GoodRead - Not My Wolf

I saw this randomly on Amazon, saw it was free and saw it had gay werewolves. That's the main reasons why I downloaded it. I didn't know till later that this was M/M EROTICA and from the same writer who wrote What He Wants (if you didn't see my review which saw me rant and rave, and basically ordered you all NOT to buy this [which is something I never do!], here you go. Enjoy the ranty fury!)

That's right, this is an gay M/M erotica read and, after a long time, I've decided (maybe against my better judgement) to talk to you guys about it. So, if this isn't your kind of thing, BACK AWAY! Do not read!

As pack Alpha of the Rocky Mountains fenrir wolf pack, Corey has a lot on his plate. But when he has a dream that could lead him to his mate, things look up. But when he meets Devin on a double date, he's shocked to discover that Devin is his mate. Which is slightly problematic as Corey's straight. But the two can't deny that they are strongly attractive to each other and when Devin gets into trouble with a rival pack, Corey moves heaven and earth to find him...

This is a novella of around 18,000 so most of you guys would read this in an hour. Maybe an hour and a half and, even though I lost my temper over What He Want, I actually enjoyed reading this. I do have an issue (but will get to that in a second). The writing was good and well-editted and the characters and mythology was interesting. Yes, it was a bit one-dimensional at times, but in a novella, that's to be expected.

My main issue is Corey. Most of the way through the story, he's very much "I'm straight. You're not my mate as you're a guy." He doesn't accept it immediately (which I liked) but there was no real emotion or he wondering "Could I be...?". No, none of that. But after a moments together (and a night), he's still "Nope. Am straight." And then Devin is taken by the rival pack and INSTANTLY, Corey's feelings change from "I'm straight" to "He's my mate!". Really? You changed how you see Devin and him being your mate THAT quickly?

Another small scene which bothered me was Devin picking a lock to watch Corey sleep. That whole scene, if taken out of context is VERY creepy. And the fact that, when Corey wakes to see Devin, while freaking out, Devin says something about rape (I can't remember what it was, exactly)... but, seriously?

I know most of the people reading this novella will want to know if the sex scenes are hot and steamy (not answering that!), but if you like this sort of thing, here you go. Enjoy. I think I might have judged Eden Cole too harshly with What He Wants...

GoodRead - What He Wants

OK! OK! I know in Tuesday's review (Whiskey Dreams), I said normal YA reviews will resume in the coming days. But apparently, I was lying. To everyone. Including myself. So yes, we have another ADULT GAY EROTICA! So, if you don't like this kind of thing, BACK AWAY!

Matthew's girlfriend dumped him, using an excuse that can not be true. No way is he in love with his best friend, Aaron. But when she talks to Aaron, putting the same idea in his head, could this be the end of their friendship? Or could Matthew's ex be right?

AVOID! Let me state this again in case you missed it. AVOID!

*sigh* I don't think I have ever written a review using that word before... and probably never will again...

Anyway, now I have that out of my system, I can tell you why to avoid this. While this was a fast read (read it in about ten to fifteen minutes), there was something (pardon the pun) stiff about it. It never felt right. It felt, dare I say it, the outline of a bad porn movie. There was no quality in the writing or how the story went forward.

And the last page. Right, ok, am going to spoil this for you now but the two characters are together after having sexual intercourse, Aaron has confessed that he's in love with Matthew (after realising that he could be gay the PREVIOUS night!) and Matthew, while having enjoyed the sex, says that he's not ready to "come out of the closet" yet he stills "desire women". He can't imagine Aaron being with anyone else or imagining his life without him, yet he says it's "weird and unnatural" when he said "I love you" to Aaron. I'm sorry, but what? If Matthew comes out as bi, fine. I would have accepted that (kinda) but everything else he said, I felt like he was going "Well, I want my cake and I'm gonna eat it."

You can't say "I love you" then say "It feels weird and unnatural" to say that. You can't say "I'm not saying I'm ready for a relationship" then say "I can't think of you being with anyone else". If Matthew wants a relationship with Aaron, SAY IT! If Matthew wanted to have Aaron as a Friend With Benefits, SAY IT! If it was a mistake, SAY IT! Don't contradict yourself several sentences later!!!

I guessing that the author was trying to do a "Happy In The Moment" ending. And it fell flat!

Again, if you see this, RUN AWAY FROM IT! DON'T CLICK THAT "PURCHASE" BUTTON!

(I promise this time, normal YA book reviewing will resume next week! PROMISE! I think I wanted to review these "naughty" stories as I want to be a little bolder/braver with my reading/reviewing choices...)

GoodRead - Whiskey Dreams

I've been in two minds about writing this review. This is an ADULT read (a "historical M/M romance", according to Book Chick City) so they are SEX scenes. Hence my "Should I do this?" But Book Chick City and Sarah talked to me and said "You should. As long as you say 'This is a Grown-Up read', you'll be fine" (plus, I feel that, as a "book blogger" [again, I don't see myself as one of these people!], I feel I should be fearless with my reading). And seeing as it's Book Chick City's fault that I got this eNovella (for free!), on their heads be it!

Again, this has MAN ON MAN SEX SCENES aka GAY EROTICA! If you don't like these types of reads, DON'T READ THE REVIEW. You have been warned...

So, America is recovering from the American Civil War, and Brom Bones is recovering for the lost of his lover. So when a new schoolmaster, John Crane, arrives to Sleepy Hollow, a spark forms within Brom that he thought he would never have again. And when the pair share a whiskey-filled kiss, Brom knows he wants to be with John. But how can he when the past won't stay in the past? And how can they be together when being in love with another man is dangerous thing?

I read with within two sittings and yes, this is erotica. There are three sex scenes and they are very explicit. But it was a fun, steamy read. I'm not going to say it was excellent but it was a fun fast read. And who can say anything bad about that? 

Of course, this isn't perfect. I know that. I know, as I have listened to the audiobook version of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, that the schoolmaster is Ichabod, not John. And yes, I know that in the original that Brom and Ichabod hated each other and wanted Katrina Van Tassel's hand in marriage (and she makes a brief appearance in this story, though she's more in the sequel Haunted Passions). And yes, there was no sign of the Headless Horseman (he, again, appears in the sequel if I read Amazon right...). And I know that there are other erotica novels/novellas based on Sleepy Hollows which will shock you all, no doubt. But this is a quick fun read with some steamy sex scenes. Something to pass the time with... 

While I won't be buying the sequel (a M/M/F erotica novella, just so you know), this was fast, fun and a tad naughty so if you're into gay erotica stories (and free at the time of writing), this might be up your street. If not, avoid. 

Anyway, normal YA reviews will resume next week. I hope... 

Andrea Cremer News

As you guys are probably aware, I love Andrea Cremer's Nightshade trilogy. I love it and I want the prequel, Rift, like yesterday (but it's not out for another week. Excuse me while I sulk in the corner over there...)

But, news has reached me that Andrea Cremer will be writing another trilogy set in the world of Nightshade for adults. HORRAY! But wait... hold on to your horses, I have a sentence that might throw you all in gasps of horror. The trilogy will be adult erotica.

Now, I know I've lost half of you by using that one word and, like you, I see that word and want to run. Run and hide under my bed. But as this is Andrea Cremer, I'm not really running away. I'm actually intrigued over where Andrea could go with this. As it's going to be for an adult target audience, she has more freedom to write sexier and more violent scenes (if you've read Nightshade, you understand how violent it gets...)

We have two books to come before we have the new trilogy thrust upon us (Rift [out next week in the UK] and its sequel, Rise [sometime next year. Summer at the latest]) and I am intrigued over what Andrea writes, I do hold some worry that this might mess up my love for the series.

But, until I actually read the book (oh yes, I'm going to read this), which is coming out in the US around October 2013 (no news if this trilogy will/has been picked up by a UK publisher), I will hold judgement. All I know is old and mew characters will feature and there will be kick-ass leads. This makes me happy.