Tag Archive | 5 Stars

The Enlightenment of Daniel (Sex in Seattle #2) by Eli Easton (5 Stars)

Jul10

A wonderful friends-to-lovers story that really captured my heart.

Daniel Derenzo is an extremely wealthy and ruthless businessman. His dying father has finally convinced him that he needs to start living his life. His best friend and business partner, Nick Ross, was in love with Daniel when they went to college a long time ago. Nick is now in a bad marriage with two children. Daniel realizes that he’s in love with Nick, but they have so many obstacles to overcome.

I just absolutely loved this story. The characters were well developed, the plot was interesting, the resolutions were believable, and I found myself tearing up quite a few times. Daniel was such a stressed out man. He was extremely driven and calculating in everything that he did. At the same time, when it came to Nick and the kids, he had a heart of gold. I enjoyed Daniel’s visit to the sex therapist when he realized that he might actually be gay and wanted help to confirm it.

Nick was smart, hard-working and extremely nice. His kids came first, and he was concerned about what a divorce might do them. I actually enjoyed the kids in this story. They not only brought an emotional connection with them, but they also gave the plot its true conflict. This story is only loosely connected to the first in the series, but it was also a wonderful book.

A love story between friends with true complications in their lives that was both touching and beautifully written.

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Originally reviewed for The Romance Reviews. Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review.
Book Blurb

The Tin Box by Kim Fielding (5 Stars)

Jul8

Emotionally heart wrenching, with a troubling look at the past treatment of people with mental illness, this thought-provoking story will stay with me for a very long time.

William Lyon has fought accepting his homosexuality his entire life. His deeply religious parents, who believed it to be wrong and unacceptable, went so far as to send him to conversion therapy. In trying to do what he thought was the right thing, he married a nice enough woman. Unfortunately, after 6 years of marriage, he finally accepted that he is gay and got divorced.

In order to work on his dissertation on memory, and due to his lack of a place to live, he takes a job as a caretaker at a mental institution. While working there, he discovers a tin box filled with letters from one of the patients. What unfolds is a devastating story of one man’s love for another man, and the despicable treatment he received by those trying to “cure” him. William reads each letter over a period of several months. During that time, his life is slowly mirroring many of the same concepts from the letters.

William, a very subdued but extremely kind person, meets Colby Anderson, one of the most jubilant people he has ever met. Colby is an amazing, sweet, and fun person. In addition to taking care of his grandparents, he also helps run their store. William and Colby form a wonderful friendship, and then start to become something more. I loved William and Colby and all of their interactions. These two were meant for each other and fit together perfectly.

There were some steamy scenes, but most of it was pretty mild. The epilogue at the end was truly beautiful and believable. In addition to the box of tissues I went through every single time William read a letter, I had to find a few extras for the happy tears at the end.

A truly memorable love story which also reflects on a history that I hope never repeats itself.

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Originally reviewed for The Romance Reviews. Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review.
Book Blurb

Tuck & Cover (2nd Edition) by SJD Peterson (5 Stars)

Jul4

An amazingly enjoyable story about finding your true love while pursuing a shared passion.

This book is broken down into two parts with each part running in parallel timelines, but told by different characters. The first section was told by Shane Tucker, and the second by Owen Bradford. Shane has written an account of his life in the army and his relationship with Owen. Owen proceeds to clarify some of Shane’s comments, and provide us with details of what was happening in his own life at the same time.

I absolutely loved and adored both of these interesting and unique characters. Shane was shy, afraid to take what he wanted, but still a powerful man on his own. Owen was cocky, assertive and used to getting what he wanted. These two together created a visual in my mind that I would love to see in reality. The sexual tension during the first story was off the charts, but nothing compared to the heat once they got together. An extremely well-written steamy scene with the perfect emotional connection. Fortunately, it wasn’t the only scene, but the sex certainly didn’t overwhelm the story. I loved their dedication to becoming Rangers and serving their country. Their fear of coming out in the army and being discharged was both realistic and tragic.

There wasn’t as much dialog as I usually prefer in my romances, but it somehow still worked on the emotional level because of how the story was told. By getting both of their stories, I felt like I really got to know each of the characters. There was a touch of humor as Owen continuously egged poor Shane on. I was crying happy tears at the end knowing these two would somehow manage to spend the rest of their lives together.

If you enjoy military romances, then I highly recommend this enjoyable, touching and sexy love story.

**Review for the 2nd edition

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Originally reviewed for The Romance Reviews. Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review.
Book Blurb

Dirty Play by Kyle Adams (5 Stars)

Jul2

Just loved it! Whit and Zack are both adorably shy, and once they hook up, it was pretty sweet. I never realized so much took place during role-playing games. I loved the sense of humor in this story.

Link to free story at Smashwords & ARe.

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Book Blurb