Gruff Touch( Geek Ink 4) by R. Cayden

Title: Gruff Touch( Geek Ink 4)             Word Count: 173 pgs
Genre: Contemporary Gay Romance

Blurb:Sometimes, love shines where you least expect it.

There are a million reasons I shouldn’t crush on growly, grumpy Caesar Marin.
For starters, the man is probably twice my age.
He’s a famous tattoo artist, a biker with a pit bull, and he’s made it clear he doesn’t want anything to do with my geeky butt.

He’s also apparently my father’s old friend.

Not that I ever met my father. I only learned his name this year, and as soon as I tracked him down, I discovered that he had already passed.
And with Mom gone now, too, that leaves Caesar as my only hope for learning more about the man.
Caesar with the sexy growl, silver hair, and thick neck.
Caesar who pushes me away even as his eyes beg me to stay.

He’s the last man I should fall for, yet something deep inside insists that Caesar should be mine.
If I can only shine bright enough to warm his grumpy heart…

Gruff Touch is an age gap, grumpy/sunshine, geek and bad boy romance with a guaranteed HEA. It features a growly tattoo artist, a geeky sweetheart who loves repairing pinball machines, and two opposites who spark when they attract. Book 4 in Geek Tattoo, it can be enjoyed alone or as part of the steamy M/M series.

My  Review: Drew is on a quest to get  information about his dead father who he never got a chance to know. After his mom passes, he finds a name among her things. Even though he loved his mother, he feels resentment towards her for lying to him about not knowing his father. She’s robbed him of a  fundamental experience in every kid’s life. His only connection to his  father is a grumpy tattoo artist. Cesar Marin is at the top of his field and at 50 years old he is still a sought after tattoo artist. Cesar is gruff and closed off to everyone around him.  When Drew approaches him , he is rebuffed.Cesar is definitely not interested in getting to know the adorably geeky guy who seems to be stalking him.

It isn’t until Drew mentions that Cesar knew his dad, that Cesar gives him a second look. Mack, Drew’s dad is a part of Cesar’s life he would rather keep in the past. Mack also left Cesar behind, never looking back, not even caring that Cesar was halfway in  love with him.When Drew explains that he just wants to know his dad a little bit, Cesar feels honor bound to indulge him. Cesar is definitely not a big talker, so by the end of the night, Drew hasn’t learnt anything much. He decides to get a tattoo  so that he can spend more time with Cesar.This is not the only reason though, there is something about Cesar that reels him in and pings all his buttons. That sexy , built body with the silver hair, the bad boy attitude and all those colorful tattoos just makes Drew weak in his knees. It makes him long for something that he has been craving for awhile.

Drew has never had the time to indulge his fantasies of being with a sexy older man before. Finally, he has that opportunity and he is not willing to let it pass him by. Even though he fights it, Cesar struggles with the same attraction to this sweet loveable young man. They get closer as they spend more time together.  Cesar finds that he loves taking care of Drew in little ways. He helps Drew by taking him on his adventures to find old pinball machines which he finds out is Drew’s passion. Cesar loves seeing the way Drew lights up when he talks about or tinkers with his  machines. It is this passion for life and Drew’s exuberance that draws Cesar into the light. Drew loves the way that Cesar makes an attempt to talk more , even when he still seems to be grumpy. To Drew, that growling and grumpiness  is sexy as hell. He would have him no other way.

These two are so passionate. When they come together their age doesn’t matter and Cesar doesn’t  dwell on the fact that Drew is Mack’s son. They are two individuals who have been adrift in their dull, dreary lives for far too long. Cesar introduces Drew to boundless pleasure. He is constantly amazed at Drew’s sweet innocence. Cesar loves watching him unravel and become  consumed with passion. Drew definitely brings the light and joy back to Cesar’s life. It is no hardship for Drew to make the next logical step in their relationship by moving in with Cesar, especially since he has no ties to his hometown. Their relationship is easy, they both offer something that the other desperately needs. It is wonderful to watch the love that blossoms between these two.  With Drew offering the light to make Cesar come alive, while Cesar offers the freedom for Drew’s creativity. I give this my ratings of 4- lose the underwear.

Just a Kiss ( Geek Ink 3) by R. Cayden

Title: Just a Kiss ( Geek Ink 3)      Word Count: 160 pgs
Genre: Contemporary Gay Romance

Blurb: Geeky friends to tattooed lovers

I have a secret: I’m in love with my best friend.
Rafael is a brilliant artist and a lovable weirdo.
I’ve been pining for him for years, but when he starts an apprenticeship as a tattoo artist, my longing spikes.
My best friend finds a new side to himself, more confidence, and it makes me fall in love all over again.

The problem is Rafael doesn’t do relationships.
And me? I don’t do casual.
Yet somehow, we still end up in bed one day, after he proposes a “sexperiment.”
We’ll be friends with benefits, nothing more.

We might start with just a kiss, but a kiss can still change everything.

Just a Kiss is a steamy, low-angst M/M romance with tattooed geeks and friends-to-lovers fun. It features a sweetheart librarian, an artist coming into his own, and the satisfaction of finally requited pining. The third book in Geek Ink, it can be read as a standalone or as part of the series. Enjoy!

My Review: Alexander and Raphael  have been best friends and roommates for many years. Their living situation is pretty much perfect. They support each other in their everyday lives and embrace each other’s quirks. Raphael is a free spirited artist who is not that great at adulting. On the other hand, Alexander is a very organized librarian.  They would make the perfect couple. There is just one tiny little problem,  Raphael doesn’t do relationships which leaves Alexander pining away from unrequited love for his best friend.

Alexander knows he needs to get back into the dating world when his ex moves back to the city.  He is just very  afraid that he might not live up to being boyfriend material. His inexperience makes him feel as if he might be bad in bed. He mentions this to Raphael and Raphael proposes that they do a ‘sexperiment’. When they kiss for the first time Alexander knows this is exactly what he’s been missing in his life. Surprisingly,  Raphael notices how shaken up he is as well. He is very intrigued by the fireworks that has been set off by his best friend.He’s had tons of hookups,  but nothing is as riveting as the kiss he shared with Alexander.

As they continue on with their everyday life,  they decide to go a little bit further with their experimentation. Raphael sees that he’s had the perfect man at his very fingertips all along. Even though he is excited at this new development,  he’s also very confused and discombobulated. In his heart,  Raphael truly feels as if he has nothing to offer Alexander. He is a hot mess, who hasn’t even been able to figure out a clear career path. His friend Stone, a tattoo artist has been encouraging him to pursue a career in tattoos. Granted , he would have to prove himself to the owner and work his way up. He is certainly not afraid of hard work, only of failing.

Things get a bit overwhelming,  especially when he believes that he might actually lose Alexander to his ex.He feels like such a huge failure in every aspect of his life, but the most disappointing for him is to lose the man with whom he’s spent so many treasured moments. Alexander finds Raphael in tears all alone on the beach. Alexander is devastated seeing Raphael like this. When Raphael professes his love Alexander is exhilarated. He is definitely overcome with all these feelings that he can finally allow Raphael to see.

It’s almost as if acknowledging their  love for each other finally makes the puzzle pieces of their life fit together. Alexander gives Raphael the courage he needs to embrace being a tattoo artist. He starts slow by inking his beautiful illustrations on the body of his lover. The shop owner Ceasar has taken him on as an apprentice,  but it will be awhile before he can showcase his unique style to the world. Alexander is certainly proud to wear his boyfriend’s masterpieces on his body.It somehow brings them even closer together. It was certainly enjoyable watching these friends coming into their own as a couple. Being supportive and encouraging each other was the key to this couple’s success. I give this my rating of 4- lose the underwear.

The Job by Cara Dee

Title: The Job                  Word Count: 246 pgs
Genre: Contemporary Gay Romance

Blurb: With the help of their ball-busting daughter, some questionable morals, and an important job to get done, Casey and Boone will steal you away to the grit and glitz of Las Vegas in this fast-paced romance.
I’m not supposed to do this job without Boone.
We may not share genes, but it’s been us against the world since his mom took me in as a toddler. The rowdy O’Sullivan boys who raised all the hell that Vegas could handle. Not that all my memories are wild and make my heart race. After all, I realized I was in love with the bastard at some point, so there’s been plenty of pathetic yearning and jealousy too.
Even so, it’s been him and me. Brothers, partners in crime, and, for the past six years, co-parents to an amazing little girl. But that’s another story. Right now, I gotta focus on the job our cousin gave us, and I need Boone by my side.
The problem is we haven’t really been on speaking terms for four years now.
This story takes place in Cara Dee’s Camassia Cove Universe, a fictional town where all books stand on their own, unless otherwise stated, and the reader can jump in wherever they want.

My Review: Boone and Casey are brothers, not by blood,  but definitely by love, respect and a strong foundation. They share a lot, they worked together, lived together they’ve even been tasked with co-parenting their beautiful daughter Ace. Over the years things have gotten muddled between them especially since Casey is gay and Boone is straight as an arrow. It constantly broke Casey’s heart when women would throw themselves at the sexy tattooed bear that is Boone. It got to the point where Casey begged Boone to promise not to hook up with anyone while in his presence.Boone broke  that promise and Casey was shredded.In that moment,  Boone didn’t understand the true consequence of his actions. Since then, it’s been 4 years and the brothers barely talk, they share visitation of their daughter  and Boone now lives with their mother.

There is something different lately. Casey notices that Boone looks really despondent all the time. It isn’t until their daughter mentions how sad he’s been, that he decides to step in. Casey confronts Boone and is surprised when Boone tells him that he is just not coping well since they haven’t been talking. Both men are usually really gruff, they don’t do feelings. When their cousin Darius gives them a job to collect intel on an operation he’s planning, they are forced to work together. Regardless of the time they have spent apart, they are still very much in-sync. Casey wants no one else watching his back besides Boone, especially since their jobs are usually shady and illegal. While Boone is a bonafide mechanic, Casey is pretty much a modern day Robin hood who steals from rich people for a living. They just usually  keep their loot for themselves.

The job requires them to stay in a fancy hotel in Vegas. After a night of gathering intel, they decide to go drinking at a club. Casey gets a little drunk  and when Boone kisses him, all his pent up feelings are released. His inhibition is lowered and he is finally getting what he’s always wanted. Once he sobers up, Boone let’s Casey know that he doesn’t want to live apart any longer. Casey thinks this is some misguided attempt  of Boone not wanting to lose more time with their daughter. As they continue to work together,  Boone reiterates that he is serious about them being a family again. He no longer wants Casey to shut him out. As much as he wants to go slow, Casey knows that Boone is trustworthy and he wouldn’t do anything to hurt their daughter. Plus, their attraction to each other is definitely off the charts. Just like these gruff men, their sexual appetite  is rough and raw. Boone can’t seem to get enough of Casey  now that he’s had his sexual awakening.

They had to explain to their family,  their change of status in their relationship. It wasn’t too difficult as it was well received. Their job went off without any glitches and at the end they enjoyed a big payday with all their stolen goods. They were able to settle down as a family in a nicer house. The way they loved their daughter was endearing,  they would move heaven and earth for her.This romance was certainly gritty, but the love and caring between these men  was quite obvious. I give this my ratings of 4- lose the underwear.

Endangered Species (Time Served 1) by Onley James

Title: Endangered Species( Time Served 1) Word Count:222 pgs Genre:Contemporary Gay Romance

Blurb:After spending his formative years in an abusive home, NICHOLAS WEBSTER has made a pretty good life for himself. He has friends, a lucrative job with Elite Protection Services, and a side gig that lets him help out those escaping the same abusive home situation he left behind. But no matter how many people he helps, he can’t escape the guilt over the one person he didn’t—his step-brother, Cyrus. CYRUS WHITAKER has spent the last twenty years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, put there by the very person he vowed to protect. On the inside, he’s made strides to better himself so he can have a future on the outside. But just when he thinks there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, he receives a new cellmate—the boy who put him away all those years ago. In trying to make things right, Webster has triggered a series of events that will ruin both their lives, or worse, end them. Somebody has framed him and sent him to a prison where they hope Cy’s need to get even will get rid of Webster for good. But they don’t know Cyrus or the bond they shared. A bond they still share. But can Webster figure out who’s doing this to them and why before Cyrus is forced to choose between hurting the one person he loves or spending his life in a cage? ENDANGERED SPECIES is the first book in the Time Served Series and is a spin-off of the Elite Protection Services Series. It is complete at 60,000 words and contains an HEA and no cliffhangers.

My Review:  Nicholas Webster, tech genius for Elite Protection Services  has finally pissed off the wrong person. He’s locked up behind bars and he doesn’t even know why. His world seems to be spinning out of control. The plot thickens when he’s  placed in a cell with the one man he  put behind bars. He was only seven when he was railroaded into testifying against his stepbrother who was convicted for his stepfather’s murder. Nicky’s evil mother was married to Cy’s drug addicted father. Quite a toxic situation which ended in murder. Nicky has always blamed himself, because he knows Cyrus is innocent. He tried to tell the truth, but it was a set up from the beginning. His mother plotted with the small town sheriff to cover up her crimes. The adults in authority twisted his words to suit their nefarious plans. Nicky’s evil mom killed Cyrus’ father and Cy got 25 years.

Cyrus the gentle giant, even at seventeen, he was the only one who cared about Nicky’s well being. He protected him from the monster that was his mother. Nicky’s mother was abusive and Cy tried to shield the younger boy from the worst of it. Fast forward 20 years, Cyrus is still trying to protect Nicky from monsters. Regardless of space or time, it’s instinctual for Cy to want to take care of Nicky. It’s clear that Nicky is not a little boy anymore,  but to Cy Nicky still means the world to him. He’s never blamed Nicky for him being behind bars.  Nicky on the other hand has been filled with guilt all these years. When Cyrus embraces him for the first time in 20 years, its feels like coming home.

Cyrus soon realizes that there is a game being played and its with Nicky’s life. Some of the guards are being tasked with making Nicky’s life hell. They’ve decided that they want Cyrus to do their dirty work for them, to get rid of Nicky by any means necessary. Cy knows he needs to play their game , until they can figure out what is really going on and get Nicky released. If they don’t,there is definitely others who will be willing to hurt Nicky.

Nicky suggests that Cy could rough him up a bit,  maybe make him his ‘prison bitch’, to keep the vultures away. For Cy, it’s definitely a hard no to hurting Nicky physically, but he has definitely noticed the sexy man Nicky has grown into. There is certainly chemistry between these two and since they are not related by blood, they decide to act on their passions. Things are definitely hot and heavy their first time and the dirty mouth that Nicky has on him turns Cy into an animal. Cy gives him exactly what he craves, hard and rough. The bruises are for sure real, no one has to know how much fun Nicky had while getting them.He is only too happy to show who he belongs to.

It seems Nicky is on the radar of the white supremacist group in the prison. With Nicky being white and Cy being half black,  they are not happy with the arrangement. Cy and a couple of his friends are  always watching over Nicky, but things come to a head when they catch Nicky by himself. Nicky can fight and he’s been trained very well by elite, but the odds are against him with 3 against one. Nicky doesn’t fare very well and by the time a friend gets to him, he already has bruises on his face.

Cyrus is furious and terrified when he sees Nicky. He comforts his man as best as he can. He knows he has to do something drastic to prove his point, or they will definitely come after Nicky again. That’s one thing behind bars you have to show strength through violence sometimes. Unbeknownst to Nicky, Cy goes after the white supremacist leader. By the time he is done with him , he ends up in solitary confinement. Nicky is worried about Cyrus and he knows he needs to protect his man , in the only way he knows. Nicky has been trying to piece together the reason behind his and Cy’s wrongful imprisonment. He is coming to the understanding that he has stumbled upon a criminal enterprise of the judicial system that spans not only the small fish, but also a lot of high powered people including corrupted police officers, judges and even senators. Nicky shows his evidence to his boss Linc and his lawyer and they believe that they can get his sentence overturned,  if he applies pressure.

Nicky knows exactly where to start. When he goes after the warden, he quickly caves to Nicky’s demand to be let out. Nicky’s paperwork is set for him to be released the next day. However, its not that easy to get Cy released since he’s been in solitary confinement for assaulting another inmate. Their last night together is raw and passionate especially when Cy thinks he might not ever get to hold Nicky again. It is bittersweet,  knowing that his man will now be safe, but he can no longer imagine his life without Nicky.

Nicky and his team work round the clock to get Cyrus free. They get the FBI involved and it doesn’t take long to see the deck of cards come tumbling down. When Nicky comes face to face with the crooked small town sheriff who instigated Cyrus’ arrest, he’s  able to get him on tape confessing to all manner of corruption, murder and even his abuse of Nicky. With the ball finally rolling, it’s not long before Cyrus is home in Nicky’s arms. Cyrus is finally able to reclaim his life, a life that he certainly doesn’t take for granted. With his loving husband by his side and all their adopted pets, they both live a blissful life. I give this my ratings of 5 – bring out the vibrators.