked fun and submission leads to more than Brutus had in mind.

The hunt for a serial demon is on, and in the midst of all that Brutus is falling in love and it scares the living daylights out of him. He is the black wolf, but so much more than a wolf. accustomed to being alone, Jasper is making him feel things that he never thought possible, he was supposed to be just a one night f*ck. Throw in a battle that could cost them both their lives, and you have one exciting short read. A little BDSM with a twist, mmmmm I lurve.

One thing you can expect from Belinda is an exciting story, the sex is not plentiful but when it happens; IT HAPPENS. This is all about story telling, and in these very short pages, you know every character without the ongoing details. Another solid read.

The Pharaoh's Concubine

The Pharaoh's Concubine by Z.A Maxfield
Samhain Publishing 

Novel

4.5/ out of 5

3.5/5 PL Scale

Blurb:
Beauty is only skin deep…until love reveals what lies beneath.
As mob boss Yvgeny Mosko’s open secret, Dylan Anderson is happy enough with a passionate, if loveless, arrangement that affords him a life of luxury. But at thirty-six, he wonders how committed Mosko will be to an aging lover.
He finds out when a rival gang kidnaps him in a turf war everyone’s sure to lose. Mosko unleashes deadly force, leaving no one alive except for a young man whose dark eyes tug at Dylan’s heart—and the conscience he thought he’d excised long ago.
Though he tried to stop the kidnapping, William “Memo” Escobar knows Mosko will use what’s left of him to send a powerful message to his rivals. When Mosko’s pampered pretty boy risks everything to help him escape, he can’t believe his luck.
William figures he’s better suited to life off the grid, but as the days go by he begins to realize Dylan’s beauty is more than skin deep. And as Dylan coaxes more and more beguiling smiles from William, he yearns for things—like family ties—he’d thought were best forgotten.
Yet behind their newfound happiness lurks the certain knowledge that no matter how careful they are, Mosko will come for what’s his.

Review:
Whenever I read a book by Z.A Maxfield, I am just so crazy happy, her characters always appeal to me and by the middle of the book, I am so in love I don’t know what to do with myself. This book was no exception, her characters always unique and never perfect. They appeal to my better nature (which is I love hot guys together), I see them so clearly in my head I start to believe that I am reading an autobiography about their lives. They honour me with sharing about their lives, and I feel so happy that they decided to share their life with me. This is what Maxfield does to me when I read one of her books; simply put I become crazy obsessed, and grin from ear to ear.

The Pharaoh’s Concubine is one of those epic books for me by the author. She brings the uniqueness of her characters, all humour and crazy attitude. Dylan is our pampered kept boy, but he is as far from a boy as anyone, going on thirty-six years he lives a routine life. Placed on pedestal because of who is lover is, Dylan is the biggest dirty secret in Las Vegas that everyone knows about. There is more to Dylan that meets the eye, he is not just a pretty face, his life of gold is getting old, and he is getting no younger. When Dylan is kidnapped and beaten in retaliation to who his lover is, all that he knows he will have to be left behind, and even with running for his life Dylan will once again discover himself and find love if only for a moment.

William is the product of a hard life, a gangster dad and gangster brothers, leaves him no room for a regular life. Spared the brunt of it in his young life by a caring grandmother. When his grandmother passes there is no one left to protect him, and the gang comes for him. He is forced to live the life style but knows if he refuses he is pretty much dead. When forced to kidnap Dylan Anderson lover to a mob boss, William is sick. It’s not something he wants to do, but its something he has to do. Knowing there is no way things will go as planned, but never knowing his young life is about to be changed forever.

I will honestly say that I really like this book; I haven’t had the opportunity read all the books by this author. This one is very different from the books I have read, but still offers up the great writing and unique humour the author is known for. I love the complexity of Z.A’s characters; yet they still manage to be relatable. I am always one-hundred percent invested in a Maxfield book, and this one had me smiling and spending a little bit too much time ignoring my children (yes, I did just write that). I loved these two very flawed men finding love with each other. I liked that they are from two very different backgrounds, but they share a common goal. To find happiness, love, and all the things worth living for (also not dying).

I am a huge fan of William, I love how he has swagger without the rep, and I love how he is this hot Latino. What makes me love him more, is when he says *papi* I freaking lose it. I am planning to have people call me papi, been informed that I am not a man and blah blah blah. I want to be papi! Plus this young man is packing some serious packaging, like packing heat............ So really the multiculturalism of the story is a huge plus, and no one does it better than Z.A. This one might not be a big hit with fans of the author, but if you are a serious fan then you won’t wanna miss this one.

With great supporting characters, and all the family love, what’s not to like. I really hope the author gives Peter, an annoying and equally douche baggish ex-lover of Dylan. He’s an ass but I would love him to have his own story, there is room for him to grow as a character and I hope he is a bottom, lol.

In the words of Ni Hao Kai-Lan, "Z.A, you make my heart feel super happy",

Reviewed for Three Dollar Bill Reviews 


 

Masked Monday Blog Hop

Masked Monday Blog Follow is a weekly feature that is run every Monday and is hosted by

Sam, E and R's Awesomness  and  Bona Fide Reflections.

Masked Monday is run with the objective to make new friends, to discuss secretive things on books you've read, discover new things about ourselves, find and visit other book blogs that we can all share an interest in and most of all have fun and a good laugh along the way!

Want to join? Its simple! All you have to do is follow these rules:

1. Probably the most obvious - you need to run a blog. Preferably a book blog.

2. Make sure you are able to post Masked Monday, on a Monday.

3. You will need our button to go with your post. So take the link back button and post it at the top of your post. While your there, place it as a widget on your sidebar.
4.Copy and paste these rules and Include the linky list with all the participating blogs at the end of your post OR link to this blog follow.

5. Answer the Question/s on the list and post the same question on your blog post.

6. Visit the other blogs that will be on the list. If you not already following them, do the nice thing and become a follower. Let them know so they then can return the favour in kind and leave a comment on their site. Because everyone wants more followers!

7. Put your name and blog URL in the fancy dancy widget below

8. If in doubt contact, Sam or Elena @ samsawesomness@gmail.com  OR

                                           Laurie @ bonafidereflections@gmail.com

MASKED MONDAYS QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Thinking fictional. What would be the first thing you would do if you were able to get your soul back, and become Human again?

My Answer: I would probably begin with a night of promiscuity and begin the downward spiral to losing my soul again. Though I wouldn't be hurting anyone, I think my lascivious thoughts and actions would make lose my soul again; or not. Really though, I would just sit and relax and watch some t.v. and just enjoy being alive.

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