Eight Second Cowboy

Eight Second Cowboy by Piper Kay

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.


There are things I both like and dislike about this book. I would probably give it 3.5 stars but thanks to some really hot sex scenes I bumped it up to 4 stars.

Matt and Lance are bitter rivals on the rodeo circuit. And this is mainly because they are both attracted to each other and are trying to fight it. But after finally admitting it to themselves and each other they decide to see where things lead. Matt is having a much harder time coming to terms with his sexuality and their relationship and is constantly pushing Lance away. This leads to a lot of tension and drama between the two.

There were only a few issues I had with the book. The dialogue seemed a bit off. Maybe its because I don't read many western/cowboy books. But it just didn't seem natural to me. The other thing was while the sex scenes were really hot they seemed to belong to a couple that was much more experienced with m/m sex than these two characters were. Having said that the scenes were still really hot and while reading them I didn't really care that it didn't fit the characters. ;)

Overall, if you enjoy a hot m/m romance (especially with hot cowboys) you might want to pick this one up. Definitely for those over.



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Jaded

Jaded by Chelle

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.


This was a short sweet romance that I would have given 3 -- 3.5 stars too. Its blurb suggests a hot erotica from the beginning but that's not quite the case. Lynn is a jaded woman, trying to recover from a bad marriage. She's unhappy with her body and doesn't think any good man would be interested and is only looking for drunken one night stands. She's not a character that I particularly liked. One night she meets a sexy cowboy and things for her change. Trevor is definitely not like all the others.

The blurb suggests this is a hot erotica from the very beginning, but that's not quite the case. This is a short read and the last half is where the steamy parts are. They are steamy but they are all the same. Once you read the first scenario the others are carbon copies.

What made this book a 4 star read was the ending. I won't give away any spoilers but it made me shed a tear or two. Overall it wasn't a bad read. If you like a short romance this might be just the thing for you.



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Jael's Story

Women of the Bible: Jael's Story: A Novel by Ann Burton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was a wonderful story. This is the story of Jael who is briefly mentioned in the bible. She was married to Heber who was a blacksmith. Her family believed that he would provide for her and treat her well because of his wealth and social standing. Jael soon came to learn this wasn't the case. When she becomes part of his household as second wife she quickly learns how he treats his wives and concubines. And being women they have no protection against his abuse.

I loved seeing a glimpse of life during this time. And how even though life was difficult for women they found ways to be strong and cope. Jael was just a girl when she married Heber but with life experience she grew to become a strong woman. Its easy to see why Levi loved her.

I've read other books in the Women of the Bible series and I've not read them in order. They work just fine as stand alone novels and I recommend these to anyone who loves a clean romance or historical romance. I loved it and look forward to the last one in the series that I have yet to read.



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When I Fall

When I Fall by Belinda McBride

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I can honestly say that I liked this read but not as much as the first one, An Uncommon Whore.

This book picks up from where the first one leaves off. Helios and Griffin have returned and Helios has become king. The story is told from Griffin's POV and we see just how different these two really are. Along the way we also learn more of their history and the romance they had before Helios was abducted. We also learn more about what really happened when their planet was invaded.

There are a lot of differences in writing style between the two books in this series. This one is more of a romance and less of an erotica. We see more of the political aspect of their society and more of the difficulties of not only being a same sex couple but one in power. They have the issues of continuing the royal bloodline as well as when it will be acceptable for them to marry. There were issues of secrets and trust between Griffin and Helios due not only to politics but painful aspects of the past. The strain on their relationship was evident as it must be in any couple living in the spotlight.

After reading An Uncommon Whore and enjoying it so much I was excited to continue with When I Fall. I don't think When I Fall could have been read alone, the first one could be. There's just too much that you wouldn't have understood without reading the first one. And I noticed that there is an opening for a part three. I wonder if she will continue the series even farther?



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If you are interested in this series, check out these Amazon links

An Uncommon Whore

When I Fall (An Uncommon Whore)

The Breeders

The Breeders by Matthew J. Beier

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book for my honest review.


This was certainly an engrossing read. If I hadn't been subject to the rigors of having to live life I probably would have read this one all in one sitting. I didn't want to put it down.

This story is set far in the future after the Bio Wars, which was essentially civil war between heterosexuals and homosexuals. The outcome of these wars was that homosexuals won along with bio-engineering. Bi-sexuals weren't allowed to be produced and procreating is strictly regulated. Sex permeates every facet of society down to the names of places as well as booths to have sex while you wait on the bus.

Grace (who believes she is heterosterile) and Dex (engineered as a failsafe) find themselves in a world ruled by the dictatorship of the Queen that rules with Hitler-like authority. Grace finds herself pregnant and together they search for hope for their unborn child.
I love these two characters as well as Grace's dad Stuart. They are very much alive and flawed but full of hope. They are afraid to love one another but find its there anyway. They also meet those along the way that help them and let them know that now matter how bad humanity gets there are those that fight for equality of all kinds. Hope remains as long as there are those that let it.

Overall, I loved this one right up til I saw what was coming at the end. I won't spoil it by giving away the ending but I wanted to scream "Nooooooo! It can't end like that!" Having said that, it was a good read. Full of satire and social issues, showing how things could look from a different perspective, even though it was a bit over the top.





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Origin

Origin by Jessica Khoury

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I loved this read! Was tempted to give this a 5 star rating but decided I couldn't quite stretch my rating that high. There is so much going on in this book and the story keeps you tied to it til the very end where everything is wrapped up nicely as it should be.

Voluspa--A Magical World

Bookhounds Summer Blog Hop

The Cotton Patch would like to thank author Ray East for sharing this guest post and giveaway. Be sure to enter the giveaway at the end of the post for a chance to win one of two free copies of Voluspa: A Magical World

Why write a book like ‘Voluspa – A Magical World’? Like countless other teenage girls, I had a difficult time during my pre-teen and early teen years. I had major body issues and even suffered with eating disorders. During these years, I often fantasized about escaping to an alternate universe where I could start life afresh or find acceptance. My imagination was further fuelled by the countless number of books I devoured growing up, especially since they were my only constant companions.

Thus when the time came to put words down to paper, I found myself creating a fantasy world – a place so magical that it had the power to heal even the most troubled souls.

In The Mailbox

New reads this week:



This is not just another book about personal finance.Forget the old concept of struggling in a financial rut and never getting ahead. There is no need to miss enjoying today by socking it all away for an uncertain tomorrow. The old boring way of managing your finances is gone forever. Today's generation is smarter, faster, and lives in a more complicated world, so it only makes sense that you need a simple system that will work for you.

In the Mailbox

Here are a few new reads that I have received this week.



Synopsis

A House of Cards...

When you build an entire life on a foundation of lies, it only takes one truth for the whole thing to come crashing down. I never invited the truth in. I never went searching for it. I never had any reason to suspect that the two people I loved most were dishonest with me every second of every day.

In The Mailbox

Here are some new reads that I have received this week. Both of these are author requested reviews.



Synopsis
A collection of seven short stories spanning a wide gamut of styles and genres, from ghost stories to historical fantasies to surrealist horror to contemporary fantasies.

Time Keepers Excerpt Post

Author Nicki J. Markus has sent an excerpt from he new book Time Keepers that is expected to be released in July.

Blurb
In the not so distant future, Supernaturals have announced their presence to the world. But now a secret government agency is rounding them up, hoping to use them for its own purposes.
With Supernaturals going missing every day, Nick has been careful to guard his own secret, never giving anyone reason to notice him. That is until Ellie comes careering into his train carriage.
Instantly drawn to her, he tries to help. But soon both their secrets are revealed and they find themselves on the run in a desperate bid to escape from the mysterious Time Keepers, whose net is closing in around them.