Category Archives: M/M

March 1, 2015 · 11:57 pm

Review: Served Hot by Annabeth Albert

served hotTitle: Served Hot by Annabeth Albert
Portland Heat Series Book One
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Contemporary, M/M, Romance
Length: Novella/112 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

In Portland, Oregon, the only thing hotter than the coffee shops, restaurants, and bakeries are the hard-working men who serve it up—hot, fresh, and ready to go—with no reservations…

Robby is a self-employed barista with a busy coffee cart, a warm smile, and a major crush on one of his customers. David is a handsome finance director who works nearby, eats lunch by himself, and expects nothing but “the usual”—small vanilla latte—from the cute guy in the cart. But when David shows up for his first Portland Pride festival, Robby works up the nerve to take their slow-brewing relationship to the next level. David, however, is newly out and single, still grieving the loss of his longtime lover, and unsure if he’s ready to date again. Yet with every fresh latte, sweet exchange—and near hook-up—David and Robby go from simmering to steaming to piping hot. The question is: Will someone get burned?

First in the new Portland Heat series!

Review:

Served Hot is the first installment in Annabeth Albert’s Portland Heat series. This wonderful novella is a super sweet and steamy romance between two men who are a little hesitant to take a chance on love. This fast-paced and engaging read is delightfully heartwarming and I highly recommend it to fans of the genre.

Robert “Robby” Edwards owns a successful coffee cart business and the high point of his day is seeing one of his regular customers, David Gregory. There is something about the handsome, preppy businessman that Robby is drawn to, but since their interactions are strictly business, he is not sure if David is gay.  When the two run into one another at the Portland Pride Festival, Robby finally works up the nerve to take their relationship in a more personal direction. The two begin dating, but the baggage from their respective pasts threatens to destroy their chance at happiness.

Both Robby and David’s previous relationships were with closeted men, so their romance is new territory for both of them. Robby is not usually the aggressor in a relationship and it was a big move on his part to take the first step with David. Robby is a little shy and timid and while he has a definite idea of what he does and does not want in a relationship, he is mostly content to follow where the rock solid and dependable David leads.

While Robby becomes a little discouraged with the slow pace of their romance, he does overlook some of his frustration with David’s inability to fully let him into his life. Robby is sometimes reluctant to voice his dissatisfaction and this leads to misunderstandings that could have been avoided if the two men were better at communicating their needs and desires. Thankfully Robby does finally stand up for himself, but will this be the nudge that David needs to leave the dysfunction of his previous relationship behind him once and for all?

Served Hot by Annabeth Albert is an entertaining and heartfelt love story between two realistic and appealing protagonists. The romance is slow growing but believable and the sex scenes are delectably steamy. All in all, it is an excellent beginning to the Portland Heat series!

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Filed under Annabeth Albert, Contemporary, Kensington, M/M, Portland Heat Series, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Served Hot

November 26, 2014 · 11:57 pm

Review: Simply Pleasure by Kate Pearce

simply pleasureTitle: Simply Pleasure by Kate Pearce
House of Pleasure Series Book .5 (Prequel)
Publisher: Kensington Books
Genre: Historical, M/M, Erotica
Length: 74 pages/Word Count: 19,500
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Experience the illicit passions of Regency England in Kate Pearce’s House of Pleasure series…

MASTER OF SEDUCTION

Ten years as a sex slave in a Turkish brothel have left Val Sokorvsky a master in the art of erotic seduction. But even as he offered his body, he never offered his heart. Now that he is returning home he wonders what kind of welcome he will find. Only one person understands his pain and Val is helpless to resist the passion he feels for Peter Howard, his English lover…

MASTER OF SUBMISSION

Peter learned to survive his years as a sex slave by coaxing and teasing his lovers to the heights of sexual ecstasy. But there is only one man he’s ever loved, one man he can never take as his own. Returning to England may save him from captivity but it may also take away Val, the one man to whom he’d willingly give his body and soul…

The Review:

Simply Pleasure is a prequel to books one and two in Kate Pearce’s deliciously carnal House of Pleasure series. This novella provides readers with the back story of Valentin “Val” Sokorvsky and Peter Howard who were kidnapped and held as sex slaves in a Turkish brothel until their rescue at age eighteen. The story opens while the men are on their way back to England and it is at times unbearably heartbreaking, poignant and ultimately hopeful as Val and Peter try to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives.

It is impossible for Val and Peter not to be forever scarred their experiences and the men have very different ways of coping with their ordeal. Val is hardened, resentful and deliberately hurtful to everyone around him. Peter is placating and gentle in the beginning, but eventually turns to unhealthy means of coping with his life. When Peter’s life spirals out of control, will he welcome Val’s attempts to help save him?

Peter has no memories of his life or family before the kidnapping but Val remembers exactly who he is and he wants no part of the life waiting for him. However, Val agrees to remain with his family in exchange for gaining access to his inheritance when he turns twenty-one. His other stipulation is that Peter is to be allowed to stay as well. The story fast forwards to just before Val’s birthday and while he has used the intervening years to his advantage, sadly Peter has fallen into a pit of despair. Val is determined to save the man who unselfishly helped him keep his demons at bay during their captivity, but will Peter accept what Val is willing to offer?

Simply Pleasure is not a romance but it is full of strong emotions. It is a beautiful story of new beginnings for both men as they try to put their past behind them while maintaining the bond that ties them together. Like the other books in Kate Pearce’s House of Pleasure series, there are plenty of scorching hot sex scenes but it is the last one of the story is most meaningful.

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Filed under Erotica, Historical, House of Pleasure Series, Kate Pearce, Kensington Books, M/M, Rated B, Review, Simply Pleasure

November 16, 2014 · 11:56 pm

Review: Thornhill’s Dilemma by Brita Addams

thornhill's dilemmaTitle: Thornhill’s Dilemma by Brita Addams
Sapphire Club Series Book Three
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Genre: Historical, Erotic, Romance, M/M, Menage M/F/M
Word Count: 82,250
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Author

Summary:

A love as intense as it is forbidden… 

Staid Phillip Allard, the Duke of Thornhill, has hidden his true nature behind his ducal mien since his earliest memory. An heir, mired in honor and duty from birth, he approaches every aspect of his life with unemotional logic. Alexander Chilton is a man of voracious sexual tastes, but more, he desires a relationship with someone who will fill the chasm in his life.

They meet at the Sapphire Club, and find in each other a balance neither had ever found before…until a young debutante inadvertently involves Phillip in her defiant quest.

Lady Hope is curious and accepting, but although Phillip cares for her, he can never love her as she wishes. When tragedy occurs, guilt leaves Phillip lost and numb.

Will he find his way back to Alex, or has he burned the one bridge that matters most?

This book contains a couple of menage scenes, M/F/M. It also contains spanking, voyeurism, and sexual activity between two men.

The Review:

Thornhill’s Dilemma is my favorite of the three novels in Brita Addams’ erotic historical Sapphire Club series. The longer length provides the opportunity for a better balance between the scorching hot love scenes and the development of the story’s romance. But it is the delightful cast of characters and surprising storyline that really makes this love story stand out from the others in the series.

Phillip Allard knows he must marry and produce an heir, but his attraction to men has made it easy to set aside this less than appealing duty. Introduced to Alex Chilton through the Sapphire Club, they have become more than occasional lovers, but both know a future together is risky. When Phillip is caught in a compromising situation and blackmailed into asking for Lady Hope Linden’s hand in marriage, he is very surprised by Hope’s easy acceptance of Alex in their lives. When the unthinkable occurs, Phillip’s guilt jeopardizes his chance at happiness.

Hope is young, but she has a strong personality and a very open mind. She is genuinely remorseful about her role in forcing Phillip into marriage, but she is determined to make theirs a successful match. She is eager to explore her sensual side and actively seeks to satisfy her curiosity. Hope goes after what she wants with little regard for the possible consequences but this is what makes her such a perfect match for Phillip and Alex.

Phillip is a proper noblemen which means he can be a little stuffy and too focused on duty. He has no intention of giving up his relationship with Alex after his marriage so it is very fortuitous that Hope is so open minded. Like Hope, he is resigned to their fate, but he truly cares for her and takes care to ensure her satisfaction in all areas of their life. Phillip is open to the three entering into a ménage relationship but only if Alex and Hope agree to the arrangement as well.

Alex has less experience with women than Phillip so he is a little less sure of joining Phillip and Hope in a ménage. But once he is certain that Hope is in full agreement, he becomes agreeable to the idea. He is initially less emotionally invested in Hope but as events unfold, he comes to deeply love her as well. Alex is more pragmatic and realistic once tragedy strikes and this common sense leads to the best solution to an increasingly untenable situation.

It is sometimes a bit tricky when adding a woman to an established m/m relationship, but Ms. Addams is definitely up to the task in Thornhill’s Dilemma. A ménage is truly the perfect solution to keep Alex and Phillip together, so this part of the storyline feels quite natural. It also helps that no one forces Hope to accept the idea. It instead occurs as a direct response to transpiring events. What is surprising is the eventual source of conflict in the novel, but again, the reactions are realistic and in keeping with the characters’ personalities and places in society.

Thornhill’s Dilemma is a marvelously written love story that is very emotional. The characters are quite appealing and superbly developed with believable flaws and imperfections. The sex scenes are exquisitely detailed and smoking hot. The storyline is brilliantly executed and Brita Addams throws in some twists and turns are very unexpected. Fans of erotic historical romances do not want to miss this third installment in the terrific Sapphire Club series.

2 Comments

Filed under Brita Addams, Erotic, Historical, M/F/F, M/M, Menage, Musa Publishing LLC, Rated B, Review, Romance, Sapphire Club Series, Thornhill's Dilemma

October 5, 2014 · 11:57 pm

Review: In the Raw by Nikka Michaels & Eileen Griffin

in rawTitle: In the Raw by Nikka Michaels & Eileen Griffin
In the Kitchen Miniseries Book One
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, M/M, Romance, New Adult
Word Count: 83,000
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

If you can’t take the heat…

James Lassiter has had a crush on fellow culinary student Ethan Martin for three years, but has never had the guts to make a move. Putting himself out there is hard, especially when under the thumb–and wallet–of his overbearing parents. Now that bad boy chef Ethan–who is always vying with Jamie for best in class–is struggling with the pastry course, Jamie suddenly has a reason to reach out.

Ethan doesn’t mean to be an ass–okay, so mostly he does–but even though he’s secretly hot for Jamie, he sure as hell doesn’t want help with pastry. Ever since his dad walked out, Ethan has been the one to hold things together and he’s done fine on his own. Except that he can’t get his cake to rise.

Jamie could be the answer to what Ethan’s been missing his whole life–someone to depend on. But with the two competing for the same scholarship, things suddenly get too hot to handle. And if Jamie finds the strength to go for what he wants, he isn’t about to settle for what he needs.

83,000 words

The Review:

In the Raw by Nikka Michaels and Eileen Griffin is a wonderful first installment in their In the Kitchen miniseries. This first novel in the series introduces culinary students Ethan Martin and James “Jamie” Lassiter and the rather tumultuous beginning of their romance. It is a sweet, sexy and sometimes exasperating read, but the growth of the characters makes all of the frustration worthwhile.

Jamie and Ethan are locked in a fierce battle for a cooking scholarship but this does not lessen their attraction to one another. Ethan has the edge when it comes to regular cooking but baking is definitely not his forte. Jamie is good at both cooking and baking, but he does not have the creative flair that makes Ethan stand out from the other chefs-in-training. When Ethan reluctantly accepts Jamie’s offer to help tutor him in baking, the two are quickly cooking up more than just éclairs but will their insecurities derail their fledgling romance?

Jamie and Ethan are from completely different backgrounds which is more of a problem for Ethan than Jamie. Ethan is working class and he is working hard to pay for not only his tuition, but his sister Claire’s as well. He is used to taking care of others and he is proud of all that he has accomplished. He is confident of his cooking abilities, but he is also temperamental and a tad judgmental. But Ethan’s biggest weaknesses are his stubbornness and his inability to ask for or accept help.

Since Jamie’s family is wealthy, he does not have any financial worries. Unfortunately, his parents are very conservative, quite controlling and they have his future all mapped out for him. Jamie is under increasing pressure to abandon his degree, join the family business and settle down with a woman of their choosing.  When Jamie is forced to admit his sexuality, his parents issue him an ultimatum but will Jamie follow his heart and his dreams?

In the Raw is a rollercoaster of emotions as Jamie and Ethan work through their respective baggage. They are quick to make assumptions about one another and lack of communication is one of their biggest obstacles. Ethan finds it easier to avoid problems than face them head on, but thankfully his sister Claire calls him on it. Ethan and Jamie’s road to happily ever after takes a lot of detours and Nikka Michaels and Eileen Griffin throw yet another roadblock in their path with a cliffhanger-y ending that will leave readers very anxious for the next book in the In the Kitchen miniseries.

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Filed under Carina Press, Contemporary, Eileen Griffin, Erotic, In the Kitchen Miniseries, In the Raw, M/M, New Adult, Nikka Michaels, Rated B, Review, Romance