Guns N' Boys by K.A. Merikan (Guns N' Boys #1.2)

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Thriller, Romance 

Publication Date: October 8th 2014
POV: Alternating - Third-person, Past tense
Smut-O-Meter: 10 out of 10
My Rating: 5 out of 5 

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Love is sour like a Sicilian lemon.

The Family is always right.
The Family doesn’t forget.
The Family pays for blood in blood.

Domenico Acerbi grew up in the shade of Sicilian lemon trees ready to give his life for the Family. Ready to follow orders and exceed expectations. A proud man of honor.
When Seth, the younger son of the Don is kidnapped, it’s Domenico who is sent to get him back. The man he finds though, is not the boy he knew all those years ago. Lazy, annoying, spoiled, and as hot as a Sicilian summer.

Seth Villani wants nothing to do with the mafia. Unfortunately, he doesn’t get a say when the Family pulls him right back into its fold after his mother’s death. Thrown into a den of serpents otherwise known as the Villani Family, Seth has to find a way to navigate in the maze of lies. But when Domenico Acerbi, the most vicious snake of them all, sinks his fangs into Seth, the venom changes into an aphrodisiac that courses through Seth’s veins.

Domenico knows his life is about to change when he gets the order to train Seth up to the role of future Don. Seth isn’t made for it. He isn’t even made. But a man Domenico knows he would never have to fear might just be someone he’s always needed.

If Seth is doomed to follow in his father's footsteps, he might as well enjoy himself--with the most intoxicating man he’s ever met. Maybe he can even fool himself into believing that Domenico isn't a handsome sociopath who kills for a living.

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I enjoyed this more than part 1. I love how Domenico and Seth's relationship has grown. How I feel like they are now inseparable and forever, but Dom is still possessive and violent. I hope he never loses that. It gives their relationship an edge, so that you can never quite relax. And in his own way, it shows how much he needs Seth.

Dom isn't going to use words to tell Seth how he feels. While Seth said the 'L' word near the beginning of this book, it took the whole book and a near-death experience for Dom to say it back. Dom is more familiar with sex and violence and those are his best tools. Love doesn't change a man and I wouldn't want him to change.

I love the ending, as Dom puts everything on the line for Seth, leaving them in a very dangerous situation, and leaving Seth to take charge. Dom sacrificed so much for Seth already and if he needed anymore signs that Dom loves him, he got them.

I can't wait to read the next book and find out what happens next. The blurb says that Dom lost his memories after his injuries, and I am so looking forward to what happens when Dom meets Seth for the first time again. What will his reactions to him be this time? Will it be the same? How confused will he be about his feelings for his brother? I really hope that at some point he finds the pictures that he sewed into the lining of his coat. Perhaps that will be an eye opener for him. I expect to love it either way!

“I think I'll take a shower, shave, get refreshed." 

Domenico gave him a smile and lowered his voice. "Why? Because you still feel me inside?" 

Seth bit his lip and started playing with his fingers. "You're always here, inside." Seth pointed to his heart, and it was so sweet, Dom hardly recognize the horny beast behind that facade. 

He stared at Seth, unsure how to react to such honesty in reply to his dirty question.”

Guns N' Boys by K.A. Merikan (Guns N' Boys #1.1)

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Thriller, Romance
Publication Date: September 11th 2014
POV: Alternating - Third-person, Past tense
Smut-O-Meter: 10 out of 10
My Rating: 4 out of 5

_______________

Love is sour like a Sicilian lemon.

The Family is always right.
The Family doesn’t forget.
The Family pays for blood in blood.

Domenico Acerbi grew up in the shade of Sicilian lemon trees ready to give his life for the Family. Ready to follow orders and exceed expectations. A proud man of honor.
When Seth, the younger son of the Don is kidnapped, it’s Domenico who is sent to get him back. The man he finds though, is not the boy he knew all those years ago. Lazy, annoying, spoiled, and as hot as a Sicilian summer.

Seth Villani wants nothing to do with the mafia. Unfortunately, he doesn’t get a say when the Family pulls him right back into its fold after his mother’s death. Thrown into a den of serpents otherwise known as the Villani Family, Seth has to find a way to navigate in the maze of lies. But when Domenico Acerbi, the most vicious snake of them all, sinks his fangs into Seth, the venom changes into an aphrodisiac that courses through Seth’s veins.

Domenico knows his life is about to change when he gets the order to train Seth up to the role of future Don. Seth isn’t made for it. He isn’t even made. But a man Domenico knows he would never have to fear might just be someone he’s always needed.

If Seth is doomed to follow in his father's footsteps, he might as well enjoy himself—with the most intoxicating man he’s ever met. Maybe he can even fool himself into believing that Domenico isn’t a handsome sociopath who kills for a living.

_______________

I really loved this book, and probably would have given it 5-stars if not for the fact that it was incomplete, and the fact that it pushed my limits a little too much.

I was in the mood for a dark romance, and that is most definitely what I got. This book is . And Dom is a monster, a passionate, obsessive monster. I love him. Seth is not what I expected. Despite the fact that he is muscular and physically larger than Dom, he seems so weak in comparison. Even though Seth does not fit into Dom's world at all and Dom cannot help but laugh at him and mock him sometimes for his foolishness, there are still things about Seth that Dom finds completely irresistible, and not just his body. It is such a strange dichotomy. Seth's incompetence makes him roll his eyes, but at the same time his dependence on Dom make his blood burn.

I find it surprising that neither of them fought their relationship harder. The hard life they are in has no room for weakness, and in the Villani family being gay is a death sentence. But they both just threw themselves into it and never looked back. And on top of all that, they seem to be half brothers, which is completely disgusting of course, but I am holding out hope for a City of Glass moment.

One of the things about this book that I had a problem with was that there was a little bit of menage and some light bondage. Menage is usually an immediate deal breaker for me. If I come across a menage scene I will close a book immediately and never open it again. But the scene started over half way through the book and I already completely loved Dom and Seth and just couldn't give up on them that easily. Plus I could tell that the other guy, Silvio, was not going to be a permanent addition. So I just had to grin and bear it. If they had actually had sex I would have skipped the scene, but luckily they just did other things. It still made me extremely uncomfortable though and I hated Silvio. I noticed that he has his own series, Dark Soul, but I will not be reading it.

And there was some light bondage that came right after, with just Dom and Seth. It also made me really uncomfortable because I didn't like the way that Seth became so submissive and said that he had been a good boy. It felt so demeaning, as if he was just a dog. The only time I like it when someone becomes submissive is if it is out of love. Like in the last sex scene of the book. It was beautiful. Although neither of them have even thought the world 'love' yet, it seemed to be screaming at them in that scene. Seth hates to bottom but he did it for Dom and told him it was only for him, no one else, because he was the only one good enough. Dom was so tender and it was amazing. Being submissive out of love and not being forced to give up something.

I am totally in love with Dom and Seth and their complicated, angst-filled relationship. I love Dom's love tinged with obsession, and Seth's love tinged with fear. I can't see how things will work out for them and I am so excited to read the next part of their story to see what will happen next, and what they will be willing to sacrifice to try to make it work.

“Domenico was the human equivalent of his motorbike. Fast and dangerous, yet impossible to resist taking a ride on, even at the risk of getting hurt.”

Love & Loyalty (Faith, Love, & Devotion #2) by Tere Michaels

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publication Date: September 8th 2009
POV: Alternating - Third-person, Past tense
Smut-O-Meter: 8 out of 10
My Rating: 3 out of 5

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Detective James “Jim” Shea is a Seattle homicide detective who has never taken his work home with him – until now. A case has gotten under his skin and though it’s “over," it isn’t for Jim. The emotional toll has left him vulnerable and tied to the victim’s dying father.

Meanwhile, Hollywood comes calling for a hot story, and screenwriter Griffin Drake sees the tragic case as his ticket to more serious fare than his usual action blockbusters. But to get the whole story he needs to win over the stoic and protective Detective Shea.

Neither man has had much luck when it comes to romance or long-term relationships and neither is particularly looking but there's an attraction from their first meeting that can’t be denied. Their impromptu first date seems to have no end in sight – quickly becomes a barreling freight train of romance.

Looming problems outside threaten their relationship – death, secrets and broken trust – and they'll have to learn loyalty to save their newfound love.

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Going into this, I was looking forward to reading James story. I wanted to read about Matt and Evan more, but I treated this as if it were a separate series. I already knew James a little bit and I liked him enough. Griffin took a bit longer to get to know, but once I did I ended up loving him even more. He was a lot of fun and really livened things up.

But I still ended up being somewhat disappointed by this. Griffin and Jim got along great and their relationship reminded me of what Matt and Evan's was like in the beginning. But with the added benefit of sex. Seeing as Jim and Griffin were not new to this, they got to the sex a lot faster. But I never felt that they got past the buddy-pals stage.

The story went by pretty quickly and when Jim first told Griffin that he loved him I was so shocked! I thought, "Already?" But then I looked at my progress and realized I was already about 75% done the book! I was still waiting for the story to get started, but it was actually winding down and I hadn't even realized. It just felt so short and insubstantial. There wasn't enough meat and emotion to this story.

I feel like this could have been great with more time and more development of Jim and Griffin's relationship. They never really had any tender moments. They had some moments, but nothing really displaying a deeper love. It felt rushed, but I still enjoyed it. They were greater characters and I enjoyed the side-stories. But I really look forward to getting back to Matt and Evan.

“I know this is like the worst possible time, but I really need to tell you that I love you. Okay? Because I do. And you don't have to say it back or anything, but that's how it is.”

Faith & Fidelity (Faith, Love, & Devotion #1) by Tere Michaels

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publication Date: September 23rd 2008
POV: Alternating - Third-person, Past tense
Smut-O-Meter: 8 out of 10
My Rating: 4 out of 5

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New York City Vice Detective Evan Cerelli has lost his wife, the only person he ever loved and slept with. He's trying to get on with his life, build a life for his children. Former Homicide Detective Matt Haight is a ladies’ man, all sex/no commitment. He's depressed, having a midlife crisis, and not sure where his life is headed.
The two find friendship in the bottom of a shared bottle. When the friendship turns to love, it shakes two straight men to the core and flips their lives inside out. Kids, families, careers that are not gay-friendly -- can all the love in the world overcome the obstacles to faith and fidelity?

_______________

This is an absolutely beautiful story. I loved the way Evan and Matt's relationship developed from friendship to love. It felt very realistic and not rushed as these relationships are a lot of the time. It was not hard for me at all to believe that these two straight men were able to fall in love with each other.

They felt so natural together and along with the children. Matt just fit right in with Evan's family as if he belonged there, which is difficult to do considering how great of a family they were when Sherri was alive. It didn't feel like he was a replacement, but something new and different. I don't know how that was done so perfectly. I can't image a Cerelli without Matt in their lives.

I also really loved the 'gay for you' aspect, about how they were both completely new to the idea of being with another man, and they just figured it out together. They didn't rush things and haven't even had "A" sex yet. They just do whatever feels good and I loved it. Its the sense of discovery that I usually find and enjoy in YA romance.  But the erotica level was still perfect. Not too much, not too little.

I look forward to reading the rest of this series. I don't have anything against James, but I just wish I didn't have to read his story before getting back to Evan and Matt. I will soon enough though. I just love these guys and their amazing family and I want to see more of them.

Helena caught the look that passed between the two men and it was beautiful…the only word she could think of was beautiful. It was love and lust and such a tender expression of care she wondered if they had any clue how lovely it was to see.”

A Forbidden Rumspringa by Keira Andrews (Gay Amish Romance #1)

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publication Date: September 3rd 2014
POV: Male - Third-person, Past tense
Smut-O-Meter: 8 out of 10
My Rating: 4 out of 5

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When two young Amish men find love, will they risk losing everything?

In a world where every detail of life—down to the width of a hat brim—is dictated by God and the all-powerful rules of the community, two men dare to imagine a different way. At 18, Isaac Byler knows little outside the strict Amish settlement of Zebulon, Minnesota, where there is no rumspringa for exploration beyond the boundaries of their insular world. Isaac knows he’ll have to officially join the church and find a wife before too long, but he yearns for something else—something he can’t name.

Dark tragedy has left carpenter David Lantz alone to support his mother and sisters, and he can’t put off joining the church any longer. But when he takes on Isaac as an apprentice, their attraction grows amid the sweat and sawdust. David shares his sinful secrets, and he and Isaac struggle to reconcile their shocking desires with their commitment to faith, family and community.

Now that they've found each other, are they willing to lose it all?

_______________

This is a wonderful, touching story. My only complaint is that in the first section of the book there was too much focus on the sex and not enough focus of their relationship. I only felt that they had that wonderful, deeper relationship closer to the end. I didn't like how quickly they turned to sex. Especially considering their upbringing, I would have expected them to be more hesitant. And David had bought a gay magazine some time in the past and that was enough for them to figure everything out instantly. I never felt that innocence and sense of discovery that I love seeing in first-timers.

But that was only in the beginning. Once their relationship developed, their sexual relationship seemed to fit and feel more natural and I was able to focus on all the wonderful things about this book. I really loved Isaac and David. I felt for them and their situation so much. Especially when reminded of what happened to their brothers, and how hard things are for them, to be reminded of what they lost, and what it would fee like to the family they left behind if they left. They were both incredibly caring and wanted to best for their families. They tried so hard to do what they felt was the right thing. They were just amazing.

And I love how that played into their interactions with each other. They were so kind and caring to each other. So honest and polite. It is just who they were and how they were raised, but I really loved all the kind words and tender moments. I felt as if it added another layer to their affections, by making it so clear to each other. It was beautiful and I loved hearing them call each other "my David" and "my Isaac."

The last section of the book had me weeping. Pretty much from the time Isaac visited June until the end of the book I was in tears. I was so happy for Isaac to have made that reconnection. I was touched by all the support he received, proud of him for making the decision, and the ending was just so wonderful. I felt overwhelmed and I cried and I cried. I cannot wait to read A Clean Break. I will be reading it on release day.

“I think about what it would be like to live with you instead of a wife. To share a bed every night, and work side by side each day. I know its a terrible sin, but the thought of it makes my heart so glad." He sucked in a breath, trying in vain to stop tears from forming. "I want to be with you forever.”

Tattoos & Teacups by Anna Martin

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publication Date: July 6th 2012
POV: Male - First-person, Present tense
Smut-O-Meter: 9 out of 10
My Rating: 3 out of 5

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As a teenager, Robert McKinnon left his native Scotland and moved to America. That was sixteen years ago, and Professor McKinnon has never quite settled in his new home or found his place this side of the pond. He might be prematurely old, but he has his cat, and his books, and that's all he needs.

Then Chris Ford explodes into Robert's life with a crash of cymbals. The younger man is the polar opposite of Robert's calm civility. Bright tattoos cover his skin, and he wears his hair in a Mohawk and plays drums for a rock band. But he's a shot of color in Robert's black-and-white world, and Robert turns out to be the one thing Chris can count on. Despite all the reasons it shouldn't work, somehow it does.

Even if Robert wasn't looking for love especially not with someone nearly ten years his junior he can't deny being with Chris is fun. But sometimes Chris's free-spirited nature leaves Robert feeling vulnerable. If they can't find a balance between tattoos and teacups, their relationship won't survive and neither will Robert's newfound lust for life.

_______________

I read this really hoping to find another relationship like Howie and Arthur from Know Not Why, and I did a little bit, but not as much as I had hoped. Rob and Chris are not as different as Howie and Arthur, but there is a bigger age gap, which I liked. I always enjoy it when there is a large age gap or a big difference in physical size. And Rob did remind me somewhat of Arthur because of the way he talked so formally, and he actually had the accent to go with it. But he wasn't as funny and awkward as Arthur. I enjoyed Chris more. He was fun.

I didn't really enjoy the pace of this story. Everything moved so fast. Chris gives Rob a handjob on their first date. Second date he asks to meet his daughter. Whoa there, you know you are leaving in a few months to go back on tour and you are just ignoring that fact and meeting the family and everything. Telling everyone you are partners and even telling his work that you are his husband, but you have no idea where this relationship is going or if it will last beyond a few months? And the 'L' word popped up way too soon. Chris just said to Rob, "Tell me." And it was like Rob knew exactly what he meant and he said "I love you." But I didn't know what he meant and I was pretty surprised that Rob did. It felt way too soon.

Rob and Chris got along so well that everything just fell into place for them. There was none of the clashing of personalities that I was expecting. I usually like low angst stories but this was just ridiculous. Nothing happened! Their relationship was cute and I enjoyed them together, but the writing was awkward and kept me distanced from the characters making it hard to invest. Not that there was really anything to invest in. Everything was so clearly laid out that there was never any doubt of the outcome. I also found the sex scenes awkward, so I cant even give this plus points as an erotica.

So, while I was looking for a conflicted and angsty story I got a cute, smooth, simple read. Not what I was expecting at all, but still ok in its own right.

“I’ll do absolutely anything for you,” I vow. “If you want the moon, I’ll get them to gift wrap it.” 

“You’re such a romantic,” he says, and I can hear the smile in his voice.”

The Bone Orchard by Abigail Roux

Genres: Adult, Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Romance
Publication Date: August 11th 2014
POV: Alternating - Third-person, Past tense
Smut-O-Meter: 6 out of 10
My Rating: 3 out of 5

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After leaving a trail of terror and death in his wake, the notorious “Missouri” Boone Jennings finally meets his match in San Francisco when US marshal Ambrose Shaw catches up to him. The story of his capture, and the marshal’s bravery, has already become legend back east by the time Pinkerton inspector Ezra Johns gets off the train from New York City to testify in the murderer’s trial.

When Ambrose is unable to give witness to the evils he’s seen, Ezra becomes their lone hope for putting Jennings in a noose. But if Ezra thinks that’s his biggest problem, he’s got plenty to learn about life—and the afterlife—in the spirited West.

Fortunately, Ambrose is there to assist, and more than happy to oblige Ezra—in the courtroom or the bedroom. He spent his life bringing justice to the Wild West, and if he has a say in it, that’s how he’ll be spending his death too.

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This was a pretty good western ghost story. I don't read a lot of ghost stories, but this was really interesting. Ezra and Ambrose are both lawmen hunting the same killer. One a Marshall from California, the other an Inspector from New York. They hunt Jennings across the country, until they meet in San Francisco where they have tracked down Jennings. He is tried and hung, but continues to kill from beyond the grave.

I especially enjoyed the second half of the story, as time starts to pass more quickly, and Ezra and Ambrose watch the decades pass around them. The idea that having a nemesis is what makes the time worth living for them is different and unexpected. You would expect the good guys to defeat the villain, but not here, and that's okay. Ezra and Ambrose have each other, but protecting people is what their lives were about and so are their deaths. Meeting Ezra's nephew at the end was an interesting turn of events as well. I was not expecting more story at that point and I enjoyed the fact that others knew of Ezra and Ambrose's existence. Although, I wish they could have spoken more and that Owen and his friends could have known all the good Ezra and Ambrose have done over the last 150 years.

The romance in this was pretty disappointing though. I didn't really feel the connection between Ezra and Ambrose. It seemed to happen awfully quickly. They probably knew each other 3 or 4 days before they expressed feelings for each other. Eventually they said the 'L' word and it wasn't even made into a big deal. They both acted as if it was totally normal to fall in love after only a week or so and neither were surprised to hear the words.

But regardless of the passage of time, it wasn't used to its full potential. Their relationship could have been developed better in the given time. I don't really know what they loved about each other. We were not told. And I don't think we were ever told what Ezra looked like. When he first saw Ambrose he described him to us, but we were never given a description of Ezra and he is sort of just a blank in my mind. Also, in a story of 133 pages, there was time for more than one sex scene, but we were only given one. It wasn't super explicit but I enjoyed it. It was one of the few times when I felt their emotional closeness, as well as the physical, of course.

So this is a good read for people who enjoy ghost stories and paranormal, who don't mind some M/M on the side, but aren't looking for a romance at the moment. I wouldn't mind a sequel.

"I love you," he said quickly. "If I don't come back..." 

"No," Ezra hissed. "No, you must."

"Know I loved you a lifetime's worth," Ambrose gasped. "A lifetime."

Try by Ella Frank (Temptation #1)

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publication Date: November 12th 2013
POV: Alternating - Third-person, Past tense
Smut-O-Meter: 9 out of 10
My Rating: 5 out of 5

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Sex. Logan Mitchell loves it, and ever since he realized his raw sexual appeal at a young age, he has had no problem using it to his advantage. Men and women alike fall into his bed—after all, Logan is not one to discriminate. He lives by one motto—if something interests you, why not just take a chance and try?

And he wants to try Tate Morrison.

Just coming out of a four-year marriage with an ex-wife from hell, a relationship is the last thing on Tate’s mind. He’s starting fresh and trying to get back on his feet with a new job at an upscale bar in downtown Chicago.

The only problem is, Tate has caught the unwavering and unwelcome attention of Mr. Logan Mitchell – a regular at the bar and a man who always gets what he wants.

Night after night Tate fends off the persistent advances of the undeniably charismatic man, but after an explosive moment in the bar, all bets are off as he finds his body stirring with a different desire than his mind.

As arrogance, stubbornness and sexual tension sizzles between the two, it threatens to change the very course of their lives.

Logan doesn’t do relationships. Tate doesn’t do men. But what would happen if they both just gave in and…tried?

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Only once I had already finished this book did I find out that it was written by an author who had started out as a M/F author, and that this book was what got a lot of people into reading M/M romance in the first place. I am not a veteran of the genre, but I am not new to it either. This is my 13th M/M book, and I absolutely loved it. It is either the smuttiest romance, or the most romantic smut that I have ever read. I am gonna lean towards calling it the most romantic smut, because really, there is no need to have that much sex in a book unless you are writing a smut. Not that I am complaining. I love a good smut. But I really can't get into a book unless there is a good foundation to the relationship before sex comes into the picture. I have DNFed more than one book because they had sex sooner than I liked, and it made me uncomfortable (Sins & Needles and On Dublin Street to name a few). That did not happen here, despite how much sex there is in this book.

I really loved the pace in this book. I have read a lot of GFY stories where it only took the first advance for the straight guy to give in to his new and confusing feelings. I love how Logan took his time and visited Tate's bar several times to talk to him before Tate even realized he was attracted to him. And only several meetings after that did Tate agree to meet with him outside of work. They started with a few kisses before trying anything sexual, and even then Logan was patient and waited until Tate offered sex. It was so against his character and what he was used to giving. I loved how little either of them fought it. Tate was confused but once he realized what he wanted, he went with it. Albeit slowly. And Logan, as afraid as he might have been of commitment, he still knew he would not give up Tate to avoid it. They still had a few rough spot, but nothing too major. This was the story of two men who change each other's lives. How they get there and how they handle it. And I love how it wasn't overly complicated.

I also really enjoyed how evenly matched they were. Like Robbie pointed out, and like they both eventually recognized about themselves, they both liked to control and be controlled once and a while. It was a new dynamic and it worked for them. They are just so well matched for each other in every way. They challenge each other and balance each other, and understand each other. My only complaint is the way that the book ended to abruptly. Mid-sentence. I really don't like cliffhangers in books, and although this can't really be called a cliffhanger because it's not ended mid-action, it is ended mid-conversation and it is ended with a question without an answer. It always seems lazy to me when that happens. But its not enough to ruin the book for me. This book was emotional and beautiful as well as hot and exciting and I can't wait to read the rest of this story.

“You've changed me, and you don’t even realize it. Just being with you, near you? It makes me want to be a better person. You make me want to take a risk.” 

"What do you want to risk?" 

Logan let go of all the emotions he'd held so carefully at arm's length. Finally, with those feelings surrounding and engulfing him, he answered simply, "Everything."

A Rose is a Rose by Jet Mykles

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Novella
Publication Date: February 8th 2011
POV: Male - Third-person, Past tense
Smut-O-Meter: 8 out of 10
My Rating: 4 out of 5

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When his latest sugar daddy drops him like yesterday's news, Carson's got more than a bruised ego to deal with. He's broke! No designer clothes, no baubles, and while he loves his job with the burlesque show he needs to pay the bills.

Should be no problem. Carson's young and pretty, so it should be no trouble finding someone new to pick up his tab.

Instead, he finds Eddie. The superintendent of Carson's apartment building, Eddie couldn't be further from Carson's usual type, financially or physically, but his gift of a single red rose touches Carson's heart.

For the first time, Carson doesn't want to be just a kept man.

To live the life he always thought he wanted, he needs to find a new sugar daddy. But how can he part with the support of someone who seems to really love him?

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This story was so sweet! It took a bit for me to adjust to an effeminate MC. I have never read a book like this before. Where the MC is a man, refers to himself as a man and has no problem admitting it, but acts and dresses like a woman. It was a bit jarring at first, until I got used to it and I could see that that is just Carson. It's just who he is and he is wonderful.

He was also very much like Jet's usual MCs, with low self-esteem and I just could not wait to see him shown his true worth by someone. So enters Eddie, the superintendent of Carson's building, who, when he sees Carson crying over a bad break-up, gives him a single rose from his gardens. Carson cannot resist befriending the man because he is just so gosh darn sweet, and shy, and adorable, and straight.

 

Carson may be slaking his lust for Eddie alone, and Eddie is continuing to shyly dote on Carson, but it isn't until Carson confronts him about his attentions that it becomes clear that Eddie may not be so straight anymore. I really enjoyed the virgin factor too. Eddie wasn't a virgin be he was new to sex with men, and it was endearing to see Carson have to teach him what to do. But after the first time Eddie wanted to take charge, although he still needed help now and again, which was adorable despite the high intensity of the moment.

We never really get to know Eddie as well as I would have liked. This story would have greatly benefited from an alternating POV, but that may be too much commitment for a novella. Either way, Eddie was a bit of a cut out. Not that his characters was dull or unoriginal, but I just felt like I only saw his silhouette without the details of who he was. He was quietly caring, masculine, a serious sweet talker, and he loved Carson.

Carson on the other hand, is the kind of person that can always make someone feel better when they are having a bad day, even if his own day has been even worse. He will always have a smile for you. He knows he is beautiful, but he never acknowledges it in a conceited way. He may have used his looks to get the support of admirers, but he was not very confident about anything else. But Eddie believe in him, and, eventually, that was enough for Carson. Enough for him to get up off his butt and make his own like better, so that he could make a place in it for Eddie. :)

"Eddie, you can't do this to me. I do nothing for you." 

"That's not true. You make my world bright."

Keep Me by Anna Zaires (Twist Me #2)

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Dark, Romance
Publication Date: September 30th 2014
POV: Alternating - First-person, Present tense
Smut-O-Meter: 10 out of 10
My Rating: Did Not Finish

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Abducted at eighteen. Held captive for 15 months.

It reads like one of those headlines. And yes, I did it. I stole her. Nora, with her long dark hair and silky skin. She’s my weakness, my obsession.

I’m not a good man. I never pretended to be one. She can love me, but she can’t change me.

I can, however, change her.

My name is Julian Esguerra, and Nora is mine to keep.

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I absolutely loved Twist Me by Anna Zaires, and I wrote it a glowing review. I had been impatiently waiting for the sequel, Keep Me, for nearly a year, and doing everything I could to help promote Anna Zaires and her books.

Twist Me was dark and uncomfortable. And although I did not enjoy the BDSM aspects, or the "hero", I was impressed by the psychology of the story, and the way that it played with my emotions.

When I began Keep Me, I still felt uncomfortable with Julian, but I figured it would pass because the story and relationship between Julian and Nora was enough to distract me from any squick factors. I continued to read but it just got worse. Everything Julian said and did disgusted me, and when he took Nora in the gym, I had had enough.

I could not see it as a 'love my captor' story anymore. No matter how I looked at it, I could not see it as a story that intended to entertain. All I saw was an abused and severely traumatized woman who was being used by a monster. I began to see all the woman stuck in abusive relationship, who stay because they think he will change, because they think it is what they deserve, because they are afraid of the consequences of leaving. I can no longer find enjoyment in the glamorization of abuse that is very real for many trapped women.

Sometime between now and when I read Twist Me, I must have experienced a paradigm shift. I cannot explain it. I have longtime enjoyed stories like this, that stir emotions both good and bad, but I think perhaps this just reached a limit I didn't know I had. I quit at 28%. But I will still be following Anna Zaires closely, and reading any more books she releases (not Hold Me, book 3). I still support her efforts and I am really looking forward to more Krinar books.