Staccato (Magnum Opus #2) by E.M. Lindsey

 

Amazon Link - Available in KU 
Goodreads Link

“Two men from two different worlds, with hearts aligned in a staccato beat.”

Blind from childhood Yanik experiences life though taste, touch, feel, sound. And his passion for music was the heart all of those things, leaving room for nothing else. But his dreams of making it in the classical world didn’t last after his brother calls him home to take care of their dying father.

It’s easy for Nik to resign himself to watching his career crumble—now relegated to an elementary school music teacher where the parents see blind musicians as side-show acts. He can even resign himself to being alone the rest of his life, because he’s long-since accepted he’s an impossible man to love.

But he’s not sure he can live with the sudden rush of desire that crashes through him the moment he meets Adam—a bright spark in his sea of turmoil.

Adam is the sort of man Nik has never allowed himself to want—a guitarist in a punk band working at the local tattoo shop, with no real direction in life. And it doesn’t take long for Adam to get under his skin.

But just as Nik is finally is starting to feel settled, one of his idols shows up at his door and offers him the chance to leave everything behind and work with one of the most prestigious composers in Rome—Nicolas Michaud.

With the most talented modern composers at his disposal, Nik will be able to compose his Magnum Opus for the world to hear. But will it mean anything at all without Adam by his side?

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Wow! EM Lindsey's Staccato is an amazing read. The second book in the Magnum Opus series, it's definitely best if read after Verismo. This one isn't quite as dark and heavy as the first book , but it's also full of pain and loneliness. 

Nik and Adam. A blind musician and a piercer at the tattoo shop. Two men who desperately long for stability and normalcy. Both are in a place holder kind of job, currently sacrificing their lives to help out their families. 

Nik's caring for his father and teaching music lessons. Nothing he has planned for himself.  Adam meanwhile, is also sacrificing for his family, helping his sister while her husband's deployed. 

There's a lot of depth to these men. Adam's trans, which leaves him with a slew of doubts and insecurities, especially when meeting a potential romantic interest.  He's so damn lost in his life. With no direction and set future, he's just floundering. He just wants to be loved and feel safe.  I do love his niece though.  

And Nik is blind, which gives him his own set of issues. And oh dear Lord, he's so damn broken. It's a tough read. He's struggling with his father's illness, a stagnant career, and the ability to love. 

Of course, his job also leads him to some pushy parents who don't understand that you can't force a passion on someone. I love how Nic encourages the child though. 

This is a story of mistakes and frustration, self doubts and insecurities, and two men who want the best for the other, despite not knowing what that is. Damn. Everything is so complicated for these men. 

The author does a great job illustrating many of the ways that Adam being trans affects him. It's well written, with knowledge and care. 

And then, omg, and then we get to meet up with the men from the first book. Yes, I am that excited about this wonderful surprise!

And just like in the first book, the music doesn't come automatically. One needs to find their muse and the perfect accompanist. The musical journey through this series is truly impressive. 

Staccato is an amazing romance. This EM Lindsey series is hurt/comfort at it's best and I couldn't put it down.

Verismo (Magnum Opus #1) by E.M. Lindsey

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

Two men, shaped by the demons of their past, find their lives inexplicably intertwined.

Nicolas Michaud, the prodigy composer and pianist, grew up apart from the world. A mother who neglected him, and a father who never met him. But when he's suddenly orphaned, Nicolas is taken from his comfortable home and thrown into a life where no one understands him. Consumed by his desire to find the perfect musician for his Magnum Opus, he turns away from human relationships, and it turns him cold. Taking a job at the University in the United States, Nicolas is met with disappointment and regret.

Until he meets Cedric Blum, a young chemical engineering student with a secret talent for music like Nicolas has never seen. But Cedric has his own past to overcome. With the help of an old friend, and new relationships, the pair begin their journey toward love, life, and the Magnum Opus.

In the end, will Cedric's happy nature thaw Nicolas' icy exterior, or will Nicolas find himself consumed by his fear of love? 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Verismo is a stellar read. The first book in the Magnum Opus series, this EM Lindsey story is impressive and powerful. 

This is an emotional rollercoaster, so be prepared for a lot of heavy and hard to read content. 

We first meet Nicolas and Cedric when they're kids. We learn about their tragic upbringings and all the hardships they face. 

Nicholas's childhood is awful with his mother and then he ends up an orphan. Sent to live with his rich and powerful half brother, money is never an issue. But love, or the lack there of, certainly is. He turns himself fully to his music, never learning how to be personable; never caring about anyone.

Cedric is left orphaned at birth. Taken in by a couple who end up traumatizing him in the end certainly shapes who he is. One father loves him, but caters to his abusive husband. That abusive father leaves him feeling unloved, unworthy, and in denial of his sexuality. Worst of all, he's told over and over that he's broken because he's blind.

Fast forward to when they meet years later as adults. 

This is a story of music. Two gifted pianists with different paths. One is a world renowned musician, but his life is lacking, as all his energy is devoted to finding someone capable of playing his great piece with him. The other is stripped of his natural born gift to play, as his father doesn't want music to make him gay. 

One of the most interesting aspects of this story is the powerful effect of internalized homophobia by Cedric's father. He himself is gay, but will spend all his energy making sure that his son is not. Crazy and sad, but definitely not far fetched.

The music aspect is well written. It's hard to make a reader feel the music, but somehow the author does just that. It's impressive. No, I don't have a strong music background, but I definitely love how it's written. 

These two are fated. Destiny has plans for them. It's a long road to get there, but in the end, they are certainly meant for one another. Their journey is paved with conflict, homophobia, tragedy, and abuse. Of course, it's also paved with a strong attraction and profound connection. 

I'm seriously blown away by this book. Written in alternating pov, both men fully come alive. The seriousness of this story is felt throughout. The men and the heaviness of their lives, jumps off the pages throughout. And the storyline is truly amazing. The author waits a long time for these men to meet. That isn't typical in a romance, but it is definitely done for a good reason. These men and their lives have lead them to someday meet. The author needs to build up who they are and what got them to the place where they met. Without that background, there is no story.

Verismo is a beautiful story. EM Lindsey left me heartbroken and stunned by these men and their harrowing journey. 

  

Love In Slow Motion (Love Beyond Measure #2) by E.M. Lindsey

 

Amazon Link  - Available in KU
Goodreads Link

“Maybe it didn’t end there. Maybe it started with a kiss…”

The only thing Ilan Nadav knows about relationships and marriage is that they ruin people. He’s committed himself to the bachelor life, and he’s never been happier—until his best friend had to go and fall in the sort of toe-curling, sonnet-writing kind of love. Witnessing that created a hunger in Ilan, and now all he can see is the people standing near him who deserved better than they got. And one of those people makes his heart beat a little bit harder and a little bit faster—but he’s the last man in the world Ilan is allowed to want.

After all, Fredric Pedalino is his best friend’s dad.

When Fredric comes to him for advice about dating men, Ilan is forced to re-write his own reality—and maybe his stance on love, because Fredric is the sort of man with the ability to sweep him off his feet. Even when he isn’t trying.

Ilan wants Fredric more than he’s ever wanted anyone before, but he’s not sure he’s willing to take the risk. After all, loving that man might cost him everything.

My Rating - 5+ Stars!

Good god, Love in Slow Motion is an extraordinary story. The second book in the Love Beyond Measure series, EM Lindsey has once again left me in awe. 

 

We met Fredric and Ilan in The Edge of Heaven. If you haven't yet read it, do so now. It's an equally wonderful story on it's own. But it also helps to give the necessary background for these two. 

There's a lot going on in this book. Ilan has always loved his best friend's father, Fredric. He knew he could never have him, but he wished for him to find happiness and love. Unknown to them both though, Ilan is the one who can do just that. 

Their story is beautiful and all-consuming. They find such strength in one another, as they are both at a crossroads, wishing to discover what they want out of life.

Fredric's story is tough to read. A lot of it was explored in the first book, but now we discover more and get to see him searching for someone who understands his blindness and accepts him as is. He spent years being abused by his wife, years of letting his wife abuse his son, all because he felt trapped. 

Now he's divorced and living on his own. He's learning to be independent, wanting to find a new career, and making new friends. You will simply adore Agatha, the best neighbor he could have ever had. Dear lord, I am still shocked by how wonderful she is.

As for Ilan, he's never had a relationship. After being bullied for years, and treated like dirt, even by Julian's mother, he never believed in his own self worth. His career isn't his passion anymore, and he just wants to find peace. 

Both men have some major baggage they're dealing with, and they find complete solace in one another. The way they have developed their own friendship through the years is touching and wonderfully illustrated. And the way they grow even closer with encouragement, understanding, and plenty of time spent together is special. 

I absolutely love the slow burn nature of this story. And with Fredric exploring his sexual side with a man for the first time, wow, it's just beautiful. The two men very slowly come together and find a heartfelt love in each other. It's truly the best of the best when it comes to slow burn. The reader is never left wondering if they will be together. Instead, we're taken on the long and winding road to their union. 

I love everything about these men and their story. Written in alternating pov, the author gives us an intimate look in the emotions involved. The feelings are intense, with everything jumping off the pages. The longing. The peace. The passion. The love.

Love in Slow Motion is the perfect addition to EM Lindsey's Love Beyond Measures series. I couldn't have asked for a better love story for either of these men. This series is a must read the next time you're in the mood for a stellar hurt/comfort read. You will be elated to have met these men. 

The Raven God's Gift (Vale Valley Season 4 #3) by E.E. Silver

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Goodreads Link

Blurb

How long would you wait for true love?

Blinded and traumatized on a covert mission five years ago, alpha werewolf Trey has been living in Vale Valley as he tries to piece his life back together. Most days, his only company is his assistance dog and his therapist. But he can’t forgive himself for failing his men, and he can’t forget the perfect mate he let slip through his fingers. 

When a prophecy sends Hunter Norn, one of Odin’s own ravens, to the valley seeking a very special baby, the last thing he’s expecting is to find his lost mate. Five years earlier, Hunter vowed he’d wait for Trey as long as it took, and it seems like all of his patience has finally paid off. Now all he has to do is figure out how to make up for all the lost time.

But Trey has no idea about the divine forces that rule Hunter’s world, or the extent of his lover’s abilities. There’s no telling if he’ll even accept the truth once he learns.

The Raven God’s Gift is book three of the fourth season of Vale Valley, where magic is real, pregnancies can take both years and mere weeks to happen, and where love is the greatest gift of all.

Review 

My Rating - 4 Stars!

EE Silver's The Raven's God's Gift is a fun omegaverse romance. 

Different from most of what I usually read, in this one there is a main character who is a god. I usually avoid these types of characters, but I am so glad I took a chance on this one. 

Hunter, a god, meets his fated mate, Trey but they are seperated immediately afterwards. What follows is a story of their reunion, as five years have passed, but Hunter is still waiting to be reunited with Trey, in more ways than one. I love the pregnancy and Hunter's stubbornness. And I appreciate Trey's reaction when he returns.

This unique romance is sweet, tender, hot and sexy. The author's writing is fast and entertaining. Told in third person pov, the reader is pulled into the magic of these great characters and the world of Vale Valley.

If you enjoy omegaverse stories, or the Vale Valley series in general, do not miss EE Silver's The Raven God's Gift. 

RELEASE BLITZ - Coffee (A Cup of John #2) by Matthew J Metzger

Title: Coffee

Series: A Cup of John, Book Two

Author: Matthew J. Metzger

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: August 19. 2019

Heat Level: 3 - Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 69100

Genre: Contemporary, LGBT, contemporary, British, trans, gay, queer, age gap, established couple, size difference, blue collar, disability, ableism, death and grieving, family issues, dirty talk, wedding, ownvoices

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Synopsis

When Chris’s stepfather passes away and leaves Chris a house and a wedding ring, it seems like the perfect opportunity to take the next step in his relationship with John.

So, they’re both in for a nasty shock when Chris’s mother is vehemently opposed to the idea. Despite three years of history to prove otherwise, she insists that John is only a temporary feature in Chris’s life, and a man like him can’t be expected to stay with someone like Chris in the long run.

Can Chris persuade her that she’s wrong in time for the wedding—or will there be an empty space in the photographs?

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Matthew J Metzger's Coffee, is a stunning romance. It's a beautiful writing style, and even more stunning tone, which sucked me in immediately and kept me hooked throughout. It's definitely a slow and detailed story, which is something I don't always love. But, it's wonderful.  

Coffee's a tender story of family, and finding that one who loves you as you are. It includes a great look into the life of a transgender man who's accepted and in love. It's about a man with epilepsy who's able to deal with his seizures, instead of letting them stop him. 

It's a story about a man with some life changing disabilities. Not only is Chris transgender, he lives with seizures, which also caused him to loss his sight and have brain damage. This is why their story includes some large family issues full of distrust, grief, and guilt. It's a tough read at times, and left me heart-broken. 

John's a man who's large and struggles with the safety of his partners. I adore the way this is handled, with care and heart.

Best of all though, is that despite Chris's disabilities, the sense of humor is always present. That John can constantly joke about Chris's issues is amazing. Their love is strong, full of respect, and they push each other to do better. They are a phenomenal couple.

Coffee's a remarkable story, with thought provoking issues, and a memorable love story. It's truly amazing as we follow John and Chris through their engagement and wedding plans.

Excerpt

Coffee
Matthew J. Metzger © 2019
All Rights Reserved

Rather appropriately for the occasion, it had been raining all day.

Chris took in a deep lungful of smoke and exhaled it smoothly into the chilly afternoon. The memorial garden was blissful after the hustle and bustle of the funeral. The air was open and soothingly cool, not like the stuffy heat of the chapel. He could breathe again. He could gather the shards of grief around himself and try to put them back together, without having to think about his mother’s sobbing at his side, or the favourite song that had been played for Jack’s last journey, a song now stained with sadness.

The gentle patter of raindrops on the umbrella calmed him, and the far-off chirping of some irate bird provided a gentle counterpoint. Life slowed. From farther off, the chattering of friends and relations had finally died away, and Chris stubbed out the remains of the cigarette as he heard the crunch of gravel.

He’d never been here before, but the footsteps coming down the path were as familiar as his own. Thunderously heavy, an immense weight crushing each step into the ground even as the pace was slow and steady. That slight stress on one step, followed by lightness on the other. That dodgy knee from the rugby accident last year had left its mark in the form of a subtle limp and a tiny scar like a fish hook that made its owner go all shivery when Chris kissed it. Even the speed with which each step followed the other was familiar, like the tower of a body might collapse if the feet were spread too far apart. The hands that clasped Chris’s shoulders were as big as spades, and only one person in his life was tall enough to kiss the crown of his head without the use of a box to stand on.

Chris leaned back into the wall of a man who had arrived and lifted the umbrella to let him into the shelter.

“Your mum’s gone home with Lauren.”

The relief was bittersweet. Mum and Lauren had always gotten along, despite one being Dad’s ex-wife and one being Dad’s girlfriend. Lauren would look after her—even if it was Chris’s job. Even if he was supposed to.

“You did great.”

Chris swallowed thickly. “I think it’s just sunk in.”

It hadn’t been real. It had taken so long that it had never quite felt real until this moment.

Jack had died a long, slow, terrible death. Weeks in the hospice. Chris would never forget the gargling way his stepfather had breathed near the end, or the clammy coolness of his skin. The way Mum had cried, soft little sniffles at the corner of the bed on that final day. The gaps between the gurgles, until finally there had been nothing but the eeriest silence. The shaking in his fingertips was over.

Everything was over. The smell of cigar smoke on the tenth of March, the one day of the year Jack lit up. The shuffle of his slippers. The whirr of that deathtrap of a stairlift. The croaking way he’d chuckled, a noise that in a bigger man would have been a belly laugh. The little huff he let out when Mum was in one of her moods, followed up hastily with “Yes, dear, of course…” And Chris had never seen it, but he’d known Jack had flashed him little smirks across the table at such moments, conspiratorial understandings between the two men who were most subject to her fussing and flapping, the two men who loved her most. Gone.

“Jack’s gone.”

“I know.” The words were soft but firm. The hands on his shoulders rubbed down to his elbows and then back up in a long, smooth stroke. “But so is the pain and the suffering. He’s not hurting anymore. And if he was right, then he gets to see his daughter again now.”

Chris coughed a shaky laugh. It bubbled out of his ribs like water overflowing. “No such thing as heaven.”

“You never know.”

Chris sighed and leaned his head back. He closed his eyes and hummed as a kiss was pressed into his temple.

“I should go and see Mum,” he said.

But his chest ached. His ribs felt like they were going to cave in, and a red-hot pain followed the scar, as if he’d been wrapped in metal wire, melting against his skin. He hurt.

“I want to go home.”

The hands pulled. He was turned by the shoulders and drawn into a rain-damp embrace. The arms around his back made the pain worse, but Chris clung and burrowed into the embrace anyway. The kiss on the top of his head slotted two of the jagged edges together and sealed them shut again. The grief ebbed a fraction.

“Come on, then. Let’s go home.”

Purchase

NineStar Press | Amazon | Smashwords | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Meet the Author

Matthew J. Metzger is an ace, trans author posing as a functional human being in the wilds of Yorkshire, England. Although mainly a writer of contemporary, working-class romance, he also strays into fantasy when the mood strikes. Whatever the genre, the focus is inevitably on queer characters and their relationships, be they familial, platonic, sexual, or romantic.

When not crunching numbers at his day job, or writing books by night, Matthew can be found tweeting from the gym, being used as a pillow by his cat, or trying to keep his website in some semblance of order.

Website | Twitter

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BLOG TOUR - Black by Quin Perin

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Book Title: Black (MM Kitty Play Romance)

Author: Quin Perin

Publisher: Self-Published

Cover Artist: Quin Perin

Genre/s: Gay Erotic Romance

Heat Rating: 4-5 flames

Length: 93 000 words/ 350 pages

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Buy Links - Available on Kindle Unlimited

Universal Buy Link

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Blurb

“Meow!”

There it was.

The sound that made my knees buckle.

He purred, neck stretched, eyes half-lidded.

With those cat ears, in his hair.

And the tail, that he flicked.

A ray of sun in the drizzling rain. I’d been a traveler, floating adrift, while he’d stayed in one place. How was I supposed to know he’d become my anchor? My light. My everything. But would I ever become his?

As a standalone romance, “Black” features detailed adult m/m content, a hurt/comfort relationship as well as "kitty play.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Black is an amazing kitty play romance by Quin Perin. Honestly, I am shocked with how much I love it.

Tony's visiting his sister and is instantly drawn to the beautiful man on the bench. Dima, that intriguing man on the bench is someone who ends up throwing his world into a loop.

Tony's a wanderer, who never stays long in one place. The only family he has is his sister, and while visiting her, he's compelled to explore what's developing with Dima. His background is sad and emotional, and will leave you in love with this man.

And Dima, oh wow, Dima. He's strong, yet fragile. He's an inspirational man with a tragic backstory. It's developed wonderfully throughout and left me an emotional wreck at times. He's blind, left feeling alone and broken. He fears letting anyone get close, knowing they'll eventually leave, as everyone leaves him. Basically, he's afraid to risk his heart.

The writing style is excellent, with a great flow, extremely well developed characters, and a riveting storyline. Their story involves fears and insecurities, risks and taking chances. The relationship is passionate and playful, full of emotions and angst.

This is my first time reading Kitty play, and I absolutely adore it. It's tender, sweet, hot and steamy. Their dynamics are fantastic. The meows, the scratching, omg, I love every second of it.

Black is a wonderful, compelling story with some great kitty play. It's beautiful and tender, as sexual companionship turns into so much more. It's so much more than I expected. Known for their superb erotic stories, this one is so much more. This emotional tale left me gutted at times, and gripped the whole time. All in all, it's a beautiful story!

Excerpt

A shove and he fell into a seated position. His hands were all over me. Squeezing at my thighs, shoving my shirt up. Stepping back, away from him, I grabbed the bottom of my shirt and pulled it over my head. I draped it over the coffee table and worked on my pants next. Kitties didn’t wear clothes after all. If I was going to be a kitty, I was going to be a good one.

Naked, body free in the cool air of my apartment, I lifted my arms above my head and stretched out. Flaunting. I wanted him to touch my cock. Heated, it swayed with each of my movements, begging for attention. That was for later though. Now we played.

Dropping to my knees, I turned my face towards him and angled my head to the side. Hands hit the floor, and I crawled towards him. Strutted as best as I could. It was like the evening before when I’d tried to seduce him. Except I’d already succeeded in my goal this time. Now it was all icing on top.

I crawled up to him, hands going to his knees. “Dima,” he murmured, reaching for my hair. He laced his fingers through, but I jerked my head away from him.

With a hiss, I narrowed my eyes and bit down on his fingers. It made him laugh, but he didn’t touch me again. If he wanted me to get into character, we were going to have to do it properly. I wanted to be something different, and he was going to have to deal with that.

Tony spread his thighs to accept me between them. I scratched and then dipped my head. With the skill of my tongue and teeth, working in tandem, I popped open the button of his jeans. The zipper was much easier, and then he helped me. While he worked on getting his pants out of the way, I showed off my body. Elbows rested on the floor behind me, back arched sharply as I waited. The skin stretched tight over my ribs, stomach a little dip. I was tiny, and I knew it, but Tony definitely seemed to like it.

“God, you’re beautiful,” he murmured.

I purred at the compliment, and when the couch stopped its faint squeaking from his movements, I was at my place between his thighs again. He’d not moved from his spot, making it easier on me. Without much ado, I dove face first into his lower stomach, brushing my nose into his tuft of pubic hair. He smelled faintly of soap and musk, sweat. A distinctly manly smell that drove me crazy. His cock flexed, the heat of it against my cheek. Too heavy to stand on its own when he was seated like that, it pointed towards his hip.

I nipped at his stomach and turned my head so my cheek rested against him. Keeping my eyes closed, I flicked my tongue against the side of his cock. He groaned and shifted, legs spreading wider.

Poor Tony.

He thought he was going to get what he wanted. One thing he would learn was kitties didn’t much care to do what other people wanted.

This time when I scratched at his thighs, I was attacking bare skin. He jerked against me, hissing between his teeth.

“Fuck,” he grumbled.

He might have caught the smirk that danced over my lips, but if he did, it was only a brief moment as I bypassed his cock and went straight to his balls. My tongue lapped across the tender flesh, tasting salt and heat. I swore I felt his heart beating as my nose brushed the base of his cock and my tongue worked him over. Curious, I mouthed at his sack before letting out a tiny “meow.” He arched so hard and quickly, I thought he was gonna jump off the couch.

If he liked that, Tony was in for a long night.

About the Authors

This is Quin&Perin. We are a team of Sultry Gay Romance writers who focus on detailed, toe-curling, and realistic smut scenes with a fair share of dirty talking (Oh, boy). We cannot wait to share our boys with you. Thank you for stopping by! That said, it is time for the next level of smut: stories featuring fire, lust & desire. 

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