Never Hollowed By The Stare

boys love manga | MM romance | indie music | giveaways and more

Never Hollowed By The Stare
  • Home
  • REVIEWS+RECS
    • MANGA
    • BOOK REVIEW
    • SOUNDTRACK
    • QUOTE
    • TRAILER
    • DESERT ISLAND CASTAWAYS
    • BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
    • Reviews A-Z
    • MINI MOVIE REVIEWS
  • MEMES+TAGS
    • MUSIC MONDAY
    • LAST YEAR I WAS READING
    • FLICKer FADE SUNDAY
    • TAGS
    • MISC POSTS
    • PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
    • FIRST LINES FRIDAY 56
  • TOURS & BLITZES
    • COVER REVEAL
    • GIVEAWAYS
  • About + Ratings
    • ABOUT + RATINGS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
  • Policy + Contact
  • Home
  • REVIEWS+RECS
    • MANGA
    • BOOK REVIEW
    • SOUNDTRACK
    • QUOTE
    • TRAILER
    • DESERT ISLAND CASTAWAYS
    • BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
    • Reviews A-Z
    • MINI MOVIE REVIEWS
  • MEMES+TAGS
    • MUSIC MONDAY
    • LAST YEAR I WAS READING
    • FLICKer FADE SUNDAY
    • TAGS
    • MISC POSTS
    • PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
    • FIRST LINES FRIDAY 56
  • TOURS & BLITZES
    • COVER REVEAL
    • GIVEAWAYS
  • About + Ratings
    • ABOUT + RATINGS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
  • Policy + Contact

Archives

  • April 2023 (2)
  • March 2023 (106)
  • February 2023 (104)
  • January 2023 (109)
  • December 2022 (118)
  • November 2022 (128)
  • October 2022 (122)
  • September 2022 (107)
  • August 2022 (118)
  • July 2022 (104)
  • June 2022 (112)
  • May 2022 (114)
  • April 2022 (61)
  • March 2022 (115)
  • February 2022 (88)
  • January 2022 (92)
  • December 2021 (90)
  • November 2021 (114)
  • October 2021 (118)
  • September 2021 (127)
  • August 2021 (84)
  • July 2021 (114)
  • June 2021 (113)
  • May 2021 (119)
  • April 2021 (112)
  • March 2021 (122)
  • February 2021 (101)
  • January 2021 (90)
  • December 2020 (121)
  • November 2020 (127)
  • October 2020 (129)
  • September 2020 (120)
  • August 2020 (131)
  • July 2020 (131)
  • June 2020 (138)
  • May 2020 (118)
  • April 2020 (109)
  • March 2020 (105)
  • February 2020 (99)
  • January 2020 (111)
  • December 2019 (112)
  • November 2019 (94)
  • October 2019 (74)
  • September 2019 (54)
  • August 2019 (51)
  • July 2019 (54)
  • June 2019 (47)
  • May 2019 (43)
  • April 2019 (53)
  • March 2019 (41)
  • February 2019 (41)
  • January 2019 (47)
  • December 2018 (52)
  • November 2018 (51)
  • October 2018 (56)
  • September 2018 (61)
  • August 2018 (55)
  • July 2018 (59)
  • June 2018 (90)
  • May 2018 (60)
  • April 2018 (60)
  • March 2018 (57)
  • February 2018 (51)
  • January 2018 (50)
  • December 2017 (45)
  • November 2017 (50)
  • October 2017 (52)
  • September 2017 (35)
  • August 2017 (50)
  • July 2017 (12)
  • June 2017 (12)
  • May 2017 (21)
  • April 2017 (87)
  • March 2017 (16)
  • January 2017 (5)
  • December 2016 (4)
  • November 2016 (25)
  • October 2014 (67)
  • September 2014 (109)
  • July 2011 (7)
  • June 2011 (14)
  • May 2011 (77)
  • April 2011 (25)
  • March 2011 (5)
  • Uncategorized

    MUSIC MONDAY: Sugar God by LIFE

    November 30, 2020 / 1 Comment

    Found this tag on Read Rant Rock & Roll. This meme was created by Drew @ The Tattooed Book Geek. You pick a song that you really like and share it on Monday.

    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    RELEASE BLITZ: Wicked Flame by Ella Frank

    May 24, 2022

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Storm Warrior by Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    January 15, 2022

    RELEASE BLITZ: Not Until Noah by Lisa Henry (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    November 8, 2021
  • Uncategorized

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Stranded With Desire by Rick R. Reed & Vivien Dean (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    November 30, 2020 / No Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    PRE-ORDER/RELEASE BLITZ: The Austrian by J.O. Mantel

    September 9, 2021

    AUDIO TOUR: Save Me by Beck Grey (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    December 16, 2021

    BLOG TOUR: Measuring Up by Dani Hermit & Curtis Star (Excerpt)

    December 16, 2022
  • Uncategorized

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: And Then They Were Four by Elna Holst (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    November 30, 2020 / No Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    FIRST LINES FRIDAY 56: The North Sea Sings, Won’t You Come To Me Baby?

    March 5, 2020

    COVER REVEAL: Up North by Allison Temple (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    June 29, 2021

    PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE (Jan 29, 2020)

    January 29, 2020
  • Uncategorized

    RELEASE BLITZ: Operation Fake Relationship by Jay Northcote

    November 29, 2020 / No Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    AUDIO TOUR: Spring Strings by Lily Morton (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    January 1, 2023

    BOOK BLAST: Toy Soldiers by Maggie Blackbird (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    November 4, 2020

    MUSIC MONDAY: Cold Eyes & Only Lonely by Actors

    October 25, 2021
  • Uncategorized

    FLICKer: Arrangement

    November 28, 2020 / No Comments

    Featuring LGBT short films I found around the interwebz a.k.a Youtube. Okay sucky intro, but yeah, that’s it.


    A regular hookup between two men becomes more complicated than intended.

    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    MUSIC MONDAY: I Don’t Know What You See in Me by Belle and Sebastian

    February 6, 2023

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Summer’s Second by Jeff Billington (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    December 13, 2022

    COVER REVEAL: Afloat by Isabelle Adler

    February 1, 2021
  • Uncategorized

    RELEASE BLITZ: It’s Not You by Becca Seymour (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    November 28, 2020 / 2 Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    BLOG TOUR: Twice In A Lifetime by R.M. Neill (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    November 10, 2021

    RAINBOW BOOK TAG

    November 26, 2020

    RELEASE BLITZ: Just Calamarried by K.L. Hiers (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    March 22, 2022
  • Uncategorized

    BLOG TOUR: Promise Me by A.G. Meiers (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    November 28, 2020 / No Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: The Oracle’s Sprite by Mell Eight (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    September 27, 2022

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Demon’s Dance by Xenia Melzer (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    November 25, 2022

    FIRST LINES FRIDAY 56: You Stayed

    June 25, 2020
  • manga,  Uncategorized

    MANGA: Kimi wa Samishigari ya no Hana

    November 27, 2020 / No Comments

    Kimi wa Samishigari ya no Hana – Nomori Mina

    One evening, Hisanaga approaches Morio at a bar with just one thing in mind. However, Morio is looking for a deeper relationship. Can Morio break through the wall around Hisanaga’s heart to get something more than empty sex?

    You Are The Loneliest Flower is a story of university student, Morio, who developed feelings for his on-again off-again hookup, an aloof salaryman, Hisanaga.

    This has a not so common set-up of characters openly admitting they’re gay and regularly hooking up at gay bars. Most of the time, BL manga characters just fall into relationships without even realizing or acknowledging their sexuality.

    Morio knew Hisanaga is a self-centered, lonely man who pushes people away but it didn’t stop him being drawn to him. Morio is a natural do-gooder who can’t help but dote on the difficult and blunt Hisanaga. I liked his dedication and that he didn’t cross the line to pushy. Although I did wonder what was so attractive about the older man other than his looks. I didn’t connect with Hisanaga. I think his character could have been developed more.

    The manga had a mature vibe. The premise is good but the way it was delivered wasn’t that convincing. The pacing and the scenes felt awkward. It closed in an open-ended but hopeful note where Morio hopes Hisanaga would eventually open up to him.

    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    RELEASE BLITZ: The Midnight Gardener by R.G. Thomas (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    July 26, 2020

    MARCH, APRIL & MAY PLAYLIST + WRAP UP

    May 31, 2022

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: The Spell by Nancy J. Hedin (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    December 8, 2021
  • book,  Uncategorized

    REVIEW: Death Comes To Main Street by Felice Stevens writing as A.P. Eisen

    November 27, 2020 / 4 Comments
    55044346. sy475

    The Paul Monroe Mystery: Death Comes To Main Street – Felice Stevens writing as A.P. Eisen

    In the sleepy town of Thornwood Park, something dark and ugly is brewing….

    Detective Paul Monroe is investigating a routine string of break-ins when the case takes an unexpected turn. Merchants are receiving threats, and things might be more sinister than he originally suspected. Paul’s been on the receiving end of those warnings as well, but he brushes them off, not bothering to mention them to his partner, Cliff until Cliff himself is threatened.

    In fact, Cliff discovers he’s been shut out of quite a few things and confronts Paul, who doesn’t understand the problem. The situation escalates quickly, leaving them at a crossroads, with Cliff conflicted and wondering if he’s an equal partner. Now Paul finds himself not only fighting for the people he’s sworn to protect, but for his relationship and the man who means everything to him.

    When an unthinkable tragedy occurs, it’s a race against time to catch a killer who thinks he’s untouchable and has committed the perfect crime.

    Only…nobody’s perfect.


    I’ve always described The Paul Monroe Mysteries as understated. I’m not sure if it’s the right term but I liked how fuss free the stories are. They avoided grand heroics or any over the top action yet delivered engaging, suspenseful police procedurals and heartfelt romance.

    Death Comes To Main Street is the third installment. I found this darker and gritter than its predecessors. Paul and his work partner, Rob, were investigating a series of robberies, threatening notes and suspected arson that resulted in the tragic death of a close friend. These appeared to be hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community. Paul and Cliff also had to deal with homophobic neighbors who were also the main suspects.

    While there are these unpleasantness, this was also, in a way, a happy book. Paul and Cliff’s relationship were as strong as ever. They both had busy, high-stressed jobs but they made it work. They remained solid and in sync even with Cliff’s issues with Paul’s over-protectiveness. They’re comfortable and happy. That really shone through all the negativity.

    Paul took major leaps forward by coming out to his boss and co-workers. I liked that this wasn’t the focus of the story but came about as part of Paul being ready to fully embrace who he is. And I’ve always appreciated how patient and supportive Cliff was about this and everything.

    Being a detective’s boyfriend and having been involved in the last two cases, Cliff could have easily poked his nose in Paul’s new investigations. I’m so glad he did not turn into some kind of amateur sleuth. The story also repeatedly emphasized that Paul does not discuss his cases with Cliff. This is another thing I liked because it showed Paul’s professionalism. Even when his boyfriend was harassed, Paul admirably kept his cool and handled it like the pro he is.

    Cliff’s involvement in the case, albeit through some unfortunate circumstances, happened naturally. The author did a great job letting his character shine even with Paul working closely with another character.

    This series has a good supporting cast. Rob stood out the most because he’s Paul’s partner and best friend. He’s always the first to defend Paul against the stupid and the bigoted. Also, there’s Annabelle who’s not even on page 99% of the time but is strongly felt because Rob always mentions his adored wife. There was the introduction of a new character, Joshua. His appearance added an interesting minor thread to follow.

    This time around, the series amped up it’s procedural by showing us the nitty gritty of the investigation. While realistic and detailed, it moved things at a brisk pace and happily, did not bore us with minutiae.

    The villains were all given so it was a matter of Paul and Rob finding enough evidence to arrest them. I like this approach to mystery because it’s not so common. Usually, we are left to guess the identity of the bad guy. Proving the guilt of the obviously guilty but slippery is interesting as well as satisfying. For me, it reflects real life crime. Wherever we are, there’s always some notorious lowlife who manages to evade arrest despite repeat offenses.

    Death Comes To Main Street gives us the things we love about the series while spicing it up with a tiff and a little more grit. There’s some low-key flash and bang but still a roller coaster of emotions, going from love and passion to grief, fear and anger, to acceptance and relief. Ultimately, it leads us to a happy end but leaves us hanging at the very last second. So not my favorite way to close a story but it does set the next one up nicely.

    P.S.

    Follow Paul as he finds himself with Cliff, stumbles upon dead bodies and catch bad guys in The Paul Monroe Mysteries. The books should be read in order. Check out my review of the first two books below:

    Couldn’t Cheat Death by A.P. Eisen
    Diagnosis: Death by A.P. Eisen

    Rating:
    4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits

    Soundtrack: Walls
    Artist: Stokeswood
    Album: Walls


    If you like my content, please consider using my Amazon affiliate links below to get your copy of The Paul Monroe Mysteries. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying Amazon purchases at no additional cost to you.

    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    AUDIO BLITZ: Out On The Serve by Lane Hayes (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    August 17, 2020

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Unlikely Harmony by Lily Michaels (Exerpt & Giveaway)

    April 27, 2021

    MUSIC MONDAY: Am I Really Going To Die & Blue Drift by White Lies

    February 28, 2022
  • trailer,  Uncategorized

    SOUNDTRACK: Walls by Stokeswood

    November 27, 2020 / 1 Comment

    Soundtrack to The Paul Monroe Mystery: Death Comes To Main Street by Felice Stevens writing as A.P. Eisen

    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    BLOG TOUR: Huntsman by Morgan Brice (Excerpt & Giveaway + Q & A With Author)

    August 12, 2020

    RELEASE BLITZ: Playing Offside by Jax Calder (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    August 26, 2021

    RELEASE BLITZ: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back by Cyd Sidney (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    July 26, 2022
Load More

You can never have too much MM romance or indie music. Welcome and enjoy your stay!

FOLLOW NEVER HOLLOWED BY THE STARE

Follow Never Hollowed By The Stare on WordPress.com

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow Me

November 2020
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30  
« Oct   Dec »

If you like my content, please consider using my Amazon affiliate links below to get a copy of your favorite MM romance & yaoi manga. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying Amazon purchases at no additional cost to you.

As a more ethical alternative, you can also use Bookshop.org to buy paperbacks and MP3 CD audiobooks and help support independent bookstores.

Rakuten Kobo UK
Alibris: Books, Music, & Movies

DISCLAIMER

Book images and promotional materials are from Goodreads or media kits provided for blog tours, cover reveals and release blitzes. Manga covers and other images are sourced through Google image search. The two dorks in the header image is from a manga by TogaQ & Kikuchi Neko. The cat logo is my own design. Reviews and other writings found in the blog are mine unless otherwise stated. All Buy Links to Amazon and Bookshop in my posts contain affiliate links.

Support This Site

If you like my content, please consider supporting me on Ko-fi. Your donations will help keep this website going. Thank you so much!

Rakuten Kobo UK
SEARCH NOW:
by title
by author

Instagram

…
2023©Never Hollowed By The Stare