Review: Slay Ride by Davidson King 4 of 5 stars

Slay Ride by Davidson King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Christmas is a time for joy, family, and friends to gather around the tree and fill their hearts with love. Unfortunately, there are some people who don’t deserve happiness during the holidays. Mason keeps to himself. His best friend, JJ, is the only one he chooses to be close to, plus his job keeps him busy. Excitement isn't something he needs or wants in his life. One night, that all changes when he’s cornered, and his life is threatened. His saviours turn out to be just as dangerous, and the mysteries surrounding them soon flip Mason’s world upside down. Gabe and his brothers spend their lives making sure those who deserve death get what’s coming to them. The one person they never see coming is Mason. What for them should have been a simple rescue turns into even more chaos than they ever thought possible. Enter the Saint brothers’ dark and twisted world on a slay ride that will have you on the edge of your seat, swooning for the bad boys, and trying to survive the fall of revenge.

I enjoyed this dark story which had love, family and removing corrupt officials on the way. I loved the friendship between Mason and JJ as well as the relationship between Gabe and Mason. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.

** Please note this was originally a short story that was part of the Christmas Anthology O Deadly Night Vol 1. It has since been expanded to a full-length novel. 

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Review: Lord Garrington's Vessel by S. Rodman 4 of 5 stars

Lord Garrington's Vessel by S. Rodman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's 2022. Magic isn't supposed to be real. Arranged marriages aren't supposed to exist.

How are gay arranged marriages for magic a thing? Fen grew up alone in boarding schools. Never met any of his family. At his graduation, his older brother turns up to take him home. Except Fen discovers he is the result of a shameful affair and not related to Lord Garrington at all. Yet, for appearance’s sake, everyone must continue to believe they are brothers. To make matters worse, an indiscretion reveals that Fen is a vessel. Someone who grows magic but cannot wield it. Magic can only escape his body and not kill him by regularly submitting his body to a mage. Hence the crazy arranged marriage idea. It's a shame the only mage he wants is his arrogant and obnoxious fake brother. Lord Xander Garrington, like all British nobility, is secretly a mage. He was only supposed to pay the boy off, but Fen was outrageously pretty. Then he turns out to be a vessel. The opportunity is too great to miss. He needs to pretend Fen is his brother and sell his stepmother’s bastard to the highest bidder. Securing the best possible match to advance the family’s fortunes. If only Xander's emotions would obey. He is supposed to sell his fake brother, not fall for him.

I enjoyed this story which was a good introduction to the world that this series is set in.  I felt so sorry for Fen and as a little sad that he seemed to settle for Xander although I guess his options were limited. I was thrilled when he helped the other vessel although it hinted at something which was never mentioned again. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Tattooed Soul by Elamy Pride 3 of 5 stars

Tattooed Soul by Elamy Pride
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Carter believes in soulmates and can feel it in his bones as Roman Hilson is the other half of his soul. Roman just got out of prison after serving a fifteen-year sentence for a crime he didn’t even commit. When the past crashes into his present and threatens his future, he has to learn to trust his family - blood and found - to help him clear his name once and for all.

I enjoyed this story but it was a bit strange that they were together on a feeling and kindness. The camaraderie between the team/friends around the tattoo parlour was heartening. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: We Could Do This Tonight by Emerson Beckett 4 of 5 stars

We Could Do This Tonight by Emerson Beckett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three years ago, Ben walked into Alejandro's Portland bar and stole his heart with one look. It didn't matter that he's 21 years older than him. All he wants is Alejandro. Benjamin’s beautiful smile and endless charm attract everyone he meets, including my 20-year-old daughter, Anna. No one knows about all the things they have done together. He's made sure to keep it from her. When someone attacks the bar via social media, it’s all he can take. So, which does he choose? Anna’s happiness? Or a life with Ben? Ben knew he loved Alejandro Sanchez the moment our eyes met across the bar. There was something about the single dad and bar owner that I couldn’t get enough of. After three long years, he’s finally okay with us. But when he refuses to tell Anna about us, Ben takes matters into his own hands. He’ll do whatever needs to be done to keep him in his life, even if it means accepting a date with Anna.

This was a good story but I did become annoyed with Alejandro's pathetic behaviour around making a public an full commitment to Ben. Ben was a saint to wait that long. I did love the rose conversations with Preston which made me laugh. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: We Could Do This Forever by Emerson Beckett 5 of 5 stars

We Could Do This Forever by Emerson Beckett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Preston James did things to Nick Reed. Things that left him wanting more of him and his dirty mouth, even though he knew better. Things that made his heart race. Things that made him come to realise there was more to his boss’s best friend than met the eye.

I loved this story as the two men flirted with each other and Nick and Preston fell more and more in love with each other. Yes they had a few communication issues and a really big argument but it was clear that they belonged together. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Knight by Charity Parkerson 4 of 5 stars

Knight by Charity Parkerson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It started when an adorable pink-haired sprite slipped into Knight’s life. Before that moment, Knight hadn't realised how much a person could love their best friend. Unfortunately, that friendship has him knee deep in the world of crime. Even more unfortunate for him, this predicament has Knight incapable of staying away from the most dangerous man he’s ever met - Royal. It might mean his downfall. Royal had his emotions stripped from him years ago. He’s been trained to do one thing: kill. For now, he’s doing what needs to be done to survive. That means living with a family who thinks he can be redeemed. That ship sailed a long time ago. But now there’s this ridiculously hot art teacher who’s in over his head and Royal can’t stop thinking about him. Several times he’s considered killing him so he can move on, except he can't. That’s never happened to him. It’s a puzzle Royal has to solve before the clock runs out and Knight learns the truth.

I love this series. It is dark and yet when these damaged men love someone they do it completely and obsessively. The story of Knight and Royal was a very enjoyable story. The addition of Cannon was fun and added colour to the story. Easy to read feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Leo, My Partner by R.S. McKenzie 4 of 5 stars

Leo, My Partner by R.S. McKenzie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Leo doesn't experience emotions like others do. When he sees Tyshawn, that changes. One look and he knows he’s his. It doesn't matter that he's never been with a man before. When Ty catches Leo working his second job, he has to decide if he wants to stay with him. Leo has to convince him that he's willing to do anything for him including slaying some of his demons. Owning his own bakery is Ty's dream. When a friend pushes him to contact the owner of Ray’s Beanery for a tasting to display his baked goods at his coffee shop, Ty jumps at the opportunity. The sexy coffee shop owner he meets is as unexpected as is his instant feelings of desire for him. That is, until he walks in on him covered in blood while he’s  working. Is Ty capable of it too?

This was a dark story merged with a passionate love story. I enjoyed the chemistry between them and their discussions on events. It was well written and easy to feel and understand. As dark as it was it actually made me smile and I was pleased when the rapist was killed. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.

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