Dojo Boys: The Italian Connection, by Alex A. Akira

This swiftly-paced two-volume romantic Yaoi love story tells the tale of the multi-talented thief/dancer Philippe Michael Ponty. First introduced in Dojo Boys: Dragon & Crow Volume II, the now twenty-two year old platinum haired, petite Adonis struggles to make a home for himself in America.

Volume I finds Philip settling in Connecticut in disguise, as he doesn't want to draw too much attention to his true line of work. Despite his caution, he meets and befriends a local rock musician, Tommy Sear, who despairs of ever having his band make it.

Quickly smitten by the dark-haired, shy Asian male that is Philip, Tommy seeks to make the young man his, but Philip doesn't believe in love; besides, he has a very real problem. He can't seem to get the victim of his last burglary, a green-eyed, virile Italian male... out of his mind.

With Philip's encouragement, Tommy renews his efforts to get his band, Sear, a record deal. He makes a demo and shortly after a scout contacts him, from Italy no less. The Italian scout is coming to America hear them play in the hopes of signing Sear to the much sought-after label, Romano Studios.
But Tommy has a secret and he's afraid that without Philip's help, they may not get the deal.

Publisher's Note: This book contains sexual content, explicit language and situations that some readers may find objectionable: male/male sexual practices.

Genres: Yaoi, Boy's Love, M/M Romance, Gay, Action Adventure

available at Amazon :

SLAVE's Review:

The story moved along like a local train during rush hour: hot and slow...but a great place to relax if you let yourself. Alex A. Akira does a great job with his characters. They were well developed and I enjoyed meeting them. I must admit that my first impression was "damn, another long drawn out story", but by the end I actually liked the book…all except for the author's awful attempts at expressing the moans of passion. They irritated me so much that they pulled me from the story. I would have given this book a 4 except for that.
3 ½ pens

Queerwolf, by Rob Rosen

When you wake up on a ferry, naked, in a pool of blood, there’s nowhere else to go but up. Up, that is, into the arms of your hunky upstairs neighbor. And so starts the comic misadventure of Blake and Ted as they go from San Francisco to Salt Lake City to Las Vegas and back again, collecting their motley pack, not to mention a whole slew of unexpected surprises, along the way. Will good win out? Can different really be better? And can the Queerwolf keep his new breed of pack together and alive? Read on to find out, but better leave the doors locked because this pack travels on its stomach… and you could be next on the menu! 

SLAVE's Review

This book was a great disappointment. In fact, I was almost insulted as I read it. The characters were somewhat wishy-washy and so stereotypical I wanted to scream. The blurb led me to believe this would be a whodunit kind of thing, you know, find out why ole boy was on the ferry naked and covered in blood, but by page 80 of the 138 page book all I saw was over sexed young men, who giggled way too much and no forward drive on the story, thus I had no desire to finish it. 1 pen   

Action, by Liz Borino

When the bright lights and flashing cameras of Hollywood capture your every move, how can you fulfill your deepest desires? For Zack Greene, a formerly out-of-control actor, and Steve Michaels, the director who unearthed the heart of the man beneath the ego, it’s a constant struggle.  In public, Steve and Zack are the picture of professional partners. However, behind closed doors, their partnership is taken to a new level. They engage in a carefully constructed Dom/sub relationship that not only brings them pleasure, but keeps Zack from slipping back into his wild ways. Their delicate balance is thrown askew when a producer on the show threatens to expose their lifestyle, while taking advantage of Zack in a moment of vulnerability. Will Steve be able to ease the pain and save the love they share? Or will they come apart when they need each other most?

SLAVE's Review

Action was a great story. I felt like I was reading one of those Inside Hollywood magazines that tell you about the lives of movie stars. It read very true and believable. I would recommend this book and would read it again. 4 ½ pens

Freed from Fear, by Jaxx Steele

Leaving New York was the hardest thing Dana Scott had to do. 911 had taken the love of his life. Although the pain had eased over time he decided to remain single.

Francisco de la Fuenta was a charming, charismatic, social butterfly that men and women loved to be around. ‘Frank’ had everything a man of his caliber could want: his own business, a great social life, and true friends. What he didn’t have, he didn’t know he needed until Dana Scott came into his life.

SLAVE's Review
I really enjoyed this book! Frank's best friend Reggie hooked him up with Dana because he saw something in Dana that Frank might like. He was right. Frank liked Dana on the on start and pursued him vigorously. Dana was caught in his seductive web. When their relationship goes to another level sexually, Dana found himself overwhelmed with all that Frank could be to him. With the thought that it was too good to be true he panicked and bolted. Frank and Dana get back together, it is a romance after all, but the drama they have to endure before that happens makes this book great.

Without going into too much spoiler detail I will try to break it down for you. Frank chased Dana and caught him. The situation opened his heart and Dana’s too and touched a spot inside him that completely freaked Dana out. Frank was devastated when he left. Finally he found Dana and demanded answers. They hashed out the differences and, determined to make it work, they live happily ever after. This book was a hellava ride and I enjoyed every minute of it! Also, I feel this is worth mentioning. The sex was unapologetic, in your face, hot, get down and dirty, feel good, exhausted at the end type sex…just the way I like it. Making love to one’s partner is enjoyable and beautiful, but straight up hot and heavy— hmm, I can’t seem to find a politically correct word for what fits here—let’s just say the f-ing— has its place in the bedroom as well. This book had both.

5 pens…with refills!

And then there was Anthony, by Jaxx Steele

After the death of his lover, Luke Finley took dating off his list of things to do. After meeting Anthony Dixon he found it difficult to keep the handsome man safely on the friend list. Will Luke let the ghosts from his past prevent him from having love in his future?

SLAVE's Review
This was a moving, sometimes funny and well written story. I enjoyed it very much. The book is from Luke’s point of view. You walk with him to see how he moves forward after the death of his long time lover, Sean. Anthony was sincere about being Luke’s friend, but up front about wanting to be more. He left the pace up to Luke, but when Anthony saw Luke giving in to his subtle seduction he turned the heat up just enough to make Luke walk into his arms willingly.  Well done, Jaxx!

4 ½ pens

Cam's Best Friend, Jaxx Steele

Reynaud Leduc is a Creolyte and endowed with the magical ability to heal anyone. His lover Angele is killed and he is held responsible. As punishment, he was mostly stripped of his magical abilities and shape shifted into an animal form until someone loves him enough to trust him.
Cameron Gamble's café is finally ready to open for business and he can't wait. He has seen a large dog hanging around the building for a while. The dog, Cameron names Mel, seems very smart, gentle and loving so Cameron invites him to live with him. A bond forms between Cameron and Mel that is more than just between a pet and his owner. Will he be enough for Cameron to get over his troubled past?
 
SLAVE's Review
This is a great read. Lots of emotion. I felt the anguish, the anger, the love, even the sex was emotional. I enjoyed learning about the Creolyte people and how they came into being. The Creolyte people were originally regular humans and they evolved where their magical abilities are part of them, but they still retain many human qualities that could create problems if they use their abilities against others. It all seemed plausible.  There were a few questions left unanswered, however, but I look forward to seeing if the author will do a sequel to answer those questions.

4 1/2 pens

The Long Con, Lori Toland

British Agent Nathaniel Bradley is tasked with bringing home a stolen heirloom. After tracking the Faberge egg all the way to a group of criminals in New York, Bradley infiltrates a ring of con artists and gets sucked into the role of a high priced prostitute.
While hoping for a chance to take back what is rightfully his, Bradley’s sole mission becomes to seduce Tony Terranova, Jr, the heir to a notorious mafia dynasty. Though Tony is strikingly handsome, the usually dominant Bradley is hesitant to submit to the sexual whims of a dangerous Mafioso.
What Bradley doesn't expect is for Tony to fall to his knees so eagerly for him, leaving him blindsided by how intensely their dark tastes complement each other. Now Bradley is caught up in a deadly game of lies and desire, where what he truly wants may not be what duty requires.

SLAVE’s Review
Without giving too much detail or plot away The Long Con was detailed oriented and very easy to follow. I got to know the main character Nathaniel Bradley very well. His relationship with Tony was hot! There was an instant spark like they belonged together. All in all, it’s a good read.
I enjoyed it. Character info: great. Plot: great. Flow: nicely done. If you have the time to spend on reading a full length novel, The Long Con is for you. I look forward to seeing this character and the writer grow.

3 pens

Orion's Way, by DC Juris

Orion is a vampire with a tragic past. After running away from abusive parents at the tender age of sixteen, he was turned by a ruthless elder vampire and forced to torture and sexually abuse human feeders and submissive vampires. Though that's all behind him now, he still lives in the shadow of what he was, and it has cost him the loyalty of Xavier, the human feeder he loves. Malagan is Orion's closest friend—the vampire who saved him from brutality all those years ago. Malagan knows the dominant side of Orion—the side Xavier needs—is still there, lurking below the surface. But if Orion's going to find his way back to who he ought to be, he'll need help. And Malagan is just the man for the job.

Buy here: All Romance Books

SLAVE's Review
Orion's Way is about the vampire Orion trying to get over past hurts without repeating mistakes. He loses his feeder because he can't give him what he needs. Orion's coven leader, Malagan, steps in to help. In the end, with Malagan's continued guidance, Orion is able to take steps towards being able to over come his issues.
I enjoyed this book. DC Juris' vampires are hauntingly believable. Orion's scarred past showed through the pages. I could feel his pain and unsureness. Malagan was a good leader and helped him in ways only a true friend and leader could. The story wrapped with a nice happy for now ending.

4 pens