Peace Within the Quiet Sean Michael
10 Apr 2012 1 Comment
in Sean Michael, Torquere Press Tags: Sean Michael, Torquere Press
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Title: Peace Within the Quiet
Author: Sean Michael
Publisher: Torquere Press
Pages: 23
POV: 3rd
Sub-Genre: Very light BDSM
Kisses: 3
Blurb:
Gloucester is a long-time Velvet Glove sub who’s not getting any younger, and he’s never found anyone to call his own. Then he meets Katashi, a quiet, serious Top, who’s drawn to Gloucester, inviting him to a meal, and a session. The two of them find they have more in common than they thought, and begin a journey of a thousand miles with a single step.
Review:
Very interesting take on a Master and sub with this story. Gloucester is a sub without a Master and Katashi is a Master without a sub. They meet one evening after a ceremony and agree to have tea together. Katashi is a Master yes, but he seems to be so much more than that. He’s deep into his lineage and the history of his people and Gloucester is simply overtaken with a sense of peace around the man.
Due to the shortness of the story, it’s hard to get into detail without giving key things away so let me just say that IF you are looking for BDSM as in bondage, discipline…anything there, you want to skip this one. This has more to do with the frame of mind and how listening to the voice of a Master can truly bring you to the brink if not the very area many subs seek.
Reviewed By: Michele
Ink by Tory Temple
10 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
in Torquere Press, Tory Temple Tags: Torquere Press, tory temple
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Title: Ink
Author: Tory Temple
Publisher: Torquere Press
Pages: 23
POV: 3rd
Sub-Genre: Contemporary
Kisses: 3
Blurb:
Cade Tomlin wants nothing more than to tattoo people. He’s been drawing on himself with markers since he was little, but it can’t compare to the feel of a tattoo machine in his hand. When he finally discovers an artist who is willing to take him on as an apprentice, Cade learns more secrets and details about tattooing than he thought existed. However, his first real client, Kip Parker, teaches him much more about what a meaningful tattoo can say
Review:
Ink is a short fast moving story about young Cade Tomlin who has, since childhood, loved the idea of pictures on his skin. As he grew older he knew without a shadow of a doubt that he would not only receive tattoo’s but he wanted to be the one giving them. He wanted to hold that tattoo gun in his talented hand and create art. However, finding a job in a reputable shop wasn’t easy for him seeing as how he lived in a small town.
Once he was old enough he moved to a bigger town, applied at all the shops he could as an apprentice and finally landed his first job under the watchful eye of a skillful artist who took to Cade and taught him everything there was to teach him for thirteen months.
When client Kip Parker shows up for his first tattoo, Cade takes an interest in the man being tattooed, not only for his choice of a tattoo, but for the man himself. When the man leaves Cade finds himself thinking of the other man and then they meet up again when Kip shows up again wanting another tattoo and requesting Cade to do it. Cade hasn’t been released as an apprentice yet…Until he’s turned loose and given the go ahead to tat Kip at Kip’s request.
It’s a sweet story about a young man who sets out to fulfill his dreams and finding love too.
Reviewed By: Michele
Burning Within by Christopher West
09 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
in Christopher West, Torquere Press Tags: Christopher West, Torquere Press
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Title: Burning Within
Author: Christopher West
Publisher: Torquere
Pages: 67
Characters: Wil and Seth
POV: Third Person
Sub-Genre: fantasy
Kisses: 4
Blurb:
There are those who believe some good can come from magic, and those who believe it can bring only evil. Wil is a seeker, a hunter who devotes his life to destroying monsters and protecting humanity from reckless use of magic. Even though working with a spell-caster isn’t what Wil ever expected or wanted, he has no choice but to accept the help of Seth, a skilled magician, on an investigation that just might get them both killed.
A murderer is on the loose, one who targets seekers and magicians alike. Between monstrous demons and compromising encounters, Wil and Seth’s partnership is filled with danger. To catch the killer they’ll have to learn to trust one another and confront the desire burning between them. Playing with it might mean damnation, or it might be salvation for them both.
Review:
Wil is a seeker, meaning he is part of a Brotherhood of humans who are trained to seek out and destroy demons. For centuries, the Brotherhood has coexisted with the Coven, which is a fellowship of magicians. The two groups originally were avowed enemies until they eventually established a truce. Acrimony still exists amongst the individual members of the groups, and they, for the most part, hate one another.
Wil is summoned to the Brotherhood council and given an assignment. Apparently a magician has killed one of the seekers, and the council has given Wil the task of solving the crime and bringing this rogue magician to justice. It is a dangerous assignment, because if he fails, it could result in an end to the peaceful relationship that the seekers and magicians have shared.
When Wil arrives at the scene of the crime to begin his investigation, he meets Seth, a magician who has been assigned by his Coven to also work on the case. Initially the two mistrust each other but decide if they are going to solve the case, they must work together. A romance ensues.
Were I to evaluate the story on the strength of the writing and the plot alone, I would consider it a five-star read. I loved the story, the writer’s voice, and the fast-paced, suspenseful plot. The romance was a little disappointing to me. I don’t feel that Wil ever fully got over his prejudice toward the coven, in spite of some enormously unselfish and generous acts of kindness on the part of Seth.
The story does end happily, but there is a hint that it is merely a happy-for-now conclusion. Perhaps the author plans on writing a sequel (fingers crossed). Overall, I found it to be a well-written, entertaining story with a touching romance.
Reviewed By: Jeff
Doggie Style by Julia Talbot
01 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
in Julia Talbot, Torquere Press Tags: Julia Talbot, Torquere Press
Title: Doggie Style
Author: Julia Talbot
Publisher: Torquere Press
Pages: 17
POV: 3rd
Sub-Genre: Shifter
Kisses: 4
Blurb:
Ray might be a werewolf, but he’s never lived with a pack. He’s so civilized he doesn’t even know Doc, his new foster dog, is a shifter, too. Doc is far more in touch with his animal instincts, and he thinks Ray will make a great mate. Can they learn to live together, doggie style?
Review:
Yes reading that title had my mind going in ONE direction. Boy was it the wrong one. Just sayin’. This is a cute shifter story about Ray, a clothing designer for dogs, and Doc, a new dog he is to “dress” up to help make him more adoptable before his time is up on this earth. Well, Ray’s sister brings the dog to him and Ray instantly decides to keep the dog and then he finds out the dog is a shifter, just like he is and sparks start. We have a city dweller and a country boy, and one who never shifted and the other who does it as often as he can.
Doc “runs away” only to be caught again by Ray’s sister and finally Ray gives in and agrees to go run with Doc, as the shifters they are. Ray was adopted so he never knew how to shift and since he lived in the city, he surpressed the urges to do so, that is until he met Doc.
It’s an enjoyable read by Julia. All I can say is:Cute.
Reviewed By: Michele
A Watched Demon Always Boils by Katherine Halle
28 Mar 2012 1 Comment
in Katherine Halle, Torquere Press Tags: Katherine Halle, Torquere Press
Title: A Watched Demon Always Boils
Author: Katherine Halle
Publisher: Torquere Press
Pages: 26
Characters: Lane, Greg
POV: 3rd
Sub-Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Romance
Kisses: 3
Blurb:
Lane is a professional photographer hired by Greg to do a photo shoot and magazine spread about his restaurant in hopes of making his business more profitable. Trouble is Greg’s got a demon on his back, literally. Now Lane must race against time to save Greg from the demon and convince him that Lane isn’t crazy; he wants to help Greg.
Take one stubborn chef, a determined photographer, mix in an evil demon and a slightly crazy best friend, and watch it come to a boil, every time.
Review:
When Lane stopped by Greg’s restaurant for the first time, he overheard Greg telling his head waiter that he needed to do something that would generate some press about it. Greg hoped he could think of something that would bring more patrons to dine there. Seeing an opportunity he couldn’t resist, Lane promptly introduces himself and offers his services as a professional freelance photographer to do a spreadsheet of the restaurant and of Greg himself. Greg readily agrees and two weeks later, Lane finds himself taking pictures of Greg and the everyday happenings at the restaurant. Two weeks later, Lane spent an interesting and eventful day taking pictures of some of the crazy antics that goes on there and of the handsome Greg.
Lane’s pretty pleased with the way they turned out, but is surprised when he thinks he sees a dark shadow hovering over Greg in some of the pictures. Hoping it’s a fluke, he meets with Greg and takes more profile pictures of him, promising him some good pictures to pick from, and the promise of a home cooked supper from Greg himself. When Lane returns home and develops the pictures, he realizes that there is an ominous figure hovering over Greg and he immediately knows that Greg is in danger. Since Lane also has the gift of being able to spot and photograph demons, he’s also teamed himself up with his friend, Lexie, and they hunt demons. As Lexie and Lane make plans to hunt and kill the demon that is haunting over Greg, he hopes they will be in time to save the chef that has wormed his way into his life.
I really enjoyed this short story. It was very fast paced and I liked the characters that the author created. I personally thought that the premise of the story was unique and interesting, but I really wish the story had been longer. Because it is a short story, there isn’t much of a backstory for any of the characters, and even though we get to know Lane a little, Greg himself was more of a mystery. There also aren’t many scenes in the story with Greg and Lane together, but it is obvious when they are around each other, there is a strong chemistry between them. Having said that, I think Lane acted a little gun-shy when it came to starting anything with Greg. There is no kissing and they barely touch in this book, so if you are looking for a heavy romance, this is not the short story for you to read.
BUT, it does end with the possibility that Lane and Greg will start to see each other, so there is the definite hope that they might act on the attraction they feel for each other. It’s very obvious the men really like each other and could easily be both friends and lovers. I really wish this had been a full-length novel. There is so much that could be said about Lane, Greg, hunting demons and even Lexie. I really hope that one day the author decides to write more about them. I really liked this author’s writing style. She has a creative voice that kept me interested in the book; I just wish they had been more of it. If you are looking for a quick, fun and interesting tale of a sexy chef and a demon hunter, this would be a good story to pass the time with.
Reviewed By: Gabbi
Just Lucky That Way by Andy Slayde
14 Mar 2012 Leave a Comment
in Andy Slayde, Torquere Press Tags: Andy Slayde, Torquere Press
Title: Just Lucky That Way
Author: Andy Slayde
Publisher: Torquere
Pages: 144
Characters: Zed and Alex
POV: Third
Sub-Genre: paranormal romance
Kisses: 3.5
Blurb:
Just because Zed Roxbury is hearing voices doesn’t mean he’s insane.
And if he is, all of his friends are joining him. Surely doing a favor for a friend should bring good karma, but a fun 4th July holiday turns into much more than anyone could have anticipated when bad luck dogs Zed. And the voices are just a small part of it. Could the opal brooch he finds have anything to do with it? Or perhaps it’s just Zed’s irresistible allure…
Maybe the past should stay buried.
Review:
Just Lucky That Way is the story of Zed, a college-aged gay guy who volunteers with his boyfriend Alex to help renovate an old farmhouse that was recently purchased by their friends. Several other friends participate in the effort, sort of like a workers’ bee. They do this over the Fourth of July holiday and make a camping expedition out of it.
Once the crowd of friends has gathered and starts working together to fix up the house and barn, they make a strange discovery. In the barn, Zed uncovers an opal brooch, and once he takes possession of it he begins to be haunted by a rather violent and possessive female ghost.
At first the group thinks that Zed is a bit crazy. He’s had a history of mental issues and thus it is assumed that he is hallucinating. Eventually the ghost reveals herself to everyone and Zed is vindicated. But this doesn’t solve all of Zed’s problems. The possessive ghost has laid claim to Zed and refuses to let him leave. Only the heroic efforts of Zed’s boyfriend Alex can possibly save him.
Although I liked the story, I struggled a bit in the beginning. There were so many characters introduced as part of this group that I could not keep track of who they were. I couldn’t visualize them because they were not described in any kind of detail. It reminded me of certain friends of mine who will tell me stories about their families and friends that I do not even know and I’m like, “who are you talking about? I don’t even know these people.”
The actual ghost story doesn’t begin until about halfway through the book. I personally feel it would have been better to have presented a smaller group of friends that could be fleshed out, and this would have allowed the author to get into the meat of the plot much sooner.
I also was surprised at how nonchalant everyone was about this ghost. It wasn’t just some unexplained apparition. It was visible to everyone and they all heard her when she talked. She also threw things at them and even attacked a couple of them. Nobody seemed too freaked out by it though. Zed and Alex even stayed at the farm by themselves after they knew about the ghost. Zed went swimming by himself and the couple slept outdoors and made love under the stars. I can not imagine this. It sure seems to me that the ONLY thing that would have been on my mind would have been getting the hell out of there and away from that ghost that was trying to kill me.
I did like the main characters, especially Zed. The couple had been friends all their lives and then finally came out to each other two years prior to the beginning of this story. Zed struggled with mental health problems and had attempted suicide. Alex was like his protector and he loved Zed deeply. I found their relationship to be very touching.
Overall I enjoyed the book and will likely read more from this author in the future
Reviewed By: Jeff
Acting Out by Julia Talbot
12 Mar 2012 Leave a Comment
in Julia Talbot, Torquere Press Tags: Julia Talbot, Torquere Press
Title: Acting Out
Author: Julia Talbot
Publisher: Torquere Press
Pages: 15
Characters: Colby Dannis, Sean Landry
POV: 3rd
Sub-Genre: Contemporary, Western, Romance
Kisses: 4
Blurb:
Bullrider and adrenaline junkie Colby is mid-jump in his ATV when his old rooming buddy Sean drives back into his life, sending him flying off his vehicle. Sean wants Colby to come to Hawaii for a charity event. Colby agrees to attend, but only if he and Sean can share a room again, just like in the old days.
Can these two rough-riding cowboys recapture a piece of the past, or can they do even better this go-round?
Review:
Colby Dannis is a successful all-around rough stock rider. His zest for life and his willingness to live life on the edge has gotten him into a scrape…or three. One day on holiday he’s riding his ATV when he wrecks in front of his former best friend and lover, Sean Landry. Sean is a successful bullrider who has come to talk Colby into doing a charity event in Hawaii. At first, Colby tells Sean he won’t do it, but then after some persuasion on Sean’s part, Colby agrees to attend the charity event, but only if they share a room.
Sean’s first thought is to not agree on Colby’s terms, but since he really wants Colby to attend he reluctantly agrees to his former lover’s demands. At first, Sean is able to resist the still very sexy Colby, but as the day passes, he finds it harder and harder to resist his seductive lover. Both men realize how much they missed one another, and the love they once shared for each other starts to rekindle as they spend more and more time together. But, will it these old feelings be enough to start a new future together?
I really liked this book. Both Colby and Sean are interesting characters who clearly have an emotionally charged past together. I thought there was a good balance between Colby’s recklessness and Sean’s more stable nature. I also enjoyed the camaraderie and the electrifying chemistry they had together. Since I love bullriders and western themed M/M romances, Acting Out was a great and fun way to escape my everyday ho-hum life for a short amount of time. For such a short story it really packs a lot of punch and I enjoyed every minute of it.
My one gripe about Acting Out is the length. It’s one of the things I both hate and love when it comes to reading short stories. Just when things start to really get good, the book is over and I find myself wishing for more. Any fan of Ms. Talbot’s will really enjoy this sexy short as well as any reader looking for a quick, hot read with some sexy cowboys.
Reviewed By: Gabbi
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Torquere Press is calling for submissions!!
11 Mar 2012 Leave a Comment
in Torquere Press Tags: Call for submissions, Torquere Press
Calling ALL authors…Torquere Press is looking for you.
We are looking for LGBT romance in all categories.
Themed Submissions and stand-alone books are always welcome. Special Calls for Submissions are available as well.
Find out about our submissions HERE to get all the information and more.
Electronic submissions in .doc, .txt or .rtf file. Attach full manuscript to email.
Send query to: submissions@torquerepress.com Subject line of email must be addressed as follows: Title/author. The body of your email should contain your query, followed by a short synopsis (no more than five pages).
Keep up with all the latest news on the Torquere Press Blog – Romance for the Rest of Us
Here are just two calls for submissions. Please click the links in the body of the post for more information.
MASKS OFF!
Everyone loves a masquerade, right? The masks, the mystery, the seduction of the reveal! Now imagine a masquerade with an extra layer: some of the men wear a mask beneath their mask. They’re shapeshifters. Be they cats or canines, dragons or foxes, all shifters are welcome, as long they don’t forget to wear a mask.We’re looking for sexy, romantic male/male tales for Masks Off! In which at least one partner is a shifter. Light BDSM is welcome, but is not mandatory. Stories should be between 5000 and 12000 words long, and should be submitted in full and include a synopsis and author biography in the cover letter. Please put your name or pseudonym in the manuscript as well as in your submission email.Send submissions to submissions@torquerepress.com with Masks Off! in the subject line. Payment is a $50.00 flat fee for first time electronic and print rights for three years, and a print copy of the book. No reprints, please. Deadline for submissions is April 1, 2012 for an August 2012 publication.
WEIRD SCIENCE
Who doesn’t love the idea of the mad scientist, working away in his lab, his sexy creature or lab assistant just waiting for him to notice them? Or what about the grad student who discovers just the potion that will make him the stud his oblivious roommate has always wanted…That’s the idea behind the Weird Science anthology. We’re looking for sexy, romantic male/male stories about what happens when science gets wild and wonderful in the name of love. Make us laugh, make us fall in love, and make us happy at the end! We’re not looking for hard science fiction or horror for this anthology, but we do want fully realized stories with strong characters.Stories should be between 5000 and 12000 words long, and should be submitted in full and include a synopsis and author biography in the cover letter. Please put your name or pseudonym in the manuscript as well as in your submission email.Send submissions to submissions@torquerepress.com with Weird Science in the subject line. Payment is a $50.00 flat fee for first time electronic and print rights for three years, and a print copy of the book. No reprints, please. Deadline for submissions is June 1 2012 for an October 2012 publication.
Dream Lover by Aaron Michaels
09 Mar 2012 Leave a Comment
in Aaron Michaels, Torquere Press Tags: Aaron Michaels, Torquere Press
Title: Dream Lover
Author: Aaron Michaels
Publisher: Torquere
Pages: 21
Characters: Patrick, Gino
POV: Third Person
Sub-Genre: fantasy/paranormal
Kisses: 4
Blurb:
Patrick’s found the man of his dreams, literally. Ever since Patrick met Gino at a company mixer, he’s been having erotic dreams. Incredibly sexy dreams. Dreams that leave Patrick totally spent and feeling more than a little unhinged. How does a guy tell the world’s most beautiful man to get out of his dreams? Especially when Patrick’s pretty sure that beautiful man isn’t exactly human.
Review:
Dream Lover is a short story featuring a 30-something professional, Patrick, who is curiously attracted to a handsome stranger he meets at a company party. He’s never before experienced love at first sight, but there is something about this guy–Gino–that Patrick can’t explain. After a formal introduction where they shake hands, this obsession only intensifies, and Patrick ends up following Gino as he leaves the party and goes for a swim in a nearby pond.
The days immediately following the party are confusing to Patrick, especially due to the fact that he keeps dreaming about Gino. The dreams are exceptionally vivid, unlike anything Patrick has ever experienced. Ultimately Patrick decides he must go back to the restaurant and confront his fantasy lover. When he does so, he discovers a secret that is beyond his wildest imagination.
Dream Lover is a well-written short that includes no graphic content. The sex scenes are glossed over and recounted rather than described. The focus of the narrative is upon what is going on in the protagonists head and how he comes to terms with a paranormal reality.
Reviewed By: Jeff
Barndance by B.A. Tortuga
09 Mar 2012 Leave a Comment
in Amazon Kindle, BA Tortuga, Torquere Press Tags: Amazon, BA Tortuga, Torquere Press
Title: Barndance
Author: B.A. Tortuga
Publisher: Torquere Press
Pages: 37
Characters: Red and Zeke
POV: Third Person
Sub-Genre: Historical/Western Romance
Kisses: 4.5
Blurb:
Sometimes music says it better than words.
Taking a break from driving cattle, Red Farr finds himself at the barn dance, listening to Zeke play the hell out of his fiddle. Zeke’s going where his fiddling takes him, but he might be looking for something a little more steady. When Red tells him that the ranch he works for could use another hand or two, Zeke reckons it could suit him to the ground. As could Red, if only Red feels the same way as Zeke.
Between driving cattle and fiddling, can Red and Zeke find some time for each other?
Review:
It is the post-Civil-War era, and Red is a rancher who’s been hired to lead a cattle drive across the country. The night before he leaves, he is drawn to a barn dance when he hears the enticing sounds of the fiddle. As he enters the barn, he’s immediately attracted to the man playing the fiddle, Zeke.
During a break, Zeke and Red officially meet each other outside and socialize while smoking cigars. Red learns that Zeke is a bit of a drifter. He fought in the war and was imprisoned for a period in the Yankee POW camps. Since then, he’s been traveling around working odd jobs but would ultimately like to settle down. He inquires of Red about the possibility of joining the cattle drive.
Once Zeke and Red find themselves together during the cross-country trek, a romance begins. It all starts when Red offers to help Zeke apply salve to his wounded hands. When they finally reach their destination several weeks later, they culminate their relationship in a hotel room (after a much needed bath).
The thing I found most striking about this short story was the authenticity of the writer’s voice. Often when I read books that are historical or that require intricate world building, the vernacular comes off as being phony. Let’s face it, it’s very difficult to maintain a dialect for the duration of a lengthy prose piece. I thought this author did amazingly well. Some of the phrases caused me to raise an eyebrow, and a few times I laughed right out loud.
The story also got me thinking about some issues, not only regarding what it would have been like to be gay during this period of history, but what it’d be like to live at all during that time. I kept wondering how the hell they washed their clothes. I wondered what it would be like to make love to someone who hadn’t taken a bath in several weeks. (Of course if I were living in that era, I probably would have been the same as everyone else–i.e. stinky!)I was glad that the author waited until the couple had finally bathed before they got really intimate with each other.LOL
Overall, it was a beautiful story that was very well written. The way the protagonists talked (and thought) reminded me of Brokeback Mountain, even though of course it was a very different setting. And the most special thing about the story was that the author presented a genuine love story that focused more upon the main characters’ feelings than on their sexual activities.
Reviewed By: Jeff
