On the small, male-dominated planet of Noval gay sex is forbidden. Unfortunately for Krial, his size and strength make him a prime candidate for Noval’s breeding selection training. Krial is angry and resentful when he’s forced to spend three months on the backward, archaic planet. However, he never anticipates falling hard for his gruff and demanding trainer – Dax.
Dax is a professional. He won’t break the law, but he’s not above blurring a few lines for the benefit of his trainee.
Sometimes when the planets align the impossible becomes possible...
When the unthinkable happens, and Krial is selected as the next breeder, he lashes out at the only one who can handle him – Dax. During the physical battle that follows, Krial expects to be put in his place by his massive and controlled trainer. Never in his wildest dreams does Krial imagine that Dax will touch him, kiss him or invite him back to his bed.
Released is a complete, smutty, erotic m/m romance featuring two futuristic, gay, alpha-male heroes who’ll leave you breathless. This story contains explicit m/m sexual situations, content and language and is intended for adult readers.
I write mostly MM porngasmic fluff— sometimes funny, sometimes outrageous (just like me).
I believe you should always read what you love. Personally, I can't read anything that will tug at my heartstrings, leave me hanging on for the next installment, or gloss over the sexy bits (they're the best part). I love me some tasteful dirty talk, and a book that can make me laugh will get 5*!
Though it's only been a year since I fell in love with the MM romance genre, it's become my next new addiction. Paranormal and taboo reads are my favorites.
In a past life, I was most likely a tall fitness guru with an immaculate home and a thriving garden, which totally explains my "been there, done that" attitude.
I'm currently either reading or writing the next random book that strikes my fancy (or both).
What are you up to?
Still reading my bio?
Why? I'm not that interesting. Go find a smutty MM romance to read. You won't be disappointed...
THREE HEARTS--In A.J. Ridges, "Released", the sci-fi erotica starts off with a little exhibition scene. Krial is participating the male dominated planet, Noval's breeding selection process, a sort of a Hunger Mating games. The prize is being able to mate with a coveted female - the women are scarce. Dax, Krial's trainer, is the only person he's interested in. Krial is gay. And he lusts for the other alpha man.
If you like James Cox, sci-fi smut (which I do), you might like this story. It read less campy, if I have to compare. But overall it was sexy, light fun. Don't look too hard for memorable characters or plot and just enjoy the hotness of "Released".
Sometimes the quotes were spot on. Like:
"Because every fucking morning I lay in bed jerking off to thoughts of you - stroking you, sucking you, eating you, fucking you."
And sometimes it dropped off the wayside. Like:
"The first time I cum inside of you I want it to be in your ass." Oh God "Open your mouth."
Then the guy proceeds to come inside his mouth...why not just say that instead of bringing in an ass that didn't get creamed? Not a big deal, but it's a little thing that bothered me.
But why should I look for depth in an extended PWP with light sci-fi tones. I say light because it read like a contemporary if you ignore the weird names. There were mention of cotton blend shorts...in the future, they're going to have names like Grenog and wear cotton blends or shorts?
Let me sexy quote again to try to ignore the quibbles (they are not major - though editing would help this story). Even though this quote head jumps just a little, it's still hot.
"I have your dried cum all over my chest and your ass still aches from me fucking it, so don't ever, ever try to tell me you don't belong to me, Krial, because you're mine. You're mine for as long as your sweet little ass remains on this god-forsaken planet!"
Though...with a ratio of 100,000 men to 1 woman, why wouldn't there be more man/man pairings? Gay sex is outlawed so the 99,999 men have to do without sex and procreating? And they patiently wait to participate in this Noval's Next Top Mating Games? Where only 1 guy gets to mate with a chick? I imagine a world of utter chaos if this happened, women would never be safe, dudes aren't waiting patiently to bone...that poor girl would be mince meat.
I digress. I'm sorry. I'm trying to make sense and this a PWP. So on the surface you have hot sex, 2 exhibitionist alphas fucking all over the ship/settlement/planet/space thing - finger play, jacking off, anal, desk sex in front a dignitary. It's hot.
If you looking for stroke fic or something where you can turn your thinking cap off, give this a try.
Hot & dirty, but the world-building was sparse, the characters formulaic, and the relationship development nonexistent.
If you read this purely for a few porny scenes starring two alpha males and Dex's giant cock, you'll be happy.
The numerous plot holes (climate change killing women but not men; Dex fingering Krial in an auditorium surrounded by government officials and later fucking him in a public training room on a planet where sex between two men is illegal) made me itchy.
I'm not even going to mention the various grammatical issues (comma splices galore).
Can't recommend. There are sexy books out there that actually make sense.
This book was pure brain candy. I absolutely needed it. I been going through a book funk for awhile and this book just pick up my mood. I'm loving this author writing style and I want more.
A.J. Ridges took me to a world where practically anything that is preventive to repopulate a world where there is 1 female for every 100,000 males is outlawed. Unfortunately for Krial who is gay and an ideal candidate for breeding training is stuck in a bad place. The plot itself was a perfect setup for raunchiness that followed without being too unbelievable. I do have a weakness for alpha male getting it on. Overall I really like this story and do wish for more scene involving them outside of getting together. I felt that the author has the bones for it but didn't fully explore it.
I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
I've enjoyed AJ's book but this one was just okay. I didn't connect with the characters or the insta-love going on in this book. Although hot, it seemed the characters just came together, there was no banter or foreplay or actions leading up to that point. Also, I had a problem with training. If they're physically training, why wasn't there a battle of sorts? I did think the world this book was set in was different and would like more books, expanded books, in the same setting.
I love Sci-Fi, so I was curious about this gay, erotic short story.
For me the erotica aspect of the story was very hot and the story incorporated some interesting and fresh ideas. The timeline of events was somewhat confusing for me in the beginning, but I caught on after a bit. The book starts right in the middle of the 'release ceremony' where many different men are jerking off in hopes that their sperm will make them most suitable to 'win' and get a mate.
Through a flasback, we find out more inf on what is going on and how the relationship between Kriall (who is competing) and Dax (his trainer) has progressed. They are on Noval, where homosexuality is prohibited due to the aftereffects of an event that killed 98% of the planet's female populationand left the need for strikt breeding rules. I still don't understand, why changes in climate would cause almost all women to die, but lave most men able to adapt - a virus targeting women would have made a lot more sense to me. However, even while the plot didn't always make sense to me, I can't deny that the MCs had a lot of chemistry and the sex was hot and different.
Overall, I can rec this book only to people who can overlook a few plot holes for some sexy, covert action on a different planet. This works as hot, short story with a major focus on erotica, but there isn't much romance and the plot couldn't enirely hook me.
I got this book for free from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Holy crap what an intense and smoking hot read. It was so good, I just wish it was longer.
Krial is gay but he's unfortunately still entered in the pool of eligible men to compete for the right to mate. Females are extremely rare and mating one is a rare and cherished opportunity.
He doesn't care about mating a female, he just wants to go home. If only he could get his sexier than hell trainer, Dax, out of his mind...
I see great potential in this story. Hopefully the author will consider expanding this universe and give us more juicy books. I'd love to get inside AcKar's head and see if his plans to "modernize" his world come to fruition.
I received a free copy of this ebook from the author, in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very well-written and engaging story. As an M/M story, it was very enticing and erotic. As a science fiction story, it was interesting too. The story and world behind the main characters was good framework for the tale. All in all, a pretty good read.
This was my first read by A.J. Ridges. I found myself liking it alot in the beginning and then it slowly became okay. Reading this, I was confused by the blurb a little because of the whole male dominant planet thing. I didn't see at all during the book, but what we had was okay. Krial was a likable character. I loved his monologues in the beginning to everything that was happening. Right off the back we are introduced to Krial during "The Release" and it's as invasive as it seems. I was laughing again at Krial he had funny moments, automatically we are introduced to the source of all of Krial's fantasies Dax his Trainer, mentor and all around alpha male. I found that entire scene erotic and funny especially considering what was happening. For a novella I found it entertaining. I didn't like how Krial was seen as an Alpha male from the beginning and then almost at the turn of the next page he was a submissive as a trained sub. It wasn't that I disliked it, I just wish he could have stayed as dominant as he was in the beginning. I liked this book, looking forward to a full length novel from this author.
I got a free copy of this book through the Don't Buy My Love event, in exchange for an honest review.
So, I'll be honest... I soldiered through it, though the lack of background information made it difficult to get into it. I kept asking myself, what are they training for? What does anything look like? The story gives you very little sense of place, which is annoying when the action happens in some imaginary universe but there is hardly any description of the setting.
The guy-on-guy action was hot enough--in fact, a large part of the story is about Dax and Krial getting it on. There was a bit of intrigue about the mysterious man Dax keeps talking to; and they way the plot got resolved was, though predictable, done with a certain grace. The book will work for readers looking for some brain candy...we all need that, once in a while.
I've been craving a good m/m science fiction story for a few days now and A.J. Ridges completely hit it out of the park for me! Krial was a fairly likeable character and I liked his personality, he never pulled any punches!
The steam between he and his trainer Dax was hot enough to fog up the screen of my nook! There were real emotions though you could feel them practically leap off the page, it was a great story and I would love to read more from this particular world!
The story was a bit short for me but other than that I would read it and any other book by A.J. Ridges again, I'd love to see a story starring the new president of Noval!
I can't wait to read more books by this author!
I received this book free in return for an honest review!
Krial comes from the planet Solaar, where being gay isn’t any different than being straight. But because he is a citizen of the Trifederation, and one of the largest and strongest men in the Trifederation, he is forced to participate in the repopulation breeding selection process on the planet of Noval.
The ratio of men to women on Noval is 100,000 men to every woman because of some historical climate disaster that killed off most of the women. I kind of found that a little offensive. Women as the “fairer…more delicate sex” who of course all died off before the alpha men could save them? And their mates are chosen by the government…what are they slaves? For a minute I thought I might be reading an old “Gor” novel. Also, the whole no gay sex thing seemed a little odd to me. If the ratios were the opposite, it would make sense, but what are the 99,999 extra guys doing for relief???? And then they bring in guys from other planets and give the 1 available woman to them? So…maybe the plot didn’t make a whole lot of sense, but let’s be honest, this book wasn’t written as a sci-fi novel, it was written as a fairly short erotica story.
It is all about the sex, and truthfully, the sex was adequate, but if I were reading the book expecting to find total hotness, I wouldn’t have found it. I chose it off our list expecting sci-fi, which I didn’t really find either.
It was an ok story. I’m thinking that people who like thinly veiled erotic sex with a minimum of plot would probably enjoy it. I would rate it as good/average. I would have liked it more if it had another 100 pages and more of a story. But I would never say that I’m an erotica reader, so many of you might disagree and absolutely love it!
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
This book was provided for free by the author in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 Stars
This book is basically about Krial and Dax and how hot they are together. The answer to which is very hot.
This book is set in the future/a-much-advanced-parallel-civilization, on the planet of Noval which has a severely depleted female population. In their efforts to repopulate their planet the people of Noval have very strict rules to ensure fertilization by only allowing the strongest and the most virile man to have a female mate.
This book is more along the lines of a short story but the story has a very rich background as you can tell. We get a lot of details about Krial and Dax’s world but really less time to explore their world. I really wanted to spend more time in their world.
Even though Krial and Dax had known each other three months before the start of the story, I really felt like things were happening too fast and everything falls into place too quickly. I would have loved a bit more struggle.
The thing that gets centre place in this book is Krial and Dax’s sex life which was hot and really sexy but the one component I felt it was missing was that forbidden feel. I mean they were on a planet that forbids gay sex to the extent that no one even knows who indulges in it. In such a constrictive environment I find Dax’s words in front of the pilot implausible. Then they have the whole change-is-coming thing which is really weird because most legislative is brought about when people petition for it and if no one was openly coming out as gay how is their legislation changing?
On the whole the story is a nice package but I think a little more time in Noval would have given this story breathing space to really flourish.
*Received without charge in exchange for an honest review.
Here we go.
This is the story of Krial, a gay man from a planet where gay relationships are not illegal. Duty as part of the Trifederation (I quite like this name) sends him to compete in a trial on a planet where his sexual orientation is unlawful. Krial becomes attracted to his trainer Dax, but the situation seems so bleak that he chooses to flee the planet rather than stay there and face a destiny he doesn’t want. There is sex, (really fan-yourself-as-you-read-it good) and there is the glimpse of love that goes beyond physical attraction. And the final resolution is not just unexpected but delicious.
What didn’t let me give this story a full 5 stars is the almost non-existent world building. This is supposed to be on another planet(s), but it could be in Arkansas for all the description we get. There are very few moments that could make you think sci-fi, but not enough to make you feel in a different culture, let alone another planetary system. Also, the reasons for the competition are not heavy enough to make me want to root for the planet where it happens or its authorities. Now, these things are my own private monsters and might not take other readers out of the story as they did to me.
All in all, this is a cool read, and I totally recommend it.
This book is about Krial who comes to the (male-dominated) planet of Noval. At this planet gay seks is forbidden and Krial is there to participate in Noval’s breeding selection training, this training is to see who of the contesters is going to be the next breeder. The winner will be given a female mate to have lots and lots of hot sex (and i asume eventually many children) with. So far so good you think....
But no Krial is gay (and he is far more interested in his hot muscular trainer Dax) and just the thought of having sex with women makes his cock go limp. He must find a way to get out of this situation because if he will win this contest then he is screwed and not in a good way.
I liked both Krial and Dax and found it very enjoyable to read their story. It was a fun read with hot men and hot sex but not over the top. Although it was a short read the characters are developed and this book isn't just about sex. For me this is a good in between book, or a perfect bedtime read.
I would like a sequel to see what changes are made on the plant of Noval and i would love to visit Krial and Dax again and maybe have AcKar as one of the main characters?
The concept for this novella was okay, and I quite liked one of the opening scenes and the reason for the title–the “releasing” which was basically a mass masturbation scene, lol. The ending was fine as well, so overall, I enjoyed it. The three stars is because the language was clumsy at times, making me want to pull out my red editor’s pen. That’s a downside of being a full-time technical writer, I suppose.
I had one other issue, but I know this is just a personal issue for me. I’ve never liked the spelling of male seed as “cum.” For me this just equates the work with cheap porn. If a writer chooses to use this spelling, then really they should be using “cum” as a noun, and variants of “come” for the verb. Every time I saw “cumming,” I twitched and grimaced. Like I said, just a personal preference.
I think with some good editing this could have been much better, but for those who enjoy a quick dirty M/M novella, they’ll enjoy Released. The story particularly caters to the muscle-loving crowd.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was enjoyable sci-fi erotica, but not much else. On the planet of Noval, where males outnumber females in alarming numbers, Krial has been chosen for a quarterly selection of the best breeders. The men compete against each other and the winner gets a female mate. Krial is gay though, and not interested in winning. The only reason he has made it to the final few, is the fact that he is in lust and awe with his trainer Dax.
Our story starts at the very final test of the "competition" and the events after. Had this been a complete novel, that followed Krial's training under Dax tutelage, with some heavy sexual tension (same sex partnerships are banned on Noval) underlying all of their interactions. Well, this would have been a smoking hot romance!
As it is, the lack of length and thereby lack of knowledge of the two men's relationship, it becomes hot erotica which fizzles out a bit at the end, when the future is all tied up with a dose of insta-love and a neat little bow.
This was not long read,but very enjoyable... This would be considered erotica,and in those types of books,you can't really connect with characters (and you don't expect it,right...),but I really liked being in Krial's head and,for 60 pages long book (of which about 20-25 are where Dax and Krial are...well,getting physical) he was developed. Sexual tension between these two was off-the-charts and sex scenes were one of the better in this genre - just right amount dirty to set your e-reader in flames,but not too much.And Dax...well...Dax was...I don't have words how hot he was with his caveman (but not over-the-top) attitude. But,what I liked the most is that I actually liked main characters,and not just in that "I like how hot they were" way,but really liked them. There was not much of a world building,and honestly I didn't care... So,highly recommended...
Loooooonger books, please, AJ. I loved her touch of sci-if in this book, yet the focus was on relationship-building, from a slow burn to hot, explosive manlove. I truly felt the sexual tension, and the real feelings between these two hulking men.
AJ Ridges is finding her place in this genre, and I want to read more! A little bird told me she writes other genres under another pen name, but I can't find it for the life of me. I'm hoping I can wrangle it out of AJ, since I enjoy and blog about many different genres, from children's fiction to the smuttiest erotica.
I received a copy of this book as a gift in thanks for past enthusiastic support. I'm reviewing it because I HAVE to from inside myself, not because it was an exchange. It wasn't. I'm so excited to support new and growing talent. Keep writing, AJ, and I'll keep reading.
From the beginning we get the sexual tension between Dax an Krial.
They train hard and fuck even harder! I don't know how to put it in a less crude way, because that's what they do!
The background story was interesting, happens on a futuristic society where women are outnumbered, but who needs them right? When we got steamy gay males to fill our hunger for hotness.
The romantic scenes are perfection! We can feel the change in their ways when they start to connect.
Overall, an amazing read, thank you for trusting me with your story! :)
Hot, hot, hot! I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book I've read by A J Ridges and I liked it a lot. While I don't normally go for romance books with a SciFi theme, I do like a good M/M romance so I volunteered to read this when the author offered a free copy. The books was all that the blurb said it was - including smutty and erotic. :-) It was a very quick read and I know I'll enjoy reading more from this author.
I must admit that I did not like this as much as AJ's other books, but sci fi is really not my thing. Having said that, this is seriously hot. The Releasing scene was so different and intriguing, it hooked you and reeled you in.
This was a great read. A lot is packed in this short story. Some parts had me intrigued. Some parts had me laughing. Some parts had me saying, "I didn't see that coming". And some parts had me fanning myself - HOT! It just goes to prove that size doesn't matter (in books, that is).
So good. Again another good one. I liked this futuristic world. The background story was amazing. The characters were fantastic. I liked Kiral a lot. Dax was a good mentor. I loved the ending! I need more books from this author STAT!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
A free copy of this book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
A solid 4.0 stars!
This is the 2nd book by AJR I've read so far and both have been awesome. The author has a real flare for the art of short stories and knows how to quickly bring reader into the action and keep them suspended until the final page. There's no lagging around watching strangers meet and have to meet, fall in love, struggle to make their love work, and pull off some type of HFN/HEA in just a few pages. Instead she introduces us to casual friends struggling with their attraction to each other...often poised to explode. Released was a perfect example.
The books opens up at an ejaculation event called the Release. The reader is immediately submerged in a contest of sweating men, harried fluid collectors, and a lone contestant who finds himself unable to rise to the occasion. Poor Krial! After weeks of training to be the perfect specimen of manhood, he simply can't find the inspiration to share his seed....especially when he's concerned about leaving the object of his affections trainer Dax. Luckily, Dax isnt afraid to lend a hand when its needed....and I mean LITERALLY!!! After weeks of pining for Dax, Krial gets to experience just how the deadly giant can make him experience pleasure....in front of a crowd of spectators. But will the most explosive and pleasurable orgasm of his life doom Krial to a life of druggery!?!
The chemistry between the MCs is believable and magnetic! Watching the physically, powerful Dax finally give into his lust for Krial was almost just as stimulating as reading the flashbacks of their budding friendship...it also solidified that this wasn't just lust...there was affection and a true relationship underneath their unrequited passion.
I appreciated AJR's decision to make the two MCs normal people. It might have been easier to make Dax a warlord or something, but instead his "normalness" allows for a sweet ending that seemed to leave the door open for more stories set in this world.
I also appreciated that Krial wasn't just a pretty face. He was a mature male with emotions and a logical train of thought. This helped since the book was told from his point of view. Thankfully we weren't terrorized with lamentations of woe is me. Krial does take his situation lying down...at least for too long anyway *g*....he quickly executes a plan to get out dodge. Thankfully Love steps in the way of his plan.
Overall, I enjoyed the characters and the pacing of the story. I respected and cheered for the MCs to the very end...just how it's supposed to be! While the short stories are fulfilling, the only thing I could wish for are LONGER stories...probably because I'm a greedy American :-D
*** This book was provided by the MM Romance group in exchange for an unbiased review ***
Well, this book was different than I anticipated after reading the description. I thought it would be serious and maybe with a bit of angst? But that wasn't what I got. I still really liked it, it was just a story that was lighter than anticipated. And this book is mostly an Erotica wrapped in a very interesting storyline that was too short! I would have loved to read more about the background of Krial and Dax and a lot more about the situation on the planet. How do the women feel about their small numbers? Why would they take part as a price in such a contest if they have an overwhelming number of interested males? Or does the government control even more than it seems? These were all questions I wished would have been answered in addition to the background.
So, the story takes place on the panet Noval where a quarternary contest takes place. The goal of the contest is to find "The Chosen", the most virile man who then gets to mate with a female as the price. This is such a desirable price because centuries ago 98 percent of the female population died out due to changes in climate. Whoever gets called has to take place in this contest, so also Krial, even though he is gay. He, like everyone else is assigned a teacher, in his case Dax, who teaches him in fighting and helps him through the contest.
Male sex is forbidden on Noval, so Krial never really entertained the possiblitity of such an encounter with Dax, although he is attracted to him. When Krial wins the contest although he took foolproof countermeasures against it, Dax offers a respite for a few hours with the possiblility of more...
So, I did like this book. I would recommend it to everybody who wants to read about strong men getting hot and bothered together, wrapped up in an entertaining storyline with a happy (and a bit idealistic) ending.