My Personal Review for The Charlie Factor by Diana DiRicci

I love Diana DiRicci's books. A fabulous writer, great friend and an all around wonderful human being that I am proud to know. I was finally able to sit down last night and read The Charlie Factor. One word-awesome.

Let me count the ways The Charlie Factor is a great MM Story to enjoy....

Two people meet on a beach and there begins a friendship that will change both lives forever.

Charlie Baker is existing.....hiding fromthe world after a house fire set by his boyfriend almost killed him and leaves him with scars physically,mentally and emotionally. Pushing everyone away, Charlie hides from the world, determined to live in a bubble, away from people. But when a puppy named Samson comes by, Charlie finds a friend in both the dog and the owner, Greg. Finding out that Greg is straight has Charlie relaxing and cautiously accepting the friendship Greg offers. But what happens when friendship turns to love?

Greg Anders loves the beach and meeting Charlie was a bonus. A man clearly in need of a friend, Greg offers a friendship that has both men enjoying each others company. Until Greg finds himself dealing with his deepening feelings for Charlie. As Greg wrestles with the conflicting emotions, both have to figure out if they should grab the love they both need or let it walk away, destroying not just one heart but two.

Diana DiRicci writes a beautiful story of two people who have issues. One is afraid to live again after a fire nearly destroys him and the other is unknowing that he could be attracted to another man.  The writing was pure perfection-tight, flowed smoothly and delivers complex emotions that the reader feels along with the characters.

Charlie & Greg struck a nerve with me. Charlie is hiding-from  himself, his future, from life in general. Mourning the life he used to have is gone and thinking no one could ever like him, he is stunned to find this handsome man offering friendship. Greg is seemingly straight and that makes Charlie safe...until he falls for the man and then watch out.....misunderstandings, miscommunications and emotions come into play that leave the reader rooting for Charlie and Greg to work their issues out. Both characters have issues and this author does a great job in communicating them to the reader within the pages of The Charlie Factor.  There were some wonderful secondary characters that had me giggling over and I am anxious to see if they will get their own story in the future. 

Diana DiRicci takes a seemingly boring topic (Gay man and Straight man fall for one another) and brings a new twist to it so it is fresh, new and one that captures the readers heart when the last page is read.  If you are looking for a heartfelt story to enjoy on a summer afternoon, then grab The Charlie Factor.  It is one I am hoping to read again soon.

My Rating for The Charlie Factor: 4 Stars

The Charlie Factor is now available at Amazon and at Purple Sword Publications

My Personal Review for Stirring Up Trouble by ZA Maxfield

I had the pleasure of reading one of the funniest and well written books I have read in a awhile. Stirring Up Trouble is funny, heart warming and sexy all wrapped with a big red bow. Ms. Maxfield delivers a story that will charm the socks off of you and leave you smiling once the last page is read.

Now onto my review of Stirring Up Trouble......

All Toby Andrews knows is that he is a good Chef but has lousy luck when it seems bad things happen whenever he is around. He can’t help it when things go wrong, he just magically in the thick of it. Forced out of working the haute cuisine in the heart of New York City, Toby finds himself unemployed and eager to get revenge on the food critic that destroyed his dreams. Finding work at a local restaurant that is on its last legs, Le Potiron, Toby finds he likes the area, the people and especially the surly owner/cook, Evan Blankenship. Sparks fly between the two men as both men find out the lesson in success as they work together in and out of bed to make Le Potiron successful.

I got to admit, I love stories with a little humor tossed in the story to liven things up. Z. A. Maxfield does a wonderful job in creating a story that is funny, sweet and sexy all at the same time. Ms. Maxfield is a talented author who knows how to create the right balance when adding humor to her stories. Too much overwhelms, too little makes it seem off balanced. This author knows how to keep the balance and delivers a classic comedy story that will have you laughing out loud at times while rooting for Toby and Evan to get their happily ever after. 

What I loved the most was the setting. I could literally picture Le Potiron in my head and the delightful cast of characters that run it. All the characters were multi-dimensional, flawed beings that I could relate to. Toby had an ego but he was so charming it was cute. Evan hated people and being in the restaurant business, all he wanted to do was cook and not deal with them. Enter in Toby. Sparks fly between the two as Toby helps Evan and La Potiron become a success. Toby also learns that he cannot just steamroll over Evan either. It was fun to see these two work out their differences even as their relationship grew amid the pages. A few secondary characters had me hoping they return in the second book, All Stirred Up. They kept the story moving nicely and there was no interruptions in point of view. 


Stirring Up Trouble is a perfect beach read on a sunny afternoon. Light hearted, sensual and fun, ZA Maxfield has another winner. I am eager to see what goes on when we see what happens to Evan's brother, Brandon in All Stirred Up. ZA Maxfield has a talent in creating stories that have a sweet yet sexy romance with a dash of humor in it. I look forward to seeing what else this author can deliver for her readers in the future.


My Rating for Stirring Up Trouble: 4 Stars


Read Stirring Up Trouble and find out what happens for Brandon, Evan's brother in All Stirred Up.

My Personal Review for Promises by Marie Sexton

I picked up Promises because I liked the sound of the blurb. Wasn't sure what I was getting story wise but the minute I started reading I was hooked. This is the first book in the Coda Series and I have to admit, I stayed up really late just to finish it. Needless to say once pay day hits, I am getting the rest of the series to read. :-)

Now onto my review of Promises.....

Jared Thomas loves his small town of Coda, Colorado. He lives, works and has an enjoyable life…a bit one that is a bit lonely as well. Being the only other gay man has it disadvantages mainly there are no single gay men to have a relationship with. Jared was fine with that until Matt Richards walks into the door and into his life. From then on, it’s misunderstandings, falling in love, secrets and a whole lot of sexual tension between the two men. Will they be able to find a way to work past everything that is thrown at them to have the relationship they deserve?

I seriously don't know how I missed this series before now. I have seen the author around on loops, facebook, etc but never really explored her books. Well I am remedying that ASAP. Promises is an engrossing tale of a small town and the two men who find they are perfect for one another. What I loved the most about this story was how the author was able to incorporate small town life into the storyline. It made the story much more life like and I could really relate to the characters.

The characters in Promise had me at times, laughing, sighing and wanting to smack them for their stubbornness. They are so life like I swear I could find them in my small town and be friends with them. They were quite multi-dimensional and kept my attention till the very end. Jared Thomas is an openly gay man but doesn't flaunt it in his small town. He loves his town but the man prospects are dismal at best. Enter in new police officer, Matt Richards. He blew Jared away with his smile, the kindness he spies in his face and the loneliness he sees in his eyes. A kindred spirit they become friends and Jared is resigned to loving Matt secretly as Matt is straight....well Jared thinks he is that is. What results is secret desires, confusion, misunderstandings and more. Can Jared get Matt to accept and embrace his feelings or will Matt walk away from Jared forever? 

I love how this author really peeled the layers from him and Matt so the readers could see the heart of their issues throughout the story. Each time I felt like I knew the characters, another layer would be ripped open and you would see a whole new side of them. It made the story much more life like to me. There were a few secondary characters that left quite an impression on me so I am hoping the author revisits them soon.

Promises is more than a simple romance story of two friends falling for one another. It's about taking a risk to reach for your happily ever after. That, yes you are worth that love the other person feels for you. It's about hope, promises of forever, love, friendship and so much more. Ms. Sexton delivers a timeless classic in Promises and it is one book I can see reading again, multiple times. I am eager to read the next chapter in the Coda series and can't wait to see what happens next for Matt, Jared and all their friends in Coda, Colorado.

If you are looking for a new author to explore, I highly recommend Marie Sexton. She delivers character rich stories that will leave a smile on your face. I can't wait to see what else this author has up her sleeve for her readers in the future.

My rating for Promises: 4.5 Stars

The Coda Series:

Matt & Jared:

Promises

The Promise

Putting out Fires

Cole & Jon:

Strawberries for Dessert

Zach & Angelo:

A to Z

The Letter Z

Paris A to Z

More information on Marie Sexton and all her wonderful books can be found HERE

My Personal Review for Serving of Love by Andrew Grey

I love Andrew Grey's work. The connection between characters, the lyrical way he delivers a story that is full of friendship and romance, it takes your breath away whenever you pick up one of his books. In his latest release, A Serving of Love (out May 23rd), we are treated to a story of two people who find they are just perfect for one another.

Meet Sebastian Franklin. He works at Café Belgie as front house manager and though people may think he is a party man, he actually enjoys quiet night’s home. Meeting Robert Fortier was something of a surprise one night and this begins a friendship that turns to something much more. But Robert has just finally accepted he is gay and is quite reluctant to let anyone in his life romantically. Well that is until he meets Sebastian and finds himself falling for the young man-hard.Can these two find a way to make a relationship work between them even as Sebastian's ex and their own issues crop up to derail them? 

Mr. Grey does it again with A Serving of Love. It is a heartfelt story of two people finding they are perfect for one another even as they are as different as apples are to oranges. Mr. Grey makes it work as Sebastian and Robert find themselves falling in love even as events swirl around them that could leave them both heartbroken or deliriously happy. The writing was tight, story flowed smoothly and yes, Darryl and Billy are back as well as a few new characters to enjoy. 

I love how Mr. Grey delivers character rich stories that leave you smiling in the end.With each page, I was invested more and more into Sebastian and Robert's relationship, got angry over certain idiots (have to read the story sorry guys) and rooted for them to get their happily ever after. They do say opposites attract and this is the perfect case for it. I loved how the differences between the main characters were not the main bone of contention between them as they explore a relationship together. Mr. Grey is a talented writer when he delivers a story that had a few serious issues involved in the storyline. I felt it enhanced the story instead of taking it over and making it too heavy of a read.

If you are looking for a perfect beach read, this is the right book to take with you. A Serving of Love delivers hours of reading enjoyment, delightful characters to root for and a romance that will leave you aching for more. If you haven't read A Taste of Love, I highly recommend reading it first but this can be read as a standalone story if you haven't. Mr. Grey delivers another perfect story to enjoy and I cannot wait to see what else he has up his sleeve for his beloved readers. If you love character rich stories that make you feel like you are home, then pick up one of this author's books. You won't be disappointed.

My rating for A Serving of Love: 4 Stars

My Personal Review for Nothing Ever Happens by Sue Brown

When author Sue Brown sent me her latest release, Nothing Ever Happens, II wasn't sure what to expect. Sure it would have the romance I love between two people but other than that I wasn't sure what to expect from this story. I am glad to say it blew me away. Nothing Ever Happens is a story that had me laughing one minute then crying the next-and I don't mean those few tears you cry when the allergies hit or the wind causes. Those big soul deep sobs that leave you exhausted in the end.

Sue Brown has given her readers a powerful, heart wrenching story that you will need a box of tissues to read. I was blown away by the sheer emotions that you feel throughout the story. Laughter, love, sadness, anger, passion are all felt by the reader as they follow Andrew and Nathan on their journey to a happily ever after.  Nothing Ever Happens is a story not just about two gay men but about two people who have baggage, fears, vulnerabilities and more to overcome in order to have their desires realized in the end. Ms. Brown captivated me from the moment I opened this latest book from her and I just could not put it down. It was riveting to experience the ups and downs these two men experience in their lives as life’s twists and turns took them, first, to their heart’s desire and then far from it. I stayed up late to finish it and found myself feeling every emotion the characters felt as I read Nothing Ever Happens. 

Trying to put this book down was hard. You just had to read another page and then another...another until you were up till the wee hours just to see what would happen next for Nathan and Andrew. The heartbreaks, the passion, the friendship and the love all come out between the characters and though I wanted to hate a few of the secondary characters, I really couldn’t. The story was more than a romance between Andrew and Nathan; it was also about finding out who you are inside and out, accepting it and living with the consequences of your actions. This author delivered a few twists that had me gasping in disbelief as I turned the pages wondering how this could happen. The characters stay with you long after the last page is read. 

Love isn’t smooth or Disney made but messy, wonderful and full of experiences. Ms. Brown delivers all that and more in Nothing Ever Happens with gusto. She is a talented author who knows how to make a story shine, with a few of little things to keep the reader on their toes and with characters you cannot help but fall in love with. Nothing Ever Happens is a book I plan to read again, this time with two boxes of tissues next to me. 

If you are looking for emotional stories, complex and believable characters and a passion so timeless, then pick up a Sue Brown book. This author is now one of my favorite GBLT authors to explore and I can’t wait to see what she has in store next for her readers.

My rating: 5 Stars 

*Please be aware that the author did not pay me for this review.*

My Personal Review for Seven Days by Andrew Grey

I don't know about you but when I picked up my first Andrew Grey book, The Best Revenge, I didn't know I would find an author I just had to read over the next few years. Each time I grabbed the newest book from this author, I always thought, "He can't get any better than the last book" and I was always proven wrong. Andrew Grey is a talented writer, one I know will always deliver a story that will leave me crying, laughing and smiling-sometimes all at once too.

Seven Days is this author's brand new release and one that completely hooked me from the beginning. I can't imagine the emotions an author experiences when he writes a pivotal scene(s) yet when a reader like myself is bawling their eyes out because of something he/she has written, well all I can say is "Pass the tissues".

Mr. Grey delivers a strong, emotional story about one man's journey through loss and despair to finding that slim sliver of hope shining through when life closes one door and then proceeds to open a new one for you to walk through. Evan Donaldson is that man and this is the journey he goes on in Seven Days. I can't begin to put my thoughts into words as they tumble like a sparkling brook over rocks. The reader feels every emotion Evan has and experiences and finds that silver lining under all those gray clouds.

Evan is a character I fell in love with the moment he stepped off the first page-dirty, scared, resigned to life on the streets at a tender age. The moment Father Valentin steps into the picture, you get a sense of how one door closes for Evan and another beckons-if he is willing to trust one man who doesn't want to hurt him. First love, changing lives, friendships and more are experienced by the reader as Evan travels through the years in Seven Days. Mr. Grey has a knack for creating the right amount of mystery, tension and romance in his stories that will completely captivate the reader.

Seven Days is more than a story of two people falling in love, its about faith, trust and the sense that life may give you a few twists but in the end, you find that what you are searching for is worth it in the end. Kudos to Mr. Grey for creating this heartfelt, emotional story and I look forward to seeing what else this author may have in store for his beloved readers. 

My rating: 5 Stars