Guest Author JL Merrow: Don't Ever Change Time

Today we'd like to welcome JL Merrow to the site. She's been a great friend to Lasha's Paranormal M/M Reviews, so we are really excited about her new book, Trick of Time, an amazing time travel love story.

To celebrate her new release, she is offering up any book from her back list as a gift to one lucky winner! Please comment, ANSWER THE QUESTION BELOW and leave your name and email address to be entered.

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Don’t Ever Change...

 ...time, that is.

Ever since authors first started writing about time travel, people have been intrigued by the idea of possibly changing history—and with it, our present. There are various theories of time, of course. I’ve always been fond of Terry Pratchett’s Trousers of Time idea, where a single change can send you scurrying off down a different leg of history and into an alternate (and possibly sock-shaped) universe.

This, of course, is something best avoided by the average chrononaut, for obvious reasons:

“The tiniest little actions can have huge consequences. You might… tread on an ant now and it might entirely prevent someone from being born in the future!”

“Really?” said Ridcully.

“Yes, sir!”

Ridcully brightened up. “That’s not a bad wheeze. There’s one or two people history could do without. Any idea how we can find the right ants?”

Extract from The Last Continent
By Terry Pratchett

Which leads to something of a problem for romance authors. Because to get your heroes from different times to have their happy ever after, either our modern-day man has to relocate to the past, or his old-fashioned lover boy must move to the present. This can’t be done without consequences to the past, either way. It’s not for nothing the Terminator was sent back in time to wipe out John Connor’s mum-to-be. You might argue that a gay man would be less likely to have descendants—but what if he was destined to save a life?

And adding a modern-day man to the historical mix could have just as serious consequences. There would have to be a strong temptation to meddle—could you have stood by and let Franz Ferdinand be assassinated, even though it would cause World War One and untold death and misery, without at least trying to warn him? Even if our man out of time was a model of restraint, his very presence would affect things. Might he take the last seat on the bus, and prevent another man meeting the woman he would have married, leading to children never having been born? The possibilities are endless.

So how did I solve the problem for Trick of Time? Ah, well, you’ll have to read the book to find out! ;) 

And when you’ve done that, have a good long think about the nature of causality when applied to time travel. Because it’s not quite as simple as it at first appears to my narrator, Ted....

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Giveaway question: If you could travel back in time, when would you choose? And would you try and change history while you were there? ;)

I’m offering a free ebook of winner’s choice from my backlist to one lucky commenter on this post. The draw will be open until noonish on Thursday 31^st January (GMT).

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A lover from another time

When Ted Ennis steps out the doors of the Criterion Theatre for a cigarette and finds himself in Victorian London, he begins to doubt his sanity. At first he thinks it's all a film set, and is sure that the strikingly handsome young man leaning against a lamppost must be the leading man…

What starts as a sordid transaction with a beautiful rent boy quickly turns into something much deeper, drawing him back again and again as he gets to know Jem and craves meaningful encounters with him.

But Ted doesn't understand the exact conditions necessary for his trips through time—and for Jem, time may actually be running out. Now Ted has one last shot to get back to Jem and save their relationship, before it's too late…

Carina Press | AmazonUS | Amazon UK

Biography 

JL Merrow is that rare beast, an English person who refuses to drink tea.  She read Natural Sciences at Cambridge, where she learned many things, chief amongst which was that she never wanted to see the inside of a lab ever again.  Her one regret is that she never mastered the ability of punting one-handed whilst holding a glass of champagne.

She writes across genres, with a preference for contemporary gay romance and the paranormal, and is frequently accused of humour.  Her novella Muscling Through is a 2013 EPIC ebook Award finalist. 

JL Merrow is a member of the UK GLBTQ Fiction Meet organising team.

Find JL Merrow online at: www.jlmerrow.com, on Twitter as @jlmerrow, and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jl.merrow

Review: Something New Under the Sun by LA Witt

Title: Something New Under the Sun (Falling Skies #2)
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Length: 221 pages

Grade: A


BLURB

Liam Lansing is heir to a prominent family of bio-modified vampires. That is, until he chooses the wrong lover and is cast down to the Gutter to scrape for his life.

Daniel Harding is heir to Cybernetix and a prince of the corporate Sky. That is, until his ideology drives his father to put a price on his head, forcing him into the Gutter.

But Daniel and Liam won’t vanish meekly into the smog. Together, they plan to rip open the hidden corruption that runs the Sky—for vengeance, for justice, and for hope. They strike against the corporations in a daring raid. When everything goes wrong, Daniel must betray his core beliefs to save the man he loves and protect his dangerous secret. Only through courage in the face of death—or worse—might he and Liam change the world they live in and create something new under the sun.


MY REVIEW

I absolutely loved LA Witt’s A Chip In His Shoulder, it was my first and only 5 star book review Reviews by Jessewave. So, I was overjoyed when I found out a sequel would be released this year, and LA Witt has not disappointed. As with the first book, Ms. Witt has created a unique world where the elite live in the “Sky,” and the down-trodden live in the “Gutter.” While both protagonists come from the Sky as privledged men of power, vampire Liam Lansing was thrown into the Gutter for falling in love with a mod-hating human, Daniel Harding. Liam did what he had to do to survive, including whoring himself out and finally becoming an assassin. The first book started with Liam taking a contract to kill his former lover, Daniel; but when he sees Daniel again, that plan changes. Now, in this installment, Liam and Daniel are back together and determined to fight the powerful men in the Sky to bring reform to their world, even if it costs them their lives.

As I stated in my review of A Chip In His Shoulder, I adored the world building in these novels. It’s a cross between Cyperpunk and a dystopian society where the have and have-nots are clearly defined. Add in some vampires, reunited lovers, an underground rebellion and you have the makings of a great book. Personally, I think this book would also make a great sci-fi movie too, as the action was like a roller coaster with so many unexpected turns and twists that I was hooked from the get-go.

The only reason I did not give this version 5 stars also was because I found the romance angle to be lacking. Basically, I read romance books for the romance. So, if readers are looking for a M/M romance book with sci-fi elements, then Something New Under the Sun might not be your cup of tea. While the romance between Liam and Daniel is there, it takes a back-seat to the sci-fi plot. But, for readers who like a little paranormal/fantasy twist in their M/M books and are not looking for overt romance, then this will be right up your alley. The action is non-stop – reminded me of the 1930′s serial movies that had jaw-dropping cliffhangers and you waited with baited breath for the next installment – and the writing top-notch.

So, if you love a good science fiction/fantasy novel with a tight plot, great characterizations and a sub-plot that has the main protagonists as gay lovers…then this is your book.

Recommended.


Originally posted at Reviews by Jessewave

Review: The Little Crow by Caitlin Ricci

Title: The Little Crow (Heart of Darkness #1)
Publisher: Afternoon Delight Publishing
Length: 92 pages

Grade: B-


BLURB

Detective Jamison Landry knew his job was never going to be easy. He’s dealt with the worst criminals imaginable and believes in his work and the community he serves. But he’s never met someone like Mal before. The mysterious man keeps him guessing, both confuses and excites him and Jamison isn’t sure how he feels about him.

Things turn from unusual to downright strange when people start insisting Mal isn’t quite human. And Jamison’s creepy dreams of crows and graveyards don’t make things any better for him. Will Mal stay around long enough for Jamison to figure out his secrets or will this stranger leave him wanting more?


MY REVIEW


Detective Jamison Landry is on what he thinks is a routine drug-bust when he's confronted with a man whose been kidnapped by what looks to be a bunch of crazy cultists. After rescuing the man, Jamison tries to help the victim. But, Mal is exotic, unpredictable and sometimes scary. Some people, including other cops think Mal's a demon; however, Jamison just thinks he's a pain. When his boss orders him to let Mal move in with him, Jamison knows he's in trouble. He's attracted to Mal, but the other man is evasive about his background. And when weird things start to happen in Mal's vicinity, he begins to wonder if his co-workers might be on to something.

The Little Crow starts off with a creepy and unsettling tone which does not let up through the entire novella. I compare it to an episode of Supernatural (first or second season, ya know, when the show was still good. *g*) I was really intrigued by Mal, I couldn't decide if he was an actual demon or just some strange guy. I also liked Jamison, who despite his cop instincts lets Mal get under his skin, ignoring all sorts of red flags that might otherwise have made him suspicious.

The only reason I did not grade The Little Crow higher was the ending was extremely abrupt and didn't make much sense in the context of the rest of the plot. But, I did find out from a blurb at the end of the novella, that this is just the first part of an ongoing series. So, in light of that, I could see why the ending was so sudden. Overall, I think was an interesting start to what I hope is a creepy, eerie love story between Jamison and Mal.

Recommend for readers who like a little twist in their paranormal book.

Review: Pack War by J.C. Holly

Title: Pack War (City Wolves #3)
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Length: 128 pages

Grade: B-


BLURB

Victor Bailey and Farrell Doyle are longtime friends and pack mates. While they were attracted to each other from the moment they met, neither wanted to risk the friendship. That changes one night after an attack from a rival pack leaves Farrell wounded and Victor risking his life to protect him. They decide to try a casual relationship. If it doesn't work, it's no big deal, right?

At the same time a pack war is raging between their pack, ran by the powerful Ethan, and a rival pack ran by the sly Gabriel. Gabriel will stop at nothing to steal Ethan's territory from him, and doesn’t give a damn who he hurts along the way.

Will Victor and Farrell's friendship weather a relationship? And will the war leave anything remaining of their pack?


MY REVIEW

This is the third book in the City Wolves series and in my opinion the best so far. Ms. Holly takes up the action and suspense a notch and leads the reader on a merry chase as the war between Gabriel and Ethan's packs comes to a head.

Readers who love a friends-to-lovers angle will enjoy Victor and Farrell's relationship as they cross that line and go from best friends to lovers. My only pet peeve about that plot point was that Victor and Farrell agreed for a no-strings, friends-with-benefits deal, yet like three days later are telling Ethan they are "boyfriends." I thought the jump was too quick. But readers of Insta-Love will enjoy it.

However, I did the love the dynamics of the pack war. It was refreshing to have some action in a romance novel (you can't read about sex, sex, sex, all the time. *g*). And a few intriguing twists about Farrell's background, leads to a very interesting novel. I am happy to say that as this series progresses, it gets better and better...so looking forward to the next installment.

Review: Bayou Loup by Lynn Lorenz

Title: Bayou Loup (Rougaroux Social Club #3)
Publisher: Loose Id
Length: 218 pages

Grade: C+

BLURB

After spending a hot, no-holds-barred sex-filled weekend at a hotel with a man he only knows as Mark, werewolf Bobby Cotteau isn’t sure but he thinks he’s found a new mate. Problem is he never got his lover’s real name. Or his phone number, or even where he lives. But that’s not Bobby’s only problem.

Mark is Professor Mark Bradford, and he’s spent his career as a zoologist trying to prove there are wolves living in the swamps around St. Jerome. If he can do this, he’ll make a name for himself, restore his reputation and maybe even name them after his father, who was killed by a wolf during a camping trip in the swamp with a teenaged Mark. But after a weekend of the best sex of his life, Mark’s fallen hard for Bobby, but without the man’s real name, he has no hopes of ever seeing him again. And the longer they’re apart, the more desperate he is to find Bobby. It’s like he’s under some kind of spell.

Meanwhile, at the Rougaroux Social Club’s yearly Rugarou Festival, which Bobby is in charge of, everything is falling apart. The forecast is for storms, the Virgin Mary has appeared a tree on the festival grounds at the church, pilgrims are swarming, and beer is being sold... and his new mate is about to expose Bobby’s pack to the world.

MY REVIEW

This is the third installment in the Rougaroux Social Club series. I reviewed the first book and gave it 4.25 stars, and loved the concept that the hero’s wolf was gay, but not the man. This is a theme throughout the books, or: “The wolf wants what the wolf wants.” An interesting twist on the Gay-For-You trope in my opinion.

Bayou Loup is Bobby Cotteau’s story. The former sheriff and alpha of St. Jerome finally finds love a few years after his wife and mate dies. While Bobby always knew he was gay, his wolf fell in love with his wife, they mated and they were happy for many years until her passing. But now Bobby has the chance to explore his homosexuality and first time out, he meets Mark Bradford and they agree to a strings-free weekend fling…that winds up turning into a couple of weekends as their chemistry is off the charts. As Bobby slowly begins to realize that Mark is his true mate, Mark’s past threatens the St. Jerome pack...and Bobby’s very life.

As with the other books, I thought Ms. Lorenz’s take on werewolf bonding/mating was unique. Scott Dupree from the first book (Bobby’s successor as alpha in the pack) was straight, but when he met his mate his wolf wanted the other man and as much as Scott fought it, in the end, the mating bond and love won out. In this version, Bobby knew he was gay, had sexual encounters with other men, but once his wolf met his future wife, that was it. Bobby got married and was very happy until she died. Here comes the second unique concept: an unmated wolf slowly dies, or turns rogue and is put down by the pack. So, when Bobby meets Mark and realizes they are mates, it is life and death for him that his wolf claim Mark. In my estimation, Ms. Lorenz has created a distinctive mythology in the wolves of St. Jerome that bucks the traditional werewolf tropes.

But despite my great love for the world building in this series, there were some issues with characterization that ultimately brought the book’s rating down for me. While readers of the series have a background on Bobby, we get little characterization on Mark until the near end of the book. The first 30% of Bayou Loup is the sex between Mark and Bobby, and while completely hot, I never understood why Bobby’s wolf fell in love with Mark. The men know very little about each other outside of the bedroom. And while I love Insta-Love/Mates as much as the next shifter fanatic, I wanted more interaction that did not involve sex to draw me into Mark and Bobby’s relationship.

Now, my favorite character from the series, Mrs. Dupree (Scott’s mom) is back and causing trouble, plus Scott and his partner Ted make appearances, so fans of those characters will be happy, but overall I was a little disappointed with Bobby’s story. That is not saying I am not recommending this book because I am, but be aware there are still some aspects of the book that failed to live up to book one’s brilliance in my opinion.


Originally reviewed on Jessewave.

Feature Author Spotlight: Charlie Richards

Welcome to the Feature Author Spotlight on Lasha's Paranormal M/M Reviews. In this piece, we are going to highlight one author and their new book.

This week, it is Charlie Richards whose Wolves of Stone Ridge and Kontra's Menagerie series are a favorite of shifter readers. Here is a blurb and excerpt from her newest book, Silver-Tipped Justice and a link at the bottom of this post from Amazon to buy it.

Blurb:

Kontra Belikov has been searching for his mate, Tim Laurent, for nearly sixty years, ever since he missed his chance by giving the just-of-age teen time to experience life. While heading back to his gang, he’s surprised, but grateful, to discover Tim in a small town. When Kontra pursues Tim, their chemistry is explosive, but right after, Tim pushes him away. Tim doesn’t believe they’re mates and feels guilty accepting affection since his lover of almost twenty years passed away just six months before. Frustrated, Kontra gives Tim his space, all the while vowing to get through to his mate. Space, once again, seems to be a mistake when the next morning, Kontra discovers Tim has been kidnapped. Can Kontra rescue Tim, find out why his mate’s old flock is trying to keep them apart, and convince Tim they are meant to be together?

New Year's Blog Hop Winner...

Laurie G. was was the winner of my New Year's Blog Hop of seven M/M books.

I would also like to thank all the authors for donating their books to the event. My next hop will be on Valentine's Day. :)

Best of 2012 Honorable Mention: Choices

Title: Choices (The Looking Glass #1)
Author: Penny Brandon
Publisher: Loose Id
Length: 127 pages


BLURB

Marc's straight, always has been and thought he always would be, but when he's shown his true love in a magic mirror he's shocked to find out his true love is a man. Not only that, it's up to him to convince his true love they're meant to be together. All bad enough, but after finding Liam, the only way he’s able to persuade Liam to go out with him is to offer him sex – even though that's something Marc's definitely not ready for.

Liam thinks Marc is crazy. Marc's straight but he's talking about true love and making a life together. Liam doesn’t believe in love and he certainly isn’t going to fall in love with a crazy straight guy regardless of how sexy he is. But he hasn’t reckoned on Marc’s pushy attitude or his offer of sex which, no matter how much he knows he should, Liam can’t turn down.


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To win a copy of this book and the others, please use the Rafflecopter option. To enter Carrie Ann's Blog Hop and the chance to win a Kindle, please leave a comment in this post. Thanks and good luck!

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Best of 2012 Day #5: Accepting the Impossible

Title: Accepting the Impossible (Guide to Armageddon 1.0)
Author: Gabrielle Evans
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Length: 78 pages


BLURB

When the war between humans and paranormals escalates into biological warfare, humans suddenly find themselves topping the endangered species list. Forced underground by the New Order, Warren Colfax has to believe that sleeping in the foul sewers is preferable to becoming a paranormal’s plaything. When a raid for supplies lands him right in the hands of the enemy, the last thing he expected was for the “monster” to step in as his protector.

Lieutenant Drakon Rhinegold isn’t impressed with fate’s choice of pairing him with a human, but when circumstances out of his control arise, he finds himself responsible for Warren whether he likes it or not. In a new world where nothing is ever as black and white as it seems, the pair will have to overcome their preconceived notions, look past the surface, and learn to trust all over again if they have any hope of surviving Armageddon.


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To win a copy of this book and the others, please use the Rafflecopter option. To enter Carrie Ann's Blog Hop and the chance to win a Kindle, please leave a comment in this post. Thanks and good luck!

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Best of 2012 Day #4: A Chip in His Shoulder

Title: A Chip in His Shoulder (Falling Sky #1)
Author: L.A. Witt
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Length: 78 pages


BLURB

“Contract killer” is a fitting job for a vampire, and it suits Liam just fine. Cast down from the wealth and status of the Sky for taking a human lover, Liam lurks in the poor and pollution-choked Gutter, killing to survive. Between his natural strengths and his Cybernetix mods, no mark has ever escaped him.

Liam’s ex-lover Daniel is the heir to Cybernetix—and its greatest threat. Horrified by people less man than machine and the exploitation of Gutter factory workers, he’d rather destroy Cybernetix than inherit it...if his father doesn’t destroy him first.

Years of anger and a heap of mods have kept Daniel and Liam apart. When Liam is hired to slaughter a man in his glass Sky tower, he walks right into a Daniel-shaped trap. Daniel’s father has betrayed them both, and only by working together can Daniel and Liam survive the coming day. They have no reason to trust each other, but as the dawn looms, a bargain that began with the simple urge to live soon reminds them of the love they once shared. Can they find each other again, or will the Cybernetix assassins find them first?


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To win a copy of this book and the others, please use the Rafflecopter option. To enter Carrie Ann's Blog Hop and the chance to win a Kindle, please leave a comment in this post. Thanks and good luck!

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Best of 2012 Day #3: Wake Me Up Inside

Title: Wake Me Up Inside (Mates #1)
Author: Cardeno C.
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Length: 250 pages


BLURB

Zev Hassick is surprised and confused when he finds himself attracted to his best friend. His very human, very male best friend. Zev is the son of the pack Alpha, regarded as the strongest wolf in generations, born to lead. And everyone knows a male shifter has to mate with a female of his own kind to keep his humanity. So shifters can't be gay, right?

Jonah Marvel wants a relationship with Zev, his best friend, the man he has loved since childhood. It wasn't easy to maintain that relationship over years spent living apart while Jonah studied to become a doctor. And then things grow more difficult when Jonah becomes his own patient. Before he can make a life with Zev, he has to understand his past and cure the unexplained ailments that plague him.

Zev and Jonah know they're destined for each other, but they're facing traditions ingrained over generations and long-buried secrets that may threaten any future together.


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To win a copy of this book and the others, please use the Rafflecopter option. To enter Carrie Ann's Blog Hop and the chance to win a Kindle, please leave a comment in this post. Thanks and good luck!

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Best of 2012 Day #2: A Reason to Believe

Title: A Reason to Believe
Author: Diana Copland
Publisher: Carina Press
Length: 217 pages



BLURB

Detective Matthew Bennett doesn't believe in ghosts. So when the spirit of a murdered child leads him to her body, he's shaken to the core--and taken off the case. Unable to explain his vision, or to let go of the investigation, Matthew turns to renowned medium Kiernan Fitzpatrick. Though he has doubts about Kiernan's claims to communicate with the dead, Matt is nevertheless drawn to the handsome psychic, who awakens feelings he thought were long-buried.

Haunted by the lingering spirit of the little girl, Kiernan is compelled to aid in the search for her killer. The chance to get closer to the enigmatic Matt is an unexpected bonus. Although Kiernan's been betrayed by people who turned out to be more interested in his fame than in himself, with Matt he's willing to risk his heart. As the two men grow closer, Kiernan helps Matt rediscover that life offers no guarantees--but love offers a reason to believe...

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To win a copy of this book and the others, please use the Rafflecopter option. To enter Carrie Ann's Blog Hop and the chance to win a Kindle, please leave a comment in this post. Thanks and good luck!

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Best of 2012 Day #1: Pocket-Sized Prince

Title: Pocket-Sized Prince
Author: Stormy Glenn
Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand
Length: 157 pages


BLURB

Iben Khenti knew he was an alpha by the time he learned to walk. Unfortunately, due to his small size, no one ever takes him seriously until it is too late. Having lived over two hundred years with a wolf that refuses to accept anyone that Iben is interested in makes for a very lonely life, and one that is quickly coming to an end. Iben is losing control of his wolf, and if that happens, the bloodshed will be unimaginable. Iben needs someone to counter his feral nature. He just never expected to find it in the omega of his new pack.

When Zack Evens is sent to welcome the new alpha into pack lands, he could think of a million other places he would rather be. When Iben steps down from the plane, Zack is positive that there has to be a mistake. He is all of five feet seven and a hundred and thirty-five pounds. When Iben shows interest in him, Zack is positive that the alpha is just like the one that had abused him. He can't help but show every bit of disdain he feels for Iben, putting them both in a dangerous situation that could cost them not only the pack but their very lives.

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To win a copy of this book and the others, please use the Rafflecopter option. To enter Carrie Ann's Blog Hop and the chance to win a Kindle, please leave a comment in this post. Thanks and good luck!

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New Year's Blog Hop

Welcome 2013! To celebrate the New Year, Lasha's Reviews is giving away seven amazing M/M books. Five are on my Top Five M/M Paranormal Books of 2012. To enter, please use the Rafflecopter option below.

But as an added bonus, we are joining forces with Carrie Ann's web site, so you now have more prizes you can win! So, please sure and leave a comment on this post if you want to be entered in that contest.

There are THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!

Now what are those prizes?

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet

2nd Grand Prize: A $300 Amazon or B&N Gift Card

3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!

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