Review of Oleander House by Ally Blue

Ally Blue
Oleander House
Samhain Publishing, 2006

Series:
Bay City Paranormal Investigations, book 1.
So far there are 7 books, with each a new investigation, but Sam and Bo’s love story continues and is the focus in the first 5 books.

Backblurb:
When Sam Raintree goes to work for Bay City Paranormal Investigations, he expects his quiet life to change-he doesn't expect to put his life and sanity on the line, or to fall for a man he can never have. Book One in the Bay City Paranormal Investigation series. Sam Raintree has never been normal. All his life, he's experienced things he can't explain. Things that have colored his view of the world and of himself. So taking a job as a paranormal investigator seems like a perfect fit. His new co-workers, he figures, don't have to know he's gay. When Sam arrives at Oleander House, the site of his first assignment with Bay City Paranormal Investigations, nothing is what he expected. The repetitive yet exciting work, the unusual and violent history of the house, the intensely erotic and terrifying dreams which plague his sleep. But the most unexpected thing is Dr. Bo Broussard, the group's leader. From the moment they meet, Sam is strongly attracted to his intelligent, alluring boss. It doesn't take Sam long to figure out that although Bo has led a heterosexual life, he is very much in the closet, and wants Sam as badly as Sam wants him. As the investigation of Oleander House progresses and paranormal events in the house escalate, Sam and Bo circle warily around their mutual attraction, until a single night of bloodshed and revelation changes their lives forever.

Genre & Keywords:
M/M, paranormal, Gay For You, ghost hunting, supernatural dimensions, violence

Why I read it:
Chris @ Stumbling over Chaos recommended this series to me

Storyline:
Sam joins the team of Bay City Paranormal Investigations, which is led by Bo. There’s an attraction between the two men but Bo is married with children. The team investigates a haunted house. While they discover dangerous supernatural dimensions Sam and Bo struggle with their mutual attraction and feelings.

My opinion in short:
This book had me on the edge of my seat during the complete second half. It has thriller elements as well as a blooming sweet gay for you romance. It’s well written, has likeable main and secondary characters and is a promising start of a series. I liked the angle of investigating the supernatural, instead of (one of) the characters being a vampire, shifter, demon, angel or any other paranormal being. I highly recommend this series.

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Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Heat level: 2 out of 3 flames
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What’s more to know about this book:
• Characters
Sam is a likeable protagonist: open, vulnerable, honest, sexy, caring and forgiving. His frustration and anger are tangible and understandable. Bo is the main cause of his frustration and anger because he refuses to admit his gay feelings. I would’ve loved to smack Bo with something on the head to beat some sense into him (and this urge only grew stronger in the next books of the series). The rest of the team members are nice supporting actors who are interesting enough without them stealing Sam and Bo’s show.
• POV
The story is told in third person from Sam’s point of view, which works perfectly for this first book, with him being the newby in the investigation team. The reader has to guess along with him, not only about the investigation but also about the other team members, their relationships and feelings (especially Bo’s).
• Plot
The plot is the strongest feature of this book, it’s well developed, fast paced and full of suspense that keeps you at the edge of your seat, especially during the second half of the book, when the supernatural danger is manifesting itself more and more. The build-up is dosed perfectly.
• Smexing
M/M. There are not that many smexy scenes (when you don’t count the hot dreams Sam has) but the few sexual encounters between Sam and Bo are pretty scorching and well written. They are cleverly related to the paranormal story line as well. In this book the sex scenes add something meaningful to not only the developing romance between Sam and Bo, but also to Sam’s unfolding paranormal abilities, due to his vulnerability in those scenes (cryptic, huh?).
• Writing style
Pleasant, doesn’t draw too much attention to itself, which is good because it never pulls you out of the story. The dialogues are nice and numerous. The descriptions of the surroundings and situations are vigorous and easy to picture. I enjoyed Ms. Blue’s writing.

Favorite scene/quote:
The scene where the other team members find out Sam is gay and the way they (especially Andre and David) handle it:

““Yeah,” Sam answered. “Sorry I didn’t tell you before. It just didn’t seem important.”
“It’s not.” Andre clapped him on the back. “Whatever floats your boat, man.”
“Just don’t stare at my ass.” David grinned over his shoulder. “I get as much of that as I can stand from Andre.”
“You wish,” Andre said, and swatted David’s rear.
David yelped and danced out of reach when Andre lifted his arm for another swing. “See?” he exclaimed. “The guy’s totally gay for me. He can’t get enough of my manly sexiness.”
David wiggled his butt invitingly. Andre calmly flipped him off while Cecile giggled. Sam laughed, feeling the last of his unease drain away. In his experience, anyone who could joke so casually about it had no problem with it. He was profoundly grateful no one had mentioned his confession to Bo the evening before. He wasn’t ready for that conversation just yet.”

Linking:
Ally Blue’s website | blog | on Twitter | on Goodreads
Buy Oleander House here

The books in this series:
# 1: Oleander House (Sam and Bo, 4 stars)
# 2: What Hides Inside (Sam and Bo, 4 stars)
# 3: Twilight (Sam and Bo, 3.5 stars)
# 4: Closer (Sam and Bo, 4 stars)
# 5: An Inner Darkness (Sam and Bo, 4.5 stars)
# 6: Where The Heart Is (series-related: Dean Delapore's story, 4 stars)
# 7: Love, Like Ghosts (series-related: Adrian Broussard's story, not read yet)

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This is the first review I tried the format on that I came up with a little while ago. I would like to know what does and doesn't work for you about this review format.

Mondays Hot Couple & Sexy Smutty Scene

[image]

Today’s sexy scene is from the short story More Than Just a Good Book by Sloan Parker which is a scorching hot read that you can download for free at her website.

It’s a very, very hot and beautifully written story. I think the next scene shows that perfectly. And did I mention that it’s free! ;) Enjoy!


“
Mark met him at the elevators ten minutes later. Scott’s skin tingled as the man drew near. He clutched his backpack in front of him, hoping it helped to hide his erection from the world but disappointed it would hide it from Mark, hide how crazy with desire he was. Surprising. He was never so bold.
Mark stepped close, ignoring the safe distance most gay guys kept to out in public. “You ready?” The smell of Mark overwhelmed Scott again. The aroma could be bottled and sold as an aphrodisiac; it was heady and erotic and damn irresistible. Unable to stop himself, Scott leaned in. “Ready.”
“Come on, then.” Mark grabbed his arm, tugged him into the elevator, and hit the seventh floor button before anyone else could slip in with them.
The man’s hand on Scott’s arm wasn’t a painful grip, but it was strong and restraining, Mark’s palm hot even through the shirtsleeve. The grip suggested a power Scott longed to know. He wanted to grab the man’s hand and shove it down his pants. He was never that bold. He loved what this man did to him, loved how desperate and ravenous he grew being close to Mark.
Once the doors closed, Mark faced him, pressing close. The force of the man’s weight crowded Scott against the carpeted elevator wall. Mark seized Scott’s waist. “I’m going to kiss you.”
“Please.”
Mark growled a low sound. “I like a man who knows how to beg.”
Scott could beg. It was one of the reasons most guys didn’t like him. They said it made him sound needy and clingy and inexperienced. But Mark liked it. “Please, kiss me.”
Mark plastered his entire body against Scott. The pressure of groin against groin, chest to chest, almost had Scott rocking and going off like a kid getting his first hand job. He clutched at Mark’s arms, breathing deep, hoping like hell he could keep from shooting in his pants once their lips met.
Mark paused, their mouths so close, the man’s breath heated Scott’s lips. “You have the best mouth,” Mark said. “I want to taste those lips.”
Scott whimpered. He couldn’t stop it from spilling out. It was an uncontrolled as breathing.
“I like that sound, Scott.” Mark leaned forward and brought their mouths together, a brush of warm lips.
Mark slid his tongue across Scott’s lower lip, tasting, teasing. The kiss was soft and slow and not like any Scott had ever known. It consumed him. He wanted more of Mark, needed more of his tongue, his lips, his hands. He twisted his fingers in Mark’s shirt sleeves and tugged.
Mark shoved his body against Scott and smashed their mouths together, turning the kiss urgent. Mark drove his tongue deeper. His hands landed on Scott’s ass and dug in, grinding their groins together.
The sting of those fingers, the sharp jab of the nails as they buried in his ass, had Scott’s balls drawing up. He was close. He whimpered again, the sound muffling as it filled Mark’s mouth.
A chime sounded above their heads.
Mark jerked away, keeping the grip of his right hand on Scott’s ass for a moment more. The doors slid open. Mark removed his hand and strode out of the elevator.
Scott leaned against the wall, his breath hitching. He closed his eyes and focused on getting air into his lungs.
As the fog in his mind cleared, he opened his eyes. Mark stood outside the elevator next to a set of glass doors. The man smiled at him.
Scott pushed away from the wall, hoping like hell he could keep from tripping. He had to get back to touching Mark, had to know what else Mark could do to him, what else the man could give him. Like a needle in a compass, pointing to true north, he made his way to the man in no time.
”

Sloan Parker’s weblog and website and Twitter account

Download More Than Just A Good Book for free here

Backblurb More Than Just A Good Book:
Scott is a big geek and Mark is a little controlling between the sheets. During one afternoon at the university library, they’ll find they are the perfect match. And they'll prove some things are even more enjoyable than a good book.

Coming Up & Pimpin Dutch Musicians

I’ve been a busy bee this weekend and managed to catch up on writing some reviews and to schedule next week posts. This is actually a milestone in my thirty something year old life, because I suck at working in advance and planning ahead of time. :)

So, *this is a proud moment*, coming up at my blog:

Monday: the weekly Hot Couple pic and a sexy scene from the free short story More Than Just a Good Book by Sloan Parker
Tuesday: a review of Oleander House by Ally Blue
Wednesday: a review of Captured by Julia Rachel Barrett
Thursday: a review of the graphic novel Black Wade
Friday: the weekly Happy Gay Friday cookie :)

I also like to pimp a Dutch band – some of you may have noticed that I’m doing that in my right side bar for a while now. This song is called 'Holiday in Spain' from the Dutch band Bløf which they did together with the Counting Crows. I'm curious what you think of it. Enjoy!

Happy Gay Friday & Some sad news

TGIF! It’s cookie time again! It felt as if this week would never end. I was three days without internet and it seemed more like three weeks ;)
I only read one book, on my way home on the train yesterday night. It was a wonderful m/m romance by Bonnie Dee, called Jungle Heat. One of the heroes is a wild man, raised among gorillas and discovered by an expedition group. He and his rescuer have the hots for each other. It’s from this new epublisher Carina Press and I’ll be reviewing it later.

Remember I posted briefly about Captured last Monday? I told you that the lovely author, Julia Barrett, sent me her book to cheer me up after she heard that our kitty Binny died. Today I got the sad news that Julia herself had to put her dog Louie down yesterday after a sudden illness. I’m shocked and feel very sad for her and her family. I hope you all go over to her weblog, where you can see a picture of her beautiful Louie, to send her your virtual hugs. She deserves it and I know from personal experience how wonderful it is to receive warm words and hugs! :)

Happy Gay Friday!

What do you think is a good name for the precious little ereader?

I need your help!
The thing is, I’ve been told that it is a must to give your ereader a name. And my Sony is with me for several months now, but I still haven’t found a name that suits her (yes, it’s a she!).

I’m really bad at making decisions like this, I switch every ten seconds to another one. Let’s just say, I’m really glad I haven’t given birth to little creatures that really need to be named properly will they not become the ridicule of their class. I had a hard time enough with naming my pets. ;)

So, what to do with my ereader? Shall I leave it alone and continue calling her my Sony, or my ereader? Or should I really make an effort here? I’m curious what you think about the whole ereader naming thing in the first place…

To be honest, I like the idea (because she’s like a very dear and personal friend to me). I’m grateful for my bloggy friend KC’s suggestion to post about it to ask for some help. So, maybe you can help me with a few name suggestions or by telling me how you call your ereader, for much needed inspiration?

I would really appreciate the help because all I keep coming back to is Jewel or Janna’s Jewel *sigh*. BTW She looks like the one in the picture.

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PS: I won’t be here until Thursday night to respond to your comments, but I hope that won’t keep you from leaving one :)