The Bear by Stephanie Burke

January 8, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Bear by Stephanie Burke
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Erotic Romance, LGBTQ, Paranormal, Sci-fi/Fantasy
Rating: 5 Stars
Review by: Moonflower

After observing the mistakes made by his fellow Huntsmen, Arcas, the Bear, refuses to follow their example. He immediately claims his mate, a descendant of the cat goddess Bastet. Their pairing will be powerful and his mate is courageous, wise, and sexy as hell. Too bad they have to bring down the remnants of a murderous cult and stop a demonic disaster from being let loose on the world.

Marshal is no fool. From the moment they met, he has been drawn to the red-haired Bear. He didn’t think world ending events would ensue to make their developing relationship a bit more difficult to navigate. But now The Hunt was on the move and nothing would stop them from achieving their goals: rescue Kern’s mate and save the world.

FINALLY!!!! You have no idea how I’ve wanted this book. Not because it’s the end of a simply amazing series but because I finally find out if Marshall and Arcas get together! Woot!! Not only that but Thomas and Kern get together again.

Oh, my heart. I think it jumped out of my chest a few times reading this. I love the camaraderie between all the characters. Manx is outstanding and I love them even when they’re grouchy. After all, you would be if you’d eaten what they had. My heart broke for Thomas and Kern and then I cheered for them. I cried for Marshall and Arcas and then cheered for them too. Are you getting a clear picture about this book?

It is hot, sexy, intense and full of excellence. The finale was a fitting climax to the overall story arc without taking anything away from Marshall and Arcas.

Absolutely superb and the whole series is recommended by me. Different stories for different characters, blended together to give you sheer perfection. Loved every single word. So what’s next???

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Born Daddy by Morticia Knight

January 7, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Born Daddy by Morticia Knight
Publisher: Knight Ever After Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

They both loved an evil man. In a wrenching journey to redemption, leaning on each other will change their lives forever.

Grief-stricken Tate Myers can’t believe his Daddy and Master is gone. Reeling from the discovery of his dead lover’s secret life as a serial killer, he seeks answers from the one person who could help heal his heart. But when coffee shop chats with his Daddy’s best friend turn into an intense attraction, Tate wonders if he’s found the man to complete his recovery.

Former undercover cop, Rogan Steele, is completely blindsided when he learns his long-time buddy was a sadistic murderer. And with his own judgment now in question, he strongly empathizes with the grieving young man left traumatized and helpless. However, as their meetings fan the growing flames between them, Rogan is terrified he can’t fill the unfamiliar dominant role that Tate so desperately needs.

As their passion overpowers their hesitation, Tate aches to fully succumb to the older man’s control. If only Rogan doesn’t run away from what he was born to be—then they might stand a chance at forever.

Will the shellshocked pair surrender to their destiny and accept love’s risk? Or will the scars from their shared tragedy destroy their future as Daddy and boy?

Tate’s Daddy was a serial killer and now he’s dead. How about that for a one-liner? How about another one? This book is AMAZING!

I have never read a Morticia Knight book that I didn’t like but, this one, wow, this one knocked me over. The way she writes about the torment and guilt that both Tate and Rogan feel because they didn’t know about Cam… the feelings they have for each other and yet daren’t move forward in case it ruins what they have…

Told from both their perspectives, you get the full picture of just what they are feeling and the things they think they need to do. Tate needs love and being cherished but he doesn’t quite know how to get them, even though he is the experienced one of the two. Rogan has a need to care for Tate but doesn’t quite understand it. How this works out is simply beautiful to read. I loved how they worked together and communicated with each other.

It isn’t all sunshine and roses though. Rogan has a real jerk of a friend and I was more pleased than I can say when he was kicked to the curb! I’m so glad Lenny was there for Tate and Rogan though!! I hope he gets his HEA too.

This was an outstanding story with real depth and emotion in every word. It isn’t constant steam because that wouldn’t work. When they do though, beautiful!

In case you hadn’t realized, I loved this book and I really can’t recommend it highly enough.

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

The Lucky Cat by L.M. Somerton

January 6, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Lucky Cat by L.M. Somerton
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Suspense/Mystery/Thriller, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Mistletoe

Antiques and ammunition do not mix well.

The antique trade is not known for its life or death excitement and Landry Carran is happy that he has to contend only with furniture polish, woodworm and his irascible boss. He gets all the thrills he needs at his favorite BDSM club, Scorch.

Detective Gage Roskam is hunting stolen jewels taken from a Tokyo exhibition then shipped to Seattle. Mired in a deadly race involving the Yakuza, an enigmatic Englishman and too many indecipherable clues, he doesn’t have time to indulge in Dominant fantasies.

When their worlds collide, neither Landry nor Gage expects things to get quite as complicated—or dangerous—as they do. When Landry steps into the path of some powerful, ruthless people, it’s up to Gage to protect him. Along the way they might just discover what they both need.

Landry Carran may be content with a quiet life, but his personality is anything but quiet. When detective and dominant Gage Roskam shows up at the antique store that Landry works at the sparks fly. Right from the start the heat soars between the two men. As Gage continues to work the case about stolen jewels it seems that Landry is somehow connected and the two try to figure out just where Landry fits in to it all. As Landry and Gage try to figure out just why Landry is targeted, they find that their attraction cannot be denied.

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. Landry endeared himself to this reader right off and Gage is the perfect match for him. Gage may be demanding but we can see the emotions and the love that he is growing for Landry. The two are good together and I adored the banter between them. No matter what happens Gage is ready to support and protect Landry. Their story is an adventure and I loved seeing the two come together. Not only do we get to see Landry and Gage find their way, but they are also dealing with mystery of the missing jewels. Along the way we also get to meet some intriguing supporting characters that have so much to say. All the characters have a lot of personality to them and the good world building makes this a wonderful read that you can get lost in. The Lucky Cat brings readers to a fun and engaging world that I hope to get to return to.

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

Secret’s Hold by L.M. Somerton

January 5, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Secret’s Hold by L.M. Somerton
Publisher: Totally Entwined/Pride Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

Hiding in plain sight is a risky business—in more ways than one.

Jamie is hiding from the past and sacrificing a lot to do so. After witnessing a murder, he’s on the run from powerful enemies. Taking a job at a rough leather bar, Spikes, is a way to survive off-grid.

Bubba is the bouncer at Spikes who takes a personal interest in protecting Jamie’s very cute behind, but when Jamie runs from the club in panic straight into the path of a van, there’s nothing Bubba can do.

Amnesia puts Jamie at risk, but his returning memories are even more dangerous. Desperate to protect his friends, he puts his life on the line for Bubba—the only person he can rely on to save his neck.

Jamie has done a good job of hiding in plain sight for the past five months, but it appears his time has come when he spots an old ‘friend’ in the crowd where he works. He comes off second-best in an argument with a van and wakes up with no memory of who he is, although that doesn’t last long.

This is a short but action-packed story that moves along swiftly from one situation to another. Robbie and Jay are obviously meant to be, but they have to overcome kidnappings and beatings first. Personally, I would have preferred to had a bit more of Jay and Robbie, if only to find out if this is going to be a series or not. It has the potential to be, that’s for sure.

TRIGGER WARNING – there is a scene with attempted rape, so if that is a trigger for you, please be aware!

All in all, this was a great read that was over far too soon. Still recommended by me, though!

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

Heart of Ash by Kathy Otten

January 4, 2021 By 3 Comments


Heart of Ash by Kathy Otten
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Romance, Historical, LGBTQ
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

In the skies over France during the Great War, the life expectancy of a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps is measured in days.

Captain Elliot “Ash” Bainbridge is certain he’ll be the next pilot sent spinning to earth in a ball of fire. Not because the Germans will shoot him down, but because God will punish him for daring to love another man.

When Ash met Lieutenant Harry March, their attraction was instant. But Harry hates Ash’s fatalistic attitude. He believes in capturing the moment.

Can Ash set aside his fear of death and take a chance on love? Or should he try to keep his heart safe from hurt forever?

It’s hard to fall in love when death may only be a few heartbeats away.

Ash and March had wonderful chemistry. They understood each other in ways that the vast majority of other humans did not, including most of their fellow pilots. Their personalities complemented each other nicely as well. March excelled at things that Ash found difficult and vice versa. This was especially true when it came to how each of them had dealt with their sexual orientations in a time and place when two men falling in love was forbidden. I truly enjoyed getting to know both of them and would be thrilled to read a sequel to their love story if the author ever decides to write one.

I appreciated how honest this tale was about the physical and emotional pain that these pilots experienced. Ash, March, and their fellow pilots were doing dangerous work that had a high mortality rate. The thought of dying young was on all of their minds constantly, and that was only the first item on a long list of things they had to worry about. It was interesting to see how that affected how they spent their time when they weren’t in the air.

The world building was spectacular. I felt like I’d travelled back through time over a century to experience France during the first world war. Ms. Otten used every one of the five senses to show readers what this part of the world was like during that era, from the popping sound of distant gunfire to the oily scents that tickle the nose of the main character when he’s flying a mission.

Heart of Ash was a heartwarming and life-affirming read that I can’t recommend highly enough.

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Haunted by Sean Michael

January 4, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Haunted by Sean Michael
Publisher: self-published
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Will Halloween bring a trick or a treat for two lonely men?

Rusty’s had a hard time of it. Six months ago he walked in on his master with another man in their bed and left with little more than the clothes he was wearing and his laptop. Since then he’s been staying with Marcus and Jim, working and saving up for a place of his own. When Halloween rolls around, he’s not feeling the spirit of the holiday, but Jim and Tanny convince to come to the club with them.

Master Karl loves coming to the Hammer’s Halloween party as it marks the end of his work year. A designer and builder of haunted houses, he spends most of the year on the road for business with November and December as his time off.

Marcus and Billy invite Karl to join their table at the Halloween party and he’s attracted to Rusty immediately. When sharing a meal leads to a dance which leads to Rusty going home with Karl, it could be the start of something special for both men. Can some Halloween magic bring Karl and Rusty the happy endings they deserve?

After finding his Master cheating on him, Rusty leaves with only his phone, keys and the clothes he’s wearing – devastated by the betrayal and his shock. Staying with his friends, Marcus and Jim while he finds his feet, Rusty is struggling to regain his confidence. At the Halloween party at the Hammer, Rusty meets Karl, a gentle Master who has struggled himself to find a compatible partner as much of his work keeps him away from home while he helps set up Haunted Houses across the country. Can these two men find something special this holiday period?

I’m a big fan of Sean Michael’s Hammer stories and was really pleased to find this was a full length novel. While the short-stories are always fun and a great, quick read, I really appreciated how the longer length allowed the author to spend a bit more time setting up the relationship and dynamics between Rusty and Karl. I was also pleased – but a little surprised – how while the relationship is certainly set in the BDSM lifestyle both Karl and Rusty were looking for something a little different. Rather than the usual heavy kink and envelope-pushing aspects of BDSM both the main characters were into something just a little bit more gentle. I was pleased that a lot of the less-portrayed aspects of the lifestyle were front and center in this story. Critical aspects like communication, creating rules and boundaries and discussing scenes and what each of them were seeking to have satisfied from both the lifestyle and their relationship.

While none of these things are new or different, I find in most BDSM stories they are often overlooked, or just mentioned for a fleeting second in passing then mostly ignored. Having them be critical to both Rusty and Karl – and some of the other more subtle aspects of the lifestyle – be the important aspects for our heroes really meant these things were in the spotlight and given a lot of time and space in the story and I found this really refreshing. While not as heavily kinky or envelope pushing as other aspects to the BDSM lifestyle I was pleased to see this slightly different relationship unfurl and grow. It was lovely to watch and I found myself eagerly turning the pages.

Readers who are looking to dip a toe into a BDSM story should find this really suits their tastes. While there is kink and plenty of sex this isn’t a hard or harsh story that is right on the edge. This is predominantly a love story to my mind – the slow, delicious drop between two men interested in the BDSM lifestyle who get to know each other and start to mesh their lives together and work out a lovely, deep, emotional relationship.

Sexy, romantic and realistic, I really enjoyed this steamy hot story.

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

Waiting On A Friend by Megan Slayer

December 18, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Waiting On A Friend by Megan Slayer
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Recent Historical, Erotic Romance, Paranormal, Holiday, LGBTQ
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

King Mason doesn’t want to spend another year alone. He loves his job at the men’s shelter, but there has to be more from life than work. He’s seen the pretty blond man around the community and can’t wait to make a move at the Christmas street party.

Randall Stevens has big plans for Christmas 1980, and all of them involve meeting King Mason. He’s fallen hard for the man, and his wish is to take things to the next level. Christmas Eve just might be the night — except some wishes are meant to go sideways. Can Start Me Up help provide the solution he and King need?

King had spent the year working hard at his men’s shelter to try and drown out his pain and sorrows over a hurtful break-up. Now that it’s Christmas-time he’s hoping to not end the year alone. Randall had left his family and old life – one in the closet – behind and while he was nervous and felt lost something about King, his strength and confidence drew Randall. Can they find some magic this Christmas?

I enjoyed this Christmassy short story. While a few of the previous couples are mentioned in relation to the potion store Start Me Up this book can totally be read as a stand alone and I had no problems following along with it having not read any of the previous stories. I enjoyed that despite the short length of the story the author gave a fair bit of time at the start to properly introduce King and Randall’s characters, this helped me get a good feel for what they’re like and where they are at in their respective lives so as they slowly became more attached to each other their relationship felt more realistic and understandable to me.

I was pleased the author managed to explain most of the “magic” or paranormal aspect of this story without info-dumping or bogging the pace of the plot down. It was quite unconventional but I enjoyed it and while I feel readers will definitely need to suspend their disbelief – Christmas magic and a bit of “love conquers all” is never a bad thing in a romance story to my mind.

Readers looking for an intensely erotic story might not be satisfied with the two quick sex scenes. Personally I felt the blossoming relationship between King and Randall, as well as the paranormal/magical element to the story and the rest of the plot was more interesting and important than a second or third sex scene between the two men. Especially considering the short length to the story I feel the author managed to balance all these elements really well – but for an “erotic romance” even though the sex was steamy and sensual I could understand if this might not be satisfying for everyone.

Christmassy and full of magic and the first blush of a new relationship I enjoyed this happy and short story.

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

Hunting Astrid by Thea Landen

December 15, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Hunting Astrid by Thea Landen
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Genre: Erotic Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Astrid Carlisle enjoys her job at Satera Industries, the massive interplanetary organization whose enigmatic leader is concerned with profits first and legalities second. Stationed at company headquarters, she can stay out of harm’s way while making good use of her programming skills and keen eye for talent acquisition. Unfortunately, both the busy nature of her work and her office’s remote location leave her feeling dissatisfied with her personal life.

Fresh out of the Central United Space Marines, Tabitha Knox is ready for change, hoping the next stage in her career can take place in the private sector. Employment with Satera Industries would offer her the exciting, fast-paced work she craves, with generous financial compensation to match. All she has to do is get through the rigorous screening process and prove her worth.

The two women meet during the early stages of Tabitha’s application, and their mutual attraction is instant. However, Astrid has been hurt in the past and is cautious about moving too quickly, leading her to devise a plan. She suggests the pair enter the simulations used to test applicants and fight their way through the various environments. If Tabitha can successfully track her down in each phase, she’ll win the ultimate prize: a lucrative job, plus Astrid’s trust and submission. Everything she wants is within reach, but will she be able to achieve her dreams while hunting Astrid?

Can love blossom in orbit?

I appreciated the slow burn approach to this tale. It was nice to get to know Astrid and Tabitha so well before anything romantic or sexual began happening between them. All of those scenes also helped to make some pretty convincing arguments about why these two characters would be perfect for each other. They had multiple opportunities to discover just how emotionally compatible they were, and that was exactly the right choice for them.

While I certainly wouldn’t have expected a full chapter on this topic, it would have been helpful to have a little more world building. The Zeta-16 space station seemed like a fascinating place to live and work. I would have liked to know more about it so that I could better understand why Astrid chose to work there even though she found it so lonely at times. If the author ever decides to write a sequel, I’d sure like to see what she might do with this in particular.

Astrid and Tabitha had excellent chemistry. I enjoyed the flirtatious banter between them just as much as I did seeing how well they both responded to each other’s boundaries and wishes. They were both emotionally intelligent women who were good at reading other people’s nonverbal cues. When this was combined with all of the goals and interests they shared in common, it was easy for them to progress from acquaintances to something more than that.

Hunting Astrid was a sizzling read that I’d recommend to fans of erotica and science fiction alike.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

It Takes Three by Willa Okati

October 26, 2020 By Leave a Comment


It Takes Three by Willa Okati
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Geoff’s a medical student. Hardworking, driven, tightly wound as an entire mattress factory’s worth of bedsprings. Ross is a med student too, but unless it’s got to do with math or science he has no idea what’s going on. He kind of likes it that way. It’s peaceful. Aurélien’s a med student as well. Uber-calm, uber-zen, uber-practical.

The three don’t know each other, but with study burnout and big exams coming up fast, they’re all in desperate need of some R & R. And what better way, proposes Aurélien, than getting a little action? Together. Multiple times, and in multiple ways. Sounds a little nuts to Geoff, but he’d rather his head not explode before he’s licensed. And Ross, well, he’s up for anything if it sounds like fun.

To their surprise and pleasure, once they get started these guys “work” well together. Very much so. Maybe a little too much so. Aren’t things like this supposed to be hard? Sometimes, sure. But in this case, the answer to all their questions is three.

Geoff, Ross and Aurelien are all medical students and with enormous exams coming up the three men desperately need some well earned R & R. While they only know each other in passing, none of them can find a reason to knock back Aurelien when he suggests they get a little action – together as a threesome. None of them could have guessed just how well Aurelien’s suggestion would work, but sometimes it takes three.

This is a fun and seriously smoking hot erotic story. I thought the author took just the right amount of time – letting the reader see Ross, Geoff and Aurelien interact together as regular guys before they all hit the sheets and started burning them down. I adored Ross’s character and loved that his enormous brain had some deliciously hidden depths. I also really enjoyed Aurelien’s character and enjoyed how clearly he seemed to see both Geoff and Ross and was fearless in leading the three of them together down a twisty and sexy garden path together. Geoff in many ways was a good vehicle for the reader, trying to catch up and go with the flow but needing to have the situation explained and help get to know all three men’s characters. So this balance really worked for me and I found myself enjoying the story immensely.

Once the sexual shenanigans start these three men really steam up the page. I enjoyed not just the sex but how the three guys took their time getting to explore and learn how they fit together. Usually it seems that the threesome stories I read at least two of the partners know each other or have a long-standing friendship/relationship so I found it refreshing and enjoyable to see how three near-strangers could forge an equal and intense relationship in a fairly short period of time. I was particularly pleased that Aurelien and Geoff made a concentrated effort to include Ross in their ménage – since Ross had a tendency to get distracted and his character could have easily been lost or overlooked, which I strongly feel would have been a pity and disservice to him.

Readers looking for a quick read with three vibrant and interesting characters and a whole bunch of smoking hot ménage sex should find this short story very satisfying.

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

Giving Up the Ghost by GA Hauser

October 21, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Giving Up the Ghost by GA Hauser
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, LGBTQ, Erotic Romance, Holiday
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Two men, both victims of a tragic loss one Christmas Eve, can’t find peace. As each man suffers with his grief, neither seems able to move on or to find any hope in their lives. Ryan, the artist, paints bloody red canvases in order to cope with the pain of losing his one true love, Victor, while Paul, the violinist, uses music to heal his tortured soul at the lost of Evan, his beloved pianist. When one night Ryan hears piano music coming from a vacant unit next door to his apartment, he receives a visit from beyond the grave that changes his life forever.

Can two men who have suffered the anguish of losing their loved ones, find solace in each other? Or will the tragedy of their lives keep them from starting over.

Anguish and angst all over the place.

I picked up this book because I’d heard great things about GA Hauser’s work. The characters are interesting and the storyline is one many can relate to–losing a loved one and the holidays. This story takes place right before Christmas, which forces Paul and Ryan to confront their sadness, but to do it together.

The beginning was rather slow, I have to admit. It took me a while to get into the story and to know what was going on. I wanted to like Ryan and Paul from the beginning, but at times I got confused as to who was alive, who wasn’t and who was dating whom. It needed just a bit more editing to smooth out some of the edges–there were a missed word here and there and a few other oddities, but nothing that would take away from enjoying the read.

Once the story got going, it really sped along nicely. The connection was odd, but deep and I liked Paul and Ryan together. I certainly felt the angst and the creative genius in them. Plus, the hot scenes are hot.

If you’re looking for an angsty holiday read that will break your heart, but also make you smile, then this is the book for you.

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