REVIEW: Love Comes Home by Andrew Grey

Genre: M/M Romance
Release date: March 7th 2014

Rating: ****

Book Blurb: When architect Gregory Hampton’s son, Davey, starts having trouble in Little League, Greg takes him to an eye doctor. The diagnosis hits them hard. Davey’s sight is degenerating rapidly, and eventually he’ll go blind.

Tom Spangler is used to getting what he wants. When Greg captures his attention, he asks Greg for a date. They have a good time until Greg gets a call from the friends watching his son, telling him Davey has fallen. Greg and Tom return to find the worst has happened—Davey can no longer see.

With so much going on in his life, Greg doubts he’ll see Tom again. But Tom has researched beep baseball, where balls and bases make sounds to enable the visually impaired to participate in Little League. Tom spearheads an effort to form a team so Davey can continue to play the game he loves. But when Greg’s ex-wife shows up with her doctor boyfriend, offering a possible cure through a radical procedure, Greg must decide how far he’ll go to give Davey a chance at getting his sight back. (From Goodreads.com)

This is Book Three in the Senses Series.

Review:

First of all, let me just say that I was skeptical to read this book. I mean, Tom sounds like a complete asshole in the blurb. He "gets what he wants" basically means he a total tool. I was happy to find that he wasn't like that at all. He was considerate, great with Davey and only a little bit selfish. He's a rich kid acting like a regular Joe. Well, except for when he drives his Ferrari.

The best thing about this book to me was how Davey and Greg learn to deal with Davey losing his sight. It all seemed real and believe me, parts were heart wrenching. Definitely a tearjerker. It wasn't depressing though, which was a huge feat given the subject matter. A kid goes blind? How can you make that light and fluffy? But somehow Andrew Grey manages to do that.

Beep ball was at times confusing, but hey, I barely understand baseball. I am NOT a sports girl. It gave Davey a sense that he didn't lose everything he loves because he is blind. The message was powerful. Change can be scary, but it's not always a bad thing.

I would definitely recommend this book. It was sweet and pulled at the heartstrings.

I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review. (Netgalley)

Top Off Tuesday #8

 

Tuesday means I give you shirtless men to make your day better. Top Off Tuesdays was started by Felicia, Christi and [Amanda].  It is where [ALL OF US] share the book covers that make us swoon.  Head over to Felicia’s blog to share your Top Off Tuesday link or to see what everyone has posted.

 

 

Masters at Arms begins the journey of three men, each on a quest for honor, acceptance, and to ease his unspoken pain. Their paths cross at one of the darkest points in their lives. As they try to come to terms with the aftermath--forging an unbreakable bond--will they ever truly become masters of their own fates? Or would fate become masters of them?

(Book One in the Rescue Me series about the men who own the Masters at Arms BDSM Club)

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is an introduction to the series, but does NOT have the Happily Ever After endings that will come in the next three romance novels in the series. Being the back-story that usually is not told in "real time," there are some intense themes in the book, including death of a spouse, incest, torture, a battle scene, and amputation.

FREE ON AMAZON!!

REVIEW: It's All Geek to Me by J.L. Merrow

Genre: M/M Romance

Release date: February 10, 2014

Rating: ****

Book Blurb: Jez is on a mission of mercy: to replace a tragically deceased comic book for his injured best mate, Tel. Venturing into the Hidden Asteroid bookstore in London—the temple of geekdom itself—Jez is bowled over by the guy behind the counter.

Rhys is the poster boy for hot geeks: tall, gorgeous, and totally cool. Jez is desperate to impress him, so he bluffs his way through comic book jargon . . . and then dashes back to the hospital to beg Tel to teach him how to speak Geek.

Tel’s happy to oblige, and Jez is over the moon when Rhys asks him out. He’s even more thrilled when they discover a shared love of rugby, something he won’t have to fake for Rhys. The question is, how long can Jez keep up the deception, and what will happen when Rhys realizes he’s going out with a Fake Geek Guy? (From Goodreads)

Review:

Let's start off with the fact that this book is British. I wasn't aware of this until I was into it a bit. It's hot reading in an accent.

Jez was a great character. He was cute, earnest and used to selling himself short. He didn't think a guy as attractive as Rhys would want anything to do with him. Rhys, however, was a quiet type who seemed very genuine...and not all that nerdy.

I was a little put off by the idea of lying to get someone to date you, but it wasn't anything important, like secret wife. I thought it was really adorable how Jez ran back to the hospital to ask Tel, his best mate, how to be a geek. It was so ridiculous it was cute.

Another plus for this story is that it was about getting to know each other personally first. A lot of short romance stories are all about sex, and though this one did have one such scene, it wasn't the main focus. They connected intellectually before that point which I loved.

I would recommend this read for geek lovers everywhere. Its cute, sexy and just plain adorable.

REVIEW: Legally Wed by Rick R. Reed

 

Genre: M/M Romance
Release date: January 2, 2014
Rating: *** 

Book Blurb: Love comes along when you least expect it. That’s what Duncan Taylor’s sister, Scout, tells him. Scout has everything Duncan wants—a happy life with a wonderful husband. Now that Seattle has made gay marriage legal, Duncan knows he can have the same thing. But when he proposes to his boyfriend Tucker, he doesn’t get the answer he hoped for. Tucker’s refusal is another misstep in a long line of failed romances. Despairing, Duncan thinks of all the loving unions in his life—and how every one of them is straight. Maybe he could be happy, if not sexually compatible, with a woman. When zany, gay-man-loving Marilyn Samples waltzes into his life, he thinks he may have found his answer.

Determined to settle, Duncan forgets his sister’s wisdom about love and begins planning a wedding with Marilyn. But life throws Duncan a curve ball. When he meets wedding planner Peter Dalrymple, unexpected sparks ignite. Neither man knows how long he can resist his powerful attraction to the other. For sure, there’s a wedding in the future. But whose?
~From Goodreads


Review: Let me start by saying, this book was not at all what I expected it to be. First of all, I was a little put-off by the idea of a gay man marrying a straight woman of his own accord. It seemed rather degrading to both parties. I was relieved that it was a friend that Duncan agreed to marry. Let's just break down this book a bit.

Pros:
- The characters were great. Duncan was just adorable and fun. Marilyn was snarky and someone I wanted to be friends with. Peter was a huggable teddy bear.
- Drunken posts to Craigslist? Duncan's post was funny and oddly endearing given the content. That part alone makes the book worth a read.
- Bouncing narratives. I like the opposing perspectives though I know its not for everyone.
- The breakup in the beginning wasn't drawn out and boring. I hate when the intro to a story bores you to tears.

Cons:
- Marilyn's first two narratives were annoying. All she did was talk to her cat and make herself sound like a complete nut job. After the first bit though, I really came to enjoy her wit.
- Duncan's relationship with Peter isn't developed. At all. The have an instant attraction that they ignore, and then somehow, they are in love? I don't buy it.
- My main complaint about this book it that it is mostly centered around Duncan and Marilyn, not Duncan and Peter. I mean, I read this for the love story, not the friendship story.

I did enjoy this book and would recommend it. The premise itself warrants a second glance. I'm sure it won't be what you expect.




 

Top Ten Tuesday (6) - Top Ten Books I Would Love To See As A Movie/TV Show

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by @The Broke and the Bookish. 

Top Five Books I Would Love To See As A Movie/TV Show.

There were so many that I had a hard time deciding. All the books I have read have played like movies in my head and in my dreams. These are the ones I picked that could be successful as a movie or tv series. 

1. Abarat by Clive Barker (movie or tv show) - The Abarat series is so crazy and wild that it would make for a great movie/show. The creatures alone would bring it a lot of attention.

2. The Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (movie) - A different take on the vampire world and the one I find the most intriguing. The characters are dynamic and fun. I love it :)

3. The Odd Thomas Series by Dean Koontz (movie) - He's a psychic who works as a line cook at a diner and his name is Odd. Literally. 

4. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke (movie) - Okay, I know that made this into a movie already, but they butchered it. I would like it done some justice. It's a great series that would have done great if interpreted better.

5. Skin by Ted Dekker (movie) - This would make a great thriller/suspense movie. The twist at the end, I didn't even think THAT would happen. It was outrageous, but didn't deter from its awesomeness.

Top Ten Tuesday #5: Required Reading

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted @The Broke and the Bookish

This weeks theme is about SCHOOL! With so many schools starting up again for the year, it seems totally appropriate. Though I have been out of school for some time, I still find this topic to be thought provoking. I'll do my best :)

1. The Giver by Lois Lowry - We read this book in the 6th grade. It was thought provoking, if not a little creepy.

2. A Child Called "It" by Dave Pultzer - This book is intense. It brings to light the issue of child abuse from a perspective that has more of an impact. 

3. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien - Hobbits? Yessir. Who doesn't hobbits? They have giant, hairy feet and love a good adventure. This book was my favorite in the series because it was the smoothest read and it covered all the back story.

4. Night by Elie Wiesel - The real life account of a concentration camp from the perspective of a little boy is heart wrenching. I literally cried the whole time I read it, but I learned a lot from it.

5. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson - The power of this piece and the lessons that can be learned from it could be very valuable. 

6. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles - I just love this book. Everyone should read it ;)

7. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - Definitely for an older crowd, but it's amazing. I think there are a lot of themes that would make fore great discussions or projects. 

8. Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen - A must read author for any teenage girl :)

9. The Diary of Anne Frank - Everyone has heard of her at some point, but reading her words really gives you a better understanding of her experiences and the world that she lived in.

10. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (or another classic romance)

Review: His Roommate's Pleasure by Lana Mcgregor

"It started with an accidental click…but where will it end?

Desperate to turn in a paper, Adam borrows his roommate's computer and mistakenly opens a folder that contains Josh's collection of porn. Adam had no idea that his jock roommate was gay—and into leashes, paddles and domination. And Adam, an inexperienced virgin who's only ever kissed one guy, is surprised to find himself curious about submitting…

Josh can't believe that his roommate discovered his spank bank—and he can't believe that Adam is so turned on by the thought of giving up control to someone. Taking a chance, he offers to look through the photos with Adam…and maybe try acting some of them out.

Night after night, the boys delve into their darkest fantasies of domination and submission. And as lust and experimentation grow into the promise of something deeper, Adam must decide if he's brave enough to tell Josh how he feels." (From Goodreads)

I really enjoyed this short story. I was a little skeptical. I mean, how do you "accidentally" find a porn folder? But Lana Mcgregor really accomplished it. It flowed and made you feel for Adam. You felt his embarrassment and shock. I can't even imagine getting caught watch porn, let alone someone else's.

The characters were real and grew a lot through the story which was also a surprise. Usually the development is lacking in stories this short. I really enjoyed how the stumbled through their relationship together, both inexperienced and new, wanting to experiment with each other. The BDSM wasn't hardcore, but the premise was there. 

The way the communicated with each other through the scenes was refreshing. It seems that in the more intense BDSM novels/novellas, the intimacy is there, but it's different. Adam and Josh shared a shy, tender foray into this world. Learning together what works for them, as a duo and individually. 

Adam and Josh are opposites, but I think that's what drew me too them. Opposites tend to work the best together even though they clash, at least in my experience. The jock and the geeky kid. Unlikely match, but perfect for each other.

This novella deals with a lot: BDSM, first times, homophobia, stereotypes and self-doubt. I would highly recommend this read, it's definitely worth it.