May Top Reads #Giveaway #Reviews

Another month of reading ends, another top reads begins. I read a lot of books. At the end of every month I pick my top reads of that month. Publication date isn't an issue, just that I read it that month. So check out my top reads for the month of May and enter the giveaway at the bottom. Enjoy!

Embrace the Fire: Felice Stevens

Brandon Gilbert has spent years in hiding, but finally he’s accomplished his dream of working as a public school teacher. When offered the chance to help bullied children, there was no way he could say no. Not to mention that meeting Dr. Tash Weber, the psychiatrist who helps them, a sad yet sexy older man, ignited a spark inside Brandon he’d never had before.

Though five years have passed since the death of his lover, Dr. Sebastian "Tash" Weber has no interest in relationships or love. But young, enigmatic Brandon awakens his heart and his desire. Despite Tash’s best efforts to push him away, Brandon unlocks the passion for life Tash thought he’d lost forever.

Falling in love wasn’t part of the plan for either Brandon or Tash, but neither family disapproval nor self-doubts can stop them from embracing the fire that burns between them. And when Brandon returns home to fight for a future he never imagined possible, he and Tash discover that the one thing worth fighting for has been with them all along.

My Review:
I'm going to miss these boys. *sigh* Felice has taken us full circle. And I'm going to say that this journey around this circle of fire has been fierce. 3 men, shattered, separated, searching. We followed Ash, and Luke, now we get to follow Brandon. The youngest of the brothers. Oh how I got goosebumps, I held my breath to the point I almost passed out. And Felice didn't disappoint. This was the reunion to end all reunions! You know that feeling you get when you've missed someone, or you've been dying to feel them? With each passing book in this series that need grew and now comes the Embrace. The final hurdle. This series has played with every emotion. I laughed, cried, screamed,and fell in love. Brandon and Tash's story is magical. I adored how Felice closed this series off. No loose ends. Peace, beauty, and a happily ever after. I let the fire lick me, Walked through it, endured the pain After the Fire, and yes, I happily embraced it in the end. Bravo, Felice!!! 

Buy Links: Amazon Loose ID

The Demon You Know: Barbara Elsborg

A good demon?

Ezra is a timekeeper in Hell, responsible for building and maintaining the clocks that tick away eternal torment. He’s never believed he deserves to be in Hell, and when the reason he’s there is revealed, he’s horrified...yet filled with hope. But is this just another form of torture? When Ezra’s given a chance to go to the surface, he’s determined to uncover the truth, but his fellow demons seem just as determined he won’t survive the journey.

A bad angel?

Roman doesn’t understand why an angel who failed his training the first time round has been given the job of policing paranormals in the UK’s capital city. He’s consumed by unhappiness. He might not be in Hell, but sometimes it damn well feels like it.

When Roman meets Ezra his failings come back to haunt him. Ezra makes him want to break the rules, but an angel protecting a demon? Discovery would bring an eternity of suffering, and with a boss none other than the archangel Michael, it'll take more than a miracle for the lovers to stand together.

My Review:
Best book I've read this month! I have no doubt it will fall into a favorite of the year! I'm diverse in my reading and it's not often I read a book that involved demons and angels and Hell and I just fall this much in love! It's gruesome in Hell and Barbara Elsborg doesn't hold back AT ALL! Why should she... IT'S HELL, PEOPLE. No unicorns and happiness there. Ezra is pretty much what every human being should aspire to be. He has the most amazing everything. Humanity would be saved with him. Roman is a sinful angel and of course it takes the love of Ezra ( a demon) to save him! I just have all the love for this story. I love how she didn't hold back. Great read!

Buy Links:  Amazon Loose ID

Knight of Ocean Avenue: Tara Lain

How can you be twenty-five and not know you’re gay? Billy Ballew runs from that question. A high school dropout, barely able to read until he taught himself, Billy’s life is driven by his need to help support his parents as a construction worker, put his sisters through college, coach his Little League team, and not think about being a three-time loser in the engagement department. Being terrified of taking tests keeps Billy from getting the contractor's license he so desires, and fear of his mother's judgement blinds Billy to what could make him truly happy.

Then, in preparation for his sister’s big wedding, Billy meets Shaz—Chase Phillips—a rising star, celebrity stylist who defines the word gay. To Shaz, Billy embodies everything he’s ever wanted—stalwart, honest, brave—but even if Billy turns out to be gay, he could never endure the censure he’d get for being with a queen like Shaz. How can two men with so little in common find a way to be together? Can the Stylist of the Year end up with the Knight of Ocean Avenue?

My Review:
BRILLIANT! BRILLIANT! BRILLIANT! My lord this was a fantastic book. Billy is a big, strong, muscle-y Construction worker who is gay... and JUST realizing it at 35. Shaz has known since he was a child and is a flamboyant delight with fire engine red hair and pizazz! Perfect for each other right? LOL This was an epic ride of self discovery, acceptance, enlightenment, and unconditional love. The people in this world will always hate something because they fear it. Shaz is the savior Billy has craved his whole life and Billy is Shaz's Knight! I couldn't fall in love harder than I did with these 2. JUST BRILLIANT! MUST READ!

Buy Links: Amazon Dreamspinner Press

Kage: Maris Black

My name is Jamie Atwood, and I’m an addict. I never thought I’d say such a thing. Never had a problem being overly-attached to anything in my life. I came from a perfectly middle-class family, made good grades, and had a hot cheerleader girlfriend... but the truth is, nothing ever really moved me. So how did a guy like me become an addict?

I met Michael Kage.

Kage is an MMA fighter. A famous one. I like to think I helped him get that way.

He’s charming as hell, with looks to rival any movie star and talent to back it up. So why did he need to hire me as an intern Publicist? Simple. He has a darkness in him– like a black hole so deep it could swallow him, and me, and everyone we know– and that’s not good for business.

The first time I met him, I felt the pull. I think the addiction began at that very moment. And even if I’d known then what I know now, I would have fallen for him. How could I not?

For me, Kage is everything.

My Review:
DEATH BY THE MACHINE! Michael "The Machine" Kage that is! I didn't know this was a trilogy when I started... So I'm left hanging on tight for book 2. But so well worth the hanging. We follow this in Jamie's POV. I have to say I was sweet on him because he was so beyond real. He's driven, hot, seems to have good morals. His family, though they love him, seem to not want to go the route of accepting him with Kage. Maris had me biting my nails with each passing page. I was all, "OMG KISS ALREADY!" and "WHAT'S KAGE'S STORY OMG IT MUST BE AMAZING" She had me hooked!!! I woke in the middle of the night and debated even going back to sleep because I HAD to know more! Not many authors have done this to me! I need book 2 MUST HAVE! But this book was OUTSTANDING!

Buy Links: Amazon   ARe

Chasing the Rainbow: Kade Boehme

Bobby Gugino realized he may have met the man of his dreams in Jody Olsen, only neither of them were gay, so far as Bobby knew. But when Jody came out and ended his marriage, Bobby's entire worldview was skewed, and his own health issues lead to his own coming out. Fast forward four years and Bobby runs into Jody again, but Bobby may be too busy making up for lost time to see how great they are together.

Jody Olsen's got guilt and mommy issues, but his coming out was smooth and his life had settled into a mundane pattern of kissing frogs while waiting for prince charming and helping run his mother's book store in New York's East Village. When Bobby comes bumbling back into his life with a surprising shared passion for the written word and an endearing love for sugary Frappuccinos, Jody can't help but be quickly swept up by the man.

The struggle to be patient with Bobby and his being unsure about being committed to someone is not an easy one. Does Jody hope for his happy ever after with Bobby, or is the lure of chasing the rainbow too much to fight against?

 My Review:
What a sweet love story. Bobby and Jody are adorable in every way. Jody, the adorkable, sexy yet shy guy had me blushing right alongside him. I immediately wanted to be his friend. His day is all books and coffee!!! We are BFF material I tell ya! Bobby, oh Bobby! He reminds me of every guy I knew in my family. All New York, Italian, loud, and completely misunderstood! His and Carlos (his brother) relationship was awesome. Strong & respected. When we are shunned by those who are supposed to love us, anyone strong enough to hold you up is a hero and Carlos is that for Bobby... then comes Jody and together they find their Prince charming, in each other. Great story from Kade! Loved it!

Buy Links: Amazon   B&N 

Secrets & Bow Ties: Lou Harper

 

Who said nerdy can’t be sexy?

Self-confessed gold digger Dylan Price is cooling his heels as a waiter at a trendy West Hollywood restaurant, waiting for the sugar daddy of his dreams to walk through the doors. Someone rich, sophisticated. Preferably old.

Bookish Simon Wainwright couldn’t be further from Dylan’s ideal. Aside from his terrible fashion sense, Simon suffers from a glaring lack of a Beverly Hills mansion. And he’s barely over thirty!

Dylan, however, isn’t made of stone. Coincidence, an obscene candle, even Simon’s dorky cardigan compel him to give the shy academic a very special birthday gift, which Dylan files away as a one-night stand. But when Dylan’s quest lands him in hot water, he runs to Simon to hide.

The two take off for Las Vegas, where Dylan takes upon himself to give Simon a complete makeover. For reasons he can’t comprehend, Dylan begins to reevaluate his life—and what he holds most dear. But with danger not far behind, he might be too late.

My Review:
This series gets better and better. Book 3, Secrets & Bow Ties, rocked my socks off. Sexy hot Dylan, self proclaimed gold digger has gotten himself in some serious hot water. It takes nerdy, adorable, Simon to save the day. Sometimes it doesn't take guns, muscles, and military experience to be the hero. Sometimes it takes a strength you can't see with the naked eye. Simon is the best thing that happens to Dylan and I ADORED how we get to see how that love changes Dylan. Lou Harper blew this one out of the water. There's sex, intrigue, and VEGAS BABY! I am in love with this series! 


Buy Links: Amazon   ARe

GIVEAWAY

One person will get a chance to win one of these top reads! Contest ends June 15th. Winner will be contacted via email (Check your spam) You will choose what ebook you'd like gifted to your Kindle.

Good luck to you all and as always, don't forget to review!

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