THE GROOM WORE NOTHING AT ALL by Hunter Raines

Publisher: Amber Allure
978-1-61124-538-7
Genre: M/M, Contemporary
Book format: e-book
Obtained via: Publisher
Novella 18k words
Part of the Brand Me Series
3.5 Stars

Matthew Owens is as straight laced as they come, or so it would seem. He is a successful lawyer with a reputation to uphold. He is also deeply in love with his fiancé, Joe Khalousi and on the surface it would appear that Joe is as respectable as Matt is. Except that while Joe is an accountant he does the books for a strip club, a detail Matt prefers not to mention to his colleagues, friends and family. Just as Joe’s tattoos are kept well hidden unless the two men are on their own.

It is the evening before Matt and Joe’s wedding and much to Matt’s horror his friends decide to surprise him. Instead of a quiet dinner followed by a few drinks they are taking Matt to a strip club, where they have a very special surprise planned for him.

When Joe’s employer all but begs Joe to perform as a stripper for just one night, Joe finds it hard to refuse. His boss is also his lifelong friend and desperate. It is only just before he goes on stage that Joe finds out he’ll also have to perform a private dance for an unsuspecting member of a bachelor party.

Neither Joe nor Matt knows their worlds are about to collide. When the lights come on and all secrets are revealed it is make or break time for these two men. Is the love between them enough to overcome the differences or are Matt’s hang-ups about respectability going to end their marriage before they’ve even taken their vows?

Let me start by saying that this is a short and rather sex driven novella. While we do get to know Matt and Joe it is really only in the context of the 24 hours or so this story spans. So we discover that Joe is a bit of a bad boy; tattooed, working in a sex club and rather dominant. Yet, he isn’t completely one dimensional because it is perfectly clear that he cares deeply for Matt. He’s prepared to cover up when he meets his partner’s friends, family and colleagues and goes out of his way to get in touch with Matt before going on stage.

Matt was, for me, not as well established as Joe. For most of the story he seemed to be unsure of what he wanted, needed and should be doing. I couldn’t help wondering if he should be marrying at all if he wouldn’t allow his future husband to be himself around the other people in Matt’s life. Having said that, Matt’s ambivalence about Joe and their relationship did make the moment when he gives in to his feelings and shuts his mind up, all the more powerful.

I did have my doubts about the final scene in the book. I can’t and won’t describe it since I don’t believe in spoilers, but do need to say that I wasn’t convinced that what was described there is really possible, never mind advisable. Still, it was a beautiful way to end story.

There were other parts of the book I really enjoyed. The hot phone call between Matt and Joe was a wonderful way of throwing the reader straight into the action and I loved the way Joe discovers the delights of and the power derived from stripping while doing his friend and boss a favour. I was less convinced that Matt, being the rather stuck up person that he is, would really have reacted the way he did. But, again, it did make the story a hot delight.

I don’t want to sound negative about this book. It is a well written story; it captures the reader’s attention right from the start and the smooth writing and intriguing story make sure that attention never wavers.

Overall I would say that this story is as at least as much about the act of lovemaking as it is about the actual love and relationship between these two men. There is nothing wrong with that of course, but I wouldn’t have minded reading a little bit more about the emotions that drive the characters. As a description of one man’s sexual liberation this story worked relatively well. I’m not convinced that anybody would make a complete turnaround as quickly as Matt does in this book, but I liked the idea and enjoyed all the heat between Joe and Matt. It is almost a shame this story was as short as it was. I can’t help feeling that more words would have turned this nice story into a fascinating book.

Welcome Hunter Raines Today

Please give a warm welcome to Hunter Raines who sat down  with me the other day and answered my never ending list of questions. 


Hunter will be giving away an e-copy of Paradise Found to one lucky commenter. Please leave a comment and your email address in order to be entered. Contest runs from July 22-24th. Winner will be announced on July 25th here in the comment section of the Hunter's post.


Now onto the interview.....

Can you please share with us a little about yourself?

Sure! I’m a 32-year old full time writer of erotic romance. I’ve been married to my wonderful husband for nearly 14 years (you do the math!). We don’t have children, but we’ve got an absolutely adorable little cat named Texas, who joined our family – you guessed it! – when we lived in Texas. We’ve since moved back to Canada, where we’re both from. I’ve been published since 2003, but I only made the switch to writing full time in 2011. It’s been quite a change, and I’m still adjusting… I have a feeling I’ll still be “adjusting” a decade from now!

What is your most interesting writing quirk? 

I have a gorgeous office, all decked out with a giant computer, bookshelves filled with research material, and my book covers on the walls. And yet I write with my laptop on my lap, in a tiny room upstairs, stretched out on a comfy leather lounger.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)? 

Of course! SIGHT UNSEEN is a male/male paranormal erotic romance. It’s the story of Daniel Van Doren, who used to be a popular author of young adult novels until a car accident killed his lover and took his sight. If that wasn’t bad enough, the accident left him with the unusual ability to see ghosts. He’s reluctantly made peace with this newfound “talent”, and has even started working with the local police department on unsolved crimes so the ghosts who haunt him can move on. When Logan Riley approaches him with an offer to write his biography for a nice sum of money, Danny’s concerned – as well he should be. Logan plans to discredit him and show the world he’s nothing but a fraud. But Logan’s plans go awry when he finds himself drawn to Danny’s quiet sincerity, and begins to doubt whether he really knows what’s going on. To make matters worse, when a spirit learns to harness the energy between worlds and comes after Danny, Logan may be the one to blame…

How did you come with the idea for this story?

I really love ghost stories. Creepy ones, romantic ones, the ones that send a tingle down your back… I love them all. I wanted to put a different spin on a ghost story, and I’ve always had tremendous respect for the blind. The incredible things they can do even without the use of their sight has always amazed me. I wanted to research blindness, and create a sympathetic, realistic character. When I combined the two ideas, I had my story.

Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why? 

I would love to meet Dean Koontz. I attended a session when he spoke at the Romantic Times Conference in Los Angeles in 2011, and he was just as funny, clever, and insightful as I’d hoped. I’m a big fan of his books, and I’d love to be able to pick his brain over dinner someday. I bet he’d have a wealth of advice to offer!

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing? 

Never, ever give up. Perseverance is the most important trait you can have in this business. Talent is overrated. Persistence, drive, and ambition make all the difference between an aspiring author and a published one. There will be plenty of people who will want to discourage you, plenty of folks who’ll tell you that you can’t do this. They’re wrong. Use their words as fuel and learn your craft. Analyze the books you read – those you love, and those that don’t hit the mark with you, and figure out why you feel that way about each one. Take online workshops. Go to writer’s conferences. Keep an open mind and learn from criticism offered by editors, agents, and other authors. Never stop learning, trying new things, and growing as a writer. And never, ever give up. Did I say that already? Can you stand to hear it again? Good. Never give up.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list? 

One of the items on my bucket list is to eat a croissant at a cute little coffee shop on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. I’m determined to make that happen soon.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

The Winds of Winter – book 6 in The Game of Thrones series. I’m such a huge fan of the series (and the TV show). I’ll likely have to wait until 2014 to hold the book in my hands, but I’m very much looking forward to that day.

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress? 

I’m in-between projects right now. I just finished edits on a male/male romantic suspense titled SCANDAL FEVER, which will be released by Loose Id in September, 2012.

If we asked your muse to describe you in five words, what would they say about you?

I’m pretty sure my muse would say I’m indecisive, passionate, insecure, prolific, and imaginative.

Anything else you want to add? Links?

I invite readers to find me on my website, at www.hunterraines.com, and follow me on Twitter - @hrainesauthor .

Sight Unseen by Hunter Raines

Carina Press

Paranormal M/M

Daniel Van Doren was once a renowned writer, until he was blinded in the car accident that killed his lover. Now, all he sees are ghosts in need of help. They follow him everywhere, and the only way to be rid of his ethereal visitors is to help them resolve their unfinished business here on earth so their spirits can find peace.

Ghostwriter Logan Riley is assigned to pen Daniel's biography. He plans to reveal him as a fraud, but when they meet he's struck by Danny's quiet sincerity--and a growing attraction. Which makes sticking close to Danny to find out the truth more than a little distracting.

When they are attacked by a violent poltergeist Logan begins to believe Danny's not just telling the truth, he's in grave danger. A spirit has learned how to harness the energy of the living to break through the barrier between worlds to harm Danny. And Logan may be the one to blame...

http://ebooks.carinapress.com/58BFECB6-1F0E-40AB-A95F-E1F332B895FA/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=20373A98-7EB8-4018-AC64-F2FF4C449BFB

SILVER BELLS by Hunter Raines

Publisher Loose ID
Date published December 2009
ISBN 978-1-60737-488-6
GBLT Paranormal
E-book
Obtained via: Publisher
Reviewed by Dawn




CLICK TO PURCHASE! Jud promised Derek he would be with him forever except he never expected that he would lose the one man he loved since childhood to a violent death. Now ten years has passed and since that fateful night, Jud has seen ghosts and his gift-or curse-has been his constant companion. Except on Christmas Day, when Derek comes to him for one night of passion and pain. Now the anniversary of Derek’s death comes again and Jud finds himself at a crossroads…to end the decade of loneliness, he has to give into the seduction of a stranger and betray the one man he thought he would love forever.

SILVER BELLS is one of those stories that stay with you after the last page is read. Full of heartbreak, desires and pain, this author captures the readers’ imagination with some amazing multi-dimensional characters and a mystery that will keep you glued to the pages to see what would happen next. The sex scenes enhance the story instead of taking over and it made the story much richer, in my opinion. I laughed, cried and felt Jud’s pain as he finally dealt with the pain of losing the one man he loved and the promise of a new love even as guilt weighed on his heart for falling for someone other than Derek. Hunter Raines keeps getting better with each story. I love this author’s work and frankly, SILVER BELLS had me from the first page until the very end.

Meet Jud Hess, a man who loved Derek since they were kids. Finally together, they never imagined the life they thought they would have end before their very eyes. With a broad stroke of this author’s pen, Jud and Derek come alive in the pages and take the reader on an incredible journey of forgiveness and rebirth. It had laughter, tears and passion amid the pages of SILVER BELLS and I was enthralled. Jud is a man you want in the beginning to comfort and sooth when his life went to pieces. Then years later, find a way to ease the wounded heart you see in his eyes even as he tries to use his “gift” and help people. The way this author showed the reader this man’s heart and soul was breathtaking. You felt the way Jud felt when he finally found himself longing for another, even as guilt lay heavy on his shoulders. Hunter Raines keeps the momentum going with the introduction of a sexy stranger that had me panting and rooting for both of them to finally find their heart’s desires. Some wonderful secondary characters kept the story flowing smoothly and I had to giggle at some of the ghosts that were Jud’s constant companions. They lightened the mood at times and were an added bonus.

SILVER BELLS is at times a sweet, romantic story that will touch all your emotions while reading it. You can’t help but fall in love yourself with Jud and root for him to find his own second chance in life. If you enjoy a sexy tale of love, romance and new beginnings, then grab SILVER BELLS. Just make sure to keep plenty of ice on hand as it does get a bit warm within the pages. I look forward to more wonderful stories in the future from this author and hope to revisit Jud’s life again soon.


THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW

BEDTIME STORIES: BEYOND BOUNDRIES by Hunter Raines

Publisher Changeling Press
Date published January 2010
ISBN 978-1-60521-3514
M/M, Paranormal
E-book
Obtained via: Publisher
Reviewed by Dawn




CLICK TO PURCHASE!For Bedtime Stories webmaster, Carter Roth was content in his life with a job he loved and a lover he adored…when he was around that is. Brody Mann is a security expert for the government and more often than not, he was away on secret jobs than home. Carter knows something is missing in their sex life but is content with it until someone hacks into the Bedtime Stories Website, Carter is determined to make them pay until he finds out that this hacker knows more about Brody, Carter and their fizzled sex life than he should. Can Carter fix the website before he loses his job? Who is the mysterious hacker?

BEDTIME STORIES are a wonderful new multi-author series centered around a publisher and it’s behind the scenes crew. Headed by Troll, this is a fun, sexy way to see what goes on behind closed doors. Hunter Raines is a wonderful writer who lets the imagination fly in this story and creates characters that keep the reader intrigued and eager to know more. I loved the way Carter was drawn into losing himself in the one person who trusts him not to hurt him in any way and give himself up to passion he has been denying them both out of fear. The sexual tension is scorching hot between Carter and Brody and you get the sense of an inner struggle in Carter as he tries to keep himself from giving into that passion welled up inside. Hunter Raines is a masterful storyteller who delivers one hot, scorching story to heat up those cold winter nights.

In BEYOND BOUNDRIES, we meet Carter Roth, the webmaster for Bedtime Stories. Settled in a job he loves and in a relationship with a man who drives him wild- when he is home that is. Carter puts all his pent up energy in Bedtime Stories and when a mysterious hacker hits the Bedtime Stories site, he sees red until he finds out this person knows far too much about Carter, Brandon and their fizzled sex life. Can Carter find out who the heck this person is before his boss, Troll finds out and kills him? I loved Carter Roth and Brody Mann together. Here we got a vampire who has iron control on his darkest nature so he doesn’t hurt the one person who means so much to him and a man who is determined to break that control. With a deft flair, this author delivers multi-dimensional characters who capture the readers’ heart and in the process, leaves you eager for more.

BEYOND BOUNDRIES is a wonderful story that will have you eager to know more about the other people behind the scenes at Bedtime Stories. With tight writing, fast paced storyline and some scorching hot sex scenes, Hunter Raines keeps the reader captivated and I certainly hope this author comes back for more in the future. If you need a quick heat blast, then grab BEYOND BOUNDRIES and settle in for one wild ride. I am looking forward to more Bedtime Stories in the future.


THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW

BOUND BY MELODY:Book 1 in Bound By Series:Hunter Raines

Publisher Changeling Press
Date published May 2008
ISBN 978-1-59596-850-0
Urban Fantasy/Gay/magic and Mayhem
E-book
Reviewed by Dawn



CLICK TO PURCHASE! Gilrain has had the worst day….being evicted by his landlord and then the naughty sexy dreams plaguing his nights have him on edge especially as he has no clue if they are real or just dreams. But after one night in his new place, a song whispers in the air and Gil knows when an elf binding come calling. He won’t be taken against his will yet what happens when Gilrain finds he can be one elf’s salvation or damnation.

BOUND BY MELODY is the first book from Hunter Raines and this reviewer was blown away by it all. Full of such sinfully naughty sex scenes, a love that will not be denied and characters that will have you rooting for them will keep you highly entertained from start to finish. The sheer depth of each character delivered a one two punch once Gilrain and his mysterious elf dream lover comes together. Sparks fly, passion binds more than the flesh and dang can Hunter write! This is a new author for this reader and reviewer. I found Hunter’s writing to be tight, action packed and the characters utterly delectable.

BOUND BY MELODY is one hot scorching story that will have you either jumping your honey the minute they get home or taking a cold shower. Full of delectable sexy elves, a story full of twists and turns and writing that will leave you breathless! Come grab Hunter Raines brand new book, BOUND BY MELODY and get lost amid a world where Elves live among us and share in the romance of two characters that will enthrall you from start to finish. This reviewer is wondering what’s next from Hunter Raines.