Mandy, I read obsessively

4.5*

“New day, new stone”

I have read quite a few of Anyta Sunday’s books and they’ve have a few things in common.
They are all really good and she has a real talent for writing a story covering a long time period, she keeps me invested and interested in the lives of all the characters, not just the MCs. In this book we follow Cooper, the narrator through his parents divorce and living half of his life with this new family.
A new family that includes Jace..
“How do I stop feeling like this? How do I stop that voice in my head that lies to me and tries to confuse me all the time.”
I loved Cooper, Jace, Annie and eventually even Lila and Copper’s dad.

Cooper has an affinity, I guess I’d call it, for rocks of all kinds. He loves them, he knows them and more than that, he needs them.
The rocks lead us through this story as much as Cooper does and I found it a wonderfully unique way to tell this story.
I really don’t even want to say a lot, I’d like to encourage you to read this story, it’s full of emotions and feelings without being drama ridden.
This is a beautiful coming of age story with a depth that pulled the feelings right out of me, I can definitely recommend it and I want to add that I love all of Anya’s covers and this is another great one.

First I have to say this can be read as a standalone I didn't read the first book in this series and it wasn't a problem at all to follow along, although now that I've read this one, I feel the urge to go back and read book 1.

Bran and Denton are navigating a lot of things in this book. It's divided in to shorter stories that are connected and flow in to each other.
Now, I have a thing for men in kilts *drools* and I have a huge thing for Gerard Butler.
This book has men in kilts...
“It looks like a skirt to me." Denton eagerly clarified the situation. "Nah, it only would be a skirt if I wore underpants.”

These two are nothing alike, but maybe that's why it works. Bran and Denton have some unresolved issues, jealousy, kilts and not to mention the army of frogs.
I enjoyed the stories, mysteries and the relationship between them. I've discovered a new series for me and I think this book has one of my favorite quotes ever in a book : “I bet Gerard Butler in a kilt is ten times sexier than Gerard Butler naked.”

3.75
Another m/m/m story that called my name.

The blurb is pretty accurate, Nakai comes from a planet with very few females, that’s why human females are highly prized. Lucky for him, he doesn’t really want a female, but the male human Einian, even badly beaten is exactly what he wants.

But there is a catch (isn’t there always). Einian was the sex-slave of Sukh and despite difficult circumstances ( I have to admit, I wasn’t happy with how Einian was treated before by Xyran, even if I understood that it was necessary in the tribal-warlike culture on Xyran) he is in love with Sukh and Nakai is a very understanding alien and wants what’s best for his mate. Plus something about the other alien pulls at him too.

So he sets out to woo them both, there is some intrigue and deceit, some world building and some sex, although not as much as I would have thought.
All in all a good ménage, with two big alpha males and a cute little fragile human.

 *Squeeeee* a rentboy story and written by JL Merrow?
I am on that like a BOSS!!

Nathan is going to go to college, he’s going to get off working the streets and make something of himself. But in the mean time he needs to earn money and hooking is how he gets it.

His Thursday evening regular is the highlight of his week. It’s not like he’s all that nice, or chatty, or even handsome, but something about him attracts Nathan. His voice definitely does it for him too.

Of course, finding him at the front of the classroom on day one of school wasn’t quite what he expected.

There is a push and pull going on in Stephan, although this is told completely from Nathan’s POV, I could feel Stephan’s attraction and continued interest in Nathan as well as his reticence about it. When Nathan is in a bind Stephan can’t help himself and jumps in to save the day, which gives these two the chance to see of there is more to it then just rentboy and John.

It’s an easy and angst-free read, a few hiccups along the way but no big misunderstandings or conflict. A cute story that I really was sorry to see end.

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4.25*

“He looked dangerous and inviting, like a sleazy club on the bad side of town with a half-price drinks offer you know you’ll end up regretting in the morning.”

Robert, I love him, he wears bow ties, named his car and in typical JL Merrow fashion his inner thoughts are great and highly entertaining.

Sean, the pest control worker, motorcycle driving great brother and wonderful uncle and all around sexy hunk. He not only accepts Robert’s quirks, he finds them attractive, but he also feels like he might not quite be up to Robert’s posh standards.

As for Robert, his insecurities, the fear of Sean finding out his secret and that Sean is a bisexual and Robert is sure it’s only a matter of time before he moves on, it’s hard for him to believe this could be more than a fling.
There are a few touching moments, a few embarrassing ones, quite a few funny ones and a burning dress.

I liked the side characters, they rounded the story off well and I was especially happy to have a bisexual character. I thought Sean was good at explaining and clearing up misconceptions about his bisexuality.

All in all a very entertaining story with two, at times a little slow on the uptake men, but that’s what they had Rose for. And as always with this author, the story is full of humor and fun, but also enough meat to keep me hooked. I can’t wait for the next book in the Shamwell tales series.

This book is free today at DSP for 24 hours.

4.5*

This book is part of a series set around the BDSM club ‘The Den’. I don’t usually read BDSM and I haven’t read any of the other books in this series but I can safely say it’s fine as a standalone. The characters from the other books do appear and play minor roles, but it isn’t necessary to have read the other stories to understand what’s going on, although I’m sure it will be nice for people following the series to revisit them.

I love the rent boy trope, it’s one of my favorites and this story worked for me on so many levels. Rock is a great guy and he’s so very deep in the closet, but he really really wants out, he just doesn’t know how, or even why he should.
“Too chicken to admit he liked men. Closeted for too many years to have any clue on how to escape the denial he’d been trapped in his entire life.”
But Carter fascinates him, he can’t help himself, he really wants to get to know him.

The attraction is mutual and I loved watching Rock become sure of himself and more comfortable and secure in his sexuality, with Carter’s support.
“But I’m tired of hating who I am.”

Carter has his own demons. He’s falling for Rock, but he’s still an escort and despite what Rock says, Carter knows it just a matter of time for he sees him for what he really is.

“Whether he wanted to admit it or not, Rock had snuck through Carter’s own soundly erected walls to reach a part of him that had been closed off for ten long years. Years where he’d almost forgotten how to let anyone get close enough to see who he really was. Because no one wanted the real him. They all wanted whichever fantasy he presented.”
After Carter support and encouragement of Rock, it’s now time for him to return the favor. Rock really is a rock for Carter, even when Carter does his damnedest to push and scare him away. He doesn’t let Carter’s fears ruin things, I loved that about him.
And boy does that man know how to set a stage and make a statement. *sniff* So sweet.

There is a real connection and love between the two MCs.
I like that it really was a give and take between them, both being what the other needed.

I loved this book, Rock’s epiphany and new start in life, free of fear and hiding and now a proud gay man and Carter finally following his dream with a new life and future with Rock right at his side.

I read this author's Waiting for Rain and enjoyed it a lot.
This book couldn't be more different, but it was just as engaging and held me captive.

it was a dark and stormy night.. really, it was, the night Nick's life would change forever.
He finds Owen washed up on shore and saves him, although I think it could be argued, they saved each other.
Owen is just what Nick needs.
To say Nick had a horribly abusive childhood and trauma would be an understatement and his boyfriend Brad just added to that.
He's resigned to living, existing, he has friends and a very loving adoptive father and the great Socks, his pet monkey.
But he's not happy, he has a lot of dark times and thoughts, self harm and thoughts of ending it all.
Owen is getting over his lover's death, but something about Nick has him sticking around, even when Nick does his best to get rid of him.
They love each other, but is that enough?
Their road is bumpy and a little rocky, then add in Brad que JAWS music and they have a lot to overcome.
It was sad and difficult at times, but I got the pay-off I needed to make it worth it.

Dear Ms Merrow,
Why, why do you do this to me?
Make me fall in love with a story, want to know all about the MCs, want to see it all happen and how it's going to continue. Want to know more of the interesting side characters and then, then...it just ends. * sobs dramatically*

Just like my beloved Al in Muscling Through I just want MORE!
This is a great little story, cute and fun and full of potential, I would LURV to have another little story to catch up with them.

Giveaway ends 5/31

Giveaway ends 5/26

Blurb(s): San Diego is a city of second chances for Jamie Carlson. His new career as a photographer is taking off, and with the support of a loving surrogate family, he’s finally putting his party years behind him. The Bailey family helped him solve his drinking problem, but there’s no easy solution to staying sober now that Belle Bailey’s dying. Her last wish is a challenge Jamie can't overcome without help.

Solving problems is Daniel Priest’s specialty. More than twenty years older than Jamie, he’s successful and experienced. He makes his living resolving corporate crises—but his personal life has been far from perfect. Now that his marriage is over, Daniel’s determined to make up for lost time. One night with Jamie isn’t nearly enough for him.

Daniel’s honest offer of help is more than Jamie expects from a one-time hookup. Even so, fulfilling Belle’s last wish is a tall order. Repairing her damaged family as she requests proves difficult when Jamie has to face his own past as well.

Jamie could risk his hard-won recovery by admitting why he hit rock bottom in the first place. If he wants a future with Daniel, he'll have to address those reasons head-on.

I wasn't sure about this book, but Dani said give it a go, and then Lexi read it at the same time, so I figured this is a sign I should read it.

As I've said before. I can not read anything heavy, sad or angsty at the moment. I want sweet and funny and cute. 
This was perfect. 
Liam isn't gay, he says that a lot, repeatedly. But...there is this guy on his train every morning....but he isn't gay...yeah right.
Jay, well he is a colorful, energetic and very gay guy.
I loved Jay, I loved Liam's inner dialog, he's funny and his thoughts are entertaining and had me smiling.
The families are crazy but good, it has a bit of serious but not too much. 
I will definitely keep an eye out for more from this author.

Giveaway ends 5/18