Review: Follow Me Into Darkness: Five Tales of Carnivale Romance by Santino Hassell, J.C. Lillis, J.R. Gray, Kris Ripper, and Roan Parrish

Title: Follow Me Into Darkness: Five Tales of Carnivale Romance

Authors: Santino Hassell, J.C. Lillis, J.R. Gray, Kris Ripper, and Roan Parrish

Publisher: Open Ink Press

Published: 4th February 2016

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Follow Me Into Darkness:

Five Tales of Carnivale Romance

Carnivale is a time for decadence, for revelry, and for mischief. A time when we shed the figurative masks we wear in everyday life in favor of new ones… ones that allow us to be a little bolder, a little more adventurous, and perhaps a little truer to ourselves. Follow Me Into Darkness is a compilation of original tales of queer romance by five of the premier authors of contemporary romance.

Hurricane by Santino Hassell

Interesting things never happened to Zay. He was the wallflower everyone forgot about as soon as the booze began to flow, and Mardi Gras had never been an exception. But after a chance encounter with a devil-may-care grifter, this year's celebration brings adventure and whirlwind romance.

If We Be Friends by J.C. Lillis

Seventeen-year-old Ven should be flying high—he's playing the title role in a new TV drama about Hamlet's teen years, and tonight they're having a Mardi Gras cast party in a possibly-haunted castle. But Ven's lost all his mirth since his boyfriend suggested they "take a break," so he plans to skip the bash and brood in his trailer all night. Then the exasperating guy who plays Horatio challenges him to a Shakespearean soliloquy-off, and Ven knows his actorly honor is at stake. He says yes to the duel, trudges off to the the party to meet his fate--and finds that more awaits him onstage than a battle of wits and words.

Masked by J.R. Gray

Blistering heat and half-naked masked men as far as the eye can see, but Heath runs into the one face it’s taken him fifteen years to forget. Javier is plagued with a life of regret, but when a second chance confronts him, can he let go of his hang-ups and seize the moment? 

The Queen’s Reflection by Kris Ripper

Isah plays the role everyone expects: malleable and cautious, a true queen. But what others see as a queen’s appropriate modesty is really just a disguise for what Isah has never told anyone, the thing no one can ever know.

This body, dressed in the queen’s gowns, is a lie.

Once a year, at carnival, Isah dons someone else’s clothes and becomes them for a night. A young cook in stained whites, or a stableboy in worn breeches. As long as no one gets too close the pretense holds.

Until two strangers look past all the characters and Isah finally exposes the person behind the mask.

Touched by Roan Parrish

Sometimes when he touches people Philippe Rondeau sees their future. It’s erratic and inconvenient, but mostly he’s learned to deal with it. Sure he hasn’t found true love yet, but he has friends and lovers, and is kept busy running his family’s jazz club in Prohibition-era New Orleans. But now it’s Mardi Gras and all bets are off. In the space of one night, Philippe falls under the spell of jazz musician Claude and learns a terrible secret about his powers. If Philippe is certain of anything it’s that the future can be tricky, but the chance at love makes it all seem worthwhile.

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Release Day Book Brief : Rattrap (The Wyverns #3) by L.M. Somerton

Title ~ Rattrap (The Wyverns Book 3)

Author ~ L.M. Somerton

Publisher ~ Pride Publishing

Published ~ 9th February 2016

Genre ~ Contemporary M/M Romance

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Sometimes the only way to spring a trap is to use live bait.
Teddy Austin has had more than his share of run-ins with local law enforcement. The Wyverns have a reputation to maintain, and Teddy feels it’s his duty to cause havoc whenever possible. Of course, getting arrested means time in the company of Sheriff Adrian Hayder—always a bonus—though Teddy would far prefer to have the sheriff wearing the cuffs.
When The Knights of War MC arrives in Phoenix, Trap orders The Wyverns to get inside information. In order to infiltrate the gang, Teddy must appear to betray his friends and switch his allegiance. Working undercover, however, he confirms what they have all suspected—The Knights of War are a cover for something much more sinister than a hell-raising bunch of bikers, and they fully intend to turn Phoenix into a battleground.
With Sheriff Hayder getting far too close to the truth, Teddy is left with a few problems—how to stop a war, keep his balls intact and ensure the man he loves keeps breathing.

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Book Brief: Carlyle’s Crossing by Chris Quinton

Title ~ Carlyle’s Crossing

Author ~ Chris Quinton

Publisher ~ Manifold Press

Published ~ 1st February 2016

Genre ~ Paranormal/Fantasy M/M Romance

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Jubal, the last Carlyle, lives the full width of the continent away from his Abenaki ancestors until a letter from a lawyer draws him and best friend Sal to the suffering town of Whitewater, Vermont – where dark forces, unleashed by one man’s obsession, bring depression and hopelessness to the people. Jubal’s father was unable to drive back the incursion, but Jubal knows he must try; without knowledge or training he has only instinct to rely on – and Sal, who is rapidly becoming far more than a ‘friend with benefits’. The dangers they face are insidious, and their lives and sanity are at risk – and so much more!

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Book Brief: Cold-Hearted Concept (Concepts #2) by Whitley Gray

Title ~ Cold-Hearted Concept (Concepts #2)

Author ~ Whitley Gray

Publisher ~ Loose Id

Published ~ 28 December 2015

Genre ~ Contemporary M/M Romance, Mystery/Suspense

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Detective Beck Stryker has a lot to juggle: his long-distance relationship with FBI profiler Zach Littman, the family issues of cop widow Marybeth Halliday and her two boys, and the ups and downs of being out and proud. To top it off, Beck must work with his closeted ex-lover Van on the case of a skeleton discovered in the woods.
FBI profiler Dr. Zach Littman has been working on an exit strategy for months. Every time he’s on the brink of resigning, Minneapolis Unit Director Sands comes up with “one more case,” one that only Zach can manage. It’s a situation that frustrates Beck. Zach has promised he’ll leave the FBI and profiling behind--as soon as his Colorado medical license comes through. It may be easier said than done. Zach has reservations about uprooting his life and moving to Denver.
A killer leaves a grisly invitation insisting Zach participate in a deadly game, the rules of which are known only to the psychopath. It’s clear taking out Zach is on the killer’s to-do list, and he won’t stop until it’s done. Beck and Zach must capture the killer before the psychopath finds Zach and declares Game Over.

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Book Brief : Crashing Blue by Della Boynton

Title ~ Crashing Blue

Author ~ Della Boynton

Publisher ~ Loose id

Published ~26th January 2016

Genre ~ Contemporary M/M Romance, Mystery/Suspense

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Francisco Cabot is an undercover narc for the police. Having lived his entire life on the underbelly of society, he's the perfect man to infiltrate hardcore gangs, gather bulletproof evidence against them, and make certain their bosses spend a lifetime behind bars. He hides a dark secret, though, that causes him to harbor a ravening hunger for revenge that not even his long list of successes can quench. But a man can only live with revenge and the refuse of humanity for so long, before not even his fantasies of innocents and his ideals are enough to light the growing darkness in his soul.
The last man Cabot expects to save him from that darkness is Christopher Caldwell, the son of the biggest drug king in the city and the man Cabot has been sent to destroy. Falling in love with the enemy was never the plan, but when Christopher begs Cabot to leave everything behind to be with him, Cabot finds himself longing to do just that. His life of violence, gangs, and slums can’t be left behind so easily, though; they'll be lucky to make it out alive.
Note: Crashing Blue was previously self-published under the title, Snow. It has been substantially revised and reedited for this release.

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Book Brief : Sweet & Sour Soap by Susan Laine

Title ~ Sweet & Sour Soap

Author ~ Susan Laine

Publisher ~ Siren Publishing

Published ~ 5th December 2015

Genre ~ Contemporary M/M Romance

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Andrew “Mac” McGuire and Dylan Keane are twenty-something heartthrobs in a weekly soap opera called The Lighthouse. They are best buddies on and off the set.
To boost ratings, however, the producers and writers decide to change the two young men’s roles on the show from bad boy and cute geek close friends…into lovers.
When Mac and Dylan start rehearsing the gay intimacies needed for believable portrayals of their new storylines, their fictitious roles and real lives get tangled up. One erotic experiment paves the way for the next sensual scene.
All too soon, neither one is able to tell who is falling in love—their characters or their true selves.
[Siren Classic ManLove: Erotic Alternative Romance, M/M, HEA]

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Book Brief: #Junkie (GearShark #1) by Cambria Hebert

Title ~ #Junkie (GearShark #1)

Author ~ Cambria Hebert

Publisher ~ Cambria Hebert Books

Published ~ 20th January 2016

Genre ~ Contemporry M/M Romance

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Drew Forrester is a total adrenaline junkie.
His high of choice?
Cars.
The faster, the better.
He’s been making waves in Maryland’s underground racing circuit since he crossed the state line, and after speaking with him, we know he’s not hitting the brakes anytime soon.
So what exactly does it take to burn rubber and make a name for yourself in a world where the only rule is there are no rules?
You gotta be hungry…
You gotta have balls…
And you can never back down.
What’ve we learned here at GearShark?
Drew is all of the above.
We also know he’s got some secrets buried under his hood.
Secrets we think are loaded with octane and just might set the world of cars on fire.
Check out the full feature article inside…
**This book contains an M/M romance relationship.

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Review : Men In Uniform: A Wayward Ink Publishing Anthology

Title ~ Men In Uniform: A Wayward Ink Publishing Anthology

Authors ~ Various (See Below)

Publisher ~ Wayward Ink Publishing

Published ~ 18th December 2015

Genres ~ M/M Contemporary, Historical, Sci Fi, Fantasy

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Like your boys in blue keeping the… peace?
Hot firemen dealing with… heat?
Naval Officers getting in way too… deep?
Perhaps you have a ‘thing’ for marines…
Or do you prefer your Men In Uniform to belong in the future?
Another galaxy?
Another time?
Wherever your love of a uniform leads you, MEN IN UNIFORM has something for you.

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Release Day Review : Br0th3rly (Famous on the Internet Book 1) by Alina Popescu

Title ~ Br0th3erly (Famous on the Internet Book 1)

Author ~ Alina Popescu

Publisher ~ Wayward Ink Publishing

Published ~ 15th January 2016

Genre ~ Contemporary M/M Romance

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Fighting his relentless love for Trevor, the guy he was raised to consider his brother, has been Tristan’s mission in life.
To distance himself from Trevor, even after discovering they weren’t really related, he left for college at sixteen. Moving into the city, building a new life, and running an anonymous blog about what he considers sick, twisted feelings might make Tristan famous on the Internet, but it isn’t enough to get over his obsession. Every time he goes home, a quick glance at Trevor brings it all flooding back.
When commitment-phobe Trevor announces he’s got a serious boyfriend during one of Tristan’s rare visits home, the adoring kid brother will be forced to run once again. This time, however, Trevor doesn’t stand back and watch him leave.
Instead, he follows him, making it nigh on impossible for Tristan to keep his love a secret for much longer.

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