Come on Down to Rainbow Con!

Hey, everyone, and welcome to Amethyst Daydreams, which has been temporarily taken over by the peeps at RainbowCon! As the post title suggests, we're here to tell you a little about RainbowCon and where you can find more information. Ready, set, GO!
 
The Rainbow Conference (aka RainbowCon) is a four-day GLBTQ multimedia conference taking place in Tampa, Florida July 16th through 19th, 2015. Our motto is to celebrate artistic diversity, and we welcome anyone who enjoys GLBTQ content in media from books to movies and beyond. Our first con was in April 2014, and after such a resounding success, we can't wait to get the party started at 2015's event, which is coming up in just another month!
 

Art Courtesy of Guests of Honor Adam DeKraker & Alex Woolfson

 
RainbowCon started up in 2013 when three writers/readers of GLBTQ fiction saw an opportunity to fill the void of conventions focusing on GLBTQ content. I can't tell you how many times my co-author (S.L. Armstrong), her husband (Roger), and I have attended conventions and thought, "Aw, man! This is great 'n' all, but there's only one panel about non-het stuff!" It's incredibly common for mainstream conventions to only have one or two panels about slash fiction or perhaps gay fiction, if they have any content like that at all. What's even more depressing is how that content is usually automatically deemed "ADULTS ONLY" and shoved into a late-night slot like the proverbial ugly redheaded stepchild. But, as far as we're concerned, that ugly redheaded stepchild deserves some love, too!
 
Thankfully, there are exceptions to the rules like Yaoi-Con (part of Anime North up in Toronto, Canada) and smaller events like OutlantaCon, which take pride in being "those people... over there... in that room" (read: outcasts), and we salute them! Their all-inclusive approach to honoring GLBTQ themes in anime/manga and comics/games, respectively, is exactly the kind of thing that inspired us to step up and create our own con.
 
RainbowCon began as a GLBTQ convention centering specifically around fiction, both for readers and writers, but as we move into our second year, we've expanded our programming to be more inclusive. We're happy to announce that we're embracing all the arts. While there's still a strong core of panels and workshops available for fans of GLBTQ fiction, we've also added content for GLBTQ topics and characters in television, movies, web-comics, theatre, and fandom. There's something for everyone at RainbowCon, and we want everyone who attends to have an amazing time!
 
Our Guests of Honor this upcoming year are Alex Woolfson and Adam DeKraker, the writer and illustrator for The Young Protectors web-comic, which you can find online HERE (teaser below). Adam made that custom logo up above for us, and we couldn't be more thrilled to have both of them coming down to Tampa! We also have over 50 authors of GLBTQ fiction signed up to attend, so there are lots of opportunities to find others in our fiction community there! We'll have four days of amazing content, from panels to workshops to a masquerade ball and a field trip to our official charity, the Tampa Bay Big Cat Rescue.
 

 
Interested in RainbowCon? Check out our guests, attending authors, and panel content on our website and 'like' our Facebook Page or follow us on Twitter (@RainbowCon_2015) to stay up to date with out event over the coming months. Just remember, RainbowCon is for anyone and everyone, and we'd love for you to 'Walk on the Wild Side' with us in Tampa next month! There's no registration cap, so come on down!

JOIN US AT www.rainbowconference.org!

Served Hot by Annabeth Albert

I recently received a copy of Served Hot by Annabeth Albert through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.  Here's the cover and the Goodreads blurb:

In Portland, Oregon, the only thing hotter than the coffee shops, restaurants, and bakeries are the hard-working men who serve it up—hot, fresh, and ready to go—with no reservations…

Robby is a self-employed barista with a busy coffee cart, a warm smile, and a major crush on one of his customers. David is a handsome finance director who works nearby, eats lunch by himself, and expects nothing but "the usual"—small vanilla latte—from the cute guy in the cart. But when David shows up for his first Portland Pride festival, Robby works up the nerve to take their slow-brewing relationship to the next level. David, however, is newly out and single, still grieving the loss of his longtime lover, and unsure if he’s ready to date again. Yet with every fresh latte, sweet exchange—and near hook-up—David and Robby go from simmering to steaming to piping hot. The question is: Will someone get burned?

First in the new Portland Heat series!

This is a sweet story of love and friendship. I adored this book because it was just so real and vibrant. We all have things that hold us back from getting what we want and we need to be willing to get past those things to get what we need. Robby has to be so patient with David because David has feelings for Robby but he is not ready yet. There are moments when the boys fumble and have to work through their issues but the end product is so worth it. Robby chooses David and to take all the good and bad that comes with him. I adore this sweet coffee studded story.

Click here to find Served Hot on Goodreads. Author Annabeth Albert can be found on her website and on Twitter. I give Served Hot 4 Fairies for a hot and sweet tale of romance.

His Client by Ava March

I have read numerous works by Ava March so I jumped at the chance to read and review another through NetGalley. Here is the Goodreads blurb and the cover:

Love wasn't supposed to be part of the bargain…

On every visit to Madame Delacroix’s brothel, Nathaniel Travers requests the same man. Stunningly handsome and highly skilled, Jasper not only shares Nate’s fondness for wickedly erotic games and black leather corsets, but he has become a trusted confidant. And Jasper’s the only person who knows Nate longs for a committed relationship with his childhood friend, Peter Edmonton.

Unrequited love hurts, but it hurts even more when the object of affection is in love with another. Jasper Reed has been working at Delacroix’s for a decade. He’s saved enough to retire, yet he remains at the decadent London brothel. Leaving would mean leaving Nate and the hope someday the rugged gentleman would stop pining for his best friend and realize he loves Jasper, just as Jasper loves him.

Edmonton’s impending marriage looms before them, causing Jasper to take another look at his stubborn heart. Yet Jasper’s a bastard whore, and Nate’s the nephew of a viscount. Surely there can’t be any hope for them…

Note: This is a previously published work. This second edition has been edited with minor changes. For readers who purchased the original edition, this second edition is not substantially different.

I will start with the trigger warning- this book includes frank discussion of life as a male prostitute. It could be triggering to some readers. I found this book to be darling. There is a fair amount of adult content but it is not the entirety of the story. Nate and Jasper bumble along but they eventually work everything out. Poor Nate is just so dense. It takes nearly losing Jasper for good to make him see what he has had right in front of him for so very long. Poor Jasper pines with the best of them. He loves Nate so dearly but he doesn't believe that it will come to anything. What a sweet and spicy story!

Click here to find His Client on Goodreads. Author Ava March can be found on her website, her blog, Twitter and Facebook. I give His Client 3 Fairies for a sweet and spicy story of two men bumbling towards love.

Sext Based Adventures by Francis Gideon

I love nerd culture and seeing it in books makes me happy so I jumped at the chance to read this book when I got it through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.  Here is the cover and Goodreads blurb:

Chris thought he was done with his gaming days. He'd deleted his account, gone back to his day job, and put his fantasy world days behind him… but couldn't resist the urge to return. This time, however, he decided to play as a woman—a persona he maintains even when he makes friends with Jessica.

When Jessica offers online sex, Chris still cannot bring himself to confess his secret. As their relationship turns serious, still he cannot admit to the ruse. Then Jessica proposes they meet offline, and Chris is finally forced to confront the questions and choices he's been avoiding…

I loved this funny little story about 2 gamers meeting in the World of Warcraft and falling for one another without clear gender understanding. I have always believed that we fall in love with a person, not their gender. You love someone for who they are inside, with their soul or whatever you believe is the essence of someone and not because they are male or female or whatever. Gender is a part of all of us though. I enjoyed that Chris and Jessica could see the attraction beyond messy things like gender and sexuality and preferences. They were willing to open up to each other's needs and wants. I found this story to be a bit short but really cute and nerdy.

Click here to find Sext Based Adventures on Goodreads. Author Francis Gideon can be found on his blog. I give Sext Based Adventures 3 Fairies for a great nerdy story of exploring love, attraction and gender.

Yogi and the Bear by Nix Knox

I was intrigued when I saw this book pop up on NetGalley. I love yoga, it is the best part of my day so I wanted to see what this book was all about. I received a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Here is the cover and the Goodreads blurb:

If the fall is inevitable, might as well enjoy the tumble.

Months after a scaffolding accident leaves him in chronic agony, construction worker Ryan Powell has exhausted all that Western medicine has to offer. He’s willing to try anything, even yoga, to get some relief.

He expected to feel out of place at the New Age Center, but he never expected a power-outage bathroom encounter to magically erase his pain. When he discovers the man with the magic hands is his drop-dead-sexy yoga teacher, Ryan decides that there might just be something to this metaphysical thing, after all.

Yogi Niklas Baumgartner has found it remarkably easy to keep his shiny vow of chastity untarnished—until now. Still, a bathroom hand job doesn’t really count as sex, right? But his footing on the no-nooky wagon slips when he realizes the big, blond bear at the back of the class is his man in the dark.

Their unlikely attraction brings out sides of themselves they never knew lurked beneath the surface, sides it takes courage to accept. But when trust is broken, repairing the damage might just tear them apart.

Warning: Contains a gentle giant, a dominant orgo-bunny, a pair of weighty manacles, too many movie references, accidental porn, overcoming stereotypes, and deliciously kinky sex.

I want to get the trigger warnings out of the way for you all. This book contains scenes of a dominant nearly ignoring their submissive's safe word, there is talk of what could be seen as child abuse, there is talk of abortion and adoption and there are scenes of therapy with a counselor. If these things bother you- you may want to steer clear of this story. I loved the begininng of this story for sure! I loved the line about how Ryan is going to "learn the hell out of some Yoga". There are many funny moments but also some that were scary or sad. The romance is sweet but also sad as the boys don't always handle their issues very well. I think this story is worth reading though because it shows so much about choosing love over the mistakes and the nonsense. What a great and emotional read!

You can click here to add Yogi and the Bear to your Goodreads. Author Nix Knox can be found on her blog, Twitter and Pinterest. I give Yogi and the Bear 3 Fairies for an emotional and funny read that hurt my heart.

Of Anime and the Baeci by Alessandra Ebulu

I recently received a copy of "Of Anime and the Baeci" from Less Than Three Press through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Here is the cover and the Goodreads blurb:

All Ray wants is peace and quiet—something he is never going to get with his idiotic neighbor blasting anime and crazy music at all hours. When he finally breaks down and asks Cata to knock it off, he doesn't expect a friendship to develop. And he definitely does not anticipate a romance.

A romance he fears won't last, given that Ray is much more than he seems and only in the apartment building because he's desperately searching for a serial killer—and trying to keep Cata from becoming the next victim.

This book was interesting. I enjoyed all of the talk of anime and the sweet character of Cata. I did feel like the reader needed more explanation of the characters and the situation. There was definitely some sci-fi shenanigans going on but it wasn't well explained or described. I enjoyed the friendship to romance story line. I also loved the beautiful descriptions of Cata's apartment. The author described everything so vividly that I could almost see it all in gorgeous, colorful detail. I only wish that an explanation of the inhuman character's world and motivations had been as descriptive. I felt as if I was missing something as I read.

You can click here to add Of Anime and the Baeci to your Goodreads. Author Alessandra Ebulu can be found on her blog. I give Of Anime and the Baeci 3 Fairies for a sweet and creative story that was just missing a few details for me.

Waiting for the Flood by Alexis Hall

I recently received Waiting for the Flood from Riptide Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I love Riptide Publishing so I try to read everything that they put out. Here's the cover and the Goodreads blurb:

People come as well as go.

Twelve years ago, Edwin Tully came to Oxford and fell in love with a boy named Marius. He was brilliant. An artist. It was going to be forever.

Two years ago, it ended.

Now Edwin lives alone in the house they used to share. He tends to damaged books and faded memories, trying to a build a future from the fragments of the past.

Then the weather turns, and the river spills into Edwin’s quiet world, bringing with it Adam Dacre from the Environment Agency. An unlikely knight, this stranger with roughened hands and worn wellingtons, but he offers Edwin the hope of something he thought he would never have again.

As the two men grow closer in their struggle against the rising waters, Edwin learns he can’t protect himself from everything—and sometimes he doesn't need to try.

Edwin is a sweet character who I loved. He repairs old books for a living and as a hobby. I loved that! His appreciation for the works that he restores is amazing. I love the smell of old books and the feel of the high quality pages of the older tomes. Edwin is also so sweet and vulnerable. I loved how realistic the story was and how beautifully it showed the pain and relief of moving on from an ended relationship. The story reminded me that there is someone out there for each of us and that sometimes we have to hurt a bit to be able to move on to the relationship that is the best for us. Edwin and Adam are so lovely together because it isn't just physical attraction but a budding friendship and a mutual respect. I adored this book. The gorgeous writing style is unlike anything I have read before and I look forward to seeing more from Alexis Hall.

You can click here to add Waiting for the Flood to your Goodreads. You can find author Alexis Hall on her website, Facebook and Twitter. I give Waiting for the Flood 4 Fairies for a sweet romance that deals with the pain of moving on.

Horse Crazy by Caitlin Ricci

I recently received a copy of Horse Crazy from Less Than Three Press through NetGalley. I thought that the blurb was adorable and I really wanted to read it. Here's the cover and the Goodreads blurb:

Melody and her teenage daughter, Kristen, have moved to Colorado for a fresh start. She's still not 100% where she wants to be in terms of her body yet but she is finally comfortable with herself and is living completely as a woman for the first time in her life. To thank Kristen for being so wonderful she promises her daughter riding lessons, something her little girl has always dreamed of.

While waiting for the lesson to start, she's happy to see her daughter amidst the horses that she loves so much, but Melody does not expect the handsome man who sits down next to her—a man who proves to be Kristen's instructor and idol, to be interested in taking Melody out on a date…

I thought that this book showed a lot of promise but it is not really a book as much as a novella. I loved the characters as each one was adorable and endearing. The idea of a transwoman starting her life over with her daughter is a really intriguing one. I loved the story over all but I felt that it ended abruptly. I would have liked to have seen more from this story though. It built so beautifully and then it was just over. I wanted more of a story. Just more overall. But I still recommend this one.

You can click here to find Horse Crazy on Goodreads. Author Caitlin Ricci can be found on her website, Facebook and Twitter. I give Horse Crazy 3 Fairies for a sweet story that I wanted more of.

Uncovering Ray (Ellery College #1) by Edie Danford

I recently received a copy of Uncovering Ray from Samhain Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.  I was intrigued by the blurb and cover but found it to be well worth the read.  Here's the cover and the Goodreads blurb:

When the right love uncovers the wrong secrets...

Hey, man--you a chick or a dude? Dealing with the same old boring question is a downer for college drop-out Ray Fayette, especially when it's asked by the low-tipping, over-privileged students at the Ellery Diner.

When six-foot-five, muscle-bound straight arrow Wyatt Kelly publicly smacks down a fellow frat bother for caveman behavior, Ray's interest is sparked. Wyatt's not-so-subtle attraction sparks a few other things too.

But getting to know Wyatt proves dangerous. His sexy smiles and smart questions slide under even Ray’s prickliest defenses. Worse, his academic mentor happens to be Ray’s ex-stepfather, the dictatorial jerk who just kicked Ray out of his house. Again.

Wyatt suggests a housing arrangement that has surprising appeal—there’s space available at his frat house—but he’s unaware just how complicated Ray’s “identity issues” are. Ellery College kicked out Ray for a reason—a reason that could deep-six Wyatt’s academic career and Ray’s newly hopeful heart.

I found this story to be both emotional and sweet. The reader does not know what biological gender Ray is or what gender they identify with. Wyatt is not totally savvy when it comes to gender and identities but he is terribly sweet. He is a good person who wants to make things better for others and is hopeful that he can change the world. Ray doesn't really believe in trusting others or family or making the world a better place. I think that Ray needed Wyatt in their life to be able to get moving again after their life had stalled. Ray lives a life that a number of trans folks that I have known live. They are professional couch surfers and are used to the world treating them as other. It makes me so sad that so many families drop the ball when it comes to being there for their trans kids. I loved that in the end, Ray did have things work out for them. It wasn't an easy happily ever after but it was happily moving forward with the family that they had chosen. I found the ending to be incredibly hopeful.

Click here to add Uncovering Ray to your Goodreads. You can find author Edie Danford on her website and on Twitter. I give Uncovering Ray 3 Fairies for a great story about love, family and making the right choices in life.

Melting into You (Savor #1) by Cassandra Carr

I recently received a copy of Melting Into You from Riptide Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.  I love Riptide Publishing!  Here is the cover and the Goodreads blurb:

Seth Mason's life as a macaroni and cheese food truck owner in Austin, Texas, is pretty good, except for one thing: he'd like to find a man to share that life with. As part of an organization Seth founded, he donates leftovers to the local homeless shelter, and meets Ben, a new employee. He's a preppy guy, and very much not Seth's usual type, but the attraction is strong and not going away.

Ben's just moved to Austin from Connecticut to take a job as a case manager at the Austin City Mission, the first time he's left home and family. But only a short time after he starts work, he meets a man who, though he looks like an extra in a surfing movie, intrigues him. He's hardly seen what life in Austin has to offer, and yet finds he wants to discover that with Seth's help.

The passion burns hot between them--hotter even than Austin in the dog days of summer, and neither man can deny it. As they grow closer, both must decide if they have the necessary ingredients for lasting love, or if the relationship will go up in smoke.

I adored this book! I loved that the food truck worked only in Mac and Cheese. Mac and Cheese is the king of comfort food. The characters were fun and interesting. I loved that the area food trucks also gave their leftovers to a homeless shelter. What a great idea! I wish that more restaurants and stores would give the nearly outdated or the leftovers to help others. We have so much in this country but not everyone has enough to eat and there are so many who need a hand up. I love the way that Ben and Seth kind of bumble into dating. My only real complaint about the book is that the ending is so abrupt and it felt so unfinished.

Click here to find Melting Into You on Goodreads. Author Cassandra Carr can be found on her website, Twitter and Facebook. I give Melting Into You 4 Fairies for a lovely romance that ended too soon.

Burnt Toast B&B (Bluewater Bay #5) by Heidi Belleau and Rachel Haimowitz

I recently received a copy of Burnt Toast B&B from Riptide Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.  It is the fifth book in the Bluewater Bay series and I am just loving this series.  Here is the cover and the Goodreads blurb:

After breaking his arm on set, Wolf’s Landing stuntman Ginsberg Sloan finds himself temporarily out of work. Luckily, Bluewater Bay’s worst B&B has cheap long-term rates, and Ginsberg’s not too proud to take advantage of them.

Derrick Richards, a grizzled laid-off logger, inherited the B&B after his parents’ untimely deaths. Making beds and cooking sunny-side-up eggs is hardly Derrick’s idea of a man’s way to make a living, but just as he’s decided to shut the place down, Ginsberg shows up on his doorstep, pitiful and soaking wet, and Derrick can hardly send him packing.

Not outright, at least.

The plan? Carry on the B&B’s tradition of terrible customer service and even worse food until the pampered city-boy leaves voluntarily. What Derrick doesn’t count on, though, is that the lousier he gets at hosting, the more he convinces bored, busybody Ginsberg to try to get the B&B back on track. And he definitely doesn’t count on the growing attraction between them, or how much more he learns from Ginsberg than just how to put out kitchen fires.

I loved this book!  It took a realistic and honest look at love, being true to yourself and what it means to "be a man".  I thought that Ginsberg was awesome!  What a great character!  I loved how secure he was in himself.  He was not born biologically male but he was more secure in what it meant to be a man than Derrick.  Poor Derrick was just so insecure and unsure and it just left him lonely and angry.  Ginsberg was the perfect fit for Derrick.  Ginsberg just brings a light and life back to Derrick.  I love how Derrick just takes in the differences in Ginsberg's body and just loves him because of them.  It was interesting to me that Derrick saw the differences but did not see Ginsberg as less.  There is some pain and some emotional heavy lifting in this story but there is also a lot of love, light and happiness.  I highly recommend this one.

Click here to find the Bluewater Bay Series on Goodreads.  You can find Heidi Belleau on her blog, on Facebook and on Twitter.  Author Rachel Haimowitz can be found on her website, Twitter, Facebook, and on her blog.  I give Burnt Toast B&B 4 Fairies for a sweet romance with lots of heart.

Hell on Wheels (Bluewater Bay #3) by Z. A. Maxfield

I recently received a copy of Hell on Wheels from Riptide Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This is the first book in the Bluewater Bay Series that I have read but it stood alone well. I look forward to reading more from this series. Here's the cover and the Goodreads blurb for Hell on Wheels:

Nash is the reliable one in the Holly family, the guy everyone counts on to keep things going. His genius twin brother is off at university, so Nash runs the family’s auto repair business and cares for his partially-paralyzed little sister while his crackpot father invents. His life seems mapped out for the foreseeable future, however much that might chafe.

So when Wolf’s Landing actor Spencer Kepler-Constantine lands in his life, Nash is ready for a diversion. Spencer is in the middle of a very painful, very public divorce and isn’t ready for a relationship—not that Nash wants one. But they both need a friend, especially one with benefits.

As they grow closer, Nash starts to see his family in a whole new light. Do they really need him so badly? Or does he simply need to be needed? Then Spencer’s ex reappears with a grand romantic gesture, and Nash has to figure out what he wants—and how to get it—before Spencer’s gone for good.

This story is so adorable. Spencer is in such a stagnant place after his marriage ends. He needs something (or someone) to bring light and life back into his world and Nash does a remarkable job at it. This book is so realistic in that the men don't just get a happily ever after easily because life isn't easy. It's hard to get your life back in order when you've been through a huge change. Moving on can be hard. I really felt for Spencer who had thought that his marriage was different from what it was. That would be so hard to deal with. Nash was sweet and strong and he was almost literally the glue that held his family together but it was time for him to find his own place in the world, to get his own happiness. His sister is old enough that she wants to find her own way in the world. His dad is finding love and friendship. His brother is off at college finding his place in the world. Nash has facilitated everyone else's happiness for so long that it is hard for him to see that it is his turn. Nash gives Spencer the childish experiences that he never had and Spencer gives Nash someone to care for. They work together so well. I loved this story and can not wait to see move of Wolf's Landing and Bluewater Bay. Please note that this is an adult romance involving two men if this is something that is bothersome to you.

Click here to add Hell on Wheels to your Goodreads. You can find author Z. A. Maxfield on their website, on Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr. I give Hell on Wheels 4 Fairies for a lovely romance to warm the heart on a cold winter's day.

Long Macchiatos and Monsters by Alison Evans

I received a copy of Long Macchiatos and Monsters by Alison Evans from Less Than Three Press through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.  Here;s the cover and Goodreads blurb:

Jalen, lover of B-grade sci-fi movies, meets the far-too-handsome P in a cafe while deciding whether or not to skip uni again. When P invites them along to a double feature of Robot Monster and Cat Women of the Moon, Jalen can hardly believe that hot boys like bad sci-fi, too. But as their relationship progresses, Jalen realizes P leaves him wondering if they're on the same page about what dating means, and if that's what they're doing.

I want to get the trigger warnings out of the way first. I want to say that there is talk in this story of parents refusing to deal with their child's gender correctly. There are also moments when trans characters are treated hatefully. Be aware of these possible triggers. I found that this story was an interesting look at the sometimes tricky world of a transgendered person. I learned about the use of pronouns and names. I found it absolutely heartrending that the emotional turmoil of P's life has the ability to tear down Jalen as well. It makes so much sense that a life that can be so emotionally tough already can lead to those emotions leaking out all over your loved ones. I know it is true in my life and it is definitely true in P and Jalen's lives. I found this story to be sweet, nerdy and emotional.

This story can be found as a part of the Geek Out Bundle from Less Than Three Press. You can click here to find the story on Goodreads. I give Long Macchiatos and Monsters 3 Fairies for a truly interesting story of romance and friendship.

The Duke in Denial (Scandal in Sussex #1) by Alexandra Ainsworth

I received a copy of The Duke in Denial through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I love an historical romance so I was super excited to get this opportunity. Check out the cover and Goodreads Blurb:

Sebastian Lewis never expected to become a duke. But with the sudden deaths of his cousin and uncle, Sebastian’s position changes. He is determined to fulfill his new responsibilities with grace, even if it means remarrying, and even if the attractions of women, so often lauded by poets, fail to interest him.

Captain William Carlisle, newly returned from India, is elated when he meets Sebastian. Nobody knows of his inclinations, but his harrowing experiences in battle have prompted him to reach for the type of companionship he longs for. He thinks Sebastian might feel an attraction as well, but to his dismay, he discovers that Sebastian is courting his sister Dorothea.

After a semi-arranged engagement and a disconcerting romantic tangle with William, Sebastian escapes London to look after his manor, only to face mysterious thefts, a headless ghost, and the arrival of his fiancée, her brother, and his family. Sebastian’s new estate sits on the south coast, England’s most vulnerable location, and Napoleon has set his sights on conquering the area. Amid this growing turmoil, Sebastian must sort out his feelings for his fiancée’s brother and keep his home safe . . . and determine if he has the courage to reach for his own happiness in the process.

I did not see the ending coming. I worried the whole way through the book that the duke would never get his happily ever after. I found the way that the author resolved the romance to be plausible for this time period. I also thoroughly enjoyed that she portrayed both men as strong individuals who weren't just cookie cutter Regency Era Rakes. Sebastian's desire to do the right thing for his family and for Dorothea is both adorable and heartbreaking. I was elated when his family shows compassion for him. I hate the thought that anyone would have to choose to put their own feelings aside for another but I know it happened in the Regency Era but I still wish that everyone could find love and be true to their own hearts. I loved that William had come back from battle with such a positive attitude. War and battle can tend to destroy those who have experienced them. I was glad to see that William had such a positive outlook even after seeing such horrors. I did not care for Dorothea. She just rubbed me the wrong way even though I still felt bad for her at times. As a woman, she had so few opportunities that it made her behave in ways that I hated. I thought that the women in the story were selfish and a bit one dimensional. The portrayals were true to the era though, so I can forgive them. Overall, I loved this book and I think that it may be a new favorite! I plan to read and reread this one!

You can click here to add The Duke in Denial to your Goodreads. You can find author Alexandra Ainsworth on her website, Facebook and on Twitter. I give The Duke in Denial 4 Fairies for a lovely M/M Regency romance that I absolutely adored!

Myth and Magic: Queer Fairy Tales Anthology

I received a copy of Myth and Magic from Bold Stokes Books through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.  I have read a few fairytales that have been retold and even a few GLBT themed retellings but never a whole anthology of them.  Here is the cover and the blurb:

Myth, magic, and monsters—the stuff of childhood dreams (or nightmares) and adult fantasies.

Delve into these classic fairy tales retold with a queer twist and surrender to the world of seductive spells and dark temptations.

The Vain Prince - Andrew J. Peters
Beanstalk - Clifford Henderson
SWF seeks FGM - Allison Wonderland
A Hero in Hot Pink Boots - J. Leigh Bailey
Red - Andi Marquette
The Beanstalk Revisited - Rob Rosen
Heartless - Veronica Wilde
The Ivy and the Rose - Juliann Rich
Goldie and the Three Bears - Sasha Payne
Final Escape - Stacia Seaman
Sneewittchen (Snow White) E.J. Gahagan
The Red Shoes - Alex Stitt
The Princess and the Frog - Barbara Davies
The Snow King - Rhidian Brenig Jones
Riding Red - Victoria Oldham
Bad Girls - Jane Fletcher and Joey Bass



I found this anthology to be similar to others in that there is something for everyone but it seems like not everyone will like all of the stories. There are M/M and F/F stories in the anthology together. I found them to be different but all interesting. I loved The Red Shoes, which is a remarkably clean story in the anthology. It's about a boy who loves wearing a red dress and shoes even though it sets his mother off. His shoes are charmed to dance on their own and he dances right into the arms of a nice young man. Winning! The Snow King was lovely too. It is just so full of imagery that you can see everything so clearly and it is just so magical. Lovely. The Ivy and the Rose is a gorgeous retelling of Sleeping Beauty where the princess is saved by her maid and they live happily ever after. It is a great retelling. There are just so many different and wonderful stories in this anthology! I highly suggest you give it a try. There are some stories that are very adult in nature and some that are less so. There really is something for everyone.

You can click here to add Myth and Magic: Queer Fairy Tales to your Goodreads. I give Myth and Magic 4 Fairies for a great anthology of Fairy Tales with an adult GLBT bent.

Imaginary by Jamie Sullivan

I received a copy of Imaginary by Jamie Sullivan from Less Than Three Press through NetGalley.  I really enjoyed it and found it to be unique.  Here's the Goodreads blurb and the cover:

Aaron is a lonely, unloved boy when he first meets James. Their friendship seems like a dream come true—or perhaps just a dream, because no one else can see or hear James. Aaron stubbornly clings to his new friend, however, even when the friendship makes him an object of scorn and ridicule. No matter the years that pass, or the challenges they face, Aaron refuses to give up on his best friend—but life might just find a way to take James from him anyway.

This book was adorable. Absolutely adorable. I loved almost every moment of this book!  I will let you know that there are moments of child neglect, child abuse and talk of being let down by the foster care system.  If those are triggers for you, be warned.  I found the idea of James to be interesting.  It took so long for Aaron and I to figure out what and who James really was.  I don't want to spoil it for you though so I am going to try not to say much more.  But what a story!  Highly recommended!

You can click here to add Imaginary to your Goodreads. You can find author Jamie Sullivan on her website and on Twitter. I give Imaginary 4 Fairies for a lovely story of friendship, love and the impossible.

Here Comes Trouble by AE Via Spotlight Post

Author A.E. Via
Title: HERE COMES TROUBLE
Series: NOTHING SPECIAL #3
M/M GAY ROMANCE CONTEMPORARY
Edited by: Tina Adamski
Cover Artist – Princess SO
PAGE COUNT – 261
Release Date: November 28, 2014


Blurb
Detectives Mark Ruxsberg and Chris Green are very good at their jobs. Being the enforcers for God and Day's notorious Atlanta PD Narcotics Task Force causes the crazy duo to get into more trouble than they can often get out of. The pair never misses out on an opportunity to drive their Lieutenants crazy with their dangerous, reckless, and costly stunts, landing them in the hot seat in front God... often.

Ruxs and Green love their jobs and they don't mind the very demanding schedule that leaves them little time for socializing or dating. It was fine with them, they enjoyed hanging out with each other anyway.

However, most of the men in their close circle of friends and colleagues are pairing off and settling down. God has Day, Ro has Johnson, and their Sergeant Syn has Furious.

For the past several years, Ruxs has only sought out the advice and company of one person, his partner and best friend Green, and vice versa. Both of these alpha males are presumed straight, but neither can deny the heat that's building in their once 'just friends' relationship.

Excerpt

The table was silent for a moment while they continued looking at the menus. Ruxs didn’t care that his date was mad. She’d really shit bricks if she knew that he’d called and asked his partner to crash their date. This girl was annoying to no end, and a motor-mouth.
“Are you gonna eat, Green?” Ruxs looked at his best friend
“I ate earlier.”
“Ate what.”
Green looked up at him and grinned. “Pasta salad.”
“Fuck you. The Greek pasta with that good cheese?” Ruxs turned to face him, his mouth curling up in a sneer. Green knew that was his favorite. He’d made it when he wasn’t there, the little fucker.
“Yeah.” Green chuckled softly. “Just order it here. You’ll like it.”
“But I want a steak.” Ruxs leaned over, his chin practically on Green’s shoulder, looking down at his menu.
“Order it as a salad, with your meal.” Green shouldered him back over after stealing a quick look at his fuming date.
The waitress sat down their drinks. Smiling broadly. “Okay. I know you guys are ready to eat. What’s it going to be?”
Sarah looked smugly at Ruxs before ordering her food. “I’ll have the prime rib with a Maine lobster tail. And a glass of your most expensive wine.”
Oh, Ruxs was pissed now. Now she was trying to break his wallet. Seriously. He puffed his chest out, ready to tell the waitress they were going Dutch. Another pull on his hair. He turned and frowned at Green. Fuck that. This little witch was doing this on purpose, knowing she wouldn’t be seeing him again.
Green shook his head slightly and turned his attention back to the server. “I’ll just have an order of mozzarella sticks with ranch dressing.”
Ruxs’ eyes narrowed as he glared at his partner. How the hell had he gotten into this mess? He guessed it was sort of his fault. He never should’ve invited Green, but then there was no way he wouldn’t have shoved a saltshaker in Sarah’s mouth before their date was over.
“Order your food,” Green hissed.
Ruxs turned back and saw the waitress was waiting on him. “I’ll have a sirloin, medium rare with the Greek pasta salad.”
“Sure thing.” She scribbled in her pad and tucked it in her smock so she could collect their menus.
“What cheese do you use in your Greek salad?” Green asked the waitress.
“We use provolone.” She answered quickly.
“Can you use feta cheese please? He doesn’t like provolone,” Green said and handed over his menu.
“Aww. You two know exactly what the other likes. I wish my man could order for me like that,” the waitress cooed, giving them a sparkling look before shuffling off. Green closed his eyes and shook his head like he possibly just screwed things up for him, but he had no clue. Shit was fucked before he even got there.


AUTHOR BIO:
A.E. Via is still a fairly new author in the beautiful gay erotic genre. Her writing embodies everything from spicy to scandalous. Her stories often include intriguing edges and twists that take readers to new, thought-provoking depths.
When she’s not clicking away at her laptop, she devotes herself to her family—a husband and four children, her two pets, a Maltese dog and her white Siamese cat, ELynn, named after the late, great gay romance author E. Lynn Harris.
While this is only her sixth novel, she has plenty more to come. So stalk her – she loves that - because the male on male action is just heating up!
Go to A.E. Via’s official website http://authoraevia.com for more detailed information on how to contact her, follow her, or a sneak peak on upcoming work, free reads, and where she’ll appear next.

Links

Amazon Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/Here-Comes-Trouble-Nothing-Special-ebook/dp/B00Q3UI6VG/ref=zg_bs_7588788011_12

AllRomance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-herecomestrouble-1689375-145.htmll

Barnes&Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/here-comes-trouble-ae-via/1120831388?ean=2940150071780

Author Official Website: http://authoraevia.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7354860.A_E_Via

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/aeviaauthor

Facebook (Friend me): https://www.facebook.com/authoraevia

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorAEVia

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/A.-E.-Via/e/B00GMNMS4U/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1


My Review

Author A. E. Via asked me to review her latest book, Here Comes Trouble,  This book is a hot cop romance of the M/M variety.  The beginning of the story is definitely of the slow burn variety but it quickly speeds into adult territory.  A. E. is the master of writing hot alpha males.  She seems to love them as they feature in every work of hers that I have read so far.  She has a knack for making you feel for these tough as nails guys who find love in the places that they least expected it.  I love her characters.  She always describes and develops them thoroughly.  I felt like the plot was not as strong as it could have been but over all this was a fun read.  I give Here Comes Trouble 3 Fairies for a fun romance full of hot alpha males doing what they do best.

A. E. has been gracious to offer up 3 digital copies of Here Comes Trouble for 3 lucky readers today.  Just leave a contact method in your comment on this post and 3 winners will be chosen at random.

Manifest by Alden Lila Reedy

I love the art of cosplay. It has been a wonderful experience for my children to learn about cosplay and to cosplay at their favorite events. I was so excited to see that Less Than Three Press had a new story out that focused on cosplay and gender identity- two things that are meaningful and special to me. Here is the cover and Goodreads blurb for Manifest from Less Than Three Press:

The very last thing Chris expects when he's forced to take sewing lessons is to enjoy them. Or for sewing to lead him into the world of cosplay, and a friend with whom he begins to cosplay in earnest—and who convinces him to try dressing up as female characters.
He certainly doesn't anticipate the realizations that cosplaying stirs—realization that could cost Chris not just his best friend, but his family as well.

I loved this short story! It was interesting and emotional to read. I found the writing style to be interesting. It's written like a diary entry or a the way that you would tell a story to a friend. I found it to be very emotional. It just grabs you and draws you in. I have found that many people who cosplay use the activity as a way to explore their personality and self expression. Crossplay is a great way for cosplayers to explore their gender identity and expression. Chris is no exception. Cosplay is so much more than just sewing and gluing some stuff together. It is a way to be more you. You can experience new things and come out of your shell in a safe place. Cosplay has a great community world wide that is super safe and supportive. I really enjoyed reading Chris' story about his journey into cosplay.

This short story is available right now for pre-order at an insanely discounted rate on the Less Than Three website. It is also available as a part of the Geek Out Bundle from Less Than Three. I give Manifest 3 Fairies for a lovely story about cosplay and finding yourself that left me wanting more. .

Rabbit Season by Megan Derr

I was so super excited to see Rabbit Season by Megan Derr available on NetGalley.  I stumbled across Backwoods Asylum by her about a year ago on Amazon and loved it.  I was so excited to see another lovely cover about interesting shapeshifter groups.  Here's the Goodreads blurb and the cover:

Sidney has quietly loved twin brothers Brook and Colby for years, watching and pining as they came to his house for the summer every year. Painfully aware that they have each other, have no reason to notice the unremarkable duck they grew up babysitting.

Then the twins and their mother are attacked days before an important meeting that will change the shifter world forever. When the twins come to stay with Sidney's family until the attackers are caught, Sidney learns that all things have their season, and even violent protests will not keep two rabbits from the man for whom they've been patiently waiting…

Warning: Story contains incest.

I found this book to be adorable and interesting. I love that Megan Derr put so many of the attributes of the shifters' animal sides into their human sides. The duck shifters were gabby and gossipy, just like every flock of ducks I have ever seen in the wild. The rabbit shifters acted like most rabbits I've raised over the years. They were about as inhibited as any rabbit I've bred or raised over my 18 years as a rabbit breeder. I found it more... funny than creepy. But I can see that this book may not be for everyone. Please take note of the trigger warning in the blurb above. Sidney was an interesting character. He was quiet for a duck. I loved the idea of his having two mates who were so different from each other. I believe wholeheartedly that there are people in this world who are not meant for only one person. Love is love and each of us has a different place in this world. Skylar from Backwoods Asylum made an appearance which was nice. I adore him so it was great to see more of him. Megan Derr is a master at making characters seem like real people. I really enjoy her works and I can not wait to see more from her in this vein.

Click here to add Rabbit Season to your Goodreads. You can find author Megan Derr on her website, Facebook and Twitter. I give Rabbit Season 3 Fairies for a lovely story of some interesting shape shifters. I wish it had been longer!

Double Up by Vanessa North

I received a copy of Double Up through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.  I was excited for the chance to read another book by Vanessa North.  Here is the cover and the Goodreads blurb:

Knowing he’s loved can make any man fly.

Fifteen years ago, Ben Warren was a wakeboarding champion: king of big air, ballsy tricks, and boned grabs. Until a career-ending injury left him broken in ways he still has no hope of fixing. Now he takes his thrills where he can get them, and tries not to let life hurt too much.

Then Davis Fox arrives in Ben’s sporting goods store with a plan to get in touch with his estranged brother by competing in the annual wakeboarding double-up contest. The catch? He’s never ridden before. It’s crazy, but Ben’s a sucker for the guy’s sob story—and for his dimples, too—so he agrees to coach Davis.

Davis is everything Ben isn’t: successful, confident, and in love with life. And he wants Ben to love life—and him—too. But before Ben can embrace a future with Davis, he needs to remember how to hope.

I will start this review out by letting you know that there is pretty tough discussion of addiction to pain medication in this book. If this is a trigger for you, please be aware. I love the way that Vanessa North creates her characters. Ben is so sweet, surly and interesting. Davis is such a light in Ben's life but Davis' life isn't always full of life. They both have things that hurt them. I liked the way that Vanessa North kept the book from sspiralingdown out of control into an abyss of sadness. She kept just enough light in her story to keep readers hopeful that better days were coming. It's hard to watch Davis and Ben work their ways past their problems but it's worth it to get to see that sunny day at the end. I really enjoyed this story and I look forward to more from Vanessa North.

Author Vanessa North can be found on her website, her blog, Twitter and Facebook. You can click here to add Double Up to your Goodreads. I give Double Up 4 Fairies for a great story of overcoming obstacles and learning to let others in.