Review: Angels On Top by NJ Nielsen

Angels On Top

5/5 Hearts: Must Read!

by NJ Nielsen
Published by MLR Press
ISBN# 978-1-60820-549-3 

Blurb:

All Marlowe wants to do is find his place in the world with someone to love. Someone who sees just who he is.

Thrown out of home for not conforming to his family wishes, Angelo heads to the one place he knows he will be welcome with open arms.

With a little help from their family and friends can Angelo and Marlowe figure out just who is stalking Marlowe before Christmas morning? Can Marlowe win the heart of the boy next door? Can Angelo figure out that even straight boys sometimes fall in love with their best friends?

Set on her home continent of Australia, NJ Nielsen paints Marlow Weldon and Angelo Linford's world. I feel in love with these two boys completely on their own merit, and then as I kept reading I fell in love with the bright, funny and interesting supporting characters. The interaction and the dialogue is brilliant. I love NJ's voice. She brings her smooth writing skills to the table, and shows us how a book is supposed to be done. 

As a person who struggled with my own sexuality, I really connected with Angelo and his confusion. I was also able to empathize with the frustration Marlowe felt at having fallen in love with the straight person. However, once Angelo sorted things out in his own head and decided to go after what was his, watch out!

Then ending of the book was absolutely perfect. I was very invested in the characters and look forward to reviewing the second book in the Toowoomba Boys series, Hunting for Clay. This was definitely a 5 heart book for me!

If you wish to purchase Angels on Top, you may do so through Amazon Here. You can also purchase it directly from the MLR Press website here.

Review: Jaxx Steele's Papa Knows Best

4/5 Hearts


Papa Knows Best
Jaxx Steele 
published by Phaze Books


Blurb: Dominick ‘Papa’ Pappas was a handsome, young photography teacher at Indiana University given to impulsive behavior and an overwhelming passion for his craft. Professor Bradley Louis taught philosophy at the college and had the reputation of being the sternest and most unsocial of all the teachers on campus. When Papa first laid eyes on Professor Louis it was love at first sight. Professor Louis was handsome, intelligent and twenty years his senior. Papa approached him, but the professor turned away from his advances claiming they had nothing in common and belonged to two different generations. Because of that he didn’t think they had a chance to survive as a couple. Can Papa convince him of otherwise or will Professor Louis’ theory on May-November relationships prevail?




Set on Indiana Universities campus, Jaxx Steele lays out the somewhat unlikely pursual (at least in typical romance genre's) of an older professor by a much younger one. I will admit to having preconceived notions about the book before I started. I'm happy to say I was surprised. I did not read the blurb, I never do, because I want to look at a book with no idea of what's to happen. I liked that Papa was the aggressor and more dominant man in the relationship. And I loved that Brad wasn't a pushover. He made Papa work for it.

My only major peeve with the book is how short it was. However, it was a beautifully written story that wasn't given to plot holes, which is pretty amazing as it is so short. I very much enjoyed the colorful characters and hot sex scenes. It didn't bother me the age or ethnic differences between the characters. In a well told story, it shouldn't because the love that binds the characters should be enough to bridge the barriers of a readers mind. This book did that for me.

All in all, if you are looking for a short sexy read, that will soothe your romantic soul, this one's for you.

You can purchase it from Amazon here.

To learn more about the Author, or to see other works visit the author's website: http://jaxxsteele.com

Meet the Author: Margie Church talks about Krewe Daddy

Margie was nice enough to answer a few questions for me while I was reviewing her latest book, Krewe Daddy. She is absolutely lovely, and I very much enjoyed interacting with her!  --CarrieAnn

What is something you'd like your readers to know? 

First, I'm thankful for their support. This is a very competitive and oftentimes negative business. Hearing from readers is really fun and makes the hard work worthwhile. Secondly, the reason the Minnesota scenes are so authentic in Hard as Teak and Krewe Daddy is because I lived in the area described as Wescott, Minnesota.

We know that Drew is from Hard as Teak, but how did you decide on this story line? Any particular reason that you moved it to New Orleans? 

One of my readers suggested I give Drew his own story. If you read Hard as Teak, you know how badly Drew wanted out of Minnesota (so did Teak). He also had an outdoors lifestyle and interest. While I was thinking about what I could do with Drew, I was working on a story in New Orleans for a large construction firm. (I freelance magazine features.) One of the construction lawyers I interviewed happens to be the Krewe Captain of the Tucks. One thing led to another, and the next thing I knew, Paul and I were discussing how floats are built and parade issues in New Orleans. Luis became the float designer for the Flamin' Dames Krewe. I also really enjoy suspense novels, so Krewe Daddy was a chance to get back to writing one of those.

Are there going to be any further stories with the Hard as Teak and Krewe Daddy characters? 

 
I don't know! I hadn't expected Krewe Daddy to be a direct sequel. I loved the crossdressers - Ronnie and Sapphire. And Blair is left out there waiting for love to find him. He's probably the only character that I feel a strong affinity toward exploring. I have at least two short stories and a novel ahead of me so if I write a third book in this series, it won't be until the fall. I'm open to suggestions!

I would TOTALLY love to see Blake get his own story. But I liked Ronnie and Sapphire as well! 

How did you get into writing M/M romance? 

Like every other subgenre I've written, I thought I'd take a shot at it. It's less forgiving than other subgenres I've written in because it's so very popular. I ended up taking one male POV writing class, joining several online gay communities, getting gay beta readers, and learning a lot about how gay men live, think, love, speak, and make love. I've been criticized by gay men and I've been praised by them for how I've portrayed gay men in my books. I will add that if you write in a very popular genre, be prepared for a roller coaster ride of reviews and commentary. I've gotten over 100 reviews for Hard as Teak. I hope readers will embrace Krewe Daddy just as tightly.

What is your favorite character written to date and why? 

Probably Ladislav Husek. He's the leader of the Vampire Nation in my Love Bites/Dangerous Love series. This evil vamp is the poster boy for psychos. He's manipulative, insanely jealous, hateful, cruel, and he has a huge soft spot for a leather-wearing shapeshifter named Dirk. This vampire visited my dreams. I could hear the tone of his voice. His breath sounds. Knew the shape of his body - his muscle tone. He totally creeped me out and I loved - adored - writing him.

Do you have any upcoming releases?

I'm finishing a m/m story entitled Executive Decision, for Decadent's 1 Night Stand series. I'm also co-authoring this very exciting, very erotic BDSM novel, entitled RAZOR. The first portion of Razor is in an anthology called Bound For Love - Ties that Bind. If you are a student of kink and a lover of the lifestyle, this collection would interest you. We hope to have Razor on the market this summer through Sizzler Editions.

I love meeting new people!

Learn about me and all my books: www.RomanceWithSASS.com
Buy all my books on Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&search-alias=digital-text&field-author=Margie%20Church
Twitter: MargaretRChurch
Facebook: Margie Church

Thank You Margie!

You are so very welcome. I hope you'll subscribe to my blog and keep up with me. It's always wonderful to make a friend out of a fan!

Review: Krewe Daddy by Margie Church

5/5 Hearts! MUST READ! 

Krewe Daddy by Margie Church

Published by Noble Romance Publishing, LC

ISBN: 978-1-60592-402-1

Blurb:

Drew's insecurities pushed him to have a foolish affair six years ago. It destroyed his relationship with Luis, and he's never been able to commit to anyone since. Now, he's taken control of his life and changed his submissive personality by becoming a model for Kevin Marks, and a wildlife enforcement agent in New Orleans.
These men haven't forgotten each other, or settled their differences. When they accidentally meet in a French Quarter gay bar, the years of regret, anger, and pent-up emotions erupt. Their passion is as hot as ever, their mistrust just as potent. When Drew's future is in Luis' hands, will he choose his lifestyle or love?
Featuring Kevin, Teak, and Drew from Hard as Teak.

True love's course rarely runs smooth, and Drew and Luis are no exception. They got off track 6 years ago, when Luis' ego clashed with Drew's insecurities, resulting in Drew's infidelity, and the couple's break-up. 6 years later, finds them in very different places. Drew is confident both as a New Orleans wildlife enforcement agent, and as a model for Kevin. Luis isn't quite sure how to take the new Drew. Both men want a second chance, but the past keeps getting in the way.When Drew's job as a wildlife enforcement agent causes him to cross paths with a vindictive New Orleans gang, Luis is there to pick up the pieces.

This book is the sequel to Hard as Teak, although, its great as a stand-alone. The story is set in between sultry New Orleans and frigid Minnesota. Two very contrasting settings but well executed, especially Minnesota's cold. Its contemporary, but doesn't give a specific year, which I like, because it will keeps the book modern for a longer period of time.

I absolutely loved the main characters, Drew and Luis. Drew was a very sympathetic character, maybe partly because he was making a reappearance from Hard as Teak. Even though you know Drew was in the wrong for cheating on Luis, you feel for him, much more than Luis at times. Luis comes off as a jerk, but he really cares for Drew, and that is obvious from the beginning. As if trying to rekindle a "lost" love wasn't difficult enough, add in some crazy gangbangers, and some meddling friends, and its almost a recipe for disaster or... HEA.

I really connected with the characters, and I just love Margie's writing style. This book definitely tugged the heartstrings. I don't often shed tears over a book but I did this one! This is a book to read again and again. I would definitely recommend it.

If you would like to purchase it from Amazon, you can find it HERE.