Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Find out just how dirty kisses can be in these five Sean Michael stories of men falling in love.

In Dirty Kisses, ski chalet guest Bussy is into twinks and Quint is the opposite of a twink. Still, could the shy bartender be what Bussy's been looking for all along?

In the second book, Art and Snowflakes, a pair of exes are reunited. It’s been ten years, can Dave and Jaxsom rekindle their romance now that artist Jax is clean and sober?

Next up is Silver Edges. Isaiah and Braxton are Olympic speed skaters. They train together, eat together, love together. Will an accident tear them apart, or bring them even closer together?

In Living the Dream, Went is just fulfilling doctor’s orders by going to Lake Tahoe for a vacation. Could he get far more than he bargained for when he meets free-spirit Chip?

And finally, in A Cowboy Out of Texas, when Sam’s hurt at a rodeo in Canada, Pat is the nurse assigned to his case. It’s easy enough to fall in love with the handsome nurse, what’s going to be harder for this Texas cowboy is finding a way to stick around.

First Edition of 'Dirty Kisses' published by Amber Alure in May, 2012.

First Edition of 'Art and Snowflakes' published by Amber Allure in May, 2013.

First Edition of 'Silver Edges' published by Amber Quill Press in July, 2014.

First Edition of 'Living the Dream' published by Amber Quill Press in October, 2014.

First Edition of 'A Cowboy out of Texas' published by Amber Quill Press in September, 2015.

Book Review

Dirty Kisses
This story is a great combination of sweet and hot, much like the drink of the same name. There are no complications, other than the fact that Debussy (Bussy for short) is Quint’s boss. It doesn’t stop him from noticing Quint – finally – and the rest of the story focuses on their first physical encounter. I really liked the sweetness of this story. It fit well with the touch of kink and gave the developing feelings between the characters an extra dimension of heat and passion.

Bussy has been running after the same type of man for a while – and is finally getting bored with it. Bored enough in fact to notice how attractive Quint, the sexy bartender, really is. When they touch by accident as Quint hands over the ‘Dirty Kiss’ Bussy ordered, Bussy makes up his mind. What follows is some extremely hot action between the sheets. Bussy may not take over in an overt way, but he certainly has the lead and enjoys introducing Quint to some new aspects of man-on-man loving.

Quint has been lusting after Bussy ever since he started working at the ski resort. But he knows he is too tall and buff to be Bussy’s type, so he doesn’t say anything. That difference between his appearance and the way he acts is very attractive. While he isn’t openly submissive, some of the things he enjoys and how he reacts to Bussy made me think he is about to discover a whole new world of pleasure.

If you are looking for a ‘slightly kinky’ story with lots of romance and emotion, if you enjoy a guy being introduced to new ways of making love, and if you like two men discovering there may be more between them than a working relationship, you will probably like this short story.

Art and Snowflakes
This is a short, fun story about two lovers reconnecting after ten years apart. As I read along, finding out what had happened to them to cause the separation, the details of Jax's issues emerged, but so did his feelings for Dave. Interestingly, Dave had the same sort of realizations as they reacquainted themselves with each other. This story is a good example of what happens when circumstances, or rather temptation, gets in the way of love and ruins a good thing. I was relieved to see it was also about grabbing a second chance by the scruff and not letting go!

Jax is an artist, a painter who forgets the world when he is inspired. By the sound of it, he is also pretty successful, and his pictures sell well. The one thing he isn't interested in is permanence, so he keeps moving around. From the sound of it, he was also addicted to drugs and alcohol, and needed some time to figure out what was more important: the high of addiction or the wonderful feeling of loving and being loved.

Dave is a mechanic, a guy who loves stability and his organized life. He adored the spark of color Jax added to his life, but he wasn't able and/or willing to deal with the man's addictions. Now that Jax is back, and clean, the rules of the game change and Dave makes a play for trying again.

If you like stories about somewhat flaky artists who learn that there are some advantages to becoming a little less irresponsible, if you enjoy reading about second chances and love rekindled, and if you're looking for an entertaining, hot read with lots of making up, then you will probably like this short story.

Silver Edges
Enemies-to-lovers can be great stories, and so can best-friends-to-lovers. In a curious way, this novella offers a mix of both. It made for fascinating reading, because despite the fact that speed-skaters Braxton and Isaiah know each other really well, there are still a few surprises in their relationship once they begin to look at it – and each other – in a new way. I enjoyed their pseudo-hostile banter and practical jokes as much as their more loving teasing as it definitely made for a very entertaining story.

Isaiah may not be the one who is hurt, but he suffers all the same. Seeing Braxton suffer makes him realize how much he means to him, and nothing becomes more important than taking care of him and getting him back on the ice.

Braxton loves to skate as much as Isaiah, and it’s hard for him to hear that he’ll miss the season because of a stupid accident. But he’s still going to be there for Isaiah, and finds that supporting him is almost as good as skating himself. But the best part is the fact that he finally faces his true feelings for Isaiah and vice versa.

If you like reading about athletes dealing with their ambition, their personal lives, and the obstacles life throws at them, if pseudo-enemies to lovers is a concept that intrigues you, and if you’re looking for a read that is as funny as it is emotional and hot, then you will probably like this novella.

Living the Dream
Free spirit meets workaholic in this very hot story about the need for taking it slow. Both main characters have had a health scare and while Chip has already taken the doctor’s advice and now owns a restaurant in a ski resort, Went is still addicted to his laptop even though he is supposed to be on vacation after a recent heart attack. Not for long though…

Chip has become the master of taking it slow, a poster child for only doing what he enjoys. Skiing in winter, hiking in summer, enjoying the view, and loving his time in the hot tub has become Chip’s mantra. It has clearly done him good since he looks about twenty and is actually thirty-two. His whole philosophy and outlook on life have changed, and it was a joy to see how far he has come – especially as compared to Went, who is still in the thick of all the stress and worry and insomnia.

Went is an important guy in a tech company, stressed to the gills, and has recently had a small heart attack. The warning signs are all there, but when he meets Chip, leaving his laptop alone and focusing on enjoying his vacation (and Chip!) is suddenly much less of a chore than he expected. Going back to work after a week is not at all what he wants to do, so he has an important decision to make.

If you like stories about men who leave the rat race behind, if a beautiful setting and some relaxing outdoor as well as indoor activities are your thing, and if you’re looking for a fun read that is as hot as it is sweet, then you will probably like this short story.

A Cowboy Out of Texas
A rodeo cowboy with a broken leg that needs to remain immobilized for weeks on end is not an easy patient but meeting a nurse interesting enough to spend some time with makes it a lot easier. They bond easily and when Sam moves to Pat’s apartment so he can get out of hospital, they discover a lot more potential between them than friendship.

Sam is a Texan cowboy stuck in the great white north (read: Canada) and he feels more than antsy to go home from day one. Sitting still isn’t his thing either but getting to talk to the good-looking nurse every day makes it a little easier. The temptation for more is huge, but how is Sam supposed to build a relationship when he is on the road all the time?

Pat is a dedicated nurse, super patient, and fascinated by the stubborn stranger who quickly becomes one of his favorite patients. He can see how restless Sam is and inviting him to his home while he continues to recuperate is an easy thing to suggest. The feelings that soon develop are not so easy to deal with – after all, Pat knows that Sam is bound to leave him at some point.

If you like stories about cowboys who find themselves outside their comfort zone, if two strangers falling in love and dealing with the complications that follow are your thing, and if you’re looking for an entertaining read with lots of hot activities and a great ending, then you will probably like this short story.

 

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by the author for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Collection/ 5 short stories, 201 pages/53300 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	29-July-2016
Price	$5.99 ebook
Buy Link	http://amzn.to/2jo03rL