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Independent reviewer for Gay Romance Reviews, I was gifted a copy of this book. Oh yeah, I LOVED this book! So much! Angelo and Spencer have a great deal of . . .not hatred cos that is too strong a word, but they really dislike each other, with a passion. And it's that passion that spills things over into something much more, something neither of them dreamed of. So much passion, from these two, it burned the page! While what they say to themselves is hatred of the other, deep down, they both know that there is something more between them and getting stuck in a snow storm together is the time to let it all out, and just FEEL, you know?? So much the feels! I loved the speed at which these guys fell, once they admitted to themselves at least what they were actually feeling. Usually I don't but the whole book (bar the epilogue) takes place over a few days, some 125 pages, so for it to work, it has to be fast. I loved that they were all in. Both guys have a say, in the first person, so we get it all from them both. How much Spencer riles Angelo up. How much Spencer gets a kick out of calling him Angel. How much what they both want from the other means to them. LOVED these guys, I really did! Can't see that I've read anything else by this author, and now I want more! 5 stars **same worded review will appear elsewhere**

*purchased copy Jan 2020* I have a *thing* for the more obscure paranormal creatures, and gargoyles are at the top of that list, since so few are written. Add in an author who is a firm favourite, and really, you can't go wrong! And I LOVED this gargoyle book! It has twists and turns, new additions to the folklore of gargoyles. It has a feisty young lady, with an old head on her shoulders. It has an old solider, with a hardened heart. It has a scorned witch, and some bad as sin fae folk who want nothing more than to destroy all the gargoyles! Beaumont (not ever shortened to Beau, so many Brownie points!) is old, and actually has had enough. Faced with his little pickpocket stealing his most precious stone, he knows that he will die if he doesn't get it back. But since meeting the feisty little thief, his attitude is changing, and maybe, just maybe, he can find it, and be happy with Sadie. I loved that Beaumont only calls Sadie her given name but once in the whole book. She's his little thief, his pickpocket, all those sorts of names. Why? He doesn't like that Sadie contains the word SAD! I was like, "oh thats so sweet!" I liked that Sadie's sister will play a huge part in another gargoyle's life, in book 2. And I wonder if the scorned witch will be making another appearence in a later book to redeem herself. Ms Redd has started a new series with a bang, and I hope to get to read them all! 5 full and shiny stars! **same worded review will appear elsewhere**

Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book. This NEW series from Nystrom is a spin off from the Dragon Runners series. You don't need to have read THOSE books for this one to make sense, indeed, I've only read book one and half of book 2. I didn't much care for those books, and I have no idea why. This one, however, is a whole nother story! I really REALLY enjoyed this! I was surprised I enjoyed it so much, since I didn't care for the Dragon Runners, and I cannot tell you why, either! Bev has her say in the first person, and Connor in the third. Different, but quirky and I liked it! Wasn't sure Connor would get a voice, but he does. The chemistry builds for these two, right from the start, but its way WAY late in the book that they finally get any time together, what with Connor's work, and Bev's kids and dealing with a shitty ex and his new partner. I liked that it took time for them to come together. They do bandy about the L word early, to themselves at least and I didn't like that very much but it didn't spoil my reading. Connor's builder family are in one of the Dragon Runners books, as they rebuild the Clubhouse/Bar (I forget which, and I didn't read Connor's sister's book, Stud, book 2) There is quite a lot of hints to the tension between Connor and some of his siblings, but the ones who turn up here are close to Connor. Bev's family are almost non-existent! I had to laugh at Bev's friend, signing her up for a dating app, cos been there, done that and got the bloody t-shirt! I felt for Bev, on those dates, I really did! I really cannot tell you why the Dragon Runners didn't work for me, and this one did, but I really don't care. I hope I can read the future books about these brothers, I have a feeling they will be fun to read about. 4 very VERY good stars **same worded review will appear elsewhere**

This was a really great read! Kade got dumped, his mates made him a Bucket List. What could go wrong? Well, nothing really, cos Kade meets Blake right near the top of that list, and Blake pushes Kade to make some changes to his life, to himself. But ONLY because Kade wants to make those changes, nothing is pushed onto him, bar the list. The situation with Kade’s ex unravels itself beautifully. It’s not all laid out for you, and the pieces and clues come in dribs and drabs at first but then when you see what’s coming, they come at you faster, I thought! It’s hot and steamy in places, but I didn’t think it got especially emotional, or I didn’t FEEL that emotion coming off the page. It’s well written, and well delivered. But only Kade has a say, and I think this could have been a 5 star read had Blake been given a voice, I really do. Still, a delightfully sexy, sweet story that passed a couple of hours on a quiet Sunday evening at work. 4 good solid stars

Verified purchase July 2018 Usually I don't go for college aged characters, but Matt and Trevor both have old heads on their young shoulders, for very different reasons. Yes Matt comes from money, but there are strings attached. Yes Trevor has suffered after being rejected by his family, but he is pulling himself upwards now. I loved how things develop between these two! Not just how they initally get together, but how things move along between them, physically as well as emotionally. This is the first of Blair's work I've listened to, indeed, read so I would like to read or listen to more now! Greg Boudreaux narrates and the man is a MASTER at his craft! His voices for everyone are easily indentifiable when listening to multi person conversations. The reading voice Boudreaux uses is deep and even and there were no dips or bits I missed when Matt or Trevor got emotional or were thinking (a common theme, trust me!) 4 stars for the book 5 for the narration (cos, you know, Greg!) **same worded review will appear elsewhere**

Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book. This is one of those books that I nearly dumped! NEARLY, but didn't. Ollie said something, Shay said something, I forget who said what, but one of them said something that made the book a whole LOT more readable and I wanted to know what more. More Ollie, more Shay, just plain MORE! Cos ya'll know how greedy I am! I loved that, when Ollie was keeping the things he found about Shay's family from Shay til certain points, he kept it from US too, and we only found it all out, just as Shay does. Loved being kept on my toes for that! I loved that what happened to Ollie isn't immediately laid out for you and you have to piece together the clues. Again, we don't get the FULL picture til Ollie tells Shay all about it. There is immediately attraction between the guys, yes, but it's a way WAY through the book before they actually get their sexy time, and strangely, I think I would have preferred that they did NOT have on-screen time, you know? I was loving the EMOTIONS that run rife through the book, real gut wrenching ones in places, and the sexy time, while still emotional for the guys, it kinda felt thrown in, that it was supposed to be there, just because, if you see what I mean? probably not, I'm not making much sense, I know! Both guys have a say, in the third person, so we get all of Ollie's fear about doing this again, about being behind the camera again. We get all of Shay's growing feelings for Ollie, and we get it all from them both when the full history of Shay is revealed. So, because it took me a while to fully engage . . . 4 solid stars **same wroded review will appear elsewhere**

A delicious addition to the series! It's not necessary to have read the other 5 books, but they are all great reads! Rich is not happy with his home life so spends most of his time at the coffee shop or the shelter where he volunteers. Diego watches Rich in the coffee shop. Now, when I read the blurb I thought that kinda creepy, but it's delivered in such a non-creepy way, I loved it! Rich KNOWS Diego is watching him, cos he watches Diego too. Both guys have a say, in the third person. Both Rich and Diego know they want something more than a quick fling, they want to BUILD something. It's great reading, the way they both sort of dance around their feelings but know what they want! Their chemistry is hot and heavy right from that first non-date, and it was great fun watching Diego introduce some new pleasures to Rich. The danger to Rich is front and centre throughout the whole book, and it's really well told, the way that sort of snowballs around him. Most of the previous characters pop up in one way or another, or are talked about, and it was particularly wonderful to catch up with Lonnie and Parker (book 2, Copping and Attitude) I think they were my favourite couple! It is a really great book, just a little on the sweet side for me, which was why I gave it four stars and not 5. Still, I read it in one sitting on a quite afternoon at work! 4 good, solid stars **similar worded review will appear elsewhere**

Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book. Tyler finds out his amazing one night stand is the mark for the next ATF raid. Then he finds himself on the opposite side of the fence, as her fiancee. Mia knows she has no choice to this union of Mafia branches, but she doesn't have to like it. Finding out there really IS a way out of it, is great, just not who Tyler really is. Can they really be together when it all goes down? This is book 3 in the Cole Brothers series, and I have not read the others. I don't feel I missed out on anything by not doing, but this book gives me enough hints to THOSE books, that I would LIKE to go back and read them, because I want to, not because I need to. And I really am NOT sure how I feel about THIS book! And ya'll know I'm ALL about my book feelings. Its just I don't seem to have any about this book and I cannot for the life of me, figure out what doesn't work for me. I liked that both Mia and Tyler have a say, it is in the first person, but each change is headed as the chapter changes. I liked that Tyler's deception discovered late in the day, not by Mia, cos Tyler tells her, but by the other major players. I liked that there is a much bigger picture here, with ALL the Cole brothers involved, and that picture is what makes me want to go back and read the other books. Maybe THIS one will fit in better then, I don't know. A *for a Mafia book* Nice book, and as much I as hate using that word for a book, it's the ONLY one I can muster. 3 solid GOOD stars, just maybe not for me. **same worded review will appear elsewhere**

Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book. Faced with the destruction of her beloved neighbourhood, Ellie is given a month to persuade lawyer and new block owner Jackson to renovate, rather than rebuild. This appears to be only the second book Ms Ohlin has written. And I really rather enjoyed it! It's light a fluffy in places, and dark and deadly in others. It's funny and sexy in places, its heavy and emotional in others. It spans a huge range of emotions and all are extremely well portrayed and delivered. Ellie is a vet (as in animal doctor, not ex service person) and Jackson is lawyer to the criminal underworld in town. Jackson is jaded and buys the block as a new career. Ellie loves her community and fights Jackson all the way. But Jackson is, quite literally, smitten as a kitten with Ellie and it really doesn't take much for Jackson to see what Ellie does. Jackson's job clashes with his personal life in a way I so did NOT see coming at me and I loved that! I absolutely did NOT have a clue that was coming at me, and I must have shouted out, cos my daughter stuck her head round the door and asked if I was ok! It was a blinder of a plot twist! Very well played, there, Ms Ohlin, very well played! It does carry some darker story lines: parental/spousal abuse, as well as animal abuse. Some of this is described in great detail. Readers may have triggers. Both Ellie and Jackson have a say, and I loved that they did. Ya'll know I need to hear from everyone! This is billed as book one in the Rescue Me series, and I cannot wait to see who comes next, and what Ms Ohlin pulls out of her hat for them! 4 very VERY good stars **same worded review will appear elsewhere**

Luca survived his poisoning only because a child distracted his tormentors. When Kit turns up at the choosing ceremony as a slave, Luca sees red and kills the current Alpha who was pretending to be The Alpha King. The Alpha King is a tite long since abused, but can only be held by an Alpha who has a Pure Omega as a mate. That his mate is a human MALE makes no odds to Luca, but he needs to look after the pack, ALL the packs, and having Kit as his mate will be one more difficulty he needs to overcome. I LOVED this! Luca knows he will be Alpha of a pack one day, he just has to bide his time. He never expected that Alpha title to come with a King on the end. Kit called him that, all those years ago, but he never thought anything by it. Now that Kit is in his arms, and Luca has inherited the title properly, he also comes into his powers. He didn't know about those. Kit's presence in his life, in his bed has opened a whole can of worms but Luca knows he can shut it. Kit is an unlicensed human, used to life treating him in the worst way. He knew, he always KNEW that Luca was his mate, that Luca would be the salvation for all humans and the way they were treated, he just didn't expect to actually FEEL for Luca, to fall in love with him. Both Luca and Kit have a says, in the third person. I wasn't sure Kit would for a time, since it is a way into the book before he gets his voice, so I was mighty pleased about that. It's deeply emotional in places, when Kit tells of his childhood (such as it was) and Luca talks about the future. It's violent in others when Kit is kidnapped and Luca does what he has to do to save Kit, and the consequences of that action. It is a wonderfully told story! This world is (currently) a bad place for humans, since the wolves overthrew the humans and enslaved them centuries ago. Once, the humans were the dominant species and much of their history is now lost to the winds of time, but Luca has a very industrious friend who digs up all kinds of long lost information, for both the humans AND for Luca and about the title of Alpha King and the Pure Omega who mates him. Things that are all kinds of spoilers and I'm not saying. But I also have a feeling that much more will be discovered in time that will turn a lot of things on their heads. There are a couple of characters who I would like to have either heard from here, or would like if they could have their own stories, but I'm not sure that would work, in the grand scheme of things. Sam and Asher especially, but another couple too. Joel Leslie narrates. I love Mr Leslie's work, I really do. I could listen to the man read the phone book! I cannot fault the narration! Everyone's voice fits their descriptions, each voice is clear and easily definable when in multi person conversations. Leslie's reading voice is deep and even, and I had no problem with keeping up when Leslie gets over the emotions these guys were feeling. Sometimes, I lose that, when a narrator dips their voice when the characters are emotional, but not so Leslie! I have books 2 and 3 to listen to, just as soon as I find some time. I can't wait! 5 stars for the book 5 stars for the narration too **same worded review will appear elsewhere**

Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted the audio version of this book. I came across this pair of authors when asked to read the Owatonna U Hockey series. THIS series is before that series, and so I know some of what happens here ahead of time. Tennant is the youngest brother of three, and they are all hockey players. Tennant wants to do his own thing, so bucks against what his brothers want him to do and joins the Harrisburg Railers. Jared is one of the coaches to the team and Ten’s big brother’s best friend. Jared also pushes all of Ten’s buttons and is 9 years his senior. Jared can’t touch Ten, can he? For the most part, I did enjoy this book. Like I said, I knew there was a happy ever after and I knew what would happen to Jared’s son, Ryker (book one, Owatonna U Hockey, who is 17 here) so it was more a matter of HOW they got there, rather than if. I liked that Jared made Ten wait, and that boy did struggle in the beginning with that, but once he saw WHY Jared wanted to make him wait, he saw, he really did, the beauty of that. Both Jared and Ten have a say, in the first person. Each voice is distinctive enough to know who is speaking if left mid chapter, but I have something to say about the narration in a little bit. I would have liked more conflict, I think! Ten is in the closet and NO one knows, not even his parents. Coming out to Jared changes things for Jared, cos he thought Ten straight. The conflict I think I wanted was with the team, and the aftermath of his coming out and what that meant to ten and Jared. There is SOME fall out, with the team’s bosses and what they do after, but when Ten was musing over things I was expecting MORE, you know?? Sean Crisden narrates. I have listened to his work a couple of times before, and I think I prefer his work when only a single character has a voice. Here’s why. Doing two voices alternately has to be difficult. Ten is far younger than Jared and has a higher voice that I had no trouble with. Switching then to Jared’s voice, which is low and deep? HIS voice is the one I struggled with. Crisden dips his voice when Jared is thinking, and is emotional, and I struggled, with my dodgy hearing to keep up. I missed some of Jared’s musings because of that. There was also some long drawn out, detailed descriptions of hockey matches and I kinda tuned out at those points. Had I been reading, I would have skipped ahead, but you can’t do that when listening. Sorry, but great details about sports is really not my thing, even if stories about the sports players is. 4 solid stars for the book 3.5 for the narration Rounded up to 4 stars overall **same worded review will appear elsewhere**

Title: Held Hostage (Sin City Uniforms #4) Author: Morticia Knight Publisher: Totally Bound Genre: Action, Contemporary Length: 199 pages Other: Spanking, Anal, Masturbation, M/M Rating: 4 stars Review by: Paperwhite REVIEW A very welcome addition to this series! This is book 4 in the Sin City Uniforms series, and you don’t NEED to have read the other books, but I would recommend you at least read book 2, Copping an Attitude. There are some things that happen in THAT book that have a direct impact on Brett in THIS book. They are all rather good though! Cole’s reaction to Brett is deep and powerful and vice versa and I loved that Brett fought a great deal against his feelings for Cole. They shared one night, just a “be there for each other” type thing, after a particularly difficult day for them both but very VERY quickly, it turns into more. They have crazy hot chemistry, right from the beginning. Cole brings some things into Brett’s bed that he never tried or thought to try before, and I did enjoy Brett learning as much as Cole did showing him. There is a scene in this book, that I did not enjoy. I didn’t want to read it, but I understand that is really is part of Cole’s life BEFORE Brett. I just didn’t like, is all! Both guys have a say, in the third person. Previous characters pop up, but not all of them. And I was glad that Brett could be friends with his ex, even after what he did in book 2. There is some overlap towards the end of this book and book 5, Negotiating Love and having read that book already, I knew what was going on, but it was great to read said bits from Cole’s point of view. I am enjoying this series, of 4 and 5 star ratings from me, but to be honest, this was probably my least favourite of the bunch. Still, I read it in one sitting, and I DID enjoy it for the most part. 4 solid stars **a similar worded review will appear elsewhere**

I was gifted my copy of this book. Dashiell saves Billy from an attack and then is offered a job as his driver. Dashiell wants to say no, but one look at Billy and Dashiell knows he can't. When the full picture becomes clear to Dashiell, and he grows closer to Billy, they begin to think that maybe, just maybe they can get away. But there is more at stake than just Dashiell and Billy, and the noose grows ever tighter around Billy. Can they really be free? So! This is the first book I've listened to by AE Ryecart (although I do have signed copies of The Barista Boys books!) and this was one hell of a ride! I *try* to seperate the narration from the story and write two bits of a review, but when a book is first person, multi point of view, I find it so much harder! So, not gonna! Dan Calley narrates this book and this is the first of his work I've managed to finish (totally another story, quite literally!) and I bloody loved the way he tells Dashiell and Billy's story! Calley get over every single feeling that Ryecart writes, and in such a way, I HAD to stay up late to finish it! Dashiell has an immediate attraction to Billy, but knows he can't have him, not while Billy is so tied to the situation, but they can't keep away from each other. Calley gets over the whole range of emotions that Dashiell, and indeed Billy, go through when dealing with the situation, and how they can be together, while figuring it all out! I loved that Dashiell's need to look after Billy, to feed him, soothe him, all those sorts of things, come out of nowhere for Dashiell. They really do hit him upside the head! Billy? Oh, I felt, deeply, for Billy, I realy did. He knows he can never be free, not while he has responsibilites to take of, but he can hope, right?? You do feel it, deep in your soul, when Billy stops hoping, and it made me cry! The way it all goes down comes out of left field, I thought I had more book left, it totally took me by surprise! Oh, I KNEW it was coming, but still. There is another character here who is not all he sems, and his book is next, I so wanna listen to that too! Be warned though, this book is dark, with reference to abuse that is described in some detail, but not every detail, if that makes sense. And the situation Billy is mixed up in has hints to underground activities. Some readers may have triggers. BUT for me?? 5 star read 5 star narration **same worded review will appear elsewhere**

Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book. Meeting Emi 13 months ago had a profound effect on Spider. Not least because he saved her from her ex. Crossing paths again showed Spider how much he wanted to be with Emi. But Emi has her demons, and her secrets. Can she close the door on her past, and let Spider in? This is book 2 in the Rough Ink series, but it’s not necessary to read Zed, book one, before this one. Zed and Vivi pop up, but not very much. I enjoyed THAT book, though and it gave me a feel for Ms Ellis’ work. THIS book?? I LOVED this book! Spider thinks something is wrong with him, because there are no problems in his life, no skeletons in his closet. Until one day, his world comes crashing down around him and he turns to the newly reacquainted with Emi for support. But Emi is dealing with her world crashing down, and needs Spider for support too. Spider keeps messing up though and I loved the advice Zed gives him, basically throwing his own words back at him. Emi is determined NOT to fall into her previous mistakes, and when Spider messes up, he MESSES up. He does, quite beautifully redeem himself a time a two though! It’s dark though, be warned and readers with triggers for domestic violence will need to be careful. It’s quite violent in places, with Emi’s ex doing his thing and we do get some of that in detail. It’s not overly explicit, but the heat level for Emi and Chris (which is Spider’s real name, and I loved that she kept the two names separate!) is hot off the page! I read this book on one sitting, and I bloody loved it! The bit that wrenched the most emotion from me, though, was NOT Spider and Emi, but that really was heart breaking. No, the bit that had me SOBBING was the epilogue! A certain person has his say, in just that one chapter, and Lord does he have a lot to say! So well played there, Ms Ellis, very well played! 5 gut wrenching, emotional, extremely well written stars **same worded review will appear elsewhere**

I lovefinding new to me authors, and narrators and Ms Albert and Mr Stevens are bothnew to me! Zach ishiding himself, from his fellow SEALs, his family but most of all his hidingfrom himself. Moving off base seems to be the best solution but then his worstnightmare needs a place to stay and Zach can’t say no to Pike, and Pike’s cats.So, he grits his teeth and bares it. Pike, however, is gritting his teeth foran entirely different reason. He has a massive crush on Zach but can’t let Zachknow. The two men call an uneasy truce to do up the house, but neither can stayaway from the other for long. That stayingaway lasts only so long and it really was a joy to behold to watch Zach andPike get closer, and begin their friends with benefits thing, but it was alsopainful. Both men knew they shouldn’t do this, and it messed with everyone’s head,mine included! Zach is verymuch in the closet, and Pike is not. That alone causes Zach to have kittensabout every.single.little.thing! Everything, near the beginning, caused Zach topanic, but watching the man fall, watching him come out of himself and thatcloset, watching him fall in love with Pike?? Twas a beautiful thing!I loved thatit was ZACH who made the decision to do something about their situation, andPike did not push Zach, even though he really wanted to.Much of thatbeauty though, is in the delivery, and Tyler Stevens narrates. This is thefirst of his work I have come across and I need more, lots more! I loved thenarration, as much as the story itself! Stevens wasable to wrench so much emotion, particularly for Zach, into his narration, itwas almost listening to your best friend pour their heart out to you.The voicesfor Zach and Pike are very different, getting the point across about the manydifferences between the two men. ALL the voices are distinctive enough for meto not have any trouble with multi person conversations. Stevens reading voiceis deep and clear and very VERY easy to listen to.Someinteresting characters in the book, Ryan and Josiah (apologies if that’s nothow you spell, I’ve not seen it written down!) do they have a book?? Would LOVEto read or listen to their story! And Apollo. That man is sad, it’s too soon,but maybe, just maybe. . . .and OH!! His book is next! I just looked!I have booktwo to listen to next, but that is by a different narrator so it will be interestingto see how Apollo’s voice carries from one narrator to the next. 5 stars forthe book5 stars forthe narration5 starsoverall**sameworded review will appear elsewhere**