New Release Review: String Boys by Amy Lane #Review #Giveaway

Title: String Boys 
Author: Amy Lane
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Reese Dante
Publication date: May 28, 2019
Length: 341 pages

Reviewed by Erin

Synopsis

Seth Arnold learned at an early age that two things in life could make his soul soar—his violin and Kelly Cruz. In Seth’s uncertain childhood, the kindness of the Cruz family, especially Kelly and his brother, Matty, gave Seth the stability to make his violin sing with the purest sound and opened a world of possibility beyond his home in Sacramento.

Kelly Cruz has loved Seth forever, but he knows Seth’s talents shouldn’t be hidden, not when the world is waiting. Encouraging Seth to follow his music might break Kelly’s heart, but he is determined to see the violin set Seth’s soul free. When their world is devastated by a violent sexual assault and Matty’s prejudices turn him from a brother to an enemy, Seth and Kelly’s future becomes uncertain.

Seth can’t come home and Kelly can’t leave, but they are held together by a love that they clutch with both hands.

Seth and Kelly are young and the world is wide—the only thing they know for certain is they’ll follow their heartstrings to each other’s arms whenever time and fate allow. And pray that one day they can follow that string to forever… before it slices their hearts in two.

Purchase Links

Dreamspinner Press

Amazon

Review

Like so many of you, early on in my reading of LGBTQ focused books (before then, I happily admit I was a fanfiction addict … along with some mainstream fiction), I discovered Amy Lane. The Locker Room to be specific. To this day, that book remains in my top five, all-time favorite books, of any book, ever. Since then, I’ve devoured every book Amy has ever written. Paranormal, fluffy, angst and pain laden; it doesn’t matter which world or what topic she focuses on, she never lets me down and her newest book, String Boys, didn’t either. If you’ve read The Locker Room, and if you haven’t I’m not sure we can be friends, String Boys is very reminiscent of that book. The same love, the same hope and joy, the same pain and turmoil … just in a very different way. I read String Boys in one sitting; I literally could not stop reading. And yes, I cried, many times as a matter of fact. But oh my, was the payoff ever worth it! 

String Boys begins when Kelly Cruz and Seth Arnold are just young boys in the fourth grade and follows them through ups and many, MANY downs. This is an Amy Lane book we’re talking about here people, and yeah, this one hurts, and the angst is high. These boys endure SO MUCH—from homophobia, to bullies, to numerous separations, to religious zealots, to violence (that mostly takes place off page, thank goodness!)—that my heart wept, and my need for continuous Kleenex was at an all-time high. I never once worried that Seth and Kelly wouldn’t make it; their love for one another was just too powerful for that to ever happen, but boy did Amy make them work for it (and us readers, too, because damn.) 

The only thing Seth loves almost as much as he loves Kelly is his violin and the way Amy uses the music to allow Seth to grow and make his place in the world is nothing short of beautiful. I was moved so much by Seth’s thoughts and feelings about his music and the ability to transport him, and those that hear him play, into another world. It’s magical, no lie. And dear sweet, lovable Kelly is simply wonderful. I’m not going to spoil the story for you, the blurb gives you a great idea what you’re in for and really, String Boys is a journey. It’s a journey that takes you from the innocence of youth, to the harsh realities of the world around us. It’s a story that centers on family and acceptance and love. The love of music and the importance of finding that one thing that makes your soul fill with joy and gives you a sense of peace. The love of family that gives you the safety and acceptance you need to figure out who you are. And most importantly, the power of first love that turns into that once in a lifetime love that can weather any storm. 

Be prepared, y’all. This book will hit you in ALL your feels. There’s tragedy and loss, pain and suffering, and the fact that life is not always fair or easy. But there is so much hope and joy and love that it makes every tear and every bit of heartache worth it. Don’t miss String Boys, this book is special, and I can’t recommend it enough.

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Random Review: Familiar Demon by Amy Lane #Review #Giveaway

Author: Amy Lane
Title: Familiar Demon
Series: Familiar Love #2
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Reese Dante
Publication date: February 12, 2019
Length: 241 Pages

Reviewed by Erin


Synopsis

Familiar Love: Book Two For over a century, Edward Youngblood has been the logical one in a family of temperamental magical beings. But reason has not made him immune to passion, and Edward’s passion for Mullins, the family’s demon instructor, has only grown. Mullins was lured into hell through desperation—and a fatal mistake. He’s done his best to hang onto his soul in the twisted realm of the underworld, and serving the Youngblood family when summoned has been his only joy. Edward concocts a plan to spring Mullins by collecting a series of items to perform an ancient ritual—an idea that terrifies Mullins. He can’t bear the thought of losing Edward and his brothers to a dangerous quest.  But every item in their collection is an adventure in brotherhood and magic, and as Mullins watches from the sidelines, he becomes more and more hopeful that they will succeed. When the time comes for Mullins to join the mission, can he find enough faith and hope to redeem himself and allow himself happiness in the arms of a man who would literally go to hell and back—and beyond—to have Mullins by his side?

Buy Links

Dreamspinner Press

Amazon

Review

Do you ever finish a book and go something like ... holy cow, I can't believe all of that just happened?! This was my exact reaction when I finished Amy Lane's Familiar Demon. I also took a deep breath and sighed happily but that's often the case with one of Amy's books.

Familiar Demon is the second book in her Familiar Love series and if you haven't read the first book, Familiar Angel, I HIGHLY recommend you read that first before diving into this one. There is some serious and important world building that takes place in the first book and you'll miss quite a lot of necessary back story if you start with book two. That being said, Familiar Demon was one wild ride! Funny and suspenseful and so much action that starts right away that you need to be ready to strap in and just hang on. 

I'll be honest, reading about magical beings and shape shifters is not my go to kind of book, but having read Familiar Angel, and loved it--I mean it's Amy so of course it was fabulous!--I knew I couldn't wait to get back to this world of Amy's. Edward Youngblood has been in love with Mullins for a very long time, too bad Mullins is a demon and lives in Hell. Literally, he lives in Hell. But, love knows no boundaries and Edward and his brothers come up with a way to save Mullins...even if they might die trying to do it. Let me tell you, Familiar Demon is one wild adventure after another as Edward and the boys race against time in order to save Mullins. I found myself gasping out loud more than a few times during the action packed sequences and due to Amy's magical (see what I did there?!) way with words, I felt I was right along side Edward, Harry, Francis and the rest of the gang. 

There are funny moments, many of them. And with any Amy Lane book you know you're going to get the romance too, and man, those parts hit me right in the feels. Like many of you, I'm such a sucker for a good do anything for love kind of romance! I found myself loving every minute I spent in this crazy world Amy has given us and I really couldn't turn the pages fast enough. There were so many twists and turns and I was on the edge of my seat. Full of danger and mayhem and laughs, Familiar Demon was everything I'd hoped it would be. The dual POV's added a lot because seeing things from both Mullins and Edward's side was such fun. I can't wait for the next book, I'm really hoping it's Francis and Beltrane! Really, y'all, do yourselves a huge favor and check out both books in the series. It might not be what you're used to in romance, but I can guarantee you'll be so happy you read them by the time you're done!

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Audio book Review: A Fool and His Manny by Amy Lane Narrated by Kenneth Obi #Review #Giveaway

Author: Amy Lane
Narrator: Kenneth Obi
Title: A Fool And His Manny
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Length: 6 hours and 18 minutes

Reviewed by Morningstar

Synopsis

Seeing the truth and falling in love.

Dustin Robbins-Grayson was a surly adolescent when Quinlan Gregory started the nanny gig. After a rocky start, he grew into Quinlan's friend and confidant—and a damned sexy man.

At twenty-one, Dusty sees how Quinlan sacrificed his own life and desires to care for Dusty’s family. He’s ready to claim Quinlan—he's never met a kinder, more capable, more lovable man. Or a lonelier one. Quinlan has spent his life as the stranger on the edge of the photograph, but Dusty wants Quinlan to be the center of his world. First he has to convince Quinlan he’s an adult, their love is real, and Quinlan can be more than a friend and caregiver. Can he show Quin that he deserves to be both a man and a lover, and that in Dusty’s eyes, he’s never been “just the manny?”

 Purchase on Audible

 Review

I’ve said before these books are sometimes a hit and miss for me. Most are pretty good but what Amy Lane did in this story was beyond amazing. The way it’s structured, the many characters—who not once confused me because each was so clear—and the sweet and sexy romance within a sweet and loving family.

Quinn and Dusty together were perfection! They fit, and they worked, and they had so much freaking chemistry it was hard with all that, not to see them together. I can’t tell you which one was my favorite because they both made me love them for who they were. Dusty and his gruffness that hid a sweet and loving man with a fierce protective streak for those he loved. Quinn with his gentle nature that hid a strong and stern man who would stand up for the kids to anyone and love them like no one’s business.

The secondary characters were freaking great! The kids with their cute names like St. Peter and Princess. Each one had a fully fleshed out personality that was easy to see them for who they were. The scene in the damn lawyer's office had me tearing up, so thank you for that. I loved Mika and Jacob for being the parents Quinn needed even when he couldn’t see the family he had right in front of him.

I’ve never heard a Kenneth Obi audiobook but I was highly impressed, and his voices seemed to fit each character. His inflections and tone gave a like to this book. Every joke and sexy bit, every loving moment and take down, was acted to perfection.

This will definitely be a highly recommended book from me and one I will listen to over and over again.

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