Tag Archives: novella

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Filed under 3.5 Stars, C. E. Case, M/M, Review

Tagged as M/M, novella, romance

by inkedrainbowreviews | July 6, 2016 · 10:00 am

4.5 Stars and 5 Stars for Rhythm & Blues by Shae Connor @shaeconnor #MM #Novella

Title: Rhythm & Blues
Author Name & Publisher: Shae Connor
Publication Date & Length: June 20th, 2016 – 76 Pages

When life tears apart your dream, build a new one.

After a knee injury ended his career, Broadway dancer Pate Hawkins limped his way back from New York to Atlanta to implement Plan B: open a dance academy to train the next generation of song-and-dance dreamers. When model-gorgeous contractor Ace Samson answers his request for an estimate on renovating his studio space, Pate hits pay dirt in more ways than one. As construction gets underway, the red-hot attraction between the two men flares, and soon they develop a fledgling relationship. Then the siren song of the stage calls Pate back, and he has to choose between the dream he left behind and the new life he’s building—with his studio, and with Ace.

This was such a sweet romance with a few hot smexy scenes thrown in. Since Pate can’t professionally dance anymore, he moves to teaching dance. With that in mind, he needs to build his studio and what is second best than a hot-as-sin contractor to build it. These two definitely had the insta-physical attraction and were trying hard to not indulge in their wanting, but yet try to get to know each other. Of course, the intense chemistry between wins over and they indulge. It isn’t until Pate is away from Ace and is offered a second chance at dancing that he realizes he doesn’t want it but does want Ace and his studio. Ace is so sexy, and such a romantic at heart (just try not to aww at what he does for Pate with his hobby) that there cannot be a better combination in one person. So yes, there was insta-attraction, but not necessarily insta-love and I enjoyed that in this story.

The flow of this story is smooth. Realistic time goes by and events are believable. You get swept up in everything that is happening and the romance between these two, that you don’t realize this only a novella. I truly enjoyed these two men and wished I had more time with them.

Keri

This is a book in my opinion about losing your first love only to find your true love and that is exactly what happened with Pate.

Pate’s first live has always been dancing but he knew that would not last forever and he was right. A knee injury took him out of the dancing game so now he is opening his own studio to teach. During the process of finding a contractor to do the renovations he meets Ace. And his world is turned upside down.

I think that Ace has always had a thing for Pate. He remembers him from school even though Pate does not remeber him. I also think that he was just waiting for the right time to let Pate know that he was interested in him.

I believe that Pate knew from the first encounter these two men had that Ace was someone special and that he could fall for him. I think that is what it took him so long to make a move and let Ace know that he was attracted to him. I think his attraction to Ace scared him but it was inevitable to end up together.

This was a good book. It is a sweet Romance of two men coming together and finding love. As I said in the beginning of the review, I believe this is a book about losing your first love to end up finding true love. I do not think that if Pate would not have gotten hurt that these two men would have crossed paths and ended up together. So sometimes things only happen because they are blessing in disguise.

Tosha

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Filed under 4.5 Stars, 5 Star, Keri, M/M, New Release, Review, Tosha, Uncategorized

Tagged as M/M, novella, romance

by inkedrainbowreviews | June 5, 2016 · 2:00 pm

3.5 Stars for Charlie’s Hero (Heroes #1) by Nic Starr {AUDIOBOOK} #MM #Romance @Dreamspinners @nicstarooo

Title: Charlie’s Hero (Heroes #1)
Author Name & Publisher: Nic Starr (Dreamspinner Press)
Publication Date & Length: June 17, 2015 – 200 pgs

Synopsis

Schoolteacher Charlie Matthews returns to his hometown, looking to regain a sense of community, reconnect with friends, and settle down. It looks like his dreams have come true when paramedic Josh Campbell attends an accident at the school. It’s love at first sight, and a romance begins.

But Josh’s reluctance to come out to the brother who raised him, puts pressure on their fledgling relationship. While Charlie understands Josh’s concerns, he can’t help growing impatient. After all, Charlie came out years ago.

It’s not until Charlie confronts his own parents and realizes he hasn’t come to terms with their rejection that he fully understands what Josh has to lose. But Josh is Charlie’s hero, and Josh will do anything to prove to Charlie that to be part of a family, he doesn’t need his parents.

Review

This review is for the audiobook read by Joel Leslie.

Charlie’s Hero is a light, enjoyable, and sexy story. But I feel the narration distracts a little from the story instead of enhancing it.

Joel Leslie’s voices are good in this reading, but overall it seems a bit over-acted. I would have rated the text version at 4 stars instead of 3.5.

Charlie and Josh are great characters, well-developed and relatable. Their romance is sweet and sexy. The sex scenes are well-written, plentiful, and hot! Even though this is the first of a series it is also a good stand-alone book.

I enjoyed this story but found it a little slow. It didn’t suck me in and really engage me.

I recommend this to anyone looking for an easy and sexy, contemporary read.

Amanda

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Filed under 3.5 Stars, Amanda, M/M, Review

Tagged as M/M, novella, romance

by inkedrainbowreviews | January 11, 2016 · 10:00 am

3 Stars for Dion’s Redemption by J.D. Walker #MM

Title: Dion’s Redemption
Author Name & Publisher: J.D. Walker (Less Than Three Press)
Publication Date: December 30, 2015

Twenty years ago, eighteen-year-old Dion Doukas did unthinkable things to protect his brother Dimitry, who was born with Down Syndrome. Today, he’s still haunted by those choices. The owner of a low-rent apartment building, Dion spends most of his days dealing with delinquent tenants, drug addicts and less than stellar employees. Then he runs into Nolan Flannigan.

Nolan would do anything for his dying grandfather, and Dion, recognizing a kindred spirit, decides not to throw the senior Mr. Flannigan out on the street because of unpaid rent. Despite their rough start, the two men forge an awkward friendship, and Nolan begins to see just how closed off Dion really is—and that he’ll never get through those barriers unless Dion is willing to open up and let him in.

So with this book Dion has had to do things that are not great so he can make sure they both survive.

Now I have to say I really did not like Dion’s characters in this book. He comes of mean from the start and really never redeems himself to me through this book.

Then I really do not know anything about Nolan because you really do not learn a lot about him.. So I do not know what I feel about this character.

Now I liked the authors pretense of this story but unfortunately I really did not like the main character even though what he does for his brother was awesome his whole attitude I was really not a fan of.

So I am sad to say this Novella was just not for me…

Kara

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Filed under 3 Star, Kara, M/M, New Release, Review

Tagged as M/M, novella

by inkedrainbowreviews | January 4, 2016 · 6:00 pm

TWO 3.5 stars for Loving Again by Alicia Joseph #FF #Romance #ComingOut #MayDecember @josephjody76

Title: Loving Again
Author Name & Publisher: Alicia Joseph (Affinity eBook Press)
Publication Date & Length: November 15, 2015 — 129 pages

Synopsis

Dana Perkins lost her longtime partner in a tragic accident. Although she still struggles with the loss, her profound loneliness is evidence that it is time to move on. She knows her deceased lover, Casey, wouldn’t want her living this way. Dana begins her slow process of letting go, removing reminders of Casey from her house, and dating again.
The women she meets leave Dana uninspired and missing her deceased partner even more. Just as she is about to resign herself to the belief that she will never love again, Dana meets Emily Daniels, a married woman who is deeply conflicted over her attraction to women. Soon, the two women form a friendship that leads to deeper emotions. They discover that one moment in their past had brought them together in a way neither woman could have ever imagined. Is that one moment in time enough to let both women follow their hearts, or will they let their past continue to rule their future?

Review

I was so excited to get this book, and it certainly started with a bang that showed it would be excellent. Unfortunately, shortly after the pacing slowed to almost a crawl. This story seemed to be two in one and with a lack of focus. There was a coming out story and there was a romance story, and the two did not blend well, sadly.

I was also seriously put off by the biphobia going on in this piece. Being a bisexual woman myself, I was utterly annoyed—and frankly, ticked off—that everyone (not just Emily) had to be either “bi-curious” and in it just for a good romp in the sheets or a lesbian. Bi-erasure is real, and sadly, it’s stories like this that continue the erasure of an entire group under the rainbow.

In order for this story to work with both plot lines, it needed to be expanded and have more drama, more introspection and less repetition of things that already happened. In a story that’s only 70 pages long there was a lot of repeating of information going on. Secondly, the romance needed to be greater and bigger, needed to have more connection between the two characters to show what they were going through. There was a lot of telling in this story, and after reading Her Name and absolutely loving it to death, I was surprised to find that in this story.

I did, however, absolutely love the characters in this story. Dana and Emily were well-developed and I was able to connect with both of them. I love May/December stories, so that had me pulled in from the beginning, and I do love the power-play (teacher/student) so I was glad to see that and slightly disappointed it didn’t continue beyond that, but eh, not every story can be that story. I loved how the story ended, but wished I could have seen a bit more of that drama/internal conflict earlier in the story to make the pacing flow better.

~AJ

This book had several things I loved, and a handful I could have lived without. The characters were well developed and I enjoyed the dialog and settings. The plot flowed nicely for the most part though there were hiccups here and there when Dana was struggling with herself and her feelings.

My major complaints were some formatting issues which made it difficult to read in places (dialog lines not separating – one character speaking running right into the next line written and so forth) and what I felt was a lack of ‘follow through’ for the characters. I almost felt as if I should be expecting a second book at some point in the future. If this is the case, then wonderful! If not, I feel the book ended rather abruptly.

Overall it was well written and I would recommend it to friends with a disclaimer about the hanging ending.

~Rhayne

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Filed under 3.5 Stars, AJ, F/F, Review, Rhayne, Uncategorized

Tagged as F/F, Lesbian, novella, romance

by inkedrainbowreviews | December 4, 2015 · 8:00 pm

5 and 4 Stars for Unexpected Engagement (Unexpected #3) by Silvia Violet #MM #Military

Title: Unexpected Engagement (Unexpected #3)
Author Name: Silvia Violet
Publication Date & Length: October 1, 2015

Simon McLeod was a promising young naval captain before his ship was attacked and CIA agents forced him to fake his death and join their ranks. Since that horrible night, Simon has focused on finding the men responsible for ending his career. He’s close now, but he needs help from the man he loves. The problem is Edgar is straight, has no idea how Simon feels, and threatened to strangle him the last time they were together.

After years of using his medical expertise to patch Simon up after ill-advised missions, Edgar told Simon not to come running to him anymore. Watching Simon self-destruct was too painful. But when Simon shows up on Edgar’s doorstep covered in blood, Edgar can’t turn him away. He also can’t fight the feelings he has for Simon, feelings that go way beyond friendship.

Neither man thought he’d ever truly be happy again, but if they can survive a final dangerous mission, they might be able to prove themselves wrong.

While I did really like this book, this one just did not grab me as much as the others did for some reason..
I did like Simon and Edgar together I just wished Simon would not have fought it so much. That got a little annoying after awhile. Then when they finally get together you do feel like these two fit together so well.
You get Edgar who Simon thinks is straight and Simon who is doing a lot of under cover missions putting his life in peril which brings him to Edgar’s over and over again.
This book had a lot of action and some sweet moments too..
So all together I really did like this book, it just took me awhile to get into this one for some reason..
I would defiantly recommend this series!

Kara

I loved this addition to this series. Getting to know Simon more was excellent. There was something about the way Simon cared so much for Edgar because of everything in their past that just did it for me. The angst between Edgar being ‘straight’ and Simon always putting himself in danger that kept me flipping pages.

Even at the end of the book we are still left with questions but we get a bit farther with the plot which is nice and keeps the overall storyline moving along.

Can’t wait for more!

Renee

Filed under 4 Star, 5 Star, Kara, M/M, Renee, Review

Tagged as Disability, M/M, Military, novella, romance

by inkedrainbowreviews | December 3, 2015 · 8:00 am

5 and 4.5 Stars for Unexpected Trust (Unexpected #2) by Silvia Violet #MM #Military

Title: Unexpected Trust (Unexpected #2)
Author Name: Silvia Violet
Publication Date & Length: July 17, 2014

Special Agent Hugh Cranford, better known as Sport, is conducting an off-the-record investigation. He’s after Danny O’Sullivan, a spy rumored to have assisted in the ambush of Sport’s former SEAL team. Danny claims he and Sport are on the same side, and the real traitor is the man Sport is working for. But Danny is a master manipulator. He’s also the most seductive man Sport has ever met. Sport can’t help being attracted to him, but that doesn’t mean he’s willing to trust him.

In his quest to bring down a few highly-placed traitors in the US government, Danny O’Sullivan has been keeping tabs on Sport. When Sport comes looking for him, Danny decides to bring Sport in on his secret mission and into his bed. Sport may not trust Danny, but he wants him. As the two men risk their lives to complete Danny’s mission, they discover neither is as strong as they like to pretend.

Okay I will start this review with the way these two go at each other was so damn hot!!!!
You get Sport who is a FBI agent who is going after the men responsible for hurting his seal team, Then he meets Danny and the sparks between these two from the start… Just wow!!! Danny has his secrets too but you can also feel how much he does care for Sport. I really loved them together because not only do you get the bickering between these two which I found cute but also the way they were together in bed… All I can say is there is just something about a man who is in control in the bed who also makes sure your being cared for but at the same time giving you what you need and Sport is definitely very good at this. So I will have to say so far Sport and Danny are my favorite characters in this series!
There is a lot of action in this book which had me on the edge of my seat, some misunderstandings and some sweet moments too.
So all together I really loved this book!
I would definitely recommend this book!

Kara

OMG… LOVED this book. I loved the cloak and dagger aspects. Who is behind things and how will they work out? Along with extremely hot scenes with our two men. Both men are dealing with so much from their past that it actually gives them some common ground.

I’ll say that even though I loved Sport…. I just didn’t love the story overall for some reason. I can’t specifically put my finger on why though 🙁

I love seeing books that put spotlight on our heros that have PTSD but refuse to get help for it as it happens more than one might think.

Can’t wait to find out what Simon’s story is.

Renee

Filed under 4.5 Stars, 5 Star, Kara, M/M, Renee, Review

Tagged as Disability, M/M, Military, novella, romance

by inkedrainbowreviews | December 2, 2015 · 4:00 pm

TWO 5 Stars for Unexpected Rescue (Unexpected #1) by Silvia Violet #MM #Military

Title: Unexpected Rescue (Unexpected #1)
Author Name: Silvia Violet
Publication Date & Length: November 4, 2013 – 95 pgs

Shrapnel from an explosion tore up Jackson’s leg and ended his career as a Navy SEAL. Being forced into the civilian world was bad enough, but being told he’s crazy is intolerable. No matter what the doctors or anyone else tells him, he knows a supposed ally was responsible for his injury, and that same man is determined to shut Jackson up for good.

When Jackson sees a kayaker clinging to his boat from the balcony of his beach house, his instincts tell him something dire is about to happen. Jackson rescues the injured man and insists on hiding him until a former SEAL teammate arrives. As Jackson struggles with separating reality from soul-shattering flashbacks, the injured man’s compassion and growing trust tear down his barriers, and Jackson begins to wonder if his heart is as dead as he’d assumed.

This was a super fast read but a really good start to this series!

Jackson was a navy seal who had been hurt by a bad man. This person is still hunting Jackson. He is at rental trying to get away from the man who hurt him and who is currently coming after him. That is when he sees Addy get hurt and goes after him.

There was the perfect amount of action in this book also you get the sparks between these two.

All together I really loved this novella!

I would recommend this book!

Kara

I LOVED this book. There is a lot of twists and surprises and it was great! The action was exciting. The pain Jackson goes through with his injury is hard to read at times, but I connected with him because of his refusal to give up when it would’ve been so much easier to take the easy way.

The chemistry was amazing, but I expect nothing less from a book by Silvia Violet.

Can’t wait for the next book in the series.

Renee

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Filed under 5 Star, Kara, M/M, Renee, Review

Tagged as Disability, M/M, Military, novella, romance

by inkedrainbowreviews | November 28, 2015 · 8:00 pm

TWO 3.5 and TWO 3 Star Reviews for Boyfriend Forever (Boyfriend #2) by Diana DeRicci #MM #Romance @MLRPress

Title: Boyfriend Forever (Boyfriend #2)
Author Name & Publisher: Diana DeRicci (MLR Press)
Publication Date & Length: September 20, 2015 – 101 pgs

Can love survive seven years apart?

Jayden Sindler let the love of his life walk away seven years ago to give him the chance to fulfill a future Nash Vargas had been working toward since his sophomore year in high school. As the years crawled by, they’d drifted apart, living in two different cities, with two different careers. Over time, the promises of ever after faded.

Jayden knew he was equally to blame for letting things fall apart. When phone numbers ceased working, when Nash moved jobs then residences, he knew it was really over.

It was time to let go.

Can new life be breathed into an old flame? Can hearts forgive? Can Jayden convince Nash to give love one more try?

Book 2 we are back with Jayden and Nash. They have been apart seven years with no contact. Then one day Nash moves back to town and will they get that chance of love again.

I was kind of confused as to why they didn’t communicate within the time they were apart. The story really didn’t go into that. It would have been nice to get a little more on the backstory of that. I also wondered if Tim and Bill were such good friends why didn’t tell Jayden what Nash was going through.

Even with not knowing those things it was still a good story.

Sherry

So as much as I loved this first book in this series I am sad to say this one was just not for me…
I got why they drifted apart the part in this that I really don’t understand is why they never talked to each other in all the time they were not together. So I will be honest sometimes it is disappointing when you get to the 2nd book in the series and the couple is broken up. It just seems to happen all the time now and with this couple which I loved this couple together. To see this happening with them too and not really get why they never talked it out or why Nash never told Jayden that he needed help or what he was going through.
So I guess I was just left with a lot of unanswered questions with this one. So I am sad to say this one was just not for me….

~Kara

I wasn’t the biggest fan of the first book but when I saw this book I had to read it. Now I am thinking “why did I read this?” I just don’t understand the seven years of not talking? I mean when the last book ended everything was good! This book was just too short and didn’t really give us all the answers to the questions we had. I think I should have just passed on this one.

Angie

I loved this book but also didn’t understand why anyone would let the love of their life get away from them. I also could believe that the basically went seven years with no communication. I understand why Jayden let Nash go so he could fulfill his dreams but no communication!! And why didn’t Tim or Bill let Jayden in on the things Nash was dealing with but then again why didn’t Jayden ask. I felt there was so much missing between books 1 and 2.

However, the author did bring them back together and it was clear that they would have many obstacles overcome. There was emotion and heartache and everything in between, this is where the author does an amazing job.

~Lynn

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Filed under 3 Star, 3.5 Stars, Angie, Kara, Lynn, M/M, New Release, Review, Sherry

Tagged as M/M, novella, romance

by inkedrainbowreviews | November 13, 2015 · 12:00 pm

4 stars for Piece of Cake (A Matter of Time #8) by Mary Calmes @dreamspinners #MM #Contemporary #romance

Title: Piece of Cake (A Matter of Time #8)
Author Name & Publisher: Mary Calmes (Dreamspinner Press)
Publication Date & Length: August 12, 2015 — 70 pages

After years of domestic partnership, Jory Harcourt and Sam Kage are finally going to make it official in their home state of Illinois. It’s been a long and rocky road, and nothing—not disasters at work, not the weather, not a possible stalker, not even getting beat up and having to attend the ceremony looking like he just got mugged—will make Jory wait one more day to make an honest man of the love of his life.

Should be a piece of cake, right?

Short and over-the-top in the best way, this is unapologetically ridiculous. At no point does it take itself seriously, and that’s what makes it fun.

This is part of a larger series, and it does help to have read some of them for context about who the characters are. However, it can still be enjoyed for what it is regardless.

Everything in this story is larger than life. There’s a plot, more or less, but the real fun is in Jory’s relationships with the people around him, including Sam. Even though it was a bit shallow, it was still a nice, quick read.

~AmyM