One Real Thing by Anah Crow and Dianne Fox

One Real Thing by Anah Crow and Dianne Fox
Stars: 4.5/5

Overall
If you want the same old two-friends-secretly-in-love-with-each-other story, then move on. While the running plot of the story is that Holly and Nick love each other but think the other isn't interested (with a dash of "we're just friends" added in), that's not all there is to the story. Instead we are taken down a path of the men accepting what they need and realizing the other has to give it. It's about wanting something outside the norm and finding that it's okay, all done tastefully and with the grace of love.

Strengths
What I found interesting about this story was the casual acceptance of sexuality. Although it's a present-day piece, no one has any negative reaction to them being bisexual or gay. This was a nice change of pace from stories where this is a complication, often a major theme of the novel. However, in this story where there are so many other troubles they need to overcome, it would have cluttered the focus and I think it was well handled. Nick isn't tentative in his feelings for Holly because being gay is wrong, but because the feelings are only one sided. It's treating their relationship like any het relationship would be treated, and it was well done.

If you want a story with plenty of emotional struggling, this is a bath in the Lake of Angst. The authors never cross the line and make it too much, but we have Holly's struggles and Nick's need to care for him, and when everything's beginning to work out, Nick is the one who needs a helping hand. While this could come off as implausible, I found it worked well with the characters and the sequence of events, which explained everything.

In addition to characters the reader can relate to and an emotionally deep story, the writing is what brings everything together. If it weren't for the excellent story telling, this piece could have been angsty instead of struggling, whiny instead of needy, and ruined by the minimal use of outside characters. Instead, it centers on the lives of these two men and the others in their lives, who take a small role in their lives compared with one another.

Weaknesses
My only complaint with this story is the end dragged out a little long. While I enjoyed everything being wrapped up nicely and all the ends tied off, I didn't feel it was strictly necessary. I applaud the authors for not just ending when they finally got each other, but the novel wasn't quite as enjoyable once they were together (although still enjoyable), perhaps because so much of the novel travels on empathy for their struggle.

Intesting Links

I decided to compile some of the sites I visit that are related to most of the books I review. You can find them on the sidebar, but here they are as well:

General:

Reviews by Jessewave
A great source for m/m romance reviews and author interviews.

Stumbling Over Chaos
A fun blog mixing m/m romance giveaways, witty cats, and an amusing play in stock photography.

Speak Its Name
Reviews of gay historical fiction and right before Christmas they have a special Advent calendar with guest bloggers.

Brief Encounters
Reviews m/m romance, but only short stories.

Novel Addiction
Book reviews, romance, not strictly M/M though from what I've seen.

Author blogs:

Aleksandr Voinov
Author of The Lion of Kent, Deliverance, Test of Faith, Spoils of War, Burn, Clean Slate, Blood Run Cold, Risky Maneuvers, First Blood, Transit, and Special Forces

LB Gregg
Author of Mistletoe at Midnight, Trust Me if You Dare, Catch Me if You Can, Dudleytown, Gobsmacked, Happy Ending, Cover Me, In and Out

Angel Martinez
Author of A Different Breed, Aftermath, Finn, Diego, and Finn's Christmas.

Eden Winters
Author of The Angel on Thirteenth Street, Duet, The Telling, Night Watch, The Match Before Christmas, Same Time Next Year, The Wish,

Fiction With Friction
This is a place where various authors post, sometimes updates about their works, sometimes short pieces/blurbs, sometimes random blogish entries.

Velvet Glove, Vol 2 by Sean Michael

Velvet Glove, Vol 2 by Sean Michael
Stars: 4/5

Overall
While probably my least favorite of the volumes, it isn't saying much (or else it says alot) since I still gave it 4 stars. This volume didn't feel as fresh or creative as the first and fourth, although it has its moments (like when Jewel is tempted by his old life and when Daniel shatters the glasses). The stories are still good, although I recommend pacing yourself during the reading.

The Misadventures of Daniel and Zane
While Daniel is not as spoiled as Love from Vol. 1, he does have an attitude, creating a nice struggle between him and Zane. His attitude is mostly due to his fear of not being seen, and as Zane begins to show Daniel how much he is seen, the bond between the two men grows. This is a hot start to the book, but doesn't forget to be tender and sweet too, as we are so often given.

A Bird in the Hand
A unique story among the Velvet Glove bunch, A Bird in Hand follows Kestrel and Jim as they court. Unlike the other BDSM stories in the series, this is solely a romance between Kestrel, who helps Mal run The Velvet Glove, and Jim, a bartender. No whips, no paddles, no kink. It's a sweet break from the heavy emotions that normally get tied into Michael's stories.

Touch and Trust
Sampson, who has saved up all his money for a year membership, meets Alain, long-time member and a sub who is looking for someone permanent, having lost his previous lover some time ago. Alain is still struggling to come to terms with being alone and Sampson is there to help him find a happy middle ground.

The one negative is that Sampson has a speech impediment, where he "um" and "ah" a lot. While I give props to Michael for having a character with this, it can be disruptive for the reader, although it depends on reading style.

Two Men for Two Twins
Rivan and Kytan are twins who live together in an equal sexual relationship, but they both yearn to have their own subs. Rivan finds Jewel working the streets and brings him in, having to bread him of a drug habit and overcome his feelings of self-disgust and low self-esteem. Kytan is given Hinton, who witnessed his parents' horrific deaths and has fallen into a self mutilating habit that has escalated to dangerous proportions.

This is my favorite of the bunch, being longer and more thorough in the character developments. While BDSM shouldn't be in place of therapy, in Hinton's case it's hand-waved as being a last resort as medication (and assumedly therapy) haven't worked. It's thin ice, but this is a fantasy novel, so I give some leniency. I would have liked Hinton to have struggled a little more; he felt "cured" a little too easily in some ways.

The Santa Mug by Patric Michael

The Santa Mug by Patric Michael
Stars: 4.5/5

Overall
When Max invites Darren to come with him to visit his family at Thanksgiving, Darren agrees, mostly because Max has been such a good friend to him in the past. Although they aren't going as a couple, Max's family assumes differently...

This is an incredibly touching Christmas story involving two ordinary men who care for one another, one of whom has some history he needs to finish up before he can completely be in the relationship. All of this comes to a point just before Christmas without being overly dramatic or unrealistic.

Strengths
My holiday reading before this was very hit or miss, so I was hesitant (and a little grouchy) going in, but was pleasantly surprised. It was sweet and tender while keeping realistic as two friends who become something more. Although no sex is explicitly described, it doesn't matter--the connection between the two men is undeniable, even if we aren't given passionate scenes and dozens of dialogue lines devoted to it.

Weaknesses
Nothing stuck out to me as being out of place or weakening the novel. While I struggled with some of the events, I think they were the best option for the characters and I was ultimately happy with the results.

Love Means ... Courage by Andrew Grey

Love Means ... Courage by Andrew Grey
Stars: 4/5

Overall
The second in the Love Means series, this novel takes place a good 20 years before any of the other events. Having been introduced to Geoff in Love Means No Shame, we are transported back in time to when his father and Len met. I read this last, since obviously order didn't matter too much, but I think it'd be interesting to see how everything played out if read first (instead of second as intended). As a romance novel, we can be pretty certain that we'll get a happy ending, but when we know how things will be 20 years later, it takes out all the potential for a twist.

Strengths
Even knowing how the story would have to eventually end, I was never bored while reading. What we're reading the Farm series for is the journey, not the destination. Watching the progression of the farm and their relationship is enjoyable, as are the characters. Ruby, Cliff's wife and Len's best friend from high school, plays a great role, little though it is. Normally women are either helpers or haters (both of which show up elsewhere in the story), but Ruby is just Ruby. Yes, she supports Len, but I found her role to be rather unique as the woman married to one half of what will end up a gay couple.

The writing felt stronger in this one than in did in some of the later of the series and the set up for the pairing felt well constructed and reasonable.

Weaknesses
The sex descriptions. They didn't completely throw me out of the story, but they didn't submerge me in the scene either. It's possible that this is personal preference, because I'm not sure any of Grey's scenes have ever called to me. Part of this may be Grey's attempt to stay more "realistic" and keep the scenes sweet and sexy rather than hot and passionate. They work well within the story, but aren't a draw if you're going in for some PWP (though if you were going for PWP, you wouldn't be picking this up anyway!).

Velvet Glove, Vol 4 by Sean Michael

Velvet Glove, Vol 4 by Sean Michael
Stars: 4.5/5

Overall
The gloves come off and the mitts go on for volume four as Michael introduces Puppy play and more hardcore scenes. When a Pup is abandoned by his master, dog trainer Dane is brought in without really knowing what he's getting into. But who could say no to those broken-hearted eyes? The idea that a dog trainer would be brought in is a bit far-fetched to me, but that angle isn't played up much as Michael gives a little bit of a look inside this particular kink.

In "Anything for a Byline," a journalist tries to infiltrate the club--only to find kink and love. Here we're shown more serious play as Nat's list of potential kinks is more expansive than previous stories in the series, and Richmond is willing to dish it out. These two really seem made for each other as Nat's need seems best satisfied by Richmond's command.

Note: The below mostly focuses on "Anything for a Byline."
Strengths
Nat. He's a great character who is approaching the Velvet Glove as a complete outsider who doesn't have any kinks (he thinks). Unlike previous stories of outsiders (Noticing a theme?), Nat isn't just a sub, he's a sub who likes it rough. He dives into the scene without knowing much of anything, but Richmond is there to catch him. Nat is freaked out by his own kinks and "sluttiness" but still cannot deny his Sir.

Intensity. There were some great intense scenes. And even a plot line later on!

Weaknesses
So much sex. Who knew there could be too much? In these stories, I accept there's going to be a lot of sex, but this seemed a bit extreme. Some of it made the story drag a little, but reading it in smaller chunks (rather than one sitting) would dispel this problem.

Love Means ... No Boundaries by Andrew Grey

Love Means ... No Boundaries by Andrew Grey
Stars: 3/5

Overall
I have some difficulty rating these books, because on the one hand the stories do exactly what they accomplish, but they do nothing to WOW me. I don't think "wowing" is really what they are set out to do though, so I'm not sure I can hold it against them too much. Instead, this story is a warm blanket wrapped around you while you're sitting on the back porch on an Autumn day. It cuts off the chill, but it won't make you hot, hot, hot.

This, like the others in the series, is a sweet tale of understanding and love, of overcoming obstacles and finding where you belong.

Strengths
Robbie and Joey as characters are great--considerate, kind, and sweet, plus they care for each other. They work well as individuals and as a pair. Joey has some self-esteem issues because of an accident and Robbie is blind, which leaves him dependent on everyone around him.

Moral of the Story. While some books can't get away with having a moral or theme, I think this series (and this one in particular) can get away with it, after all, it's practically in the title! It's well handled and doesn't come off too strong and just adds to the novel's sweetness.

Weaknesses
Predictability. This isn't so much a mark of this book in particular, but of the series. I've figured it out. Boy meets boy. They fall in love. They are forced to split (or feel forced to split). They come back together and live happily ever after. This doesn't make the books unenjoyable, you just know what's coming. (Except, maybe Love Means ... Courage.)

Love Means ... No Shame by Andrew Grey

Love Means ... No Shame by Andrew Grey
Stars: 4/5

Overall
I think this is my favorite of the series, and conveniently the first (although I read it second). Order isn't vital to the stories, unless you want to be surprised by happy endings. So Geoff comes home after the death of his father and decides to stay and take over the family farm. Shortly after his arrival, Eli appears, 100% Amish and straight from the community. He's taking a year break to "diminish his rebel spirit."

Geoff and Eli have a very nice dynamic and are both sweet as sugar. They struggle, they talk, they deal, they love. I think my favorite thing about this story is that it's not fed on misunderstandings but on obligations. Eli and Geoff do what's right, even when it breaks their hearts.

Strengths
Is what it is. This novel tells you what it is and delivers. No secrets, no sudden twists, just a basic love story on a farm. It does it well. The pacing fits well with the story and the environment; it keeps moving but doesn't seem rushed (keeps a "country" pace, so to speak).

Ending. I think the rising action/climax/falling action were all well handled. I connected to the characters and their suffering, as well as their triumph. Everything felt pretty well handled, and for never appearing on screen, I loved Eli's mother.

Weaknesses
Mellow. Not really a weakness, but if you're looking for an extremely emotional story, or action packed, this isn't it. The plot is basic and straight forward with more loving than angst.

Transit by Raev Gray and Aleksandr Voinov

Transit by Raev Gray and Aleksandr Voinov
Stars: 4.5/5

Overall
An enjoyable piece of holiday story telling, although the holidays are not the focus of the story.

Strengths
Realism. Aside from the weakness I mention below, I felt the story was very realistic, touching upon things like the crap economy. The climax and resolution also fitted into this, as this simple story didn't need to have aliens attack, just humans doing human things and causing conflict (another point which I enjoyed, but I won't ruin you on the details).

Writing. Another example of good writing. The characters are varied and well portrayed. The plot is simple and strong.

Weaknesses
Bed to Love. While I understand the characters have history together, that history is limited and their transition of sleeping together to "I think I love you" seemed a bit quick, especially for the character types. While I understand the characters themselves were surprised by the immediacy of the emotion, it still made me go, "Really?"

Got Mistletoe? by Andi Anderson

Got Mistletoe? by Andi Anderson
Stars: 1.5/5

Overall
I hate saying it but, "Don't waste your money." That was my first reaction.

However, books I don't like I give the benefit of the doubt and re-read. So I sat down and started reading it again--it's not too long, so not big deal. Immediately I thought I had misjudged this book on first read: the beginning isn't bad. Okay, it wasn't amazing writing or anything, but it was cute and fun and acceptable. My rank when up to a 2 or 3.

And then I hit chapter 5.

In chapter 5, the switching PoVs go from changing after several pages to changing every paragraph, just about. Annoying (and odd) but bearable. But the writing takes a sharp turn for the worse as the character's emotions are stated outright, the dynamic of the characters is forced (the characters would go well together, but they felt forced because they both had an OMG feeling toward the other), and cliched writing becomes unbearable.

If you want a story about two men who fall in love immediately, face no challenges and are written poorly, then you might enjoy this.

Velvet Glove, Vol 1 by Sean Michael

Velvet Glove, Vol 1 by Sean Michael
Stars: 5/5

Overall
Welcome to BDSM 101. Care for a drink? Something to eat? Something to whip?

In all seriousness, this volume does read like BDSM 101, introducing the club, the world and the concepts though the stories of two men who are new to the whole thing and have no idea what they're getting into. Compared to some later stories in the volumes (and some additional stories), these will seem tame, but it doesn't make their coming together any less sweet. I think this would be a great start for someone curious about BDSM romance but who doesn't think they'd be able to handle hardcore activities.

Strengths
Romantic happy endings. Michael always gives us our happy ending and does so here. He creates a world which seems to work off the concept of everyone has their true love (um, loves), and while his stories could be repetitive if read in succession (as in, reading volumes 1, 2, and 4 in one weekend), they give what the reader wants.

Writing. While the writing didn't feel as strong as in Velvet Need, I was never disappointed. In fact, I started rereading the book the next day to try to stave off starting the next volume. It didn't work, but I tried.

Weaknesses
Name abuse. This is really the only thing I can think of calling it. I understand when writing actions sometimes names are necessary to differentiate since the pronouns are the same, but that I can deal with. He tends to write dialogue with a lot of name dropping ("Simon, I trust you." "Thank you, Jack." "You're welcome, Simon." Though maybe nothing quite so bad). I think a fair number could be cut, especially those outside of scenes (they seem fitting in a scene). It is never disruptive enough to rip me from my reading rhythm, but it was noticeable.

Review: A Taste of Love by Andrew Grey

A Taste of Love by Andrew Grey
Stars: 3/5

Overall
With my previous exposure to Andrew Grey (Love Means ... Freedom), I was looking forward to A Taste of Love, especially since it involved a chef, and I have a thing for chef stories. (Food is the way to the heart, after all.) My first read through left me wanting. The story itself is good and surprising, but the writing felt awkward and stiff at times and my initial reaction was to give the story 2 stars.

However, I know that mood can affect how I read something, so I gave it some time and re-read it. I did enjoy it more the second time, perhaps because I knew what to expect. The writing isn't terrible, but it does have some weak points, and if this makes or breaks a story, you may want to avoid this one. It wasn't bad enough that I wanted to rewrite the story (overall plot and character development was okay), but I did want to edit it. Just be forewarned if you're a picky reader!

Strengths
Resolution. I think the way he ended the story, while perhaps a little on the fairy tale side, was good. He found a happy ending without having to be ridiculous about it.

Children. The children felt realistically portrayed. They were cute and heart warming, a nice addition (though it could be argued they are really the center of the story!).

Emotion. The emotion, especially in the first climactic point, was very powerful and moving. Even though I knew there had to be a happy result to what was happening, I still got a little choked because of the desperation and defeat that Billy felt.

Weaknesses
Writing. As I mentioned above, I think Grey's writing suffered in this novel. While I recall moments of him telling instead of describing in his previous novel that I've read, he seemed to fall harder onto this crutch.

Sadly, I think the writing did the most damage to the novel. It made the interaction between Darryl and Billy stiffer than it should have been once they hooked up, told the reader what to feel and think instead of welcoming the reader into the emotion, and didn't really engage me into the story as much as I think would have been appropriate.

Angel Thief by Jenny Schwartz

Angel Thief by Jenny Schwartz
Stars: 2.5/5

Overall
Sara and Filip are two pawns in a game, struggling to do what is right, and best, while playing within the guidelines. If they can manage to work together, they might just be able to win.

I'll admit it's been a while since I read a het romance, but the concept of an angel falling for a djinn was tempting. That part of the story held up strongly and was satisfying. I recognize that my perspective may skew this review.

Strengths
Plot. I felt the strength of the story was in what was happening. For a shorter piece it has a good amount of action and just enough complexity to move the story along without requiring exceptional details.

Side characters. There was good variety here and none of them were simply cardboard cut outs meant to fill a spot. They all had at least a little depth and played their parts.

Weaknesses
Turning Point. I felt the turning point from "I'm resisting you" to "Take me now" was abrupt. The author provides reasons, and possibly even acceptable ones, but I didn't buy it. Her reasons for resisting were good and too easily thrown out the window.

Sexual encounters. I didn't find the sexual encounters particularly enjoyable. The first felt a little ridiculous and the second seemed so abrupt that it disrupted the rest of the story for me.