Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Finding Shelter (Rock Bay Series) ★★★✩✩




Title: Finding Shelter (Rock Bay Series)

 Author: M. J. O'Shea

 Genre: m/m romance

 Print length: 204 pages

 Publication date: April 28, 2013

 Rating: Three Stars

 Blurb: Rock Bay: Book Three

Justin Foster has nineteen years of nothing but trouble behind him. After escaping his abusive father, he finds himself in Rock Bay, Washington, with his cousin Travis. Justin is bruised and has a hard time trusting, but with the help of his family and the small town, he might be able to heal.

Logan O’Brien is also new in town, hoping he can finally get away from his past and the memories of the girlfriend who shattered his heart. It doesn’t take him long to realize Rock Bay can be more than safe harbor: it can also be home. And for the first time in his life, he finds himself captivated by a man—by Justin.

Justin is attracted to Logan too, but he’s also wary. Physically, Logan reminds him a bit too much of the closeted jerks who used to beat him up after school. But after one awkwardly amazing kiss, he’s smitten, despite how his past and insecurities continue to haunt him. Logan’s love, faith, and stubbornness are just what Justin needs to believe their love is worth fighting for.

Review:
I bought this because I wanted a light read and I got one.
Even so, nothing really happened at all. I like a drawn out romance as much as the next guy but it took these guys over a hundred and fifty pages to admit to each other that they're in love. The last fifty pages or so I was ready to beat my head against the wall and shout, "C'mon, get with the program!" The good thing was that the entire cast of the supporting characters were on the same page as me. Everyone knew except for Justin and Logan. Other than the lack of any sort of excitement outside the romance, there was some sentence formation that made me frown (squealed metallically?), especially in a few places where it interrupted the flow of the story so I could mentally go "What?"
The story was very sweet though and Justin and Logan are really adorable as a couple. Like I said, it's a light read, two hundred or so pages, just enough to pass a boring night at work.



Read the Parts I & II of the Rock Bay Series:





Title: Coming Home

Author: M. J. O'Shea

Genre: m/m romance

Print length: 230 pages

Publication date: April 9, 2012

Overall reviewer rating: Four and a Half Stars

Blurb: Rock Bay: Book One

Tallis Carrington ruled Rock Bay with his gang of jocks and an iron fist—until a scandal destroyed his family's name. Ten years later Tallis is dead broke, newly homeless, and on the walk of shame to end all walks of shame. He needs money and needs it fast, and Rock Bay is the only home he knows. But the people of Rock Bay haven’t forgotten him—or the spoiled brat he used to be.

The only person in town willing to overlook his past is Lex, the new coffee shop owner, who offers Tally a job even though he appears to despise Tally based on his reputation alone. When Tally discovers his gorgeous boss is the kid he tortured back in high school, Lex's hot and cold routine finally makes sense. Now Tally has to pull out all the stops to prove he was never really the jerk he seemed to be. After all, if he can win Lex’s heart, the rest of the town should be a piece of coffee cake.

Review by D Jefferson:
After reading Coming Home I've decided that I most likely would not want to live in Rock Bay; however, if only for a brief period, it was a pleasure visiting becasue I was able to delve into the lives of Lexie (James Alexis Barry) and Tallis Carrington (Talli). O'Shea creates rich lives and personalities for Lexi and Tallis. The reader is able to get a real sense of what it is like to walk in their shoes. You feel their pain, excitement, the pleasure they get out of making love to each other and their sorrows. Sorrow which, in part, propels the book and is the underlying foundation they built their current selves and lives on. Eventhough the characters come out on top and with an HEA, they had a long road to cross to get there.

Lexie is the ugly duckling nerd who was bullied by Tallis while in high school. Fortunately, he turns into a good looking and good natured business owner. Tallis, the handsome and popular jock lead a charmed life as a child until his family lost everything and left the town in shame. His character retains his good looks; however, he looses everything and has no one to turn to for help. Furthermore, he's had a secret that he has kept since he was a child. He is humbled and throughout the story seeks redemption. His 180 degree personality change does not go unnoticed by Lexie and as a result, they embark on a hot love affair, until.......... (you'll have to read the book to find out).

On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give it a 5 or 6 on the angst meter. The angst is not peppered throughout the book, it is clustered into one section; however, it packs a punch and you feel what the characters feel. The length of the book is just right at a little over 200 pages. The length gives O'Shea an opportunity to introduce and flesh out the main characters and appropriately intoduce the side characters; some who have been carried over into the next Rock Bay book. Finally the sex is sensual and the reader can feel intimacy between Lexie and Tallis. I would definately recommend this book to others. I can't wait to read the other two books in the Rock Bay Series.







Title: Letting Go (Rock Bay Series)

Author: M. J. O'Shea

Genre: m/m romance

Print length: 206 pages

Publication date: September 16, 2012

Overall reviewer rating: Three and a Half Stars

Blurb: Rock Bay: Book Two 

Drew McAuliffe has lived in the small town of Rock Bay most of his adult life. He’d like to be happy, but not at the cost of having his private life under his nosy neighbors’ microscope, so he keeps his bisexuality under wraps.

After a messy breakup that caused him to pack up and move to Astoria, on the Oregon coast, Mason Anderson decides to avoid drama of the romantic kind. All he wants is to start over—alone.

But Drew and Mason were meant to meet. The long looks and awkward half hellos chance offered were never going to be enough. But when they do finally come together on the worst night possible, misconceptions and problems from their pasts get in the way. Until Mason learns to trust again—and until Drew learns to let go of who he thinks he is—a real connection is nothing but a pipe dream.

Review by 1313:
So according to some people the beginning of the book doesn't work for them, but I thought it was well done. In the middle of the first book, Drew meets Mason so I thought the re-capping of that part in their lives worked well with the story. I love when couple first meet and it's filled with awkward mishaps, and tentative touches. This book was perfect for playing all that out. I will agree with another reviewer, I was waiting for the abused cousin to surface, if he is the subject of the next book, then it would have been nice to get a feel for him, get me excited for the next one! But the lack of him showing face certainly didn't ruin anything for me. I was to focused on Mason and Drew, such great characters, I truly fell in love with them!

If theres going to be a third book, i can't wait, ecspecially if it involves Logan and Justin(I think his name was) should be a good one seeing how Logan is straight;)

I highly suggest you get read both the first book and this one, they are truly great!!

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Saturday, May 25, 2013

Cold ★★★★★




Title: Cold

 Author: Brandon Shire

 Genre: m/m romance

 Print length: 215 pages

 Publication date: May 14, 2013

 Rating: Five Stars

 Blurb: Book 1: Prison is a brutal, heartless, and demeaning environment. No one knows this better than a man sentenced to life in prison for murder. Lem Porter is a high-profile prisoner who had a solid career ahead of him in a field he loved until he killed his brother. He has spent almost eighteen years behind bars and doesn’t have much hope left.

Anderson Passero had it all. He built a career, a name, and a relationship with a man he thought he loved. Only after he very publicly landed in prison did he realize how ignorant he’d been. He has eight months left on his sentence and he is eager to go home and put prison life behind him. He doesn’t know it yet, but he will always carry these eight months with him, and they may just help him to understand what love really means.

Review:
I fell in love with Lem. What can I say.
This entire book was surprisingly sweet. It caught me surprise; you just don't expect something like this from a prison tale. The story is so wonderfully put together, so detailed, from the very beginning you feel like you've just been dropped right in the middle of everything. There are bits and pieces of Anderson's life emerging throughout, enough of them that you have no issues relating to the things he's been through. Even so, I never really warmed up to him. And I don't mind admitting it. For me, my like or dislike for Anderson centers solely on the way he interacts with Lem. Because Lem is, for the lack of a better word, magnificent. A true flesh and blood character. Someone created with a piece of the author's heart and soul. His full story is still unknown. The crumbs that the author doles out don't allow us to make a judgment. Not yet. But by the end, even though you will yearn to know more, you will be ready to forgive Lem anything. Anything at all.
I'll admit that I've been looking forward to reading this. But I never expected to give it more than four stars. Rarely ever do all the pieces of a tale line up perfectly for me. Even when the book is excellent, most authors make the sex scenes cruder than they should be. I never expected such a lush and heartbreaking connection between the characters. So much beauty when they are together for the first time.
*sigh* Now I have to wait even longer for the next installment. But that's ok; now I know it will be more than worth the wait.



More titles by Brandon Shire:






Title: Listening To Dust

Author: Brandon Shire

Genre: m/m romance

Print length: 143 pages

Publication date: March 10, 2012

Overall reviewer rating: Five Stars

Blurb: Murder touched Stephen Dobbins when he was a young boy and left him living in a void of aching loneliness. A chance meeting with a young American chased away the fear that he would always be alone and brought him the prospect of a new existence.

Dustin Earl joined the military and escaped his small town Southern upbringing with the hope that he could give his mentally challenged brother a better life. But Dustin had never known real love, an honest hug, or a simple kiss. He considered his sexuality a weakness; a threat that had been used against those he cared about.

For eight months their relationship blossomed until Dustin suddenly returned home. He cherished Stephen, but felt his responsibilities to his brother outweighed his own chance at happiness.

Shattered, unable to function and unwilling to accept Dustin’s departure, Stephen flew three thousand miles to get Dustin back and rekindle what they had. But what he would learn when he got there… he could never have imagined.

Review by wayne bentley:
"nothing is perfect, not even love" --Brandon Shire

In "Listening to Dust" Brandon Shire's first work since his stunning debut with The Value Of Rain,the author once again drives with poetic abandon through the landscape of the heart, ruthlessly plowing through every intersection of love and pain in this engaging and haunting work.

In London, Stephen Dobbins, whose parents were murdered for mysterious political reasons, meets Dustin Earl, a drunk American soldier with a troubled past and an uncertain future. Dustin's tour of duty has just finished and Stephen takes him home. Their night together engages Stephen's emotions but Dustin explodes with anger the next morning and disappears. He returns eventually and begins a tenuous relationship with Stephen that grows deeply over the course of eight months. From the outset Dustin makes it clear that he will, for family reasons, return to his home and eventually does leaving Stephen bereft and lonely. Stephen hides out in France for a year before finally deciding to go to America to bring Dustin back. He is unprepared for what he finds in America where an awful irony accentuates the paths that love and pain travel together, where love can not save anyone from death, but death cannot destroy love.

"Listening to Dust" is well worth reading many times. There are no wasted words, no comforting platitudes, no perfect romances just life told by a master story teller with a razored and haunting insight into heart and soul.



More titles by Brandon Shire:





Title: Afflicted

Author: Brandon Shire

Genre: m/m romance

Print length: 215 pages

Publication date: September 4, 2012

Overall reviewer rating: Four and a Half Stars

Blurb: A high priced male escort and a blind gay man meet by chance. What ensues is a hot, steamy romance by two men looking for something more than a one night stand. But can they reach beyond their own insecurities to grasp what they really desire?

Hunter Stephens is gay, tall, dark haired, and he’s hot. Very hot. But he doesn’t rely on the visual cues when appraising a man because he’s also blind. He listens to the timbre of their voice, trembles at the touch of their skin, and luxuriates in the deep richness of the aroma of man. He’s hard of the hand because he’s a black belt and takes no shit, but soft of the heart because he’s lonely and has been for a while.

Until he meets Dillon.

Dillon Chambers is straight man candy. He’s a high priced male escort that works with an exclusive agency who handles only the wealthiest of clients. But it wasn’t always like that for him. At sixteen he was thrown out of the house for being gay and struggled to survive, turning tricks on the street and finding food and a place to sleep wherever he could. He met two people that changed his life, but he has never met anyone who could change his heart.

Until he bumped into Hunter.

And now they are both Afflicted.

Review by Shirley Quinones:
4.5 stars

This was a surprisingly good book to read. Why surprising? Well, I just had the synopsis to go by and I was convinced that a relationship between a blind man and a male escort just was not viable. I know, shame on me! However, I very humbly admit that the author brought these two characters together seamlessly and their journey was a joy to read. You get to know the characters inside out and you just have to root for them to make it work.

Both characters had issues to deal with that interfered with finding love, but they were great characters to get to know. Hunter, so strong and determined, revealed a very vulnerable side filled with loneliness and a need to love and be loved. And Dillon, sweet, sweet Dillon, he had a rough past, a very interesting present and a loneliness so great that you could only feel for him. I very much enjoyed how these two got together.

I have to congratulate the author for such beautiful writing. Every emotion - lust, loneliness, anger, insecurity- was so magnificently written that I felt each and every one of them. Especially Hunter's. The author managed to describe these in a way that really let me relate to him. The sex scenes described from Hunter's point of view were splendid. At first, I had to really pay attention since it was so very different from what you read everyday with a sighted MC. Not only for theses scenes, but for every single detail. Page after page filled with feelings, smells, tastes and sounds. The dialog was superb, both entertaining and captivating. It all made for a great read.

So you might be wondering, "Why the .5 deduction?" Well, I feel that the ending came abruptly. I could not believe that it finished so unexpectedly. I remember looking at my location in my Kindle and thinking to myself that it was a mistake. In my opinion, they were in the middle of one of the most defining moments of their relationship and I thought they would start sharing more about each other which in turn would take their relationship to the next level. They did that up to a point, but not to my satisfaction. But that's just me, I tend to take my fictional characters too seriously, so it was a minor detail in an otherwise marvelous book.

I am looking forward to next book since I am very interested in knowing how Hunter and Dillon continue together. Well played, Brandon Shire! You had me hooked from the start, now I have to wait and see where you take us next.



Part II is also available:





Title: Afflicted II

Author: Brandon Shire

Genre: m/m romance

Print length: 220 pages

Publication date: December 3, 2012

Overall reviewer rating: Four and a Half Stars

Blurb: Hunter and Dillon finally came to terms with the idea that they wanted more than just hot sex with each other. Dillon decided to quit hustling in order to invest his time and energy in building their relationship, and Hunter let his barriers down and opened his heart. But fear has a way of creeping up and dismantling things that we hold precious. Dillon’s family isn’t quite finished with him yet and Hunter is torn about whether he should step into the fray. 

Their journey together comes to a thrilling conclusion.

Review by D Allan:

Brandon Shire has a way of writing that pulls you in from the beginning and will not let go until he's ready to let you go.
I loved the first book and that book along with it's sequel are on my favorites list and definitely favorites of 2012.
I know whatever I say about this book will not be sufficient to how great it is, and how much I feel everyone should read not only these books, but anything Brandon writes because every book is such a visceral reading experience.

Hunter and Dillon connected by chance, but then could not stay away from each other, despite the supposedly "obvious" reasons they should. The first book ended with them deciding to try this relationship, even though Hunter knew Dillon was keeping a secret from him.
This book begins with Dillon taking Hunter away for a weekend, and he shares his secret about his cousin and how that relates to the younger man Hunter's mother is dating.
The book then goes through how Hunter wants to protect Dillon, but his choices, well meaning as they may have been, take life choices away from Dillon, because as Hunter admits, he is a bit controlling!!!

Going from lovers to partners is an interesting challenge, especially if you have two characters who don't want to offend, or have the one they care for hurt in any way. That and reconciling the past - Dillon discovers his father has passed away, but he actually wanted to see him before he died, Hunter finds a way to shift from seeing his mother as his controller, to actually have a friendship with her, as she finds herself opening up to people she had once kept at arms length or further.
Navigating through all of these dynamics amongst the characters could make a book very busy, but Mr. Shire does it in such a way that it is all part of the story flow.
And the ultimate question when characters get together in one book and get a sequel - will they make it? You'll have to read it to find out - and for anyone who read and enjoyed the love scenes in the first one, there are plenty here and as many people, the scene where Hunter wants Dillon to make love to him to the rhythm of the rain, one of the most sensual scenes ever!
Amazing story that I will read again and again, and highly recommend to anyone who enjoys love stories with real challenges, dealt with in a mature, real way (most of the time, both characters do also get to be drama queens on occasion!).


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Monday, May 20, 2013

The Epic Love Story of Doug and Stephen ★★★★★




Title: The Epic Love Story of Doug and Stephen

 Author: Valerie Z. Lewis

 Genre: m/m romance

 Print length: 219 pages

 Publication date: April 11, 2011

 Rating: Five Stars

 Blurb: A comedy about a bisexual mechanic turned model who aims to get the man of his dreams and save the world as soon as he finishes smoking this joint.

 Review:
OMG, I freaking loved this book!
The first time I read it, I was at work. Bad idea. I got to the purple monkey fucker and fell off my goddamned chair laughing. My co worker thought I was having a seizure. This is, hands down, the funniest freaking book I've read in this genre. I have no clue how someone could write a book so completely hilarious and still make the romance so very sweet. I adore it, adore it, adore it. If you haven't read it, you're missing out.

 Some highlights:
Doug: "I also decided I want to have a meaningful relationship. But only with one person. And then stay with that person for a long time. Like, uh, monography." 
Stephen tapped a few keys in a quick rhythm. "It's a shame your epiphany wasn't accompanied by a thesaurus."
                                                        *  *  * 
Stephen: "You decided to switch from being a career heterosexual? Did we have a better health insurance plan?"
                                                                       *  *  *
Doug looked at the paper doubtfully. "I'm not gonna have sex with any other guys, Stephen. I'm only gay for you."
"I'm touched," Stephen said. "Get out"
Stephen stood with his arms folded over his chest as Doug readied himself to leave. He put on his jacket, adjusted his orange hat, and retied his shoelaces. Then he stood smiling expectantly at Stephen.
"What part of `get out' was confusing?" Stephen asked.
Doug smiled suggestively. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
"A weapon?" Stephen offered.
Doug leaned forward and whispered, "It's our second date. It's okay to kiss me now."
"This is not a date," Stephen told him firmly. "The first event was blackmail, and the current event is stalking."
"What's the next event?"

 Enough said, I think :)

 Buy it from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Epic-Love-Story-Stephen-ebook/dp/B004W8DA30/ref=cm_cr-mr-title

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Kestrel's Chance ★★★★★




Title: Kestrel's Chance

 Author: Harper Fox

 Genre: m/m romance

 Print length: 92 pages

 Publication date: April 1, 2013

 Rating: Five Stars

 Blurb: Kestrel and Rory are the very best partnership in Wester Fleet’s elite Mountain Rescue Team. They’ve trusted one another with their lives for five years. They’re closer than brothers – but Rory’s feelings for his handsome, daredevil partner are far from fraternal. 

He knows better than to tell Kes the truth. Climbing partnerships are a delicate balance of love and practicality, and the Fleet MRT has a strict non-fraternisation code. Rory could lose everything by a confession. And Kes is an enigma – sometimes distant, sometimes seeming to crave the very devotion Rory longs to give him.

Kes is all set to become the MRT’s next leader. He’s a shoo-in for the job, except for his impatience with amateur climbers and his inability to hold his tongue. When he and Rory are given the job of guiding two important visitors across the Fleet range, it’s a test of his tact to say the least. But nothing about this mission is as it seems, and soon Kes is facing the most terrifying challenge of his life.

Review: 
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
I can't even express my joy at finding this little treasure waiting in my recommendations! I was already set to just wait out the long months leading to the June 11th release of the Brothers of the Wild North Sea, and then, out of nowhere, here comes this book. And let me tell you, although many things in life are uncertain, Harper Fox will never fail you.
I've spent some serious time trying to put into words this incredible, luxurious, magical thing that happens in Harper Fox novels. I just can't do it. I don't have the skills. Every single one of her novels inspires me, moves me, devours me even as I devour it in turn.
"The squat cement-poured block that housed the control and operations room, gym and shabby little pub-just the same, sharply reminding him that inner worlds could fall apart without making the smallest impact on sky, stars or stone."
What can I say? I read this in a few hours; now it's 2am and I'm ruined for quite a while. That's the only downside. Compared to Harper Fox, everything else tastes sour.

 Buy it from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kestrels-Chance-ebook/dp/B00C5TOCTE/ref=cm_cr-mr-img

 More titles by Harper Fox:




Title: In Search Of Saints

 Author: Harper Fox

 Genre: m/m romance

 Print length: 83 pages

 Publication date: August 5, 2012

 Overall reviewer rating: Four and a Half Stars

 Blurb: Mitch is on a last-ditch drive to save his career with the Scottish Institute of Archaeology after his ex-lover Lewis stole his research into the legendary Pictish saints. Mystical pre-Celtic statues are hidden somewhere on mist-wreathed Dove Island. Now Mitch is tearing out to the coast in the hope of reaching the saints before his treacherous ex can stake a claim. At his side is his devoted assistant, Owen. 

Owen adores Mitch, but he’s the quiet, loyal type. Despite himself, Mitch is still dazzled by memories of flamboyant Lewis -- and in danger of destroying his newfound happiness with Owen. As the race for the saints intensifies, Mitch is losing perspective. Will he learn how to appreciate the love of a good man before he plunges himself and Owen too far into the deadly mysteries of Dove Island?

Review by bill m:
wow, just wow! This is another wonderful work from an artist so accomplished and talented that there aren't any superlatives or phrases adequate to describe her writing - although Harper Fox could do it, were she inclined to write about herself. At the London Olympics there were performances so beautiful, virtually flawless, that you sometimes found yourself holding your breath and not realizing that you were doing that - some of the diving competitions come to mind, where the competitors seemed to detach themselves from the gravity that binds the rest of us, effortlessly held in midair for a moment before deciding to come back down to where we mere mortals sat waiting - watching them is like reading a story like this one - here the words, and story, sail in the air, mesmerizing the reader until he or she comes back to earth with the last paragraph. But between the liftoff and the slicing into the water there's a tightly woven story about love and self-redemption, some hold-onto-your-seat action and a bit of the paranormal as well. Who cares if the ancients knew more about life than we do - Harper Fox is real, today, and writing stuff that deserves to be read and savored by the widest audience possible. Grab this one and get ready to hold your breath.







Title: All Roads Lead To You

Author: Harper Fox

Genre: m/m romance

Print length: 45 pages

Publication date: June 7, 2012

Overall reviewer rating: Four Stars

Blurb: Successful British model Sam was making a big name for himself on the catwalks of Rome when he met and fell head over heels in love with Lauro, a waiter in a pizza restaurant. Lauro, charming and naïve, returned all Sam's affection, and they enjoyed one passionate summer in the vibrant city and the wild campagna countryside beyond. But Sam had big dreams. He accepted a modelling assignment in New York and left his pizza boy behind.

Now Sam is back, older and wiser. But Lauro is older and wiser too. Can the city of eternal romance work its magic on these two star-crossed lovers?

Review by Dianne:
This is a beautifully executed short story. The moods experienced by both Sam & Lauro, as well as those radiated from the Italian setting, were vividly portrayed. The author deftly maneuvers the reader through such issues as: miscommunication! avoidance of truth! assumptions! impetuousness! bravado! and... poor knowledge of Italian numerals ;-) to bring us a genuinely engaging story of true love. I was pleasantly surprised and thoroughly engaged with the clever plot twists (and readily admit to face-palming at one point). Love that the end was sweet yet indistinct - it left me breathless, smiling and daydreaming about what the next move for these two was going to be.

Thank you Harper for transporting me to Rome and her surrounding countryside in the company of Sam and Lauro :-)

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Saturday, May 11, 2013

Prelude (Blue Notes) ★★★✩✩




Title: Prelude (Blue Notes Novel)

 Author: Shira Anthony & Venona Keyes

 Genre: m/m romance

 Print length: 250 pages

 Publication date: May 5, 2013

 Blurb: World-renowned conductor David Somers never wanted the investment firm he inherited from his domineering grandfather. He only wanted to be a composer. But no matter how he struggles, David can’t translate the music in his head into notes on paper. 

When a guest violinist at the Chicago Symphony falls ill, David meets Alex Bishop, a last-minute substitute. Alex’s fame and outrageous tattoos fail to move David. Then Alex puts bow to string, and David hears the brilliance of Alex’s soul.

David has sworn off relationships, believing he will eventually drive away those he loves, or that he'll lose them as he lost his wife and parents. But Alex is outgoing, relaxed, and congenial—everything David is not—and soon makes dents in the armor around David's heart. David begins to dream of Alex, wonderful dreams full of music. Becoming a composer suddenly feels attainable.

David’s fragile ego, worn away by years of his grandfather’s disdain, makes losing control difficult. When David’s structured world comes crashing down, his fledgling relationship with Alex is the first casualty. Still, David hears Alex’s music, haunting and beautiful. David wants to love Alex, but first he must find the strength to acknowledge himself.

Review:
Well first let me say that this was well written. It's unfortunate that this needs to be pointed out but I'm afraid that a lot of books in this genre sorely lack an editor. This is not one of those. The story is well thought out and the characters are believable. 
That said, a lot of it just fell flat for me. Sure, parts of it are exceptionally sweet, but although I had no issues relating to David, I did have some issues with Alex. In the beginning I grew attached to him but as the story went along the difference between the Alex in the present and the Alex from the flashbacks just seemed to represent two different people.
Other than that, nothing much happened in this book. There was some Small Misunderstandings and some wounded feelings but it never really picked up the pace. Also, certain parts of it struck me as unnecessary. I'm not a big fan of filler. I find it very frustrating, to the point where I'm muttering 'just get to the point' as I'm reading.
However, this doesn't mean other people might not enjoy this. There's a bit of anguish, nothing too overwhelming but still poignant. 



If you've enjoyed Prelude, read other novels from the Blue Notes Collection:




Title: The Melody Thief (Blue Notes)

Author: Shira Anthony

Genre: m/m romance

Print length: 249 pages

Publication date: August 23, 2012

Overall reviewer rating: Four and a Half Stars

Blurb: A Blue Notes Novel 

Cary Redding is a walking contradiction. On the surface he’s a renowned cellist, sought after by conductors the world over. Underneath, he’s a troubled man flirting with addictions to alcohol and anonymous sex. The reason for the discord? Cary knows he’s a liar, a cheat. He's the melody thief.

Cary manages his double life just fine until he gets mugged on a deserted Milan street. Things look grim until handsome lawyer Antonio Bianchi steps in and saves his life. When Antonio offers something foreign to Cary—romance—Cary doesn’t know what to do. But then things get even more complicated. For one thing, Antonio has a six-year-old son. For another, Cary has to confess about his alter ego and hope Antonio forgives him.

Just when Cary thinks he's figured it all out, past and present collide and he is forced to choose between the family he wanted as a boy and the one he has come to love as a man.

Review by jeayci:
I'm not a fan of insta-love and I love stories that show what happens after the couple ride off into the sunset together, so I really appreciated this one. Cary and Antonio get to know each other a bit before falling in love, and once they do there's still quite a bit of story left to see what their life together looks like. That really worked for me.

The world of classical music and professional musicians was beautifully drawn, making me feel I was right there, living it with Cary. I appreciated the opportunity to be immersed in another world for a while, and to experience Cary's journey along with him. I loved (and ached for) the significance of the title.

I ached for Cary and his belief that his only worth was his musical ability. It was understandable With his family background, but there were also a few moments at the beginning that seemed to contradict that, moments when he'd say or do something suggesting he knew he was worth more than that. That made getting a clear sense of his character a bit tricky at first, but once the story and I got into the groove, all was well.

Cary started out so damaged, and the "meet cute" was when Antonio rescued him from a mugging, so right from the beginning Antonio was clearly the knight in shining armor. I liked him, but I thought he was maybe a little too perfect, with his patience, understanding, awesome family, and so much more. Even though Antonio was arguably less than perfect with his lack of musical or artistic ability, I thought that was part of what made him a good complement to Cary and it helped me better appreciate why he was so drawn to Cary.

There was one thing about Antonio that confused me, a seemingly trivial detail but one that - once mentioned - required an explanation that never came: why was he circumcised? Because it's so unusual for Italians to be cut, and because we were so explicitly told that he was, I expected that we would get an explanation which would offer some new insight into Antonio and/or his family; it never came, so it just endlessly niggled at me.

I also felt like there was some lack of resolution with Cary's brother, who I had hoped and expected to see him visit. Family was such an issue for Cary, and I loved that he got a second chance at understanding both of his parents. It was a big deal for him to finally realize they both loved him, each in their own ways. Some of the storyline with his father felt a little unnecessarily over-dramatic, like a plot device to create tension in his relationship with Antonio. But aside from that, I loved the opportunity it provided for him to heal a bit, and thus make his HEA with Antonio all the more believable.

This was an engrossing story that I was able to enjoy greatly without having read the first in the Blue Notes series. Whether I might have enjoyed it more if I'd read the other first is, of course, impossible to say. But the claim that it stands alone is one I can happily vouch. Recommended.

Note: This review was originally posted at Reviews by Jessewave, where I received the book for free in exchange for an honest review.







Title: Aria

Author: Shira Anthony

Genre: m/m romance

Print length: 231 pages

Publication date: December 24, 2012

Overall reviewer rating: Five Stars

Blurb: A Blue Notes Novel 

Five years after a prestigious scholarship jumpstarted his opera career, Aiden Lind has it all: fame, choice roles, and Lord Cameron Sherrington to share his life with. Maintaining his façade takes effort, but under his poised, sophisticated mask, Aiden is still the insecure kid from rural Mississippi. Then he walks in on Cam with another man, and the illusion of perfection shatters.

Philadelphia attorney Sam Ryan never moved on after his partner died, though he tried. Instead of dating, he keeps himself busy with work—but when he unexpectedly runs into ex-lover Aiden while on a rare vacation in Paris, he’s inspired to give their love a second chance. First, though, he’ll have to get Aiden to forgive him. Because when Sam was still grieving five years ago, he broke Aiden’s heart.

When rekindled lust blossoms into a true romance, it seems like the start of something wonderful. But Aiden’s career has him on the road much of the time, and the physical distance between him and Sam starts translating into an emotional disconnect. If Aiden and Sam can’t learn to communicate, their separation may prove more than their love can bear.

Review by A Lee:
Aiden Lind is an international opera singer living the glamorous life in London and other European capitals with his partner, Lord Cameron Sherrington. Yet, under it all, he's still that boy from a poor southern town whose father still thinks a career as a singer is ridiculous. So, when he walks into a scene where his handsome, wealthy lover is cheating on him AGAIN, he is shattered, but knows he has to be strong enough to walk away.

His singing is his love, anyway, and so far, it has never let him down. When he happens to meet an old lover, there is a possibility of something that could be rekindled, but attorney Sam Ryan is has his own firm in Phildelphia. Can a long-distance relationship work with two important and busy careers?

Aiden and Sam are both distinct and very real characters, and despite the glamorous, high-profile life Aiden leads, he still has to deal with real life problems the same as Sam--particularly, the logistics of two people with lives trying to make things work. It is fascinating to see if and how they can manage it. And along the way are lovely, intense meetings of this bi-continental pair, along with visits to their friends, some of whom were featured in previous books (but reading those are not absolutely necessary to enjoying each different novel--although they are highly recommended!).

It was wonderful to be back in the world of music and art and law and love, with another of Shira Anthony's books!

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