Splinters by Thorny Sterling

After reading Splinters I must say I’m speechless.  In a totally, overwhelmingly great way.  There are very few (if any) debut books that are as well written and articulate as Thorny Sterling’s Splinters.

The story starts with Allan waking up tied to a wooden plank.  What’s even more disturbing is the fact he has no recollection of how he got there. 

Looking down from astride his mount Duke sees what appears to be a man, bound to a wooden plank in the middle of his range.  Duke has no idea what’s happened to the man or how he got there, but one thing is for sure.  The guy didn’t do that to himself.

From the very first sentence to the very last period Mr. Sterling wove a tale of mystery and intrigue that quite honestly had me engrossed in the story. Not only that, but it was fun.

As I immersed myself in the story of the big city fashion model and Texas cowboy I was struck by how well written this was.  The flow of the story seemed effortless and the pacing was perfect. The author definitely has a special voice when weaving a story.  His words are beautifully sculpted and they created a world that made me feel like I was a part of it, sitting front and center, watching events unfold.

One of the things I loved the most (and trust me, there were many) was how the author was able to show his character’s vulnerabilities without making them look weak.  

I feel this is a talented, up and coming author and I’m really looking forward to reading more of his stories in the future.  

my rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Edward Unconditionally by Lynn Lorenz

This was a wonderful book.  Jack is the Chief of Police in a small town and he is straight.  Or is he?  Edward is an out and proud gay man traveling through Jack’s small town.  When Jack pulls Edward over in his little sport car sparks fly. 

What I really liked was watching the entire story unfold.  The loving grandmother that Edward was kept away from as a child--they reunited and formed a strong and loving bond which I adored.  The supportive friends that Edward made enhanced the story. The relationship between Edward and his dog cracked me up.

Last but by far not least, Jack.  I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the relationship between Jack and Edward evolve.  I loved watching Jack come to terms with who he was and what he wanted.  I cheered when he found the strength to go for what his heart desired to make his life happy.   

Thanks for just a great book, Lynn! 

my rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

M/M Book Reviews

While still reading as much as ever, lately I've become extremely lax in writing reviews.  The reason is this.  My blog is as yet mostly unviewed (yes, I think I made that word up) and unread.  Now there is a huge reason for that....I haven't done much in the way of letting anyone know it exists.  Sure, I mention it in passing from time to time, but I haven't really made an attempt to be marketed.  

I'm not sure that is ever going to change...Honestly, why would someone want to read a review that I've written?  Now, let's not misunderstand, I'm not feeling sorry for myself.  Not in the very least.  But, I'm not a stellar review writer.  My pen does flow, but it's mostly when I write stories for myself.    

Today I was reading a blog by Jeff Erno who blogged a post titled, "What's Happening To All the M/M Review Sites?"  In it Jeff made a very valid point.  One I'd never thought of before.  

Jeff states, "We're a small genre, and most of the authors who write m/m are not wealthy.  Many of us cannot afford to hire publicists and pay for expensive advertisements.  The free promotion on the internet that the book review websites provide is invaluable..."

I do honestly believe that the best thanks you can give an author is to write a review and post it.  So, I'm going to try to be better at writing reviews and posting them here.  Will they ever get read?  Maybe, more probably not.  But, I'll attempt to keep writing reviews on the off chance someone takes a peek in here and I can help a writer find an audience and become more widely read.

Sandy

Us Three by Mia Kerick

I’m going to start off with a totally unfounded confession.  I was a little apprehensive at the thought of starting this book.  I want to make it clear, it was never an issue as to whether or not I’d read it, as I dearly love Mia Kerick’s writing, but none the less I was a little nervous.  

Why, you ask?  In the past I’ve read a couple of menage books and they just weren’t for me.  However, and this is a HUGE HOWEVER, this book is unlike any I’ve read before and from the very beginning I fell in love with Casey, Nate, Zander and their story.

Ms. Kerick leads us on the journey of these three young men who attend school together, but who really have nothing to do with each other.  Their lives cannot be any more different than night is to day.  However, they do find that they have one thing in common, the love of each other.

This is a sweet story that made me feel like I was with these guys every step of the way, watching their friendship begin, grow, evolve and flourish into love. I can honestly say I was sad when I reached the end of the book, I would have liked for it to go on, and on, and on.

Thank you, Mia.  I love the sensitivity in which you wrote your young men and their story.  Several tough issues, that I believe kids face today, were highlighted in your story and you handled each one with love and grace.

My rating  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Out of the Blackness by Carter Quinn

Avery is a young man who has been through unimaginable horrors.   Understandably he is terrified of life.  He's afraid to trust and to love.  He's afraid to touch and to be touched.  Reading about the abuse he suffered broke my heart. 

Sam is biologically Avery's best friend, but in their hearts they are brothers. Sam was with Avery at a very critical time in his life and was and is his protector.  Loving and kind, Sam is Avery's reason for living.

In enters Noah.  Noah is beautiful and full of life. He takes one look and Avery and is smitten.  Only there is a problem, Avery wants absolutely nothing to do with him or anyone else for that matter.

Beaten down from years of abuse Avery is afraid of everything, but he's met his complete opposite in Noah.  From the very beginning Noah sets his sights on Avery and from then on out this is a book about overcoming fear, patience and finding love.  It’s about treating someone with kindness and respect.  It’s about doing what’s best for the other person, rather than what you want.  

This story broke my heart time and time again, but I have to tell you, it was so worth it.  To watch Avery learn trust and then finally love, I’d gladly do it all over again....and I will.  This book is now one of my all time favorite reads and I’ll visit it again and again. 

Thank you, Mr. Quinn, for such a heartaching and beautiful book.  I treasure this story.


Carter Quinn is a 2014 GRL supporting author.   

My rating:  ⭐️⭐⭐️⭐⭐️

The Red Sheet by Mia Kerick

I don’t know how Mia Kerick continually does it, but she’s written another fabulous book.

Bryan, the popular high school jock, wakes up one morning and he’s changed.  His feelings, his outlook on life and the way he treats people.  There’s only one problem with the shiny new him....he has a lapse in his memory and he can’t help but feel something very wrong happened.

Scott, the beautiful sweet hearted boy, attends a party one night and is devastated by several acts of cruelty directed toward him.  He can’t forget what happened and he doesn’t feel he can forgive those who perpetrated the acts.

Oh...and have I mentioned the red sheet?  It was a great addition to the story which made it fun and heartwarming all at the same time.  The significance of it will not be lost on the reader. 

Among many things, this is a story about courage, love and forgiveness.

One of the things I love the best about Ms. Kerick’s writing is her ability to build a world where the characters feel real to me.  I laugh with them and I cry with them. I rejoice and I mourn.  It’s a very special and gifted writer who can take their readers on a journey and make them feel like they’re a part of it. 

I fell so in love with these boys and their story. 

My rating: ⭐️⭐⭐⭐⭐

GRL Baby!

Woo hoo! I'm in!  I'm going to GRL or GayRomLit.  I'm so excited I could burst!

That is all....

Holding on to Hope by Sid Love

This is the debut book from this up and coming author and he should seriously be proud of himself.

The world he’s created is different from any other, which was a very sweet treat. From the very beginning of this book he caught my attention and drew me right in and held me there.

Brad met the man of his dreams, but unfortunately for him, he really couldn’t remember anything about him or the time they spent together.  This starts Brad’s quest to find his perfect guy and along the way it takes twists and turns I didn’t see coming.  I don’t want to go into detail, because I don’t want to ruin this for anyone by supplying spoilers.

Suffice it to say, I really liked everything about this book from the characters the writer created to the world they live in.  I’d love to see more of Brad and his mystery man in the future.

Congratulations on your first book, Sid.  You did a fabulous job!!!

My rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Cupid's Wager by Deanna Wadsworth

What I love about this book is what I have loved about each and every book I’ve read that has been written by Deanna Wadsworth.  It’s fun. And it’s hot.  What is not to like about that combination?  Ms. Wadsworth seem to excel when it comes to merging the two together. Her characters are always lovable and Lio and Ethan are no exception.

I love how this author’s brain works and the ideas she comes up with.  This was a really cute read and I’d love to see more of Lio and Ethan in the future.

Deanna Wadsworth is a 2014 GRL featured author.

My rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Back To You by Leighton Rose

Whenever I buy a book from a new and upcoming author I get a little giddy.  I love to experience new voices in the writing world and in this instance I can honestly say that making this purchase was a great decision.  

Within the first several pages the author had me crying.  I love when the writers words can effect me so emotionally.  At the beginning we saw the destruction of Tyler and Alex’s relationship.  We watched as Tyler struggled to move on with his life.  We saw the attempt that Alex was making to rebuild his.

When it looked liked it just might be working, a tragedy struck that threw these two guys back together.   Although they each had other men in their lives, the couldn’t help but be drawn to one other.  The pull to be together was so strong, it was a tangible thing. I did feel sorry for the other guys, but after a rocky time of it, they seemed to come to terms with the situation, albeit grudgingly.   

The main characters, as well as the supporting characters are strong and the family dynamics heartwarming.

I don’t know if this is the case, but I would absolutely love to see a sequel to this as I really want to know more about what happens to the guys who were involved with Alex and Tyler when they got back together. 

Thanks for such a great read, Ms. Rose!

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Out of Hiding by Mia Kerick

This is the first book I've read by Mia Kerick and my question is this.  What took me so long?  I wish I had an answer.  All I can say is that in the future I'll be adding any new releases from her to the top of my TBR pile.  I've already gone to her list of literary works and started adding them to my Kindle for near future reads.

There are many things I adored about this book.  Ms Kenrick does a fantastic job with her character development.  We fully understand where Philippe's pain comes from and can sympathize with him.  So much so that I may have shed a tear…or two.  Okay, more than two, but this poor broken man, who felt all alone, who thrived on being invisible needed someone strong to love him and care for him.  That was found in the character of Dario.  He is a dancer, and so much more, not that that isn't enough.  But Dario is a mentor to Philippe's niece, Sophie, as well.  He has spent the summer teaching Sophie dance techniques, relentlessly pushing her to strive to do better.  He is a very strong influence in both the lives of Sophie and Philippe.  I giggled to myself when I was reading a portion of the book and I thought, "Boy, Mia sure did create a bossy toppy."  His strength and no nonsense, forward approach with Philippe is exactly what Philippe needed.  It's evident that the author knew her characters very well, and gave them what they needed to grow and evolve.

There are other characters in the book as well, who shine in their own right.  Henri, Lauren and Tommy.  I picture them eventually making their relationship permanent and what a wonderful big family they all make.

Excellent job, Mia.  I loved the book.

My rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Inside Out by Andrew Grey

Andrew Grey can add another winner to his list of list of literary greats.

From the very beginning I was drawn into the story by the outstanding characters.

I loved that for as big and intimidating as Bull is that he has a soft side and he's not afraid to show it.  He also lives up to his tough guy persona when his guy is threatened.

Zach is a total sweetheart.  He's lived through so much pain and heartache, yet he's open to love.  He has a core strength that is amazing and endearing.  You wouldn't think that these two would mesh together so well, but they did.   They were a perfect compliment for each other's strengths and weaknesses.

Mr. Grey did an excellent job of weaving a story of love and intrigue.  I loved it!

Thank you for writing such a fabulous book.


Andrew Grey is a 2014 GRL featured author.

My rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

BRIDEGROOM

I just watched the Bridegroom Movie and am bawling 
my eyes out. A year or more ago I shared a video called "It Could Happen To You". It's a heartbreaking video made by a young man, Shane, who lost the love of his life Tom. They built a life together, were the center of each other's universe. Then a tragic accident took Tom's life, leaving Shane to grieve and go on. Since gay marriage was not legal at the time, Shane couldn't be with his love when he died. Shane had no rights. Tom's family wouldn't even allow Shane the respect of being at their son's funeral. I know Tom's family was hurting unbelievably, but they pushed away the person who knew their son the best, and who besides themselves, loved him the most. Life is unfair. This was unfair. You ask why I believe in equal marriage rights, in same sex marriages? Watch the Movie Bridegroom. I you don't want to spend your money on that. Watch this video that was made by Shane, the love of Tom's life.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR9gyloyOjM