Why didn’t I read this little story when it first came? I really enjoyed The Raven’s Luck by Laylah Hunter. I mostly picked it because it was short and because I have a thing for assassins – I mean what sane girl hasn’t? LOL – but once I started reading I lost myself in the story.

Sam and Rio are both assassins, they start out as rivals trying to impress each other with their skills and witty comments, but then comes a job they need to cooperate on. Sparks fly, both actual and metaphorical, and when the story neared the end I wished it had been longer. I would’ve loved to read more about the world Sam and Rio are in and I’m sure there are more politicians who need to die.

A great little read and lucky for us all it was written as part the Goodreads M/M Romance Group’s Don’t Read in the Closet event and is, therefore, free. If you like a little Sci-Fi and a dead guy or two then give it a go.

Download here!

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Dear Author,
Gus

I’d like him to be an assassin of some sort. Bonus points if we get to see him get his hands dirty. Extra bonus points for moral ambiguity. I don’t know or care what race (human, elf, fey, etc.) Some sort of storyline outside the romance would be good, and at least some world-building would be nice. I enjoy battles and fighting. There should probably be some sort of fantasy element present, but I leave that completely at your discretion. Setting (historical, fantasy, contemporary) is also up to the author. I just want to see someone tell this guy’s story, whatever it may be

Last Dance of the Sugar Plum by Claire Davis and Al Stewart is not your usual M/M read, it’s not your usual spy story either. I started out confused, then got a bit more confused, then I was absolutely certain of one thing – I love Anton. Like really LOVE Anton.

There are two men, 42 and 19, they know they have to do something before they run out of time. They remember stuff. They know HQ is watching them. They know the clock is ticking.

Up for a mind fuck? Check this book out. I’ve read all but one of Davis & Stewart’s books and went in with a certain expectation (Shut Your Face, Anthony Pace! is one of my favourite books) but a few pages in I realised it was time to put those expectations aside. The language is there, the usual poetic voice of Davis and Stewart, the romance is there but not in that straight line M/M way, and there is plenty of humour. I had several good laughs, but this is a gritty read. The characters are exposed and vulnerable in their confusion and urgency. And a certain dancer should be flogged for his actions.

I realise that if you’ve read this far you probably haven’t got a clue what I’m talking about but I’m gonna leave it at that. If I say more about the plot (did I say anything?) I’ll spoiler it. What I can say is that you won’t figure this mystery out until the very end. When I realised what was going on I wanted to hit myself on the head for not getting it sooner – the clues are there! LOL

I’d love to see more sci-fi mystery stories from this duo!

books2read.com/TheLastDanceOfTheSugarPlum

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TICK-TOCK-TICK-TOCK-TICK-TOCK

Jonathan is a spy.

Anton is Jonathan’s ‘keeper’.

Jonathan is a spy with a code implanted deep in his subconscious, so deeply he can’t remember—anything at all.

Anton is an interrogator intent on retrieving the code, whatever the cost.

But sometimes they dream of dark tunnels and locked-up rooms, and then they both scream.

TICK-TOCK-TICK-TOCK-TICK-TOCK

Along comes Harry, who seems to have all the answers…but who is he, and which side is he on?

TICK-TOCK-TICK-TOCK-TICK-TOCK

Bang!

For many months, Jonathan and Anton live apart from the world in a hazy, dreamlike state, only interrupted by interrogations and a healthy fear of HQ. One day, they watch a dance performance, and memories begin to unwind… A ticking clock… Betrayal… Missions… Always the scent of oranges. But with clarity, comes a return of powerful emotions…

Last Dance of The Sugar Plum is an exciting spy thriller with as many twists and turns as a maze.

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Friday again! I’m completely knackered. I don’t get how people get work, family, and writing to work out. I haven’t written a word all week and I’ve hardly read anything either. I had to have something to write about so I read Marked (Roads #1.5) by Garrett Leigh.

It’s a long time since I read the first book in the Roads series, Slide, but it only took me a line or two to get back into the story. I really need to read more Garrett Leigh, I love her writing, and if you’re into tattoos and haven’t read this series you definitely should. Ash has a troubled past, his lover, Pete is a paramedic, and in this short sequel, Ash puts his mark on Pete.

Short and nice, but read the first story in the series first!

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Missing Moment from Slide

It’s been six months since Ash shuffled into Pete’s life and turned his world upside down, and six months since they sat in an all-night diner plotting Ash’s theoretical solution for Pete’s faded, botched tattoo. Pete has just about given up hope of Ash ever fulfilling his promise when one day the end of a long shift finds Ash waiting for him.

Tonight is the night.

Ash is ready, and it seems the time has come for him to leave his mark on Pete in more ways than he ever imagined.

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