Romance Book Review: Shawn Lane's Only For Him

Author: Shawn Lane
ISBN: 978-1-60272-676-5
Genres: Gay/ M-M/ Contemporary
Publisher: Amber Allure

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Barnaby has fallen for a man so completely different for himself. To get Nathan to notice him, Barnaby decides to take his older brother's advice and make himself over. Gone are the diamond nose ring and spiking bright blonde hair. The only problem is Nathan like Barnaby just the way he was. Now the problem is can the two settle in a happy relationship or will their differences be too much for them to form a relationship.

Sensitive love story between two completely different men. Sweet love story with just enough erotic romance to keep you reading. And what cuties on the cover.

Description: 

Barnaby Lassiter has had a thing for attorney Nathan Llewellyn since he began working at the law firm of Anderson, Llewellyn, and Stevens as an administrative assistant. Too bad conservative Nathan doesn't seem to know the flamboyant Barnaby is alive.

But a chance to take care of Nathan when he is ill leads to a date, and then so much more. Nathan continues to have doubts. Barnaby is the hottest man he's ever known, but their differences worry him. He's seen too many relationships that didn't make it.

All of Nathan's fears are realized when he witnesses the popular, too-appealing Barnaby in action at a club. When Nathan thinks their differences are too much to overcome after all and breaks off their relationship, Barnaby is left with a broken heart and an uncertain future.

And Nathan's left wondering if he's just made the biggest mistake of his life by letting Barnaby go...

Romance Book Review: Carol Lynne's Alone in a Crowd

Author: Carol Lynne
Series Connection: Cattle Valley
ISBN eBook: 978-1-78184-029-0
Genre: Gay MM/ Contemporary
Publisher: Total-E-Bound

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In the 27th installment in the Cattle Valley series, readers get the chance to delve into Ryan Blackfeather's background. Ryan is one of the first characters in the Cattle Valley series. He is the partner of Rio and Nate.

Ryan receives a phone call that his mother has died and he needs to clean out her home so that the landlord can lease her space. Ryan hasn't had anything to do with his parents since he was 17 years old and doesn't want to have anything to do with them now. However, he goes by himself to Oklahoma without telling his partners that his mother has died.

When he comes home he finally tells Rio and Nate his background and it isn't a pretty one, but to deal with his future he must deal with his past.

In other stories going on in Cattle Valley, Smokey decides to come home. He needs to make amends with Ezra and Wyn and hopes that he can also get grocer Elliot to pay some attention to him and make amends for not treating him well either before he left town.

There is a lot going on in this novella. Almost too much, but it continues the story, meeting and getting to know past characters better for future stories.

Description:
For years, Ryan Blackfeather prided himself on maintaining his composure no matter the situation. He has built a life around his desire to be needed, to feel important to those around him. His job as sheriff and the love of his partners, Nate and Rio, not only fulfil him they give him purpose. So why when he receives a phone call with tragic news does their love and support not comfort him?

The more Rio and Nate pressured him to talk about his sudden surly mood, the more Ryan began to resent them. The answer came at the height of a heated argument, it was time to return to the place and the people who first made him feel like he had nothing to offer. Only then would he figure out why he’d spent a lifetime searching for the acceptance of those around him.

Insisting he tackle his past on his own terms, Ryan returns to Oklahoma to face the demon, the one man in the world he could never please.

Romance Book Review: Jacob’s Ladder

Author: Z. A. Maxfield
Series Connection: St. Nacho’s
ISBN: 978-1-60737-806-8
Genre: Contemporary Romance/ M-M/ Gay Romance
Publisher: Loose-id

[Excerpt]

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

It isn't often that a book will touch so many cords when reading it, but Jacob's Ladder did for me. There were so many sides to this story. First the emotional angle of a man going through the worst few days of his life. Then the scenes of getting to know his hero older brother again and finally moving on to a new stage in his life.

Jacob (Yasha) can normally take care of himself. As an ex-solider he is strong. He's had arguments with his live-in lover before, but this one day he is sick with the flu and his lover to high on steroids. After receiving the beating of his life, Jacob heads to visit with his brother. With the threat of a flu epidemic, members of the bus he's on become worried to see Jacob's increasing worsening flu syptoms and make him get off leaving him at a motel in a small town.

The residents take Jacob into their fold and give him someplace to call home. When he meets J.T., Jacob assumes he's gay, only to realize that J.T. is conflicted about his sexual preference and dates a different woman every night. Still J.T. wants Jacob and comes to him in secret.

The story takes a turn to the hilarious when Jacob's brother comes to town. Dan has been subdued over the past several years, and so unlike the hero image Jacob has had of his brother. Now on the verge of divorce, Jacob is seeing the man he always remembered.

This story hits a many topics including domestic violence, men dealing with their sexual preferences, the Jewish religion and friendship. Be prepared for anything as you turn to the next page. Bravo to the author.

Description:
Jacob “Yasha”” Livingston is having a bad day. First there is the head cold. Then the orgy, the fight, and the hospital. Between that and the bus driver who ejects him — after accusing him of transmitting the Swine Flu — the rest of his day seems fairly vague. Now he’s stuck in a small town called Santo Ignacio and he has a whole lot of thinking to do.

One thing is, when fate speaks in the form of an EMT, maybe it’s time to listen. One man in particular, EMT, Jason “J.T.” Lents, with his shy smile and jade green eyes, seems more like an angel than a paramedic. But Jason has a date with a newer, prettier girl every night, despite the fact that he seems to return Yasha’s interest.

What will make J.T. happy? If J.T. is afraid of his feelings it might be Yasha’s chance to heal the healer. For this couple to find their way, it’s up to Jacob, his new friends, and the magic of St. Nacho’s… in St. Nacho’s 3 — Jacob’s Ladder.

Romance Book Review: Recipe for Love

Author: Carol Lynne
Series Connection: Cattle Valley Series Book 15
ISBN: 978-0-85715-033-2
Genre: Contemporary Romance/ M-M
Publisher: Total-E-Bound

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In Recipe For Love, Carol Lynne brings two long time characters together—Jay and Erico. Jay came to Cattle Valley, Lynne's fictional gay only community, after ending an abusive relationship. The town immediately takes the young man into their fold and does everything to show him support.

Erico is the owner of The Canoe. A premier restaurant in Cattle Valley. Everyone knows Erico as the town playboy and warns Erico not to mess with Jay. Jay on the other hand has his eyes set on Erico and while no one is looking seduces the man. It doesn't take much since Erico is completely in love with Jay.

What everyone doesn't know about Erico is that he is ill and needs surgery he has been putting off, but once he is back on his feet he isn't going to let Jay slip from his fingers.

Despite only giving this book four hearts, it really isn't a bad story just not what I expected Carol Lynne to write when it came to Jay's turn. He seemed like such a shy quiet man with a lot of potential for a completely different story. One that involved the old abusive lover coming after him and actually giving Ryan something to do. That's okay though, it is definitely a keeper and one that can't be missed for all of those who are following along with the Cattle Valley series. I wonder who will be next?

Description:
After years of living in fear, Jay De Luca has finally found a safe haven in Cattle Valley. Although he's beginning to open up around his friends, he's far from ready to get involved in another relationship. When handsome, Erico Morrelli tries to hire him away from a job he loves, Jay declines the restaurateur's offer, afraid of spending time with the town's playboy.

Ashamed to tell his friends he's sick, Erico tries to run The Canoe on his own despite protests from his physician. When he collapses at work, Erico begins to re-evaluate his future. His attraction to the one man he knows he should stay away from haunts him.

Can Erico invent a Recipe for Love or will he face his toughest challenge alone?

Romance Book Review: Cattle Valley: Vol 7

Author: Carol Lynne
Series Connection: Cattle Valley
2 books in 1: Bent— Not Broken and Arm Candy
ISBN: 978-1-907280-75-7
Genre: Contemporary Romance/ M-M / M-M-F/ Erotic Romance
Publisher: Total-E-Bound

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This is the continuation to the Cattle Valley series. Bent—Not Broken features the mayor's secretary Carol and the fire chief George.

After the tragedy that stuck Cattle Valley during Rodeo Days, Carol is injured and George can no longer keep his feelings for her at bay. He loves her, but he has spent the past 19 years in a secret relationship with musician Trick. Wanting more in this life than just a relationship on the sly, George breaks off his romance with Trick and pursues Carol.

Carol is in love with George, but she is one of the few people who knows about his relationship with Trick. She's already been in a relationship with two men and come out the loser, she doesn't want that to happen again. Should she take a chance that George means it when he says his relationship with Trick is over or should she just take a chance and maybe hope that his relationship with Trick continues and she'd be invited to become a part of it?

To be honest this wasn't one of my favorites in the series. I liked Carol's brazen personality in the other books and I missed it in this version. Plus I found myself rooting for George not getting back with Trick. It didn't seem like Trick treated George very well in their 19 year relationship. I think George gave Trick enough of his time. But...it was Carol Lynne and I just loved all her books. She's entitled to have one or two I disagree with.

In Arm Candy the story feature Mario and Asa. I really liked this series. The story line surrounding the two men worked out well. I liked the fact that there wasn't much derision between the two, even after the initial disagreement.

Mario works at The Gym with Rio and Nate. He has been in love with Asa, the town's billionaire, since he first met the man, but Asa hasn't seemed to want their relationship to go in a romantic direction--at least that is what Mario thinks.

Asa was hurt in the Cattle Valley Rodeo disaster and came to realize what he always knew--all of his friends only want him when he is throwing his money around. Now that he is hurt no one is around. He calls to Mario for help, but Mario is upset at him because he pushed him away when he tried to see him at the hospital. When he finally gets through to the other man they learn they had a misunderstanding the two men get to know each other better, while Mario helps Asa recovery from his injuries.

While we get a chance to visit with the friends at Cattle Valley over the holidays we can to learn a little more about Erico, the restaurant owner, and Jay, Cattle Valley's new comer.

Description:
Bent— Not Broken
After the tragedy at Cattle Valley Days, Carol McGowan woke in the hospital to find George Manning hovering over her. George confessed he’d fallen in love with her, but Carol is skeptical. She knows George is bi-sexual and has been in an ongoing secret affair for years. She’s been down that road before and ended up on the wrong side of lonely. Carol learned from her previous relationship and isn’t in any hurry to jump back into another ménage.

George Manning has spent the last nineteen years hiding his love for his closeted friend and country music legend, Trick Allen. After almost losing Carol, George decides to grab hold of the love in front of him, instead of the dream he’s always chased.

Trick Allen spent years building his career. With the reputation of being a typical love ’em and leave ’em superstar, Trick hid his love for George from the rest of the world. When presented with the choice of losing George forever, or stepping out of the glittered closet he’d become accustomed to, he is faced with the ultimate decision. Is a real life worth risking his career?

Three people, with very strong personalities, try to blend love and home amidst a national outcry of vehemence.

Arm Candy
Asa Montgomery is a hard man to figure out. He's got millions of dollars in the bank, a host of men vying for his bed and he's still miserable.

When a tragedy leaves him broken and battered, Asa quickly finds out who his real friends are. Left alone with only his household staff to nurse him back to health, Asa realises he wants more than just a pretty man to adorn his bedroom.

Mario Benta was fooled by a rich man in the past. They may say you're the only one for them, but what they really mean is, you're the only one until something younger and sexier comes along.

Despite Mario's growing attraction to Asa, he'll be damned if he'll allow himself to be another man's arm candy.

When Asa sets out to change Mario's mind, he'll discover it takes more than money to gain the heart of the ex-Army Ranger. (By the way I think this is wrong. I though Mario went into the Marines not the army--but maybe I missed something.)

Romance Book Review: Slow-Play

Author: Carol Lynne
Series Connection: Poker Night Series
ISBN: 978-1-907010-42-2
Genre: Contemporary Romance/ M/M

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Carol Lynne is my favorite author in this genre. She does an excellent job at conveying love and romance between men. I find her writing to be refreshing and without the standard stereotypes that can be found in the genre.

Slow-Play is no different. The second book in the Poker Night series leaves me hanging on the edge of my seat waiting for what will come next in the poker buddies lives.

The story between Bobby and Jules was developed for such a short novel. The characters were well written and the men as a couple were quite compatible even though they came from different positions in their life. Carol didn't play on the angle of age too much, which was appreciated because that would have just been another barrier that the couple in the story didn't need.

Waiting in anticipation for book number three, but I haven't seen any indication of when it will be released. I hope soon.

Description:
Charter Captain Bobby Quinn loves life on the water. What he hates is working for his brother.

Charter Captain Bobby Quinn loves life on the water. What he hates is working for his brother. After years spent restoring an aging wooden yacht, his brother bought it out from under him. In Bobby's mind, if family will screw you at the drop of a hat so will everyone else so, except for his bi-weekly poker game, he sticks to the solitude of the boat he loves.

Dr. Jules Peters knows all about solitude. When not working endless hours as Head of Emergency Medicine, he's tinkering in his garage. A collector of vintage cars in need of TLC, Jules has an impressive collection of cars but few friends.

Jules meets Bobby when he's given a cruise around the San Francisco Bay as a gift. Although their mutual attraction is explosive, neither man is ready to move out of his comfort zone. It might take a meddling med student and an off-season football coach to get these two loners to see there's more to life than caring for inanimate objects.