With 2017 coming to an end the top books posts are starting to be released.
In previous years we've shared our top reads, but this year Cat and I decided to do something a little different.
Cat has a book she read and an audiobook she listened to that she really enjoyed, but they didn't garner a lot of reviews. For me there was an audiobook and a movie that I think more people should know about. As an Author I can tell you that if your book or audiobook doesn't break out of the gate in the first few weeks with sales and positive reviews, the book may never sell well. And don't even get me started on movie critics and how one pissy reviewer can tank a million dollar movie.
Let's start with Ringo and the Sunshine Police. This book written by Nick Wilgus, published by Dreamspinner Press, really resonated with Cat.
About the book: Thomas, an older gay musician living in a small Southern town, is ready to start a family. He fosters Jeremy, a special needs boy with no arms, and teaches him to play the drums so Jeremy can realize his potential to do anything he wants. Though it takes time, Thomas’s closeted boyfriend Randy steps out of the shadows to be part of what Thomas is working to build. With the advent of marriage equality, it’s a different world in the Deep South—one where the three of them have the chance to be a family.Yet no one said it would be easy, and they soon learn the foster care system is far from perfect.
Just as Jeremy begins to settle in and thrive, his biological father reappears, demanding custody. Thomas and Randy know the man is unfit to care for Jeremy, but the law says otherwise. It seems they’re the only ones looking out for Jeremy’s best interests, and they face an uphill battle if they want to keep their new family together.
Cat's thoughts on the book: Thomas is a musician in a small southern town and wants to start a family. He finally gets his boyfriend on board and Thomas fosters a 7-year old with no arms. Jeremy has a hard time in foster homes being picked on and treated badly. Thomas teaches him to play the drums and find his self-worth. But life isn't always easy and for a gay couple and a handicapped child, it gets worse.
Jeremy's deadbeat dad comes back into the picture, Thomas and Randy know he won't take care of Jeremy he only wants money but the Government doesn't agree that two gay men are better.
I chose this story because not only is it a beautiful story of romance it is a story of the love of a child as well. Its a story of hope. It shows that many challenges can be overcome. It is a sweet story and little Jeremy stills the show. I am not one to reread books but I would read this one over and over again.
Grab your copy of Ringo and the Sunshine Police from Dreamspinner or Amazon today.
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Cat and I both listen to a lot of Audiobooks throughout the year. One of Cat's favorites this year was Unbreak My Heart written by K-Lee Klein and narrated by Nick J Russo. I believe she's listened to this one several times since it initially released. About the book: Brett Taylor's world collapsed three years ago when he lost the love of his life. Almost as bad as the grief is the advice he's starting to get from everyone and their brother, telling him it's time to move on. They're flat-out wrong. He left his career as a musician and escaped to his ranch because he needs the peace and quiet, and he's doing just fine. He doesn't want anyone invading his memory-filled, booze-fueled solitude.
JT Campbell's world has been defined by his parents' money, status, and his own empty relationships, until he's desperately sick of it. A quest to find something meaningful leads him to Brett's failing ranch. It's supposed to be a brief stay. JT never wanted to be anyone's savior or compete with the ghosts of lovers past. Still, he can't help wanting this gruff and grieving man.
JT's mind knows it's a bad idea, but his heart keeps pushing him to find out what lies beneath Brett's rough and broken exterior. Brett's not going to make it easy. JT can only be patient, keep his sense of humor, and hope for the day he may be allowed far enough into Brett's world to unbreak his heart.
Cat's thoughts on the book:
One of the best cowboy romances I read this year!
If you could sum up Unbreak My Heart in three words, what would they be?
Grab plenty Tissues
Which scene was your favorite?
The entire book! I guess the letters to Walt if I have to choose. Each one made me cry a puddle!
If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
Like the broken fence, broken hearts can be mended.
Any additional comments?
Cover Love: I loved this cover and title. I read the book and loved it so much I had to listen to this. I was sure it couldn't be better but OMG was I wrong. Nick J Russo did not narrate the book but acted it out. You could hear every tear in his voice as he read out the letters Brett was writing to Walt. He had a very distinct voice for each man and I loved the country drawl in Brett's voice and very different cowboy vice for Ray his foreman and best friend. His sex scenes were so sensual. If you love cowboys, psychologists, ranches, broken men, country singers and a fabulous ugly cry with a beautiful ending this is a must read.
I loved this book and the audio took it up notches I could never imagine. Be prepared this is an ugly cry. Two tissues and a need for cute cat videos (or puppies) as though it does have an HFN ending and book two is amazing as well.
I could listen to this a million times!
Get your copy of Unbreak my Heart today from Dreamspinner, Amazon or Audible.
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I truly love each book I write and I purchase them all on audiobook when they release. Live for Love (All Cocks stories book 5) was brought to life by Joel Leslie this past summer and for whatever reason, it did not sell well on audio. This book was a labor of love for me and I wish more people would give themselves the opportunity to listen to it. And Joel Leslie did such an amazing job bringing Beau to life, you're truly missing out if you haven't listened.
About the book: Beauregard Boudreaux is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. Born and raised there, he never thought he would ever stray far from home. The untimely death of his first love left Beau lost, adrift, looking for a place as far away from the pain as possible. Initially, he came to New York to visit a friend, the city growing on him, so he decided to stay. His law degree comes in handy at the LGBT Center he runs, but his bar is his baby.
William Richards grew up in Chicago, his family oddly normal and very accepting of his sexuality. Modeling paid the bills, gigs across the country as a model, male entertainer and a personal trainer giving him the opportunity to see the world. He hasn't experienced loss or pain as Beau has, the common denominator between them is the loneliness. As All Cocks big, brooding bottom Connor, William has found friendship, family, and an outlet for his craving to be more submissive than men of his size and stature usually are.
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I truly love each book I write and I purchase them all on audiobook when they release. Live for Love (All Cocks stories book 5) was brought to life by Joel Leslie this past summer and for whatever reason, it did not sell well on audio. This book was a labor of love for me and I wish more people would give themselves the opportunity to listen to it. And Joel Leslie did such an amazing job bringing Beau to life, you're truly missing out if you haven't listened.
About the book: Beauregard Boudreaux is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. Born and raised there, he never thought he would ever stray far from home. The untimely death of his first love left Beau lost, adrift, looking for a place as far away from the pain as possible. Initially, he came to New York to visit a friend, the city growing on him, so he decided to stay. His law degree comes in handy at the LGBT Center he runs, but his bar is his baby.
The two men are perfect for each other, their tastes and lives align and the writing seems to be on the wall. But Beau has a secret he shares with a choice few, a secret that not only threatens to keep them apart, it's deadly. Determined to keep a wall between himself and William, Beau fights the attraction, pushes William away every time he steps closer. Can one man's determination and strength be enough to tear down a wall that holds back decades of pain and darkness? And if he can, will either of them survive the flood?
Disclaimer: This book is the fictional story of a man living with HIV. I have put a lot of time and effort into presenting this story as true to fact as possible, without going into gory or gruesome detail. If this subject is a trigger for you, you may want to skip this book. But my hope is that you give Beau a chance to capture your heart as he has mine, and William's.
What reviewers had to say about the book:
Audible review: As with all the books in this series, serious topics are involved and handled appropriately. And I love that the series has become more about what happens in the characters lives outside of filming. This is a series that you really should check out!
Audible review: The story threw me for a loop! I was not expecting a story around a serious health issue, but it was handled so very well. The narration is flawless! Joel Leslie embodies the characters and in so doing, he makes the audio experience more like a work of art. How he gets the accents down is nothing short of amazing! And the emotion and joy he feels for the characters can be heard in all his narrations, this included. I am happy he is narrating this series because I love the stories.
Audible review: "The audiobooks for this series just keep getting better!"
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I see dozens of movies at the theater every year folks, literally, not kidding. It's a fun, family outing that me and mine take advantage of at least a couple times a month. A movie I watched this year that I'd been waiting a year for was King Author: Legend of the Sword. I cannot believe this movie tanked at the box office. It was so good! I'm certain that the critics did not do this film justice. Seriously, I want a job where I get paid to watch movies, then run my mouth about how terrible it is to spite that I'm not a fucking actor, and be responsible for making the movie bomb at the box office. Whatever, you should totally watch this movie. And I can't even tell you how much it pisses me off that there are four of those goddamn Human Centipede movies, but Guy Ritchie won't be making the next movie in this King Author series. Kiss my ass!
About the movie: Acclaimed filmmaker Guy Ritchie brings his dynamic style to the epic fantasy action adventure “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.” Starring Charlie Hunnam in the title role, the film is an iconoclastic take on the classic Excalibur myth, tracing Arthur’s journey from the streets to the throne. When the child Arthur’s father is murdered, Vortigern (Jude Law), Arthur’s uncle, seizes the crown. Robbed of his birthright and with no idea who he truly is, Arthur comes up the hard way in the back alleys of the city. But once he pulls the sword from the stone, his life is turned upside down and he is forced to acknowledge his true legacy…whether he likes it or not.
You can purchase the DVD/BluRay from Amazon or watch on Amazon video.
Leave a comment, tell us a book you read, an audiobook you listened to or a movie you saw this year that you think should have gotten more recognition. Each comment will be entered into a giveaway for a chance to win one of our favorites in the format listed above.
Remember, leave your contact information so we can get in touch if you're the winner.
Here's to an amazing 2018 with many more books, audios and movies to love!!
Sloane kenneys books need more recognition this year
ReplyDeleteThank you for the post and thoughts on the audiobooks.
ReplyDelete