Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Broken Blades by Aleksandr Voinov & L.A. Witt

This is one of those books I feel like I have no words to describe. This book grabbed me and wouldn't let go. I read it yesterday until my eyes burned with tears of exhaustion only to awake half an hour later to read just a little more, then woke up early to manage a little bit more and so you see the pattern.. it's nearing midnight and finally I reached the end and all I could do is sigh. 

PER-FECTION. 

Sunday, May 29, 2016

A Solid Core of Alpha by Amy Lane

This one had the "it's not you it's me" excuse smeared all over it! I was never a fan of Sci-Fi. I basically don't get it, and maybe I should have realized it earlier when I started skimming through words, phrases and general ideas I don't get and don't want to invest time in reading. Yet the first part of the story, told from Anderson's POV was very different than I'm used to reading, it WAS fascinating. But I wasn't invested enough somehow and when the story moved to C.J.'s POV and in a way besides the development of the plot most of what we got was a sort of re-play to Anderson's last 10 years I got bored up until I decided (at 58%) I'm simply not connecting to any character BUT Anderson and even he doesn't hold enough of my interest for the rest of the story.

Friday, May 27, 2016

Let Me Know (Lost In You #2) [Marcus & Amber] by Stina Lindenblatt

This is the second and closing part of Amber and Marcus' story, which started in "Tell me When" (At the moment these are the only ones in the series). This book CANNOT be read as a stand alone. 

I gotta say, it started a bit slow and was a bit too angsty for me but as a whole I enjoyed Marcus and Amber's story, seeing them grow, heal and bring themselves a better future, for each separately and together as a couple.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Tell Me When (Lost In You #1) [Amber & Marcus] by Stina Lindenblatt

It's been a while since I've read this kind of heart breaking story. It's not only Amber went through hell (a few months ago), it's also Marcus' past, how he grew up and everything he had to deal with. They both find their own way to deal, mostly on their own. Isolating themselves is the only way they can imagine to cope with their past.

The story is told from both Amber and Marcus' POV, giving us most of their life stories. There are some things left unexplained, to be explored in the next installment in the series - "Let Me Know", which continues and concludes Amber and Marcus' story (currently there are only these two in the series). 

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Behind the Curtain by Amy Lane

It started out funny and intriguing, yet sadly I didn't really connect with Dawson, our sole POV. I wish we could have gotten Jared's POV it might have changed the whole way I saw the book. It was an okay read, it was VERY angsty and too sappy for my liking but the story, the love story and how it progressed was very sweet. 

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Bewitched by Bella's Brother by Amy Lane

A sweet sensitive story, really enjoyed it. I"m saying sensitive I'm NOT saying over emotional or angsty which was great. The two MC have their issues to solve, on their own and together and yet, most of it was done very logically in accordance to the way the relationships between all the characters evolved. It was simply heart warming seeing everything come together.  

Sebastian and Bella are best friends, not only that, Sebastian already feels a part of Bella's family. They have been studying in college together for the past 5 years, now planning on doing a second doctorate. For both of them college and studying is a way of not committing to being a grown-up. It's not that they are immature, it's what being in college allows them - being free of responsibilities, even toward themselves. 

Sunday, May 15, 2016

Hannah's Big Night (A Matter of Time #8.5) by Mary Calmes

This is a free Thanksgiving ficlet of Hannah and Kola (Jory and Sam's kids) taking place after "Piece of Cake" (the 8th installment).
Can be read through THIS LINK

This is basically a children's story, it's told from the POV of 10 years old Hannah, going on a "nightly adventure" with her brother trying to help Kola's friend and ending up mixed in a violent situation. I guess it was kinda sweet but it was SO childish I didn't care of it. 

Unnecessary for the series, but if you're into little kids you will probably find Hannah endearing. I don't usually like reading of kids in romance novels but since most books in the series took place years apart I thought Hannah would be an adult in this one (I was wrong..).

This is still a HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED series, if you haven't read it yet, do yourself a favor and grab the first one ASAP. 


Additional Details: Kindle Ebook, 19 pages, 15 May 2016 / On GoodReads
 
 
ABOUT THIS SERIES
 
A Matter of Time is a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Contemporary MM Romance series by Mary Calmes
Telling us the story of Jory (Keyes) Harcourt & Detective Sam Kage romance story. The relationship buildup goes through the books, don't expect the HEA or even the HFN too soon - these guys have a lot to go before they can sit and watch the sunset together, yet throughout the series they do formalize their relationship and later on adopt two kids. 

The whole series is told from Jory's POV. Jory is one of my absolutely favorite characters, he is a JOY to read. He is funny, and a bit strange, he is very good with little details when it's about people but real life and everything around him? he can totally miss out on. Though he is basically an orphan he acquired a family through his boss - Dane Harcourt. He was the best personal assistant Dane could ask for, but after years working together they come to the conclusion they are much more than a boss and employee and so they part ways work-wise so they can become each other's family. Dane is also a character I absolutely LOVE. 


Detective Sam Kage is a complicated character. His whole life he saw himself as straight but he can't deny the attraction he feels toward Jory. He has a lot of struggles concerning his sexual identity, mostly when it comes to what he expected his life to be and also the fact he is a cop and being one and having a relationship with a man doesn't work that well together. Sam has a very loving and caring family but though they love Jory almost as much as he does, he is more close minded and so it's hard for him to find the path to what he truly wants. But when he finally realizes Jory is "it" for him, he is determined to NEVER let him go and doing all he can to be by his side and protect him (from himself mostly, or rather from his tendency to ALWAYS get into MAJOR trouble). 


Sam is truly the "alpha" in this series, it's usually not something I care for, but though he has his temper, Jory is mostly amused when Sam gets all ruffled up. Jory wants to "submit" to him, but their relationship is still very equal. Even when it comes to taking care of life and death situations they find themselves in. Jory is NOT a "damsel in distress", on the contrary. 


The 7th installment - "Parting Shot" - is different from the others focusing on another couple - Aaron Sutter and Duncan Stiel. We've met Aaron in the 3rd installment, he and Jory were in a rather serious relationship for a year and a half while Sam was away breaking apart the drug cartel who were responsible for Jory's injury in the 2nd installment. While Aaron and Jory stayed friends it was mostly Aaron staying close enough in case he and Sam broke up.. later on he tried replacing Jory with a sort of "duplicate"/"replica" of Jory until Jory makes a strange decision near the ending of the 6th installment to try and "hook him up" with Duncan Stiel a Detective he and Sam meet on their stay in Phoenix. Really enjoyed this one as well, Aaron and Duncan fit in a way I didn't see coming. It was so very different from Sam and Jory and also I loved seeing Aaron in a different lighting or rather seeing who he REALLY is. 


Notes -

  • Originally, the first 4 installments were published on their own, which is why I have separate reviews for them. A while back they were discontinued and instead of them two books were published -  "A Matter of Time Vol.1" containing the first and second installments and "A Matter of Time Vol. 2" containing the third and forth installments. It's basically the same. 
  • Jory and Sam's story is basically told in the first 6 installments. The 8th installment is a free closure novella of Sam and Jory getting re-married. The 7th installment as mentioned above is of a different couple (also mentioned in the 8th installment)
  • The 4 bonus short novellas - "Just Jory", "Ears, Eggs & Bunnies", "Hannah's Big Night" (told from (10 years old) Hannah's POV) and "Another Day With Jory" are free online reads (click links to read). 
  • If you've just finished this series and BUMMED that it's the end, it is and it isn't.. you can catch many glimpses of Sam (and a bit of Jory and the kids) in "Marshals", where Sam is the boss of the two MCs. 

Books:

1. A Matter of Time, #1 (published 1 October 2009) ★★★★★ 
2. A Matter of Time, #2 (published 2 November 2009) ★★★★★ 
3. A Matter of Time, #3 (published 30 November 2009) ★★★★½
4. A Matter of Time, #4 (published 15 December 2009) ★★★★★
5. Bulletproof (published 1 September 2011) ★★★★½
5.5. Just Jory (published 9 October 2012) ★★★★★ 
6. But For You (published 12 October 2012) ★★★★
6.5. Ears, Eggs & Bunnies (published 18 April 2014) ★★★★
7. Parting Shot [Duncan StielAaron Sutter(published 18 July 2013) ★★★★★
8. Piece of Cake (published 12 August 2015) ★★★★
8.5. Hannah's Big Night (published 27 November 2015) ★★
8.6. Another Day With Jory (published 24 December 2016) ★★★
 
 

Piece of Cake (A Matter of Time #8) by Mary Calmes

A nice and sweet way to finish a series, though I didn't feel it was necessary. Truthfully, I finished Duncan and Aaron's book last night and I'm still having a book hangover over it. Loved getting more of these two besides our main couple - Jory and Sam. 

Parting Shot (A Matter of Time #7) [Duncan & Aaron] by Mary Calmes

~sigh~ BEAUTIFUL, I couldn't have asked for more, mostly because I didn't expect to enjoy this one as much as I did! (or to read it in one sitting!) I was never an "Aaron hater" but I wasn't a real fan fan either.. Books with billionaires are NOT my troupe.. and yet Duncan and Aaron fit in the best way possible. They complete each other. They are both strong men who know what they want and they are not shy about it! Not even about how they enjoy holding hands.

Unlike the previous installments in the series, this installment focuses on a different couple - Aaron and Duncan. We've met Aaron in the 3rd installment, he and Jory used to be in a serious relationship. Jory being Jory they stayed friends even though Aaron seemed to want much more from Jory. While in Phoenix in the 6th installment, Sam and Jory meet up with Duncan a Detective helping Sam on his case. Somehow Jory decides to try and match these two together. We don't get much of what happened with the two after their first night together, but from a phone call between Aaron and Jory - Aaron is more that interested which is something Jory haven't seen or heard of before from Aaron. I WAS curious with how things could work out between these two and so I"m happy I got this sort of "spin off" novel of them, not to mention though I LOVE Jory and Sam, the previous installment was too much family oriented for me so getting a couple - no kids included - was a nice break before the last installment of Jory and Sam in the 8th book (though there IS another short novella after which I'm assuming is the absolute last).

Friday, May 13, 2016

Ears, Eggs and Bunnies (A Matter of Time #6.5)

This is a free Easter ficlet of Jory and Sam taking place 3 years after "But For You" (the 6th installment). Can be read through THIS LINK

Short and sweet and mostly bizarre as only Jory can.. on a trip to find "ear bunnies" for his (now) 7 years old daughter Hannah and accompanied by his 9 years old son Kola they somehow run into 4 girls dressed like bunnies of the stripper variety who came from Ukraine for a vocation and found themselves forced into stripping, they are missing one friend who was taken to a party in which she would be sold to the highest bidder. Jory does his best to save the fifth "bunny" and basically save them all from a horrible future. Sam, naturally, isn't pleased with Jory rather reckless behavior but it IS Jory we are talking about.. and so Sam will forgive him even if he growls through all of it..

I liked this one but in a way it brought an old Jory back, one who is TOO reckless. I mean, in the previous installment he seemed MUCH more mature than he used to be, as a father I totally got that, in this one, though I could totally see him helping out the girls, not with the kids with him and not without Sam's help (even if only to be sure the kids are okay).   



Additional Details: Kindle Ebook, 14 pages, 13 May 2016 / On GoodReads
 
 
ABOUT THIS SERIES
 
A Matter of Time is a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Contemporary MM Romance series by Mary Calmes
Telling us the story of Jory (Keyes) Harcourt & Detective Sam Kage romance story. The relationship buildup goes through the books, don't expect the HEA or even the HFN too soon - these guys have a lot to go before they can sit and watch the sunset together, yet throughout the series they do formalize their relationship and later on adopt two kids. 

The whole series is told from Jory's POV. Jory is one of my absolutely favorite characters, he is a JOY to read. He is funny, and a bit strange, he is very good with little details when it's about people but real life and everything around him? he can totally miss out on. Though he is basically an orphan he acquired a family through his boss - Dane Harcourt. He was the best personal assistant Dane could ask for, but after years working together they come to the conclusion they are much more than a boss and employee and so they part ways work-wise so they can become each other's family. Dane is also a character I absolutely LOVE. 


Detective Sam Kage is a complicated character. His whole life he saw himself as straight but he can't deny the attraction he feels toward Jory. He has a lot of struggles concerning his sexual identity, mostly when it comes to what he expected his life to be and also the fact he is a cop and being one and having a relationship with a man doesn't work that well together. Sam has a very loving and caring family but though they love Jory almost as much as he does, he is more close minded and so it's hard for him to find the path to what he truly wants. But when he finally realizes Jory is "it" for him, he is determined to NEVER let him go and doing all he can to be by his side and protect him (from himself mostly, or rather from his tendency to ALWAYS get into MAJOR trouble). 


Sam is truly the "alpha" in this series, it's usually not something I care for, but though he has his temper, Jory is mostly amused when Sam gets all ruffled up. Jory wants to "submit" to him, but their relationship is still very equal. Even when it comes to taking care of life and death situations they find themselves in. Jory is NOT a "damsel in distress", on the contrary. 


The 7th installment - "Parting Shot" - is different from the others focusing on another couple - Aaron Sutter and Duncan Stiel. We've met Aaron in the 3rd installment, he and Jory were in a rather serious relationship for a year and a half while Sam was away breaking apart the drug cartel who were responsible for Jory's injury in the 2nd installment. While Aaron and Jory stayed friends it was mostly Aaron staying close enough in case he and Sam broke up.. later on he tried replacing Jory with a sort of "duplicate"/"replica" of Jory until Jory makes a strange decision near the ending of the 6th installment to try and "hook him up" with Duncan Stiel a Detective he and Sam meet on their stay in Phoenix. Really enjoyed this one as well, Aaron and Duncan fit in a way I didn't see coming. It was so very different from Sam and Jory and also I loved seeing Aaron in a different lighting or rather seeing who he REALLY is. 


Notes -

  • Originally, the first 4 installments were published on their own, which is why I have separate reviews for them. A while back they were discontinued and instead of them two books were published -  "A Matter of Time Vol.1" containing the first and second installments and "A Matter of Time Vol. 2" containing the third and forth installments. It's basically the same. 
  • Jory and Sam's story is basically told in the first 6 installments. The 8th installment is a free closure novella of Sam and Jory getting re-married. The 7th installment as mentioned above is of a different couple (also mentioned in the 8th installment)
  • The 4 bonus short novellas - "Just Jory", "Ears, Eggs & Bunnies", "Hannah's Big Night" (told from (10 years old) Hannah's POV) and "Another Day With Jory" are free online reads (click links to read). 
  • If you've just finished this series and BUMMED that it's the end, it is and it isn't.. you can catch many glimpses of Sam (and a bit of Jory and the kids) in "Marshals", where Sam is the boss of the two MCs. 

Books:

1. A Matter of Time, #1 (published 1 October 2009) ★★★★★ 
2. A Matter of Time, #2 (published 2 November 2009) ★★★★★ 
3. A Matter of Time, #3 (published 30 November 2009) ★★★★½
4. A Matter of Time, #4 (published 15 December 2009) ★★★★★
5. Bulletproof (published 1 September 2011) ★★★★½
5.5. Just Jory (published 9 October 2012) ★★★★★ 
6. But For You (published 12 October 2012) ★★★★
6.5. Ears, Eggs & Bunnies (published 18 April 2014) ★★★★
7. Parting Shot [Duncan StielAaron Sutter(published 18 July 2013) ★★★★★
8. Piece of Cake (published 12 August 2015) ★★★★
8.5. Hannah's Big Night (published 27 November 2015) ★★
8.6. Another Day With Jory (published 24 December 2016) ★★★
 
 

But for You (A Matter of Time #6) by Mary Calmes

Though I enjoyed this one, it's not one of my favorites. My problem was, not unexpectedly - there were too many kids / scenes with kids and basically they took too much page space, even though I DID find myself laughing out loud in a few scenes with them, it wasn't really the kids as it was Jory being himself. 

There's no doubt both Sam and Jory grew up in the last couple of books, they are now not only a couple but a family of 4 having adopted two kids in the past three years since the last installment. 

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Just Jory (A Matter of Time #5.5) by Mary Calmes

This is a free ficlet of Jory and Sam taking place between "Bulletproof" (the 5th installment) and "But For You" (the 6th installment).
Can be read through THIS LINK

An extremely short story with a photo of hands being cuffed had me thinking this is going to be some sort of kinky sex scene. Well, I was hoping it WOULDN'T be, I mean, with Jory there are so much MORE fun stuff to be had and so I was really happy Jory being cuffed actually means him getting to MORE trouble, this time a random bank robbery and naturally his big mouth of his makes ALL the difference. 

We even got a snippet of Dane and naturally Sam was all over the place when Jory's safely is in jeopardy. 

FUN FUN FUN



Additional Details: Kindle Ebook, 8 pages, 12 May 2016 / On GoodReads
 
 
ABOUT THIS SERIES
 
A Matter of Time is a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Contemporary MM Romance series by Mary Calmes
Telling us the story of Jory (Keyes) Harcourt & Detective Sam Kage romance story. The relationship buildup goes through the books, don't expect the HEA or even the HFN too soon - these guys have a lot to go before they can sit and watch the sunset together, yet throughout the series they do formalize their relationship and later on adopt two kids. 

The whole series is told from Jory's POV. Jory is one of my absolutely favorite characters, he is a JOY to read. He is funny, and a bit strange, he is very good with little details when it's about people but real life and everything around him? he can totally miss out on. Though he is basically an orphan he acquired a family through his boss - Dane Harcourt. He was the best personal assistant Dane could ask for, but after years working together they come to the conclusion they are much more than a boss and employee and so they part ways work-wise so they can become each other's family. Dane is also a character I absolutely LOVE. 


Detective Sam Kage is a complicated character. His whole life he saw himself as straight but he can't deny the attraction he feels toward Jory. He has a lot of struggles concerning his sexual identity, mostly when it comes to what he expected his life to be and also the fact he is a cop and being one and having a relationship with a man doesn't work that well together. Sam has a very loving and caring family but though they love Jory almost as much as he does, he is more close minded and so it's hard for him to find the path to what he truly wants. But when he finally realizes Jory is "it" for him, he is determined to NEVER let him go and doing all he can to be by his side and protect him (from himself mostly, or rather from his tendency to ALWAYS get into MAJOR trouble). 


Sam is truly the "alpha" in this series, it's usually not something I care for, but though he has his temper, Jory is mostly amused when Sam gets all ruffled up. Jory wants to "submit" to him, but their relationship is still very equal. Even when it comes to taking care of life and death situations they find themselves in. Jory is NOT a "damsel in distress", on the contrary. 


The 7th installment - "Parting Shot" - is different from the others focusing on another couple - Aaron Sutter and Duncan Stiel. We've met Aaron in the 3rd installment, he and Jory were in a rather serious relationship for a year and a half while Sam was away breaking apart the drug cartel who were responsible for Jory's injury in the 2nd installment. While Aaron and Jory stayed friends it was mostly Aaron staying close enough in case he and Sam broke up.. later on he tried replacing Jory with a sort of "duplicate"/"replica" of Jory until Jory makes a strange decision near the ending of the 6th installment to try and "hook him up" with Duncan Stiel a Detective he and Sam meet on their stay in Phoenix. Really enjoyed this one as well, Aaron and Duncan fit in a way I didn't see coming. It was so very different from Sam and Jory and also I loved seeing Aaron in a different lighting or rather seeing who he REALLY is. 


Notes -

  • Originally, the first 4 installments were published on their own, which is why I have separate reviews for them. A while back they were discontinued and instead of them two books were published -  "A Matter of Time Vol.1" containing the first and second installments and "A Matter of Time Vol. 2" containing the third and forth installments. It's basically the same. 
  • Jory and Sam's story is basically told in the first 6 installments. The 8th installment is a free closure novella of Sam and Jory getting re-married. The 7th installment as mentioned above is of a different couple (also mentioned in the 8th installment)
  • The 4 bonus short novellas - "Just Jory", "Ears, Eggs & Bunnies", "Hannah's Big Night" (told from (10 years old) Hannah's POV) and "Another Day With Jory" are free online reads (click links to read). 
  • If you've just finished this series and BUMMED that it's the end, it is and it isn't.. you can catch many glimpses of Sam (and a bit of Jory and the kids) in "Marshals", where Sam is the boss of the two MCs. 

Books:

1. A Matter of Time, #1 (published 1 October 2009) ★★★★★ 
2. A Matter of Time, #2 (published 2 November 2009) ★★★★★ 
3. A Matter of Time, #3 (published 30 November 2009) ★★★★½
4. A Matter of Time, #4 (published 15 December 2009) ★★★★★
5. Bulletproof (published 1 September 2011) ★★★★½
5.5. Just Jory (published 9 October 2012) ★★★★★ 
6. But For You (published 12 October 2012) ★★★★
6.5. Ears, Eggs & Bunnies (published 18 April 2014) ★★★★
7. Parting Shot [Duncan StielAaron Sutter(published 18 July 2013) ★★★★★
8. Piece of Cake (published 12 August 2015) ★★★★
8.5. Hannah's Big Night (published 27 November 2015) ★★
8.6. Another Day With Jory (published 24 December 2016) ★★★