The Seduction of James Gray (Moonlight Falls #1)

While I've delved a lot and familiarized myself a lot with the paranormal sub-genre, I'm still not the hugest fantasy fan. But I gotta say, this series has me intrigued. "The Seduction of James Gray" is the first full-lengthened novel in Colette Rivera's Moonlight Falls series.

["Mystery, temptation, and risking it all.

James Gray lives a life free of complications. Even in Moonlight Falls, a town known for supernatural activity, he stays away from the more sinister magical arts, preferring the simple work of a magical electrician.

Sebastian Storm is a man James hasn’t thought about in years until he hears Sebastian inherited the haunted house north of town. Most locals avoid the place. The eccentric Sebastian moves in and requests James’s help with electrical problems. 

Storm House’s shade infestation is the first hitch in the job. The second? Sebastian. He’s doing his best to get James into bed. James doesn’t want any part of Sebastian’s games, no matter how attractive he is, but James begins to wonder if there’s more going on at the haunted property than Sebastian will admit.

Uncovering secrets will only bring trouble, but James can’t help himself. There’s something about Sebastian he can’t shake. What’s the worst that could happen if he lets himself be seduced by the mystery as well as the man?"]

I'm not sure if I knew there was more to Sebastian because of the prequel or because I saw the title of his novel, but that poor boy! D: He deserves sooooo much more than the hand he was dealt. He's loving and kind and sassy and resilient (and cursed). He's also scared of being alone.

James is used to people leaving him so he just doesn't let himself get attached to anyone but his two best friends and his brother. He's caring and loves taking care of people and likes feeling wanted, but he's a grump (Sebastian is the sunshine). He doesn't (necessarily) want to add Sebastian to the list of people he cares about, but he doesn't exactly have a choice in that matter (for sooo many reasons ;) ).

Title Reference: "Sebastian gave him a sly smile. 'You wanted me to explain things more plainly, so here: I'm considering seducing you.'"

Though, it is advertised, I'm a little :| about the HFN (the HEA is in the second book...which I want now).

Trigger Warnings: off-page past death of loved ones and associated grief, mentions of a past fatal car accident, character exhibiting signs of an unspecified mental health condition, discussion of taking care of a dying relative in the past, anxiety, on-page panic attack, isolation and imprisonment, discussion of blood-magic rituals and on-page blood-magic, characters cutting/bleeding each other in a semi-erotic situation connected to magic, blood-magic ritual involving an animal (the animal isn’t killed; its blood is taken with care to prevent pain), characters in a stampede-like situation where they are almost crushed, magical violence, and more.

#gayromancereviews #booksprout #indieauthorcreative #arcs #arcteammember
#thefallofelijahgray #theseductionofjamesgray #thecursedsebastainstorm #theheartofmoonlightfalls #moonlightfallsnovella #moonlightfalls #moonlightfallsseries #coletterivera #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Pretty Boy (The Boys of Apartment 13 Book 1)

I need a little ARC break, and I figured I might as well be productive about it (getting one of the books off of my long-term TBR list). Here's Brianna Flores's "Pretty Boy." Its the first book in her The Boys of Apartment 13 series.

["Pretty boy Liam Walker is unlucky in love…

Liam
My newest obsession is nothing like any of my past hookups.The tattoos? Not exactly my type. A perma-scowl and general leave-me-alone attitude? Yeah, that's the kind of thing I usually stay away from. And, sure, is it surprising that suddenly those things seem to be everything I want? Absolutely. But the most shocking part about all of this is that the person who's got me all out of whack... isn't a girl.
Bash is a six-foot-four-tatted personal trainer who seems to want nothing to do with me and my confused self. Until I'm naked, that is. And it's great when I am, but as soon as I'm dressed, he's more than ready to say goodbye.
But if there's one thing getting a taste of Sebastian Crawford has taught me, it's that one taste just isn't enough.

Sebastian
I don't know how to take Liam and his obvious crush on me, but it's clear that he did not sign up for the kinds of workout sessions I'm used to giving. So, I take him home, giving us both what we so clearly want, and settle on my choice to say goodbye as soon as it's done.
But that goodbye is a little harder than I anticipated, and finding out that our time together was his first time with a guy, period, has me regretting the way I so easily tossed him aside. Liam is more sensitive than I originally believed, and after being cheated on by his last girlfriend only to move on to me, I can't help but feel that he deserves better... better than me.
But if there's one thing getting a taste of pretty boy Liam Walker has taught me, it's that I'm willing to change my emotionally stunted ways."]

I'm not suuuuper sure how to describe this book better than @the.feral.mood.reader did on their post, and since it was what trapped me in the first place, I'm going to just add a screenshot of that trope tree here.

And imma be honest, I completely forgot who Liam was from the SHEER amount of times Bash used princess and sweetheart instead. Stilly tattooed marshmallow. ;)

Quote of the Day (Bash//Liam): "'Jesus,' I mutter quietly. 'You're fucking filthy.' // 'I'm what you made me,' he accuses, still breathing heavily, broad chest moving as his body starts to sink into the couch. // Mine, my entire body sings. I've made him mine."

Trigger Warnings: homophobia, internalized homophobia, eating disorders, body dysmorphia, off-page mentions of self-harm, off-page mentions of past child abuse, abusive and alcoholic parents, off-page death of a parent, overdose, violence, descriptions of intermittent explosive disorder, bi-erasure, depictions of broken bone and blood, 

#prettyboy #loverboy #goodboy #briannaflores #theboysofapartment13 #theboysofapartment13sereies #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Tell Me A Lie

I need a little ARC break, and...no, I'm just off the rails again over here. Here's Brianna Flores's "Tell Me A Lie."

["Lucas
I take one look at Sage's pretty face and know that I could never deny him. When he's promising to be mine as long as I do what he wants, I know that I'll give him anything.
"Just tell me a lie, and I'm yours."
It's the strangest thing a hookup has ever asked for, but if one little lie makes him mine, I'm eager to do it.
And after it's over, I know that it's the best thing I've ever done.

Sage
All that I am is a burden that nobody loves.
That's fine. I can deal with it because I have no choice. And now that I'm away from my parents and living with my brother, who doesn't know why I ran away, it's easier to handle.
But being lonely is hard, and one night, when I'm feeling particularly sad, I go looking for love in the last place I should. I know going into a one-night stand expecting intimacy is a borderline delusional wish, but I just need to hear it. Just once, even if it is a lie. It's the most embarrassingly desperate thing I've ever done.
I should be happy when it's over, that he's given me what I was craving. But as I'm leaving, knowing that I'll never see him again, I can't help but feel that it's the last time I'll ever feel loved.
Getting a taste just to never have it again might be the biggest mistake I've ever made."]

The hurt/comfort in this one is real, y'all. And like, not even on purpose. But Lucas is a functioning real-life adult with experiences and support, and Sage is a sheltered, scared, abused anxiety-ridden hot mess. Lucas does XYZ, and we allllll know its because he has Feelings, but Sage takes it to so many imposter-syndrome, taught-self-hate, anxiety-spiral places. I mean, hell, half the people in their lives are aware of Lucas's Feelings (and Sage's Feelings--boy can't hide that level of jealousy). It's heartbreaking at watch read, especially since soooo many of the chapters are in Sage's POV.

But they finally sat down and talked some things out, and they made it work.

I gotta say, most authors do really good at making sure there are quality trigger warnings for their books. I'll be honest, I sometimes combine a few or expand a few (or add additional ones), and I never add the "sexual content" one (we all know why we're here). But I looooove that Brianna added "a dick big enough for my precious size queen" to the list. Love that for Sage. ;)

Trigger Warnings: homophobia, internalized homophobia, allusions to physical abuse, mental/emotional abuse, anxiety, depression, brief mentions of self-harm, mentions of past reparative/conversion therapy, and more.

#tellmealie #briannaflores #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Never Say Never (Vitale Brothers #4)

I need a little ARC break, and I figured I might as well be productive about it (a series I've had on my long-term TBR list...a few times). Here's "Never Say Never." Its the fourth book in Brea Alepoú and Skyler Snow's Vitale Brothers series.

["I’d do anything for my family. Even go undercover and devote my life to the FBI so they can continue to thrive. Everything I do is for the Vitale name. I just have to focus, complete my job, divert attention and stay out of trouble.

But trouble finds me.

Not just me, but York Washington. He’s my boss, but more than that he’s my friend. When he and his daughters are thrown into danger I have no choice but to step into the light. Finally, I get to go back home.

But home is a strange hellscape I no longer understand.

While a war wages on, I’m caught between who I am and who I was with a man I’ve betrayed. There’s no happily ever after for me."]

These two were a headache. Sure, they never should have worked (but neither should Enzo and Tex), but they each figured out how to grow and how to compromise. They sacrificed things for each other but hurt each other and got hurt because of each other, but at the end of the day love dominates (as does family--especially the Vitale family).

Paulo...about himself: "No one said I was sane in the head...Maybe it was in my genetics to be a menace." You are not wrong. Whatsoever. Each Vitale brother is fucking insane (but also adorable as hell--I mean, should we be surprised, with Gin as his twin, that Paulo names his bats????).

Paulo about York: "If he wasn't a law abiding citizen, he'd make one hell of a mafia boss." Paulo was tooooootally not drooling while thinking this. ;)

Only complain: I wanted more Paulo and Gin page-time, but I understand, after every thing Gin's been through, that he needed time.

Trigger Warnings: gore, blood, death, violence, light stalking, off-page sex trafficking, and more.

#takemeapart #paidinfull #sayido #neversaynever #enditall #vitalebrothers #vitalebrothersseries #breaalepoú #skylersnow #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

How To Hide Your Mermaid Child (Closet Baby Chronicles #5)

Continuing to be off the rails when it comes to ARCs and TBRs (I need a small mob/dark romance break). Here's Anna Winehearts's "How To Hide Your Mermaid Child." Its the fifth novel in her Closet Baby Chronicles. 

["Kidnapped by a dragon, Quinlan's doing his best to pretend that his baby is a dragon shifter.

Behind on rent and three states away from home, Quinlan needs to make it back before his landlord trashes all his things. Especially the expensive supplies for his mermaid baby, Annie.

Except he gets kidnapped.

By a dragon.

A dragon who is determined to make Quinlan his mate.

Somehow, the dragon, Griff, thinks Annie is a baby dragon. In order to convince Griff to fly them home, Quinlan keeps up the pretense. While ignoring the heaps of quilts, baby clothing, and phones that Griff has collected to court his mate.

There is no way Quinlan's falling for his kidnapper. Nope. None at all.

But Griff is an oddball shifter who's growing increasingly excited for Annie's first fireball. He's unexpectedly sweet, desperate for a mate, and as much as Quinlan tries to reject him, Griff is starting to wear down his defenses..."]

I'm not entirely sure how I forgot that Quinlan was kidnapped near the end of the last book. Griff would use that term lightly, more of a homecoming. Then again, Quinlan didn't stay upset about it all that long (or actually try to escape...or ask for help--both of which Hex pointed out oh so helpfully).

Griff is an oddball. He's goofy and weird and silly, but he's happy and he's unabashedly himself. Sure, he might not have hung out with many people (humans or otherwise) for a long while, but he's prepared to do anything for Quinlan. 

Quinlan (like many of the omegas in this series) has been through hell: poor, on the run, family-less, lonely. He doesn't feel like he deserves care or comfort, but Griff is teaching him that he can have a support system (just as Quinlan is teaching Griff that he can branch out).

This series is crack. I mean, yes there is plot in each individual novel as well as through the series as a whole, but my god, these characters and these romances and these babies (and these butlers) are pure crack. 

Also, and I believe I said this before, but we need to stop introducing cute new characters. I want this series wrapped up with a happily ever after (though...I don't necessarily want this series to end so...).

#howtohideyourdragonbaby #howtohideyourwolfcub #howtohideyourvampirekid #howtohideyourstolenbaby #howtohideyourmermaidchild #howtohideyourphoenixbaby #closetbabychronicles #closetbabychroinclesseries #annawineheart #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Say I Do (Vitale Brothers #3)

I need a little ARC break, and I figured I might as well be productive about it (a series I've had on my long-term TBR list...a few times). Here's "Say I Do." Its the third book in Brea Alepoú and Skyler Snow's Vitale Brothers series.

["What do you get when you mix a mobster with the son of the yakuza?

A marriage bathed in blood.

I never expected to be getting married, but when a business opportunity lands in my lap, I know I have to take it. After all, my family means the world to me. I’ll do anything to keep them safe, even if it’s entering a marriage that’s nothing more than convenience so I can pop out an heir.

However, that’s not what happens. The Hayashi’s pull a fast one and I’m left with a snarling godd*mn hellhound on my hands. Harlow is nothing like the demure, sweet woman I signed up for. No, he’s got teeth and he knows how to use them.

There’s no going back.

I’ll either fall in love or bury another lover."]

First wedding (the secret, official one) ends with blood and Harlow at gunpoint (Benito's gun) saying "I do" (which I promptly giggled, and whispered to myself "hot damn, this ones going to be good"). I'm not even sure the second wedding (the one for publicity's sake) got to the "I do" part, but don't worry, there was still blood..and guns. ;)
But it did give us this gem (Benito//Harlow): "'You know how to use that?' // Harlow checked the chamber, spun it, and slapped it back into place. 'Oh yeah.' // My cock jumped at the exact moment my heart skipped a beat. 'Fuck, you're so hot.' // 'I know, baby,' he grinned and gave me a wink."

Seriously, this book was hot as fuck. I mean, they both had issues and bloodlust and barely contained angrer (sooooo much hate sex--this book is half porn) and a mutual thing for pain, but they were both so swept away and overcome with their feelings for each other (damn those feelings, sneaking up on even the strongest and highest of walls).

Harlow is most definitely up there with some of the most fucked up characters I've read, which also makes him one of favorites. I mean, hell, he's great with knives (has them hidden all over his person--no matter how many times he's searched, he always has at least one), he loves lace panties (which Benito lights on fire--in all fairness, he did warn Harlow it would happen), and he has a tendency to stab first, ask questions later. He's fiercely loyal and he just wants to be wanted. But tell him that and you'll get worse than a fork to the thigh. ;)

Trigger Warnings: death, violence, detailed torture, mention of child abuse, blood, mention of past child sexual abuse, violence between MCs, and more.

#takemeapart #paidinfull #sayido #neversaynever #enditall #vitalebrothers #vitalebrothersseries #breaalepoú #skylersnow #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Paid In Full (Vitale Brothers #2)

I need a little ARC break, and I figured I might as well be productive about it (a series I've had on my long-term TBR list...a few times). Here's "Paid In Full." Its the second book in Brea Alepoú and Skyler Snow's Vitale Brothers series.

["I’m used to my life being insanity. A family of a-holes, being locked up, and a few loose screws? Yeah anyone would go crazy. (Not that I am. I’m different, that’s all). My brothers say I’m the loose canon of the family. The truth is that I’m the life of the party!

The party comes to a screeching halt when I meet Ash. Shy, younger, virgin. He’s everything I’m not attracted to. Give me an experienced partner anyday.

But there’s something about him that makes me want to keep him. Maybe I want to stoke that fire I see in his eyes. Or maybe I’m just lonelier than I thought.

Either way, he’s mine. Nobody, and I mean nobody, will take Ash away from me."]

Enzo might have had a thing for knives, but Gin named his favorite hammer. And somehow, that's cute to me. What's with these morally gray (dark gray) characters being cute as hell?!?! I mean, come one! They're already addictive as fuck, then you add on things that make them fluffy and adorable?! That should be illegal. "I didn't want him gone. Even if I had just threatened to hill him. // I would never. Unless he left me. That's not unreasonable, right?" Like fuuuuuuuuck, how is that cute!!???!!

When Gin first brought Ash into his home, he described him as a little nervous bunny (and then a puppy (and one time a hampster)), but holy hell, I don't think anyone (including Ash) was ready for the claws on that puppy. Or the teeth. But honestly, good for him. Gin needed tamed (and Ash deserved to find himself).

Quote of the Day (Gin//Ash//Gin): "I barked out a laugh. 'You just called me a whore throughout that entire encounter, and now you can't say the word sex?' // His cheeks reddened. 'Fuck off.' // I grinned harder. 'Ah, now you're saying fuck off just like me.' I clicked my tongue. 'I'm a goddamn awesome influence.'"

QotD 2 (Ash): “No surprise, I got the crazy brother.” I mean, Gin is the most batshit out of the brothers, but they’re all fucking crazy. 

Trigger Warnings: death, violence, detailed torture, mention of child abuse, mention of past child sex abuse, past neglect, human trafficking, sex trafficking, and more.

#takemeapart #paidinfull #sayido #neversaynever #enditall #vitalebrothers #vitalebrothersseries #breaalepoú #skylersnow #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks