BENT NOT BROKEN by Z. Allora

 (2.5 heart)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Date Published: June 2020
ISBN:978-1-64405-576-2
Contemporary, Gay Romance, BDSM

eBook

Reviewed by Gabrielle (meingee@yahoo.com)

weblink: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/bent-not-broken-by-z-allora-11668-b
obtained via publisher

3 Hearts

Because of his past and his abuse Stefano hides his true self but when he sees Master Riku Stefano becomes even more confused at his body’s reactions to the man. Master Riku is taken by Stefano the moment he lays eyes on him but the reaction Stefano has baffles Master Riku. The sparks are there but will Stefano and Riku take the chance on a future when both men have a past that haunts them? Could fanning the flames bring these two what they want or will it only hurt them in the end?

This is an interesting story of overcoming past abuse both physical and sexual. Stefano must learn how to deal with what happened to him and learn to understand what he wants and needs. We are along for the ride as he discovers a new an fulfilling life. Riku has demons in his own past and as he fights for what he wants he must also confront what holds him back. The two are hot together but they need so much more than what they get on the surface. This story delves into what he takes to heal and just how far these men will try and work towards their happiness. While I did not fully connect with these two men I enjoyed being along for their journey. Theirs’s is a hard fought one and it will pull on your heart at times. Showing us that love is sometimes a hard fight but always worth that fight.

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

DRAGON DREAMS and FAIRY WINGS by Bailey Bradford

Publisher: Pride Publishing
Date Published: January 2023
ISBN: 978-1-83943-570-5
Fantasy. Erotic Romance, Gay
Audiobook
Reviewed by Gabrielle (meingee@yahoo.com)
weblink: https://www.firstforromance.com/book/dragon-dreams-and-fairy-wings-audio
obtained via publisher
Rating: 3 hearts

A fairy and a dragon, who would ever think that these two would find love? Certainly not the two themselves. Blaze the dragon shifter is known as a player and not one you would ever think of settling down. Griff is a love fairy but something has gone wrong and he has lost his wings and much of his memory. When he tags along with his sister and the fairy king to one of the dragon’s kingdoms Griff finds something just as precious as his wings and memory. Can these two trust their emotions or will the evil that threatens them win in the end?

The storyline for Blaze and Griff’s tale is an interesting one. Their story took me a bit to get into but had me engaged in the end. The two are complete opposites that find themselves drawn to each other. Emotions are strong in this story and it was interesting to see the mystery unravel as the two begin to find a way to each other. Griff and Blaze go on an adventure that bring them closer together and soon they find secrets about Griff and his past that will change their lives. It was nice to see the way Griff and Blaze grow together and the way they support each other. Their story will have you believing in the power of love and what it can heal. Not only did Blaze and Griff have a lot to say but the supporting characters made themselves known as well. While the narrator does a good job of keeping the story moving, I was not a fan of the voices he uses for many of the characters.

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

 

 

IT'S BEEN A GOOD....LONG....RUN. THE TIME HAS COME TO CLOSE LR&M'S DOORS EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2023

Love Romances and More Reviews is coming to the end of our road. When we opened our virtual doors in 2000 we didn't have an end date in mind. All we wanted to do was provide honest reviews to readers. We reviewed all genres from romance to GLBT to mystery to non-fiction and everything in between. We *met* many fantastic authors and made new friends. We saw each other's children grow up, share the joy of getting a new pet when a loved one passed away, we started school and graduated and experienced so much of major life events with each other. Now, 23 years later, with fewer books being offered for review and so many changes in publishing and our lives, we've decided to close our virtual doors.  New reviews from our remaining staff of Gabrielle, Tammy, Dawn and Gina will be found at Dawn's Book Nook.  As a reviewer with us for these 23 years, the owner of the Love Romances Cafe, an author in her own right, as well as her own book review venue, we're happy to have a place to go. 

 

I am glad I got to join in on the fun and will always remember my reviewing for LR&M. It is sad to see that the site is not getting a lot of hits. Life continues on and another chapter is written. It sounds like you are in a good place and happy and that is what counts. 

 

Dawn leaves us with this closing message:  It's been a pleasure to review with y'all and I am so honored to have been in this journey with you. I am sad to see it close but I will still do the cafe on Facebook and you are welcome to come hang there with us (I am going change the intro to something else as I have it in conjunction with LR&M Reviews.)

 

Tammy says:  Life has gotten in the way.  I have enjoyed this journey with you these past years.  Wow!  The books we've had the pleasure to read and review!

 

And our most prolific reviewer, Gabrielle says:  I am glad I got to join in on the fun and will always remember my reviewing for LR&M. It is sad to see that the site is not getting a lot of hits. Life continues on and another chapter is written. It sounds like you are in a good place and happy and that is what counts. 

 

It's been an amazing and fun ride -- we can't wait for what comes next. 

 

NORTH OF NOWHERE by Allison Brennan

Minotaur Books
August 8^th, 2023
978-1250164421
Thriller, Contemporary, New Release
E-ARC
Reviewed by Dawn Roberto (love2read28@gmail.com)

Obtained by Publisher via Netgalley

4 Hearts

 

For five years, Boyd McIntyre has kept Kristen and Ryan McIntyre safe from their father and their family, hiding, moving from place to place and teaching the kids how to survive on their own in the wilderness in case the inevitable happens and Boyd is no longer there to keep them safe. But the time has come as their father and his henchmen have finally found them and this time Boyd is determined to keep the kids safe no matter what but with enemies after them, their aunt Ruby is determined to help find the kids and keep them as safe as possible even as she goes against her crime family as well as their plans for the kids. With nowhere to turn, Kristen and Ryan have to stay alive in the wilderness even as they grieve the loss of their protector while staying ahead of the people bent on capturing them no matter what.

NORTH OF NOWHERE by Allison Brennan is an action-packed adventure from start to finish as Kristen and Ryan’s crime boss father finally catches up with them and now with their protector dead and kids on the run, it’s a race against the clock as the bad guys known and unknown chase after them and they are determined to capture them once and for all. Allison Brennan delivers a wild ride from start to finish and it’s a story I was so caught up in that I lost track of time until I finished the book at three in the morning. This is one book that can read as a standalone story and delivers characters that will keep you glued to the pages, from a crime family that is determined to tie up loose ends, an aunt who got out of that family and is determined to find the kids and keep them safe and a cast of secondary characters that will leave you breathless. I love this author’s books and she is an auto-buy no matter what she writes and NORTH OF NOWHERE is one adrenaline race against the clock with twists I sure didn’t see coming until the end of the book.

NORTH OF NOWHERE is about Kristen and Ryan McIntyre, whose father and his family run a crime family filled with bad people, corrupt police/politicians, etc. and more in California. Ryan and Kristen have been on the run for five years, moving repeatedly, learning to survive and stay safe with their protector, Boyd McIntyre and the game finally ends as they face their greatest test when their family finally finds them. These characters had me gripping the kindle in anticipation as the race to find the kids ramps up halfway through the book and even more players come aboard the pages. I was thrilled to see that I had no problem keeping the cast of characters straight to the end of the book. I can attest this book had me on the edge of my seat till the very end of the book. There were a few twists and turns that I didn’t see coming and the ending was satisfying in all ways.

 

Allison Brennan is a talented storyteller who delivers a great thriller to lose yourself this summer. If you haven’t read this author before, then you can start with this one then tries her other books. I can’t wait to see where she goes next in her writing and what she comes up with story wise. I highly recommend NORTH OF NOWHERE if you enjoy action packed books filled with good and bad guys, captivating characters, and a setting that’s lush and wonderfully described.

 

This is an objective review and not an endorsement.