• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • TCO Exclusives
    • Gateway books
    • Author Spotlight
  • Audiobook Reviews
  • Cover Reveals
  • Contact Page
    • Reviewer Bios
    • Author Post Submission
    • Review Submission

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

Book Excerpt

Forgotten (Heaven and Hell Club, Book 2) by Colette Davison: RDB, Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

March 26, 2020 by Denise

Can he build a future, when he’s forgotten his past?

Jared has fought hard to achieve something close to ‘normal’. Needing to get away from his well-meaning but suffocating family, he follows a message he wrote on a scrap of paper to a new city, hoping to find a missing piece of his past.

When Kyrone, a cocky pole dancer at the Heaven and Hell Club, saunters into the tattoo parlour Jared works in, his life is turned upside down again. A passionate one night stand turns into something unexpected for both men. But life is never simple as they work out if they can have a future beyond what has been forgotten.

Forgotten is an MM romance with hurt/comfort, a small age gap, and two men who need to learn to be true to themselves. It is the second book in the Heaven and Hell Club series and, whilst it can be read as a standalone, works better if read after Broken.

Title: Forgotten (Heaven and Hell Club, Book 2)

Author: Colette Davison

Release Date: March 25, 2020

Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance

Trope/s: Hurt/comfort, disabled MC, small age-gap, one night stand to lovers

Themes: Being true to yourself, trusting in others

Length: 75 000 words

Heat Rating: 3-4 flames

Add on Goodreads

Amazon US- Kindle Unlimited

Amazon UK – Kindle Unlimited

“I tell you what,” Kyrone said. “I’ll jump into the shower and then nip to the corner shop to get us something more substantial and healthier for breakfast. You can take a shower while I’m gone. How does that sound?”

Jared glanced at the pile of their clothes on the floor. He didn’t much fancy putting on dirty, slept-in clothes straight after a shower.

“I need to put some laundry on,” Kyrone said. “So I’ll throw your clothes in too.”

“What am I meant to wear in the meantime?”

“Nothing?” Kyrone asked hopefully. “I don’t mind if you wander around my flat naked.”

Jared laughed and shook his head.

“I’ve got a top you can wear.” Kyrone pursed his lips. “I’m pretty sure my underwear and jeans will swamp you, though.”

“Probably,” Jared agreed.

Kyrone extricated himself from beneath Jared and moved to an oversized chest of drawers. He rummaged through the drawers for a couple of minutes, giving Jared an unobstructed view of the man’s lean back and taut arse. With a small cheer, Kyrone pulled out a huge round-neck jumper with wide stripes in two contrasting shades of grey. It looked too big for Kyrone, let alone Jared.

Kyrone threw it across to him. “That should cover you up.”

“It still feels like you’re trying to hold me hostage for the afternoon,” Jared said in a teasing tone. “I can’t exactly go home, wearing nothing but an oversized jumper.”

Kyrone knelt on the bed, leaning forward onto his hands, his face close to Jared’s. “Do you want to go home?” he asked in a soft, low tone that made Jared shiver.

“No.”

“Then I don’t see a problem, do you?”

Alright…so, I’m jumping into this at book two, without reading the first one and I feel, especially from the reviews I’ve gone back and read, that skipping the first one was a huge mistake. Unfortunately, I’m an emotional basketcase, so I didn’t think I could handle it. I’ve just gotten it though, and because I loved this story so much, I’m jumping into it.

Now, in saying how much I adored this heartbreaking story… I did not think I would feel that way. Kyrone is not my kind of guy. I don’t know if he played any part in book one, but he starts off just very conceited and full of himself and I was put off of him immediately. Meeting him when he was going to get a tattoo at Ink Envy, where Jared is apprenticing under his boss, Faye.

The guys are smitten with each other and at first, it’s meant to be a good time, though that only lasts about the first time. Kyrone does a complete 180 and gone is the good-time guy who loves attention and thinks only about himself… and when he notices Jared isn’t well, he drops everything to take care of him, even if it means the good times need to be put on hold. He’s endlessly patient and understanding and is really such a sweet support for Jared.

Jared, my heart kind of broke for. After a terrible accident, Jared wasn’t sure who he was anymore, but he was coping as best as he could with this new normal and trying to be as independent as his illness allowed him. Getting away from his overly hovering parents helped, as did getting a job and the work he spent on getting himself better, but it was still hard doing it by himself. Fortunately, he meets Kyrone, and even though he didn’t want to be a burden on him, he needed Kyrone and Kyrone was happy to be the one he leaned on when he needed someone to lean on.

There’s a part, probably a little insignificant to most who read it, but when Jared repeated this line “Then I won’t hold you to it if keeping that promise makes you miserable” … I could see every reason Kyrone fell in love with him.

I was really surprised by Jared’s parents too, they weren’t at all the way I pictured them. I’m anxious to get into Jag’s story because I knew from the moment he was reading the book, that he had some kind of tie to Jared, I just dind’t understand how heartbreaking it was. I cannot wait to jump into that emotional bag of terrorism. I have a feeling it’s going to ruin my weekend, but in the best way. I really hope there are more in this series, I’d love to see what happens with the rest of the guys at the club!!

And what a sweet ending! It was perfect!

4 pieces of eye candy

Let me get this out of the way. If the author did research on tattoo apprenticeships or tattoo parlors, it wasn’t well done. A reputable tattoo artist doesn’t just pluck someone out of a coffee shop because they like his art and give him a paying job. Apprentices PAY to work at a tattoo shop to get training. And tattoo shops don’t work bankers hours. They don’t open at 10 and close at 5 or 6. Ya it was convenient for the story, but details like that bug me.

On to the story. I was kind of expecting something nefarious about the accident that took Jared’s memory. But the details were really anti climatic. Kyrone really bugged me at the beginning, although he did end up growing on me the more he was with Jared and took care of him.

This is a tough review because I did like the story, but it was the details that took me out of it so much. There were also a few time line issues (day of the week, etc).

Jared and Kyrone are absolutely adorable together, there’s no denying that at all. Although they moved fast, the progression of their relationship was well written. I was shocked there wasn’t more with Jared’s family and there was nothing with previous friends. Friends before his accident. Details. The devil is in the details.

If you can look past the little things (that clearly I can’t) it’s a good story with likable characters. Jared’s injury is explained well and obviously researched. They are an adorable couple with great chemistry, banter and romance. The date that Kryone took Jared on was fabulous. There is a lot of good in the book and worth a read.

It’s book 2, but it is easily a stand alone.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Colette’s personal love story began at university, where she met her future husband. An evening of flirting, in the shadow of Lancaster castle, eventually led to a fairytale wedding. She’s enjoying her own ‘happy ever after’ in the north of England with her husband, two beautiful children and her writing.

Social Media Links

Blog/Website  |   Facebook Page   |  Facebook Group: Colette’s Cosy Corner

BookBub   |   Twitter    |   Goodreads  |  Instagram: @colettedavison

Mailing List  |   Newsletter Sign-Up

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Excerpt, Book Review, Giveaway, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, Release Day Review, TCO Reviewer: Jennifer Tagged With: 4 stars, author, blog tour, Blog Tours, book, Book Excerpts, Book Reviews, Colette Davison, excerpt, gay, Giveaways, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, review, romance

The Rivalry by Beth Bolden: RB, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

March 18, 2020 by Denise

The first time NFL quarterback Heath Harris meets Sam Crawford, it’s just them, a luxury yacht and a few days of fun in the sun. Sam turns out to be nothing like Heath expects. He’s kind and funny and irreverent—and also unbelievably, shockingly sexy. For three short, glorious, life-changing days, there are no rules.

The second time they meet, Sam has just been traded to Heath’s team, and instead of lovers, they’ve become rivals instead. Heath has spent the last five years working desperately to be the best quarterback the Riptide could ever need, but when injuries threaten to derail his career, Sam is right there, standing on the sideline. Ready to take over, and ready to ruin everything Heath has given his life for.

Rival. Enemy. Teammate. Friend. Lover.

As their orbits collide, sparks fly, and Heath struggles to find the right label and the right box to shove Sam into, hoping to keep him contained. But Sam—and Heath’s feelings—refuse to cooperate.

Sam might not be just one of those things, he might be all of them, and so much more.

Book Title: The Rivalry

Author: Beth Bolden

Publisher: Beth Bolden Books

Cover Artist: AngstyG Design

Release Date: March 9, 2020

Genre/s: Contemporary MM Romance. Sports romance.

Enemies to lovers. Gay awakening.

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 100 000 words

It is a standalone story.

Add on Goodreads

Amazon US – Kindle Unlimited

Amazon UK  – Kindle Unlimited

Heath had forced himself not to get (even more) self-conscious when he changed into his swim trunks. You work your ass off in the weight room, he told himself firmly, you look good. But it was hard to ever imagine he looked as good as Sam did. Sam looked . . . Heath forced himself not to think about it, because the last thing he needed was to get hard in his trunks right now.

Brooke was already lying out on the open deck, a skimpy bikini revealing all her best assets. “Drew and Mark already took the skiff out with Captain Tom,” she said when Heath and Sam approached.

“Yeah, we’re going for a swim,” Sam said.

“And share secret quarterback tips? You two have fun.” Brooke’s knowing expression was baffling, but maybe she thought it was weird they were hanging out because they played for different teams.

“Uh,” Heath said, and then latched on to the bin of sunscreen options next to her. “We should put some protection on . . .”

Both Brooke and Sam looked at him shocked. “Um,” he realized, “sun protection.”

“Right,” Sam said, grinning. “You first.” Instead of the easy spray option, Sam plucked a bottle of lotion from the selection. Heath went hot and then cold, realizing that Sam definitely intended to touch him all over, and he was somehow going to have to keep his erection under control.

Normally, that wouldn’t have even been an issue, but somehow his dick had discovered its purpose in life after meeting Sam. He was already half-hard now, and as soon as Sam touched him, all bets were going to be off.

The lotion was cold as Sam squirted it onto his back, and that helped initially, but then his hands, warm and broad and confident, were there, smoothing the cream all over his back and shoulders. He used soft, long strokes, like he was both trying to reassure Heath and turn him on, all at the same time—even though Heath knew that couldn’t possibly be true. When his fingers drifted lower, nearly hitting the waistband of his swim trunks, Heath nearly gasped. It was the most erotic application of sunscreen that Heath had ever experienced, and the only thing that kept him from totally busting out of his trunks was latching on to the thought of how smelly Bran’s locker was by the end of the season.

“My turn,” Sam said, and to Heath’s surprise, his own voice was rather gravelly. Like he’d actually enjoyed touching Heath.

Sam touching him had felt like a combination of heaven and hell. Heath never imagined that reciprocating would somehow feel even more dangerous, but from the moment his fingers lightly brushed Sam’s skin, it was nearly game over. He was so smooth and powerful and soft, all contradictions wrapped up in this sexy, gorgeous package, and it was nearly impossible to stop when the lotion had been evenly distributed.

“Aren’t you two just the cutest,” Brooke said, and Heath jerked his hands back like he’d been electrocuted.

“I mean, so helpful with each other, even though you’re supposed to be rivals,” Brooke added.

They weren’t really rivals—Sam wasn’t even the starting quarterback for the Piranhas, but Heath latched on to her distraction like a lifeline. “We’re not rivals,” Heath said. “It’s not like that.” Sam nodded vigorously, and grabbed the lotion from Heath’s hands, clearly also eager to change the subject. Heath didn’t know why, but he was intrigued.

“You about ready to go in?” he asked Heath.

“Yeah, let me just get my face,” Heath said. He knew he was still too pale, especially considering he lived in Southern California. Too much time still spent indoors. Frankie was always harassing him, accusing him of becoming a recluse. She wasn’t completely wrong.

“Good, because I’m definitely ready,” Sam said, obviously eager to get away from Brooke, her inquisitive gaze still pinned to the pair of them.

Sam took off in a cannonball leap, before Heath could warn him that they didn’t know how deep the water was. You’re always looking before leaping, he thought ruefully. It was definitely a less exciting existence than the one Sam clearly enjoyed. Instead of jumping off the boat, Heath sat on the back ledge, and swinging his legs around, dropped down gently into the water. It was surprisingly warm, and he kicked powerfully to bring himself over to where Sam had surfaced, pushing his wet hair back, like he was a fucking supermodel.

“Feels damn good,” Sam said, and Heath nodded, keeping his distance as they both treaded water.

It would feel even better if they were pressed up together, wet skin against wet skin, but Heath would take the water reflecting in the intense blue of Sam’s eyes every day of the week. He’d never felt a color so viscerally—burning deep in his stomach, magnifying his arousal until the only thing keeping him from flying apart was the cool water against his dick.

This story did not start out strong for me. At all. The first part on the yacht was nearly eye rolling. But once they got off the yacht, it got better. Way better.

Heath was borderline antagonistic to Sam at the beginning. For no reason. Supposedly he had no idea that he was gay (or bi or pan or just not straight) and Sam was back up for another team, so not his rival. And then to have a steamy hook up. It just didn’t ring true for me.

But then they got back to their real lives. And Sam ends up directly in Heath’s orbit. And then Heath’s attitude made way more sense. He was afraid of his feelings. Afraid of Sam’s feelings. Afraid for his job. Afraid for Sam’s job. Suddenly it all came together.

Heath’s growth in the book was great to read. There was a smallish plot point that wasn’t resolved, but other than that, I enjoyed watching Sam and Heath together- in public at work and in private at Heath’s house.

There were good supporting characters, but at the same time I am kind of surprised at how few of the other members of the team that they guys interacted with throughout the story. And we did also get a cameo from the main characters in The Rainbow Clause.

The ending was a bit too perfect for me, but still enjoyable.

4 pieces of eye candy

A lifelong Oregonian, Beth Bolden has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband and their sweet kitten, Earl Grey. Beth still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to be just as weird in Raleigh.

Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published sixteen novels and six novellas.

Social Media Links

Blog/Website   |   Facebook  |   Twitter   |  BookBub

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the tour and check out the other blog posts and reviews here

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

Nothing Special VII: EX Meridian by A.E. Via: Exclusive Guest Post, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

March 12, 2020 by Denise

A.E. Via is back again today, and bringing her oh so alpha guys for the next installment of the Nothing Special series, EX Meridian. I love Adrienne’s stories, because they are gritty, full of heart, and all the demons that these men battle daily. Also, I have to say, she is honestly one of the most lovely people you ever would meet, if you get the chance. Check out her post, excerpt, and grab the book! Don’t forget to enter the fantastic giveaway!

Police Lieutenants, God and Day are under intense pressure from the chief to take back control of Atlanta’s streets. The last thing their task force needs is a pair of trained killers in town with a personal score to settle. 

Take a man and strip him of his ability to feel compassion, empathy, remorse, or any of the emotions that make him human, but leave the ones that ignite rage and aggression and you have the perfect killing machine—now imagine two of them.

Code names Ex and Meridian are synonymous for ‘guaranteed death’ to international terrorists. Two broken men from the same crooked streets, recruited into an unsanctioned government program that few know about. Trained to operate most efficiently—lethally—together.

When Ex returns from an op in Bolivia to learn his little brother has been accidentally killed in a feud between drug gangs, he’s stateside before he can consider the rules he’ll be breaking, and of course Meridian is right beside him. There’s mayhem on the streets of Atlanta and the police are losing control. If Godfrey and his elite team of detectives can’t get the job done then they’d be happy to lighten their caseloads for them. And Ex nor Meridian care about doing it quietly.

“I know who you are.” The man grunted when Ex turned to leave. “You’re the fucking devil.”

Meridian walked past, glaring one final time. “Say that loud enough… maybe God will save you.”

But after their first run-in with the big lieutenant and his protective husband, Day, Ex and Meridian start to reevaluate their own relationship. Wondering if they could be even deadlier if they let loose the feelings for each other that they’ve been forced to suppress for years.

Meridian’s dark eyes stayed locked on his, “A man who can fight beside the one he loves doesn’t make him weaker, Ex—it makes him more dangerous.”

No multiple pairings. No cliffhangers. Ends with a HEA.
Note:
This is a partners-to-lovers, out-for-you, action romance.

Title:  Nothing Special VII: Ex Meridian

Series: Nothing Special

Author: A.E. Via

M/M Action Romance

Edited by: Sue Laybourn

Cover Artist – Jay Aheer

PAGE COUNT – 302

Official Release Date: February 24, 2020

Amazon

Universal Buy Link 

Hello Friends!!

I want to thank Denise so much for welcoming me back to promote another new release here on Two Chicks! My MM action/romance novel entitled – Nothing Special VII: EX Meridian – released on February 24th is already getting amazing reviews. I’m so excited to bring you the seventh installment in the award-winning, best-selling Nothing Special series.

I really can’t wait to introduce my new dark alphas into this series. I’ve had Ex and Meridian on my mind for a while but didn’t know if I was going to give them a standalone or a series. But the moment I heard God talking, I knew I had to give him the challenge. My assassins are dark and beautiful in the most nonconventional way. You don’t see their appeal immediately… you have to fall for them first.

I’m hoping that Ex and Meridian’s characters in this installment will be ones that readers can empathize with and relate to. We all have inner struggles, demons, or simply our conscience that we fight with daily. But, true to my style, these men experience inner battles to the fifth power.

I’m used to writing stories about characters that are real, men that you might actually meet in your neighborhood, in your grocery store, or your local police department. Stories that are genuine and relatable. But, then sometimes I want to just give you a balls-to-the-wall, fast and furious ride.

This book is about highly complex MCs that will take the readers through lots of twists and unexpected surprises. I haven’t written four POVs in one book in almost a year, and I must say it was a pleasurable challenge.

Be sure to follow me on social media, or sign-up for my newsletter to never miss another release.

Happy Reading!

xoxoxox

Adrienne V.

“Calm down, Cash. You don’t know if anything is—”

“You’re right! I don’t know! How the fuck could I do that, Leo?” God paced back and forth in the tight confines of the empty bathroom while he had a small conniption.

“Cashel. Stop it. You made a judgment call and you—”

“Against your judgment.” God ran his hand through his hair, looking at him apologetically. “How could I do that?”

Day couldn’t stand to see his partner like this—doubting himself to the point where it was making him frantic. And he understood why. He hadn’t wanted his husband to tell Ex and Meridian that Joseph was staying at their enforcers—Ruxs and Green’s—house until it was time to give his recorded statement. None of them trusted him staying in a safe house with some other random cops.

“Ruxs and Green were home all night… nothing happened. Hart has a couple of his men over there now and it’s all clear. You got this, okay. The kid’s gonna stay safe.”

“I just… there was something about that guy,” God said, standing with his head down and his hands braced on the sink.

Day came and stood behind him and wrapped his arms around his waist. “Which one?”

“Ex.” God shook his head. “There was this kind of pain in his eyes. This case is personal for him.”

“So, why’d you tell him?”

“I just got a gut feeling that something is going to happen, Leo. Something bad, something we can’t defeat… and we’re gonna need them.”

Day turned his husband around so he could see him. “Look at me.”

He waited as God began to relax in his hold the longer he stared at him. Day gave him a slow smile. “That’s better.”

God bent until their foreheads touched. “We shouldn’t be in here like this.”

“It’s okay,” Day whispered. “It’s okay to take five minutes for yourself.”

God squeezed his waist and pulled him closer. He buried his face in his neck and groaned. “Sweetheart. Please tell me I didn’t just make the biggest mistake of my career.”

Day smoothed his hands over his ponytail. “You didn’t make a mistake… you may’ve just saved one of our lives. We trust you, God. I trust you.”

“C’mere,” God said roughly, then took his mouth.

Day let his husband lose himself for a couple of minutes as the kiss turned passionate.

Why do I love these books? They are like action movies in book form. I am not the biggest fan of action movies, but I can’t stop reading (and then listening) to these books.

This latest installment brings in two brand new characters. Ex and Meridian. They are partners working for the government on black ops. Trained assassins who do the dirty work you never hear about to keep the world safe. To that end, they are officially dead. For Meridian who has no family, that is fine. But for Ex, with a younger brother and mother it is harder. Especially when his brother is the innocent victim of a drive by shooting.

Enter God and Day. This is on their turf. They want justice but they are being thwarted at every turn. When Ex and Meridian think the Atlanta PD aren’t doing their jobs, they quietly interfere. Until they aren’t so quiet.

Two pairs of big ole alpha men. Hot. Two of them already a couple, the other two dancing around it. SUPER HOT. If I encountered their machismo in real life I would roll my eyes. On the page though? Damn.

There was a good story line in there as well. Drug dealers, corruption, pay offs. The ending- wow. Seeing these men as real humans who get scared. It gave me feels.

I’d love to see more of Ex and Meridian, but I doubt it. But the door was definitely left open for more of God and Day and their crew,

4 pieces of eye candy

This story was overwhelming and intense and as much as I love this series, these guys and all the guys of God and Day’s team. I actually had to put it down a couple of times to get rid of the pit in my gut. I was ON EDGE, y’all.

These guys make God, Day and their crew of rowdy boys, look like kittens compared to America’s most savage defenders. Ex and his partner Meridian are the typs of guys you only hear about in movies. Jason Bourne type guys, chemically and physically modified to be killing machines for our country. They’re the baddest of the bad, because they’re basically robots… or they should be… but when Ex’s baby brother is killed in God’s neck of the woods, the guys go rogue in order to exact vengeance on his killers.

And oooh, what a ride it is. These two have been through everything together, but being off on their own without their handler in their ear, and Ex going through the loss of one of the only few people in the world who ever meant something to him, was messing with his head. He felt it.

That opened up all kinds of feelings he didn’t know he possessed, and the biggest of that, aside from anger, guilt and pure rage at the persons responsible for his brother’s death, is his love and need for his partner, Meridian. And it wasn’t one sided, Mere would do anything for Ex, including this off the radar mission to get justice for Ex’s baby brother.

Unfortunately, it isn’t as easy as getting in, getting messy and getting out… no, they’ve got dirty DA’s, dirty cops and God and Day’s crew to get around, because as we know, if anything goes on in God’s city, he knows about it and he and his guys go above and beyond to stop it. Except this time, there’s a couple of rogue Ravens they’re unsure about, though they don’t know how dangerous these guys are at first…

I wish I could tell you this whole story, I feel like I could talk about it forever.. but I won’t, because it needs to be experienced like it was for me. We see all the guys and their guys, we get the guns and explosions, but it’s more intense because these guys don’t have rules. They don’t have red tape, they don’t have anyone to answer to… not even God and Day. They don’t have to be clean and by the book. They get in, they get messy and they get out, before anyone even knows they’ve been there. It was impressive and scary and it makes you think about how real these kinds of guys are and how terrifying it would be to come face to face with one, but how badly I want to do it anyway.

What a frickin ride this one. I’m still flummoxed lol I’m impressed and I cannot wait for Fox and Bull. Every book is my new favorite, though I still have such a soft spot for Ruxs and Green, and it didn’t change after this one, especially after how big this story played a part with them… They’ll forever be my favorite, but these guys, Ex and Meridian are coming in a hot, close second. And I have a feeling that we’ll be seeing more of them in the future, too. I hope we do anyway.

Overall, an amazing read. I wouldn’t suggest skipping any book in this series, but if you do… make sure it isn’t this one. All the stars from me!

5 pieces of eye candy

A.E. Via has been a best-selling author in the beautiful gay romance genre for six years now, but she’s no stranger to MM. She’s been an avid reader of gay literature for over twenty years before she picked up her laptop to place her own kiss on this genre. She’s also the founder and owner of Via Star Wings Books, having published a couple great, new up and coming MM authors.

A.E. has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Virginia Wesleyan College that she used to start her own paralegal firm after she graduated in 2008. She spent five years preparing and filing bankruptcy petitions for struggling blue collar workers who couldn’t afford to file with a lawyer. It was a rewarding and satisfying career… but another path called to her. Writing.

A.E.’s novels embodies everything from hopelessly romantic to adventure, to scandalous. Her stories often include intriguing edges and twists that take readers to new, thought-provoking depths.

She’s recently celebrated her 20th book anniversary, and is well-known for her hardcore, love hard, bad boy, alphas. However, she does like to push herself to step out of her comfort zone, exploring different tropes. She’s head over heels for gay romance and she has tons of more hot stories to tell.

Be sure to visit Adrienne on her social media pages and subscribe to her newsletter to never miss another release date! Go to A.E. Via’s official website http://authoraevia.com  for more detailed information on how to contact her, follow her, or a sneak peek at upcoming work, free reads, VSWB submissions, and where she’ll appear next.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48195130-bishop

Author Official Website: http://authoraevia.com

A.E. Newsletter Signup: https://goo.gl/4hfuMh

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/aeviaauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorAEVia

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Author Guest Post, Blog Tour, Book Excerpt, Book Review, Giveaway, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, TCO Reviewer: Erin, TCO Reviewer: Jennifer Tagged With: 4 stars, 5 stars, A.E. Via, author, blog tour, Blog Tours, book, Book Excerpts, Book Reviews, excerpt, exclusive, gay, giveaway, Giveaways, guest post, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, review, romance

The Infinite Onion by Alice Archer: Cover Reveal and Excerpt

March 10, 2020 by Denise

The truth is harder to hide when someone sharp starts poking around.

Grant Eastbrook hit the ground crawling after his wife kicked him out. Six months later, in Seattle without a job or a place to live, he escapes to the woods of nearby Vashon Island to consider his options. When he’s found sleeping outdoors by a cheerful man who seems bent on irritating him to death, Grant’s plans to resuscitate his life take a peculiar turn.

Oliver Rossi knows how to keep his fears at bay. He’s had years of practice. As a local eccentric and artist, he works from his funky home in the deep woods, where he thinks he has everything he needs. Then he rescues an angry man from a rainy ditch and discovers a present worth fighting the past for.

Amid the buzz of high summer, unwelcome attraction blooms on a playing field of barbs, defenses, and secrets.

Nothing heats up a summer like an unwanted guest.

The Infinite Onion by Alice Archer

Publisher: Shine Even If

Release Date: March 31, 2020

Length (Print & Ebook): Print: 388 pages

Subgenre: Contemporary gay romance

Pre-order now: alicearcher.com/book/the-infinite-onion

GRANT

I looked up at the voice for the first time and discovered my vision had gone monochromatic while I slept. Amused copper eyes in a tanned face surrounded by a reddish-brown beard and moustache. Auburn hair, tendrils fallen from a messy topknot. All against a backdrop of gray clouds.

The man’s mischievous expression pulled me toward something I hadn’t wanted in a long while, not since before I met Laura. He made me want to hold my breath and make a wish.

“Cozy ditch?” The man’s eyes twinkled.

“Ditch?”

“Activate more brain cells, Ophelia. It’s going to pour in two minutes, and we have a bit of a ride. Hop to it.”

A fat plop of rain landed between my eyebrows.

“Oh, that landed right on your third eye. You’ve been anointed. Arise!”

“Do we know each other?” I grumbled, too annoyed to be polite.

The man didn’t answer except to hold out a long arm covered with black tattoos of ferns. I didn’t know what to call the tattoo style—tribal art, prehistoric cave painting, and Renaissance masterpiece, all rolled into one. I couldn’t tear my eyes away.

“Drug hangover?” The man asked. “Lost your meds? Escaped a cult? Whatever it is, your first step to a solution is to get vertical.”

It bothered me that the host of the strange reality I’d woken to seemed to think I needed to be rescued, even if I did.

Alice has questions. Lots of questions. Scheming to put fictional characters through the muck so they can get to a better place helps her heal and find answers. She shares her stories with the hope that others might find some healing too. For decades, Alice has messed about with words professionally, as an editor and writing coach. She also travels a bunch. Her home base is Eugene, Oregon.

Connect with Alice:

Website: www.alicearcher.com

Newsletter sign-up: www.subscribepage.com/executivedecision

Facebook: facebook.com/byalicearcher

Twitter: twitter.com/byalicearcher

Instagram: instagram.com/byalicearcher

Filed Under: Book Excerpt, Cover Reveals Tagged With: book, Book Excerpts, cover reveal, gay, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, romance

Saving Rafe (Lords of Discord #2) by Jocelynn Drake: Exclusive Guest Post, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

March 9, 2020 by Denise

I’m so excited for today’s guest post! She’s definitely one of my fave authors, as she creates worlds so well, and always has some sort of “boom” in them. 😉 Jocelynn Drake is here talking about Saving Rafe, and where she started when she created the Lords of Discord series. There’s also a fantastic excerpt from Saving Rafe that is super sexy. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

 

The troublemaker. The risk taker. The sexy club owner full of wicked promises.

Rafe has devoted his immortal existence to pleasure and causing mischief.

The only ones who can depend on him are his brothers. Of course, that’s very much a Varik thing.

But when the leader of the Arsenault clan specifically requests Rafe’s help in tracking down a killer, he can’t say no.

Sure, Rafe claims he’s doing it for his family. They’ve attracted too many enemies and could use a few allies.

That’s not the whole truth, though.

There’s something about Philippe Arsenault that draws Rafe in. He wants more of Philippe. The vampire leaves him longing for another second in his presence, another taste of his lips, another caress of those perfect fingers.

Yet when it’s all over, what will become of Philippe and Rafe? Because Philippe will always be an Arsenault, and Rafe will always be a Varik.

Saving Rafe is the second book in an MM paranormal romance series that has vampires, betrayal, annoying brothers, music, heartbreak, hope, sexy times, and a pair of star-crossed lovers.

Title:  Saving Rafe

Series: Lords of Discord #2

Author: Jocelynn Drake

Publisher:  Indie

Release Date: March 6, 2020

Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 105000

Genre: Romance, paranormal romance

Goodreads

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Claiming Marcus (Book in the Lords of Discord series)

A Different Kind of Vampire By Jocelynn Drake

I have loved vampires forever. From Bram Stoker’s Dracula to Anne Rice’s Lestat to Kerrelyn Sparks’ cuddly, sexy vampires to Lynsay Sands’ Atlantean vampires. I love them when they are mindless, blood-sucking killing machines and I love them when they are brooding, tortured souls who just need a hug.

One of the hardest and most exciting questions when starting a new vampire series is: What kind of vampire do you want?

Mindless killer?

Tortured soul?

Just a regular guy with diet restrictions?

Are you going to follow all the old school rules of garlic, mirrors, church relics, and a stake through the heart?

Are they superhuman with great healing, speed, and mind control?

Sadly, you can’t do it all because you’re likely to end up with a mess.

When I was creating my vampires for the Dark Days series, I went with a lot of the traditional rules and myths. They were superhuman and couldn’t go into churches. They were incredibly fast and great healers. And could even do a little mind control. But they were dead during the daylight hours.

When I decided to tackle the Lords of Discord series, I thought I’d pull back on the powers just a little and make my vampires slightly more human. Oh, they are still good at healing, but it takes a little longer than blink an eye and the wound is gone.

The vampires in the Lords of Discord can eat regular food. They just don’t need to. It’s more for pleasure than sustenance.

They are also awake during the daylight hours, but their severe allergy to the sun continues.

And when it comes to powers, that’s where the fun stuff kicks in.

Each vampire ends up with a different gift, and they never quite know what they are going to end up with.

As we learned in Claiming Marcus, Marcus Varik has the ability to suck all light in a room into himself, creating a suffocating, all-encompassing darkness.

In Saving Rafe, Rafe shows off his ability to “charm” and influence others to do his bidding.

Beltran has already shown that he can speak to and control animals.

And Winter, he’s given little hints of his ability, but you’ll learn more about the youngest Varik soon.

Be sure to catch up with all the Varik brothers in Claiming Marcus and Saving Rafe — the first two books in the Lords of Discord series.

From their first meeting at The Gallery, Philippe found himself drawn to Rafe. Everything about the vampire whispered temptation. Philippe longed to pin Rafe to the nearest flat surface and make the most delicious moans rise from those lush parted lips. But more than feeding and fucking, Rafe whispered of escape and freedom. No more worry and responsibility beating him down. With Rafe, Philippe would be able to run free and laugh, enjoy the long life he’d been cursed with.

Jullien had warned him that Rafe didn’t seem to be appearing at his club as much as he had in the past, but Philippe wasn’t worried. Lola had spotted the Arsenault pair from where she was leaning against the bar. If she hadn’t called Rafe already to alert him that the clan leader was at his club, she would shortly.

No. There was no need. Rafe was already there.

The vampire was in the middle of the dance floor, surrounded by a throng of men and women as they moved to the pounding beat of the music. A slender blonde pressed tightly to his front, her long arms wrapped around Rafe’s neck, while a muscular man in a shirt that looked as if it was a second skin was pressed against Rafe’s back.

Reaching behind him, Rafe grabbed a handful of the dancer’s hair and held him in place as Rafe ravaged his mouth. Even through the writhing crowd of bodies, Philippe could see the man’s left hand tighten on the vampire.

Blood shot straight to Philippe’s dick as he regarded the blatant display of sex and power. His fangs ached to slide down, but Philippe couldn’t figure out if he wanted to join the sexy threesome or if he wished to shove both humans away so he could claim Rafe for himself. Neither of them was a healthy thought or would help his clan, so he shoved away the flicker of hunger.

As if he knew what was flitting through Philippe’s brain, Rafe released his companion and looked directly at Philippe, a wicked grin growing on his glistening lips. There was the faintest glow in his sharp blue eyes. It could be blamed on the flashing lights, but Philippe recognized it for what it was. Hunger. Sharp, sexual hunger.

Philippe’s breath caught in his throat and his fucking dick gave another begging throb, urging him to cross the damn club and grab Rafe, but he kept his feet planted as if they’d been bolted to the floor.

The look passed in just a second; then Rafe was turning to both people cuddled against him. He said something to each in their ears before extricating himself and making his way across the club toward Philippe.

“Oh, he’s here already,” Jullien murmured behind him as if he’d just spotted Rafe.

Philippe gave a curt nod, not trusting himself to speak yet. He wanted to reach down and adjust himself in his slacks, but he was afraid of Rafe catching the movement as he got closer. Philippe kept his eyes on Rafe as he smiled and laughed, kissing cheeks of familiar patrons while he slowly made his way through the crowd. Halfway to Philippe, a vampire he didn’t recognize whispered in Rafe’s ear while handing him a drink. Rafe’s smile shrank a millimeter as he accepted the glass.

And those electric-blue eyes were on Philippe as he sipped his dark drink, a wicked smile playing on his lips. God, Philippe was dying to kiss that smile off his lips.

When Rafe was standing in front of him, the club owner took a deep breath as if he was scenting the air. Philippe couldn’t guess what he smelled, but he carefully schooled his face, giving away nothing but mild amusement.

“You’ve finally made your way into my little den of sin,” Rafe said with a laugh.

“I’ve heard so much about it, Mr. Varik. I thought I should see it for myself.”

Rafe’s eyes sparkled with laughter, and he leaned close so he could speak directly into Philippe’s ear. Behind him, Jullien stepped forward, bumping Philippe’s shoulder. Philippe immediately reached back, pressing a restraining hand to Jullien’s stomach. Rafe wasn’t threatening him. No, the vampire was playing with him, and there was a part of Philippe dying to play with Rafe.

“Come now, Philippe. We’re going to be forming an alliance. We’re practically family. I think you can call me Rafe.”

For a second, Philippe closed his eyes at Rafe’s rough whisper. It was like the vampire was lightly raking his nails across all Philippe’s nerve endings, sending the most decadent shiver across his flesh. There was a whiff of blood and alcohol on Rafe’s breath, enflaming Philippe’s hunger. He had only to turn his head and he’d be able to capture Rafe’s sinful mouth in a scorching kiss.

But Philippe didn’t let himself move. Didn’t flinch a single muscle as he fought his own desires to get to the heart of what Rafe was telling him.

Philippe’s eyes snapped open, and he found himself drowning in Rafe’s all-too-perceptive blue eyes. “You’re going to help me find Piper?”

Something passed over Rafe’s face for a second, but Philippe couldn’t describe it. It was gone almost as quickly as it appeared, and Rafe was smiling his wicked grin again.

“The Variks are happy to help the Arsenaults,” Rafe said, and they were back to the diplomatic comments.

Philippe couldn’t quite stop his disappointment from showing. He liked the flirty, playful Rafe more. The one who liked to fan the flames. He didn’t seem the “watch the world burn” type, but he didn’t mind lighting a few small controlled fires to shake things up.

I am obsessed.

I was so so excited to see that Rafe was next. I was so enamored with him in Marcus’ story, I just knew that he was going to be my favorite. The careless playboy who took nothing seriously and enjoyed gaining all the wrong kind of attention… I just knew that there was something there, waiting for someone to come along to let it out. I think Bel and Winter are going to give him a run for his money because I’m so excited for them, but Rafe is hands down, my favorite so far!

A little about Rafe…other than being the playboy with a penchant for sex, blood and his sarcastic nature, he was hiding this loneliness and such a deprecating sense of self. He tried to tell himself he had all that life had to offer, but he was missing something so big. He was envious of his brother and his newfound love in Ethan, even if he wasn’t honest with himself, he wanted what they had so badly, he just didn’t think it was possible for him…. And that’s where we meet Philippe.

Philippe seemed to be the polar opposite of Rafe. Leader of his clan of misfits, along with his power, he made his family up of people who needed his help. What a sweet heart he had. I could see why Rafe was so smitten. When one of his family goes missing, he goes to Rafe for help.

These two were drawn to each other from the first time they lay eyes on each other, but Philippe needed Rafe’s help and Rafe didn’t waste his time with repeats and relationships, right? But he could… with Philippe, he could… not only that, he wanted to, more than almost anything. First things first though, was finding out who was targeting Philippe’s clan and why.

This whole story kept me on the edge of my seat and it felt like the craziest action movie I could see so clearly in my head. I won’t give it all away, but some key points are….throughout this story, we so much growth within the family and get to know each of the brothers a little bit better. We meet some new players and get a sense for what’s coming. We see Rafe war himself between what’s in his heart wants and what it needs…. There were so many times when Rafe would tell himself one thing and in the same breath, say the exact opposite when it came to Philippe. He loved him so much, even from the beginning, even when he knew he shouldn’t, even when he tried not to and told himself to stop. He couldn’t. He’s a romantic at heart, really… this whole story was so romantic when you separated it from all the action and blood and war lol

I’m not usually a fan of paranormal… no, correction, not usually.. I’m just not a fan of paranormal, period… but I can’t get enough of this series. I’ve gone and fell in love with each of these brothers and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Bel and Winter and hopefully Ryder and Gideon. Maybe Gideon and Winter? That’d be cute, huh? Or Gideon and Ryder? I hope Gideon gets some happy, I hope he gets a story.
This is quickly becoming one of my favorite series that I’ll definitely revisit and probably often. What a great read! Don’t pass it up, especially if you love family, romance and a whole lot of blood.

5 pieces of eye candy

Vampire books can be either really good or really bad. When I read the first, Claiming Marcus, I held my breath waiting to see what I would get. It was definitely good, almost really good. This one is good. But not close to really good.

I like the plot, but it seemed so stretched out. Phillippe goes to Rafe for help with a missing clan member. Turns out that 2 clan members were already murdered before Phillippe looked for help. I get that they are a secretive, keep to themselves kind of clan, but I don’t see Phillippe as having the ego to not ask for help sooner. I get that a couple of his other clanmates don’t want him asking for help, but that should have been a big warning right there.

I really liked snarky Rafe from book 1. I feel like he lost a bit of his snark, a bit of what makes him Rafe when he fell for Phillippe. As a couple I liked them ok, but more sexual tension would have been welcome.

I do love that Aiden is back for good. The four brothers desperately needed him and his guidance. The scenes with him and the brothers together were so sweet.

We are obviously building up to a show down with the ministry, but I’m sure the next book will be more set up for that. Don’t get me wrong, I will definitely read the other books when they come out. I look forward to them in fact. Something just fell a little flat with me in this one.

3 pieces of eye candy

It started with a battered notebook. Jocelynn Drake wrote her first story when she was 12 years old. It was a retelling of Robin Hood that now included a kickass female who could keep up with all the boys and be more than just a sad little love interest. From there, she explored space, talked to dragons, and fell in love again and again and again.

This former Kentucky girl has moved up, down, and across the US with her patient husband. They’ve settled near the Rockies…for now. She spends the majority of her time lost in the strong embrace of a good book.

When she’s not hammering away at her keyboard or curled up with a book, she can usually be found cuddling with her cat Demona, walking her dog Ace, or flinging curses at the TV while playing a video game. Outside of books, furry babies, and video games, she is completely enamored of Bruce Wayne, Ezio Auditore, travel, tattoos, explosions, and fast cars.

She is the author of the urban fantasy series: The Dark Days series and the Asylum Tales. She also has a gay romantic suspense series called The Exit Strategy and has recently launched a new paranormal series called the Lords of Discord. She has also co-authored with Rinda Elliott the following series: Unbreakable Bonds, Ward Security, and Pineapple Grove. She can be found at www.JocelynnDrake.com.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | eMail

https://jocelynndrake.com/

https://www.facebook.com/jocelynn.drake/

https://twitter.com/JocelynnDrake

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1080585.Jocelynn_Drake

jocelynn@jocelynndrake.com

 

Tour Schedule

3/9       Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy  https://twochicksobsessed.com/

3/10     Love Bytes Reviews http://lovebytesreviews.com/

3/11     Bayou Book Junkie  https://bayoubookjunkie.wordpress.com

3/12     My Fiction Nook  http://www.myfictionnook.com/

3/13     Books, Tattoos and Tea https://bookstattoosandtea.wordpress.com

3/19     Joyfully Jay  http://joyfullyjay.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Author Guest Post, Blog Tour, Book Excerpt, Book Review, Giveaway, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, Release Day Review, TCO Exclusives, TCO Reviewer: Jennifer Tagged With: 5 stars, author, blog tour, Blog Tours, book, Book Excerpts, Book Reviews, excerpt, exclusive, gay, giveaway, Giveaways, guest post, Jocelynn Drake, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, review, romance

Of Magic and Scales by Natalina Reis: Blog Tour, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

March 4, 2020 by Denise

With a serial killer on the loose, the baffling mystery of Aiden’s past, and their tenuous budding romance, Aiden and Fouchard tread through a world of magic and myth on padded shoes, terrified to stir up something neither can control or defeat.

Aiden Mercer’s life now centers around lounging on the sunny beaches of his adopted country with a beer in one hand and a coffee in the other while admiring the local male population. After a rough life as a respected detective in DC, playing it cool shouldn’t be too hard, right? With the magical community on his case and dead bodies piling up around town, the responsibility of finding their killer seems fated to fall on him and deny him of his easy living.

Then there is Naël.

Cantankerous merman Naël Fouchard’s life is focused on bringing up and protecting his little sister. When DNA found at the scene of the murders mark him as the prime suspect, Naël seeks out the help of Aiden, whose reputation as a detective grossly belies his lazy lifestyle and apparent lack of ambition.

The chemistry between the strong, stoic Naël and the easygoing Aiden is undeniable, no matter how many walls Aiden builds.

If this unlikely pair can’t come to terms with their feelings for each other long enough to catch the killer, their emotional turmoil might yet allow the murderer to kill them instead.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Murder Mystery

Pairings: MM

Tropes: Reluctant hero

Keywords/Categories: merman, romantic comedy, mythology, detective, police investigation, murder mystery, shifters, humor

Publisher

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Amazon CAN

Amazon AU

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

iBooks

Goodreads

QueeRomance Ink

I’m not sure what I am, but I certainly know what I am not. I know I’m not a witch because—well, I’m male. I’m definitely not an elf, since I have no sudden urges to hop onto somebody’s shelf around Christmas. Vampire I am not. My perfectly straight teeth have never once turned into fangs, neither have I ever had a sudden, strange craving for human blood. I’m not a werewolf either. I do have hair on my body but nothing that would qualify me as a wolfman. Besides, I am still pretty much myself during full moons.

But I am not a regular either, because unlike most normal humans, I can see magic beings. By “seeing,” I mean I recognize them as such. Anyone can see them, unless the magicals choose for them not to. I, on the other hand, can always recognize them, unless they purposely hide themselves behind a special magic charm.

I don’t remember not having the ability, so I’m guessing I was born like this. Whatever this is. Good thing that I’m used to it, because seeing magical beings for what they are can be a pretty traumatizing experience, as it was the time I freaked out during a trip to Greece, when I had a close encounter with a minotaur. Nice chap as it turns out but not a pretty sight.

I’ve lived a pretty normal, average life running Bicas R Us, a coffee shop in a small coastal town in sunny Portugal, for the past year or so. After an incident in Northern Virginia that put me on the pages of the local news—don’t ask; it involved a pretty handsome elf and his irate troll boyfriend—I thought it would be better to start again somewhere new. I had visited the tiny nation some years before and fallen in love with its never-ending beaches and kicked-back lifestyle, so I packed my bags, contacted a real estate agent and the immigration office, and got myself a brand-new life.

I had played with the idea of buying a coffee shop on the beach, but I figured it would be a mother to keep the place—and the coffee—free of sand. So, I bought a store nearby in the town square, a short walk from the beach. Portugal is littered with three things: tourists, ancient churches, and coffee shops. Nobody would notice me, the brown haired, blue-eyed American who came to explore the locals’ passion for the hot brew.

The other perk of living here was that magical creatures were not spotted as often. Vampires were virtually nonexistent because of the year-round sunny weather, trolls and ogres were limited to the mountains in the north and, unless you visited the nearby mountain of Sintra that crawled with magical activity, the only thread of magic on the coast was the sporadic water sprite and the beachcombing witches who sold their wares in local shops. All in all, a pretty placid place for someone like me to live in.

I enjoyed today’s cool breeze blowing from the ocean, sitting on a chair in my small esplanade under a red umbrella with a glass of cold beer in my hand. Yes, in this sunny paradise I was allowed to sell and buy alcohol in my coffee shop. Behind my light pinewood counter, the wall shelves were covered in bottles that held more than coffee flavorings. What a great nation this was.

While Cristina, my only employee, was busy serving the few customers who loitered inside the café, I could enjoy the local fauna as they hurried from shop to shop or headed out to the beach. Summer hadn’t quite arrived yet, but the sun had warmed the air enough for the locals to shed their wintry clothes and don more relaxed apparel. From behind my shades, I followed the trek of three young men, all shirtless and in swimming trunks. Hot. Not the weather, the guys—tanned, lean and muscular, shorts low enough on their hips to reveal that sexy vee—

“Olha para ti, a salivar como um cão por um bife.” Cristina had sneaked up from behind and interrupted my yummy thoughts.

“Speak English, woman,” I told her, sliding my glasses down my nose to look at her over the rim. “You’d think you’re Portuguese, or something.”

She slapped me mercilessly across the back of my head and plopped herself on the chair next to mine. “Idiota.” Without so much as a may I, my small Portuguese friend and employee grabbed the glass from my hand and took a long swig of my beer. “Are you going to sit here all afternoon watching the hot guys walking by?”

“And what’s wrong with that?” Cristina spoke flawless English but enjoyed confusing me with spurts of Portuguese once in a while. She pulled up another chair and placed her feet on the seat, her legs crossed at the knees. “What exactly did you call me just now?”

“A dog salivating over a steak.” She took another swig before I could retrieve my beer. “Don’t you have more important things to do with your life, Aiden?”

I wiped her foam mustache with a finger. “Not really. Why do you think I moved here from Virginia?” She blinked her eyes at me, pretending not to know what I was talking about. “Easy living, sunshine, and hot, half-naked guys.”

Cristina laughed, her face turned to the sun. She had skin the same color as the cork in a wine bottle, a honeyed brown made darker since the early spring weather replaced the cool air of winter. “You’re something, Aiden. You have no other dream or ambition? Just basking in the sun and ogling sexy men?”

Not quite correct but part of the truth. “Are you jealous?”

The skin crinkled around her green eyes as she turned her gaze to me. “Only if you flirt with guys I have my eyes on.” She spotted a couple of newly arrived customers and hopped to her feet. “Customers. Unlike you, I have some interest in making a buck here and there. I enjoy having a roof over my head.”

As she walked away, I yelled, “No need. You can always sleep on the beach.”

In my effort to go out of my comfort zone- both new to me authors and/or tropes, I dove into (hahaha, I kill me) this book that had “magicals” and a merman (merrow) shifter. Because why not.

So. Much. Potential. But it just fell flat.

First, Aiden quit his job as a detective in Washington DC and moved to Portugal to open a coffee shop. Ok. How it stays running and making money when he only has one employee and he shows up sometimes is a mystery.

He also has some sort of magical power. He can see magicals, even when they are disguised as humans. He thinks that is all he is though. More than one magical laughs him off though because they think he is just denying what he is. What is he? We never find out. Come on.

Next is Naël. the Canadian American who lives in Portugal. He is, apparently, independently wealthy and raising his preteen sister. And he is a merrow- a merman shifter. He claims to be socially awkward, but really he is just kind of a jerk. To Aiden. And Aiden just puts up with it.

I did like the sister and Aiden’s best friend/only employee though.

Honestly, the plot was good. There was a murderer of magicals running around and Aiden the former detective is tasked with solving the crimes. He really isn’t very good as a detective though. But the story line following Naël and Aiden was decent, the murderer and reason well thought out.

A few more details that affect my rating. Contractions. USE THEM. It is awkward when characters don’t use them. That isn’t how people talk.

And the last name thing. Like WHY do they always have men calling each other by their last names? Ugh. It is so dumb. Is it a macho posturing thing? Sometimes it is appropriate- cops, sports guys, etc. But just guys? Nah. I have a lot of male friends and I can honestly say they never use last names.

I really wanted to like this book. I wanted more merrow shifting. I wanted to know what Aiden is. But too much took me right out of the story.

2.5 pieces of eye candy

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Natalina wrote her first romance at the age of 13 in collaboration with her best friend. Since then she has ventured into other genres, but romance is first and foremost in almost everything she writes. She’s the author of We Will Always Have the Closet, Desert Jewel, Loved You Always, and Lavender Fields.

After earning a degree in tourism and foreign languages, she worked as a tourist guide in her native Portugal for a short time before moving to the United States. She lived in three continents and a few islands, and her knack for languages and linguistics led her to a master’s degree in education. She lives in Virginia where she’s taught English as a Second Language to elementary school children for more years than she cares to admit.

Natalina doesn’t believe you can have too many books or too much coffee. Art and dance make her happy and she is pretty sure she could survive on lobster and bananas alone. When she is not writing or stressing over lesson plans, she shares her life with her husband and two adult sons.

Author Website: https://natalinareis.com/

Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/authornatalinareis

Author Facebook (Page): https://www.facebook.com/authornatalinareis/

Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/TichaB

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reisnatalina/

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14883335.Natalina_Reis

Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/natalina-reis/

Author Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Natalina-Reis/e/B01ADQ9FJW/

Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Excerpt, Book Review, Giveaway, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, Release Day Review, TCO Reviewer: Erin Tagged With: author, blog tour, Blog Tours, book, Book Excerpts, Book Reviews, excerpt, gay, giveaway, Giveaways, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, paranormal, review, romance

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Go to page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 64
  • Go to page 65
  • Go to page 66
  • Go to page 67
  • Go to page 68
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 83
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Social Media

  • View FB.com/TwoChicksObsessed’s profile on Facebook
  • View @2chicksobsessed’s profile on Twitter
  • View two_chicks_obsessed’s profile on Instagram
  • View TwoChicksObsessed’s profile on Pinterest
  • View TwoChicksObsessed’s profile on YouTube
  • View twochicksobsessed.tumblr.com’s profile on Tumblr

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 2,350 other subscribers

Partner Ads

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: No feed with the ID 1 found.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.

Recent Posts

  • Over and Above (Mount Hope book 4) by Annabeth Albert: Quick Review
  • Alfie: Part Two (Alfie & West Book 2) by Cara Dee: Excerpt and Release Day Review
  • The Fly-Half (Lincoln Knights, Book 2) by Charlie Novak: New Release Review
  • I Think They Love You by Julian Winters: New Release Review
  • Savage (Park Avenue Kings Book 1) by Brooke Blaine and Ella Frank: Release Day Review

We’re on Twitter

My Tweets

Top Posts & Pages

  • Review Submission
    Review Submission
  • Mountainway Chant (Coulter and Woodard, Book 2) by M.J. Calabrese: Quick Review
    Mountainway Chant (Coulter and Woodard, Book 2) by M.J. Calabrese: Quick Review
  • In Safe Keeping by Victoria Sue: Exclusive Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway
    In Safe Keeping by Victoria Sue: Exclusive Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway
  • Gone But Not Forgotten (TIN Book 1) by Charlie Cochet: New Release Review with Exclusive Giveaway
    Gone But Not Forgotten (TIN Book 1) by Charlie Cochet: New Release Review with Exclusive Giveaway
  • What Works For Us by Colette Davison: RB, New Release Review and Excerpt
    What Works For Us by Colette Davison: RB, New Release Review and Excerpt
  • Adrift in the Embers (The Game Series Book 7) by Cara Dee: Excerpt and Release Day Review
    Adrift in the Embers (The Game Series Book 7) by Cara Dee: Excerpt and Release Day Review
  • Save The Date by Annabeth Albert & Wendy Qualls: Release Day Review with Giveaway
    Save The Date by Annabeth Albert & Wendy Qualls: Release Day Review with Giveaway
  • Pros & Cons of Vengeance and Pros & Cons of Deception by A.E. Wasp: Audiobook Tour and Reviews
    Pros & Cons of Vengeance and Pros & Cons of Deception by A.E. Wasp: Audiobook Tour and Reviews
  • Wrapped With Love by Beth Bolden: Release Day Review, Blitz and Excerpt
    Wrapped With Love by Beth Bolden: Release Day Review, Blitz and Excerpt
  • Handsome Death by Sara Dobie Bauer: Excerpt and New Release Review
    Handsome Death by Sara Dobie Bauer: Excerpt and New Release Review

Tags

2.5 stars 3 stars 3.5 stars 4 stars 4.5 stars 5 stars Aimee Nicole Walker Andrew Grey Annabeth Albert Audio Book author bdsm blog tour Blog Tours book Book Excerpts Book Reviews Cardeno C. Charlie Cochet cover reveal erotica excerpt exclusive Felice Stevens gay giveaway Giveaways guest post historical L.A. Witt lgbtq Lily Morton m/m romance menage mmromance N.R. Walker new release novella paranormal release day review review Riptide romance series Victoria Sue

Goodreads

Cover for Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
2,175
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.

1 week 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

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

1 week ago

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

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

1 week ago

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

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

1 week ago

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

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

1 week ago

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

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

New to M/M Romance?

Copyright ©2020 · Two Chicks Obsessed - All Rights Reserved · Website by SloanJ Designs

 

Loading Comments...