Reading, reviews, interviews and rain on the roof...
The Hell Cops of Parmas City serve and protect humans, sorcerers, and demons alike. But when corpses start turning up in their wake, they have to do more than fight for their lives. They have to fight for their loves.
The first Hell Cop was incredibly enjoyable and something just that little bit different. In this 2nd book they’re building on already established relationships and reading it was like visiting with old friends. God. I am such a sap. But it was just so good!
Trust Me, by Astrid Amara, has Jay and Brian a year down the track. Jay still delights in being able to touch someone and Brian is growing into his own skin after the revelations’ in the previous book. The growth of the characters relationship was beautifully done and the hook of Brian’s lack of control was an engaging one. He begins to realize that his ability to touch Jay does not exclude him from being left and his need to learn to control his power, or risk loosing his lover, becomes paramount. A sexy, perceptively written story that does not just look at the surface of a relationship, but delves deeply into its workings.
In Dark Waters, by Nicole Kimberling, the world building is tight and I like her attention to little things that make for vivid reading. The balance of power in a relationship, knowing when to listen and when to argue, brought a warmness to the story. Michael is such a professor and I like how out of his comfort zone he is with Argent at times, when he cannot use his mind reading powers. Parts were also surprisingly funny and had me laughing out loud. I think Bert’s - a bunch of drunken goat-legged midgets and that poor, maligned turtle were rather amusing. hehe. 
Finally, in Such Heights by Ginn Hale, dark and broody Moran returns on another case with his blond and gorgeous journalist lover James. Moran is still determined to resist till the last and I think there is nothing more satisfying than reading about this cop being brought to his knees. So to speak. O-o The floating palace was a very cool world with tentacle like spells and enslaved demons, which made for a cool backdrop for the characters.
Freeloading, hippie mermaids, large bovine like creatures, pocket demons and castles that travel about in the air. These 3 authors write books that I want to read. Get it here from Loose Id. Also, check out Hell Cop 1 here.
PS. I would seriously like some fan art. Commissions I wonder??
Below is a new comic review from Paul. It looks super cool and I have checked in the city and have one put aside. As I’m mooching round home at the moment, I need something to read!!! Might, as Paul suggests, read the rest of the series too, backstory being important and all. heh. He also mentions Fanboi who posted about the series originally. He has a very cool website called Heroes and Hunks, which is definitely worth a nosey.
Maybe it’s winter. Maybe I am just a grumpy haggis as I’ve not seen the sun in a week. This song just seemed apt.
I also have a crush on Lily Allen. She is so cool. It’s love I tells you!
Lovers and Other Strangers by Josh Lanyon.
Recovering from a near fatal accident, artist Finn Barret returns to Seal Island in Maine to rest and recuperate. But Seal Island is haunted with memories, some sweet, some sad; three years ago Finn found his lover in the arms of Fitch, Finn’s twin brother. Since that day, Finn has seen neither Conlan nor Fitch. In fact, no one has seen Fitch. What happened to him? Did Fitch run away, as everyone believes? Or did he meet a more sinister fate? To put the past to rest – and see if there’s any chance of a future with Con – Finn must discover the truth. But the deeper he digs, the more reason he has to fear Con is the only one who knows what truly happened to Fitch…Body Art by Jordan Castillo Price.
His lover has betrayed and swindled Ray Carlucci out of everything he valued, including a tattoo business. Hounded by creditors, weary of heart, he accepts the job of chauffeur and body man for the dying owner of a remote estate. The island, minus its wealthy summer colony, is colorless in winter and Ray thinks he understands why staff on the estate periodically desert. But, he’s baffled by, then drawn to, Anton, the eccentric artist who haunts the forest, bringing strange life to bizarre and disquieting sculptures amidst the ice and trees. When the body of a man who once held Ray’s job rises from the frosty earth, Ray wonders what part Anton’s wildness has in the escalating violence.
From MLR Press.
I was lucky enough to have this sent to me in paperback by LB at Nose in a Book. As a total bibliophile the book itself is nicely bound, has a pretty classy cover and looks damn fine on my shelf. Pats.
Lovers and Other Strangers was such a pleasure to read. I like the love rediscovered shtick and Finn and Conlan have a poignant story that was very readable. If anything it was a story of the two brothers that I found myself enjoying more than the romance. In his usual sparse style this sad tale of sibling rivalry and love was beautifully told by Lanyon and leaves you thinking. Which is fine unless you’re stuck being a bit snively at all hours of the night.
Body Art is the first story by Jordan Castillo Price that I’ve picked up in a while. I am a big fan of her PsyCop series and did like this new story from her. I enjoyed Anton’s quirkiness, but did find the explanation behind his condition a little loose. Despite this it was an entertaining crime read and I do recommend her PsyCop series if you’re looking for more books from her.
You can get the paperback version here via MLR Press.
11 stories of magic, mystery and the fantastic future, all featuring gay heroes. Swordsmen, cyborgs, magicians, ghosts, psychic lovers and enchanted lords fill this anthology with adventure, laughter and passion.
From Blind Eye Books.
Edited by Nicole Kimberling this anthology has some fantastic reads in it. While there were one or two that did not strike a chord, the majority were rather enjoyable.
I think the standouts for me are the delightful fairy tale of Lord Ronan’s Shoes and Remember both by Astrid Amara. She always manages to slip in a rather dry, cheeky sense of humor, that I appreciate! Crossing the Distance by Erin MacKay was some seriously angsty stuff, which indulged my inner emo kid. heh. Finally, Feral Machines by Ginn Hale was just magic. I did not want this one to end, it was truly a fab read.
This is certainly an eclectic selection of stories and part of the books charm is this diversity. Most enjoyable and available now from Blind Eye Books.
When farm boy Alaï meets the bearish coachman Jiki, he doesn’t imagine there’ll be more to their time together than just good, hot sex — perhaps even hotter than times spent with his lithe cousin Rano.
But in this Middle Ages world, everybody seems to have an agenda, including a mysterious Mage with sinister intent. Clearly Alaï is destined for great things, and his comings… and goings are carefully scrutinized by the forces of both good and evil.
From Class Comics.
This is such a sexy read. I just adored Alaï from the get go and throughly enjoyed his adventures in this very cool historical fantasy comic. This particular genre appeals to me a great deal and the comic has great potential to shape up into an interesting series with pretty solid world building and an intriguing story line.
The art is beautiful and I thought the varitey of men of all shapes, sizes and look was especially appealing. The contrast between Alaï and Jiki is luscious and while some of the other scenes are more out and out smex, some are incredibly sensuous and I liked them much. Carlos is seriously clever!
I enjoyed the story, but it is just the beginning of a series and although there is a sense of closure at the end there is lots left to pick up in the next comic. Definitely a setting the scene kind of yarn and as yet there is no release date for the 2nd comic, so not sure when you’d get the next installment. Like all good things though, I guess they come to those who wait – even if they’re impatient bints like me!!
To pick up this gorgeous comic in either electronic format or comic, check them out here at Class Comics. Carlos García has a great blog called A Guy Who Draws Guys here and François Peneaud runs a cool comic site The Gay Comic List and check out his bio here at Prism.
Living in the awesome gay candy store called South Beach, Brian Cohen laments his inability to score a great job or a sexy boyfriend–until he lands at the website GayLife.com, where his hunky boss may want more from him than just his management skills.
I’ve enjoyed reading the Mahu series by Neil Plakcy immensely, so was keen to read his latest book from MLR Press. While his other books focus more on the mystery and to a lesser degree Kimo’s coming out and love life, GayLife.com is firmly in the romance category.
Brian is such an honest character, complete with flaws and the odd annoying personality trait. As for his hunky boss I read less about him than I perhaps would have liked, which is unusual I guess in a romance novel where the central plot revolves around the two love birds and their merry trip off into connubial bliss. +sex. What the book did remind me of was not dissimilar to a chick lit romance complete with a cast of interesting extras, mush hieing around, a few disastrous attempts at love and a flatmate in a pear tree.
While I did enjoy the novel, the sexy boss could have done with a little more development and there was a lot of detail about the comings and goings of Brian and the website. I am a bit of a geek, but there was almost too much internets even for me in there! It had a sweet and satisfying ending though and much smooching. 
Definitely an entertaining and sexy read with a difference. Check it out here at Neil Plakcy’s Website or via MLR Press Website and All Romance eBooks. AND that cover rawks!
An old mystery brought them together. Solving it could tear them apart.
In the best of times, Daniel Gardner hates visiting his family. With his boyfriend pressuring him for a mortgage-serious commitment, Christmas in Easton, PA sounds, for once, like a welcome escape. His old house holds more than memories of a miserable adolescence, though. It has Trey Eriksson.
At seventeen, Trey was taken in by the wealthy Gardner family after his father was jailed for his mother’s murder. Until he left for the Army, he fought a double-edged battle—for proof of his father’s innocence and against his attraction to Daniel.
Fifteen years later, things haven’t changed. Trey is still looking for the real killer. And Daniel has never forgotten how Trey used to sneak into his room at night.
Now new clues to the murder are resurfacing—and so is Trey and Daniel’s sexual chemistry. Except this time, Trey has come to terms with his orientation.
But their connection may not be enough to overcome the mistakes of the past. Not while a murderer still walks free…
From Samhain Publishing.
It is no secret I am a bit of a fan girl for K.A. Mitchell and this new book was a gem.
The novel had a great hook with a return home, first love and a tightly scripted mystery that in no way detracted from the central theme of two men falling in love again. The novel has a slow, sexy burn to it and the tension between Daniel and Trey made my toes curl. The flashes back to when they’re younger feels a little illicit as you read about their burgeoning love, but it’s sensual and beautifully written and makes their interactions as adults that much more bittersweet and sexy. And hot, holy shit. O-o
I think what I enjoy most about K.A. Mitchells writing is that she understands the rhythm of a good book. Her pacing is excellent and there are no lulls where I feel inclined to ferret off to check my twitter account, or other assorted internet wankyness. I’m reading till some ridiculous hour and am still desperate to know what happens next, despite my tiredness. This is what a good book should be all about. That and making me laugh out loud at lines like …Ghosts of Erections Past… Imagery? hehe. Loved it!
Get it here at All Romance eBooks or Samhain Publishing.
After watching an episode of Never Mind the Buzzcocks, I turned and sighed once again over Simon Amstell and his waspish humor and sparkling good looks, only to be told by my partner, ‘Babe, sorry, but he’d be far more into me that you.’ Cheeky bastage. O-o.
Yes… there might be a review later in the week if I can tear myself away from Simon. It is also winter here and I seem to be hibernating and eating a lot of chocolate and reading grubby comics.
When Ukyo rescues a stray dog, he soon learns that he may have made a rare find. His new dog , who he’s named Kuro, can talk! And if that’s not crazy enough, soon Kuro is able to magically transform into a human! With his dog now taking the form of a hot man and licking him in various places, what is Ukyo to do?! From the artist of Wild Rock comes Man’s Best Friend! Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?
From Blu.
This was a seriously cute read and I am so glad I picked it up. I have read Wild Rock by the same author and enjoyed it, and yep, it was totally pron romantic and angst!
The story is well scripted and I was totally engaged from start to finish. It was at times amusing, smexy and just pain fun. The trials and tribulations of life with a partner who is a shifter and a cute pooch, as opposed to some behemoth of a wolf, was a little different from most of the paranormal stuff I read and enormously appealing.
There were three separate stories about Ukyo and Kuro with much ummmm… licking, walking and smex. (it’s good honest!) There are also two other short stories about Kasumi and Ken, who meet when they’re younger and have this whole passionate avowal of ‘I’ll always wait for ewe,’ thing going on (it was sweet!). I totally felt like I got much bang for my buck. The final short is about a shifting goldfish… O-o … which was a little different I must say, although not as weird as a shapeshifting seagull.
The art is gorgeous and, did I already say, cute? Seriously, it is all beautifully drawn and the panels just flowed. I liked it much!
You can check it out here at Blu, buy via Amazon, and do have a look at this great review at Sequential Tart. If you’re keen on this kind of story then I recommend Anne Cain’s Paw Prints series too, which you can get here at Loose Id or All Romance ebooks.
