F*CKING SHATTERED
by K.B. Andrews
MAKING IT HAPPEN- Reading, reviews & travel. Sometimes you just have to make things happen.
Showing posts with label audio clip. Show all posts
Showing posts with label audio clip. Show all posts
Sunday, June 10, 2018
Friday, May 11, 2018
Audiobook Spotlight: RELATIONSHIP RESUSCITATION by Jennifer Theriot-Includes Giveaway!
RELATIONSHIP RESUSCITATION
The Juniper Court Series
by Jennifer Theriot
by Jennifer Theriot
Thursday, April 19, 2018
Audiobook Review: #THE BEST EVER by Deanna Wadsworth, Narrated by Terrence Leonardo
The Best Ever: A 1NightStand Story
Author: Deanna Wadsworth
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Release: February 14, 2018
Blurb
Audio Book Links:
E-Book Buy Links:
Amazon - Kobo - BookStrand - Nook - iTunes - Smashwords - Google Play
Audio Sample:
Carra's Review
This is a novella in the 1NightStand series, and mixes a little sweet with a touch of second chance romance and a heavy dose of nerd/jock matchup, and what you get is another great addition to this series.
Jason is the nerdy math kid in high school, subject to bullying at the hands of the jock and popular crowd, at least until the star baseball player he’s tutoring—Blake—gets wind of it. There’s a touching moment between the two during a comfort scene at the beginning of the story, but then they wind up going their separate ways until they meet up again seven years later.
While you can probably predict who Madame Eve has set up for Jason, how it all comes about and plays out afterward makes for a sweet, then sensual story…as well as a culmination of more than one high school crush.
This is a quick read/listen, yet it still gave me a satisfying story and characters with depth that I really did enjoy. The story was a 4-star read for me, and fits very well with the series. If you’re looking for something shorter that will still result in a thorough story, you’ll definitely find it here with #The Best Ever.
The narration: This is the first audiobook I’ve listened to with this narrator. He has a pleasant voice, and paced the story well, though sometimes the consistency of the voices was lacking. The sound quality seemed to change often throughout the story, which was a bit annoying at times. And while reading “#” (“hashtag”) over and over doesn’t bother me, hearing it said over and over actually did—though this is not due to the narrator, it’s just having that same word said out loud so many times in one story was distracting for me. Overall though, I was satisfied with this audiobook and will be listening to it again in the future.
Author Bio
Deanna Wadsworth might be a bestselling erotica author, but she leads a pretty vanilla life in Ohio with her wonderful husband and a couple adorable cocker spaniels. She has been spinning tales and penning stories since childhood, and her first erotic novella was published in 2010. She has served multiple board positions at her local RWA chapter and is the current President 2017 for Rainbow Romance Writers of America. When she isn’t writing books or brainstorming with friends, you can find her making people gorgeous in a beauty salon. She loves music and dancing, and can often be seen hanging out on the sandbar in the muddy Maumee River or chilling with her hubby and a cocktail in their basement bar. In between all that fun, Deanna cherishes the quiet times when she can let her wildly active imagination have the full run of her mind. Her fascination with people and the interworkings of their relationships have always inspired her to write romance with spice and love without boundaries.
You can also find her young adult alter ego, K.D. Worth
Buy Deanna’s books at Dreamspinner Press, Decadent Publishing or at any reputable eBook seller like Amazon
Monday, February 19, 2018
Monday, February 5, 2018
Friday, January 12, 2018
Now Available: Audiobooks of LEANING INTO ALWAYS & A KIND OF HOME by Lane Hayes-Includes Giveaway!
Two titles from two different series by Lane Hayes are now available in audiobook.
Leaning Into Always
Series: Leaning Into, Book 2
Author: Lane Hayes
Publisher: Self Pub
Original Release Date: September 5th, 2017
Heat Level: 4 - Lots of Sex
Pairing: Male/Male
Length: 30k
Genre: Romance, Bisexual, Established Couple, San Fran, Beach, Surfer, Geek, Opposites Attract, Friends to lovers
Add to Goodreads
Synopsis
Life is good for Eric Schuster. He owns a highly successful tech company, has a great group of buddies, and he’s about to marry the man of his dreams. Eric is pleasantly surprised to find the transition from friends to lovers has been easier than he thought. However, after running into an overly friendly ex-boyfriend on an impromptu trip to their shared hometown, Eric realizes things are about to get complicated.Zane Richards is a quintessential California surfer dude turned professional sailor. His laid-back approach has helped him navigate difficult times in his life. Eric may not share his easy-going mindset but Zane knows without a doubt Eric is the one. However, carving a future together may require confronting a piece of the past Zane thought he’d left far behind. Both men will have to decide if they’re willing to risk what they know for a chance to lean into always.
Listen to a Sample
A Kind of Home
Series: A Kind of Stories, Book 4
Author: Lane Hayes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Original Release Date: June 23, 2017
Heat Level: 4 - Lots of Sex
Pairing: Male/Male
Length: 77k approximately
Genre: Romance, Bisexual, Rock star, NYC, humor, light suspense
Add to Goodreads
Synopsis
Isaac Dalton is the guitarist for Spiral, arguably the biggest rock band in the world. The band’s meteoric rise to superstardom has its perks, but fame and fortune aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. Nonstop touring and performing exhaust him, and when an overzealous fan makes it imperative that Isaac travel with a clingy bodyguard, he is ready for a break from the madness. More so when his newly single first crush shows up on his doorstep. The man is strictly off-limits. He’s a memory from a place Isaac would rather leave behind. And he’s straight.
Fun-loving former athlete slash construction worker Adam McBride desperately needs a new beginning. And New York City is the perfect place to start over and think about how to rebuild his life. A short stint as roommates with his brother’s best friend from high school seems like a mutually beneficial arrangement. However, when friendship gives way to fierce attraction, both men find themselves in uncharted and possibly dangerous territory. Isaac has to decide if he’s willing to take the ultimate risk for a kind of love and a kind of home he never dreamed possible.
Listen to a Sample
Meet the Author
Lane Hayes is grateful to finally be doing what she loves best. Writing full-time! It’s no secret Lane loves a good romance novel. An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. These days she prefers the leading roles to both be men. Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and won first prize in the 2016 and 2017 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a newly empty nest.Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | eMail
Giveaway!
Sunday, December 10, 2017
Audiobook Spotlight: THE DOLAN GIRLS by S.R. Mallery-Includes Excerpt & Giveaway!
THE DOLAN GIRLS
by S.R. Mallery
Friday, November 24, 2017
Audiobook Review & Giveaway: SMOKY MOUNTAIN DREAMS by Leta Blake, Narrated by John Solo
Buy Links:
Narrated By: John Solo
Length: 14hrs 46mins
Blurb
After giving up on his career as a country singer in Nashville, Christopher Ryder is happy enough performing at the Smoky Mountain Dreams theme park in Tennessee. But while his beloved Gran loves him the way he is, Christopher feels painfully invisible to everyone else. Even when he's center stage he aches for someone to see the real him.
Bisexual Jesse Birch has no room in his life for dating. Raising two kids and fighting with family after a tragic accident took his children's mother, he doesn't want more than an occasional hook-up. He sure as hell doesn't want to fall hard for his favorite local singer, but when Christopher walks into his jewelry studio, Jesse hears a new song in his heart.
SMD Sample from Leta Blake on Vimeo.
Carra's Review
This story is one that will take you through an emotional wringer a time or two, and it will probably touch on some hot buttons for most readers. For me the biggest hot button was the amount of religious nonsense coming from both Christopher and Jesse’s families (much more so from Christopher’s), situations like this drive me nuts and I just want to give those zealots a massive chunk of my mind. Another tension spot I think readers may pick up on is how some of the portrayal of Jesse being bisexual comes off as a bit stereotypical, at least where the breakdown in his and Marcy’s relationship is concerned (sorry, not saying more as it would become too spoiler-y).
The chemistry between Christopher and Jesse develops easily and goes from oh-yeah-that’s-hot to they-just-redefined-the-word-scorching pretty quickly. That’s one thing this story does not lack—incredibly naughty sex scenes that will have you absolutely melting on the spot. I do feel the need to mention that there was actually one of those scenes that I actually did not care for due to the direction in which the dirty talk went since to me it kind of bordered on self-degradation…but other than that, you’ll find copious amounts of the down-and-dirty.
The connection that forms between the two men goes far beyond the physical, and they have more than their fair share of angst, tension, and unique family issues to play havoc with their developing relationship. While by the end of the story things have gone in the right direction, there are still points that are not quite resolved that made me feel like the story wasn’t quite done. The story feels long, longer than it should for the tale being told. The conflict between Jesse and his sister-in-law as well as between Christopher and his mother and stepfather was irritating and made me come to despise those characters (part of the intent of the conflict I’m sure), and I sometimes felt the whole religious righteousness aspect was a bit much.
While neither Christopher nor Jesse are perfect (Jesse irked me once in particular after Christopher sees Marcy by completely overreacting to where I wanted to slap some sense into him), they are perfect together…it’s just working their way around their families and the situation with Marcy that causes the strife and overwhelming angst throughout the story.
Overall, Smoky Mountain Dreams was a 3.5-star read for me, and honestly if the story could be trimmed down so it didn’t feel so overly long I’d probably jump that up a whole star. This story is strictly for readers 18+ for adult language and explicit sexual content with some of it delving into some lighter kink.
The narration: John Solo did an absolutely fantastic job narrating this story. He gave all of the characters distinct, individual voices and was able to clearly convey the high emotional content of every scene even as they became quite intense. The pacing felt just right, and I was drawn right in to the story. 5 stars for the narration!
Author Bio
Author of the bestselling book Smoky Mountain Dreams and the fan favorite Training Season, Leta Blake's educational and professional background is in psychology and finance, respectively. However, her passion has always been for writing. She enjoys crafting romance stories and exploring the psyches of made up people. At home in the Southern U.S., Leta works hard at achieving balance between her day job, her writing, and her family.
GIVEAWAY!
November 13 - Gay Book Reviews, MM Good Book Reviews
November 14 - Alpha Book Club
November 15 - V's Reads
November 16 - Diverse Reader
November 17 - Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, BFD Blog
November 20 - Gay Book Reviews, Reading In Sarah's Corner, Valerie Ullmer, OMG Reads
November 22 - Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words
November 24 - Bayou Book Junkie, Gay Media Reviews, Making It Happen
 |
| Hosted By Signal Boost Promotions |
Sunday, November 5, 2017
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Audiobook Release-Excerpt & Giveaway: LEANING INTO LOVE by Lane Hayes
Leaning Into Love
Series: Leaning Into Stories, #1
Author: Lane Hayes
Narrated By:
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: August 16th
Heat Level: 4 - Lots of Sex
Pairing: Male/Male
Length: 2 hrs and 59 mins
Genre: Romance, Erotica, Friends to lovers, surfer, white collar, San Francisco, bisexual
Add to Goodreads
Synopsis
Eric Schuster is a successful guy. He’s part owner of a highly successful tech firm, he has a supportive family and a great group of close friends. But something is missing. Or maybe he’s reacting to his business partner and ex’s wedding news. He knows his former lover is making a big mistake but he also knows it’s time to move on. And hopefully avoid falling for another friend.Zane Richards is an avid sailor and surfer with a laid-back approach to life. He firmly believes there’s a time and place for everything if you’re willing to take a chance. Like letting his best friend know he’s interested in being much more than friends. Eric has always been half in love with Zane but going from friends to lovers isn’t an easy sell for someone protecting his heart. Eric will have to decide if he’s willing to risk it all by leaning into love.
Listen to a Sample
Excerpt
Zane refilled my glass and returned it to me with a naughty smirk. “You get kinda corny when you’re tipsy, Schuster. It’s cute.”“Cute?”
“Yeah. You get goofy. Your ears turn red and it makes the freckles on your nose stand out. Then you do that thing with your hair where you swipe your hand through it so many times that it looks like you just rolled out of bed.”
“Uh…okay. That’s embarrassing.” I searched for a reflective surface as I attempted to pat my unruly brown hair into some semblance of order. “I was going for debonair and I got bar mitzvah kid chic,” I grumbled.
Zane leaned forward and gave me an intense look I didn’t understand.
“You don’t have to be anyone but yourself with me, Eric. I like you just the way you are.” He sat back again and cocked his head. “So let’s talk about this stupid engagement party. What’s the dress code?”
“Um… it’s probably dressy casual,” I replied with a furrowed brow. I wanted to back up a sentence or two and analyze his words and dissect the meaning of “I like you just the way you are”.
“The usual oxymoron,” he snarked. “You are going with me, right?”
“Sure. If you want.”
“I want. It’ll save us both the trouble of finding some poor unsuspecting sucker to drag to a fancy shindig.”
“True. Speaking of suckers, don’t you have a date tonight?”
Zane glanced at his watch and then stretched his legs out on the bench so his shoe nudged my thigh. “I’ve got time. Talk to me. What else have you been up to lately? I noticed there’s a new exhibit at the Modern Museum. Have you gone? I think it’s a midcentury retrospective with Motherwell and de Kooning. I know you like the scribbly art and…”
His conversation was easy. The gentrified version of his former surfer dude accent had a lilting quality I could have listened to for hours. I felt myself truly begin to relax and let go of the invisible hold I’d had on my emotions, like a swimmer grasping onto a ledge who finally realizes he can reach the bottom of the pool. Being with someone who knew quirky details about me and accepted them without judgment or reservation was a gift.
I treasured all of my friends, but Zane was special. Our friendship was rooted in geography and history and now time. He wasn’t making a romantic advance when he asked me to attend Nick’s engagement party with him. That was latent wishful thinking on my part. Zane was simply being who he always was. My oldest and best friend.
Available at Amazon
Meet the Author
Lane Hayes is grateful to finally be doing what she loves best. Writing full-time! It’s no secret Lane loves a good romance novel. An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. These days she prefers the leading roles to both be men. Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and were winners in the 2016 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in an almost empty nest.Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads |Instagram
Giveaway!
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Audiobook Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: THE NECROMANCER'S DILEMMA by SJ Himes, narrated by Joel Leslie
The Necromancer’s Dilemma
Author: SJ Himes
Narrated By: Joel Leslie
Length: 7 hours 47 minutes
Series: The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #2
Release Date: July 21st 2017
Genre: M/M Paranormal Romance, Fantasy
BLURB
Even love can die without trust.
Angel's brother, Isaac, has returned home, and the pair begins to make slow and awkward attempts back to each other. Learning how to be a brother to a grown man instead of a parental figure has Angel adjusting his behaviors and habits, and Isaac still remains a mystery. Was it merely entering adulthood that turned Isaac away from an overprotective Angel, or does Isaac carry a secret that will keep them from finally being a real family?
Daniel Macavoy, Angel's new apprentice, is torn between his bond with Angel and the grasping machinations of his father. Dealing with a traumatized apprentice with dangerous holes in his magical education, saving Daniel may be harder than Angel first thought - especially since the biggest problem is not revenge, but guilt.
The one shining beacon in his life is Simeon, Elder vampire of Boston's only Bloodclan. Four hundred years old and sexy as sin, Simeon is warrior and sage, patient and cunning. The strength Angel draws from Simeon's devotion and the newborn mate-bond between them is steadfast and true - and the fount of death magic that animates the undead lord places Angel in the midst of a power struggle for control over himself, his lover, and his family.
Through it all, Angel is beleaguered by the unwanted attention of a troll-hybrid, the adventures of a dragon in the city, and a serial killer has decided to hunt the back alleys and midnight streets of Boston.
Contains male/male sexual content. Violence, gore, sex, vampires. A cute dragon and some snark. Okay, lots of snark.
Purchase:
Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK | iTunes
Find The Beacon Hill Sorcerer series on Goodreads
EXCERPT
“You’re doing it again,” Angel accused with a glare and teasing pout, crossing his arms, his now empty coffee cup crushed in one of his hands.
“And that would be?” Simeon asked with a grin, turning to face Angel, leaning down to sniff at his neck and short brown hair. The blond highlights were growing out, and Simeon wanted to run his hands through the strands.
“Staring at me with that lovey-dovey expression on your face,” Angel grumbled, and Simeon chuckled. He may complain, but Simeon could smell just how happy Simeon’s loving regard made the necromancer.
“As I love you, and as the planes of your face are intriguing as that of an old Italian master’s painting, gazing upon your visage with adoration is just something you’ll need to grow accustomed to,” Simeon whispered, kissing under Angel’s ear. Angel sighed, his scent happy and warm with the spice of his arousal. Simeon licked the warm skin he found there, the taste of salt and the thrum of blood pulsing just under the surface making his body hum in returned desire. Though the scent of death magic his mate gave off just by existing was enough to calm his desire to bite. Angel would welcome his bite, he was sure of it, but their bond wasn’t strong enough yet to grant Simeon immunity from magic poisoning.
“Only the two of you would get frisky at a crime scene,” a rough whiskey-laced voice complained behind them. Simeon sighed with reluctance and pulled away from his mate, turning to nod a greeting to the gruff detective.
“Hey, O’Malley,” Angel smirked, moving the bottom hem of his sweater over his groin. Angel was aroused, and Simeon growled quietly, satisfied at the reaction he got from his mate.
Carra's Review
After reading the first book of this series, I immediately picked up The Necromancer's Dilemma to get my fix of Angel and Simeon. And yes, after finishing I am truly addicted to the series...well, at the very least to Angel and Simeon and their truly amazing bond.
SJ Himes continues the superior storytelling started in book one, and once again I found myself totally immersed in the Beacon Hill world to the point I was oblivious to everything around me. The relationship between Angel and Simeon continues to deepen, becoming even more passionate and sensual to the point that it will give you tingles...and have you desperately seeking out some ice and extra fans.
The excitement, action and suspense also continue, and these aspects of the story actually make up a good portion of the pages, and the heat between Angel in Simeon infiltrates everywhere-even in scenes that are distinctly non-romantic as their bond grows ever stronger. Add to that one incredibly adorable dragon (though don't let his diminutive appearance fool you), tension between Angel and his brother Isaac, and complications with Angel's apprentice Daniel and what you get is another fantastic story that really enhances the series.
And oh, I want more. I'm already going through withdrawals after finishing this book. In case you haven't already guessed, The Necromancer's Dilemma was another 5-star, top recommendation read for me, and it's cemented The Beacon Hill Sorcerer series as my favorite M/M paranormal romance series. You're not just getting steamy hot scenes between supernatural beings-you're also getting excellent, truly creative writing, characters who continue to evolve and develop, and little tidbits that as they show up pretty much guarantee we'll be getting more exceptional stories in the future. Recommended for M/M paranormal readers 18+ for adult language and explicit, searingly hot M/M sexual content.
The narration: I was thrilled when the author announced that Joel Leslie would be continuing to narrate this second book in The Beacon Hill Sorcerer series, and I was just as satisfied with his narration of The Necromancer’s Dilemma as I was with the first book. He did a perfect job of keeping the voices consistent from the first book, and I just can’t get enough of his interpretation of the characters. He brings them all to life so flawlessly, always making the listener feel like they are right there in the scene with the characters. Once again he’s delivered a 5-star narration, and I hope he continues on narrating this series as future books are released!
Book One
Title: The Necromancer’s Dance
Author: S J Himes
Series: The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #1
Narrated by: Joel Leslie
Length: 8 Hours 8 minutes
Release Date: 21st March 2017
Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy, M/M Romance
BLURB
In a world where magic is real and evil walks amongst humanity, a young sorcerer is beset by enemies, both old and new.
Angelus Salvatore is the only necromancer in all of Boston, and his name is whispered warily by the undead and fellow sorcerers alike. He and his brother Isaac are the lone survivors of an attack by an army of the undead, in which Angel used a spell so powerful it forever marked his place in history. Now, years later, Angel struggles to balance his career as a teacher of the higher magical arts, his role as big brother, and a tenuous relationship with an Elder vampire from the local clan. When his brother's boyfriend is used as a pawn in a mysterious plot to draw Angel out, Angel is once again drawn back into the old hostilities that fueled the Blood Wars and led to his family's death.
Leaning on others for help is something Angel cannot do, and while he searches for clues as to who may be targeting him and his brother, Angel finds his heart steadily growing occupied with Simeon, Elder and vampire. Dealing with death magic and vampires on a daily basis may leave Angel jaded when it comes to life and staying that way, but the more time he spends fending off the ancient vampire's attention and affections, the more he realizes he wants to give in.
Can Angel find out who wants him dead, and keep his heart safe in the process? How can he fall for a vampire, when his whole family was torn apart by an army of the undead? Death stalks the streets of Boston's historic Beacon Hill...and there is no one more suited to battle against death than a necromancer.
Purchase:
Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK I iTunes
Listen to an audio teaser from The Necromancer’s Dance at Soundcloud
GIVEAWAY: Win $10 Amazon Gift Card
About the Author
I'm a self-employed writer who stresses out about the silliest things, like whether or not I got my dog the best kind of snack and the fact my kindle battery tends to die when I'm at the best part in a book. I write mainly gay romance, erotica, and urban fantasy, with ocasional forays into contemporary and paranormal. I love a book heavy on plot and character evolution, and throw in some magic, and that's perfection. My current series are: The Beacon Hill Sorcerer, Bred For Love (as Revella Hawthorne), and The Wolfkin Saga. My last two novels in the Beacon Hill Sorcerer won 3rd Place in the Gay Fantasy category for the 2016 Rainbow Awards.
I live in New Orleans, where the personalities are big and loud and so are the bugs! New Orleans is rich in cultural history, and the flavor and music of the City is impossible to hide. Before that, I lived all over the United States: Tampa, Western Massachusetts, Indianapolis, and on and on.... I'm a nomad, and I've yet to find a place that calls to me strongly enough to become home. My faithful travel companions are my dog Micah, the numerous voices in my head who insist they all get put on paper, and the wind at my back.
About the Narrator
Joel Leslie is a UK transplant, growing up with American parents in a British commonwealth. A classically trained actor with an MFA in theatre from USC, he is often cast for his unique ability to deliver native, authentic combinations of American and British sounds. His great range and ability to bring characters to life with honesty, wit and versatility delights producers and listeners alike. He is proud to have a strong following with m/m listeners and an ongoing relationship with some of the finest writers in the genre. He loves that every day he gets to share these beautiful, inspirational and empowering GLBT characters with the world. When not in the booth he spends his time chasing after two loquacious wiener dogs.
Find a list of Joel’s books on Audible
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)