Pre Order NOW! Eastern Cowboy

Title: Eastern Cowboy

Author: Andrew Grey

Publisher/GR Link: Dreamspinner (Preorder) GR

Genre: MM Contemporary Western

Vice: Disablity, Speech Problems, Strong and Silent Types, Cowboys

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Lock this book up: 3 out of 5 keys.  The sex is hot, romantic, and matches the plot

Length: Novel

Satisfaction: HEA

Cover Impressions: I like it, and it suits the story

Best Line:  "He wasn't sure what Tanner was saying, but it didn't matter.  He was being held tight, and that was what counted."

Synopsis: Brighton McKenzie inherited one of the last pieces of farmland in suburban Baltimore. It has been in his family since Maryland was a colony, though it has lain fallow for years. Selling it for development would be easy, but Brighton wants to honor his grandfather's wishes and work it again. Unfortunately, an accident left him relying on a cane, so he’ll need help. Tanner Houghton used to work on a ranch in Montana until a vengeful ex got him fired because of his sexuality. He comes to Maryland at the invitation of his cousin and is thrilled to have a chance to get back to the kind of work he loves.

Brighton is instantly drawn to the intensely handsome and huge Tanner—he’s everything Brighton likes in a man, though he holds back because Tanner is an employee, and because he can’t understand why a man as virile as Tanner would be interested in him. But that isn’t the worst of their problems. They have to face the machinations of Brighton's aunt, Tanner’s ex suddenly wanting him back, and the need to find a way to make the farm financially viable before they lose Brighton’s family legacy.

Impressions: I have always been a fan of Mr. Grey's work, though I still have several left on my TBR pile, but I am so glad that I moved this one to the top of the pile!

Grey does a great job of creating realistic, moving characters, and Tanner and Brighton are two of my favorites.  I love a wounded hero, and this book has two in one!  Brighton, self conscious of his scars and afraid no one can want him meets Tanner, huge, strong, and caught up in his own fears that his stutter is a sign of his intelligence.   These two men, so convinced of their own flaws learn to love each other, even before they can love themselves.

This story was like wrapping myself in a comfy robe and settling in with a warm cup of cocoa.  It was sweet, sexy, and touching.  There is enough angst to make the relationship one that I cared about, but this isn't a read that will break you apart.  Rather, it will remind you that when we feel broken, there are always those around us who see us as perfect for them.  

If, like me, your TBR pile is quickly outpacing your eyes, make sure you still keep this one on the top.  When you need some warm fuzzies, grab this one and settle in.

This book is available for preorder, so grab it now!

Review: Dance with Destiny a Highly Recommended Read!

Title: Dance With Destiny

Author:  Sloan Johnson

Publisher/GR Link: GR 

Genre: MM Contemporary

Vice: Coming Out, loss, new beginnings

Rating: 4.75

Lock this book up : 4 out of five kets, very hot and supports the story.  Bring a fan!  It gets hot!

Length: Novel

Satisfaction: HEA

Cover Impressions: I love it!

Best Line: "'I'm not going to fuck you tonight', I inform him bluntly. 'Fucking is something you do with a guy you're attracted to.  What I feel with you, Dom, it's so much more than that. Tonight, I'm going to make love to you so you'll never doubt my confidence that we're it for one another.'"

Synopsis: Tony DeLuca has to get to New York, nor’easter be damned. His older sister is getting married and it won’t matter to her if the entire east coast is shut down if it means she’s short a groomsman. She’s the only reason he’s willing to make the trip home to face a father who’s never forgiven him for wasting a perfectly good degree to become a firefighter. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to everything about Tony that his father will never accept. 

Dominic Tricoli’s living his dream. He’s spent the past few years working to mesh his business degree and love of the outdoors into a thriving company, providing team building retreats for some of the country’s largest corporations. Unfortunately, there’s a price to pay for happiness, and having someone to come home to at night is the sacrifice Dominic made.

When Dominic overhears Tony’s plight, he’s drawn to help the man get to New York City. Little does Dominic know that one kind gesture will awaken a side of him he’s ignored for far too long. Against his better judgment, he gives in to his desires and Tony’s advances. Just for the night.

When destiny steps in, giving him another chance with the charismatic man who saved his hide, Tony’s willing to do whatever it takes to earn Dominic’s forgiveness and understanding. There may not be forever, but Tony’s determined to enjoy every single minute he’s given with Dominic.

You can’t fight fate. Whatever’s meant to happen, eventually will. 

Impressions: I was lucky enough to read Ms. Johnson's earlier book, Teach Me, and I really enjoyed it.  I was really excited to read this one, and it totally surpassed my high levels of excitement!  This book was amazing, and I can't wait to re-read it.  I hope for more about these two guys, because Dom, and especially Tony, really captured my heart!

The story begins with two men driving a rental car to New York during a storm.  After a hot, but slightly awkward start, they meet up at a wedding, one there for the groom and the other for the bride.  

I was definitely captured from the start of the book.  I had a little bit of trouble keeping the MC's straight with the alternate point of views in the beginning, but I very quickly determined their very different personalities.  I really loved watching these guys realize how strong their feelings were, and I appreciated that Ms. Johnson really took the time to explore their complex backgrounds.

About 50% of the way through the book, I wondered how much more could happen.  The MC's were beginning to fall in love, Tony was getting close to standing up for his love, and Dom was coming along well, and I expected this to wrap up like a typical love story.  I was so glad it wasn't over, but I wondered what could come next.  What came next set this book apart for me.  

We really were able to experience the loss Dom had in his past, and we got to see the transformation that Tony went through.  Both Tony and Dom as a couple grew and faced challenges that were difficult, but which never tested their love.

I really connected with these two, and I loved their supporting characters.  The friends and families that supported them helped provide the support that these men both needed, and sadly lacked in their own lives.  I found them to be very realistic in their actions and reactions.

As for the end of the novel, while I won't give any spoilers, I will say that I really enjoyed it.  I know there are challenges that Tony and Dom will face, but I have every feeling that they will face them together.  I believe that the challenges are temporary, and I have every positive hope for their future.  I would love to see more from these two, as they are definitely at their HEA for love, and I want to see them get their life HEA too!  Great story and a very, very highly recommended read! 

Also, I would be remiss if I didn't take the time to say that this book was HOT.  Like turn the fan on hot.  The sex scenes were emotional and SO sexy!

Advanced copy received from author for an honest review.  

Coming Soon: On Solid Ground, by Melissa Collins

Title: On Solid Ground

Author: Melissa Collins

Publisher/GR Link: GR

Genre: MM Contemporary

Vice: Tattoos, Military, PTSD, Piercings

Rating: 5 out of 5

Lock this book up : 4 Keys...Sex is very hot and totally fits the story!

Length: Novel

Satisfaction: Very satisfied!  HEA

Cover Impressions: Just wait until tomorrow!! But its all good!

Best Line:"No you don't, because I haven't said it...I keep trying to push you away because you're the first real thing I've ever had in my life."

Synopsis: When Jacob “Dax” Daxton returns home from war, he has to fight a new battle – the one to find his place in the world. The man who normally has a clear path to victory surrounded by brothers in combat is suddenly lost and alone. After meeting Beckett Ridge, a bearded tattoo artist, Dax’s journey begins winding down an unexpected path.

Still reeling from events that shook his foundation, Beck has never been part of anything meaningful. Now faced with responsibilities foreign and daunting, Dax’s broken spirit mends Beck in ways he never even knew he was destroyed.

As both struggle to find balance, they are healed by the comfort they find in one other. On the other side of chaos, they hope to find themselves On Solid Ground.

Impressions:  I was very lucky to receive an ARC of this novel, which is released on 1/15/15.  This book is the second one that I have read from Melissa Collins, and both of them are simply wonderful.  Let Love Live, her first MM, was an amazing read, and it made me extra excited to get this novel on my kindle!

The characters in this novel are impossible not to love.  Dax has been through so much, and carries such a burden from his PTSD with him, that watching him grow and accept love is made even more beautiful.  Beck, tattooed, pierced, and so sexy, is there to teach Dax how to accept that love.

This story took me away in the best way.  I became totally immersed in the story, and I know that I will return to it many times in the future.  I loved the other characters, and I found the reactions and struggles to be so realistic.

Start counting down the days, because in two weeks and a few hours, you will know exactly why this is already I shoo-in for the top of 2015 list!

I was provided and arc for a fair and unbiased review.