Saturday, February 24, 2024

S.E.X. Review~ Second by RJ Scott & V.L. Locey

When he’s lost everything, can Michael rebuild his broken life and find a love worth fighting for?

In the high-stakes world of professional hockey, Michael "Zeetoo" Zhang once had the potential to shine even brighter than his older brother, captain of the LA Storm. But one wrong turn and a growing gambling habit have led him down a treacherous path. After a run of bad luck, he's left with nothing but debts, and after an arrest, he's slammed with a non-custodial sentence of work in the community. Fate takes an unexpected turn when he is placed in an inner-city garden project, where he encounters Bryce, the enigmatic and surly manager of the project, who harbors a deep resentment toward him. Despite Bryce's cold demeanor, Michael wants to prove himself worthy of being loved, if only the scars of past failures and the constant shadow of his brother's success didn't haunt him and leave him feeling lost and alone.

Bryce Kincaid is chased by his own brand of demons, and years out from his mistakes, he's determined to stick to one path and never waver, just in case he once again loses control. Michael Zhang is everything Bryce doesn't want in his life; temptation wrapped in sex, the hockey player is a man on the edge, and to fall for him would mean Bryce opening his heart to hurt.

As they work side by side, the walls around Bryce's heart begin to crack, revealing a vulnerability that even Michael can't resist. Drawn to each other they discover a passion that goes beyond the ice and the earth, and find a love that defies the odds. Only, just as Michael starts to believe in second chances, his past catches up with him, threatening to derail his life completely, and destroy Bryce right along with him. If he wants a life with Bryce then Michael must confront the demons of his past and fight for the future he never thought he deserved.



The dynamics between Bryce and Michael in Second slowly burned to sizzle as the storyline unfolded and progressed. Authors Scott and Locey gave us insight into the world of hockey, but additionally the world of addiction. Both Bryce and Michael battled their different addictions and everyday fought to keep the demons at bay. As they progressed through life, forgave themselves and others, their world came together in synergy and companionship.

I appreciated that the authors did not make the storyline unbelievable in the life of addiction, but allowed the characters to experience true trials and prejudices that those afflicted face every day. More than a hockey book, Second was inspiring and made my heart happy.

Bryce’s son and the wonderfully charismatic landlord added appeal and a nuance that gave more depth to the storyline. I appreciated the book is more than hockey genre, but that of life, and all that can interfere.

A great series, Second was a sure-fire hit.

Definite S.E.X.

A five handcuff review

~~~~~

2024 ©Evelise Archer All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.

Friday, January 19, 2024

S.E.X. Review~ Zenith by RJ Scott & Eli Easton

A killer haunts Prophet, and this time it’s personal

The discovery of a body at the Thompson Cabins sets off a chain of events that hits too close to home for Sheriff Gabriel Thompson. When his brother Sam becomes a prime suspect in the murder investigation, Gabriel is forced to keep secrets from Tiber and call in outside help as he fights to prove Sam’s innocence. It’s a nightmare that becomes all consuming.

Tiber Russo, animal whisperer, is dealing with problems of his own. A stalker threatens him and his entire menagerie of pets. With Gabriel wrapped up in the new case, Tiber tries to solve the mystery on his own. Who in the sleepy town of Prophet wants to do him harm? But when the threats turn lethal, Tiber finds himself in over his head.

Tiber and Gabriel have solved two murders together and started a deep relationship. But this time the forces ranged against them are personal and the target is on them, and the backs of everyone they love. With each of them isolated trying to protect the other, their strength is diminished. Even with the love they share, can they make it out of this alive?




There is no secret that this reader loves a great mystery, police action and a dose of romance. Yet again, authors Scott & Easton regaled us with a suspenseful read in Zenith, the final book in A Lake Prophet Mystery. The bonus of soulful M/M characters was the cherry on top of the sundae.

Gabriel and Tiber once again are thrusted into the limelight of another murder in their otherwise quiet town, but this time it’s personal. The gentle giant sheriff was the perfect partner to the quiet animal behaviorist who would rather snuggle with his four-legged friends and Gabriel than other humans. Good thing Gabriel had his number and together each complimented the other’s personality and demeanor.

The final book in the trilogy, Zenith was everything I wanted and sad to see it end. I may have said this before, but I don’t always read a book simply because it is labeled M/M. I want a book with substance, mystery, well-written characters; if there happen to be M/M characters, then all the better- it’s just not the first on the list. Having said that, authors Scott and Easton delivered everything I wanted in a good read. Prolific writers, they knew just how to draw the reader into the fold and kept me sitting on the edge of my seat; wondering who dun it and why, attempting to connect the pieces. My only drawback, I wish the books were longer. Some of my favorite authors, Daniel Silva, Lisa Jewell, known for devouring mystery or thriller books; now Scott & Easton moved over in the column to said category.

Definite S.E.X.

A five handcuff review


~~~~~

2024 ©Evelise Archer All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.

Monday, January 1, 2024

S.E.X. Review~ Miracle by RJ Scott

An abandoned baby, a poignant note from his long-lost twin, and unexpectedly, Jax’s world is turned upside down.

Despite being adopted by a loving family when he was a child, Jax feels part of his life is missing, and driven by dreams of his brother being in danger, Jax is consumed by his search for his biological twin. Shocked to find a surprise delivery on his doorstep, Jax discovers that not only is he an uncle, but apparently, he’s a legal guardian to baby Charlie. He calls on the unwavering support of his friends and family to solve the mystery surrounding the new arrival, but also finds help from an unexpected source—Arlo, the enigmatic bear of a man who works for him.

Arlo is no stranger to caring. When his parents passed, he dropped out of college to care for his siblings, working construction to pay the bills. With his brothers grown and having left home, it’s Arlo’s turn to live, but when the next stage of his life means owning up to his love for Jax, he can’t find the words to be honest about how he feels. The problem for Arlo is that he’s been in unrequited love with his boss for three years and can’t bear to not be part of his life. Is it too much to wish for a miracle to make Jax fall for him too?




It is no secret that I love an RJ Scott book, and the Single Dads series is a series that makes me laugh and cry, but always with an easy heart. Miracle was nothing like the other books, and I almost forgot that it was part of the series. The heaviness of the book weighed on me and I cried more than I laughed. I loved this book!

Jax and Arlo were beautiful souls, dealt with a hand that neither saw coming- an abandoned baby who was Jax’s long lost twin brother’s child. Together, Jax and Arlo not only navigate a friends to lovers atmosphere, but keeping Charlie safe.

Don’t get me wrong, even though I found the book heavy at times, I laughed a lot as well, in true Ms Scott fashion, she always makes the reader feel immersed in the storyline and characters lives.

Men from the other books emerge to enhance Miracle at the appropriate times and I love Jax’s crazy family.

Single Dads is a series that you surely do not want to miss.

Definite S.E.X.

A five handcuff review

~~~~~

2024 ©Evelise Archer All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.

Sunday, December 10, 2023

S.E.X. Review~ Family First by RJ Scott & V.L. Locey

An injury threatens to end Stan’s career. Will he choose to fight for his beloved hockey, or put his family first? 

Few goalies are as dedicated as Stan Lyamin, known for his resilience on the ice, talking to his pipes, and his love of Elvis. Add in his adoration of his family and his life has been filled with all the things that bring him joy.  However, after a heart-wrenching game ends with a disastrous hip injury, Stan faces the most challenging obstacle of his career: surgery, an extensive recovery, and the looming threat of retirement. It’s now that he has to decide which path to take: the one that will lead him back to the game he adores or the one that will see his jersey lifted to the rafters.

Erik and Stan, once invincible with the Railers, have always skated through life's challenges hand in hand. Their love story, cemented by a shared passion for hockey and the joy of raising their children, has been their shield against the world. But when their son Noah’s life is changed forever by a medical diagnosis, this forever love is put to the test. Erik turns to his husband for support, but Stan is consumed with guilt, overwhelmed by decisions, and retreats into himself when his family needs him the most.

There are so many couples that I adore in the Harrisburg Railers series by authors Scott & Locey, but Erik and Stan might be one of my favorites; mostly in part because of Stan but more importantly due to the love the men have for each other and family.
Scott and Locey are prolific writers and I never tire of seeing where they will take the series. Injuries, sickness, careers, the two authors allowed the characters to write themselves- a testament to their talent as solo authors, but also as authors who can meld and produce.

I laughed and cried through many of the books in the series, but grab your tissues as Family First may be the tearjerker of them all. Not a stand-alone, the books should be read in order, to appreciate the nuances and over arching themes. Characters made appearances, that if you have not read the other books you would not be able to appreciate Family First to its fullest.

Sexy and sensual, Family First hit it out of the park.

Definite S.E.X.

A five handcuff review































~~~~~
2023 ©Evelise Archer All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

S.E.X. Review~ Figuring it Out Together by Jamie Lynn Miller

First introduced in Christmas Together (Partners: Book 2), Reese Danby and Jordan Rothchild now take center stage in their own story!

One man vows to never love again. The other pledges to win his heart.

British Intelligence agent Reese Danby is a man adrift. After losing his longtime partner, Reese finds himself missing that deep connection, that unwavering bond, of someone always by his side.

Enter his newly assigned partner, rookie agent Jordan Rothchild. Jordan is everything Reese could want in a partner…and so much more.

There’s no denying the spark Reese feels the moment he lays eyes on Jordan. A spark which Reese ruthlessly quashes. For not only is Reese's true sexuality a closely guarded secret, but a devastating personal loss has left him emotionally wounded, unable to surrender his heart to another man. But then an unexpected encounter reveals he and Jordan share the same hidden truth…and mutual attraction.

Under Jordan’s gentle, encouraging affection, Reese’s walls slowly crumble, and he dares risk falling in love again. One beautiful night spent together changes everything between them, but in the next breath will also break both their hearts.

As past pain collides with present danger, Reese navigates treacherous terrain, both professionally and emotionally, finally realizing his terrible mistake of pushing Jordan away.

But is it too late for a second chance? Or has Reese’s fear cost him love and happiness?

Figuring It Out Together is a slow burn, second chance gay romance with a HEA, featuring special appearances by Liam Bancroft and Colin Mason from Books 1 and 2.




As closed off was Reese, was as open was Jordan. Loving this series, Reese and Jordan added to the appeal of the world building Ms. Miller created in the world of 1970's British intelligence. Figuring it Out Together gave this reader all the feels as I was captivated by both men and what they brought to the table. Ms. Miller continued to develop the story with a slow burn romance only enhanced by action and witty friends. Add in Jordan's mother and the story was complete.

I appreciated that although homosexuality had recently been legalized in Britain, Ms. Miller did not jump in with both feet first, which in my opinion would have created an air of unbelievability. Instead the author allowed the caution to flourish until the men realized together was better.

Another winner by a prolific writer.

Definite S.E.X.
A five handcuff review


~~~~~

2023 ©Evelise Archer All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.

Sunday, October 22, 2023

S.E.X. Review~ Equinox by Scott & Easton

The tranquility of Prophet is shattered when a local trail rider is killed and whispers of wolf packs and murder spread like wildfire.

Three months after the murder of Mike Bressett, the sleepy town of Prophet faces another tragedy—the death of Billy Odette, a well-liked Makah man who ran trail rides for the tourists. When Billy is discovered to have been the victim of a vicious animal attack, dragged right off a popular trail, angry locals are quick to blame a wolf pack that’s recently moved into the area. But Sheriff Gabriel Thompson learns that the death isn’t as simple as it seems when decades-long animosities and secrets come to light.

A figure from Tiber Russo’s past cast a shadow over his blossoming friendship with Gabriel and dashed any hope for a meaningful relationship. However, as Tiber confronts the demon on his doorstep he turns to Gabriel for help, and all the reasons he has to stay apart become nothing at all.

While Tiber and a local wildlife painter fight to protect the wolves, Gabriel has to unravel a tangled web of deception, betrayal, and long-held grudges and as the mystery unfolds, he discovers Billy’s death is part of a larger plot that threatens his town and beyond, and when Tiber’s life is threatened, will Gabriel lose everything? 


Details

 
GLBTQ, MM, Trope: Romantic Suspense, murder, sheriff, animal whisperer, wolves in the wild, animal artist
Kindle Unlimited – 29 September
Series: Book 2 in The Lake Prophet Mysteries
Length: 71,000
Cover Design: Anna Tif Sikorska
All Buy Links can be found here – https://rjscott.co.uk/read-equinox

The Lake Prophet Mysteries

Romantic Suspense
  1. Solstice – https://rjscott.co.uk/read-solstice
  2. Equinox – https://rjscott.co.uk/read-equinox
  3. TBA, coming early 2024

RJ Scott

RJ Scott, author of M/M romance.Writing love stories with a happy ever after – cowboys, heroes, family, hockey, single dads, bodyguards
 
USA Today bestselling author RJ Scott has written over one hundred and fifty romance books. Emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, single dads, hockey players, millionaires, princes, bodyguards, Navy SEALs, soldiers, doctors, paramedics, firefighters, cops, and the men who get mixed up in their lives, always with a happy ever after.
 
She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isn’t with family either reading or writing.
 
The last time she had a week’s break from writing, she didn’t like it one little bit, and she has yet to meet a box of chocolates she couldn’t defeat.

RJ's Social Media Links in full

Eli Easton

Having been, at various times and under different names, a minister’s daughter, a computer programmer, a game designer, the author of paranormal mysteries, a fan fiction writer, and organic farmer, Eli has been a m/m romance author since 2013. She has published over 30 gay romances.

Eli has loved romance since her teens and she particular admires writers who can combine literary merit, genuine humor, melting hotness, and eye-dabbing sweetness into one story.


Eli's Social Media Links in full

  • Website – https://www.elieaston.com/
  • Newsletter – https://preview.mailerlite.com/sites/preview/843688
  • Email – jensenholmespa@gmail.com
  • BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/authors/eli-easton?follow=true
  • Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7020231.Eli_Easton
  • Twitter – @EliEaston
  • Facebook Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/164054884188096

Excerpt 1

My cell phone rang. I took it out of my pocket and glanced at it, not intending to answer. But it was a 360 area code—someone local. I accepted the call. “Hello?”

“Hey, is this Tiber?”

“Yes.” I didn’t recognize the man’s voice. For a second, my brain hiccupped, and I thought it was my ex, Jeff. A chill of dread passed over me. Please God, no.

“It’s Sam, over at the riding stables.”

“Oh. Hey! Sam.” My relief was immediate but short-lived. It wasn’t Jeff, because I wasn’t asleep, and this wasn’t a nightmare. But why would Sam be calling me?

When I’d first moved to Prophet, I’d opened a customer account at the local trail rides stables up at the Thompson Cabins and I’d gone out a dozen times. It had been a big ticket item on the ‘pro’ list when I’d contemplated moving to Prophet, honestly. I’d gotten into horses on the rez in Arizona when I’d stayed with my Navajo grandma during the summers. It was one of the best things to do there, and popular with natives and tourists alike. The red rock landscape had that Old Western movie vibe and that was compounded on horseback. But since I’d taken in Duke, I hadn’t had the extra time or energy to go riding.

As for Sam, who owned the Thompson Cabins and the adjacent stables, I didn’t know him well. but I knew he was Gabriel’s brother. Gabriel—the hot sheriff of Prophet. The hot, gay sheriff, and a man I’d put firmly in the friend zone. The thought something had happened to him made my blood run cold. “Is Gabriel okay?”

“What? Oh. Yeah, Gabriel’s fine as far as I know. He’s over in Seattle for some law enforcement training today. I’m really sorry to bother you.” Sam sounded upset. “I just didn’t know who else to call who’s a strong rider. And Gabriel thinks the world of you.”

I looked across at the three crows. Two had jumped off the rock and were now pecking at the ground but one was still eyeing me. Thanks for the heads up.

“Sure. What do you need?”

“It’s Billy.” I heard Sam take a shaky breath. “He took River out this morning about eight a.m., and he hasn’t come back yet.”

I checked my watch. It was almost four. “That’s not good.”

“No. I’m getting really worried. I thought I’d better do something about it before it gets dark. It’d be good to have someone along, just in case. And with Gabriel away and the fact that Deputy Devin doesn’t ride, I didn’t know who else to ask. But if you’re busy, I totally—”

“No problem. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

Sam gave me directions to the trailhead where he wanted to search. I gathered the troops and headed back up the game trail through the woods to my house. The dogs seemed to sense my mood had shifted, and that we were in a hurry. They came along quietly and without their usual reluctance to leave the lake.

I had time enough to worry as we hiked home. Billy Odette was the trail master for the Thompson stables. He was a Makah man in his forties—wiry, strong, and an excellent horseman. He’d grown up in nearby Neah Bay and knew the area well. There was no way he’d be out this long—for the horse’s sake, if not for his own.

I couldn’t help but flash back to the murder we’d had in Prophet just three months ago. Prophet, to all appearances, was a sleepy little town. It was historically an artist’s community. We were separated from the busy towns and cities around Puget Sound—including Seattle—by the Olympic Mountains, one of the densest, wildest, and wettest mountain ranges in the United States. On this side of them, in the open land between the mountains and the western seaboard, the population was sparse. As my mom put it, I’d moved to the ass-end of nowhere.

You’d think that would make Prophet a safe place to live. But lately, I’d begun to see the dark side of that isolation. People moved here who didn’t want to be found—me included. Maybe some of those people weren’t running from an abusive ex, or even themselves, but from the law. It drew people hoping to hide their sins in the deep, shadowed forests of the Olympics.

People who came here to escape the rules were especially angry when the local law tried to enforce them. As Mike Bressett had learned.

I prayed nothing like that had happened to Billy Odette.

Excerpt 2

Still, after all this time and despite my avoidance tactics, it was both good and bad to meet Hudson, ISB agent extraordinaire with perfectly styled blond hair, a body built by a god, and piercing blue eyes that stared right through me. He was the kind of guy I’d have hooked up with—before—all flirty and suggestive, temporary, a one-night stand. He was someone I might have had some easy no-strings fun with back before my life had changed.

Before the undercover case broke me and sent me running from LA.

Before Prophet.

Before Tiber.

I wish I was back home. I knew Tiber had called a halt to us, but we shared Duke, hiked as a pack—his words not mine—skimmed stones on Lake Prophet, then sat in silence as we watched the storm petrels wheeling in the leaden skies above the verdant rainforest.

Tiber and I had kissed exactly three times since he’d said we shouldn’t. The first was after we’d eaten a bucket of popcorn while watching animal documentaries at his home—my favorite place to be. He’d definitely leaned in first and kissed me before sitting back, flustered, and fussing around Patch as if the sleeping cat needed the attention. I’d loved the buttery kiss but had to leave soon after because otherwise I would have begged for more. The second had happened when I’d lost my cool as he laughed at something Duke had been doing. I’d wanted to kiss the smile, and lurched clumsily at him, only to mash our lips together in the most unsexy way ever, then step back because he was shocked.

After all, friends don’t kiss friends.

Right?

The third, last Sunday, happened outside my house when he came to drop off Duke. The rain was out of a romance novel, or a post-apocalyptic movie, so heavy it drenched us in seconds, but when he smiled his goodbye, his long hair plastered around his face, I’d gripped his yellow slicker, and we’d met in the middle.

A kiss for the ages, soft, then hard, wet from the rain, and so hot.

When we separated Tiber stared at me wide-eyed, touching his lips before he turned and left. I’d wanted to call after him, suggest maybe being friends wasn’t enough, and that I’d be good with more kisses. I’d said nothing, watching his tail lights vanishing into the rain, because he’d asked me to back off.

So that was what I’d done. My heart hurt that I could see him and not hold him, but that was something else to unpick in counseling.

“… Sheriff Thompson out of Prophet. Sheriff, do you perhaps have a few words to say on this?”

Fuck.



I am loving the Lake Prophet Mystery books by RJ Scott and Eli Easton. Equinox did not disappoint as the story of animal whisperer Tiber and sleepy town sheriff, Gabriel entered a new phase in relationship both personal and professional.

Gabe and Tiber make the town of Prophet and the story line most intriguing, with their quiet demeanor and fierce love.

Scott and Easton delivered a mystery book, with the slow burn of a budding romance, Equinox surpassed Solstice, of which I also enjoyed. The world the authors created in the fictional town of Prophet contained everything a small should have. Interesting characters, budding romance, a touch of history, and of course a growing mystery.

Equinox is a hurry and grab your copy book, and once you start you will not be able to put it down.

Definite S.E.X.

A five handcuff review


 ~~~~~

2023 ©Evelise Archer All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

S.E.X. Review~ Solstice by Eli Easton & RJ Scott

From the dramatic peaks of the Olympic mountain range to the small town of Prophet, murder is only a footstep away.

Gabriel is a former undercover cop haunted by the things he’s seen and done. He returns to his small hometown of Prophet, taking on the role of sheriff, hoping to mend his fractured relationship with his estranged brother and rebuild his life. But when a chilling murder occurs at Sentinel Rocks, a sacred Makah site on Lake Prophet, Gabriel’s dreams of peace and reconciliation are shattered.

Gabriel navigates a web of intrigue, where suspects abound; from local tribal elders to fervent Solstice worshippers and even those hunting the elusive Big Foot. When the brutal murder leaves Duke, a loyal Labrador retriever, as the sole witness, Gabriel stumbles upon an unexpected ally—a local animal behaviorist named Tiber.

Tiber, a newcomer to Prophet, seeks refuge in this remote haven, attempting to escape his own inner demons. Armed with his extraordinary ability to communicate with animals, he offers his expertise through video consultations, helping pet owners with their beloved companions. While he attributes his skill to his academic background, his intuition and flashes of insight owe as much to his Navajo heritage as to science.

With the relentless rain washing away sins and good intentions alike, Gabriel and Tiber must begin to confront their own vulnerabilities and unravel the truth.



Solstice by Eli Easton and RJ Scott clicked all the requirements when I wanted to read a great mystery. Throw in a brooding sheriff and a reclusive dog whisperer, and a sure-fire winner was abounded.

I loved that this book was a titillating mystery before it was an M/M book. I am a huge fan of M/M but sometimes I wonder if M/M books were written for dramatic sex scenes…..not with this book. Easton and Scott wrote excitement, intrigue and the -all popular sexy scenes. A top of my list winner for this summer.

The slow burn of Gabriel and Tiber’s relationship was wonderfully sweet and then bang! Insert the love of all animals and I was hooked. My favorite genre is mystery and as a huge fan of Ms Scott’s Lancaster Falls series, Solstice ranked right up there. I can not wait for the next book in the series.

Definite S.E.X.

A five handcuff review


~~~~~

2023 ©Evelise Archer All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.