Sex In Seattle, Trilogy Review.

The Trouble with Tony (Sex in Seattle #1) by Eli Easton 4*
BLURB: As part of the investigation into the murder of a young woman, Seattle P.I. Tony DeMarco poses as a patient of Dr. Jack Halloran, the therapist who treated the victim at a Seattle sex clinic. This isn’t the first time Tony has gone undercover, but it’s the first time he’s wanted to go under cover with one of his suspects. He can’t help it—Jack Halloran is just the kind of steely-eyed hero Tony goes for. But he’ll have to prove Halloran’s innocence and keep the doctor from finding out about his ruse before he can play Romeo.
Dr. Halloran has his own issues, including a damaged right arm sustained in the line of duty as a combat surgeon in Iraq and the PTSD that followed. He’s confused to find himself attracted to a new patient, the big, funny Italian with the puppy-dog eyes, and Tony’s humor slips right past Jack’s defenses, making him feel things he thought long buried. But can the doctor and the P.I. find a path to romance despite the secrets between them?

The Enlightenment of Daniel (Sex in Seattle #2) by Eli Easton 4*
BLURB: Business tycoon Daniel Derenzo lives for his work until his dying father reminds him life is short. When Daniel starts to reevaluate his world he experiences a startling revelation—he’s attracted to his business partner and best friend, Nick, even though Daniel always believed himself to be straight. In typical type-A fashion, Daniel dissects his newfound desires with the help of the experts at the Expanded Horizons sex clinic. He goes after Nick with the fierce determination that’s won him many a business deal.
Nick Ross was in love with Daniel years ago, when they were roommates in college. But Daniel was straight and Nick patched his broken heart by marrying Marcia. Two kids and fourteen years later, they go through the motions of their marriage like ships passing in the night. But Nick’s kids mean the world to him, and he’s afraid he’ll never get joint custody if they divorced. If he can trust his heart to an awakening Daniel, they all might find their way to a happily ever after.

The Mating of Michael (Sex in Seattle #3) by Eli Easton 5*
BLURB: Everyone admires Michael Lamont for being a nurse, but his part-time work as a gay sex surrogate not only raises eyebrows, it's cost him relationships. Michael is small, beautiful, and dedicated to working with people who need him. But what he really wants is a love of his own. He spends most of his time reading science fiction, especially books written by his favorite author and long-time crush, the mysteriously reclusive J.C. Guise.
James Gallway’s life is slowly but inexorably sliding downhill. He wrote a best-selling science fiction novel at the tender age of eighteen, while bedridden with complications of polio. But by twenty-eight, he's lost his inspiration and his will to live. His sales from his J.C. Guise books have been in decline for years. Wheelchair bound, James has isolated himself, convinced he is unlovable. When he is forced to do a book signing and meets Michael Lamont, he can’t believe a guy who looks like Michael could be interested in a man like him.
Michael and James are made for each other. But they must let go of stubbornness to see that life finds a way and love has no limitations.

My Review: I received copies in exchange for an honest review. I can honestly say that this was a series that I wanted more of. The Characters in all three books were outstanding and the plots were different enough to make each of them interesting on their own and easy to read as stand alones. As you probably gathered from my rating my Favourite was book 3. This one made me cry and laugh and gave me all the feels and I really, really wanted them to work as a couple.. As a bonus it had a story threaded throughout, that was 'written' by J.C. Guise, I just wish it had been a real book. I hope that one day Eli Easton might decide to write it out fully, as I really would love to read it.
Saying that book three was my favourite doesn't mean the other two weren't any good. In fact they too were wonderful stories that deserve to be given the same praises. Book 1 was so good with the way the two men ended up together and book 2 was wonderful in the way it read like a business deal but was really all about the love.
All three books dealt with the sex surrogacy aspects with decency and respect and were never salacious or improper. In fact it made me more aware of sexual problems, and the feelings that need to be addressed with compassion and caring, than I had been before reading them.
I highly recommend that if you want a romance with depth of character and a decent emotional feel to it, then you won't go wrong with any of these. But, if you want a few hours of pure love, compassion, patience, strength, passion, and great sex then read all three.

Pre-release Review for How To Run With The Wolves by Eli Easton

How to Run with the Wolves (Howl at the Moon #5) by Eli Easton 5*
BLURB: Zeus loves his job on the new Mad Creek Search & Rescue team, and his inner Saint Bernard is finally being used to his full potential. When he sees a mysterious and wild-looking quickened—a dog shifter—at an earthquake site in Alaska, Zeus is compelled to investigate. Zeus falls hard for the primal beauty of Timo and of Alaska itself. Both call to his deep canine soul. But the Quimmiq pack’s laws are as harsh as the Alaskan winters, and Timo is out of his reach.
Timo’s pack of dog shifters left their Inuit village generations ago and have lived wild ever since. Not trusting the “one-skinned,” and with their numbers dwindling, the Quimmiq are on the verge of extinction. Timo is shocked to discover a whole group of “two-skinned” working as a rescue team, and he is particularly fascinated by Zeus, a gentle giant. He senses what Zeus feels for him… but it’s forbidden.
Can Mad Creek save this lost quickened clan? Perhaps—if they can learn how to run with the wolves.

My Review: I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. I don't know how Eli Easton does it, but every new story from the Howl at the Moon series is better than the last. I just loved Zeus & Timo, but I also really enjoyed the fact that a lot of my favourites from the previous books showed up, even though much of the book is set far away from Mad Creek. The contrasts between Zeus and Timo was just right for the slow build up of their romance and I really liked the way Timo learnt about the world away from his life in the wilds. In fact the secondary characters from Alaska were all so very interesting and I can't wait to read more about them. The problems the tribe were suffering from was handled with knowledge and sensitivity and I learnt a fair bit more about genetics than I already knew. I could rhapsodise about the book (and have people think I'm not being honest) or I could give away spoilers (which I try not to do) but neither would really give you an inkling of how good this story is or how much i wanted more of it. My suggestion is that you go pre-order it now or go buy it on 19th July. You won't regret it if you've enjoyed any of Eli's previous books or just enjoy a good shifter story with a difference.

Reviewing Their Bounty by K.A. Merikan

Their Bounty (Four Mercenaries #1) by K.A. Merikan 5*
BLURB: --- Taken. Prized. Possessed. Loved. ---

Clover is an orphan and has led a tough and chaotic life. No stability. No money. No friends. He trusts no one.
His already miserable life takes a nosedive when he ends up in the hands of a human trafficking gang. Someone has placed a request for a young albino man, and Clover is to become the property of a mysterious buyer who will stop at nothing to satisfy their depraved desire. Clover’s fate seems sealed until four bounty hunters appear to take out his captors and accidentally save him.
The four mercenaries want to move on, but when Clover pleads for protection, they offer it to him at a price. In the beginning, the arrangement is all kinds of shady, but as he gets to know the four men who’ve taken him on a wild ride, his developing feelings might become as dangerous as the elusive buyer.
But can a relationship with four such different men even work? Men who kill for a living? Men so full of contradictions?
Tank. The massive ex-soldier eager to be Clover’s Daddy.
Pyro. Wild, tattooed, with a filthy mouth and an itch for violence.
Boar. Ginger, bearded, a big teddy bear who can turn into a grizzly.
Drake. Dark and dangerous, with a tongue as sharp as his knives.
Can these men provide him with the love and security he craves? Or has Clover made the worst mistake of his life?
THEIR BOUNTY is a dark gay harem contemporary romance, book 1 in the “Four Mercenaries” trilogy. The story contains scenes of explicit violence, offensive language, morally ambiguous characters and lots of scorching hot, emotional, explicit scenes.

My Review: I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. I (almost) always enjoy K.A. Merikan stories, as they are full of great world-building, their characters are well written, and the stories are usually dark and emotional. This one was no exception. I knew going in that there would be plenty of sex scenes - how could it be otherwise with 5 men involved - but I never expected the scenes to be both hot and as full of emotion as they were. The underlying story line of human trafficking and sexual slavery was well woven into this unusual romance of Clover and his men. Overall I think if you have enjoyed any of the authors books in the past, or if you enjoy a book about a reverse gay harem, then try this one for a few hours of perfect escapism.

Reviewing The Fruit of the Poisonous Tree by Selina Kray.

The Fruit of the Poisonous Tree (Stoker & Bash #2) by Selina Kray 5*
BLURB: When will She open Rebecca Northcote’s box?
Finding lost poodles and retrieving stolen baubles is not how DI Tim Stoker envisioned his partnership with his lover, Hieronymus Bash. So when the police commissioner's son goes missing, he's determined to help, no matter what secrets he has to keep, or from whom.
When a family member is kidnapped, Hiero moves heaven and earth to rescue them. Even if that means infiltrating the Daughters of Eden, a cult of wealthy widows devoted to the teachings of Rebecca Northcote and the mysterious contents of her box. The Daughters' goodwill toward London's fallen women has given them a saintly reputation, but Hiero has a nose for sniffing out a fraud. He will need to draw on some divine inspiration to rattle the pious Daughters.
Like weeds gnarling the roots of Eden's fabled tree, Tim and Hiero's cases intertwine. Serpents, secrets, and echoes from Hiero's past lurk behind every branch. Giving in to temptation could bind them closer together—or sever their partnership forever.

My Review: I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. This had all the things I liked about book one and then added a little more on top. An excellent read for anyone who likes melodramatic Victorian mystery novels with a dash of romance. However be warned it does incorporate a lot of factual history that won't be to everyone's taste (SPOILER: baby farming and child murder) . As in the previous book, the two heroes make the story so enjoyable, they fight and love in equally passionate measure and I don't think the whole story would have worked as well without the author's talented depictions of these two men. I must warn you though that this needs to be read after Fangs of Scavo as it is a direct follow on to that book.

Reviewing Salt Magic, Skin Magic by Lee Welch

Salt Magic, Skin Magic by Lee Welch 5*
BLURB: Lord Thornby has been trapped on his father’s isolated Yorkshire estate for a year. There are no bars or chains; he simply can’t leave. His sanity is starting to fray. When industrial magician John Blake arrives to investigate a case of witchcraft, he finds the peculiar, arrogant Thornby as alarming as he is attractive. John soon finds himself caught up in a dark fairytale, where all the rules of magic—and love—are changed.
To set Thornby free, both men must face life-changing truths—and John must accept that the brave, witty man who’s winning his heart may also be about to break it. Can they escape a web of magic that’s as perilous as love?

My Review: I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. I was blown away by this book. It was a lovely blend of historical romance, exciting magic, a dash of mythology, and a true feeling of mysteriousness. I loved both the main characters (and even the secondary ones were well written). I think the world building was perfect. It blended what I loved best about regency romances and added the twist of magic being so common place it's unremarkable.
I haven't read anything by this author before but if there were to be another story in this world I will be first in line to buy it.

Review of Sight Unseen by Susan Mac Nicol

Sight Unseen by Susan Mac Nicol & Nicholas Downs 5*
BLURB: Tragedy brings together a reserved but brilliant sculptor and an outgoing gallery owner, friends whose love was sidetracked—but was always meant to be deeper.
BLINDSIDED
SoCal natives, Nate and Cody have been friends since childhood. Both knew they were different—and the same. At seventeen, a stolen weekend in the Florida Keys drove their connection deeper and hotter than either could imagine. They were meant to be together. Then, for reasons only Nate knows, suddenly they weren’t.
They’re still friends. Best friends. But they’ve moved on and found other partners. The yearning remains, however, despite the long-ago secret that drove them apart, and when tragedy strikes, both men find themselves in the dark. They must grope their way back to who and what they are...which they will find in each other’s arms. Sometimes, losing one’s sight can open one’s eyes—and heart.

My Review: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review I loved this story! The interaction between the two main characters was so well written and the fact that it alternated between the two POV was wonderful. Especially the ones from Nate, as they came across so real about his frustrations with learning to cope as a blind sculptor. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a beautiful friends to lovers story with some hot sexy times and some bawl outloud bits, topped off with a very heart-warming HEA.

Reviewing Moro's Price by M Crane Hana.

Moro's Price by M Crane Hana 5*
BLURB: Crown Prince, techno-geek, and secret sadomasochist Valier has lusted for years after the gorgeous gladiator called “The Diamond.” Meeting the escaped slave on a rooftop, Valier discovers Moro Dalgleish wants suicide before his former masters can reclaim him.
Infected with a deadly symbiont, Valier proposes empty sex to satisfy his urges and grant Moro’s release from a horrible life. Neither man plans for Moro to survive, or how the morning after will shake three empires to their foundations.

My Review: I was given a copy of this book for reviewing purposes. This was so much more than I expected from the synopsis and, if I tried to tell you why, I would have to give away spoilers. As I always try to avoid spoilers all I will say is, if you enjoy Science Fiction with epic world building, excellent storylines, and characters that are heart breaking yet lovable, then this is a book you need to read.
I will add that this was a new to me author, I will be looking for her books in the future if this is an example of what I can expect. This was on par with the kind of books that got me hooked on the genre when I was younger and have found hard to find nowadays.

My review of Renewal by Helena Stone

Renewal (Dublin Virtues Series #3) by Helena Stone. 5*
BLURB: When everything changes, can renewal bring redemption?
Shane Boyle left Dublin for America burning most of his bridges and with no intention of returning, certain his future lay in Florida. When a family crisis forces him back to the city he grew up in, he knows his life will never be the same again. With his sister close to death, his mother and five-year-old nephew Danny need him not just to be around but also to be the rock they can depend on. Torn between panic about his new responsibilities and despair at his impending loss, love and a relationship are the last thing on his mind.
Chris Anderson left Australia for Dublin ten years ago with no intention of ever going back. For reasons he can’t explain, even to himself, he hasn’t been in a relationship for almost as long as he’s been in Ireland. Now thirty-five-years old, he wonders what happened to his dream of a lasting bond and a family to call his own.
When Shane and Chris hook up one night in a pub, neither knows that the next day they’ll meet again, this time as colleagues in a tattoo parlour. Chris has no idea about Shane’s dodgy past, and Shane can’t figure out the mountain of a man who refuses to take no for an answer. Having to reinvent his whole life is only the start of Shane’s process of renewal. Will Chris turn out to be his saviour or his downfall?

My Review: I received a copy for reviewing purposes Having read the first two books I wasn't sure I'd enjoy a story with Shane as the hero, especially given how he was portrayed in the previous ones. However Ms Stone does an excellent job of redeeming him and turned him into the perfect hero for this story. I really respected Chris because he was so patient and loving with Shane at a time when he needed that the most. Overall, I think this one might end up my favourite story from the Dublin Virtues series. It has everything I hoped for after reading the blurb and little Danny might even end up my favourite character, such an adorable little tyke.

Reviewing Laurent and the Beast by K.A. Merican

Laurent and the Beast (Kings of Hell MC, #1) 5*
BLURB: --- Nothing can stop true love. Not time. Not even the devil himself. ---
1805. Laurent. Indentured servant. Desperate to escape a life that is falling apart.
2017. Beast. Kings of Hell Motorcycle Club vice president. His fists do the talking.
Beast has been disfigured in a fire, but he’s covered his skin with tattoos to make sure no one mistakes his scars for weakness. The accident not only hurt his body, but damaged his soul and self-esteem, so he’s wrapped himself in a tight cocoon of violence and mayhem where no one can reach him.
Until one night, when he finds a young man covered in blood in their clubhouse. Sweet, innocent, and as beautiful as an angel fallen from heaven, Laurent pulls on all of Beast’s heartstrings. Laurent is so lost in the world around him, and is such a tangled mystery, that Beast can’t help but let the man claw his way into the stone that is Beast’s heart.
In 1805, Laurent has no family, no means, and his eyesight is failing. To escape a life of poverty, he uses his beauty, but that only backfires and leads him to a catastrophe that changes his life forever. He takes one step into the abyss and is transported to the future, ready to fight for a life worth living.
What he doesn’t expect in his way is a brutal, gruff wall of tattooed muscle with a tender side that only Laurent is allowed to touch. And yet, if Laurent ever wants to earn his freedom, he might have to tear out the heart of the very man who took care of him when it mattered most.

My Review: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. To give you a taste of what the book is all about here are the tags given for it:- time travel, servitude, serial killer, cruelty, motorcycle club, alternative lifestyles, disability, demons, tattoos, impossible choices, deception, crime, self-discovery, healing, virginity, black magic, gothic. If you think it's impossible to get all those in one book you would be sadly mistaken, because this book delivers on all of that and more. It has fascinating characters, a great story line, and hot sex scenes too. Anyone who has followed my reviews knows I only give 5* to books that really move me to express myself out loud or cry buckets, however this one didn't quite do that but it deserves the 5* from me just because it was so well written and hard to put down to go to sleep - in fact I stayed up two hours past my usual bedtime and only put it down because I needed to get at least 5 hours sleep in before walking the dog.

A short review of Falling Down by Eli Easton.

Falling Down by Eli Easton 5*
BLURB: Josh finds himself homeless at eighteen, but he has a plan. He’ll head north on the bus to New England and spend October there for his mother’s sake. She always talked about going to see the fall leaves someday. And when the leaves are done and the harsh winter comes, Josh plans to find a place to curl up and let go. It will be a relief to finally stop fighting.
Mark spent his life trying to live up to the tough swagger of his older brothers until he pushed himself so far against his nature that he cracked. Now a former Marine, he rents a little cabin in the White Mountains of New Hampshire where he can lick his wounds and figure out what to do with the rest of his life. One thing was clear: Mark was nobody’s hero.
Fate intervenes when Josh sets up camp under a covered bridge near Mark’s cabin. Mark recognizes the dead look in the young stranger’s eyes, and he feels compelled to do something about it. When Mark offers Josh a job, he never expects that he’ll be the one to fall

My Review: I received an ARC from Signal Boost Promotions for review purposes. As usual Eli didn't disappoint and the story was riveting. It gave me hope and tears in equal measure and in between it gave me humour and compassion. I had trouble putting it down because I was so invested in Josh and Mark and the hope that there would be a happy end. It isn't too much of a spoiler to admit there was *what was I expecting from Eli? There's always happy endings!* I highly recommend this story to you if you like Eli Easton's work or if you enjoy a truly well written story about two guys finding their happy ending after a tumultuous start.

Pre-release review for Merry Christmas, Mr. Miggles by Eli Easton

Merry Christmas, Mr. Miggles by Eli Easton 5*
BLURB: Toby Kincaid loves being the junior librarian in his hometown of Sandy Lake, Ohio. He spends his days surrounded by books and chatting with the library patrons. He especially adores the head librarian, Mr. Miggles, who is kind, witty, knowlegable about everything, and hopelessly addicted to Christmas. Sean Miggles is also pretty cute—especially for an older guy who wears ties and suit pants every day.
But Sean keeps himself at a distance, and there’s a sadness about him that Toby can’t figure out. When Sean is accused of a crime he didn’t commit, he gives up without a fight. Toby realizes that he alone can save the library—and their head librarian.
Toby will need to uncover the darkness in Sean’s past and prove to him that he deserves a second chance at life and at love too. And while Christmas miracles are being handed out, maybe Toby will get his own dearest wish—to love and be loved by Mr. Miggles.

My Review: I received a copy from Signal Boost Promotions as part of the release blitz. (Come back on the 24th to see and try your luck at the giveaway). Well this just happens to be the first Christmas book I've read this season and it was perfect. There was all the things I have come to expect from Eli. Well written characters, plenty of angst and a few hot sexy scenes (just to name the important ones for me ;). I don't want to give too much away but can I just say that all the 'bad' people get their comeuppance and that I absolutely adore Mr. Miggles and if he were real I'd try to steal him from Toby - after all a Woman can't go wrong with an intellectual, caring, and loving man. The book will be released on the 23rd November so go and buy it - you won't be disappointed if you do.

My review of Thorns and Fangs by Gillian St. Kevern

Thorns and Fangs (Thorns and Fangs #1) by Gillian St. Kevern 5*

BLURB: Nate is caught between two dangerously hot vampires who can compel people to do whatever they want and a ruthless necromancer who wants Nate for all the wrong reasons—and that’s only the start of his problems.

Escort Nate prides himself on two things: his ability to please his clients and his normality – living in the monster capital of the world, ordinary is rare. Hunter, a darkly charming vampire with more charisma than is good for him, decides Nate is just what he needs. Nate’s sympathetic nature and skill in the bedroom are put to the ultimate test. But Hunter wants Nate for someone else – his brother, Ben. Nate is immediately attracted by the control with which Ben holds his sensitive nature in force. Too afraid of becoming a monster to allow himself to feel, Ben struggles to resist Nate’s generosity of emotion. As a vindictive necromancer makes Ben his target of revenge, Nate discovers that making people feel good doesn’t compare to making Ben feel. As Nate’s normal world crumbles around him, and he desperately searches for a way to save Ben, Nate is unable to escape becoming the necromancer’s latest victim.

But Nate’s death is only the beginning. Coming back to life in the bathroom of Gunn, a Department Seven officer who hates the vampire family that Ben and Hunter belong to, Nate doesn’t know who to trust or even what he is. As the necromancer’s trap pulls tighter around himself and Ben, Nate is forced to let go of normal and embrace powers he doesn’t fully understand. In defiance of Ben’s vampire sire and hunted by Department Seven, Nate and Ben finally learn to trust and rely on each other. But when the necromancer succeeds in capturing Ben, Nate alone can come to his rescue.

My Review: So I finished this book just in time for Halloween and it couldn't be more appropriate, given the magic and paranormal themes in it. I really enjoyed this book and hated having to put it down to do other things, it just held me captive with it's world building and believable characters. Even though it starts off with a few really hot sex scenes it is really a very well written suspense and intrigue story. I don't want to give any of the lovely plot twists away so I'll just add that I would recommend it highly and am personally going to go find book two :D

Reviewing Maybe by Rain Carrington

Maybe by Rain Carrington 5*
BLURB: Of all the men in Chaps, the huge leather club in Denver, Colorado, Beast is by far the largest. His size belies his gentle nature, however and has made it hard for him to find his perfect submissive. Either men want him to hurt them, or they run away in terror that he will hurt them. All he wants is a man to pamper and dote on, controlling only his pleasure without pain and to share him with others with group kink play. 
As part of Chaps lonely hearts club, Beast and his best friends commiserate that they will never find their soulmates, or even their matches in their kinky lifestyle, meanwhile, Rebel and Jack Colton find a new way to keep their fires lit. Meeting Hunter and Ethan Westmore, they discover they had been neglecting their passion and when the men get together, the heat they share cannot be contained. 
Sebastian Blacksnake is young and doesn’t believe in love or relationships. He has nowhere to go until, after the death of the man he was staying with, Lonnie Lane and Travis Walton take him into their home and their life. They get him a job at the sub house, a home for displaced submissives, and he meets Beast, who takes an instant liking to the much younger man. 
Lonnie Lane has a devastating loss in his family and as he deals with the aftermath, he comes to realize that things are missing from his life. He finds a journal and learns things about his uncle, a story of love and loss that breaks his heart. It also brings him closer than he could ever imagine to Sebastian. 
Miscommunications keep Beast and Sebastian apart. Neither realizes for a long time how much they belong together until Sebastian reads the journal and it reaches into his heart, making him open to the thought that he could not only have the freedom he wants, but a great love as well. 
With visits from Dennis, Deb, Rebel, Jack, Hunter, Ethan, Brian, Morgan and Pez, this books within a book gives the reader a glimpse into many hearts and many ways of life, with some very unexpected results. Sometimes things work out, sometimes they don’t. After all, all life really is, is maybe… 
My Review: I received a free copy from the publishers in exchange for an honest review. Well an honest review is what you get from me so I'll start by saying there are numerous story threads in this book and at first I wasn't sure I'd like it. However Rain does an excellent job of keeping the threads woven into a tight story line that makes you want to know more about all the characters. I especially liked the open and frank way various lifestyles were portrayed and how family doesn't have to be bloodkin to be good. I have a plaque in my house that states 'God gave us our relations, thank God we can choose our friends'  and Rain's book, Maybe, epitomises the essence of that quote. If you like a story that is full of emotion, caring, loving and hot sex then you need to read this, it's an amazing story.

Reviewing Tenth Muse by Belinda McBride

The Tenth Muse (Aphrodite Project #1) by Belinda McBride 5*

BLURB: In a wicked game, the God of Love falls to his own arrow, and a gentle scholar learns how dangerous knowledge can be.
Aphrodite has had it.
It was bad enough that her son Eros walked a fashion show in drag, but did he really have to show the entire world his wings? Desperate to rein in the impulsive young god, she recruits the scholarly muse Rees to lure him back to Olympus until the scandal dies down.
After hundreds of years, Eros has finally located the reincarnation of his former love, Psyche. The only way to her heart is through fame, so the God of Love plans a daring campaign to win her back. Yet the closer he gets to Psyche, the more he’s drawn to a geeky young professor who came crashing into his life.
Eros drags Rees into his wicked world of high fashion and risqué parties, only to expose him to danger from an unexpected source. When Rees’ secrets come out, they threaten to destroy Eros’ love for him. Yet when Rees is kidnapped, Eros is forced to turn to the woman who set this catastrophe in motion—his mother, Aphrodite.

My Review: I received an ARC of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  When I was about 8 or 9 years old I found a book in the library about Greek Myths and Legends and fell in love. Since that time I have always enjoyed reading different stories about the Greek Gods but I have to admit I've never read a better updated version than this book. The characters were so rich and full of life they almost leapt of the pages and the storyline was excellent. I loved the way Belinda altered some of the myths, as if history got it wrong, because every one knows history is mutable as new things get found out. What I liked most of all was that the book wasn't all Greek Tragedy,  it had humour, jealousy, spite and love as well as a taste of life as a supermodel. 

Pre Release review of Beauty, Inc. by Tara Lain

  

Beauty, Inc. (The Pennymaker Tales #3) by Tara Lain 5* (preorder here)

BLURB: Is beauty only skin deep?
Chemist Dr. Robert “Belle” Belleterre loves flowers, green trees, his best friend Judy, and “his baby:” the new face cream he developed to help put his father’s small cosmetics company on the map. Sadly he gets no help from his alcoholic, gambling-addicted father, who loses Belle in a poker game to Magnus Strong, the CEO of Beauty, Inc., the largest American cosmetics company—a man infamous for his scarred ugliness.
Belle finds himself uprooted from his home, living in a wildly crazy apartment in New York owned by Mr. Pennymaker, and completely unprepared for his mad attraction to the charismatic Strong. Feeling like a traitor, Belle fights his passion only to see more and more of the goodness and humility hidden by Strong’s ugly face. But when Belle’s family starts manipulating his life again, the odds turn against happiness for beautiful Belle and his beloved beast.

My Review: First of all I have to say I received a free copy from Tara in exchange for an honest review. Then I have to tell you that Beauty and The Beast is one my all time favourite fairy tales.
This version was beautifully written but also had all those trademark Tara Lain touches that I have come to love. Characters that are real from the minute you meet them on the page, touches of magic and humour, as well as a storyline that is interesting and new. I honestly don't want to give too much away as I hate spoilers, but I will say I want Mr. P. and all the residents of his magical house to come and live near me. I highly recommend this to all those who love Tara Lain's writings or cannot resist modern takes on favourite fairy tales. I can't wait for #4 in this wonderful series as they just keep getting better and better.

My 5* Review for Prince of the Playhouse by Tara Lain

Prince of the Playhouse (Love in Laguna #3) by Tara Lain 5*

BLURB: Driven by his desire to become a successful fashion designer and concerned with hiding his questionable past, Ru Maitland lets his obsession with action movie star Gray Anson on the big screen replace his social life. Then obsession and reality collide when Ru is asked to design fashion costumes for a special performance of Hamlet at the Playhouse in Laguna starring none other than Gray Anson. Gray turns out to be a compelling mix of shy and brash and, despite a high profile engagement to a female socialite, the signals Gray sends Ru have his libido doing the salsa.

Gray Anson has what most people only dream of—great wealth, huge fame, a job he loves. For that, he’s given up any semblance of privacy and the right to say no to the thousands of people who depend on him and the millions who love him. He sees everything he’s ever wanted just outside the bubble of his life, but how can he make the compromises needed to embrace it? When Ru’s shady past crashes into Gray’s paparazzi-haunted present, both men have to learn that sometimes the only acceptable compromise is the truth.

My Review: I love Tara Lain's Love in Laguna series and this one made a great addition to it. I already loved Ru from previous books and it was great to read his story. I wasn't sure how I felt about Gary at first but I came to understand and love him too by the end of the book. I don't want to give spoilers but I would have loved to wear the wedding dress if it had been around when I got married. 

But back to the story and the fact that it was so good I read it until gone 1am because I didn't want to put it down. If you like romance with humour, hot guys and flaming queens then read this as soon as you can get your hands on it.

Reviewing Shield Mate by Eressë.

   

Shield Mate (Chronicles of Ylandre #7) by Eressë  5*

BLURB: The respect of many pales beside the regard of one who matters above all else.
Ranael knew his obligations to family and society. As a scion of Ylandre’s most powerful House, he was destined for a life of service, albeit a privileged one. As the son of a wealthy fief-lord, he was supposed to bed or wed as befitted his station. With obedience to authority ingrained in him since childhood, Ranael hewed closely to what was expected of a royal-blooded aristocrat and a military officer. Thus, defiance of the strictures of his position never entered his mind. Until he came to covet Vaeren Henaz.

Vaeren did his duty to king and country despite attempts to put him in his place and keep him there. A survivor of neglect and frightful adversity before and after he fled the orphanage wherein he grew up, Vaeren refused to let his illegitimacy or lack of sufficient lineage stop him from fighting his way up the ranks of Ylandre’s hidebound army. Nor did he allow anything or anyone to trample on his dignity or his heart. Until he learned to love Ranael Mesare.

In the dual-gendered realm of Ylandre, two warriors of nigh irreconcilably dissimilar backgrounds battle their way through the vagaries of military conventions, social censure, and personal vendettas. All while struggling with an attraction that contravenes the traditions and expectations that shape life and love in the world of Aisen’s most powerful nation.


My Review: This series was my introduction to mpreg stories and it's still the best of it's kind for me. I love how the world building and story lines explain how and why men get pregnant and how caste is an important factor not gender. However through all 7 books (with a fair few more to come which delights me) the caste system is put under scrutiny and change. This particular story had me first wanting to smack Ranael upside his head, then hug him in comfort and, at the same time, like him, I fell in love with Vaeren. 
I don't want to give away to much above and beyond the blurb so I will just add that I loved meeting some of the old characters and seeing how their stories interacted with Ranael's and Vaeren's. If you like mpreg books or more especially Eressë's Chronicles of Ylandre then you are going to like this book. 

Shards of Hope by Nalini Singh

Shards of Hope (Psy-Changeling #14) by Nalini Singh 5*

BLURB: Awakening wounded in a darkened cell, their psychic abilities blocked, Aden and Zaira know they must escape. But when the lethal soldiers break free from their mysterious prison, they find themselves in a harsh, inhospitable landscape far from civilization. Their only hope for survival is to make it to the hidden home of a predatory changeling pack that doesn't welcome outsiders.
And they must survive. A shadowy enemy has put a target on the back of the Arrow squad, an enemy that cannot be permitted to succeed in its deadly campaign. Aden will cross any line to keep his people safe for this new future, where even an assassin might have hope of a life beyond blood and death and pain. Zaira has no such hope. She knows she's too damaged to return from the abyss. Her driving goal is to protect Aden, protect the only person who has ever come back for her no matter what.
This time, even Aden's passionate determination may not be enough - because the emotionless chill of Silence existed for a reason. For the violent, and the insane, and the irreparably broken . . . like Zaira.


My Review: I can't believe this series is already at book #14 and it just never gets boring or repetitive. I love the world Nalini has created in this series and in this book we learn more about how the Psy are coping with life after Silence. The romance between Aden and Zaire is beautifully portrayed and for me it cleverly runs alongside the great intrigue and action that is the trademark of this series. If you want a story with romance, intrigue, and action as well as Shifters and Psychics then may I recommend your read this series from book one. If you like it there are now 14 books and numerous short stories set in the world for you to gorge on.

Affiliations, Aliens, and Other Profitable Pursuits by Lyn Gala

Affiliations, Aliens, and Other Profitable Pursuits (Claimings #3) by Lyn Gala 5*

BLURB: A desire for status has brought Ondry and Liam to a human world to trade, but dealing with humans has brought up all the old pain in Liam’s heart. Even though Ondry would do anything to protect his beloved palteia, he doesn’t know how to protect Liam from himself. Worse, Ondry isn’t sure how to shield Liam from the shifting politics on the Rownt ship where the Calti Grandmothers are nothing like the ones they left behind on the planet.
With everything in their lives changing, Ondry and Liam have only each other. If Ondry can’t find a way to defend Liam from the ghosts of the past and overcome the impossibly short life span of a human, their small family might be over long before either of them is ready to let go. Ondry has always been a dominant and possessive Rownt, and with Liam in danger, those traits are necessary as he challenges the world to protect his lover.

My Review: Having reviewed the two previous books I thought it only right I tell everyone about book three in Lyn Gala's Claiming series. As before I give the warning that this series must be read in order to enjoy it to it's fullest. So what did I think of book three?

I can tell you that I loved it for it's extra insight into the relationship between Ondry and Liam. Especially when Ondry tries kissing, talk about hot scenes!! The book also deals with the way humans and aliens react to each other and how humans have a tendency to put human values on alien behaviour to the detriment of understanding them. This is where Liam and Ondry's relationship and understanding of each other comes into play as they try to make both sides understand the society and behaviour of the other.
Now to impatiently wait for book four and to be able to join Ondry and Liam on the next step in their amazing relationship and adventures.

I blame Tackling The Tight End by Tara Lain

What do I blame it for? Read my review further down the page to find out.

Tackling The Tight End (Long Pass Chronicles #3) by Tara Lain 5*
BLURB: Everyone wants the best for SCU student and tight end Raven Nez — and they know exactly what that is. Enter the NFL draft, become a big football hero, promote his tribe’s casino, and make a lot of money to help people on the reservation. Just one problem. Raven’s gay and he really wants to work with gay kids. Plus he figures a gay Native tight end will get flattened in the NFL. Then the casino board hires a talented student filmmaker to create ads for the tribal business and asks Raven to work with him. But the filmmaker is Dennis Hascomb, a guy with so much to hide and a life so ugly it’s beyond Raven’s understanding. Still he’s drawn to Dennis's pain and incredible ability to survive. Captivated by Raven’s stories of the two-spirited and by the amazing joy of finally having a friend, Dennis knows he has to break free from everything he’s ever been taught was good—but that’s a struggle that could kill him and Raven too. Is there a chance for “the great red hope” and the “whitest guy on earth”? A future for the serpent and the raven?

My Review: Copy given by Author in exchange for an honest review I blame this book for many things. First it had this gorgeous cover that I couldn't resist ogling for ages, then it was so well written it kept me awake long past my bedtime. Lastly I was supposed to be doing my usual reading of two or three books at the same time - not happening with this book, far to captivating to bother picking up another book. So an actual review instead of complaints would be to tell you that this book tells a wonderfully romantic story. There were sad parts (that made me cry hence the 5*) and there were funny parts and there was romance threaded around it all. But what made this book stand out from the other's in the Long Pass Chronicles was that the football player, the fist MC Raven, wasn't as interested in football as a career but was willing to do it for love of family and tribe. Anyone who has read the first two stories knows something about Dennis Hascomb, the other MC, and probably wasn't too happy with the man but this book sets us straight and shows us a man who will do anything for love. The other thing that I enjoyed about this book was the respectful and insightful way the Native American beliefs was shown, I learnt so much. So who would I recommend this to? Anyone who enjoyed any of Tara's previous books and anyone who enjoys a romance with depth.