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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

Book Excerpt

Greek God (Flying into Love, Book 7) by CF White: Release Blitz, Exclusive Excerpt, and Giveaway

May 22, 2024 by Denise

.                           .

Can a Greek God make Jesse believe in love again?

Jesse’s heartache is as vast as the Aegean Sea when his mother’s sudden passing lures him back to the Greek island he swore never to return to. With bitterness festering over his mother’s abandonment, Jesse’s unprepared for the emotional maelstrom awaiting him.

Demetrios still carries the scars of a teenage love affair that once set his small-island life ablaze. Bound to Naxos by duty and drowning his sorrow in fleeting dalliances with tourists, he’s blindsided when Jesse, his stepbrother, returns for his mother’s funeral.

Jesse grapples with the pain of his mother’s choices and Demetrios struggles with the weight of familial expectations. But their undeniable chemistry reignites, challenging them to confront what happened before their romance crashed and burned.

Is it too late for Jesse and Demetrios to embrace what they long denied themselves? Or will fear of heartbreak keep them anchored in their past?

Greek God (Flying into Love #7) is a stepbrothers-to-lovers, hurt/comfort, second chance standalone romance in the steamy MM Flying into Love series, featuring a shy and awkward illustrator who doesn’t believe in love and an enigmatic playboy oozing romance.

Title: Greek God
Authors: C F White
Length: 308 pages
Series: Flying into Love, Book 7

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

Jesse peered over his shoulder. Demetrios stood over him, hands in his trouser pockets. Jesse turned away, lifted his glasses to wipe his eyes, then stood, shoving his phone back in his pocket. “How’s Anastasia?”

“Who?”

“The girl you’re fucking for an apartment.”

“Jesse—”

“I can’t do this, Dem.”

“Do what?”

“This!” He flapped a hand at the two of them. “You. I don’t know who you are. What you are. Or what I even am to you.”

“If you’d let me, I’d show you.” Demetrios stepped forward, reaching for Jesse’s hand, but Jesse dipped away, out of reach. “You stopped talking to me. You didn’t even want to be friends!” His voice was so weak at the word, ‘friends’ as if it was a last resort.

“How can we be friends, Dem?”

“Why can’t we be friends?”

“Because we’re brothers. And you’re here. And I can’t be here. And you…you…” He couldn’t bring himself to say it. The pain was too much. “Why am I even here?” He asked himself instead, then stormed off. He had to get away. Needed to leave. Mostly because of how good Demetrios looked. How intoxicating he smelled. How genuine he came across.

And how easy it would be to be lured back into the fairytale.

“Jesse!”

Jesse marched along the seafront, dress shoes clomping on concrete and filling up with sand particles to irritate his feet. It was better to focus on that than the emotional pain. It hurt less. He dodged the bars, those strolling along with ice creams, and found himself outside the Kallis Taverna, the sign outside stating it was closed for a wedding.

Jesse needed to cry. But he couldn’t do it out in the open among the excited holiday makers. So he ducked into the passage separating the taverna from the apartments and, midway, fell against the wall as dusk hit, providing him with shade from the sun and a shadow from his life. From himself. From everything that caused him to break.

“Jesse?” Of course Demetrios would find him.

Jesse took his glasses off, cleaning them on his shirt and sniffed. Demetrios stood in front of him, that sweetened scent driving into Jesse’s consciousness and leaving an imprint on his broken heart. He put his glasses back on, lifted his head and met his gaze.

No words exchanged. Just soft breath meshing with soft breath as they inhaled each other and exhaled their defeat. Jesse didn’t move away. He stood there, grounded against the concrete wall, blocked away from the rest of Aegleia.

Demetrios slipped a hand around Jesse’s neck, stepped closer, and kissed him.

It had been two years.

Two and a half years.

Nearly three years since he’d had Demetrios’ lips on his own. Since he’d had a kiss that sparked frustratingly inside him. Since he’d allowed himself to feel what it was Demetrios gave him that no one else could. He couldn’t fight the instinct, the innate need to feel the touch of him on his skin, to know how it felt to have him, body and soul. Like this. He kissed him back, tongues reuniting as Demetrios crushed his body against his, giving his all to him and this moment.

As the sun filtered down, bringing night to day, Demetrios kissed and kissed and fell into Jesse. Not quite suppressed, but not quite free, Jesse hung there like a slave for him. It was easier to let it all happen. To throw himself back into the fire. The initial burn might sting, but it was the scar tissue after that would forever blister.

Demetrios ripped his mouth away and, in velvety smooth tones that had Jesse caving, he rumbled a desperate and imploring, “Jesse.” Then he dipped his forehead to his and exhaled at the hardness locked within Jesse’s trousers.

Jesse knew he’d let him do it before Demetrios might have even had the thought, and he bashed the back of his head against the wall as Demetrios fiddled with his belt, unfastened his button and lowered his zip. He then kissed him as he delved his hand inside Jesse’s underwear and wrapped desperate, firm fingers around his needy, throbbing cock.

“Tell me you don’t want this,” Demetrios growled. “Tell me and I’ll stop.”

Jesse didn’t tell him any such thing.

.                               .

Brought up in a relatively small town in Hertfordshire, C F White managed to do what most other residents try to do and fail—leave.

She eventually moved West to East along that vast District Line and settled for pie and mash, cockles and winkles and a bit of Knees Up Mother Brown to live in the East End of London; securing a job and creating a life, a home and a family.

After her second son was born with a rare disability, C F White’s life changed and brought pen back to paper having written stories as a child but never the confidence to show them to the world. Now, having embarked on this writing journey, she can’t stop. So strap in, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

Connect with C.F.:
Subscribe to C F White to get bonus content from this series and others @: www.cfwhiteauthor.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100014226126217
WattPad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/CFWhiteUK
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cfwhiteuk
IG: https://www.instagram.com/c.f.whiteauthor/

Or why not join her reader group on Facebook: Tighty Whitey’s

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Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Excerpt, Giveaway, New Release Book Blast, TCO Exclusives, Uncategorized Tagged With: author, blog tour, Blog Tours, book, Book Excerpts, Book Reviews, CF White, excerpt, exclusive, gay, giveaway, Giveaways, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, release day review, review, romance, series

Beautifully Fractured: A Grumpy/Sunshine Gay Awakening (Front Range University Book 1) by Michele Lenard: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt and New Release Review

May 15, 2024 by Denise

Ever have someone get you so well it’s like looking in a mirror?

Cruz
Starting over is not what I had planned.

Those stories about magically becoming best friends with the person assigned to live with you… Yeah, that won’t be me. I already have a best friend. Even if I wanted a new one, Liam wouldn’t be it. He’s permanently grouchy, carrying a negative energy I don’t need since I’m finally in a good place. But I’ve never been good at ignoring when people need help, so I paste on a smile and play nice.

Predictably, Liam isn’t much of a talker, but after an unexpected accident he needs my help in other ways. Ways that offer me answers about myself. Ways that raise new questions about the football dreams I’ve been chasing since I was a kid. Ways that make me relive the past I want to ignore.

To say I’m confused is an understatement, but there’s one thing I know for certain…Liam is either the key to one door or the bolt that could prevent another from ever opening. And I have to choose which I want him to be.

Liam
Starting over is exactly what I need.

I can’t get any more invisible than I’ve been for the past few years, and I figure rooming with another person means at least one human on the planet can’t ignore me. Unfortunately, that human is Adonis personified, and not gay, so it’s looking like my invisibility streak might continue.

Then I suffer a minor accident, and Cruz’s hero complex comes out in full force.

I should be grateful to have someone to open my door and carry my books, but when you pair his selfless personality with that body… My mind starts to blur the roommate line, which makes his blur the line of not being gay.

My heart is already battered, and I doubt it can take rejection from the one person who broke down all the walls I’d built around it. That doesn’t mean I won’t try to give it to him anyway.

**Beautifully Fractured is a high-heat MM romance with medium angst that features a grumpy/sunshine relationship, forced proximity, hurt/comfort situations and a sexual-awakening. This is book one in a series of interconnected standalones. Though the main characters are athletes, this is not a sports romance. Rather, it’s a romance that happens to feature people who play sports.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

“So, why medicine?”

“Hmm?” Liam arches one brow independently of the other, a gesture I find fascinating since I can’t do it myself.

“Why do you want to work in medicine?” I repeat. “Family business?”

Though it’s subtle, I can see Liam’s posture get a little more rigid, almost like he’s putting up a force field. I don’t follow why that is–I can’t imagine why a question about careers would be crossing a line–yet I get the distinct feeling I’ll have to tread carefully going through the door I just opened.

“Why do you assume it’s a family business?”

 

I take a minute to think of the nicest way to answer. “You don’t really strike me as a people person, and I think you have to be to deal with patients. No offense.”

“I people with you just fine.”

“You do.” I agree. “But you sort of have to since we share a room. With others you seem a little guarded.”

“And you know this because we hang out with other people so often.” He snorts and takes another bite of his dinner.

“Sort of, yeah.”

“You know that makes no sense, right?”

“It makes total sense,” I disagree. “You don’t go to dinner with anyone else, you never mention anyone else, so I don’t think you’re peopling with anyone else.”

“I’m selective,” he says, and something about his deadpan delivery has me cracking up.

“Glad I made the cut.” I grin broadly.

“Like you said, I’m sort of stuck with you.”There was a lot in this book. Trauma from broken friendships, absentee parents, off page death, bullying and one character trying to figure out how to identify sexually. But even with the trauma, the story didn’t get bogged down with angst. In fact, I feel like one of the characters hasn’t had an appropriate response to his trauma seeing as it was fairly new.

Cruz is a jock football player, but he also wants to take college seriously which is why he is in the student dorms rather than the jock dorms. His roommate, Liam, is premed, and gay, and used to being bullied by jocks.

But they find their groove as roommates so to speak. Cruz is a total golden retriever type. Happy, helpful, doesn’t really understand why people can be mean. Like, what do

you mean you don’t want slobbery dog kisses all over your face? SO Cruz. But Cruz is struggling with his sexuality. Or lack thereof. He has just no interest. He seems to have just ignored it in high school, but in college, girls fawn over the football players. Especially the freshman who made the starting line up.

Liam refuses to hide that he is gay. And while he doesn’t think Cruz is gay, he does wonder if he is ACE or ARO or both. Which is kind of funny that he was bullied by jocks in high school for being gay and now he is helping a jock figure out what, if anything, gets his engine going.

Once Liam throws in the towel and accepts that Cruz is his new bff, they start opening up to each other. And then Liam gets hurt and Cruz wants to save the day. But that leaves them both confused.

Once we find out the real trauma that both of these guys went through and how it made them similar, we also see how different the response was for each. Sorry, no spoilers.

These boys will take you on an emotional ride at times. But it never gets too dark, too angsty, too much. Add in a pretty realistic (I think) view of someone coming to terms with their sexuality and what it might mean, led to a good story with an excellent ending.

4 pieces of eye candy

Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Excerpt, Book Review, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, Release Day Review, TCO Exclusives, TCO Reviewer: Erin Tagged With: 4 stars, book, Book Excerpts, Book Reviews, excerpt, exclusive, gay, giveaway, Giveaways, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, review, romance

Friends Like Them (Redemption Ridge Book Four) by Aimee Nicole Walker: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

April 8, 2024 by Denise

Owen Doyle’s rough beginnings taught him not to form attachments, yet he’s drawn to Tyler Booth like a magnet. Their relationship has blossomed from strangers to the best friends, with each twist in the journey weaving their connection tighter. But Owen has a six-year secret that’s become unbearably painful to keep. As the seams of his resistance fray, Owen will lean into a new mentoring opportunity to keep from ruining the best thing in his life.

Tyler will never regret going to jail and getting sober because meeting Owen saved his life and taught him how to trust again. Their inseparable bond has earned much teasing over the years, but Tyler doesn’t recognize himself without Owen. When he senses a yawning chasm between them, he’ll turn to mutual friends for help. Their well-meaning advice opens Tyler’s eyes to unexplored possibilities and will snap missing puzzle pieces into place.

Some hopes are too big to stifle, and some truths are too big to ignore. A photo booth, smoking-hot kisses, and honest revelations will take Owen and Tyler’s intimacy to a whole new level. But before they can achieve their happily ever after, they must unload the baggage from their pasts. Will the road to discovery guide them to the necessary healing, or are the guys destined for the highway to heartache?

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

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

“I have a hard-on,” Tyler whispered. He lifted his head, met Owen’s gaze, and swiped his tongue over his bottom lip. “For you.” Tyler stepped closer and swallowed hard. “And you’re hard for me too.”

The wondrous expression on Tyler’s face made Owen want to smile and laugh, but he didn’t want Tyler to think he was making fun of him. That was the absolute last impression he wanted Tyler to have about their first kisses. But how honest should he be? He didn’t want to scare Tyler off after yearning for this opportunity for so damn long. Owen wanted to believe Tyler’s erection signified something deep and meaningful, but it could have resulted from friction and loneliness. Please let it be door number one. Owen tempered his naturally assertive personality and aimed for chill. He took a step forward, too, so that they were toe to toe in the cramped space.

“I am very hard for you.”

Tyler closed his eyes and swallowed hard. Owen longed to lean forward and kiss his neck, but he didn’t dare move. Tyler twisted his fingers in Owen’s shirt again and opened his eyes. “I don’t know what to do with this.” He didn’t mean literally. They’d shared a small jail cell for two years, and Owen had heard the unmistakable sounds of Tyler jerking off when he thought Owen was sleeping. Tyler had meant he didn’t know what to do with an erection for his best friend, who also happened to be a guy. Tyler wasn’t raised in a world where men chose other men. Yes, he’d been around gay and bisexual men for the past four years on the ranch, but he never pictured that future for himself.

The turmoil in Tyler’s voice made Owen’s heart fall. In a perfect world, one kiss would prove they were meant to be together. Hell, that sounded more like a fantasy than any version of the world they lived in. “We don’t have to do anything about it, Ty. We could pretend it never happened.” Well, Ty could. Owen would hold on to the moment until his dying breath.

Tyler darted a glance toward the photo tray. Owen removed the strips, folded them in half without looking at the images, and tucked the pictures in his pocket. He’d take them out later when he was alone and let his mind run as free as a wild mustang.

“We don’t have to talk about this if you don’t want to, Ty. Nothing has to change. You’re still my best friend.” Owen’s voice came out a little shaky, and Tyler’s eyes widened. One of them sounded terrified, and the other looked it. Their friendship was the single most important thing in both their lives. Owen would do anything to keep Tyler in his life, even if it meant an end to his impossible dream.

Tyler swallowed hard. “You want to pretend it didn’t happen?”

“I didn’t say that,” Owen replied carefully. “I said we could.” He again debated just how honest to be with Tyler because he couldn’t get a good read on his reaction. Tyler seemed upset by the idea Owen could forget about their encounter, but he didn’t sound encouraged by the notion Owen wanted to remember it. He felt damned no matter how he responded. Someone thumped into the booth again, giving him a valid excuse to postpone a further response. “Can we talk about this in private?”

Tyler searched his eyes for several seconds before nodding.

“We should probably get back out there,” Owen suggested. He received another nod, but neither made a move toward the door. “You should probably turn loose of my shirt first.”

Tyler looked down at his hands but didn’t release Owen’s shirt. “I can’t.”

I really enjoyed the first two books in this series. Somehow I missed the third (I’ll be remedying that) and here we are at book four. There is nothing wrong with this book at all. It just lacked a big emotional punch for me.

Tyler and Owen have been around since the beginning of the series. Best friends practically connected at the hip. We didn’t get to know a ton about them except that they met in prison, became best friends and both came to Redemption Ranch upon release. And normally I really love friends to lovers stories. It’s one of my favorite tropes. But besides Tyler getting jealous at the beginning because Owen was helping a new employee, there was just no bang. No sizzle.

Owen was out and proud. Tyler was very closeted. But they went from best friends to kissing to a relationship in a blink. Not a blink, but literally one night.

Then I was expecting angst later on in the story. Nope. Previously Tyler had been very intimidated by Hope, local shop owner, hippie free spirit. But after he got with Owen, totally fine there too.

The book was fine. The story was fine. These two guys belonged together. But this story just felt like filler.

3 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:
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/aimee-nicole-walker
Twitter – https://twitter.com/AimeeNWalker
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/aimeenicole.walker
Instagram – http://instagram.com/aimeenicolewalker
Blog – AimeeNicoleWalker.blogspot.com

Want to be the first to know about my book releases and have access to extra content? You can sign up for my newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/dlhPYj

My favorite place to hang out and chat with my readers is my Facebook group. Would you like to be a member of Aimee’s Dye Hards? We’d love to have you! Click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AimeesDyeHards/

Connect with Aimee:
https://linktr.ee/AimeeNicoleWalker
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Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Excerpt, Book Review, Giveaway, New Release Book Blast, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, Randomness, Release Day Review Tagged With: 3 stars, Aimee Nicole Walker, author, blog tour, Blog Tours, book, Book Excerpts, Book Reviews, excerpt, exclusive, gay, giveaway, Giveaways, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, review, romance

The Science of Attraction: A Mackenzie Country Story by Jay Hogan: Book Excerpt and New Release Review

February 26, 2024 by Denise

I am Mackenzie Country born and bred. Farming the high country runs in my blood, like my father, and his father, and my great grandfather before him. My future has been mapped out for me since the day I was born. Or at least it was, until Liam Skelton walks onto Lane Station, lights a fire in my heart, and turns my whole world upside down.

Bossy, tatted, and out and proud, Liam is everything my father abhors.
And I want him.
Badly.

But having a chance with Liam means risking everything. My family. My future. And my life in these mountains that I love.
Still, the heart wants what it wants, and mine wants Liam.

With so many things against us, maybe we don’t have a chance.
Maybe we’ll crash and burn.
Or maybe we’ll find a way to have it all.

Title: The Science of Attraction

Series: Mackenzie Country #3

Author: Jay Hogan

Genre: MM Romance

Tropes: Hurt comfort | Opposites attract | Humour | Small town | Homophobia | Closeted/coming out | Bisexual awakening | Different worlds | Overcoming odds | Courage

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

When we arrived back at the cottage, Jules looked pretty much like I figured I did—grilled to within an inch of his life. I’d barely stepped in the door when he grabbed my hand and pulled me back out onto the veranda and proceeded to kiss me like he hadn’t seen me for months. I loved it, along with far too much of the man actually doing it considering I’d only known him a month.

“I’m so sorry,” he apologised, brushing my hair out of my eyes. “How bad were they?”

“It was fine,” I reassured him. “I just have to be nice to you if I don’t want my balls fed to Holden’s stud Angus bull while they’re still attached. A terrifying thought if I let myself dwell on it too much.”

“Oh god,” he moaned. “I’m gonna kill him.”

I laughed and grabbed his arm before he could follow through. “Forget it. Besides—” I lifted up on my toes and pressed our lips together. “—I have zero intention of being anything other than very, very nice to you.” I palmed his dick through his jeans and squeezed. “So, I figure I’m safe.”

His eyes rolled back in his head and he thrust into my hand, adding in a strangled voice, “The kennel shed out back should be friend-free if we hurry.”

“No time for that.” Zach waggled his brows at us through the window.

“Fuck me,” Jules groaned under his breath.

“I heard that.” Zach smirked. “But Gil needs a hand on the barbecue and your name was volunteered.”

“Go on.” I gave Jules a shove toward the front door and then slapped his butt on the way. “We have all night.”

He grumbled over his shoulder, “If there’s anything left of my nerves after the Gordon Ramsey of the Mackenzie is done using me as his bitch.”

I laughed and gave him another shove.

Oh man I knew this would be good, and I was right.

Full disclosure, this can be read as a stand alone, but you should really read the first two for quite a bit of back story.

Ok. Julian. Jules. Golden son. First born. Running the sheep station since his father had a stroke. His very bigoted father. The one who kicked out his other son for being gay. Which is why Julian has buried the fact that he is bisexual. That’s a can of worms he doesn’t want to open. They have enough problems with his father still trying to run the station even though he physically and mentally can’t.

So the family hired one of the best therapists in New Zealand to help Paddy with his rehabilitation. And when he just walks into the family home in the middle of a situation, Jules worries about that can of worms.

Liam is out and proud and isn’t afraid to call people out. Even people he is hired to help. Like Paddy. There’s quite a bit of tension which just reinforces Julian’s desire to bury his attraction to men. Except Liam ticks a bunch of boxes Jules didn’t even know he had.

This is a great story that really allows Julian to grow and to come into his own. He is moving the station into producing better wool, spending where it needs to be spent as an investment. Without the support of his father. Or his father’s best friend who lives there as well.

But with his father out of the day to day grind, Julian shines. He is a great boss, working right alongside the other men, never expecting them to do something he wouldn’t. Which is the biggest reason most of them know he’s been sneaking around with Liam.

I won’t say much more because there’s a lot of story there. But none of it was tedious. I gasped, I cried, I swooned, I cheered.

I will say that I love that Jay Hogan (and other authors) from New Zealand or Australia don’t pander to American readers. Kiwi slang is used often and it’s fun looking things up. Plus I feel like I learn stuff reading these books. I google everything to get a good idea of where the story takes place.

I think this one is the strongest story of the three. Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books. But this one, with Julian standing up for himself, growing into his own man, I loved it.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Heart, humour and keeping it real.

Jay is a 2020 Lambda Literary Award Finalist in Gay Romance and her book Off Balance was the 2021 New Zealand Romance Book of the Year.

She is a New Zealand author writing mm romance and romantic suspense, primarily set in New Zealand. She writes character driven romances with lots of humour, a good dose of reality and a splash of angst. She’s travelled extensively, lived in many countries, and in a past life she was a critical care nurse, nurse educator and counsellor. Jay is owned by a huge Maine Coon cat and a gorgeous Cocker Spaniel

Find Jay in all the places: https://www.jayhoganauthor.com/landingpage 

Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Excerpt, Book Review, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, Release Day Review, TCO Reviewer: Erin Tagged With: 4.5 stars, author, Blog Tours, book, Book Excerpts, Book Reviews, excerpt, exclusive, gay, Jay Hogan, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, release day review, review, romance

Holiday Crush: MM Small Town/Hockey Romance (The Elmwood Stories Book 3) by Lane Hayes: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

December 20, 2023 by Denise

The hockey has-been, the barista, and some holiday magic…

Court

Cut from the team, fired my agent…now what?

This can’t be it for me. Unfortunately, the phone isn’t ringing. My best bet is to head home for the holidays and regroup.

Problem: I don’t know what to do with myself. Helping out at the rink might be my ticket out of here, but nothing is happening fast enough. And then there’s Ivan. No, no, it’s not what you think. We went to school together. We’re acquaintance-friends…nothing more.

But you know, I like him. A lot. He’s funny and relentlessly upbeat. I’m a better person when I’m with him—the kind who volunteers to deck the halls and wrap garland on lampposts and—

Whoa. What’s happening here?

Ivan

I love the holidays! But running the coffee shop on my own during the busiest season of the year is going to be a challenge. And the sudden appearance of my former crush is all kinds of distracting.

See, I spent my formative years mooning over Court Henderson, our high school’s hockey phenom, even though he was out of my league. Thankfully, I grew up and left the silly remnants of my youth behind. Or did I?

Grown-up Court is full of surprises, and under his gruff yet extremely fine exterior, he’s a good soul with a huge heart. He’s charming, sweet, handsome, and— Uh-oh.

My crush is back. Just in time for the holidays…

Holiday Crush is an MM bisexual, small town romance featuring a renewed ancient crush, some mistletoe latte art, and a little seasonal magic.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

I couldn’t tell if I had a crush on this guy or if an epic case of blue balls was to blame. And wasn’t thirty-four too fucking old to have a crush on someone? It wouldn’t have occurred to me that it was possible to have one if Ivan hadn’t brought it up the other night or—

Focus, Henderson.

I set my napkin on the counter and opened it slowly and theatrically, folding one side over and meeting his gaze as if revealing a special treasure.

He played along, gasping with his hand on his heart. “OMG.”

“One for you, one for me. So I guess the real question is…what goes best with a maple cookie?”

Ivan beamed. “If you’re a tea drinker, I have a fabulous cinnamon spice blend. If you want to stick to coffee, I’d suggest a strong roast or an espresso.”

“What would you have?”

“Tea.”

“I’ll have that,” I replied. “Or are you closed? I just noticed it’s empty, and it’s never empty in here.”

He peeked at his watch. “We’re open for five more minutes, but once the after-school rush is over, it’s pretty quiet.”

“Makes sense. So…want to eat cookies with me?”

“Well…” He made a meal of that one syllable as he nodded. “Sure. Okay. I’ll lock up, make the tea, and meet you at the table behind the register. Whatever you do, don’t sit at the window or everyone in Elmwood will see us and want to know what sort of treacherous scheme we’re planning.”

I chuckled, but hey, he wasn’t wrong.

A few minutes later, we sat across from each other like we had the other night in his kitchen, sharing tea and cookies…instead of gin and bagel sandwiches.

I gingerly cradled the oversized white mug and took a sip. “It’s good. I can’t remember the last time I drank tea. I was probably a kid, and I’m sure my mom or grandma added a ton of milk and sugar.”

“I can offer those things too, but it’s best without.” Ivan bit into a cookie and let out an orgasmic moan. “Oh my God, this cookie is pure heaven.”

He licked his fingers one by one, eyes at half-mast as he slid in his chair. Shit. And now I had a boner. I swallowed hard as I snapped the stem off the leaf-shaped cookie and popped it into my mouth.

There was a reason maple cookies were the bakery’s bestseller. They were fucking amazing. Crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and the light drizzle of icing added an extra punch of maple flavor. They should have been too sweet, but somehow, they were perfect.

Ivan obviously agreed. He hummed with pleasure as he took another bite.

“You need to stop having sex with that cookie. Or get a room, for fuck’s sake,” I grumbled.

I’ve loved the Elmwood series and was excited to read this Christmas entry. It did not disappoint.

We know Ivan the coffee shop owner from the previous two books. His amazing coffee and questionable latte art added a little something to each story. Now the goth kid turned still goth but adult business owner, finds the guy he crushed on for 10 years is home. But goth kid plus jock kid didn’t equal hanging in the same circles then, so he didn’t expect much now.

Here’s something I loved about this book. Court was a professional hockey player. NHL? Nope. AHL? Also a no. Court is in the minors. The kind of minors where most of the players have a second job. But Court finds himself with no job when he is cut from the team.

Court thought he would get his game back on track while home, but he learns that playing pro hockey isn’t all that life is. Especially when he only has a year or two left in him. Plus there’s his family and this goth guy…

Court and Ivan were great together. Both opposites in the jock/goth sense but both out and proud, loyal and with a history in Elmwood. They move together as a couple effortlessly even without knowing if they will continue because of Court and hockey.

Court went from angry and rudderless to happy and grounded while Ivan went from stuck on what to do professionally to moving forward and growing in ways he didn’t expect. With them supporting each other.

So yep, another Elmwood win

4 pieces of eye candy

.                                          .

Lane Hayes loves a good romance! An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. She loves wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband and her fabulous pup, George.

Connect with Lane:
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Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Excerpt, Book Review, Giveaway, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, Release Day Review, TCO Exclusives, TCO Reviewer: Erin Tagged With: 4 stars, blog tour, Blog Tours, book, Book Excerpts, Book Reviews, excerpt, exclusive, gay, giveaway, Giveaways, Lane Hayes, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, review, romance

Daddy Christmas by Cara Dee: Excerpt and Release Day Review

December 18, 2023 by Denise

Standalone • Holiday Romance • Age gap • Comedy • Silver Fox • Age Gap • Daddykink

The annual holiday office party is the one occasion my silver fox boss isn’t his rigid, uptight self—not to mention completely liberated of a sense of humor. For a single, magical evening, he replaces Armani with a Santa suit and grabs a couple drinks with his employees. He might even chuckle once or twice!

Through no fault of my own, I end up half-naked and embarrassingly drunk on candy cane Jell-O shots. I plant my sweet rear on his lap, call him Daddy Christmas, tell him I’ve been a good boy, and ask for a very specific gift.

So I’m pretty sure I’m about to get fired.

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I cleared my throat to get his attention. “Mr. Abrams?”

He stopped typing on his computer and peered at me over the rim of his glasses.

“I have a delivery for you from Mr. Williams on the ground floor,” I said. “Suravi’s not here, but I can leave it on her desk if you’d prefer.”

He dismissed that and motioned for me to come forward.

I could make some serious strides on my Fitbit in his office, it was that big. At least compared to the tiny office I shared with Mya and Kim. And “office” was a stretch. Only a single single wall separated us from the cubicle area.

“It sounds like a Christmas gift, sir,” I commented as I handed him the parcels.

“It makes sounds?” He wasn’t pleased. “Then please stay here while I open it so I can decide whether to send it back with you.”

Hey. Rude. “Maybe Santa can replace it with a lump of coal.”

“Perhaps,” was his only reaction.

While he carefully tore the wrapping, I inspected his boring desk. I mean, the desk itself was nice, probably some expensive mahogany or oak thing, but he had nothing personal on it. No photos, no knickknacks. I knew he was unmarried and had no kids, but he had several nieces and nephews.

“It’s a nice rug you have here,” I offered. “I kinda wanna do cartwheels on it.” Or break-dance all over it with Kim.

He paused his unwrapping and glanced up at me. “You don’t have to fill the silence.”

“No, I know. I do that voluntarily.”

“That’s a shame,” he muttered and returned to his gift.

I suppressed a sigh and stuck my hands down into the pockets of my slacks.

The only thing that was a crying shame was this fun-sucker of a man. I could count my interactions with him on one hand—in the four years I’d been here—and they’d all required some serious aftercare to brighten my mood again.

Underneath the plain wrapping paper was a bottle of whiskey or scotch, and he held it up to read the tag strapped to its neck.

“This is a nice bourbon,” he commented. “I’m sure my uncle will enjoy it.”

“Sir?”

“It’s addressed to Clarke Abrams, my uncle.” He set the bottle aside, along with the other parcel, and I cursed to myself. “I assume this package is for him too. I’ll be at corporate tomorrow—I can deliver them to him.”

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.

Very few things embarrassed me, but this kind of mistake definitely did. My collar felt tight, and my ears started burning.

“I’m so sorry, sir. That’s my mistake,” I managed to say. “Mr. Williams told me to personally deliver it to Mr. Abrams at corporate, and I just assumed he meant you—and you’re here on Wednesdays, so… I’m sorry. This isn’t actually my job, so you don’t have to worry about this happening again. I’ll be back at my desk as soon as the servers—”

“Please, for the love of God, stop rambling.” Mr. Abrams leaned back in his seat. I swallowed uncomfortably. He observed me. “If Mr. Williams gave you the instructions, your assumption feels…foolish.”

“Yep. Well aware. It’s been a long week.” Fuck, let me get out of here, please.

“It’s Wednesday.”

“So people keep telling me.” I gestured to the packages. “May I have them back? I need to go downtown before your uncle leaves for the day.”

“He won’t get them, regardless.” He checked his watch. “He leaves right after the breakfast meeting on the days my aunt gets dialysis.”

That was…sweet, I supposed. Clarke Abrams was in his seventies, if I wasn’t mistaken. It probably wouldn’t be that many years before he handed over the corporation to two of his sons and the nephew in front of me.

I suddenly had an idea. “You’re going to corporate tomorrow.”

“As I mentioned.”

 “And you live in Santa Monica, right?”

His forehead creased. “I do.”

“So you’re passing Culver City on the way,” I said. “We can carpool. Pick me up outside the office tomorrow, and that way, I can follow Mr. Williams’s order and deliver the packages to Mr. Abrams myself. What do you say?”

“I was unaware that you were capable of following orders.”

“Hey.” I put my hands on my hips, getting a tad irritated. I knew I’d fucked up. How long did I have to suffer? “You’ve never complained about my work before. Please cut me some slack.”

He frowned at me. He was good at that. “I don’t even know who you are, what your name is, or what it is that you do here.”

“My name is Parker Jacobson, and I’m a mildly insulted graphic designer,” I replied. “I designed your business cards, among other things.”

Such as this year’s gift to the employees from corporate.

“I see.” He leaned forward and picked up one of his business cards from the little holder. “Well, Parker Jacobson, it’s not normal behavior to ask your boss for a ride.”

My ears felt hot again. The man made me feel like Bambi on ice, which I’d already thought was my default setting in life. I usually tumbled around and hoped for the best. And I knew I wasn’t always normal. Most people had a little voice in the back of their head that let them know what was okay to say out loud. Well, that voice fell out and died when my mom dropped me as a baby.

“Excuse me for trying to save the planet,” I fibbed. “We’re in a global climate crisis, you know.”

He snorted at that, and for a fraction of a second, I swore I spotted a smile. I took that as a huge win.

Then he pushed the packages my way again. “Be downstairs at seven thirty on the dot, and if you speak excessively in the car, you’ll walk the rest of the way.”

“Thank you so much, sir.” I grinned and hurriedly scooped up the packages again. “I’ll have the bottle rewrapped. I’m looking forward to my walk. See you tomorrow.”

Gotta love a Christmas brat and a Christmas Daddy…

I loved the dynamic between Parker and Wyatt. Parker is goofy and silly but also takes his job seriously but is all about being a bratty brat. Especially with Wyatt. Who everyone thinks is a grouchy curmudgeon, which kind of he is. Until Parker changes him. Then Wyatt turns into a pile of goo with cartoon heart eyes.

But don’t you worry, he embraces the Daddy role in the bedroom no problem. And out of the bedroom without the sex. He and Parker are like 2 pieces of a puzzle and just meld together perfectly.

This whirlwind romance is a great read. Even though it is short the characters are well developed, the story doesn’t seem rushed AND we get a character cameo appearance. A Cara Dee specialty.

The *only* thing that didn’t jibe was that Parker and his 2 work mates seemed to be tech support at the beginning but then were graphic design. Tiny detail.

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

Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Excerpt, Book Review, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, Randomness, Release Day Review, TCO Reviewer: Erin Tagged With: 4.5 stars, author, bdsm, book, Book Excerpts, Book Reviews, gay, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, review, romance

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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

We are two chicks who love books (m/m romance with an HEA) and enjoy our eye candy. http://twochickso

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy is with AE Via.

7 days ago

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
NEW RELEASE!White Ravens by AE Via (Ravens series book 3)One click it here 👇a.co/d/0h7A1nwjI'll be back later with my review! ... See MoreSee Less

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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
Whit by Cora RoseNew release and review!Whit by Cora Rose was my first book by her and I believe her first book. And I was really impressed. It's not easy to find a first book that I don't nit pick. But I really enjoyed it and she has been quite the prolific writer since.Caleb is the same story told from Whit's point of view. (Whit was Caleb's point of view)This is a good young adult (21ish) romance, opposites attract, gay for you, rich boy/poor boy...all the tropes.It was fun to read the story from Whit's POV. How he was really feeling about Caleb, about meeting family, about dealing with his own family, etc. And to hear how dirty his mind really was since he's so buttoned up (figuratively) to the world.I loved seeing Caleb's family just immediately accept him as part of the family. Jokes, hugs and all.If you enjoyed Whit, you'll enjoy Caleb. Same story, different perspectives.Do I need all of her books to have this companion piece? Nah. But I'm glad I revisited these guys.4 Pieces of Eye Candy ... See MoreSee Less

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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
✨Let’s celebrate! It’s release day for CALEB by @coraroseauthor! Grab it in KU!#OneClickNowbooks2read.com/u/4En91AWhy you need to #ONECLICK this book…🔥Touch Starved🔥Opposites Attract🔥Roommates🔥Angst🔥Found Family🔥Extrovert/IntrovertI don’t let anyone in… I can’t afford to. But he’s the first person who makes me want to try.My new roommate, Caleb, breezes into my life like unexpected sunshine lighting up the darkness. My secrets and sharp edges are built to keep people out.But when he wraps his warm body around mine—needy and trusting—something in me cracks open and unfurls.And the deeper Caleb sinks into my chest, the more I know I should push him away before he sees too much.Before it’s too late. Because in the end, I know the truth will break us both.#coverreveal #mmromance #corarose The Author Agency ... See MoreSee Less

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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
✨EXCERPT: CALEB by @coraroseauthor releasing April 24th! #PreOrderNowbooks2read.com/u/4En91A I shake my head, even though it is. I feel like my heart is being ripped from my body. The choice I have to make. Is it even a choice? “I…I overreacted. I’m…I’ll be fine,” I tell him, clutching at his hand and turning it to kiss that rough palm. Because I have to be fine with whatever I choose. And I don’t know if I can choose a future with him. Not after everything I’ve been through. My parents owe me for what they put me through. I’ve earned it with my blood and tears. Can I give it all up? For him? Caleb’s thumbs rub over my cheeks. “Okay.” He doesn’t sound convinced. Not that I expect him to. I’m a liar in the worst way. Selfish, thoughtless. He will never forgive me once this is over. My eyes water, and Caleb’s face crumples as he pulls me into his chest and holds me. I should never have let him be my roommate. I should have let him go about his life, never knowing me. It would have been simpler, better. But I was too greedy. Wanted him too much. And now look what I’ve done. I’m set to ruin him. I need to pull away before I do more damage. I need to end this. Soon, I tell myself. Just one more day. Let me have one more day.#mmromance #corarose The Author Agency ... See MoreSee Less

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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
✨TEASER: LICKED by @charlienwrites releasing May 12th!#PreOrderNowmybook.to/lickitoneWhy you need to #ONECLICK this book…🍦Very Nerdy Meet Cute 🍦Low Angst🍦Slow Burn🍦⁠Lingerie🍦First Times🍦Blowjobs in Beach Huts🍦Supportive & Nosy Friends🍦Sweetness & Spice🍦“Let Me Help You” 🍦MM RomanceLick It Like A Good BoyIt’s not often you meet gorgeous gothic men at wargaming tournaments. So, of course I tripped over my tongue instead of asking for his number. And despite my friends’ numerous offers to help find him online, we’re too busy opening Lick It!, our new ice cream shop, to spare time for my non-existent love life. But when Jonathan walks through the door on a sunny Friday afternoon, I can’t help but feel like it’s fate. He’s shy, sweet, and we immediately click. Jonathan doesn’t have much experience with relationships, so I’m determined to give him the attention he deserves, even if it means I’m pulled in two directions. With summer heating up and the shop getting hectic, spending time together is getting harder and harder. I don’t know how to balance the long hours and being a good boyfriend, but I know I have to figure it out. Because meeting Jonathan is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. ✨INFLUENCERS: Sign up to review this awesome release: bit.ly/lickedsignup#charlienovak #mmromance #kindleunlimited The Author Agency ... See MoreSee Less

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