The M/M Romance Challenge is finished!

The first M/M Romance Challenge has now come to an end. It’s been great fun and I want to thank you all for your support and participation! I hope we can do it again sometime!

I will be collecting the names of everyone who participated and will announce the winner of the final prize drawing within the next few days.

As some of you know, I’m in the middle of moving to a new house so my life in the past few weeks has been hectic – to say the least. I’ll take the time now that things are beginning to settle down to catch up on my emails and other such bloggy-things.

And just a reminder – the blog has a new home (http://iheartpaperbacks.com). If you haven’t already, please update your links! Thank you!

His Gift by Clare London

TITLE: His Gift
AUTHOR: Clare London
ISBN: 978-1-60168-144-7
PUBLISHER: Aspen Mountain Press
LENGTH: Novella

READ THIS BOOK

RATING:

BOOK BLURB:
Steven Macklin wakes up in a ditch one morning in foul, wet weather with no idea where he is or how he came to be there. He’s seriously injured but struggles across bleak heathland to find shelter. The only house he can find appears weather-beaten and deserted, although he’s too sensible a guy to fall for the cliché of a spooky ghost mansion – isn’t he? But when he collapses and is taken into the house by the handsome Eliot, he finds himself in a very disturbing situation – and also in the bed of this strange, very possessive man.

REVIEW:
The story is told in first-person prospective, which can sometimes be awkward, but I think it’s well-done here because it pulls the reader into the narrator’s head – we experience his pain, his confusion; we question what he questions, we are drawn into the mystery and strangeness just as he is. I thought the twist at the end was nicely done and not at all the one I was expecting. Overall, it’s well-written and a little disorienting – there is a wonderful buildup of suspense and mystery to the story that I quite enjoyed.

Soul Bonds (Common Powers #1) by Lynn Lorenz

TITLE: Soul Bonds (Common Powers #1)
AUTHOR: Lynn Lorenz
ISBN: 978-1-59632-709-2
PUBLISHER: Loose Id, LLC
LENGTH: Novel

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RATING:

BOOK BLURB:
Mitchell Collins is the king of denial. Five years after the death of his lover, Steve, he finds himself in a gay bar, wondering why he’s even there. He has a rule he won’t break: Don’t take anyone home.

Sammi’s trying to survive on the streets of Houston. It’s not easy for someone with no money, no identity, and no friends.

When Mitch meets Sammi, all thoughts of “safe” go flying out the window. He takes him home for the best sex of his life, not knowing that Sammi’s a sex slave on the run from a man who’ll do anything to get him back.

But Sammi and Mitch are soul bonds, And nothing, not even Donovan himself, is going to keep them apart.

REVIEW:
Mitch is a nice guy who doesn’t take chances, doesn’t break the rules he’s set for himself, and never does anything to risk his safe, quiet, life. Until he meets Sammi in a gay bar and takes him home. His connection to Sammi is instant and intense and Mitch finds himself breaking every rule he’s ever made and then some.

Sammi turns Mitch’s ordered life upside down, but Mitch wouldn’t have it any other way. Despite getting into trouble at work over something related to Sammi (I’m not telling!), Mitch doesn’t make excuses. He accepts responsibility for his actions no matter how uncomfortable things are for him. Mitch learns to take risks and that doing the right thing doesn’t always mean being safe.

Sammi is running from Donovan, the powerful man who keeps him as a sex slave. He goes into the bar in order to find a pick-up who’ll take him off the streets for the night. When he realizes he can hear Mitch’s thoughts and sense his emotions, Sammi knows the two of them are meant to be together. The two of them form what Sammi calls a “soul bond”, a paranormal connection that I found delightful, if a little vague.

Sammi has been abused by nearly everyone in his young life. It’s hard to believe that he could survive all that he’s been through and still be such a sweet, lovable character. Sammi grows throughout the story; he realizes that he can better himself, that he can change, learn, and be free in ways he’s never hoped for before.

I would have rated this story much higher than 3 out of 5 if not for a few issues that brought my overall enjoyment down a notch or two. Some of the plot elements and character reactions didn’t feel very credible to me, namely the police interaction and Mitch’s initial reactions after a near run-in with Donovan’s goons. There was also a clinic scene where Sammi answers a questionnaire that takes up a full two pages. It does give a more in depth look at Sammi’s past, but I would rather have learned about it through exposition.

I’d recommend this to anyone who likes sexy paranormal stories with memorable characters. I look forward to reading the next two books in the series.

Please Read (M/M Challenge Update)

For anyone who is participating in the challenge, I just wanted to give you a heads up that there have been some slight changes in the challenge guidelines. I’ve had some feedback that reading up to 10 books in the allotted time frame isn’t much of a challenge. If you would like to read more than 10, please feel free. :D I have tried to accommodate everyone with this guidelines edit.

What Matters Most by Lisa Marie Davis

TITLE: What Matters Most
AUTHOR: Lisa Marie Davis
ISBN: 978-1-935192-11-4
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: Novella

READ THIS BOOK

RATING:

BOOK BLURB:
Silas Spencer had a gift, but potential lovers tended to bolt when he tried to explain that he could see and speak with ‘displaced’ spirits who needed guidance or help. He thought he’d found someone special in co-worker Josh Dalton, but Josh saw their night together as a moment of weakness he could never allow himself to repeat. When Josh’s deceased mother appears to Silas asking for his help to make things right with her son, Silas can’t bring himself to say no, even though it could lead to a badly broken heart.

REVIEW:
Silas is strong, self-assured, but lonely. He’s looking for a lover who will accept him completely, but his gift drives everyone away. He doesn’t let that get to him though, because he knows his gift is important, that he has an opportunity to truly help people.

Josh is a man living in the past. His present is always affected by the horrible things he experienced when he was younger. He is trapped by his fears and memories, to the point that he denies himself the things he wants most in life.

I liked Silas’ character very much and found him to be a very caring person. Even when it inconveniences him, he does his best to help the spirits who visit him. I felt very sorry for Josh and hoped throughout the story that he would find the help he needed. I really felt that they deserved a happy ending and rooted for them through each chapter.

This is the second book I’ve read by Lisa Marie Davis, and I must say I am hooked on her work. I suppose that the story could have done very nicely without the paranormal elements, but I still liked that they were there. It lent a little bit of something different to an already engaging story. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a little bit of the paranormal mixed in with a good bit of emotional drama.

The M/M Romance Challenge – Sign Up

March 20, 2009 to August 31, 2009

Welcome to the very first M/M Romance Challenge! This challenge is for those who enjoy reading Male/Male romances or those who are interested in starting. If you aren’t familiar with M/M romances, they are novels and other books where the main focus of the story is the romantic relationship between the male protagonists. There are all types of genres and themes available: historicals, fantasy, sci-fi, mysteries, detective stories, paranormal romances, vampires, shapeshifters, erotica, ménage à trois, time travel, BDSM, cowboys, cops, romantic comedies, even regency-sci-fi! There’s a wealth of material out there just waiting to be read.

The M/M Romance Reading Challenge – Coming Soon

The very first M/M Romance Reading Challenge is on it’s way! The challenge is set to launch March 20, 2009 so check back soon for updates, guidelines, and the sign up sheet!

This challenge is for those who enjoy reading Male/Male romances or those who are interested in starting. If you aren’t familiar with M/M romances, they are novels and other books where the main focus of the story is the romantic relationship between the male protagonists. There are all types of genres and themes available: historicals, fantasy, sci-fi, mysteries, detective stories, paranormal romances, vampires, shapeshifters, erotica, ménage à trois, time travel, BDSM, cowboys, cops, romantic comedies, even regency-sci-fi! There’s a wealth of material out there just waiting to be read.

So get ready for April Fool’s Day and the launch of my second reading challenge. :)