What He Finds: Desires: New Beginnings Book 2, E.M. Denning

Quentin and Toby had an adorable beginning and I loved watching them evolve. Seeing how Quentin's Dom was just right for Toby's sub made me believe in their dynamic, that it wasn't contrived, it fell into place naturally.

There were a few scenes that I skimmed over when it got spicier, but that's just because my flavor of spice isn't quite in favor of the types of names used. Totally doesn't bother me at all, it just wasn't something I felt like reading every word of the scene. That being said, it was some dang good steam. It was both spicy and sweet and that's definitely my favorite flavor.

Overall I felt that there were a couple things that detracted from the story for me, the first was the constant returning to the same "problems" again and again. It seemed to be either resolved or on hold for that resolution and then it got brought up again as if we hadn't just rehashed the same issue a few pages prior. And second, I kind of don't know if I felt the scene with the former partner of the former boyfriend was necessary because it didn't bring answers, closure, or peace.

But if you're looking for quick, sweet, dirty spice, then this is the story for you. Even though there are cameos from other characters in other stories related to this world this is absolutely a standalone.

*$4.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!

Little Boy Blu: Little Big Heart Book 1, Wendy Rathbone

This is saccharine, sugar, and all kinds of sweet so if you're craving sweet, no angst, cuddlef**king then this is your jam.

Blu and Maks both aren't prepared for the kind of perfection they could provide one another and yet they fall so effortlessly into exactly what they need.  While I can absolutely see some of the pitfalls that reality should have put in their path, this wasn't meant to be picked apart that way.

The one thing that made this such an awesome read for me was Blu's short yet very, very clear deliniation between being a little and yet still a man.  Sometimes a lot of these age play stories give me the really uncomfortable icks because it seems so close to something that should make everyone uncomfortable between adults and children but that is so very not what happens here.  Blu is well aware of who and what he is and also what he needs in all aspects.  I see him as a little and I also see him as a man, this blend is done extremely well here.

Maks is such a good Daddy.  He's been yearning for this for so long and yet never knew what or how or when it would ever happen.  He was just right.

What dropped this from 5 to 4 stars was the frequent hints that there would be obstacles, interference, discovery from family or media.  I was very glad none of it panned out, but there was something hanging around nearly every scene that made me wonder if some kind of conflict or angst was going to be tossed in just for the sake of "believability", but I should have remembered whose book I was reading.  This author is quite good at not creating needlessly convoluted or contrived storylines more often than not.  So while this all worked out well, there were too many hints that didn't play into anything beyond giving me more apprehension than sugary sweet lovin'.

*$4.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!

A Little Christmas: Blake, W. Rathbone

The focus of the story was on the tenderness, the sweet feelings of something unexpected and everything you hoped for but thought could never be yours. There were two sides here that actually got a good amount of balance between them giving the overall feel of the story a satisfying evolution. Between the self discovery on Eliot's side and the self-acceptance on Blake's I felt a lot of newness, raw, honest vulnerability, and a childlike wonder.

While I very much enjoyed those things and seeing both men blossom under one another's care and acceptance, the story was very simple. The length of the story didn't allow for delving into anything other than their connection. Keeping things simple and uncomplicated on the side of Eliot's work and family situation, not revisiting Blake's awful boss, and nothing major to keep the men apart all worked to keep the short story focused, it just also didn't delve too deep.

There was also something about their dynamic that was kept almost a little too simple. I'm of two minds about this one because on the one hand it could have been problematic to have both men jumping into a lifestyle neither one had really looked into, researched, or learned much about at all. On the other hand by keeping both men's preferences perfectly aligned and giving it an almost "fated mate" feel to their connection on both the romance and keenk (yes, I know that's not how it's spelled...) it kept it from seeming unhealthy, uninformed, and potentially damaging.

So did I like the book? Definitely. Was it everything? No. Would I read more from this author's new-ish penname? Yep!

*$3.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!

Can a Christmas miracle make Blake’s secret dream come true?

Blake has no one. His boyfriend cheated on him and left without a word taking almost everything in the apartment. His boss fired him. He’s behind on the rent and Christmas is coming.

But there is one man, Eliot, always impeccably dressed, always with a nice word, who keeps running into him. Blake knows him as a regular at the diner where he used to work. The man was a great tipper.

Eliot asks him out. Blake accepts. When his date shows up in a gleaming Rolls Royce to pick him up and Blake is wearing only his best jeans and an old sweater, shivering in the new falling snow, he realizes Eliot is way out of his league.

He can’t possibly go on this date now. He’s not good enough. Worse, if Eliot were to ever find out his secret, that Blake has a little side and an impossible dream to one day call a lover “daddy” and not get smacked or laughed at for it, Eliot would probably never want to see him again.

But it’s Christmastime, and Eliot is a surprisingly persuasive guy, not to mention full of his own sweet secrets. This is the time of year when things have a way of working out, but can Blake let down his barriers long enough to see the special truth between them?

Contemporary holiday gay romance, age gap, billionaire, rescue, comfort from the cold, HEA. This is an MM daddy/little Christmas twist on The Little Princess Classic tale. Each age play romance book in this multi-author series can be read as a standalone.

Bound to Happen: AirB&D Book 4, Olivia Joy

I know these stories are short in this series, but a couple of them have still managed to win me over with their honesty, connection, and chemistry.  This story didn't manage to do that.  While there was chemistry, a really decent amount, that played well to their mutual desires, it didn't translate to a relationship in a real way for me.  Overall it was a nice story, a fairly okay addition to the series, but it wasn't my favorite.

Will was a little easier to know as we begin with his POV and his internal commentary on his life, relationship status, job, and feelings about the situation as well as about Mitch.  Mitch on the other hand, was bland to me.  There wasn't a good enough explanation of his motivations, his redemption for the bet, or a real connecting moment between him and me as a reader.  I just didn't care about him and wasn't convinced that he deserved Will.

The outcome was a tale of two men who got a second chance at a college attraction turned sour and all the spice you'd expect from this series.  It wasn't fully successful for me by the end, but it wasn't an entirely unenjoyable reading experience either.  It was just...meh...and a bit disappointing.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Will Simpson figures he’s the epitome of boring. He works in a cubicle, goes to the beach for vacation every year, and even the ex who only wanted sex once a week left him. So when he gets an invitation to spend a weekend at a B&B in Maine with a bunch of his old frat buddies, Will figures why not do something totally out of his comfort zone. He knows he might see Mitch again, but with enough guys around, it wouldn’t have to be awkward.

Mitch Archer thinks a weekend with his old buddies might be fun, too, but when he gets to Maine, he surprised to find Will is the only one who made it. He’s also surprised to discover that the house itself is more than just a fun place to vacation in small-town New England. He’s always wondered what he and Will could have had together, so he grabs at the chance to test things out between them. He’s ready to explore, and he’s bound and determined to show Will how adventurous he can be.

Bear Essentials: Bear Lake Chronicles Book 1, Rain Carrington

Self-discovery is something very moving, very powerful, and when written well it can allow us to search within ourselves to discover something new on our own.  For Ked it's a journey to seeing who and what he needed to find his center.  For Sean it's finding the one person who could understand and yearn for everything he is and could be.  They both needed exactly what each could be and I loved that they found their ultimate happiness with one another.

But I had serious issues with a lot that happened.  My first and largest frustration is the issue of trust.  I totally get that in outlining rules between the two there were certain expectations Sean had for Ked, but demanding trust from the sub while giving no such assurances as the Dom, having double standards are what led to the huge blow up and separation.  And then for the apologies and the guilt and the restitution to come from the one person who was left questioning, vulnerable, and hurt by the omissions...I felt I truly didn't want to finish the book, except a good portion of the book was left and I can't stand to leave a book unfinished.

While the ending kind of made up for the biggest missteps, I still felt quite sour about a few things and don't think it fully redeemed itself.  The book was fair overall, but really didn't work for me in enough ways to engender a recommendation.  There were some gems, the potential as with the town and some side characters that could persuade me to revisit the series.  The excerpt from book two featured one person who intrigued me and one who needs a bit of redemption; both need to find courage.  I hope the series progresses and improves.

*$4.99 on Amazon

A sleepy little town doesn’t know what, or whom, is about to hit it when Ked, Kaden Edmond Donegal, comes there to live.

Hyper and determined, Ked longs to be a great forest ranger, taking care of the land, watching over it like its protector. What he didn’t count on is falling in love with the people there nearly as much as the land, and one in particular that doesn’t give him the time of day.

Sean Ashby moved to Bear Lake to hide away from the world after he nearly died while serving in the army. A local artist, he makes his living bringing pieces of wood to life with stories of their own. When he sees Ked, he sees someone who needs tamed, but he doesn’t feel as if he’s up to the job.

Not giving up on the bearded ginger bear, Ked does everything he can to get in the way of the man, and he finally gets what he wants. Or, at least, what he thought he wanted. Sean is a dominant who needs a submissive, and Ked never thought of himself that way. With Ked’s rambling voice hushed and his hyper movements slowed, Sean leads him into a new life he didn’t realize he needs so badly.

The townspeople take him in as family, a man loves him unconditionally, and poachers are in need of catching. Is Ked up for his new life? Can he be a part of a community that is quirky and quiet, or will his own quirks and rarely silent voice make him permanently an outsider?

About Rain

 

I love writing, it's been my dream for many years, and in October of 2013, when my first book went live on Amazon, that dream came true.

Writing love stories that are centered on flawed but lovable characters is my passion. Finding love between people is't easy, nor should it be. Even in a book, there have to be obstacles for the story to feel real.

I am a mother of three amazing people, and three adorable fur babies. I live in Colorado but love many other places besides my home. One state in particular is New Mexico, the state where I was born has always held a place in my heart.

People and places make my stories what they are. Each character I've written is a part of me in some way. Each place I write is as well. Adventures come in many ways, and each of my stories has taken me on an adventure that I treasure.

Come with me on my adventures and fall in love with my characters, as I have. I promise, you will love the ride.

Follow Rain...

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And don't forget the giveaway!

 

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card and an unsigned print copy of Bear Essentials!

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Submitting to Fate: A Collection of Strays Book 5, Toby Wise

Rhett and Wyn have both led lives that seem to imply they're either perfect for one another or "never the 'twain shall meet" and I'm so glad that both men found a way to submit to Fate and all the ways they could fill one another's souls.  There were some rocky moments, but just like with each and every story in the series, they pulled it out in the end and gave in to a plan larger and more knowledgeable than their own.

One bit that didn't gel for me was their big moment of "communication" where the lead up to Wyn and Rhett's dynamic was building only to culminate in a moment that felt uncomfortable.  Wyn's thoughts regarding knowing what Rhett needed and yet ignoring the signs didn't feel right and that their moment of sharing all the angst from their hearts came so late in the story didn't exactly fit their flow either.  With such a short story I wasn't expecting it to be all hearts and roses, but two really big things that were specific to them and their story weren't given enough page time to feel resolved.

What I did love were all the sweet moments when you could see Rhett growing from the brat-for-brattiness'-sake into the brat-with-a-cornerstone.  With Wyn to ground him, to give him the peace he needs he could assume his role as the brat with more humor than before because he didn't need the facade to cover his pain.  Wyn softened as well and his journey was more one of bringing his past alongside his present and reveling in love instead of grief.  Rhett's insistence in keeping Wyn's past as an integral part of their hearts and going so far as to pass it on to their future was immensely wonderful.  It showed growth and a true understanding of love multiplying rather than living with a heart divided.  That was my favorite part.  These two men needed one another and I was pleased overall with their story.

$2.99 on Amazon

I hide behind snarky comments and teasing smiles because letting people see the true me is terrifying. The day I find out Wyn is my mate, all the BS falls away. He sees me, the real me, and instead of running for the hills, he stays by my side. My past reminds me of my failings but Wyn says I’m good. As I submit to him, just maybe I'll learn to believe him. -Rhett

Here I am, finding myself mated for the second time, pregnant without even really trying with a mouthy, bratty alpha. What the heck was Lady Fate thinking? As time goes on and with a little trial and error, Rhett and I learn to fit into our new dynamics. Rhett may submit to me, but I submit to Lady Fate, and so far, She's never pushed me past what I could take. -Wyn

Surrender: Wrecked Book 2, Kelly Fox

Jake and Jean-Pierre have a memorable meet-cute only to find that there's a whole lot that could keep them from grasping every happiness together.  When Jake's past and their individual mental and emotional health combine it could spell disaster for their budding relationship, but with determination, patience, a fantastic community, and a bit of bedroom spice, they just might find the key to everything they've ever hoped for.

This dealt with a few heavy topics and quite a bit of attention was focused on it.  I definitely thought it was important to be thorough in discussing exactly what was going on mentally for Jake so we could understand just what stood between him and the world he could have with Jean-Pierre.  That intention meant well, but the execution became long and drawn out and quite repetitive after a while.  It dominated the entire story and rather than letting Jake become who he was supposed to be, there was a whole lot of telling and no evolution until nearly the end of the story.

There was a bit of a subplot dealing with Jake's past and how he became the way he was and it was a big surprise confrontation at the end that wrapped that up.  The villain was a surprise, but the whole scene was kind of a jumble that didn't work for me.  A lot of build-up within the scene for both Jake and the situation itself and the actual action felt disjointed and unsatisfying for all the anticipation.

In terms of the more intimate encounters, there wasn't a whole lot of that and what we got was a very loose application of their shared interests that wasn't given enough attention to feel right and grounded.  This could likely have been solved by more objective streamlining.  Having their needs mentioned in the synopsis and then to have so little attention given to it in the story itself was a bit of a miss for me.  I think it just needed a better overall balance.  A better balance between PTSD, romantic progress, and character evolution was definitely needed.

The positives were the overall attitude of Jean-Pierre.  His insistence that Jake is his heart's home was so incredibly sweet and I loved his determination to give Jake everything he needed.  And combining that with his honesty about his own struggles gave him a genuineness that was a bright spot in the story.  The other huge bonus of this story was the community of Wrecked.  I'm crazy about all these men and the safe environment they've created for everyone.

I liked the story as a whole, it just needs a bit more work to be great in my opinion.  There are quite a few characters that I'm incredibly interested in and will likely be back for more, and I may even jump back to Sanctuary to dive in from the beginning.  As a series I find this quite enjoyable, as an individual story, it likely isn't the best representation of either the author's work or the overall series' intentions.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Dark cloud, meet seven-foot wall of sunshine.

We’ve been friends for almost a year, we both volunteer at my brother-in-law’s gym for combat vets, and the chemistry between us is undeniable. So, getting together should be a no brainer, right?

Yeah, not so much.

Pairing up the joyful refugee NBA hero with me—the grumpy wanna-be artist who cracks jokes about being waterboarded—has got to be the mother of all bad ideas.

An even worse idea? Let’s add a splash of kink to the mix.

We’re all going to need a little therapy after this.

T.A.G. You're Heard: T.he Assassins Guild. Book 2, A.G. Caruthers

With what we see in book one of Connor and Oz's relationship I wasn't expecting the huge backsliding we start off with that ultimately provides the moment needed to begin the chaos.  It becomes very clear when we get all the back story of both men that there's more under the surface than we could imagine.

There was a little too much internal angst on Oz's part and I think it became a little too "woe is me" when we got to re-read his hesitations, believed uselessness, and berating himself with virutally every switch over to his POV.  What I loved when things turned around was that it was an appropriately bossy boy to get Daddy's head on straight.

Their sexual dynamic was a good fit and I really liked how their roles were a little flipped from the stereotypes because it made for a much more interesting way to pair these two opposites together.  While the on-page sexual chemistry was a little tame, it was more touching than raunchy and I liked the change of pace from the first book.  Sweetness and tenderness were the hallmarks of this relationship more than the sexual preferences or even the crazy of the story itself.

With a beautiful wedding to show the immense love and care within the guild and among friends, this was a very sweet story overall, which I wasn't expecting, and the display of all that love was very touching.  I'm interested to see where we go and which men come together in the next book.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Hello again, Mr. No here, communications agent for T.A.G. and your inside source to your favorite agents.

Our next file is on Operation Gingersnap and none other than Agent Code name Mr. Kr, aka Connor Foley Turgenev, our snarky and hyperactive computer genius.

Connor gets hit with a blast from the past that he'd thought was long dead. Yoshi and the rest of Upper Management must scramble to save him before his situation turns dire.

In the meantime, will nearly losing Connor push our gentle giant of a Chef, Asbjorn Sternberg, to open himself up to Connor and truly be the Daddy and partner that Connor wants and needs? Or will he let injuries obtained while serving in the Norwegian Army fuel his self doubt?

ARC opportunity provided through Gay Book Promotions

T.A.G. You're Seen: The Assassins' Guild Book 1, A.G. Carothers

Well.  Yeah.  That happened.  So I read the warnings and if you're apprehensive about any of them, proceed elsewhere because they're incredibly accurate.  While not all of them are to my tastes, it's clear that these men crave them all.  Yoshi and Jacob are in a tenuous situation because even though Yoshi is drawn to the other man, he's also supposed to kill him.  There's something not quite right about the whole thing, so with the prep work and observation under way, Yoshi is determined to get to the bottom of everything.  This story is not for the faint of heart or those with vanilla sensibilities.

And get to the bottom he does, in spectacular fashion.  The dynamic is hot and tender and extremely kinkaaaay.  What confuses me is the "danger" and the need to complicate everything twice over with the emotional plot as well as the history and Connor's investigation.  We were on the way to resolving things and were then thrust back to the feelings of betrayal and hurt before getting back on track only to have it all repeat again.  Jacob, Enrique, Connor, Yoshi...there are so many characters that get tossed in that it complicates feelings and the story a bit too much.  I wish Enrique weren't in the picture at all, and even if he's getting his own book, his role in this one shouldn't have been pushed in our faces so much, especially because we already have to deal with the emotional fallout from Jacob's past choices and Yoshi's current choice.  For the length of the story I wish it had been a little simpler.

I thought the sweetness, when present, was heartwarming and the opportunity for second-chances was well-founded.  It's true that distance and time was necessary for them to finally get on the same page, it just sucks that they needed all the hurtful things in the interim.  Honesty was lacking between them in their beginning, but they more than made up for it in the end.  And Connor's story is really what drew my interest for the series so as we got to know him here I feel that it's a perfect jumping off point to the pseudo-brother's journey.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Attention: This book contains explicit sexual content between consenting assassins and not so innocent professors. There are depictions of male chastity, breath play, watersports, humiliation, and torture by eighties hair bands with ginger sprinkles on top.

Phew! Now, that that's out of the way, Hi. I'm Mr. No, your friendly communications agent for The Assassins' Guild AKA T.A.G.

I've been authorized by the head honcho himself, Mr. H, to release approved records from the agent files.

Agent Code Name Mr. W was recovering from a near death debacle by way of an easy assignment in a small mountain town. Red flags sprang up immediately around the seemingly innocent English professor. Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery Jacob Peters presented, Mr. W made plans to do what he did best, watch , wait , and then capture and interrogate.

But even the best laid plans can go awry...

Find out what brought Mr. W to his knees in this first release from the archives of The Assassins' Guild.

Bodyguard's Bite: Howler Brothers Book 2, Silvia Violet

This series is getting stronger with each book.  And though we're only on the second of the series, I can already see that with how much better this is than the first, we're definitely going to keep getting better and better.  Especially when you bring in the external drama that the family gets wrapped up in too.

What I enjoyed most about Bodyguard's Bite was the connection between Storm and Jax.  They had an intense connection from the beginning that was present throughout.  While I wasn't thrilled with the constant denial, I think it was a good idea for them to try and find some distance so they could discover the depth of their pull as mates.  How the distance was achieved bothered me because it felt a little forced and with more ignoring than forethought.  If it had been a little more believable I would have been much more okay with how it played out.  Their chemistry was definitely hot and that was something that never waned.

A small annoyance was the way the overlap between books one and two was included.  Being more like a quick summary took the tension out of the moment and didn't allow that tension to act as a tool to intensify Storm's internal struggle with getting to Jax or Emerson.

Aside from those two things, I think the MC's were likable, the rest of the family intriguing, and the drama was interesting.  I'm very curious to know more of the brothers' stories and where we're going to go from here.

*$4.99 on Amazon

What if the one thing you wanted most was forbidden?

Wealthy werewolf Storm Howler wants a chance to act out his submissive fantasies without his overprotective brothers scaring off every dominant man in sight. If he can’t choose his own partners, how will he ever find his fated mate?

As the former leader of a shifter special forces unit, Jax knows how to keep people safe, but he also craves the one thing he never had in the military: control.

When Storm and Jax meet, tension sizzles between them. It only takes one night of control and surrender for each of them to question whether they’re fated for one another. But the next day, they discover Storm’s brothers have hired Jax as Storm’s new bodyguard. Rather than resign, Jax agrees to the hands-off policy in his employment contract, because no one can protect Storm as well as he can. But when danger threatens, Storm needs a man who can calm his mind as easily as he protects Storm’s body. The two begin spending more time together, and there’s only so long anyone can fight against fate—or love.

Claiming Bite, Silvia Violet

Not your average shifter love story, Emerson and King muddle through finding their path forward together amidst all the conflict and tension between them and between King and the shifter community.  I can't say this was truly effective because quite a few things were lacking, but there were some highlights here.  Side characters are a great draw, as is the potential for the world the story is set in and I wish there were enough between King and Emerson to back it all up because there were some awesome bones to build on.

First is the less-than awesome points.  The moment of connection between Emerson and King is great, but very soon after that it's as if the mate connection becomes a burden and something to hide rather than come to grips with and to develop.  It gets resolved later, but only after King does what he does and makes decisions on behalf of others.  Which leads me to something else that bothered me.  I totally get the power exchange and the inherent respect that should exist between D/s couplings and I just didn't feel King's commitment to true training.  Instead it was more that he was domineering and kinky and more concerned with bending Emerson's obedience to his will rather than delving into Emerson's true needs.

That was something else that was a concern.  From their first discussion about Emerson's needs it was clear there was an underlying need in his restlessness and felt bigger than merely being drawn to a possible mate and should have been given its due.  Either make it about the mate bond drawing them together so their sexual needs can be met, or resolve the why of why Emerson needs the domination beyond fantasies.  There was also something incredibly lacking in the background of both men.  We're given a clear picture of King's community and business motivations, but beyond that I have no idea who he really is.  And even less about Emerson is given.  Sure he had a dick of an ex, but that's the sum total of his background.  Because we get so little about these men their D/s dynamic feels more about lust than a lifestyle and their actual connection lacks depth.

On a high note was the world built around them.  It was far more compelling than the MC's unfortunately, but it's a world that I was pretty drawn into and wonder if there's a potential for a series to come from it, especially because there are a few characters and possible relationships we're given a glimpse of and they're definitely tantalizing.  The steam is definitely there despite lacking the punch of a deep connection to ground it.  With a great cast to support Emerson and King as well as the story there's a well of interest to draw on and I do hope for more from this world.  I wish the story were more effective, more powerful, but there are some things to enjoy, particularly if we get more in the future.

*$4.99 on Amazon

What if the one thing you wanted most was forbidden?

Alpha werewolf King Howler seems to have everything he could want: power, wealth, and his own club where he can act out his dominant fantasies. But the one thing he lacks is his fated mate.

Shy loner Emerson has always craved submission, not to another human—to a shifter. Handing over control to anyone could be dangerous, but with a shifter, it might be deadly. Yet all his fantasies star a werewolf who can make him beg.

When King and Emerson meet, the bond between them is instinctive and undeniable. King can't resist the pull he feels toward the younger man, even though giving Emerson what he longs for is risky. Emerson doesn't care how vulnerable he is. He knows he belongs with King, and he's willing to do anything to prove it. As longing turns to love, King knows he must find a way to keep Emerson safe, both from his enemies and from himself, because in the end, nothing can stop an alpha from claiming his mate.

Shipping Orders: Valentine's Inc. Cruises Book 2, Ashe Winters

An unrelenting crush and a subtle fascination collide when a coincidence brings the awkwardly insecure Reign on a collision course with the commanding Adonis, Chase.  Neither is on the cruise to find love, but love is never predictable and when their fling becomes more, it's fear that might keep them from keeping what they've found.

It was hard not to be a little in love with all of Reign's insecurities and I wasn't surprised when Chase crashed hard for him.  But while I eventually found those quirks endearing, I was a bit frustrated with how much Reign held himself back.  Sexually he ended up giving Chase everything that was inside him, but in the quieter moments I was hoping for him to be a bit more verbal and relaxed.  That just wasn't him I suppose, and when we ended the story I was pretty shocked that the glimpse we got of him through Chase's epilogue showed us a much more solid presence.  I wished we had gotten to see more of that than just their bedroom chemistry.

I was a bit more disappointed with Chase though.  There was something about him that rubbed me the wrong way.  It could have been the many, many mentions of how he just couldn't keep Reign, the slightly dismissive way he thought about his interactions with Reign versus Reign's coworker, or maybe just an overall feeling of disconnect between me and his character.  I just wasn't as drawn to him.

This story focused a ton on their sexual compatibility and while we saw some more tender and "foundation-shaking" realizations during those encounters, there was a bit of depth that I was missing.  Even the reveals of pasts and fears didn't feel as momentous as I thought they would.  Keeping the angst relatively low and forgoing a huge separation/reunion bit pleased me to no end however, and it made the ending much more satisfying for me.  I would really have enjoyed a bit more of a balance between the bedroom and character evolution, but aside from that I enjoyed this story.

*$3.99 on Amazon

A happy ever after is not in the cards for me. But a short fling aboard a ship crossing the Atlantic might just be exactly what I need. 

When my friends suggest I take a much-needed vacation on their Valentine’s Inc. hosted cruise, I leap at the chance. I don’t have a lot of expectations for this matchmaking singles cruise—I’m certainly not looking for a future Mr. Chase Kelton. 

What I’m not prepared for is walking into my assigned suite to find a man passed out on the first day. I recognize the shy barista immediately. He’s been serving me my morning fix for a year and driving me crazy with the hard shell he keeps locked around himself. I want to break it. I know there’s an entirely different man beneath it that I’m itching to reveal.

Reign is the proverbial fish out of water, and when I discover the real reason he’s on this cruise, I see an opportunity I can’t resist. He needs a companion to show him the ropes—I can do that and so much more.

Take Care of You: Taking Care Book 1, Gianni Holmes

Well, this was certainly not what I expected.  I really enjoyed the idea of an older man being the boy and a younger man being the Daddy and I thought most of Owen and Declan's interactions really worked to give both men what they needed.  There were quite a few other issues I had however, and the twist used to cause the biggest drama was at the heart of most of them.  With an interesting premise this story had a lot of potential but I have to be honest and say that I'm heavily leaning toward not finishing the series.

I didn't mind the HFN ending too much, though usually I steer clear of those if I don't have access to the full series, but getting to that ending and then reading the description for Take Care of Me at the end of this book makes me incredibly reluctant to continue.  I'd much rather leave it on the more happy note that has hope and progress written into it than to slog through temptations of infidelity because neither man can balls up and put common sense, communication, and love above pride.  To be fair, the new synopsis doesn't reflect those concerns, so maybe it's a non-issue.

The dynamic was truly interesting and drew me in at the first, but there's a lot to be said for communicating roles, expectations, and hopes beyond the "I want you."  Their brand of D/b had a lot of potential, but there was too much gray area with unclear intentions at the beginning and inappropriate power usage at the end for me to fall in love completely with their dynamic.

It's that abuse of power and selfishness that really disturbs me the most.  The defeatest attitude from Declan, pushing Owen away, and abusing the role of Owen's "Daddy" was more disappointing than I can say.  While I'm not a fan of Owen's reaction to his kids' big secret its consequences pale in comparison to Declan's appalling behavior.

Overall I thought this story had a ton of potential and I was really excited to read this take on a Daddy/boy relationship, but I'm averse to conflicts intimated in the sequel's synopsis.  A few things fell short in the execution and I can't decide if Declan's missteps were intentional to cause trust issues in the coming stories or if it was just poor decision-making on how to create emotional conflict to fabricate angst and interest.  I wouldn't be surprised if I never revisited this series but the lingering affection I do have for what I read came from setting up Owen as the absolutely committed, loving, devoted father.  Without Owen's heart this book would not have held my interest.

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I will never call a man two years older than my sons Daddy. Nope, never gonna happen. 

Until It Does

Owen's not your typical boy .

He's 21 years older.
He's physically bigger.
He has his sh!t together.
And the last of his three kids just left home.
Yet, the moment Declan mentions the word "Daddy", Owen can't stop thinking about it.


Decan's not your typical Daddy.

He's too young.
He's physically not as strong as Owen.
But, he's filthy rich.
He craves pampering Owen.
And, he's not afraid to discipline his Boy when it's needed.

With Declan, Owen's about to experience the finest pleasures of life. When Declan's greatest fear confronts him, will he be able to let his Boy in, or will he walk away to spare Owen?

Leo & His Lion: Oh My! Book 2, Andi James and Lila Wilde

With Dylan's inability to adult and Leo's insecurity regarding coming out, it seems like they'd have some pretty big difficulties finding their forever happiness.  And while they do have their stumbling blocks, it's the way they fight for their individual happiness that truly brings them together and makes them memorable and very sweet to watch.  They each have something the other lacks and through their moments of discovery, their passion, and their constantly building connection they find exactly what they need.

There was something so satisfying in watching Dylan become the man he is meant to be.  Not only do we get the eye-opening kink discovery, we get to watch him be incredibly clumsy along the way to finding out who he wants to be and achieving that path for himself.  His foibles are actually quite endearing and speak to the innocent and genuinely good soul he has.  I found that just under the surface of all that scattered mess, he was actually the stronger partner in the story.  It was through him that Leo found his courage.

Leo was complicated in that he came from a family of love but had no confidence in their ability to accept a fundamental part of him.  There's no specific timeline for anyone admitting that part of themselves, and while I wished it hadn't taken him so long, his journey was one of moving from fear to freedom.

The connection both men shared right from the start was apparent in Teddy & His Bear.  Starting from a moment in that book was a great way to go, but things felt a little awkward the morning after.  It felt like Leo was trying too hard to show his adoration, support, and awe of Dylan's artistic abilities and dreams.  It just didn't feel organic to the moment.  Dylan's journey of kink started off quite awkward for me and I didn't know how I felt in those moments, but when we got to their "Ah ha!" moment, it all settled together and felt right.  The way they wove the kink into their budding relationship was believable as well as sexy.  While their connection did grow in a really fantastic way, it was the conclusion that really had me sold on these men.  They made the choices they did regarding their futures as individuals and they weren't dependent on the other man.  It brought the story from sexy and nice to solidly good with both steam and feels to add to the more admirable qualities of the MC's themselves.

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Leo Varma doesn’t need love. At thirty-seven, he’s satisfied with focusing on his career, friends, and casual hookups. Besides, getting into a real relationship would mean finally telling his conservative family that he’s gay, and possibly losing them forever. He’s convinced himself that living in the shadows is good enough... until he meets Dylan. 

Dylan Drake-Matthews might be a catastrophe on two legs, but he loves life. After taking a part-time job at the club Leo frequents, the wide-eyed nineteen-year-old dives into the kink scene with both feet. When his first few attempts end in disaster, Leo takes Dylan under his wing, and everything clicks in a surprising way.

But secret encounters can only carry them so far. Dylan’s authenticity and personal honesty make Leo wish things were different in his own life, while Leo’s family situation keeps him from being what Dylan needs. Can Leo face his fears? Or will he let the love he never expected to find slip through his fingers?

Only for Us: Only Colorado Book 6, JD Chambers

Three souls that are lost.  I liked all three men despite the inauspicious beginnings with each combination of the three, but I think it's Jay that stole my heart most solidly.  Despite how difficult it still is for me to wrap my head and heart around menage relationships, this particular grouping really felt right.  Each one had something to offer the partnership and their roles played a big part in keeping them together at various turns in their relationship journey.

The Only Colorado series is a tangled web of relationship connections from the past that all work out to some amazing partnerships.  Only for Us brings us full-circle and concludes the series on a high point with all the love, kink, and sexiness that we've come to expect from the series.  What makes this book special is the complicated dynamic and the sweet love and forgiveness that keeps these men together.

Cameron's grief isn't really discussed as it's not really the main focus of his part in the story.  His part is more about moving on from grief to new love and self-discovery.  When Jay gives him some truly insightful advice into learning just who Cameron is on his own, it brings him Boone.  Using the opportunity to introduce Boone was a great vehicle, but it didn't really flesh out Cameron's situation in a satisfying way.  It made the jump into the more complicated relationship feel a bit shallow, not that it was superficial, just that it lacked the depth on his part that would have made his role really sing.

Boone I felt for.  His struggle was a difficult one and the prologue perfectly captured just how tortured and conflicted he felt.  It made him more pitiable than reviled from what we learned about him in Only Keep You.  His role felt pretty juvenile for the most part, but it worked as a way to bring out the protective instincts in Cameron and Jay.  I think Cameron and Jay could have been totally fine on their own, but Boone's specific needs catered to their very different desires in how they show passion and love.  It really worked as a whole with the way his unique qualities were integrated.

But it was Jay that truly captured my attention and my heart.  He was complex in the differences between his presentation and his heart's true desires.  I found myself frustrated with Cameron on many occasions because of how blind he was to what Jay needed.  Jay felt like the real adult in the relationship even if he needed Boone's perspective to help him find the best solution to one of their issues.  In the face of Cameron's "put-together" life, it was Jay's maturity and well-rounded character that stood out most.  I also ached for him when we saw his vulnerabilities.  There wasn't a moment that I was disappointed in him, no time I felt that he could have been or done more.  Thankfully the other two men could give him what he needed and craved.

This story felt quicker than the others of the series in terms of relationship genesis to the ending, partly because we've got three perspectives to cover and all their complexities in roughly the same amount of pages as the other couples in the series.  There were quite a few foundation-building moments that felt skimmed over making it feel as if Jay really was going to be left out despite being the perfect fit for their group.  It was his greatest hurt and yet never truly addressed even if things ended on an incredibly sweet and sexy note.  Their journey was rather simple without a lot of angst and the exploration of their kink wasn't as in-depth as the other books in the series.  Focusing instead on the way these three men fit together with some spiciness in the bedroom (or anywhere else they can get up to their steamy shenanigans), the story was sweeter and a great wrap-up to the series.

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"Just once, I'd like to be part of my own couple, and not the third wheel."
Jay Howard might look like Tinker Bell, but he's looking for a man who will accept all facets of him - from flirty brat to dom top. With all his friends happily coupling up, Jay fears he'll never find a man to love, much less one who loves all of him.

"Once again, fate has decided to have a laugh at my expense, because standing right in front of us is the only man I've never been able to get out of my head."

Silas Boone III has been punishing himself for years for his younger self's screw-ups. Just as he finds someone with the power to make him trust himself again, he's confronted by a face from the past - one that reminds him of his mistakes and all the possibilities he once dreamed could be his.

"I'd found the love of my life. Most people don't even get that much, so it felt selfish to look for more."

After his boyfriend of nine years dies suddenly of a heart attack, Cameron MacGowan moves to Fort Collins for a fresh start. What starts as simple flirtation and easing back into dating turns into a tangle of longing and wanting for two totally different men.

Can Jay, Boone, and Cameron navigate through the treacherous waters of the past to reach a future together?