Just a Bit Wrong by Alessandra Hazard

Just a Bit Wrong
by Alessandra Hazard

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Published by: Amazon Digital Publish Date: September 14, 2015
Genre: M/M Romance, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 Stars
Zach Hardaway is one of the best physiotherapists in Europe.
Tristan DuVal is a young soccer star with a groin injury.
They despise each other from the moment they meet.

As far as Zach is concerned, Tristan is a rich, spoiled brat who is too used to getting his own way. 

As far as Tristan is concerned, Zach is a bossy, presumptuous jerk. Tristan hates Zach. He does. The problem is, he also wants to shove Zach against the nearest wall and climb him like a tree.

As soon as I finished reading Book 2 in the Straight Guys series by this author, I went right on to this one. I skipped #3 because I wasn't sure if it was healthy for me to read, but since the same characters overlap in this book and in Book #5, I think I will go back and read it.

The characters in this book could not be more different. Zach is straight in every way - straight-edged personality (or so he portrays), straight to the point physiotherapy, and someone who doesn't like games. Tristan, on the other hand, is a spoiled brat who gets off on manipulating people until he has no friends or family. He can certainly be annoying and a handful, but he was a well-written character.

While Zach and Tristan do get their HEA, there is a lot of depth to this book. We learn some about Tristan's background in this novel, but in the next (that I'm currently reading), we learn much, much more about why Tristan is the way he is. This is a stand alone novel, but I would keep reading to learn as much about these characters as you can.

The only thing negative I have to say about the series is that I don't like any of the book covers.

Just a Bit Obsessed (Straight Guys Series Book 2) by Alessandra Hazard

Just a Bit Obsessed
by Alessandra Hazard

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Published by: Amazon Digital Publish Date: December 4, 2014
Genre: M/M Romance, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 Stars
Alexander Sheldon likes order and control in his life. He isn’t happy when his girlfriend invites another guy for a threesome. Alexander believes in monogamy, and he’s never been good at sharing his things. It doesn’t help that Christian rubs him the wrong way from the beginning.

But what starts as animosity turns into something else. Something unexpected and very wrong.

He was never supposed to touch Christian. He was never supposed to feel possessive of the guy. And he most definitely wasn’t supposed to want Christian more than he wants his girlfriend.

It’s a recipe for disaster.

I stumbled on this book quite by accident on Amazon, but I've found that my straight-girl-self totally likes M/M romances. It sounded interesting, so I thought I'd give it a try. I wasn't disappointed.

Before buying it on Amazon, I noticed that it was only 160 pages long. I usually don't read books that short, but was pushed into buying it by all of the fabulous reviews. I quickly learned that the author has an incredible knack for getting right to the point. As a wordy-writer myself, I am always trying to lighten up my writing - just say what I need to say. This author did just that - and very effectively at that!

The beginning of the book gets right into the storyline. There's really no need for background on Alexander, Mila or Christian because the author lets that come out naturally as the story plays out. It was quite refreshing. I don't really want to post spoilers and I feel if I keep reviewing the book, I will give things away. I will say, there is definitely a HEA and 5 more books in the series. I'm definitely going to read another one right away.

Just Business by Anna Zabo

Just Business
by Anna Zabo

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Published by: Penguin Berkeley Publish Date: June 16, 2015
Genre: LGBTQ, S&M
Rating: 3 Stars
NOTICE: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Still haunted by a tragic accident that left him with a wounded leg and broken heart, Eli has a need to be in control. But his desire for Justin makes him want to lose that control—and push them both far beyond their limits.

Justin White may not look like an up and coming corporate superstar, but his new boss knows he has the smarts, grit, and determination to succeed. Now he just has to convince his company’s CFO, Eli Ovadia. Unfortunately, Justin can’t seem to keep his cool around the domineering Eli—and soon he finds himself taking their heat from the boardroom into the bedroom….

The synopsis drew me in, but the characterization made me stay . . . While I do love a good brooding gentleman, a brooding gentleman with substance is always a win in my book.

Ruthless businessman Eli Ovadia is wounded, physically and emotionally. Justin White is a young college intern who has been physically and emotionally degraded before by someone he gave his heart to. The author really sucked me into the inner turmoil of the main characters, and had me rooting for them. Where I veered off course, was the entrance of the bondage parties. While I don't mind reading about some light bondage, I personally feel uncomfortable reading about more concrete control in sexual situations. I'm a sexual assault survivor, so that may be the reason. However, this is just my own personal opinion. The writing was imaginative and fresh and this type of story would be well-received by readers that are more open to this type of sexual encounter. It just became too much for me.

White Nights by TT Kove

White Nights
by TT Kove
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Published by: Less Than Three Press - January 14, 2015
Genre: LGBT, M/M, Romance, Novella
Rating: 3 Stars

Radimir has loved Aleksandr for more than a decade. Long convinced that Aleksandr will never love him in return, however, he has spent the years drifting from bed to bed, unable to settle when what he really wants is out of reach. And has been all the more out of reach since an impulsive, ultimately disastrous night together while out hiking. And will definitely be forever gone when Aleksandr returns to St. Petersburg.

Aleksandr wishes he could forget the night he gave in to a long-held desire for his friend, but more than anything he wishes that one night had led to so much more. But Radimir is a player, and Aleksandr doesn't want to be simply another conquest.

Then family turmoil strikes Aleksandr hard, and he realizes the stability he's always wanted was there all along...

Being a novella, the story wasn't too in-depth, but I definitely felt the author's attempt at revealing the back story of the two friends-turned-lovers.

Radimir, a player, and Aleksandr, a perpetual pessimist, have missed their chance to be together for years because they were each afraid that the other didn't reciprocate their love. Radimir lost himself in other men, trying to forget Lesya (Aleksandr) and the other man practically lived like a monk.

Although the story is short, I was happy to finish reading it all the way through. The secondary story is the love story between the boys' mothers.

The only thing I'm confused about is the title, although it looks like it's book 4 in the "Arctic" series. . .

If you're looking for a short, quick m/m romance, pick this one up.

Broken Pieces by Riley Hart

Broken Pieces
By Riley Hart
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Published by: Amazon Digital - February 2, 2014
Genres: LGBT, M/M/M, Romance, Erotic
Rating:

Can three broken pieces make a whole?

Josiah Evans is the orphan who lost both his parents. He’s sweet, shy, and all heart. He wants nothing more than to be loved.

Mateo Sanchez is the son of a gang leader. He’s seen it all, and never hesitates to do what needs to be done, no matter what it is.

Tristan Croft is the wealthy attorney who clawed his way up from the bottom to rule his own world. He’ll never depend on anyone but himself again.

Three men who couldn’t be more different…and yet, as their lives intersect they find an uncommon balance that calms the storms inside each of them, and ignites fires hotter than they ever thought imaginable.

Told in three parts and spanning over ten years, BROKEN PIECES is a journey of healing for three fragmented souls, finding love in the unlikeliest of places—with each other.

Hmmmm . . . What to say? Where to start? I'm not sure how to rate this one, so I'm not going to. I'm just going to say my feelings.

This year I found I like reading M/M LGBT Romance novels. This M/M/M was something new for me, since I've never really read about polyamory and am not really into it. To each their own, but it's just not for me. I did, however, find the blurb intriguing and along with all the high ratings, thought I'd give this a try.

First, I want to say that the author is amazing at character development, character-driven writing, and moving story arcs. Her writing was exemplary and in no way flawed. In that area, I'd have to give this book 5 stars. Well done.

As for the story, I had a hard time for awhile. I found Josiah to be too much of a wet noodle for me. I honestly wasn't sure what Teo saw in him. Josiah was awkward awkward awkward and it made me mildly uncomfortable to read about him for quite a ways into the story arc. He was also very much a follower seemingly with no convictions or thoughts of his own. He just followed Teo around like a puppy, like a much younger child than he was. All of that said, this was the character the author wanted to create. She wanted to have a sensitive guy be the glue between Teo and Tristan later on in the story. Still, it seemed to me like Josiah grew on Teo like a sea creature. He also attached himself to Tristan like a fungus. I sound harsh - I know I do. I just can't really wrap my head around both of these guys falling for Josiah.

Teo is as tough as it gets and Tristan knows a thing or two about past transgressions. I almost feel like Teo and Tristan are a better match for one another and Josiah just kind of brought them together. In my perfect world, Teo and Tristan would be a couple and Josiah would move to France. ;)

It was also a bit too long for my like.

I gave this genre a try, but it will probably be my last foray. There is a follow-up to this novel, but I'm going to pass.

Conduct Unbecoming by LA Witt

Conduct Unbecoming
By LA Witt
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Published by: Samhain Publishing - October 23, 2012
Genres: GLBT Romance
Rating: 4.5 Stars

As long as no one asks and they don’t tell…
First class petty officer Eric Randall is less than thrilled about taking orders to Okinawa. Three long, lonely years on a crappy island that’s thousands of miles from his daughter? Oh. Yeah. Sign him up. But as long as he’s stuck here, he might as well make the best of it, so he discreetly checks out the local gay scene.

Shane nearly drops his drink when the gorgeous, cocky-looking guy strolls into Palace Habu. He buys him a drink, and before long, they’re making out in a booth. Eric is a straight-to-the-point kind of guy and doesn’t want to play games. Since Eric’s idea of not playing games is getting the hell out of there and going back to one of their apartments, Shane is more than happy to go along with it.

What starts as a scorching-hot one-night stand leaves both of them wanting more…until Eric finds out Shane doesn’t just outrank him, he’s an officer. DADT may be repealed, but an officer getting involved with an enlisted man falls under conduct unbecoming.

Still, they can’t resist their mutual desire. There’s no reason anyone has to find out. But secrets have a way of outing themselves.

After reading Starstruck by LA Witt, I wanted more, so I chose this beauty of a love story from her other repertoire. I was also lucky enough to read her new one, The Walls of Troy!

While I enjoyed both of her other reads, the love story between Shane and Eric is meaningful, intense and ever-so-satisfying. Yes, there's the hot attraction, the amazing sex, with the military in the way of a real relationship. All of the usual LA Witt aspects are there, but there's also the beautiful love story that Shane and Eric share and the time they take to get to know one another and show care for one another. It's not just all hot sex and attraction. It's a story about family, coming out, protecting your job, but also protecting the love you want to share with someone else. I can't gush enough about this one or tell you how much I want to read MORE of LA Witt!

The Walls of Troy by LA Witt

The Walls of Troy
By LA Witt
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Published by: Samhain Publishing - September 15, 2014
Genres: GLBT Romance
Rating: 3.5 Stars

NOTICE: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Just when the pieces begin to add up, danger blows them all apart…
MA1 Iskander Ayhan’s orders are simple: stay with Admiral Dalton’s son as a plainclothes bodyguard while the kid attends university classes. So typical—a high-ranking officer abusing Navy resources for unnecessary security.

It isn’t long before Iskander realizes there’s more to his assignment than protecting the kid from benign harassment by homophobic classmates. Behind those piercings, eyeliner, and bad attitude, Troy Dalton is scared. Truly, deeply, scared.

Troy is indeed hiding something. Iskander is the only one who’s ever taken his fears seriously, which gives him hope. Yet Troy isn’t sure one lone, armed-to-the-teeth bodyguard is enough to keep him safe, especially since he can’t risk telling Iskander the truth.

As Iskander slowly gains Troy’s trust, the walls start coming down. And before they know it, the warmth between them explodes into real heat. Until suddenly Iskander realizes he’s a magnet for danger, not a shield.

Now he doesn’t know how to keep Troy safe—stay close, or get as far away from him as possible.

This is my second read by LA Witt, having enjoyed Starstruck earlier in the year! Starstruck was also a scenario in which two men with a 15-year age gap between them find real love. I loved the characters and the setting in Starstruck and couldn't wait to read The Walls of Troy.

Although I really liked The Walls of Troy, there were some parts that didn't ring true for me. With Troy being only 20 and acting very immature in a lot of situations (despite having PTSD - which I have, so I can tell the difference between PTSD and just being immature and whiny), I got a tad annoyed at times. I wasn't always sure what Iksander saw in Troy other than a hottie who needed saving. Iksander was a helper in life, an MA1, a cop, a fixer and protector, so I believe that's why he latched on to Troy so quickly. It's in his nature to protect. I just wasn't sure that there was a ton of initial chemistry there between the two of the. While the age difference didn't bother me at all in Starstruck, it was very evident here. In the real world, I don't see this relationship between Iksander and Troy lasting unless Iksander is a tad immature too and willing to put up with a lot of growing pains.

All of that said, the sexual chemistry between the two leading up to and during the sex scenes was HOT. LA Witt can sure get a straight girl (me) all hot and bothered just by reading her M/M love scenes. That's all I'm going to say without getting graphic. ;) The novel was certainly as hot as I'd expected it to be and I loved it! I can't wait to read another of Witt's books!