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Deck the Hulls by Kat Cassidy: Release Blitz, Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

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This Christmas, he’s hiding more than his identity…

Fresh from a life tangled with the Greek mob in LA, Adam Sgouros is starting over in witness protection—but he feels unmoored in his new small-town existence. When a sudden need to dispose of a body without drawing attention arises (Not his fault! He can explain!), Adam realizes his first Christmas in the sleepy, wintery little town of Silver Shoals is shaping up to be anything but merry.

Elijah Jensen has always been an optimist, but this year, even he’s struggling to keep his head above water. A head-cold from hell and a boat that’s falling apart at the seams seem determined to sink his holiday spirit, and all he wants is to get through the season without any more complications. Complications like a musclebound ex-gangster hijacking his boat (Accidentally! He can explain!)—and taking him along for the ride.

Stranded on the water by a snowstorm, this unlikely pair must navigate through a holiday filled with danger, unexpected warmth, and enough secrets to sink them both. Can Adam’s tough exterior thaw under the force of Eli’s unyielding optimism, or will the storm—and Adam’s past—prove too much to weather?

Set course for a low heat, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity MM novella with a comedic noir twist. Featuring a relationship between a cisgender male and transgender male main character, Deck the Hulls promises a small-town holiday romance full of festive mayhem, surprising sparks, and a love that just might break through even the iciest of hearts.

CW: Brief mentions of unsupportive family and past relationships, references to addiction and enabling, light gore.

Title: Deck the Hulls
Authors: Kat Cassidy
Length: 25k
Series: Silver Shoals, Book 1
Genre: Contemporary, Small Town Holiday Romance.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Eli stumbles to the co-captain’s chair, wrapping the blanket back over his shoulders. “You’ve got to keep driving,” he says, settling in. “I can’t. Operating heavy machinery, cold medication, all that jazz.”

Adam dutifully palms the wheel. He focuses on the view outside. The world is a white blur; the boat’s bow is barely visible through the storm. It’s a deliberate choice not to look at the captain—Eli’s too close for comfort, too distracting with his tousled blonde curls catching the dim light, and Adam’s not sure he can keep his thoughts straight if he looks at him for too long.

“At least there’ll be snow for Christmas,” Eli remarks noncommittally, his gaze also fixed out the window, clearly avoiding Adam for entirely different reasons.

It’s ridiculous, but Adam finds himself irritated by how badly he’s already botched his first impression, how quickly he’s managed to screw things up here in Silver Shoals. Doesn’t matter if he’s called Alex Simmons, Adam Sgouros, or George fucking Bailey—he’s never going to belong in a place like this.

“Yeah, fucking fantastic, more snow,” Adam mutters, unable to keep the edge out of his voice. “Just what this purgatory needed.” He catches himself, glancing at Eli.

Eli raises an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “You’ve got a real gift for holiday cheer, you know that? I thought Santa was supposed to spread joy, not, like, existential dread.”

Adam sinks a little lower in his chair. “You’ve got no idea how small this town feels,” he mumbles, the words coming out before he can stop them, not sure why he’s even trying to explain. He probably shouldn’t be telling Eli anything about himself for a thousand different reasons, but he can’t help it.

Eli chuckles, low and quiet, pulling the blanket tighter. His eyes drift shut, and for a second, Adam thinks that’s the end of it. But then Eli speaks again, his voice hushed, almost like he’s talking to himself.

“You might be surprised.”

Kat Cassidy is a queer romance author. She’s a dreamer, a schemer and, above all else, a believer in true love. She lives in Canada with her family and her lovable mutt, and she likes loud guitars and strong IPAs.

Website: https://www.katcassidyauthor.com/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/katcassubcribers/
Instagram: katcassidyauthor
Newsletter signup: https://katcassidyauthor.squarespace.com/newsletter

https://kingsumo.com/g/3eovlkm/deck-the-hulls-release-giveaway

Yes Guy by Barbara Elsborg: New Release Review

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Saying No has to stop!

Heath’s negative attitude leads to the loss of his boyfriend, his job and the place he calls home. Now he’s determined to be a yes guy. Yes, he’d love to flat sit while the owner is away, though one look at the horrendous mess and after a painful tussle with a belligerent cat, he wishes he’d stuck to his usual no.

No is the last thing Tristan expects to hear when he proposes in front of his boyfriend’s friends and family. Humiliated, he hides out in his brother’s empty flat without asking, because does he really need to hear another no?

What he needs is a guy who’ll say yes…yes…yes… Could that be Heath?

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

This was a fun little romance filled with tropes that were cute and funny without being cheesy.

Two fairly epic break ups lead to the one apartment one bed thing. Also one guy finding the other naked in the tub. And he just gets in as well. Why not?

Even though Heath and Tristan are not on an even playing level, orphan versus happy family, business owner versus accountant, financially unequal as well. But literally none of that mattered. They were so perfect for each other that all of those disparages went away.

Sweet, cute, hot- very hot-, silly and funny that brings us to Christmas. Perfect pre-Christmas book to start getting us in the spirit.

4 pieces of eye candy

I’ll be Boned for Christmas (Collier’s Creek Christmas) by Katherine McIntyre: New Release Review

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Jordan
I’ve got a rep in town for causing trouble, and it’s well-earned. But when Nick and I get caught streaking after the tree lighting ceremony, we’re in for a messload of community service to get the town ready for the Collier’s Creek Christmas Bash. Except I’ve been craving to be taken more seriously, and Nick seems to be the only person in town who does.

Nick
After Jordan and I get in trouble, one joke leads to slipping between the sheets—or at least, the stalls—and suddenly we’re hooking up on the regular. It’s everything I’d told myself I didn’t want from my straight best friend, and I’m falling too hard and too fast. Yet my sister’s upcoming wedding is the reminder that I’m not just looking for a plus one there…but for keeps, and Jordan and I are just temporary. No matter how badly I want him to be mine.

Celebrate the holidays with the men of Collier’s Creek, where magic fills the air and irresistible romances are the highlight of the festive season. Six low-angst romances, each filled with heartwarming moments and swoon-worthy romance.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

I like punny titles usually. They can be clever or funny. Or both. But I feel like the title of this book does a disservice to the story.

A friends to lovers, bi awakening small town romance. That wasn’t cheesy or corny or eye rolling. It was…sweet really. Best friends since they were 8, but they really came off as more typical best friends like in real life. Not for nothin, but there aren’t a ton of guys out there into their 20’s with a bff they hang out with one on one. They tend to hang in groups. And these 2 are part of a group of 4 and it was acknowledged that it was a little weird to hang out just the 2 of them.

I really loved how Jordan approached his new found bi side. And how Nick was afraid that when Jordan was done exploring he would lose his best friend.

Jordan does a lot of growing up in a very short amount time without losing who he is. There’s nothing wrong with having fun!

So yes, I liked this a lot more than I expected! Not that I thought I wouldn’t like it, I just thought it would be a silly Christmas short where there’s a lot of sex and not mu substance. Glad I was wrong.

4 pieces of eye candy

I’ve been enjoying this author’s books quite a bit lately. They’ve been helping me out of the funk I’ve been in, and let’s face it, there is a lot of funk out there in the world. But the funny, sexy and quirky characters have helped me to get past some of them, if even for a time.

Jordan, the epitome of the shirt that says “That’s a bad idea. What time?” really enjoys getting his friends to do those things you wouldn’t otherwise. That is how he and Nick ended up doing community service in their little Wyoming town. But it gave him a chance to realize that maybe his relationships before didn’t work out because he didn’t understand himself or what he needed, someone who was there by his side.

Nick just needed to be loved, and had worked his way through most of the town. (Which by the way was one of my questions about the book. His ex was kind of just a non-issue after he appeared for a moment.) But in the meantime, he would have fun with his friends, especially Jordan. That was until he figured out the fun he could have with Jordan was teaching him all the ways they connected.

This was a fun little holiday story that was on the hotter side of hot, with some funny elements that had me laughing enough to wake up the husband.

Side note…how sweet was Nick to be helping do the wedding favors for his sister. That was enough to make anyone’s heart melt!

I was looking forward to this book, just simply based on the title. And let’s face it…you sang it, didn’t you?

4 pieces of eye candy

On The Edge (Mount Hope Book 3) by Annabeth Albert: Release Day Review

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DANGER! RIDING TOO CLOSE TO THE EDGE!

My life is one big caution sign. Ever since my best friend’s all-grown-up son joined our shared home, I’ve been navigating a growing attraction to the injured motocross rider. Declan unleashes every protective and caretaking impulse I have, and I genuinely love spending time with the guy.

But Declan’s too young, too straight, and too temporary to risk a twenty-year friendship over. At least until he kisses me, and I tumble past forbidden attraction into a doomed secret fling.

What starts as exploration for Declan quickly transforms into an undeniable bond. He’s exactly what I’ve been searching for: a ride-or-die partner in crime who is happy making blanket forts, talking late into the night, and shares my love of cozy books and movies. What could be more perfect?

When Declan faces a crucial choice, both our hearts are on the line. Can we avoid falling over the edge into heartbreak?

ON THE EDGE is book three of the Mount Hope first responder series and features an emergency room nurse practitioner who is hopelessly soft for his best friend’s son. This dad’s best friend, hurt/comfort (heavy on the comfort), age gap romance contains small town feels, big emotional growth, and sizzling romance. While certain subplot threads continue throughout the series, each guaranteed happily ever after stands alone!

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Book 3 in the series, can definitely be a stand alone. But why? I love this group of close knit friends who are in their 40’s, supporting each other and finding love (not with each other, teehee).

I really wondered who this one would play out. Because it’s one of the 40 something guys and the son of one of his friends. So we’re talking a 20 year age difference and these guys are all in each other’s pockets living on the same property. But it was so smooth.

That was my thought through the book. It was smooth. Declan and Jonas didn’t jump into anything. Well, after fighting it for a bit. Declan because he is a motocross rider and in the closet and Jonas because Declan is the son of one of his best friends.

An accident and then proximity bring them together. But really, Jonas reading to a first unconscious Declan had me swooning. And they continued it throughout the book. Even when things started heating up between them, they still had nights where they would cuddle and read. I mean, come on. How can you not love that?

Hearing about Jonas’ upbringing was an interesting part of the story. I love that it was PART of his story, but he didn’t make it his whole story. And although their situations were completely different, that shared lack of parenting brought them together more.

If you’ve read the other books, we get a lot of Eric’s kids. Wren and Rowan the most (fingers crossed for a Rowan story down the line!). They are entertaining without drawing all of the attention. Surprisingly, Declan’s father, Sean, wasn’t as big a part of the story as I was expecting. But I liked it because there was less tip toeing around.

The age difference also isn’t a big factor. It’s brought up, but not frequently. Some stories it’s all they talk about and it gets boring. Not so here. Oh. And Jonas being all hairy and NOT buff, perhaps even a big squishy. Loved it!

I’ve already thought about how book 4 will go as there were big changes happening with the friend group and their partners. And with Eric’s kids. **here’s my eyes popping out of my head at the epilogue**

4 pieces of eye candy

Black and Brown: Raven Assassins (Ravens Series Book 1) by AE Via: Release Day Review

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Grace’s composed, yet lethal disposition balances his partner Mirage’s impulsive nature, creating a duo—the second-generation Brown Ravens—with the potential for greatness.

Grace was one of the most decorated sharpshooters in the Marines. He’s fiercely committed to righting the wrongs that plague the world and protecting the innocent.
But there are too many rules and strict orders in the armed forces the Ravens don’t have.

Mirage left his world without a trace.

He has a brilliant mind and more degrees in science and medicine than one person could ever hope to obtain.
Now that the Ravens are done administering their treatments, Mirage can throw knives so fast they turn into phantom blades before he disappears in a way that leaves his enemies in chaos and confusion. And Grace can hit a target from three miles away.

When together, their form of silent communication in the field is astonishing. Grace’s subtle body movements speak their own language and his long, intense stares into Mirage’s grey eyes have created a special bond neither of them saw coming. A forbidden romance that won’t stop them from being the second-best assassins in the world.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Man, AE Via can write some morally gray characters like nobody’s business. And make us LIKE them.

I think her darkest were Ex and Meridian from, you guessed it, Ex Meridian in the Nothing Special series. Fans wanted more of these guys. And they wanted them now. We got a Valentine’s Day short. Too short. Enough to whet our appetites.

And now, finally, Black and Brown. A spin off of Ex Meridian. They are the first generation, the Blacks, part of a program that the government would deny knowledge of that shaped these two into perfect assassins through training and medicine.

And the Browns. Second generation. We get to see these guys through the whole process. Well, we see Mirage from before he joined and Grace after he caught Mirage sneaking around. This agency exploited Mirage by offering vengeance for the deaths of his parents and also a way to take out the worst evil the world has. With Grace as his partner.

I loved these two as partners. Grace who says almost nothing with words and everything with his mind. But only Mirage understands. They way they work together, with Mirage a shadow behind Grace. It’s a carefully choreographed dance between them, until someone or someones, cut in.

The Blacks are deployed to the situation and the two teams are face to face.

It’s very James Bond, but way more lethal. Who to trust, who not to trust. Who to take out, who to keep alive. And in between all of that, Mirage and Grace develop a relationship they aren’t supposed to have. Because it was trained out of them, by drugs or conditioning. And yet, they are feeling it.

So we do get sweet scenes of going out to dinner, cooking together, and of course sexy times. Which are sometimes tender. Sigh

I would have liked to hear Grace’s back story like we got with Mirage. And maybe we will. Because one thing is for sure, well adjusted men aren’t recruited to be black ops assassins.

There’s a lot of unanswered questions at the end of the book. I wouldn’t call it a cliffhanger, but definitely unfinished. OF COURSE! Because the author likes to torture us! I kid, I kid. Sort of.

So yes, I definitely can’t wait for the next book.

4 pieces of eye candy

R for Rough (Camassia Cove Universe #17) by Cara Dee: Release Day Review

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Standalone • MM • Primal Play • DD/lb • Age gap • Interrogation Play • Coworkers • Camassia Cove Universe
Apply the right amount of war paint and rehearse your safewords for Griffin and Tracy’s romance. They may start out as two chefs working awkwardly together, but they share a desire that soon brings them together, forcing them to address the tension between them.

I didn’t know why Griffin hated me so much, but it was wearing me down. I walked on eggshells around him at work, and I hated that I still wanted him. I saw him in my dreams, my fantasies, and…frankly, in some nightmares too. And then I freaking saw him at a munch, and I almost lost it. Just how much did we have in common?! Was there no way for us to coexist? My friend Abel firmly believed Griffin and I belonged together, but I didn’t know what that guy was smoking.

Something had to give, though—and that made me think of what my grandpa used to tell me as a kid. I’d been too young to wield an axe, so he’d chopped wood while I had walked along the tree line to collect kindling. Then when I came across a branch I couldn’t break, he’d say, “It’s just a matter of finding the right pressure point. You can do it, Tracy.”

Maybe that could be applied to Griffin too.

It was just a matter of finding the right pressure point.

This story takes place in Cara Dee’s Camassia Cove Universe, a fictional town where all books stand on their own, unless otherwise stated, and the reader can jump in wherever they want.

Amazon – All Regions

I’ve read A LOT of Cara Dee books. Probably 90%. A lot of them have kink. But what really drew me in were the relationships. The connections, the falling in love, getting to know you stories. And lately, that is really missing from the kink books.

This can be read as a stand alone, even though it’s in the Cammisa Cove world and we even get a few guest stars from McLean House. And being that it was kind of a stand alone, I was really expecting and hoping for a relationship that beings, grows, flourishes…. but instead we got some cursory back story, very little one on one time and then another kinky game.

And I am not going to yuck someone’s yum, but this kinky game was 100% not for me. Rough play? sure. Primal play? ok. But basically beating the crap out of each other and calling it kink? Not my jam. I was actually a bit disturbed at points.

I really wanted to get to KNOW Tracey and Griffin. But I didn’t.

3 pieces of eye candy

I’m often awkwardly silent or, if the topic interests me, a chronic rambler. In other words, I can discuss writing forever and ever. Fiction, in particular. The love story—while a huge draw and constantly present—is secondary for me, because there’s so much more to writing romance fiction than just making two (or more) people fall in love and have hot sex. 

There’s a world to build, characters to develop, interests to create, and a topic or two to research thoroughly. 

Every book is a challenge for me, an opportunity to learn something new, and a puzzle to piece together. I want my characters to come to life, and the only way I know to do that is to give them substance—passions, history, goals, quirks, and strong opinions—and to let them evolve.

I want my men and women to be relatable. That means allowing room for everyday problems and, for lack of a better word, flaws. My characters will never be perfect.

Wait…this was supposed to be about me, not my writing.

I’m a writey person who loves to write. Always wanderlusting, twitterpating, kinking, cooking, baking, and geeking. There’s time for hockey and family, too. But mostly, I just love to write. 

Find Cara on social media here: https://www.caradeewrites.com/cdwlandingpage