Resisting the Dream by Ann Marie James

February 2, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Resisting the Dream by Ann Marie James
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

Can two overachievers discover how to make love work?

Nikolai is the fun-loving, flamboyant cousin of Sergei Barinov. He doesn’t know a lot about cars but is happy working as the desk person at Everyone’s Mechanic while he completes his doctorate in finance and accounting. While his parents never accepted who he was, he at least had Cousin Sergei’s family to love and support him. Comfortable in his own skin, he dresses according to his mood, which could be a skirt and makeup or sweatpants. He has crushed on Brandon since he met him but has never been able to be around him without doing something embarrassing. He would love a chance to show Brandon that he’s not just style without substance.

Brandon began interning with Sergei’s company in college and has since worked his way up to be his right-hand man. He is very regimented, likes his routines and needs to stay focused to complete his many duties for Sergei. Brandon is also balancing secretly raising his now-fifteen-year-old brother. He has watched from afar as Nikolai went from being a gangly, awkward teenager to a stunning adult. Brandon might wish he could take the time to get to know Nikolai better, but he doesn’t feel he can add one more thing to his already-full plate.

When Sergei tasks the pair to work together to plan an LGBTQ youth center, sparks fly. Will they decide to take a chance—or will outside forces ruin the possibility before they can even get started?

Can love be planned? Will the timing ever be right? Or should it be a case of Carpe Diem?

In the third book of the Everyone’s Mechanic series, Brandon has his life planned out. He’s got three more years to wait before he can date Nikolai, so until then, he will carry on ignoring him as best he can. Not the best plan, by any stretch of the imagination, and Sergei is quick to point out that someone else may just come along and snatch Nik up. Nikolai is going about his life the best way he knows how, keeping parts of it just to himself. I loved hearing about all the things he did that no one else knew about, not just a frivolous bit of fluff after all.

Things move swiftly for these two, and it is in a perfectly natural way. Nothing about their relationship seems forced in any way. Brandon is quick to reassure Nikolai that he adores his quirks and he isn’t going anywhere – that is until stress gets the better of him and he jumps to the wrong conclusion. I really wanted to slap Brandon upside the head at this point, but then Nik too as he avoided Brandon (something I may or may not be guilty of myself!)

This story was a great addition to the series. I haven’t read book two but will be now as I need to see more of ‘big personality with a heart of gold’ Sergei. This is one of those series where you read the stories and end up with a huge smile on your face and a sugar high from all the sweetness. Definitely recommended by me.

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The Forest God’s Favor by AT Lander

December 13, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Forest God’s Favor by AT Lander
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Genre: Erotic Romance, Historical, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, LGBTQ
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

Can the love of a man heal the heart of a god?

Fertility god Anthos, a shy and gentle three-hundred-year-old virgin, has grown up in the shadow of his brutal older brother Dryas and spent his life hiding from mortals, no matter how much his nature draws him to them.

Cleon, a humble farmer who always has room in his heart and his bed, knows that Lord Dryas is angry. The crops aren’t growing, and his family is going to starve if he doesn’t give the god a worthy sacrifice—his own body. But when he reaches the shrine, he finds a very different god, the sweet, untouched Anthos.

Eager to satisfy Anthos’ curiosity, Cleon shows him what sex is…and what a relationship between them could be, with their instant attraction blooming into love. But when Dryas returns with a vengeance and Cleon’s life hangs in the balance, Anthos is forced to make a choice.

Will he bow once more before his brother’s rage, or take a stand for the only man who has ever had faith in him?

If your local fertility god suddenly stops blessing you, what are you to do?

This is the dilemma that troubles Cleon as his family, and those in his village, face starvation due to their crops not growing. He decides to pay a visit to the cruel Lord Dryas but, instead, meets the sweet and caring Anthos.

Oh, man! This story!!! Considering it has a Reader Advisory, I found it to be so completely sweet. The violence in it is necessary and shows the growth of the main characters and how they solve the problem they have. The rest of it is pure, unadulterated erotica and if that shocks you, maybe you shouldn’t be reading a book about a fertility god!

Anthos and Cleon are fantastic together, and their ending brought a happy tear to my eyes. Jealousy is not part of their relationship, and I loved how it worked between them. They are supported by a great cast of characters that remain in the background until needed. The focus really is on Anthos and Cleon and that makes it so much more intimate.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and read it in one sitting. I am going to be reading more by this author, that’s for sure! Absolutely recommended by me.

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

Safe Harbour by Thom Collins

October 21, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Safe Harbour by Thom Collins
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

Two lovers seek shelter in a storm of jealousy and passion.

Matt arrives in the seaside town of Nyemouth for a much-needed vacation. As a successful lawyer, Matt has a hectic career, and with an ex-husband still pestering him for money, he is long overdue a break. A holiday home perched above the town and its breath-taking harbour seems like the perfect place to unwind. Matt can’t wait to explore the beautiful, jagged shorelines and lose himself for a couple of weeks.

Jake has made a home in Nyemouth. After growing up in the city, living on the coast is everything to him. Running a business with his sister and volunteering on the crew of the local lifeboat, he is exactly where he wants to be. But Jake’s life is far from peaceful. Though he left his domineering husband Vince a year ago, Vince refuses to consent to a divorce or loosen his controlling hold on Jake.

On Matt’s first night in town, he encounters the couple having a blazing row. When Vince turns violent, Matt intervenes and takes Jake inside to escape his angry ex. Despite what happened, Matt feels a powerful attraction to the younger man. Jake is bright, endearing and unbelievably attractive, but the young man’s life is complicated. Matt already has enough problems of his own. He came away looking for an escape, not a starry-eyed distraction. As Matt and Jake get to know each other better, the gamble on a holiday romance becomes hard for either of them to resist. They have both been unlucky in love before. Maybe this time will be different.

Vince will not be shaken off so easily. He has no intention of letting Jake go…ever. As Matt’s and Jake’s emotions deepen, they do not understand how far Vince will take things to keep his husband. As far as Vince is concerned, they made a vow to each other… “till death do us part.”

A holiday romance by the sea. How wonderful – but what happens when you throw in some danger too?

This was a great read from Thom Collins. It is sweet and sexy, with just the right pace to keep the story moving along without it being at breakneck speed. Matt and Jake are brilliant characters and have their own posse of supporting characters to ably assist them. Vince and Clinton are the crazy ex’s, although one is just a tad crazier than the other!

This is book two in the Jagged Shores series but I haven’t read book one and this in no way impacted my enjoyment of this story.

The settings and descriptions are all gorgeous and immediately make me want to visit these fantastic areas of Northumberland. Plus, some of the food descriptions made my mouth water!

A wonderful summer read that is both lighthearted and has a touch of danger. I thoroughly enjoyed every word and have no hesitation in recommending it.

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Rogue Royal by Megan Slayer

October 19, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Rogue Royal by Megan Slayer
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

You are formally invited to the royal ball…to become the husband to the king!

King Charles of Lysianna needs a husband and fast. He’s up against the biggest time crunch of all—a royal decree stating he must marry or lose the crown. It’s already December and he’s running out of time. Throwing a royal ball to find a suitable man for the role of husband seems like the king’s only option…until he meets Nathan. This royal has always done things his own way—and maybe now it’s time to go rogue.

Nathan Pratt doesn’t want much from life except to raise his son and be happy. Dating isn’t on this single father’s radar until he sees Charles in the castle solarium and his heart goes out to the sad-looking man. Once he meets Charles, he starts to think love might be possible. There’s just the small issue of Charles being the king…

Will Nathan be able to handle the glare of the spotlight with Charles beside him, or will the notoriety that comes with dating a royal be too much?

Just when you think you’re in the clear, the wicked stepmother throws another spanner in the works.

Although you could read this as a standalone, I would recommend you read it after Runaway Royal by Wendi Zwaduk. It features the same characters and places as in that one, so it will help give you more of an idea of what’s going on.

Now, Charlie helped Zara in that book, but now it’s his turn. And due to his stepmother’s decree, he has to marry someone by the end of the year or give his crown away to someone who is unscrupulous, devious, and just plain nasty. Luckily for Charlie, he meets the new Royal Archivist, Nathan, who is about to make everything better.

Just as before, this moves at supersonic pace, but it still seems to work. Insta-love all around, in fact, this time it’s insta-family too as little baby River is also involved. The openings are there for many more stories in this series. There are a couple of plot-holes that weren’t explained, and then other times when things go almost unrealistically smoothly.

Still, if you can suspend belief, you will enjoy this contemporary fairy tale, as recommended by me.

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Godsend by Elvira Bell

July 23, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Godsend by Elvira Bell
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Genre: Erotic Romance, Historical, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

Ari and Vidar are Viking warriors and blood brothers. Will handsome thrall Elric break their bond…or make it even stronger?

When young Saxon Elric is sold to Norse slave traders, he thinks that his life is over. He is brought across the sea to the settlement of the Norsemen and becomes the chief’s thrall, and neither the chief nor the warriors are lenient with him. Two of the warriors are different, though—Ari and Vidar. Elric senses that their bond goes beyond mere friendship, and wishes that he himself had someone who would care for him.

Ari and Vidar have been lovers for years, but they have to sneak away whenever they want to be together. Vidar is next in line to be leader, as the chief’s nephew, but he’s shy and insecure and only feels at home on the battlefield. Ari looks different than the other warriors, since his mother was of foreign descent, and he’s had to learn how to stand up for himself.

The two of them are blood brothers, linked together forever, but even though they are lovers they can’t go against the taboo that prohibits free men from being passive during sex. Ari feels that something is lacking, and Elric’s arrival gives him an idea—what if they invited Elric to join them in bed? The thought excites him, and Elric himself seems eager to please.

The only question is how Ari is supposed to get Vidar to agree to letting another man into their relationship…

Imagine having your freedom within reach, only for it to be taken cruelly away. This is what happens to Elric on the last day of his service to a farmer. He has served five years and, after doing one more trip to the market, will be a free man. Until his farmer sells him to the Vikings.

This is a well-written romance that only touches on the Viking culture, focusing more on the romantic elements of the story. It moves along at a fair pace, and you see how Elric’s life changes, and the pressures upon Vidar. Ari is the one in the middle of them both, the one who helps make the dream a reality.

A lovely story with a great supporting cast. This is the first book by this author I have read, and it won’t be the last. Definitely recommended by me.

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The Billionaire and the Escort by Evelyn Mahony

July 22, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Billionaire and the Escort by Evelyn Mahony
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

In the world of high-end escorts, getting personal is never part of the arrangement.

When Josh Roberts became a male escort, there was no room for emotions. They went against the job description. He had a full appointment book and enough clients to pay the bills. There was definitely no time to get attached to an older, extremely successful, incredibly gorgeous man who paid for his services.

But Josh can’t turn down the money that has started rolling in, along with the gifts and the opportunity to live in the lap of luxury as the man flies him around the world to play pretend as his boyfriend. How on earth is he supposed to say no? Especially once he starts falling for his client.

James Barnwell is the successful CEO of Winter Luxury Resorts who stumbled upon Josh Roberts in a dark, high-end bar in midtown Manhattan. The young man was cocky, young, beautiful and offered James exactly what he was looking for—the chance to be with a man who knew the ropes and offered no opportunity to get attached. James had a lucrative business to run and meetings all over the world to attend. Having someone by his side would just weigh him down—or so he thinks, until he finds himself caring deeply for the man he pays for companionship, and it completely changes his world.

Two men are trying to play make believe—until they realize their sham might be closer to reality than they thought.

An Escort and a Billionaire – sounds like the start of a joke, right? Well, it’s actually the start of a love story between a young artist and an older business owner. Trust me, it will all make sense.

I enjoyed how the story rolled out, with the instant attraction and the constant fight to keep things professional. I also loved how it was James who was the insecure one who needed baby steps. It is hot and steamy from the word go and only slows down as you near the end. Once again, this all makes sense for the story.

What I found a little confusing was the ‘Daddy’ part of it. Now, I love a good Daddy story as much as the next person, but nine times out of ten, the dynamic didn’t exactly work.

On the whole, this was a great story with the opportunity for more from this cast of characters. I enjoyed it all and have no hesitation in recommending it for a steamy summer read.

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Against a Rising Tide by Samantha Cayto

July 2, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Against a Rising Tide by Samantha Cayto
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQ, Erotic Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

Love always finds a way.

Scott, a Navy SEAL, returns to his childhood beach house to deal with the emotional trauma of his latest mission. When a sniper killed his closest friend, Scott was left dealing with survivor’s guilt and the disturbing feeling that his friend meant more to him. He has always identified as strictly straight, attraction to men being something he has ruthlessly suppressed.

When he finds Kitt, a friend of his sister’s, hiding out from his abusive boyfriend, Scott is once again drawn to someone of his own gender. Although annoyed at the intrusion, Scott also instantly develops an interest in his unwanted houseguest. Keeping his distance is proving to be impossible and his growing desire for Kitt cannot be ignored.

Forced to leave home, Kitt entered into a relationship with a man who turned abusive. Having finally found the courage to escape, the last thing he wants or needs is another alpha male invading his space. But having nowhere else to go, he ends up staying with a man who disturbs him in more ways than one. As scary as the SEAL is, Scott is exactly the type of man Kitt dreams about.

The beach house is small, and the two men cannot avoid one another or the attraction between them. With each passing day, their bond grows stronger. Hesitation slowly gives way to passion. They need to trust their feelings and let go of the things that frighten them, to find safety and solace in each other.

Big, strong, alpha-males are all jerks, right? That’s what Kitt feels, and with good reason. Scott is on a two-week ‘holiday’ to try and get his head on straight. Seeing Kitt knocks his socks off and makes him face some long-denied truths.

This is a fast-paced story, all happening within that two-week span. Kitt has some serious damage to deal with, not only from his abusive ex but also from his not-so-loving family too. But Scott doesn’t have it all together either, as he tries to figure out his confusing feelings and deal with his past. Somehow, they both manage within the timeframe! Nothing on either side is mentioned in too much detail – just enough for you to understand how traumatic it was.

There is a small cast of characters so you certainly won’t get confused about who is doing what. I loved the descriptions of the sea. I will admit to being intrigued about the clams and how you eat them, never having had one. The ending is smooth and neatly tied together.

Overall, this was a sunny, delightful read that skimmed the surface of some subjects without bringing the whole book into darkness. I thoroughly enjoyed every word and have no hesitation in recommending it.

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The Way to a Man’s Heart by Ann Marie James

June 21, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Way to a Man’s Heart by Ann Marie James
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

The heart wants what the heart wants…

Christian Diaz grew up as the best friend and unofficial bodyguard to the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Corazón. After an incident left him questioning his place in the castle, Christian joined the military and didn’t return for ten long years.

Now he’s been assigned to the castle as Royal Military Liaison to investigate the source of some recent threats against the crown. The annual Midsummer’s Ball is the perfect place for the anti-monarchy group to make their next move, so that’s where Christian will be too. If it gives him a chance to reconnect with his friends in the castle and make a play for the man he has compared all others to, it’s even better.

Max Ramirez is now the head chef for the castle. He started as a sous chef at age twenty when Christian was just an awkward teen. Now that Christian’s back at the castle, all grown up and interested in Max, the chef is determined not to let an opportunity with Christian pass him by.

When someone tries to sabotage the Midsummer’s Ball, Max and Christian need to work together to track down the people determined to make this event their last.

Being sent back to the palace he grew up in is a mixed bag for Christian. He gets to be with his best friends again, plus the man he’s been crushing on for years, but he also has to be with his father, and that’s never a good thing.

This is the first book in the Kingdom of Corazón series and we are introduced to a warm and caring Royal family, plus a bunch of guys that I can’t wait to hear their stories about. It isn’t a deep and meaningful story, not going into much depth about any of the issues raised. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t any good! I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and it was exactly what I needed at the time.

The downside to this story is that it is over far too quickly. I felt there were relationships, issues, and questions left unresolved. Small things, possibly classed as insignificant, but to me, it would have helped round out the story and give it that added oomph.

On the whole, this was a fast-paced, warm and fuzzy story, about how a long-term crush can become the love of your life. I found it to be a great read, and I have no hesitation in recommending it.

Trigger Warning: A memory of attempted rape is discussed due to the unknowing consumption of GHB.

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

Rattling Chains by T. Strange

May 24, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Rattling Chains by T. Strange
Bound to the Spirits Book 1
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQ, Paranormal, Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

Book one in the Bound to the Spirits series

Ghosts are popping up where they shouldn’t. Harlan, a ghost janitor for the police, suspects there’s a serial killer on the loose—but no one believes him.

Harlan Brand is a medium who was abandoned by his parents at a school for the psychically gifted. He grew up lonely but safe from the ghosts that terrorized his childhood.

But now, at twenty-one, he’s out in the real world. He works as a ghost janitor for the Toronto Police Service, cleaning up after crimes and hauntings in the Greater Toronto Area. Adding to the anxiety of leaving the ghost-warded safety of his school, the cop assigned as his partner seems to hate him, he’s having confusing feelings for a BDSM club owner who brings out his deepest fantasies and ghosts are popping up where they shouldn’t.

Using the ghosts as clues, Harlan begins to suspect there’s a serial killer loose, but no one believes him. Harlan will stop at nothing to discover who—or what—is preying on his city.

Life can be hard when you’re not ‘normal’ and Harlan learns this the hard way when he is left at a special school. His parents slowly but surely disappear from his life. And then he’s grown up, and has a job, but is woefully unprepared for it. So hold onto your hats because this story is only just beginning.

This was a great story, with a perfect mix of mystery and paranormal activity. The ghosts can be chilling (pardon the pun) but extremely well-written. I loved the descriptions given, they really made you part of the book, rather than just reading it. The BDSM side of things happens naturally and doesn’t go into too much detail if it’s not your thing. The romance between Harlan and Charles is tender and romantic, the sort that leaves you with a sappy smile on your face.

This is the first book in the series so I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what comes next. There is a small group of psychics that Harlan works with that I would also like to see more of. Hamilton is a special kind of something and has his own surprise in the book, which I loved!

All in all, this was a brilliant book that kept my attention from the first to the very last word. A new-to-me author that I will definitely be reading more from. Absolutely recommended by me.

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

A Little Bit Cupid: Valentine’s Day Blues by J.P. Bowie

May 21, 2021 By Leave a Comment


A Little Bit Cupid: Valentine’s Day Blues by J.P. Bowie
Publisher: Pride Publishing, Totally Entwined Group
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Alstroemeria

From the A Little Bit Cupid collection

What does it take for Valentine’s-Day-hating Bryan Colby to discover that he really loves it? Meeting Officer Ben Collins, of course.

Bryan Colby doesn’t like Valentine’s Day. Despite being told by his close friends that he’s silly to fester over something that happened five years ago, he just can’t get excited as yet another Valentine’s Day approaches.

Bryan, a rising star at the local real estate office, prefers to work instead, but is assaulted while showing a vacant property. In the ambulance, he meets Officer Ben Collins and Bryan wastes no time in letting Ben know he finds him attractive and would like to get better acquainted with him, in every possible way.

At first wary of Bryan’s flirty, come-hither attitude, Ben eventually warms to Bryan’s charm, and agrees to meet him for a coffee. But circumstances outside their control change that date to a much more sensual meeting.

After all, it is Valentine’s Day week, and romance is most definitely in the air…

Hesitation does not last long in J.P. Bowie’s Valentine’s Day Blues. When I tell you that reading this novel flew by, I mean it boarded a plane at noon and arrived at 12:10 p.m. This might be due in part to the bold and incorrigible main character Bryan Colby, a man who has sworn off Valentine’s Day, but drops lines smoother than creamy peanut butter. This does not go unnoticed by our slightly more cautious romantic interest, Bennet Collins.

After a scary run in with some local car thieves, Bryan is happy to find himself in the care of the one and only Officer Collins. He wastes no time in trying to win his affections, possible closed head injury aside. Though reluctant at first, Ben starts to enjoy Bryan’s very forward nature. The men do a bit of dancing around their personal issues, not wanting to move too fast, but sometimes when you know, you know.

The plot was very fast paced, leading perfectly into those heated moments that the readers anticipated from the characters first meeting. Very loveable side characters made me wish there was more book to really get in the heads of the lives that surround the main characters, but I will say that this sexy little glimpse into Ben and Bryan’s lives was a really great treat, and the perfect length to get that steamy fix.

The sensual scenes were hot, hot, HOT, made even more so by the wonderful open communication between Bryan and Ben. J.P. Bowie absolutely delivered a quick and spicy romance, and gave us all a little more appreciation for surprises on Valentine’s Day.

If you are looking for a quick and sexy feel-good read, then A Little Bit Cupid: Valentine’s Day Blues is the story for you!

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