A.M. Arthur

Saddle Up (Clean Slate Rach book 3) by AM Arthur: New Release Review

September 19, 2018 by Denise

Reyes Caldero keeps his past buried deep and his emotions buried deeper. But what he doesn’t say he always makes up for with his actions. When the hot chef he once saved from an abusive ex turns up at Clean Slate Ranch, the quiet cowboy is happy to act on their sizzling chemistry, even if he’s not ready to share his secrets—or his heart.

Miles Arlington needs to get the hell out of San Francisco, and heading north for a job near Clean Slate Ranch seems like just the thing. It doesn’t hurt that his secret crush slash onetime rescuer happens to work at the ranch. Miles has never been one for the outdoors, but the superhot Reyes has him ready to saddle up.

Reyes is happy to keep things casual, even though his heart has other ideas. And when Miles is forced to confront his past again, Reyes and Miles will have to put all their trust in each other if they want any chance at building a future together.

Amazon

Carina Press

Please read the first two books in the series. It isn’t 100% necessary, but it will make this one all the more enjoyable.

That being said, I couldn’t wait for Reyes and his story. Always quiet, never with much to say, but always there for his friends. Reyes and Miles have been avoiding flirting since book 1. Avoiding it so much that it was obvious to everyone. And when Miles gets a job at the ghost town and the only available bed is in the 2 man cabin with Reyes, it won’t be easy to avoid each other.

But they do. Their relationship really grows as friends. Miles is up front in that he doesn’t want a relationship but he does want to be friends. Reyes readily agrees because he doesn’t feel worthy of love.

So while this isn’t really a friends to lovers trope, they definitely grow their friendship. And I loved that.

Reyes and Miles have big secrets. Secrets that even their best friends don’t know. And when they finally tell each other- it is painful. Especially Reyes’ secret. I wasn’t expecting that.

OF COURSE A.M. Arthur made me cry. The tears of her readers feed her. But don’t worry, there is a happily ever after.

4 Pieces of Candy

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Feel: An Omegaverse Story (Breaking Free Book 6) by AM Arthur: New Release Review

September 5, 2018 by Denise

Single omegin Brogan Dale is jealous of the loving, stable relationships his omega friends have with their alpha mates. For years, he’s longed to find his own bondmate and create a family, but that hasn’t been in the cards. Just when he’s determined to take the first alpha who’ll provide for himself and his young son Peyton, Brogan scents him across a crowded coffee shop. Too bad his bondmate is the unstable alpha who nearly killed Brogan’s best friend last year.

Mikel Tovey is taking it one day at a time, adjusting to life on his own, away from the oppression and abuse of his cruel sire. All he wants is to complete his probation, make sure his omegin and brothers are safe, and find a way to live with all the mistakes he’s made. When he scents his omega bondmate, Mikel is initially terrified of the older omegin and his adorable toddler. But Brogan is handsome, kind, and Mikel is completely enamored of little Peyton.

With his bondmate in his sights, Brogan does everything in his power to prove Mikel can be a good alpha, a good mate, and a fantastic father to Peyton. But when Brogan’s past comes roaring into his present and puts Peyton’s future at risk, Mikel’s resolve is shaken. He wants to love and support his omega during this crisis, but he doesn’t know how. With Brogan surrounded by friends and chosen family who love him, he doesn’t need Mikel’s insecurities weighing him down, too—but Brogan has found his mate, and he isn’t letting Mikel walk away without a fight.

This time, Brogan has too much to lose…

NOTE: This is a non-shifter Omegaverse story with alpha/omega/beta dynamics, heats, knotting, and mpreg. In this world, omegas are second-class citizens with few civil rights and almost no protections under the law—although times are changing for the better. Trigger warnings for physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. This series is best read in numerical order.

Amazon

AM Arthur has me completely sucked into her Omegaverse books! I had only ever read one before hers- and wasn’t impressed- but since I love her books, I gave book 1 a shot as soon as it came out. Or maybe I had an arc. Either way, I fell in love with these guys. And I am still in love. Even though she makes me cry every. damned. time.

Brogan was the last Omega from the fight ring who hadn’t found his mate. Although he and his son were living with amazing beta guardians, Brogan was ready to mate and move on. He was even flirting with placing an ad for a mate, even if he wasn’t his bondmate.

We met Mikel in the previous book as a hook up of Jaysan’s. There was a lot more to that story but I won’t go into it in case you haven’t read it. I mean read it YET. Mikel is a broken man and he wants to fight his bond with Brogan but he just can’t.

Brogan and Mikel decide to pursue a friendship at first. I love that Brogan was totally ok with that. As much as he wanted a mate, and then to find his bond mate but still be willing to wait- I thought it was great.

It wasn’t all roses though with Brogan’s group of friends because of what had happened between Mikel and Jaysan. But they were all willing to give him a chance. They were wary, but willing. They call Mikel out when he has shades of being an alphahole, but some of the other alphas explain to Brogan where Mikel is coming from.

And for those who like seeing cameos, every single previous character makes an appearance. These guys are interwoven and can’t be separated.

I have a couple of nit picky things- but nothing that takes away from the story at all. And I really really enjoyed this story. And of course I want the next book RIGHT NOW!

You cannot read this as a stand alone. Trust me. I’ve read them all and I still have to think back at times to what happened when. Start with book 1. Even if you’ve never dove into the Omegaverse pool, you will really enjoy these stories.

4 Pieces of Candy

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Their Life As They Live It (Persepctives #4) by A.M. Arthur: Exclusive Excerpt and New Release Review

May 14, 2017 by Denise

Bernard “Bear” Henson is a blessed man. He is happily married to the love of his life, he co-owns a successful business, and his grown son is desperately in love with a wonderful partner. But Bear knows all too well how precarious that happiness is, so he lives every day with love in his heart and gratitude for everything he has—especially his husband Richard Brightman. Richard has been HIV-positive for thirty years and every new day is a gift.

When Richard becomes unexpectedly ill and is rushed to the hospital, Bear braces for his beautifully constructed life to come crashing down. A hard-won life full of ups and downs, illnesses and setbacks, love and anger, and a lot of regret for how certain things went down. Certain things involving Bear’s alcoholic ex-wife Debbie and the start of Bear’s relationship with Richard. But the past can’t be changed, only remembered and studied.

As Richard fights for his life, Bear reflects on the last thirty years of their entwined lives. College days, his shotgun wedding to Debbie, his unexpected feelings for Richard, and the proudest moment of Bear’s life: the birth of his son Gabriel. Bear’s life with Richard is woven with love, heartache, regret, joy, and everything else in between. They’ve overcome every obstacle that’s come their way, and they’ll overcome this new illness, too. Period. Bear simply isn’t ready to live his life without Richard in it.

Note: This is the fourth book in my Perspectives series, and while it can be read as a standalone, readers will have a much richer concept of these characters if you’ve at least read book two, The World As He Sees It. Warnings for spousal abuse (not between the two heroes) and cheating.

Amazon

….1990

Certain things were impossible to forget: the way it felt when you broke your leg falling out of a tree at age eight; your first real, meaningful kiss; a spanking so harsh you really could not sit comfortably for the rest of the night. Along with those things, Bear could now file the sight and sounds of a woman giving birth.

Eighteen hours in labor, six of which Bear had tried to sleep away in an uncomfortable chair, so he could be there for everything. He was eager to meet his daughter or son. They’d both agreed to wait and be surprised—one of the few things they’d agreed on in the last nine months. Ever since she verified yes, she was pregnant for real, and then yes, he was the father, their lives had been a series of dramatic compromises.

“You can keep sucking your boyfriend’s dick if I get to name the baby.”

“Go see your boyfriend whenever, but you come home to our bed every night.”

“Miss this appointment because you’re with him, and I’ll disappear with your kid.”

Mostly Bear was compromising and it kept him trapped between two worlds: the world of raising his child with Debbie and the world of loving Richard. It stressed him out, and even while Richard had adjusted to his meds and started gaining weight, Bear was losing weight. Not sleeping. Working himself to death to provide for his family—and according to Debbie, he never, ever did enough.

But then she was finally in labor, and she was pushing. Bear let her squeeze the shit out of his hand, while he watched a head of dark hair emerge, sticky and wet, followed by a perfect little face. Shoulders and arms. And then the baby was out, nether parts hidden by scrunched up legs.

“It’s a boy,” the doctor announced. “A very healthy looking baby boy.”

Bear’s heart surged with more love than he thought possible at the sight of his perfect son’s squirming body, the sound of his cries. The nurse let him cut the cord, and then the boy was taken away to be cleaned up. Bear watched every single movement, every action, desperate to hold his son in his arms.

He looked down at Debbie, who was quietly crying. And not happy tears. He knew her well enough. Those were…unhappy tears? She’d been hoping for a girl, but their son was perfect. No need to cry.

“All right,” said the nurse holding the baby. “Mom?”

Debbie shook her head no. Undaunted by her odd reaction, Bear held out his arms. The nurse gently deposited the most perfect human being on the planet into his arms. The baby’s eyes were shut, but he emitted soft, smacking sounds. Tiny fingers grasped for something. Bear took in every single detail of the bundle in his arms.

“He’s beautiful,” Bear said. “My God, he’s perfect. Debbie, you did good.” He couldn’t look away from his son, while the doctor dealt with the afterbirth and a few stitches for tearing. That had to suck balls.

“Have you discussed names?” the nurse asked.

“A little,” Bear replied. He was so happy to have this precious baby in his arms, he didn’t care what name Debbie came up with. “It’s Debs’s choice.”

Still a little teary, Debbie said, “Gabriel. His name is Gabriel Aaron.”

“Gabriel Aaron,” Bear repeated. “It’s just about perfect, Debs. You wanna meet him?”

She wiped her cheeks, then nodded. As gently as he could, Bear eased his precious burden into Debbie’s arms. She still looked troubled, but who couldn’t smile at that pretty baby? “He looks like you,” she said.

“You think?”

“I do. He’s our son, Bernard. Our son.”

“Yeah.”

“Ours.” Her sharp tone caught his attention, and then it pissed him off.

He’d left her room twice since they arrived, both times to call Richard and give him an update. Gabriel was biologically Bear’s, but Bear was in love with Richard, and he wanted to share as much of this experience as possible with the man. He wanted Richard to meet his boy as soon as he could, and Debbie knew it. No matter what compromises Debbie demanded from Bear, Richard would be a part of his son’s life.

“You okay for a while so I can make some calls?” Bear asked. “Little Gabriel’s got two sets of grandparents who want to know he’s here.”

“Yeah, we’re fine.”

Bear pressed a supportive kiss to her sweaty forehead, and a loving one to Gabriel’s, then went in search of the nearest pay phone. He had plenty of change in his pocket in anticipation of today’s announcement. And he did exactly what he said he’d do: called her folks first, with all the vital information. They weren’t the nicest or most supportive people in the world, and he understood why Debbie had wanted to get away. But they mostly liked him, because he took care of Debbie, and they took the news well.

The official story they’d given the family was her first “pregnancy” had miscarried, but she’d “miraculously” gotten pregnant again a few months later. Everyone bought it, and it kept the complicated reason private. Waiting on Debbie hand and foot had also kept the particulars of their relationship—and likewise, his relationship with Richard—a secret from Bear’s family. They’d been proud of him for stepping up and marrying her, like any good Catholic would, but they’d breathe fire and brimstone if they ever found out about Richard. His parents and brother Pete would turn on him, and Debbie knew it.

She knew it, and she manipulated the hell out of him.

Bear’s parents were thrilled with the news. His father, especially, loved that there would be another Henson to carry the family name. They promised to pass the news to his brother. Then Bear made the third, but most important phone call.

“I have a son,” he said the moment Richard picked up the phone.

“Oh, baby, I’m so happy for you.” Richard whooped over the line. “How long have you been at the hospital? You must be exhausted.”

“I am but it’s okay. It was worth it to see Gabriel born.”

“Gabriel. It’s a lovely name.”

“It’s perfect. He’s an angel. I can’t wait for you to meet him.”

“I can’t either, as long as his mother allows it.”

Bear growled. “She doesn’t get a say in this. You are going to meet my son.”

“I look forward to it. You sound completely worn out.”

“I’ll get some sleep soon, I promise. I needed to hear your voice, tell you the good news.”

“It’s amazing news. You’re going to be a great father, Bear, I know it. You have so much love inside of you.”

“You’d be a great dad, too.” Bear didn’t dare voice the nebulous future he’d entertained more than once: him and Richard together, raising Bear’s child as a couple. Happy, the three of them.

Richard coughed softly. “Even I wasn’t gay, that wouldn’t be possible anymore.”

“Hey, medicine is advancing every day. Someday they’ll find a cure, I know it.”

“I hope so. For now, love your son. Support your wife. I love you.”

“Love you back.”

Bear reluctantly hung up, and his quarter clunked down with all the others. He could probably waste time making a few more calls, but the most important people knew. The gossip grapevine would take care of the rest. His boss said to take all the time he needed, but as soon as he got Debbie and the baby home and settled, he had to go back to work at the gym.

For now, he returned to the delivery room to bask in the amazing thing that was his perfect, beautiful son, Gabriel Aaron Henson.

Oh how I loved this book.

First, I have pretty much loved ALL of AM Arthur’s books. She has several different series but they all live in the same world and there is always a bit of cross over. Which I just think it so fun. Second, I have wanted Richard and Bear’s story for a long time. As the dad’s to the main character in a previous book AND the owners of a gay club frequented across series- I wanted their story. And we got it.

Richard and Bear’s story is told in a series of flashbacks while Richard is in the hospital recovering from an illness. This could have felt abrupt and forced, yet it is seamless. We go all the way back to the beginning- when they first met and became college roommates. Some of the flashback stories are long, some not so long. But all of them perfect.

And those flashback stories gave *me* some serious 80’s flashbacks.

Their romance that began as a friendship was so beautiful. I am kind of a sucker for older characters who have been together for a long time and have been through a lot. And boy did they go through a lot. Nothing was overly dramatic or for shock value. It was swoony without being saccharine, and sexy without being raunchy.

When you know that there is a happily ever after because you’ve seen it in other books in the series, but can’t wait to read it and see what happens- that is a good book and a great story.

Pieces of Candy: 4.5

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Here for Us by A.M. Arthur: Quick Review with Giveaway

March 21, 2017 by Denise

Cris Sable doesn’t walk into popular gay bar Big Dick’s expecting to find more than a casual hookup, so he’s surprised by his instant attraction and intense chemistry with go-go dancer Jake. Jake’s sexy as hell and a firecracker in bed. The sparks between them are undeniable, and what starts as a hookup evolves into something deeper, possibly permanent—until Jake dumps Cris flat on his ass for no good reason.

Angry and confused, Cris finds comfort with his longtime friend and employer Charles “Chet” Greenwood. Cris’s emotional state stirs up Charles’s long-buried feelings for Cris. Feelings he’s denied for eight years, because Cris is his employee and therefore off limits—not to mention two decades younger than Charles. Cris admits he has feelings for Charles, too, but he’s still getting over Jake and both men agree nothing can happen between them while Charles is still Cris’s boss.

Jake Bowden knows he doesn’t have anything to offer a guy. He’s a go-go dancer with no degree and no real career aspirations. He’s also used to everyone who loves him leaving, so it makes sense to cut Cris loose before things get too serious. Cris is kind, passionate and totally deserves a guy like Charles—wealthy, owns a home, successful businessman. Jake can’t compete so why bother? They’re better off together. But when Jake has a serious personal crisis, Cris and Charles unite to pull him back together, and the three men discover it’s possible—maybe even inevitable—to fall in love with more than one person at a time.

“Here For Us” is the first in a brand-new m/m/m menage romance series that explores the March/May/September relationship of three very different men.

Amazon

Here for Us is the first in a new series from author AM Arthur. And while it is a new series, all of her books take place in the same world and there is quite a bit of character overlap. And while this book has a ton of overlap, you don’t need to read the others. But you’ll want to.

Cris is a porn actor on hiatus. He still has a day job but being that he is his own boss and works from home, he has to be persuaded to go out and socialize. So when his best friend talks him into going out one night, he is taken aback by one of the go go dancers.

Jake has no problem with a one night stand. That is his preferred situation. So after one amazing night with Cris, he is gone before the sun comes up. Cris is confused because he thought they really had chemistry. So when his bosses nephew asks Cris to get Chet out of the house, they head back to Big Dick’s.

Cris and Chet have always danced around their attraction to each other. Besides the age difference, Chet is technically Cris’ boss. And he doesn’t cross that line. So Cris persues Jake while Chet pines for Cris.

This is a menage romance (obviously) but really, the menage doesn’t start until nearly the end of the book. So I really enjoyed the story and I enjoyed Cris with Chet and Cris with Jake, I really needed more Cris with Jake AND Chet. The way it is, it seems like Cris is getting exactly what he wants and Chet and Jake are along for the ride. Perhaps a little more of the three of them together could have built the relationship better.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

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Say It Right by A.M. Arthur: Release Day Review, Tour, Excerpt and Giveaway

September 14, 2016 by Denise

After his parents kicked him out for being gay, Marc Villegas lived on the streets before getting a second chance. Now he’s giving back by working at a shelter for LGBT teenagers—because helping fight their demons keeps his own at bay. Including his infatuation with the former best friend he’s sure is straight.

Anthony Romano hasn’t seen Marc since Marc left home eight years ago. In his confidant’s absence, Anthony turned to heroin. Now at rock bottom, he has an offer from Marc to help him get clean. Detox is hard and ugly, but not as hard as admitting the truth: he’s in love with Marc. Always has been.

Marc swore he’d never date an addict, but he never dreamed the one in question would be the man he’s always wanted to be with. As the two explore their feelings for each other, Marc faces a difficult choice. Say yes, and it could cost him his sobriety; say no, and it could cost him his heart.

Title: Say It Right

Author: A.M. Arthur
Series: All Saints #2
Can be read as a standalone
Release Date: September 12th 2016
Genre: Contemporary MM Romance

Goodreads

Marc jerked upright in bed, instantly alert, but uncertain what had woken him. A hint of light made it through the blackout curtains on his only window, enough to show he was alone in his room. He snagged his phone off the bedside table, but no one was calling him. No texts, and the alarm wasn’t going off.

Only a little after noon. He’d gotten home from his overnight at the shelter less than two hours ago and crashed right away.

Why the hell am I awake?

The distant chime of his doorbell, then muffled banging.

He sat up, covers falling to his waist. No one ever knocked on his door. The Beware Pit Bull sign on his front gate deterred solicitors, and he rarely ordered anything that needed to be delivered. People didn’t ring his bell for no good reason, and that sent Marc diving for a pair of workout shorts.

Sleeping in the nude wasn’t conducive to quickly answering the door.

The stairs challenged him a little, but whatever. Two hours of sleep. At the bottom, he pressed his eye close to the peephole. A young Latina, maybe late teens or early twenties, stood on his stoop. Familiarity hit him in the heart. Her face was thinner, her hair longer, but he knew her.

He snapped the two locks and flung the door open. “Maddy?”

“Hey, Marcos.” Madeline Romano haunted his stoop like a ghost from the past—which she very much was. Maddy was the little sister of his high school best friend, and he hadn’t seen her since he was sixteen years old.

“It’s Marc now.” Stupid thing to say. “What are you doing here?”

“I need your help.”

“Okay. Come in.”

He stepped back, shut the front door once she was inside and out of the January cold, then ushered her toward his lumpy sofa. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“No, I’m fine.” She was pretty far from fine, or she wouldn’t be here after eight years. “Did I wake you up?”

Marc glanced down at his backward shorts. “Um, give me one sec, okay?”

He fled upstairs for proper clothes. Whatever was wrong, he didn’t need to hear it in his underwear. After finding clean briefs, he put on jeans and a sweater. Maddy hadn’t moved from the couch. She clutched at a small purse like she expected it to disappear at any moment.

“How did you find me?” Marc asked as he sat next to her.

“The internet. You stayed in the city.”

“I did. Where are you living?”

“Philadelphia. Sort of. It’s where we moved to when I was twelve. I’m home on winter break. Senior year of college.”

“Good for you. What school?”

“Wesleyan.”

“Damn, chica. Congrats on that.”

She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Thanks.”

“What’s Anthony up to?” Marc hadn’t thought about his former best friend in a while. After Marc’s parents had kicked him out at the end of his junior year of high school, Anthony’s family refused to help him or let them remain in contact. Marc hadn’t had any real way to keep in touch, anyhow. No money, no phone, no place to live. Maintaining a friendship hadn’t been part of his survival plan, and the one time he’d sought Anthony out, he discovered the entire family had moved. Apparently to Philly. And after enough years passed, finding Anthony again stopped feeling important.

After all, Anthony had never come looking for him.

Maddy squeezed her purse tight enough to make the leather squeak in protest. “He’s why I’m here.”

Marc’s heart kicked. “What happened?”

“After you left, he became a different person. Moody, angry, acting out. He quit the soccer team. Started getting into fights. He barely graduated, and our parents didn’t know what to do. A few months after graduation, he was arrested for possession.”

That news punched Marc in the gut. Anthony had always been about getting a soccer scholarship that would carry him to college first, then all the way to Europe. He’d dreamed of being a big-name soccer star, and he’d hated the idea of drugs. He’d turned his nose up at weed and didn’t even like to drink at parties.

“He got probation the first time.”

“The first time?” Marc squawked.

“Less than a month later, he was arrested again. He served four months.”

“Jesus Christ.”

Anthony had been in prison for drug possession.

“It destroyed our parents,” Maddy said. “None of us understood what happened. Why he changed l

ike that. When he got out, he was clean for a while. Even got a job at a car wash. We all thought he was doing good. Then Mom’s jewelry started going missing. Cash was missing. He kept staying out.”

“He was using again.” The words were bitter in Marc’s mouth.

“We had a family intervention. Rehab, or they’d kick him out. He chose rehab, got his act together and came home. He went to meetings, got a job. He was fun to be around again. Everyone thought he was okay until this past summer. Same thing, different day. But instead of rehab or begging for another chance, he just left. He left, and no one knows where he’s been for months.”

The heartbreak in Maddy’s voice put hot tears in Marc’s eyes.

Months.

“Fuck.” He blinked the tears away, then tucked Maddy close to his chest, acting on instinct. She clung to him without crying, and he tried not to tense up.

Marc knew the dangers of living on the streets better than anyone. He knew all of the different fates that could befall someone, especially an addict. He’d seen acquaintances overdose on bad shit. Seen them beaten up for what little they had on them, be it cash or dope. Seen them killed outright for standing on the wrong corner.

“How can I help?” Marc asked.

“I saw in the paper about your homeless shelter. It’s awesome that you do that.”

“Thanks, but Anthony’s never come to the shelter.” He wouldn’t have been admitted by Dave or Tate, even if he had. The shelter was for LGBT teenagers, not twenty-four-year-old former soccer stars. And no one brought drugs inside. “Why do you think he’d come back to Wilmington? Your family moved to Philadelphia not long after I lost touch.”

“It’s a guess. I’ve searched all over Philly. All of his old hangouts, his old friends. Dad even checked in with his detective buddy, and no one can find him there. Plus he talked about you a few times after the last rehab.”

And here Marc hadn’t thought anything else could surprise him today. “He did?”

“He wondered what you were doing, if you were okay. Said he owed you an apology, and part of staying sober was making amends. I figured searching here was worth a shot.”

Marc wasn’t sure how to respond to that. Anthony could be right around the block, shooting his own death up his arm, and Marc wanted to cry almost as much as he wanted to punch something. “If he came back to Wilmington, he’s never tried to make contact with me.”

“But don’t you know people? Someone who could help us find him?”

“I’m not sure.” Marc had more resources for this kind of thing than Maddy, but addicts weren’t quick to snitch on each other. Not unless money was involved, and Marc didn’t have a lot of spare twenties to flash in front of people for what would probably be worthless information.

One thought came to mind, though. An acquaintance who might be able to give him a lead.

SAY IT RIGHT (All Saints #2)
Carina Press

Amazon

B&N

COME WHAT MAY (All Saints #1)
Amazon

Carina

B&N

By this point, I feel like I should know that reading an AM Arthur book is going to be like turning on my 80s power ballads playlist. There are going to be all these emotions, I’m going to ugly cry more than once, but in the end, I’m going to feel like a new woman.

Come What May, the first book in the All Saints series, was emotional, but nothing like Say It Right. Marc and Anthony share a very tragic, painful past together as well as separately. One thing I completely respect AM Arthur for is not skirting around tough issues. It would’ve been easy for Marc to fall into the role of caretaker for Anthony, forgetting there was so much on the line for himself as well. But he didn’t. As much as he loved Anthony and wanted to help him, he wasn’t willing to put his own life on the line for his first love.

This is not an easy book to read. It’s going to make you hurt. It’s also worth pointing out that if you’re in the mood for a hot, steamy read, this isn’t the book you want to pick up. There’s not much sex, but that’s because there couldn’t be. That’s what I was saying about not taking the easy way out. It would’ve been easy if a good orgasm solved all their problems, but AM Arthur chose to write a beautiful story, not only about two men loving each other, but about two men trying to love themselves, first.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

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No stranger to the writing world, A.M. Arthur has been creating stories in her head since she was a child and scribbling them down nearly as long. She credits an early fascination with male friendships and “bromance” (and “The Young Riders”) with her later discovery of and subsequent affair with m/m romance stories. When not writing, she can be found in her kitchen, pretending she’s an amateur chef and trying to not poison herself or others with her cuisine experiments. You can contact her at AM_Arthur(at)yahoo(dot)com.

Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Goodreads

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Come What May by A.M. Arthur : Blog Tour, Author Interview, Excerpt and Giveaway

June 7, 2016 by Denise

Jonas needs Tate. He just doesn’t know it yet.

Or at least, he doesn’t want to admit it. Because there is no way Jonas Ashcroft is gay. He’s a straight, carefree frat boy player, just like any good son of a conservative state senator. If only his struggle to convince everyone—especially himself—didn’t leave him so miserable. No matter how many girls or bottles he drowns himself in, Jonas can neither escape nor accept who he is.

Enter Tate. He’s smart, confident, and instantly sees right through Jonas’s surly exterior. Sure, he’s done things in life he’s not proud of, but he knows who he is and what he wants. And what he wants is Jonas. As their easy friendship intensifies into something more, Tate introduces Jonas to a life he’s never known. One filled with acceptance and sex and a love that terrifies and excites them both.

But some inner demons refuse to be shaken off so easily. When Jonas’s old life barges in, he faces a shattering choice, one that could destroy everything he and Tate have fought so hard for. Sometimes love just isn’t enough—and sometimes it’s exactly what you need.

Author Name: A.M. Arthur

Book Name: Come What May

Series: All Saints

Book: One

Release Date: May 23, 2016

Pages or Words: 70,000 words, 320 pages (print edition)

Categories: Contemporary, Fiction, M/M Romance, New Adult, Romance

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27731949-come-what-may

Publisher: Carina Press

Cover Artist: Carina Press

“It’s small,” Jonas said.

“Better than a cardboard box or foster care.” The sharpness in Tate’s voice echoed in his frown.

Jonas had never known anyone before who’d been in foster care, and saying so would probably make him the biggest douche on the planet. It also took the edge off some of his irritation over the total mindfuck that was Tate Dawson. “It’s way better than both of those things. You worked hard for this place, Tate. I haven’t worked hard for anything in my life.”

“I disagree.”

He blinked. “You do?”

“Yes, I do. I think you work very, very hard to convince yourself and the world that you’re something you’re not. I think you work very, very hard to be perfect when no one is, and the only thing anyone should ever do is just be her or himself. Be true to you, not to what others want from you.”

Jonas’s throat squeezed tight. “I can’t.”

Tate took a step closer, bringing a gentle waft of sweat and something sweet. “Why not?”

He saw the barest reflection of himself in Tate’s glasses and he didn’t like it. He stepped back. Tate snagged his wrist and held him there. The touch sent awareness buzzing across his skin, down his spine and straight to his balls. H needed to pull away before this got out of control.

And then his rebel brain decided it was a good idea to glance at Tate’s pink lips. Lips that Tate, the asshole, licked with slow swipes of his tongue.

Jonas yanked away his hand away so hard Tate stumbled. “I’m not gay, so you can get that ‘fuck the frat boy’ fantasy out of your head right now.”

Instead of being cowed, Tate planted both hands on his hips and said, “Who are you trying to convince? Because it’s just you and me in this room, and I’m not the one who brought up your sexuality. You did.”

Damn him. “Why won’t you leave me alone?”

Tate’s gaze drifted over his face as he sought for words. “Because every time we’re together I can tell you’re struggling with something. You put up this lone wolf front to keep people at arm’s length so you don’t have to work so hard to pretend, but it’s exhausting you. Jonas, you can be yourself with me. Whoever that is.”

“I can’t.” Talking was getting harder around the lump in his throat. His heart was kicking too fast and his chest ached.

“Look me in the eye.” Tate closed the three strides between them, then curled a warm hand around the back of Jonas’s neck. “Look me in the eye and say you don’t want to kiss me right now.”

How do you pick which story to write next? Is it the character that is yelling at you the loudest, the quiet one over in the corner with the devilish grin, or is it the storyline itself that is dragging you into it’s path? Usually it’s whichever book is contractually due next. LOL. Trust me, if I could write the book that’s yelling at me the loudest, I’d be all over my first ménage (Off Beat #3), but I can’t. I have another book due first, grrr….

Which character was the most troublesome? Ezra. Freaking. Kelley. (Belonging series). After his first appearance in No Such Thing, he was all “Me! Me! Write me!” And when I could finally write his book (Maybe This Time), he sat down and shut up. He kept all his freaking secrets until it was time to reveal them. And now he won’t go away! He’s popped up in every book I’ve ever published with Carina Press, including Come What May.

Would you ever go back and rework your first book? I did! My first published m/m book was a paranormal novella called Prodigal. When Musa Publishing shut down, I got the rights back and I re-edited the book. It wasn’t a major thing, in retrospect, but during the original editing process, the house editor was adamant about including condoms in the sex scenes. Always. No matter what. And I gave in. So I was very happy to go back in and take the condoms out, because it makes sense to the story not to use them.

What genre could you least of all see yourself writing? Hard SF or Regency historicals. I like SF films, but I’m not much of a reader. And historicals…I have read some I’ve really liked, but it’s not my go-to genre, so I can’t imagine ever writing one.

Do you ever feel “shy” when writing specific scenes? Nope. What’s to feel shy about? Maybe I’d feel shy if I was writing a raunchy sex scene while seated in the last pew of church, but other than that….

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A.M. Arthur was born and raised in the same kind of small town that she likes to write about, a stone’s throw from both beach resorts and generational farmland. She’s been creating stories in her head since she was a child and scribbling them down nearly as long, in a losing battle to make the fictional voices stop. She credits an early fascination with male friendships (bromance hadn’t been coined yet back then) with her later discovery of and subsequent love affair with m/m romance stories. A.M. Arthur’s work is available from Samhain Publishing, Carina Press, Dreamspinner Press, and SMP Swerve.

When not exorcising the voices in her head, she toils away in a retail job that tests her patience and gives her lots of story fodder. She can also be found in her kitchen, pretending she’s an amateur chef and trying to not poison herself or others with her cuisine experiments.

Where to find the author:

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/A.M.Arthur.M.A

Twitter: http://twitter.com/am_arthur

Tumblr: http://www.tumblr.com/blog/am-arthur

Website: http://amarthur.blogspot.com/

Tour Dates & Stops:

23-May: The Novel Approach, Gay Media Reviews, Gay Book Reviews, Man2ManTastic, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Mikky’s World of Books, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents

24-May: Oh My Shelves, MM Good Book Reviews, Attention Is Arbitrary, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

25-May: Unquietly Me, Havan Fellows, Prism Book Alliance

26-May: Love Bytes, Book Reviews and More by Kathy, Sassygirl Books

27-May: Hearts on Fire, 3 Chicks After Dark, Multitasking Mommas

30-May: Happily Ever Chapter, Books A to Z, Joyfully Jay