Heat level: 1 
Review - Redneck Revenant by David R. Slayton
My rating: 
Adam is settling into his role as the Page of Swords. For now, it’s a quiet life, for a change. He’s still living in his brother Bobby’s basement. His boyfriend Vic stays the night sometimes, since he has moved back in with his mother while learning the chef trade. The two need to get their own place, but they don’t earn much, and Adam isn’t sure he’s ready for that.
Tags: Fantasy Paranormal
Review - Happily by Kim Fielding
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Piers owns a modest little tavern with his partner. He’s very good at making ale, which means the pub has loyal customers, and Piers is also good at telling stories. One night, a stranger visits and is interested in hearing one of Piers’ stories, so the affable landlord tells him about the time he was cook for a pair of giants. It was a good job, with kind people who paid well, until that no-good rotten young man Jack showed up.
Tags: Fairy Tales Novellette
Review - A Bit of Rope by Johannes T. Evans
My rating:
The blurb for this book is pretty spot-on, so I’ll use it for a change: An ex-soldier, Arthur “Kuhn” Conrad, now a debt collector of sorts for a corrupt company, can’t sleep one night, and as he’s walking the streets, sees a coworker - on a whim, he follows, and ends up in an underground club. The older man, Ignatius Kasovitz, likes to tie people up, it seems, and Kuhn finds he wants to try being tied up, if it’s Kasovitz doing the tying.
Tags: Slightly Kinky Novelette
Review - Heart of Stone by Johannes T. Evans
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Vampire Henry is several hundred years old. Over the centuries, he has turned his hand to many things. Now, in the mid-eighteenth century, he is in publishing, but he needs a new personal secretary. His mind wanders too much to keep track of everything that needs to be done. Theophilus comes highly recommended, and Henry is instantly taken with the handsome yet reserved young man. Theophilus doesn’t know his employer is a vampire.
Tags: Historical Vampires
Review - The Roaming Sea by Mike Carss
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Callum is a pacifist at heart, but like all humans, he grew up hearing about the war to regain human territory taken by the pactrids. So, when he reaches the age of conscription, Callum does his part. Luckily for him, he shows an aptitude for medicine and is trained as a medic. He works near the front lines but doesn’t have to be involved in the fighting. One day, on his way back home for a rest, there’s a transport problem that lands him far behind enemy lines.
Tags: Fantasy
Review - River by C.J. Dragon
My rating:
Earth was a dying planet when the Guardians arrived and took over. They ended all wars. Polluting industries and the billionaires who perpetuated them were eliminated. Everyone has a guaranteed basic income and the freedom to pursue their interests. But the Guardians permit no dissent. Those who do speak out tend to disappear. River works in the diplomatic service for the Guardians, dealing with other aliens who come to Earth.
Tags: Science Fiction
Review - Memoriae by S.P. Somtow
My rating:
Note: Due to a health issue, the author published the third book of this trilogy in two parts. This is the review of the second part, titled “Memoriae.” If you haven’t read the first part yet, the completed third book can be purchased as a single volume titled “Damnatio Memoriae.” Sporus and Nero return to Rome from their trip to Greece, but Sporus knows that Nero’s days as emperor are numbered.
Tags: Ancient Rome Novella
Review - Havana Bay by John Patrick
My rating:
Hank Mannix is helping Hans manage his new guest house in Havana. Along with former FBI agent Tony Cordero, Hank also poses in scantily clad scenes for a “physique” style magazine, the very soft-core gay porn of the day. He doesn’t want to admit it, but with his thirtieth birthday approaching, Hank’s days as a pin-up boy are numbered. Hank is also wondering why he is so attracted to the cute Cuban gardener he’s seen watching him.
Tags: 1950s
Review - Fever by Jordan L. Hawk
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Colin and his older brother Doug have been making a living as con men since they left home to escape from their abusive father. They’re in Seattle when the first miners return from the Klondike, laden with gold from the newly discovered strike. Doug instantly sees an opportunity for a new con and soon the brothers are on their way with a new mark. Getting to the Yukon as winter closes in proves harder than expected, but Colin makes friends with Steve and his family, who are also out to strike it rich.
Review - Dark Moon, Shallow Sea by David R. Slayton
My rating:
Raef has lived on the streets for ten years, ever since the Knights of Hyperion destroyed the tower dedicated to the moon goddess Phoebe, where he grew up. He still has no idea why the priests ensured that he escaped while the knights murdered all of the others in the tower. Seth started training as a Knight of Hyperion after the destruction of Phoebe’s towers. Seth wields the fire of the sun god, but he doesn’t have control over it.
Tags: Fantasy