Funzee's Cozy Couch: January 2019

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

ARC REVIEW : The Other Book by Roe Horvat

Title : The Other Book
Author : Roe Horvat
Genre(s) : contemporary gay romance
Release Date : January 30th 2019
Rating : 4/5 Stars

Buy link : Amazon

It was supposed to be just sex... Famous last words.

Tyler doesn't overthink pleasure and avoids complications. He knows it might be stupid to get involved with his closeted boss, but the temptation is too great. At first, the cold and beautiful Joel Sandstrom seems to loathe Tyler's guts.

Except one late night at the office, his reasons become clear...and his control breaks.

Every time they touch, Joel's stony face comes alive, harsh lines smooth out, and for a minute, he looks serene. Happy, even. Just sex - dirty, intense, spectacular sex.

During their covert encounters, Tyler discovers the power he has over the lonesome man, and it's a heady feeling. What if he could set Joel free and give him peace of mind? When Tyler realizes how much Joel needs him, he doesn't regret breaking his own rules.

Gay erotic romance. Contains explicit scenes and sexual interactions between more than two partners. For adult readers only.

This book come with such a long note from the author and it makes me interested even more to dive to the story the minute the book arrived in my Kindle.

And it only took one chapter to made me glued to the story and couldn’t put it down…

Aside from the hot steamy sexiness this book had offer, I’m completely surprised that the book also come with strong story with good plot. And I can’t denied that this book had successfully 'burn' me and I need to fanning myself almost the entire reading caused by all those sexy sex scenes but at the same time the story also success melt my heart because the conflicts the author trying to portrayed in this book also succeed drawn my attention. The ‘game’ both main characters played to each other, the push and pull and the growing feeling that grow between the two are interesting enough to follow.

I really enjoying reading this book.
This is maybe the first Roe Horvat's book that I read, but definitely won’t be the last.

So, if you looking for a hot steamy reading with good story in it and far from PWP (porn without plot) I think you can give this book a try…

Monday, January 28, 2019

ARC REVIEW : Cronin’s Key IV : Kennard's Story by N.R. Walker

Title : Cronin's Key IV : Kennard's Story
Author : N.R. Walker
Genre(s) : gay romance, paranormals, vampire
Release Date : January 28th 2019
Rating : 4.5/5 Stars

Buy link : Amazon

Kennard and Stas have been enjoying being newly bonded mates, hidden away for the last six months in Stas’ cabin, deep in the forests of Northern Russia. When they get a visit from Alec, Cronin, Eiji, and Jodis, Kennard and Stas decide to return to London where they get news of a supernatural disturbance in India.

Excited for a new adventure, the band of friends embark on a journey like they’ve never seen before. Following a trail of snakes and serpents, they slip through gates into timeless dimensions all over the world, leaving them without their vampire powers. Even Alec is powerless as they follow a trail of gates and doorways to their final destination.

But the bad guy isn’t who they think it is, and Kennard will need to draw on his past to save their future. Because history is never what it seems…

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that history is never what it seems....

I’ve been waiting for Kennard story since forever and when it finally release, can you imagine how excited I am?

This book is so intense, the story is not only about Kennard and Stas and their newly-mate-energizer-bunny-activities (well, I must admit the first few chapter kinda ‘intimidating’ me in fun way of course!), BUT it also came with whole full package of the interesting adventures and journey to solve the new mystery that caught Kennard and his Scooby-Doo Gang friends attention.

I must admit that this book a bit ‘heavy’ for a short story, I mean with all those ancient mythology and history from all around the world mentioned and some of them materialize and 'squeezed' into the story had succeed added the tensions to the story and make it feels a bit heavy.

I love the story, especially when this book gave me a chance to meet Alec, Cronin, Jodis and Eiji again and have fun moment with their fun jokes even in the most dangerous moments they still can make me laugh with their fun banter. I didn’t realize that I miss them so much until I read this book.

Alec still amazed me with his amazing powers as the key, he and Cronin also success stole the spotlight in this book, but that didn’t dimmed Kennard and Stas story, especially when Kennard jaw dropping secret finally revealed!!!!
Trust me, I have that jaw-dropping-oh-really moment when I read that part!

Handara Golf & Resort at Bedugul, Bali (source : @ros_leon Instagram)

Another thing that excited me more is when my favorite author mentioned some famous place from my country (Bali, Indonesia) in the story! And that make me can't stop grinning during the reading!

So, if you’re also a Cronin’s Key series fanatic like me, then you shouldn’t miss Kennard's book!!!

And now let me leave you with another breathtaking picture of Gates of Heaven at Pura Lempuyang located in Karangasem, Bali.

(c) Nova Kurniawan/Travelingyuk

N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance.

She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn’t have it any other way.

She is many things: a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who live in her head, who don’t let her sleep at night unless she gives them life with words.

She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things… but likes it even more when they fall in love.

She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.

She’s been writing ever since…

Website

Friday, January 25, 2019

REVIEW : The Replacement Husband by Eliot Grayson

Title : The Replacement Husband
Author : Eliot Grayson
Genre(s) : Gay romance, historical romance
Release Date : December 28th 2018
Rating : 3/5 Stars

Goddess-blessed Owen Honeyfield is destined to enjoy perfect good fortune, and the arrival of handsome and eligible Tom Drake in his country town appears to be just the latest manifestation. Tom’s proposal is the fulfillment of Owen’s desires, but Owen is left heartbroken and at the mercy of Arthur, Tom’s disapproving elder brother, when his betrothal takes a disastrous turn. His reputation ruined and his bright future shattered, Owen must choose between loneliness and practicality.

Arthur Drake has taken responsibility for Tom’s scandalous behavior all their lives. He doesn’t think much of his brother's engagement, knowing that even Owen’s sweetness won’t be enough to influence Tom for the better. When Tom’s impulsive selfishness threatens to ruin the lives of everyone involved, Arthur has only one honorable choice. He'll need to repair the damage Tom has done and fight for his own happiness, knowing all the while he may never be able to take Tom’s place in Owen’s heart.

I have high expectations about this book, but then I must swallowed my disappointment when it turned out not like what I expected.

With the historical setting in alternate world and the mention of the ‘goddess gift' Owen has/blessed with, I thought that it will be some magical things will happen in this story or perhaps it will ended as Mpreg thing, but there’s no magical things happen until I catch the last page. So yes, it kinda disappointed me at some level because it seems it ended just like another ordinary historical gay romance set in regency time.

The story itself actually interesting enough to follow. I must admit some part of me actually like it, the writing is not bad, the plotting and pace are fine. Both Owen and Arthur characters are likeable enough, BUT still….it not satisfied me. Maybe it just ‘me’ thing, so I hope you’ll give this book a try, maybe it will suit you because even that I said that I’m disappointed but the book is actually not that bad…

Thursday, January 24, 2019

RELEASE BLITZ & REVIEW : His Uptown Guy (Landmarks #2) by Felice Stevens

Title: His Uptown Guy
Author: Felice Stevens
Series : The Landmarks Series book two
Genre: MM Romance
Release Date: January 24, 2019
Rating : 5/5 Stars

Buy Links : Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon Ca | Amazon Au

When Jesse Grace-Martin loses his father on 9/11, his charmed life is gone forever. People look menacing, and the streets no longer seem safe. After experiencing a brutal mugging, Jesse retreats to his apartment in the landmark Dakota building. Five years later, his first attempt to walk outside those famous gates again is a disaster—except for meeting the gorgeous maintenance worker who helps him through his crushing panic attack. Jesse can’t stop thinking about the guy but hesitates to reach out, knowing he has little to offer.

Dashamir Sadiko has big dreams. Money in the bank tops his list, and his peek into the life of the uber-wealthy at his job at the Dakota is all the incentive he needs. Struggling to work full-time and go to college, Dash desperately wants to break the cycle of poverty his parents had hoped to leave behind in Albania. When the two men become friends, Dash isn’t sure what to expect but can’t help his growing attraction to sweet and sexy Jesse. It’s nice to see how the other side lives, but his affections can’t be bought; Dash wants to be his own man.

Defying the Dakota’s co-op rules, the two share lunches, their hopes and dreams, and ultimately their hearts. Jesse slowly regains his courage, but he’s worried he’ll never be the person he once was and that he’s not good enough for Dash. And Dash isn’t convinced the son of poor immigrants’ has a place at the table with a blue-blood, trust-fund man. Jesse needs to realize that money can’t buy happiness and love, while Dash must learn to trust that what they have is real, that he’s more than Jesse’s walk on the wild side with an uptown guy.

He was a porter, a poor kid from the Bronx, from an immigrant family…

And I’m the guy who can’t leave his apartment without having a panic attack…

“I thought I’d never get put back together. But I must’ve been waiting for you to find my pieces.”

It a very sweet, heartwarming story about two men from two different world who meet by fate. And like long lost pieces of puzzles, they perfectly fit for each others.

This book gave me strong emotional feelings when I read it. The story sounds a bit cliché at first but it gave deep impact in me and touch to the deepest of my heart. Seeing how the two main characters who come from two different social status trying to fit to each others life with all conflicts and all those egos they must faced before finally find their happiness (like always) was written in such beautiful way in Felice’s hands.

9/11 had put Jesse’s life upside down. He the ‘lock’ himself in his apartment for years and must deal with his anxiety and panic attacks each time he’s going outside or meet a lot of people. But then come Dash…

He came to Jesse life and brought back the spark to his lonely life. Their friendship start to grow intensely day by day. Dash with his kindness warm heart had made Jesse feels alive again. It’s like Dash had found him and brought him back home. And with Dash help…Jesse then fight his fear that had imprisoned for years him and ready to fly…

The two main characters are very sweet and lovable. Their story successfully warmed my heart to the fullest and yes, I love both Jesse and Dash equally.

There’s also some secondary characters that I love and successfully stole the spotlight like Jesse’s assistant, Miranda. She’s like a mother figure to Jesse for five years when he’s struggling with his anxiety and panic attacks while ‘trapped’ in his self-made prison that made him feels like a prisoner in a multimillion-dollar jail.
And I was like Miranda when I’m reading this book and have this constant urge to hugs both Jesse and Dash and engulfed them with love. The other character that I love is Dash’s mother, she’s a very lovely and brave woman with so much love in her heart. She successfully made my mouth watering with ALL the food she’s cooked for Jesse almost the entire reading!!!! (Thanks to Felice!)

His Uptown Guy successfully leave deep impression in me. It’s beautiful story about loss and trauma and the journey to finding life again…

“You could have anyone, and yet you want me.”

“You’re not anyone. You’re the only one. My one. The only one I see.”

Highly recommended!

Felice Stevens has always been a romantic at heart. She believes that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending around the corner, Her characters have to work for it, however. Like life in NYC, nothing comes easy and that includes love.

Felice has written over twenty books in the gay romance genre. Her books been translated into German, French and Italian. Her novel. One Call Away, part of her Soulmates series, was mentioned in Buzzfeed as one of the best “Out for You” gay romances of 2017.

Felice lives in New York City with her husband and two children. Her day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. She recently retired from the practice law and now daydreams of a time when she can sit by a beach somewhere and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there are bound to be a few bumps along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.