Review: Whiteout & Rescued by Laura Harner

The immediate sex had by these three I didn't find very believable. There didn't seem to be any working up to it. They'd had a crush on Christina for years and then all of sudden they finally work up the nerve to act during a snowstorm?

The whole rapid progression of Cade and Carter's feelings for one another was also unrealistic. I'm not sure if I overlooked what finally got them to act on their feelings or if the author never addressed it. Either why, it was way too quickly. I didn't feel the chemistry or any kind of connection with these three.

I really enjoyed this one from the start. The chemistry between the three of them was immediately felt. The overall story was deeper than sex just for the sake of sex, which is always a plus. I only wish the story was longer so that it would have allowed for their relationship to fully develop.

I did think that Elizabeth seemed to get of her abuse rather quickly, which threw some wrenches into the overall believability of the story. Other than that, this is a good read for those looking for a bi-ménage.

Review: Double Time by Olivia Cunning

Double Time
Olivia Cunning
Series: Sinners on Tour #3
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Publish Date: October 1, 2012
Trade Paperback {p. 399}
Source: Publisher
Genre: Erotica, Menage
Reagan Elliot, Trey Mills, Ethan Conner
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

Trey Mills, the notoriously sexy Sinners rhythm guitarist, gives up his bisexual lifestyle and is swept into a hot, heady romance with Reagan Elliot, a female rock star sensation. But when Trey encounters Reagan's sexy bisexual roommate, Ethan Conner, he can no longer deny who he is or what he wants. Reagan heartily agrees to a solution that opens up a hot new world of sexual experience--and love--with the two men she wants the most.

Reagan and Trey seemed to be instantly connect it on so many levels aside from the physical. Girls usually eat up Trey’s BS like it's the gospel, but not Reagan. She goes toe to toe with him and that’s exactly what he needs.

But for Trey, Reagan is not enough for him. He loves her, but there is a whole other side to him that he has yet to reveal to her. Once he does reveal that side of himself, it only makes their relationship stronger. That's when Ethan enters the picture, and adds a whole new dimension to things.

Reagan and I had our moments. I really liked her for the most part, but that there were sometimes I didn't. Like the times when Trey was sharing some deep emotional things with her and she'd laugh thinking he was joking. I just thought that with her loving him so much, she could tell the difference between him being serious and joking. Plus I didn't care for how she wasn’t a treating Ethan as an equal among them. Ethan was a welcome addition to the relationship, but I don't feel like I really got to know him on a deeper level. What I did know of him I did like. But who I was totally enamored with was Trey's brother, Dare. I really hope he gets his own story.

I do believe this may be the hottest addition to the Sinner's series, and if you've read the previous installments that's saying a lot. The Sinners series is definitely a series you'll want to collect.

Review: Love's Strategy by Samantha Kane

Love's Strategy
Samantha Kane
Series: Brothers in Arms #3
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Publish Date: May 2007
Kindle {p.56}
Source: Personal Library
Genre: Historical, Menage
Leah Marleston, Valentine Westridge, Kurt Shillig
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

Valentine Westridge and Kurt Schillig are lovers, and have been since the Peninsular War when lonely young officer Valentine let himself be seduced by the equally lonely Kurt. Now they're back from the war and intent on beginning the future they dreamed of together, one that includes a quiet country estate, horses, dogs, children, and each other. Their plan, however, also requires a wife. At the suggestion of a mutual friend, Valentine and Kurt believe the financial security they can offer to impoverished widow Leah Marleston will help her accept the unusual sexual relationship they are suggesting.

Leah is at her wit's end, creditors having taken everything she owns to pay off her late husband's gambling debts. She must find a way to support herself and her two children, or be forced to marry her abusive and obsessive brother-in-law. In Valentine's and Kurt's arms, Leah discovers a passion she never knew existed. Brought together by necessity, bonded by desire, these three lonely people find themselves fighting against all odds for a love that was never part of their plans.

The instant attraction among these three I believed, but the instant love, not so much. Kirk and Valentine have been in love for some time, so the thought that the minute they laid eyes on Leah they fell in love cheapened the love between Valentine and Kirk to me.

I am glad however that both Valentine and Kirk took an instant liking to Leah's children. That won them over with me. I would have liked to see the relationship between this trio grow, but with it being a very short read, that didn't happen.

Review: Incoming Freshman by Carol Lynne

Incoming Freshman
Carol Lynne
Series: Campus Cravings #13
Publisher: Total-E-Bound
Publish Date: August 1, 2011
Kindle {p.87}
Source: Personal Library
Genre: LGBT
Bobby Ray Sikes, Chet Sloan
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

Three years ago, Chet Sloan left a promising job as Offensive Line Coach at the University of Arizona in an effort to put distance between himself and an Incoming Freshman. Bobby Ray Sikes first came to Chet’s attention as a high school sophomore when he took his small Arkansas town’s football team to a state championship. For two years Chet watched Bobby Ray Sikes play, knowing the boy was meant for greatness. When he recognized his feelings had grown from adoration to something more, Chet ran. In an effort to save his career and Bobby Ray Sikes’s chance to one day go professional, Chet took a job at North Central Idaho University.

For three years, Bobby Ray Sikes played for a team he hated. Not only was he expected to act like the rest of the guys on the team, but the one man he’d agreed to play for had left him high and dry. After reading an article on BK House, a privately funded all-gay dormitory, in OUT magazine, he decides to do the unthinkable and transfer colleges his senior year.

Most coaches would be thrilled to learn a two time All American was transferring in to play ball for their team, but Chet’s feelings for Bobby Ray Sikes haven’t changed. Will he be forced to run again or can he coach the man he loves?

I was excited to see the return of the Campus Cravings series, but this installment fell a little flat. Bobby Ray and Chet have been in love with each other pretty much since Booby Ray has been legal. Even still Chet didn't feel that a relationship between them was a good idea because of the age difference and the fact that he was Bobby's coach.

There didn't seem to be any real depth between these two once they reconnected three years later. Sure they had a physical attraction to one another, but as a reader I didn't become invested in either one of them. I ended up connecting more with Bobby's roommate Dane than the two main characters. Now his story is one I'm looking forward to reading.

Review: Making the Grade by Carol Lynne

Making the Grade
Carol Lynne
Series: Cattle Valley #19
Publisher: Total-E-Bound
Published: October 4, 2010
Kindle {p.137}
Source: Personal Library
Genre: LGBT
Kenny Trenton, Eli Sanchez
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

Kenny Trenton has had a crush on Cattle Valley English teacher, Eli Sanchez, since the age of seventeen. Although Kenny's no longer a schoolboy, Eli refuses to see his fellow faculty member as anything but a student.

Eli has spent his life hiding from the outside world. When the loneliness gets too much, he decides to make the changes necessary to open himself up to friendships and perhaps a relationship.

When Eli attends a high school football game in a neighbouring community, he's attacked in the parking lot. Although Kenny's the one to rescue him, Eli begins to think he's made a mistake and living in the outside world isn't a good idea.

Kenny's determined to keep Eli from retreating into his shell once again, but will his love be enough?

I didn’t really get into this one like previous books in this series. I didn’t really care all that much for either lead character.

Eli, who was supposedly a former member of the armed services, seemed to be frightened by his own shadow. He was overly sensitive to everything. The smallest thing could cause him to have hurt feelings and to withdraw into himself.

This relationship of the older man, Eli, and the younger man, Kenny, felt in reverse. I felt Kenny was the more mature one in this relationship taking care of Eli. It didn’t feel like Eli was bringing anything into this relationship.

Review: Taming Black Dog Four by Carol Lynne

Taming Black Dog Four
Carol Lynne
Series: Bodyguards in Love #4
Publisher: Total-E-Bound
Published: May 10, 2010
Kindle {p.95}
Source: Personal Library
Genre: LGBT, Menage
Jack Drake, Carlo, Lobo, Renaldo
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

The bodyguards of Black Dog Four had been carefully chosen for looks, temperament, battle skills and sexuality. In the tradition of the Spartans, the idea was to see if lovers worked better as a team than merely friends. The experiment had seemed like a complete success until they'd been sent to guard Maria Valdez. After Maria was killed in an explosion, all four men had refused to work together.

Addy Constentine needed around-the-clock security if she hoped to legitimise her father's empire. With her stepbrother now in prison, Addy's goal was to keep the family out of the underworld it had been entrenched in for decades.

With death threats coming from several different sources, Addy needed the best. She needed the men of Black Dog Four.

The Black Dog Four team has just recently reunited after losing the person they were hired to protect. So going in you already know who is with whom because they already have an established relationship. This story was mainly just about them trying to make a relationship of four work for the long haul.

There were also the side stories of Alec and Lon and Abby and Joe. Those two relationships are the ones that actually develop during the span of the book. Both of these relationships developed rather quickly and seemed to only scratch the surface with no real depth to them. Especially Alec and Lon’s relationship. Alec’s whole time spent Taggert seemed to diminish his relationship with Lon.

But as always, Lynne delivers on the hot sex front.

Review: Their Taydelaan by Rachel Clark

Their Taydelaan
Rachel Clark
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Publish Date: April 12, 2011
Kindle
Source: Publisher
Genre: Sci-Fi, Menage
Characters: Jade, Mitchell, Zack
Challenge: 100+, Ebook
Buy the Book: Amazon

How did bumping into a man in a hospital corridor develop into dreams of red-hot threesomes? Jade can't understand why she's dreaming of the man she literally bumped into three months ago, but when she actually meets the men from her dreams at her sister's party, things seem to spiral even further out of her control. Unwilling to believe her sister's explanation, Jade still can't deny the telepathic link she now shares with the two men. Zack and Mitchell have finally found their third, the woman who completes them-their Taydelaan-but she seems intent on denying their future together. Can they convince Jade that being loved doesn't mean being dependent?

Jade encounters her mates while at the hospital for the birth of her sister’s child.

Their Taydelaan is an erotic adventure of Jade, Zack, and Mitchell becoming a permenant triad. These three were having amazing sex before ever truly meeting each other.

I really enjoyed the fact that Jade questioned the whole situation and didn’t just accept what was being told to her. She didn’t automatically accept the that these people were aliens and her life partners.

Once again Ms. Clark does a great job in getting across the emotions of all the parties involved.

Review: Squire by Jet Mykles

Squire
Jet Mykles
Series: Indigo Knights #1
Publisher: Loose Id
Publication Date: September 7, 2010
Kindle {p.158}
Genre: LGBT
Characters: Izzy Rose, Rabin Squire
Challenge: 100+, 50 States ~ Illinois

Rabin Squire is on top of the world. At long last, everything is going his way. He’s about to go into the studio with none other than Brent Rose to put together a new album for his band, the Indigo Knights. Okay, so there’re currently only two members of the band, but with Brent’s help, that’ll soon change. Things are looking up.

Then there’s Izzy, Brent’s cousin. Rabin’s never been interested in a guy before but he can sure tell when one is gorgeous, and Izzy is that. He’s also funny, and sweet and...sexy as hell.

Since he’s not gay, Rabin never expected to have a fling with Izzy. But Izzy says their having sex doesn’t make him gay. Rabin’s not so sure about that but if Izzy’s good with it, what harm can come of it? Izzy agrees; no one else needs to know.

Then an even bigger opportunity means that Rabin has to move away. So if the thing with Izzy was no big deal, why does it hurt when it comes to an end?

Izzy is attracted to Rabin and is constantly flirting with him. Rabin enjoys the attention though he claims to be straight. He also can’t seem to help but notice how pretty Izzy is.

After a night spent clubbing, they find themselves in bed together. They both claim it’s just sex and fun with no strings, no emotions. Of course that always works out. The two of them fall in love with each other, but neither discloses this information to the other.

I’ve always been a fan of Jet since my very first book by the author. I would have liked to see Izzy and Rabin interact more outside the bedroom. I’m not a big fan of the secret relationship.

Squire was just an okay start to the new series for me. But I am looking forward to seeing what’s next.

Review: Tangled Past by Leah Braemel

Tangled Past
Leah Braemel
Publisher: Carina Press
Publication Date: June 13, 2011
Kindle
Source: Publisher/Net Galley
Genre: Historical, Western
Characters: Sarah McLeod, Jackson Kellar, Nate Campbell
Challenge: 100+, Summer Romance

Forced to marry a man she just met, Sarah McLeod clings to the hope that she’ll finally find the love and acceptance she’s always craved. Her tenuous dreams of a happy life on the frontier are in danger of being dashed by the one thing she can’t change—her husband’s love for another man. Jackson Kellar’s determined to do right by his bride, yet he’s torn between his newfound love for Sarah and his still-burning desire for Nate.

Ranch owner Nate Campbell loves them both. He hates to see Jackson’s loyalties so divided, and doesn’t want Sarah hurt either. How can they fix the tangled mess they find themselves in? Nate suggests a possible solution—a permanent threesome.

With the open frontier closing in around them, is Nate’s solution their path to happiness—or will others destroy what they’ ve found together?

Once Sarah's stepfather catches her in the barn with Jackson, who is in a state of undress, he forces them to marry. Jackson was attracted to Sarah and seen how poorly her stepfather treated her, so he didn't mind marrying her. Except for the fact that he was in love with his best friend Nate.

The triad relationship felt to me like Jackson was the glue that held them together. Sarah was in love with Jackson and he in love with Nate. It didn't seem that Sarah had a relationship with Nate other than friendship. Since Jackson loved him, and she wanted to please him, Sarah invited Nate into their bed.

The overall read was pretty steamy, it just lacked a little on emotional connection.

Review: Here Kitty, Kitty by Joyee Flynn

Here Kitty, Kitty
Joyee Flynn
Series: Purrfect Mates #1
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Publication Date: December 30, 2010
Kindle {p.106}
Source: Publisher
Genre: Erotica, Menage, Paranormal
Characters: Avery Donovan, Cord Hartwell, Tyson Fitzgerald
Challenge: 100+, Ebook

Avery Donovan has escaped after being held captive almost thirty years. He is injured and on the run seeking refuge. While making his way across a ranch in southern Montana, he catches the unique smell of his mates. Alone and scared, he decides to trust fate and follow the scent of his men. Childhood friends, Cord Hartwell and Tyson Fitzgerald, have spent decades denying their feelings for each other until one day, an injured saber tooth tiger shows up on their front porch, shifts into a gorgeous man, and changes their lives. Avery has forty-eight hours to convince them he is their mate and claim them, or he will die. Will Cord and Ty finally admit their feelings for each other and their desire for Avery, or will they continue to deny their feelings and risk losing their chance at happiness?

Here Kitty Kitty starts out with Avery showing up on Cord and Tyson’s doorstep. Tyson and Cord have always been in love with each other, but it takes the appearance of Avery to get them to act on their feelings. I felt that Avery making them act on their feelings made Ty and Cord’s love for one another somewhat lesser.

The interaction between the three of them was great. Even the interaction between Ty and Avery or Cord and Avery was good. It was the interaction between Ty and Cord that was lacking.

I truly enjoyed the coming together of the werecats and werewolves. Avery’s family seemed like really likeable characters. I would enjoy seeing more from his siblings.
This is a nice start to an interesting series.

Review: Fool's Gold by Jenna Byrnes

Fool's Gold
Jenna Byrnes
Series: Cattle Valley Women #2
Publisher: Total-E-Bound Publishing
Publication Date: June 22, 2009
Kindle
Genre: LGBT
Characters: Abbie Murphy, Melissa
Challenge: 100+, LBGT, Ebook

Adeline Murphy believes the Apple Valley Inn is the only thing waiting for her in Cattle Valley, and it's up to Melissa Danes to change her way of thinking.Adeline Murphy heads to Cattle Valley, Wyoming looking for a fresh start. She's invested every dime she has and purchased the local bed and breakfast. Arriving in town with a cranky girlfriend in tow, Addie's devastated to discover the inn has been vandalised. With the property uninhabitable, she has no source of income and a mounting stack of bills.Melissa Danes' quiet Cattle Valley existence is shaken by the arrival of the beautiful Addie and her surly tagalong, Chloe. She's captivated by Addie, but stays away thinking Addie and Chloe are in a committed relationship. When she discovers differently, all bets are off.Mel discovers Addie has several barriers to cross, including repairing the damaged inn and her even more wounded self-esteem. When Mel looks at Addie she sees more than Fool's Gold, but she needs to find a way for Addie to see it too.

Abbie arrives in Cattle Valley as the new owner of the bed and breakfast. She meets Mel, who happens to be in possession of the keys to the inn, and there are immediate sparks. The only problem is Abbie isn’t arriving in town alone.

When Chloe, Abbie’s tag-along, finally gets tired of small town life and moves on for the bright lights of the big city, Mel and Abbie don’t waste any time acting on their attraction. These two start out hot and heavy. Then of course one falls for the other while the other is holding back.

The two of them do eventually get on the same page and starts what looks to be a promising relationship.

Review: Forbidden Heat by Opal Carew

Forbidden Heat

Opal Carew {Facebook | Facebook Page | Twitter}
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publication Date: January 5, 2010
Trade Paperback {p.266}
Genre: Erotica, Menage
Characters: Danielle Rayne, Jake Jamieson, Trey Garner
Challenge: 100+, Erotica

If you could make your most forbidden fantasy come true, would you dare?

Danielle, Jake and Trey were inseparable back in college. They used to tell each other everything—except for one big secret Danielle always kept hidden. That even though they were best friends, Danielle always had a huge crush on them. But it was a harmless, hopeless crush, because the two men were in love…with each other.

Years later, Danielle learns a startling truth. Jake and Trey have not only broken up— they date women now. Danielle’s most sinful fantasy has always been to have a threesome—and now she finally has the chance to spend the night with not just one, but with both sexy men. Yet when fantasy becomes reality, life gets complicated fast. Despite Jake and Trey’s rocky past, it’s clear to Danielle that they’re still deeply in love with each other. The trouble is, now Danielle’s falling for them too…

Danielle is reunited with her college crushes at her friend Harmony’s wedding. They too had a crush on Danielle, but never acted upon it because they were in a committed relationship with each other at the time. What starts out as one night to live out her threesome fantasy quickly becomes much more.

Forbidden Heat is filled with page after page of white hot sex. The sexual interaction between Trey and Jake was very minimal and only towards the end of the story. I found that aspect to be very disappointing considering the fact that these two used to be in love with each other. Sometimes it felt as if they didn’t even like each other let alone loved each other.

The storyline too was a bit minimal, but enough to want to see how it all played out. I did enjoy the fact that Ms. Carew was able to write it where I didn’t feel like either Trey or Jake was a third wheel.

This book is a spinoff of Six, so I’m hoping there will be more books for some of the other members of their group. And maybe a story for Trey’s sister, Suzie as well, because she was an interesting secondary character that I wouldn’t mind seeing more of. I will definitely continue reading Opal’s work.

Review: Easy by Ally Blue

Easy
Ally Blue {Facebook | Facebook | Twitter}
Publisher: Loose Id
Publication Date: April 20, 2008
Kindle
Genre: LGBT
Characters: Stevie Sanger, Dan
Challenge: 100+, 50 States ~ North Carolina

Dan get is a man with a secret. Stevie Sanger is fighting a past that won't leave him alone. They want each other from the moment they meet, and that attraction quickly blossoms into something deeper, something that could become permanent. But first, they need to overcome all the obstacles in their way. Dan's fear of his own nature, Stevie's belief that he's not good enough for Dan. The unresolved pieces of Stevie's past. Building the relationship they both want may be a challenge too big for either of them. But nothing worth having is ever easy.

Dan rescues Stevie after he’s been beaten by one of his johns. At this point I could tell how the rest of the story would unfold. Stevie constantly in need of a savior.

Dan immediately moves Stevie into his home and struggles to fight his growing feelings for him. He doesn’t have any problems or concerns about Stevie’s sorrid past, but is worried about what his friends and coworkers would think of him if they knew of his sexual orientation.

Stevie knows Dan has feelings for him but instead of waiting for him to figure out if he’s going to act on them he gets involved with someone else. This new guy that he gets involved with is controlling and very much like Stevie’s johns.

Stevie and Dan, when they were on the same accord, where a cute couple. Dan was a bit more likeable than Stevie, because Stevie seemed to always be in need of saving. Stevie doesn’t have much depth to him either. The story was well written but the characters were lacking. I intend to give this author another try.

Review: Scarred by Carol Lynne

Scarred
Carol Lynne
Series: Cattle Valley #18
Publisher: Total-E-Bound
Publication Date: August 9, 2010
Kindle
Source: Personal Library
Genre: LGBT
Characters: Zac Alben, Jakob Cox
Challenge: 50 States, 100+
My Rating:

Zac Alben loved his life in Cattle Valley until he made the ultimate mistake and introduced his partner in life, Terry, to his on-the-job partner, Jakob. He hoped the two men would hit it off, but he had no idea the meeting would forever change his life.

Scarred and broken, Zac shows the facade of a man on the mend. He returns to work, joins the community in celebrating Cattle Valley Days and wakes nightly in a cold sweat.

Pushed away at every turn, Jakob Cox still doesn’t know what happened the night Zac nearly lost his life. Despite Zac’s cold shoulder, Jakob takes it upon himself to drag the man he loves back into the land of the living.

Zac is healing from a horrible accident that has left him disfigured. Not only that, but he blames the man he is in love with, Jakob, for what happened to him. Even though he blames Jakob he's still in love with him and cannot stop thinking of him.

The two of them eventually find their way back to each other and make a go of the relationship. They had a rocky beginning because at the time Zac was already in a relationship and Jakob was a third they occasionally invited into their bedroom.

The story of these two was an emotional journey. With Zac being diagnosed as bipolar and Jakob trying to fine that balance to let Zac function and not constantly worrying about him harming himself. But Carol seemed to make it work without losing any of the steam.