Four-Letter Words by Gabrielle Evans

Title: Four-Letter Words [Haven 8]
Author: Gabrielle Evans
Publisher: Siren-BookStrand, Inc.
Pages: 55,404 words
Characters: Zasha Gershwin and Thane Braddock
POV: Zasha Gershwin and Thane Braddock
Sub-Genre: Gay Paranormal (Vampires/Werewolves, Magic)
Kisses: 4.5 Kisses

Blurb:

Zasha Gershwin lives a rigidly controlled life. He doesn’t see anything wrong with being prepared and organized, and he certainly doesn’t have time for such frivolous things as love. He cares for Thane, and he’s certainly attracted to the witch, but that’s just how the mating bond works.

While his mate may not remember their previous life together, Thane Braddock has no trouble recalling every moment, right up to their tragic end. Now, he has a second chance to make everything right. Unfortunately, he’s making all new mistakes this time around.

Evil lurks to the west, spreading its shadow across the desert, and the races hover on the verge of war. When the Braddocks are called to answer the rising threat, Thane and Zasha’s turbulent relationship will be pushed to its breaking point. Can they rekindle the old flame before it’s too late? Or is history destined to repeat itself?

Review:

I really like Gabrielle Evans’ Haven series, which ties in with her Moonlight Breed series. Although you do have fated mates who make you feel “complete”, this pairing (or tripling in some cases) is not a guarantee of happiness. Mates might be matched, but their personal baggage can cause serious problems including hatred between mates.

Having said that, this book is a great example of personal baggage and expectations getting in the way. Gabrielle Evans’ characters are likeable, flawed, and like the rest of us, their choices have a serious impact on their happiness. I won’t say too much, since I don’t want to give any spoilers, but watching Zasha as he struggles to compromise and Thane as he learns to balance his memories against the man Zasha is, made me really love the characters.

Although you could read this book as a standalone, I would definitely suggest reading the Haven series before reading this book, mostly for the extra back story that adds nuances to the book that reading it as a standalone doesn’t give. Gabrielle Evans is definitely learning and growing as an author and I look forward to reading her future releases.

Reviewed By: Alison

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Night of Ceremony by M. Raiya

Title: Night of Ceremony
Author M. Raiya
Publisher: Torquere Press
Pages: 81
Characters: Josh, Varian
Sub-Genre: Fantasy
Stars: 4

Blurb:

Night of danger.
Night of choices.
Night when everything will change.
That is, if Varian and Josh survive the Night of Ceremony.
Varian and Josh first appeared in the novel Notice.

Review:

Night of Ceremony by M. Raiya is a very good story with strong characters and a great plot. I really liked Varian’s character. He was such a strong leader and had so much love for his family, you could feel it when you read about him.

Josh was fun to learn about, he is still learning about his powers and what they mean to his life. But he is sure about his place beside Varian, and the fact that they adopted a wonderful child and are raising her together makes everything so much better.

The night they were to officially bring her into the clan of dragons a terrible accident happens and the men are pulled away to help their friends the humans in the town nearby. Even faced with terrible hardships and an eternity they cannot full predict they are so strong with each other that nothing can stop them.

Reviewed By: Jerry

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Dragonblade by Mychael Black

Title: Dragonblade
Author: Mychael Black
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Pages: 143
Characters: Kalen, Braen, Micheil
Sub-Genre: Fantasy
Kisses: 5

Blurb:

Legends tell of a dragon-forged weapon so powerful, it possesses the ability to traverse time itself. Knowing the havoc it could wreak, the dragons sealed it deep beneath the mountains.

No one was meant to find it, let alone wield it.

General Kalen Ysindroc, leader of the human king’s armies and the long-lost son of Socendor’s most feared wizard-king of old, is in a race against time. His half brother, Braen, is searching for the sword as a means to return their father from the grave. Kalen must not let that happen. Joined by his elven lover, wizard Micheil Thierauf, he sets out on a journey beneath the mountains to stop Braen from doing the unthinkable.

As secrets come to light that test Kalen’s faith in every way possible, including his trust in the man he’s loved nearly all his life, the right path is as clouded as the murky, dragon-blood-tainted waters of the Ebon Sea. And Kalen is forced to make a decision that could very well be his last.

Review:

Treason and treachery, magic and steel, clawed behemoths, and secrets no man should ever keep from his lover. These are some of the reasons why Dragonblade by Mychael Black is one of my favorite books that I have had the pleasure to review.

Kalen’s character was very strong. He knows who he is as a man, but is still learning where he came from. This makes for a very strong character that has a lot of depth and just the right amount of insecurity. Even with these small doubts that he has about the man he is, you can tell he has never doubted the love he has for Micheil.

Micheil is a strong elf and has strong magic, but he knows that it will never compare to the magic that is inside Kalen. He sees the changes going on with his lover, but is powerless to stop them. There is also a part of his past he has never told Kalen; either out of fear or out of shame. He’s going to have to tell him but with the time is just never right. Can these two men come to terms with their past and the past of their ancestors?

It was so easy to get lost in the world that Mychael Black created! Between the strong plot and loveable characters, I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from this author in the future! Highly Recommended!

Reviewed By: Jerry

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Romancing the Devil by DJ Manly

Title: Romancing the Devil
Author: DJ Manly
Publisher: Silver Publishing
Pages: 107 (using a color nook)
Characters: Maurice and Tracy
POV: 3rd
Sub-Genre: Paranormal
Kisses: 5

Blurb:

Lost and floundering, searching for his true self, Maurice Darrell once found comfort in the church as a priest but left after discovering he no longer agreed with the church’s philosophy. The church, however, never lost sight of Maurice because he’d once been one of their most powerful exorcists. When a prominent senator turns to the church to exorcise his son, the bishop asks Maurice to render an opinion. Prone to odd behavior, Tracy Ross baffles the mental health professionals. Upon seeing Tracy, Maurice isn’t sure if Tracy’s behavior is a result of demon possession or the young man’s determination to rebel against an all-controlling and uncompromising father. Maurice has seen it all before, or has he? Romancing the Devil pits a defrocked priest against incredible evil, bringing a lost young man peace and, ultimately, love.

Review

I swear there are just some people who were meant to be writers and DJ Manly is one of them. I haven’t read a book DJ wrote that I haven’t loved and that in itself is unusual for me. I can love one book and not so love the next but not the case here at all. I was all over Blood Pond and its sequel, and again all over this one.

The opening of this story caught me due to this here: “Nothing can be real if not seen…” Not only did it catch me but that passage is the overall theme, or I should say the answer to the mystery of the plot… Yet it’s not one you are going to expect. Mystery? Thriller? Or perhaps I can look at it as me over analyzing something when there was not a single reason to try to analyze a thing in the story. The thrill of this read is to take each word in and go to the next with open eyes and expect the unexpected and don’t question it. There’s no reason to. It is what it is. The story flows flawlessly, the characters are very well fleshed out.

Maurice once was with the church, at the start of the story he wasn’t for his own reasons really. He was once the church’s best exorcist as well. However, he walked away, he rented a small shabby place above a bar and worked a physical job, lived from paycheck to paycheck and went about his business. That is until he’s approached by a friend of his in the church to help him and a family exorcise a demon from their son. Now, get this…a very high and mighty political man with the world in his hands believes with all he is, or isn’t, that his son is possessed by a demon. The son’s name is Tracy and my goodness. One can’t help but to love this young man, possessed or not he’s a doll but again, no over analyzing, believe in your heart as Maurice did when he met the young man. There’s more to the story than just a demon, there’s so much yet I am afraid to give any of it away.

Nothing, and I’m repeating this, nothing I have read in this category could or has come close to being what this story is. What you think, could or could not be real and is or isn’t, you’re guaranteed to smile and whisper…Very well done, DJ Manly.

Reviewed By: Lyncx

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Truth or Lie by Lynn Lorenz

Title: Truth Or Lie
Author: Lynn Lorenz
Publisher: Amber Allure
Pages: 133
Characters: Travis Conners, Anthony Pappas
POV: 3rd
Sub-Genre: Contemporary, Fantasy, Erotic Romance
Kisses: 5+

Blurb:

Travis Conners is a firefighter who barely made it through high school. Why would Anthony Pappas, an adorable second grade teacher, be interested in him? Travis is willing to find out, if Anthony will give him a chance.

Being descended from a goddess, Anthony Pappas possesses a unique gift—he can tell when people are lying. Sounds good, until your boyfriends all end up lying to you. Anthony’s tired of it. It’s easier not to get involved than to have your heart broken time and time again.

When a little redheaded boy brings the men together, these two heroes will have to find the courage to take a leap of faith and follow their hearts…

Review:

In short, there was nothing I didn’t like about this story. It was all good.

You can call this fantasy light. There are no other fantasy elements here other than Anthony’s ability to tell whenever someone lies to him. A sickly green color in their aura reveals them every time. Being the descendant of the goddess Artemis and the famous philosopher Socrates, Anthony has known pressure since his childhood. His father wants him to pursue more successful careers than teaching second graders, but Anthony cannot face all those lies as a lawyer or a politician. The spark of teaching is all he needs—until he meets firefighter Travis who sets him on fire with his honesty, honor, humor, and sex appeal. But just like Anthony can detect lies, he doesn’t like to lie himself. Telling Travis the truth about his family tree is an inevitable discovery, and could break them apart.

The two men have distinctly different characters. Anthony sees lies, but not the reasons behind them. He does often jump to conclusions, and cowers behind half-truths. Travis, on the other hand, has been made to feel dumb since school because he has undiagnosed dyslexia. When Anthony calls on this, Travis sees that maybe his lack of school success isn’t about stupidity at all. Their friendship gives way to passion, sex, and falling in love. But does Travis believe in the Greek gods of old—and that Anthony is an offspring of the gods with a superpower of his own?

The plot has several layers. At first it might seem this all about truth and lies, a black and white juxtaposition of the two. But there are many reasons people lie, like to save face or to avoid hurting another. Both men start to learn these things, and the revelations mean a great deal to them and their new, fragile relationship.

There are great side characters here too. From Rusty and Kim, Travis’s nephew and sister, to Ricky, a co-worker of Travis’s, and to Janie, co-worker of Anthony’s, they are all distinct in their own way. Rusty’s a great little boy who has coped remarkably well with the loss of his father who was killed in action in Iraq, and he’s just a fun, upbeat personality. Janie seems to have an infatuation with Anthony who is not out at work, but maybe there’s more to this story too. Not to mention the fact that Travis isn’t out at work either, fearing that his colleagues might not have his back on the job. So, it isn’t always so easy to be honest despite one’s best of intentions. As can be seen, there are many kinds of truths and lies in this story, all with their own reasoning and motivations. This is both realistic and understandable.

Despite Anthony being a human lie-detector, this is basically a contemporary gay erotic romance. No need to shy away from this just because fantasy isn’t your genre. Honestly, this is just a great little story with believable characters, snappy dialogue, and a few plot twists, such as a game of truth or lie. I’m happy to recommend this.

Reviewed By: Susan

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What do you mean my ‘baby’s’ ugly? by Kris Jacen

Authors can be very protective of their stories and characters. Hmm, imagine that. It’s understandable why. You spend all your time/energy creating the characters and story, nurturing it from the very first word you type. When the time comes that your manuscript’s all grown up and ready for the world, you send it out into the hands of a publisher/editor to bring your ‘baby’ to the readers. A huge amount of trust happens at that point.

You trust that they’re going to treat your manuscript with respect, whether they accept it or not. Bet some don’t realize this but…this is your first review. Granted it’s not out there for everyone to see, but it’s a review none-the-less. One that will either say, your baby’s just about ready to make its own way into the world, or maybe, it needs to go back home and do some more growing. If this first review comes back positive, then once you’ve worked back and forth with your editor and it’s the best manuscript that you two can make – out for the masses it goes.

Do you still feel protective of your manuscript? Yup, you can’t just turn that off. However at this point you need to figure out your coping mechanisms. I know you’re thinking at this point that I’ve lost my mind and might not understand what I mean. I hate to be the one to pop your bubble, but someone has to.

Are you prepared for the pop?

Not everyone is going to love your baby. In fact, some might even hate your baby. It would be fantastic if everyone loved every book we worked so hard on, but it’s a better world with everyone loving something different. Some love the angst, some hate it. For every plot theme out there (BDSM, shifters, vampires, doctors, athletes, the list goes on and on), someone loves it, someone hates it.

So what do you do when you see that first one star/lip/pea/fang/whatever, after your book comes out? And don’t fool yourself into believing that it’s not going to happen, because with the law of averages at some point, you will see a bad/horrendous/nasty/attacking review. Plan those coping mechanisms now.

I know I’ve actually talked some of my authors off the ledge of attacking back on those reviews; I’ve “banned” them from going to sites (or even Goodreads). With the number of review sites and readers leaving reviews on Goodreads/Amazon/ARe/B&N/etc. not everyone is going to take your feelings as the author into consideration when commenting on your story.

My recommended approach? If you feel it’s absolutely necessary that you comment on the review – thank the reviewer for their time spent reading your story and leave it at that. The professional approach. If you engage or try and defend your story, it won’t do you much good and could even turn off some readers. If you are super-sensitive about your work, I highly suggest you avoid the computer for a week after your book comes out, and don’t go “stalking” your book. Also, find someone that you trust, maybe your beta reader (if that term confuses you, look at last month’s blog) or, if you’re friends, your editor, to confide in and give you support.
Remember that whatever you decide to use as your coping – put a big note by your computer to remind yourself, think before you type. Your book will always be your baby, keep your confidence that it will forge its own way in the publishing world.

Art and Snowflakes by Sean Michael

Title: Art and Snowflakes
Author: Sean Michael
Publisher: Amber Allure
Pages: 49
Characters: Jaxsom (Jax), Dave
POV: 3rd
Sub-Genre: Contemporary Romance
Kisses: 3.5

Blurb:

Ten years ago, Jaxsom left town and his lover Dave, following his whim and his art through booze and alcohol. Now Jax is back, sober and clean, and with a wad of cash in his back pocket from the sale of a dozen works of art.

A chance meeting earns Jax an invitation back to Dave’s place for dinner, and soon, one thing leads to another. Now that Jax is clean, will Dave want to rekindle their romance? And if so, can Jax find a way to have his art and Dave, too?

Review:

I know I’m in for a treat when I pick up a book written by Sean Michael. He writes hot, steamy romances that will warm you up on a cold winter’s day. Art and Snowflakes is a sweet, sexy and fast-paced read that will definitely keep you warm on a chilly night.

After ten years of absence, Jax, has returned to his hometown. When he spots his former lover, Dave, at a bus stop, he immediately follows him. Although Dave is very surprised to see the love of his life sitting by him on the bus, he’s thrilled when Jax agrees to come home with him while they get reacquainted with each other.

What follows are some smoking hot love scenes and a sweet reunion of two lovers that never really forgot one another. Because Jax is an artist and as well as a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, he and Dave have some issues from the past they have to work through. Jax is a whirlwind of creativity and he’s very spontaneous. He never sticks at one place long, but there is something about Dave that makes him feel like he’s home. On the other hand, Dave is stable and enjoys his life. He never stopped loving Jax and although his life was difficult years ago because of Jax’s drug addiction, he focuses on the good times they had and hopes that Jax will one day settle down with him.

Both characters are interesting people. Jax is a little flighty, outspoken and very creative. Dave is an all-around nice guy who has never forgotten his first love. Art and Snowflakes is a sexy story about having a second chance at love. There are several things that were left unsaid at the end of the book that left me a little confused, but all in all I really enjoyed the chemistry between the two heroes and hope that their HFN ending will one day be a HEA.
Recommended!

Reviewed By: Gabbi

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The Gifted One by Jacob Z. Flores

Title: The Gifted One
Author: Jacob Z. Flores
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Pages: 349
Characters: Gabriel, Craig and Matt
POV: 3rd
Sub-Genre: Angels and Demons, BDSM/Kink, Paranormal
Kisses: 4.5

Blurb:

As his birthday approaches, Matthew Westlake fears more than just growing a year older. He fears never seeing another year at all. Each birthday brings a close call with death, leaving holes in his memory, recurring nightmares, and one more glimpse of his guardian angel. This birthday Matt must stand against ancient evils that have hounded him since birth, because he is a Gifted One—a seventh son of a seventh son.
Within Matt rests the unlocked potential of a force for good, but it also makes him a target. Being the Gifted One and dodging demonic attacks aren’t Matt’s only problems, though. He’s fallen in love with his protector, the Archangel Gabriel, and Heaven will condemn that love to save Matt’s soul. But Heaven doesn’t count on Gabriel loving Matt in return, defying divine law and placing them in danger from demons and angels alike

Review:

The Gifted One is an amazing story unlike any I have ever read before. I really liked the storyline, and the characters were very engaging which immediately captured my attention.

Matt was just a normal guy that had had some bad luck. Death and destruction seems to follow him around; especially on the day of his birth. But even with all the negative things that have happened, he has still made the best of his life. He is a positive person with wonderful friends and family. Matt is a nurse at the hospital and loves to take care of the people around him, but he always feels as though he is missing something.

Gabriel is the Archangel of Vengeance which has recently been put in charge with the care of the Gifted One. He has done well so far…although bad things keep happening to the people around the Gifted One; nothing has happened to him.

When Matt catches Gabriel saving him everything changes for both of them. Matt is instantly in-love and for the first time in a long time he feels as though he is “home” when he is with Gabriel. Gabriel has loved Matt for a very long time and now being this close to the man the line of work/play feels very secure. Now, throw in Craig, the extremely sexy/sweet cop that also fell hard for Matt the instant they met. Craig loves Matt, Matt loves Gabriel, Gabriel loves Matt, but Matt loves Craig. Have I confused you yet? Probably, but it makes for a wonderful story that I couldn’t put down. Want to know what happens next?? Read the book!

Highly Recommended!

Reviewed By: Jerry

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A Gentleman Never Does by Lee Brazil

Title: A GENTLEMAN NEVER DOES
Author: Lee Brazil
Publisher: Breathless Press
Pages: 36
Characters: Gideon Westwood, Gareth Belmain
POV: 3rd
Sub-Genre: Historical, Erotic Romance
Kisses: 5


Blurb:

Short of funds, Gareth proposes to wager for love. Does Gideon dare play out this hand?
Gideon Westwood is passing time at a debutante ball when he encounters a man from his past he’d give anything to avoid.
Unfortunately for him, Gareth Belmain isn’t in the mood to be pushed aside.
A wager leads to a walk in the garden and a kiss to angry words.
Will a public challenge put an end to any hope they might have for a future together?

Review:

A gentleman never gambles, smokes, or drinks? Or a gentleman never causes a scandal by breaking society’s unspoken rules? A gentleman never falls in love with a man?

Gideon and Gareth have known each other since they were kids, and in their youth they shared intense sexual explorations. Now they are adults, with responsibilities, duties, and a need to avoid any hint of scandal. Gideon is giving Gareth the cold shoulder, pretending he doesn’t want him, and even lying to himself about his feelings. The problem is Gareth isn’t slipping quietly into the night, and he’s also effeminate and flashy in a way that betrays his inclinations to anyone with half a brain. Gideon must choose between following rules he hates and following his one true love to perdition—or paradise. Facing an illegal duel with Gareth forces Gideon in that position.

Though short, this story shows both men’s characters very well, their true feelings vs. their behavior in public. Gareth is true to himself in a time when that could get him hanged, while Gideon shuns his friend and pretends he feels nothing. But true love moves in mysterious ways. Gideon can’t help the emotions and sensations Gareth awakens in him. Every scene here is fraught with erotic imagery and palpable sensuality. The sex is hotter than hot, and Gideon’s reluctance to yield to the inevitable, to Gareth’s unwavering love and desire, only adds fuel to the fire.

A sexy little romp with lots of erotic content to keep the reader excited. Highly recommended!

Reviewed By: Susan

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“Would you like bacon with that…or lipstick?” by Jaime Samms

So, this is my second post here at Top2Bottom, so thanks Michele and everyone for giving me the opportunity.

I’m talking about all those bugaboos that throw us as readers out of the books we read, and that we authors should maybe think about while we’re writing. (See how I did that crossing the line thing between writer and reader just there?) I dance all over that line every day, always have, my whole life, so I hope I can speak to what happens on the other side, no matter where I am at any given time. I already know the secret behind the curtain, and I’m here to share.

Recently, a few authors were discussing the idea of plot cliches and wondering if one would do best to stay away from such things all together. I think it’s obvious that’s sort of a rhetorical question. It’s impossible to say stay away from plot cliches to save your life. I don’t even think that’s possible if a) you’re writing in a genre–or in our case, a genre of a genre, and b) you want to make any money at all at this.

Van Gogh sold only one painting before he died.

Because sure, you can avoid every cliche ever written, but then you’ll be writing some esoteric literary masterpiece that six people are going to want to read. And three of them will be broke-ass poor and borrow the book from their friends. If you’re lucky, you’ll only get recognition for it after you’re dead.

But, the question was asked, won’t readers call you on all those tropes? In my travels, I’ve seen many more writers telling other writers how to write their books than I have ever seen readers doing so. Readers complain more about poor writing as it shows up on the page in awkward phrasing, simplistic wording, poor grammar and spelling and other such mechanical failures of the vehicle the story is riding in.

As for the story itself being cliche, well, to be very honest, West Side Story is Cliche. So is Star Wars, The Lion King, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. It’s almost impossible to write a mystery without use of cliche’s, but that doesn’t stop millions of people from reading Agatha Christie or John Grisham. Because people want their cliches wrapped up in a package that makes them hard to guess what they are, but still leaves them in familiar territory where they can feel like they know what’s going on. It’s tough to find an average reader who doesn’t respond to what’s tried and true. The popularity of the stories I mentioned above prove that.

It’s only tough to take the familiar, keep it relate-able and also disguise it as something they want because it’s exciting and they’ve never seen it before. Or so they think…

To relate a conversation I had with my daughter when were discussing something she’d read that she decided she didn’t like because it was too much like something else she’d read that she’d loved, but it just didn’t stand up to the first book.

Me: “You’re right. You can put lipstick on the pig, but it’s still a pig, and people will know.”
She: ”But if you make it into bacon, people will still know it’s pig, but love it.”

When I stopped laughing my ass off, I told her “Exactly. Because everyone loves bacon.”

(Kids are smart. And the happy part of that conversation is that now, when either of us reads something, the other can ask: Lipstick or Bacon? and the answer lets us know if we want to read it too.)

The point is, though, that the cliche, as it were, is the familiar point of reference. It is the thing everyone recognizes. The trick for a writer is to dress it up to look like something new while keeping it relate-able and comfortable enough to engage their readers. If we make it too easy, our readers call bad make-up on the pig and move on. If we change it too much, they don’t recognize the animal at all. You can do a lot with bacon in any meal to make a lot of things, otherwise unpalatable, tasty.  Of course, the metaphor breaks down with the vegan crowd, but then, they’re probably not reading genre fiction anyway.

We never really did answer the question, I don’t think. Probably, there is no satisfactory answer. It simply brought to light the idea that there’s a fine line there, between dressing up the pig and making bacon. You wouldn’t think so, would you? As a reader, I know I’m comfortable with a few of the tried and true romance tropes, like a happy ending and some fireworks before the big hook up, and I love to go through the pain with characters who are split apart and spend some of the story alone, wishing they weren’t. It’s a trope I love to read. And I write a lot of lost boys, damaged Doms and reunited lovers.

What are the cliches and tropes that throw you out of your story? What are the ones you can’t read without for long?