Xavier Mayne

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

Reviews of Frat House Troopers

Bethany at Rainbow Gold Reviews gives Frat House Troopers 9/10

So glad that Bethany picked Frat House Troopers for her “new to me author” review! Honestly, I get it when people say that the title of the book didn’t “grab” them–it was a working title that I picked because I finished the book while watching that wonderfully cheesy movie “Starship Troopers” on late-night cable.

Okay, so I don’t make the best choices under the influence of Casper van Dien’s backside.

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I’m just saying.

But back to the review. I love that Bethany gets what I was doing in Frat House Troopers–capturing the story of two people who fall in love first, and think about gender second.

Realizing that the person who knows you better than anyone else in the world, your fears, your weaknesses, your strengths is the one person you want to love for the rest of your life. And then realizing that just because that person is the member of the same sex doesn’t make a difference because they love you just as much as you love them. They are the only person you see, the only face you want to see when you go to sleep and the only one you want to see when you wake. Only for you.

Just so, Bethany. Thanks for a perceptive and lovely review.

Read the full review here.

 Books in the Brandt & Donnelly Capers series

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Buy Frat House Troopers now
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Buy Wrestling Demons now
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Buy A Wedding to Die For now
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Buy Spring Break at the Villa Hermes now
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Buy Bachelors Party now

4.5 hearts from MM Good Book Reviews for Frat House Troopers

FratHouseTroopers_FBThumbLisa at MM Good Book Reviews has given Frat House Troopers a 4-and-a-half heart rating in her recent review. I love that Lisa enjoyed the humor in the book: “This is one book that will make you laugh your ass off.” She hits on the plot points she’s most interested in, and then wraps up with this:

I am amazed with the way this story is told. It has its serious parts to it, but it has more humor than most mysteries have. I was quite pleased by it. I would love to get my hands on the next book in this series. It has already shown promise.

Thanks, Lisa! And you’ll be happy to know that Wrestling Demons, the second caper in the series, is already available, while the third (A Wedding to Die For) is on the way.

Read the full review here.

Frat House Troopers is available in ebook, paperback, and audiobook editions.

“Sassy, sweet, and joyful”: Alex Akira reviews Frat House Troopers for Rainbow Book Reviews

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Alex Akira recently reviewed Frat House Troopers for Rainbow Book Reviews, and it’s a pretty great read. He begins by giving what is, to me, high praise from a fellow author:

Frat House Troopers is a fast, fun-filled read. It took me a moment to adjust to the author’s voice, but once I did my enjoyment of the story increased, as did my admiration for its author. Xavier Mayne has gifted his story with both a sweet innocence and a sense of voyeurism.

Back when I wrote FHT, I had no plans to become a published author; the very idea of having a “voice” was not even in my head. It seems generous, then, to be credited with that intention. I appreciate it very much! I also very much like the way that he wraps up the review:

I would slot this one under seriously entertaining and have to say that the repeated clothes shopping scenes were some of the funniest I’ve read in a while. I mentioned that there is a quality of innocence to this work, but for sure it is balanced by a goodly amount of heated stuff of fantasies.  It’s sassy, sweet, and joyful and well, I did tear up a bit toward the end. 

Thanks, Alex!

Read the entire 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. 

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.