Review: Bear, Otter, and the Kid by TJ Klune

Bear, Otter, and the Kid
~TJ Klune

Paperback: 350 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Publish Date: August 12, 2011
ISBN-10: 1613720874
ISBN-13: 978-1613720875
ASIN: B005H3MRVK

From Goodreads:
Three years ago, Bear McKenna’s mother took off for parts unknown with her new boyfriend, leaving Bear to raise his six-year-old brother Tyson, aka the Kid. Somehow they’ve muddled through, but since he’s totally devoted to the Kid, Bear isn’t actually doing much living—with a few exceptions, he’s retreated from the world, and he’s mostly okay with that. Until Otter comes home.
Otter is Bear’s best friend’s older brother, and as they’ve done for their whole lives, Bear and Otter crash and collide in ways neither expect. This time, though, there’s nowhere to run from the depth of emotion between them. Bear still believes his place is as the Kid’s guardian, but he can’t help thinking there could be something more for him in the world... something or someone.

Darryl "Bear" McKenna was days away from his 18th birthday when he came home to a letter from his mother:  She's leaving town with her latest boyfriend who does't want kids; so his mother is leaving Bear's six-year-old brother, Ty, in Bear's care.  Bear is devastated - he's about to graduate and go to college on a scholarship, but now all that's about to change. Luckily he's got his girlfriend, Anna, his best friend, Creed, and Creed's older brother Oliver (Otter).  They all staunchly support Bear and Ty and rally around to make sure things are okay - not perfect, but they're making it work.

As the story opens, Bear, Ty, and Creed are headed Creed's parent's home for the summer.  Their house is supposed to be empty, but Otter is there.  Bear hasn't spoken to Otter in almost three years - since the "incident" that Bear doesn't want to think about.  He's still angry Otter left the way he did.  But everyone else is happy Otter is back, and maybe Bear is just fighting how he really feels...

Otter has been living in San Diego, but he's come back to get his head together and try to salvage his friendship with Bear: he knows Bear is the only person he's ever loved without reservation.  Sure, he had a boyfriend in San Diego, but he never stopped thinking about Bear and what happened between them.  He thought he was doing the right thing when he left, but now he's not so sure, and he's come home to try to fix it.

What follows is a heartwarming, heartbreaking, frustrating and beautiful story of finding love and finding yourself.

My thoughts:
I really enjoyed Bear, Otter, and the Kid.  TJ Klune has a knack for writing sympathetic characters and the reader will be feeling all the ups and downs in the story right along with them.  Klune writes a heartbreaking situation, but he does so with bits of humor interspersed to keep the reader from wallowing in pity:

Creed scowls.  "Hardly.  All he does now is mope like a goddamn teenage girl.  Anytime I'm home, he's in his room with the door locked.  I'm telling you guys, he got worked over really bad in San Diego.  I thought the whole point of having a gay brother was that they were supposed to be all cool and shit.  I've got a defective gay."
~ 21%, Bear, Otter, and the Kid

The secondary characters are written into the story in such a way that you think about them when they're not on the page.  You find yourself wondering how Ty is doing at his first sleepover or how Anna has been since the breakup.    Ty, Creed, Anna, and even the neighbor Mrs. Paquinn add depth to an already emotion-filled story.  I'll warn you up front, Bear, Otter, and the Kid is full of angst, but it's sooo good.  Bear does a lot of internal monologues, things he wants to say, needs to say, but doesn't say:

But everything else was crumbling around me, and I didn't know what else to do.  I know that I can't keep using that as an excuse, no matter how hard I try.  But something funny happened, Creed.  Otter came back.  Otter came back and something in me shifted, something in my broke free.  For the first time in a long time, I saw myself through somebody else's eyes.  It was blinding because it was like looking into the sun.  I've never had anyone look at me that way before.  Something in me changed, and I've been struggling with it since.  It's an uphill battle every day, and I don't see the end in sight, and that terrifies me.  But if you want to know the truth, I want you to know.  I love him.  I love Otter.  I think I always have, and I think I always will.  It sounds weird, I know, coming from me.  I'm the last person you'd expect to hear say something like this.  I just don't want to keep it in anymore.  I'm tired of fighting it, and Otter told me the fight for me was all he's ever known, and I couldn't do that to him anymore.  Not when he finally came home to me.
~56%, Bear, Otter, and the Kid

In case you can't tell from the monologue, Bear has a hard time accepting he's gay.  He does love Otter but can't admit he's gay.  I found this one of the most endearing and frustrating aspects of the book.  While I understand Bear's reluctance, at the same time I could feel Otter's pain and feelings of rejection.

One part of the story I had a problem with was Bear's mother.  Without giving away spoilers, her part in the story didn't make any sense and was never explained.  I think the story could have ended the same way without her appearance.

The last thing I'm going to mention is Bear's younger brother Ty.  Ty is absolutely adorable:  he's super-smart, and at first I was worried he'd be an annoying kid with a saccharine personality.  Not so - he was quite yoda-like with his knowledge of how the world works and his ability to read people.  Great kid, fun to read, full of smart advice for not only Bear, but the rest of the gang as well.

Poignant, funny, hopeful and heartwarming, I absolutely recommend Bear, Otter, and the Kid.    The sex is secondary to the storyline, very mild, so this would be good for new readers of gay romance, as well as those with a bit more experience in the genre.



My Rating: 
Book provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

Review: Tigers and Devils by Sean Kennedy

Tigers and Devils
~Sean Kennedy

Paperback: 376 pages 
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Publish Date: March 9, 2009 
ISBN-10: 1935192450 
ISBN-13: 978-1935192459 
ASIN: B001V7POB6 

From the author's website:
Football, friends, and film are the most important parts of Simon Murray’s life, likely in that order. Despite being lonely, Simon is cautious about looking for more, and his best friends despair of him ever finding that special someone to share his life. Against his will, they drag him to a party, where Simon barges into a football conversation and ends up defending the honour of star forward Declan Tyler — unaware that the athlete is present and listening.

Like his entire family, Simon revels in living in Melbourne, Victoria, the home of Australian Rules football and mecca for serious fans. There, players are deemed gods and treated as such – until they do something to cause them to fall out of public favour. Declan is suffering a horrendous year of injuries, and the public is taking him to task for it, so Simon’s support is a bright spot in his struggles. In that first awkward meeting, neither man has any idea they will change each other’s lives forever.

As Simon and Declan fumble toward building a relationship together, there is yet another obstacle in their way: keeping Declan’s homosexuality a secret amidst the intrusion of well-meaning friends and an increasingly suspicious media. They realise that nothing remains hidden forever… and they know the situation will only become more complicated when Declan’s private life is revealed. Declan will be forced to make some tough choices that may result in losing either the career he loves or the man he wants. And Simon has never been known to make things easy – for himself or for others.

Tigers and Devils is the story of Simon Murray and Declan Tyler.  Simon is the director of an independent film festival in Melbourne, Australia; he's also gay and is "out".  Declan is a famous AFL football star -one of he best in the league- and definitely not "out".  Their meeting is embarrassingly comical and sets the tone for the whole story:  Simon has been dragged to a party by his childhood BFF, Roger Dayton, and Roger's wife, Fran.  Simon is hiding out in a dark corner, listening to some strangers talk about AFL football, when he hears some disparaging comments about Declan Tyler's playing abilities.  He stands up to defend Tyler and ends up couching it inside an insult, but of course he doesn't know Tyler is standing right behind him!

What follows its the story of their relationship, the challenges Declan faces as a gay football player, the challenges Simon faces as not only his partner, but a non-famous person dating a well-known football star.

My thoughts:
In a word:  Amazing!  I absolutely loved Tigers and Devils and can honestly say it is one of my favorite reads this year.  I could not put this book down, Sean Kennedy's writing is so entertaining and the characters are so realistic that when I finished the book, I felt like friends had just moved away.

Simon's dry wit and sarcasm pulled me into the story immediately:

     "Stereotypes are a killer," he said.  "I mean, if I was to go on what you look like, I would say you're a typical arty wanker, what with your cargo pants, your Doc Martens and your all-black wardrobe."
     "Ah, but I am an arty wanker," I replied.  Rule one, always be self-deprecating and get in with insults about yourself before the other party can.
     "Where's your beret?"
     "That's for Sundays."
~Tigers and Devils, location 275

As the "arty wanker", you would think he would be the more open of the two, but you'd be wrong.  Simon's gruff exterior hides his feelings of being hurt:

As he swiped us through the lobby with a security card, I wondered whether even without the secrecy built around our relationship, if we would feel comfortable with such a public display of affection.  when it came down to it, I honestly did't think I would be.  And I wasn't sure if it was fear or just the fact that I was reserved to begin with.
~Tigers and Devils, location 3029

Declan, on the other hand, while hiding his homosexuality from the public, is more accepting of his feelings and knows what he and Simon have is real and good:

"As long as I'm here in the morning," he yawned.  "This was where I wanted to be all night, so that's why I came here."
There was a deliciously gooey feeling in my belly, damn it.  "I'm flattered."
"I love you," he whispered.
~Tigers and Devils, location 5712

Simon and Declan were funny and stubborn and sweet and frustrating - they love each other and both want to protect the other from being hurt.  There are misunderstandings and scandals and touching, heartwarming scenes.  I loved every page of it.  The sex scenes are light - not explicit at all, and I'd say they're a perfect fit for the story.

Not only did I adore Simon and Declan, their friends were amazing as well.  Sometimes, when you're reading a story, you kind of skip over the friend parts - not so with Tigers and Devils.  Roger and Fran were integral to the story and their support of Simon (and more than a few whacks on the head when he was being a stubborn idiot) was touching.  Everyone needs BFFs like Roger and Fran.  Declan's friend couple, Abe (a teammate) and Lisa were great.  I enjoyed the scenes were Lisa takes Simon to the games.

I find that in general m/m stories are a bit short, but that was not the case with Tigers and Devils, as a matter of fact, I didn't want it to end.  The length  is necessary to cover how much time passes during the course of the story; this is not an "immediate attraction" story but could be a real relationship with all the ups and downs that can happen there.  I like that the author didn't end with their getting together and fading to HEA - we got to see what happens after that, when things get rough and disagreements happen.

I cannot say enough how much I enjoyed Tigers and Devils.  If you've never read m/m romance before then this would be a perfect book to start with.  If you are a regular reader of m/m romance, you cannot miss Tigers and Devils, it's a must read!




My Rating:5 stars
Book received from the publisher via NetGalley.

Review: Of Wolves and Men by G.A. Hauser

Of Wolves and Men
~G.A. Hauser


Paperback: 212 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace
Publish Date: April 5, 2011
ISBN-10: 146102014X
ISBN-13: 978-1461020141
ASIN: B004VB5J5A

From the author's website:
'Cowboy' Charlie Mosby worked on a horse ranch in Heber, Utah. He loved his work, the owners of the ranch, and his co-workers; wranglers who helped tourists with guided horse tours and trail riding all year round.

But after a chance meeting with a handsome gay man who had helped Charlie change a flat tire on Interstate 80 a month ago, Charlie was beginning to wonder about his sexuality. And if that wasn't confusing enough, strange things were happening on the ranch. Satanic worship? A strange cult ritual? Whatever it was, it wasn't good for the owners or the horses on it.

One night Charlie stumbles upon Roman Burk in the woods, naked, bleeding and shivering in the cold. What Charlie never imagined was who -or what- Roman was. Even though the handsome stranger seemed to vanish at times and reappear as if by magic, Charlie was infatuated by this man.  Roman was fearful of revealing his secret. Most of all to a cowboy who was spending more time hunting him, than loving him.

In this shape-shifting story of sexual bonding and discovery, can both Charlie and Roman find what they're looking for? It's a question of honor; one that has been up for debate since the first time man set his eyes on this formidable predator. It's about the mutual respect of Wolves and Men.

Charlie Mosby is a cowboy; he manages a ranch and has been doing it for several years.  He's friendly with the other employees and lives on the property.  The owners treat him like a son.  He enjoys taking tourists on nature tours on the property.   He's always thought of himself as straight, until last year when he got a flat tire and a stranger stopped to help him change it...and then gave him the best head of his life.  Now he can't stop thinking about that stranger.

While Charlie's out fixing a fence with another worker, they come upon a mutilated deer carcass.  The next night as he's headed out to watch for trouble near the site of the killing, he runs across a shivering, naked man he later learns is named Roman.  He brings him home and they have sex, but Charlie thinks it's a dream.  Charlie finds him again the next day, and Roman attacks him - they have sex on the trail, after which Roman jumps up and runs away. Around the time he's trying to figure out what's going on with Roman, he's noticing a large black bird and a wolf keep keep appearing around the ranch, especially near his cabin.  Eventually he realizes they're both Roman - he shifts uncontrollably into a bird or a wolf.   Roman doesn't understand why he's been cursed, or by who, but he knows Charlie can somehow help him find the answers he seeks.

My thoughts: 
I could not get into this book.

The characters were inconsistent: Charlie seems to be a normal hard-working guy, but as soon as he gets around Roman he's horny and irresponsible; his co-worker Butch seems to be a nice guy then turns into a jealous, unpleasant character. Roman is, in turns, needy and aggressive.

The sex was flat: it was a lot of "let's hurry up and get off before Roman changes into a wolf/bird" or they'd crash into each other and go for it wherever they happened to be at the time.  At the beginning of the book, Charlie brings Roman home and they have sex, even though Charlie was supposed to be taking his turn watching the area where they found the deer; and no one noticed he didn't work his shift.

The mystery portion of the story made no sense: why would this mysterious sect curse Roman into a bird and a wolf and cause him to be constantly horny?  Why does Roman think Charlie can cure him?  We never got an answer to those questions, and  a new mystery surrounding Charlie sprouted up at the end of the book that remained unanswered.

It also bothered me that even though they both mentioned on separate occasions that they should be using condoms, they never did.





My Rating:



Book received from publicist in exchange for an honest review.

Review: No Apologies by Tibby Armstrong

No Apologies
~Tibby Armstrong

Format: e-book
File Size: 278 KB
Publisher: Loose ID
Publish Date: April 12, 2011
Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-60737-989-8

From the author's website:
Cheerful and friendly, Aaron Blake has never met a puzzle that intrigues him more than brooding Greg Falkner. He wants to get to know his roommate, but it seems the only way past his shell is through it. When a reluctant friendship turns into a budding romance, can the two keep their feelings secret from their classmates? Or will their newfound love destroy them both?

So goes the story screenwriter Greg Falkner spins for audiences and his longtime partner, Aaron Blake, in No Apologies. Loosely based on their lives together, the film rocks Hollywood with its blatant portrayal of two teenagers falling in love and coming of age in a world that struggles to accept them, while they in turn struggle to accept themselves.

At the end of the evening, will Greg’s risky venture break a relationship that’s already foundering? Or will the real life Greg and Aaron also find their happily ever after with No Apologies?

Aaron Blake has had it. He's tired of hiding from the public eye, even though he's been with his partner, Greg, for almost 10 years. He's got a promise ring that doesn't feel like much of a promise, and he's done with it. Greg begs him to at least come to his movie premier before he decides to call it quits.

Greg Falkner has always had a problem expressing how he feels, and it's impossible for him to say he's sorry or "I love you". He does love Aaron, and his movie is his love letter to Aaron. But will it be enough to salvage the relationship and make up for all those years of not apologizing?

You know, I'm finding that I really like gay coming-of-age stories, and No Apologies is no exception. When the story opens, Aaron is pretty pissed at Greg, and Greg is scrambling not to lose him. He knows this is his last chance to salvage their relationship. The story is set in 2002 but then flashes back to 1994 through the movie.

We see how they met, and how their relationship moved from indifference to friends to lovers, and the bullying they receive by their classmates as a result of their friendship. After graduation, they separate, both going home for the summer before starting college in different parts of the country.

Greg has some pretty messed-up family issues and emotional baggage, and in order to spare dragging Aaron down into it, he leaves. Aaron does some soul-searching at home and realizes that yes, he is gay. And he wants Greg. Then Aaron learns Greg has disappeared, and he risks everything to go searching for Greg.

What I liked: I like both Greg and Aaron for different reasons - Greg is so messed up by past events in his life that the only way he feels like he can be in control is to manipulate people by making them angry enough to hurt him. Aaron makes him feel like it's okay to give up control. They're beautiful together; I wouldn't say they have a D/s relationship, maybe more of a control exchange? Whatever you call it, it works for them. Their sex scenes are tender and rough and beautiful and hot.

I also thought the actions by their classmates are an accurate depiction of the "mob mentality" involved in bullying and showcase the misery the target endures.

I liked the idea of using the movie as a vehicle to showcase their past relationship in present day, although I might have been a bit confused about what was "real" and what was the movie.

What I didn't like: I thought the ending wrapped up too swiftly. Aaron was really angry and his capitulation to Greg at the end came suddenly, and Greg's change of heart about outing himself and all that went with it seemed impulsive based on his reactions to Aaron's requests at the beginning of the book. We also never really found out what set Aaron off in the beginning of the story to make him so angry; unless we're supposed to assume it was a buildup of anger over the years? It was almost like the present day Aaron and Greg swapped places with the past Aaron and Greg.

All in all, though, Aaron and Greg were great characters and I fell hard for their relationship. I couldn't put No Apologies down.

My Rating:

This book was received by the publicist in exchange for an honest review.

M/M Valentine's Day Giveaway Winners!!

Many thanks to all who entered my M/M Valentine's Day Giveaway!
In a totally random, non-tech-savvy draw, I let my 4-year-old pick the winners from a cup:

Congratulations to:


Sherry
who won Love & Loyalty,



booklover0226
who won Inland Empire, and



Tam
who won College boys!!

I've e-mailed the winners, please contact me at
bookaddictpatti at cox dot net
with your mailing address.

M/M Month Review: Inland Empire by James Buchanan

Inland Empire (Taking the Odds, Book 2)
~James Buchanan

Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 343 KB
Print Length: 288 pages
Publisher: Torquere Press
Publish Date: June 10, 2009
ASIN: B002YK4ECY
ISBN: 978-1-60820-016-0 (print)

From the author's website:
Agent Nick O'Malley and Det. Brandon Carr are back. Nick heads to Riverside, California, center of the Inland Empire and Brandon's home turf. But every minute Nick's in Riverside threatens to out Brandon. When events embroil Nick in one of Brandon's investigations -- gang hits, prostitution, illegal gambling and human trafficking - can they survive both?

I read the first book in this series, Cheating Chance (my review here), at Chris' recommendation several months ago, and immediately fell in love with Nicky and Brandon. I will say this - whenever other bloggers talk about "rope", Nick and Brandon's names always pop up. I think there was one rope scene in Cheating Chance? However, after reading Inland Empire, I understand: Wow, that boy can do some spectacular stuff with his hands!

The book begins with the murder of a teenage gamer. Brandon's police district has been trying to crack the case with no luck. Nick has come from Nevada to visit Brandon in Riverside and to pick up his car (hearse) from impound since his case (from Cheating Chance) is done and the car can be released from evidence. Brandon's a little (a lot) nervous about introducing Nick because Nick is out and Brandon is as far back into the closet as he can go. One thing leads to another and Nick ends up helping Riverside PD with the case.

My thoughts: I already loved Brandon and Nicky, and Inland Empire gave me a new view of the couple. This time they're on Brandon's turf and things are a bit trickier as Brandon can't be as open as he was when they were in Nevada. Only Brandon's partner knows he's gay.

Inland Empire started off with a bang (literally) and then moved quickly to Nicky and Brandon's relationship. At the point where I started to wonder if there would be any plot to the story, it jumped back into it and really took off.

I really connected Brandon in this book. He was so paranoid about being outed, I felt bad for him. It caused a lot of problems, both personally and professionally.

“Why do you always push, Nicky?” Exasperated, Brandon sighed. "Why can't you just leave it where it's good?"

Cutting the cop's chin in his hand, Nicky looked deep into Brandon's eyes. "Because I think we deserve wonderful."
- pg 83

I don't know if it's just me, but I felt like Nicky was more in charge in this book than he was in Cheating Chance; more dominant, if you will; and not just in the bedroom. He had a great attitude and was accepting of Brandon's fears while refusing to change his own personality.

The characters on the sideline were many and moved the story along well. Roberta the tranny prostitute was great. The landlady was awful. I liked most of Brandon's co-workers, especially his partner, Jeff. We also got to meet Brandon's ex-boyfriend Ray, who ended up helping with the case.

The end of the book was amazing - it's not a cliffhanger per se, but I'm dying to find out what happens to these two next in All or Nothing, book 3 of the series.

My Rating:

M/M Review: Nowhere Ranch by Heidi Cullinan

Nowhere Ranch
~Heidi Cullinan

Format: ebook
Length: Novel
Publisher: Loose Id
Publish Date: February 15, 2011
ISBN13: 9781607379485


From Goodreads:
Roe Davis is a man who works hard, keeps to himself, and never mixes business with pleasure -- until he takes a weekend away from his new job at Nowhere Ranch and runs into the owner at the only gay bar for two hundred miles. Getting involved with the boss is a bad idea, but Travis Loving is hard to say no to, especially when it turns out their kinks line up like a pair of custom-cut rails. As Loving points out, so long as this is sex on the side, no interfering with the job, they could make it work. The truth is, there’s good reason Roe never settles down and always spends his birthdays and holidays celebrating alone. Shut out in the cold by his family years ago, Roe survived by declaring he didn’t need a home. As his affair with Loving grows into more than just sex, Roe finds out what happens when he stays put a little bit too long: the past always catches up with you. Eventually, even a loner gets lonely, and home will grow up through whatever cracks you leave open for it -- even in a place called Nowhere.

This is one of the hardest reviews I’ve tried to write. I loved this book: I want to *squee!!* and *sigh* at the same time…

Monroe (Roe) Davis is a cowboy, born and raised in Iowa, living with his family, until the day his mother is cleaning out his room and discovers his porn stash….and realizes it’s all men in the pictures. After repeated attempts to “help” him by the family and the local preacher, he’s given the ultimatum to “save himself” or leave. He ends up leaving the state, drifting the Midwest from ranch to ranch, not staying anywhere long enough to get attached - it’s the way he lives his life…and his love life – no strings, no attachments.

When he lands at Nowhere Ranch in Nebraska, his intentions are to stay long enough to earn a few bucks before leaving again. One weekend when Travis, the owner is away, Roe heads out of town to find a gay bar and pick up some action. He gets the shock of his life when he walks in and ends up sitting next to… Travis!!

It’s an uncomfortable situation, so they drink and talk, and the conversation leads to what they’re looking for in a pick-up. As Travis describes what he wants, Roe realizes they both want what the other is offering. They agree to get together – for the night only. It turns into a crazy sexy weekend and then they’re back to the ranch acting as if nothing ever happened.

A few weeks later, Roe gets a letter from his cousin. In the letter, she blames him for ruining his family by being gay; that his selfishness has caused heartache and pain and he needs to fix himself and come home. He goes for a walk to clear his head and runs across Travis; still reeling from the letter, he agrees to go to the Rodeo. At the rodeo, Roe meets Haley – the ranch foreman’s daughter. She’s chatty and bubbly and way too peppy for Roe, who just wants to be alone.

On his birthday, Roe runs into Haley again in the grocery and she won’t let him refuse her offer to take him out for his birthday. They go out for dinner and karaoke; Travis ends up at the bar and Haley makes a discreet exit. Travis and Roe go back to Travis’ house and crazy sexy birthday sex ensues.

Eventually, Travis convinces Roe that they can be bedmates without being "in a relationship", and the story really picks up. The ranch is busy, Haley's tutoring Roe to get his GED, Roe is spending more and more time at Travis' house and less time in his apartment, and life is moving forward at a good pace.

Of course, life doesn’t just mosey along without a hitch or two, and Roe gets several thrown at him all at once, making him question his wandering lifestyle, love, and what makes a family.

_____________________

My thoughts: I know that’s a crazy-long summary for me, but it doesn’t even begin to cover all the events and emotions found in Nowhere Ranch. I was drawn in from the first page and tore through this book in a day. Did I stay up way too late because I wanted to finish? Oh yeah! Every time I thought I knew where Ms. Cullinan was taking me, she turned a corner and *surprise*, we weren’t where I thought we’d end up. I love that!! Nowhere Ranch is told in first person, past tense – Roe is telling the story, and he's a great storyteller.

Heidi Cullinan’s writing style is fabulous, her characters were sympathetic, and even though I don’t usually go for older man/younger man relationships, Roe and Travis’ relationship worked for me. Travis’ cut-and-dry personality was a great match for Roe’s more emotional one. Although Roe tried to bury his emotions, eventually they’d back up until they poured out of him in moments of stress or revelation.

I’ll admit, some of the sexy stuff was a little bit beyond my reading experience (such as the pony bench – I don't quite get how everything fits, lol) (also, this was my first fisting story) and some scenes occasionally made me wince, but wow – the sexin’ was rough, raw, and hot!

The way Haley’s story played out was unexpected. I can’t go into much more without major spoilers, but she was a fabulous secondary character who ultimately did more than just help push the story along. I think as a female reader, I was better able to insert myself into the story via Haley’s character, and I was pleased with that. She might have made a decision or two I can't relate to, but as I mentioned above, Ms. Cullinan did not always lead me in the direction I thought she would.

In summary – I loved Nowhere Ranch: the characters were likeable, the story was good, the sex was hot, and I stayed involved and entertained – who could ask for more?

My Rating:

This book was received by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

M/M Guest Post: Janna from E Romance Reader

Please join me in a warm welcome to one sexy blogger: E-Romance Reader Janna! I love her blog and always find good recommendations there. I've followed her blog as her reviews started leaning towards mostly M/M Romance, so when I decided to do a whole month devoted to M/M Romance, I knew I had to invite Janna!

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High 5, Low 5 in m/m romance themes & tropes

When Patti invited me to write a guest post for her M/M Romance Month I was very honored and excited! I love this genre and nowadays I hardly read any romance books other than those of the m/m kind. I haven’t been reading this genre (or even romance in general) for that long, but over the past period of one and a half years I’ve come to like and dislike some romance themes more than others. So, for this guest post I like to talk about my ‘High 5, Low 5’ of favorite and not so favorite themes and tropes in m/m romance.

~High 5~

1. Old Friends, New Loves
This first theme is actually one that also works for me in m/f romance. I just love the Friends to Lovers theme! In m/m books it’s often accompanied by an additional tension because one or both friends are wondering if the other friend is even gay or not. But even if this aspect isn’t playing a role, I’m a big fan of the relationship based on friendship.

2. The One That Got Away
Like the previous theme, this one gives the main characters a history together. So, they already have an emotional bond. Reunited lovers usually have to work out some issues from the past while they can also focus on their present attraction and feelings of love. Important is that I can believe in these because they’re not instantly sprouted but usually based on a shared history and on knowing each other’s personalities. One of the best things about both this and the first theme is therefore that the story doesn’t suffer from insta-love between the protags.

3. Gay For You
This is a typical m/m theme: a straight man falls in love/lust with a person, who happens to be a man. He’s never been in love with another man before and most likely won’t fall for other men in the future. It’s just this particular man, who rocks his boat. I like this theme because it’s the superlative of Love with a capital L. Furthermore, this theme usually brings some struggle into the story and (in the end at least) we can be sure to be in the company of an open-minded hero. I love that!
This theme should not be confused with the ‘gay hero in the closet’ by the way. That’s another theme that I can appreciate once in a while. But more often than not it also makes me want to smack that said hero (which is not necessarily a bad thing). ;)

4. Disabilities
I’m a sucker for men with a disability, especially when learning to deal with it within a (blooming) relationship plays an important role in the book. Damaged heroes, emotionally or physically, usually have this wounded pride thing going on and while gradually growing towards acceptance they have the tendency to push important people away. All the sweeter the happiness in the end when realization of love dawns.

5. Yes Sir!
The D/s relationship is a theme that I like better in m/m than in m/f romance. Don’t get me wrong, I do kinda like it in both genres, but the author of a BDSM romance with m/f protagonists, has to be very skilled to not make me feel awkward. Emotional depth is essential for me in any romance but especially in the BDSM themed ones. In m/m romance I can deal much better with less emotional layers than in m/f books, probably because of the more natural balance in equality between two men. That makes it sexier when one takes control over the other guy.

~Low 5~

1. May-December Love
I can’t help it but I’m just not a fan of a big age gap between the heroes. Especially when the gap is bigger than 13 to 15 years I start to feel icky, because I can’t let go of the thought that the younger guy must have daddy issues. Maybe it has also something to do with my dislike of heroes that are much older than 40. I like them best in their thirties or even in their twenties.

2. M-Preg
I actually have never read a romance which had a male-pregnancy in it, but that’s because I’m shying away from the topic as much as I can. Pregnancy or wanting to get pregnant is something I don’t want to read about in romances in general. Period. I just don’t think it’s sexy, and even less so when it’s a male getting knocked up. Funny thing though is that I don’t mind ‘men with children’ being the heroes of a story. As long as the kids aren’t just props, but well-developed characters, I can enjoy them being part of the story.

3. No Means Yes
I’m ambiguous about non-consensual sex scenes or even when the consent is dubious. Some m/m romances are based on yaoi (m/m manga) in which dub-con or non-con is a fairly common theme. And only that knowledge can make me stomach the dub-con sex scenes in some of those yaoi-based books. Otherwise, this type of sex scenes, for example in BDSM novels, is a big no-no for me.

4. Twincest
Twincest or brothercest is another topic I’ve avoided so far. I don’t know, an author must really know what he/she is doing to make me want to read about incest between brothers. Like m-preg it’s very far outside my comfort zone.

5. Stalk Me, Save Me
This theme, where one of the protags has a stalker on his tail and the other protag is there to save his ass, can bore me to death when it isn’t done exceptionally well. I’m not at all against plots where the heroes are being put in danger or find external obstacles on their way, I actually enjoy those action packed stories very much every now and then. It’s the ‘victim meets rescuer’ trope that doesn’t appeal to me. Especially when the ‘victim’ is the princess-in-the-tower type; that is, being very passive until his hero rescues him after which he rewards him with love. Bleh. Furthermore, the conflict in a romance story shouldn’t only be external (like danger coming from a stalker). I need an internal struggle too. In fact, an author can skip the external conflict any time in favor of the internal conflict if it was up to me. :)


Aside from these tropes there are a few character types I avoid more or less if I can. First there’s the drag queen; heroes that are into cross-dressing don’t rock my boat. Second there’s the bear type; big, hairy, muscular types don’t attract me very much. Then there’s the virginal character; it’s not that I dislike this type, but he’s just not doing it for me in a romance (maybe it reminds me too much of the female virgins in historicals). And then there’s the princess-in-the-tower type that I really dislike; I’m just not a big fan of the very passive protagonists in general (see my fifth low too). Lastly, I shy away from romances about established couples; it’s the budding and blooming of a relationship I’m more interested in.

On the other hand, any hero who wears a uniform (law enforcement, fireman, military, medic) easily finds his way into my shopping cart. Alphas make me feel tingly. I can’t help myself. :)


So, which themes, tropes or character types make your ‘High 5, Low 5’ list?

M/M Guest Review: Larissa reviews Josh Lanyon's Holmes and Moriarty series

Please help me welcome Larissa, from Larissa's Bookish Life! Larissa runs a fun and fabulous blog that I'm sure many of you are familiar with:

She's always got something going on over there!! Larissa graciously agreed to stop by today an review one of my favorite M/M authors: Josh Lanyon's Somebody Killed His Editor. Take it away, Larissa:

Somebody Killed His Editor
All She Wrote
~Josh Lanyon

* Publisher: Samhain Publishing
* Release Date of Book #1: June 16th, 2009
* Release Date of Book #2: December 28th, 2010
* My Copy: eBooks/Bought.
* Series: Holmes & Moriarity Series
* Genre: M/M Romantic Mystery
* Author's Website

* Buy The Books:
Somebody Killed His Editor
All She Wrote: Holmes & Moriarity, Book 2

From Goodreads:
Thanks to an elderly spinster sleuth and her ingenious cat, Christopher Holmes has enjoyed a celebrated career as a bestselling mystery writer. Until now. Sales are down and his new editor is allergic to geriatric gumshoes.

On the advice of his agent, he reinvents his fortyish, frumpy, recently dumped self into the sleek, sexy image of a literary lion, and heads for a Northern California writers conference to try and resurrect his career. A career nearly as dead as the body he stumbles over in the woods.

In a weirdly déjà vu replay of one of his own novels, he finds himself stranded in an isolated lodge full of frightened women—and not a lawman in sight. Except for J.X. Moriarity, former cop and bestselling novelist. The man with whom he shared a one-night stand—okay, maybe three—long ago. The man who wants to arrest him for murder.A ruthless, stalking killer, or a hot, handsome ex-lover. Which poses the greater danger? It’s elementary, my dear Holmes!

*SPOILER FREE

Thanks so much to Patti for having me here today! I grasped with both hands this chance of talking about one of my favorite genres ever! M/M Romance Rocks and it needs to be said, loud and clear! =)

I am a HUGE Josh Lanyon fan, so I am constantly checking out his website and trying to find books of his that I haven’t read yet. On one of my most recent visits, I found the Homes & Moriarity books and I can’t believe I had not read them before!

Holmes is a former NYT Best-Seller, Cozy-mystery writer that has seen better days. His publisher is dropping him, he can’t seem to write anything anymore and his love life sucks, not in a good way. During a writer’s retreat that his manager strong armed him to attend, a murder occurs and following a series of mishaps, Homes is one of the prime suspects.

In enter Moriarity, a very successful Thriller writer and former flame of Holmes’, whose previous experience as law enforcement puts in the position of being the best man to take lead on the murder investigations, specially since him, Holmes and everyone else is stranded in the hotel where that retreat is taking place.

Holmes & Moriarity have amazing chemistry, but their past brief relationship keeps getting in the way and Josh does an awesome job in telling their story. Not only the romance part of either books is very satisfying, but the mystery in either novel is very very well constructed and gave me Agatha Christie’s flashbacks in a very good way.

Josh Lanyon is an extraordinary author and the Homes & Moriarity books are nothing if not the perfect example of his talent! I can’t wait for more from this series!

M/M Month Guest Post: Smokinhotbooks' M/M Reader’s Beginner’s Guide To Picking The Right Kind of Manlove

Please join me in welcoming the superfabulous duo of KC and KK (aka Smokinhotbooks)! When I decided to throw a M/M Romance party, I knew these ladies were the perfect people to invite :) Sit back and relax as they guide you to picking the perfect read for whatever M/M level you're ready for:

M/M Reader’s Beginner’s Guide To Picking The Right Kind of Manlove
Some of us (clears throat) are veterans of the reading industry, ie you have more m/m ebooks on your Kindle than traditional romance books. Some of us are m/m virgins and some of us, maybe don’t know what the h-e-double hockey sticks M/M means (yes, I confess to thinking, at first, M/M meant medieval romance. Don’t’ ask me what the other M stood for). Smokinhotbooks is here to be your m/m guide in picking the right kind of manlove for your reading pleasure.

Beginners
I always say test the waters first. We at SHB are the type to dip our toe in the water first before just jumping right in – way to many xtreme erotic romances in the early days can make you gun shy. I recommend trying a m/m/f, not to be confused with m/f/m. Usually with m/f/m there is no touchies between the guys it’s all about the lady and since we are easing you into reading m/m (dudes only) you might want to find books with m/m/f in which case the boys usually play together.
We recommend Lauren Dane’s Laid Bare


This Isn’t My First Rodeo (M/M Readers)
Read a few m/m books and would like to tackle a few more under my belt
For those of you who’ve been around the range a time or too and are interested in reading more because you caught the feva; you might like the following:
Anything written by LB Gregg, her books tend to infuse a lot of humor and are more m/m fiction. There is some lovin’ but not as much as a erotic manlove book.
JL Langley – tends to write a spice® manlove book, but if you like your Thai food a little spicy this was one of the first authors we read an enjoyed.
ZA Maxfield
Ava March – great for historical m/m if you are looking to get away from contemporaries.
Tere Michaels
Keeping Promise Rock by Amy Lane
Zero at the Bone by Jane Seville


Old Timers
You probably have your favs – you know what you like and more than likely have Loose ID, Samhain, Dreamspinner Press saved to your favorites.


Looking for something different…maybe even a little YA... (gasp) we know, you thought we were going to recommend something naughty, weren’t you!

Lord of White Hell I and II by Ginn Hale – kind of like an adult-Harry-Potter with a love story that spans 2 books.


Shades of Gray by Brooke McKinley

Ok, now if you are really looking to ‘stretch’ yourself you might want to venture into the wonderful world of Yaoi Manage or graphic novels. Yes people, there are PICTURES!


Share with SHB what m/m books do you likey?

M/M Guest Post: Tam from Tam's Reads

As M/M month rolls on, please help me welcome Tam from Tam's Reads and Brief Encounters. I love to visit Tam's blog - her Hottie of the Day cheers me right up and she's got plenty of "cookies". I like her reviews and can always find a good recommendation:


One, two three …

So if one guy is hot and two guys are hotter, three should burn up the sheets right? Actually I am right. :) Before I discovered m/m I had read some m/m/f which portrayed not only a sexual relationship between three characters (lord knows most of us have read porn with various numbers of m’s, f’s and who knows what else), but an emotional relationship and not “both guys loved the girl” but they loved each other too. Hmmm. How intriguing.

My first m/m/m was 9-1-1 by Chris Owen. Wow! An emotional journey with three guys; there was insecurity over their place in the relationship, close to cheating, painkiller addictions, family strife over having two partners, it had it all. I totally believed it could happen. Then I continued with Gemini also by Chris Owen. It is *covers Patti’s eyes and whispers* twincest *uncovers her eyes* but with three and again, I thought the double difficulty of not only being in a relationship with two which is frowned on, but having to hide the fact that two were siblings was handled well. I was truly hooked at that point. Oh yeah, and it’s freaking hot.

I’ve read many books since with three, and usually if I see a blurb with three I snap it up. Sometimes it’s simply a third for an evening, but more often than not it’s three together in love. It doesn’t always work for me, just as not every romance works for every reader in any sub-genre. My biggest peeve is when sex becomes the cure-all for everything in the relationship. Doesn’t matter if you’re sad, happy, angry, hungry - just have sex in all variations and everything is good. I need a bit more realism than that.

So why am I attracted to this sub-genre? I don’t know exactly. It’s not something I’d seek out for myself, but to be honest, I might be more open now than I was before I started reading m/m. Fifteen years ago if you’d asked me about a relationship (as opposed to fun) with three I would have scoffed that it’s not possible. And in my heart I’m not sure it really does work. I don’t know anyone personally – or who have revealed it to me – in that type of relationship, but I’d like to believe it could. We all say there is enough love in our hearts for as many children as we have, couldn’t there be enough for another partner?


I also take it as a bit of a challenge to see if the author can make me keep all the arms and legs and … bits in the right place. Nothing worse than reading and having to go back and figure out whose arm was where and wondering if one of them is a circus contortionist, because no way is that possible. If you can make the sex seem realistic, you’ve got me half-way there, give me sympathetic characters that I care about and you’ve got me for life. Then again maybe I’m just a perv, which is quite possible.


I know ménage is not for everyone. Some people really prefer their romantic pairings to be just that, pairs, but if you’re looking for something to stretch the boundaries I highly recommend 9-1-1 for a start. Maybe some other m/m/m readers can recommend some of their favourites as well.

Thanks for inviting me to participate in m/m month Patti. I hope we’ve managed to lure a few readers to at least try the cookies on the dark-side. ;-)

M/M Month Guest Post Danielle from ALPHA Reader

Today I'd like to welcome one of my favorite bloggers: Danielle from ALPHA Reader. I asked Danielle if she would like to do a guest post for M/M Romance month, and she e-mailed back that she'd love to talk about Josh Lanyon's Adrian English series:

___________________

Falling in Love Again

Hello Gentle Reader.
I'm going to tell you a story about a story. This is the story of how I popped my cherry with Adrien English. And when I say ‘popped my cherry’ I mean ‘read my first Male on Male homocentric romance’ and by Adrien English I mean the fictional character of Josh Lanyon’s immensely popular crime fiction series.

It was a momentous occasion for me, and one that changed the tides of my reading habits forever. . .

Let’s Call a Heart a Heart

Adrien English is a part-time novelist and bookshop owner of ‘Cloak and Dagger Books’, which is reputed to have the largest collection of gay and gothic whodunnits around. Adrien is thrust into the role of reluctant sleuth in first book, ‘Fatal Shadows’, when an employee and friend dies, leaving Adrien the main suspect. The death throws LAPD detective, Jake Riordan, into Adrien’s path and kick-starts his dubious crime-solving career that spans five books.

Adrien and Jake form an uneasy friendship, which grows into an unhealthy relationship. You see, Jake is a closeted homosexual, and reluctantly attracted to openly gay Adrien. Over the course of five books, from ‘Fatal Shadows’ through to ‘The Dark Tide’, Adrien’s association with Jake throws him unwittingly into the middle of murder investigations and real-life ‘whodunnits’. . . while Adrien and Jake’s love life also throws both men into a tail-spin. Adrien knows that Jake will never be comfortable with his sexuality, and for as long as he stays in the closet, Jake will hate himself for loving Adrien. . .

Josh Lanyon writes brutal love and callous murder in this epically noir murder-mystery series. A cross between Dashiell Hammett and ‘Queer as Folk’.

I Must Have that Man

I read vicariously. That is, I like to imagine myself as the heroine. Most people read thusly, even if they don’t consciously acknowledge it. If you’re frustrated with the believability of a character’s actions, chances are your problem is more that *you* can’t see *yourself* reacting that way. When I read books that have a male narrator (which is quite rare in the Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance genre I frequent) I’ll ‘take on’ the role of whatever female the hero associates with.

So I never knew how I'd take to reading M/M. It’s hard for me to imagine myself a man, let alone a gay man. I went into ‘Adrien English’ with much (virginal) trepidation, but was quickly swept away by Josh Lanyon’s characterization and the infectious likability of his title character.

Adrien English is a fantastic leading man. He’s witty, a little bit goofy and utterly charming. He’s also not your typical gay lead. In fact, as a writer he pokes fun at the gay stereotype prevalent in current fiction. Adrien is not particularly suave – he eats cereal in his underwear while watching old Errol Flynn movies. The only stereotype Adrien maintains (much to his chagrin) is that of mama’s boy – but only because his eccentric society mother, Lisa, is still reluctant to cut the apron strings. Adrien is also unlucky in love, still nursing a broken heart after his ex, Mel, walked out on him years ago and he’s been celibate ever since. To top it all off, Adrien has had a heart murmur since he was sixteen years old – a condition which will most likely mean Adrien won’t live to see 50.

I connected with Adrien English on so many levels. On the one hand, I saw a lot of myself in him. This geeky bookworm who eats cereal in his underwear while watching old Errol Flynn movies. . . there’s something endearing about Adrien’s geekishness, coupled with Lanyon’s description of him as a Montgomery Clift look-alike. Adrien is at once totally inept and unknowingly charming. I loved him.

I also saw Adrien English as the gay best friend I always wanted. The (fictional) Will to my Grace. . . he has a very biting wit and self-deprecating humour that I found completely addictive and endearing.

But as well as connecting with Adrien’s book-nerd personality and wanting to be besties with him (fictional character or not) I was surprised by how viscerally I connected with Adrien’s romantic dilemmas.

His relationship with Jake Riordan is heartbreakingly and frustratingly relatable, regardless of them being two men. Everyone, at some point in their life and to varying degrees, has fallen for the wrong person. Someone who you know is wrong for you, who will break your heart and leave you irrevocably changed (and not necessarily for the better). That’s what Jake is to Adrien. . . and it takes a long time for readers (and Adrien) to realize that he has the same transforming impact on Jake.

I'm a Fool to Want You

Adrien and Jake’s relationship is the sticking point of the entire series. Adrien’s association with Jake is often the catalyst that throws him (reluctantly) into the middle of murder investigations. But Adrien’s love for the closeted Jake is also the catalyst for much of his heart’s discontent. Readers do have to slog through books in which Adrien is clearly hurting from his love for Jake – a man who cannot commit because he cannot admit to himself who he is.

I said, “You know what I think? I think you needed – wanted – to make a complete break.” I was able to say it without emotion maybe because I'd said it to him so many times in my imagination. “You hated yourself for being queer. I think you probably hate me too. Or did – when I was part of what you hated about yourself.”

- ‘Death of a Pirate King’

Adrien and Jake have a seemingly ‘doomed’ relationship. But Adrien, and readers, do read those moments in between the chaos and complexity. Those moments, however fleeting, when you realize that Jake and Adrien are meant to be. They are each other’s ‘happily ever after’;

He smelled like soap and sleep and bare skin. He smelled familiar. Not the déjà vu familiar of Guy or Mel. Familiar like the ache in your chest of homesickness, of longing for harbor after weeks of rough seas or craving a fire's warmth after snow, or wanting back something you should never have given away.

- 'The Dark Tide'

For those who haven’t had the joy of reading ‘Adrien English’, I won’t tell you whether or not Jake and Adrien do get their ‘happily ever after’. . . save to say, it’s a rocky ride.

The Masquerade is Over

I've always maintained that the ‘Adrien English’ series is not M/M erotica. . . it is, first and foremost, a mystery series (with a gay lead). And I think the reason it was so easy for me to fall into these books, and become comfortable in the M/M genre via Lanyon’s writing, is because I consider myself a mystery aficionado.

If I had popped by M/M cherry with a strictly and explicitly homoerotic novel I may have shied away from the entire sub-genre. But mystery I understand. . . and mystery, is Josh Lanyon’s forte. I was able to lose myself in his cloak and dagger writing; his prose that sounds gravelly and like it should be voiced-over by Humphrey Bogart. It was especially easy to lose myself in this series with an unknowingly dashing leading man like Adrien, and his complicated romance that left me vicariously heartbroken.

Too Marvelous for Words

Josh Lanyon’s ‘Adrien English’ series is noir perfection of Raymond Chandler proportions.

Words fail when I try to explain how much I love this series. I have gone back and re-read and cried again in all the same places and cheered Adrien on despite knowing the outcomes. I don’t even think of this as one of my favourite M/M series – it is simply one of my favourite series, ever.

M/M Month Review: She's Got Balls by Mia Watts

She's Got Balls
~Mia Watts

Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 95 KB
Publisher: Resplendence Publishing, LLC
Publish Date: November 24, 2009
ASIN: B002YQ2JA2

From the author's website:
What do you do with a "wife" who is more man than you can handle?

The FBI and local law enforcement are attempting a mutually beneficial crime stopping partnership. Rookie Agent Chris Tarpington and Detective Vin Pilk team up to prototype the new alliance. How better to bust a ring of drug dealing suburban house wives than to go undercover — way undercover, as a married couple.

Though Chris reluctantly gets in touch with his feminine side, he quickly finds ways of making his sexy partner squirm. And Vin is definitely squirming, but will he run toward or away from his faux wife? As the investigation heats up, inter-agency cooperation takes on a whole new meaning.

I first heard of She’s Got Balls a few months ago and couldn’t stop laughing at the title. When I decided to do M/M month, this book was at the top of my “buy” list. I haven’t read anything by Mia Watts before She’s Got Balls, but I will certainly be reading much more by this author:

Chris Tarpington is a rookie cop on his first undercover operation; problem is, he’s got to act like the female half of a married couple. He decides he’s going to make the other cop play the role of the wife, until he meets him – Dective Vincent Pilk is super-tall, super-buff, and super-gorgeous.

Chris is gay but not out to the Force, so when they’re on assignment and Pilk kisses him as part of the role they’re playing…it takes his breath away. Of course, it’s a bit uncomfortable when you’re aroused and your “junk” is stuffed into a pair ofpantyhose! He doesn’t want Pilk to know he has feelings for him, until one evening when they have to practice being “natural” in front of their targets….

I don’t usually read short stories, and She’s Got Balls is a perfect example of why – I wanted more!!! She’s Got Balls was funny and sexy and I enjoyed every minute of it. Chris was so funny and chatty and completely head-over-heels for Pilk, and Pilk was silent and broody and sexy as hell. This was one book I did not want to put down!

My Rating:

M/M Month Guest Post: Cecile and Erotic Horizon discuss Cecile's first M/M Read

Please join me in welcoming two of the most prolific readers I know - Cecile from All I Want And More (and fellow Louisiana Blogger - Geaux Tigers!) and Erotic Horizon from E.H. On Books and More (whom I believe is across the pond). This is actually a post they did awhile back when Cecile read one of Erotic's recommendations as her first foray into M/M romance:

From the keyboard of E.H.:
As you all know recently Cecile decided to take onboard the challenge of dipping her feet into m/m genre waters. Cecile being Cecile does nothing by halves – so I toss her into the deep end.
I started with a short read that was a winner for me on so many different levels. It has audio and visual effects when it came to the smut scene and as Cecile was determined to rip off that virgin badge – I set her the task of finding a quiet place, put her head down, and give NOTHING BUT TROUBLE by Jenna Byrnes a go. From there things went downhill – of all the places Cecile chose to read her first m/m book – yup right next to hubby….

(We IM the whole discussion – so you guys have to decipher and make the best of this conversation. I had a blast…)

erotichorizon: Hello little grasshopper
cecile.smith75: hey there !! i read one of those books last night.... not the historical one.. the other one

erotichorizon: and how was it.... which one
erotichorizon: ok - any good
cecile.smith75: nothing but trouble
cecile.smith75: omg... at first i have to say that i was a bit.. squeamish at first... but omg it was freaking hot. i fogged up my ereader under the covers it was so hot.

erotichorizon: where was hubby
cecile.smith75: sleeping, lol
cecile.smith75: where else, lol

erotichorizon: you evil - thing... the true mark of a bitch.....
erotichorizon: wait until the man sleeps then you pounce
cecile.smith75: well, some things have never changed. he was sleeping from about 830. hey... he is lucky i did not wake him up!

erotichorizon: you are baddddddd
cecile.smith75: yea well... it was really good

The Book That Did The Deed:

Adrian Scott doesn't expect to fall in love with his employer after spending one night with him. Graham Elliott is handsome and exciting, a very wealthy man, not in Adrian 's league. But their night together was intoxicating, and Adrian can't shake the thought of making a life with this older man. As per their arrangement, they have two more nights together. Will that be enough time to convince his boss they belong together, or will the deal prove to be nothing but trouble? (m/m contemporary erotic romance)


(Here’s our final chatter)

erotichorizon: How do you feel now that you have made the leap.
cecile.smith75: Well, very hot ~ just kidding. I feel like I am peeking into someone else's world; like a peeping tom. If that makes sense.

erotichorizon: Ok - Did you have to built yourself up to reading it or did you just jump in?
cecile.smith75: I just jumped in and read it. No build up, no illusions, just straight forward jump.

erotichorizon: what was the most surprising aspect of the scenes for you?
cecile.smith75: In this particular book, Nothing But Trouble, the most surprising thing about it was the emotions that were expressed. I could almost feel the angst of the characters and could feel the passion just the same.

erotichorizon: The M/M aspect of the book - now that you have read it, was it worth.
cecile.smith75: Yea, to find out what everyone was getting all hot and bothered about... oh yep!

erotichorizon: Did you actually read the smut scenes or did you jump them
cecile.smith75: Oh no... No skipping for this virgin... I ploughed through those scenes and then went back and re-read them again. You know, just to make sure I got it. I have to say though, that at first I was a little skirmish about reading them. I hesitated before I got there and had to examine the why did it matter question of gender differences...

erotichorizon: Which bit worked for you - hearing it being describe or actually visualizing it.
cecile.smith75: Hearing/reading it being described. The only part of it I visually pictured was the leading up to the actual act, until about half way through the book, then I started visualizing the act of two people in smut heaven.

erotichorizon: Was it what you expected...
cecile.smith75: No, I really had no expectations going in this. I mean, I have read reviews before, but nothing really prepared me for the actual reading it with my own eyes.

erotichorizon: And?
cecile.smith75: And it kinda took me by surprise ~ surprised that I liked it. It is different, do not get me wrong... but the passion is there, the emotions are there, the smut is there... (not in a bad way), the putting yourself out there is there. The only thing that ever held me back was it was two men. If you know me, I like my men, but normally catering to me. Knowing that it was a m/m book did prepare me for no woman in the HEA or the romance of the book. I guess because it is always thought of as taboo... And like I said, when I first started reading, I was a little skirmish about reading it.

erotichorizon: Do you want to discuss the book or do you want to write a review about.
cecile.smith75: We can discuss the book, if you want too... I know others want to know what I thought of reading my first m/m. So, talking about it with someone as "experienced" as you... I think is perfect, lol

erotichorizon: Ok....
erotichorizon: What did you think of the plot?
cecile.smith75: It was almost like a "Pretty Woman" plot. And I absolutely love that movie. So this pulled at my heart strings.
cecile.smith75: I also liked the concept of older man/younger man.
cecile.smith75: Me being the cougar I am, I associated with it, if that makes sense.

erotichorizon: Yup, I thought so as well..... What about the pace of the book?
cecile.smith75: Since it was a short story, I thought the pace was very good. I was never at a point where I wanted to put the down - even for a second. Especially towards the end, omg!

erotichorizon: Ok - Did you have any challenges reading about the physical side of the relationship. Was any part of the love making, as expected, less or more than you expected.
cecile.smith75: At the beginning of the story... I was challenged at the idea of reading about two men having sex together. But once the story kicked off and I started reading, the story unfolded and it was more than just about sex. But when I got to the first sex scene I was tempted to skip it... or skim it, but I pushed forward and read it. I needed to read it and see how I felt and if I did not like it, then I would just skip the rest, but it was okay... the description of the lead up was just as hot as any other sex scene in any other romance book I have read.
erotichorizon: Ok

erotichorizon: And that leads to my next question... what did you think of the emotional aspect of the book?
cecile.smith75: Well done. All of the emotion one hussy wants in her romance novels were there. I could feel the "let down," I could feel the hard time Elliot had about coming out. But the storyline of His (I forgot the younger guys name, hold on) was wonderful. I felt for the poor guy. The story was real, the emotions were real. It was something in a m/f relationship I could see happening.

erotichorizon: There was a moral issue there - How do you feel about how the author dealt with that..
cecile.smith75: I liked that. It was very touching. I don't want to give to much away because I think this would be a great book for those virgins out there... But the moral issues was dealt with, with class. And the family issue for Adrian was very well played and I like how that was handled. Showed Adrian had more strength than he thought he had.
erotichorizon: Well said my dear.

erotichorizon: Did the length of the book suit the story.
cecile.smith75: For it being my first time, yea. Really, I would like to have seen more between Elliot and Adrian, but the pace of the book was prefect for this size of the book.

erotichorizon: anything else you want to mention about your first experience with m/m...
cecile.smith75: The power of the emotions surprised me. For the good. I was not sure what to expect of the book... or how I would come away feeling, but I do know it was a hot read.

erotichorizon: With m/m book there is a misconception that the story would be different because it has male protags doing the nasties.. What would you say?
cecile.smith75: no, i think it has to do with how you view m/m books. I mean at first I was hesitate about reading those books because I did not know if I would be able to handle the reading of two males being involved with each other . But as I read the chapter and I saw the human side of the emotion. Now don't get me wrong, I want my woman involved in any relationship, but for m/m, it is not going to be everyone's cup of tea. Those that will want to read it have to be easy, carefree about what they read and remember they are reading it because they want a story.... And if they get uncomfortable, close the book.

erotichorizon: now that you have had a few days to read and simmer - How do you feel now about waiting so long to try m/m
cecile.smith75: Crazy, romance is romance. The taboo of reading it is still in the air, like I said... I feel like I am peeping tom. But I will be back for more - soon - very soon! I guess I can see how some would still say it has a ick factor to it, but really - it is fantasy land...

erotichorizon: I'll leave it there and when you are finished a few more books - I'll ask you the same question again.
cecile.smith75: okay...


Cecile's Final thoughts:
My cherry has been popped and popped by the best... Erotic lead me to the perfect book to be broken in. This book was a treat to read - it really was. The character's relationship was believable and their life situations was one on a real basis. My heart went out to Adrian and his situation and I so fell in love with him. It was short and smutty enough for me to be welcomed into the world of m/m... but I still wanna be in the middle, haa haa!!! Smut here I come....


Erotic Review OF NOTHING BUT TROUBLE

“I want you to spend the night with me. I’ll pay you ten thousand dollars.”

Those were not the words Adrian Scott expected to hear when he is called into the office of the owner of the casino where he works. Although he has always been attracted to the man, and despite the fact that he has a girlfriend and is definitely out of his league, he genuinely did not think the boss played with the boys as well.

Graham Elliott, owner of the Graham’s Aces casino, has one secret, and that’s his attraction to men. He hides it so well that not even the men he eventually approaches are aware he is into men. When he makes a proposition to one of the casino staff, the last thing he expects is for trouble to follow in his wake.

When Graham does what he normally does and propositions Adrian for a set amount of nights for an agreed amount of money, it all sounds tawdry and tasteless. However, the author has humanized Graham with his care and respect for Adrian’s situation so that you easily forgive him for how he starts the relationship.

Adrian is consistent in his values and true to his sexuality, irrespective of how he goes about dealing with life's challenges and changes. He is a character you can’t help loving and genuinely wish the best for.

NOTHING BUT TROUBLE is a great outing by Jenna Byrnes; the wealth of emotions that is condensed in this short story definitely highlights this author as a superb storyteller.

E.H. © Erotic Horizon

And remember... Keep it Dirty, Smutty & Hussy!