Lori Toland, Trust in Me

Title: Trust in Me

Author: Lori Toland

Rating: Five Siren Stones

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Sub-Genre: LGBT

Keywords: M/M, Graphic Language

Length: Novella

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-60737-970-6

Price: $4.99

Publisher: Loose Id

Buy-Link: http://www.loose-id.com/Trust-in-Me.aspx

Reviewer: Cia

Blurb/Summary:

Tristan Winter's day takes a turn for the worse when his best employee calls in sick. As the only other technical specialist able to step in on such short notice, he takes over what seems like a run of the mill job -- until he runs into his old crush from high school, Jamie Hunter. Ten years after a summer fling left him with a broken heart, Tristan now has a different view of life and love but this time around, will he push away the only man he ever cared about?

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: male/male sexual practices.

Review:

Trust in Me by Lori Toland was the perfect way to sit back and unwind after a long day. The background in the story was instrumental in tying the decade of two separated lovers. My heart broke for Tristan who believed he’d been dumped after having his first taste of intimacy. It was apparent how much he respected and wanted to be on the same level of his high-school fantasy.

Jaime had really made a mess of things in his younger days. Instead of following up with his neighbour and friend he ditched him. His own internal demons prevented him from finding out if there was more than one night of sex.

We meet them again ten years later. Tristan is no longer the thin geeky boy rather a sophisticated man who’d done well in his life and bowed to no one. The past may have made him a bit bitter regarding Jaime; the experience made him a better man. Lost and confused Jaime didn’t quite know what to make of Tristan all grown up, that didn’t stop passion from exploding and old hurts being voiced and put to rest. This book was one steaming hot read full of betrayal and angst and confronting the past in its totality.

M. Jules Aedin, Paper Planes

Title: Paper Planes

Author: M. Jules Aedin

Rating: Five Siren Stones

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Sub-Genre: LGBT

Keywords: M/M, Graphic Language

Length: Novel

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-61118-404-4

Price: $6.99

Publisher: Loose Id

Buy-Link: http://www.loose-id.com/Paper-Planes.aspx

Reviewer: Cia

Blurb/Summary:

Photographer Stuart Grange was happy with his suburbanite life until his partner was killed in a plane hijacking. Now he’s suddenly the face of gay rights in America and trying to deal with his new responsibility while coping with his overwhelming grief. He’s got his hands full without the complications of a new love, but his heart’s not waiting for him to catch up.

Commercial pilot Dustin McDonough knows what it’s like to deal with loss. He has his own set of scars, physical and emotional. He’s trying to give Stuart the time and space he needs to be ready to move on, but he’s in love for the first time in years, and he’s determined not to lose again.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: male/male sexual practices.

Review:

Paper Planes by M. Jules Aedin was a tear jerker of grand proportions and I loved every sniffle and smile reading about Stuart and Dustin brought me.

Two different males, polar opposites a few chance meetings turn to what I call divine fate. Their road to finding each other wasn’t easy. Stuart wasn’t ready to let go of the past and re-enter the land of the living after losing his partner.

When he met Dustin my heart sped up and then I became engrossed in the hardships Dustin endured and continued to endure. The gentle strength of the sexy pilot made my heart melt while Jules the artistic photographer made me grin. I thoroughly enjoyed their story and the lively secondary characters brought into the spotlight. I hope to see them soon in their own stories and perhaps get a second look at how Stu and Dustin do. Their passion was white hot but what hooked me line and sinker was the unabashed joy and love they finally allowed themselves the opportunity to have.

Fyn Alexander, Angel and the Assassin 2: Be Brave

Title: Angel and the Assassin 2: Be Brave

Author: Fyn Alexander

Rating: Siren's Best Book Stone

Genre: BDSM

Sub-Genre: LGBT, Romantic Suspense

Keywords: D/s, Assassins, BDSM Theme and Elements, M/M, Violence

Length: Novel Plus

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-60737-999-7

Price: $7.99

Publisher: Loose Id, LLC

Buy-Link: http://www.loose-id.com/Angel-and-the-Assassin-2-Be-Brave.aspx

Reviewer: Cia

Blurb/Summary:

MI6 assassin Kael Saunders was supposed to kill Angel Button after he witnessed a kill. Not only did Kael refuse to hurt Angel, but he took him home and fell in love with him. Living together now in a loving D/s relationship, Angel wants to follow in his daddy’s footsteps while Kael is determined to keep his boy out of the dangerous world of international assassins.

During an assignment Kael finds a little girl who is caught up in human trafficking and determines to rescue her. When he is taken prisoner Angel sets out to find his beloved Daddy and bring him home.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: strong BDSM theme and content, male/male sexual practices, violence.

Review:

Angel and the Assassin 2: Be Brave the continued story of Angel and Kael truly amazed me. I didn’t know there was more of their life coming, and that there was and it showed so much more growth both within Kael and within Angel was outstanding. Fyn Alexander outdid himself with this work. In this sequel we got to see a timid young boy grow and mature and come into his own under the loving yet patient hand of his master.

There are so many great things to remark on that I’m having a hard time voicing them. What I do want to say is…seeing a deeper side of Kael, an emotional side and peeling apart the layers into his entire self, it made my heart melt. I think that the two diverse males with polar opposite personalities continued to grow in love and support each other. You didn’t just see a boy with his daddy, you saw a perfect match transcending level of intimacy and trust that’s hard to find but worth the work it takes to have.

I’m going to have to put this on the keeper shelf with the first installment.

L. A. Witt, With the Band

Title: With the Band

Author: L. A. Witt

Rating: Five Siren Stones

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Sub-Genre: LGBT

Keywords: M/M, Rock Band

Length Count: Novel Plus

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-60737-978-2

Price: $7.99

Publisher: Loose Id

Buy-Link: http://www.loose-id.com/With-the-Band.aspx

Reviewer: Cia

Blurb/Summary:

Hard rock band Schadenfreude is finally on the verge of the success that’s eluded them for the last several years. With Aaron McClure as their new lead singer, nothing’s going to stop them…except maybe a steamy, secret relationship between Aaron and bassist Bastian Koehler. Aaron knows all too well what can happen when band members get involved with each other. After all, his last band was a casualty of his last relationship, and Schadenfreude forbids band members from dating for that very reason. But Bastian is too hot to resist, and besides, it’s just sex, so what’s the harm?

Bastian has just gotten out of a long relationship with his volatile ex-fiancée when Aaron catches his eye. The sexy singer is irresistible, and in spite of the potential for strife within the band if this comes out, Bastian can’t help himself.

Their passion in the bedroom is rivaled only by their ambition as musicians, though, and pretty soon, it's going to tear them, and Schadenfreude apart, if they can't get back to playing with the band.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Male/male sexual practices.

Review:

With the Band by L. A. Witt led me into the rock heavy ordinary lives of every day musicians. The dynamics of the band life exploded into a reality. Where one small ripple can either make a band succeed or blast them apart for good. Aaron’s personal experience didn’t help matters. He battled with not only his sexuality but hiding it from a sibling and parents.

Bastian on the other hand is more comfortable in his skin, yet he too harbours a secret. Passion between the two explodes as their band rises up the ranks into notoriety. The higher they go the harder it is to keep the silence. Their personal and professional journey was heartbreaking and heart-warming. I laughed when they laughed and cried when there were broken hearts. The song really got to me, and I disliked how Bastian used it to gain what he needed while understanding communication comes in many forms.

This is one read I’d read time and again. The whole band rocked proving family and friendship could withstand the most insane odds.

Jill Knowles, Concubine

Title: Concubine

Author: Jill Knowles

Rating: Three And A Half Siren Stones

Genre: BDSM, LGBT

Sub-Genre: Futuristic, Fantasy

Keywords: Bondage, Tethering, Gagging, Exhibitionism, M/M

Length: Novel

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-60737-587-6

Price: $6.99

Publisher: Loose Id, LLC

Buy-Link: http://www.loose-id.com/Concubine.aspx

Reviewer: Elizabeth Hyder

Blurb/Summary:

Scholar, captain...war prize. Prince Kael of Korai is stunned when his father gives him to an enemy warlord in a desperate attempt to salvage Korai’s reputation. With his country’s honor at stake, Kael resolves to submit to Warlord Taren’s every debauched whim.

But life in Zandria isn’t anything like what Kael imagined. Instead of pain and cruelty, Warlord Taren seduces Kael until the bewildered prince craves his Master’s every intimate caress. As he sinks into the decadent, sensual life of a concubine, Kael makes a powerful enemy, one who wants him removed from Zandria by any means necessary.

Betrayed by his body, trapped by his honor, Kael must learn to trust his Master or get them both killed.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: BDSM theme and elements (including/not limited to bondage, gagging, tethering), dubious consent, exhibitionism, male/male sexual practices.

Review:

Once again, Loose Id delivers beautifully on another trope. The prince-turned-slave trope is one I've always enjoyed, and I loved the author's use of demons here. It added a little twist and some mysteriousness to the usual storyline, making it less typical but still enjoyable.

I did not enjoy the sex scenes as much as I wanted to, which is what kept this from being a four stone review. They weren't bad, but they weren't as hot as they could have been considering the content.

The cover is absolutely gorgeous, bright and colorful and full of life in a way I don't often see on covers for this genre! The editing is also good; I didn't catch any stray typos or anything like that.

Overall, a good book and I will probably be seeking other books by this author to review.

Penny Brandon, Blind Passion

Title: Blind Passion

Author: Penny Brandon

Rating: Three And A Half Siren Stones

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Sub-Genre: LGBT

Keywords: M/M, Voyeurism

Length: Novel Plus

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-60737-934-8

Price: $7.99

Publisher: Loose Id

Buy-Link: http://www.loose-id.com/Blind-Passion.aspx

Reviewer: Cia

Blurb/Summary:

Attraction for Adam was not a handsome face, a striking smile, or beautiful eyes, but a scent that would drive him to distraction or a voice that could make his heart beat faster. When the combination of the two walked into his life in Luke, Adam couldn’t help but want him. But how was he supposed to know if Luke felt the same attraction? He had no prior experience, no past encounters, nothing to help him. Not even his sight.

One look at Adam and Luke wanted him. Sensual, gorgeous, kind, with a strength that Luke was drawn to, Adam was everything Luke desired. Being in Adam’s arms, showing him the pleasure of a man’s body, being touched, held, and desired in return, had Luke wanting more, had him wanting what he knew he couldn’t have.

It didn’t matter to him that Adam was blind, but Adam deserved more than someone like him. Luke was a man with a broken past and falling in love with Adam was a foolish thing to do, especially because Adam would never love him back if he found out what Luke was hiding.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: male/male sexual practices, voyeurism.

Review:

Blind Passion by Penny Brandon was a good read. I enjoyed the premise in the blurb and hoped to be thrilled by the read. The pacing was good for most of the story, but I wanted to get to know Luke sooner than in the end. I loved Adam and was glad that he’d been broken out of his solitary lifestyle and into the real world. Michael proved to be a fantastic brother with how he found Luke’s lost family tying up the story nicely. In the end it was a nice read.

Stephanie Burke, Absolute Perfection

Title: Absolute Perfection

Author: Stephanie Burke

Rating: Three Siren Stones

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Sub-Genre: LGBT

Keywords: Shape-Shifter, M/M

Length: Short Novel

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-60737-842-6

Price: $5.99

Publisher: Loose Id, LLC

Buy-Link: http://www.loose-id.com/Absolute-Perfection.aspx

Reviewer: Elizabeth Hyder

Blurb/Summary:

Taza, a sea horse, sole male offspring of the Coushrin king and heir to the throne, really doesn't like his life. For one thing, two crazy female sea horses are vying to impregnate him and become the next queen of the Coushrin dynasty because sea horses mate for life. He doesn't want to be just a breeder while his wife rules the seas. But if being the prey and intended brood-stallion of two insane females isn't bad enough, Taza's also being chased by a human who's determined to attain immortality by eating him. Stir fried, easy on the garlic. What does he do? Flees to the a vampire bar on the surfaceworld, where he meets Astika, a Hindu Naga god. Astika's been dispatched on a fool's errand, because his advice to his uncle and grandfather's harems is causing mayhem in the kingdom. He wasn't supposed to meet a sea horse prince, save his life, and end up mated in the process. But that's exactly what happens. Because when Astika saves his life from the human who might just be crazier than the sea horses chasing him, Taza does the only smart thing and pledges himself to the Naga. For life. Since they're stuck with each other, Astika eventually decides he might as well see what it's like with a sea horse. Together, out of the wildest circumstances imaginable, the two lovers find and build Absolute Perfection.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations some readers may find objectionable: Male/male sexual practices.

Review:

I had no idea what to expect when requesting to review this book. Other sites had said that there was a big humor element to it, so I requested it on faith of that, and the book delivered! I was giggling almost constantly while reading, even the sex scenes have a small element of humor to them, and so I was really able to enjoy this book for that reason.

The plot itself was very straightforward, and the characters' personalities were fairly consistent and easy for me to grasp; I was never left wondering what they might do or why they'd done something.

The writing style itself and the editing are the reasons for the lower score, because although I enjoyed the book (and the cover art—so pretty!) there were mistakes here and there and the writing felt like I was reading something I'd found online.

Still, the book's humor pulled me through and I was able to look forward to and finish reading the book, so don't let yourself be dissuaded from reading because it's not an expensive book so it's worth it for the giggles.

Jan Irving, The Boxer

Title: The Boxer

Author: Jan Irving

Rating: Five Siren Stones

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Sub-Genre: LGBT

Keywords: M/M, Violence

Length: Novella

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-60737-820-4

Price: $4.99

Publisher: Loose Id, LLC

Buy-Link: http://www.loose-id.com/The-Contenders-2-The-Boxer.aspx

Reviewer: Cia

Blurb/Summary:

Series: The Contenders

Former boxer Dane Connelly faces losing it all, everything he fought for in The Janitor. He's hiding problems with his fight-damaged eyesight from his uptown lover, Noel Atherton. How can he be a man for him if he can’t see to fight or to paint? And now the vicious killer Narone, who almost broke him in the ring, is out on parole, looking for payback. Dane is desperate to protect the man he loves. But Noel has had enough of sleeping alone in their empty bed, aching for Dane, so he devises various exotic scenarios to seduce him, giving his lover thesexual domination he needs. He knows Dane is not being upfront with him, and after being patient for months he’s growing alarmed something is really wrong. Now Noel has to use his body and his heart to fight for his beloved boxer.
Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Male/male sexual practices, violence.

Review:

The Boxer by Jan Irving is a marvellous story. The troubles Dane faces both within himself and professionally alone made me fall in love with the gentle giant. I felt for Noel when he was at a crossroads with how to move forward. Although his ways backfired, they also brought the two together.

Time stands still for no one and that was a perfect orchestration in the moving hospital scene. I loved the addition of the younger couple and Dane taking the boy under his wing. What really moved me was how Noel stood up for his man and at the same time recognized that his love had pride and found a way to let him have both. For Noel watching his lover battle Narone couldn’t have been easy and his strength was commendable.

I’d recommend this read to all my friends.

Jessica Freely, Amaranth & Ash

Title: Amaranth & Ash

Author: Jessica Freely

Rating: Four Siren Stones

Genre: Fantasy

Sub-Genre: LGBT

Keywords: Futuristic, Intersexed Characters, Violence

Page Count: 151

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-60737-594-4

Price: $6.99

ISBN For Print:

Publisher: Loose Id, LLC

Buy-Link: http://www.loose-id.com/Amaranth-and-Ash.aspx

Reviewer: Elizabeth Hyder

Tagline: In a world where everyone has their place, Amaranth & Ash belong together.

Blurb/Summary:

Amaranth is a vasai, born with both male and female characteristics, and a soul that can reach out and touch the souls of others in order to heal them. But a vasai’s services are only for the Elai, and they demand sexual satisfaction as well as healing from their beautiful servants. Frustrated with these constraints, Amaranth wants to use his talent to help those who really need it.

Ash is a chel. Considered devoid of souls, chel are the lowest of the low. Not content with his lot, Ash steals from the middle class pel. One night he’s caught and brutally punished.
A soul in agony calls out to Amaranth from across the city. When he discovers that it belongs to a chel, it only confirms his worst suspicions about the lies of the Elai. Amaranth takes Ash home and heals him, an act of rebellion that could cost both their lives.

Amaranth's compassion for Ash soon turns to passion. Ash treats him like a person, not an instrument of sexual gratification. Neither of them have much experience with mutual pleasure but together they embark on an exploration of intimacy and desire that carries them to the heights of passion and love -- and shakes the very foundation of their world.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations some readers may find objectionable: Intersex relationships, violence.

Review:

Amaranth & Ash exemplifies what the publisher is all about: Id-fantasy made into stories. As such, it follows a predictable sort of pattern if you're familiar with that particular Id-fantasy, but the way that Freely weaves the story is what makes it unique and worth reading.

The universe she creates is very different from our own, and almost steampunk-ish in that it's an industrialized society. The caste system is fascinating, and throughout the book Freely shows, and doesn't tell, you all parts of the caste system.

Freely also gets points in my book for having a main character, characters even, who is intersexed-- has both male and female parts. I found the sex scenes captivating and evocative; the emotion between the characters was very present, but not forced, and served to make the scenes even hotter.

Overall, a very enjoyable book! Well-written, well-paced, and no editing mistakes that I noticed. I'm not sure how people who aren't into this particular Id-fantasy would take to it, but I adored it. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Jan Irving, Sam's Reviews

Title: Sam’s Reviews

Author: Jan Irving

Rating: Five Siren Stones

Genre: BDSM

Sub-Genre: Mystery/Suspense

Keywords: LGBT, M/M, D/s

Length: Novel

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-60737-900-3

Price: $6.99

Publisher: Loose Id, LLC

Buy-Link: http://www.loose-id.com/Sams-Reviews.aspx

Reviewer: Cia

Blurb/Summary:

A "Not Quite Christmas" Story

As the holiday season draws near, Sam Masterson, a former marine in a wheelchair, has more holiday unspirit than spirit going for him. He owns a building where a lot of misfits make a home and his neighborhood is threatened because of a shiny new development going up. He heads uptown to speak his mind to the man behind the monstrosity. Architect Tall Hollander is not what he expects -- tall like his name, but sexy and up front about finding Sam attractive.

Sam also has other pressures -- a brutal thief known as The Bruiser is haunting the area, he has sole custody of his vulnerable nephew Joey, and his latest gay romance has just been rejected because it's too "unrealistic." So Sam escapes into fantasy, the only place where he finds the passion he hungers for. That is, until Tall decides to use his creativity to spark his holiday fire.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: BDSM elements, Domination/submission, male/male sexual practices.

Review:

Sam’s Reviews was one of those heart-tugging reads you don’t see coming. Who wouldn’t fall in love with a man who’d lived such a heroic life and lost so much at the same time? A man who couldn’t find the balance to life after such personal tragedy, guilt for not stopping a heinous act on the one woman he loved more than life itself.

Throw in a boy who needed not just a place in the family, but a home to belong without feeling like an unwelcome burden, a man who see’s past the foremost image and digs for the bigger picture and the outcome is this story. I fell for Sam, Tall and Joe. Through the hardships of community and the welcoming of the new. I loved the man behind the stories he wrote and the equally strong man who wanted to be dominated by his equal. I hoped they’d find a balance and a life together to ring in every holiday season that passed.

Evangeline Anderson, 'Til Kingdom Come

Title: 'Til Kingdom Come

Author: Evangeline Anderson

Rating: Five Siren Stones

Genre: LGBT

Sub-Genre: Fantasy

Keywords: Medieval, M/M, Magic

Length: Novel Plus

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-60737-814-3

Price: $7.99

Publisher: Loose Id, LLC

Buy-Link: http://www.loose-id.com/Till-Kingdom-Come.aspx

Reviewer: Cia

Blurb/Summary:

In a time of mystery and magic, one man is seeking to find his destiny. Prince Thrain Blackwater is on a deadly mission to capture the one who can help him get his revenge and make him whole. But in order to do so, he must perform an act of brutality that will alienate the man he hopes to claim as his own.

Prince Elias Trueheart is a Null—a noble of the royal Trueheart line who has no magic of his own. Resigned to a life of obscurity, his entire world is turned upside down the night Thrain comes for him. After the Blackwater prince claims him in a way Elias feels he can never forgive, he kidnaps him as well and drags him back to the snake pit he calls home—Castle Black.

Thrain is certain Elias will hate him forever—and he doesn’t blame the other man a bit. Still, he hungers for Elias’s love and will do anything to earn it, even if it means facing down his brutal older brother who wants Elias for himself. But will Elias ever return his feelings or is he incapable of forgiving Thrain’s crime? He will have to make up his mind very soon for beneath the dark and dangerous Castle Black lies a secret that will unlock Elias’s magic and a deadly riddle that will put both his life and Thrain’s in peril.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Dubious consent, male/male sexual practices, allusion to incest.

Review:

From the very beginning, Thrain stole my heart. To be a part of a family so vile that it didn’t rub off on him endeared me to him. When he was forced to do something he swore never to do I felt for him, he as well was victimized by the occurrence as the victim. His protective ways made my heart swell.

I fell for Elias almost at the same time. He went from being a shy young male to a man who refused to be kept by ill means. The magic in the story was woven intricately with purpose that wasn’t clear until I’d finally made the last few pages.

I got a chance to slow down and take my time reading this read. It’s not a fast paced one, if you read it fast I assure you that you’ll miss out on something important.

Fyn Alexander, Angel and the Assassin

Title: Angel and the Assassin

Author: Fyn Alexander

Rating: Five Siren Stones

Genre: BDSM

Sub-Genre: LGBT

Keywords: M/M

Length: Novel Plus

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-60737-871-6

Price: $7.99

Publisher: Loose Id, LLC

Buy-Link: http://www.loose-id.com/Angel-and-the-Assassin.aspx

Reviewer: Cia

Blurb/Summary:

Kael Saunders loves to dominate handsome, masculine men like himself. Being in charge is his way of life whether it be in his work with the Secret Intelligence service, his personal life, or in the dungeon. The last thing he expects when he is out on a hit is to fall in love with Angel, an eighteen-year-old boy desperate for the love and guidance of a Daddy. Yet Angel also has a passion for being spanked and restrained. Two very different men find love in a world of skilled assassins, Bosnian terrorists, and dungeon play.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: BDSM theme and content, male/male sexual practices.

Review:

From the beginning to the end Fyn Alexander had me on my toes. The Angel and the Assassin was filled with non-stop action, hot sex, a glimpse in the life of a full time D/s relationship with all the responsibility it entails. Watching Kael go from solitary to a relationship after so much time alone warmed my heart.

I loved the contrast in ages between the two of them and how Angel brought him out of his shell. Having a glimpse into what made Kael an assassin was a great part of the story.

I'll be reading this one again on a rainy day.