-
REVIEW: The Dichotomy of Angels by N.R. Walker
The Dichotomy of Angels – N.R. Walker
Nathaniel and Chasan are no ordinary angels.
Destiny chose them to be twin flames, fated mates. But Nathaniel has avoided Chasan for nearly a thousand years.
When sent to Earth on a mission to live and work together, Nathaniel comes face-to-face with his destiny. Short-tempered, petulant, and grumpy, he hates the idea of being fated to anyone and has chosen an existence of isolation rather than spending time with the calm, kind, and serene Chasan. But now he has no choice.
One is fire, the other is air; a true dichotomy of angels. Together they will be ignited, or they will be extinguished. This assignment will seal their fate either way.
Let it be known that all of Heaven speaks with an Australian accent. It is in the business of saving souls.
Angels are just your regular hard working salarymen assigned to different departments, sometimes to walk among the humans. Saint Peter is in charge. He is their manager. The bosses were all the pantheons known to humanity. They were simply known as ‘Upper Management’.
The most notorious department is the Hell department where the screams of the damned were absorbed by a machine and turned into tennis balls for dogs. The overseer of Hell is the Angel of Fire named Nathaniel.
Nathaniel is always angry. No, not just angry. He “wears his rage like an armor” . He is also stubborn, prone to anxiety, and has a tendency to smite. He wears black. His wings are burnt umber. He is beloved by dogs everywhere.
Chasan is the Angel of Air. He has a cool, calm, serene presence. He sees the good in everything and has a smile for everyone. He wears white. His wings are white with ice blue tips. He is full of heartache.
Because the Angel of Fire and the Angel of Air were fated to one another. They were twin flames, a phenomena that happened once in a lifetime among beings who lived forever. But Nathaniel condemned Chasan to a life of loneliness by wanting to be alone by himself.
This is a story of two opposite beings who were made for each other yet stand apart. Where angels questioned their faith and received answers from humans. Where they get drunk, eat takeouts, play with baby goats, teach twenty 4-year-old hellions and sing Octopus’ Garden. Where blood was shed and things come full circle. And most important of all, it is a story where all dogs do indeed go to heaven.
Let it be known that Heaven is whatever you deserved it to be.
P.S.
N.R. Walker is author of some of the best gay romances out there. Read reviews of her books here.
Rating:
4.5 Stars – perfection is only half a step awaySountrack: Dream
Artist: Birdy
Album: Fire Within -
AUDIO REVIEW: Just Like Heaven by T.L. Bradford
The Young Americans: Just Like Heaven – T.L. Bradford
Noah Sinclair
Noah Sinclair is best described as an egotistical, pompous, anal retentive, asshat. And those are his better qualities. Lately, Noah has lost touch with his playboy character “Jace” on the show Americana and can’t quite put his finger on why. The studio decides it is time to shake up his character by making him an offer he can’t refuse, literally. They will introduce a new love interest for his character “Jace.” Only this time, there’s a twist.Josh Hill
Josh Hill is up a creek and sinking fast. He’s got no job, no money, no credit and is about to be kicked out of his apartment. Opportunity comes in the form of a job offer from the show Americana. Everything should be perfect; only there is one hitch. He will be the new love interest for Noah Sinclair’s character on the beloved show.So, opposites are supposed to attract, right? Not so fast. No one said life was that easy. Both actors find themselves in untested waters. Will they be able to play a same-sex couple with no prior experience authentically? Well, they say practice makes perfect.
Carefree, fun-loving Josh and uptight, overbearing Noah, realize they need to make the best of their bad situation and are forced to find common ground. Over time, their roles in each other’s lives become blurred. Is their attraction fake, or is it real? To top it off, Noah has a dark skeleton in his closet that can prevent them from ever moving forward.
Can they get on the same page and save both of their careers and their relationship?
Or will they end up yesterday’s tabloid fodder?
(Just Like Heaven is a full-length, slow-burn love story. It can be read as a standalone. It contains a cast of fully-developed characters that encounter romance, heartache, laughter, and life lessons. The book has darker themes that may act as triggers to some readers. It contains adult language, mature themes, and is best enjoyed by those over the age of 18.)
Just Like Heaven is a case of life imitating soap. It’s just as long, just as melodramatic.
I think the author was trying to cram every popular trope possible. Noah and Josh started out as enemies, then friends then lovers. There was a slow-burn gay for you thrown in with both claiming to be straight. Then coming out issues with Noah refusing to even admit to himself he was gay because he was so traumatized by his abusive father.
Sometime later, we get Josh admitting he had a crush on his football teammate back in high school and revealing he was bisexual. There’s even the big breakup and a second chance romance of sorts.
All of these would have been one hell of an epic saga. However the book had an unfortunate tendency to tell rather than show. There were chunks and chunk of paragraphs of just telling.
The book could benefit from taking out some passages. For instance, there was Noah looking back to the time he was caught kissing a boy. The same scenario was later described in dialogue by the actor to Josh in almost the same way.
I wasn’t particularly drawn to the two MCs. Noah was as difficult as advertised. Josh was the more likable one, the type who’s friends with a person within 5 minutes of meeting them.
Their honeymoon phase was indeed sweet but on the whole they weren’t exactly the healthiest couple out there. There were petty jealousies and possessiveness. They don’t talk properly. They had better relationships with the other people they hooked up with. So their relationship wasn’t something I could root for.
On the upside, the other cast members were great supporting characters. I could see how their real life chemistry would translate well on screen. They were like the millennial version of the Brat Pack.
The Hill family Christmas was the most fun part of the book. Everyone had a blast at their Christmas Olympics. This was where Noah and Josh synced perfectly together. We get a glimpse of what they could be if they were simply regular guys named Noah Sinclair and Joshua Hill instead of Primetime Emmys’ Best Couple.
It wouldn’t be your favorite daytime soap without scandals and messy breakups. The big fight was ugly, the separation painful. But it wasn’t long before they started hooking up with other castmates. At this point, my interest petered out.
Narrator Corey H. Bennson was a major reason why I stuck around for as long as I could. He’s one of those narrators who acts rather than just reads. I really enjoyed his style.
I wish Noah and Josh well. I know they would eventually find their way back to each other. And stay there, hopefully.
P.S.
Sorry, this was supposed to be posted yesterday but my blog’s I.P. address had some technical issues.
Thank you to Gay Romance Reviews and Audible UK for giving me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Rating:
2.5 Stars – far from hate but not quite a likeSoundtrack: The Magic Position
Artist: Patrick Wolf
Album: The Magic Position -
SERIES REVIEW TOUR: Serial Investigations by Rhiannon D’Averc (Excerpt & Giveaway)
-
AUDIO REVIEW: Rented Heart by Garrett Leigh
Rented Heart – Garrett Leigh
Ex-surfer-turned-businessman Liam Mallaney moved back to Holkham, Norfolk, to mourn the loss of his husband. Grief and loneliness keep him a solitary figure, and he likes it that way. There’s no room in his broken heart for anything else.
Rentboy Zac Payne left London and most of his demons behind, but he still only knows one way to make a living. When he spots Liam in a club one night, it seems he’s found his mark. But Liam proves nicer—and their connection far deeper—than he’d bargained for.
Their arrangement quickly becomes too complicated for Zac, who has other things on his mind: namely his BFF and wayward flatmate, Jamie. Zac owes Jamie the world, and even as Jamie’s drug addiction destroys all they have, Zac won’t leave him behind.
Besides, Liam knows nothing of Zac’s home life, too caught up in his own head to think much beyond the crazy heat he and Zac share. But when trouble comes to Zac’s door, putting his life in danger, Liam must set his grief and anger aside to pick up the pieces of Zac’s shattered heart and his own.
I am the type of romance reader who would all but demand exclusivity between the intended couple the moment they started noticing each other. I have no patience for love triangles unless its heading towards poly which is the only acceptable conclusion for me.
However, if your MC’s a rentboy, it could get pretty… tricky.
Fortunately, Rented Heart made the process almost painless. I don’t know what sorcery Garrett Leigh did but I somehow didn’t mind Zac hustling and even sleeping with his friend, Jamie while already having feels for Liam. So yes, trigger warning here, Zac had sex with other people.
This is a short book clocking in at around 5 hours plus. Dan Calley is the narrator as usual. I’m becoming a fan of how he’s bringing the author’s books to life. Realistic dialogues are one of the things I enjoyed the most about her books and Calley always delivered them in such a way that felt like you’re listening in on actual conversations.
The story did a good depicting the grim realities of of Zac’s world without diminishing the blossoming romance between him and Liam. Their meetings were bright spots that stood in contrast with the struggle to keep roof over head and help a friend in dire need. Although, it did feel too insta given that they didn’t even spend that much time with each other in the first parts of the story.
Still, it was quite an emotional rollercoaster. There’s fear that it would be over soon and the very real possibility of losing a best friend to addiction. There’s grief and hurt aplenty and comfort wholeheartedly given. There’s roadtrips, doggy cuddles and more cuddles.
There is also, trouble you could see coming from a mile away the moment Jamie came in the apartment with his stash. Wished it went another way.
Happily, Jamie redeemed himself. Zac and Liam acknowledged the rom-comness of their situation, shipped Jamie to California and lived the Pretty Woman dream.
Vivian Ward would be proud.
P.S.
Thank you to Signal Boost Promotions and Audible UK for giving me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
For angsty stories with lots of heart, Garrett Leigh is your girl. Read reviews of her books here.
Rating:
3.5 Stars – that place between like and loveSoundtrack: Ghosts That We Knew
Artist: Mumford & Sons
Album: Babel -
MINI MOVIE REVIEWS: Shakespeare Gems to Icelandic Tragedies (With Some Crap Along The Way)
A mix-bag of movies this weekend. Let’s get right to it…
For More Mini Movie Reviews, check out:
MINI MOVIE REVIEWS: From Rom-Coms to Serial Killers
MINI MOVIE REVIEWS: A Bit of Drama and Some Hokey Vampires
I Want To Get Married
Just six days before the vote on Prop 8, the sweet and geeky Paul attends a wedding and decides he wants to get married to the man of his dreams. At the same time, he’s assigned to work for a conservative client who’s campaigning against gay marriage — and he’s too strapped for cash to say “no.” In the week that follows, Paul embarks on a hilarious and heartwarming personal journey to find the man of his dreams, test his moral limits and reconcile with his estranged parents.
An awkward movie with awkward acting. Awkward could be adorable but this totally lacked the charm. Shame. I expected better from Matthew Montgomery.
The Seminarian
A closeted student at a conservative theological seminary, struggles to come to terms with his nurtured beliefs and coming out to himself, his friends, and his only surviving family member. At this low point mentally and emotionally, Ryan ends up in a troubled online relationship which leads him to question everything he has known about God and Love.
Philosophizing about God and Love while dealing with a closeted sexuality should have been profound and moving but this movie has the personality of an oatmeal. The lead actor lacked charisma. Do not waste your time on this.
Getting Go: The Go Project
A shy young man schemes to meet a hunky dancer known as ‘Go’ under the pretence of filming a documentary about him, and New York’s nightlife. As the two grow closer the line between subject and filmmaker become increasingly blurred.
A so very not safe for work movie shot entirely with hand-held cameras and cellphones. The documentary style made it seem the whole thing was real. So real that I sometimes had to remind myself this was completely fictional. This was raw and honest. The bittersweet ending was very apt.
Rift (Rokkur)
Two men in a secluded cabin are haunted by their dead relationship.
A movie that simultaneously affirms my belief not to live smack dab in the middle of nowhere and made me want to go to Iceland. The gorgeous, sweeping landscapes served as a back-drop to a dark suspenseful plot that kept me riveted to the screen. This is one of those movies where the timeline of events could be confusing. Also with some surreal scenes that made you question reality. I love how the two lead actors brought out the palpable post-breakup tension and chemistry between MC’s Einar and Gunnar. This is not romance though so you know what to expect.
Leather
Birch, a young man living in the Catskill Mountains, reunites with Andrew, his childhood friend from the city.
A movie that was for some reason tagged as comedy although there was nothing remotely funny about it. The attempts at humor fell flat. This has so much potential to be good instead it was all over the place. I love friends-to-lovers stories but even Birch’s more hipster than hipster, old-school lifestyle and cool soundtrack couldn’t save this movie.
Private Romeo
A modern take on Shakespeare’s `Romeo and Juliet’. When eight male cadets are left behind at an isolated military high school, the greatest romantic drama ever written seeps out of the classroom and permeates their lives.
Saving the best for last with this brilliant Shakespeare interpretation I completely went gaga over. Never had Romeo and Juliet been done so differently yet totally made sense. The actors outdid themselves here. The chemistry between MCs Sam (Romeo) and Glenn (Juliet) was off the charts! But they were nearly upstaged by Josh (Mercutio) whose intensity radiates off the screen. Watch this now!!!
Hope you enjoyed this week’s Mini Movie Reviews. Have a great Saturday!
-
AUDIO REVIEW TOUR: The Problem by Piper Scott
-
REVIEW: Other Than Honorable by Parker St. John
Cabrini Law: Other Than Honorable – Parker St. John
Revenge is a risky business… but nothing is more dangerous than love.
No one would suspect the hell Matthew Ballard has lived through, least of all the green-eyed Marine sent to protect him. Matt is playing a long con against a dangerous foe. He can’t afford the distraction of a bodyguard with his own pile of issues… no matter how desperately he secretly craves the feel of his rough hands.
When J.D. Reese lost the Marine Corps, he lost the only home he ever knew. Discharged and adrift, he can’t afford to refuse a job protecting the spoiled heir of an embattled energy corporation. His young charge is cunning, arrogant, and infuriating… and Reese wants him more than his next breath.
Can two hard-as-nails men surrender to each other when the fight is all they’ve ever known?
It didn’t unseat Murder Aforethought as my favorite but Other Than Honorable is a decent follow up to the second book. It’s a story about being yourself and following your dreams. It’s also about letting yourself move on from the past and living the life you deserve.
J.D. Reese was introduced in book 2 as Val’s former captain and bestfriend. He provided backup when Val and Maks were in trouble with the mob.
Reese reminded people of Steve Rogers. He has a laidback personality and an easy grin. You’d think he’s all Southern charm and Texas drawl when in fact he’s fighting his own demons. Which he does by drinking himself to oblivion.
He supports himself by doing odd jobs as a bodyguard of sorts. He’s been living in a roach motel for months. His friends decided to stage an intervention and directs him to a bodyguard gig protecting a controversial billionaire.
Matthew Ballard could have been Bruce Wayne had he taken his considerable MMA fighting skills to the streets. Instead, he’s in the closet, stuck doing a job he hated and slowly putting his plan for revenge into action. All the while suffocating under his homophobic father’s thumb.
The two came from vastly different backgrounds but as we delve deeper into the story, we see that both men dealt with similar issues. They recognized the other’s innate goodness each of them don’t want the world to know. Reese because he’s wracked with guilt at the death of his military brothers under his command. Matt because he thinks being seen as good is a weakness.
As with all the characters in the series, Reese and Matt were complex, nuanced characters who felt real. Their romance was slow-burn which is always a plus. They were drawn towards each other naturally although on the whole, it lacked the zing that was present in Val and Maks.
I was also expecting more for the conclusion of Matt’s grand revenge scheme. It was what a good person would do but I couldn’t help feeling let down especially after what he had gone through and the time it took to bring the whole thing into fruition. And because I hated his cold bastard of a father, too.
The book did a good job setting up Miguel’s story, which is next. You could feel the tension between him and Detective Ray Travis a mile away. The detective was investigating the threats to Matt’s and/or Reese’s life. Miguel was backing Reese up as a lawyer and as a friend.
I loved how the rest of the Cabrini gang came together to support Reese when he was sued by the family of one of the dead soldiers. There was an oh so brief glimpse of Alexander Cabrini. I had a feeling he’s going to give Maks a run for his money on my favorites list. Alas, his book ,#6, is still far away a.k.a. not yet written. Please come sooner, please!
The story came together in a suspenseful climax where we get to see Matt doing badass things. I liked that he was the one who gets to do this rather than his ex-military boyfriend.
When he finally came out, you can feel the lightness he felt after carrying that much baggage for so long. He was out about his sexuality, out of the office he hated, out in the ring beating the crap out of his opponent because he can finally fight as a pro. He was positively radiant.
Reese freed himself and lived his life with Matt.
They’re not looking back.
Attaboys!
P.S.
Other Than Honorable is best read after the first two books. There are many recurring characters and references to previous events. This series has been a treat. It’s always a delight to catch up with these justice league of lawyers. Read reviews here and find out why.
Rating:
3.5 Stars – that place between like and loveSoundtrack: New World
Artist: The Irrepressibles
Album: Nude -
ARC REVIEW: Redemption by Garrett Leigh
Redemption – Garrett Leigh
Reformed gangster Luis falls hard for his boss. When friendship turns to love, it’s up to Paolo to convince him second chances are worth the pain.
Luis Pope is back on the street after a six year stretch in prison, but life on the outside seems just out of reach, especially when the whole neighbourhood knows his face for all the wrong reasons.
Paolo’s temper makes it hard to keep staff, and he knows Luis’s rep all too well. But his nonno believes in redemption, and Luis isn’t the tough guy Paolo remembers. Prison has left its mark, inside and out, and all the kindness in the world can’t fix the three inch scar on Luis’s skull.
And it can’t keep ghosts locked up. Luis’s the best worker Paolo’s ever had, and Luis’s happier than he’s ever been. But his old life doesn’t want to stay in the past. Trouble comes to call, and when it makes him an offer he can’t refuse, keeping Paolo safe hurts the most.
Redemption is an angsty, standalone MM romance novel, with second chances, found family, friends-to-lovers, and buckets of hurt/comfort themed loveliness.
Right from the time I read the blurb, I immediately had a good feeling about this.
There were FEELS indeed!
I was rooting for Luis from the start. He knew he made mistakes. He paid his dues and just wanted a fresh start. He just needed somebody to take a chance on an ex-con who doesn’t even have a coat for the winter.
Paolo wouldn’t have given him that chance. Even if he badly needed help at the cafe he’s running single-handedly. Even if he had a crush on the Luis Pope since they were schoolmates. He heard all about the notorious Pope brothers. But his nonno convinced him to give Luis a job. If Paolo doesn’t give him a chance, who would?
At first, Luis was relegated to busing tables and washing dishes. As the story progressed, he revealed other useful skills that made him invaluable. I loved how he smoothly stepped up and stepped in the role of cook when Paolo needed to care for his nonna.
The two men slowly learned to trust each other. I loved how their friendship developed. Paolo is a hot-blooded Italian you can’t argue with. He is annoyed about everything. He curses and grumbles a lot. Conveniently, Luis has a damaged ear so he doesn’t hear most of it. What he hears, he can sass back in his cool, quiet Luis manner.
The story did a good job portraying their relationship. It wasn’t perfect. Luis frequently withheld information to protect Paolo from his gangster brother. Paolo has a quick temper. But you can see how these two flawed men brought out the good in each other.
However, Luis thinks he’s not good enough. He can’t even get away from his manipulative brother who wants him back as a mule. He would do everything to keep Paolo safe, including going back to the life he already left behind. But he’s not giving up without a fight, not if he can help it.
Luis is wracked by anxiety. He also has an ear injury that was a result of being whacked with a pipe while in prison. This wasn’t the main focus but this held real consequences for him and was put to good use in the story. The injury was crucial in that seemingly made-in-passing, split-second decision that could have put him back in the box. This particular scene stuck with me for some reason. It was so minor I didn’t realize its significance until I was done reading.
This is an angsty read and hurt-comfort at its best. The character portraits were raw and real. I’m a lazy reader and sometimes when you get dramatic stories, the sentences feel heavy which makes reading a chore. Here the writing had that certain quality of delivering emotional punches yet still easy to read. There’s a sense of foreboding that keeps you turning the pages. Which is why I nearly finished this in one sitting.
Redemption is another top-notched Garrett Leigh creation. A moving story about second chances and do overs. Where choices had to be made even if you had no choice. And a simple bacon sandwich could mean the world.
P.S.
Thank you to Signal Boost Promotions for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Garrett Leigh is an auto-buy author for most MM readers. Read reviews of her books here and find out why.
Rating:
5 Stars – absolutely perfectSoundtrack: Only Just Begun
Artist: The Moth & The Flame
Album: Ruthless -
SERIES REVIEW: Gods of Earth Series by Nina R. Schluntz (Excerpt & Giveaway)
-
AUDIO REVIEW: Promise by R.J. Scott
Single Dads: Promise – R.J. Scott
Leo Byrne is a cop, Jason Banks is an ex-con. Even after one stolen kiss, something has to give before Leo can convince Jason that falling in love is even an option.
Adopted at a young age, Leo is part of the sprawling Byrnes family. With his dog Cap, three siblings and a whole mess of nieces and nephews, he is never lonely, and his life is full. Love is the last item on his to-do list, but seeing his best friends Sean and Eric happy and making new families makes him want things he doesn’t think is possible. Kissing Jason at an event to honor his bravery was one thing, but anything other than that is off limits. Until Jason has no one left to turn to, and it’s Leo who helps him at his lowest. Taking Jason and his daughter into his home is one thing, but falling for the ex-con is something else altogether.
Jason made a deal to keep his daughter safe and spent years behind bars as a result. Volunteering as a convict firefighter was as much about helping the community as saving his sanity, but now that he’s out, he doesn’t even have that. He’s lost his future, his self-respect, and has no friends or a place to call home. Worst of all, even after rescuing his daughter he still can’t keep her safe from the man who wants to use her as a bargaining chip for money. Meeting Leo might give Jason a way to keep Daisy safe, but falling for the stubborn cop means the truth has to be revealed, and he could lose everything all over again.
Prepare for a chockful of ex-con+cop tension and sweet father-daughter moments in this moving contemporary romance by R.J. Scott.
Promise is the third book of Single Dads, a series featuring three best friends who work as emergency responders and the men who came into their lives. I started this series with Today, the second book about Brady and Eric, the firefighter and one of Leo’s bestfriends.
Jason was introduced as the convict working alongside the firefighters in a big forest fire incident where he saved Eric’s life. Eric and his friends promised they would do everything to help shorten his sentence.
Jason immediately piqued my interest. My gut told me he was a good guy who was dealt a bad hand. I knew there’s some big story behind his imprisonment that’s worth checking out.
Fast forward to the present time, Jason is out of prison and on the run with his 3 year old daughter, Daisy, in tow. Daisy’s mother, who came from a rich but shady family, was involved with an abusive boyfriend who was demanding money and threatening their lives. The man is wanted by the FBI. Jason and Daisy aren’t safe until he was caught.
Leo found Jason and Daisy outside his doorstep. His protective cop mode immediately kicked into high gear. He didn’t hesitate to take them in.
Jason’s backstory was indeed interesting. There were mob connections, drug overdoses, stint in bands, hacking and so on. However, most of these were told rather than shown. I wanted to see more of Jason’s life before he showed up at Leo’s house.
Leo and Jason had a history of sharing a kiss neither of them forgot. When they saw each other again, the attraction was still there. I liked that the story took time to build the trust and connection between the characters before things got physical. For sure, there were a lot of internal angstyings and things left unsaid. It would have saved them the agony if only they talked. But it took a while to gain Jason’s trust.
The book focused primarily in developing the romance, establishing the bonds between Jason, Leo and Daisy, and helping Jason and Daisy heal from their ordeal. There were plenty hurt/comfort to warm the heart.
And we also have Daisy lighting up the story by being her adorable self. Also lovable doggie antics courtesy of Cap, Leo’s black Labrador.
Narrator Sean Crisden hit the right emotional notes and I generally enjoyed his narrations. My only niggle with his speaking style is that when he reads, the words kind of run together, like he’s reading them a notch too fast. They’re not as enunciated as other narrators. I mentioned this too in my review of his other audiobooks. This could be a me problem since I’m not a native English speaker.
IMHO, pure contemporary romance of the heartwarming variety could get pretty sappy sometimes. Promise has a good balance between the emotional elements of the story. It’s the book to read for tales of angsty men with trouble on their heels, conflicted cops falling for ex-cons and precocious toddlers ready to save their dads.
P.S.
Thank You to Signal Boost Promotions and Audible UK for giving me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Read about how Jason saved Eric’s life in Single Dads Book 2, Today, review here.
R.J. Scott books here.Rating:
3.5 Stars – that place between like and loveSoundtrack: Lifted
Artist: Birdy
Album: Beautiful Lies
