Book Review: Out, Proud, and Prejudice ~ Megan Reddaway

 

Click cover to purchase

Title: Out, Proud, and Prejudice
Author: Megan Reddaway
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Fiction, LGBTQIA, Romance
Publisher: Less Than Three Press
Date of Release: June 4, 2018
Pages: 270
Format: Kindle (NetGalley)

Pride & Prejudice is one of my favorite classics. When I found out there was a male coupling, I immediately grabbed it! I will admit, one half of me grabbed this book because I knew it wouldn’t compare and I wanted to see what the differences were, aside from the obvious differences. The other half of me grabbed this book because it’s based on a classic, and you can’t go wrong with classics. The characters were well executed, and it was clever how the author made the story modern. The pacing was a bit slow for me. It felt like I had to get too far into the book for me to remotely connected to the story. However, once you’re hooked… you’re hooked.

You do feel the same amount of angst in this version as you do in the original, but not the same wit. I can’t speak for others, but I thought the character of Charlotte to be quite despicable. For her to be the best friend, she didn’t have any redeeming qualities. Bennet (Elizabeth), Darius (Mr. Darcy), Jaime (Jane), and Tim (Mr. Bingley) were wonderfully crafted to fit this modern version.

Modernizing a classic is no small feat. I can say, Ms. Megan Reddaway was up to the challenge.

Advertisements

(Book Review) Joy ~ C.S. Poe

Click cover to purchase!

Title: Joy (States of Love)
Author: C.S. Poe
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: LGBT, Romance
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Date of Release:  April 5, 2017
Pages: 76
Format: PDF (The Romance Reviews) 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading JOY. I read this in one sitting.

There’s something about a guy who’s down on his luck and the sweet and silent guy. Gideon and Silas are perfect for each as they balance out one another. Gideon’s hints at insecurity is endearing and frustrating all at the same time. Silas being a man of few words gives you the wrong impression of him in the beginning, but once you get to know him… the book blossoms!

C.S. Poe’s writing is great. The intent of all characters are clear and simple, and the writing is easy to understand. I’ve read one other C.S. Poe story and I enjoyed it. I can definitely add this author to my list of favorite authors.

The Rancher’s Son ~ RJ Scott

Title: The Rancher’s Son
Author: RJ Scott
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: LGBTQIA, Mystery, Romance
Publisher: Love Lane Books Limited
Date of Release: June 26, 2017
Pages: 200 (6 hr, 25 min)
Format: Audio (Signal Boost Promotion)

Ethan, a cop, has been looking for his brother, Justin, and friend, Adam, for 12 years after they mysteriously went missing without a trace. While dad has given up searching, Ethan refuses; which causes strife and tension between the two of them. Ethan receives word, while at work, of an attack with a few code words that he had flagged. Instead of finding Justin, he finds Adam… with no recollection of who he is or what happened.

As Ethan takes Adam back to Crooked Tree Ranch, Adam has random memories and feelings about himself. Ethan is reminded of the young boy he fell in love with and I wanted so much for more to happen, but Ethan is an honorable man. Once at Crooked Tree Ranch, there isn’t a shortage of people who are helping Adam remember, but will he remember? Will he be the guy Ethan once knew? Where is Justin?

I thought this story was quite lovely. The interaction between Ethan and Adam was beautiful. Ethan wasn’t pushy, as is the case in most stories. It was a slow build, which is perfect. The narration was perfection. Sean Crisden was absolutely fantastic with the personalities he gave each character. I haven’t read book 1 of this series, so book 2 does leave some unanswered questions. All that means is: STAY TUNED!

The Wanderer ~ Dahlia Donovan

(Click the cover to purchase!)

 

Title: Inherited Love  (Dalton Siblings, Book 1)
Author: Katie Mettner
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: LGBT, Romance, Humor
Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing
Date of Release: April 8, 2017
Pages: 248
Format: PDF (The Romance Reviews)

 

Weddings tend to bring out the romantics in everyone. BC and Graham are no exception! They never thought they would see each other again, only to have a few cupids interfere. Once they encounter each other for the second time, they become inseparable. Doubt and insecurities have Graham running for the hills, but an illness has BC running to Graham. Through such a trying time and mortality on the line, will love conquer all?

The natural ease and flow of conversation between the two characters made this book quite an enjoyable read. There is a natural attraction and a humor that kept the story from being too heavy. There are moments where I couldn’t get the tears to stop falling. BC and Graham are absolutely great characters and very well developed. Their personalities, while quite different, they work very well together. I wish this was a series! (Psst! It looks like it is!)

• See more at: http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=24225#sthash.sFyfDvB5.dpuf

Redemption ~ Laxmi Hariharan

Title: Redemption (A Many Lives Story, Book 3)
Author: Laxmi Hariharan
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Lotus and Sun
Date of Release: March 14, 2017
Pages: 221
Format: Nook (Author)

Leana is a shifter who made one mistake in her past and now she’s paying for it. She cage fights for money to help her orphanage. Mikhail has no memory of who or what he is. What he does know, he wants Leana. Rohan is Leana human cousin who has fallen in with the wrong crowd. The book starts off with Leana in a cage match. You get a glimpse into her mindset, but as the book progresses her mindset changes and she becomes stronger. I love a strong female lead.

There are so many rich characters and elements to this story that you’ll have to read this twice to appreciate it all! There are vampires, shifters, and humans. Add to that, this book can cross so many genres. There’s mystery, thriller, romance, fantasy/sci-fi. What is awesome about this story is Ms. Hariharan gives just enough backstory without retelling previous stories. It’s easy to follow along without having to read the previous stories, however it’s written in such a way that you are intrigued in other characters… so you HAVE to read the previous books. Since I am NOTORIOUS for reading series out of order, I have some catching up to do. And it will be totally worth it!

Doll Baby ~ Kayleigh Sky (Release Blitz)

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon Global

Book Blurb

Todd Rifkin has sworn off love forever—until he loses his heart to a badly scarred rent boy and stumbles into a deadly game of cat and mouse with a brutal stalker out for revenge.

Struggling to make enough money to buy a friend’s bar and grill to fulfill a promise, Todd Rifkin vows to let nothing stand in his way. Nothing, that is, until a friend’s call for help. Bailing his friend out of trouble might cost Todd his dream. Now he is scrambling to make up the loss and reluctantly takes on the job of errand boy for his boss’ spoiled ex-lover.

Bliss Busby has no memory of the attack that scarred his face. Scared and reclusive, he has no interest in Todd’s intrusion into his life. No interest, that is, until somebody starts scattering cinnamon hearts at his door. Now Todd is the only one standing between Bliss and a mysterious stalker.

Years ago, Todd lost the love of his life in a violent twist of fate. After a night with a knife-wielding maniac, Bliss lost everything. Thrown together by circumstance, Todd and Bliss must unite to battle a hidden force from the past. As Bliss struggles to remember the attack that wrecked his life, and Todd struggles to save him from an attacker that is closer than either of them realizes, their reluctant friendship becomes a passionate love that just might have the power to heal their wounded hearts.

If they live.

Author Bio

Kayleigh Sky is a m/m erotic romance writer. Kayleigh’s stories are tales of struggle and pain, loss and despair. Love is won in the battle to rise out of the depths of darkness. Victory is in the sweet bliss of happily ever after. Once upon a time Kayleigh hid out in a cold dark garage reading a book her parents forbade her to read. She was nine years old. The book? Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin, a story of love between two men–well, actually the story was a little more complicated than that, but hey, she was nine. In the dark of the garage, a light, a passion, a sheer joy for love in all its manifestations awoke. And love between two men–Hot! Kayleigh’s men are often broken, always brave, and always memorable.

You can find Kayleigh here.

http://www.kayleighsky.com/?feed=rss2

http://www.facebook.com/pages/kayleighsky/766385570110391

http://www.twitter.com/skyboundlove

http://www.pinterest.com/kayleighsky

 

On Fire ~ Alicia Nordwell

Title: On Fire (States of Love)
Author: Alicia Nordwell
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBT
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Date of Release: October 26, 2016
Pages: 152
Format: Kindle (The Romance Reviews)

It’s great to read a book that has nonstop action. It’s even better to once in a while read a book about absolutely normal people building your average everyday relationship. There’s something sweet and charming about that; which is why I adored ON FIRE!

Scottie is a graphics designer about to take his vacation in the wilderness. He’s the safest camper you’ll ever meet. The weather takes a turn for the worst and you have yourself a forest fire!

Enter Jax. The steamy hot firefighter who saves Scottie’s life. He starts off a bit of a jerk… so he’s a bit rough around the edges. Once Scottie and Jax take the time to get to know each other and their quirks, sparks fly. It was quite interesting to see how their relationship develops. Also, not every scene is a sex scene. It was refreshing to read about two people genuinely wanting to get to know each other and not for sexual reasons, but to genuinely build a solid relationship.

I would totally recommend this for anyone looking for a quick, slightly realistic romance! (It is fiction after all!)

• See more at: http://glbt.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=23357#sthash.M7xB1I2p.dpuf