Review : Finding Forgiveness (Finding Series #4) by Sloane Kennedy

Title ~ Finding Forgiveness (Forgiveness Series #4)

Author ~ Sloane Kennedy

Published ~ 24th January 2016

Genre ~ Contemporary M/M Romance

Rating

Synopsis

He was only there for a business deal...
A couple of days...that was all it was supposed to take for property developer Roman Blackwell to decide if the strip of land just south of Dare, Montana would be the perfect spot for his next luxury resort. He wasn't interested in repairing his frayed relationship with his half-brother who'd moved to the small town a few months earlier and he definitely wasn't interested in doing anything more than scratching an itch when he checked out the gay club near his hotel. But when his plans for a quick hook-up are waylaid after he steps in to save a young man being brutalized, Roman finds himself building an emotional connection he never saw coming.
One bad decision changed everything...
College student Hunter Greene has spent 18 months trying to forget the one night he gave in to temptation and made a decision to hide one lie by telling another. But the guilt of knowing he shattered another young man's life to protect his own secret shame is slowly destroying him and he knows that soon even his spiral into a dangerous pattern of self-destructive behavior won't be enough to keep his entire world from imploding. But the last thing he's looking for is someone to save him.
But fate works in mysterious ways...
Forced to return to the town he grew up in, the last person Hunter expects to run into is the mysterious savior who changed everything with one soul shattering kiss. While he can't deny his attraction to Roman, Hunter knows that he'll never be free to act on it and once Roman discovers the terrible secret he's hiding, it won't matter anyway.
Because some things just can't be forgiven...
**Full length novel (70k words)
Trigger Warning: This book does contain multiple possible triggers for some readers. Specifics can be found by utilizing the "Look Inside" feature or downloading a sample and scrolling to the page right before the table of contents. Please note that reading what triggers are included may cause spoilers.
Note: This book contains M/M sexual content and is intended for mature audiences
***This is Book 4 in the series, but can be read as a stand-alone story - no cliffhangers.***
More enjoyment can be gained by reading the series in the following order:
Book 1 - Finding Home (M/M/M)
Book 2 - Finding Trust (M/M)
Book 3 - Finding Peace (M/M)
Book 4 - Finding Forgiveness (M/M)

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Audiobook Review: Where He Ends and I Begin by Cardeno C.

Title: Where He Ends and I Begin

Author: Cardeno C.

Narrator: Alexander Collins

Publisher: The Romance Authors, LCC

Release: 5th January 2016

Genre: M/M (contemporary)

Synopsis

Aggressive, physical, and brave, Jake Owens is a small town football hero turned big city cop who passes his time with meaningless encounters believing he can't have who he really wants: Nate Richardson, his best friend since before forever. Thoughtful, quiet, and kind, Nate is a brilliant doctor who has always known who he is and has never been able to shake his crush on loyal, courageous, straight Jake.

After a passionate night together, Nate realizes Jake isn't as straight as he assumed, but he worries that what they shared was a fluke, a result of too much closeness for too long. For Jake, the question isn't how they ended up in bed together because he has always known that Nate holds his heart; it's how he'll convince Nate that he wants and needs to stay there.

STORY

NARRATION

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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

Rating

Synopsis

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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Pre-Release Review: Love and the Exorcism by Melanie Hansen

Title ~ Love and the Exorcism

Author ~ Melanie Hansen

Publisher ~ Dreamspinner Press 

Published ~ 11th February 2016

Genre ~ Contemporary M/m Romance

Rating

Synopsis

Tom Hannity is not boring, despite what his ex-boyfriend says. He loves his circle of family and friends and finds peace in the beauty of flower arranging. Still stinging from his recent breakup, Tom attends an Anti-Valentine’s Day “Ex-orcism,” hoping for some fun and forgetfulness.
Mario Tellez is tired of party boys, and he’s had his eye on Tom for a while. When they run into each other at the Ex-orcism, sparks fly, until an accidentally overheard conversation drives Tom to do something he normally doesn't do.
What should have been a hot and fun night turns into Tom and Mario seeing each other at their absolute worst, although surprisingly, it brings out the best in them, too. Navigating around the toxic people in their lives isn’t easy, and after a small series of bumps in the road, they finally come around full circle… to Valentine’s Day and laying old demons to rest.

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Release Day Review : Give Yourself Away by Barbara Elsborg

Title ~ Give Yourself Away

Author ~ Barbara Elsborg

Publisher ~ Samhain

Published ~ 9th February 2015

Genre ~ Contemporary M/M Dark Romance, Suspense

Rating

Synopsis

One guy intent on caution. One an adrenaline junkie. Love could be one risk too many.

March is determined to lose the numbness that accompanies a history of loss and blame. Desperate to feel something—anything—the adrenaline junkie base jumps off cliffs, soars on hang gliders, and embarks on dangerous sea-borne rescue missions. But any release he feels is fleeting, and when you play Russian roulette with fate, eventually you come crashing down.

No matter how hard Caleb tries to forget his past, a dark shadow is always behind him. When a bizarre turn of events results in him being trapped in a sea cave, Caleb wonders how his mantra—safety at all costs—could have failed him. On the point of drowning, he’s stunned when March surfaces in the cave.

March’s disregard for the rules saves Caleb’s life but gets March into a heap of trouble. Not least of which is the guy shivering in the boat next to him. March tries to ignore Caleb but it’s already too late. Together, they take small, awkward steps toward love. But Caleb’s past is waiting to sink in its claws…and this time, it could drag him to his death.

Warning: This book contains difficult flashbacks of child abduction and sexual violence, but also the incredible perseverance of two men who never give up on love—or each other. Bring your tissues and a heart that believes in the resilience of the human spirit.

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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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Synopsis

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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Review: Merrywood Hall: A Novel by James Ryder

Title: Merrywood Hall: A Novel

Author: James Ryder

Publisher: Self

Release: 22nd December 2015

Genre: M/M (historical)

Rating:

Synopsis

It was the year 1913.
Jack Curtis, rugged and brooding, fell for kind-hearted Tom Archer the first night he saw him. But as servants at Merrywood Hall pursuing their love wasn't easy because the Honourable Edward Merrywood, heir to the vast estate, was a bitter and arrogant man and he was determined to keep Jack and Tom apart.

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Review: Connection (Evan & Jeremy #1) by Brigham Vaughn

Title ~ Connection (Evan & Jeremy #1)

Author ~ Brigham Vaughn

Publisher ~ Two Peninsulas Press

Published ~ 2015 October 16

Genre ~ Contemporary M/M Romance

Rating

Synopsis

After a lifetime of being told he’s worthless, shy, sheltered Evan Harris is forced out of the closet and kicked out of his home.  Friends in Atlanta give him a place to stay while he gets on his feet, but despite his eagerness to explore the city, it isn’t exactly what he expected.
Physically and emotionally scarred from a devastating car accident, Jeremy Lewis struggles to reconcile the brash, outgoing man he used to be with the social recluse he’s become.
Loneliness draws them to each other, but a strong mutual attraction isn’t enough to overcome their pasts.  In order to be together, Evan must discover his own worth and Jeremy must trust someone to see past his scars

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