Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

Eli Easton

Schooling the Jock (Nerds Vs Jocks, Book 1) by Eli Easton & Tara Lain: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

by

Only an unfair universe makes a guy who’s that gorgeous so damned obnoxious.

A-hoe!
Poindexter!
Snarky, superbrain Dobbs and snooty football star Jesse stare at each other from their rival frat houses on opposites sides of the street — and opposite sides of everything else.

Alpha Lambda Alpha and Sigma Mu Tau have been sworn enemies for decades. Then one disastrous prank proves to be the last straw, and the college dean blows his cork!

Work together or lose both your houses.

Question – -How can Dobbs win his coveted Quiz Bowl championship with when he’s forced to put a dumb jock on his team?
Answer — Lots of personal schooling.

But when personal becomes very personal, Jesse risks causing his overtaxed family one more huge worry and the running back starts running.

Will Dobbs give up on the shocked jock, or show him that the answer to the big question is, Yes?

SCHOOLING THE JOCK is an enemies-to-lovers, opposites attract, campus romance – with one hell of a lightning round.

Title: Schooling the Jock

Series: Nerds Vs Jocks, Book 1

Authors: Eli Easton & Tara Lain

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodread

BookBub

After lunch, Jesse’s mom said she’d clean up if Jesse watched Eli, so the three of us went out to the barn with the family dog, who I’d learned was named Mack, at our heels. Bella, the brown cow, wasn’t in the barn, but she was out in the pasture. When Jesse called her, she lazily ambled toward the fence. Eli stood on the lower fence railing and held out a baby carrot. The cow walked up and took it with an alarmingly huge gray tongue. Eli clapped his hands and petted her head.

“Look, Dobbs!” Eli said. “She’s real.”

“She certainly is,” I agreed. “She has pretty eyes.”

Eli didn’t say anything.

“And shapely legs. For a cow.”

I glanced at Jesse who rolled his eyes but smiled.

“She’s the prettiest cow in the world,” Eli pronounced.

“Well, she needs a crown then, don’t you think?”

Eli looked at me like I was nuts. I glanced around. I spotted a holly bush by the barn and went over. I took out my handy-dandy pocketknife and cut some branches. I bent them to form a circle and wove the ends together to make it stay.

When I presented it to Eli, he grinned. “This isn’t a crown! A crown is gold.”

“Au contraire, little dude. A crown can be made of all sorts of things. This is a cow crown.”

Eli placed it on Bella’s head, looping it over one ear. Bella looked unimpressed. She tr

ied to nose Eli’s hand, looking for more carrots. Finding none, she started walking along the fence, eating grass. The holly circle dangled.

Eli followed her along the fence line, chattering to her. Jesse and I stayed where we were and watched.

“Thanks for, you know, being nice to Eli.”

I gave him a don’t-be-weird look. “Despite what you might have heard, I reserve my venom for grown men.”

“Ah. That explains it. And here I thought you might have a kernel of decency.”

“Nope. Although, I can’t be mean to you today either. Not after you fed me sloppy joes and, uh, helped your mom at lunch.” My cheeks heated. That was such a lame thing to say even if I’d been thinking it. I tried to make up for the compliment. “You guys have a whole routine. You should take it on the road.”

He shrugged. “We’ve all learned how to get things done as efficiently as possible, I guess.”

And yet, you’re at Madison. “Bet she misses you when you’re gone.”

Jesse’s face tightened. “I got offered a good football scholarship to Madison, so it made sense. And my mom wanted me to go.”

I raised an eyebrow at him. “Really? You’re not that intolerable.”

He rolled his eyes. “I think she wanted me to get away from it for a few years. To be more independent.” He made a face. “Not that it’s bad, Eli and Micah. It’s just…”

“Challenging?”

He shrugged. “More like all-consuming. The first five years were really rough, especially since my folks were trying to get a diagnosis so they even had a clue what to do. But they’ve come a long way. Eli especially.”

“Yeah, I noticed Eli’s really affectionate with you. That’s great. I thought autistic people didn’t like to be touched.”

Jesse nodded. “None of us can touch Micah. Eli’s like that with most people. Even my mom and I can’t touch him sometimes. But, when he’s in the mood, he lets me. I think he missed me. And you were there. Like, he was maybe feeling a little jealous or insecure? And he’s upset because Micah’s in the hospital.”

That all might be true, but I knew what I saw. “Grammy Dobbs always said, the eyes speak louder than words. Eli looks at you like you’re his hero. He loves you a lot.”

Jesse’s face softened. “Yeah. I don’t know. It’s kind of a brother thing.”

“A brother thing?”

“Eli and Micah are in their own world. Micah’s non-verbal, so Eli talks for him. I guess, as their older brother, I’m sort of on the fringes of that bubble too.”

Jesse’s tone made that sound like a special thing. And I wasn’t sure what to feel about that, or this farm, or this family. He looked so ridiculously handsome standing there with the red barn behind him, the snow under his boots, and that sheepskin-lined corduroy farm jacket, hair mussed by the wind, pink cheeks, eyes bright. Like, if he were a calendar model, I’d leave it on that page for perpetuity. And he was looking at me in a way Jesse Knox had never looked at me before. His face was open and his eyes warm. Hot even? He stared at me. And I stared back. His gaze flickered to my lips.

A frisson of lust shot down my body, lighting me on fire. I suddenly had a bone-deep urge to kiss him. I coughed, shocked at myself. I mean, I was only human, and Jesse was…Jesse. But I was getting way out over my feet here. Thinking of him that way was extremely unwise.

“So! I hear there are chickens,” I said to lighten the mood.

Jesse waggled his eyebrows. “There are. Real live ones.”

“Oh, my God. This is practically a safari!” I shouted.

Jesse laughed.

This was a fun story of two guys who are seemingly complete opposites. Two frat houses who aren’t really rivals since one is a jock house and the other is a nerd house, but being that they are across the street from each other, they play pranks on each other. Until one prank got a little out of hand and the dean comes down hard on them. The jock house has a competitive flag football team and the nerd house has a quiz bowl team. And they each have to send two people to the other teams.

This story focuses on the 2 jocks sent over to compete on the quiz bowl team. Dobbs (a nickname from his last name. Seriously- why do guys always do that?) is the quiz bowl team captain and he takes his position and his team VERY seriously. And when Dobbs and Jesse, the jock, end up stuck with each other for a weekend, expectations start to fall away.

Of course Jesse is in the closet. But he doesn’t even try to fake it with girls. He is committed to football because of his scholarship, and his college program because he is all about being a nurse. But you know the jock is going to fall for the nerd. And the nerd is going to figure out that the jock is pretty smart and a giant softie.

I loved how the entire story really involved a lot of different characters from both houses, as well as Jesse’s family. It made the whole story more believable.

One of the things that bugged me was the 2 frat guys who were responsible for the final prank never got any repercussions from their house. I understand how the dean was punishing everyone, but you would think that those two guys would face disciplinary actions.

And there were two sides to the punishment from the dean. But the flag football story will be in book 2.

If you enjoy college stories, opposites attract, etc, you will enjoy this story. Low angst and mostly fun.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Coming from a background in computer game design, Eli has written over 35 books in m/m romance since 2013. The Mating of Michael (2014) and A Second Harvest (2016) both won The William Neale Award for Best Gay Contemporary Romance, and Eli’s books have won many awards from the Goodreads M/M Romance Group’s Reader’s Choice Awards. She is best known for her Christmas romances, the Howl at the Moon series of rom coms featuring dog shifters, and her Sex in Seattle series, which revolves around a sex clinic in Seattle.

Connect with Eli:
www.elieaston.com
Facebook: Eli Easton
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/164054884188096
Twitter: @elieaston

Tara Lain believes in happy ever afters – and magic. Same thing. In fact, she says, she doesn’t believe, she knows. Tara shares this passion in her stories that star her unique, charismatic heroes and adventurous heroines. Quarterbacks and cops, werewolves and witches, blue collar or billionaires, Tara’s characters, readers say, love deeply, resolve seemingly insurmountable differences, and ultimately live their lives authentically. After many years living in southern California, Tara, her soulmate honey and her soulmate dog decided they wanted less cars and more trees, prompting a move to Ashland, Oregon where Tara’s creating new stories and loving living in a small town with big culture. Tara loves animals of all kinds (even snakes), diversity, open minds, coconut crunch ice cream from Zoeys, and her readers.

She has around 57 books published or scheduled for publication.

Connect with Tara:
Website: https://taralain.com/
Facebook Reader’s Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/255111391312743
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taralain/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/taralain
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taralainauthor/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/tara-lain

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Angels Sing (Daddy Dearest Book 2) by Eli Easton: Blog Tour and New Release Review

by

Jamie Bailey has not had such a wonderful life. He gave up his dreams of Harvard at 18 to raise his sister’s unwanted baby, and later a prized job to help a sick friend. Now the father of six-year-old Mia, and assistant manager at Raven Books, Jamie’s dreams are dashed once again when Uncle Billy admits what dire straights the bookshop is in.

Stanton Potter, son of the most notorious businesswoman in Bedford Falls, loves his job teaching at the local elementary school. But he’s less than thrilled when he is forced to put together a Christmas pageant with first-graders, including Mia Bailey.

When Stanton meets Jamie, angels sing. Jamie’s gender-bending fashion sense, and sweet aura, have Stanton suffering through the worse crush he’s had since he was a teen. But can there be any hope for them when Jamie and Mia’s lives are about to be uprooted?

This Christmas, its Jamie’s turn to receive a little help from heaven.

Cover Design: Reese Dante

Daddy Dearest Series

The Daddy Dearest series features single dads. Each book in the series features a new couple and can be read as a stand-alone.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Family Camp (Daddy Dearest Book 1)

 

I’m such a sucker for a hot dad, and then you go and throw on a Christmas theme and it’s like, just take my money… take all of it, I don’t even care if it’s good. This one, though? This one hit me all kinds in every feel I have.

So, Jamie’s Uncle Billy owns a bookstore that Jamie’s been working at since he was in high school. Destined to do great things, even accepted to Harvard, he let the great opportunities slip by to raise his sister’s baby and stick around for his sick Uncle Billy… now, Mia is six, exceptionally smart and in first grade and even being so young, he didn’t regret it for a second. Mia is everything to Jamie and I love love loved their relationship and the way he put her first, always. Amazing parenting is so hot… having been a single mom when my kids were toddlers, I get it.

Unfortunately, Mia’s a gal of structure and routine, so when her teacher needs to go on bed rest the last couple months of her pregnancy, she isn’t so excited to find the 5th-grade sporting coach as her need stand-in teacher. Jamie’s wary at first, but the jockey teacher pushes all of his buttons and it is so insanely awkward and cute in the beginning because just as much as Mr. Stanton Potter pushes Jamie’s buttons, Jamie’s pushes Stanton’s as well.

Their awkwardness is adorable, as Stanton is bi but a bit inexperienced when it comes to me and Jamie being so young, raising a daughter and running a bookstore full time, they just tip toe around each other until Stanton needs help and Jamie offers. Watching them tiptoe gets funner, but they eventually get things even out, and then it’s just sweet. However, the book store in trouble and it’s time for Stanton to come to Jamie’s aide, with his mother as well, though neither of them know that part just yet.

I loved their relationship with each other and watching it become something amazing. I loved Mia and her relationship with literally everyone she cared about in her life. I loved Stanton’s mom, though I didn’t think I was going to at first, she really surprised me. I loved Uncle Billy, he seemed so sweet and sincere. And most of all, I loved the Christmas miracle that kept Mia and Jamie from having to up and leave before he really got to experience things with Stanton. I just loved all of it. I don’t want to give too much away, but if you love sweet guys, cute kids, a teacher and a bookstore owner and Christmas miracle’s, you’ll love this one! I know I sure did! <3

And although this is technically story 2 in Daddy Dearest series, it can be read as a standalone, the previous couple and story isn’t mentioned. Though I’ve read it too and you should definitely go read it as well 😊

5 pieces of eye candy

Having been, at various times and under different names, a minister’s daughter, a computer programmer, a game designer, the author of paranormal mysteries, a fan fiction writer, and organic farmer, Eli has been a m/m romance author since 2013. She has over 30 books published.

Eli has loved romance since her teens and she particular admires writers who can combine literary merit, genuine humor, melting hotness, and eye-dabbing sweetness into one story. She promises to strive to achieve most of that most of the time. She currently lives on a farm in Pennsylvania with her husband, bulldogs, cows, a cat, and lots of groundhogs.

In romance, Eli is best known for her Christmas stories because she’s a total Christmas sap. These include “Blame it on the Mistletoe”, “Unwrapping Hank” and “Merry Christmas, Mr. Miggles”. Her “Howl at the Moon” series of paranormal romances featuring the town of Mad Creek and its dog shifters has been popular with readers. And her series of Amish-themed romances, Men of Lancaster County, has won genre awards.

Her website is www.elieaston.com

You can email her at eli@elieaston.com

 

Puzzle Me This by Eli Easton: Blog Tour, New Release Review and Giveaway

by

Luke Schumaker designs computer games, working from his home. Every day he walks his dog in the woods nearby, never suspecting that someone who is completely smitten is watching.

The watcher is Alex Shaw, and he too works from home, designing logic and crossword puzzles. Alex’s options are limited: he’s too shy to approach Luke and his wheelchair won’t let him follow into the woods. His solution? Secret messages for Luke in the crosswords he writes for the local paper.

When Luke decodes them, romance begins, but then they face greater puzzles, like Alex’s interfering sister and what commitment to a man in a wheelchair really takes. And, most puzzling of all, how do you know if love is real?

Cover Design: Reese Dante

Amazon US

Amazon UK 

Universal Link

A mixed, but still positive review from me.

Overall, I enjoyed the story, I just felt it was rushed and could have been fleshed out a bit more. I loved that the beginning had Alex wooing Luke with crossword puzzle clues. And while Luke was having fun with it, he also wanted to know RIGHT NOW who it was. That whole part could have been longer to really bring the romance early.

Both characters are lovable nerds. Luke, who is a video game designer and works from home and Alex, a crossword puzzle designer who may work from home part time? That was a bit unclear. But neither guy is a jerk, neither guy has the proverbial walls up, neither guy says hey let’s keep it casual. They are both grown ass men ready to find that special someone.

There are challenges of course. The biggest is that Alex is in a wheelchair and Luke likes to hike. In the grand scheme of things- this is a work around. Alex never gets upset if he can’t do something- but he encourages Luke to do it without him.

Of course there was a bit of conflict, mostly because Alex’s sister is overprotective and tried to scare Luke off. And there actually could have been a lot more angst and drama- family stuff, work stuff, etc etc. But it was mostly a light hearted romance between two men who really weren’t afraid of commitment. Shocker!

3 Pieces of Eye Candy

Having been, at various times and under different names, a minister’s daughter, a computer programmer, a game designer, the author of paranormal mysteries, a fan fiction writer, and organic farmer, Eli has been a m/m romance author since 2013. She has over 30 books published.

Eli has loved romance since her teens and she particular admires writers who can combine literary merit, genuine humor, melting hotness, and eye-dabbing sweetness into one story. She promises to strive to achieve most of that most of the time. She currently lives on a farm in Pennsylvania with her husband, bulldogs, cows, a cat, and lots of groundhogs.

In romance, Eli is best known for her Christmas stories because she’s a total Christmas sap. These include “Blame it on the Mistletoe”, “Unwrapping Hank” and “Merry Christmas, Mr. Miggles”. Her “Howl at the Moon” series of paranormal romances featuring the town of Mad Creek and its dog shifters has been popular with readers. And her series of Amish-themed romances, Men of Lancaster County, has won genre awards.

Her website is www.elieaston.com

You can email her at eli@elieaston.com


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Family Camp (Daddy Dearest Book 1) by Eli Easton: Blog Tour, Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

by

When Geo signs up for Family Camp, he envisions nature hikes, s’mores, and a chance to win over his recalcitrant new foster kids, Jayden and Lucy. He’s tried to become a dad for so long, and he hopes the three of them can be the family he’s always wanted. What he doesn’t anticipate is the prickly and gorgeous camp counselor who constantly comes to his rescue.

Travis spends a week every year at Camp Evermore, the camp his adoptive parents own. As a pro baseball player, his presence guarantees a full campground and excited campers. He has one rule: never, ever mess around with anyone at camp. His profession demands he stay in the closet. But one sweet and funny new dad is about to test all his resolve.

Sparks fly for Geo and Travis, and not because of the nightly campfire. Having been a foster kid himself, Travis is drawn to Geo’s sincerity and big heart and to his kids. The four of them just fit. But will this be a summer romance? Or can they find a way to be a family long after Family Camp is over?

Length: 219 pages

Cover Design: Reese Dante

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Sixth inning. Geo was ready for the game to be over. It was fucking hot on the ball field, all open and exposed, the sun baking down. And he was also not sure how much more Travis-watching he could take—him with his silky burgundy gym shorts and a sweaty Camp Evermore green shirt stretched over those muscles. His long legs were tanned and well-defined from hours at the gym.

Those thighs could fucking crack walnuts. Dude.

Damn, but that was one fine-looking man. Geo knew he should lay off, though. Travis had made himself clear.

Only he hadn’t. At all. One minute, Travis seemed into him him. He sought out Geo’s company, like the way he kept coming by the cabin at night. And the next minute, he’d put distance between them, ignoring Geo or closing himself off behind a granite-like expression and those eye-hiding shades. And Travis had laid a clear line in the sand. Not at camp. Not gonna happen.

Yup. That was fine. Sure, Geo hadn’t been mutually attracted to a guy that hot in ages. Or ever, really. But Geo hadn’t come to camp to fool around. He had other priorities.

It did make him wonder though. Bridget had said Travis wasn’t out. A quick Google search last night had confirmed that. In fact, Geo had been shocked to discover there’d never been an out baseball player in the major leagues. Like, in the history of American baseball. Which was tragic. No wonder Travis was in the closet. It had to suck monkey balls living like that. Especially with all the women who threw themselves at him constantly. There were a dozen women on the sidelines right now that looked ready to have his babies. That had to be weird for a gay guy. Didn’t it?

Geo himself was always super uncomfortable when women came on to him. He felt compelled to blurt out “I’m gay!” in the first five minutes. It was just too weird otherwise.

Then again, Travis’s love life was none of Geo’s business. Maybe the guy was bisexual. Maybe he liked dating women just fine.

Jayden came up to bat. Geo focused on his son, clapping hard. “Come on, Jayden! You’ve got this!”

Jayden took a wide stance beside the plate, both hands gripping the bat, choked up a little. Travis had spent a few minutes with Jayden at the start of the game, showing him how to stand, and Jayden copied him exactly. The kid was a great mimic. He’d been nervous at first, tense and defensive. But by now he just looked focused. He stared, narrow-eyed, at Frank as Frank pitched an easy ball.

Geo loved that about this game, that everyone tried to give the kids easy wins, and no one took the competition seriously.

Jayden hit the ball hard. It flew through the air a short ways then plonked to the ground and skipped along fast. It was heading right down the center line, though a bit more towards third base and Travis’s side of the field.

“Go Jayden! Go!” Geo shouted. He went after the ball. In his peripheral vision, he saw Jayden round first base and keep running.

Travis was going after the ball too, dodging low. He scooped it up. He was going to throw it to third base, keep Jayden back on second. Geo couldn’t let that happen.

He dove in front of Travis, crowding him, holding an arm out to block Travis from throwing the ball.

Travis snorted, bemused. “What are you doing? You’re on my team.” He backed up, trying to get away from Geo.

“Blood before bros, man,” Geo said with fake seriousness. He kept up with Travis, step for step, grabbing Travis’s right arm in a firm grip so he couldn’t raise the ball.

“Stop it!” Travis laughed. “Dork. That’s not legal.”

“Don’t care.”

They took three steps back, like they were dancing. Geo held Travis’s right arm, staring him down. Travis met his gaze, a goofy smile on his lips. Back and back they stumbled. Suddenly, Travis got a sparkle in his eyes. He wrapped his left arm around Geo’s waist and picked him up, swinging him around so he ended up behind Travis.

Geo was still finding his feet as Travis drew back his arm and sent the ball sailing.

Right to home plate. But Jayden got there first. Umpire Cindy made the motion with her hands, safe.

Geo laughed and raised his arms in triumph. “Yeah, baby! Great job, Jayden! Home run, whoo!”

Then he realized everyone was staring at them. On the sidelines, there were a dozen cameras raised, filming.

Oh. Er. Hmm. Geo wiped his face, feeling sheepish.

That’s when a piercing scream rent the air.

 

First, let me start off by saying that I adore stories about family. Give me a hot dad any day of the week. I’m a sucker for em… throw in some foster kids that need someone sweet and patient and amazing, like Geo, and I’m droolin’ all over myself page after page.

In this one, Geo is on his way to Family Camp. It’s exactly what it sounds like and he’s excited to take his new foster kids to hopefully do some bonding over the next week. Both kids, twelve year old, Jayden and five-year-old, Lucy, both come from neglectful and troubled pasts, and you will melt for them. They’re both so sweet, though Jayden a little prickly, but understandably so… and Geo is doing everything that he can to make them feel wanted and loved. He’d wanted to be a dad for so long, and now that he has his chance, it’s just not going the way he hoped it would. Still…. He cares for them so much, and it’s obvious that no matter how discouraged he gets, he’s made these kids his family.

Unfortunately, on the way to camp, everything that could go wrong, does go wrong… with the icing on the cake being he’s run out of gas before camp. With a moody almost-teenager and a little girl attached to her dolly’s and not much else, he praying for everything, but mostly a miracle.

Enter Miracle…. Professional major league player, Travis, who’s family owns the camp that they’re all attending for the next week, (though neither of them know it yet)….he stops to help the broken down family and the attraction is more than obvious… however, a misunderstanding has them starting off on the wrong foot, and though I can understand where Travis was coming from, I did want to be like… “you know what they say about folks who assume”….. but, again…. It’s hard not to understand why he felt that way…

ANYWAY…. Once everyone gets to Big Bear, it’s a week of fun in the sun, with hilarious mom’s with their likeminded children…and a pro-baseball player that everyone has their eye on… especially Geo. He’s cool about it though, and over the week, the attraction is reciprocated and acted on, even if it has to be secret, because spoiler alert…. Travis isn’t out… not only not out to his teammates and manager, but also his family… especially his parents, though they’re amazing, so it’s more of a fear thing….which you’ll understand if you read it.

Watching these two fall for each other was entertaining, sweet, cute and downright swoon-worthy, especially when you see Travis with the kids. Both men are so reassuring and patient with the kids who so badly needs all of that from them. It’s just a feel good family type read with some secret sexy times between the trees. I loved every second of it… and though things come to light and careers are tested, and friendships and family are questioned… it all comes together perfectly in the end.

You really just can’t go wrong with this one, and the happiest of happy endings is well worth it!

5 Pieces of Eye Candy

Having been, at various times and under different names, a minister’s daughter, a computer programmer, a game designer, the author of paranormal mysteries, a fan fiction writer, and organic farmer, Eli has been a m/m romance author since 2013. She has over 30 books published.

Eli has loved romance since her teens and she particular admires writers who can combine literary merit, genuine humor, melting hotness, and eye-dabbing sweetness into one story. She promises to strive to achieve most of that most of the time. She currently lives on a farm in Pennsylvania with her husband, bulldogs, cows, a cat, and lots of groundhogs.

In romance, Eli is best known for her Christmas stories because she’s a total Christmas sap. These include “Blame it on the Mistletoe”, “Unwrapping Hank” and “Merry Christmas, Mr. Miggles”. Her “Howl at the Moon” series of paranormal romances featuring the town of Mad Creek and its dog shifters has been popular with readers. And her series of Amish-themed romances, Men of Lancaster County, has won genre awards.

Her website is www.elieaston.com

You can email her at eli@elieaston.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Robbie Riverton: Mail Order Bridge by Eli Easton: Exclusive Excerpt, Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

by

Being a fugitive in the old west shouldn’t be this much fun.

The year is 1860. Robby Riverton is a rising star on the New York stage. But he witnesses a murder by a famous crime boss and is forced to go on the run–all the way to Santa Fe. When he still hasn’t ditched his pursuers, he disguises himself as a mail order bride he meets on the wagon train. Caught between gangsters that want to kill him, and the crazy, uncouth family of his “intended”, Robby’s only ally is a lazy sheriff who sees exactly who Robby is — and can’t resist him.

Trace Crabtree took the job as sheriff of Flat Bottom because there was never a thing going on. And then Robby Riverton showed up. Disguised as a woman. And betrothed to Trace’s brother. If that wasn’t complication enough, Trace had to find the man as appealing as blueberry pie. He urges Robby to stay undercover until the danger has passed. But a few weeks of having Robby-Rowena at the ranch, and the Crabtree family will never be the same again.

Cover Design: Dar Albert @ Wicked Smart Design

Length: 65,000 words approx.

Amazon

 

TCO Exclusive Excerpt – Robby Meets Rowena

By Eli Easton

AUTHOR’S NOTE – In “Robby Riverton”, set in 1860, a young actor is forced to go on the run after witnessing a murder. He ends up disguising himself as a mail order bride to escape his pursuers. In this scene, Robby meets Rowena, the mail order bride whose identity he will steal to save his own life.

“Why do you keep watching behind us?” Miss Fairchild asked. “You got someone chasing you, Mr. Smith?”

Robby’s fellow passenger in Stoltz’s wagon was a young lady. She was statuesque, well-bred, and finely dressed. She had light-brown hair that flirted with the idea of being red and a starry sky’s worth of freckles on her nose and cheeks. Her current dress was a green brocade, though she had six trunks filled with gowns and parasols and hats and other folderol. They took up an annoying amount of space. She wore a lacy ecru shawl about her person, always, despite the heat. She sat at the back of the wagon where the tarp was open, enjoying the scenery.

Said scenery was nothing but endless green woods and flies, and Robby couldn’t be bothered. Besides, he was still nervous about being seen.

“As a matter of fact, I’m being chased by a Russian countess whose heart I broke,” Robby said dramatically. “She sent a regiment of Cossacks to drag me back to her side.”

Miss Fairchild stared at him blankly for a second then laughed. “Oh, you! My Aunt Fanny! But I can believe you’re leaving behind a broken heart. Or a dozen. You’re what my mama would call a bonny lad.”

“Ack, would she now, your sainted mother?” Robby switched to his best Irish brogue.

Miss Fairchild grinned with delight. “Lands, that’s good. Are you Irish?”

“Not even a wee little bit. Not a blessed hair on me head.”

She studied him, amused. “What are you, then? Your clothes, your hands… You’re no laborer. You don’t look stuffy enough to be a preacher or a teacher, and you’re too young and handsome to be a politician. Are you a poet, sir?”

Robby laid his finger alongside his nose and then pointed at her and winked. “Close, dear lady. I’m an actor.”

“Oooh, I’ve never met an actor before! Mama took me to poetry readings last summer and the gentleman who did them, Roe Farley? He was exceedingly handsome too. Do you know Roe Farley?”

“Can’t say as I’ve had the pleasure. And what about you? What adventure are you off to all on your lonesome, Miss Fairchild?”

He’d wondered about Miss Rowena Fairchild. At first, he’d assumed she was with Mr. Stoltz. But Stoltz paid her even less mind than he did Robby. Which was to say, he ignored them both, going off to take his meals elsewhere, sleeping out in a bedroll under the wagon, and spending his days driving the team.

Her chin lifted defiantly. “I’m going to meet my husband.”

Wasn’t it Miss Fairchild? Robby blinked in confusion. “Ah. And when did Mr. Fairchild go out West?”

She started to speak, hesitated. A mischievous gleam lit her eyes. “Can you keep a secret?” she whispered.

“I know not a single soul on this wagon train but you. And it’s awfully tight quarters for secrets.”

“That’s true. Besides, there’s only so long I can hide this if you and me are sharing this wagon all the way to Santa Fe.” Moving her shawl to the side, Miss Fairchild revealed a very definite mound at her waistline.

“Ah,” Robby said.

“I told Mr. Stoltz I was going to join my husband. But the truth is… Here. This will explain better than I can.” She drew out an envelope from her tasseled purse and leaned over.

Robby hurried forward to take the missive, worried about her straining her belly. He joined her at the back of the wagon and, after checking again that there was nothing but a long chain of wagons behind them and no hint of the Bowery Boys, he took out the letter and attached contract and peered at it.

“A mail-order bride?” he said in surprise. “Well, that’s certainly adventurous. What do you know about this…” He scanned for a name. “This Mr. Clovis Crabtree?”

Miss Fairchild palmed her stomach and relaxed against the edge of the tarp. “He’s twenty-five, his family owns a wealthy ranch, and he’s clean, godly, and a hard worker. That’s what it said in the letter. We’re to be married just soon as I get to Flat Bottom. That’s a town north of Santa Fe.”

“And so ingeniously named. Does Mr. Clovis Crabtree know about your delicate circumstance?” Robby asked, seeing no reason to play coy.

Miss Fairchild blushed, but the way her eyes sparkled, it was more with pleasure than shame. “But that’s what’s so very clever of me! I have it all planned out. You see, I managed to hide this before I left since I wasn’t showing much.” She touched her belly which, to Robby’s eye, was showing more than a little, but maybe she’d always been round there. “No one back home’s the wiser. And at my biggest, I’ll be on this wagon train where no one knows me. By the time we reach Santa Fe, I’ll have had the baby. I hope so anyway.” She frowned slightly. “They say it’ll take three months to get there, and that’s about right.”

It sounded like a horrible ordeal to Robby, delivering a baby on a wagon train. But he figured it would help nothing to say so.

“And then, what I’ll do…” She looked delighted with herself. “I’ll say to Mr. Clovis Crabtree, I’ll say, ‘Why, sir, it’s a downright tragedy! A nice Christian lady on the wagon train died having this babe. And I couldn’t leave him to the wolves, now could I?’” Miss Fairchild batted her eyes innocently.

It was bold, Robby had to give her that. “What about the baby’s father?”

“What?”

“The good Christian lady who had the babe on the wagon train. Wasn’t she traveling with her pious husband? Wouldn’t he want custody?”

“Oh shush!” Miss Fairchild gave a dismissive wave. “I’ll just say he was eaten by a bear. Anyhow, no man wants to raise a baby alone.” She appeared to think better of it though, as she amended brightly, “I have it! I’ll say the daddy was struck dumb with grief and couldn’t bear to touch the child.” She raised her arm dramatically across her brow.

Robby figured any man who didn’t suspect a tall tale when his young bride appeared with an infant was a fool indeed. But who was he to interfere? And anyway, there was every chance Miss Fairchild’s intended wasn’t particularly bright. After all, he lived in the New Mexico Territories. And what sort of man went in for a mail-order bride?

“I even managed to slip my chaperone, Aunt Edna,” Miss Fairchild continued. “I told her the wagon train left in the afternoon and snuck out while she snored away in the hotel. That’s why no one on this earth will ever be the wiser!”

“Do you plan to kill everyone on the wagon train, then?” Robby asked, just to be contrary.

She gave him a dirty look. “Don’t be silly! The West is a big place. Chances of me and Mr. Crabtree ever running into any of the folks I meet on the trail is no bigger than a mite on a flea.”

Miss Fairchild was likely correct. Though, by the line of worry on her brow, Robby had given her doubts. He could picture the well-mannered Miss Fairchild going around and slitting all their throats in their bedrolls just to make her “plan” even more clever. The thought amused him.

“Who’s the real father?” he asked, before he could think better of it.

Miss Fairchild got a sour expression. “A traveling salesman. He was selling Bibles. Can you believe it?”

“Doesn’t surprise me a whit.”

“Mamma and Poppa were out making calls and our maid, Drusilla, was sleeping away in the kitchen like most afternoons. When Joseph came knocking, he was so handsome, I let him in.”

Miss Fairchild did seem to have a weakness for “handsome,” Robby decided. But then, so did he.

“I know it was foolish, but he had such a silver tongue. The things he said to me!” She stared out the back dreamily.

“I know just what you mean.”

“And I did everything a sensible girl ought to to keep this from coming to pass,” she insisted hotly.

“Oh? What did you do?”

“Why, right after I dallied with that man, I ran up to my room and washed real good. And I commenced to jumping up and down for ages! It was a good hour at least. And then I went to bed, but I woke up twice in the night and fretted, so I got up and jumped around some more.”

“I can’t say as I ever heard of jumping as a means of contraception.”

“Contra-what?” She looked at him like he was teasing her. “No, silly, it’s for stopping babies.”

“Ah.”

“Guess this one was just determined to come.” She stroked her belly fondly, looking down at it with a smile.

“Well, I wish you the best, m’lady. And if I can assist you in any way, consider me your cohort.”

“My what?”

“Your co-conspirator, companion in arms, your fellow seaman on the good ship Deceit.” Robby gave her a cheeky salute. “If you ever need an eyewitness account, that is to say. To my eyes you are as slender as a reed.”

Miss Fairchild’s brown eyes grew sparkly. “Aw. That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever offered to do for me! I admit, I was afraid coming on this trip all alone. But now that I’ve met you, Mr. Nick Smith, I know God’s looking out for me, despite the error of my ways.”

“Indeed,” Robby said uneasily. The false name had been a necessary evil. He hoped the Bowery Boys would finally lose his trail.

“Do you have a sweetheart, Mr. Smith?” Miss Fairchild lowered her eyelashes coyly.

There was no mistaking her meaning. Robby forced a smile. “I’m afraid my heart is not my own.”

Miss Fairchild’s disappointment was brief. “Oh well. Then we shall be the best of friends!”

“Given our close quarters, I think you shall be my sister in the end,” Robby said. He hoped Miss Fairchild had some cards in one of those trunks or at least liked to read aloud. It was going to be a very long three months.

As it turned out, all of Miss Fairchild’s machinations were for naught. She fell for Mr. Traymore, a bookish and sensitive young man a few wagons back. He was heading to Dodge City to start up a new bank. Smart girl, Miss Fairchild. When Stoltz’s wagon continued west, Rowena, her belly like a full moon, stood next to Traymore at the Dodge City stockyard, smiling and waving.

“Good-bye, Mr. Smith,” she called out to Robby. “Good-bye!”

She gave Robby her contract with the Crabtrees, along with a letter to deliver to her intended at the end of the trail. The letter was a poetic treatise on the undeniability of true love with fervent wishes for Mr. Clovis Crabtree’s own future happiness.

Robby hoped the ranchers in Santa Fe weren’t inclined to shoot the messenger.

Westerns are such fun. Throw in m/m using an actor on the run, mistaken identity, and a sexy future brother in law, and I’m so happy. I liked this one, it was a light and cute read. Robby is an up and coming actor on the New York stage when he witnesses a murder. He escapes out of town and befriends a young mail order bride on the wagon train to New Mexico. She falls in love with someone else along the way and decides to settle with him at one of the towns but asks Robbie to give her apologies to the man she was supposed to marry. At the same time, the men he witnessed committing murder are after him and he poses as the bride in order to evade them at the end of the line. But before he can make a clean getaway, he’s met by his future brother-in-law, Sheriff Trace Crabtree.

I’ll spoil you and tell you that Trace recognizes that Robby is a man pretty much right away. And thank goodness because I cringe at the thought of 200 pages of him not knowing, the internal confusion it would cause, etc. Instead they have immediate mutual attraction, but of course there are various reasons why they can’t do anything about it right away.

I liked Robby a lot. He forms a bond with Trace’s somewhat-odd family as they welcome him into their clan. He learns to handle Trace’s father who is well-meaning but is cranky about having things his way. Robby is encouraging and kind to his “groom” Clovis. His sisters-in-law are bolstered by his independence and the kids love him. Trace loves his family but he needs some distance from them, but as Robby spends more time with them all, and Trace’s father reveals a secret, Trace is able to let go of parts of his past that has haunted him.

I was nervous about some things though: How is Robby going to get out of this marriage? What will Trace’s family do if and when they find out he is not a she? How are two men in the Wild West going to be together?

This book has laughs, sexy times, and a little sad (for me, some things rang very true) and angst. Totally cute book.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Having been, at various times and under different names, a minister’s daughter, a computer programmer, a game designer, the author of paranormal mysteries, a fan fiction writer, and organic farmer, Eli has been a m/m romance author since 2013. She has over 30 books published.

Eli has loved romance since her teens and she particular admires writers who can combine literary merit, genuine humor, melting hotness, and eye-dabbing sweetness into one story. She promises to strive to achieve most of that most of the time. She currently lives on a farm in Pennsylvania with her husband, bulldogs, cows, a cat, and lots of groundhogs.

In romance, Eli is best known for her Christmas stories because she’s a total Christmas sap. These include “Blame it on the Mistletoe”, “Unwrapping Hank” and “Merry Christmas, Mr. Miggles”. Her “Howl at the Moon” series of paranormal romances featuring the town of Mad Creek and its dog shifters has been popular with readers. And her series of Amish-themed romances, Men of Lancaster County, has won genre awards.

In 2018 Eli hopes to do more of the same, assuming they reschedule the apocalypse.

Her website is www.elieaston.com

You can email her at eli@elieaston.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

April 26 – Loves Bytes

April 28 – Padme’s Library 

April 30 – My Fiction Nook

May 2 – The Novel Approach

May 4 – MM Good Book Reviews

May 7 – Diverse Reader

May 9 – Two Chicks Obsessed

May 11 – Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

May 14 – Joyfully Jay

May 16 – Bayou Book Junkie

 

 

Hosted By Signal Boost Promotions