April 3rd, 2011

Something Shattered by Bailey Bradford

Something Shattered by Bailey Bradford
Publisher: Loose-ID
Genre: LGBT Contemporary
Length: Novel

Summary:

Jesse Martin never knew what it meant to belong anywhere until he moved to the small town of El Jardin, NM. Something about the town called to him, and he set about doing what he could to fit in. If that meant keeping some parts of himself separate, tucked away from prying eyes, then that was what he’d do.

Caden Tomas moved to El Jardin to escape the memories of a vicious attack that left him a shattered, broken man. The physical wounds would heal, but the emotional ones seemed insurmountable. Unable to leave his home for more than a brief walk to the mailbox, Caden’s isolation was just one more torment that ate away at his hopes of ever recovering.

Two men, each with their own personal demons, living only yards across from one another. Each is fascinated by the other, but unable to find a way to breach the problems that keep them apart. The solution comes in the form of one yappy little poodle, Loopy. His frequent escapes from Caden’s yard gives Jesse a reason to approach his neighbor, and form a tenuous bond that will heal their wounds and maybe, just maybe, end their lonely nights.

Publisher’s Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Male/male sexual practices.

Helen’s Review:

I really enjoyed Something Shattered by Bailey Bradford. This sweet story was not only sexy it also dealt with some interesting social issues.

I loved the very realistic three dimensional main characters, Jesse Martin and Caden Thomas. Their relationship develops slowly, this is due to Caden’s agoraphobia and Jesse’s concern that he not scare or harm the obviously broken man. I think Ms Bailey dealt with Caden’s agoraphobia in a sensitive way and didn’t try to rush things for the sake of the story. The romance between Caden and Jesse might have developed a little quickly for some people’s taste once the trust had developed between the two characters, but it suited the story so that didn’t worry me.

The plot line was interesting and brought up a few different issues. For me the plot/story was let down a bit by the way some of these issues were not fully addressed and swept aside with a casual reference at the end of the story. Even though I felt the story was a little rushed at the end, I still enjoyed it very much and look forward to more books by this author.

Rated 4 Delightful Divas by Helen!

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February 6th, 2011

A Dog Named Slugger by Leigh Brill

A Dog Named Slugger by Leigh Brill
Publisher: Bell Bridge Books
Genre: Non-fiction
Length: 248 pages

Summary:

The true life story of a dog who changed everything for one woman. For the first time in my life, I didn’t need to pretend, I didn’t need to be tough: I only needed to be honest. “I have cerebral palsy. I walk funny and my balance is bad. I fall a lot. My hands shake, too. That means I’m not so good at carrying things. And if I drop stuff, sometimes it’s hard to just bend down and get it.” I waited anxiously for the interviewer’s response. She smiled. “It sounds like a service dog could be great for you.” So began Leigh Brill’s journey toward independence and confidence, all thanks to a trained companion dog named Slugger. The struggling college student and the Labrador with a “a coat like sunshine” and a tail that never stopped wagging became an instant team. Together, they transformed a challenge into a triumph. Together, they inspired and educated everyone they met. Now, Leigh honors her friend with the story of their life, together.

Helen’s Review:

While not a romance story as you would expect on this review site, A Dog Named Slugger by Leigh Brill is still very much a love story between a woman and her service dog.

Leigh Brill has Cerebral Palsy and the book starts when she is in college struggling to overcome her disabilities. Eventually she hears about service dogs and she waits to hear if she is eligible for the program. She is paired up with Slugger and we then go on a journey of how her life changes and is enhanced with Sluggers help. She becomes more independent and gains confidence in herself. We learn through flashbacks about Leigh’s childhood and the often cruel way she was treated by both children and adults.

Although at times the writing was a bit naive, A Dog Named Slugger is a heartwarming story that will be enjoyed by both dog lovers and those interested in service dogs.

Rated 3.5 Delightful Divas by Helen!

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December 17th, 2010

Foxe Tail: A Skyler Foxe Mystery by Haley Walsh

FOXE TAIL: A Skyler Foxe Mystery by Haley Walsh
Publisher: MLR Press
Genre: Mystery
Length: 288 pages

Summary:

Skyler Foxe is a brand new English teacher in his hometown of Redlands, CA. He loves literature, loves his students, loves his friends, especially his best friend Detective Sidney Feldman. But he doesn’t love keeping his orientation a secret, afraid of the backlash in this conservative county. Will murder thrust him into unwanted limelight? Who killed his principal’s son outside a gay dance club? And what’s the connection to James Polk High? Is the macho football coach or his mysterious and gorgeous new assistant coach involved? Can Skyler trust anyone at the high school when there seems to be conspiracies around every corner?

Helen’s Review:

Haley Walsh is a new author to me and Foxe Tail is her first gay mystery. While there are romantic elements to the story and one fairly quick sex scene I would definitely class Foxe Tail as more of a mystery than a romance. To some this might be a bit off-putting but I found Ms Walsh’s wonderful story telling ability kept me engrossed in the book and to be honest I didn’t miss the sex scenes or lack there of. Because this is the first book of a trilogy it is highly likely that romance will happen in the second or third book and Foxe Tail is setting the scene.

The main plot is of course the murder but Ms Walsh has skillfully woven quite a few sub-plots throughout the story to give multiple layers and a lot of intrigue. While the murder is solved some of the sub-plots will carry through to the next book.

Ms Walsh has created a wonderfully rich cast of characters for this trilogy starting with the main character, Skyler Foxe. Skyler is aided, in various degrees, in solving the murder by his best friend Sidney and of all things, his ex lovers, now his friends. The banter between Sidney and his friends is guaranteed to give you a laugh at times.

I enjoyed Foxe Tail by Haley Walsh very much and I’m looking forward to the second book in the trilogy.

Rated 5 Delightful Divas and a Recommended Read by Helen!

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October 21st, 2010

Say It Again by Jasmine Black

Say it Again by Jasmine Black
Publisher: Silver Publishing
Genre: GLBT, M/M, Contemporary, Erotic Romance

Review Copy Received from Publisher

Summary:

One month before the annual fireman’s charity auction, fireman, Wade Hartman announces he’s gay. This year when he strolls down the catwalk, he wants to leave with a man. When the only bid he receives is a pity bid, Wade’s crushed, but he lets his friend take him to dinner anyway.

Real estate conglomerate, Jared Kessler’s loved Wade for years. So when he reads the article about the fireman’s charity event, he knows he has to be the winning bidder. Mistaken as an unwanted bidder, Jared refuses to give up. He wants Wade, if only for one night.

One innocent dinner turns into fiery passion. But one night isn’t enough for Wade. He wants Jared for real. The more Wade pushes, the closer he comes to discovering the deep, dark secrets of Jared’s past. Can love conquer Jared’s fears or are his wounds too deep for even love?

Helen’s Review:

At first when I started reading Say it Again by Jasmine Black it seemed to me that this story was going to be about Wade and Jared not communicating resulting in misunderstandings. While this is true, it is also about so much more than simple misunderstandings.

Wade can’t understand how Jared’s manner towards him constantly changes between hot and cold. He doesn’t know that Jared is fighting demons from his past.

The story is well written and the characters are both very likeable. There is a sad undertone to Say It Again and while the ending did finish in a way that promises a happy ever after I would have liked it to go on just a bit longer to confirm this really does happen. I look forward to reading more stories by Jasmine Black.

Rated 4 Delightful Divas by Helen!

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August 16th, 2010

Neil's Guardian Angel by Carol Lynne

Neil’s Guardian Angel by Carol Lynne
Publisher: Total-E-Bound
Genre: GLBT, Contemporary, M/M

Review Copy Received from Publisher

Summary:

Book seventeen in the Cattle Valley Series

After a fall from his horse leaves Neil Peters in need of around-the-clock care, he is forced to face a past he doesn’t even remember. Ben Waters, the man constantly at his beside, doesn’t even look familiar. So why does Neil feel there’s more to the story when Ben introduces himself as Neil’s legal guardian?

Ben’s inappropriate feelings towards his ward once forced him to send Neil away. Now, Neil once again threatens Ben’s control. Ben tries to push aside his desires as he helps Neil but they won’t be shoved away this time. And soon he learns, reaching out to the man he still loves is the only way for both of them to come to terms with their pasts and their future.

Helen’s Review:

One of the things I like best about Carol Lynne’s stories is that no two are ever the same.

Carol Lynne is a master at dealing with the emotions that effect her characters and in Neil’s Guardian Angel the main characters, Neil and Ben, each have a lot of different emotions to deal with.

Both characters have to deal with their past before they can move forward with their lives. In Neil’s case this is difficult because he can’t remember his past. Ben has to deal with guilt over not being able to stop things that happened to Neil before Neil came to Cattle Valley.

Of course there are other elements at play in this story which ultimately affect both characters and both need to learn how to compromise before they reach their HEA.

As usual Ms Lynne deals with all these emotions and issues in the sensitive way we have come to expect from her. The characters are well written and extremely likeable and I loved the touches of humor that were brought into the story by some of the well loved Cattle Valley residents.

Neil’s Guardian Angel is an excellent addition to the Cattle Valley Series.

Rated 4 Delightful Divas by Helen!

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August 16th, 2010

Off Trail by JB McDonald

Off Trail by JB McDonald
Publisher: Torquere
Genre: GLBT (M/M), Erotic, Contemporary Romance

Review Copy Received from Publisher

Summary:

Recently widowed, with one dog now crippled and another about to give birth, Keith needs help. Problem is, he doesn’t want it. When Spencer blows into his life, Keith does his best to shove Spencer back out. Spencer is everything his dead husband wasn’t, and little too close to the wild side
for Keith’s taste.

Spencer can see that Keith is drowning in details, just as he can see how a little aid would go a long way. But Keith keeps refusing help – for everything except the crippled dog. Spencer’s way into Keith’s house is through fur on wheels; finding his way into Keith’s heart won’t be so easy.

Helen’ Review:

JB McDonald is a new to me author and I must say that I really am glad that I chose to review this book.

Off Trail is a story about a man’s struggle to regain his life after the death of his husband. The first part of the book is full of angst and it is easy to feel the pain that Keith is trying to deal with. The emotions in this book are beautifully written and really easy to empathize with Keith and all his problems as they start to escalate out of his control.

Spencer is also a wonderful character and the total opposite of Keith. Where Keith can be grumpy and defeatist at times, Spencer is happy, smiling and optimistic. The two characters compliment each other very well.

At 293 pages this was quite a long book but the writing style flowed so beautifully that I found it easy to read in one sitting. Ms McDonald added to the interest in Off Trailwith her wonderful descriptions of the dogs, scenery, small town life and also with a couple of exciting scenes about dog sledding, a subject I know nothing about.

My only complaint about the book was the rather abrupt ending as it was so unexpected. The story ended happily enough but in my opinion not enough thought went into the ending and a couple of sentences were not enough to solve all the problems. Maybe an epilogue would have helped.

I really enjoyed this book and will be searching for more by this author.

Rated 4½ Delightful Divas by Helen!

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July 16th, 2010

Dracul's Blood by T.A. Chase and Carol Lynne

Dracul’s Blood by T.A. Chase and Carol Lynne
Publisher: Total-E-Bound
Genre: Thriller, GLBT, M/M

Review Copy Received from Publisher

Summary:
Book one in the Dracul’s Revenge Series

When people begin turning up dead, drained of their blood, in New York City, it falls on Detective Bobby Marks to solve the crime. Enlisting the help of Professor Nikolay Radin to help with a strange cask found at a murder scene changes Bobby’s life in ways he never imagines.

A simple consultation turns into so much more when sparks fly between the two men, and Nik is unknowingly pulled into the dangerous world of a secret society.

The Knights of Paiderastia have been around for thousands of years, and refuse to sit by while an ordinary detective and a bookish professor try to take them down.

In a battle against true evil, Bobby begins to wonder whether he can solve the crime and still manage to keep his new lover alive.

Helen’s Review:
I have been really looking forward to reading Dracul’s Blood by T.A. Chase and Carol Lynne after hearing about it quite some time ago. These are two of my all time favourite authors and both are auto buy authors for me. Did the book live up to my expectations? Hell yes!!!

One of the things that struck me with this book was how seamless the writing was. It was impossible for me to tell who wrote what, where one author stopped and the other took over. Their writing styles melded beautifully together and made the book so easy to read.

The two main characters Bobby and Nik were both well defined and very likeable. I hope I’m not stepping on anyone’s toes when I say that I just adored Nik and his bookish and slightly clumsy ways.

The plot was very well thought out and I did like the interesting twist that made this book both a vampire story and at the same time not a vampire story. I know that sounds odd but you really need to read this for yourself to see what I mean. It was a real plus for me that the story’s origins were set far back in time and the repercussions of things that happened back then were still being felt now.

Normally I’m fairly good at working out who is the bad guy. In Dracul’s Blood Carol and TA had enough red herrings to keep me second guessing myself and I’m happy to admit that I never picked the right person. I love it when that happens.

I already know that there will be a follow up book and I can’t wait for it to be released. I hope this is just the beginning of a brilliant author pairing.

Well done Carol Lynn and TA Chase. You both rock!!!!

Rated 5 Delightful Divas and a Recommended Read by Helen!

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July 4th, 2010

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf by Stormy Glenn

Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? (Wolf Creek Pack, #6) by Stormy Glenn
Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand
Genre: GLBT, Ménage (M/M/M), Erotic, Paranormal, Werewolves / Vampires

Review Copy Received from Publisher

Summary:

Ben knew there would never be a mate for him. No one in his or her right mind would want to be shackled with a man with no tenderness, no gentleness, and certainly no kindness. He didn’t even know what those emotions were anymore. They were stripped from him, along with a good portion of his sanity. Ben has nothing to offer a mate, and he knows it.

When huge sky blue eyes peak out at him from under strawberry blond hair at a Wolf Mating party, Ben can’t deny his fascination, or his need to claim Stefan as his mate. But Stefan comes with a lot of baggage. According to vampire law, he’s been given away by his brother to Dane, the brother of Stefan’s best friend, Audley. In exchange, Audley has been given to Stefan’s brother. The problem? Audley and Stefan are both Ben’s mates.

When Stefan and Audley are kidnapped, Ben and their friends race to save them. Can Ben survive long enough to save his mates, or will his worst nightmare come true? Can Stefan and Audley overcome their fears long enough to save their mate, or will they lose him forever?

Helen’s Review:

Having loved the first five of the Wolf Creek Pack books I was happy for the chance to review Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? (Wolf Creek Pack, #6) by Stormy Glenn.

The three main characters were all very vividly portrayed and extremely likeable. Although Ben thinks he is unlikeable and unlovable this is clearly not the case. When he meets and claims his mates, Stefan and Audley he becomes, at least to them, a gentle giant. For me it was Stefan who stole the show, he is such a hot little firecracker. Audley, the third member of the trio doesn’t appear until later in the story and the fact that he also is their mate surprises both Ben and Stefan.

The plot/storyline had the potential to become a very exciting book but while I found the beginning and the end of the book lived up to the potential; the middle was too full of sex scenes for me and not enough story development.

Never the less, I am sure many readers will enjoy this book and I am definitely looking forward to the next Wolf Creek Pack story by Stormy Glenn.

Rated 3 ½ Delightful Divas by Helen!

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July 1st, 2010

In and Out by LB Gregg

In and Out (Men of Smithfield novel) by LB Gregg
Publisher: Aspen Mountain Press
Genre: m/m contemporary erotic romance

Summary:

Former television sensation and renowned world explorer, Holden Worthington, is held prisoner by crippling agoraphobia. When a sexy young laborer arrives to set his property to rights, a ray of light glimmers in Holden’s dark and narrow world. A grisly discovery throws the two men together, and Holden finds his world turned inside out by his inappropriate longing for his awkward, young employee, Adam Morgan, and by a threat growing around them both. All of Smithfield believes Holden has something to hide, and Adam is determined to bring everything–including Holden Worthington–into the open.

Helen’s Review:

Wow, what an amazing book. In and Out is told from the point of view of Holden, one of the main characters. By writing this book from Holden’s perspective, it gives us a bit of an in depth look at what it must be like to be agoraphobic and the problems and heartache this condition can cause. Ms Gregg treats both the character and the condition with respect and dignity.

Adam, the other main character has his own problems to deal with and it was wonderful to watch these two characters accept each other exactly as they are problems and all. They are both wonderfully supportive of each other. Another thing I liked about In and Out is that the age gap between Holden (40) and Adam (24) is not treated like a huge problem to be overcome.

When Adam discovers a body in Holden’s garden it creates a whole new set of problems for them. Holden has to deal with things like police interviews, being considered a suspect, intrusive TV crews, nosey neighbors and his brother and sister-in-law among others.

Even though murder is not a funny subject Ms Gregg manages to include many lighthearted moments into the book that will not only make you smile but also laugh out loud on occasions.

The supporting cast of characters is superb and plentiful; in fact at times it seemed to me like Holden’s house must have had revolving doors as there were so many people coming and going.

There is so much to like about In and Out by LB Gregg and in my opinion it is the best of her Men of Smithfield novels.

Rated 5 Delightful Divas by Helen!

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