Book Excerpt

Ache by Marley Valentine: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, and Release Day Review * 2

June 22, 2021 by Denise

I couldn’t tell you when I fell in love with Gael Herrera, but I wish I knew how to make it stop.

Falling in love with a straight man is a rookie mistake. But falling in love with my soon-to-be-married-to-a-woman best friend is nothing but heartache.

Through all the years, and all the men I’ve fooled around with, he’s always been at the back of my mind. An unrequited crush I wish I could shake. A dream that was never going to come true.

When I whisk him off to a surprise bachelor party weekend in Vegas, I surrender to the idea that this is an opportunity for me to finally let go of my feelings for him and say goodbye.

But after a heated exchange and an even hotter kiss, everything I thought I knew about our friendship changed.

Maybe I had it wrong. Maybe, after all this time, we were more than best friends. Maybe, just maybe, he felt it too.

Goodreads

Confidently, she places her hand on her hip, not caring that every inch of her is on display. “I don’t need you to touch me because you feel bad, Gael.”

“That’s not what I’m doing,” I protest.

She leisurely reaches for a nearby towel and wraps it around her body. “Is this about Frankie?”

God, I hated hearing that man’s name. “Why are we talking about Frankie?”

“Because every time he comes up, you turn into”—she gestures her hand up and down my body—“this.”

“I just don’t like him for Jordan,” I exclaim.

“They have sex Gael, it’s hardly a marriage proposal.”

“He said he would bring him over in the new year. That’s more than just sex.”

She shakes her head at me. “He said that because you seem to turn into an over protective, ornery father every time he mentions people he’s with.”

His father? God, that was so far from the truth. Nothing I felt about him was familial. Not in a long time and even less so lately.

Lately, I was fucking jealous, and Elena knew it. Every part of me knew she did, but she wasn’t going to call me out. Because she was hiding from the truth just as much as I was.

“Sorry,” I say, because honesty isn’t really an option right now. “I can’t help but feel protective over him. Ever since—”

“I know,” Elena says, nothing but understanding in her voice. “Ever since he got kicked out of his home, you’ve felt the need to protect him. I get it. You’re the same with me,” she adds with a soft smile. “You’re like that with everyone you love. And we love you for it, but you need to let this disdain for Frankie go and let Jordan live his life. If it turns to shit, you’ll be there for him, because that’s what good friends do.”

Every word she said pricked at my heart in pain, leaving little holes as reminders that this was so much more than being worried and protective of your friend. It was a lifetime of hurt, longing, lust, and confusion. And it was wrong.

The only other book I have read by Marley Valentine is Without You, which if you know me I rarely read anything that says “angsty”, but I absolutely loved that book. (Go grab it if you haven’t read it!) It broke my heart about six different ways, and then put it all back together again. So, I definitely went into this book expecting something quite similar. Anyway, since I hadn’t been burned with the angst on Without You, I figured I had to try this. I was not disappointed.

There is a piece in this book that the author calls “an unconventional triangle”, which **small spoiler** may cause some people to be overly cautious about reading it. Don’t, please! It is usually a piece that I don’t want to read either, but the author did it very well. Honestly, the author made it very real life. Life is about choices, day to day, week to week, year over year. And in this case, the heart had made its choice years before.

It was obvious from the first chapter how in love these two MC’s were with each other. They just were not bright enough to figure out that they other one was also in love with them, despite everyone around them realizing it.

They go to Vegas, and realize that they’ve hid it from each other all these years, etc. The first half of the book is almost entirely based in Vegas, and sets up the second half of the book very well.

The MC’s were best friends before they were lovers. However, they were also family. Jordan found family in Gael, as well as with the entire Herrera family, and it was just wonderful to see how much they loved him back, no matter what. Each person in that family was there for everyone else, at all times. What a joy to read.

I cried…multiple times…reading this book, something I genuinely try to avoid. However, with this author I have done it more than once, and it’s likely I will do it again. And I’m here for it. 🙂

A big recommend, without question. Take on the Ache, but, I promise, you’ll get to your HEA.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Apparently this was a short that was included in a previous anthology. It has since been re-edited with 50,000 words added.

We’ve seen this- best friends, gay falls for straight, long drawn out angst, straight goes gay for you, happily ever after. It’s a bit that-but definitely more.

The more involves Gael’s family taking him in as their own when his parents throw him out at 17 for being gay. More is watching your best friend get engaged to a woman. More is finding out your straight best friend wants you just as badly.

I really loved that most of this book took place over a weekend in Vegas. The back story between Jordan and Gael is explained at appropriate times to move the story alone without bogging us down with their entire relationship since they were teenagers. It moved fast without sacrificing story and it had SO. MANY. FEELS. Family feels, romantic feels, friends feels, love feels. Sigh.

No one was a jerk, no one was the bad guy, no one needed to be redeemed. Just an awesome friends to lovers story that was really well done.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Living in Sydney, Australia with her family, Marley Valentine is a USA Today bestselling author and a former social worker who uses her past experiences to write real life, emotional and heartfelt contemporary romance.

She enjoys mixing it up with both M/F and M/M Romance incorporating all forms of life, lust and love as her characters embark on their journey to their happily ever after.

When she’s not busy writing her own stories, she spends most of her time immersed in the words of her favourite authors.

Marley enjoys interacting with her readers so please feel free to reach out to her via Facebook, Instagram, email and/or subscribe to her newsletter.

Connect with Marley:
Website: https://www.marleyvbooks.com
Newsletter: https://bit.ly/MarleyVNL
Audio Newsletter: https://bit.ly/MarleyVAudio
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2VuYfg8
Instagram: http://bit.ly/MVBooksIG
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BookBub: http://bit.ly/MVBookBub
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Un7EdJ
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/MVGoodreads

When Robbo Met Daniel by Liam Livings: RB, Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

June 21, 2021 by Denise

Robbo is broken. He’s split up with his girlfriend. Given up on love. Forever. And now he must pretend to be happy for a friend’s week-long birthday celebration.

Daniel’s boyfriend refuses to go to the celebration with him. Another nail in the coffin for their relationship. So he brings his best friend, Sam. They notice the heart-broken straight guy has attractively filled swimming shorts and a body to draw their sunglasses-obscured gazes.

If Robbo can put aside how he thinks others will see him if he comes out and if Daniel can escape the history of his dead relationship, maybe they have chance.

When Robbo Met Daniel is a stand-alone gay romance with a curious man who’s only ever been with women and a flamboyant gay man who’s looking for someone to be kinder than his useless boyfriend. A dash of well-meaning friends and forced proximity could mean a happy ever after.

Title: When Robbo Met Daniel

Author: Liam Livings

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: 06/21/2021

Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 71100

Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQIA+, Vacation, out for you, coming out, first time, friends to lovers

Amazon

Ninestar Press

Goodreads

Monday Morning

Robbo stood back so he could stare at his suitcase, resting on the not very comfortable pull-out futon he’d been sleeping on. He threw four T-shirts, three pairs of shorts, and flip-flops into the case.

There was a knock on the door.

“All right,” Robbo replied.

Caspian opened the door. “Nearly packed?”

“Yeah. Some Lynx Africa, my shaving kit and I’m done.”

Caspian pushed the clothes into the suitcase. “And sun cream. Maya’s been on about factor fifty for weeks.” He rolled his eyes.

“I’ll borrow yours if that’s OK.” Robbo was already borrowing his friend’s spare room and bed, so what harm would a few squirts of sun cream be?

“’Course mate.” Caspian smiled weakly.

“Thanks.” Robbo turned to face the bed, his back towards Caspian. “Still think I’d be better off here. Don’t feel much in a party mood.”

“Lulu wants you there. Shaun told me. Said he’d told you.”

“Haven’t heard from him.” Robbo thought it worth trying one last time to get out of the trip. After the upheaval with Becky, he could have done with a week of work and of being alone in Caspian and Maya’s spare room. Just himself and his thoughts moping quietly on the futon.

“He told me he’d called you,” Caspian said. “Still, you know what he’s like. Probably didn’t know what to say.”

Robbo turned and perched on the bed.

“Shaun won’t mind if I don’t go. Lulu’s not going to miss me.”

“Shaun will mind, because Lulu will mind. Forty is a big deal.”

“Ancient.” Robbo let out a small laugh and rubbed his hands on his thighs. “Lulu’s a bit of a cougar, isn’t she?”

“Shaun loves her. That’s all that matters, mate.” Caspian’s stern stare told Robbo all he needed to know.

“Sorry. I’m not myself. Bit cynical about couples, you know?”

Caspian manfully patted Robbo’s shoulder.

“It’s easy to pack. All I’m doing is moving stuff from that suitcase—” He pointed to the large one in the corner. “—to this one.” He indicated the small one on the bed. “Every cloud…”

“Won’t be long till you’re back on your feet. Best this way. You did try.”

Robbo felt the familiar sadness building in his eyes. He didn’t want to dissolve into another snot and tears covered heap like he had when he’d called Caspian, asking if he could crash in their spare room after leaving the flat he’d shared with Becky, his girlfriend. He swallowed, blinking the tears away from his eyes. “I tried. Lots of things. Lots of times.”

“Enough of this. Or I’m gonna have to hug you again, and we know how awkward that gets. Do you want me to bring out the big guns and hug you?” Caspian held his arms out, waggling his fingers comically.

Robbo shook his head. “Fuck off. I’ll live.” They stood in silence for a moment.

A woman’s voice floated from the far side of the flat, telling them the taxi was booked for an hour, and if they weren’t ready, she’d be leaving without them. But not Robbo. Maya—Caspian’s wife, could have organised her way out of any situation—including making sure Robbo wasn’t allowed to wallow in his sadness. On their futon.

Caspian raised his eyes, gesturing towards his wife’s voice. “Best get on.”

Robbo let out a long, exhausted sigh, knowing he had to put a brave face on things and that staying here being miserable wouldn’t do him any good. He collected his razor and shaving gel and pushed them into the duffel bag, squashing everything else in the process.

Caspian said, quietly now, “Mate. I’ll lend you my gel if it helps with the packing.”

Without turning to face his friend, Robbo removed the can of gel, nodded, then said, “Ta mate.”

“Lads weekend. Like before. Do you good. Trust me.” Caspian closed the door behind him.

Robbo turned back to his packing and focussed on the friends he’d soon be seeing, mentally ticking off their names in turn, then wondering why that didn’t sound quite right. And then, with a heavy heart, he remembered he’d excluded their wives and girlfriends. The pairing of names that meant they had someone. Caspian and Maya sounded much better than simply Caspian.

Robbo and Becky.

Robbo.

Maya’s voice, louder now, carried through his closed door, “Twenty minutes. Taxi. If you’re not ready in ten, I’m packing your case, and don’t think I’m beyond rifling through your pants.”

Robbo—knowing Maya meant every word she said, and once he was in the sun and swimming in the pool in Spain, he would indeed feel better than stewing in his own sorrowful juices in this box room alone—threw his phone charger, headphones, and a paperback into his case. “Packed and ready!” He zipped up the bag and carried it to the living room where Maya and Caspian stood next to theirs.

New to me author. And…meh…

Robbo is single again after he and his long time girlfriend broke up. And he is just stewing in misery.

Daniel’s long time boyfriend broke up with him but Daniel won’t accept it.

This theme goes on and on and on throughout the book.

Robbo and Daniel and a bunch of other people are spending a week long vacation in Spain for a friend’s 40th birthday. They are in Spain. On vacation. And complaining constantly about their exes or sort of exes or soon to be exes and it never ended. Oh and maybe Robbo is gay but maybe not? Also a recurring theme.

I didn’t think there was any heat there between the two guys. And Robbo really was kind of insulting about gay men and culture more than once. If I was Daniel I would have walked away without looking back.

Sorry, it was boring, extremely repetitive and had very unlikable characters.

Pass

2 pieces of eye candy

Liam Livings lives where east London ends and becomes Essex. He shares his house with his boyfriend and cat. He enjoys baking, cooking, classic cars and socialising with friends. He has a sweet tooth for food and entertainment: loving to escape from real life with a romantic book; enjoying a good cry at a sad, funny and camp film; and listening to musical cheesy pop from the eighties to now. He tirelessly watches an awful lot of Gilmore Girls in the name of writing ‘research’.

Published since 2013 by a variety of British and American presses, his gay romance and gay fiction focuses on friendships, British humour, romance with plenty of sparkle. He’s a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, and the Chartered Institute of Marketing. With a masters in creative writing from Kingston University, he teaches writing workshops with his partner in sarcasm and humour, Virginia Heath as www.realpeoplewritebooks.com and has also ghost written a client’s 5 Star reviewed autobiography.

Author Links

Website: http://www.liamlivings.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liam.livings

Twitter: http://twitter.com/LiamLivings

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Shai: A dark gay romantic suspense novel (Malicious Gods: Egypt) by H.L. Night: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, and Giveaway

June 21, 2021 by Denise

Malicious Gods: Egypt, Book 2

How do you play a game when there aren’t any rules?

Petty crook and drug dealer Elijah Page’s plan was simple. Stay off the feuding crime-lords’ radar for long enough to make a quick buck in the city, and then get out. He couldn’t have been more naïve. Captured and beaten by McIntyre, he escapes death, only to find himself in the hands of McIntyre’s opponent. Shai is an enigma, a man as charming as he is twisted. And he’s set his sights on possessing Elijah—body and soul.

Shai will stop at nothing until he’s ousted McIntyre. In the meantime, fate has provided him with an interesting distraction in the shape of the stubborn and rebellious Elijah. Elijah’s lips may say one thing, but his body says something else entirely. Elijah might think he has what it takes to go up against a man like Shai, but he’s wrong. He’s nothing but a fly in Shai’s web, and Shai will always be two steps ahead.

A game ensues. One that Elijah may not even realize he’s playing, or just how big a pawn he is. Everything is at stake. Possibly even his heart and mind. By the time Shai has finished with him, there might not be anything left of the man he used to be.

Let the games begin.

A dark mm romantic suspense featuring snakes as a weapon, a manipulative main character, and a few twists and turns along the way.

Welcome to the dark world of Malicious Gods: Egypt. A collection of standalone modern tales, both magical and non-magical, featuring deities from Ancient Egypt. You’ll find reincarnated Gods, assassins, gangs, madness, and different realities. Expect high heat and morally ambiguous themes. Seductive and often twisted, they are not for the fainthearted.

Shai
By H.L Day writing as H.L Night

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

The kiss wasn’t really a kiss. It was more a demonstration of power and domination, Shai’s lips brutal as he ground them against mine, his arm a steel band holding me in place and leaving me with nothing else to do but accept it. There were no tongues involved, no finesse. It seemed to go on forever, my palms plastered against Shai’s chest in a feeble attempt to push him off and get him to stop.

When he finally released me, I could taste copper, my fingers coming away from my mouth tinged with blood where he’d wrought damage with his teeth. I stared at the red on my fingers, my mind performing the usual mental gymnastics that any time spent with Shai seemed to require. Was that it? Was that what he’d wanted? Would I be allowed to leave now? Was his twisted version of a date now complete?

He spun away from me, his long strides eating up the space between himself and the door. He was leaving. Thank fuck! I could go to my room and regroup. One thing was for sure, I wouldn’t be repeating today’s mistake of seeking him out, no matter how lonely I got. I’d rather go crazy in my room than place myself in a predicament like this one again.

Shai came to a halt in front of the door. Instead of pulling it open, he twisted the lock before turning back to face me. “There. Now we won’t be disturbed.”

It was an automatic reaction to take a few steps back, Shai retracing his steps to come after me. He was slow and deliberate—a panther stalking its prey. I made it all the way over to the other side of the room before the wall at my back brought my retreat to a premature conclusion. And then Shai was there, turning me so that my front was pressed against the wall, the cool surface feeling good against my splayed fingers. He plastered himself against my back, his body a hot, hard brand, his cock already swelling as he fitted it against the curve of my ass. “I’ve wanted to do this all evening.”

H.L Night is the darker alter-ego of H.L Day.
They’re still juggling teaching and writing but in a more sinister way with a much bigger moustache and more cape twirling. They’re still working on their evil laugh.

Connect with the Author:
My FB group Day’s Den – https://www.facebook.com/groups/2214565008830022/
My FB page – https://www.facebook.com/HLDay/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/HLDAY100
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14785113.H_L_Day
Website: https://hldayauthor.co.uk/
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Patreon https://www.patreon.com/HLDay a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hollywood to Horses by Dez Schwartz: RB, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

June 18, 2021 by Denise

Mateo Harris, a retired Olympic Show Jumper, achieved just about everything he could want in life. Rising from a nobody to becoming a beloved gold-medalist, co-owning H&H Riding Academy with his cousin—and best friend—Emily Hall, and he’s one of the most powerful and respected men in his hometown of Sweetspire, VA. Nothing can shake the foundations of the life he’s built for himself. That is until he hears his nemesis and former crush, Christopher Wright II, has moved back to town.

Christopher, a runaway movie star, has returned to Sweetspire to inherit the family business: Wright Stables, the only rival riding academy Mateo has ever had to worry about. With Christopher’s charm, talent, and fame taking charge, Mateo is faced with real competition both in and out of the arena. He’ll have to be at the top of his game to prove he’s still the number one equestrian in town, but every encounter with Christopher becomes as challenging as any obstacle he’s faced on horseback.

Title: Hollywood to Horses

Author: Dez Schwartz

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: 06/14/2021

Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 29800

Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQIA+, Equestrian, Horses, Sports, Rivals to Lovers, Over 40, Gay, Bisexual, Rom Com

Amazon

Ninestar Press

Goodreads

Mateo Harris and his black Belgian warmblood soared over a post-and-plank obstacle, then galloped in a curve to face two gates in proximity. They leapt over both with swift ease. The final stretch sent them gliding over the triple bars as they completed the course in a flawless fashion.

Mateo’s students applauded from the fence where they each sat astride their own horses, the eagerness for a chance to try the course themselves apparent.

The solid thud beneath Mateo’s riding boots reverberated through him, a satisfying crescendo indicating the finale of his performance. He believed a rider should never consider themselves finished showing until they were no longer on horseback. Although he hated to admit to himself, the ache in his right knee also grounded him in the truth—injury and age.

Defying reality, and because of his inherent showmanship, Mateo pivoted his athletic body in one graceful movement to face his pupils.

“And that’s how you win an Olympic gold medal in show jumping,” he announced. “Any questions?”

His students applauded, and he grabbed the reigns to lead his horse out of the arena.

“Why can’t you still win them?” a snide voice rang out. “Maybe you could teach us how to not fall off our horses.” The comment, which referenced an injury he sustained at his last Olympic competition, came from a tall blonde girl, Payton Parker, who Mateo found irritating on any given day; this one especially.

Most of the students appeared to hold their breath after the bold insult as if all the oxygen of the pleasant Virginian afternoon had been depleted. Their wide eyes showed they’d never dream of saying such a thing to someone so well regarded. Known for his equestrian accomplishments in the city of Sweetspire, the waitlist to get into H&H Riding Academy—the school Mateo and his cousin, Emily Hall, ran together—was as long as his list of accolades.

A few uncontrolled giggles cropped up, and Payton smirked at him to show she found the power-play to her peers worth any repercussion.

Mateo pursed his lips and produced a warning smile as he approached Payton, taking his time to remove his black riding gloves finger by finger.

He addressed her but did so loud enough so the entire class would be sure to hear him. “Your parents pay me excessive amounts of inherited money to turn entitled leeches like yourself into professional equestrians. As if any amount of funding could ever supply you with the aptitude you so obviously, and painfully, lack. You’ll be lucky to ever win so much as a participation trophy awarded for anything other than nepotism. You’re hereby dismissed from this class, Payton. In fact, because I’m feeling particularly plucky today, you are expelled. Good day, Miss Parker. I’ll expect a call from your parents as soon as the nanny reminds them they have children.”

The same student giggles returned, this time siding with Mateo and proving to be as good as a slap in the face for Payton. Fuming, she coaxed her Hanoverian toward the exit of the outdoor arena. She shouted over her shoulder as she left. “There are other riding academies, you know! I’ll go to Wright Stables! I don’t need you to win a blue ribbon!”

“I agree. You need talent!”

Nothing made him see red faster than mention of Wright Stables, his only real local competitor.

He chided himself for being drawn into an immature argument with a spoiled teenager and moved to get his class back on task.

“If anyone else would like to be expelled today, please, negligently criticize me. Otherwise, run your courses!”

Mateo waved them off, and they rushed to begin taking turns practicing the paces.

He led his prized horse, Top Shelf, back to the stables and handed him off to a stable hand. Once out of the long corridor on the other side of the luxury barn, Mateo reached inside his navy-blue riding blazer, grabbed his flask, and threw back a swig of French vodka.

He took a deep breath of the balmy late afternoon air, letting the heat of the drink warm his chest and relax him.

He spotted Cameron Myers leaning on the fencing of a corral where he had a student practicing dressage basics. The lines from Cameron’s dancer’s muscles showed through his thin white shirt whenever he leaned forward on the railing, and he combed his fingers through his wavy chestnut hair as he shouted out instructions to the student for improvement. Cameron clapped his approval when the student followed his recommendation to the letter.

He’s a much nicer instructor than I could ever be. It’s a good thing I hired him, or my student body might be severely lacking in numbers.

Cameron raised an eyebrow once he turned to Mateo. “Little early for that, don’t you think?”

Mateo found his youthful naivety charming and smiled. “Just a light afternoon snack.”

The corners of Cameron’s eyes crinkled sympathetically. “Tough day?”

“I teach overly indulged teenage millionaires how to make an animal jump over brightly colored poles for a living.” He took another drink at the thought. “Every day is tough.”

Cameron chuckled and turned his attention back to his own student. “You know you love every minute of it.”

Mateo grinned, putting the flask away. “No, you love it. I just have an affinity for collecting dead presidents.”

“You know I don’t believe that for a second.” Cameron signaled to the young rider to start their routine over. “I wouldn’t be here if that were true.”

Appreciative of his candidness, Mateo patted Cameron’s shoulder.

Finding a contemporary book that steps a little outside the norm is fun, so I definitely was looking forward to this one that was based around horse training. With one of the MC’s having been an Olympian equestrian, and the other MC coming back home, it pitted previous potential lovers to enemies into a lively competition.

I think this novella could have easily been expanded. It felt a bit rushed, in my opinion. Mateo’s personality was prickly to say the least, and I wasn’t quite sure why he was so grumpy. I didn’t feel that the backstory the reader was given was enough to really help the reader understand and empathize with his situation. So many times it just seemed he was grumpy and a bit mean. Although, he definitely came through when it counted. 🙂

Meanwhile, we learned a lot about Christopher’s backstory, and why he was finally coming home to run his father’s stables. Since he wasn’t the POV for the book, it was all from dialogue, but it would have been nice to get the same from Mateo.

The two MC’s definitely did a good job though of making their connection felt, and with the final big scene, it made complete sense how it all played out.

Side characters were very good. Emily was a perfect foil for Mateo, and seemed to really be the only one who saw through his defenses, other than Christopher. This book may be part of a series, it isn’t quite clear, but there is definitely a potential story there with Cameron, one of Matteo’s trainers.

3 pieces of eye candy

Dez Schwartz is a LGBTQ, Dreampunk, & Gothic Romance author and artist based in San Angelo, Texas. She holds a BFA in Studio Art and worked as a graphic artist, and a Director’s Assistant at a fine arts museum, before transitioning to writing full-time.

Her longtime love of Victorian spiritualism, gay literary fiction, and romantic comedies inspired her to begin writing all of the stories she wished existed.

When she’s not passionately crafting tales, she can be found drawing, researching, or traveling with loved ones.

Author Links

Website: http://www.dezschwartz.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DezSchwartz

Twitter: http://twitter.com/dez_schwartz

Instagram: http://instagram.com/dezschwartzauthor

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/dezschwartz/

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Shiftless by TA Moore: Blog Tour, Exclusive Short Story Excerpt, and Giveaway

June 16, 2021 by Denise

Night Shift is the city’s thin, silver line- and some nights it’s thinner than others.

It isn’t the fact he almost died last night that’s thrown Night Shift officer Kit Marlow. He’s used to that. It’s the fact that instead of a werewolf trying to rip his throat out, it was his friend and colleague who tried to put him in the ground.

Well, ‘friend.’

Now Marlow’s been framed for a murder he didn’t commit by a man who’s committed more than his fair share. Half the cops in San Diego want to see Marlow behind bars for what he’s supposedly done, and the other half want him dead before he can tell his side of the story. The problem is that he can’t tell them apart.

There’s only one person in town that Marlow can trust, even though he knows he shouldn’t drag Cade Deacon into his problems. The sharp-tongued CEO of a private security firm might have gotten close to Marlow over the last few weeks, but taking on the SDPD is a lot to ask.

Marlow doesn’t have much choice, though. If he can’t clear his name before the last full moon of the month sets, he might not see another one. That’d be a shame since Marlow would really like to spend the night with Cade without needing protective gear.

Title: Shiftless

Publisher: Rogue Firebird Press

Release: June 19

Amazon

Book 1: Shift Work

Book 2: Split Shift

First of all, thank you so much for having me! I’m thrilled to be here with my new release, Shiftless by TA Moore, which completes the Night Shift trilogy! I believe it is still technically a novella, although it’s the novella that kicked the other novellas out of the nest and ate all the food!

For the blog tour I’ve written a short story set in the Night Shift world. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter Four

It was a re-run.

Half the programs Marlow had TiVo’d were re-runs. There wasn’t a lot of downtime when you were on the Night Shift or training to get into the academy. Marlow had missed a lot of must-see programming over the years. Some of it was just comfort food, though—old enough that the last time anyone had talked about it around the water-cooler, it had been weekly.

This month it was Quincy. He’d watched it the first time around with his grandmother—probably, he couldn’t remember it, but she’d never missed an episode—and there was something comforting about how simple life was on the show. Murders happened, sure, but if Quincy didn’t solve them with his coroner’s experience, he’d sniff out the killer on the full moon.

Handy trick that.

Marlow sprawled back in the bed and watched the flannel-faced detective scowl intently over a slide before he raced off to save the day. Despite the soporific effect of sentimentality, Marlow’s brain wouldn’t shut off.

He wanted to be wrong.

For a good six months, every time he felt uneasy about a call Piper made or didn’t make, he’d told himself he was wrong. Of course he was. They were Night Shift, the good guys of a hundred stories. Piper was a goddamn legend, a literal poster boy for the department.

Except… he wasn’t.

His phone buzzed next to the bed. He grabbed it in case it was Gil—he might not be scheduled to work, but he was still on call every night until the moon waned—but Bennett’s name was stamped over the text notification.

Marlow flicked it open.

Why were you at the Crate? I told you to let it go. It’s not your problem.

Marlow really wished that was true, too. He set the phone back on the bedside table without answering Bennett and flicked the TV off. It hadn’t been Gil that time, but if she did call him in, he’d rather have gotten some sleep.

By rights, it should have taken him half the night to grab some shut-eye. His head was stuffed with unresolved doubts and questions. His body knew better. His head hit the pillow, and he was out.

His dreams weren’t peaceful, but they didn’t disturb his rest either.

What woke him up was the crack of his door being kicked in.

TA Moore is a Northern Irish writer of romantic suspense, urban fantasy, and contemporary romance novels. A childhood in a rural, seaside town fostered in her a suspicious nature, a love of mystery, and a streak of black humour a mile wide. As her grandmother always said, ‘she’d laugh at a bad thing that one’, mind you, that was the pot calling the kettle black. TA Moore studied History, Irish mythology, English at University, mostly because she has always loved a good story. She has worked as a journalist, a finance manager, and in the arts sectors before she finally gave in to a lifelong desire to write.

Coffee, Doc Marten boots, and good friends are the essential things in life. Spiders, mayo, and heels are to be avoided.

Website: www.tamoorewrites.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TAMoorewrites/

Twitter: @tamoorewrites

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Getting Friendly (A Never Just Friends Novel, Book 3) by Saxon James: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

June 15, 2021 by Denise

LEON
When I’m looking for a hook up, I want three things:
Big, thick, and rough.
So it doesn’t make sense that I can’t get my new hire out of my head.
He’s a tiny guy with big ideas … and he’s my apprentice which means he’s completely off limits.
But he’s already under my skin.
And for the first time with any guy, I don’t think I can hold my own against him.
Physically, yes. Emotionally, no.
Auggie makes me weak.

AUGGIE
Growing up, I always wanted to go into the family business and follow in Dad’s footsteps.
Until in my senior year of high school when he told me to find a new dream.
No one would let a small, clumsy guy like me on a construction site.
And after trying and failing for years, I was starting to believe him.
Then LJ Constructions calls me for an interview and when I meet Leon, he becomes my new dream.
He’s hot as hell, self made, and instead of putting me down, he sees what I’ve always seen in myself.
But I’m not dumb enough to throw away this one chance at my dream job, not even for him.
Not even if I really, really want to.

Getting Friendly

A Never Just Friends Novel, Book 3

By Saxon James

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Book 1: Just Friends

Book 2: Fake Friends

I try to play it cool, like Leon kissing me is a totally normal, everyday occurrence. His beard scrapes my skin, and his tongue pushes against mine, and I swear every part of me has turned to jelly—except my dick, which is now rock hard—but I manage to keep on my feet. Manage to meet each lap of his tongue with one of my own. Manage to not hump his leg like a dog in heat.

Though that one is a very close call.

He breaks away, and I can’t quite make out his expression with his back to the streetlight.

“This okay?” he asks, slightly out of breath. Because of me. I did that.

“If it wasn’t, I would have kneed you in the balls by now.”

He reaches down to cup his groin. “Good to know.”

“So, umm …” My nerves are buzzing, making it hard to think. “House. My house. Are you coming? There! Coming there. Not coming coming, though I definitely hope there’s some of that too.”

Leon chuckles, and his lips brush mine again. “I’m coming to your place, where I’m going to make you come so hard, I’ll ruin you for anyone else.”

Mmm … he already has. Just locking me between his arms, up against a wall like this, is enough to do it, and I mean, he didn’t even touch me last time and it was still one of the hottest moments of my life. Looking up from my knees at his sexy body towering over me …

“I’ll be holding you to that.”

Before I can overthink it, I slide my hand into his and tug him back out onto the street. It’s only a few minutes’ walk before we’re rounding the hardware store, climbing the stairs we built, and walking into my apartment.

I expect Leon to get straight to it, but instead, he hesitates.

“Here’s the thing …”

“Uh-oh. Nope. Don’t go promising me hot sex and then back out.”

That makes him laugh, at least. “I’m not planning on backing out, even though a smarter man would.”

“Then what is it?”

He nods at my couch before taking a seat and patting the place next to him.

Ah. We’re talking.

Fun.

I flop down beside him.

“Ground rules.” His voice takes on a bossy tone that I like. “We covered some last time, but I want to make sure we’re both on the same page before things get started. First, this is casual. It’s only sex.”

I hurry to agree because like hell am I dumb enough to let those terms get in between me and Leon’s dick. “Just sex. Got it.”

“Second, I want to reiterate that us hooking up doesn’t affect work. Those things are completely separate.”

And yep, I know that’s a pretty important point, but all I latch onto is, “Hooking up? As in present tense. As in possibly more than just last time and tonight?”

A whole mess of conflict crosses his expression before he pushes it away. “Let’s take it one day at a time, but … well, I’m attracted to you. Very. And I can’t see that going away anytime soon, but we both have to be okay with the other person turning around and being honest when it isn’t working anymore.”

“Of course. Yes. I can do that.”

He watches me for a moment. “So tomorrow, if I decide I’m done, you’ll be okay?”

“I’ll be disappointed because I can’t imagine a time when I don’t think you’re the sexiest man I’ve ever seen, but I’ll understand. And I won’t hold it against you. Or let it interfere with work.”

His handsome face breaks into a smile as he turns his body toward me. I almost melt when he reaches for my face and smooths a calloused thumb over my cheek. “Yeah, I don’t think one more night will be enough either. But we’ll see.”

I wriggle closer. “Is there a third point?”

“Yes.” He clears his throat. “And for some reason, it’s more awkward to tell you this than random strangers that I meet, but … I’m a cuddler. So after sex, there’s none of that leaving right away bullshit. I like the intimacy of it, so if that’s too weird for a casual hookup, you need to tell me now.”

Aww … sexy, big, bad Leon is a snuggler? I melt, and when I give him the soppiest face I can manage, he barely holds back from rolling his eyes at me.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m a big ol’ teddy bear.”

“That’s adorable.”

“It’s totally normal and not at all weird for someone to want closeness after sex. I don’t buy into the crap about needing to fuck and run.”

“No, I agree.” I’m still trying not to laugh though. Not at him. But, well … okay, kind of at him, but only because he’s uncomfortable which is usually my domain, and also, he’s so adorable I can’t even.

“One question,” I say, tucking my knees under me and shuffling closer to him.

“Mmm?”

“Are you the big spoon or little spoon?”

He chuckles and pinches my thigh.

So, I haven’t read the first two books, but thought this one sounded sexy and fun, so in I went. 🙂 And I was rewarded with sexy and fun, with low angst, just my type of book.

On the one hand, Auggie, super cute, sweet, very twinkie, adorkable, etc, but apparently with a serious dong. lol He loved what he did, but had a father who didn’t trust him, rightfully so, which made it that much more difficult to find the right position. But he wasn’t afraid to go after what he wanted, whether it was the job, or the man. And as he gained more confidence in himself professionally, he was able to stand up for himself more with his father, and step in as needed with Leon’s company.

Leon…poor guy…to be that young and work himself into the ground, literally. He chose Auggie for reasons that weren’t as cut and dry as him being the best candidate. It eventually worked out well for him, but he was stressed so often, he was putting himself into an early grave. Auggie worked on teaching him to enjoy time away, by being there when he needed it, and still forcing him to step away.

Definitely HAWT, seriously HAAAAWWWWTTTT, sex scenes. And Auggie wasn’t as shy there, as he was everywhere else. 🙂 They meshed well together as they discovered things about each other that went beyond the “naked” eye.

My one issue with this book was the proofreading/editing. I’m aware that the author is from Australia, and so there are phrases that I absolutely recognized as being from Australia. However, the book is set just south of Portland, so things like “footpath” are things that should be caught by a proofreader or editor. It’s generally negligible, and I rarely comment on editing/proofreading simply because it is an ARC. However, it appears to me that if it has gotten this far in the process, those kinds of corrections should be brought to the author’s attention. Also, I would feel that way if the opposite was true, and it was based in Australia, and the character was native and then said sidewalk. Again, small issue on the whole for a book I really enjoyed.

I enjoyed the book, the MC’s chemistry, and even appreciated the references to the side characters who appeared in the previous books. I am terribly interested in one event that seems to have carried forward as a story arc, and maybe, hopefully will be resolved in the next book? 🙂

4 pieces of eye candy

Saxon James is an author from Australia who’s obsessed with writing queer characters. She has a range of books from YA to adult and they all have one thing in common: swoony, sweet love.

When not writing, Saxon exists on a diet of coffee and chocolate while putting her KU subscription to the test.

Connect with Saxon:
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pg/thesaxonjames/
Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/saxonssweethearts/
Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/profile/saxon-james
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Saxon-James/e/B082TP7BR7
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/19404191.Saxon_James
Instagram: www.instagram.com/saxonjameswrites/

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