Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

Denise

A Wish Upon the Stars by TJ Klune: Release Day Review

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Nearly a year ago, blinded by grief and betrayal, Sam of Wilds made a desperate decision to follow the Great White into the Dark Woods. Now, he emerges to a world changed.

The City of Lockes is a prison. The King has been locked away in the dungeons. The Kingdom of Verania has fallen, and the Dark wizard Myrin sits on the throne.

But soon after his return, Sam learns of a resistance fighting in his name, led by a courageous knight, a defiant prince, a pissed-off unicorn, and a half-giant who wants to smash everything in sight. If he has any hope of defeating the villains who have taken their home, Sam must face the consequences of his choices—and the friends he left behind.

Title: A Wish Upon the Stars
Series: Tales from Verania: Book 4
Author: TJ Klune
Release Date: March 27, 2018
Category: Fantasy
Pages: 440

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

It’s hard writing a review for a series-ending book. For those who’ve been reading the series all along, nothing anyone says should deter them from finishing it out. And I don’t want to spoil the series for those who haven’t read it yet. So, let me first address those who haven’t read any of the books yet:

You can read the first book, The Lightning-Struck Heart, and be happy and satisfied and a little angsty, but not really afraid of anything. And you’ll laugh and think and be happy at the end because non-HEAs make me very, very angry and that book will not make you angry at all unless you hate happiness and love and romance and unicorns and half-giants that are incredibly endearing and a delicious knight and a wizard-hero that everyone loves and is powerful and sweet but who’s full of self-doubt, yet confident, who loves his parents and friends and King and giving hugs. You can read that book and never pick up another in the series and it will be fine. I gave a brief thought to not reading the remaining books because I don’t want to fall in love with characters and they die or turn into jerks or whatever plus can I handle 3 more books of crazy people? Is it too much? But no, it’s not too much because while the 3 later books keep to the same level of insanity as the first, the higher story arc comes into play as Sam’s destiny is revealed, long buried secrets come to light and Sam and company have to figure out how to deal with it all. I would say the bantering is evenly balanced with the actual story and action. And yes, I got afraid after book 1 because I love Sam and Ryan together (I am all about the ‘ship), and things are said, and stuff happens, and visions are seen. And other characters I love are threatened, and hurt and I’m scared for everyone at some point. And I cried more than once. But I also laughed and laughed, and smiled and thought about stuff and fell in love with more than one character, and squeed with my friend who was reading this at the same time and my heart grew two sizes.

Oh … and if you’ve already read the first 3 books, I have nothing to say because what kind of weirdo wouldn’t finish?

Anyway, I really loved this series. I am such a fan now of Klune’s story telling. The characters are real; I care about most of them, while others I really don’t like because of the shit they’ve pulled. The story sucks you in and doesn’t let go. There is a lot of just crazy dialogue and situations. But there’s also serious and poignant moments and whatever the action is on the page, it all rings true for me. I love when he steps back from the straight up ridiculous and kind of weaves the words into a nice rhythm and covers a lot of ground in a short space. One thing that kept sticking out to me throughout the series is how a situation would arise, and the story zigs where you might expect it to zag.

It’s sort of a disgrace that these are the only books I’ve read so far of Klune’s, but I will be seeking out his other things right away. The one spoiler I will give is that Klune hints at **possibly** revisiting Verania to tell Justin’s story. Crossing fingers for that!!

5 pieces of eye candy for the book and series

Confessions: Robbie by Ella Frank: New Release Review

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Relationships are complex.
Love ever-changing.
And when it comes to rules of the heart,
they were made to be broken…

That’s what Robert Antonio Bianchi was telling himself, anyway.
Otherwise, he really had no excuse for what—or who—he’d done.

No excuse, except for his lonely heart, a pitcher of margaritas, four Bitter Bitches, and the apparent need to confess all his weaknesses to the two men he knew would bring him nothing but trouble.

But trouble was nothing new.

Just ask his crazy sisters or any of his friends, and they’d be the first to tell you:
If there was a bad decision to be made, Robbie always had a knack for making it.

And thus begins the story of the priest, the princess, and the prick.

 

Amazon

 

Truth be told, I don’t always jump on the popular band wagon. When books get super hyped, it gives me pause. There is nothing wrong with having a big fandom- I think it is fab. But I also think that same fandom will read anything their favorite author(s) put out.

But……………….I needed to read this. Robbie has intrigued me since we met him in Try/Take/Trust (I can’t remember which) and he just seemed so sad. So needing love and affection and attention. So I was ready to jump in. And this book did.not.disappont.

Menage is a difficult trope. Some are ok, some are good and some are truly terrible. This one though? So effing good. Add into the mix of bringing a third into a well established relationship and this could have gone all sorts of wrong.

And Robbie deserves this. This guy held a torch for Logan for so long. But Julien and Priest snuffed it right out. I loved how they wooed him. They took the time to wine, dine and romance him. Robbie probably would have easily slept with Julien (and maybe even Priest. Maybe) after the drunken text. But they didn’t take advantage of him like that.

And yes, they do take care of him in ways. But never in a way that seems like he can’t take care of himself. They are both just so ALPHA, they need someone to allow them the pleasure of caring for someone like that.

And Julien and Priest. YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!! I need and want more! Of course I really REALLY want more Priest and he will be book three. **Pouts** But I need Julien as well.

Yes, the sex scene were literally the hottest I have ever read. Menage can get clumsy. Who’s hand is where, body positions, etc etc. But that was not a problem at all with this book. Whew.

Robbie, Priest and Julien do not disappoint. I cannot wait for more

4.5 pieces of eye candy

The Little Library by Kim Fielding: Release Day Guest Post, Excerpt and Giveaway

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Elliott Thompson was once a historian with a promising academic future, but his involvement in a scandal meant a lost job, public shame, and a ruined love life. He took shelter in his rural California hometown, where he teaches online classes, hoards books, and despairs of his future.

Simon Odisho has lost a job as well—to a bullet that sidelined his career in law enforcement. While his shattered knee recovers, he rethinks his job prospects and searches for the courage to come out to his close-knit but conservative extended family.

In an attempt to manage his overflowing book collection, Elliott builds a miniature neighborhood library in his front yard. The project puts him in touch with his neighbors—for better and worse—and introduces him to handsome, charming Simon. While romance blooms quickly between them, Elliott’s not willing to live in the closet, and his best career prospects might take him far away. His books have plenty to tell him about history, but they give him no clues about a future with Simon.

Amazon

Smashwords

Hi! I’m Kim Fielding and I’m very excited to announce the release of my newest novel, The Little Library! Set in California’s Central Valley, this story stars a guy with a slight obsession with books. What’s not love about that, right?

The day went by more or less as usual. Two people used the library—a teenage girl and a middle-aged woman. Neither of them noticed Elliott in the window, and he didn’t bother to see which books they took and what they deposited.

Then Simon showed up.

He came from the greenbelt. Today his hair was down, the locks glossy in the sun, and he wore jeans and a rust-colored long-sleeved T-shirt. Although Elliott knew better, he sat by the window, watching as Simon browsed the library. Until the inevitable happened—Simon glanced over and saw him.

To Elliott’s credit, he didn’t freeze this time. Instead he waved, fervently hoping he looked casual and friendly. Simon waved back. Good. But then instead of choosing a book, Simon walked toward the front door, and Elliott’s stomach did its best to tie itself into a knot.

“I am an idiot,” Elliott growled. Despite his nerves, he forced his feet to walk him to the door, forced his hand to undo the lock, forced his mouth into what he prayed was more a smile than a grimace.

“Hi,” Simon said.

“Hey.”

Wow. An entire word.

Simon squinted and rubbed his ear. “I, um, just wanted to thank you. For the . . .” He waved at the library.

Miraculously not swallowing his tongue, Elliott nodded. “Have you been using it?”

“Yeah. Quite a bit. I might be one of your most frequent borrowers, actually. It’s a really cool idea.”

“Well, I didn’t invent it myself.”

“Still.” Now Simon rubbed his beard. “Um, I wanted to ask you . . . Are you the one who picks out the books to include? Or does your boyfriend?”

Confused, Elliott blurted, “My boyfriend’s in prison.”

Simon actually moved back a step. “Prison? Shit! I mean, I’m sorry. He seemed like a good guy. Not that I really knew him or anything, but I’m usually a pretty good judge of people’s character.”

“He’s a complete asshole.” Elliott’s sluggish brain struggled to keep up. “But . . . wait. When did you meet him?”

“When you guys were digging the hole?” Simon pointed at the library.

Comprehension dawned, and a slightly hysterical laugh escaped Elliott’s throat. “That was my brother.”

“Oh! Jesus, I’m sorry. I just assumed . . .”

Simon looked mortified, an emotion Elliott could empathize with. Somehow that calmed him down and cleared his head. “It’s fine,” he said. “I can understand. We don’t look much alike, and I am literally flying the rainbow flag.”

“And your brother’s not in prison, right?”

“No, that would be my boyfriend. Ex-boyfriend, more accurately.”

His embarrassment apparently receding, Simon grinned. “And he’s a complete asshole.”

“He truly is.”

Simon nodded and moved his gaze to the side. “Look, I didn’t actually come here to be nosy about your personal life, believe it or not. I really just wanted to say thanks for the books.”

Maybe it was something in Simon’s expression, which was hesitant—perhaps even shy. Or maybe it was that Elliott was lonely and Simon was, well, incredibly hot. Maybe it was just gratifying to have a neighbor who wasn’t a jerk like Mike Burgess. Whatever the cause, Elliott deviated from his usual careful script. “Want to come in? I’ve got beer in the fridge.”

Simon replied without hesitation. “Thanks! Sounds great.”

Kim Fielding is the bestselling author of numerous m/m romance novels, novellas, and short stories. Like Kim herself, her work is eclectic, spanning genres such as contemporary, fantasy, paranormal, and historical. Her stories are set in alternate worlds, in 15th century Bosnia, in modern-day Oregon. Her heroes are hipster architect werewolves, housekeepers, maimed giants, and conflicted graduate students. They’re usually flawed, they often encounter terrible obstacles, but they always find love.

After having migrated back and forth across the western two-thirds of the United States, Kim calls the boring part of California home. She lives there with her husband, her two daughters, and her day job as a university professor, but escapes as often as possible via car, train, plane, or boat. This may explain why her characters often seem to be in transit as well. She dreams of traveling and writing full-time.

Follow Kim:

Website: http://www.kfieldingwrites.com/

Facebook: http://facebook.com/KFieldingWrites

Twitter: @KFieldingWrites

Email: Kim@KFieldingWrites.com

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bau3S9

A complete list of Kim’s books: http://www.kfieldingwrites.com/kim-fieldings-books/

In honor of today’s release for Kim, leave a comment and we will choose someone to receive a free ebook!

Jace’s Trial by JM Wolf: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt

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Life is a trial full of obstacles that stand between you and your goals. Do you have the courage to face your own trial?

Jace Garrison was a musical prodigy at Juilliard ready to take the world by storm. Everything he could ever want out of life was unfolding right before his eyes, until everything came crashing down at once.

With his muse gone, along with everything he loved, will Jace find the courage to move on?

Former Navy SEAL Gerard Ramhart had always played by his family’s rules and traditions. Until he fell in love with Riley Garrison. Unfortunately, before Gerard had the courage to propose to the man he loved, Riley’s life was taken away. Gerard was left devastated, with only his memories of Riley and the pain of losing him to keep him going.

One year after Riley’s death, Gerard finally makes it to Riley’s hometown in Abingdon, Virginia and meets his son Jace for the very first time. Two men grieving over the loss they shared, and during their time of heartache, something blossoms. Can Gerard help Jace find the will to live the life he’s meant to have? And can Jace find his muse and accept his feelings for Gerard, despite the fact that Gerard once belonged to his father?

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Goodreads

Before Gerard showed up, I was an empty shell growing through life only because I had to. I had stopped caring. My eyes were always empty of emotion and I completely shut myself down. Not anymore. I found myself again and this time; I planned never to lose myself again.

I put on one of Gerard’s black tank tops and my red and black pajama pants, then stepped out of the bathroom feeling refreshed. I halted at the sight of candles lit in all corners of the suite. Soft piano music played from somewhere, and the small dining table had two plates of sesame chicken and fried rice. I loved Chinese food.

“Hey, Bluejay,” I saw Gerard standing by the entryway to the kitchen facing me with his arms crossed.

“What is all of this?” I asked in awe as I scoped the room. “It’s beautiful. Is this for me?”

Gerard stepped forward taking my hands in his and pulled me to the table. “Yes, baby, all for you. I told you we had to celebrate, so I wanted to make this night perfect and romantic for you. I hope it’s not too much.”

“No, it’s perfect.” I pulled the man down for a kiss. “You’re the best.”

We ate in silence, enjoying the soft, soothing melody of the piano, which was a nice change of pace after all the loud party music performed at the concert. We ate with one hand while our others were entwined. I couldn’t shake the joyous smile off my face even if I wanted to; I didn’t. When we finished, Gerard took our plastic plates and containers and dumped them into the trash. Then he turned to me, desire and lust in his sharp brown eyes and slowly removed his button-up shirt.

My throat tightened as I watched the fabric slip from his shoulders to the floor. Miles and miles of naked skin with tufts of dark curls exposed; heightened defined muscles flexing at my gaze. My pajama bottoms tented as my cock strained inside begging to be released. Gerard stepped forward and stood over me. He said nothing as he held his hand out for me to take.

As if I were under his spell, I offered my hand to his. He pulled me to my feet and led me to the bed. He sat down at the edge of the bed legs spread out with me standing in between them. My hands instinctively went to his hair, fingers raking along the dark curls as his piercing gaze held mine.

I thought back to the last time Gerard and I looked at each other with this much longing, back when we froze in the hallway after his shower. When the towel dropped, and we were both inches from one another, the look in his eyes burned right through my walls, and I found myself wanting to be taken by him. Back then, I fought my desires to have Gerard, but now I couldn’t imagine never wanting him; never needing him.

We said nothing as we held each other’s stare. I could see everything Gerard felt for me; the longing, the lust, the love, the want; it was all there, and it was for me. It was the most intimate experience I’d ever had. We didn’t need to exchange words because everything we could say, we said with our eyes and touches.

Gerard slowly lifted his hands sliding them in my shirt, fingers grazing up my already heated skin. He brought the shirt up, and I lifted my arms up so he could bring it over my head and off me. It fell to the floor, and his hands were once again running along my stomach, but he never broke eye contact. There was a sense of power in being the center of this man’s attention. It was intoxicating.

Gerard brought his head forward and peppered soft kisses along my abdomen and down to my hip bones. He grabbed the hem of my pajama bottoms and slowly brought them down until they were a puddle on the floor. My cock sprang up leaking with precum as I kicked my legs free of my pants and pushed them to the side. I was now fully naked in front of this gorgeous man, horny and needy.

Gerard’s hands rested on my hips, and my hands covered his. He closed his eyes as he kissed his way down to the base of my dick, running his nose along the blond curls around it breathing in my scent then licked up the shaft all the way to the crown. My body shivered, and I couldn’t hold back the guttural moans that came out of me. Gerard licked the drops of precum oozing out of the tip then wrapped his lips around the head of my cock sucking me into his mouth until he took me all the way.

 

 JM Wolf never thought he would one day say that he’s a published M/M romance author. Having a poet for a mother and a sister who once ran a blog, it was only a matter of time before JM discovered his writing genes. In the beginning, his sole purpose in life was to be a singer/songwriter. Writing lyrics was the first step putting his thoughts onto paper. Even while singing, JM always found time to dabble with writing little short stories but never thought too much about it.

Once he reached adulthood, his music dreams left him, but not the feeling for writing down what was in his mind. However, that didn’t mean music no longer played a part in JM’s life. His debut book The Black Feather was inspired by one of his favorite songs. Whether lyrics or love stories, you will always find JM’s heart and soul in every word on paper.

JM Wolf lives in Chesapeake, VA with his husband and in-laws. When he’s not writing, you can always find him reading a good book, spending time with the love of his life, or jamming out to music. He didn’t pick the world of literature, the literary world picked him.

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Runner by Parker Williams: Audiobook Review

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Matt Bowers’ life ended at 16, when a vicious betrayal by someone who he should have been able to trust left him a shell of himself, fighting OCD and PTSD, living in constant fear, and always running. When he buys a remote tract of land, he thinks he’s found the perfect place to hide from the world and attempt to establish some peace. For 10 years, he believes he’s found a measure of comfort, until the day a stranger begins to run on Matt’s road.

He returns every day, an unwelcome intrusion into Matt’s carefully structured life. Matt appeals to the local sheriff, who cannot help him since the jogger is doing nothing wrong. Gradually, after tentatively breaking the ice, Matt begins to accept the man’s presence.

But when the runner doesn’t show up one day, it throws Matt’s world into chaos, and he must make the hardest decision of his life.

Audible

Amazon Ebook

Dreamspinner Press

 

After suffering an attack at 16, Matt suffers from extreme OCD and PTSD. He has locked himself away from the world in a cabin miles from town. He has turned his land into a self-sustaining oasis. He grows his own food, he fishes and hunts on his last and has almost no contact with the outside world. Then one day his world is turned upside down when someone starts jogging past his house everyday. The first sighting sent Matt into a panic attack to rival all panic attacks. Matt tried calling the sheriff to see if he could stop him, but the runner isn’t breaking any laws. Slowly, Matt comes to expect the runner at the same time everyday. One day when he doesn’t show up Matt’s world tips again. Can he leave his carefully constructed world to find out what happened to his runner?

My heart broke for Matt so many times throughout this story. His reaction to the attack was extreme, but how could it not be? He was 16, with very little if any coping skills. His mom did him a great disservice, she wan’t strong enough to get him the help he needed and so he retreated into himself where he knew he was safe and then eventually to his compound.

The runner, Charlie was an intriguing character. I love that he pushed Matt’s boundaries without being pushy or mean. He knew when to push and when to back off. He was so caring and understanding.

I loved the amount of detail in Matt’s compound. When Parker Williams described it I could actually visualize it and Patrick Zeller brought it to life with his perfect narration. From the greenhouse to the lake and all the gardens.

The thing that made me love this story was that Matt fell in love with Charlie and that made him want to get help to fix his issues, but Charlie made his see that he loved him issues and all and if he was getting help it was for himself. That he was loved either way, warts and all.

The story line was not at all predictable, as soon as I thought I knew what was going to happen something else would. I love that. The characters and the setting were well developed and rich with detail.

I fell in love with this story when I first read the book. I didn’t think I could love it any more than I already did, but Patrick Zeller has a great talent for narration. He took the story to the next level.

5 pieces of eye candy

Ten Mile Bottom by Teodora Kostova: Release Day Review

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Hitting rock bottom is just the beginning…

I’m a son, a brother, a friend.
A writer.
An addict.
Dead.
Cardiac arrest isn’t enough to keep me dead, though. The doctors brought me back, but for what?

At twenty four I’ve already achieved what most people do in a life time. I’m a successful author, own a flat in the heart of London and drive my dream sports car.
Or at least that’s what people see.
Once the spotlight fades, I’m left alone with my overactive mind, alcohol and drugs the only way to quiet down the noise.
Until an overdose nearly kills me and drags everyone I love down with me.
With the help of my best friend, I leave London and its toxic influence behind, moving to a small town in the outskirts of Cambridge to try and put my life back together again.

If only it were that easy.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

I finished this book a few days ago and had to sit and let it work in my head before I could write the review. I’ve read quite a few- maybe even most- of this author’s books. I’ve enjoyed them all. But nothing like this one.

This was, by far, her most character driven story. Finn, at the very center, broke my heart in so many ways. An addict with a toxic mother, fame that came too early and a best friend who enabled and participated in the worst of his behavior. And Ben, the forever do gooder trying to make up for one mistake he made as a kid.

Although Finn is technically on the road to recovery, he is stuck in a pattern of helplessness that he brings on himself. And although Ben sees the good, Finn can’t get past the bad. Ultimately, Finn has to face his fears, his life, his mother, in order to move forward.

Never did the author fall back on plot devices we see so often-the giant fight caused by a simple misunderstanding, running away from the other person, the big break up. Which just made the story all the stronger for me.

There were definitely scenes- even sentences- that hit me right where it hurts. But isn’t that one of the reasons to love a book? Because you can connect with it in some way on a personal level? And knowing that aspects of the story were completely personal for the author is what made it so compelling.

Without spoilers, there were small things that kept this from being a 5 POEC for me. But really, 5 POEC is ridiculously rare for me. This book was incredible.

4 1/2 Pieces of eye candy