L. L. Brooks

This was a surprising little gem. I wasn't sure what to think, but it definitely exceeded expectations.

There were a few little bits that kept it from a 5 star read. I'm not sure about the "knowing by looking that Chad was submissive..." And there was a definite touch of insta-love going on. But that wasn't so jarring, because it was made very clear that there were still issues to be worked out and through.

Overall though Chad and Adam make a very hot couple. Their relationship is interesting to say the least. The writing was great and made the whole story come alive. This was the first book I've read by this duo, but it definitely won't be the last. After all I need to know what happens next with Adam and Chad...… (més)

Sometimes, hiding from those who hate you, the ones who have hurt you beyond your ability to deal with, seems like the only option and the only way to stay safe. Even if life, and a chance at love, pass you by, it may seem easier to suffer loneliness than to risk being beaten up again. It’s a horrible position to be in and, like Chad, I really felt for Glenn. Not that I blame him for wanting to protect himself, but it hurt to see how much he was missing.

Glenn has done everything he knows to stay anonymous and deeply in the closet. The fear of remembered pain is still with him, but even though he's been badly mistreated, he will not stop helping others. Anonymously, but still. It allows him to live a little through others, and keeps him involved in life outside his apartment. Running into Chad, his next door neighbor, is an eye-opening experience for Glenn, but one he isn’t ready for.

Chad is a cop, out at work, and getting quite some abuse from his bigoted colleague. He doesn’t accept it for long and stands up for himself. While it helps him get a better job, he can't seem to get closer to Glenn, and that is what he really wants. Even when Glenn gets attacked he respects his lover's wishes and tries to stay away.

If you like emotional stories that will touch your heart, if you enjoy reading about men who have to overcome their own fear in order to give love a chance, and if you're looking for a read that is heartwarming and passionate, then you will probably like this short story.



NOTE: This book was provided by Secret Cravings Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
… (més)

‘Goldi and the Bears’ is exactly what I expected – in that it is loosely based on the well-known fairy tale “Goldilocks and the Three Bears - yet it is also a very different story, which makes this a fresh, and very erotic, look at an old tale. A story that was first recorded in narrative form by British writer and poet Robert Southey, and published anonymously in 1837. It was interesting for me to learn that this original version has about as much similarity to today’s story as Shannon West and L.L. Brooks’s science fiction interpretation. Yes, the common denominator is that there is one human who meets three bears of different sizes and disposition, but that’s about it. I have to say that ‘Goldi and the Bears’ is an entertaining and very hot story in its own right, and the somewhat familiar elements made me smile when they turned up – although there were only very few.

The tale begins with Lieutenant Mark Goldin – Goldi - crash landing on an unnamed planet, shot down and later hunted by the vicious Dellfers. When Mark leaves his damaged spaceship, just barely in time to escape its explosion, he finds a bear watching him and runs. Just goes to show that assuming any aliens to look like humans can be a stupid thing to do. As Mark finds out over the next few days, with enough misunderstandings and back-and-forth to be very entertaining, the planet humans believed to be uninhabited is the home of a species of bear shifters.

Rall is the bear who finds Mark. He is taller and stronger than Mark, but gentle and very lovable. One mating bite later, Mark discovers there is a second bear – Rall’s twin brother, Kronar. Kronar is taller and stronger than Rall, and informs Mark the brothers want to share him. Even though Mark is initially less attracted to Kronar, he learns to like him as they travel toward the bears’ village. It is when Mark discovers that there is a third bear - the tallest and strongest of them all and their king, Shaara – that he begins to think it’s all a bit much. Especially since Rall and Kronar were promised to Shaara as mates, and, in his arrogance, now expects to have Mark as his mate as well. Needless to say that does not sit well with Mark, who doesn’t even like him and his overbearing – pun intended – attitude. Not at first, but things have a way of developing to change all that.

What follows is a tumultuous tale of mates figuring out how they fit together, a whole species of bear shifters fighting the Dellfers for survival and the right to take back their planet, and a highly unlikely but utterly fun resolution. Serious science fiction or paranormal lore this is not, but I did like the erotic side of the story and enjoyed watching the four characters come together despite all their differences.

If you like creative retellings of age-old fairy tales in an entirely new setting, if a human trying to figure out how to live with three alien bear shifters is your thing, and if you’re looking for a read that is funny, hot, and as unlikely as it is entertaining, then you might like this novella.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dark Hollows Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.… (més)

Some people just seem to need a guardian, and Devon is one of them. For starters, he has an issue that he has been hiding for years, and it means he struggles academically – far more than necessary since he is not stupid. His father is cold and demanding, or so it seems, and Devon does not respond well to being demeaned and constantly berated. Who would? Then there is the problem of his father’s third wife and her underhanded way of pushing Devon away. And that is just for starters. So when Devon’s father sends him away on a European tour for Christmas, Devon is anything but happy. As it turns out, this is just the beginning of a potential adventure that changes into a struggle for Devon’s survival.

Devon has a lot to deal with in this story. His way of defending himself against his father is withdrawal, putting on a mask of arrogance, and pretending there is nothing wrong with him. He is far too quick to blame himself when something goes wrong, but he’ll never admit that he’s struggling. Being sent away hurts him deeply, so when he meets Drew on his flight to Germany, he is relieved and hopeful. Unfortunately, Drew seems far less interested and it isn’t until they meet again, and Drew turns out to be the tour guide for the trip Devon has been booked on, that their real problems start. Misunderstandings abound, communication is almost nonexistent, and multiple mishaps and accidents out of Devon’s control make everything worse.

Drew’s initial attraction to Devon surprises him, but he has to remain professional, or so he thinks. His distance from Devon makes everything worse, but from the looks of it, Devon is a misbehaving spoiled brat. It takes quite a while for Drew to figure out what is going on. Once he does? He still has his hands full protecting Devon and ensuring he stays alive, but their relationship begins to change for the better.

If you like heroes who need to be rescued from themselves as well as external enemies out to kill them, if two men who meet by accident yet are meant to be together are your thing, and if you’re looking for a suspenseful read with some very tender moments, then you might like this novella.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dark Hollows Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.… (més)