Acting Out by Mia Watts

May 20, 2015 By Leave a Comment

out
Acting Out by Mia Watts
Publisher: Totally Bound
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (66 pgs)
Other: M/M, Anal Play
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

Who wouldn’t want Hollywood hottie Cree Radek? When Evan Walker, Cree’s assistant, gives in to temptation, he’s sure Cree only wants a one-nighter. Evan has plans of his own, and falling in love isn’t one of them.

Cree Radek is one of Hollywood’s hottest stars. He’s an unapproachable alpha wrapped in black leather and spikes with ice-blue eyes lined in black. He’s hard to read and all kinds of sex-on-a-stick.

Evan Walker works for Cree as his assistant. Long hours and living arrangements make it impossible to keep things professional. So, when things get steamy, Evan sees himself as an easy target. But for Cree, Evan is a lot more than a one-night stand.

Family business takes Evan away in the middle of filming. Cree says he wants him back, but can a celebrity be faithful to a regular guy?

Working in Hollywood as an assistant to one of the hottest movie stars alive wasn’t exactly how Evan Walker pictured his life, but it was his only option if he was to find the man who abandoned him and his mother. While playing gopher for one of the country’s biggest stars, Evan bides his time, waiting on the information he needs to turn his mother’s life around. What he doesn’t plan on is falling hard for Cree Radek.

Evan Walker is a conflicted soul. He wants to find his father so he can go back home and take care of his mother. But, the longer he’s around Cree, the more he wants to stay right where he is. I loved his desire to be there for his mother and to care for her, even if it meant giving up what really made him happy – Cree. What I didn’t quite care for was the way he overreacted to protect himself from getting hurt. I get that, no one wants to look the fool, but he went a little overboard. But, in the end, he swallows his pride and does what he should have in the first place, redeeming him in my opinion.

Cree Radek is an enigma for most people, hiding behind black glam eyeliner and leather so that no one really gets to know him. Trouble is he’s extremely reluctant to let anyone ever get to know him. I was thrilled when he and Evan made that connection and found that they could be at ease with each other. His fear of being used and exploited combined with Evan’s fear of getting hurt really create a huge wall between the two that comes tumbling down in a very epic manner. To Cree’s credit, despite his hang ups, he has a big heart and seems to forgive easily enough. Lucky for Evan.

Acting Out is a sweet and sexy story of two rather lost souls trying to find their romantic footing with one another. Despite everything thrown at them, they tough it out and find a way to make it work, even when neither thinks there’s a chance. A hot little story about honesty, forgiveness, and second chances.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Square Affair by Timmothy J. Holt

April 30, 2015 By 1 Comment

AWQUEARE
Square Affair by Timmothy J. Holt
Publisher: Christine F. Anderson Publishing & Media
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (244 pgs)
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

In the small Midwestern town of Dewers, among the turmoil of the 1960s, the conversations of five men leads to sexual exploration, which takes them and the town on a journey through good and evil that will change the entire community and confirm the town’s resolve to survive.

Arrested on charges of public indecency for anonymous sex in the courthouse restroom, five men reveal complex, unknown, and differing motivations for their actions. As they face not only criminal prosecution, but also the tribunal of Dewers, two questions are on their minds: Who am I, and is anyone out there like me?

Clara May and Frieda, guardians of Dewers gossip, narrate Square Affair, where the reader becomes a citizen of Dewers: walking the square, in a bar drinking, trick-or-treating, in a store buying a hat, or in a car gossiping.

Sometimes sleepy little towns aren’t as sleepy as you might think. Take Dewers, IL, for example. On the outside, it looks like your typical little Midwestern hamlet, but once you step inside, dig around for a bit, you’re bound to uncover things you’d never expected. Or, you could just ask Clara May and Frieda. Nothing happens in Dewers that the two of them aren’t privy to.

Square Affair was a change of pace for me. While I love historical novels, when I reach for one, it’s usually not set in the recent past. Set in the 1960’s amidst all the changes sweeping through our country, I got a good look into the way people thought and acted in a time when I wasn’t even alive. Having grown up in the 1980’s, the idea that someone might be homosexual (and, in turn, engaging in a romantic relationship with someone of the same sex) wasn’t ever a surprise or revelation to me. However, in the 1960’s, life was much different.

The five men involved in the ‘Affair’ as the locals called it, covered all the bases. Happily married, unhappy in their relationship, single, you name it. One knew he was gay even before the Affair, while others weren’t even sure why they’d indulged by the time the book ended. It was very realistic in its portrayal of the townspeople, both those directly involved and those who weren’t. Square Affair also gripped me in a way that most things don’t. I will admit it – I was angry during so much of this book. These men were lonely, confused, suffering, and yet, all they earned was ridicule and scorn and hatred. It was difficult to continually remind myself that this was a different time in our country.

The one issue I did have with the novel was that some of the dialogue was stilted, predictable even. Although, once you got into the story, you noticed it less and less because the characters took over. Told in revolving points of view that include the men involved in the affair, their wives, and a few townspeople, it is mostly directed by town gossip queen, Clara May. Before each new point of view is introduced, you got a bit of insight from Clara May and her pal, Frieda. I found this an interesting and different way of prefacing each chapter and gave you a little insider information on each player before you ‘met’ them.

Square Affair is a thought-provoking look not just into our past, but into all that small town living is. For someone who wasn’t alive during the time period, it was an eye-opening read.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Wrong Number, Right Guy by Mia Watts

April 27, 2015 By Leave a Comment

RIGHT
Wrong Number, Right Guy by Mia Watts
Publisher: Totally Bound
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (89 pgs)
Other: M/M, Anal Play
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

A wrong number with a sexy voice on the other end… What are the chances a regular guy has just hooked the hottest actor on the silver screen?

Ryan Pierce is in town shooting the latest romantic action movie and attending all the right publicity parties. He wasn’t expecting to pick up the phone to an easy laugh and real conversation. So, when he discovers that his caller has misdialed, it surprises him even more that he doesn’t want the man to hang up.

Dar Phillips is the last man to get star-struck, yet his best friend drags him out to be an extra on a movie set. It’s a chance to meet the guy on the set who he accidently called, but he has to admit the lead actor is hot stuff. Could the loping mega-star be his phone-a-friend? And, when they kiss, is Dar ready for the paparazzi and accusations of betrayal by the man who now stars in Dar’s every dream?

Who did Dar fall for? The elusive Ryan Pierce, who can’t be seen with him, or the quiet, gentle man who’s just a phone call away?

When Dar Phillips accidentally calls someone other than his friend, the voice that answers isn’t all that disturbed by the wrong number. To the contrary, he’s rather intrigued by this unknown person disrupting his morning. What begins as an accident turns quickly into something more. But is Dar – and more importantly, the man on the other end of the line – ready for what’s coming?

Dar Phillips is your average boy-next-door. He’s a sweet guy who works hard for what little he has. I really liked Dar from the beginning, and the fact that he had a cat only helped matters. It was also really nice that he was so down-to-earth even when meeting mega star Ryan Pierce. Although, his over-the-top friend, Brett, makes up for that by adding at least three times the excitement.

Ryan Pierce is a bit of a stereotype, unfortunately. He’s a closeted gay movie star who sees nothing but doom and destruction should his secret ever be found out. Once you get past that, he’s a great guy who means well, even if he screws it all up now and then. The poor guy is out of practice when it comes to attracting men, after all. Dar and Ryan are a good match because they balance each other out. Where Ryan is the eccentric movie star, Dar is more humble.

I really enjoyed the concept of this story. That two people could make such a connection over the phone without ever meeting is beyond romantic (even if a bit unbelievable in this day and age) and you really want to root for them. They’re both utterly adorable when talking to each other that I couldn’t stop smiling. But the giant misunderstanding that nearly destroys them put me off a bit. I know that relationships have their misunderstandings, especially in the beginning, but for there to be such a huge one so early on was a shock. That said, Wrong Number, Right Guy, is a sweet, steamy and sexy novel that leaves you wanting to know more about Dar and Ryan and where they’re going from here.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Bohemian and the Banker by Bonnie Dee and Summer Devon

March 25, 2015 By Leave a Comment

 

BANKER
The Bohemian and the Banker by Bonnie Dee and Summer Devon
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Historical
Length: Short Story (146 pgs)
Other: M/M, Anal Play
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

A night lost in Paris finds two hearts changed—forever.

Sent to Paris on business, Nigel Warren doesn’t quite understand why his colleagues’ eyes twinkle as they tell him to meet them at a local night spot.

When he discovers it’s a drag cabaret and his acquaintances aren’t there, he realizes he’s the butt of a joke. Yet he finds himself quite undone by a singer dressed in an elegant gown, crooning a spellbinding ballad.

It’s not unusual for Jay, a former Londoner, to bring a new “friend” home from the cabaret, but he’s never had a guest quite like Nigel, whose straitlaced manner hides an unexpected passionate streak.

One romantic night on a rooftop under starry skies, followed by an afternoon enjoying the excitement of the 1901 Paris Exposition, bonds these opposites in a way neither can forget—even after they part.

Their spark reignites when Jay comes to London, but he’s not sure he can go back to hiding his true self, not even for the sake of love…unless Nigel is willing to shed his cloak of staid respectability and take a leap of faith.

Finding himself the butt of a rather rude joke while on a business trip to Paris, Nigel Warren decides that, since no one saw him in the all-male cabaret then no harm done, right? Not quite. All it takes is one glimpse of Jean Michel and he’s done for. Inexplicably drawn to this diva in drag, Nigel’s hopes and dreams are completely shaken up and rearranged. But will one night ever be enough?

Nigel Warren could not have had a worse trick pulled on him. Quiet, restrained, and overly discreet, a drag cabaret isn’t exactly his idea of a perfect night out. However, when he decides to relax and just enjoy himself, I think I fell a little bit in love with this poor, sad soul. As much as I adore historical novels, one of the things that always upsets me is that good, kind men like Nigel are forced to keep their proclivities to themselves and either sneak around or live a life of misery. I was certain that, even if he only got one night with Jay, it would be the best thing to happen to him. Simply because he got to be exactly who he really was for that one night.

Jean Michel – better known as Jay – is the complete opposite of Nigel. A true free spirit, he’s intrigued by this stuffy banker who seeks him out after the show. I was pleasantly surprised by how drawn he is to Nigel considering how different the two of them are. They make quite an odd couple, but for them, it works. I really enjoyed Jay’s drag persona, Jean Michel, nearly as much as I enjoyed Jay himself.

Once Nigel goes back to his day to day life in London, I was devastated for him. He got one fleeting taste of freedom, being able to do and love as he pleased, before being forced back into hiding. This made the middle part of the book very sad, but I had hope they’d find their way back into each other’s arms and I wasn’t disappointed. Although things aren’t all roses and sunshine for them, they manage to make it work in the best way they know how.

The Bohemian and the Banker is a roller coaster ride of emotional turmoil, taking you from embarrassed to happy to sad and everywhere in-between. A sweet and powerful love story, it will suck you in and carry you along until the very end, never giving you a chance to catch your breath.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Caught on Camera Parts 4 and 5 by Lily Harlem

March 24, 2015 By Leave a Comment

CAMERA
Caught on Camera Parts 4 and 5 by Lily Harlem
Publisher: Totally Bound
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (104 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/M, Anal Play, Toys, Voyeurism
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

Part Four:

A bag of surprise props brings new spice to Reece’s life, but how does he feel about so many ‘firsts’ in public?

The filming of porn movie Slippery Slots is reaching its grand climax. Reece has stretched himself in the role of Timothy and given over to lust and desire in front of the camera many times. But when a host of new toys, including a flogger, are delivered as props for the final scene, he finds himself wondering if he’s hit the limits of his sexual, on-screen capabilities.

He must go to Odin’s Raven, a BDSM club in the backstreets of Las Vegas, and be strung up on a cross, naked for all to see. Now instead of a faceless audience, real people will be there to watch him flogged, whipped and buggered. He has to hold in his cries and gasps as he learns the beauty of pain mixing with pleasure. Can he do it? Will pain be pleasurable?

There is only one man he trusts for the job. One person who knows what Reece wants and needs, and how far he can be pushed. That person is Cade, the man Reece is falling for with every beat of his heart.

But will the beating finish Reece off or send him to that foggy, mindless sub-space of ecstasy? Only time will tell and everyone will be witness to the result. He has no place to hide.

Part Five:

Coming down from a high can sometimes result in a crash—but not if handled with care.

Reece’s experience filming the last scene of Slippery Slots has left him drained, satisfied and in need of some serious aftercare. He’s been branded, taken to new heights of pleasure and also been more vulnerable than ever before.

But all this makes for a great movie. The heat factor is at boiling point, the up-close-and-personal angles of the camera are deliciously shocking and the chemistry between Reece and his co-star, Cade, is explosive.
Of course, even porn stars have to live in the real world and for Reece, that means returning to his small flat in his English hometown. It’s hard to land in his old life and his need for Cade—not just in his arms but in his life—is more than he can stand.

So when Cade appears on his doorstep with a hot-off-the-press DVD that they’re the two main stars of, things are bound to get frisky, flirty and downright filthy.

Reece has never been happier or more terrified. He’s made his money, made a movie and made love to the man he can’t bear to be apart from.

But does Cade feel the same way, or was it all an act for the camera? There’s only one way to find out, and that’s to remove the layers, the masks and ask the all-important questions.

Now that the filming of Slippery Slots, Reece’s first adult film, is reaching its conclusion, he’s ready for whatever the script can throw at him, no matter how outrageous. With one last epic scene left to shoot, he’s left preparing for the end of his wild adventure abroad. But will it be the end of his relationship with Cade, too? Or will that outlast the film and all the notoriety that comes along with it?

Part four of Caught on Camera leads Reece and Cade to a BDSM club in Las Vegas for a scene of intense sex and bondage. Although Reece is a bit intimidated by the whole idea, having Cade by his side for it all makes it both manageable and worth his while, which I found to be both sweet and a bit sappy. I got quite a laugh over the two women the boys meet at the beginning that went from wanting to hook up to becoming their biggest fan girls. Part five is our resolution, wherein all the filming is done and the boys are left to themselves. I felt really sad for Reece at first when his insecurities started to surface. Although I was certain they’d get their get their happy ending, I felt as unsure as he did. The little added twist at the end with the movie made me grin, it was an obvious but still enjoyable way to end their story.

Both Reece and Cade have come a long way during the course of the serial. I loved watching Reece become more sure of himself. Sitting back and observing as they took this insane idea of filming an adult film and turning it into an opportunity to find real love was quite a treat. I would highly recommend this serial to anyone who loves a good old fashioned love story with a not so traditional setting. Besides, most of it takes place in Vegas, baby. Odds are you might just fall in love with it too. I know I certainly did.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Copping an Attitude by Morticia Knight

February 20, 2015 By Leave a Comment

COPPING
Copping an Attitude by Morticia Knight
Publisher: Totally Bound
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (152 pgs)
Other: M/M, Anal Play
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

Vegas is filled with human cast-offs, yet officer Parker McLean sees something special in hustler Slade Wolfgang. Unfortunately, so does Slade’s pimp who wants to sell him overseas in the sex trade.

Hustler Slade Wolfgang has little choice over his fate. At the age of twenty, he’s had to survive any way he can since being thrown out of his home for being gay. As soon as he hit Vegas, Slade was lured into the hopeless world of prostitution where he’s become a virtual prisoner to his pimp, the ruthless Julio Estevez. His evil keeper has even threatened to sell Slade overseas as a sex slave.

It’s another typical night on the Strip when Parker comes across Slade. His heart breaks every time he sees someone so young being exploited. Something in Slade’s eyes tells Parker the young man might be in real trouble though—especially after the recent spate of sex worker killings from a rival prostitution ring.

The two men’s lives become intertwined when Slade is almost beaten to death. The danger grows, but so does the relationship between Parker and Slade. Parker helps Slade to heal from the horrific attack and their bond deepens. But the human traffickers are still out there – and they’re still looking for Slade.

Boys like Slade are a dime a dozen, hustling the streets to make enough money to keep a roof over their heads. When a chance encounter draws Slade into the line of sight of Officer Parker McLean, his world is forever changed. But can a one-time male prostitute really make a life with an officer of the law? There’s only one way to find out… by trying it.

Slade Wolfgang is sadly leading a life that is all too realistic. Having been kicked out of his home for being gay, he does the only thing he can to make a living and that’s sell himself. Wrapped up with a sadistic pimp, he’s lost all hope that anything can ever get better. All of this leaves Slade withdrawn and unable to trust in anyone, even sweet and sexy Parker. You really root for this poor, conflicted soul to find happiness somewhere.

Parker McLean has worked the Strip for a while now, and yet he still finds himself shocked at the things that can happen. I really loved Parker. His dedication not just to his job, but to getting justice for those who deserve it, is impressive. So when he takes a chance on Slade by taking him in and beginning a relationship with him, you aren’t surprised. You know he’s going to give everything to the kid and that if it doesn’t work out, it won’t be for a lack of trying.

As a follow-up to All Fired Up, Copping an Attitude is a darker and more intense story. Delving into the world of prostitution and the abuse and exploitation that goes along with it, this isn’t as light of a novel as its predecessor. However, I didn’t find the romance between Parker and Slade to be as believable as the one between Trent and Shawn in the first book. That said, Parker really does exhibit a ton of love and patience when it comes to winning Slade over and that makes up for a lot of things. Copping an Attitude is an excellent sequel and shows that Ms. Knight can really spin an intense story. I’m anxious to see where book three takes us.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

All Fired Up by Morticia Knight

February 18, 2015 By Leave a Comment

FIRED
All Fired Up by Morticia Knight
Publisher: Totally Bound
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (159 pgs)
Other: M/M, Anal Play, Toys
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

Officer Shawn Everly patrols the Strip. Fireman Trent Marshall saves him when danger strikes. But it’s uncertain whether Trent can save himself from getting his heart broken by Shawn.

The party never ends on the Las Vegas strip, but neither does the danger. Officer Everly is new to the beat, having recently relocated to Vegas from Los Angeles. Foot patrol on The Strip is a demanding assignment because he’s up close and personal with the public. But what he’d really like to do is get up close and personal with Station 32’s hunky fireman, Trent Marshall.

Trent has been a fireman for over ten years and is dedicated to his job. He’s built tough and is a no-nonsense man of few words. At a local blood drive, Trent meets the handsome new officer on foot patrol, but won’t let himself get too close. He’s lost love before when his policeman lover was killed in the line of fire.

During an emergency, Trent’s over-protective instincts kick in when he believes Shawn is in harm’s way. He ends up embarrassing and angering Shawn in front of their fellow officers, which seems as though it will end any hope of Trent having a chance with the young man he can’t push from his mind.

Shawn can’t decide whether he wants to punch or kiss Trent. Kissing wins. Once they spend some time together away from the stresses of their jobs, they find that they’re not just compatible—they’re combustible.

But Trent can’t seem to accept that there are hazards that come with working in law enforcement. Right as they’re discovering how much they mean to one another, the danger escalates on The Strip. The underground vigilante group, The Citizens Against Immorality, have raised the stakes. Will Shawn and Trent be their next targets?

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas where the party never ends and danger lurks around every corner. Enter Officer Shawn Everly, a recent transfer to the LVMPD and assigned to foot patrol along the infamous Strip. When a drunk decides to take a dip in the lake at the Bellagio, Shawn comes face to face with the man he’s been dreaming of for months – fireman Trent Marhsall. Will sparks fly or will the two first responders fizzle out?

Shawn Everly is what I like in a man. He’s stable, he’s gorgeous, and he’s just alpha enough to get things done, but not so alpha that you want to kick him in the shin every time he opens his mouth. Considering he’s a cop, that last bit is a huge surprise. I love that he’s able to take the teasing, harassing, and everything else his partner and coworkers throw at him in stride. It says a lot about his character that he didn’t shoot any of them, especially after the embarrassing incident at the beginning of the story. He’s the exact kind of partner that Trent needs.

Now Trent Marshall, on the other hand, is a bit too alpha for my tastes. However, as you begin to become privy to his backstory, you begin to understand why he acts like he does. His overprotective streak borders on obsessiveness at times and it can be a real turn off. Thankfully, Shawn helps him come to terms with the loss of his former boyfriend, who was also a police officer. Once Shawn begins to cope with that, his domineering attitude loosens up somewhat, making him much more likable.

I will admit that as a local of this odd town, I was looking for inconsistencies or errors and I am happy to report that I didn’t find any. That always impresses me because it’s too easy to choose a city and make it up as you go along, but in this case, I was able to easily picture where Shawn and Trent were at all times. The author obviously did her research and it shows.

All Fired Up is an extremely sexy and sweet story about two first responders who can’t get enough of each other. It’s a very real example of how hard it is to work as either a police officer or fireman and how much harder it is to love someone who is either. It’s a great introduction into a new series and I can’t wait to see what Ms. Knight has in store for us next.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Caught on Camera Parts 1-3 by Lily Harlem

February 16, 2015 By Leave a Comment

CAMERACaught on Camera Parts 1-3 by Lily Harlem
Publisher: Totally Bound
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (146 pgs)
Other: M/M, M/M/M, Ménage, Anal Play, Voyeurism
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

Part 1:
When Reece Carter is caught on camera canoodling with hunky gardener Cade Davenport, a new, super-sexy opportunity presents itself that he just can’t walk away from.

Reece Carter is sweating the in dirt and feeling the heat. It’s a scorching hot day and he’s slaving away indoors. But at least he has a nice view from the window—sexy gardener Cade Davenport—no job too big or too small—who is mowing the lawn minus his shirt.

Soon thirst overcomes Reece and he finds himself swimming, kissing and getting frisky in the hot tub with the super-confident, seize-the-moment Cade, whose wit, humour and cocky smile is irresistible.

What Reece doesn’t know is that the walls have ears and the trees have eyes. His every moan, gasp and erotic move is being recorded in fine and shocking detail.

But what does that mean? And what about the intriguing offer Cade puts to him? Shouldn’t he just punch his lights out for filming him without permission? And will Reece’s life ever be the same again after being caught on camera?

Part 2:
With a solution to his money worries and an end to the dry spell in his sex life, it’s time for Reece to step up to the stage and prove he’s the hot new star of the show.

After agreeing to play one of the leading roles in Slippery Slots, Reece now has to shed his inhibitions, as well as his clothes.
But it’s okay, because Cade, his hunky co-star, has a knack for remembering lines, working the role and is skilled at achieving the required positions.

Soon the champagne is flowing, the petals on the bed scattering and the action is heating up. It really is an idyllic scene, the perfect moment for lovers, even if there is a cameraman zooming in on all the juicy, erotic details.

With twists in the plot and desire playing the leading role, Reece revels in his new career and throws himself into the part.

But can he forget about the camera and take what he wants from Cade? Is he allowed to bend the rules, and oh my, will he ever survive the torment of Cade’s super-talented, super-star mouth that pushes him to the very brink of ecstasy?

Part 3: Reece Carter had never set his sights on porn stardom before, but it seems now that’s exactly where he’s heading, as well as Las Vegas.

With the next scene of Slippery Slots about to be filmed, Reece can’t help but feel anxious. Now in Las Vegas and with The Strip his new playground, thoughts of the hung-like-a-donkey cowboy about to join the action are never far away.

Just as well he has Cade to distract him. Sexy, giving, beautiful Cade who somehow ‘gets’ what Reece is worrying about and smoothes out the wrinkles, as well as filling him with confidence.

As it turns out, there’s no need for worry and with every move, kiss and lick caught on camera, the ménage a trois scene starring Grayson from Texas kicks off in spectacular style.

With two sexy men attending his every need, Reece knows he has the best job on Earth and he’s getting paid handsomely for it. Wow, he hit the jackpot big time when he met Cade, and now all of his hot-spots are being hit with the same blissfully satisfying intensity.

He thought it was just another routine decorating job, but Reece’s boring day of painting is about to get shaken up. When he spies sexy gardener Cade Davenport his afternoon starts to steam up. Who knew that offering Cade a drink was going to lead to skinny dipping and eventually getting caught on camera?

Reece Carter is just trying to make ends meet, one decorating job at a time. He’ll never get rich working the way he does, but he manages to get by. He comes off as a little naïve in the beginning and I love that. It’s always refreshing to find one of the characters is a little bit less experienced or worldly than the other. Watching him slowly give in to each of Cade’s requests is a treat in itself.

Cade Davenport is a gardener with a secret – he sometimes stars in adult films for his boss’ husband. He’s smooth, charming, and completely irresistible as far as Reece is concerned. I wasn’t sure I was going to like Cade much at first, it’s clear he’s leading Reece on, but for what reason you don’t quite know at first. Once you figure it out, it makes him a little less sketchy and more likable.

In part one of Caught on Camera, the scene is set. Reece is seduced and then scandalized by Cade. I was a bit surprised that Cade was so bold as to send Reece a video containing the steamy highlights of their afternoon tryst, but the more you get to know Cade, the less surprising it becomes. In part two, the fun really begins. During this second installment, you get to see Reece loosen up and begin to become more comfortable with himself and his newfound role as porn star. You can see an inkling of a real attraction blossoming between the two men and that only makes the sex hotter and the passion more intense. The third installment really ups the ante by flying the boys to Vegas before adding adult film star stud Bret Hadden into the mix. Part three contains one of the most erotic ménage scenes I’ve read in a long time.

These first three installments of Caught on Camera get steamier and more exotic with each new part. In addition, the relationship between Reece and Cade becomes more and more real with every interaction. Although the premise is a bit far-fetched, the writing is spot on and the desire between the two is palpable. I cannot wait for the final two parts of this series to see how it all comes together.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

NYPD Red by James Patterson and Marshall Karp

November 7, 2014 By Leave a Comment

RED
NYPD Red by James Patterson and Marshall Karp
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (512 pgs)
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

NYPD Red is a special task force charged with protecting the interests of Manhattan’s wealthiest and most powerful citizens. When a world-famous movie producer is poisoned on the first day of a Manhattan film festival called Hollywood on the Hudson, they are the first ones called. Then an actor is killed on the set of a film. And a Molotov cocktail explodes at a movie premiere.

Detective First Grade Zach Jordan and his new partner–and ex-girlfriend–Detective Kylie MacDonald are assigned to the case. The killer has every murder, every escape, planned down to the last detail–and he’s scripted an explosive finale that will bring New York and Hollywood to its knees. With larger-than-life action, relentless speed, and white-knuckle twists, NYPD RED is a mega-blockbuster from “The Man Who Can’t Miss.” (TIME)

Zach Jordan, member of the elite NYPD Red, a team of special officers who cater to New York’s richest and most elite members of society, is waiting on his new partner to arrive. When he discovers that it’s the one person he never stopped loving, he realizes that his work is really cut out for him. Unfortunately, he’s not getting much time to dwell on the fact that he’s now partnered with his ex-girlfriend because someone is picking off celebrities one by one. Will his new partner be up to the task or will she fall just short of her goal?

Detective Zach Jordan is the kind of detective I’ve come to love. Handsome but not arrogant, good at his job, but never one to brag. He’s the perfect type of cop to deal with pampered celebrities and trust fund kids. But he’s more than that, too. He’s a genuinely good guy who only wants to do his job and find a good woman to keep him company. Zach’s internal struggle with partnering with his ex-girlfriend and one true love is endearing and a bit saddening, simply because he’s the kind of boy you bring home to mama. That he even goes out of his way to be nice to his partner Kylie’s husband only solidifies his good guy status.

Kylie MacDonald is used to being the best at everything. First in her class at the academy, eager and ready to dive right in, she wastes no time getting into the thick of it. You’d think that would make her a good cop, but in my opinion, it really didn’t. It made her reckless and a bit annoying, honestly. She comes off as a bit too perfect and when she starts going against regulation to save someone, there are zero repercussions. I had a difficult time trying to figure out what Zach might have seen in her.

Despite my issues with Kylie, I still really loved this book. I’ve long been a fan of James Patterson’s work. From the very first novel, I was hooked by his writing style and the way he was able to write from a female perspective so well. In addition to Zach, whom I loved, the precinct’s psychologist is a wonderful, charming woman, and I hope we get to know more about her in NYPD Red 2. As added bonuses for me, James Patterson’s novels are well-written, intriguing mysteries that are always a fast, enjoyable read. I’d highly recommend them to anyone who loves a thrilling ride.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

An Intimate Murder by Stacy Verdick Case

October 16, 2014 By 19 Comments

MURDER
An Intimate Murder by Stacy Verdick Case
Publisher: Before the Fall Books
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (288 pgs)
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

When Jonathan and Susan Luther are murder in their home, St. Paul homicide detective Catherine O’Brien and her partner Louise discover this isn’t the first time the Luther family has been visited by tragedy. Is it a case of bad family luck or is there something more?

When a couple, Susan and Jonathan Luther, are found murdered in their own homes, Detective Catherine O’Brien is called to the case. The more she digs into the mystery, the more dirt she digs up. It seems that this isn’t the first time the Luther family has been involved in something tragic. Is the family cursed with bad luck or is there more to it? Detective O’Brien is determined to find out.

Catherine O’Brien is my kind of woman. She’s stubborn, she’s down-to-earth, and she’s addicted to caffeine. But more than that, she’s honest and hardworking, the kind of detective you’d want working your murder, should it ever happen. Her husband is a wonderful, loving man, who understands when she misses dinner, and never holds it against her. They make quite an amusing and realistic couple.

Louise, Catherine’s partner, is a beautiful woman and has more tact in her little toe than Catherine has in her entire body. Which is a good thing because Catherine often needs a little reminding when dealing with suspects. She and Catherine couldn’t be more different but this is what makes them work so well together. They see different sides of the coin and put them together to make a whole. The two women are also good friends and that is what makes the partnership for me.

An Intimate Murder was my first Catherine O’Brien novel but I can guarantee you, it won’t be my last. Catherine has a bit of Stephanie Plum flair in that she can crack a joke with the best of them, often at her own expense. It’s this humor that makes the book, as well as the intricate murder mystery. Every time I thought I knew who had done the deed and why, I was proven wrong and left wondering again. I love a good mystery, but more than that, I love a good laugh. An Intimate Murder and Catherine O’Brien gave me both, with plenty to spare.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
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