Blue Hair and 7 PAs by Kallysten

Title: Blue Hair and 7 PAs
Author: Kallysten
Publisher: Torquere Press
Pages: 28
Characters: Vinnie, James Spencer
POV: 3rd
Sub-Genre: Contemporary
Kisses: 5

Blurb:

When Vinnie came to LA, he was following his dream of becoming a movie star. After a few months, however, he finds himself in the employ of one — as personal assistant to James Spencer. The job is an odd one, a mix of nanny, minder, and best friend. The oddest part yet might hide behind the closed door James forbade Vinnie to open at the very moment he handed him the key.

As James’ and Vinnie’s friendship grows, so does Vinnie’s curiosity, and right when everything finally starts coming together he succumbs, opening the door at the risk of losing it all.

Review:

Though short, this is an absolutely wonderful little romance. Vinnie is a wanna-be actor who out of necessity ends up becoming the personal assistant—the seventh, in fact—for a big time movie star, James. What James needs is a friend who keeps his feet on the ground and his head clean from drugs, and for a while that works. But at James’s grand house there’s a door that Vinnie is not allowed to open under any circumstances. What happens if he decides to unlock James’s secret?

The writing is solid, easy to follow and pleasant to read, and the slow build of the attraction between the two men is done with erotic subtlety. And then there’s the mystery, fairytale style. Every time Vinnie sees James exit the locked room James is stricken, and in the end Vinnie can’t help himself, wanting so badly to help James. The issue of trust and the need to help someone in distress wage war inside Vinnie, and we sympathize with both men.

This was the first story I’ve read by Kallysten but it won’t be the last. This was too sweet and intriguing. Bringing a familiar fairytale theme to a contemporary setting takes skill and imagination, and I’d say this story delivers. Blue-haired James and the inquisitive, warm Vinnie will steal your hearts, I guarantee. I recommend.

Reviewed By: Susan

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A Great Rough Diamond by Jameson Dash

Title:A Great Rough Diamond
Author: Jameson Dash
Publisher: Torquere Press
Pages: 51
Characters: Wes, Charlie
POV: 1st person
Sub-Genre: Romance
Kisses: 4

Blurb:

When Charlie tours with his band, Wes stays home in Chicago. It works because Wes’ podcast has become his job, and he’s always there when Charlie needs him. But when they throw a welcome home party for their newly-married best friends, Wes realizes how much Charlie expects from him without asking at all.

Everything comes to a head in a drunken declaration, which might be a proposal, except instead of a diamond, Charlie offers up Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Music is what brought them together, what made them fall in love, and the biggest part of their life, but even Wes doesn’t know what Michael Jackson has to do with Charlie down on one knee.

Review:

A Great Rough Diamond is a delightful short story! I simply adored Wes and Charlie together. Okay, sure Charlie fumbled through a awkward proposal, but the love and respect between these two guys have you rooting them on. The cats are also a delight as are Charlie’s best -friends and fellow band members. Such a fun and sexy read! Recommended!

Reviewed by: Cheryl

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Treat by Sean Michael

Title: A Hammer Story: Treat
Author: Sean Michael
Publisher: Torquere Press
Pages: 64
Characters: Treat and Killian
POV: 1st
Sub-Genre: Erotic Romance, BDSM, Series
Kisses: 4

Blurb:

Really on just on their feet again after their sub Peter died of cancer, Treat and Killian are thrown for a loop when Killian is kidnapped by a madman’s brother. Shot during the rescue, Killian is injured, both physically and mentally.

Can Treat find a way to heal the new scars on Killian’s psyche, or will this latest incident be the final straw?

Review:

Treat by Sean Michael was a very easy book to read, even though it dealt with some troubling subject matter. Mr. Michael did a great job of explaining everything and inviting you into the world he created for his characters.

Treat and Killian are still trying to get over losing their sub to cancer. Each man feels like he has lost a piece of his soul, but neither willing to give up what they have. Then Killian is kidnapped, beaten and eventually shot. This throws both men into a tail spin.

All Killian wants to do is take care of Treat, make him better body and soul. I found it very interesting watching these two learn to deal with their grief, and each other as they grow and move on. On a side not the last scene is one of the hottest things I have EVER read about. Recommended!

Reviewed By: Jerry

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Soldiers’ Secrets by UZ Eliserio

Title: Soldiers’ Secrets
Author: U Z. Eliserio
Publisher: Torquere Press
Pages: 18
Characters: Nathaniel and Ham
POV: 3rd
Sub-Genre: Romance
Kisses: 3

Blurb:

Nathaniel and Ham are warriors. Nathaniel and Ham are lovers. A secret threatens their love, and an invasion threatens their world. Will they allow mistrust and doubt to destroy what they have? Or will the strength of their hearts defeat all enemies? Divided, they will fall, and united, they will win!

Review:

Soldiers’ Secrets is a very fun short story about two soldiers who both have secrets and must learn to love one another in the midst of war and family.

Nathaniel was a sweet character that obviously loves his Ham very much. Ham is the big, strong, serious type that I loved so much! The story had a nice flow to it with small touches of drama mixed throughout.

Nathaniel and Ham are warriors. Nathaniel and Ham are lovers. A secret threatens their love, and an invasion threatens their world. Will they allow mistrust and doubt to destroy what they have? Or will the strength of their hearts defeat all enemies? Divided, they will fall, and united, they will win! Recommended!

Reviewed By: Jerry

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Slayer by Pelaam

Title: Slayer
Author: Pelaam
Publisher: Torquere Books
Pages: 54
Characters: Alexus and Josiah
POV: 3rd person
Sub-Genre: Paranormal, Historical, M/M Romance
Kisses: 4

Blurb:
Alexus’ role in life as a Slayer is to remove or eliminate preternatural beings as dictated by his town’s bishop, Mathias. He is deeply in love with Josiah, the town apothecary, who also creates weapons and protective garb for Alexus. When dealing with the latest supernatural threat to the town, however, Alexus quickly realizes that the real threat is something far darker and more deadly than it first appears.
When Josiah is attacked, Alexus goes after his abductors and uncovers the true evil. But in trying to save Josiah, will his own life be forfeit?

Review:

For a book that’s not very long Pelaam gets a lot of story in these pages. Her characters Alexus and Josiah are well-defined and the connection between them came through strongly—I have to admit I’d LOVE to see more of both of them. As well, the young man, Harper, whom they came across, played a larger role than I had thought he would. I would really enjoy getting to know more about him and the other travellers.

While there is a definite supernatural / paranormal element, for me it was the definition of characters and setting I found the most compelling. I found myself as an observer as the events came to play out: I wasn’t just a reader I was onsite, as it were. I love when that happens!

Pelaam is an author whose work I’ve come to enjoy a lot—her stories aren’t run-of-the-mill and I like that; not that I have anything against more ‘regular’ stories ’cause I don’t. But Pelaam writes tales that take me a little more outside myself and a little further from my day-to-day… and that is always a treat.

Reviewer: Kathy

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Sweet Cherry by Sean Michael

Title: A Hammer Story: Sweet Cherry
Author: Sean Michael
Publisher: Torquere Press
Pages: 22
Characters: Rafe, Bobby
POV: 3rd
Sub-Genre: Contemporary Romance, Light BDSM, Series
Kisses: 4

Blurb:

Rafe’s always thought BDSM was a hot little fantasy to jack off to and then he discovers the Hammer Club and starts to read up online, looking for clues as to how real it is. There’s a Laundromat across the road from the club and he watches from there, trying to build up the courage to go in.

A bored Bobby overhears the Hammer waiters talking about the young man who sits at the Laundromat and stares at the club, and decides that someone new and fresh might be just what he needs. He sends a note to the watcher and hopes for the best.

Could sweet cherry Rafe be exactly what Bobby’s been looking for?

Sweet Cherry was originally in the Cherry on Top anthology

Review:

Like many of you, I’ve had a stressful, hectic week, so when I had the opportunity to read and review, Sweet Cherry by Sean Michael, I immediately jumped at the chance to do it. I haven’t had the time to read anything but a quick, hot romance, and lucky for me, this wonderful addition to the Hammer series really fit the bill for me.

Bobby is an experience Dom who lately has become a little bored and restless from both the same people and the same hot scenes performed at the Hammer Club. He’s craving something new and fresh, so when he overhears two waiters at the Hammer gossiping about the young man who always seems to be observing the club from the Laundromat across the street. Intrigued, Bobby decides to do something a little spontaneous, and has a worker retrieve Bobby from his lookout to join him for dinner. When he meets the sweet man, Rafe, Bobby immediately becomes fascinated by Rafe’s curiosity about the BDSM lifestyle as well as the younger man’s subservient nature.

I really enjoyed meeting this new couple in the series. Both Bobby and Rafe were likeable characters who really seemed to have an immediate connection and a heavy attraction between them. I enjoyed watching Bobby become excited by the prospect of introducing Rafe into the world of BDSM and thought the scene they had together was both sexy and hot.

The BDSM in this book isn’t over the top. Rafe is an innocent when it comes to the lifestyle, so Bobby doesn’t immediately throw him into an intense D/s scene. I liked that Bobby had enough patience with Rafe that allowed him to dip his toe into something he’s never experienced before and because of it, they have a promising future of being together.

I do wish the book had been longer. I enjoyed the characters and would love to know more of how their relationship progresses, but for a quick read, it is definitely a hot and sexy one and a great addition to the Hammer series.

Short, sexy and whole lot of fun, Sweet Cherry is a great read if you need a short time of pure escapism. I’m looking forward to reading more books in this series and recommend this book for any Sean Michael fan as well as fans of the series and/or BDSM themed romances.

Reviewed By: Gabbi

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Table 26 by Kanata Pierre

Title: Table 26
Author: Kanata Pierre
Publisher: Torquere Press
Pages: 73
Characters: Cam Phillips, Anderson Montgomery
POV: 3rd
Sub-Genre: Contemporary Romance, May/December
Kisses: 4

Blurb:

Twenty-three-year-old Cam Phillips is a waiter at Newark Airport’s The Layover and has aspirations of owning his own restaurant in New York. With a lust for older men and stormy eyes that demand affection, Cam has a troubled past with airport regulars that includes bathroom rendezvouses.

Every Thursday night, Cam rebuffs the advance of Anderson Montgomery, a corporate lawyer more than a decade older, who always sits at Table 26. Anderson seems different from Cam’s usual encounters, having class and offering kindness, but Cam’s troubled past keeps him from committing to a relationship that seems more take than give. What is he willing to give to Anderson, and what can he give—other than cayenne pepper in Anderson’s meals?

Review:

I know there are readers who do not care for May/December romances, but I have to admit, I’m a fan of them. I really like watching two heroes from different generations find a common ground, so they can have something special between them.

I thought the author did a really good job at putting these differences out there with this couple. Cam is a popular waiter at an airport restaurant. He’s funny, likeable and personable with his customers. When he waits on the very handsome, but older Anderson, Cam is attracted to him, but because he’s been hurt and used in the past, he’s always leery about hooking up with customers.

Anderson is a very successful businessman who has been working on a million dollar deal for his company. Although he’s attracted to Cam, he’s even more intrigued by the way Cam talks to him. Anderson is used to people not seeing him for himself. When they look at Anderson they see money, so he relishes the fact that Cam treats him like a regular person.

Even though it takes time for Anderson to get Cam to go out with him, he’s determined to have something special with the younger man. But, both men have their own hang-ups that cause knee-jerk issues between them, and they must work through these issues, if they want to pursue a relationship together.

I really liked both heroes a lot. The banter between them had me laughing at loud at times and I enjoyed their chemistry together. I liked how the author wasn’t afraid to have her characters face hard issues, as well as the reality of them coming from very different backgrounds. This was a really good, light read with enough angst to keep the story moving quickly and I enjoyed it.

Table 26 is a funny, lighthearted romance that left me with a smile on my face. I’ve read one other book by Ms. Pierre and liked it as well. I’m looking forward to reading more books by her in the future. I like her easy-style of writing and her sexy stories are definitely something that this reader really appreciates. Recommended!

Reviewed By: Gabbi

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Roman Dream by Vic Winter

Title: Roman Dream
Author: Vic Winter
Publisher: Torquere Press
Pages: 50
Characters: Mark and Linus
POV: 1st person
Sub-Genre: Romance, Slave
Kisses: 4

Blurb:

Linus has been having extremely vivid, very erotic dreams of his life as a slave during Roman times. In fact, his dreams are becoming so real he sometimes has trouble distinguishing them from reality. When he begins to notice people and places from his surroundings appearing in his dreams, he figures his brain has just filled in the details, but then he meets his dream master Markus at the library where he works. He’s never met the man before in his life, but Professor Mark is very real and Linus likes him so much more than the Markus in his dreams. Will he be able to keep his dream man and the real one separate?

Review:

Roman Dream is one of the sexiest books I have read in a very long time. It was so easy to get lost in the dream world with Linus. The author did a great job of creating a world where fantasies come to life. Past lives, dream men, fantastic sex scenes and hot leading men make this a must read. I might even read it again, and again.

Reviewed By: Jerry

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Mannies Incorporated by Sean Michael

Title: Mannies Incorporated
Author: Sean Michael
Publisher: Torquere Press
Pages: 228
Characters: Slayde, Drake
POV: 3rd
Sub-Genre: Romance
Kisses: 5

Blurb:

Slayde’s got the best job on earth: he’s a nanny to Army nurse and widow Mindy’s three kids. He’s been with the family since the oldest was born and is Uncle Slayde to all three children. When Mindy’s deployed, things aren’t easy, but he manages just fine. At least he does until Mindy’s big brother Drake shows up unexpectedly, announcing he’s there to help while Mindy is gone.

Drake is almost a stranger to the kids, hot as hell, especially in his motorcycling leathers, and straighter than straight. On top of that, Drake’s not used to dealing with kids, with things like gluten free, recycling and not eating fast food and soon has Slayde’s tight routine in shambles.

Slayde thinks Drake is far more of a hindrance than a help, at least at the start, but he tries to get along for Mindy’s sake and eventually, having Drake around is easier than not. But what’s he supposed to do when the straight, sexy leather wearing ex-cop makes a pass at him one night? Maybe there’s more to Drake than Slayde assumed.

Review:

Sean Michael is one of those must read authors for me. I love his books and the way he can really get to the heart and soul of his characters. He also writes some of the most erotically sexy books released, so I’m always anxious to read his stories and see what he’s got in store for me as a reader.

Since the blurb does an excellent job at describing the story, I’m not going to rehash a lot of it. Drake’s widowed sister is being deployed out of the country. She is going to be gone on tour of duty for about a year and is upset about leaving her young children. Drake lives across country and once he hears the worry and sadness in his sister’s voice, he immediately leaves his home and job to stay with the children…all without telling her he’s going to do this. When he arrives to her house weeks later, he’s surprised when the live in nanny, Slayde, has things under control and is not exactly bringing out the welcome wagon because he’s there.

Slayde has been a friend of the family and has taken care of the children since they were born. He’s upset when Drake shows up unannounced and looks like he’s the one who is going to take over. But after they talk with Drake’s sister and come up with a compromise, both men work hard and take care of the children together as a team.

I really loved this book! Slayde and Drake had a chemistry together that burned hotter and more intense as the book progressed. Even though they become friends and try to ignore their attraction to each other, they really start to form a strong family connection both with the children and with each other. I liked watching their relationship grow and flourish with each other as well as their relationship with the children. Watching them go through growing pains and the ups and downs of family life was not only realistically portrayed, but it was also heartwarming and really resonated with me as a reader.

I thought this was a very well rounded, beautifully written romance with only the humor and sexiness that Mr. Michael’s writes. The love between Drake and Slayde was truly lovely and I loved the way they really worked as a team to take care of the kids. If you are looking for a heartwarming, sexy romance with two amazing heroes and some precious kids then Mannies Incorporated is definitely the book for you! Highly Recommended!

Reviewed By: Gabbi

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La Posada by Kate Roman

Title: La Posada
Author: Kate Roman
Publisher: Torquere Press
Pages: 20
Characters: Clay, Warshaw
POV: 3rd
Sub-Genre: Holiday Romance, Series
Kisses: 3

Blurb:

Twenty-one-year-old Clay Garcia is obligated to take part in the posadas, his family’s traditional Mexican Christmas celebration. But while Clay’s spirit is willing, his flesh dreams of the return of his older ranch hand lover. On December 23rd, the eighth of nine nights of festivities, the wise man returns, and Clay finally has something to celebrate. Now if only he can keep his family from finding out…

Review:

La Posada is a glimpse of Clay and Warshaw’s life on Christmas Eve night. Both men have been seeing one another for a while. Even though they have a very strong affection for one another, they must keep their relationship under wraps. Not only is there an age difference between them, Clay is the heir to his family’s ranch and is expected to marry and have many children.

Christmas Eve is the eighth day of the Posada. It’s a Mexican tradition Clay’s family utilizes each year. For nine days they have traditional visits and get together with family members. Although Clay has enjoyed seeing his family, he’s also tired of lying to his family about his sexuality as well as keeping his relationship with Warshaw under wraps. To make matters worse, Warshaw has taken some seasonal work at another ranch and Clay hasn’t seen his lover in weeks. But just when Clay is just about ready to pull his hair out, he gets a surprise visit from his lover that just might make this Christmas the best one yet.

I really liked this story. I liked the banter and obvious affection between Clay and Warshaw. I thought Ms. Roman really portrayed Clay’s rising frustration with hiding his sexuality, lying to his family as well as his forbidden relationship that Warshaw and Clay have together excellently. As I mentioned, this is just a glimpse in their lives, but it’s a good one. Between the strong sexual chemistry the two heroes had together and the obvious love the two men have for each other, I really enjoyed this sexy short. I do wish the book had been longer because I love these two characters, so hopefully we’ll see more of them real soon!

La Posada is the third book in the Los Rancheros series. Although the book can be read as a stand-alone story, to full understand the dynamics between Clay and Warshaw I suggest reading these books is series order.

Here are the Los Rancheros books in series order:

Riding the Silverado
Huntin’ Tail
La Posada

Reviewed By: Gabbi

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