Coming 9/9: Valor on the Move by Keira Andrews

Title: Valor on the Move

Author: Keira Andrews

Publisher/GR Link: GR

Genre: MM Contemporary

Vice: Secret Service, Politics, May/December

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Lock this book up: 3 keys.  The sex is hot and supports the story

Length: Novel

Satisfaction: HEA/HFN but very satisfying

Cover Impressions: I love it!

Best Line:  “…and he was never letting go.”

Synopsis: Growing up gay in the White House hasn’t been easy for Rafael Castillo. Codenamed “Valor” by the Secret Service, Rafa feels anything but brave as he hides in the closet and tries to stay below the radar in his last year of college. His father’s presidency is almost over, and he just needs to stick to his carefully crafted plan. Once his family’s out of the spotlight, he can be honest with his conservative parents about his sexuality and his dream of being a chef.

It’s definitely not part of Rafa’s plan to get a new Secret Service agent who’s a walking wet dream, but he’s made it this long keeping his desires to himself. Besides, it’s not like Shane Kendrick would even look at him twice if it wasn’t his job.

Shane’s worked his way up through the Secret Service ranks, and while protecting the president’s shy, boring son isn’t his dream White House assignment, it’s an easy enough task since no one pays Rafa much attention. He discovers there’s a vibrant young man beneath the timid public shell, and while he knows Rafa has a crush on him, he assures himself it’s harmless. Shane’s never had room for romance in his life, and he’d certainly never cross that line with a protectee. Keeping Rafa safe at any cost is Shane’s mission.

But as Rafa gets under his skin, will they both put their hearts on the line?

Impressions:  Keira Andrews is an auto-buy for me, and this book supports that life philosophy.

I started this book this morning, and I read it so quickly I had to double check the length.  It was definitely a novel, I just loved it so much I couldn’t put it down!  This was delicious escapism, and I loved every moment.

Rafa was so endearing and innocent, but I really loved the strong core he had.  He set his needs aside for years, but when push came to shove, he stood up for himself and the man he loved.

Shane was also super sexy and totally believable in his love for Rafa.  I respected his concerns, all totally valid, but I loved the journey he went on to find his happiness.

I loved the details about the White House and the first family, and I enjoyed the suspense and action.  What really made this a great joy to read was the slow burning love between Rafa and Shane, and the filthy, delicious talk that both men shared.

Highly Recommended. 

BiB 5 Star Review: For Real

Title: For Real

Author: Alexis Hall

Publisher/GR Link: GR, Riptide

Genre: MM Contemporary

Vice: May/December, BDSM

Rating: 5 out of 5 Banned in Boston stars

Lock this book up: 4 out of 5 keys.  The sex is hot and an integral part of the story.

Length: Novel

Satisfaction: HEA

Cover Impressions: Suits the story well

Best Line: .."then he twisted his fingers possessively in my hair and mumbled, 'thank you...' 'For what,' I couldn't resist asking.  'For getting me.'"

Synopsis: Laurence Dalziel is worn down and washed up, and for him, the BDSM scene is all played out. Six years on from his last relationship, he’s pushing forty and tired of going through the motions of submission.

Then he meets Toby Finch. Nineteen years old. Fearless, fierce, and vulnerable. Everything Laurie can’t remember being.

Toby doesn’t know who he wants to be or what he wants to do. But he knows, with all the certainty of youth, that he wants Laurie. He wants him on his knees. He wants to make him hurt, he wants to make him beg, he wants to make him fall in love.

The problem is, while Laurie will surrender his body, he won’t surrender his heart. Because Toby is too young, too intense, too easy to hurt. And what they have—no matter how right it feels—can’t last. It can’t mean anything.

It can’t be real.

Impressions: This is an amazing read!  I read BDSM when the mood strikes, but I wouldn't say it is a favorite sub-genre, and I thought I'd be getting a good BDSM book based on the blurb I had read.  Did I ever underestimate this book!  

To think of this as another sub looking for a dom book does this engrossing novel a huge disservice.  This is a story about two complex, strong, fallible men finding love and each other, and learning to accept their love and themselves.  

Laurie is a wonderful combination strength and self consciousness.  He has been hurt and is trying to keep his life patched together, but he is missing something he is almost afraid to acknowledge he needs.

Toby is young and full of passionate intensity, self knowledge, and self questions.  Toby's youth and convictions are a delicious combination, and it is 100% believable that Laurie was just as captivated by him as are we.

This novel explores identity and relationships in such  new, authentic way.  I saw elements of myself in both Toby and Laurie, and I would venture to say that many others will feel the same way.  In truth, I have little on the surface similar to either man, but Hall writes so beautifully about their struggles for self love and self acceptance, that I think everyone will see themselves in these universal struggles.  If you love BDSM, then grab it, and if you aren't usually a BDSM fan, give this one a try.  It explores BDSM as a way to meet the needs of the MC's and each other, and is much more about love than anything else.

For Real is available now on Riptide's site, and tomorrow on other online vendors.  This is a beautiful journey, and I didn't want to put it down for a second. I'm not at all embarrassed to say that I fell a little in love with both MC's, and I loved the secondaries too.  I just realized that this was part of the "Spires" world, and I haven't read any of those yet, and I promise I will ASAP!  (Glitterland has been on my TBR for an embarrassingly long time!)

Grab this book now and settle in for a story of love, strength and commitment.

This book was provided via netgalley for an unbiased review.

Review: Delivered Fast, Portland Heat #3

Title: Delivered Fast

Author:  Annabeth Albert

Publisher/GR Link: GR

Genre: MM Contemporary

Vice: May/December, Coffee, Lumbersexuals

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Lock this book up: 4 out of 5 keys.  Sex is hot and supports the story.

Length: Novella

Satisfaction: HEA

Cover Impressions: Adorable

Synopsis: Sure, Chris O’Neal has problems. His restaurant is still co-owned by his ex. His flannel-and-tattoos style is making him accidentally trendy. He can’t remember the last time he went out and had fun. But he’s not lonely, he’s driven. And the hot bakery delivery boy is not his problem, no matter how sweet his buns.

Chris is old enough to know Lance Degrassi’s sculpted good looks and clever double entendres spell nothing but trouble. Lance is still in college—he should be hitting the clubs and the books, chasing guys his own age, not pursuing some gruff motorcycle-riding workaholic. Especially when he’ll be leaving for grad school in a few months. But Lance keeps hanging around, lending a hand, charming Chris to distraction. Maybe some steaming hot no-strings indulgence won’t hurt.

Then again, maybe it will…

Impressions:  I've really been enjoying this series, and this book was no exception.  Lance was adorable and wise beyond his years, but Chris stole the show.  I loved watching his curmudgeonly crush on Lance, and watching him thaw out enough to believe that he was able to trust in the love that was being offered to him.  

I thought the way the story developed was awesome, and I loved that Chris had to give a little to really get his happiness.  This story kept a smile on my face and left me with the warm feels.  

If you haven't read the first two books yet, you should!  You don't need to read them in order to jump in at this one, but trust me, you don't want to miss out on them either!