Hometown Christmas by Garrett Leigh

Amazon Link 
Goodreads Link

Can Yani and Gavin go from friends to lovers this Christmas?

Yani Nicolaou is sworn off love for good. After fleeing a bad break-up in London, the only blood, sweat, and tears he has left are for his gyro stall at the Christmas market. Rebound fling? No thanks. He’s sticking to one-night-stands.

Ex-army vet Gavin Richie has even less capacity for romance. Managing a homeless shelter while recovering from injury keeps him far too busy. So what if he’s often alone? He’s content being single, or so he thinks until a chance meeting lights a spark he can’t ignore.

Yani is the warmth and affection Gavin hadn’t known he was missing. As Christmas lights up the city, their lives entwine in more ways than one. Falling for each other is easy. Holding on is harder, unless a hometown Christmas proves their love can last longer than the festive season.

Hometown Christmas is a standalone MM Christmas novella.

My Rating - 3.5 Stars!

Hometown Christmas is a nice Holiday romance by Garrett Leigh. Don't be expecting Christmas itself though, as it's more of a tender tale that takes place approaching the holidays. 

Yani and Gavin have an instant attraction. Doing some work together brings them closer and brings out all the feels. Both men are likable and flawed, both at a crossroads in their lives. But they also each have a lot of baggage. Yani's still gun shy after a past relationship, holding himself back from anything serious. And Gavin is a lot more than his care free attitude implies. I enjoy that they both find comfort in one another; that they both find healing in one another.

This is a story with a food truck and a homeless shelter. There's an ex military factor, PTSD, OCD issues, and more. The writing is wondeful, with a tone that's comforting and relaxing, but some of the topics are heavy; both realistic and raw.

Overall, Hometown Christmas is a good hurt/comfort read. Garrett Leigh entertains in this story that revolves around homeless in big cities, as well as mental issues. 

Bodyguard's Bite (Howler Brothers #2) by Silvia Violet

Amazon Link

Goodreads Link

Blurb

What if the one thing you wanted most was forbidden?

Wealthy werewolf Storm Howler wants a chance to act out his submissive fantasies without his overprotective brothers scaring off every dominant man in sight. If he can’t choose his own partners, how will he ever find his fated mate?

As the former leader of a shifter special forces unit, Jax knows how to keep people safe, but he also craves the one thing he never had in the military: control.

When Storm and Jax meet, tension sizzles between them. It only takes one night of control and surrender for each of them to question whether they’re fated for one another. But the next day, they discover Storm’s brothers have hired Jax as Storm’s new bodyguard. Rather than resign, Jax agrees to the hands-off policy in his employment contract, because no one can protect Storm as well as he can. But when danger threatens, Storm needs a man who can calm his mind as easily as he protects Storm’s body. The two begin spending more time together, and there’s only so long anyone can fight against fate—or love.

Review 

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Bodyguard's Bite is another great book by Silvia Violet. The second in the Howler Brother's series, it's easily read as a standalone.

It starts with a hot hookup where Storm keeps his identity a secret from Jax. But soon Jax is Storm's new employee, starting of a great forbidden romance. 

Jax's a former soldier, now tasked with protecting Storm, who happens to be a rich kink club owner. Together, these two are super hot, passionate, and steamy. There's some D/s that includes some spanking and discipline, but there isn't a whole lot of BDSM overall. 

Their story combines hiding and secrets, danger and action. I'm normally not a big fan of shifters, but in this story, I loved it. My favorite has to be when one of the brothers is in wolf form, just sitting on the couch being comforted by another brother who's in human form. It's just sweet and something I didn't expect.

The Howler brothers are a strong, supportive unit. The family is a whole lot of fun. I enjoy how protective they are, despite them being over the top, treating Storm like a child. But, damn, Storm is out to prove himself to his family and it's fantastic.


Bodyguard's Bite is an exciting fated mates tale. Now I need to go back and read the first book in this Silvia Violet series, and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Rise (Men of Hidden Creek - Season 4, #5) by J. Hayden Bailey

Amazon Link

Goodreads Link

Blurb

“You’re the sweetest thing at the Fair.”

After leaving the military, Todd Hudson has avoided putting down roots, living with his best friends in Hidden Creek. Entering the Summer Fair baking contest sounds like a sweet time. The cute guy he takes home the night before the competition runs away, but he hasn’t seen the last of him.

Charlie Deacon never puts himself first—in bed, at work, or in life. His rescue dog, Geri, is his only company at home. Pressured to enter the baking contest, he doesn’t expect to find the hunk he regrets ditching. The competition forbids fraternizing, but their bubbling feelings are rising to the surface.

Charlie and Todd couldn’t be more opposite, and they fit together like chocolate and caramel… but they only have a week together. When Charlie’s bullying father and Todd’s career call, can they make it work when the Fair packs up for the year?

Welcome to Hidden Creek, Texas, where the heart knows what it wants, and where true love lives happily ever after. Every Men of Hidden Creek novel can be read on its own, but keep an eye out for familiar faces around town! This book contains a naughty half-Daschund, a giant fairground prize teddy bear, and kisses hotter than fresh-baked cupcakes.

Review 

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Rise, J Hayden Bailey's contribution to the fourth season of Hidden Creek, is a great read.

When we meet Charlie, he's had a hookup that goes wrong. Meanwhile, Todd's in town for a quick visit with his former army friend. Soon these two end up competing in a baking contest.

There are some great aspects to the baking contest. My favorite being that Todd bakes to calm himself, to take his mind off his problems. There's also an arrogant contestant and a no fraternization rule, which guides the conflict. People are way too serious about the rules.

Their story includes some family issues and trying to undue the effects of a lifetime of judgements and control. Charlie and Todd are so beautiful together, as Todd helps Charlie to feel safe and strong, loved and just "enough." Charlie has known a lifetime of loneliness, fear, and abandonment issues, but Todd is the one who can finally break through this pain.

My favorite quote is "It's not how you treat people who've done something for you, it's how you treat people you don't think can do anything for you." Ahh, if only everyone could realize this and live this way.

Rise is a great story of learning to stand up for oneself, of letting go of the past and moving forward. J Hayden Bailey wonderfully captures the small town charm of Hidden Creek. It's positively as sweet and delicious as the baked goods are. Definitely check this one out when you're in the mood for inspiration; for someone to overcome their self-consciousness.

Ready For Love by Van Cole

Amazon Link

Goodreads Link

Blurb

Sometimes An Old Friend Can Be More Than Just A Friend

I returned from the war with scars that run deeper than my flesh.
Tormented by memories of the past I wonder if I’ll ever be able to become the man I used to be, or if I’m always destined to be this shell that returned from the foreign country, broken and battered and defeated.
There seems to be little hope for improvement until I receive a surprising call from my old best friend, Clint.
We lost touch a while ago as life took its hold on us, but as we reconnect, I start to remember why he was such a good friend.
He’s the only one who can get me to talk about my emotions, and as I open up to him, I start to feel something else.
Something unfamiliar…something a little scary, but very exciting.
Maybe, just maybe, we can save each other. 

Review 

My Rating - 3.5 Stars!

Always intrigued by a first time gay romance, I was doubly intrigued by Van Cole's Ready For Love, as it's also a military romance. 

Focusing on PTSD from the army, this is a story of survival and accepting that your life is worth living. I definitely enjoy the insight into what ex-military men have to deal with when they return home.

Bobby's always been into girls, but suddenly can't stop thinking about Clint. What follows is a tale of sexual confusion. Clint's lost his lover Jason in the service. Having been friends with Bobby for a long time, he suddenly find them connecting more than ever; first as close friends, and then as more.

Theirs is a story of finding the courage to resolve problems and the strength to face homophobia.

Ready For Love's a short, fast friends to lovers tale. Throughout I found it to be nothing spectacular, but rather a decent GFY romance. In the end, as these two broken people find love together, I actually liked it more. 

Unfortunate Son (Sons #1) by Shae Connor

Dreamspinner Press

Amazon Link

Goodreads Link

Blurb

Five years ago, Evan Day lost his lover in the Afghan sand, and in the fallout, he lost his military career and his family. With help from friends, he reinvented himself as porn star Trevor Hardball, but his scars are hidden, not healed. When Riley Yeats falls into Evan’s lap in a bar, he awakens a part of Evan he’d thought was dead and gone. Evan’s fascinated by the blond and twinky Riley, even though he’s the opposite of Evan’s usual type.

Then Evan’s family reappears his life, and Evan soon learns Riley has his own family-inflicted wounds—ones that make it hard for him to be there for Evan. A disastrous confrontation between Evan and his parents leaves Evan’s mother injured and Evan overcome by anger and fear. Losing his tenuous hold on his emotional control, Evan makes one bad decision after another, but maybe his final fall will be the wake-up call Evan needs to set things right—with his parents, and with Riley.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Shae Connor's Unfortunate Son is a fantastic book. It's a good story that will catch your attention and not let go.

Riley's a wonderful character. From a rich family, this twinky flamboyant man captured my attention immediately. He's full of life and just a great kind of guy. 

Trevor/Evan meanwhile is a complex character who's doing porn, struggling to survive after being kicked out of his home. He's had a tough stretch of years, losing his lover in the service, but meeting Riley changes the course of his life. He's taken by the man who doesn't recognize him or know who he is. 

Immediately hooked by this story, I found the pace to be great, the flow to be perfect, and the story to be emotional. The writing's riveting, the characters development is superb, and the connection is strong.

Their relationship involves anger, confusion, and family issues in addition to grief, guilt, and sex. It's a tale about making amends and forgiveness. It beautifully delves into the aspect of family, both it's ability to break you and it's ability to heal you.

I enjoy the exploration into the struggle of people thinking they know you when you're famous. This is definitely one of the toughest parts of fame, and the author perfectly displays this. It's also a great look into the porn industry, which is always an interesting read.

Unfortunate Son is a gripping tale of hope and healing. This second chance at love is left me sad to see it end. 

REVIEW TOUR - Only Love (Only Love #1) by Garrett Leigh

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Length: 355 pages

Cover Design: Book Cover By Design

Goodreads Link

Blurb

The diagnosis of a chronic stomach condition leaves thirty-two-year-old Sergeant Jed Cooper with little choice but to call time on his Army career. Then on the dusty streets of Kirkuk, an ambush gone tragically wrong decimates his team, and he returns to the US with a shattered leg and the memory of his best friend dying in his arms.

Life in his sleepy hometown proves intolerable until he finds solace in a lakeside cabin with vivacious young carpenter, Max O’Dair. In the shadow of the epilepsy that periodically plagues Max, he and Jed form an unspoken bond. After a late night episode, Jed realizes how much Max means to him, and life has taught him not to waste time.

But the lines between contentment and complacency are blurred. Things left hidden resurface to tear through their world, and before they can repair the damage, death comes to call again. Faces, past and present, rally around them to weather the storm, but before long, they are left with only love.

Review 

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Garrett Leigh's Only Love is a complex and emotional story.

Jed and Max are both extremely complex men. Both are broken, and wounded, physically and emotionally. Jed is wounded from his time on active duty, as well as having a stomach ailment while Max suffers from severe epilepsy. Luckily they both have Max's service dog, who becomes vital to keeping them healthy.

Both men have complicated relationships in their lives. They both have problems with Jed's brother, as well as Jed having an ex who he's still not over losing.

Jed and Max both have serious secrets, but they are both so wonderful together. They both are able to ignore the other's flaws and help one another through their problems. 

Through the use of flashbacks, we learn about Max's time in the military. This leads to an interesting storyline. 

I highly recommend Garrett Leigh's Only Love.

Dec 11 - The Way She Reads, Reading In Sarah's Corner, MM Midnight Cafe, Xtreme Delusions, Diverse Reader, Sexy Erotic Xciting, Dilyana's World, Kimmers Erotic Book Banter, Two Chicks Obsessed, Jessie G Books, Sizzling Romance, Dec 13 - Mikku-chan, Drops of Ink, Cupcakes & Bookshelves, Lelyana's Reviews, Wicked Reads, Dec 15 - Gay Media Reviews, Book Corner Reviews, Mainely Stories, Mirrigold, Love Unchained, Dec 17 - The Secret Of Ko, Making It Happen, The Geekery Book Review, Dec 19 - Bonkers About Books, Dec 21 - MM Good Book Reviews, Amy's MM Romance Reviews, Bayou Book Junkie, Lillian Francis, Book Review Virginia Lee

Garrett Leigh is an award-winning British writer and book designer, currently working for Dreamspinner Press, Loose Id, Riptide Publishing, and Fox Love Press.

Garrett's debut novel, Slide, won Best Bisexual Debut at the 2014 Rainbow Book Awards, and her polyamorous novel, Misfits was a finalist in the 2016 LAMBDA awards.

When not writing, Garrett can generally be found procrastinating on Twitter, cooking up a storm, or sitting on her behind doing as little as possible, all the while shouting at her menagerie of children and animals and attempting to tame her unruly and wonderful FOX.

Garrett is also an award winning cover artist, taking the silver medal at the Benjamin Franklin Book Awards in 2016. She designs for various publishing houses and independent authors at blackjazzdesign.com, and co-owns the specialist stock site moonstockphotography.com with photographer Dan Burgess.

Website: http://www.garrettleigh.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garrettleighauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Garrett_Leigh

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted By Signal Boost Promotions

Micah's Promise (Team Panther Book 4) by Annabella Stone

Goodreads Link
Amazon Link



Blurb

Micah Kennedy has lived with PTSD for years. He is an expert at hiding his struggles behind the quick wit and snark that is very much a part of his makeup. His need to keep a promise to a dying comrade feeds his nightmares and invades his dreams—until that promise brings him military K-9 Delta.

Hawk McKinnon has spent most of his life kicking trouble’s ass in every hotspot around the globe. Now his sniper hasn’t returned from a CIA sanctioned mission in Pakistan and all bets are off. When Hawk comes calling looking for help, Micah doesn’t hesitate and jumps at the chance to repay a debt. A mission that will set him on a path to the one thing he never knew he was looking for: love!

Creed Erikson cursed the betrayal that caused his capture and vowed vengeance on those responsible. He knew Hawk was coming for him—he never doubted it for a second—but Micah Kennedy and Delta? They threw him for a loop.

Can Micah embrace his destiny, believe in the strengths of the bond of the triad that the fates have created or will he refuse to believe that he too deserves a happily ever after?

Micah's Promise is part of the Delta Force - Team Panther Series. While it can be read as a standalone... to ensure maximum enjoyment, it is best read in series order.

REVIEW
My Rating - 5 Stars!

Micah's Promise, the latest book in Annabella Stone's Team Panther series, is as wonderful as the previous books!

I cannot say it enough - Annabella Stone has a fantastic series on her hands with her Team Panther books! The men are strong, tough and rugged, yet have such loving and sweet hearts. The bonds between team members is as strong as can be, but the bonds between lovers is even stronger. These men will die for each other without given it a thought.

The action is this book is as captivating as I've come to expect from this series. So many different moments of missions, hiding and action. And in between, we get a whole lot of friendship moments, sexual moments, and romantic moments.

And, the best news yet - Micah's Promise is a menage!!! Yes, lovers Hawk and Creed are adding Micah to their lives and bed! You will not be disappointed by this development, as it is as steamy as it is sweet!

And as for the men's mental health, well, they are still struggling for various reasons. After all, if you experience everything these men do, and you see everything they see, you will not come out unscathed.

We even get to see the beautiful and heart-breaking moment between Micah and K-9 Delta, as even Delta is showing signs of grieving and emotional distress. If you are a dog person, this part will have you feeling it all, as your heart will be breaking and then you'll be left rejoicing and having many "Ahhh" moments. I love Delta! 

If you haven't yet read any of Annabella Stone's Team Panther books, I am honestly wondering why you are waiting. Micah's Promise, along with the previous books, are full of tough men falling in love during some scary missions and recovery times. The depth of the action in these books, along with the way the characters are so interfused, is impressive and accomplished.

To read about the other Team Panther books, click on the titles below:

Book 1 - Jonah's Compass

Book 2 - Tied Up In Steele

Book 3 - Malik's Redemption