Times Square Kiss by Kevin Voglino [Poor]
Every day can be a kissing event. Race Palmer, the over sexual philanderer learns what it truly takes to find true love. His partner Christian Mir, a hopeless romantic searches for an iconic kiss based on Victor Jorgenson’s 1945 photograph of a sailor and woman embracing in Times Square. Does true love exist for him? He searches for that one kiss for an answer. First thing that came to my mind when I finished the story, "WTF?!" After leading me on for what I feel is the longest road trip I've ever read and introducing me to strange and crazy characters that come from nowhere, the author really throws a mean twist at the end, one that I didn't foresee at all (maybe because I skip-read half of the story).
Rationally, the ending is good. Irationally, I want to kill the author for the ending.
ePistols at Dawn by Z.A. Maxfield [Great]
Choose your weapons.
Jae-sun Fields is pissed. Someone has taken the seminal coming-out, coming-of-age novel Doorways and satirized it. He’s determined to use his Internet skills and his job as a tabloid reporter to out the author as the fraud and no-talent hack he’s sure she is.
Kelly Kendall likes his anonymity and, except for his houseboy, factotum and all-around slut, Will, he craves solitude. There’s also that crippling case of OCD that makes it virtually impossible for him to leave the house. He’s hidden his authorship of Doorways behind layers of secrets and several years’ worth of lies—until he loses a bet.
Satirizing his own work, as far as he can see, is his own damned prerogative. Except now he has an online stalker, one who always seems several steps ahead of him in their online duel for information.
A chance meeting reveals more than hidden identities—it exposes a mutual magnetic attraction that can’t be denied. And pushes the stakes that much higher, into a zone that could get way too personal…
Warning: This book contains large Korean men; Will, the houseboy, factotum, and all-around slut; hot sexy manlove including oral sex, and serious ass play. (Jae’s note to self: OCD + socks + mouth = BAD.)
The theme, plot, and characters of Z.A. Maxfield's books are varied. That's one of the things that I lover about her works.
In this one, I love the references to ebooks, smut, LJ, and the woman fans, which are the elements of another (online) world that I and some other people live in. It's familiar and it touched my heart.
I love the characters, they're beautifully and interestingly flawed. Their interactions with each other are a bit awkward, tentative, yet so endearing.
The Rest of Our Lives by Dan Stone [Good]
Colm McKenna has led a guarded life. Gifted with a wintry soul and a photographer's eye, he can stop time as easily as he freezes water, or call down cold north winds. He thinks he is alone and unique in the world. Then, seemingly by accident, he meets handsome writer Aidan Gallagher, his opposite, who's powers magically raise the temperature as well as quicken Colm's heart.
In this lighthearted, gay romantic fantasy, can two male witches whose passion reincarnates century after century, find a way to express their love for each other again? Can this enchanting pair finally succeed after so many lifetimes?
A nice story that gave me a warm feeling when reading it. I like their elemental powers, I like the feel of established-relationship between them, I like the lyric of the song mentioned in the story (although I don't know if it's a real song or not), and I like how the sex scenes are not graphic.
Nights in Pink Satin by Sharon Maria Bidwell [OK]
Vincent is a vampire of world renown, even if most people believe his story is a fable, but with age comes boredom. Seeking out new silk to line his coffin for his annual Halloween ball, he comes across a bolt of pink fabric. Curiosity leads him to a mistake that is about to change his existence.
Martin is a newly turned vampire and a lonely gay man. When he finds an extremely good looking and famous vampire in his humble abode, he's glad of the company even though he's afraid.
When a simple mistake leads to explosive passion, what's a vampire to do but look forward to a future of gay nights between sheets of pink satin?
Kind of rambling, but somehow made me curious enough to finish it.
Bring the Heat by M.L. Rhodes [Poor]
Police Detective Riley Ellison has a new habit...stopping by a coffeehouse called the Java Pit on his way to work. The coffee’s good, but it’s not the rich flavor that lures him to drive blocks out of his way each morning, and it’s not an addiction to caffeine either. He’s half-embarrassed to admit it, but it’s the man who keeps him coming back. The long-legged, painted-on-jeans-wearing, dark-haired, edgy sex god with the teasing eyes. He’s everything Riley—who has a history of geekdom and being flustered around hot men—is not. Riley knows he should put a stop to the daily forays because nothing can ever come of it. Guys like that aren’t interested in men like him. Yet every time the hunk meets his gaze across the crowded shop and aims a sizzling grin at him, Riley gives in and comes back to participate in the silent, sexy flirtation another day. Needless to say, the last thing he’s expecting when he goes to question a witness about a murder at a local gay strip joint is to discover the witness is his coffeehouse hottie.
Dane Scott works as a stripper strictly for fun. He doesn’t need the money—he’s got plenty in the bank from his other career. He just likes to have something to keep him busy a few nights a week. When one of his fellow dancers turns up murdered outside the strip club, the police detective who shows up on Dane’s doorstep asking questions is none other than the sexy, blond cutie he’s been flirting with at the coffeehouse for weeks. Riley Ellison’s a fascinating contradiction—rugged, strong, serious-eyed hero and bashful boy next door. A combination Dane finds all too appealing and a refreshing change from the selfish, shallow men he’s known and dated in the past. From the moment Riley flashes his badge, Dane’s determined to show the skittish cop they can make magic together.
The heat between them quickly soars to the boiling point and not even a murder investigation can cool the passion they share. That is, until new information on Riley’s case implies Dane may not be all he seems...
PWP.
A Note in the Margin by Isabelle Rowan [Great]
John McCann, a man who judges life by the tally of an accounts ledger, has a supreme goal in life: To achieve, live, and enjoy the rarified executive lifestyle. But he's encountered one problem.
'The migraines are going to continue to get worse unless you make some major changes in your lifestyle. What you need is a 'sea change'. Perhaps buy a nice little business in the country, settle down, something easier to occupy your time.'
While John knows the doctor is right, he just can't resign from the job he's fought so hard for. He decides the sacrifice of taking a year's leave of absence won't interfere too much with his plans, and so he finds himself running Margins, a cozy little bookstore, with the help of the former owner's son, Jamie. John expects to put in his year, get his stress under control, and then get back to business.
What John doesn't expect is how Margins and its denizens draw him in, particularly the quiet, disheveled man who takes refuge in the old leather chair in the second-hand book section. John's plans for an unattached year of simple business crumble when he meets David and is forced to reevaluate life, love and what he really wants from both. John and David are forced to come to terms with their pasts as they struggle to determine what possible future they might build together.
A tender and heart-warming love story. The plot is new and quite unusual. I like the soft and humane nuances that permeate the story.
This is a satisfying read if you want a change of scene from the regular erotica/romance stories.
Turner & Turner: One Good Turn by Amber Green [OK]
When his parents get a gander at the sex tape sent by a blackmailer, they offer Kendall Turner a few weeks of "rest" in a cushy clinic. No, he says, and hotfoots it across the lawns of the family estate. KT isn't his own worst enemy anymore; there's a new candidate for the title. Suddenly, Kendall's on the lam, trying to outrun a murder rap. Helping -- by locking KT naked in their motel room -- is his cousin Turn. KT has some issues: he manages to censor himself only when he lies, he's been in love with cousin Turn since forever, and he really would rather kill himself than get more rest at another clinic.
I don't know if it's me who can't read between the lines or if it's indeed the story that's confusing and cryptic and leaves a lot of unanswered questions. I guess this is another WTF?! story.
The Graft by Isabelle Rowan [OK]
Sean and Daniel have both been married before, yet when new legislation allows same-sex couples to register their partnership, Daniel begins to question their relationship. But Sean knows they are meant to be together.
I like the idea of handfasting, of a graft to create a stronger tree.
"Bound, but free. You have chosen to journey together, each supporting the other. Be ever mindful of the thoughts and happiness of your partner. Keep sacred vows you promise to one another. Seek always truth, and your partnership will blossom and flourish."
Notturno by Z.A. Maxfield [Good]
For antique document expert Adin Tredeger, finding a perfectly pristine five-hundred-year-old homoerotic journal is the highlight of a successful career. He’s smart, he’s cautious, and he’s determined keep it safe.
Donte Fedelta has only ever loved one man and the journal that celebrates their affair has finally resurfaced. He’s not above using every trick, including seduction and outright theft, to get it back. He knows Adin’s no match for a centuries-old vampire on a quest.
Adin Tredeger wants that journal. Donte wants it back. Neither man is prepared for something—or someone—they might want more.
I always enjoy Z.A. Maxfield's stories, but I admit that I was a bit wary when I read the summary of this one. Another story with vampire and mortal theme? Not that I dislike the theme, far from it actually, but for so many vampire and mortal-themed stories published, surprisingly, there are only a few decent ones. Lucky for me, Notturne is a decent one.
The background of the story is interesting, the romance is passionate enough without being unreasonable, and their actions are a good example of some sacrifices and compromises you have to make when you fall in love with someone and are trying to have a serious relationship with them. |
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