but you have a Look,

…that is all mine.

That Look says you want me,

On my knees,

On my back,

Up against the wall.

That Look says you need me,

As your lover,

As you friend,

Always by your side.

That Look says you respect me,

My opinions,

My feelings,

Even my personal space.

That Look says you love me,

Despite past,

Despite my shortcomings,

Despite my fears,

Despite me being just an average guy.

You might not know this,

But you have a Look

…that’s just mine.

~Khym London~

Title:

Series: Perfect Strangers 18

Author: Diana DeRicci

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Short (52pgs)

Publisher: OmniLit / All Romance eBooks, LLC (5^th February 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Two men. One roof. Who knew togetherness could be so dangerously tempting?

Korbin is looking for a renter to help make ends meet. Not quite ready to make the offered room a squatter’s paradise with a public ad, he advertises by word of mouth. Turns out he’s doing it at just the right time.

Cage is relocating for a new job and needs a no-hassle place to live. He’s wary about sharing space with a total stranger, but the opportunity to be able to start at his new job without this stress is too good to pass up.

Except one of them is hiding a secret identity and his past has taught him to not talk about it. Friendship brings the men closer, but will the secrets they both carry keep them from exploring a deeper attraction between them?

Purchase Link: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-underoneroof-676864-145.html

Review: Korbin is wary of letting just anyone rent his room so after careful consideration he allows Cage to have the room. Cage has just relocated for his new job and is happy with his new landlord; he just wishes that Korbin wasn’t so jumpy.

This is a sweet little short of two men lusting after each other while each thinking the other is straight. Korbin is wary of letting anyone know his secret’s after the last person he confided in lashed out at him but when Cage reads a little of what he has written he is surprised by his reaction. Cage is a cop (constable?) and has his own heartache from the past, when all their secrets are revealed they come together and it’s the start of something sweet.

Okay I will hold my hands up and say that I was thrown at first with what Cage did for a living and what country this was set in, why? You ask, well because Korbin referred to the Constable’s office and to be honest with you I never knew that in some U.S. States they have constables, I know the U.K. and Australia do but not America (I learn something new every day). So once I got that sorted out I really enjoyed this story as they were both wary about opening up to each other but once everything was out in the open they blossomed.

So with this one I will recommend this to those who want something short and sweet, with a touch of angst, a touch of heartache, a hot couple, erotic passion and a happy ending.

Title:

Series: A Sanctuary Story 02

Author: R.J. Scott

Genre: Action, Adventure, Mystery, Suspense

Length: Novel (196pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (18^th February 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: One dead girl, one scared witness, and two men trained as Navy SEALs. Whether searching for justice or revenge, the final showdown between them is the same—explosive.

Dale MacIntyre, former Navy SEAL, works for Sanctuary. He’s the acting handler for a member of the Bullen family’s inner circle. He’s close to obtaining the evidence he needs to prove Elisabeth Costain’s death was ordered by them… until someone gets in his way.

Joseph Kinnon, active Navy SEAL, is back on US soil for the first time in months, and he’s told the tragic news that his stepsister is dead, gunned down in an alley by an unknown assailant. He’s determined to find out who murdered her… until someone gets in his way.

They both want the same thing but have different methods of accomplishing their goals. They both want the Bullen family brought to account, but one wants justice and the other wants revenge.

What happens between them, however, has nothing to do with either.

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/the-only-easy-day-ebook-p-818

Review: This is slightly different from what I am used to from R.J. Scott but it is no less impressive. Dale may be an ex-Navy Seal but a horrific incident in his past has jaded him to the Seals and he has no faith in them. Joseph is an active Navy Seal and he wants to find his sisters killer but when he finds brick walls thrown up in his way he is determined to get to the truth even if he has to tear them down with his bare hands.

Well this is a slightly gritty more brutal story than the last one and all I can say is that Dale and Joseph have a more un-traditional connection than the normal romance that we are used to. Joseph wants justice for his sister but Dale doubts that is all he wants, Dale is convinced that Joseph will go in guns blazing to kill the one who ordered the hit on his sister, Joseph just wants the man who did order the hit to pay for it through the courts so his mother and step-father can have some peace.

Dale and Joseph are both strong confident men who have both got  careers that they love.  The connection between them is hard to see at first because of Dale’s attitude toward Joseph, but you get a feel for both of them and once Dale accepts Joseph is not one step away from a bloodbath his longing for the other man comes through. We get to see past characters of Morgan and Nik as they are still trying to bring down the Bullen’s and Joseph tracks them down trying to find answers.

This isn’t a traditional relationship… they are not going to buy a little house with a picket fence, Joseph is going to still be gone a lot but Dale will be his port in the storm, this is a beginning for them and I don’t know why but I think that they still have another story in them.

So I will recommend this to those who love danger, explosive car chases, hot sex, total alpha men, bloody rescues and a happy (for these men) ending.

Title:

Author: Lisa Worrall

Genre: Contemporary, Slight Mystery.

Length: Novel (242pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (28^th November 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Of all the bars in all the towns in all the world, the stranger walks into Brody Tyler’s. With no memory and a name he chose from a newspaper, Nash is a gamble—one Brody is willing to take. It isn’t long before Brody and Nash fall in love, but then a tragic accident shatters their cozy world, resetting Nash’s memory once again.

The “new” Nash Walker is a businessman with a bottom line, and he doesn’t care what or who gets stomped on. Waking up in a hospital bed after a hit-and-run with no idea where he’s been for the past six months is bad enough, but someone trying to kill him is even worse. Enter Brody Tyler, accidental bodyguard.

Brody’s determined to help Nash remember and bring back the man he loves. Nash thinks Brody’s a drop-dead gorgeous pain in the ass. If only he could remember….

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=278&products_id=2649

Review: Brody takes a chance on the man who walks into his bar with a story of pain and amnesia, Nash is the name he has chosen and they settle into friendship then more, Nash has had to start from scratch after being attacked and left for dead and Brody is the man he falls in love with… until an ‘accident’ takes away the months he spent with Brody. Can Brody break through the businessman to get to the Nash inside? And will Nash ever remember the lost months he shared with Brody?

This is a story that will make you feel a lot of emotions whether you want it to or not, you will feel anger, you will feel compassion, you will feel joy, you will sympathies with the characters and you will want to smack Nash upside the head. When Nash walks into Brody’s bar he is like a clean slate, he has no walls and he has nothing to hide as he and Brody become friends and then embark on a relationship, he might never remember the man he used to be but he likes the man he is now.

I have got to say that this is a story that got me thinking, if I lost my memory today would I be the same person tomorrow and I have to admit that no I wouldn’t, just the same as Nash the things that I have experienced in life have molded me to be the person that I am. I have to applaud Lisa Worrall for how she handled the character of Nash. When we first meet Nash he is a sweet, happy wonderful man but when he loses his memory again he reverts back to the uncaring hardened businessman that he created to fulfill his father’s request.

As someone tries to kill Nash his mother hires a bodyguard and Brody steps in hoping that being close will jog Nash’s memory but trying to look like he knows what he is doing and getting to know the new Nash puts a strain on Brody. Brody has his work cut out for him trying to break through that shell and it isn’t pretty, he has to go through a lot of pain and heartache and how he clung on to the hope I really don’t know but the glimpses of his Nash that he catches are all that gives him hope as he really isn’t liking Nash the businessman.

This story is well written with great main characters as well as supporting characters that bring the story alive. I think a lot of thought was put into the characters of Brody and Nash and exactly how far they could be pushed and I think that the author pulled it off brilliantly.

I have to recommend this one for those who love a slight mystery, danger, and hot sex, a bit of angst, great characters and a happy ever after.

This wasn’t what I wanted.

But, it was what you thought I needed.

Wasn’t in my master plan,

It was my destiny.

Every kiss before you

Was foreplay.

You are mine.

I am yours.

-Khym London

Author: Michael Mandrake

Genre: Paranormal, Historical

Length: Novella (96pgs)

Publisher: Renaissance eBooks Inc. (Sizzler Editions) (20^th January 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥2 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: After losing his lover to mental disorder, Dr. Hayden Curry throws himself into work, silently wishing he could experience something extraordinary in love. He finds his match in David, a creature Hayden revives after discovering him and hauling him back to his lab. Upon awakening, David asks Dr. Hayden’s help in discovering more about himself. Hayden agrees but senses secrets in David. Will he get to the bottom of things and be able to continue the special relationship he and David have, or will the secrets that come forward tear them apart?

Purchase Link: http://shop.renebooks.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MANDRAKE-01

Review: Hayden is called by the police to help to identify a mysterious half-man, half-beast, but when he gets it back to his laboratory he makes a startling discovery. David is the creature that Hayden revived and he has an ulterior motive for being there.

This is quite a strange paranormal story. Hayden is still missing his lover who is locked away in a mental institution when he inadvertently revives a beast-man.  it is the beginning of a complex relationship where David keeps secrets from Hayden and Hayden is steamrolled into a relationship. I am not really sure how to feel about this relationship as it was based on lies and half-truths and I was expecting Hayden to be a much stronger character.

David is far more than a shifter; although we don’t get the full truth for some time and he also seems to be slightly unbalanced, although that could just be a natural part of his behavior.  Hayden seems to be quite a strong character, but against David, he becomes more submissive. I also think that when Hayden learnt the full truth that his reaction should have more explosive and that he should have at least questioned his own feelings for David.

The sex between them is quite erotic. I was left slightly bemused by the ending as I was left with some questions as to the reality of the situation that they left behind. Although I liked Hayden I felt like he had made the biggest mistake in his life because he had been played from the first and been manipulated into loving David. David acted a lot of the time like a child who was going to have his toys taken away, what tantrums.

So if you want something a bit different that has hot sex, an unstable demon, a gullible Doctor and a happy ever after then this is for you.

Author: Lee James

Genre: Mystery, Suspense

Length: Novel (290pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (6^th February 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½ – 5Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Rock star Brent Hunter has a plan to get back to the top of the charts—until his jet vanishes en route to London. Four months later, a phone call convinces Austin Hunter that his brother is alive and in hiding. That or it’s all an elaborate and deadly confidence game.

Austin turns to private detective Kirk MacGregor to find the truth about his brother. As Kirk follows a trail of dead-end leads in the most perplexing investigation of his career, a strong attraction simmers between him and Austin, despite the fact they’re both married.

Together they unearth a tragic family history of violence, pure greed, and a thirty-year-old fratricide as they take on the coldest killer since Hannibal Lecter. But deadly foes have nothing on the painful truths and even more painful losses Kirk and Austin must face… and none of that compares to confronting what they feel for each other.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2755

Review: I think a lot of people will be put off this book by the blurb, but let me set you straight the blurb is misleading.  There is no cheating and only 1 kiss between Austin and Kirk until the very, very end.

Kirk has been hired to find out what really happened the week before Brent Hunter’s plane disappeared.  As the truth emerges, secrets come out and lives are in danger. As a sociopathic hit man eliminates connections, Kirk is running out of time to piece together the mystery of who hired the hit man and why.

Wow.  This is a brilliant mystery and suspense story where you really don’t know who to suspect next.  Austin and Kirk become good friends while working out the mystery.  Kirk accepts his sexuality and begins a new relationship with Stan who he has been flirting with for two years. Austin loves his husband Jase and needs to know what happened to his brother and where he is. As the suspense and mystery build up, the bodies pile up and it’s a twisting road to get to the truth.

This is a well written story that focuses mainly on the mystery and suspense while the romance is in the background but no less important.  This story has a lot of twists, false leads, excitement, investigations, gruesome murders, hidden secrets and shocking turns. When I started this book I was gripped by the prologue and I knew that there was no way I was putting it down until it was finished. The characters are well rounded and the main players were all described in detail with enough background that they had a depth to them that you can connect with.

The way this was written was brilliant because it came from various POV’s including Phillip the hit man’s.  This is a complex mystery/suspense/romance that misleads and shocks.  From who Kirk falls in love with to finding out who put out the hit, all through the book your suspect changes as more information comes to the fore and the actual person who did hire the hit man… I never even suspected. The loss and grief are brilliantly done and made my heart ache especially near the end; I thought that it was just too devastating.

With this story we get a true suspense/mystery that just happens to be m/m.  it isn’t m/m with some mystery and suspense thrown in to pad it out, it’s the story that counts and I have to say that if this had been an m/f I still would have enjoyed it (and I hate m/f with a passion). The developments of the relationships are wonderful from the romance to the friendship. I also enjoyed that we got flash backs to the week before Brent disappeared, which gave us some information but gave us doubts and more leads to follow. And the ending… was not what I expected and I really thought it was a cruel twist (but really well done… Bravo).

This one I am going to recommend that you all give it a shot because between the mystery/suspense/romance, action, hidden secrets, the hot sex, danger, murders and twists this is one book that really needs to be read.

Title:

Series: A Buckhead Tale – Appearances Trilogy 01

Author: Etienne

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (294pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (10^th February 2012)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating:  Rating♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Attorney Charles Barnett thought it was all over for him and his heart. In the three years since his partner died, he hasn’t felt so much as a spark of attraction to another man. That suddenly changes when Charles is assigned a new case and meets his new client. Recent widower Philip d’Autremont has been traveling in all the same circles as Charles, but somehow they’ve never managed to meet. Now that they have, both men find themselves falling hard and fast.

But there’s more than one hurdle to Charles and Philip beginning a love affair, much less maintaining it: Philip is on trial for murder, a politically ambitious and homophobic district attorney is determined to convict him, and Charles is responsible for Philip’s defense.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2760

Review: Etienne has done it again.  Giving us a sweet story that shows us the more mundane, as well as the exciting, but always weaving a tale that gives us joy to read.

Charles is plodding through his life but not taking the time to really enjoy it since the death of his partner.  When his mentor asks him to take a case his life is suddenly filled with color again in the shape of Philip, his new client. Philip needs Charles to help him to clear his name without having to divulge his alibi.  Philip needs all the help he can get with a district attorney who is out for his blood, but will falling for his counsel make things harder?

As always with Etienne’s stories there are wonderful descriptions of the surrounding areas.  full details about the legal aspects of being a gay couple and a true love story of deep and abiding love. Charles and Philip have an instant attraction which they explore to the fullest.  As their relationship rapidly progresses, the case is proving difficult as the police are blocking their moves and they have to investigate it for themselves.  With the help of friends and colleagues will they finally get to the truth or will the truth be harder to believe.

A well written story that brings us the characters that we have been intrigued by for many a book… Charles and Philip.   for many books Etienne has teased us with glimpses of these men and given us hints about their past and now finally they are here telling us their story and what a story. Charles has stayed away from men ever since his partner Robert died.  That is, until he met Philip and it was love at first sight and the feeling is mutual.

The progression of this book is the same as always. So if you are a fan of Etienne, then you know the formula he runs to and Etienne doesn’t disappoint. These guys make love but we don’t get great detail, it is more implied and it works well. Etienne’s stories always give us more in the day-to-day relationship than anything else.  Yes, there’s the investigation but it isn’t the be all and end all.  this author shows us the day-to-day running of their relationship and it’s good.

So I have to recommend this to those who like long-term getting established couples, mystery and investigations, gentle love and finding out more about the characters that have intrigued us in the past. P.S. I can’t wait for the next two books.

Title:

Author: Lisa Worrall

Genre: Contemporary, Crime, Thriller, Vampires

Length: Novel (301pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (21^st January 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Max is hunting a killer who leaves bodies drained of blood. After being attacked, he never expected to wake up in Carter’s bed. Who is this man? What is his dark secret?  Is he the one leaving a trail of bodies across the city?

Detective Max Bowman is hunting a serial killer terrorizing the city, who leaves victims drained of blood. No fingerprints, no clues, no ideas. Only a mysterious inscription carved into each body.

Frustrated with the lack of progress, Max takes a break in a local pub.  Attacked by the attractive man buying him drinks, he is left for dead in the alley behind the bar.

Waking up in Carter Gray’s bed was the last thing he expected.  Who was this mysterious man?  What was his dark secret?  Why does he make Max tremble with anticipation every time their eyes meet?

It becomes apparent that Carter is the only one with the ‘expertise’ to help him find the killer.  But is his attraction to Carter clouding his judgment and is he refusing to acknowledge that the killer may well be Carter himself?

CONTENT ADVISORY: This title contains a MF scene, in addition to the MM scenes.

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/thirst-ebook-p-718

Review: Max is attacked after he picks up a guy in a bar; just as everything goes black he is rescued. Carter doesn’t know what came over him when he rescued the guy from the bar and what’s worse he wasn’t able to drain him dry, now he has the sexy man in his bed asking him questions.

This is a well written novel with the concept of vampires always draining their prey. Carter has been around for a while now and his sire taught him to cover up his kills well, but when a man is attacked and he comes to the rescue he tosses his prey away carelessly. Max is the man he rescued, a detective who is hunting a serial killer. Max asks questions but the answers he gets are hard to believe, but when the bodies of the two men that attacked him are recovered he learns that things are not quite as they seem.

Carter and Max are both surprised by their reaction to each other and as they get to know each other Carter begins to realize that his past has caught up with him and he has put Max in grave danger. Max is drawn to Carter, but he is a detective and Carter a killer.   How can he reconcile the two?   Max and Carter make a passionate and erotic couple, both trying to fight what they feel, but unable to.

Now there is a warning that there is a m/f scene and to be honest with you I found it easy to discount because it was a case of Carter playing with his food.   it had no bearing on the story other than as a way for Carter to eat and to try to get his mind away from Max. I thought Lyle and Boyd were very well written, but I wanted a more violent confrontation between Cater and Lyle when the truth emerged (I am bloodthirsty ), the ending could have been left open for Lyle’s story but we will just have to wait and see.

So all in all I have to recommend this to those who love darker vampires, scorching sex, conflicted emotions, vampires bent on revenge and a great story-line and a happy ending.