Review: A Thief in the Night

A Thief in the Night by K.J. Charles and James Joseph, Ryan Laughton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Toby never meant to be a highway robber, but needs must. He didn’t plan to impersonate a top London valet either, but when the chance comes to present himself as the earl of Arvon’s new gentleman's gentleman, he grabs it. Unfortunately, the earl is the man he seduced and robbed on the road to get here. Oops.

Miles, Lord Arvon, is not impressed. But he’s faced with a tumbledown home and lost family fortune, and desperate times call for desperate measures. Toby—shameless, practical, and definitely desperate—may be just the man he needs.

To steal back a priceless bracelet, that is. What else were you thinking?

 
I always feel guilty after reading a KJ Charles novel. Or listening. Today, again. It is well written with good characters but just not my cuppa, and so I end up publishing an average rating. I miss longing, tension, hope, and choosing a path in life.
Often I buy KJC because I long for quality, which is not easy to find in MM romance.

One of the narrators was better than his colleague. I wished it was specified who narrates which character. 

View all my reviews

Review: Icecapade

Icecapade by Josh Lanyon and ~
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

(Part of His For The Holidays Anthology)

On the eve of the new millennium, diamond thief Noel Snow seduced FBI special agent Robert Cuffe, then fled into the dawn. Now a successful novelist, Noel uses his capers as fodder for his books, and has modeled his hero's nemesis (and potential love interest) on Cuffe. Though he leaves Robert a drunken phone message every New Year's Eve, Noel hasn't seen or heard from him in a decade.

So he's thrilled when his former lover shows up at his upstate farm one Christmas Eve. Elation quickly turns to alarm when Robert accuses Noel of being responsible for a recent rash of diamond heists.

I had a hard time following the story in the beginning, when novel, past and present were mixed together. Icecapade was the best of the Anthology. Maybe even 4 stars, because I loved the hurt and longing. 

Narration was marvelous.

View all my reviews

Review: Nine Lights over Edinburgh

Nine Lights over Edinburgh by Harper Fox and ~
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

(Part of His For The Holidays Anthology)

Detective Inspector James McBride is riding high on the belief that he's about to bust a human-trafficking ring. But just five days before Christmas, his unorthodox methods catch up with him and his world comes crashing down.

McBride tries to concentrate on his new day job as security for the visiting Israeli ambassador. He even starts to feel a renewed sense of self-worth when the leader of the Israeli team, the aristocratic Tobias Leitner, takes a bullet for him in the line of duty.

This was a police action story with two gay protagonists. The mentioning of Christmas was reduced to informing the reader how time passed. Narration was good. It had a strong vibe like 'Life After Joe', by the same author.

View all my reviews

Review: Racing for the Sun

Racing for the Sun by Amy Lane and Nick J. Russo
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Staff Sergeant Jasper "Ace" Atchison takes one look at Private Sonny Daye and knows that every word on paper about him is pure, unadulterated bullshit. But Sonny is desperate, and although Ace isn't going to take him up on his offer of "anything," that doesn't mean he isn't tempted.

Instead, Ace takes Sonny under his wing, protecting him when they're in the service and making plans with him when they get out. Together, they're going to own a garage and build race cars and make their fortune hurtling faster than light across the desert.

I liked the love and care in this book and how protective Ace was. I kept reading because I wanted to know more about Sonny, nothing else was interesting.
The narrator did a great job.

But I will not relisten to this audiobook. The ending did not satisfy me because I believe the San Diego police can easily solve that crime. They can investigate the last race and investigate the pet. Ace's believe SDPD will not be interested because the victim was a criminal, does not match with his statement they have a 97% crime-solving rate.

View all my reviews

Review: Breaking Point

Breaking Point by N.R. Walker and Sean Crisden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As guilt plagues him, Matthew Elliott’s world begins to spiral out of control. The harder he holds on, the more it slips through his fingers, and he’s helpless to stop it.

Entering into the underground cage-fighting scene, he starts out fighting for what’s right. The deeper he gets, the more guilt consumes him – the more pain he takes for his penance, and he’s soon fighting for more than justice.

This novel can't be read without listening to book #1, where Matt and Kira find love. In this novel, the mandatory trouble in paradise occurs. Sometimes, hurt is what I want to read about, and this is a favorite go-to. The fight scenes are harsh, so I skip parts.
Narration is good.
 

View all my reviews

Review: Point of No Return

Point of No Return by N.R. Walker and Sean Crisden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

Matthew Elliot is one of LA's best detectives. He's been labelled the golden boy of the Fab Four; a team of four detectives who've closed down drug-rings all over the city.
Enter Kira Takeo Franco, the new boxing coach at the gym. Matthew can't deny his immediate attraction to the man his fellow cops know as Frankie. But in allowing himself to fall in love with a man known to his colleagues, Matthew risks outing them both.

This is a favorite re-listen, as is the very different book #2. I love this audiobook because it focuses on Kira and Matt being in love. Warm fuzzy feelings and well-developed protagonists and secondary characters for more than half of the story. After that, suddenly the crime plot explodes, which in my opinion could have been better balanced throughout the story.
The narration is marvelous. Sean Crisden has the right voice for this and he chose to perform this as a stream of consciousness.
 

View all my reviews

Review: Dissonance

Dissonance by Shira Anthony and Nick J. Russo
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

British noble Cameron Sherrington has hit rock bottom. The love of his life, opera sensation Aiden Lind, is marrying another man, and Cam knows it’s his fault for pushing Aiden away. As if that’s not enough, someone is trying to take away his family business, and the US authorities are pursuing him on charges of money laundering. Desperate and betrayed by the people he thought cared about him, Cam takes refuge in the subway station where Galen Rusk plays his trumpet for tips.

 

The first part, where Cam is accused of money laundering, was captivating. After that, the focus changed to Galen and his issues and I just bided my time. This was no immersive novel, maybe caused by the third-person narration. I was not convinced by everything this story offered. Like, Cam being able to run a company and how easily he stepped over his mental health issues.
I chose this book based on the narrator, who did a good job, again. The sound was too harsh.

View all my reviews

Review: The Foxhole Court

The Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic and Alexander Cendese
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Neil Josten is the newest addition to the Palmetto State University Exy team. He's short, he's fast, he's got a ton of potential—and he's the runaway son of the murderous crime lord known as The Butcher.

Signing a contract with the PSU Foxes is the last thing a guy like Neil should do. The team is high profile and he doesn't need sports crews broadcasting pictures of his face around the nation. One of Neil's new teammates is a friend from his old life, and Neil can't walk away from him a second time. Neil has survived the last eight years by running. Maybe he's finally found someone and something worth fighting for.

 

Nothing wrong but not my cuppa. Too much drama.

DNF at 50%

View all my reviews

Review: An Unnatural Vice

An Unnatural Vice by K.J. Charles and Matthew Lloyd Davies
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Crusading journalist Nathaniel Roy is determined to expose spiritualists who exploit the grief of bereaved and vulnerable people. First on his list is the so-called Seer of London, Justin Lazarus. Nathaniel expects him to be a cheap, heartless fraud. He doesn't expect to meet a man with a sinful smile and the eyes of a fallen angel - or that a shameless swindler will spark his desires for the first time in years.

Justin feels no remorse for the lies he spins during his séances. His gullible clients simply bore him. Hostile, disbelieving, utterly irresistible Nathaniel is a fascinating challenge.

But Justin and Nathaniel are linked by more than their fast-growing obsession with one another. They are both caught up in an aristocratic family's secrets, and Justin holds information that could be lethal.

 
Book 2 of 3.

Although this audiobook is a well-written story with complex characters, the story did not grasp me. In my opinion, this is a redundant volume between book #1 and #3, because mystery-wise not much changes, and romance-wise I was disappointed. There was too much talking and (as is common in more English historical romances) the lovers were more polite than passionate.
The narration was good.

View all my reviews

Review: An Unseen Attraction

An Unseen Attraction by K.J. Charles and Matthew Lloyd Davies
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lodging-house keeper Clem Talleyfer prefers a quiet life. He’s happy with his hobbies, his work—and especially with his lodger Rowley Green, who becomes a friend over their long fireside evenings together. If only neat, precise, irresistible Mr. Green were interested in more than friendship...

Rowley just wants to be left alone—at least until he meets Clem, with his odd, charming ways and his glorious eyes. Then the brutally murdered corpse of another lodger is dumped on their doorstep and their peaceful life is shattered.

 
Book 1 of 3.

KJ Charles knows how to write about Victorian England and her characters are well-developed. I liked both protagonists in this historical gay fiction and how they were careful not to move to quickly into a relationship. The professions of both men were original. I never came across a male lodging-house keeper nor a 'stuffer', before. The narration of this audiobook was marvelous. Because of the narration, this novel is a relisten option for me. I just have to stop myself from grabbing book #2 every time, because this one ends with a bang and I find the next book boring.

View all my reviews

Review: A Case for Christmas

A Case for Christmas by J.A. Rock and Cornell Collins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lord Christmas Gale is a genius and a misanthrope, and, quite to his disgust, adored by all of Society for his capacity to solve mysteries. When a man approaches him seeking help in locating a lost dog, Gale rebuffs him. But what begins with a missing dog ends in murder and intrigue-two of Gale's favorite things, if it weren't for the orphan that comes attached to them. Oh, and Benjamin Chant.

The Honourable Mr. Benjamin Chant isn't sure how he got swept up in Gale's mad investigation, but something is intriguing about the man-a vulnerability that most of the world doesn't notice, but which captures Chant's interest, and his sympathy, from their first meeting. After a disastrous love affair in the past, Chant has sworn to never give his heart away again. Especially to a man who does not want it.

The most memorable thing about this audiobook was the amateurish way the corrections were pasted into the track. I think even with 5-dollar earpods and in traffic, you can hear the big volume change. With hifi headphones, you also hear the change in ambiance.

It was s nice story with a bit of romance in a pleasant, alternate Regency setting.

View all my reviews

Review: Nothing Special

Nothing Special by A.E. Via and Aiden Snow
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Detective Cashel "Cash" Godfrey is big, tattooed, and angry so people typically keep their distance. He's fresh out of the police academy, however, no one is looking to partner with the six-foot-four beast with a huge chip on his shoulder and an inability to trust. When Cash scans the orientation room he wasn't expecting to find sexy hazel eyes locked onto him. Eyes of the handsome Detective Leonidis "Leo" Day.

Leo is charming, witty, hilariously sarcastic, and the only one that can make Cash smile. He's proud, out, and one bad-ass detective. Together, Cash and Leo become the most revered and successful narcotics detectives Atlanta's ever seen. Leo begins to see something in the big man that no one else does...something special. But Leo fears he'll never break through the impenetrable wall that protects Cash's heart. 

 
This was a weird audiobook. Macho men talking about love like teenage girls. And so very cheesy. Shallow gay men being annoying while thinking they are witty. Not. Some occurrences were ridiculous and others very predictable.

The narration was bland. Lots of sentences in the same intonation and rhythm, whether he was reading sex or a stroll in the park. Especially the sex was very boring.

View all my reviews

Review: Frat House Troopers

Frat House Troopers by Xavier Mayne and Peter B. Brooke
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

State trooper Brandt’s new assignment to infiltrate a sex-cam operation puts him in a very uncomfortable position, especially since he’ll have to perform naked on camera for his audition. Fortunately, his partner and best friend, Donnelly, has his back—whether that means helping Brandt shop gay boutiques for sexy underwear or offering Jäger encouragement while he researches porn.

Suddenly everything the two men thought they knew about themselves and each other gets turned inside out. Meanwhile, they still have a case to solve… but it may not be the case they thought it was.

I tried, but this audiobook was very tedious. The sex was boring, too. I listened for 30% and then checked the blurb again because the point of view switched to Eugene and he was not mentioned as the love interest.

In the blurb, I also was at 30%. That makes me think the whole story except the last chapter is told in the blurb. Funny fact: Below the blurb Audible added the tag "suspense".

View all my reviews

Review: North on Drummond

North on Drummond by K.C. Burn and Darcy Stark
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Drew Drummond might call himself a psychic tarot reader, but he doesn’t believe in the supernatural. The business was left to him by his grandmother and seemed the best way to rise above the chronic criminal behavior of the Drummond family. Despite his efforts, few of the townspeople consider him a good romantic match. Being gay only makes finding love more difficult.

When Cliff Garcia, Drew’s teenage crush, moves back to town and joins the police force, Drew doesn’t think he has a chance. After all, the skeptical cop considers Drew’s profession on par with professional conmen, and Cliff had spent his entire school career feuding with Drew’s volatile brothers. Despite the obstacles, Drew and Cliff begin a fiery relationship.

I enjoy this author but have stopped reading her dom/sub stories. This audiobook was average. Nothing special. I liked the romance and enjoyed the wide variety of characters. 

Narration was good but the sound was without noise reduction.

View all my reviews

Review: A Midwinter Prince

A Midwinter Prince by Harper Fox and Rusty Coles
My rating: 3 of 5 stars  

Laurence Fitzroy is trapped in a golden cage. The only son of a wealthy London baronet, he's struggling to escape his father's suffocating world. But Laurie is losing his fight. At 19 years of age, bright and imaginative, he's no match for the brutal Sir William. Laurie wants to be an actor - bad enough as far as Sir William is concerned, but, worse than that, he's gay.

One bitter winter night, he meets a young homeless man huddled in blankets outside the opera house. The two form a bond straight away, and Laurie takes him home, wanting only to offer him food and a warm bed. But Sasha is a passionate Romani immigrant, and his beauty and sweet nature soon overwhelm Laurie's chaste intentions, leaving him hopelessly in love.

This is not a historical series. They are titled aristocrats in contemporary society.

 Book 1 of 2.

I love this audiobook, and always follow up with the next, although that one is less to my taste. I like how they express their affection and withstand setbacks. Most of the drama is based on bigotry. 

I liked the story but was very confused in the beginning because Audible tagged this as 'historical'. I don't often read the blurb, so I was waiting for a time portal to open or a second storyline to start. 

Some sentences in this one were recorded twice but it did not lessen the performance quality. 

View all my reviews

Review: The Endless Road to Sunshine

The Endless Road to Sunshine by Nicky James and Nick J. Russo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My name is Jason Atkinson, and I married a serial killer.
The life I knew, the man I loved, and the world I believed in was nothing but a lie. He stole my trust, my happiness, and my faith in humanity, and I’m not sure how to move on. 
With my mental health hanging by a thread and a media circus following me everywhere I go, escape seems like the only answer.
But Skylar Dawson, a student almost twenty years my junior, has a different plan.

If this audiobook was a paperback, I would call it a pageturner because Jason allows all kinds of weirdo's in his life, including Skylar, and I was constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. The writing and characters were good, except at the end when the story turned into clichés.
Narration was good, but sometimes he lost my focus and couldn't I determine which point of view I was hearing.

Edit to add: one annoyance was the millennial Skylar wanting to research newspapers and not going online but filing through actual newspapers. Even the author has never done this before, because she believes you can research 18 months of papers in 2 hours tops.

View all my reviews

Review: The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen

The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by K.J. Charles and Martyn Swain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Abandoned by his father as a small child, Sir Gareth Inglis has grown up prickly, cold, and well-used to disappointment. Even so, he longs for a connection, falling headfirst into a passionate anonymous affair that's over almost as quickly as it began. Bitter at the sudden rejection, Gareth has little time to lick his wounds: his father has died, leaving him the family title, a rambling manor on the remote Romney Marsh...and the den of cutthroats and thieves that make its intricate waterways their home.

Joss Doomsday has run the Doomsday smuggling clan since he was a boy. His family is his life...which is why when the all-too-familiar new baronet testifies against Joss's sister for a hanging offense, Joss acts fast, blackmailing Gareth with the secret of their relationship to force him to recant. Their reunion is anything but happy and the path forward everything but smooth.

Who thought to employ a narrator who pauses after every three words was a good idea? I tried a few chapters and then the M/M romance grasped me. It is doable. I loved the action, the side characters, the villains and the rival smuggling gang. The Marsh in my head turned from grey and desolate to lively, colorful and social the longer I listened. It brought to mind Daphne de Maurier's work, which makes it not original but breathtaking none the less.

View all my reviews