Reviews
What People Are Saying About Heidi Cullinan
Hero
Best Gay Fantasy, First Place - Elisa Rolle's Rainbow Awards 2010 (tied with Miles and the Magic Flute)
Second Place Paranormal Category - Rainbow Awards for Excellence from Rainbow Romance Writers
Ms. Cullinan has created a contemporary story with an incredible paranormal plot that captivated me from the very beginning.(Rainbow Reviews)
Heidi Cullinan weaves a magical tale that enchants the reader, wraps a perfect veil of story-telling illusion, and lets you walk away with a smile and a lighter heart, and only a touch of regret that there isn't any more. (Cherry Blossom at Whipped Cream Reviews)
Special Delivery
Best Gay Erotic Contemporary, First Place, Elisa Rolle's Rainbow Awards 2010
Best Character, Third Place -Elisa Rolle's Rainbow Awards 2010
Best Writing Style, First Place - Elisa Rolle's Rainbow Awards 2010
Best Overall Gay Fiction, Second Place - Elisa Rolle's Rainbow Awards 2010
Dear Author, Best of 2010
This well written story is definitely worth reading. I really liked both Mitch and Sam and although I wasn't too taken with Randy I did feel that his presence helped to solidify their relationship. The sex scenes are well written, at times very erotic and at others almost romantic in feel. The BDSM in this story is not hard core instead it portrays certain kinks, including domination, exhibitionism and humiliation, in a way that should not put off anyone interested in but not too familiar with BDSM. Overall the central theme is the sexual and emotional journey Sam undertakes and his connection with Mitch. That theme is presented well throughout and made this a compelling story with a wonderful ending. I'm happy to recommend it. (Lily at Rainbow Reviews)
This book really is more than the sum of its parts, and whether you choose to read it for the erotic bits, or the story of a young man coming into his full flowering, you won’t be disappointed. A rich and wonderful read. Highly recommended. (Ann Sommerville at Outlaw Reviews)
Special Delivery is one of those rare gay romances that do not feel awkward, fake, or contrived to me. Everything flows naturally - the narrative, the pacing, and the character development. (Mrs. Giggles)
This is a fabulous little story. I pretty much can’t recommend it highly enough. If you like K.A. Mitchell, I think you’ll love this book. Same type of character-driven romance. Same hot hot sex. And the ending is, I think, the first full-on proposal scene I’ve seen in a m/m romance. (Sarah Frantz at Dear Author)
Special Delivery is a study of exploration, finding out what your limits are, and with whom you want to explore those limits. Overall,Special Delivery is a good, page turning read. (Lilyraines at Night Owl Reviews)
It is a beautifully told story about people finding each other, finding themselves, and falling in love, all wrapped up with a Goldilocks kink bow. With whipped cream. And Peaches. (Penny Wilder at Penny Reads Romance)
Double Blind
Dear Author, Best of 2010
Double Blind is a very well written book and one that ultimately I really enjoyed reading. The plot is intriguing and exciting, it’s fast paced and has many different subplots that all worked well within the main storyline. The characters are well developed and three dimensional and the relationships explored throughout, whether Randy and Ethan’s, Mitch and Sam’s or the one they all shared together, really drew me in and kept my attention throughout the book. This can be read as a stand alone book but will be better appreciated if read after Special Delivery, I highly recommend Double Blind and look forward to reading more stories by Heidi Cullinan. (Lily at Jessewave)
If readers want a book to sink their teeth into that has emotional truth, lots of angst, and stunning character construction and development, this is where to go. (Joan/Sarah F at Dear Author)
Miles and the Magic Flute
Best Gay Fantasy, First Place - Elisa Rolle's Rainbow Awards 2010 (tied with Hero)
Best Cover, 8th Place to artist Anne Cain - Elisa Rolle's Rainbow Awards 2010
"Miles and the Magic Flute" is a fantastic fairy tale, but not a sweet, fluffy one: this is "drag-you-under-the-hill faerie, not sprinkle-pixie-dust fairy," as one of the characters puts it.This isn't an easy story, and right until the final pages I wasn't sure which way the ending was turning ~ all I will tell you here is that it was a good, right, satisfying ending, and the novel as a whole is one I will be recommending widely. (Ephemera at Rainbow Reviews)
"Miles's adventure will be totally involving, a bit naughty, and plenty moving, but to me has never reached the point I feared for him; I have always felt like the happily ever after was possible, and that in a way of the other, Miles would be able to understand what is really important in life." (Elisa Rolle)
"While the characters are definitely the soul of Miles and the Magic Flute, Ms. Cullinan has a wonderful knack for description. I could feel the snow and the cold of Minnesota in winter, just as I could see the forest of the Lord of Dreams and the dank dungeon where everything comes to a climax.... It is a quintessential fairy tale setting which is beautifully illustrated with strong imagery."(Kris at Dark Diva Reviews)
Nowhere Ranch
Winner, 2011 Rainbow Awards, 1st Place Contemporary Erotica
Nominee, 2011 Cupid & Psyche Awards, BDSM
Best Book of 2011, GLBT-BDSM, The Romance Reviews
I adored this book. It’s utterly and completely over the top. It’s exuberant. It’s angry — no, it’s furious. It’s totally steeped in dirty nasty sex. It’s leaking angst all over the place. It’s political and powerful and brilliant.... Passion and angst and anger are what it’s all about.
(Sarah Frantz at Dear Author)
Heidi Cullinan’s writing style is fabulous, her characters were sympathetic... I was drawn in from the first page and tore through this book in a day. Did I stay up way too late because I wanted to finish? Oh yeah!
Five enthusiastic stars! NOWHERE RANCH--a wonderful erotic romance, with amazing characters, an emotionally charged and well-developed plot, and erotic love scenes. This is my first Heidi Cullinan novel, but I must say that I am already a fan.
(Rho at The Romance Reviews)
An erotic turning into family romance. I will not arrive to say it’s sweet romance, the sex is plenty and explicit, but I think that also the more romantic readers will enjoy it: give it a chance, there are even two cute puppies and an even cuter baby.
(Elisa Rolle at Elisa's Reviews)
The Seventh Veil
Heidi is a great storyteller. She handles this complex novel with considerable aplomb. The characters of Charles and Timothy, Charles’ brother, Jonathan and the apprentice witch, Madeline move on and off the stage with fluidity. She evokes considerable empathy with the suffering of one of the main characters at the hands of Martin Smith, the evil alchemist. This is definitely a 5 Ravens book.
(Barb Manning at BlackRaven Reviews)
I was pretty blown away by the depth and reach of this book. The world building is vivid and complex, the characterisation thorough and sympathetic. I felt a whole range of emotions as I was reading from genuine chills to laughter, amazement and sorrow. I'm already anticipating the next in this series and couldn't recommend it highly enough with a grade of 'Excellent'.
(Jenre at Well-Read)
It's not often you hear the word epic mentioned in the same breath as erotic, but Heidi Cullinan's The Seventh Veil is an astounding work of fantasy that manages to be both epic and erotic. This is a big story, full of big ideas, complete with an elaborate sense of geography, history, and mythology. It has everything you would expect to find in the first installment of an epic fantasy saga, along with some very progressive ideas regarding gender and sexuality.
(Sally Sapphire at Bibrary Bookslut)
Dance With Me
Recommended by Mandi at USA Today
Thanks to the recommendation from a friend, I finally picked up a book by Heidi Cullinan, and I'm so glad I did. In Dance With Me, Ed is a former football player who has had his career cut short by a bad neck injury. He meets dancer Laurie when he volunteers at the local rec center. When he starts taking dance classes to help his injury, Laurie becomes not only Ed's friend but they start to explore a relationship as well.
Golden Blush Award from Niterary Nymphs
Dance with Me has become my favorite story by Heidi Cullinan. Ed and Laurie are probably the most realistic characters I have ever seen. The drama that the two go through, first with Ed’s injury and later with Laurie’s interfering friends and family, are so true to life that each scene is like peeking into someone else’s life. If you have not yet tried any of this author’s books, I strongly suggest you start with this one. (Literary Nymphs)
The Romance Reviews' Top Pick
Have you ever read a book that at the end of reading leaves a feeling of well-being? Or that a few days after reading it, you still remember him? DANCE WITH ME was one of those books for me.
(Midia at The Romance Reviews)
5 Star Read at Reviews by Jessewave
Dance with Me is a contemporary Odd Couple narrative about two men who shouldn’t work together, but almost cannot work apart....And the sex!?! Holy Moly, Mother of Lube is the sex hot!
(Damon at Reviews by Jessewave)
Dear Author Recommended Read
More than anything else, I fell in love with Ed and Laurie. They're amazingly full and real characters. They've got quirks that felt like...real people, not like characters with quirks to make them cute and lovable...I fell in love with the sheer beauty of the writing.
{Sarah Frantz at Dear Author}
A Joyfully Recommended Read
I absolutely loved Dance With Me. It has the perfect combination of emotion and heat. The often heart-wrenching journey Laurie and Ed had to take in order to find their joy in life again had me tearing up several times, and laughing at others.... Dance With Me is a book m/m fans should NOT miss. It’s without a doubt one of the best books I’ve read this year.
(Cassie at Joyfully Reviewed)
Cullinan’s love of dance and music, the thread that becomes a rope tying Ed and Laurie together, creates a haunting melody that will sing to readers long after they put the book down.
(Pat Henshaw, All About Romance)
An interesting take on the opposites attract trope with a dancer and an ex-football player but told in such a way that creates a beautiful and endearing story filled with two well-developed characters.
(Samantha at Fiction Vixen)
The story is well written, as all of the author’s novels are, and thus fans should particularly enjoy this offering. The characters are definitely not flat or cookie cutter but honest and very real.
I wish I could give it more than 5 stars!! Who made this rule anyway? I shall give it 8!! Yes, I just couldn’t put it down.
(Jenny & Gitte at Totally Booked)
The Wounds in the Walls
Heidi Cullinan is an amazing writer and her stories are always captivating. (Reviews by Jessewave)
A Private Gentleman
"In this heartwrenching and redemptive love story, Cullinan has crafted two detailed, complex and highly sympathetic characters who are both endearing and surprising." — Romantic Times
"It’s not very often that I am charmed by a book almost from the first page–but this book blew a fresh wind into the rather overworked 19th century area of the m/m historical romance genre and I found myself won over and wooed." — Erastes at Speak Its Name
"Sometimes the love story should be about the victims, the non-Alphas, the ones who are left behind, the ones who aren’t strong — but of course, are the strongest of us all. That is this book. And I adored it." — Sarah Frantz at Dear Author
"A Private Gentleman is a gritty, exquisitely crafted story ... If you love historical romance which is heartbreaking, realistic, and full of suspense, while being passionate, loving, and ends happily, you will like this story." — Lena Grey at QMO Books
"I give full kudos to the author for holding back on the homoerotica in favour of the superbly turned plot. It is not to say that it lacks sex, not at all, but it is nicely balanced with the story line. Altogether it is a thinking-person’s read, and one that comes enthusiastically recommended from this reader."— Gerry B's Book Reviews
"I devoured this book and had to reach for my Kleenex from time to time as something about the heroes just pulled atn my heart-strings and wouldn't let me go." — Samantha at Fiction Vixen
"Oh, this was a really wonderful book. Dark and haunting and definitely intense, but the connection between the men was so lovely." — Joyfully Jay
"I have to say that Heidi Cullinan is a virtuoso when it comes to playing with your emotions. ...I was hooked from beginning to end!" — Black Tulip at Booked Up Reviews
"This story has exceeded all my expectations and then some. Unless another historical romance novel comes along and grabs me by the throat and doesn’t let go like A Private Gentleman did, this will end up being my favorite historical romance for this year."— Katiebabs
Second Hand
"So, Heidi and Marie, just go ahead and push all my buttons, and THEN reach in and pull my guts out. You both seem to be good at that sort of thing." — Kelly at Insta-Love Reviews
"I love forever boys. I love stories that first create a friendship and then build it into something more. I love comfort reads. For me this was all three of those things." — Nat at BiblioJunkies
"A melody played with different instruments that blended perfectly." — Wave at Reviews by Jessewave
"The writing was so superb and kept me interested from the beginning. I can only hope that Heidi and Marie continue to write together." — The Armchair Reader
"When El actually tells [Paul] everything he wants to do to him... *THUD* yeah that was me falling off my chair." — Francesca at Under The Covers
"I love a story that makes me smile and this one definitely did...over and over again." — Christi at Smitten With Reading
"Sweet and romantic with some nice heat as well." — Joyfully Jay
"When two of my favorite authors get together to write a book and it’s published by one of my favorite publishing houses I just know it’s going to be powerful. Heidi Cullinan, Marie Sexton, and Riptide Publishing do not disappoint with SECOND HAND." — Mrs. Condit Reads Books
"Second Hand is a great story that I truly enjoyed. I look forward to reading more books in this series." — Marq at Love To Read For Fun
Fans of Heidi Cullinan and Marie Sexton are going to LOVE Second Hand, their co-authored release in the Tucker Springs series. It is a delightfully charming romance between two appealing protagonists who are going to steal your heart. —Book Reviews and More by Kathy
"Marie Sexton and Heidi Cullinan wrote a wonderful story that I couldn't put down. It was love at first chapter for me." — Ed & Em's Reviews
Dirty Laundry
OMG… Excellent! Impeccable writing yet again from Heidi Cullinan, with two characters I absolutely adored… both with damaged souls, yet they find a love so selfless it leaves your heart full of warmth and a happy glow all over! ~5 Amazing Stars~
I am a new fan of Heidi Cullinan…I love her voice and her characters are always very interesting. This story is no exception.
A quick note about the sex scenes. Cullinan is an expert at them. Sizzling hot with that touch of vulnerability made the scenes between Denver and Adam that much more interesting. I became more and more invested in this couple as the book went on.
A really great addition to the series. If you are familiar with Cullinan’s writing, you know she can put together some incredibly heated sex scenes and this book is full of them. It is dirty and sexy and lots of fun.
Dirty Laundry is a perfect blend of kinky sex and sweet romance that fans of M/M novels will enjoy. Both characters undergo a tremendous amount of growth and they truly bring out the best in one another. The sexual chemistry between Adam and Denver is off the charts smokin’ hot and their encounters are downright nasty (but in a good way ).
Book Reviews and More by Kathy
Both of these guys have big flaws and it takes a while for them to come clean about those flaws with each other, but I loved the way that their relationship developed.
Both of them are not perfect, in many way other than looks, but they are perfect together.
A really good, sweet story that had me at times teary-eyed.
Family Man
Cullinan and Sexton’s second collaboration... takes the traditional romantic trope of older experienced man/younger inexperienced woman and turns it on its ear. However, they capture the beauty of developing a relationship based on mutual interest without resorting to immediate gratuitous sex (although the eventual sex is steamy) in an homage to the old-fashioned romance.
(Library Journal, starred review)
Warm and romantic and touching and sexy. I loved both Trey and Vince and they are both just so good that I couldn’t help but want the best for them. Excellent story and one that I highly recommend.
FAMILY MAN took me by surprise when I picked it up after coming home from work. It grabbed my attention and didn’t let it go until I had finished the last word before I went to bed. You could say that I devoured it!
The easy connection to Vince and Trey... had me enjoying this book so much and making the pages fly by.
The writing really shines here with two styles blending well.