Thursday, June 2, 2016

5 Star Review: Beta Test, by Annabeth Albert



Title: Beta Test, Gaymers #2

Author: Annabeth Albert

Publisher/GR Link: Carina Press, GR

Genre: MM Contemporary

Vice: Opposites attract, nerds, coming out

Rating: 5 stars

Lock this book up: 4 keys.  This is a hot novel and the sex supports the romance.

Length: Novel

Satisfaction: HEA

Cover Impressions: I like the way it blends in with book 1

Synopsis: Brilliant graphic designer Ravi Tandel is ahead of the game—he's just been asked to present a top secret project at a huge conference in Seattle. All systems are go…until he learns his buttoned-up office nemesis is coming along for the ride.

Tristan Jones isn't really the gamer type, but he knows the back end of the video game business inside out. Together, he and Ravi will give an awesome presentation. If they survive the cross-country trip first.

Tossed together in close quarters, Ravi's shocked to see Tristan's sexy, softer side emerge from such a conservative shell. He's less shocked to learn his handsome colleague's prominent family would never support an out-and-proud son. But Ravi didn't struggle through his own coming out to hide who he is now. To be together, Tristan will have to push past his fear and ultimately decide: Does he want a future with Ravi? Or is it game over before they've even begun?

Impressions:  I love this book, and it was a great follow up to book 1.  I could not put this down and the two MC’s really swept me into their story.  I love a good friends-to-lovers story, and combined with the opposites-attract element, this was a complete delight.

Ravi was very likable and I loved seeing the contrast between his brash exterior and his sensitive interior.  Tristan probably captured my heart the most.  I loved his yearning to be accepted at the same time he wasn’t sure how to best go about it.

There is a great cast of characters in this read, and the plot moves along at a great pace.  There is just enough angst and tension to keep me up late, clicking away on my kindle.

Definitely recommended!


Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Book Review: On Higher Ground


Title: On Higher Ground

Author: Melissa Collins

GR LinkGR

Genre: MM Contemporary

Vice: PTSD, Children, Tattoos, Sequel

Rating: 5 Stars

Lock this book up: 4 keys…this is a sexy, romantic read.

Length: Novel

Satisfaction: HEA

Cover Impressions: I love it.  Fits perfectly with the first.

Best Line: Love is love, and family is family.

Synopsis: When there’s no peace after war…
When there’s no solace after death…
When there’s only pain and suffering…
Anxiety and loss…
All you can hope to find is something more…
Something that makes you whole and complete
Something that puts you
On Higher Ground

Impressions: I loved book 1, and I was eagerly awaiting this sequel.  It was great to catch up with Dax, Beck, Violet and the rest of their extended family.  In this sequel, we see Dax still struggling with his PTSD, but also making huge strides in his work.  Beck is developing as a father for Violet, and together with Dax, they form a family. 

It was wonderful to see these men grow and to observe their love deepening and growing.  You will definitely get the most out of this novel after reading the first book.  The secondary characters in book 1 continue their support and love of these guys and their new family.

Beck is struggling to deal with the reemergence of his father, and he is juggling his worry for Dax, is care for Violet, and his expanding business.  This is a book about growth, love and family, and I loved every second of it.

All I can say as a final thought is I hope we get more Micah!




Friday, April 22, 2016

5 Star Book Review: Phase Shift (Chaos Station #5)


Title: Phase Shift (Chaos Station #5)

Author: Jenn Burke and Kelly Jensen

Publisher/GR Link: Carina Press

Genre: MM Science Fiction

Vice: Spaceships, PTSD, Injury

Rating: 5 Stars- 5+ for this series

Lock this book up: 3 keys…this is a sexy companion to the series

Length: Novel

Satisfaction: HEA+

Cover Impressions: I love it.  I love the look of the whole series.

Best Line: “I’m more than okay.”

Synopsis: Zander and Felix’s relationship has always pushed boundaries—personal and professional alike—but their love and commitment is stronger than ever. So strong that Zander’s ready to ask commitment-shy Felix the question of a lifetime when he’s interrupted. The Chaos is being hacked, and crucial, top secret information about the project that created Zander—and his fellow super soldiers—has been leaked.

Neither man could have expected the enormity of what’s discovered at the end of the data trail: an entire colony of super soldiers run by the very doctor who changed Zander’s life forever. And now she needs them both—Zander to train her new crop of soldiers, and Felix’s new crystalline arm to stabilize their body chemistry.

With help from the unlikeliest of allies, Zander, Felix and the Chaos crew must destroy the project and all its ill-gotten information. But when the team is split up and Felix is MIA after a dangerous run, galactic disaster is a very real possibility…and Zander may have missed his chance to ask for forever.

Impressions: I have not been shy about my unwavering love for this series.  This book is a perfect culmination to an amazing series.  This is definitely one of my favorite science fiction series of all time, and one of my favorite series in general.  I have never read a book where the world building is so thorough and complete that I immediately feel like I am along for every part of the wild ride. 

In this book, sadly the last in the series, Zed and Flick face horrible challenges, and yet their love and connection remains unwavering, and in fact it is essential to their survival and fight.

I was pulled right into the action in the story, and I loved seeing Zed and Flick be able to depend on each other and their connection.  I love the cast of amazing secondary characters, and it was good to revisit them again too.

I am so sad to see this series end, but I know that I will be revisiting it again in the future.  If you haven’t read book 1 yet, grab it now and set aside a few days to power read the whole series.  You won’t want to stop!

Highly recommended!