Blog Tour

Guys Like Him (Redemption Ridge Book One): Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

May 22, 2023 by Denise

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Redemption Ridge, Book 1

Kieran Sullivan is broken when he arrives at Redemption Ridge. A wrongful conviction and twenty months in lockup will do that to a man. The ranch is a place for second chances and fresh starts, but for him, it’s an opportunity to discover who set him up. Get in, get answers, and get out. The plan sounds easy enough until Kieran meets an equine specialist whose sunny smile could warm the coldest heart.

Finley Ashe is a sucker for bruised spirits and sad eyes. The horse whisperer and broken-boy magnet is six months into a hiatus from love when Kieran, the king of emotionally unavailable men, gets assigned to work under his supervision. Mutual attraction is gasoline on proximity’s flame, testing Finley’s resistance in new ways.

Priorities shift, shields come down, and truths get exposed. Will the inevitable combustion redeem Kieran and Finley or consume them?

Guys Like Him is book one in the Redemption Ridge series. Though each story features a different couple, reading the series in order is essential. Guys Like Him contains mature themes and is intended for adults.

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Two faces came into view—one Finley knew well, the other he’d like to know better. Both men looked at him with grave concern. Their lips moved, but he couldn’t hear them over the alarm. A fire? He didn’t smell smoke. The ringing seemed closer and not as loud as it had been. Finley realized the ringing was in his ears. He locked his gaze on Cash because the other man stole his breath. Finley already had enough problems to contend with and didn’t want to add a lack of oxygen to the mix. Was he breathing? Finley inhaled deeply, testing to see if his lungs worked adequately. The ringing got quieter, but he still couldn’t make out the words Cash said. His boss looked at the stranger, and Finley couldn’t help shifting his gaze too. Christ, he was gorgeous. Black hair swept over a broad forehead. Dark brows slashed down to form a vee over eyes so dark they looked black. The man stared down at him with naked concern and something else in his gaze. The sexy stranger blinked and erected a shield of indifference, but it was too late. Finley recognized the emotion, and it called to something deep inside him like a lone coyote howling for its pack. Butterflies fluttered in Finley’s stomach, and his blood heated with excitement. But how had he ended up on his back in the barn staring at this beautiful lost boy?

A flash of memory detonated, clearing out his brain fog and reducing the ringing in his ears to a subdued hum. Lightning hadn’t struck, at least not literally. Finley had locked eyes with the sexiest man he’d ever seen, and something inside him had detonated with a whoosh. The smoldering stranger had used a flamethrower to light Finley’s dormant pilot light after a six-month relationship detox. He’d always been a little boy crazy with a habit of falling too hard and too fast and always for the wrong guy. But this was… Finley scrunched up his face as he tried to find the right word to describe his reaction, and that’s when he noticed a dull ache in the center of his forehead.

The entire encounter came flooding back in high definition. Gobsmacked by the newcomer’s beauty, Finley had stepped directly on the muck rake. The handle had flown up and cracked him a good one on the forehead, causing him to stagger back and fall onto the bags of bedding. Humiliation heated his cheeks, and he groaned.

“Finley, are you okay?” Cash’s concerned tone and worried blue eyes signaled his boss had mistaken the sound as a sign of physical distress, not mental anguish. Finley tried to sit up and clear the air, but Cash placed a gentle hand on his shoulder to keep him still. “Kieran, I need you to find Rueben Sanchez for me. He has emergency medical training and can assess Finley for a concussion.”

Finley had rattled his cage pretty well, but he was not concussed. “Not—”

Cash silenced his protest with a gentle squeeze. Finley shifted his gaze to the gorgeous man, who seemed to look right through him with those obsidian eyes. This stunning stranger might just be the most broken boy he’d encountered yet. This guy’s pain hovered over him like a rain cloud, stirring Finley’s protective and baser instincts. Oh, baby, come stand under my umbrella.

A new series by Aimee Nicole Walker…yes, please. The sooner the better, TYVM. And I’m already in love with this series. Go figure. I’m one of this author’s biggest fans, so this is unsurprising.

This new series is aptly named Redemption Ridge, and has the man who runs it, Cash, giving men who served time a chance to get their lives back. In the first story, Kieran comes to Redemption Ridge to get revenge on the man he believes played a part in his wrongful conviction. Then Kieran and Finley meet, and Kieran begins to soften despite himself. He still wants to find the men who framed him, but he begins to understand that maybe he can find some happiness for himself as well.

Finley is such a good fit to Kieran. A huge heart, that falls for the wrong guys every time, but still continues on. This allows for a slow burn between these two. They have the opportunity to get to know each other, finding out their little quirks, to learn to trust each other. All before they fall into bed. They just begin to transition themselves into caring for the other, without their own permission. It’s particularly sweet.

The mystery is partially solved, but of course with this author, there is always an overarching mystery or suspense thread throughout the series, and this one will continue forward into Books 2 and 3.

The side characters help to round out this fantastic book. Finley’s mom is just fantastic (the “lube”…so funny), his sister who is resisting her own happy ending, and the foreman who will hopefully get his own HEA at some point. When you have great side characters, it just fills out a book so well, and this author does it better than most.

Highly recommend. 4.5 pieces of eye candy

. .

Ever since she was a little girl, Aimee Nicole Walker entertained herself with stories that popped into her head. Now she gets paid to tell those stories to other people. She wears many titles—wife, mom, and animal lover are just a few of them. Her absolute favorite title is champion of the happily ever after. Love inspires everything she does, music keeps her sane, and coffee is the magic elixir that fuels her day.

I’d love to hear from you.

You can reach me at:
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Blog – AimeeNicoleWalker.blogspot.com

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Under the Arabian Sky (Love Abroad) by Robin Knight: RB, Exclusive Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

May 18, 2023 by Denise

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Find Love Abroad Under the Arabian Sky…

Arthur Somersby is an expert in sand. Working as an arenologist at Oxford University, it’s Arthur’s job to gather research and data on the movement and molecular structure of sand, blending geology, chemistry and biology into one specialty science. But while Arthur’s colleagues conduct their work around the globe — from the Sahara to the Kalahari and beyond — a tragedy in Arthur’s past prevents him from wanting to leave the safety of his office.

That is until one of his colleagues goes missing, presumed dead, and Arthur is called upon to take his place in the distant Arab nation of Oman.

It is there upon the shipless oceans of sand that Arthur meets falcon veterinarian Tariq Hassan. And while the desert heat ignites an instant spark between the two men, a clash of cultures could mean their Arabian love affair is over before it’s even begun.

Can two strangers from opposite worlds overcome the Middle East’s tightly-held religious beliefs and find a way to love one another? Can a connection be made between the science of sand and the spirituality of the desert? Will Arthur’s past and centuries-old traditions keep two souls apart, or will Arthur and Tariq find their happily-ever-after… Under the Arabian Sky?

Under the Arabian Sky is a 40k-word MM romance that will transport you to the deserts of Arabia from the comfort of your favorite reading chair. It can be read as part of the Love Abroad collection or as a stand-alone romance.

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Love Abroad collection (9 books)

Lost.

Despite the fact that Tariq knew exactly where he was going, lost was how I felt… but not in a bad way.

No, I felt lost in the best way possible.

After three hours of driving, the desert landscape we came across was like nothing else I’d seen before.

The road disappeared.

The dunes reached for the sun.

And the horizon seemed to run away from us, journeying as far as she could in her quest to touch the bright blue sky.

As civilisation fell away behind us and the burnt orange dunes of the Sharqiya Sands opened up before us, transporting us to a world beyond this one, I felt myself letting go of everything I was, everything I am, everything I knew. The desert unfolded before us, the dunes like the pages in a book of secrets that was forever re-writing itself.

There in Tariq’s Jeep— as I sat beside a man who seemed to be doing everything right if he wanted to capture my heart like a wounded falcon— I felt utterly, completely, wonderfully lost.

We neared the peak of a dune, and he stopped the Jeep.

He shut down the engine, then shouldered his car door open so I did the same, plucking my camera out of the daypack on the backseat and putting the strap of it over my neck.

He walked ahead of me to the crest of the dune, his kandura and ghutra billowing gently in a soft breeze.

I had to stop myself from trembling as I looked at him, this prince of the desert, in so perfect a pose I snatched up my camera and snapped half a dozen pictures of him before he had a chance to turn around and catch me out.

“Arthur! Come and see this!” he called over his shoulder.

My feet sank up to my ankles, but I managed to climb to the top of the dune… at which point the entire world fell at my feet, so much so I might as well have been standing on the top of Mount Everest, only surrounded by sand instead of snow.

“Take it in,” Tariq said. “Just take a deep breath and take it all in. This land is endless. This land is timeless. This land is alive and ever-changing. It is a shipless ocean, each dune forever shifting, forever moving like a wave carrying more grains of sand than stars in the heavens. So many men look up to find their god, their religion. Me? I look to the desert. This is where my spirit lives. This sand— and this sand alone— will guide me to where I need to go. It will always light the way and show me the man I need to be.”

He looked at me. Then, without so much as asking, he took me by the hand. “Sit with me.”

I didn’t question him. I did exactly as he asked. Together the two of us lowered ourselves and sat cross-legged on the sand. He released my hand and said, “You know the science of sand, but have you ever experienced the spirituality of sand?”

In this beautiful, breath-taking, faraway place, it felt unnecessary— almost inappropriate— to respond with words. In the golden glow of the desert, I simply shook my head.

He held up both hands and I did the same.

“Take your right hand and place it on the ground beside you, your palm upon the sand.”

I did as he said, and instantly I felt my body draw upon the warmth of the desert.

“Take your left hand and do the same on your left side. Now… close your eyes and feel the energy of the desert. The positive energy flows in through your right hand… and all the negative energy within you flows out through the left. Can you feel it passing through you? Can you feel the desert cleansing your soul?”

Perhaps it was the sun.

Perhaps it was the desert breeze gently brushing against my skin.

Perhaps it was the melodic tone of Tariq’s voice, his accent, the wisdom I so desperately wanted to hear in his words;

Whatever it was, I felt something that day.

I felt a connection.

I felt my energy become one with the earth.

I felt a pulse surging through me, a heat that rose up into the palm of my right hand and passed through my entire body before exiting back into the earth through my left hand.

At that moment, I felt what I can only describe as a sense of purification.

This is a new to me author, and I loved the premise of this series. I really enjoyed this novella! Unless this author has first hand knowledge of a lot of information that the general public doesn’t know, they did a great job researching this. I had no idea what an arenologist did, or even that it was a thing at all. And my knowledge of anything in Oman, other than it being a desert was non-existent. However, the author presented it all in a way that made it easy to digest, and fascinating to read. If you don’t want to visit Oman after reading this novella, we need to have a chat. 🙂

Poor Arthur, still grieving and wanting to stay in his little apartment, in his leaking office, and not ever venture out again after his heartbreak. For him to be sent to a place he’d only seen on a map and had no notion what he was getting into, or even how to say “Hello” in the native language, this was very much out of his comfort zone. He bucked up though, and did his best. Meeting and spending time with Tariq really helped him to open back up and trust again. Arthur jumping in and helping when Tariq needed it the most, definitely hits you in the feels.

Tariq was such an amazing contrast, and it was lovely to read, since often you only hear the negative side of being LGBTQ+ within the bounds of the Muslim religion. He felt strongly that he could still honor and love his religion, do right by the world and the people around him, and be gay all at the same time. He was able to walk that line confidently. He cared so deeply about all those around him, and quickly drew Arthur into that circle.

Small side note, considering the impression that is often given about Muslim women, and that they are forced to be meek and defer to their husbands, she was so refreshing to read! She was sassy, clearly loved her family, no matter their faults, and was open and willing to letting an outsider such as Arthur come in and be welcomed. She was a favorite character, to be sure.

This just made me happy to read.

4 pieces of eye candy

. .

Robin Knight is the author of gay fiction novels, novellas, and short stories, ranging in genre from gay adventure, gay romance, gay suspense, and gay comedies.

The heroes of Robin’s books love to spend their time jumping off the page, stumbling through misadventures, and falling in love.

Robin has worked in advertising, politics, journalism, and event management, but nothing is as fun as telling stories.

Connect with Robin:
www.authorrobinknight.com
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You Are Not Me (’90s Coming of Age Book 2) by Leta Blake: RB, Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

May 12, 2023 by Denise

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Follow Peter into the summer following his senior year to face new beginnings, new friends, and old baggage.

After a tumultuous final year of high school, Peter Mandel needs a break. It’s the summer of 1991, and his secret relationship with his ‘best friend’ Adam Algedi is put on hold as Adam goes away to Italy for the summer. On the cusp of adulthood, Peter has a couple of months to explore who he is without Adam at his side.

Enter Daniel McPeak, a slightly older, out, responsible college guy with a posse of gay friends and an attraction for Peter. Drawn into the brave new world of the local gay club, Peter embarks on a whirlwind of experiences—good and bad—which culminate in a hotel room where he has to make the ultimate choice.

But Adam will come back eventually, and there are promises that have to be kept. As autumn draws near and college awaits, can Peter break free of the binds of twisted first love? And what exactly is Daniel’s role in his life – a brief temptation, or something more?

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Pictures of You (’90s Coming of Age Book 1)

Only You (’90s Coming of Age Book 3)

Bobby’s gray eyes pierced me, and I swallowed nervously. I’d never been in the same room with someone who had AIDS. I hadn’t thought it would bother me, but a sudden dread swept over me, along with a strange urge to get away. But I smiled and forced my feet to move forward, sticking out my hand.

“Peter Mandel, sir.”

“That’s right. Daniel said he’d be bringing a friend.” His grip was weak and the contact short-lived.

“Peter thinks he might volunteer with ARK,” Daniel offered.

I nodded and smiled as Bobby looked me up and down, saying nothing.

Daniel headed over to the fridge to pull out fruit and vegetables. He grabbed a colander from the cabinet. “I see Kerri did the shopping. I’ll prepare a few things for you, okay?”

“Sure.” Bobby motioned at the seat across from him, and I sank into it, keeping a smile fixed on my face. He grunted. “You’re not really thinking of volunteering, are you, kid?”

“I, uh, I wasn’t sure, but—”

Bobby grimaced. “You want to watch people die? What’s wrong with you? Don’t put yourself through it.”

Daniel frowned but didn’t say anything, starting to hull strawberries and cutting them up into a bowl.

Bobby continued. “Watching men waste away, it’s not good for anyone. Least of all a young kid like you. So, I tell you what, after you leave today, never come back. Just go out dancing, have fun, kiss some boys, and take Daniel with you. Both of you are too young to be dealing with this crap.”

“Oh.” I shifted uncomfortably on my chair. “Well, that’s one way to look at it.”

I glanced at Daniel. His shoulders were tense as he cut the green off the strawberries. This wasn’t what I’d been expecting. Daniel had said Bobby was laid-back. He must be having a bad day.

I fumbled on. “I guess another way to look at it is that we’re all in this together, right? A big world family of human beings and we should take care of each other.”

Bobby shrugged, obviously not convinced. “Jeff died,” he called over his shoulder to Daniel, not taking his eyes off me. “Jeff Rosenthal. My ex. Remember me telling you about him?”

Daniel stopped working and turned to look at the back of Bobby’s head. He leaned against the counter. “I remember. I’m sorry to hear it.”

“He was sex on legs when I met him. At the end, he couldn’t have weighed a hundred pounds. Nothing but bones.”

I bit the inside of my cheek, a lump rising in my throat and a burning sensation filling my chest. I wanted to reach out and hug the man, but I was anxious about touching him. Not because of his illness, but because I just didn’t know how he’d react.

“We’re all going to die,” Bobby said gruffly, his eyes filling with tears. “All my old friends and lovers. We thought we were safe here, away from the plague in the big cities. We weren’t safe at all.” His lips trembled.

Daniel wrapped his arms around Bobby from behind, pressing his face against Bobby’s cheek, and when the man closed his eyes and tears started down his face, Daniel made hushing sounds in his ear.

“We were young like you once,” Bobby said, his voice breaking. “We didn’t know. We had no idea what was coming. If we had… I never even told Jeff I loved him. How stupid was that? Such a dumb kid back then.”

I half expected Daniel to tell Bobby that Jeff had known anyway, but he didn’t. He just hugged him and let him cry. I patted Milky Way’s head as she wriggled in her owner’s lap, unsure what was causing his distress. I tried to calm her with long strokes down her silky ears.

When Bobby calmed, he said, “Don’t end up with regrets, boys. Regrets are the worst.”

“We won’t,” Daniel promised.

“Liar.” He scoffed. “We all have to deal with regrets. Every last one of us.”

I had no idea what to say, so I just sat there as Bobby eventually dried his tears, and Daniel went back to the food.

Bobby couldn’t walk very well, so after Daniel made his meal, he helped him to the living room and into a La-Z-Boy chair. As he ate, he chatted about soap operas.

“Not much else to do with my life now but watch stories,” he said to me, like he needed to justify it. “Daniel claims he doesn’t have time to watch them, but I keep him up to date on the happenings.”

“When is Marlena going to reveal herself to Roman?” Daniel asked, sitting on the sofa next to me and taking a brush to Milky Way’s fur. She struggled but he held her firmly in his big hands until she submitted.

I reached out to stroke her ears again as he worked, and she licked my hand.

“Beats the hell outta me. I guess she likes hearing what everyone says about her since they all think she’s dead.”

“You said you saw a commercial, though, right?And it hinted that Roman would find out she wasn’t dead sometime this summer?”

“Hopefully soon,” Bobby said. “I’m real tired of waiting around for the big reveal. I’ve only got so much time left. One little infection, and boom, I’ll never get to see the look on Roman’s face when he sees she’s alive.”

“Let’s be optimistic.”

“You be optimistic—I’ll be however the hell I feel like being.”

Daniel laughed softly. “Fair enough.”

“You like soaps?” Bobby asked me, his gray eyes piercing.

“I can’t say I’ve ever watched one, sir.”

“But his mother writes romance novels,” Daniel said, grinning. “So he probably understands the appeal.”

“Does she now?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Is she any good at it?”

“I think so. I don’t read her books.”

“Why not?”

“He doesn’t need to,” Daniel said. “Peter lives in a soap opera.”

I flinched, sucker-punched, but Daniel put his hand on my knee and squeezed, taking away the sting.

“Does he now? Do tell.” Bobby took a small bite of his sandwich and chewed gingerly, like it hurt, keeping his eyes on my face.

Daniel lifted a brow at me.

“Uh, I don’t know.” I picked at the hem of my shirt. “My life’s not that exciting.”

Bobby’s eyes gleamed. “Son, I’m stuck in this house by myself, save for Kerri and Daniel, day in and day out. I promise I won’t be telling anyone your deep dark secrets. Have mercy and entertain a sick, dying man.”

“Bobby’s a great listener,” Daniel said.

I hesitated, glancing between them awkwardly. “It’s embarrassing. The whole situation makes me seem like an asshole.”

“Oh, now you’re just selling it,” Bobby said with a grin. It was that bright smile, the first I’d seen from him, that led me to dump my whole sordid story into Bobby’s lap—sans my excruciating and escalating crush on Daniel.

Bobby’s eyes glittered merrily the whole time I talked. He ate everything on his plate, and Daniel brought him some cantaloupe, which he also ate as he listened. This seemed to please Daniel, and I kept on talking until Bobby was through.

Daniel went in and out of the room, bringing Bobby his medication, going to clean the bathroom and change the sheets in the bedroom. After he started the laundry in the machines kept in a hall closet, he plopped on the sofa next to me just as I was explaining the upcoming situation this fall—how Adam was going to be at Oglethorpe with Leslie, and how I was going to be here.

“Well, hell if that ain’t some kinky shit right there,” Bobby said, grinning. “This boy’s a mess, Daniel. He’s great. Bring him around again because I want to know how this all comes out in the wash.”

Author of the bestselling book Smoky Mountain Dreams and the fan favorite Training Season, Leta Blake’s educational and professional background is in psychology and finance, respectively. However, her passion has always been for writing. She enjoys crafting romance stories and exploring the psyches of made up people. At home in the Southern U.S., Leta works hard at achieving balance between her day job, her writing, and her family.

If you’d like to be among the first to know about new releases, you can sign up for Leta’s newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/bdn32H

Bonus material for the Heat of Love series, Will & Patrick Wake Up Married series, Training Season series, Smoky Mountain Dreams, Mr. Frosty Pants, The River Leith, and more is available on Leta Blake’s Patreon account. Sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/letablake

Or you can find out more about her by following her online:

On the web: https://letablake.com

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letablake

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/LetaBlake

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This Will Hurt by Cara Dee: Release Blitz, Excerpt and Release Day Review

May 9, 2023 by Denise

Standalone Part I of II Angst Awakening Friends to Lovers Single Dad Slow Burn
Maybe the heart needs to break before one can put together the pieces correctly. This is Jake and Roe’s story.

I used to think leaving the Marines and moving to LA was the defining moment that changed my life. I was gonna become a documentary filmmaker and see the world through my camera. Then I met Roe Finlay.

Never in a million years could I have imagined…well, everything we went through. I sucked at expressing how I felt—which was emotionally stunted most of the time—but Roe seemed to get me. I became…dependent. Attached. Not in a sexual way or anything—I wasn’t gay. Far from it. Or bisexual like Roe, for that matter. No, this was different. I just wanted to be close to him. He made me laugh like no other. We were a fantastic team. We lived together. Worked together. He was my best friend.

He was everything. He was my defining moment.

Until he decided to commit to his f—to his girlfriend.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Just go home, you fucking moron. You don’t belong in LA.

I made my way across campus, feeling more out of place every time I left class.

I was leaving behind a good career in the Marines for…random classes at Santa Monica College. Learn videography in twelve weeks. Study the art of documentary filmmaking in one semester. Then I thought about why I’d left the service. How sick I was of seeing death through my lens. Combat photography had been such a fucking fluke anyway. I was infantry. I was more at home on the front lines in Afghanistan than… But no. No. No, I was here because I couldn’t stand the war anymore. I didn’t wanna see another dead soldier, hear another explosion, witness another crying child surrounded by blood and debris.

I went to the coffee shop on the corner of the street where Nikki worked. She had the car, and we’d go home together once she was off her shift.

I ordered a coffee and found an empty table by one of the windows.

Sounded pretty good, though, didn’t it? Go home with my girlfriend at the end of the day… Except, it was her car, her apartment, and my savings were almost gone. By next month, I’d have to take that bartending job in West Hollywood where the tips were so good.

By then, I’d be twenty-seven.

I retrieved my pen from the inner pocket of my jacket, and I opened the notebook.

Final project. Final project, final project, final project. I needed content. I understood filming. Documenting. But coming up with my own content for a fucking college class’s final project? I was doomed.

“There you are! Fuck, I thought I lost you, man.”

I furrowed my brow and glanced toward the man’s voice—that belonged to someone I definitely didn’t know. But he was coming toward my table, and he was staring right at me.

No, wait. I recognized him. He was in my class, wasn’t he? Out here, I had developed a radar for East Coast people, and he had a New York accent. Otherwise, not much about him stood out. Average height, dark hair, fairly fit, on the lanky side, probably a bit younger than me.

He sat down in front of me, out of breath, and removed his messenger bag. “Look, I’m just gonna come out and say it. I have two hundred bucks, I’m living in my truck, and I have one network connection that I desperately wanna use. He told me to send him my final project—see if he could make some calls—but as has become painfully clear in this class, videography isn’t my thing. I understand fuck-all about goddamn HDV, SxS, and the difference between standard definition and hi-def.” He leaned forward. “Dude, y’all were talking about memory cards, and I thought we were discussing a fucking festival in Austin.”

That…was SXSW. South by Southwest.

“Anyway—in short, I have an idea,” he went on. “There is an artistic approach to it, but I’ll admit, it’s more of a come-hither for networks, something I think will sell. To get a foot in the door. But I need a partner, and I’ve watched you in class. You know your way around the equipment and the editing software. When the professor asks his dumb, insane questions, you actually know the answers.”

Was this how he talked to people he’d never met before? I didn’t even know his name.

I guessed if you were desperate enough and living out of your car, you cut to the chase faster.

That might very well be me in the near future.

So if he had an idea…

I extended my hand. “I’m Jake.”

He gave me a puzzled look, before he seemed to remember he’d just jumped into the conversation with no preamble. Then he flashed a dimpled grin and shook my hand.

“Roe. It’s Monroe, but everyone calls me Roe.”

This book. This book reminded me of why I love Cara Dee’s writing. Not gonna lie, the past couple in The Game series were meh. But this one. This book. Stand alone (there’s a familial connection, but none play a part), with best friends, unrequited love, repressed homophobia, bi awakening, just a little bit of everything. Oh. And it’s vanilla. With a capital V.

Roe and Jake. They are the kind of best friends that are so obviously soul mates. (FTR, to me, soul mates don’t have to be romantic or sexual partners). They met in their mid 20’s and just…connected.

They lived together, worked together, supported each other and dreamed together.

Jake has a child with a former girlfriend and I ADORE the representation of 2 people co-parenting in a healthy way without hating each other. And Jake loves being a dad. It’s so great. And Roe just rolls with it. Like, ok cool, this kid will live with us part time. And call me Uncle Roe.

They go from broke to semi-famous. From documentary film-makers to podcasters, producers and hosts.

It’s a ride for sure. And it culminates at Jake’s 30th birthday party.

AND NOW I HAVE TO WAIT FOR BOOK 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sigh. Ok. But I need it. NEED. IT.

4.5 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

Guys Like Him (Redemption Ridge, Book 1) by Aimee Nicole Walker: RB, Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

May 3, 2023 by Denise

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Redemption Ridge, Book 1

Priorities shift, shields come down, and truths get exposed. Will the inevitable combustion redeem Kieran and Finley or consume them?

Title: Guys Like Him
Author: Aimee Nicole Walker

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Goodreads

Thick gray clouds hovered overhead, rolling like the anger churning inside him. For the past year, he’d expressed his eagerness to put the past behind him and start fresh. That’s what the prison counselors and the people with power over him wanted to hear, so that was the bullshit he fed them. But privately, Kieran tended to his bitterness like a stew on the stove. He knew when to adjust the heat and which ingredients to add to the pot to keep his resentment sharp. And the fucking drab sky and clouds only antagonized him more.

For twenty months, his entire existence had been gray—the floors and walls, the food, and the pallor of the inmates’ skin. The only break in the monotony were the prison scrubs. He would happily go the rest of his life without seeing the color orange again. Kieran had foolishly allowed himself to daydream about the vibrancy he’d see on release day, but he’d just gotten more of the same. Everything around him was wet and shiny from the rain, but it was more of a piss on his parade than a refreshing, clean slate. Kieran’s olfactory senses zeroed in on the motor oil brought to the asphalt’s surface by the shower. It was a scent he knew all too well, and it became a match to his pilot light. Rainwater splashed up on his feet and shins as he walked, but his wrath made him impervious to the chill. Kieran reached inside the padded envelope, removed the wallet, and stuffed it into his back pocket. Then he tossed the envelope with the cell phone into the trash bin. The device was dead, the contract canceled, and there was no one on the contact list he wanted to speak to anymore.

A slight breeze stirred the air, and Kieran closed his eyes and tipped his head back. Yeah, he’d enjoyed fresh air during breaks in the yard, but they never lasted long enough and were controlled by someone else. He’d lived long enough like a marionette, and there was no better time to embrace free will. The weather wasn’t what he’d hoped for, but he got to enjoy it outside the fences, and that was a victory he’d stop and embrace.

A rumbling engine caught his attention, and he opened his eyes in time to see a black king cab truck with a silver Redemption Ridge logo stop in front of the facility. The guy behind the wheel wasn’t a chauffeur, but he was there for Kieran just the same. A year ago, he set a plan into motion, and Cash Sweeney’s presence proved it had worked.

Kieran’s good behavior had gained him access to the K9 programs at Arrowhead, where he’d met Cash and his dogs from Redemption Ridge. The front passenger window rolled down, and a familiar black-and-white head poked out. Patsy, a border collie, was the first dog he’d met during the program, and it had been love at first sight for them. It turned out Kieran had a sixth sense when working with animals, especially the shyest ones. His talents had captured Cash’s notice, and he’d offered Kieran employment and housing on his ranch, where he rehabilitated horses and dogs. Kieran’s participation in the program and the subsequent employment opportunity hadn’t been divine intervention or luck; it was all part of his carefully orchestrated plan.

Oooh, a new series by ANW! **rubs hands together** GIMME!

Set in Colorado on a ranch called Redemption Ranch, this is a long way from her previous books set in Savannah. Run by a former convict turned gazillionaire, the owner Cash likes to give people a chance after they get out of prison. He offers that chance to Kieran who served 20 months for car theft. But Keiran was set up and wants to get to the bottom of it. And how Cash, his new boss, is connected to it.

Keiran is kind of a typical kicked puppy kind of kind. Drug addict parents, tossed into the system at 10, no one held out much hope for him to make anything of himself. He wants to be at Redemption Ranch to do some digging. Find out how Cash is connected to his slimy exboyfriend. And while he is there, he plans to keep his head down, work hard and make no connections.

UNTIL he ends up working with the horses with Finley as his boss. Finley who likes to try to fix broken guys. But he wasn’t doing that anymore, right? Right. Six months clean. Even though his hippie mom (she’s fab!) is pushing him to try dating again.

Since both guys are swore off relationships, y’all can guess what happens. It is a romance after all. They did start out trying to be friends. They did pretty well at it. And even though Keiran really didn’t open up and say much, they still really enjoyed each other’s company and just hanging out together. But then they kiss.

And even though Keiran didn’t want to involve anyone, he does tell Finley a bit about his ex and taking the fall for him and wanting to catch him doing illegal car stuff. He doesn’t tell him about the Cash connection though.

There is a fun cast of characters as well. Finley’s mom, as I mentioned. But also his sister who is the cook at the ranch and a bunch of ranch hands with fun personalities.

Honestly, the vibe of this book reminded me a lot of the Clean Slate Ranch series by AM Arthur. And that’s not a bad thing at all. There are some key differences though, which makes it very easy to separate one from the other.

Keiran does get answers and closure. It was a little bit of a stretch for me, but still believable without going over the top.

I’m really looking forward to more!

4 pieces of eye candy

I’d love to hear from you.

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Mirror of the Sun (Enhanced World: Book 7) by Victoria Sue: Release Blitz, Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

May 2, 2023 by Denise

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Together, they might stand a chance.
Divided the world might never survive.

Richard, chased by the memory of losing his entire team in Syria, agreed to help his younger brother Talon, in an attempt to forge bonds between them that had been broken when Talon had transformed.

Adam, terrified of the team that had given him a chance at life, finding out what he had done. Would it result not only in losing the family he had always wanted but never had, but the real risk of harm to those not expecting it, and knowing he was going to be forced to choose between the two?

Sawyer, torn between the real possibility that his ability was out of control, and terrified to admit it even to those who had always had his back, was secretly being drawn to both the warrior that might save the world, and the innocent that might have to sacrifice himself for it.

And the very real possibility that the evil they faced would defeat all three.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Enhanced World Books 1-6 – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Too stupid to live? Wasn’t that what the kids said? Or was that just Finn? Adam snorted and pressed his face to the glass. It was going to rain. Hardly surprising in Florida. And even though it was hot and sticky outside, everything inside him chilled.

“Hi, I’m Finn.” Adam had been shy. Everyone else’s mom or dad had been standing at the bus stop with them that first day, but the two who had parents who didn’t give a fuck had naturally gravitated to each other. “You wanna sit next to me?”

And they had just about been inseparable for the next five and a bit years. Thanks to Tammy, Adam had already been reading when he started school, but he hated math. Finn was exactly the opposite. He struggled with words. Not the ones he heard but the ones he was supposed to read. Finn was clever. Far cleverer than Adam, but just because he didn’t understand other people’s words when they were written down, everyone thought he wasn’t.

Adam had quickly disabused Jamie Salmon of that idea in first grade. And any of the other idiots who thought they could pick on his friend. Jamie was named after a big pink fish, so who was he to talk? Adam was big for his age and had a sister who anyone only took on if they had a death wish. Finn had a brother but wished he didn’t. Adam wouldn’t have wanted a brother like Deke, either.

They’d been inseparable right up to that last year. Adam had told Finn he liked Mandy Jameson even though he was pretty sure she ate poisonous plants like Brussels Sprouts, and Finn had gone quiet and then confessed he liked Mandy’s older brother. The one in high school that sometimes dropped her off at school in the mornings. That had given Adam a lot to think about because, yeah, he was pretty sure he liked Mandy Jameson’s brother as well. And it had always been like that. That they could say anything to each other.

Until that morning. That morning when his world had ended because he’d woken up with a scar on his face and found out that the people who were supposed to love you never really had.

Except Finn. Adam knew beyond any doubt Finn would have stuck with him. Finn would have taken one look at his face and probably likened him to some weird superhero, or alien, or someone else in a book no one else would have ever heard of. And it wouldn’t have mattered. They’d have gotten on the bus and talked about pink fish and liking boys and how they were always going to be best friends. Forever.

But forever was a long time, and Adam didn’t think even Finn could forgive this one.

The screen door banged, and Adam turned around, surprised he hadn’t heard Todd’s truck only to come face to face with Sawyer. He ducked his head, but it was too late, and Sawyer swore, striding over and hooking his thumb under Adam’s chin and raising his face. His black eye would be more visible. Not that you couldn’t see it from space.

Instead of Sawyer getting angry, getting defensive, his expression gentled, as did his fingers. Adam missed the feel of them when they left his face. “What do you need me to do?”

Adam wished so fucking much he could tell him. “I’m handling it.” He didn’t look at Sawyer as he said it. He didn’t need to see the doubt or the disbelief, and he wished so fucking hard he could tell him. He turned away because he had to blink rapidly, but Sawyer had seen, and his warm fingers returned as his palm landed on Adam’s cheek. The one with the scar. Not that Sawyer would flinch because he had one of his own, and Adam closed his eyes on the world and leaned into the touch. He caught a hurried breath from Sawyer, then Sawyer’s thumb slid down his jaw until he was nearly touching Adam’s lip. What would that touch feel like? Adam slid his face a little more toward Sawyer.

He opened his eyes because he had to know and met Sawyer’s green ones and marveled for a second at how deep and wide they had gotten. And how much they seemed to draw him in. He took in the slight flush on Sawyer’s neck and the way his breathing seemed to have sped up. And the way Sawyer looked at him. Saw him. He didn’t see a scar. He didn’t see a failure. He didn’t see betrayal.

Adam knew he needed to step back. He couldn’t drag Sawyer into his mess. Fuck, but he didn’t want to. He wanted—

But the lips that touched his own sent all rational thought somewhere else, somewhere that didn’t hurt. Somewhere where bad decisions belonged to someone else. Somewhere he could be someone else.

Adam’s arms were around Sawyer before he knew what was happening, and he drew him closer. His lips were gentle on Adam’s, but Adam didn’t want gentle. He wanted fierce and possessive, not tentative and unsure. Sawyer moaned into his touch, and Adam explored with his tongue. He could feel Sawyer’s hardness through his jeans and rubbed their hips together. Sawyer groaned again and ground against him. His lips left Adam’s, but only to mouth the base of his neck, and Adam slid his hands down the back of Sawyer’s jeans, yanking him forward even more. Adam could feel the warmth start in his spine as his body responded. Fuck, how long had it been?

“Adam,” Sawyer gasped, a small whine leaving his throat, the vibration against the skin of Adam’s neck addictive. He wanted more. More touching, more kisses.

“Adam, come with me. Come to my place,” Sawyer whispered.

Reality.

Adam stilled so completely that Sawyer hesitated and looked up. “Adam?” When Adam couldn’t seem to form an answer, Sawyer tilted his head, confusion chasing away the passion in those lust-filled eyes.

“I can’t,” Adam choked out and took a step back. The hardest one he’d ever taken.

Sawyer’s arms dropped to his sides. “You can have your own room if—”

But Adam shook his head. “No, sorry. I was upset, and I took it out on you.”

“Adam, that wasn’t an angry kiss. I was two minutes from dragging you into bed until I remembered where we were.” And who you’re supposed to be with. The words weren’t spoken, but Adam heard them all the same.

“I’m sorry, that was bad. I didn’t mean to give you the impression that I wanted more. I just needed a distraction.” Adam wanted to flinch at the hurt that flashed across Sawyer’s face, scream. He didn’t mean it, but he couldn’t unsay it. He didn’t dare. “I guess you’re here for those things you left?”

Sawyer didn’t reply. He took one disbelieving look at Adam, then simply turned and left. Adam closed his eyes. He didn’t want to watch someone else leave him.

Because, in the end, that’s all they ever did, even if this time Adam had pushed them away.

Bullets and Babies!
Victoria writes about guys loving other guys in between dodging bullets, kidnappers, and serial killers. She enjoys putting them through hell to get their happy ever after—it’s a character flaw she
embraces.
She also believes that family is who you choose, that dogs are often much wiser than human beings, and that we’re steadily destroying the world we live in.
She also believes that if people read more books, they wouldn’t screw up as much.

Victoria Sue is giving away a free ebook from her backlist for someone who comments on this post. Check out her backlist here.