Saturday, October 31, 2015

Book Review: Fortunate Blizzard


Title: Fortunate Blizzard

Author: LC Chase

Publisher/GR Link: Riptide, GR

Genre:  MM Contemporary

Vice: Disability/Illness, Snowstorms

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Lock this book up: 3 out of 5 keys- This book will keep you warm and the sex supports a great story.

Length: Novella (175 pages)

Satisfaction:  HEA

Cover Impressions: Adorable.  I want to wrap myself up in a blanket and dive in. 

Best Line:  “Eventually he needed oxygen more than he needed to kill Marc forever, but he only broke away enough to breathe.”

Synopsis: Artist Trevor Morrison has always appreciated the little things in life, treating each day as a gift. And with good reason: he’s been on the transplant-recipient list for too long now. When he learns just how numbered his days truly are, he resolves not to take them for granted. But he won’t be unrealistic, either—which means romantic commitments are off the table.

Marcus Roberts seems to have it all. He’s handsome, financially sound, and on the fast track to partnership at a prestigious law firm. In reality, though, his drive for success has meant no time for friends or relationships. Add in the fact that his family discarded him long ago, and he’s facing yet another holiday season alone.

When the biggest snowstorm to hit Colorado in decades leaves Marc and Trevor stranded at the same hotel, a chance encounter and a night of passion leads to more than either of them expected. Finding comfort in each other is a welcome surprise, but time is not on their side. Either they find a way to beat the odds, or they lose each other forever.

Impressions: As soon as I pull out my big, fluffy blanket and my sheepskin slippers, I’m ready for some cuddle up and read novels, and I could not have asked for a better choice than Fortunate Blizzard. 

Trevor is a great character who is trying to balance is quality of life with his quantity of life.  He is strong, and yet so torn as he acclimates to the short time he has left.  When he meets Marcus, he is gifted with a perfect weekend of connection and humanity.  When he has to leave Marcus, I felt his sadness, and Marcus’ heartbreak.

I loved the connection between these two guys.  The sparks fly between them both, and I loved watching Marcus realize that he has been missing out on something that he doesn’t want to miss out on anymore.

I found this story to be so sexy, sweet and fulfilling.  I wanted to cuddle up with Trevor and Marc and never run out of pages as I clicked away.  Sadly, like all good things, it had to come to an end, but I bet I’ll be revisiting these guys again.  You don’t want to miss this winter treat!


This is available now at Riptide's side, or for general release on 11/2/15.

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Book Review: Borrowing Trouble


Title: Borrowing Trouble  

Author: Kade Boehme

Publisher/GR LinkGR

Genre: MM Contemporary

Vice:  Coming Out, Kids

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Lock this book up: 3 Stars.  The sex is hot and totally supports the story line

Length:  Novel

Satisfaction: HEA- with a big, warm smile

Cover Impressions: I love it!

Best Line:  “He’d definitely never been so in love as he was today.”

Synopsis: After an amicable divorce, Jay Hill decided to move back to his rural hometown with his teenage kids. Being on good terms with his ex-wife and in laws has made the transition into single life pretty smooth. Things were good and uncomplicated. Then Landon Petty walked into his life.

Landon didn’t expect to still be stuck in his hometown working at his dad’s sawmill at this point in his life. Being an openly gay truck driver was as awkward in practice as in description. When Jay came to take over managerial duties at his dad’s business, Landon was surprised to find a friend. When Jay turns out not to be as straight as he thought, things get complicated.

When feelings for Landon shine a light on how much Jay’s life has been actually half lived, he’s forced to decide if he’ll jump in with both feet or if he’ll let Landon slip through his fingers.

Impressions:  I love Boehme’s work, and I was looking forward to this one very much.  I am happy to say that it was as amazing as I could have hoped for!

Jay is a very sympathetic character, and I found myself understanding and caring for him from the moment I “met” him.  He loves his children, and he appreciates the easy relationship he has with his ex, but as he starts to learn something new about himself, he never slipped into Victorian histrionics or denied what he was experiencing.  He has some very real challenges he needs to face, but I respected and admired that he was true to himself and all of those that he loved.

Landon is also a very relatable character.  He is at the cusp of a big change in his life, and he is ready to put his wishes and needs at the forefront of his priorities.  I liked that he was patient with Jay, but that he was honest with himself and his friends when he needed support.

What really struck me about this story, was not only was it Boehme’s inimitable romantic story with great MCs, it was alos a story that explores the complexities of being out, coming out, and falling love.  There are no saints or demons in this novel.  There are men and women who are struggling to understand something they don’t “get” while balancing their care and affection for those same people.  We see this in both Landon’s father and Jay’s exwife.  Neither Jay or Landon are perfect, but they are strong and dynamic.  In reality, these are the relationships that we often see and experience around us, and Boehme did a beautiful job of portraying these dynamics in the midst of a sweet, sexy, romance.

Highly Recommended.