Review of The Chimera Affair by Keira Andrews

 by Keira Andrews

4 stars

When young Sebastian Brambani meets a sexy and exciting older man, he’s easily seduced. But for spy Kyle Grant, it’s all business. Sebastian is simply a pawn in Kyle’s mission to acquire a dangerous chemical weapon from Sebastian’s criminal father. Kyle’s life is his work for a shadowy international agency protecting the world from evil, and he can’t worry about what will happen to Sebastian when the job is done.

Sebastian’s unwitting role in Kyle’s plan is the last straw for his ruthless father, who has been embarrassed by his gay son for the last time. But when Kyle discovers Sebastian could be the key to finding the deadly Chimera, he rescues him from his father's hitman and fights to keep him alive. Can a hardened spy and naïve college student take down a criminal kingpin, stay one step ahead of the killers on their trail—and fight the scorching attraction between them?

This gay romance from Keira Andrews features sexy spies, an age difference, a sheltered and passionate virgin, action and adventure, and of course a happy ending.

Keira Andrews, sexy spies , suspense and a fast paced European adventure – sign us up!   But really we are unsure why we missed reading this Keira Andrew gem, but so glad we spent time with Kyle and Sebastian.

Sebastian Brambani is a spoiled rich kid, who has never measures up to the expectations of his criminal father, and being caught in compromising pictures with his college roommate has put him firmly on the best behavior list.  Hoping that spending the summer acting like the perfect straight son will get him sent back to his prestigious university in the US, but a chance encounter with a mysterious older man and one of his father’s famous parties blows that idea out of the water.  Kyle Grant is a spy, and is willing to do anything to get the job done; including seducing the son of weapons dealer he is hired to steal from.  But when the Chimera he is tasked in finding isn’t where Intel says it set in motion a deadly trek through Europe, trying to keep them both alive.

This book took us a while to warm up, we aren’t really much for the ‘virgin’ stories, age-gap, yes, but the unexperienced lover story isn’t our cup of tea.  But the action is the book pulled us through and we are so glad for that.  We jump straight into the story, the action starts on page 5 and goes goes goes from there.  There is a balance between the suspense and the romance and Keira finds this balance pretty effortlessly.  The best part is the blood pounding adrenalin rush in the action and the ramp up of the sexual tension between Kyle and Sebastian.

Kyle keeps trying to resist Sebastian, but the pull between these men is just too strong.  There is a significant age difference between Kyle and Sebastian, significant not only in age but in life experience but it works somehow. Sebastian brings out the protective nature of Kyle, and helps Kyle remember that he is a person outside of being a spy, that he deserves a real life.  And Kyle helps Sebastian realize that he is a capable, strong grown-up man, regardless of what his father thinks.  These men find each other at the right time, when they both need each other.  It is sweet and sexy, but oh so HOT!  Keira Andrews can write a sex scene that simmers off the page, and sometime we felt like the sex was ill timed, but it added to their chemistry.

The Chimera Affair is a must-read, a stand-out in the suspense/spy trope and a really believable romance. Fast-paced, sweet, sexy, enemies-to-lovers, age-gap, fantastic read! And one of the best parts is the added bonus follow up story  The Argentine Seduction, a great little bonus at the end of a great book!

Review of The Necromancer's Dance by SJ Himes

by S.J. Himes

4.5 Stars

In a world where magic is real and evil walks amongst humanity, a young sorcerer is beset upon by enemies, both old and new. Angelus Salvatore is the only necromancer in all of Boston, and his name is whispered warily by the undead and fellow sorcerers alike. He and his brother Isaac are the lone survivors of an attack by an army of the undead, in which Angel used a spell so powerful it forever marked his place in history. Now, years later, Angel struggles to balance his career as a teacher of the higher magical arts, his role as big brother, and a tenuous relationship with an Elder vampire from the local clan. When his brother’s boyfriend is used as a pawn in a mysterious plot to draw Angel out, Angel is once again pulled back into the old hostilities that fueled the Blood Wars and led to his family’s death.

Leaning on others for help is something Angel cannot do, and while he searches for clues into who may be targeting him and his brother, Angel finds his heart steadily growing occupied with Simeon, Elder and vampire. Dealing with death magic and vampires on a daily basis may leave Angel jaded when it comes to life and staying that way, but the more time he spends fending off the ancient vampire’s attention and affections, the more he realizes he wants to give in.

Can Angel find out who wants him dead, and keep his heart safe in the process? How can he fall for a vampire, when his whole family was torn apart by an army of the undead? Death stalks the streets of Boston’s historic Beacon Hill….and there is no one more suited to battle against death than a necromancer.

We couldn’t put this down, such and interesting story and a great read!  S.J. Himes creates this fantastic, paranormal romance between a Sorcerer and a Vampire that is riveting. 

Angel Salvatore is a bit of a reclusive celebrity in the Sorcerer world, he managed to defeat 100 vampires during the blood wars with 1 spell, but it is not how he wasn’t to be remembered.  A number of years later he starts a wary friendship with Simeon, an Elder in the Boston Vampire clan.  But what he doesn’t know is that Simeon is actually falling in love with him, and Angel is used to being on his own.  As these 2 try to find their connection, Angels past comes back, to haunt him.

There is so much in The Necromancer’s Dance, we don’t know where to start.  We aren’t really a fantasy, paranormal fans, but this world is so fascinating.  How Vampires, Sorcerers and other fantastical creatures live out in the real world, under their own laws and governing.  It kept us really interested in the story itself, kept us reading, and really enjoyed meeting new characters.

Angel and Simeon are both strong independent men, but together they work so well.  Angel has had to be strong, but realizes that he has been craving the intimacy he has been pushing away since his family died.  Simeon is fascinated by Angel, he loves his strength, his mind, his magically gift, and he wants to treasure him.  And, sigh, it works so so so so well.  As the relationship grows between Angel and Simeon, The Necromancer’s Dance gets seriously hot; there are some serious sparks between the two men.  There is a lot of between the sheets action, but we felt that it added to the story, make you really feel that these men are falling in love and not just lust. 

S.J. Himes has created a magical story here.  Fast-paces, action-filled, sheets-burning enjoyment form start to finish.  It is the first in the Beacon Hill Sorcerers series, and we can’t wait to dive into the rest of this fantastic world!

Review of Cocky by Sean Ashcroft

 by Sean Ashcroft

3 stars 

  

 I’m having a little trouble coming up with the right words here, so I’ll be blunt. I want you to pretend to date me.”

Faking a relationship with an injured hockey player had never been on Eliot’s to-do list, but when he’s sent by his editor to interview the newly-out hockey legend Danny Harper, he gets a little more than he bargained for.

Eliot has been stuck writing a fashion and grooming column that no one reads since he started at Cocky—a men’s lifestyle magazine—a year ago. Desperate to prove himself, he takes the assignment to interview Harper, even though he couldn’t hold a hockey stick the right way up in an emergency.

Danny turns out to be nothing like he expected—a lonely man who’s missed out on a lot by being in the closet, rather than the overconfident jock Eliot expects him to be. As much as he resists it, Eliot finds himself drawn to the other man.

When Danny proposes they fake a relationship to improve his image, Eliot jumps at the chance—not only does he need the money, but his curiosity about Danny demands to be satisfied.

With Danny struggling to get through the season on a busted knee and Eliot digging up the story that could make his own career, can the two of them bring themselves to admit their real feelings and find their happy ending?

A really cute idea of a premise for a cute sweet sports m/m romance.   We really enjoyed Cocky. but felt that we missed a few conversations that happened off the page. 

We are first introduced to Eliot, a journalist, stepping outside of his normal articles to interview a newly OUT hockey star, Danny.  And there are some definite initial sparks between the two men, neither are willing to step out of their confront zones.  But when Danny needs a partner to make him seem more stable he approaches Eliot as a hired-boyfriend.  Sean Ashcroft creates a fun flirty relationship between Eliot and Danny, they start off as friends and quickly move with their feeling involved. 

Although Danny and Eliot are sweet and cute, there isn’t much that sets Cocky apart from other books of the same trope – the fake-relationship.  Yes, this version is set through a hockey lens, but honestly there isn’t a lot of hockey mentioned.  Eliot goes to a few games, but other than that it doesn’t really feature.   There is quite a bi that happens off the pages that feature in the plot of the story line.  Like conversations that are between chapters if that makes sense. 

Let’s talk chemistry, and sorry to say we didn’t really feel that pull, need, want between Eliot and Danny.  Eliot is fun and cute and Danny is vulnerable and there should be some serious sparks, because hello – hockey player – but they fizzled a bit for us.  We missed some passion between the characters.   

Again, this is a sweet cute romance between 2 unlikely men, and if that is what you are looking for, pour a glass of wine and enjoy Cocky.  But, with a name like that we wished there was just a little more connection and passion to this potentially fantastic story.

Waiting for Clark by Annabeth Albert

by Annabeth Albert

 5 stars

Dear Author,
My friends and I love cosplay, and this year we’re going all out for our city’s con. Yup, we’re going to go as members of the Justice League. I’m going as Batman, but I can’t figure out who’s going as a Superman. My friends are being a little cagey. What’s going on? How did I go from not knowing who Superman is to making out with the guy?

Photo Description:
In a cartoon drawing, Batman and Superman are locked in an embrace, kissing. Superman is taller and clutching Batman to him. Batman has more muscles and has visible tattoos on his arms. Superman has broader shoulders and dark hair. Batman is stretching up to meet him and has one foot kicked behind him. Behind them is a graffiti-covered wall, and Superman’s rainbow-lined cape swirls around them. The prompter specified that the picture is two men in cosplay costumes at a Comic Con convention.

Sigh, Bryce and Clark are adorable!  And so is this second-chance romance by Annabeth Albert.   Bryce and Clark haven’t seen each other in over 4 years, and parted on a sad note over a long awaited kiss.  But Clark has returned to Portland and intends to get Bryce back.  Bryce is a grumpy bar owner and when her runs into Clark at a Comic-Convention, Clark dresses as Superman and Bryce dressed as Batman, their connection sparkles.  But Bryce isn’t ready to let Clark have another chance to break his heart. 

This is story has everything, great writing, a fantastic simple story-line, fun friends, and some serious heat.  It is fluffy and romantic and FUN, and exactly what a 77-age short story should be.  Annabeth Alberta is a to the point writer and delivers the same in Waiting for Clark.  She manages to create 2 characters fill of insecurities, faults and awkwardness that melts your heart.  And being a short story we get to miss all the drama and angst.  It is a perfect combination.

We aren’t usually a fan of second-chance romance, but it works so well in this short story.  Waiting for Clark is a must read!

Review of FU: Fixer Uppers by Devon McCormack

by Devon McCormack

3.5 Stars

MIKEY

I've never messed around with a guy before. Not that I haven't been attracted to guys. The opportunity just never came up.

I stand at the front door, naked. My bro's roomie, Scott, is pissed about how much noise I made with the girl I just escorted out of their apartment, but I figured we were alone, and I couldn't help that she liked to scream out to let me know she was enjoying herself. Just like I can't help that the raging boner I have right now is for Scott, not her. I don't know what it is about the angry glare he's giving me that turns me on so much, but I just want to tug on his curly brown locks and hear him call out my name as I show him a good time.

Scott doesn't want anything to do with me. At least, I think that's the case, but I learn just how wrong I am one night when we wind up tearing each other's clothes off and racing for the bedroom. He blows my mind...and well, me too. We spend the next few days messing around before I head back to California. That's supposed to be the end of it. But after my sister makes a crap investment on a rundown house near my bro's apartment in Atlanta, I jump at the opportunity to help her fix it up. I don't want her to have to stay with our parents, who I've avoided since I left for college--don't get me started.

Scott volunteers to work on the project too, which gives us plenty of time to have a little fun together. It's supposed to be about fixing up the house, but the more time I spend with him, the more I realize it's not the only fixer upper Scott's working on. He's doing something to me--making me better. And even though I'm heading back home when this is all over, I don't want it to end. Because I'm falling for Scott...so hard.

If you have read anything by Devon McCormack you know he brings the heat, and FU: Fixer Uppers does not disappoint.  This is an easy read, with some fun charters and some serious steam.

What did we like about FU: Fixer Uppers?  Although Mikey is an arrogant egotistical bro, that is his charm. He is full of himself, and knows who and what he is, and that is a huge turn on.  And we loves Scott’s prickly exterior, his self-doubt, makes him endearing and makes you really root for his happy ending. And pray that Mikey doesn’t bereak his heart.

The relationship between Mikey and Scott is fun, hot and easy to understand.  They are both hot guys and enjoying having a good time together.  Mikey’s reaction to being so attracted to another man isn’t really a topic in the book, rather, it is explained the he has crushes on other men, but never acted on them. 

Where to book lost us a bit was the drama with Mikey’s family, and honestly we were a bit confused.  We understand what happened to their dynamic, but felt that Mickey’s continuous seriously angry reaction 15+ years later was a little stretched.  The relationship between Scott and his father was more believable, and so tended to highlight the disconnect between Mikey and his parents.  This is really the story of why Mikey is the player he is and how he doesn’t really settle down.

There is a lot going on the FU: Fixer Uppers, friends-with-benefits, sister’s divorce, house renovation, family drama, self-worth issues,  and a few other things , but somehow they kinda sorta work together?   Maybe.  But be warned, there is a lot, a lot, a lot of sex, like every other page.  We enjoyed the between-the-sheets, up-against-the-wall, in-the-moving-truck (you get the picture) sexy time, but there is a lot, so you might need a cold shower after finishing the book!