Review : The Secret of the Sheikh’s Betrothed by Felicitas Ivey

Title : The Secret of the Sheikh’s Betrothed 

Author : Felicitas Ivey

Genre : Contemporary Gay Romance

Published : November 15th 2107

My Rating : 3 of 5 Stars

     A billionaire and a Bedouin girl—each with a shocking secret. 

     Billionaire Fathi al-Murzim is a workaholic businessman, too busy running the family’s companies to even think about marriage. Too bad he never told his grandfather he’s gay, because Grandfather just announced a childhood betrothal—to a Bedouin girl Fathi never heard about before. 

     Ikraam din Abdel was raised as a woman by his avaricious and abusive older sister, who didn’t want him to be their father’s heir. He’d never thought to be married either, and is surprised when his sister informs him of his betrothal.

     When Fathi and Ikraam meet, they are drawn to each other in a manner neither of them expected. As the plans for their wedding progress, they both realize they need to tell the other the truth. But can they, with both cultural taboos and family pressures to deal with?

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It's kinda weird and a bit 'unlogic'  at some part especially with Arab culture for all this things to happen. Definitely unbelievable BUT I love the idea of the story and I do really enjoying the reading!!!

Love the pace, love the interaction between Fathi and Ikraam, love the writing and everything feels so...'right' in...still 'un-logic' way.

Review : Snow Falling by Davidson King

Title : Snow Falling
Author : Davidson King
Genre(s) : Contemporary Gay Romance with semi-dark and angst
Published : November 29th 2017
My Rating : 3.75 Stars

After running from a past destined to kill him, Snow has been hiding on the streets. 

Tell nobody your name. 

Tell nobody your secrets. 

Trust nobody! 

These are the rules of the streets. 

His entire life changes when he saves an eight-year-old boy from a violent end. 

Christopher Manos is one of the most powerful crime bosses in the country. 

Don’t ask anyone to do something you aren’t willing to do yourself. 

Secrets can get you killed. 

Trust nobody! 

These are the rules he lives by. 

When his eight-year-old nephew disappears, he never expects the boy’s savior to end up being his own. 

A man with a dangerous past and a man with a dangerous future find love amidst murder and mayhem. But with Snow's life being threatened at every turn, will Christopher's best be enough to prevent Snow Falling? 

Tell nobody your name. 
Tell nobody your secrets. 
Trust nobody! 
These are the rules of the streets.

🍁🍁🍁 

I'm in the middle of 'sugar coma' state because way too much consuming those sweet Christmas Holiday Romance book and really need a break. I need some 'plain black coffee' to help me out from this 'diabetic situation'.

Right when I need 'black coffee',  this book pop-up on my time line. The guy on the cover totally caught my coverslut eyes, and when I read the blurb, I'm SOLD instantly. 

So, with ALL the warning, I start the book right away!

Dark and angsty...

Well? That's what I thought before I read the book, but after I finished it, it seems not as 'dark' as I expected, BUT still...it squeezed my heart at some part.

This Snow guy REALLY intrigued me in every possible way and THAT what made this story interesting enough to follow and  hard to put down.

Who is he? And why he run and trying to be invisible were things that make this book interesting enough to read.

The questions "What will happen next? What will happen next?" constantly playing in my head almost the whole reading along with words "Don't be stupid! Don't be stupid!!". Because yeah at some point I really want to 'punch' this Snow guy for his 'stupidity' even I KNOW why he did all those 'things'.

For a debut novel from a new to me author, I can say that Snow Falling definitely another recommended read for nearly end of this year even with some note here and there for small mistakes and few 'unlogic' things that popped up in the story.

Just make sure you don't miss it!

Review : In Case of Emergency by Keira Andrews

Title : In Case of Emergency
Author : Keira Andrews
Genre(s) : Contemporary Gay Romance
Published : November 30th 2017
My Rating : 3 Stars

Former stepbrothers find Christmas romance under the tree.

After years alone, Daniel Diaz is finally ready to shake up his orderly, solitary life. He's about to leave for a cozy Christmas getaway with his new man when he gets the call from the ER that his former stepbrother has been admitted with a concussion and a broken hand—and Cole put him down as his emergency contact. Why the hell would he do that? Daniel barely knows the guy. After all, their parents' marriage lasted less than a year and it was a decade ago!

But Cole has no one else to look after him and strict doctor's orders not to be left alone. So fine, Daniel will bring him along on vacation to make sure he doesn't starve or fall into a coma. This is supposed to be Daniel's chance to explore romance again after locking down his feelings for too long—except it turns out his could-be boyfriend is more interested in partying and being an obnoxious jerk. Daniel sends him packing, and now he's stuck with a virtual stranger in an isolated mountain cabin.

Cole Smith crushed hard on cranky Daniel when they were teenagers. Alone with him in a romantic winter wonderland, those feelings roar back to life. Glimpsing the caring, vulnerable man under Daniel's frosty shell, he yearns to get closer. Christmas is a time for surprises, and Daniel and Cole discover a scorching connection that just might melt their hearts.

This fluffy gay Christmas romance from Keira Andrews features former stepbrothers reconnecting as adults, sexy hot-tub shenanigans, cuddling by the fire, and of course a happy ending. 

I always have soft spot for step-sibling/stepbrother romance. And when I know that Keira's new holiday romance book about stepbrothers, I'm SOLD!

The story start with very promising plot when suddenly Daniel must taking care his stepbrother that he hadn't seen for almost ten years because Cole had an accident and need someone to stay by his side.

But unfortunately, Daniel already have a plan to spend his holiday with his-soon-about-to-be-his-boyfriend, Justin, out of the town. Daniel then asking Cole to come with him to the chalet so he can still taking care him while he's on vacation.

But soon after they reach the chalet, Daniel found out that Justin had invite another guests to stay there and that ruined all Daniel plans. Daniel then asked Justin to leave because suddenly he realized that what his plan to be with Justin as part of this 'CYC things' was totally a huge mistake. 

Cole presence had made him realize that he need something to melt the ice in his lonely heart, and his sudden protective urge to took care Cole ring the wake up call to him that he need Cole in his life more than 'just' as a stepbrother....

The story doing great at the first 60% reading, but after that, it kinda lose the 'grip' after they both left alone in the chalet and things turn to romantic. I felt that there's something was missing here but I don't know what. But the epilogue is really something and it could bring back the 'spark'.

In Case of Emergency is another sweet and fluffy gay Christmas romance about former stepbrothers turn lovers that will light up your Christmas holiday read this year!

Release Day Blitz & Review : Last Call by Christina Lee & Felice Stevens

Title : Last Call
Author : Christina Lee, Felice Stevens
Cover Design : Reese Dante
Genre(s) : M/M/M, Menage,  Contemporary Gay Romance
Published : November 29th 2017
My Rating : 5 Stars

Quinn Monahan and Grayson Page have been friends since high school. Despite their differences, they’ve been there for each other through thick and thin. Opening Last Call together, a bar tucked away in the small town of Heartsville, PA seemed a natural progression—even if it makes it harder to live with the secret longing they’ve always had for each other.

Hoping to score an easy buck and a place to sleep, unemployed circus roadie Emery Woods chooses Last Call to run a few bets and enjoy a decent beer before moving on. When he finds himself stranded, the unexpected kindness Quinn and Gray show him leads to temporary work and a couch to lay his head. Sensing unresolved history between Quinn and Gray, he squashes his immediate draw to the men, opting to avoid trouble. But as days turn into weeks, denying the attraction is easier said than done.

When the men finally give in to the simmering sexual tension, it quickly develops into more than a way to pass the lonely nights. And as they begin to lean on each other for emotional support, it becomes nearly impossible to think of one man without the other two. But while Quinn and Gray are afraid to cross the line of friendship between them, Emery fears once they do, he’ll quickly be cast aside. A real family is finally within their grasp, but unless the men can learn to trust each other, they just might miss their hearts’ last call home.

     “Hey. You don’t believe him, right? He doesn’t know the real you.” Gray wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. Wordlessly I sought his mouth, needing his solid warmth. Electric sparks showered through me when he crushed our lips together, and I slid my hands through his hair, clutching the silky waves between my fingers. Heat rose between us as he took my face between the palms of his hands and sucked hungrily at my tongue. I molded my body to his, my dick aching and hard. Our breaths mingled, and I licked at the scratchy, tender skin of Gray’s neck, drinking in the tang of his scent. So strong and warm and male.
     A hand touched my back and Emery kissed my neck, then sucked my earlobe into his mouth. I could feel the push of his cock, and I became a trembling mass of sensation, each stroke ramping up my desire.
     “The truck is still in the driveway, full of liquor.” Emery panted against my ear.
     “Fuck the liquor.” Who could think when Emery’s lips trailed hot kisses down my neck?
     “I’d rather fuck you.”

I had never really felt like enough for anybody. With these guys, I felt special. Wanted. Needed. - Emery 

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MMM always be my fave kinky troupe all this time. The fact that this IS also a surprise release and collaboration from Christina Lee and Felice Stevens excited me even more!

There's no doubt for a hot-shmexy sex scenes in this book that will make you want to fanning yourself multiple times...

BUT I think it become 'less important' here - (yeah? Says someone who love steamy hot stuff! *eye rolling*), because the story was way more interesting than all those hot steamy things between Quinn, Gray and Emery, that successfully drawn me deeper into the book and make it hard to put down. 

The journey of three lonely person in finding their way to happiness and find their missing peace in each other ALL wrapped in very good writing. And THAT what's makes this book become MORE interesting!

Trying to make the relationship working between the three of them was not that easy, especially when you put your heart on the table and feels 'vulnerable' at the same time. Emery with his trust issue always feels like 'the outsider' when it comes to Gray and Quinn 'closeness' who had known each other for years and shares a lot of memories together. There's a time when Emery felt like he didn't 'belong here' with Gray and Quinn. It took a lot of effort for both Gray and Quinn to convince him about how important is Emery for both of them. And make Emery 'see' and understand his position in their heart was not an easy thing to do. How the authors 'playing' the push and pull with this feelings things in this story was what make this book successfully gripped the reader from the beginning of the story to the last page.

Last Call tell us about three lonely and broken soul searching for love and how they completed each other in 'unique' way before finally found a place they could call it 'home' in each other heart.

I might not willing to say it out loud, but I felt like I'd finally come home... - Emery

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

Last Call

Amazon US | Amazon UK

 

Mother, wife, reader, dreamer. Christina lives in the Midwest with her husband and son--her two favorite guys. She's addicted to lip balm, coffee, and kissing. Because everything is better with kissing.

She writes MM Contemporary as well as Adult and New Adult Romance. She believes in happily-ever-afters for all, so reading and writing romance for everybody under the rainbow helps quench her soul.

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Felice Stevens has always been a romantic at heart. While life is tough, she believes there is a happy ending for everyone. She started reading traditional historical romances as a teenager, then life and law school got in the way. It wasn't until she picked up a copy of Bertrice Small and became swept away to Queen Elizabeth's court that her interest in romance novels was renewed.

But somewhere along the way, her reading shifted to stories of men falling in love. Once she picked up her first gay romance, she became so enamored of the character-driven stories and the overwhelming emotion there was no turning back. 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. Although she practices law, she daydreams of a time when she can sit by a beach and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there is bound to be some angst along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.

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ARC is kindly provided by the Author in exchange of a fair, unbiased and honest review.

Review : Ice, Snow & Mistletoe by Jocelynn Drake

Title : Ice, Snow & Mistletoe
Author : Jocelynn Drake
Genre : Contemporary Gay Romance, Christmas Novella
Published : November 21st 2017
My Rating : 4 of 5 Stars

John Sullivan is escaping to Denver. Even with a massive snow storm on his heels, he plans to hide away in his cabin in the mountains and ignore Christmas. It’ll be just him and a bottle of whiskey until the new year when he must return to Cincinnati for his best friend’s wedding.

At least, that’s the plan until he runs into Oz at the airport.

Oz … the man who should have been just a fling. The man who was fun and laughs but quickly turned into so much more before he completely kicked John out of his life.

Oz who desperately needs his help…

John is ready to leave Oz stranded at the Denver airport in the coming blizzard, but he finds himself possibly staring down at the reason Oz pushed him away, and John can’t say no.

Second chances don’t come around often, but John is willing to fight for one with Oz.

I'm so glad that I read Walking on Thin Ice right before I jump into this book for I completely didn't know that this story was about John Sullivan, Spenser Roland best friend from holiday romance story wrote by the same author that was released last year.

John had caught my attention since the first time I read about him on the previous book and I want him to have his own story. So, when I start this book and read Spenser name mentioned at the first few page, my first reaction was, "No way! Again?!", I didn't realize that it IS the same 'Spenser' from the other book - I mean, how can the author 'carelessly' use the same name over and over again on her book like there's no other alternate name can be use? 

But when John Sullivan's name was also mentioned, THAT when I finally realized that IT IS the same person and I'm actually reading John story!!! Sound silly huh? Can't stop laughing on myself for few minutes for my silliness!

So, John story was as interesting as Spenser's, it's a sweet second chance romance and feels a bit 'intense' and waaay more cute because there's Lizzy's role in the story.

John and Oz had known each other about five or six years ago, and actually had spent their hot sweaty nights together for few months before out of sudden, Oz ended their relationship for no reason and leave John in massive broken heart.

Years has passed, fate then made the two run into each other again at the airport. Didn't want Oz and his little daughter, Lizzy stranded at the airport with bad weather because their flight had been delayed, John then offer them to stay with him at his cabin.

The story then become very interesting, full of high tensions and also very sweet when John, Oz and little Lizzy 'trapped' together in the condo for Christmas.

There's a lot of feeling playing there and that's why this book enjoyable to read and hard to put it down. Read it in one sit and LOVE every part of the story. Especially when it also give us the glimpse of Spenser and Evan wedding at the end. Everything was perfect to the end!

Recommended!!!

Review : Walking on Thin Ice by Jocelynn Drake

Title : Walking on Thin Ice
Author : Jocelynn Drake
Genre : Contemporary Gay Romance, Christmas Novella
Published : November 22nd 2016
My Rating : 4 of 5 Stars

It’s not easy for Spenser Roland to admit it, but he needs help. Christmas is just a few days away, and he can’t face the idea of showing up to his family’s gathering alone … again. They want to see him happily settled, but Spenser doesn’t date. He can’t risk it if he wants to protect his family. But one unexpected night with Evan Scott has him thinking that maybe he can strike a deal that will make his family happy and give him a little holiday cheer as well.

Evan never should have accepted a ride home from the sexy-as-hell corporate executive, but he’s proud that he stuck to his guns. He’s done with the one-night stand game. He wants something real. Something that lasts. But when Spenser returns, asking him to pose as his boyfriend over the weekend at a Christmas celebration, Evan is sure he’s lost his mind.

But he can’t say no.

Maybe it’s the shadow of loneliness in Spenser’s bright blue eyes that’s too much like his own. Or maybe it’s his heart-stopping smile.

Either way, Evan knows he’s on thin ice with Spenser, risking his own rules and heart, but Spenser is worth the risk.

Never should have kissed him...

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I decided to read this book as a part of my holiday romance marathon this year because I saw a friend talking good about this book. So, even it's the new author to me, I decided to give it a try after the blurb curious me enough.

In my reading experience all these years, I found that there's two type of author. First, the one who trying so hard to 'tell' the reader what the MC feels by using to many unnecessary description and the one who let the reader 'feels' what the MC's feels by 'showing' it.

And I think this book fit the second one. Because instead telling the reader what the MC's feels, I can feel that the author showing us, the reader what the MC's feels. Even when both of the MC never once say the L word, but the reader can feels how strong the love that growing between the two MC's at the whole reading!

And that's what I felt when I read this book. The author successfully made this story which start as pretend boyfriend turn into insta-love which happen only in weekend counts feels not that instant or cheesy but instead it feels so perfect. And that's why I love both Spenser and Evan story so much!

Highly Recommended!

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Release Day Review & Book Blitz : On Davis Row by N.R. Walker

Title : On Davis Row
Author : N.R. Walker
Genre : Adult, LGBTQ+, Contemporary Gay Romance
Published : November 27th 2017
My Rating : 5++ Stars

Nearing the end of a suspended jail sentence should unlock a brighter future for CJ Davis, only the chip on his shoulder is as hard to shift as his bad reputation. Born into a family of career criminals who live down Davis Road, an address the cops have dubbed Davis Row, his name alone is like a rap sheet that makes optimism impossible.

Brand-new parole officer Noah Huxley is determined to see the good in men like CJ. After all, he knows firsthand that bad things can happen to good people. His colleagues mock his doe-eyed optimism, but Noah soon sees CJ’s bad attitude and bravado are weapons he uses to keep people at a distance.

Both men know one simple mistake can change a life forever. At first glance, they might seem to be polar opposites. Yet underneath, they’re not that different at all.

I needed him and he was there. That’s all that mattered....

🍀🍀🍀

Coming from a family who all the members were a criminals was not easy for CJ. For years he had learned to lived with the  judgment stare from people around him for the 'track records' his family have. For years CJ learned to 'hide' and trying to look invisible to stay out from any problems. His grandpop was the only person he care and love more than his own life. He'll do anything to keep him safe and happy even if that means he must stealing and be a criminal.

What he never knew that at near the end of his prohibitions, an angel will come to save him and embraced his lonely life with trust and love, and showing him that he's worthy more than he thought...

Noah not only come to 'save' him, but he 'see' him for what he truly is... 

He was everything I never knew I needed. He was everything I wanted, longed for, dreamed of, and never thought I could have. 

...he anchored me.

And suddenly JC saw a hope in his angel trust and love...

🍁🍁🍁

The story came in a very slow pace. And it's N.R. Walker style to 'testing' the reader patience with the pace and slowly build the readers emotions until they 'trapped' in what the MC's feels to the very last page.

I love how the author build the anticipation during the reading and make us wait until 'the right moment' to break the wall of the dam that build in our heart and let ALL the feels floods out at the precise and right moment. There's a lot of  moments when I didn't realize tears already rolling on my cheeks caused by just a simple hugs.

...he just loved being held. It was as heart-wrenching as it was beautiful.

The way CJ craves for a very simply hugs really broke my heart.  

The author details on drawing a slow growing emotions between the two MC's was incredible beautiful. You can feels the way Noah try to 'reach' CJ trust and how CJ lower the wall he'd build to protect himself and learned to open for Noah care, all written in a very beautiful way.

I'm so glad that the author keep the boys not to move to the next level in a hurry, but hold it until it reach 66% for the boys to have their first kiss.

The anticipiton of waiting the kissing was build perfectly, and when they finally kissed...it's like you got massive orgasm only by the kiss! 

On Davis Row was a beautiful, heartwarming story about love. Definitely one of the best book I've read this year. 

Highly Recommended!!

On Davis Row

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Available on KU.

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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…

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ARC is kindly provided by the Author in exchange of a fair, unbiased and honest review.