Idaho Pride - Review

Title: Idaho Pride
Author: Sarah Black
Series: N/A
Rating:5/5 Doves
Review:

After an attempt to diffuse an explosive situation, Lee Hunter and Jeremy Sheridan end up taking the heat for the conflict and become friends. While researching a tragic local story for Jeremy’s magazine, Idaho Pride, Lee agrees to mentor Luis, a troubled young intern. But Jeremy has a problem of his own: a jealous ex-lover who threatens not only Jeremy and Lee's new romance, but also the fledgling family they're trying to create.

I loved the characters in this novel. Black was able to create two very different characters who both seemed real. They each had their own quirks and personalities and you could easily tell them apart. Even the side characters she created had a pretty good amount of depth to them.

I really enjoyed the plot of this book. It had mixings of a few different genres - romance (duh), suspense, and a little bit of mystery. For the most part, all of her plot ideas were fleshed out and meshed together well. Usually when I read a novel like this with multiple plots mingling, some of them aren't fleshed out, but Black managed to make all of her plots work and seem like they were straight out of real life.

The only real problem I had with this book was it wasn't long enough! There were so many things I wish she would've gone into detail about. I would've liked to have seen more about Captain McClain and his son, and the article for Idaho Pride. I also would've liked to see more about Julius - did he still try and convert BLANK or did he finally come to understand homosexuality?

Also, the blurb is very misleading. Jeremy's ex-lover wasn't that much of a threat to the relationship. In fact, there wasn't even much focus placed on him. The ex-lover is merely one of many plots instead of the main plot point like the blurb makes it out to be

The book was very well written and very much enjoyed. I would highly recommend this book for any fans of contemporary M/M romance. If you like your romance to have a good amount of plot in it, this is the book for you.

** Warning ** This novel contains sex scenes and may not be appropriate for readers under than age of 18.

You can purchase Idaho Pride at Amazon.com

Promises

Title: Promises
Author: Marie Sexton
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Series: N/A
Rating: 5/5 stars
Review:

I can't even begin to describe this one so I'm "borrowing" Dreamspinner's summary…
Jared Thomas has lived his whole life in the small mountain town of Coda, Colorado. He can't imagine living anywhere else. Unfortunately, the only other gay man in town is twice his age and used to be his teacher, so Jared is resigned to spending his life alone. 

Until Matt Richards walks into his life, that is. Matt has just been hired by the Coda Police Department, and he and Jared immediately become friends. Matt claims he is straight, but for Jared, having a sexy friend like Matt is way too tempting. Facing Matt’s affair with a local woman, his disapproving family, and harassment from Matt’s co-workers, Jared fears they'll never find a way to be together—if he can even convince Matt to try.

This is one of the best novels I've read in a long time. The plot kept me reading and wondering how everything worked out. There were a couple small plot twists I didn't see coming and kept things interesting. I loved seeing the way Jared and Matt's relationship developed through out the novel. I like how Sexton had a great balance of plot vs. sex. Her novel was first and foremost a romance novel, not a porno and I'm grateful for that.

Sexton did an excellent job with her characters. Both Matt and Jared were realistic and likeable characters that I kept wanting to know more about. Even the side characters like Brian and Lizzy were fleshed out and interesting. The only character I was really disappointed about not being developed was Matt's mother. I would've liked to have seen a little more of her personality.

I also have to say that I loved the cover for this novel. It gives a sweet and romantic feeling and isn't all about showing half-naked guys. It really fits how the characters love nature and bike riding and adds emphasis to the fact that this isn't primarily an erotica novel.

I highly recommend this novel to romance lovers. You really get to see their relationship develop and evolve over time.

** Warning ** This novel contains sex scenes and may not be appropriate for readers under than age of 18.

Custom Ride

Title: Custom Ride
Author: K.A. Mitchel
Series: N/A
Rating: 3/5 stars
Review:

Ryan doesn't normally do random hook ups. But when he hooks up with Jeff in a bar during Gay Pride Week, he discovers he wants more. But Jeff isn't out, and Ryan isn't interested in going back into the closet again.

First thing I didn't like was the lack of a lot of plot. 90% of this story was sex, sex, sex. There was a little bit of plot, but it could've been fleshed out a lot more. I wanted to see how their relationship evolved and developed over time. Instead, once they finally start working things out, the story ends. It was really disappointing.

Also, there is no way in hell two six foot plus guys are going to be able to have sex in the back seat of a Camaro. I drive a '94 Camaro and I can barely fit in the backseat by myself and I'm only 5'11.

K.A. Mitchell's writing is flawless though. She kept me interested and wanting to read more. Everything was well written and grammatically correct. I've love the way Mitchell describes everything so that you can picture it.

I recommend this story for people who enjoy erotic romance without a whole lot of plot. If you prefer a lot of plot and less sex, this story certainly isn't for you.

** Warning ** This novel contains sex scenes and may not be appropriate for readers under the age of 18.

Orphan's Quest

Title: Orphan's Quest
Author: Pat Nelson Childs
Series: The Chronicles of Firma
Rating: 4/5 stars
Review:

Rokey has lived in the Nobel Contemplative, a place where orphaned boys are sent, since he was two. Ever since he was a child, he wondered who his parents are and hoped of one day reuniting with them. When he fails at a job given to him by the administration, he is sent out of the Contemplative, never to return. He is given a small amount of money and a recommendation for work and is set off alone. Rokey wonders what will happen to him, how he will survive. What he doesn't expect how ever, is to find love and find out someone is after his life.

I found this novel on my quest for LGBT fantasy novels and this popped up. I'm really glad I found this book too, since it was a good read. The story starts out good and sucks you in, but there's a brief lull in the plot right after he meets up with Flaskamper, though it does pick up again shortly after. Some parts of the story were a little hard to pick up at first since the author uses some terminology I'm not too familiar with (he calls minutes minmark, and hours marks), but it didn't detract from the story too much.

The only thing I didn't like during the story was when they would get into trouble. It seemed like every other chapter they were getting into some sort of trouble, but by the next chapter they're escaped pretty much unscathed. It's a little bit too unrealistic to go through all those battles, come out on top, then have what happens at the end, happen.

Nonetheless, I did enjoy the book though and would gladly recommend it to fantasy lovers. Rokey and Flash are loveable characters and I can't wait to see what happens in the sequel, Scion's Blood.

Evermore

Title: Evermore
Author: Alyson Noel
Series: The Immortals 1
Rating: 5/5 stars
Review:

One day, Ever and her entire family are in a car crash. Her mother, her father, her little sister and her dog all die, but somehow she survives. And after surviving, she finds she has new talents. She can see people's auras, read their minds, see into the past and future, oh and she can communicate with her dead sister. Then Damen Auguste comes along and she finds out he has the power to cancel out hers.

I absolutely loved this book. I picked it up from the library this afternoon and finished it in a couple hours. It was engaging, well thought out and I didn't want to put it down.

The characters were pretty deep - not some cookie cutter stereotype. I do think we could have used a bit more depth with Ever's friends, but it wasn't too bad. I also liked the whole flower thing too. That was very romantic and funny.

Though the plot is a little cliched, Noel handled everything in a way that was unique and interesting. Looking back, and thinking about some things it seems a little cliche but it didn't seem so while I was reading it.

The only real fault I can find with the book is when Ever visits Disneyland. Magic Kingdom, is not in Disneyland nor is it in California. It's at Disney World in Florida. I think she probably should have done a little bit more research on that one. (But that might just be because I'm anal about things like that.)