The Romance Reviews

Tuesday 13 December 2011

Review for Betting on Love / Anna Marie May

Review by Lena Grey over at queermagazineonline. Link HERE.

Betting on Love (Betting on Love, #1) by Anna Marie May


While reading 'Betting on Love' by Anna Marie May, a phrase from a song entitled 'One of These Days’, by recording artist Taylor Dayne kept running through my mind: “One of these days our love will lead you back”. Len Marshall is separated by fate from those who love him. Even though he is thousands of miles from home and suffers from amnesia, Len slowly but surely finds his way back. Buried deep within his subconscious are memories, feelings of belonging and home, which guide him back to those who love him. Becoming reacquainted with his family and Zac, his best friend and now lover, is both challenging and fulfilling as he tries to find his way.

It 's difficult to like Zac at first because he seems arrogant, shallow, and irresponsible. He has no idea what he wants to do in his life and, seemingly, has no motivation to find out. Accepting a bet to seduce someone didn't endear him to me either; it speaks badly of his character. In his defense though, it felt like he was waiting for something to happen, but didn't know what. As often happens in matters of the heart, when his seduction backfires and he falls in love with Len, his intended victim, Zac is forced to take a good hard look at himself and decide what kind of a person he wants to be. After this epiphany, he becomes the loving, supportive person that he truly is.

Len is awesome. He's a survivor, someone who knows his limitations and makes the best of them. Even though he has no childhood memories, he can work around that lack when necessary. There's something inherently sad about him which pulled at my heart strings. I admired his tenacity and his courage. What I like most about Len is that, in spite of his bad experiences, he's still able to love Zac with his whole heart.

One of my favorite features of any story is character growth and this story is overflowing with it. Almost everyone in the story, at one point or the other, reaches a higher level of perception for themselves and others around them. I especially loved Zac and Len's relationship, how they are so deeply and endlessly in love. It's absolutely heartwarming. 'Betting on Love' is a great love story with something for everyone—angst, adversity, deceit, danger, passion, devotion, and a very happy ending. I highly recommend it to anyone with a romantic soul like mine who believes that true love is eternal and invincible.

Tuesday 6 December 2011

Chris Quinton

If you aren't already reading the books by Chris Quinton, then you should!

Blog is HERE!

Thursday 1 December 2011

HUGE Silver Publishing Competition! Win iPad2, Nook Color, the new Kindle Fire or Vouchers!

Announcement from Silver: Christmas comes early this year!!!


More information on the Silver Publishing Forum - HERE

During the month of December, SP will be holding an author web hunt. From December 1-17th, participating SP authors will display a Web Hunt graphic somewhere hidden on their site containing a web hunt unique word. Participants in the web hunt are required to search the various SP author sites to locate the total hidden words and submit their entry. All words must be included in order to validate the contest entry.

Winners will be announced on the SP Website on December 19th.




Grand Prize: iPad 2
$500 Gift Voucher (Readers choice of ANY retail or ebook store)
SP Promotional Items: 2 T-Shirts, 4 Mugs, Mousepad, 2 Sweatshirts, 1 Totebag and 1 Notepad

2nd Place: B&N Nook Color

$150 Gift Voucher (Readers choice of ANY retail or ebook store)
SP Promotional Items: 2 T-Shirts, 4 Mugs, Mousepad, 2 Sweatshirts, 1 Totebag and 1 Notepad




3rd Place: NEW Kindle Fire
$50 Gift Voucher (Readers choice of ANY retail or ebook store)
SP Promotional Items: 2 T-Shirts, 4 Mugs, Mousepad, 2 Sweatshirts, 1 Totebag and 1 Notepad

Mystery Raffle - Surprise Gift!

We will hide a few words in our SP Forum. Participants who find these bonus mystery words will be eligible to participate in a Surprise Gift raffle.

There is a total of 27 words hidden on our author website, including our Forum.

The participating authors and their websites are:

Freddy Mackay :: Amber Kell :: Trillium :: SJD Peterson :: AJ Llewellyn :: Olivia Brynn :: Marie Sexton :: Jessica Subject :: Naomi Bellina :: RJ Scott :: Ashlynn Monroe :: Elyzabeth Valey :: Mathilde Watson :: Anna Marie May :: Casey Holloway :: Pia Veleno :: Heather Thurmeier :: Silvia Violet :: Jeanne Oiler :: Carol Lynne :: Toni Griffin :: SA Garcia :: Edward Kendrick :: Jen Thorne :: Diane Adams

Tuesday 29 November 2011

Over The Rainbow (1st in the Watchtower Series)

The release date changed to: 05 May 2012


It isn't much of a change but still...here you go. :)

Wednesday 23 November 2011

Over The Rainbow (1st in the Watchtower Series)

Published by: Silver Publishing
Release Date: Tentative date: 28 April 2012

Missing: Prophesized warlock to the King. Has anyone seen him? Please contact your nearest guard station if you do find him.

Aidan never knew he could do magic until a cat dared him to have sex. His life truly must be tragic if even felines knew he was too pathetic to find someone to share his bed with. Unfortunately for him, the cat turned out to be his familiar leading him not only to his First Time but also to King James who in turn refuses to let Aidan slip through his fingers again.

For there is a prophecy: James can only truly unit the lands and bring prosperity to all if he has his trusted warlock by his side. Roping Aidan into coming home with him wasn’t the happily ever after everyone had expected. Instead, it set in motion a chain of events which would lead both Aidan and James further away from home than they could have ever imagined.

Series Info:
# 1: Over The Rainbow (Aidan and James) - COMPLETE
# 2: Over the Moon (Aidan and James) - COMPLETE, in editing stage
# 3: Out Of The (Werewolf) Closet (Rick and Tom) - almost complete, editing stage
# 4: Icelands (Aidan and James; Raphael and Vivian) - in planning
# 5: Siren Song (Raphael and Darren) - writing

This series is also called 'moon bunnies' - the reason for this will become clear later...I swear!

Being Human (1st in Fallen Angel Series)

Published by: Silver Publishing
Release Date: Tentative date, 31 March 2012

Being (almost) human after his forced fall from heaven isn't quite turning out how Kai had pictured it. Still, there are perks. Like seeing Alex naked and for the frist time, being able to appreciate his friend's fine body.

But his newly found attraction is honestly the last of Kai's worries. There is Lucifer, an old friend, who is free for the first time in Millennia and out to get reacquainted. And on top of everything, the world is about to spiral out of control with forces of good clashing with evil. But here's the tricky thing: how do you decide what is truly evil?

Ancient prophecies, cryptic archangels and really, is it any wonder Kai feels totally overwhelmed by the simple task of making a sandwich?

Can the newly formed love between Kai and Alex really conquer all? Or will their feelings doom not only them but the rest of the world along with them…

Monday 7 November 2011

Betting On Love - now available on amazon

For those who were waiting for the KINDLE, please find the links below for Betting On Love to both amazon.co.uk and amazon.com.

AMAZON.CO.UK

AMAZON.COM

Saturday 5 November 2011

Betting On Love - RELEASED


Betting On Love has been released! The book is a stand alone but it is part of a series because the second book will deal with two other characters of the first book...so in this sense, Betting On Love is a standalone... :)

For now, the book is only available at silverpublishing. It will be released through other channels (amazon etc...) later on...The link for silver is HERE.

Review for The Trials Of Tam by Amber Kell

Trials of Tam (The Larson Legacy, #1)Trials of Tam by Amber Kell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I really need to stay away from staring new series books because at the end, I always want more. This is a great start. I really like Tam and I like his mate. I also like the vampire, he sounds funny enough...

I am curious to see where this goes next. I greatly enjoyed reading this; was an excellent way to spend the afternoon. :)



View all my reviews

Sunday 30 October 2011

More Happy Halloween!

I posted earlier a little intro into what I've got coming up (here). This was posted to whipped cream. The post is here.

I wanted to share some blurbs now of my three upcoming books. One is due on 2nd of November, so quite soon.

Betting On Love:

Accepting a bet to seduce any guy his best friend chooses puts Zach McKinney in the path of Len Marshall. Smitten at first sight, Zach forgets all about the bet and falls madly in love until Len's forgotten past catches up with them, putting them both in danger.

For Len Marshall, meeting Zach was something akin to destiny. It not only brought love into his life, but made him feel like he has a home. The new relationship, though, is overshadowed by a past that Len has blocked from his memory and by certain individuals who want to make sure those memories stay buried forever. Can love built on shadows last the test of time? Or will their happiness be destroyed by the same men who took Len's life away all those years ago? Because this time, they're out for blood.

My other two stories are going to be released in 2012.

Being Human (Fallen Angel Series):

Being (almost) human after his forced fall from heaven isn’t quite turning out how Kai had pictured it. Still, there are perks. Like seeing Alex naked and for the first time, being able to appreciate his friend’s fine body.

But his newly found attraction is honestly the least of Kai’s worries. There is Lucifer, an old friend, who is free for the first time in Millennia and out to get reacquainted. And on top of everything, the world is about to spiral out of control with the forces of good clashing with evil. But here’s the tricky thing: how do you decide what is truly evil?

Ancient prophecies, cryptic archangels and really, is it any wonder Kai feels totally overwhelmed by the simple task of making a sandwich? Can the newly formed love between Kai and Alex really conquer all? Or will their feelings doom not only them but the rest of the world along with them…

Over The Rainbow (Watchtower Series):

Missing: Prophesized warlock to the King. Has anyone seen him? Please contact your nearest guard station if you do find him.

Aidan never knew he could do magic until a cat dared him to have sex. His life truly must be tragic if even felines knew he was too pathetic to find someone to share his bed with. Unfortunately for him, the cat turned out to be his familiar leading him not only to his First Time but also to King James who in turn refuses to let Aidan slip through his fingers again.

For there is a prophecy: James can only truly unit the lands and bring prosperity to all if he has his trusted warlock by his side. Roping Aidan into coming home with wasn’t the happily ever after everyone had expected. Instead, it set in motion a chain of events which would lead both Aidan and James further away from home
than they could have ever imagined.

(The last two blurbs haven't been edited yet so any errors are unfortunately all mine!)

If you want to keep updated on the progress of the last two stories, you can do so by visiting my website (www.annamariemay.com) or by visiting my blog.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Oh and meet Belze! The cat who dared Aidean to get laid:

Happy Halloween!

FYI - I just posted over at Whipped Cream as a guest (link here to this post or see below):

Happy Halloween everyone!

Hope you are all curled up with a scary movie or two...or maybe trying to talk to ghosts or visiting a cemetary? Back home we usually celebrate November 1st and 2nd, so All Souls and All Saints, but the last few years, Halloween is also starting to make an appearance!

I've got two slightly otherworldly books coming in 2012. One about a fallen angel who of course finds love (duh) (Being Human) and one about a poor guy who runs into a cat who then tells him he needs to get laid (Over The Rainbow). If you want to know more, you can check those upcoming books out over at www.annamariemay.com or on my blog.

I've got one book coming on 2nd November (Betting on Love) and here's the blurb:

Accepting a bet to seduce any guy his best friend chooses puts Zach McKinney in the path of Len Marshall. Smitten at first sight, Zach forgets all about the bet and falls madly in love until Len's forgotten past catches up with them, putting them both in danger.

For Len Marshall, meeting Zach was something akin to destiny. It not only brought love into his life, but made him feel like he has a home. The new relationship, though, is overshadowed by a past that Len has blocked from his memory and by certain individuals who want to make sure those memories stay buried forever. Can love built on shadows last the test of time? Or will their happiness be destroyed by the same men who took Len's life away all those years ago? Because this time, they're out for blood.


In the mean time, Happy Halloween everyone! Don't party too hard!

Anna

Friday 28 October 2011

Love For Hire - 2nd beststelling gay ebook on ARe

Isn't this great?

This week my new ebook Love For Hire was the 2nd beststelling gay ebook over at allromanceebooks.com!

Isn't this amazing? I hope people enjoyed the book!

Friday 21 October 2011

Love For Hire - available now!

Love For Hire is available now.

(purchase link at the side, just click on the image)

This is book 1 of a longer standing series. This book does have an ending but the later part of the book sets up some things which are to come so in that sense, there are some questions left unanswered... :)

Monday 10 October 2011

Update on upcoming ebooks

I got a few updates for you, for those who are interested:

BETTING ON LOVE, still tentative release date 2 November



More info on my website, HERE

AND you can pre-order the book, HERE


New book coming in 2012 - BEING HUMAN, more info HERE

Tuesday 4 October 2011

Review for Mummy Dearest by Josh Lanyon

Mummy Dearest (The XOXO Files, #1)Mummy Dearest by Josh Lanyon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Lovely new book! I was really happy with reading book 1 so I am quite content with the open ending...because there will be more, yay!

There was no crime here, nothing to investigate but instead the book had a mummy (fake mummy but who cares?), lovely men and just excellent writing.

Well, I enjoyed it and I can't wait for more. :)



View all my reviews

Monday 3 October 2011

Review for Chasing Seth by J.R. Loveless

Chasing SethChasing Seth by J.R. Loveless

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This was truly a gem. It didn't give any plot away, you were left to discover things bit by bit and it was a really great read. I fell in love with all the characters and I can only hope there will be another story about Nick...



View all my reviews

Monday 26 September 2011

Review for Bulletproof by Mary Calmes

Bulletproof (A Matter of Time #5)Bulletproof by Mary Calmes

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I love this entire book series. Actually, I stared reading the series with book 3 and I went back to reading the first ones and I was hooked.

I squeed when I saw the upcoming release and the frist thing I did this morning, right after getting out of bed, was get my dowload.

And I waited all day to read it and I LOVED IT! I love Jory. He bounces from one thing to the next, totally adorable and clueless at the same time and I just want to bundle him up and cuddle him into submission.

The story line is engaging as always, new characters are introduced and nothing is ever as it seems. She has a real talent for taking the reader on a ride and not giving anything away while the rollercoaster starts up.

To say I would recommend this book would be an understatment. I love the entire series. There can't be enough and I hope there will be more in the future. But if there isn't, I just settle for reading and reading this over and over again. :)



View all my reviews

Sunday 25 September 2011

Love For Hire- 19 Oct, purchase link

Love For Hire has now been added to the dreamspinner website. The book will be available to purchase on 19 Oct.

The link is HERE.

Friday 16 September 2011

Love For Hire - upcoming ebook


Love For Hire is part of a longer series which is called Family Business. Each story is self contained with an underlying theme running through the books.

This book will be available on 19 October through Dreamspinner Press (more info: www.annamariemay.com).

Summary:

Hustler and art aficionado Jayden Collins doesn't expect much out of life, so when rich playboy Matt Archer not only saves his life but offers to pay him to pretend to be his boyfriend, it seems too good to be true. The guarded, cautious Jayden takes him up on the offer, but he never expects to fall in love with his snobbish, inconsiderate client.

Jayden doesn't have much time to think about it, though, because his life is in danger—apparently someone is trying to kill him. Or so he thinks until he discovers Matt's secret. Furious to learn of his employer's deceit, Jayden leaves Matt, breaking his own heart in the process. But Matt is used to getting what he wants... and he's not going to let go so easily.

Thursday 15 September 2011

Review for Salad On The Side

Salad on the SideSalad on the Side by Karenna Colcroft

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I like the idea behind this storyline.

SPOILERS AHEAD - Please stop reading now unless you want to be spoiled

I really like Kyle in this story and how he became a shifter. There no rules on how packs are supposed to behave. Every writer makes up her or his own world. In this case here, I have to strongly disagree with some view points.

The Alpha can use mind control to control his members. If someone is challenged and he refuses, he can be killed. Pack members cannot have a will of their own, they can be compelled by the Alpha even against their wishes. Women are valued as less than men. Overall I find these views a very old fashioned and not in a good sense. Like when back when women were cattle and were not allowed to have a mind of their own.

In a modern book about shifters I found this part of universe off putting because it cut to close to personal hick ups of mind.

Also, Kyle, the lead character, faking to go along wtih being controlled to give the Alpha the illusion of power I find apprehensive. I understand the logic behind it but don't much like how it played out. Again, these are my own personal issues here coming out to play.

I have heared of many good books which deal with certain topis like slavery, mind control etc which I have refused to read becaues I know I would only get upsed. Again, this isn't anything negative about the book just my own personal likes and dislikes. I am stressing this here because I don't want there to be any missunderstanding about what I said before. What I talked about here, were things that put me off for personal reasons.

The characters were very well fleshed out, the sex scenes were more than hot and the 1st POV is one of the toughest choices to tell a story and yet, it was done excellently here. I really got to live as Kyle, see through his eyes, feel what he felt. That takes more than just a little bit of talent.

If my hick ups aren't yours, then by all means, I can only recommend this book. :)



View all my reviews

Saturday 10 September 2011

Review for Bite Me If You Can by Lynsay Sands

Bite Me If You Can (Argeneau, #6)Bite Me If You Can by Lynsay Sands

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I think this little bit taken from the book says it all:

"Are you talking to my penis?" Lucien asked.
"It talked to me first," she said defensively, and frowned. "You didn't mention this little skill..."

Well, there is more after that and the entire book is quite hilarious. Maybe this little bit won't strike you as funny but believe me, it is.

When it comes to Lynsay Sands I put her books into two categories: funny and hilarious...I haven't picked up a single book yet that I didn't enjoy.



View all my reviews

Friday 9 September 2011

2011 Ireland/UK weather forcast

Taken from this POST.

NOOOOO!!!


(Image from taken HERE.)


Snowfall expected in parts as early as October.



Coupled with other in depth factors such as recent volcanic activity and changes to the Gulf Stream/North Atlantic drift that we consider, this does not bode well for the severity of the UK and Northern European winter of 2011-12. Frequent and prolonged cold spells with heavy dumps of snow from blizzard like conditions is likely across many parts of the UK. The areas we expect to be worse hit throughout include the vast majority of Scotland and the Scottish Highlands, Northern England, and Northern Ireland. We have particular concerns as to the huge implications that this may pose to the infrastructure of the UK and Ireland transportation systems/economy.

Sunday 4 September 2011

Review for I Only Play One On TV

I Just Play One On TVI Just Play One On TV by A.L. Turner

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I was hooked from the first moment.

SPOILERS AHEAD, please stop reading now if you want to avoid them!

Vince was so adorable, I kind of fell for him from the start and his romance with Alex was felt so real it made me smile and cry at the same time.

There came a moment in the book though where I wished the story line would've gone down a different path. The way it was written was perfect, very realistic and how everything would've probably played out in the real world.

The romantic in me though wanted Vince not to be cut from the show or even if this happened, for them to come back, begging him to come back. This is my hand up, my own need (for some reason) to always see wrongs put right.

Now having said that, the book is perfect. I would normally not say this but apart from my own need for 'revenege' (LOL) this was one of the most enjoyable reads I've had the pleasure to stumble across in a long time. I just spent hours on a lazy Saturday reading this book instead of editing my own and I am not regretting it one bit.

Loved it, with all my heart!



View all my reviews

Thursday 25 August 2011

Love For Hire - upcoming ebook

My latest book, Love For Hire, will be published by dreamspinnerpress soon.

Here is the offical summary:

Hustler and art aficionado Jayden Collins doesn't expect much out of life, so when rich playboy Matt Archer not only saves his life but offers to pay him to pretend to be his boyfriend, it seems too good to be true. The guarded, cautious Jayden takes him up on the offer, but he never expects to fall in love with his snobbish, inconsiderate client.

Jayden doesn't have much time to think about it, though, because his life is in danger—apparently someone is trying to kill him. Or so he thinks until he discovers Matt's secret. Furious to learn of his employer's deceit, Jayden leaves Matt, breaking his own heart in the process. But Matt is used to getting what he wants... and he's not going to let go so easily.


I'll add more info as I have it!

Saturday 20 August 2011

Book Review for SINGLE WHITE VAMPIRE by Lynsay Sands

Single White Vampire (Argeneau, #3)Single White Vampire by Lynsay Sands

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This was the first book I read by this author and to this day I am loving it to bits. I've read it several times and I never get tired of it. The humour in it and the way the story unfolds is simply mesmerizing.



View all my reviews

Review for Silent Witness (Tea & Crumpet)

Silent Witness

When they met it was all fire and passion, and Liam has loved every minute since.

Davin took a chance, but his feelings were too strong to disregard.

This cannot be happening, but Liam fears the worst. He takes the time to remember, and knows that is all he will have left.

The anguish in this story is just stunning, and it makes you wish you could fix everything for Liam.

Lototy
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More

LINK to full review

Thursday 7 July 2011

Tea & Crumpet Anthology - Available!

Tea and CrumpetTea and Crumpet by Josephine Myles

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


My own story Silent Witness is part of this collection and I am quite happy with my work. I am still fairly new to getting published so every day I am learning news things. Compared to my first novel, Green Lake, I feel I have come quite far which is reflected in this short story.

But having said that, I have read all the other contributions and I've loved them all. Some stories made me smile, laugh like an idiot while others had me in tears. There is a great varity of talent, of stories in this book and I can only recommend it with my full heart.



View all my reviews

Tuesday 5 July 2011

Saturday 25 June 2011

Tea & Crumpet Anthology

To be published on 26 June 2011 through JMS Books.


Contributing authors: Alex Beecroft, Jennie Caldwell, Stevie Carroll, Charlie Cochrane, Lucy Felthouse, Elin Gregory, Mara Ismine, Clare London, Anna Marie May, JL Merrow, Josephine Myles, Zahra Owens, Jay Rookwood, Chris Smith, Stevie Woods, Lisa Worrall and Serena Yates. 


My story contribution is called SILENT WITNESS and here is the story blurb: The Stone Circle has always been a magical place for Liam, not only because the stones were witnesses to his and Davin's first lovemaking. Now he's come back again - but this time, alone.


This is not the happiest of stories but it is very dear to my heart. I hope you will go out and buy this awesome anthology because I think every single story in it is is just brilliant!

You can purchase the anthology from 26 June 2011 and the link is HERE.

Tuesday 21 June 2011

Somebody Killed His Editor (Holmes & Moriarity, #1)Somebody Killed His Editor by Josh Lanyon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I loved this new character. I started reading it right after the I finished the Adrien English serious and I find it similar enough to catch my interest and yet different to be new - if that makes sense.



:)



View all my reviews

Friday 17 June 2011

Free UK Flash Anthology, ebook

I will be attending the UK Author MEET UP in July and at the moment the free ebook (Flash Anthologies) is already available for download. I did not participate in this edition. My own short story, SILENT WITNESS, will be released later in July.

The authors and stories freatured in this free edition are all excellent and I can only recommend to use the free download and read them all!

You can find more information HERE.

Thursday 2 June 2011

Test

Yet another test to my blog via E-mail...is it working?

--

First Post - Test

I have just created this blog so this is my first post and also a test post. Still trying to learn how this works!