Two Lovely Recommendations!

I finally read two new authors that people cannot stop raving out. Even though I try to read the most up to date reads, sometimes other ones pass me by. But in this case I am happy to say that Colleen Gleason and Josh Lanyon can count me in as their new fan. These two authors may write total opposite books, but all in all their storytelling skills are top notch. It takes a lot for author to keep me interested and to come back for more. Both of these authors have done so and I urge you to add them to the top of our TBR pile.

One of my favorite bloggers, Lisabea, cannot stop raving about Josh Lanyon who writes GLBT fiction. He writes for MLR Press and Loose ID, two great on-line publishers that publish some of the most excellent GLBT books out there. I finally decided to read one of Josh’s books to see what I have been missing.

The Dark Horse is an excellent mystery/romance about Hollywood actor, Sean Fairchild and LAPD Detective Dan Moran, who is also a bodyguard to the Hollywood elite. The Dark Horse begins where Sean is trying to get his life back on track after being stalked by a fan. His stalker is dead and Dan, his former bodyguard, is now his lover. We see things from Sean’s POV and his voice and internal dialogue was very enjoyable. Sean is simply adorable and the relationship he has with the older and rugged Dan is very sweet and very sexy. I have read too many gay romances in the past where everything is physical and not enough emotional build up. I like sex in my books like anyone else, but Josh has done something very different. Even though we see how much these two men care of each other, their physical intimacies have not taken over the story to the point where the plot is pushed aside. Sean has issues about these certain intimacies that Dan would like to introduce Sean to. But Dan takes Sean’s feelings into consideration and doesn’t push. Even though Sean questions things between himself and Dan, Dan is there to answer any questions Sean may have. And even when Sean thinks his stalker is still alive, Dan is there to protect Sean and help him get through his fears.

If you haven’t had the chance with GLBT fiction, Josh Lanyon’s The Dark Horse is the perfect place to start.

4 out of 5 stars

I finally started reading Colleen Gleason’s Gardella Vampire Chronicles with the very first book in the series, The Rest Falls Away. I am totally hooked now about 19th century vampire slayer, Victoria Gardella. Talk about girl power! Victoria is a great heroine who goes through so much and walks through the fire to come out on top. Victoria’s calling is to be a Venator, which is a vampire slayer who must sacrifice her life to eradicate the world of these evil undead beings. Victoria has been waiting for this moment to be welcomed as the newest slayer. But poor Victoria has her mother to put up with who wants her only daughter to have her coming out in London to find a husband. Victoria’s mother has no clue about Victoria’s calling and must hide her nightly patrols. Victoria is a 19th century Buffy in other words. But Victoria is not alone and has her great aunt Eustacia as her mentor and to teach her the ways of being a Venator.

Victoria has a lot on her plate. At her debut, she meets the Marquess of Rockley and you could say the sparks fly between these two. Rockley believes Victoria is his destiny and wants her to be his wife. Talk about one lucky girl because she also has some other men interested in her as well, such as the seductive and mysterious Sebastian Vioget who walks on both sides of the fence and Max, another Ventor, who thinks Victoria is too naïve and not skilled enough to take on the bad guys.

There is also an evil vampire skank villainess and a shocking surprise at the end that I didn’t see coming and had me shaking my first (of doom) at Colleen for doing what she did. But there is a reason even though I was very upset * sob * but in a good way.

If you need your vampire fix and a true kick ass heroine who can carry a stake and still waltz with the best of them, introduce yourself to Colleen Gleason’s Gardella Vampire Chronicles and The Rest Falls Away.

4 out of 5 stars.

Katiebabs (KB)