Xavier Mayne

Author of M/M romance that's sweet, funny, and hot

Wendy at Hearts on Fire gives Wrestling Demons 4 hearts

WrestlingDemons_FBThumbThanks to Wendy for the great review at Hearts on Fire Reviews. Her take on Wrestling Demons is one I really like, because she gets at something I think is important—and that a lot of people miss. Here’s what I’m talking about:

While I loved getting an update on Brandt and Donnelly, Jonah and Casey really made this book special for me. … Casey had a little more distance to travel to reach the point of thinking of his best friend in a sexual light, but it seemed so natural when it came. They were both more than a little in love with each other already, so rather than feel like a shocking GFY romance, this felt more like a story where two people acknowledged the love of their life and grabbed hold of that feeling with both hands. The fact that they both happened to be the same sex was almost secondary.

If you’ve read any of my work, you know that gay-for-you (GFY) is pretty much at the heart of M/M romance for me—it involves challenging not only the characters’ sense of themselves, but our overall sense of how sexuality works. Wendy gets that, and I hope other people do as well. Thanks, Hearts on Fire!

Read the entire review here.

Wrestling Demons is available in paperback and e-book.

Jackie at the Novel Approach gives Wrestling Demons 4 stars

WrestlingDemons_FBThumbJackie, writing at The Novel Approach, has given Wrestling Demons 4 stars. I will admit to being nervous about writing a sequel to Frat House Troopers, which many people loved. That’s why Jackie’s summary made me so happy:

There are many subplots in this book, but I believe they all worked well together, and I believe that comes directly from the wonderful writing style of the author. Xavier Mayne has an unquestionable talent for making me fall in love with all of the characters in a book. I think this was a very entertaining and heart wrenching addition to the series, and I can’t wait for the next book so I can check back in with the troopers and their large group of friends.

I’m happy to report that the next installment in the “Brandt & Donnelly Capers” series is in the hands of Dreamspinner Press as we speak, and I hope that a contract for its publication will be forthcoming soon. I have many more Brandt & Donnelly capers in development!

Read the full review here.

Wrestling Demons is available in paperback and e-book.

5 Hearts for Frat House Troopers audiobook from Hearts on Fire

FratHouseTroopers_FBThumbReviewer Asabat from Hearts on Fire Reviews has given the audiobook version of Frat House Troopers 5/5 hearts. Aside from the now-familiar accolades that narrator Peter Brooke has been earning universally for his work on bringing the book to life, Asabat also provides some very interesting perspective on the sexual-identity politics at work in the text.

Xavier Mayne’s superb writing skills, humorous dialogues, creative scenes, and fabulously hot characters (you can’t help but love them) make this novel an enjoyable read. I listened to the audio book three times in a row; not just because I enjoyed the novel, but to make certain I was following the author’s sexual-identity postulations.

High praise indeed. But it was intrigued by the mention of the sexual identity issues, and found this further on in the review:

But let’s get it straight: most of the characters in this novel claim/swear to God/really, really mean it when they say they are not gay. There’s a character who identifies himself as purely straight, but has a boyfriend with whom he lives and regularly schtupps. Doubtless, there will be gay readers who find the above theories offensive, if they don’t pause to realize we are talking theories; maybe reality, maybe not. Such “theories,” although interesting to contemplate, are what most in the gay community would call “in denial and/or deeply closeted, and/or all f**ked up.” …
All things considered, Frat House Troopers is an entertaining, interesting read/listen and well worth your time. And professor, there’s the contention that every straight guy in every straight bar is only six beers away from having sex with a gay man. Relax gay bar owners—you won’t go out of business: it’s just a theory.

This is the first review I’ve received that uses the word schtupp. How awesome is that? Thanks, Asabat, for the review. I’m glad that my bizarre sexual-identity theories have provoked some thought. I hope more readers are similarly provoked!

Read the full review here.

Frat House Troopers is available in paper, audio, and ebook. 

Top2Bottom Reviews gives Husband Material 5 kisses

HusbandMaterial_FBThumbThanks to Susan at Top2Bottom Reviews for giving Husband Material the coveted 5 Kisses rating. Here’s what I really love about this review—Susan really nails it:

Riley and Asher’s interaction is the focal point of most of the book. Riley isn’t gay, but he longs to be seen as beautiful and worthy of love. Asher could be that for him if Riley could let go of his preconceived notions of what love is. Every scene with just the two men is fraught with realistic dialogue, amiable friendship, and sexual tension.

What a beautiful way to sum up the relationship between Riley and Asher. Couldn’t have said it better myself. Thanks again, Susan!

Read the full review here.

Ready to buy Husband Material? It’s available here.

The Novel Approach gives Frat House Troopers audiobook 5 stars

FratHouseTroopers_FBThumbKim recommends that you give a listen to the audiobook version of Frat House Troopers, and here’s why:

Thanks to the audio version, I’m 99.9% sure that I enjoyed listening to Frat House Troopers more than if I had just read it. Peter Brooke did a masterful job of narrating! His voice characterizations were performed to make each and every character stand out as individuals. I started off smiling, then giggling, to downright belly laughing at some of the more humorous parts. I also suffered from slacked jaw amazement at the more seductive parts of this tale. Especially in chapter 22 of the audio version. Damn, Mr. Brooke really got into this one, or I did, depending on the perspective. Cold showers may be required to dampen enthusiastic listening. I will definitely be keeping a look out for more of Peter Brooke’s audios.

I’m kind of thinking I need to review chapter 22 myself… Thanks, Kim, for the great review!

Read the entire review here.

The audiobook version of Frat House Troopers is available from Amazon, iTunes, and Audible.com.

Mrs. Condit Reviews gives Frat House Troopers audiobook 4.5 sweet peas

FratHouseTroopers_FBThumbRosie, writing at Mrs. Condit & Friends Read Books, has given the audiobook edition of Frat House Troopers four-and-a-half sweet peas! I particularly like her attention to what makes the audiobook version different from the printed text:

They venture into the Gay district of town and meet Bryce, the sales clerk at Camp & Dragg, specialist in “clothes for the Working Man.”, he was delighted to see them, when he called to them “Oooooh! How can I service you two today?” In the book it was funny, but when I listened to the same scene in the store I was laughing so hard; ”I see…. Come this way”, I shall reveal to you what you seek.”! Oh and the part where Bryce says “Hoping to swing your hammer at some nice wood?” I must repeat this; Amusing when I read the book, Hilarious when Peter Brooks reads the book. And that’s only the first store clerk they encounter. The salesmen and the fitting of the many pairs of underwear is laugh out loud funny and downright sexy.

How wonderful that the audiobook, produced by the talented Peter Brooke, has enhanced the experience of many people who read Frat House Troopers when it was initially published. That’s the sign of a quality narrator!

Read the entire review here.

The audiobook version of Frat House Troopers is available from Amazon, iTunes, and Audible.com.