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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

Christina Lee

Pretty Perfect (Boys in Makeup Book 1) by Christina Lee and Riley Hart: New Release Review

January 28, 2020 by Denise

Jesse
After spending the first part of my life trapped in a small town where it wasn’t okay to be a makeup-wearing boy who liked boys, I swore I’d leave and never be anything but loud, proud, and unapologetically me. I’ve kept that promise. I’m following my dreams, have an apartment with my bestie, and get to dance my nights away at one of the hottest gay bars in Portland.

The only downfall is Dane, the sexy bartender with a perma-scowl always aimed my way. The tension between us is so strong that even the clubgoers notice, and they eat that stuff up. Our boss makes us dance on the bar together every Friday night. I might shake my booty a little more with Dane just because I love getting under his skin. It’s not my fault he doesn’t know how to have any fun…but I kind of want to teach him.

Dane
I got burned bad by my last boyfriend. Thankfully, my sister, Bree, and my niece, Hailey, make my days a whole lot brighter. I’m getting back on my feet, including a decent job as a bartender. But working in a gay club makes it harder to keep to myself. No way do I want to get reeled in by another charming, pretty face and get hurt again, and definitely not by someone like Jesse, whose audacity frustrates me to no end.

So why do I want to shove him against the wall and screw that boldness right out of him?

Only…sometimes he’s pretty sweet, especially with Hailey. As we go from enemies to angry hookups to friends, our feelings are changing and moving into uncharted territory. This can’t go anywhere. Jesse and I are like oil and water; we just don’t mix…right?

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Did you see that cover? And it is my my favorite author collaboration- Christina Lee and Riley Hart. I don’t know what it is but these two write as one. I cannot tell that two authors wrote this book. The voices are seamless.

So, yes, the cover sucked me right in. I am a sucker for men in make up. And I love the juxtaposition of him wearing his hair in a crew cut. Jesse is a complex character who comes off as a flighty go go dancer, but he has so many layers. Above all he is just a charismatic guy who draws people in. Not many can resist Jesse. He is just that guy you can’t help but like.

Dane, at first, only sees that top layer. But Jesse keeps pushing his buttons until he caves. And it still takes him a while to throw away all of his preconceived notions about Jesse.

Add in a cute kid, a shy roommate, parents who try to understand but just can’t and mix it with a healthy dose of guilt- you’ve got a good story.

Dane has a great relationship with his sister and niece. Although they lost their mother years ago, they aren’t defined by that at all.

Jesse’s parents, on the other hand, broke my heart. They still loved Jesse but him being queer really warred with their beliefs. They were pretty isolated, owning a working a farm, so they really had no experience with queer people. But they really wanted to try. That was just so heartwarming.

I can’t WAIT for book 2, which shows you not only how much I enjoyed this book, but how much they could make me care about a secondary character and wanting his happily ever after.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

Filed Under: Book Review, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, TCO Reviewer: Erin Tagged With: 4 stars, author, book, Book Reviews, Christina Lee, gay, lgbt, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, review, Riley Hart, romance

Science & Jockstraps (Ace’s Wild Book 1) by Riley Hart & Christina Lee: Release Day Review

September 24, 2019 by Denise

Shy science guy Liam and fun-loving jock Isaiah have been roommates since their freshman year in college. On the surface, they couldn’t be more different. What the rest of the world doesn’t know is that tucked between basketball, classes, and hanging with friends are some of Isaiah’s favorite moments—just Liam and Isaiah in their room, watching documentaries or goofing off. Liam certainly never imagined Isaiah would become one of his favorite people, but their friendship was pretty much solidified the first time Isaiah saved Liam from a killer spider.

When Isaiah discovers Liam is looking for a hookup to help him explore a secret kink, the idea of anyone touching Liam that way sparks a protective instinct Isaiah has never felt before. Then, Isaiah confesses that he’d like to be the one Liam experiments with, and Liam is completely bowled over—equal parts thrilled and wary of ruining their friendship.

From the first sting of Isaiah’s palm, Liam’s fantasy finally comes to life. The more they explore together, the closer they become, uncovering feelings neither were willing to admit before. But outside the haven of their room, reality isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Isaiah isn’t out, and worries about his college basketball career. And Liam won’t be someone’s secret, not after he promised himself he’d stop hiding and being afraid.

Deciding how to navigate the world together will be the final exam they’ll need to ace.

***PLEASE NOTE: For the first 90 days of this title’s publication, all sales and page reads will be donated to The LGBT Community Center of Cleveland and The LGBT Center of Raleigh.

**Science and Jockstraps is part of a multi-author series of books that take place in the same fictional town. Each story can be read in any order. The connecting element in the Ace’s Wild series is an adult store owned by Ace and Wilder. The main characters from each book will make at least one visit to Ace’s Wild, where they’ll buy a toy to use in their story! The only characters who crossover to each book are Ace and Wilder. And with various heat levels, there’s sure to be something for everyone!

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Fun, fun, fun!

I love a series that is loosely connected and by different authors. Think Bluewater Bay or Tucker Springs. And now we have Ace’s Wild, a new series connected by an adult store owned by Ace and Wilder. And there are a ton of authors. No one is writing more than one book and they are being released quickly. I want to say every two weeks? Anyway, this is book 1 by two of my favorites- Christina Lee and Riley Hart. They have co-authored before and I have always enjoyed the books.

Oh! And the first 90 days of sales and page turns (Kindle Unlimited) go to charity! How is THAT for awesome?

Now to the book!

Isaiah and Liam are pretty much polar opposites, but being roommates in college for over a year now, they have become good friends. Until Isaiah snoops- by accident- and sees that Liam has a kink he’d like to explore. And the more Isaiah thinks about it, the more he wants to be the guy he explores with.

We watch as they navigate this new kink…and new feelings. And the fact that Isaiah isn’t out as bisexual.

There could have been a lot of angst, but it was light instead. Being a shorter book, they guys had to work through the conflict quicker. That being said, it wasn’t rushed at all. The story flowed with the relationship without the awkward “Three months later” starts of chapters.

Both Liam and Isaiah are lovable guys. It was totally adorable how Isaiah did a bunch of research so that he would do it correctly and not hurt Liam. He was pretty swoony to be honest.

We also got our first taste of Ace and Wilder- the couple that ties all of the books together. They are going to be a funny couple.

So yes, read it. College age, unintended romance, funny, a little kinky. It is well written and the change between authors is so seamless you cannot decipher who wrote what.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy 

Filed Under: Book Review, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, Release Day Review, TCO Reviewer: Erin Tagged With: 4 stars, author, book, Book Reviews, Christina Lee, gay, lgbt, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, release day review, review, Riley Hart, romance

Forever Moore: A Gay Fairy Tale (Forbidden Love book 2) by Christina Lee & Riley Hart: New Release Review

April 26, 2019 by Denise

With his raven hair and snow-white skin, Lord Ansil Eirwin draws unwanted attention wherever he goes. After his father’s untimely death, Ansil is set to become Duke of Ravenswood on his next birthday. The gallant and timid lord would never dream of shirking responsibility, so he subverts his desires in order to please his mother and new stepfather, Reginald.

Orien Moore, known as the Huntsman, lives on the fringes and has forsaken close bonds with anyone, even the misfits he has taken in. When Orien is called upon by his brother, Reginald, to kill the pampered future duke, it is the perfect opportunity to seek revenge against his power-hungry brother. Orien formulates a plan to use Reginald’s vicious request to his advantage by kidnapping Ansil and holding him hostage until he can fulfill his birthright.

Soon Orien realizes that Ansil is nothing like he’d expected. Kind and joyful, Ansil enchants Orien and his ragtag group. And Ansil, in turn, cannot help but be curious about the gruff huntsman as Orien’s vulnerabilities are exposed. Their mutual interest transforms into affection, followed by overwhelming desire. But they are living on borrowed time.

With Reginald seeking power in Ravenswood, they have no way of knowing what will transpire once Orien returns Ansil to his proper place in society. The only certainty is that the odds are stacked against them. Will the young lord and his huntsman ever have the chance to experience the happily ever after they’ve found in each other’s arms?

***PLEASE NOTE: FOREVER MOORE is a romantic fairy tale—minus the magic—that features one reluctant lord, one brooding huntsman, and plenty of angsty, forbidden love. It’s loosely based on a treasured fairy tale in a make-believe setting that isn’t part of any specific time period and doesn’t play by any traditional rules.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

These two authors are generally automatic one click buys for me. But to be honest, when the first “gay fairy tale” by them came out, I wasn’t so sure. I mean, it just looked so…cute. Too cute. So I put it on the back burner of ‘if I have nothing to read’. Then I won an audio copy of it and listened to it in my car. And loved it so much I went and one clicked the book and read it. And loved it. So ya, I was all in for this book.

This installment is a play on Snow White and the Huntsman. Although there are also seven other characters. A couple of them were obvious- Grumpy, Sneezy, Doc…but the others not so much. But it was still fun. I’ve never seen or read Snow White and the Huntsman, but I assume that the general story line is similar. But maybe not. Doesn’t matter.

Orien, the Huntsman, is an innate caregiver. But it doesn’t outwardly seem that way. But if you are his enemy, watch out. So when the chance comes to knock his brother off of his pedestal AND save a young Duke to be, he jumps at the chance.

Ansil is scared out of his mind to have been kidnapped, but when he finds out that he isn’t to be killed and no ransom to be paid, he relaxes a bit. He befriends Doc, and then when Doc passes out, he yells for help instead of running away. That earns Orien’s trust some.

This is a slow, slow burn book. But it was totally worth it and meant to be that way. Neither man had been with another man- although Ansil fantasized about it. So once they finally kiss, they take their time learning about each other and how to please another man. Orien is so sweet with Ansil you can’t help but smile. This big, scary, gruff man turns into a pile of mush when Ansil is around.

I just love how this story unfolded- not only Ansil and Orien coming together, but also Ansil bringing the whole household of people together as a family.

And because of that, the authors made me cry. GAH! I am totally down for the super angsty cry. I was not expecting the sweet, emotional cry.

No spoilers, but the ending was very satisfying. One more nod to the original Snow White and a happily ever after. Because what is a fairy tale without a happily ever after?

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

Filed Under: Book Review, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, TCO Reviewer: Erin Tagged With: 4 stars, author, book, Book Reviews, Christina Lee, gay, lgbt, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, review, Riley Hart, romance

Redeem (Under My Skin Book 4) by Christina Lee: New Release Review

March 5, 2019 by Denise

Successful financial analyst Michael Walsh leads a picture-perfect life that anyone would envy—unless they caught a glimpse beneath the surface. Haunted by failed relationships and self-doubt, Michael harbors a soul-deep loneliness that no number of casual hookups can fulfill. So why can’t he stop thinking about his New Year’s fling with a man whose quiet desperation matched his own?

Barista Stewart Jenkins has an abysmal track record with relationships, and no matter how hard he tries to keep things tightly under wraps, his life is spinning out of control. His hookup with the gorgeous Michael was only supposed to be sex—hot, dirty, uncomplicated—but that small taste leaves him yearning for more.

Every no-strings encounter that follows between Michael and Stewart peels away more layers, blurring the lines, until they’re left with a raw tenderness and acceptance they both crave. A relationship seems out of the question—they come from drastically different lives and are plagued by inexcusable sins. Being vulnerable is sure to reveal old wounds, and forgiveness seems out of reach, unless they can find a way around their fears on the road to redemption.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

If you read the previous 3 books in the series- well, just books 2 and 3- you know Michael and Stewart. And you hate them. They are assholes and we wished them flesh eating bacteria starting on their asses.

And then Christina Lee made us like them. Dammit.

What was a bonus scene (and not an excerpt from an upcoming book) was in fact, the opening scene in book 4. Michael and Stewart both proverbially licking their wounds on New Year’s Eve and having a hot hook up in the bar’s bathroom.

And then these bastards worm into our hearts. Gah!

We find out way more about Michael and Stewart and what makes them tick. What makes them they way they are. And after both of them lost great men because of their douchebaggery, they realize that maybe they should do a bit of self reflection.

It is slow going, but these guys grow on you more and more. And as they are growing on you, they are growing on each other. Not that they will ever admit it, but still. The whole no strings thing is oh so convenient to men who are afraid.

It isn’t easy to redeem (see what I did there) characters that you previously wanted to punch in the throat, but Christina Lee did it. And she gave us a sweet, sexy romance of two guys who really needed each other.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

Filed Under: Book Review, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, Randomness, TCO Reviewer: Erin Tagged With: 4 stars, author, book, Book Reviews, Christina Lee, gay, lgbt, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, review, romance

First Light (Heartsville Book 2) by Christina Lee and Felice Stevens: New Release Review

December 1, 2018 by Denise

Two years after the death of his wife, Aubrey Hendricks is still weighed down by grief. He can’t focus on anything beyond working at the family farm, First Light. At the urging of a friend, he takes a step toward resuming a normal life and reopens the bakery his wife once ran. He places a Help Wanted ad in the local paper, and to his surprise, an applicant shows up the next day.

When Oliver Hansen gets a second chance at life, he grasps it with both hands. Leaving his stressful life in New York, he plans to enjoy the simpler things. Driving to Heartsville in the Pocono Mountains to thank his heart donor’s widower is a top priority. But the brusque man with the melancholy eyes strikes a chord in Oliver. So when Aubrey mistakenly believes he’s there to apply for the bakery job…Oliver takes him up on the offer.

As Oliver busies himself with the grand reopening, he and Aubrey establish a tentative friendship, which soon shifts to blazing attraction. Oliver falls hard for him, yet he can’t help but wonder if Aubrey’s feelings are an attempt to maintain a connection to the wife he’s still mourning. And Aubrey is unsure if Oliver will tire of the slow pace in Heartsville and go running back to the city he loves. The two must successfully navigate the stormy waters of grief, doubt, and their very different lifestyles, or they risk losing both their hearts—again.

*Please note: This is in the same world as our MMM, LAST CALL, except FIRST LIGHT is MM and a complete standalone.

Amazon-Kindle Unlimited

First Light is a super slow burn romance with mature men and second chances.

I really enjoy books with main characters are around my age. It shows that just because you aren’t 22 anymore doesn’t mean you can’t find love. And for Aubrey, it was finding love for a second time when he absolutely did not expect it.

There were no real dramatics or big angst between the couple- which I thoroughly enjoyed. It could have been VERY dramatic or angsty given the nature of their relationship, but as mature men, they actually discuss things. So refreshing.

Poor Aubrey is so gruff and grumpy. He honestly doesn’t realize how many people truly care about him. He doesn’t have the typical walls up of “I’ll never love again!”, he is just doing the best that he can.

And while Oliver is a total city guy his whole life, he adjusts to living a quiet farm life fairly quickly. He was open to new things, new experiences, perhaps a new life. He never tried to make Aubrey move on. In fact, he encouraged Aubrey to talk about Lisa and their life together.

I didn’t completely understand why Aubrey’s former in laws blamed him for Lisa’s death. She was a grown woman who was driving herself home. I mean, if it was me I sure wouldn’t want someone coming to pick me up just because it was raining. They only appear about twice in the story and were a bit distracting for me. If anything, I would have wanted them in there more. Perhaps making Aubrey question moving on with his life.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The premise was different, mature men, slow burn…so many things to love

4 Pieces of Candy

Filed Under: New Release Review, Quick Reviews, Release Day Review, TCO Reviewer: Erin Tagged With: 4 stars, author, book, Book Reviews, Christina Lee, Felice Stevens, gay, lgbt, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, review, romance

Love Me Louder by Christina Lee: Release Blitz, Excerpt and Review

June 29, 2018 by Denise

Noah Dixon is damaged goods. After an accident leaves him physically scarred and emotionally vulnerable, dating isn’t in the cards, so he throws himself head-first into his retail job. When he’s obligated to attend his best friend’s engagement party on Fire Island, it dawns on him he’s about to spend yet another weekend feeling totally invisible and alone among a swarm of gorgeous men.

That’s when the idea of an escort comes in.

After Will Crossen was forced to put his theater major on hold in favor of two jobs to tackle his ailing mother’s hospital bills, he tells himself becoming an escort isn’t that big of a deal. It’s just another form of acting, right? He doesn’t expect his newest customer to be the cheery, overconfident sales associate he avoids like the plague at his day job. Talk about awkward.

But what happens on Fire Island stays on Fire Island…especially when a smoldering attraction sparks into flames. Will doesn’t feel so alone anymore, and for the first time, Noah realizes someone is seeing him behind all the scars. But between their jobs, Will’s massive familial responsibilities, and Noah’s vulnerabilities, they don’t stand a chance unless they find a way to let love speak louder than their demons.

LOVE ME LOUDER

CHRISTINA LEE

M/M ROMANCE

RELEASE DATE: 06.29.18

COVER DESIGN: X-Potion Designs

PHOTOGRAPHER: Eric David Battershell

COVER MODEL: Ryan Harmon

Amazon

 

Will’s thumb pressed against his bottom lip, making his mouth prickle from the contact. “You could at least pretend you’re into me.”

If only Will knew that Noah was totally into him and fighting his body all the way.

Noah’s tongue slipped out, and he licked the pad of Will’s thumb. He heard the all too authentic groan in the back of Will’s throat, and Noah’s cock stirred to life. Holy shit.

“That’s hot,” Will whispered as he watched Noah’s tongue flick against his skin again.

Encouraged, Noah hollowed his cheeks and sucked Will’s thumb into his mouth. He increased pressure as he circled with his tongue before releasing it with a pop.

He arched an eyebrow. “How was that?”

“Nicely done.” Will’s gaze was hungry, and Noah liked that he could surprise him. “Had you kept going, I would be hard as a fucking stone.”

Damn. Will was so incredibly sexy.

Noah bit his lip and batted his eyelashes. He could play along too.

Will tore his gaze away from his eyes, and as it slid down to his mouth, for a split second Noah thought Will might kiss him. His pulse spiked as he admitted to himself that he would want that. So fucking much.

Noah cleared his throat. “Anybody watching us?”

Will glanced around the party. “Definitely.”

He grinned. “Good.”

This review hurts me a bit. Because as much as I usually love Christina lee’s books, I did not love this one. I liked it, I finished it. I enjoyed it for the most part. But I didn’t love it like I wanted to.

My biggest issue was that I felt that a lot of it was repetitive. Saying the same things over and over in different ways. There were paragraphs that were a bit tedious for me.

And I wanted Noah to be *more* broken. I know, I am terrible. But I love angst. I love when a character is broken and someone loves them no matter what. Maybe if his scars were more visible? If we saw people being turned off by it? I don’t know.

Now what I did like. I love the fake boyfriend thing, but this time it was a paid fake boyfriend. And I totally get why Noah did it. It made sense that he wanted a boyfriend for a weekend away with a bunch of coupled up people. And having Max/Will was just perfect. I enjoyed the tension between them. Is it real, is it fake?

Fire Island! Seeing some real gay culture was refreshing. Not just gay men existing in our hetero-normative world with only a club as gay culture.

It was enjoyable, as I stated. And I am super picky (no really, I am). So while I didn’t *love* it, you might. Because I certainly liked it.

 

Once upon a time, Christina Lee lived in New York City and was a wardrobe stylist. She spent her days getting in cabs, shopping for photo shoots, eating amazing food, and drinking coffee at her favorite hangouts.

Now she lives in the Midwest with her husband and son—her two favorite guys. She’s been a clinical social worker and a special education teacher. But it wasn’t until she wrote a weekly column for the local newspaper that she realized she could turn the fairy tales inside her head into the reality of writing fiction.

She’s addicted to lip balm, coffee, and kissing. Because everything is better with kissing.

She writes MM Contemporary as well as Adult and New Adult Romance. She believes in happily-ever-afters for all, so reading and writing romance for everybody under the rainbow helps quench her soul.

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Filed Under: New Release Review, Quick Reviews, Release Day Review, TCO Reviewer: Erin Tagged With: 3.5 stars, author, book, Book Excerpts, Book Reviews, Christina Lee, excerpt, gay, lgbt, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, review, romance

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