Thursday, January 4, 2018

Morningstar's Picks: Top Five Audiobooks of 2017



The audiobooks were plentiful on Diverse Reader in 2017. Morningstar Ashley is one of our audiobook reviewers and she had a hard time choosing the five best. But she did prevail. Her choices for Top Five Audiobooks of 2017 are...































Be sure to check in tomorrow for Morningstar's
Top 20 ebooks of 2017!


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Random Review: Prelude To Love by Anne Barwell #Review #Giveaway




Author: Anna Barwell
Book: Prelude To Love
House line: Dreamspun Desires
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Bree Archer
Publication Date: January 2, 2018
Length: 234 pages

Reviewed by Racheal

Synopsis

Music speaks directly to the heart.

Two very different men face turning points in their lives after the collapse of long-term relationships….

Joel is a music teacher who knows it’s time to forget his ex and move on, while Marcus runs a lawn-mowing business and has come to Wellington to escape the reminders of a recent breakup. Although they’re opposites, when Joel and Marcus connect, their romance has the potential to hit all the right notes.

Too bad neither of them feels ready for new love.

With family and friends in common, dating is risky—things could get messy if it doesn’t work out. The sweet song of possibility draws them to each other, though, and they share a kiss following a Chopin prelude. But it will take some practice and perseverance to find their perfect harmony



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Review

Joel loves being a teacher! Even on those days when parents make their kids take lessons even though he knows it's not something they want to do, and he must remind himself to have patience just to get through some of his private classes. His love life; now that is a whole another matter. Since breaking off with his boyfriend Reed five years prior, he really hasn't found anyone to fill that void in his life. Not that it stops his best friends Darin and Ella from trying to persuade him into finding that someone special. 

Marcus is moving in with his sister, Ella, after what appears to be a mutual break up from his boyfriend, Garth, just six months prior. He is looking to start up his business in Wellington. He needs a fresh start in a place where he isn't reminded of his ex. Little does Marcus know that Ella, Darin, and even his fourteen-year-old niece, Isabel, have a game plan already set in motion for him.

Bringing together Marcus and Joel is like bringing beautiful music together. Even though some notes may not seem to fit once you hear them together it's like the best melody ever. The two balance each other out whereas their other partners couldn't. 


However, with a lack of communication, could these two miss out on the best harmony created for these two emotionally seeking souls?






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Promotional Post: Obsession by Theophelia St.Claire #Review #Giveaway




Author: Theophilia St. Claire
Book: Obsession
Publisher: NineStar Press
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow
Publication Date: December 4, 2017
Length: 184 pages

Reviewed by Truus

Synopsis

Nick has a hard life. Not only is he working at an East Harlem bar to make ends meet and pay for his sister's medical expenses, he's also on the run from a shady past that's surely catching up to him. Most people think Claude has it easy due to the money and luxury surrounding him. But they would be wrong. Firmly trapped beneath his stern father's thumb, Claude's pre-determined life took a nosedive when his lover, Christian, left him a year ago.
When the two meet, sparks do not instantly fly between them.
Claude thinks Nick is his ex-lover returned to him. Nick thinks Claude is crazy.
However, circumstances bring these two men together. And despite Claude's jealousy and possessive nature, Nick is falling for him. Sick of being mistaken for Claude's ex, Nick is willing to find out what happened to him—the real Christian. He'll have to if he wants a stable relationship with Claude. How Claude takes the truth, however, is the only thing that scares him.



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Review

 A dark, gritty, raw read, with suspense that will make you scream.

I saw Claude had a Belgium surname when I read 'Mijn lief' in my own Dutch language and I jumped up. Yesss awesome!!

Nick has it hard and only one friend, Eric.A shit place to live, working at a bar in East Harlem, doing everything possible to pay the medical treatment for his sister. A shit past, a shit present....probably a shit future.

Then a beautiful, expensive looking man calls him Christian.

Claude has everything Nick does not have. Their paths crossed more than once...and not because of Nick. Nick thinks Claude is somewhat crazy... Claude thinks Nick is Christian, his ex-lover he hasn't seen in more than a year. Claude is head over heels again.

Nick tries to explain who he is but somehow it doesn't reach Claude. Claude has enough money to resolve all Nick’s problems.....very tempting.

Through this journey Nick developed feelings for Claude... and Claude- very possessive and jealous person- is scared to death Christian will disappear again. Nick has to find the truth about Christian.

The story is revealed little by little about how the relations between the men really are.
At the moment it's unequal and pasts collide.

The story gets darker and darker. We meet the lower side of humans.
A pool of dirt opens before our eyes, a pool you can't imagine.

It is an intriguing, gritty read. Sometimes hot and steamy and not always on the sweet side. A lot of haziness and violence from unexpected sides. At times I wanted to scream at Nick.

The story will give you feelings of despair, desolate, but also hope and prospect for better times 

The storyline is original. Written in a captivating, not predictable way. Personalities with surprising sides. Suspense in good proportions. Enough developed to get a good impression and overlook.





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Release Blitz: Blackbird In The Reeds by Sam Burns #Giveaway



Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Length: 50,000 words approx.

Cover Design: Madeline Farlow @ Clause & Effect
Blurb

Devon Murphy has never believed that there were fairies at the bottom of the garden, but when he’s in an accident on his way to his grandmother’s house and comes face to face with the biggest, baddest wolf he’s ever seen, he’s forced to reconsider.

When his grandmother asks him to look into a string of suspicious accidents, he finds a much bigger mystery to unravel. From his childhood best friend to the too-attractive Deputy Wade Hunter, everyone in Rowan Harbor seems to have something to hide. Devon has to get to the bottom of it all before the accidents turn deadly.


Author Bio

Sam wrote her first fantasy epic with her best friend when she was ten. Like almost any epic fiction written by a ten year old, it was awful. She likes to think she’s improved since then, if only because she has better handwriting now.

If she’s not writing, she’s almost certainly either reading or lost down a wikipedia rabbit hole while pretending to research for a novel.

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Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Blog Tour: Sin & Saint by JM Dabney #Review #Excerpt #Giveaway



SIN & SAINT
EXECUTIONERS BOOK 4
J.M. DABNEY
M/M ROMANCE

RELEASE DATE: 12.26.17


COVER DESIGN: Winterheart Design

BLURB
Eric and Ellison Gant better known as Sin and Saint were opposite sides of the same coin. They epitomized the nicknames given to them by their friends in the band Executioners. One thing Sin and Saint did well was fight and being inseparable means they had a lot of disagreements, but one thing they agreed on was Sheriff Camden Pelter was theirs. The older, stoic man didn’t agree, yet they were determined to change his mind.

Camden Pelter had the daunting job of turning the Powers Sheriff Department around. The residents of the Georgia town didn’t have much faith or respect in the Deputies serving them. That’s where he came in and he was determined to do his job. That was easier said than done with two annoying brothers Sin and Saint who dogged his every step. No way in hell was he getting mixed up in the chaos that were the Gant Twins. Now if only if he could get them to listen and realize they didn’t have a chance of changing his mind.









Review

I have read all of JM Dabney’s books. It all started with Zerk and from there I fell for her characters. Each book we get a bigger glimpse of this universe she’s created. Each book more characters come to life and get their happy endings. In this one it’s Sin and Saint’s turn. The twins.

What a tricky story this must have been to write. So many lines to balance on. Sin and Saint are identical twins. Saint a bit chunkier but other than that they are mirror images. Pelter is the Sheriff and these twins have wanted him for years. How can this work without incest, right? I asked myself this. Though I read all stories I knew this author wanted to steer away from that.

Sin and Saint share Pelter. It’s more like a polyamorous relationship but Sin and Saint are present in most sexual encounters with Pelter but never touch each other that way. A balancing act for sure. As you read these three you come to realize, for them, it’s totally natural. This works for them and they aren’t happy unless they are together.

I loved the suspense the author brought into this love story. I didn’t love Pelter’s reaction after a particularly nail biting situation, and yes I wanted to hit him a hundred times. Thank God for Bull.

Give this book a go for sure. It’s a well written story with lots of love and a few intense moments.






EXCERPT
Saint didn’t want to get off the bike. Camden smelled like leather, sweat, and spicy cologne, but it could be the man’s leather jacket that was wrapped tightly around him. He’d dreamed of being that close to Camden for almost three years since he’d seen him the first time. Camden was dressed in tactical gear. Looking badass and sexy, commanding. He’d wanted to crawl into the man’s lap and never get up.
When he’d mounted behind Camden, he’d tried to keep as much distance as possible between them, but Camden moved him closer. His brother saw something he wanted, and he went for it, except when it came to Camden. Sin was as terrified as him but played a good game. They’d never wanted the same person before. They always talked about it, and when it happened, they would be the one for them.
They hadn’t anticipated, well, Sin hadn’t anticipated their one putting up such a fight. He wasn’t like Sin. He wasn’t confident or outgoing, he wanted someone who would love and take care of him—someone to make decisions. Sin joked about his Daddy issues. He knew Sin didn’t mean anything by it, but it hurt.
Camden had told him what to do—that he would eat. That he would sit beside him. He’d gotten hard at the commanding, gruff voice.
His chest hurt as Camden slowed to a stop. The man helped him off, and he stood beside the bike as Camden removed the helmet. He started to remove the jacket.
“No, keep it, I’ll get it next time.”
“Next time?”
“You stop by.”
“Okay.” He started to back away, but Camden’s huge hand wrapped around the back of his neck.
He found himself plastered to Camden’s side. He twisted his hands in Camden’s uniform shirt. Tilting his chin, he waited for the kiss. He wanted those firm, full mouth on his. Calloused fingertips pinched his chin, and the hand on his neck kneaded the muscles.
Another kiss landed on his forehead like before they’d left. Camden pulled back, and he looked into the man’s gorgeous green eyes. He was so close he could see the yellow flecks around the pupils.
“You’re so beautiful.”
Lips brushed his left cheek, then the right, and Camden moved lower until the man’s mouth hovered over his.
“No—”
A hard tug at his hair stopped him.
“I said you’re beautiful, Ellison.”
“Thank you.”
He lowered his gaze then jerked it back up when Camden retreated.
“I’ll wait here until you’re inside.”





J.M. Dabney is a multi-genre author who writes mainly LGBT romance and fiction. She lives with a constant diverse cast of characters in her head. No matter their size, shape, race, etc. she lives for one purpose alone, and that’s to make sure she does them justice and give them the happily ever after they deserve. J.M. is dysfunction at its finest and she makes sure her characters are a beautiful kaleidoscope of crazy. There is nothing more she wants from telling her stories than to show that no matter the package the characters come in or the damage their pasts have done, that love is love. That normal is never normal and sometimes the so-called broken can still be amazing.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook Author Page – www.facebook.com/J.M.DabneyAuthor/
Publisher Facebook Page – www.facebook.com/Hostilewhisperspress/







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Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Random Review: Beauty and His Beast by Bey Deckard #Review #Giveaway



Author: Bey Deckard
Book: Beauty and His Beast
Self Published
Publication Date: December 2, 2017
Length: 179 pages

Reviewed by Truus


Synopsis

They call him Marrex the Monster.

Deformed and wretched, Captain Marrex roams the black of space with only a pair of eccentric AIs for company. The curse in his DNA means a long, bitterly lonely life for the Ghelyxian, and it’s a fate Marrex knows he can’t change.

After a long sleep in stasis, Juniper Bo wakes to discover he’s an unwelcome guest aboard Captain Marrex’s ship. Though he tries to stay away from the surly Ghelyxian, he just doesn’t get why the curse is such a big deal—then again, Juniper knows his tastes are rather… unusual for a Human.

When friendship blooms between Marrex and Juniper, they realize they face a future that neither could have predicted in their wildest dreams.






Review

Loved this story... hard...

Juniper, a human from Terra Deux, is awakened after 17 T years by S1N and VAL.
Their grumpy Captain Marrex, a Ghelyxian, didn't want to wake him (yet), he didn't know what or who was in the stasis pod they saved.

Marrex is cursed... abandoned. He didn't find his mate at the time he should have. Floating in his ship with just S1N and VAL (the ship's computer) by his side, through the darkest sides of the galaxy... for over a hundred years ...His features are not how they’re supposed to be. He has extra horns and his claws are long, his red fur isn't how it was originally. Through his eyes, he is an ugly beast. Therefore he is grumpy and rude, especially to his new guest Juniper. He will not show his gentle vulnerable side to anyone. Ha!

Juniper is the most beautiful human Marrex has ever seen in his life, an angel so opposite from himself. Only Juniper doesn't see an ugly beast. He sees right through him, and with his sweet honest behavior and his beautiful features he is totally disarming to Marrex 

When Juniper’s personality vaporized Marrex’s wall... it's not only his wall what comes down!

No road is without a bulge, there are some family problems that take Juniper away from big Marrex for a while. Without Juniper, Marrex is just a shell without a purpose and no faith in the future. Thank god Juniper’s confidence is stronger than his.

Wonderful creatures in a sexy romantic sci-fi environment with a lot of magical stardust.
Delicious read with endearing fluffy humor, hot encounters, love and much more.

This is written in a smooth vivid way, steady pacing and awesomely animated....as if I was watching a movie...I couldn't get enough of it. I read it twice in a row. So all the glittering stars!






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Release Day Review: Bad Company by K.A. Mitchell #Review #Giveaway



Author: K.A. Mitchell
Book: Bad Company 2nd Edition
Series: Bad in Baltimore
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Kanaxa
Published: January 2, 2018
Length: 200 pages

Reviewed by Racheal

Synopsis

Some things are sweeter than revenge. 

“I need a boyfriend.” 

Hearing those words from his very straight, very ex-best friend doesn’t put Nate in a helpful mood. Not only did Kellan Brooks’s father destroy Nate’s family in his quest for power, but Kellan broke Nate’s heart back in high school. Nate thought he could trust his best friend with the revelation that he might be gay, only to find out he was horribly wrong and become the laughingstock of the whole school. Kellan must be truly desperate if he’s turning to Nate now. 

Kellan’s through letting his father run his life, and he wants to make the man pay for cutting him off. What better way to stick it to the bigot than to come out as gay himself—especially with the son of the very man his father crushed on his quest for money and power. Kellan can’t blame Nate for wanting nothing to do with him, though. Kellan will have to convince him to play along, but it’s even harder to convince himself that the heat between them is only an act....


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Review

Kellan is done being his dad's pawn! For years he has done everything that has been asked of him without question! However, nothing he has ever done has pleased his father. Kellan has always felt that he has never been able to live up to be the kind of person that his late brother was. So he started to become reckless, sleeping around, three failed engagements! Finally, his father has had enough with all his shenanigans and has thrown him out without a dime! This time, however, Kellan will not let his father win. He has a plan and only one person can help him.

Nate Gray lives a comfortable life. He loves his job giving advice in his column. He is not looking for any serious relationship because all they bring is heartache. His past has taught him that. Never get close to anyone because, in the end, they will only turn on you leaving you heartbroken and shattered. Nate thought he left the past behind him but as he was sitting at the bar having a drink in walked a person fifteen years from his past. 

Kellan knew it would be hard to get Nate to go along with his plan about being his fake boyfriend given the fact that he is straight and their very rocky past but he hopes with what he has for trade will work in his favor! What Kellan didn't expect was his feelings to change so much and for Nate to be so standoffish about anything more coming out of this fake relationship.

Nate knew this fake boyfriend idea was a mistake but he now senses that things have changed with Kellan but past hurts are having him second guess everything that Kellan is saying and doing. Are Kellan’s feelings really changing or is this another one of his big acting schemes just to get back at his homophobic father that destroyed Nate’s teenage years?

Definitely, a must read! I was so enthralled with the characters Kellan and Nate! They were both charming, funny and oh so stubborn.






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