This story is told through Ryan’s POV. As he lays in bed admiring the love of his life, he reflects back on how the two A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
This story is told through Ryan’s POV. As he lays in bed admiring the love of his life, he reflects back on how the two fell in love…with a little help from his best friend, Nicole. Nicole introduces Ryan to the music of the heavy metal band Time of Death and Ryan finds himself crushing on the lead singer. When the band comes around for a concert, Nicole is the one who helps Ryan look fabulous – so fabulous that in a crowded concert hall he manages to catch Brad’s eye. As the two engage in a whirlwind romance, the clock is ticking for Brad to head back to America – except he doesn’t want to go without Ryan – and Ryan isn’t sure if he is ready to take that kind of chance.
The sex scenes between these two are erotica at its finest. Brad just reeks of sex and Ryan just wants to eat him up! While Brad may be living in a closet, he loses all his inhibitions in the bedroom!
My one complaint is that I really didn’t want the story to end. I wanted to see more of the romance between these two, but that is one of the hazards of reading a novella – you can only get a taste. For a novella, this one was pretty good. It had a decent story line, a lot of hot sex, and a happily ever after that left me feeling satisfied even though I wished it had been longer. I highly recommend.
This story is told through Ryan’s POV. As he lays in bed admiring the love of his life, he reflects back on how the two fell in love…with a little help from his best friend, Nicole. Nicole introduces Ryan to the music of the heavy metal band Time of Death and Ryan finds himself crushing on the lead singer. When the band comes around for a concert, Nicole is the one who helps Ryan look fabulous – so fabulous that in a crowded concert hall he manages to catch Brad’s eye. As the two engage in a whirlwind romance, the clock is ticking for Brad to head back to America – except he doesn’t want to go without Ryan – and Ryan isn’t sure if he is ready to take that kind of chance.
The sex scenes between these two are erotica at its finest. Brad just reeks of sex and Ryan just wants to eat him up! While Brad may be living in a closet, he loses all his inhibitions in the bedroom!
My one complaint is that I really didn’t want the story to end. I wanted to see more of the romance between these two, but that is one of the hazards of reading a novella – you can only get a taste. For a novella, this one was pretty good. It had a decent story line, a lot of hot sex, and a happily ever after that left me feeling satisfied even though I wished it had been longer. I highly recommend.
The plot of this book is interesting. Andrews Security is an elite security company hired to protect Ethan Tameron, the A Joyfully Jay review.
3 stars
The plot of this book is interesting. Andrews Security is an elite security company hired to protect Ethan Tameron, the teenage son of a business executive, while he is away at a soccer camp. When Ethan and his agent never arrive at camp, the search for the two missing men begins. A day later, the agent is found beaten, tortured, and left on death’s doorstep. Later that day, a video email arrives warning the father not to bring in the police. Over the next few days, more video emails appear threatening to sell the son as a sex slave.
Aaron is shy and awkward around most people and he tends to be somewhat of a loner. When Ethan is kidnapped, Aaron’s knowledge about the BDSM scene is called upon to help track down when and where he will be sold. Teaming up with Declan, they go undercover to track down the kidnappers.
While the plot was interesting, the writing was tedious at times. In the first chapter, over a half dozen characters are thrown at readers. While I am a fan of secondary characters in books, secondary characters should play a secondary role rather than each of them having their own point of view. Throughout the book it seemed as if there were many main characters, yet we never really connect with any of them. It was almost as if it were written like a screenplay for a television show where you get bits and pieces from multiple characters, but there isn’t any real star of the show.
The plot of this book is interesting. Andrews Security is an elite security company hired to protect Ethan Tameron, the teenage son of a business executive, while he is away at a soccer camp. When Ethan and his agent never arrive at camp, the search for the two missing men begins. A day later, the agent is found beaten, tortured, and left on death’s doorstep. Later that day, a video email arrives warning the father not to bring in the police. Over the next few days, more video emails appear threatening to sell the son as a sex slave.
Aaron is shy and awkward around most people and he tends to be somewhat of a loner. When Ethan is kidnapped, Aaron’s knowledge about the BDSM scene is called upon to help track down when and where he will be sold. Teaming up with Declan, they go undercover to track down the kidnappers.
While the plot was interesting, the writing was tedious at times. In the first chapter, over a half dozen characters are thrown at readers. While I am a fan of secondary characters in books, secondary characters should play a secondary role rather than each of them having their own point of view. Throughout the book it seemed as if there were many main characters, yet we never really connect with any of them. It was almost as if it were written like a screenplay for a television show where you get bits and pieces from multiple characters, but there isn’t any real star of the show.
This story had such a great premise – the idea of the bullied kid returning home to the hick town he grew up in and bA Joyfully Jay review.
3.25 stars
This story had such a great premise – the idea of the bullied kid returning home to the hick town he grew up in and being able to stand tall and proud of who he is and what he’s accomplished, while surrounded by all those jocks whose lives still revolve around who they were back in the day. Add in one of those jocks who isn’t as straight as he pretends to be, and this story had me hooked from the beginning. Unfortunately, despite the strong beginning, this book lost me about 2/3 of the way through when I began to realize that one of the characters wasn’t going to be the person I needed him to be.
Danny had a tough life. The son of a Mexican immigrant woman and a man who despised him because of his sexuality, Danny was the target of bullies. Now, five years later, he’s back for his friend’s wedding and determined to be who he is and damn anyone if they don’t like him. When he finds himself flirting with the object of his teenage fantasies, Danny can’t help himself from asking Mitchel to spend the night.
Mitchel has harbored a crush on his straight best friend for almost forever. Having to watch him take his vows and knowing that it would never be put a damper on any feelings of celebration. When he finds himself spending most of the reception talking to Danny, Mitchel can’t pass up the opportunity for a hookup that he doesn’t have to drive hours for.
The Runaway Model is the first book in a three book series. Though the author claims that this book is cliffhanger frA Joyfully Jay review.
3.25 stars
The Runaway Model is the first book in a three book series. Though the author claims that this book is cliffhanger free, readers will quickly realize that the story is far from being told and will have to wait to read the second book in order to start getting some answers.
Before I continue this review, I will warn readers that the story contains a child predator, attempted kidnapping, and date rape drugs being given.
The first third of the book deals with Kyle from ages 14 – 16 and his problems with stealing, having a single mom, a predator for a teacher, and his obsession with the rock star Stoney Rockland. I really enjoyed reading about Kyle during these formative years because it gave some insight into why he was the way he was.
Bryce was a much harder character to like. Bryce is obsessed with becoming a billionaire and I was constantly reminded of how rich he was…so much that at times I was picturing him as Ebenezer Scrooge sitting there counting his money. Yet, he did begin to grow on me.
This is a story that will warm your heart while keeping you thoroughly entertained. Jeff narrates this story so well thaA Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
This is a story that will warm your heart while keeping you thoroughly entertained. Jeff narrates this story so well that it almost feels as if you are reading a novel written in the first person – except that everything he’s telling you really happened. Within minutes of starting this book, I wanted to sit down and have coffee with these two guys because they were just the types of people who you know you would enjoy meeting.
I also have to say that this book really opened my eyes on how difficult it is for gay couples to become parents – even in this day and age. Without the ability to pop out a kid in nine months, they face hurdles at every junction that they keep on jumping because they want to be parents. As readers will see in this story, just because a child didn’t come from one’s womb doesn’t mean that there is any less love or devotion on the part of the parents.
I absolutely loved this story, I didn’t want it to end – but I wanted it to end because I just wanted them to be able to welcome home Jackson! It’s rare to read a story that can compete with my fantasy world fiction stories that I devour, but this book managed to do just that. If you are looking for a feel good story with an abundance of laughs, you’ve got to check this one out!
If you like mystery/suspense stories, this book is going to reach out and grab you within the first few pages! Told iA Joyfully Jay review.
4.75 stars
If you like mystery/suspense stories, this book is going to reach out and grab you within the first few pages! Told in a generic point of view, someone faces the worst nightmare of waking up next to a dead body and having absolutely no memory of the last few hours. This one kept me guessing right up until the end!
The main characters in this story have paranormal abilities – which, if you’ve read my reviews, you know I am not a huge fan of – but, I will say that both of these abilities were well described and seemed “plausible” enough that I could believe that they really existed. Add in that the story has contemporary setting/time, and you have a book that even non-paranormal readers will enjoy.
The first meet between these two guys is probably one of the most awkward first meets ever! I immediately fell for Jake with his shy, stuttering, foot-in-mouth syndrome came to life! Add in a sexy, flamboyant, blond who doesn’t have a shy bone in him and you will be rooting like I was for these two to get together.
On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States made a monumental decision, and at long last, marriage equalityA Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States made a monumental decision, and at long last, marriage equality became the law of the land. That ruling made history, and now gay and lesbian Americans will grow up in a country where they will never be denied the right to marry the person they love.
But what about the gay men who waited and wondered all of their lives if the day would ever come when they could stand beside the person they love and say, “I do?” In this anthology, four accomplished authors – all married gay men – offer their take on that question as they explore same-sex relationships, love, and marriage. Men who thought legal marriage was a right they would never have. Men who, unbelievably, now stand legally joined with the men they love.
This is one of those reviews that I dread giving because there was so much potential in this book for it to be a wonderfA Joyfully Jay review.
3 stars
This is one of those reviews that I dread giving because there was so much potential in this book for it to be a wonderful romance story, but it just wasn’t working for me. I had a really hard time wrapping my head around Seth’s ability to move on/function after the whole sudden loss of Mark, his partner of twenty years. Mark committed suicide after his health began to rapidly fail from a degenerative disease that he had kept a secret from everyone around him. The idea of Seth getting onto a cruise ship two measly weeks later (because you didn’t buy cancellation insurance) and asking someone to come along to defray the cost – someone you really don’t know all that well or particularly like – seemed a bit over the top for me. I’m sorry; I have a really hard time imagining myself being able to get out of bed two weeks after a devastating event such as this. Had the timeline been more realistic, say six months down the road, it might have been a less bitter pill for me to swallow.
Then there was this whole issue with Bryce. Bryce is a bit of a sexaholic and has some serious commitment issues. This is the guy who can’t keep it in his pants between the airplane landing and the cruise ship departing! He just wasn’t the type of guy I expected someone like Seth to want to be around, never mind fall for. Yet, this story wants me to believe that this man has the ability to commit to a grieving man and offer him a happily ever after?
Amnesia is one of the most overused tropes in romance stories – one that I typically avoid at all costs because it tendsA Joyfully Jay review.
3 stars
Amnesia is one of the most overused tropes in romance stories – one that I typically avoid at all costs because it tends to be too “soap operish” but, when I saw that one of my favorite go to authors had this book coming out, I jumped at the chance. What I didn’t realize is that this story was originally published in 2006 by Torquere Press and has been re-released through Dreamspinner Press. I figured it out fairly quickly when the times/dates seemed to be a bit off.
Basically, this is the story of four men whose lives are thrown into limbo when one of them is injured in a bull riding incident and loses his memories of the last five years. Thaine and Jerry had a very volatile relationship when they were together. Despite their love for one another, they both were too stubborn to stick it out and work together. When Thaine walked out that last time, Jerry refused to chase after him. Now that they are back together – for the purpose of helping Thaine recover his memories – the two easily fall back into their routine of arguing and making up.
Drew is devastated by the loss of Thaine’s memory, especially since the time he can’t remember is the time that the two of them have been falling in love with one another. One accident and his entire world is turned upside down as he is now homeless and the love of his life doesn’t remember who he is. Forced to rely on Jesse for a roof over his head while they wait out Thaine’s recovery, Drew realizes that maybe Thaine really isn’t the love of his life as he begins to fall in love with Jesse.
This book is not a standalone and must be read in order. As it had been a few months since I read the first book in the A Joyfully Jay review.
3 stars
This book is not a standalone and must be read in order. As it had been a few months since I read the first book in the series, I found that I had to go back and re-read the first in order to feel as if I remembered enough of what had happened in order to understand what was going on in this one.
The author does a great job describing the post-apocalyptic world. For the non sci-fi reader, I had no difficulties believing what was going on, who the characters were, or the world that they were living in.
In this installment, Randy and Preston arrive in Ailton where they hope that Preston will be allowed in and will get some answers as to why Operation Wasteland was scrapped. In addition to Randy and Preston, we are introduced to a new character, Leyton, who happened to be Preston’s lover and former leader of the clan. Despite Preston’s anger at his former lover, he knows Leyton literally holds Randy’s life in his hands.
While the plot was intriguing and the sexy scenes are spicy, I had many of the same issues I had with the first book in the series in that I never really felt the connection with the characters. They each play a role, but they come across as two-dimensional rather than three-dimensional.
This is a politically motivated story. After Ethan and his ex-wife divorced, Ethan made a deal with the devil in orderA Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
This is a politically motivated story. After Ethan and his ex-wife divorced, Ethan made a deal with the devil in order to stay an active parent in his daughter’s life. Working for a conservative news network, Ethan is paid a lot of money to push the propaganda of the right wing. When an event that occurred in college becomes the fodder for the rumor mill, Ethan’s sexuality is questioned. With his contract up for renewal, his bosses are pushing for him to get back in the saddle again and start dating women to put the rumors to rest. While Ethan uses the excuse that he isn’t ready for another relationship, the truth of the matter is that he is a deeply closeted bisexual man who is beginning to question himself after he finds himself attracted to his daughter’s teacher.
Charlie doesn’t date. He prefers the anonymous hookups he gets off his phone’s apps. When he meets Ethan, he thinks he would be the perfect man to have some fun without any strings attached – especially considering that Ethan’s job is to spout out the conservative view that conflict with Charlie’s values.
The secondary characters in this story include Charlie’s friends, Ethan’s co-workers, and Ethan’s ex-wife. I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised Deirdre became one of my favorite characters! While Ethan and Deirdre may have their differences, there was still a strong bond between them.
This is the second book in the Urban Love series and can be read as a standalone. Though Archie and Zach were minor seA Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
This is the second book in the Urban Love series and can be read as a standalone. Though Archie and Zach were minor secondary characters in the first book, this story focuses solely on their relationship. For readers of the series, Rick and Matt from the first book play a strong secondary role.
Readers should know that this isn’t a light-hearted romance story. It is gritty and real. Archie and Zach have been bringing in anonymous hookups for the last few years to spice up their relationship. While it initially started out as fun, it has left both of them feeling as if they aren’t enough to satisfy each other. In essence, their relationship has disintegrated around them as they’ve forgotten how to communicate outside of the bedroom.
When Zach meets Terry, the hot barman, Archie is adamant that he is not to be part of their lives – in or out of the bedroom. Yet, Zach and Terry have a connection that is too strong to ignore. Both carrying around baggage from their childhoods, they are kindred spirits who have the power to help each other heal. Zach knows that his relationship with Terry can destroy his relationship with Archie, so he begins to keep their friendship a secret. He also keeps secret what the two of them are doing together because he knows Archie won’t be happy about it either.
I love one night stand stories that end up being more than one night! Add in a bit of mystery/suspense and this storyA Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
I love one night stand stories that end up being more than one night! Add in a bit of mystery/suspense and this story had me hooked from the beginning. Especially when Aidan and Jaxon meet and I realized that despite Aidan being Mr. Cool and Confident in a business suit, he’s actually a pretty shy guy. Thankfully Jaxon doesn’t have a shy bone in his body!
So the plot is basically a one night stand on Friday ends up being someone you are going to have to work with come Monday morning. Aidan’s firm hired Jaxon after the last investigator was found out to have been fraternizing with the women at the firm and jeopardizing cases because of it. Needless to say, Aidan is panicking at the thought that what happened between him and Jaxon is going to end badly. Add in that Jaxon isn’t satisfied with just one night, and Aidan is conflicted….best sex of his life versus a career that he has given everything for. Through in a bit of a mystery with the client Aidan is representing and you’ve got a well written story that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
3.75 stars This book opens with the author inviting readers to read her free short story before reading this book. So I did. In A Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars This book opens with the author inviting readers to read her free short story before reading this book. So I did. In it we meet Bryan and Jase before Jase heads back to civilian life leaving Bryan behind. I will admit, after reading the short story, I was eager to read the book. My personal opinion is that the short story should have been included (at least partially) in this book because without it, readers are going to be less sympathetic to the two main characters without knowing the backstory.
The story is told in both Jase’s and Bryan’s POV. The story covers an extended period of time and has several time changes, all of which are noted for readers at the start of the chapters.
Jase thinks of himself as straight, though he has attraction to men…ok, he’s bisexual, but he won’t admit it to himself. Growing up in a religious community/household, it was understandable why he tries hard to suppress these feelings. He joins the military, meets Bryan, and the two become best friends. Just before Jase is to head home to his cheating wife, Jase and Bryan spend a week together (which is the prequel book). Basically that is the plot of this book. Jase is struggling with his sexuality. He doesn’t want to admit he’s bisexual. He’s afraid he will lose his child. He’s afraid of how this will reflect on his child. He’s afraid to lose the love and support of his parents. He’s afraid that he will lose his best friend/lover unless he accepts his sexuality. So while the story is told in both POVs, it is really Jase’s story about coming out and coming to terms with who he is.
This is a wonderfully sweet love story without a lot of angst and with a HEA that will leave you smiling. Set in ManchA Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
This is a wonderfully sweet love story without a lot of angst and with a HEA that will leave you smiling. Set in Manchester, England, this story takes two ordinary guys living ordinary lives who happen to have the worst timing ever and throws them together to realize that the worst time may be the best time to fall in love and give us the makings of a story that will put a smile on your face and warm your heart.
Tom has gotten himself into a rut when it comes to relationships after his long-term boyfriend left him for another man at the worst possible time. He’s slaved away at work in the hopes of getting a promotion only to find himself passed over time and again because he doesn’t have the right anatomy. When he isn’t working, he is usually found sitting at home watching an X-Files marathon with his cat Mulder. Now, with the promise of a promotion on the horizon, Tom knows that if he wants it, he has to earn it by going above and beyond in order to make his editor notice him. The last thing he needs is to find himself in a new relationship.
This is one of those books that I wished was so much longer because I never wanted it to end! Graham has made it his mA Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
This is one of those books that I wished was so much longer because I never wanted it to end! Graham has made it his mission to keep his personal life private from his professional life as a professor. Yet, when he looked up from his podium on the first day of class and saw the sexy, shy man from the night before, he knows he’s in trouble.
The sexy scenes between these two are HOT – and be warned, there are a lot of sexy scenes packed into this story! Though Spencer may be just coming out of the closet, he doesn’t have much inhibition when it comes to the bedroom…or bathroom…
My only complaint about this story is that I had trouble picturing Spencer as being anything other than shy and sweet, so when he acts differently, I saw it as being out of character, especially when he goes right back to being shy and sweet. Overall, I liked the story line, loved the ending, and can’t wait for the next in the series! If you like your stories on the erotic side, you might want to check out this one! Highly recommend.
Figuring this was just a new to me author that I had somehow overlooked, I was stunned when I went looking for more of tA Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Figuring this was just a new to me author that I had somehow overlooked, I was stunned when I went looking for more of the author’s work and didn’t find anything. I was blown away that this was the author’s debut novel!
This is an insta-love story with an out for you theme told in a dual POV. Add in a helping of suspense and humor, and this book had me hooked from the start.
Alfie is a hot mess. He suffers from panic attacks and tends to have a penchant for cracking jokes when he’s nervous. When his father, whom he barely remembers, passes away, Alfie finds his life uprooted when he is given custody of his two step-siblings he never knew he had. I am not a fan of children in my romance stories, but even those “nuggets” managed to worm their way into my heart – so a softie like Alfie never had a chance! On a rare night out, Alfie has a bit too much to drink and finds himself waking up in bed with a stranger…
This is NOT a romance story. Instead, what readers get is a family drama about how one man struggles with his sexuality A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
This is NOT a romance story. Instead, what readers get is a family drama about how one man struggles with his sexuality and the aftermath of what this does to his family. Told in multiple POVs, readers are able to see things unfold from the view of the main characters – Nathan, Stacey, Tyler, and Chase.
Nathan and Stacey were high school sweethearts who found themselves becoming teenage parents at a young age. Nathan’s struggled with suppressing his sexuality for the sake of his family while Stacey, who knows there is something off, goes about creating the image of a perfect family…think Stepford wives. Yes, it was a bit creepy how she tries to bend over backwards to make everything perfect.
Tyler knows Chase struggles with finances as the child of a single, alcoholic mother. Determined to ensure that Chase has a relaxing summer, he invites him along on his family’s summer trek to their lake house where the two of them will work for the local golf course and spend the summer hooking up with the local girls. What Tyler doesn’t know is that Chase is gay.
In this out for you romance story, Michael is a straight-identifying guy struggling to keep it all together after hisA Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
In this out for you romance story, Michael is a straight-identifying guy struggling to keep it all together after his wife died, leaving him as the primary caregiver of his young son, Jagger. Like most five-year olds, Jagger is full of energy and manages to get himself into situations that Michael fears reflects poorly on his ability to parent. When the new teacher in town befriends them, Michael finds himself questioning his feelings for the man who has helped make his life more manageable.
I loved these two characters together. Both of these men are seriously flawed, yet I found myself falling for them, warts and all. As the two begin to spend time together, their relationship gradually goes from strangers, to friends, to lovers in a way that felt natural.
Typically, I am not a fan of children in a story because they tend to take center stage, but in this case, it worked. Jagger is your typical kindergartener who is full of energy. He is the catalyst that keeps throwing these two together.
Cade is an alpha male character through and through. Former Army Special Forces, he is now in charge of the physical tA Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
Cade is an alpha male character through and through. Former Army Special Forces, he is now in charge of the physical training for new recruits to their security business. Yet, despite having a thriving business, great friends, and a loving family, Cade feels as if he is missing something. I melted when I saw him with Braden – there is just something about a big, strong guy having a softer side that he doesn’t let out much.
Braden may be a diabetic. He may have a stalker, but he’s also a physically and mentally strong person – not the type of character one usually sees paired up with an alpha male. I was skeptical as the story played out as to how these two would work together, but I was pleasantly surprised!
I really liked the plot of this story. Someone is stalking Braden and Cade steps in to get to the bottom of it before the stalker gets to Braden. Along the way, the two find themselves falling for one another. Without ruining the story, the latter part of the book had me on the edge of my seat.
Despite the likeable characters and the interesting plot, this is one of those books where the blurb sounds spectacular, but it fell short in the delivery. At times it was almost painful to read because no one talks like these characters talk – and they talk an awful lot. It seemed as if every time one of them spoke, they gave a speech.