DEVIL TAKE ME by Rhys Ford, Ginn Hale, Jordan L. Hawk, TA Moore, C.S. Poe, Jordan Castillo Price

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Date Published: November 22, 2018
Genre: Horror, Paranormal
Audio Book
Reviewed by : Gabrielle(meingee@yahoo.com)
Weblink: https://www.dsppublications.com/news/audiobook-devil-take-me-333
Obtained via publisher
Rating:4 Hearts

This is a good collection of stories about dancing with the devil and paying your dues. You never know just who you will meet and just what a deal will end up being. Never strike a bargain with someone you do not know for if you do chances are you will regret everything. Each of these stories brings the reader into a wondrous world where nothing is what it seems, and nothing is easy.  You are treated to so many different men that you would not see as heroes yet that is what they seem to be. Fighting for what is right and fighting for survival is what they do.  You will travel back in time, visit Wonderland, visit the world of dreams, visit with monsters, find out just what harm a favor can do, and even the church is not left out. There is such a plethora of ideas in these stories you are bound to find one or more to your liking.

I really enjoyed each of these stories. As with any collections there were ones that I liked more but I think that all of these stories are good reads. The authors do a great job of weaving wondrous worlds that you can sink into and enjoy. Each and every story pulled me in so much that after it was over, I wanted more from the world and I hope that the authors take a chance again on these characters and give readers more from them. The characters and their worlds are well written, and the stories range from light hearted to intense. They are full of emotions and depth that endeared each one to this listener. This anthology is engaging, and narrator Greg Tremblay does a great job of making the audio book entertaining. His cadence throughout the stories is good and keeps the reader in the story and engaged.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.


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TUTUS AND TINSEL by Rhys Ford

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Date Published: December 21, 2018
ISBN: 9781644051511
Genre: Holiday
E-book
Reviewed by Gabrielle (meingee@yahoo.com)

Weblink: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/tutus-and-tinsel-by-rhys-ford-10053-b
Obtained via publisher
Rating: 4 Hearts

Deacon and Lang have lives have begun to settle down enough to enjoy some quiet time and the holidays. That is until Zig comes home from school upset about the recent assignment given to her class on holiday family traditions. Deacon understands what Zig is going through but does not know how to fix things. With the help of Lang and his family Deacon and Zig find new a new strength and love of family and make some new traditions of their own to continue in the years to come. Will this be enough to help Zig through her troubles and show her that family is what you make of it?

I enjoyed coming back and visiting Half Moon Bay and its wonderful characters. Love and family has found its way there and it plans on staying. Deacon and Lang are a wonderful couple and their love shines through in all that they do. The two work hard to raise Zig and give her the love that she deserves. Everyone pitches in together and shows Zig and Deacon just how wonderful family can be. I enjoyed watching them go through each tradition to see what would fit with them.  It was nice to see the three spend time with West, Angela and Rome as well. They have made a family of their own and as they spend more time together the bond grows and deepens between everyone. This is a beautiful story about finding family and love with those that you choose to surround yourself with.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

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Fish Stick Fridays by Rhys Ford

Date published: March 24, 2016

M/M Mystery Romance

Audio book

Reviewed by Gabrielle (meingee@yahoo.com)

Weblink: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/fish-stick-fridays-by-rhys-ford-6859-b

Obtained via publisher

Rating: 4 Hearts

 

Deacon must find a way to help his niece. He was not there for his sister but he plans to be for there every step of the way for Zig. He may not know anything about raising a kid let alone a little girl but he is more than willing to figure it out and find a way. He has never forgotten what it is like in foster care and vows that he will never let Zig find out for herself. When Deacon thinks that he has finally found them a home and a stable income things begin to unravel. The only light in his life is the man who owns the bookstore but what could Lang see in him? Deacon knows just where he came from and doesn’t imagine Lang would even give him the time of day. Yet that is just what he does. There is more to Lang than meets the eye and he is more than willing to give Deacon and Zig a chance but it seems that their pasts may have come back to haunt them all. Will they survive the mess that has come to them or will the chaos tear them apart before they even get a chance.

This is a sweet and endearing story that is sure to give your heart a tug. Reece Notley does a nice job of narrating their story. Deacon tries hard to find a safe place for Zig and to raise her right. Half Moon Bay seems like the perfect place to try and meeting Lang only makes it all the better. Lang is a good man and he sees the good in Deacon. The two make a great pair and both truly love Zig. She is one precocious little girl that fights in her own way. The three make a wonderful family and the love that they all share shines brightly. I enjoyed meeting them and seeing their adventure unfold. This is a nicely paced story that pulls you in right from the start. The author does a good job of mixing the romance in with the mystery taking you on a wonderful ride.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD by Rhys Ford

Publisher:               Dreamspinner Press                    

Published:               June, 26 2014        

ISBN:                     978 1 63216 014 0

Genre:                   Mystery, Romance, M/M

Book Format:          E-book

Obtained via:          Publisher

Reviewed by:          Helena Stone, helenastone63@gmail.com

Rating:                   5+

         

When Lieutenant Connor Morgan finds himself comforting the adopted son of a murdered man, he doesn’t expect to develop feelings for him. Connor had his life planned out. Like his father he would be a police officer, a pillar of strength both in the world and for his family. Eventually he’d find himself a wife, start a family of his own and become the leader of the Morgan clan.

Instead Connor finds himself looking for excuses to visit Forest Ackerman. The young drummer with a troubled past and someone out to kill him in the present, is slowly but steadily lodging himself in Connor’s mind and heart. While Connor has thought about men in the past, he never expected to end up loving one.

Forest Ackerman doesn’t know what to make of the straight cop who keeps on showing up in his life and coffee shop. When the same coffee shop turns into a war zone, Connor is present to save Forest. Having nearly lost the beautiful man makes Connor determined to keep Forest close and secure.

As the unknown killer gets ever more inventive and destructive danger closes in on Forest, Connor and those close to them. At the same time the two men try to figure out if they could ever be something together, provided they survive long enough.

You know that feeling you get when you read a book and it leaves you completely happy, satisfied and with a huge grin on your face? THAT

This book so closely resembles my perfect reading experience I could believe it was written according to my personal stipulations if I didn’t know better. The mystery in this book is thrilling and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. The characters worm their way into your heart from the moment they are introduced and subsequently grow into people you’d love to have in your day-to-day life. The dialogue sparkles and sounds realistic and the emotions both happy and sad are so vivid you experience them with the characters.

Tequila Mockingbird is the third book in the ‘Sinners’ series and while I have no doubt you should reads these books in order to get the most out of them, my rating of this book indicates that it’s not necessary. I haven’t read the first two titles yet but never felt as if I was missing vital information. 

There was so much to love in this book. Connor’s journey from being fascinated with and attracted to Forest to the realisation that he has fallen in love with a man and needs him in his life, took my breath away.

“I want to lie in bed with him when it rains and listen to the water hit the roof. I find myself wondering how the coffee foam on his lips would taste on my tongue or if I could make him smile by blowing a raspberry on his belly. It’s not just want, Da. It’s need. I need him.” – Con to Donal

Donal, the Morgan patriarch, is probably one of the best characters ever created. His words of wisdom, unquestioning love and endless understanding are something everybody should experience in their life yet few encounter.

“Follow yer heart, because no matter where it takes ye, the journey is worth it – especially if it’s love.” - Donal to Con

I enjoyed the relationship between all the Morgans. The rapid fire slagging-off between them hit the Irish note spot on. The united front they present as soon as one of them is in need, was heart warming. Quinn’s advice to his older brother was inspired and worth remembering.

“You should never play safe with your heart. It doesn’t get to grow if you don’t take it out. You break it. You give it away. And sometimes, you kind of hope someone gives it back to you – maybe wrapped up and taped but better because they held it for a little while.” – Quinn to Con

I was going to say that Forest broke my heart, but that’s not exactly right. His history broke my heart. The things he’d faced at an age when his biggest concern should have been the next X-box game, were horrendous and at times very hard to read. Yet the man himself, despite his doubts and fears was not someone to be pitied. He took his blows, stood his ground and despite his doubts found the courage to believe he was loved and return that love.

“How can he love me? Shit, I don’t even love me.” - Forest

And what a note to end a book on. Talk about leaving your readers yearning for more. I can’t really call it a cliff-hanger though. If I had to call it anything I’d call it a new beginning, a taste rather than a tease. And as tastes go, this one left me hungry for more. Which means I’m lucky; having two older books to catch up with means I can get my fix while waiting for the next one to become available.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.