Fight for This: For This Book 1, Suki Fleet

Wow.  There are so many things going on in this story that I don't exactly know where to begin.  Two men really want each other's love but can't seem to feel deserving enough to be honest about their feelings and desires.  If they can figure out how to get what they truly want, and manage to save the school and country at the same time, they'll have their forever made.  But nothing ever comes that easily when power and arrogance stand in the way.

I can definitely get behind the premise of their supernatural identities being reasons as to their supposed undeserving-ness, mostly because we all know they're going to be perfect for one another once they lay it all out there, but what got a bit too much for me were the number of uncorrrected misunderstandings until it was almost too much for them to move beyond.  There was a bit lacking when it came to something concrete to bind them together because even when they begin to make progress, the roadblocks kept them from moving forward and also distracted them from completing what their souls most craved.

There were quite a few interesting characters introduced and while a couple of them played a major role near the end, they were minor up to that point and when they came on page with a big ol' bang it pulled focus and distracted from the MC's getting done what needed to get done.  It was all a bit too chaotic for me at this point to really follow along clearly.  The chaos began before that point actually, and I kept wondering why we were going along with one thing only to jump to doing something else...there wasn't much of a linear or logical flow when the crazy started.  I think my issue there was that it wasn't just plot craziness, it was a lack of flow and crazy for crazy's sake and it wasn't effective to telling the story or getting us to the romantic conclusion either.

Overall I felt like I was missing something so much of the time that I had a difficult time following the story and relationship.  There was so much potential here and while it wasn't always clear, I was still drawn to what will happen next and how we'll get the next couple's journey.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Grey and Si have been dancing around one another for months.

Grey’s helpless attraction to fairies (and one fairy in particular) is a source of endless frustration—but as his energy can damage a fairy’s glamour, he can’t let himself get close.

Si is different to other fairies and he’s wearing down Grey’s defences. When Si discovers the Veil is thinning around the school where they both work—putting the students and teachers there at risk from detection—he needs Grey’s help to fix it.

Problem is, Si isn’t a true fairy, he’s just a magical mistake. For as long as he can remember all his glamour has done is messed up and broken stuff. Though Grey may be older and wiser about a lot of things in the human world, he’s pretty clueless about all things magical. He doesn’t even know the Veil exists until Si knocks himself unconscious trying to save Grey’s reputation after a night out.

But it’s funny how mistakes work out. Even funnier how trusting one another can help even the most impossible events turn out all right.

ARC opportunity provided by Gay Book Promotions

All Souls Near and Nigh: Soulbound Book 2, Hailey Turner

So, really, is it possible for Hailey to write something bad?  Maybe too complicated?  Perhaps too convoluted?  Apparently not.  Another book for the win.  Seriously.  Not only has she masterfully added two more pantheons worth of deities, but she also threw in a whole 'nother breed of shifter along with all the other complications inherent in the series itself.  You'd think it would be too much, but somehow, someway, it all weaves together to keep me excited and pouring myself into the story so much that I'm kinda ticked that it's not real.  So yeah, Jono and Patrick for the win...again.

There's a lot more Jono in this book and how he fits into his role with Patrick and as a god pack shifter with a bad-a patron.  While we don't get any deeper into his past yet by establishing him as a willing partner, one who is immensely powerful on his own, we're getting a set-up for a phenomenal pair that won't put up with any bull and will get things done, no matter how difficult the task.  I love the way Jono puts up with everything that is Patrick and all his baggage of the deity varieties.  His well-timed calm and sarcasm are a fantastic match for the snarky, surly, secretly vulnerable mage.

And speaking of the mage, Patrick is hilarious and his take-no-guff attitude never fails to entertain.  I do quite enjoy how he's never threatened by Jono's power, patron, or capabilities.  The way he reluctantly accepts his feelings is also strangely entertaining, mostly because of how he snipes at Jono about them.  While Patrick is an unwilling pawn of many, many gods, he never comes across as merely a puppet, but is powerful in his own right and maintains his own methods for doing their bidding.

This book is a doozy, to say the least.  There are so many elements added that you can easily get lost if you try to skip ahead or get so excited that you read too quickly.  Many of the subtle interactions have ginormous consequences in their world and with all the new puzzle pieces added you have to really pay attention.  At times I had to go back and re-read short sections because I got distracted or tried multitasking and failed at everything, but once I got back on track and sequestered myself in my room after the kids were in bed, I didn't stop until the book was done.  I might have been dead tired the next day because I didn't sleep, but I can honestly say it was worth it.  I didn't even notice that I was tired while reading because the flow of the story just kept moving, kept building.  The climax came and I honestly didn't see it going down like that.  I loved it.  As soon as I get a crack at book three I'm going to start at book one so I can become fully immersed in their world so I miss nothing.  Cannot wait.

*$4.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!

You can’t bargain with death if you’ve already sold your soul.

Special Agent Patrick Collins has been reassigned by the Supernatural Operations Agency to New York City. Navigating his new relationship with Jonothon de Vere, the werewolf he’s now soulbound to, is nothing compared to dealing with territorial disputes between the vampires and werecreatures who call the five boroughs home. But the delicate treaties that have kept the preternatural world in check are fraying at the edges, and the fallout is spilling into the mundane world.

Manhattan’s club scene is overrun with the vampire drug known as shine and the subways have become a dumping ground for bodies. When the dead are revealed as missing werecreatures, Patrick and Jono find themselves entangled in pack politics twisted by vampire machinations.

Learning to trust each other comes with problems for both of them, and the gods with a stake in Patrick’s soul debt aren’t finished with him yet. Bound by promises they can’t break, Patrick and Jono must find a way to survive a threat that takes no prisoners and is stalking them relentlessly through the city streets. 

Old and new betrayals are coming home to roost but the truth—buried in blood—is more poisonous than the lies being spun. Trying to outrun death is a nightmare—one Patrick may never wake up from.

Quick Reads, Quick Reviews 38

  

• A Blaze in the Dark: Bearer of Truth Book 1, Miranda Turner
• Snowed In: Nen and Anani, Nell Iris
• Salute to the Stud, Beth Laycock

Found in an incredibly despairing situation, Bain is rescued by someone who should be his sworn enemy.  But instead of more continual torture, he's given care, concern, shelter, and protection.  And when he's well enough to know just how severe his savior's situation is, he realizes he's been rescued by his mate.  Antonio never expected to find his mate in a torture chamber, but he'd never turn his back on someone who needs his aid, especially not the other half of his soul.  Danger is never far, though, and they'll have to fight a vicious enemy and choose to trust someone whose reputation is worse than the man they're running from.  Will their choice destroy their future or gift them one?

This was a really intense story with a ton of damaged souls, healing, violence, and a perfectly appropriate slow-burn romance based on all that is good about love and patience.  Antonio's strength comes not only from his fighting prowess and ability to protect, it's from the strength of his soul.  The honest yearning in both men is truly touching.  I will admit to being incredibly lost, though, when it came to world-building and factions and characters.  For being the first, more like a prologue, for the series, there are big gaps in knowledge and a whole lot of things that never really get explained in this story.  I'm actually quite interested in the full series, though most of that is curiosity and wondering just how everyone and everything fits together and what is really going on in this world.  3.5 stars.

A law kept them apart, a mother's love gives them a second chance.  With supernatural elements and a world of magic, Nen and Anani's story was surprising and had beautiful undertones of love, acceptance, and forgiveness.  Second chances are sometimes sweeter than first encounters and theirs is no exception.  I didn't actually connect with the characters as much as I wanted to, mainly because it felt like while trying to keep the fantastical elements, we were kept separate from their world rather than sucked into it.  The angst and frustration and hurt, however, that did grab attention and was difficult to find resolution from.  There were a few magical elements that were brought up as being more than what they were so when we get to the conclusion, it was a bit of a let-down in that regard, but freeing in the more romantic aspects of the story.  Overall, this was a sadder sweet story that was a nice read.  3 stars.

An anniversary present gone wrong gives Jasper a second chance at love and a new outlook on life when he finds himself on a tropical vacation with his sister rather than his boyfriend.  Smarting from his ex's cruel words, Jasper is determined to remain in his shell while only dipping his toes into paradise, but when he receives a sexy text from a wrong number, he just might gather enough courage to jump in feet first instead.  Tamal might be just what he needs to to find who he really wants to be and who he might want in his life.  Distance might not be the only problem they'll need to overcome, however, because secrets and surprise visits may derail whatever they were beginning to build.

Jasper was endearingly awkward and so very honest.  I liked him quite a lot, insecurities and all; especially when he found his backbone regarding his ex and what he wants his future to look like and who he wants in it.  Tamal was a bit less of a draw for me.  He had kindness and patience and a whole lot of sex appeal, but it was his eagerness to believe conniving words rather than the yearning and openness he saw in Jasper that disappointed me.  I didn't feel drawn into his character.  It was Jasper that kept the story moving and his personal evolution that made the story stronger.  Despite the lack of depth surrounding Jasper, this was a cute story that had plenty of steam and a sweet ending.  3 stars.

Quick Reads, Quick Reviews 37

  

• New Horizons: A Metahuman Files: Classified Novella, Hailey Turner
• Stealing the Angel's Innocence: Heaven and Hell's Romance Company Book 1, Idris MacManus
• How Not to Tuck: Lovestrong Book 2, Susan Hawke

Moving on with life after the devastating and life-altering events in DC isn't always straightforward.  Some suffer with PTSD, others struggle to find their new place in the world.  Trevor Sanchez has always been sure of who he is and what he wants.  While he misses the camaraderie and stability and familiarity of his military unit and his place with Alpha team, he's eager to finally become the doctor he wants to be.  When the Sons of Adam don't seem to be laying down their plans, Trevor becomes embroiled in the local faction's drama when they seek revenge on a handsome and frightened paramedic.  Brendan puts patients above himself and once again, he's staring down the barrel of a gun.  When he and Trevor connect it's far deeper than attraction or duty, it's soul-changing.  Understanding the fragility of life and unwilling to dismiss what they feel, they have to navigate their enemy and their duties if they hope to carve out a piece of the future for them together.

Seriously hot.  Trevor is fantastic in his use of abilities as well as his innate sense of concern for others.  While he knows where his past and his future goals will take him he's completely unafraid of what he feels for Brendan and I loved that he was open and willing to accept all that meant.  Brendan was more hesitant only because he's caught somewhere between lust, being starstruck, swept off his feet, and afraid of the threats closing in on him.  Their dynamic in the bedroom was incredible and Trevor's direct attack with the feels while including Brendan in his life really made this story great.  The only issue I had with this was the mental healing of Brendan that needed to be addressed.  I seriously cannot get enough of this series and was extremely happy to get another novella to dive back into.  4 stars.

Someone is stealing souls and the consequences could be dire.  When Oramon, a demon who collects the souls bound for Hell, is placed on an investigative team with an angel as a partner, he knows the issue is much bigger than he originally thought.  And when he meets Sariel he's not only impressed, he's captivated.  As they muddle through the investigation of lost souls they also find new feelings, startling revelations, and a yearning to feel.  Sariel's innocence is the most attractive thing about him and Oramon is only a demon, who can blame him for taking a taste?

I felt that this book was a really good start to this series.  It hooked interest, laid the foundation for the series, and gave good insight into Oramon's character as well as a bit of Sariel.  We'll have to read more from the series to truly understand Sariel's complex feelings for the findings of the discoveries in the first novella.  There are some pretty big bombshells dropped near the end as well as the monumental change in their partnership that begs for more so I'm absolutely on board with reading more.  I do hope we either get an alternating POV in the coming books, at the very least we need a lot more from Sariel to fell the same level of connection as with Oramon.  4 stars.

Honey Combover is larger than life, and so is the cobra between her legs.  It refuses to stay where it's placed and while that has become part of her persona, it's also the reason she's in a little bit of trouble at her day job.  When the school's principal refuses to let her conduct the glee club in her drag persona because of the tape trouble she can't seem to get under control, Larry offers the principal an invitation to see him perform before turning them down outright.  A show and a show later, and what used to be years of bickering and complaining fast becomes the partnership Larry and Godric never saw coming.

Sexy, sweet, funny, campy, and a whole lot of entertainment, this short, lighthearted story is all that was great about the Lovestrong books.  Larry is so extra both as himself and as Honey Combover but every moment felt genuine.  I loved that he was both learning about himself and giving in to everything that made him feel.  Godric was a bit of a surprise and I liked who he ended up being.  The dynamic between the two men felt right and was just what the other needed.  By seeing the good in one another they were essentially freed to be their true selves and were loved for it.  I can't wait to see them together in the periphery of the rest of the series.  Pretty sure I'll never get enough of Honey.  4.5 stars.

For You I Fall, Colette Davison and T.N. Nova

Love is forbidden for angels; they have an important work that cannot coincide with romantic relationships.  For Dante, falling for Seth is inevitable.  Guarding him for a decade fills Dante's soul and when Seth's past comes back to exact revenge they'll have to find a way to help Seth without giving in to their heart's desires.  But what if they give in?  Can they keep their love despite the laws that govern them?

Each time we switch POV's we get almost a recap of the alternate POV.  While that can sometimes be helpful, there's nothing really pivotal or important that would make the reader need to get the same situation from the other person's perspective.  This then makes the story drag and become much longer than necessary.  Some feelings and details are nice but it gets to be where I want to, and often do, skim until I get to the wholly new information.

Lots and lots of time was spent thinking about the inevitability of their end and not much to help Seth find a solution.  It makes things feel sappy in a melancholy way more often than not.  Then there's the conflict between Killian and Dante that was kind of over the top.  It made both sides of the interaction disingenuous, making Killian seem much more annoying than pitiable in his jealousy.

Dante and Seth's love was based on good, believable, reliable solid things.  Short on the actual romantic progression, but long on building affection on Dante's part because of the ten years of guardianship.  You definitely have to suspend belief/reality in regards to physical manifestation/corporeality in regards to sex though.

In regards to helping people at the end...I was hoping for something bigger, maybe running a shelter or soup kitchen or even having a plan to do either of those things with a mention of working to save money for that goal.  Not to demean or belittle their efforts to feed the homeless the same way Seth was doing it in New York, not at all, just with eternity spreading out before them I'd have thought they'd dream bigger and endeavor to do more for a larger number of people.  San Francisco is temperate, never really hot or cold enough for weather to affect a decrease in the homeless population so something a little bigger and more sustainable seems like it would be a better fit for them and the place they ended up.

Overall I found this story unique by making angels pretty much just like humans, except with wings and special jobs.  Dante and Seth were also good characters.  Their voices weren't always consistent, but they were good as a couple by the end when they sorted things out.  I liked the story quite a lot, actually, despite some misgivings I developed along the way.

*$4.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!

An M/M Christmas, episode 7

  

• Christmas Homecoming: The Christmas Angel Book 4, L.A. Witt
• Under the Felt Mistletoe, Nell Iris
• An Alpha for Christmas, Charity Parkerson

Best friends share one stolen kiss only to be separated until Christmas.  And then a war separates them for much longer.  They each come back changed men with more fears and hesitations than before, but also more longing.  Maybe with the help of a Christmas angel found half a world away they can find the courage to share what's in their hearts and get a second chance at a forever happiness.

Roger and Jack are both so hesitant but their slow-burn is believable.  I liked how they came together and the end was wonderful with the epilogue.  It really brought them all the way around from their cautious, youthful beginning.  There was a great inclusion of reality and sensitivities of the time, how they worked around it while not letting that angst come between them in the end, and that keeping their love was far more important than keeping up the pretense of societal expectations.  Neither man, however, had a voice that was distinct from one another and I didn't connect to them individually.  On the whole, though, this was a sweet story despite finding it to be less captivating than I was hoping for.  3 stars.

With hearts a mile wide and fathoms deep, Finn and his grandpa invite a stranger into their home.  It was a kind gesture in the face of horrible weather in a season that would mean nothing without the warmth of kindness.  What they don't expect is to find another addition to their family in Nelson.                                                                                                                                        Finn was absolutely adorable with his excitement, passion for crafts, and his immense love for his grandparents.  Nelson was much more reserved but no less adorable for all his simple yearning.  Together they were so dang cute and bubbly!  I really loved this story.  It was so very short but we really got to know Finn's irrepressibility and Nelson's quiet steadfastness.  Their family situations were both complicated but explained simply so we weren't lost in drama or feeling like something was left open and unsatisfied by the end.  And Finn's grandpa was the best in every way.  No steam at all, just a ton of sweetness.  All the warmth and love of the season, of families, of couples was here in this very short story.  4.5 stars.

A car that won't start and an unexpected offer of a ride from the hot Santa makes Austin think that maybe his streak of bad luck will give him a break for a couple hours.  Will's not above creating favorable circumstances and getting what he wants, especially when what he wants comes in the tall, obliviously gorgeous package that is Austin.  An amazing weekend opens up the possibility of something that could mean forever, but only if Will can save Austin from the consequences of their indulgence.                                                                                                                  First of all, I don't remember ever seeing a cover that both looked good and fit both characters.  This cover is practically perfect and I'm totally loving it.  As for the men themselves, their chemistry is off the charts hot and the tenderness they share completely balances it.  I'm not one for secrets or omitting important details to create the conflict, but I think the challenges are overcome quickly enough to be okay in the end.  The reunion is slightly confusing because the surprise reveal reveals something we weren't aware was hidden, meaning we didn't know this part of Will even existed.  It caused more confusion than clarity for Will's penchant for omitting details of himself.  Then, introducing characters important to Will's past is also unnecessary in that while the circumstances of the past were important to show how much he has changed, the people are inconsequential because they're just causing complications to a moment that should be more focused than it is.  Despite the confusing things that were thrown in as a mistaken attempt to add depth and interest, the story was totally sweet and I really liked it.  4 stars.

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Archangel's Assassin, Barbara Elsborg

Um, shocked, I am, utterly shocked that I enjoyed this story as much as I did.  It honestly felt like I was reading two different stories with all the same people.  In the beginning it was dark, gritty, vicious, violent, and mysterious.  Once we find out who Tao is, though, things become light, confusing, melodramatic, sappy, hopeful, and uplifting.  Despite the story having Dissociative Identity Disorder I found myself drawn into their world through Tao's magnetic charm and West's dickish surliness.  Like I said, shocked.

Tao is bright and positive and completely at the mercy of the streets.  Waking up with no memory and no sense of who you are, why you're under a tree in Hyde Park, and whether or not you're worth being found or even if there's anyone to look for you isn't easy, after all.  Clever signs and non-begging begging to scrape enough cash for food and a meager contribution to a communal living situation dominate Tao's current existence.  Until one day when he steals a wallet to return it to the original owner.

That owner is the darkly handsome West.  West isn't all that he appears and has a rather interesting job as an Archangel's Assassin.  His job is to be the hitman for an angel, to carry out justice in the supernatural world.  Well, that's his main job.  His other job is on the down low because it could get his immortal soul thrust right into hell, no passing go, no collecting $200.  And that would be quite inconvenient because that's the exact fate he's trying to save his brother from.  So why is he so drawn to the man who retrieved his wallet?  He certainly didn't need help getting it back in the first place, but by deciding to let things play out as they did he finds himself inconveniently invested in the homeless hottie.

West rescues Tao from his living situation with intentions for a quick screw before tossing him back out...or so he likes to tell himself.  Tao is a bit overwhelmed by everything that is West and doesn't want to deny himself anymore by holding back.  So with all the awkwardly cute intensity he possesses he throws himself at West.  At first it's horrible.  But unaware that he sees West, the true West under the facade given to him and the blustery badass he puts on himself, he decides to stick it out.  With nothing more than the desire to give West something to smile about he sticks around and goes about making himself useful and indispensable.

So there's the big mystery of who and what Tao is, what West does and why, the machinations of some unseen being or force messing with West and the archangels, and how everything is connected.  As the story moves forward and goes about answering those questions we see the dark and gritty world West lives in.  Tao is shocked but determined to stay with West because if anyone needed lightness and respite, it's West.  Add in crazy amounts of sexy times and you've got a dark and wickedly erotic story.  Also a bit disturbing.  I mean, "Oh, is that a gargoyle finger in your leg?  Here, let me cut that out before we get back to the sexy times," and then let's use that finger to stab a demon.

And then we get the answers.  Convoluted, super tangled, unnecessarily tragic.  Once everything comes to light Tao becomes quite confident, decisive, and moves quickly to get things resolved.  West becomes fearful, protective, quietly sappy.  When Raphael  gets all the confessions and reveals he's both thrilled and exceedingly fearful.  I teared up majorly when West had to carry out the unthinkable.  Both moving and heartbreaking.  The resolution was equally sweet and hopeful.  With the very end being in Raphael's POV we get to see something close to a real conclusion that's filled with feels, connection, forgiveness, and hope.  Such a complete opposite of what the story began with and yet shockingly awesome.

*Ride the insane roller coaster that is West and Tao's journey

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