"Little Boy Lost: Escaped (Book 5 of Little Boy Lost)"

Review - "Little Boy Lost: Escaped" by JP Barbaby

Fantastic addition to the series

Very Highly Recommended

***This is the fifth in the six book series detailing the story of Brian and Jamie.  While it is not necessary to have read the preceding books, it is HIGHLY recommended.  There may be spoilers involved otherwise.***

Brian McAllister has finally gotten the love of his life, Jamie Mayfield, back with him.  Out of the clutches of Steven, the man who rescued him off the streets, but who hooked him on drugs and forced him into a life of porn and abuse.

But Jamie is a wreck.  Physically, mentally and emotionally.  The last bout of drugs and assault have left him addicted and in pain.  Weak.  So it is up to Brian to keep him safe.  Well, Brian and all the boys at the boarding house.  And Leo.  These guys watch out for trouble and keep them safe until Jamie is well enough to move.

Because Brian has rented them an apartment together so they can begin their lives.  He will work in porn a little longer to allow Jamie to heal and kick his habit.  Then they can figure out what to do with the rest of their loves.  Lives they can plan together.

Only Jamie is afraid.  Afraid Steven will find them and kill Brian.  Afraid he can't kick the drugs.  That he is too broken for Brian.

Things so smoothly for a while for the two.  Until the oxy Jamie is taking for his pain begins to run out, and he makes a horrible choice.  One that could leave the two dead.

JP Barnaby has added the best book of the series so far to her resume.  This book hits every topic out of the ball park.  Jamie's self worth issues.  Brian's dogged devotion to Jamie.  How toxic the love between the two boys has become.  How love might not be enough.

These characters are so strong - the whole crew of boys, now men.  And the family that Brian has managed to create around himself.  So very touching and realistic for a kid who is so young and vulnerable.  Contrasted with the hell that Jamie's life became, he of the traditional nuclear family.

I was heartbroken by some of the developments, yet encouraged by others.  I want so much for these boys to be together, whole and happy.  I am invested in their happiness.

And THAT Is the sign of a fantastic author.  One who can pull me in and make me care and react and want for the characters.

So good, so wonderful and so frustrating that I have to wait for the final book in this groundbreaking, heartbreaking and humbling series.

Read them all.

"Thirst"

Review  -"Thirst" by Lisa Worrall

Vampires and revenge and love OH MY

Highly Recommended

Max Bowman made a big mistake.  A cop should know better.  But he let the pretty guy buy him one too many drinks then followed him out into the alley.  And got the crap stomped out of him, robbed and left for dead.

When he wakes up, he is in bed.  A strange man's bed.  With only fuzzy memories of what happened to him.  But the physical reminders will be with him for a while.  Bruises, ribs sore as hell, barely able to stand at first.

Then he meets Carter, his savior.  Intense.  Gorgeous.  Lethal.

When Carter tells Max he eliminated his attackers - killed them - the news staggers him.  As does the knowledge that Carter is a vampire.  A hundred year old sexy vampire who is immediately attracted to this...human. 

Carter knows it's a mistake to not drain this man and eliminate the danger to himself.  But he can't bring himself to.  There is a connection there he cannot deny.  So he send his home and trusts it is done.

But Max is not done with Carter yet.  The connection they share is strong.  A link.  And he is shocked to find he can feel Carter's presence.  This is a dangerous thing for Max, because he is investigating a string of murders where the victims are drained of blood.

Surely it can't be.  Not Carter.

Unable to fight the connection, the two meet and the passion spills over.  Neither expect it, but they cannot deny they are made for each other.  Lust for each other.  But is has no future, Carter thinks.  He has no interest in seeing Max age and die, and he cannot bear to turn him.

But with danger breathing down on him from the vampire who made him, he may not be able to protect himself, let alone Max.

Will the two find a way to be together, or will Carter's past prove lethal?  Will Max let his soul mate slip through his fingers?  And will either live to see another day?

Lisa Worrall has crafted a smart and interesting story of soul deep connection and love against a backdrop of vampires, retribution and loss.  This is a hot and sexy romance first and foremost, and we never forget it.  Max and Carter steam the ink off the pages.

Ms. Worrall's strength lies in the characters she creates.  Strong, wonderful and complete men who dare to love.  Max is all bluster and cop attitude, but underneath a man searching for someone strong enough to make him his.  And Carter, so resigned to his life and how it has to play out, but so wanting and needing of a connection.

The background characters are wonderfully written also.  Lyle and Boyd add tension and interest.  Especially Lyle.  I would like to see his story told next.

Hot.  Rich.  Sexy. 

Great job, and another great book from Ms. Worrall.

Tom

"Phoenix"

Review - "Phoenix" by C.R. Guiliano

Betrayal, love and redemption

Highly Recommended

Thirteen years ago, Thad's world imploded.  He finally told his best friend, Haydin, that he loved him.  For that, he got punched in the face and cursed out.  Called horrible names.  Then, when he got home, he made the mistake of telling his parents what happened.  And got thrown out for being gay.  He left his Kentucky home for California.

Now an investigative reporter, he is recovering from wounds suffered by a deranged rapist he managed to track down.  In constant pain, at least he can walk.  And now, his parents have died and he is called home to Kentucky to bury them and see to the estate.  Whatever that may be - he thought himself disinherited.

Upon his return home, he finds he is the owner of his father's company, which is now highly successful and worth millions.  The guardian of his teen sister.  And to his surprise, and dismay, he will have to deal with the CEO of company.  Who is none other than Haydin.

When he sees Haydin out in public kissing his lover, his very MALE lover, it is more than he can bear.  Almost breaks his heart.  But then, meeting with Haydin on business, the sparks reignite and the two share passion.  Because Haydin has never gotten over Thad.  And is committed to having him as his.

Will the two lovers reunite for good, or will Thad be unable to forgive Haydin for ruining his life thirteen years ago?  And will a tragic accident come between the couple?

C.R. Guiliano is a writer I have been following for a little while, and I have been excited to see grow and find her voice.  And in this wonderful and rich story, she has come into her own. 

This is a nicely understated, heartbreakingly simple study of how one man can rise above the circumstances that shaped his life and somehow, find room in his heart for forgiveness and love.  Ms. Guiliano's characters are richly drawn, believable and textured.

With a heavier hand this would be melodramatic and angsty.  But she has reined herself in and let the story tell itself.   And a wonderful story it is.  Love.  Betrayal.  Redemption.  Tragedy.

Well done.  I hope to see more from Ms. Guiliano.

Tom

"The Gallows Tree"

Review - "The Gallows Tree" by RJ Scott

Broken man, healing, ghosts, love

Highly Recommended

Cody Garrett is a man on the run.  After almost being killed by Vince, the man he thought he could trust to guide him and love him as a newly out gay man, he is again stalked and threatened by him.

After months and years of dodging, moving and running around the country only to be found time and time again, he decides to visit his family's home in England and look into remodeling the Mill cottage.  The work will allow him to fight the panic attacks that grip him, and give him space to heal his bruised soul.

What he didn't count on is meeting the Toulson-Brown brothers.  One a cleric.  One the man he chooses to remodel the cottage  And then there's Sebastian.

As he begins to feel emotions and stirrings he thought buried, he also finds himself experiencing visions.  Hearing voices.  And discovering that he may hold the key to unraveling the mystery surrounding two long dead lovers who died tragically.

Will Cody allow Seb into his life and heart?  Will he be able to lay the spirits of the lovers to rest?  And will be survive it when Vince re-enters his life?

This book is fantastic.  Flat out great.  RJ Scott has interwoven the story of an abused guy looking for peace in his soul with the mystery surrounding two young people tragically separated in the past who are looking for that same peace.  And it works so well.

Cody is wonderful - broken, scared off his ass, but so much stronger than he thinks.  And Seb - bubbly, caring, sexy and just what Cody needs.  When the two are together, there is a sweetness and a heat that is fun and exciting.

Ms. Scott was very crafty here.  She introduced the ghost story but allowed the more powerful story of Cody and his healing to guide and dominate the canvas.  We never lose sight of the really important issues at hand - love, healing, peace.

Even the background characters echo that theme.  The ghostly lovers get their resolution, as does Vince.

Just so nicely, nicely done.

Tom

"Betrayed"

Review - "Betrayed" by DC Juris

Twisted and dark tale of betrayal

Highly Recommended

Set in a world of ogres, elves, men and war, Meldrick is a captive.  Sent to war, in his arrogance and belief he can lead the kings men to easy victory, he instead is wounded and captured.  Along with a group of soldiers, he becomes the unwilling tool of the enemy, forced to brutalize his own men in order to protect them and keep them alive.

All that keeps him going is the memory of his love with Faldor, healer to the armies of the king.  That allows him to keep the secrets the ogre want.

But when his captor provides proof that his love is no more, that his Faldor is dead, he has no reason left to live.  So he betrays his king.  And is set free.

For two years, he lives in the forest, a broken shell of a man.  Until he spots Faldor.  Can it be?  Is his love alive?  When he shows up at his own door, the house and home he shares with Faldor, he learns his betrayal was based on a lie.

Will Meldrick be able to resume his life with Faldor, or has his captivity broken him for good?  Has his act of treason ruined his chance for love?  And will he manage revenge upon those who used him?

DC Juris has written an edgy and violently twisted look at the darkness that lingers in a man's heart and soul, and how love may not be enough to redeem him.  I was gripped by the levels of betrayal this man survived, and how he managed to swim among the shark infested waters of his memory, and remain a man.  This book is not for everyone, as is includes scenes of torture and rape.  But is is so very, very satisfying.

Mr. Juris has gotten under the skin of this man and shown us the anger, the fear and the strength of the man, but also the aftermath of his choices, however manipulated and sometimes ill-advised they were.

I was completely in his hands, and trusted Mr. Juris to take me there and back.

Take a chance and plumb the depths here.  It is gritty and dark, but oddly hopeful.

Highly recommended.

Tom

"Lily"

Review - "Lily" by Xavier Axelson

Dreamy and obsessive nightmare

Highly Recommended

A little over a year ago, Pryor's life changed for good.  His daughter, Lily, was dragged into the forest by a wolf, not to be found.  His life ground to a halt.

Until he  met Ned.  An artist, a silversmith.  Pryor had never really been attracted to a man before, and neither had Ned.  But they find a mutual desire and end up together,

But Pryor has been hearing Lily's voice on the wind.  A promise that she will return one day.  And once Ned sees the white wolf who may be Lily in the woods, his doubts lessen.  So the two men fashion a plan to keep Lily there for more than one day.

Will Lily return?  Will she be the same girl her father remembers?  And can they keep her with them?

This dreamy, fantastical story of grief, werewolves and a father's love for his child had me mesmerized.  I felt stuck in Pryor's grief and secret obsession, and wondered to the last is he was wishing or something magic and dark was abound.

Xavier Axelson has the gift of breathing life into dark and broken characters and healing them through love, time and belief.  His men are strong, flawed and searching.  And his stories are often tragic but never without hope and love.

Read this wonderful short work and enjoy.

Tom

"Jumping at Shadows"

Review - "Jumping at Shadows" by R.G. Green

Good psychological tale of obsession

Highly Recommended

Eric Geller is on top of the world.  The case he has been working on for so long against Victor Kroger is in the hands of a judge.  He has the love of a good man.  A home with him.  A career he is proud of.

And then the case gets thrown out of court.  Suspiciously.  The judge throwing out key pieces of evidence, leaving no case. 

T.J. Briscoe is there to pick up the pieces and keep his man together while he figures out what's next.  Married for seven years, he is the rock Eric's life is built on.

So when he has the tacit approval to continue the investigation from his boss, Eric puts his team back together.  The investigation targets the judge who made the ruling.  If he gets caught, though, it will be looked at as a rogue investigation - no support from official channels.

But when photos arrive at his home of Eric and T.J. in various settings, spread out over the course of months, Eric is sure he is being watched.  Targeted.

And that makes him mad.

As unexplained occurrences continue to happen, Eric begins to look everywhere, at everything.  He is sure he is being tailed.  And T.J. has to be safe too.  He is doing all this to make sure he and T.J. are safe.

When he starts making mistakes, though, even T.J. has to look and think twice.  Is what Eric is sure happening real?  Is he being targeted?  Are the cars he sees following him then disappearing a set up?

This is a tense and sexy tale of what happens when dedication turns to obsession.  Eric is a smart man, dedicated, committed, but his vow to take down Victor Kroger nearly costs him everything dear to him.

The sex is hot, the action suspenseful and the underlying unease pervasive.  I was drawn in to this psychological thriller and wined, dined and sent home happy.  The passion these two men had for each other gave the story depth and meaning.  Because Eric, by story's end, was so deep into his obsession that even that underpinning felt weak.

This is a great cautionary tale for those who lose focus on what is really important.  And for what happens when the line between vigilance and paranoia blurs.

Great read.

Tom