Talon P.S.'s Blog, page 10

BOOKS ‘n COZY SPOTS BOOK REVIEWS – Anywhere You Go by Keenan Ellis

BOOKS ‘n COZY SPOTS BOOK REVIEWS – Anywhere You Go by Keenan Ellis
 

   

~ 4 Stars ~
Review of ANYWHERE YOU GO, by Keenan Ellis

Contemporary romance / M-m / Ghost story / sequel

*ARC provided by author for honest review*

Reviewed by Jaycee ~ for Books ‘N Cozy Spots Book Reviews, www.Talon-ps.com

Sequel to I’ll Still Be There

Unfinished Business: Book Two

Jess Early and Eli Dunn, owners of Ruth’s Haven Bed and Breakfast, love married life. Every jealousy bump and insecure thought is just another expected growing pain. But with Jess redefining his relationship with his best friend and ex-fiancée Cassie and Eli’s friend Travis staying with the guys while going through marital problems of his own, things haven’t been feeling quite right between them.

Not to forget, the home’s ghostly previous owners, Clay Bailey and Silas Denton, still reside in their former bedroom and delight in making their presence known—including invading Travis’s dreams in an attempt to help. They give Travis a vivid glimpse of their adventurous trip to Paris in the early 1960s and some insight about his marriage.

With tensions mounting, Eli’s father suffers a heart attack. Now Jess and Eli must remain strong and at the same time confront their evolving feelings. The young couple’s struggles become a lesson in the true meanings of love, loyalty and marriage.

 

While not impossible to pick this book up as a stand alone, it will be a much richer experience to have also read book one: “I’ll Still Be There”.   Knowing where two people have come from helps immeasurably when appreciating where they are now, notwithstanding the forays back in time with the story’s resident spooks.  Trust me, its perfect and while initially I had to think a bit harder in book one to place everyone and all the happenings, book two flowed like warm honey because of that background.

Now then, Jess and Eli are married and their business is good bordering on excellent.  This is not an angsty tale of new love.  This is a story of day-to-day and the unrelenting honesty of it.  Its a cautionary tale of settling in and taking for granted.  Its a ghostly reminder of appreciating what and who you have in your life, of the near-misses that could take it all away, and of the bulls-eye hits that did.

I see ghosts Clay and Silas as representing the voices in our heads; those reasoning powers we supposedly have, if we are brave enough to use the insight.  Honestly.  No one ever promised a bed of roses, at the very least, not one without a whole lot of tending.

I love this little story of a group of family and friends who, ultimately, got it right.

ANYWHERE YOU GO also received the following ratings:

 

ROMANCE FACTOR  ~ 3 Hearts ~

HEAT FACTOR ~ 3 Flames ~

TWIST FACTOR ~ being “lectured” by ghosts ~

BONUS FACTOR ~ being “lectured” by ghosts!  ~

 

 

 

ManCandy Monday presents the Ultimate Adult Coloring Book Canvass

ManCandy Monday presents the Ultimate Adult Coloring Book Canvass

2015 Year In Review – part 3: Books ‘n Cozy Spots – Terry

2015 Year In Review – part 3: Books ‘n Cozy Spots – Terry

BOOKS ’ N COZY SPOTS BOOK REVIEWS

2015 YEAR-END WRAP-UP.

Terry’s Reading Year 2015, In Summary:

My Reading highlights for 2015.

I have to thank Talon P.S. & Princess S.O. for this wonderful opportunity to write reviews for Books’ n Cozy Spots. I have had so much fun reading and meeting new authors and readers this year.

Through Books’ Cozy Spots I have been given the pleasure of stepping out of my cozy reading zone and trying new genres, sub genres that I probably would have missed. I hope that Jaycee and I have given you, the reader, some food for thought and also helped you take a chance on something new and different. After all reading is like life, an adventure. There are many roads to take and you may find a hidden treasure or passion at the end of an unexpected left turn or the turn of a page. Enjoy all the options.

At the end of your chosen adventure let the author know if you enjoyed it. Write a review and tell them and your fellow readers what you liked or if you didn’t like something let them know that too. Just remember be nice if it is the later, because we all like different things and to discourage another from taking an adventure they may enjoy would be a shame. If you’re feeling like you want the adventure to continue drop the author a note. Or better yet find out if they are attending a book conference and let them know in person how much you loved their story and characters! Now there is another adventure you will enjoy.

So now here are a few highlights from my adventures in 2015.

 

Overall Favorite Book Reviewed in 2015:

My overall favorite story for 2015 also appears in another category because I love this story from the front cover to the back cover. I think for a story to be an all-time favorite you need a combination of a world you would or could step into to be with the characters and the fact that not only the main characters but also secondary characters capture your heart. Combine this with a story you want to tell everyone every detail but don’t because you want them to experience and feel every moment the way you did and there you have an all-time favorite! This year I have to give this title to Muse Me Only by Princess S.O.

Here is my review

Wow! First off I have to tell you the next time you encounter an ass, take a second look. Yes I know this story is fiction but Princess S.O. did such a wonderful job with her character development that *sighs* this story, Muse Me Only, will add one or two more fantasies/day dreams to you list. *wink*

The story takes place in New York with an artistic theme and we get two artists for the price of one. Xherdan Chantal is a painter and his focus is the human form, the male form, and his Muse. This story is also told through Xherdan’s, aka the ass, eyes. This is quite a treat because we also get to know his thoughts and what he is feeling as the story unfolds. This is also where we get his background story. I enjoyed this very much, getting this information as we need it instead of all at once. Which give us an inside look at our sweet ass and puts everything in perspective, well at least in Xherdan’s mind.

What is an artist without a Muse? Oh and Princess S.O. has given Xherdan a Muse like no other, with an appetite for one who turns motion into living color. Sreven is one of the male dancers at The Corona Club. When he takes the stage it is for Xherdan’s Muse, even though Sreven doesn’t realize it. He has noticed Xherdan in the audience but has yet to meet him.

So what happens when these three finally meet? I would love to tell you more but I refuse to spoil another word of this story. Princess S.O. does with words and paper what Sreven does with his body and music as well as what Xherdan does with paint and a canvas. They have all created artistic masterpieces to feast our minds and hearts on.

Send the family out for the day, lock the door and turn off the phone. You are not going to want to be disturbed while you enjoy this work of art!

Favorite Contemporary Romance for 2015:

My pick for favorite Contemporary Romance has a touch of the paranormal but I consider it more Contemporary so this goes to Heart of Clay by Lee Brazil. This m/m story was a complete package for me. I love it when an author can make you feel the emotions of the characters before you know the whole story, and then to watch it unfold, priceless!

Here is my review

I totally enjoyed this story! Lee Brazil gives us a wonderful story of choices and consequences. The choices we make in our youth can sometimes come back or continuously haunt us. Clay and Brad have been dealing with some of those choices for twenty years and neither of them has been dealing with them in a good way.

I fell in love with Clay and Brad in the first chapter. Lee Brazil tells this story so well you will be able to feel what these men feel. This says a lot, because you don’t really know why they are feeling that way to begin with. As the story unfolds though it all comes together to break your heart, that is until the person who tore these two friends apart makes an appearance.

This is where the story really takes off! Bobby holds the key to bring peace of mind and heart back to the friends of his youth. Bobby has also been trapped by the choices he made and is as stuck in the emotions of the past as his cohorts in crime, not the criminal kind. They were called the three musketeers in their youth and you remember what you were doing in your youth. *wink wink* Bobby now has to get Clay and Brad to listen to him. This is a challenge because ghosts belong in the movies and story books, not in your backyard. 

This story moved at just the right pace and the characters were perfect, even Pip and Nan, Clay’s grandparents. There is nothing better than a story that will have you rooting for the characters while laughing and even shedding a tear for them while their story is told. I do wish the story was a bit longer but there are no loose ends and Lee has left the story at a place where you can take the characters where you want them to go. *sighs* Well done Lee, well done.

Favorite Paranormal Romance for 2015:

My pick for this category is one that surprised me, Kick at the Darkness by Keira Andrews. I love paranormal romances but I would never pick up a Zombie story. Zombies just don’t do it for me but I once again I was pleasantly surprised. Thank you Keira Andrews, I would have missed a great story if I didn’t leave my comfy reading zone.  The world you deconstructed and the great characters were spot on for an amazing read.

Here is my review

I never got in to the zombie thing. I see the word and my first instinct is to skip it. The one thing that made me say “hmmm, I think I will give this story a try.” was the cover. Thank the reading goddess! If you also think, skip it at the zombie or apocalypse word, don’t do it! This is a great read!

I have read some post-apocalyptic stories and enjoyed them but to have it happen right before my eyes was great. Keira thought of everything in her world building, or would that be world destruction, from all of the things that need electricity to work to how nice a hot shower is. She also put her own spin on the zombies and weres. Yes there is a lot going on in this story and Keira has weaved it all into a story that flows perfectly together.

Keira gave us a couple great main characters, Parker and Adam. Well I wasn’t too keen on Parker in the beginning but with the help of Adam and some great secondary characters Parker won a place in my heart. Parker and Adam didn’t have a great first meeting they didn’t like each other at all. When they wound up together it was fun to watch them get to really know each other while trying to keep their secrets and stay alive.

Kick at the Darkness has it all death, destruction, humor, some great loving. The characters include heroes, damsels in distress, sweet families, scary survivors to bat shit crazy scientists. The people you meet and places, things you see will keep you turning the pages. I do feel this story is for the older reader. I know the young teens love their zombies but with the erotic tag you may want to check it out before they start reading it. The end of the world does vanquish a few inhibitions. *wink*

So check your survival kit and get comfy, you are going to want to finish this story in one sitting.

Favorite Book Villain for 2015:

In an unlikely turn of events my Favorite Villain is also the leading male or Hero for The Brede Chronicles by P.I. Barrington, Alekzander Brede. This is one of those stories that just prove each reader can read a story and see it differently and/or take something different form it.

My Review for The Brede Chronicles by P.I. Barrington

Well talk about timing, on a few of the Facebook pages I frequent there has been a lot of talk about authors killing off beloved characters. I know I have wanted to go through some of my favorite characters closets and throw away all of their red shirts, yes that is a Star Trek thing. P.I. Barrington the author of The Brede Chronicles Book One has on the other hand, had me wanting to one click a full wardrobe of red shirts for her main character Alekzander Brede. I am not sure this was her intended emotion for her leading male but, well done P.I. Barrington!

I am going to get the bad out of the way to begin with because it is; I feel personal peeves with this story. I really do wish authors of Science Fiction would add a glossary to their stories. It would help with stepping right into the world they have created. As I read there were a few places where the story changed either to new characters or to the past and there were no page breaks to indicate the change. Now on to the fun stuff.

The Brede Chronicles Book One takes place in New Cairo 2107. I love stories that take place in Egypt. There is just something about the history and people of this part of the world that I can’t resist. P.I. Barrington has combined the past and future in this story that is believable. I feel this makes becoming invested in the characters so much easier. Like our leading lady Elektra Tate.

Elektra is full human and was abandoned on the streets on New Cairo when she was a child reducing her to one of the proscribed citizens, the lowest level of society. She has dose what she needs to, to survive, lie, cheat and steal. She has also taken a liking to Alekzander Brede. They have one of those love/tolerate/hate relationships that they both use to benefit themselves. You will enjoy watching this but it is also one of the reasons I really wanted Alekzander to wear a red shirt. Elektra is a true underdog and watching her character grow and develop made me love her to pieces.  I think there is more to her story than we have been told in book one I will be keeping my eyes open for book two which is under way as you read this.

Alekzander Brede, at first I loved him he is kind of a cross between James Bond, Worf, and Mr. Spock, adventurous, sexy and logical. He is a major alpha male he is part human and part Amphidian. His father was human and his mother was Amphidian which gave him full citizenship on both planets, the upper crust of society. Alekzander also embraced his Amphidian heritage which tends to be violent, cruel and very aggressive. Since Brede is in the mercenary business this is a plus. This also makes some of his personal life a pleasure as well as giving me the WTH are you thinking/doing/feeling.

This is a fun, somewhat dark science fiction, adventure, romance. This story is filled with twists, turns, aliens and a little heat. So kick back and watch what happens as Alekzander and some other people searching for a lost artifact that will be the answer to some people’s desires as well as the down fall to others.

Favorite Book Cover of 2015:

When people ask which cover did you love the most of the books you read this year I don’t even have to think on it. Although there were some great covers one sticks out in my mind and heart, the cover from Muse Me Only by Princess S.O. I love covers that give you a peek inside the story and this one did that for me. I love the colors and the framing of the cover on the book. It is a beautiful work of art for the main character who is an artist.

I am adding an extra item because I have another book that deserve to be mentioned in my year end round up.  Historical Romance

I do enjoy a good mm story but I generally don’t pick up historical. Thank you Kayla Jameson for not only a story I enjoyed but a series I am looking forward to reading. “A Spartan Love” is not just historical but an ancient love story. I fell in love with Andreas and Theron.

Here is my review

I have read a few historical romance stories and I have enjoyed them. I can tell you this is not your usual historical romance; it is a story of forbidden love from the ancient world. Sparta is one of the most powerful city-states and the Gods live.

Kayla Jameth mixes history and myth to bring us an exciting and fun romance. I will let you know some of the words used are from the ancient language so you may want to give the Lexicon a quick glance before you start if you’re a little rusty on your Greek history/mythology. If you choose not to it won’t be hard to understand the story, Kayla has done a good job explaining as the story grows. She has also done her homework and tells a story that will keep you turning the pages.

I fell for our main characters Andreas who knows and accepts his place as a slave in this society and Theron who accepts and revels in his knowledge that the world is his to conquer and control. We also have some wonderful secondary characters which include some powerful gods, brothers in arms, nosey neighbors and a fury friend.

Andreas, a helot, has been alone for four years. His father was killed by the kryptes when he was a child and his mother past 4 years ago. Because of Andreas size he keeps to himself so he doesn’t attract the attention of the kryptes or the Spartan Overlord. He doesn’t want to be considered a threat and killed like his father. He just wants to be left to live and take care of his land and livestock, maybe have a family or at least a friend to keep company with. But the chance of this happening isn’t very likely. Unless he takes a chance that will either kill him or give him what he dreams of and longs for.

Theron is a kryptes, a Spartan Warrior in training. The kryptes are not yet warriors, they are still young men left on their own to hone the skills needed to be worthy of the title Warrior. These young men also hone their killing skills by stalking and hunting helots who are unfortunately out after dark. Theron has found one such helot, Andreas. Theron decides to play with his prey and what he learns and discovers may be the death of not only his prey, Andreas, but of himself as well.

Grab your glass of wine and enjoy a taste of Spartan Love.

Looking Ahead to 2016 – Books and/or Authors I am going to follow closely: (disclaimer:  dates may be unknown at this time, or may change from those indicated.  Check links provided for updates)

The first story I am waiting for and have been waiting for since I read Becoming His Slave by Talon P.S. is Right One 4 Diesel. This M/m is going to continue one of the best series I have had the pleasure of getting my hot little hands on. Diesel and Paris should be released January 29th.

 

 

 

A Tested Love by Kayla Jameth will also be coming out this year. I can’t wait to see what happens to Andreas and Theron. The Spartans have rules and they don’t play with them. I don’t have a release date yet but I am keeping my eyes open and my one click ready.

 

 

 

 

Anastasia Vitsky is a new author for me and one I will be keeping an eye on as well. Anastasia  writes f/f and also released a m/f story in a Christmas Anthology this year. If you are thinking you’re not sure about f/f story this may be one of those less traveled roads you might want to take.

 

 

 

Joey W Hill is one of my go to authors I recommend her any day of the week and twice on Sunday! She will be having at least two releases in the coming year. The first is Naughty Wishes and then we will be getting Julie’s story! We met Julie in Rough Canvas with Marcus and Thomas. I can not wait!!

 

 

 

R.G. Alexander is also a new author to me who I will be keeping close thanks to her new series The Finn Factor. I love that big Irish family and all the loving going on.

 

 

 

Kora Knight is catching quite a few eyes with her Up-Ending Tad series and I hope to see more from this rising star!

 

 

 

 

 

2015 Year In Review – part 2: Books ‘n Cozy Spots – Jaycee

2015 Year In Review – part 2: Books ‘n Cozy Spots – Jaycee

 

BOOKS ’ N COZY SPOTS BOOK REVIEWS

2015 YEAR-END WRAP-UP.

Jaycee’s Reading Year 2015, In Summary:

Once again, throughout 2015, I have been blessed with the opportunity, and occasionally the invitation, to read and review some amazing books.   I have been taken on many journeys in many settings, across all genres and sub-genres, and have spent many an enjoyable hour in blissful escape.   Being asked once to read and review a story is a joy in itself.  Being invited back to do so again and again is both a joy and a reward.  I stand in gratitude to all those creative authors who entrusted their ‘babies’ to my eyes and to my opinions.  I hope I did them justice.

And since this is my summary I guess I can use this forum to speak of something about which I feel very strongly:  It never grows old, being asked to put your feelings about a story ‘on paper’.  I encourage all readers to do so when and if a book strikes your fancy, and even if it does not.   I do caution however, that in the doing I expect my fellow reviewers will be constructive in their offerings.  Bear in mind, authors work long and hard, sweat bullets and likely valuable body fluids, to give us readers the escapes we enjoy so much.  It is simply common decency to provide thoughtful critique as opposed to uncharitable criticism.  The former, if presented properly, provides a growth opportunity for the professional.  The latter, no matter how presented, is tactless at best and hurtful at worst, and if I may?…frankly, only makes the reviewer look like a pompous idiot.   All a reviewer really has is an opinion; one that will not be shared by everyone, nor should it be, for that is the beauty of a book:  it is many things to many people.   Never make the mistake of thinking your opinion is the way the truth and the light, and you won’t fail to convey your personal love of a story, and where you feel applicable, your personal but carefully considered observations to the opposite.

And now I will get down from my soapbox and get to the good stuff, all in my personal opinion, of course. 

2015 Year In Review – part 1: the Twins

2015 Year In Review – part 1: The Twins

Wow another year passes us by, whew, and it went by so fast. While its good to seem some tough trials in life be gone, still, can we find someone to stop the wheel of time? LOL

2015 for the us twins, certainly seemed like a rather slow one in the way of writing. The long struggle to get Talon’s next release fromhis Dominion of Brothers series turned into a much bigger challenge then I’d thought it’d be as his ghost writer. **big hefty sigh** But its finally finished and is in its last round of edits. In case you missed the news on it, its up on Pre-order with a release date for January 29th. Couldnt think of a better present to give my twin. And….. since you suffered in such agony waiting for this book release, we decided to do something awesome to help get you in the mood and ready. What did we do? We released the Dominion of Brothers series in a box set with an unbelievable mega low price.

   ……… 

One of the bigger hurtles this year had been the loss of our website when out layout was no longer being supported by WordPress, it took a couple of months to finally come to the reality we weren’t getting it back and had to redesign a whole new site. It was well worth the effort, getting snazzy new internet digs, but sadly when we transfered our database archive, while the gigabytes seem to think it has everything, our database to this day remains invisible and unaccessable   Four years of content buried in the abyss of darkness. A hard blow when keeping fans always coming over to visit is an ever increasing challenge these days.

On the publishing news, 2015 was kicked off with a twin release: Taking Over Trofim ~ Book 4 of the Dominion of Brothers series and Muse Me Only. Later in that year Muse Me Only was picked up by French translations and publishing company Juno Publishing and was released with its translated title Inspire-Moi Seulement. It even hit number one both in print and in Kindle !!! After tat spectacular surprise, Juno has signed up the full Dominion of Brothers series for French Translation and we should see Becoming His Slave out sometime next summer of 2016!!

Not long after that, another book for the Teddy Bear Collection came out. Ivan vs Ivan was a huge unplanned surprise for me as well as Teddy Bear fans, but the story certainly packed a wallop.

We’ve also seen a few new awards and nominations! Muse Me Only received an Honorable Mention in2015’s Rainbow Awards for Best Erotic Gay Romance; Muse Me Only, Taking Over Trofim and Ivan vs Ivan have all gotten a few Nominations in the 2015 MM Goodread’s Awards with the final votes taking place Jan 6-22. I even made it into the finalists with some of the biggest names in MM Romance over at Gay Reviews.

So what else did we do? We decided to put all our books into print. EVERY THING!  We still have the Dear Soldier series to put out, but no worries, its coming!

So What in store for 2016?

Yipes… I honestly have to say, I’ve not a clue. There are still so many books in WIP level and many of those of part of a series or set that are past due their brethren titles. Like: Quantum Mates, The Lycotharian Collection, The Dear Soldier Series… And trust me when Right One 4 Diesel comes out, readers fans are going to be  demanding the next book in the DoB series, so the pressure is on.

Whatever does happen, I am sure it will be great in some ways, painful in others. Whichever titles come out over the year will hopefully be loved nomatter if it means having to wait a little longer to see your most anticipated come out. But no matter what, we promise the wait will always be worth the the sotries we have to tell.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL
Warm Winds and Super Squishy Hugs 

ManCandy Monday dons the perfect sweater

ManCandy Monday dons the perfect sweater

Happy Cheer to all

Christmas Tree Branches Border. Vector Illustration EPS10

ManCandy Monday – Dark and Sultry

ManCandy Monday – Dark and Sultry

New Release !! The Dominion of Brothers Series Box Set

New Release !! The Dominion of Brothers Series Box Set

JUST RELEASED!!!!

THE DOMINION OF BROTHERS BOX SET

ONLY $19.95

Five Brothers at Arms share a lust for control and bondage; now they are living the BDSM lifestyle openly, and they are the very Masters who can provide satisfaction to the world of Taboo.

Plenty of people love their kink, but when the Dominion of Brothers come to New York, the Lifestyle gets a re-do with not only a boost in stimulation, their fellow Lifestylers also get a guardian. Now, the Brothers will stop at nothing to protect their friends, loved ones, and those who look to them for sexual freedom.

~~ BESTSELLING, FIVE TIME AWARD WINNING BDSM SERIES OF MF AND MM MIXED EROTIC ROMANCE~~ 

The Dominion of Brothers Series Box Set comes with 5 novels plus Bonus Material in the back!!!

BECOMING HIS SLAVE ~ Dominion of Brothers Series: Book 1

BDSM & D/s / MF / Erotic Romance / some MM, MMF, MMM & FF

Trenton Leos has made it his nosiness to help people of the Lifestyle find the right partners. Now he has found the very one he’s been waiting for himself. Katianna Dumas. She is perfect for what he wants; he just has to protect her until she’s ready to surrender to him.

(word count: 281,330)

~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~

DOMMING THE HEIRESS ~ Dominion of Brothers Series: Book 1.5

BDSM – D/s / MF / Erotic Romance

“You can’t depend on your eyes, if your desire is out of focus.” One of the greatest desires Heiress Amelia Quinneth has, is to submit to a Dom, but shutting off her own control will take more than just any Dom… it’ll take a Master.

 (word count: 84,320)

~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~

A PLACE FOR CLIFF ~ Dominion of Brothers Series: Book 2

MM / Erotic Romance / some D/s & light bdsm

Left to fend for himself and his sick sister at an early age, Cliff Patterson never knew what loving support was like until he met the much older and handsome Pyotr Laszkovi. But aside from the emotional unraveling, Cliff was already heading towards, he was going to need Pyotr to help him through the hardest good-bye of all.

(word count: 74,370)

~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~

ROUGH ATTRACTION ~ Dominion of Brothers Series: Book 3

MM / Erotic Romance

Like brimstone and caramel. When two men come together with a Rough Attraction that burns as fast as Nitrous Oxide in their veins, it’s hard to find the cruise control and trust that they can make this last for the long run.

(word count: 74,290)

~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~

TAKING OVER TROFIM ~ Dominion of Brothers Series: Book 4

MM / Erotic Romance

Trofim Laszkovi would never forget how right it felt to be in Shay’s Wilks’ arms five years ago. Now having returned back to the states he hadn’t really expected to get back with him, but how does one refuse the only one who ever felt right. But if they’re to survive the hateful wrath of Shay’s father, they’ll need some assistance from Trenton Leos.

(word count: 102,073)

~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~

BOX SET BONUS MATERIAL

2 Character Interviews, 1 Deleted Scene, plus an Exclusive Peek into the coming release: Right One 4 Diesel ~ Dominion of Brothers Series: Book 5

 

(Total word count: 628,006)

ManCandy Monday has SantaCandy

ManCandy Monday has SantaCandy