Review of Kick at the Darkness (Kick at Darkness #1) by Keira Andrews

  by Keira Andrews

5 stars

To live through the zombie apocalypse they have to survive each other first.

College freshman Parker Osborne is having the worst day ever. He humiliated himself trying to pick up a cute guy, he hasn’t made any friends at school, and his stupidly hot jerk of a TA gave him a crappy grade on his paper. He’s going to drop Adam Hawkins’ film class and start fresh tomorrow after he’s had a good sulk.

But Parker’s about to find out what a bad day really looks like—if he can survive the night.

A virus is unleashed, transforming infected people into zombie-like killers. After these quick and deadly creepers swarm campus, Parker only escapes thanks to Adam swooping him onto the back of his trusty motorcycle. Now they're on the run—and stuck with each other.

When they’re not bickering, they’re fighting off the infected in a bloody battle for survival. Their only hope is to head east to Parker's family, but orphaned Adam has a secret he’s not sure Parker will accept: he’s a werewolf. Can they trust each other enough to find some light in these dark days?

Riley Hart again nails a sexy enemies-to-lover romance in Depth of Field. She creates to main characters both hiding in their own ways who find that they fit so good together.

There is no hiding it, our absolute love for everything Keira Andrews – no seriously!  We have a crush for everything she writes, and Kick at the Darkness, a paranormal-shifter book (yep, you read that right) is outstanding!!!

We start with a snotty know it all college student, Parker Osborne.  A freshman who has grown up with a silver spoon, I can do nothing wrong attitude.  But College is harder than he thinks; he is struggling with fitting in, making any connections and expectations of his classes.  When his easy-A class get him a crappy grade on a paper he takes it personally and argues his case for a better grade.  But instead of getting his way he comes up against TA Adam Hawkins, a total hard ass. Adam Hawkins has seen Parker’s type before and it’s budging on the grade, and hope that he will drop the class like he said he will.  But, fate has a weird way of getting what it wants.  When a virus is unleashed on the world, Adam and Parker find themselves thrown together, bickering the whole way to survival.

We actually struggled with picking up this book; not really into shifters, zombies, end-of-the-world book, no doom and gloom for us.  But gah – we were so wrong!  Yes, Kick a the Darkness deals with a horrific outbreak, gore, death, but it somewhere in all that horror Parker and Adam find each other.  A werewolf and snotty college student find themselves thrown together to survive and actually find what they have been missing.

So, down to the nitty gritty – what did we love about Kick at the Darkness?  It is romantic, yes, weird to say, as they run for their lives, but it is.  Adam and Parker are clinging to each other, supporting each other and caring for each other, and their sweetness is romantic.  But the story is the real gem here.  So many times we read romance books that don’t have a story, but Kick at the Darkness delivers; it twists, turns and kept us riveted to the edge of our kindle. 

But it isn’t all about running for their lives, these men create some serious heat. Adam is totally the alpha in this relationship but as Parker becomes more comfortable there is a sexy little dirty side that takes over.  So many sweaty, spicy, scalding moments – so good!

Kick at the Darkness is an unexpected gem.  We fell in love with the fast-paced story, the sexy men and it was pretty close to perfection.  Keira Andrews creates stories, not just books; she creates characters that are real and we fall in love with everyone.  Kick at the Darkness of 2 books – and spoiler, we already read the 2^nd and it is better than the first!

Review of Depth of Field (Last chance #1) by Riley Hart

by Riley Hart

4 stars

Shane Wallace has made a decent life for himself in Last Chance. He built his own home on his mom’s property to take care of her, owns an automotive repair shop, and when he wants to get laid, Portland isn’t too far away. Not too shabby for the boy who spent his childhood getting bullied and feeling alone. Shane’s content to leave his past behind him...until one of his childhood tormentors comes back to town.

Maxwell Sullivan never planned to step foot in Last Chance again. Here, he was Maxwell, a teen who suffered in silence while everyone thought he had the perfect life. Now, he’s “Van,” the erotic artist and photographer. He’s only here to help his mom tie up some loose ends after his father’s death and to apologize to Shane. After that, he’s heading back to LA for good.

Shane never thought he’d have anything in common with Maxwell, but there’s a depth to Van that surprises him. Van knows what it feels like to be alone. He sees Shane in ways no one else does. There’s a shared connection neither can deny. Somehow, despite their rocky history, they get each other.

It’s not long before the two are so drawn to each other that they tumble into bed—sometimes with Van’s camera involved. Their chemistry in and out of the bedroom is undeniable. Except nothing is ever black and white. Shane can’t leave his mom and Van’s life is in LA. With two different lives pulling them in opposite directions, their picture-perfect ending might not be in the cards.

Riley Hart again nails a sexy enemies-to-lover romance in Depth of Field. She creates to main characters both hiding in their own ways who find that they fit so good together.

Maxwell Sullivan was the typical jock growing up, living what everyone assumed was the perfect life, but outside appearances can be deceiving.  Leaving his childhood town at 18 he shed that person and became Van, true to what he wants and who is really is.  Now 10 years later he is making his first trip home to support his mother in the wake of his father’s death, but he knows that he has so many amends to make – especially to Shane who he bullied most of his life.  Shane Wallace had always done the right this, instead of pursuing his dreams he has stayed in his small childhood home caring for his sick mother.  Shane is content in his life, he wants more, but as he thinks who doesn’t.  But when Van shows back up in his life trying to apologize, Shane thinks that he wants more than to just be content.

We really liked Depth o Field, it is an easy read, and although there is angst – cause really the bully coming back to apologize years later – it isn’t overwhelming, and adds to the push pull, enemies-to-lovers theme that Riley Hart masters so well. Shane and Van have this really amazing emotional connection, the history they share from grouping up in the same small town, that jumps off the page and won’t be denied.  There is like this string between the men that even if they try to fight it, it keeps pulling them together. Shane is a generous person, we don’t know if we would have been as forgiving as he was, and we wished that he’d have made Van work a little harder for forgiveness.

So can we say this book is smoking!!!  Burning, smoldering, scorching, intense, passionate we could go on and on.  Van is an artist and takes erotic photos – this ends up in the bedroom and adds this level of voyeurism to the sex between these men.  It is distractingly hot.

Depth of Field is a great read, exciting and moving and SO realistic! We really enjoy Riley Hart’s writing, and the way she creates her characters. She has an authenticity to her writing, these feel like real people in real life, just finding someone to love.  

Review of One Giant Leap by Kay Simone and narration by Greg Tremblay

by Kay Simone and narration by Greg Tremblay

5+++ stars

 

We love Kay Simone, we love this book and now we love this Audiobook, so so so so so so SOOOOO good!  Seriously!

Houston we have so many problems...

Curtis "Launchpad" Larkin's career as an astronaut has had its share of ups and downs.
Alternately lauded as the single-handed savior of NASA and condemned as a reckless, hot-headed bully, Curt has been through the wringer of public opinion and come out on top. When he embarks on his final mission with NASA, Curt figures there's no curveball that life has left to throw him. But when the role of spacecraft communicator is passed to a young engineer back in Houston who he's never met, Curt's mission takes on a new trajectory.

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"CAPCOM to commander. Do you read?"

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Patrick Harte's life is turned upside down when he's called to fill in at mission control, working directly under his hero, Curtis Larkin.  Falling for Curt is just a small step for Patrick -- but it's one giant leap to think that the astronaut could ever return his feelings.

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"The more I talk to you, the more I know that we understand each other."

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After Curt connects with Patrick from worlds away, he can't imagine life on earth without the other man... Despite the fact that he's never laid eyes on Patrick. And their problems won't stop once he's cleared for landing. The bad-boy astronaut is no stranger to controversy -- but will the genuine and soft-spoken man of his dreams be able to keep up with the trouble Curt seems to stir everywhere he goes?

This is a story about Patrick Harte who works as a NASA engineer, and after he is called up to fill in as Chief Communications Officer on the current mission he finds himself living his dream and spending hours of time speaking to Commander Curtis Larkin, his childhood hero.  Curt is on his last space mission, and unsure what is next for his life back on earth, but finding himself enamored by Patrick, finding himself pouring out his heart, his wishes and his dreams is not what he expected.  

One Giant Leap is the ultimate slow-burn romance, the tingle of anticipation between these 2 men starts from the first time they ‘meet’.  Even though they come from different backgrounds, ages, and experiences they love space, and connect early in the story over their amazement of all that is out there.  It is lovely, and sweet.  Kay Simone has created a unique story here, and even thought Curt and Patrick don’t physically meet till 80% through the book they have a connection that is powerful; they were made for each other.  One Giant Leap is a long book and the audiobook is 10+ hours as well.  But it never really feels long, Kay Simone builds anticipation in Curt and Patrick’s relationship.  And adding the NASA aspect is truly fascinating, romantic in itself and exciting. 

Now, granted we love this book – or anything Kay Simone writes, but adding Greg Tremblay’s narration is a combination that blazing.  One Giant Leap features 12+ characters, both men and women with different nationalities, and Greg creates distinct personalities for them all. Never once did we feel confusion on which astronaut was speaking, or if we are listing to Patrick or Curtis, there is a seamlessness that Greg creates that truly feels like this is narrated by multiple people.  

We are so excited that Kay Simone’s One Giant Leap is finally an audiobook – it is amazing!  Greg Tremblay adds so much to the sizzling relationship between Curt and Patrick, bringing this amazing book to an amazing love-story.  One Giant Leap is an Audiobook not to be missed!

Review of Audiobook Femme by Marshall Thornton and narration by Joel Leslie

by Marshall Thornton and narration by JoelLeslie

4 stars

Queeny cocktail waiter, Lionel, wakes up to find himself in bed with Dog, a straight-acting softball player and the two embark on a rocky road to romance. A journey that requires coming out of the closet, going into the closet, a pair of red high heels, many pairs of red high heels, a failed intervention, a couple of aborted dates, and homemade pom-poms. Mostly, Lionel and Dog learn what it means to be a man.

This is our first Marshall Thornton book, and in all honesty we kind of like to read a book before listening to the Audiobook, but Femme was so good, we don’t miss not reading the book first.

This is a story of Lionel, a queeny waitress in a gay bar, that is fine with who he is, take it or leave it. After a drunken night he finds himself in bed with family-closeted Dog, a softball player, who is fine living his life half-in-or-out of the closet.  These two men couldn’t be more different and although they keep finding themselves drawn back together. 

Femme is a hoot, so funny; we couldn’t help ourselves form laughing out loud! On the outside these men are so different, but when they start peeling back the layers they both realize that they struggle with the same things, and want to same things for their lives.  Through the laughter, Femme is a thought provoking book.  Lionel and Dog struggle with being true to who they really are, coming out, and standing up for what is right.

Now let’s talk about the audiobook – so good!  We love Joel Leslie, and he does an amazing job capturing Lionel and Dog.  The book switches points of view, and Joel creates very distinct voices that keep both characters and others in the book, very easy to recognize.  This isn’t your typical flowery romance, there are no grandiose declarations of love, but the relationship between Dog and Lionel is so real.  With everyday struggles, and falling in love when you don’t even realize.  And listening to Joel brings life to Femme makes you feel like it is a friend telling you a story. 

Femme by Marshall Thornton is a fantastic book, but with Joel Leslie’s narration brings this story to one of the best audiobooks we have listen to this year!

Review of Playing for Keeps (Glasgow Lads #1), by Avery Cockburn

by Avery Cockburn

4.5 stars

Rule One: No Drama!

Fergus Taylor is damaged goods. Reeling from a brutal breakup, he’s determined to captain his LGBT soccer team out of scandal and into a winning season. For that, he needs strict rules and careful plans. He does NOT need a brash, muscle-bound lad messing with his head and setting his body afire.

John Burns has a rule of his own: Don’t get attached. Boyfriends are for guys with nothing to hide. Nobody—not his university mates, not the men he beds—knows his family’s shame. Now his double life is starting to unravel, thanks to a certain Highlander whose storm-riddled eyes turn John inside out, who wears a kilt like he was born in it.

Fergus is the first man John wants to share his secret with—but he’s the last man who could handle it. John knows the truth would shatter Fergus’s still-fragile heart. But how can he live a lie when he’s falling in love?

We have fallen in love with the Lads of Glasgow.  Playing for Keeps is a different sort of sports romance; a rugby romance, with sexy accents and men is kilts – all good good things!

Fergus Taylor is reeling off a horrendous break-up, and wants nothing more than to forget his pain and focus on mending his broken rugby team.  Love isn’t for him, and he is fine to lick his wounds by himself.  But, while planning a charity rugby match he happens upon John Burns a closeted man, living a double life.  John is struggling with the pressures for his father, being closeted to almost everyone and how to be the man Fegus needs him to be.

What do we love about this series?  Avery Cockburn doesn’t shy away from real life, particularly topics that are relevant in today’s Scotland.  Religious differences, independence vote and the violent fervor of sports team dedication.  It is fascinating, and we loved it.  It felt like these are real men, living real lives, with real everyday struggles.

This is so much more than a sports romance.  Fergus is Catholic and John is Protestant, and even though we think that’s not such a big deal, but for them it is a big deal, religious differences and hatred are a reality of their loves, Catholics vs. Protestants.  We loved that Fergus and John are born to hate each other, born as essentially rivals, but because John essentially hides who he really for fear of losing Fergus, they see past what they are born to hate about each other.  And although the first rule is; no Drama, this book gives it to us in SPADES.  It is masterful how Avery has woven a love story of 2 very different men, born to hate each other, and with even all the road-blocks in their way, they still find love.

Fergus and John are smoldering together, they are sweet, sexy and ignite the pages.  Seriously, if you have every had a men-in-kilts fantasy than you NEED to read this book.  The sex is molten, and you can feel the passion between these men. 

So things that may turn you off reading?  The language – they is quite a bit of local Scottish words.  A few times they left us scratching our heads.  But all in all they tended to add to Playing for Keeps, they immersed us in Fergus and John’s world and made us believe we were really in Glasgow.  And one of our most hated tropes – hiding something important, because really what makes for drama other than keeping the truth from your lover to find out about and break up with you.  But, we digress.  John keeps who he really is locked away from Fergus for fear Fergus will walk away. However, we didn’t hate it.  John has so many things stacked against him, not only his family and his religion, but Fergus has been badly burned before and is so wary of letting him in.  Although still not our favorite, it worked here, you can see why John is keeping secrets and you feel his strife, angst and disappointment in himself in not being able to tell the truth.

This is our first Avery Cockburn book and we LOVED it.  LOVED!  Canna say enough – see what we did there?  Playing for Keeps tackles hard topics, religion, politics, family expectations, all things that aren’t romantic, but truly makes this book a real look at 2 men form very different world, and against all pressures falling in love. This is the first of a long series that is as great as the first book – spoiler – we loved it so much we devoured the rest of the series already!