Review : Won’t Feel a Thing (St. Cross #1) by C F White

Title : Won’t Feel a Thing 
Series : St. Cross #1 
Author : C F White
Genre(s) : Contemporary Gay Romance
Published : December 19th 2017
My Rating : 3 of 5 Stars

It takes more than a doctor to mend a broken heart.

Ollie Warne is fresh out of nursing school and working his dream job as a pediatric cardiology nurse at St Cross Children’s Hospital, London. He wants to start the new year free of personal heartache after his track record of falling for the wrong man--his New Year’s resolution is to live a life of carefree liaisons from now on.

He immediately meets Jacob, father of one of Ollie’s patients and a man harboring more guilt and past demons than even Ollie, which is saying something...

Their growing attraction makes it hard for Ollie to keep his distance, but he has to. Not only do the ethics of his profession demand it, but Ollie is entangled with another man--a predatory doctor who has a huge personal and professional stake in Ollie’s life.

Ollie risks more than his job by getting involved with a patient’s father--and much more than just the success of his New Year’s resolution, something that was supposed to ensure that, this time, he won’t feel a thing.

Their growing attraction makes it hard for Ollie to keep his distance, but he has to... 

Oliver Warne aka Ollie tired for always being 'the second' in his life. When his baby sister diagnosed with cancer, Ollie must 'accept' that all his parents attention was full on his sister. 

Years later, when his dad diagnosed with dementia, Ollie must 'accept' that it always his sister he remember and not him. When he decided to be a pediatric nurse, he then meet with Elliot, a senior doctor when he work as an intern at hospital.

Elliot then 'offer' him 'an arrangements' when Ollie need money to help his father bill. 

Years has passed, Ollie start to feel tired for always being the second in his life. So, on the new year he made a resolution to 'Won’t Feel a Thing' for the rest of the year. First, he decided to end his 'arrangements' with Elliot and planing to move on.

But soon he found out that keeping his new year resolution was not that easy, because then there come Jacob, one of his patient's father under his care. And getting involved with a patient’s father was not a wise things to do, but Jacob has make him 'feels' something that he never felt before.

Trapped between the 'ethics' and his confrontation with Elliot who won't let him go that easy, make Ollie frustrated and tired. For once, he want to be 'the number one', not be at the second place in everything. But things become complicated and put Ollie job in risk.

Can Ollie fulfill his new year resolution to not feel anything?

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The story was intense and could stir the readers emotions. I can say that I really really hate Elliot at first and cannot stand with Ollie 'stupidity', BUT that's what make this story become 'interesting' and close to reality. 

The pace kinda slow and the problems were quite 'frustrating' but at other side feels so real and enough to play your emotions.

I cannot wait to read Elliot story if the next book in this series will be telling his story. Because I think he deserve to have his own HEA for what had happened in his life.

Review : On Thin Ice by Jerry Cole

Title : On Thin Ice
Author : Jerry Cole
Genre(s) : Contemporary Gay Romance, Action/Adventure 
Published : December 6th 2017
My Rating : 5 of 5 Stars

Jack Whittaker is an Alaskan bush pilot who lives for the thrill and danger of flying in some of the most inhospitable conditions on Earth. For ten years he developed a reputation as one of the best rescue pilots in the business, saving countless lives, until a disaster made him swear off search and rescue work forever. But everything changed the day Calder walked into his life, beautiful and tough and stubborn as hell, insisting he fly one more rescue mission.

Calder’s ex, Avery, is lost alone on one of the most dangerous mountains in the world after a ski trip goes nightmarishly wrong. As Avery struggles to survive in the bitter Alaskan wilderness, Jack and Calder search for him, both knowing that he is most likely already dead.

Jack tries to treat it as just another rescue mission, but from the moment he set eyes on Calder it has been more than that. His feelings for the other man force him to confront things about himself he has long denied. Their tempestuous relationship only grows more intense as the danger increases, both of them risking their lives in the search for a man Jack is certain will take Calder from him, one way or another.

Please Note: This book contains adult language & steamy adult activities, it is intended for 18+ Adults Only. Novel, approx. 80,000 words in length. HEA (happy ever after ending). Does not end with a "cliffhanger".

Jerry Cole is new to me author, and this is my first book of his.

I choose this book because the blurb intrigued me and make me curious. 

The story successfully gripping me right from the start. I think at first I'll get boring with all the 'rescuing' things, but I think I was wrong. On the contrary, it IS the long journey of the attempt to rescuing things that was make this story hard to put down.

The tensions and emotions that mingling between Jack and Calder feels so strong in playing reader emotions.

Calder stubbornness on finding his ex, Avery who missing on his way to Mt. Elias climbing with his new love, Dan and how Jack trying to convince him that there's probably no hope to find them alive and the growing feelings between the two also the nearly death experiences they both have really make this book totally worth to read!

I really enjoying this action-adventures-romance story and recommended this book to everyone!

Review : Snow on the Roof by Sean Ashcroft

Title : Snow on the Roof 
Author : Sean Ashcroft
Genre(s) : Contemporary Gay Romance, Holiday Romance
Published : December 3rd 2017
My Rating : 4 of 5 Stars

Trapped in a holiday cabin with his extremely pretty, kind, patient PA isn’t the way Grant expected to spend Christmas Eve, but with Sunny warming up the cabin, his heart, and other things, it’s hard to be mad about all the snow on the roof.

He knows better than to get involved with a much younger man, but Sunny has been so kind and patient with him, and their feelings for each other are clearly mutual.

But with his pre-teen daughter about to show up for what he’s promised will be the most magical Christmas ever, how can he protect his fragile relationship with Sunny while making sure he fulfills his promise to Hope?

And how will the rest of the family react when they find out?

Can Grant find a way to keep everyone he loves close? Or will he have to choose between his past and his future?

Snow on the Roof is a gay romance with a HEA ending, and it does not contain a cliffhanger. It does, however, contain: a shirt of indeterminate color, an impossible request, glitter nail polish, a snowball fight, explicit sex scenes, and a Christmas miracle or two.

Maybe being trapped in a cabin together wasn’t so bad.

Grant want to make his daughter, Hope, happy on this Christmas after failed to be at his daughter side on the Thanksgiving. All because he’d been so buried under work  and totally forgot to booked flight ticket.

Didn't want to make the same mistake and disappointed his beloved daughter again, Grant then hired a PA to make his life more 'tidy' and 'arranged'.

When Sunny come to his doorstep and replying as his new PA, Grant mesmerized by this young guy instantly.

After married for years to his wife now-turn-bestfriend and blessed with adorable daughter, Grant finally have courage to ended the marriage and be true to himself as a gay man. 

When Sunny come to his life, he can't denied that Sunny had made him feels like I can 'breathe' again. Like a sunshine, Sunny had brighten his boring life with his presence. 

But with sixteen years age difference, will it possible for Grant to finally find his happiness?

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Sunny need a job. When his roommate, Clare, offer him a job as a PA to one of the upper management guys. How can he say no?

When Sunny meet Grant for the first time, he just 'knew' that this man really 'need' him.

Grant need a PA to make his life more manageable and Sunny have this 'need' to always taking care of someone. 

When Grant need his help to prepare a perfect 'White Snowy Christmas' holiday with his daughter, he then booked a cabin and start to arrange the best Christmas holiday for Hope.

Everything went perfectly well until they both being trapped in the cabin, alone, because the weather turned bad and make Hope flight got delayed.

Alone in cold winter night, how can they denied the desire that already build among them?

This is another short and sweet holidays romance to add to your list. It's fun, sweet and heartwarming. Grant's with his twink fetish and Sunny's with his older-man-with-gray-hair fetish are really something. They are both match made by heaven.

RECOMMENDED!

Review : The Remaking of Corbin Wale by Roan Parrish

Title : The Remaking of Corbin Wale 
Author : Roan Parrish
Genre(s) : Contemporary Gay Romance, Holidays Romance
Published : November 27th 2017
My Rating : 5 of 5 Stars

A 2017 Riptide Holiday Charity Novel

Last month, Alex Barrow’s whole life imploded—partner, home, job, all gone in forty-eight hours. But sometimes when everything falls apart, better things appear almost like magic. Now, he’s back in his Michigan hometown, finally opening the bakery he’s always dreamed of. But the pleasure of opening day is nothing compared to the lonely and beautiful man who bewitches Alex before he even orders.

Corbin Wale is a weirdo. At least, that’s what he’s heard his whole life. He knows he’s often in a fantasy world, but the things he feels are very real. And so is the reason why he can never, ever be with Alex Barrow. Even if Alex is everything he’s always fantasized about. Even if maybe, just maybe, Corbin is Alex’s fantasy too.

When Corbin begins working at the bakery, he and Alex can’t deny their connection any longer. As the holiday season works its magic, Alex yearns for the man who seems out of reach. But to be with Alex, Corbin will have to challenge every truth he’s ever known. If his holiday risk pays off, two men from different worlds will get the love they’ve always longed for.

Twenty percent of all proceeds from this title will be donated to the Russian LGBT Network.

Is it too much if I want to see this story made into a movie?

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In only forty-eight hour, Alex Barrow had lost everything. His boyfriend and his job. But at the same time, fate has bring him back to his hometown and finally opening the bakery he’s always dreamed of. 

What he didn't expect is to found this odd-weird young guy who came to his bakery, sitting for hours with his coffee and seems zoned out to his own world or busy with his drawing. 

One sight and he 'knew' that there's something about this guy that drawn his curiosity more than he should be. 

“There’s something about him that just . . . it calls out to me. I’ve never felt that about anyone before. It’s like a place inside him is screaming my name, and I just want to answer it with everything.”

As time pass, they start to growing this 'interaction'. Weird, awkward but he found out that he want to know more about this guy. 

Corbin had stirred something in his heart and Alex have this sudden urge to 'protect' this lonely guy even Corbin seems to constantly put a distance between them.

Alex want Corbin to 'open' to him and let him in into 'his world'. And falling for this weird guy was not his intentions. But like magnet, Corbin keep pulling him into his world and he cannot denied it anymore when he realized that he's completely falling deeply in love with the weird guy.

When he know that there's a huge fear that frightened Corbin and make him shut the world out, will Alex risks his life to be with Corbin and convince him that there's still a hope for bright sunshine in their future?

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Alex’s eyes looked like home. His voice sounded like comfort and ease. His arms offered a haven.In Alex's arms...he’d need to stay there forever. In Alex’s arms, nothing else could touch him.  

What if I could have this. What if this were possible. What if I could keep him...

Corbin is lonely. With the 'tragic' love story that surrounded his family, he think that his family had been cursed to lose the one that they love.

Corbin is a freak. Because people think that he IS some kind a weirdo since he's kid. Sometimes, he can found being zoned out and seems to be lived in 'his own world' while people around him sees him staring on nothing.

Corbin has no friends. People keep 'avoiding' him and called him 'crazy' and bring bad luck to people around him. So he's being bullied, physically and verbally. So he 'distance' himself from them. And 'create' his 'safe world' that only exist in his imagination. Carbon, Lex, Jasmine, Finnian, and Wolf are friends he'd create to be with him, who never judging or hurt him. Corbin make his imaginary friends come live through his drawing & scratches. Summonings them whenever he feels lonely and throw the loneliness away.

But someday, Corbin found that his lonely worlds being 'interrupted' by Alex present. And suddenly, Corbin start to craving something that he shouldn't have. Interaction and Love...

When Alex slowly come to lighten his dull life, Corbin want the loneliness to go away. But how about the curse that running on his blood? Will he dare to open his heart and endangered Alex life?

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This story was utterly beautiful. Written in amazing and poetic words with interesting plot. The slow pace will build your curiosity and hooked you deeper into the story and make it hard to put it down. 

And the characters, gosh... I fall in love instantly with Corbin character!

Being in Corbin head and seeing how his mind 'works' is another things that made this story way more interesting. How he put his fears and angers also hope into the cakes he baked. How he 'communicate' through his drawing and the cakes he made to show his love to Alex, it melt me in some way.

And Alex....

He's sweet and caring personality had won my heart. After the breakup, he start questioning himself on what exactly he'd looking in relationship. He need to be feels 'needed', and when he met Corbin, he just knew that Corbin 'need' him. So he gave himself to 'help' Corbin...to protect him and be there for him. And it warmed my heart.

People who know me knew that I didn't give my five stars easily. And I think this book deserve my five stars!

The Remaking of Corbin Wale definitely is a five stars read and one of a recommended read this year. And you don't want to miss it! 

Oh, and I WANT Gareth & Orin story, yes please...

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Review : Desperately Seeking Santa by Eli Easton

Title : Desperately Seeking Santa
Author : Eli Easton
Genre(s) : Contemporary Gay Romance, Holidays Romance, Christmas Novella
Published : November 22nd 2017
My Rating : 4 of 5 Stars

Journalism student Gabe Martin gets his first professional assignment—to write about a Christmas charity dinner that benefits a children’s home. It sounds like a total snooze-fest until Gabe learns that the event’s Santa is a mystery man. He shows up in costume and no one has a clue who he is. Uncovering Santa’s identity sounds like the perfect angle to turn a fluff piece into serious journalism.

Mack “The Mountain” McDonall, at 6’10”, is University of Wisconsin-Madison’s enormous star wrestler. When Gabe first claps eyes on him at a wrestling match, it’s lust at first sight. Gabe’s friend, Jordan, sets up the pair on a date. But when Gabe chatters on about his plans for outing Santa, Mack goes cold, and their first meeting becomes an epic fail.

As Gabe researches the children’s home, he learns that Mack has secrets a guy famous for being a brute wouldn’t want the world to know. Can Gabe find his holiday spirit, write a killer article, win the heart of a surly giant, and give everyone a very merry Christmas?

NOTE: This 50,000 word short novel features a new couple but includes Jordan and Owen, from the author’s book “Superhero”. It can be read as a stand-alone.

Sweet, heartwarming, love the story, recommended!

It's a super light Christmas holiday read for this year. It's sweet and heartwarming. I love the story and the characters as well, especially Mack! 

And like Gabe, I have an urge to cuddle this sweet and adorable 'giant' the whole reading!

The plot was simple and the pace was just right, it makes the reading feels so fun and fast!

The appearance of Jordan and Owen, from the author’s book “Superhero” is another part that light up the story.

Recommended!

Review : A Christmas Promise by K.C. Wells

Title : A Christmas Promise 
Author : K.C. Wells
Genre(s) : Contemporary Gay Romance, Holiday Romance
Published : December 1st 2017
My Rating : 4 of 5 Stars

The last thing Micah Trant expects to find in the snow by the side of the road, is a badly beaten man. But when Micah discovers his identity, it feels like more than mere coincidence is at work here. Like modern day Good Samaritans, he and his dad offer the stranger a place to recuperate. After all, it’s almost Thanksgiving, and Greg is in no state to travel home. It’s not an entirely altruistic move: Micah wants answers, and he’s not the only one.

Greg cannot believe the way things turned out. The odds of Micah being the one to find him have to be astronomical, but he accepts the kind offer. As days become weeks, Greg learns more about Micah’s family, and comes to realize that staying with them for a Wyoming Christmas might just provide him with the answers he’s been seeking.

The magic of the holidays will also conjure up something neither Micah nor Greg expected…

I know what it feels like to lose someone you love around Christmas time. I lost my mother four years ago only three days after Christmas. So, yes... I got emotionally involved with this story when I read the book because I know what it feels like to be in The Trant's shoes. Christmas will never be the same again after that day, and like what Joshua did, my Dad never put any Christmas things back in our home since that day.

So, yes. There's some tears prickling in my eyes here and there while I'm reading this book, because suddenly all the memories hit me back in a second.

As for the story itself, in the middle of those Christmas Holidays Romance I've read lately, which mostly only full with hot steamy sex with less and/or not much good story in it, I'm so glad that - FINALLY - I found one that make me feel comfortable with. This book not only consists with good storyline but also full with deep, rich and heartwarming characters that will warm your heart.

I love The Trant family so much. How they interaction with each other and the way they 'adopt' Greg into the family and engulfed him with love, and how Greg being around them could bring the light back into the family after losing their love one. 

I can feel the miracle in this story. Starting with how Micah 'accidentally' found Greg who almost dead on the road after brutally attacked by strangers that leading to meet with Micah's father, Joshua who surprisingly know Greg's father from the past and the tragic and sad story behind it, and the slowly growing romance between Micah and Greg, ALL written perfectly into a heartwarming story.

I used to read K.C. Wellls hot steamy story, but this one is an exception. Because without those hot steamy things this book already perfect with the rich storyline.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

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.