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Back Porch Reader

LGBTQ+ Romance and Erotica Book Reviews

Type: Series

Five Star Friday: The Angel (The Original Sinners, book 2), by Tiffany Reisz

October 2, 2015 by Katie, Back Porch Reader Leave a Comment

This is where I’ll make an effort on Fridays to spotlight a FIVE STAR read that has either been previously reviewed here on this blog-o-mine or one from my archives. Since I’m still so new at this blogging business I’ll bring forth an older read, one never before reviewed by me–except out loud to friends, and possibly strangers, and perhaps my neighbor’s cat.

This week, in honor of Queer Romance Month (see below for more details), I’ve selected the first book I read that contained some MM action. This was my first foray, my gateway, into the realm of LGBTQ+ novels and it was a beautiful start to what has been an amazing journey so far.

About the Book

TheAngel1-ReiszNo safe word can protect the heart
Infamous erotica author and accomplished dominatrix Nora Sutherlin is doing something utterly out of character: hiding. While her longtime lover, Soren–whose fetishes, if exposed, would be his ruin–is under scrutiny pending a major promotion, Nora’s lying low and away from temptation in the lap of luxury.

Her host, the wealthy and uninhibited Griffin Fiske, is thrilled to have Nora stay at his country estate, especially once he meets her traveling companion. TheAngel2-ReiszYoung, inexperienced and angelically beautiful, Michael has become Nora’s protege, and this summer with Griffin is going to be his training, where the hazing never ends.

But while her flesh is willing, Nora’s mind is wandering. To thoughts of Soren, her master, under investigation by a journalist with an ax to grind. And to another man from Nora’s past, whose hold on her is less bruising, but whose secrets are no less painful. It’s a summer that will prove the old adage: love hurts.

The Finer Details

Published:   September 25, 2012
Publisher:    Harlequin MIRA
Genre:          Contemporary Erotica, BDSM
Length:         411 Pages (Kindle)
POV:              3rd Person
Type:             Part of a Series

See the book on GoodReads.


Rating

Rating 5 Stars

5 Stars
Rating Info

Ratings stick closely to the GoodReads standards. Occasionally I’ll make note of half-star ratings and will typically round up on GoodReads reviews and other sites where I may cross-post.

Stars Goodreads  What this means to me
5 AMAZING This totally knocked my socks off, and I might end up a crazed fan (from a respectable distance).
4 Really Liked This was truly enjoyable, and I’d recommend it.
3 Liked It was good, and I’m glad I read it, but I may have had some issues.
2 It was okay There were likable parts but I definitely had issues.
1 Didn't like I read the whole thing but....
1 DNF Didn't like I read past 50% (at least) before giving up.
0 DNF No Rating I couldn't even make it to 50%, but I still feel the need to share my thoughts.
 

Review:

I wasn’t reviewing books back when I read this…and it’s been a while since my last read through.

I found book one of the Original Sinners series, The Siren, during a time that I was finding it very difficult (on a super-tight budget) to find well-written, intelligent prose with interesting characters.

The Siren floored me and left me clamoring for more.

I was hooked. I became a fan. I don’t have all the WORDS I need to EXPLAIN how utterly a-MAZE-ing these books are.

I have since pre-ordered and devoured every book in the series like a starving beast. I’ll also admit that these are the only books that, in addition to the Kindle e-books, I’ve also purchased the print versions. (My budget is no longer quite so tight, however bookshelf space is at a premium around here. But, I have to HAVE them ALL.)

So, The Angel is a continuation from where The Siren ended. It’s best if they’re read in order.

This is not exactly an MM romance per se. There’s some menage, and some BDSM kinky stuff going on, the characters identify as bi-sexual/bi-curious/sex-is-amazing-in-all-kinky-forms-with-whomever-is-consenting. But, a gorgeous, sweet, and enchanting MM relationship begins as a major (MAJOR) plot line.

It’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever read.

Griffin Fiske is…smart, a smart ass, compassionate, just…FUN, and sexy as hell. He’s enamored – HEAD OVER HEELS – for the young, damaged Michael who’s just figuring out who he is and that his differences don’t mean he’s alone. He’s not weird…or, so what the fuck if he is? He just needs to be around all the other weirdos for a while in order to learn how to fly. And being weird is SO okay. And he’ll be okay.

And Gaaaaaawwwd I want a Griffin Fiske of my very, very own. He wears a kilt, y’all…with combat boots. I mean…

I found this somewhere on the interwebs (I don't remember where). If it's yours and you want me to credit you or remove it let me know since I don't know who you are to ask in advance. It's HOT, and it was used to illustrate a point. But, I wasn't raised to be a thieving pirate. So let me know and I'll take it down if you want, just please don't send me to jail.
I found this somewhere on the interwebs (I don’t remember where). If it’s yours and you want me to credit you or remove it let me know since I don’t know who you are to ask in advance. It’s HOT, and it was used to illustrate a point. But, I wasn’t raised to be a thieving pirate. So let me know and I’ll take it down if you want, just please don’t send me to jail.

LOOKIT!!!   >>>>

Gimme!

K, I’m under control.

Mostly.

It felt…a little illicit…that I was reading about two men, because I’d never read that before. I didn’t know that kind of stuff was out there. I mean, I did, but I didn’t know that it was for me–that I might possibly be included in the target audience.

Was I?

This gave me something to think about. Was I limiting myself to only certain types of love stories based on my own pre-conceived notions of what “Romance (or Erotica) for me” should include? Would it be okay to read more like this? Are there other authors out there whose stories are just as brilliant? If I went hunting down other MM books was somebody going to bang on my door and say, “lady, seein’ as you’re straight, we’d prefer you to keep out of things that don’t concern you.”

Well…I haven’t been hunted down yet. I might be straight, but I’m damn sure not narrow–never have been, thank Christ. So maybe these stories can be for me too.

LGBTQ+ is not new to me because of friends, family, and life with my eyes wide open and blinders off.

But when I read The Angel, it was new flavor for me in books. One I liked.

These stories, yeah they’re sexy (because I go hunting for sexy stories). But they’re more. They’re new roads to travel, new people to meet, new experiences, new lessons, new thoughts, MORE understanding–because we can’t have enough of that.

This world is a glorious, colorful place and this book was my first step on a path full of more light, color and beauty than I ever dreamed I needed.

OH, before I forget (…and free, unsolicited promo…) Book EIGHT (and final book in the series), The Queen, is being released on October 27th. It’s up for pre-order now through all major retailers and where e-books are sold. Now is the time to start the series if you haven’t done it already. Do it!

The Red Years:
The Siren
The Angel
The Prince
The Mistress

The White Years:
The Saint
The King
The Virgin
The Queen


Just one more item of bizness before you go.

QRM Badge 2015October is Queer Romance Month. This is worth checking out. I’m not an official sponsor, or pimp, or anything like that. I just know about this because of some of the fantastic authors and reviewers I follow on Twitter and GoodReads.

Check out their website, check out the items being posted throughout the day, every day, this whole month.

I’ve cried like three times already reading through the posts.

Go forth, let in some light and color into your world. You’ll be better for it.

Love is Love.

That’s all there is to it.

Click  this link > QueerRomanceMonth.com and go see some amazing folks.

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: BDSM, Five-Star Friday, Genre: Contemporary, Genre: Erotica, LGBT+, Publisher: Harlequin MIRA, Rating: 5 Stars, Type: Series

Review: Breathe (Songs of Submission book #10), by C.D. Reiss

September 24, 2015 by Katie, Back Porch Reader Leave a Comment

The Blurb:

Cover Breathe by CD ReissHe was the dream I never knew I had until he claimed me. The kinky billionaire who wanted to give pain as much as I wanted to receive it. He’d marked me as his own and I accepted him. I trust him completely. I swear I do.

But, now things are getting complicated. I have a career, and he has his claim. How far is he going to go to mark me? And am I going to run or stay?

MORE

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: Author: CD Reiss, Genre: Contemporary, Genre: Erotica, Length: Novella, non-lgbt, Publisher: Flip City Media Inc, Rating: 5 Stars, Type: Series

?Review: King John (The Lost and Founds book 4), by Edmond Manning

September 20, 2015 by Katie, Back Porch Reader 1 Comment

Blurb:

Cover King John by Edmond ManningEnglish attorney Alistair Robertson can’t quite believe an astonishing tale of kingship and transformation he hears at Burning Man, the annual counter-culture art festival in the Black Rock desert. Who are the Found Kings? Is “being kinged” as magical as it sounds?

Determined to find the mysterious garage mechanic named Vin who helps men “remember who they were always meant to be,” Alistair catches his quarry amid the extravagant sculptures, fire worshipers, mutant cars, and lavish costumes. After searching for three years, he’ll finally get to ask the question burning inside him: “Will you king me?”

MORE

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: Author: Edmond Manning, Genre: Contemporary, Pairing: M/M, Publisher: Pickwick Ink, Rating: 5 Stars, Type: Series

?Review: Sloe Ride (Sinners #4) by Rhys Ford

September 12, 2015 by Katie, Back Porch Reader Leave a Comment

Blurb:

sloeride-rhysfordIt isn’t easy being a Morgan. Especially when dead bodies start piling up and there’s not a damned thing you can do about it.

Quinn Morgan never quite fit into the family mold. He dreamed of a life with books instead of badges and knowledge instead of law—and a life with Rafe Andrade, his older brothers’ bad boy friend and the man who broke his very young heart.

MORE

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: Author: Rhys Ford, Genre: Contemporary, Genre: Mystery, Pairing: M/M, Publisher: Dreamspinner Press, Rating: 5 Stars, Type: Series

?Review: Hold On (The ‘Burg series, book 6), by Kristen Ashley

September 12, 2015 by Katie, Back Porch Reader Leave a Comment

Blurb:

HoldOn-KAshleySince she was young, Cher Rivers knew she was not the kind of girl who got what she wanted. A girl who could hope. A girl who could dream. She knew a happily ever after just wasn’t in the cards for her.

In love for years with the last bastion of the ‘burg’s eligible bachelors, Garrett Merrick, Cher worked hard at making him laugh. Being one of the guys. Having him in her life the only way she could. All this knowing he was in love with another woman.

MORE

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: Author: Kristen Ashley, Genre: Contemporary, non-lgbt, Pairing: M/F, Publisher: Self-Published, Rating: 5 Stars, Type: Series

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