Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

Book Excerpt

Heel (Working Out the Kinks Series, Book 2) by K.M. Neuhold: Blog Tour, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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“I’ve never thought of calling a man Daddy before, but I can’t think of a word that fits Vale better. He’s my Daddy, and I’m his pup.”

Broken and bruised, there’s nothing I won’t do to protect Adrian. I picked him up and made him whole before, and I’ll do it again. Adrian is a sweet pup with a smile full of sunshine and a heart made for love. A sweet pup needs a gentle hand, and that’s exactly what I intend to give him.

There’s nothing quite like slipping an expensive pair of high heels onto Adrian’s feet and watching him light up. If he wants a fairytale, I’ll happily be his Prince Charming.

*** Heel is the second book in the Working Out the Kinks series but can be read as a stand-alone. This book contains a scene of domestic violence. This book also contains an adorable man who loves to be a puppy, fabulous high heels, and the happily ever after Adrian deserves.

Heel

Working Out the Kinks Series, Book 2

K.M. Neuhold

M/M Romance/Daddy/puppy play

Release Date: 08.02.19

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

“Be still, Sunshine,” Vale says commandingly, giving my body no choice but to obey, going limp in his arms. “You’re the most tempting, insanity inducing man I’ve ever met,” he accuses affectionately, my mind short circuiting when his lips brush against the base of my neck.

“Please,” I whimper again.

“Shh,” he soothes. “I want you to listen, because this is what we’re going to do.”

The calm domination in his tone settles the place deep inside me that craves direction and structure, to be taken care of by someone who knows better than I do.

“Yes,” I say breathlessly.

“Good boy. Now, first you’re going to give me your fingers to lick clean because I don’t think I can go another minute without a taste.” I groan in agreement, and he brushes another kiss against the back of my neck. “Then, we’re going to get out of bed, and I’m going to make breakfast. We’re going to talk about that kiss and where we go from here.”

Part of me wants to argue that talking is overrated, that I’d much rather have him bury himself inside me, and we can figure things out sweaty and screaming instead of talking over coffee. But the other part of me, the part that went all mushy and calm at the use of his Dom voice, is ready to give Vale anything he asks for if he’ll just tell me I’m his.

“Yes,” I answer, and he groans his approval, his cock jerking against my ass, clearly excited by my easy submission. I’ll say yes to anything to hear him make that sound again.

With great effort, I manage to let go of my cock. Vale’s grasp is still around my wrist, guiding my hand, making sure to slick my fingers with more precum before pulling it out of my underwear and to his mouth. I moan as his hot lips engulf my fingers, sucking them in and holding them in place as his tongue flicks over the tips, seeking out every drop of my arousal.

He grunts as he sucks my fingers clean, my eyes rolling back in my head as I imagine exactly how the same treatment would feel farther south.

“God, you taste even better than I imagined,” he praises in a raspy voice when he finally releases my fingers.

“You imagined what I’d taste like?”

“You have no idea, Sunshine.”

K, so I’m kinda new to this whole puppy play business… I’m not so much a fan of the BDSM, so I wasn’t sure what I was getting into when I discovered puppy/kitty play. I’ll also say that I’m coming into this book without having read the first one, but I’m a sucker for a hot daddy, so, I jumped in! I was a smidge confused at first who the people were, but I got the gist pretty quick and it didn’t take away from the story at all for me.

In this one, we have Adrien, who’s been in love with much older Vale since he was eighteen and Vale took him off the streets and helped him get his feet back on the ground so he wasn’t living out of an old car at the junkyard (how fitting, a homeless pup, right?) Unfortunately, Vale didn’t think he was what Adrien needed, not only much older than him, but he’d never had a pup of his own before, content to just teach folks at the club how to get their pups comfortable and how to interact with a dom and his pup.

Now, I’m not one to judge… to each his own. If it’s not hurting anyone (unless you like that sorta thing, heh), then do you, boo boo. It’s just not something I understand. If I saw someone barking and jumping around like a puppy, I wouldn’t know what to do… but I love the aspect that people like Adrien and people who find comfort in those types of power exchanges, enjoys having the structure and routine and someone to care for them and love them and put their needs above their own. And that’s what Vale did… people think that Dom’s have all the power, when it’s the other way around… Dom’s (good ones anyway) want to take care of their subs…. They want to love them and make them feel good and protect them, and that’s all Vale wanted for Adrien… it was sweet and I loved them together.

The ex annoyed me, just because he was so clichédly (is that a word) mean… He tore Adrien down and made him feel terrible and expendable; he cheated and there at the end was physically abusive as well as emotionally and verbally abusive. I was glad that he had such great friends to have his back, but ughhh I can’t stand when bad guys just get away with being bad guys! I needed karmic justice… a kick to the pieces wasn’t nearly satisfying enough for me LOL, petty? Absolutely….

Overall, the cuteness of this story kept me going. Even if you don’t enjoy, or don’t quite “get” the puppy play like I do yet, I think you’d still enjoy this story. Very sweet.

4 pieces of eye candy

Author K.M.Neuhold is a complete romance junkie, a total sap in every way. She started her journey as an author in new adult, MF romance, but after a chance reading of an MM book she was completely hooked on everything about lovely- and sometimes damaged- men finding their Happily Ever After together. She has a strong passion for writing characters with a lot of heart and soul, and a bit of humor as well. And she fully admits that her OCD tendencies of making sure every side character has a full backstory will likely always lead to every book having a spin-off or series. When she’s not writing she’s a lion tamer, an astronaut, and a superhero…just kidding, she’s likely watching Netflix and snuggling with her husky while her amazing husband brings her coffee.

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The Doctor’s Orders by Heidi Cullinan: Exclusive Guest Post, Excerpt, and Release Day Review

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TCO is happy to have Heidi Cullinan back, in celebration of The Doctor’s Orders, Copper Point Medical, Book Three. She has a very relevant, and slightly revealing, guest post, all about local social media…love the point where she calls someone close to her a gossip. lol Anyway, check it all out then pick up The Doctor’s Orders!

Once upon a time Nicolas Beckert was the boy who stole kisses from Jared Kumpel beneath the bleachers, but now Jared’s a pediatrician and Nick is the hospital CEO who won’t glance his way. Everything changes, however, when they’re stranded alone in a hospital elevator. Ten years of cold shoulders melt away in five hours of close contact, and old passions rekindle into hot flames.

Once out of the elevator, Jared has no intention of letting Nick get away. It’s clear he’s desperate for someone to give him space to let go of the reins, and Jared is happy to oblige. But Jared wants Nick as a lover in a full, open relationship, which is a step further than Nick is willing to go. They’ve traded kisses under the bleachers for liaisons in the boardroom… and it looks like the same arguments that drove them apart in high school might do the same thing now.

Jared’s determined not to let that happen this time around. He won’t order Nick from his shell—he’ll *listen* to what his friend says he needs to feel safe. Maybe this time he can prescribe his lover a happy ever after.

Title: The Doctor’s Orders
Series: Copper Point Medical: Book Three
Author: Heidi Cullinan
Release Date: August 20, 2019
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 250

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Hi, and thanks for having me here today. I’m going to share a little information about my latest release, The Doctor’s Orders, available August 20 from Dreamspinner Press and wherever books are sold.

The Doctor’s Orders is book three in the Copper Point: Medical series, the final book in that trilogy. In this installment, we get to know Jared, an openly gay pediatrician, and Nick, the very closeted CEO of the hospital. Though Nick and Jared secretly dated in high school, it was clear nothing was ever going to happen between them again…until Jared and Nick are trapped in an elevator together, where sparks fly.

Today I’m going to talk a little bit about small town gossip, which has been a feature in all the Copper Point: Medical stories, but is especially prominent in The Doctor’s Orders.

Mentioned several times in the story, and in the series, is a fictitious Facebook group called Copper Point People. I based this on the very real Ames People, a local group I refuse to join but hear a lot about because my husband is addicted to it.

*

“So, Mr. I-Know-All-the-Gossip. How’s Copper Point’s elite handling yet another physician who isn’t a white male evangelical Christian?”

“Oh my God. Where do I start?” Jared rolled his eyes and picked up his drink, sipping it as he moved closer to Owen so they wouldn’t be overheard. “The retired college president’s wife was in a private chat group pitching a fit because the new cardiologist isn’t only from India, she’s Muslim. Someone pointed out there was nothing wrong with that, and the end result was the country club scrambling to find someone they could send into the women’s locker room to break up a fight when the online spat went abruptly offline. Then on Copper Point People someone else—no one of note, some random MAGA—complained about how it was obvious St. Ann’s had an antiwhite hiring policy.”

Owen buried his face in his hands. “That Facebook group is trash.”

“Wait until you hear how it got resolved. People argued back and forth for two days, but when everyone was starting to cool off, someone came in as the ‘mediating’ voice and pointed out at least she was straight this time.”

Owen sat up slowly, drawing his fingers down his face and staring sightlessly at the table decorations in front of them. “Tell me again why we live here?”

*

You can actually find People groups for just about any city on Facebook, and a lot of them are doozies. Check out the description for The People of Des Moines. I’m biased because I have a Facebook aversion in general, but wow.

In The Doctor’s Orders, and in the whole series, really, Jared is a known lover of gossip and is always in the know. He’s constantly checking in with Copper Point People, and the nurse’s station, and pretty much everyone in town. But as he tries to start seeing Nick in private, the gossip mill starts to bite him from behind.

*

“How do you know all this? I thought you two were estranged?”

Jared waved a hand airily. “People talk. I listen.”

Owen laughed.

“Anyway. I think things have been more stable for a long time, with the Beckert family, but they’re so close. Maybe he moved in with them when he came back to Copper Point to save up for his own place, or maybe he just wanted the comfort of people who loved him while he had to deal with those dogs on the board. Maybe he’s just a homebody. All I know is his place is out of the question, and so is mine. People see his car parked in my drive overnight, and it’ll be all over Copper Point People before we’re under the sheets.”

*

My husband is a huge gossip, or at least a huge listener. Once when we were dating I went with him to his family’s house and the first thing he did was go through every cupboard in the kitchen! “What are you looking for?” I asked him. “Oh, just looking,” he said. He insists he isn’t a snoop, though. “I’m interested,” he always professes. He also keeps tabs on my daughter and I whenever we leave the house, checking on Find My Friends to make sure we’re okay. So Jared was not born in a vacuum. I already know all about snoopy (or interested) men!

I hope if you have a gossipy community—or person—in your life, you’re able to view it with humor and love, and I hope you enjoy The Doctor’s Orders.

Jared started to let go of Nick’s arm, then seemed to think better of it, clinging loosely.

Neither one of them wanted to let go of the other. Nick only wished he knew if this were because of the shock, panic, or…

Or what, exactly, he didn’t know.

Well, he had nothing else to do right now but find out.

Definitely he should stop touching the man quite so intimately. He withdrew his hand from Jared’s hair.

Jared clamped it down, trapping it on his own neck. “Please don’t let go.” His breath tickled Nick’s face.

“Are youall right? You were so focused on me. Are you hurt?”

“No.” His voice had a tremor in it, though, and he slid a hand to Nick’s shoulder, holding on. “I… I’m fine.”

Translation: he was a quiet wreck but didn’t want to talk about it. No problem. Nick could work with that, but he wanted some boundaries. “Do you want to lean on me, or…?”

“I felt better when you were petting my hair.”

Was it wrong to feel a rush of lust during an administration crisis? Yes. Except there wasn’t much administration Nick could manage from here. Erin had to handle that part.

The only person he could take care of was the man in his arms.

It’s okay. No one is here but the two of us. It’s okay to let go right now.

“So.” Nick ran his thumb along the thick, tense muscle on the side of Jared’s neck, testing out the touch. He liked how Jared’s breath hitched, how his own blood tingled. They were in a strange cocoon away from the world. “Why am I not surprised you knew about the custodian and the elevator? But it does make me wonder why you let us get on.”

“I was flustered. Besides, Kevin said the company swore it would be fine, that it was just a glitch.”

“I’m going to have Rebecca sue the company within an inch of its life.”

“Funny, Kevin mentioned Rebecca too.” His grip on Nick’s arm tightened. “I know I asked you to do it, but… why are you touching me so much?”

Because my life flashed before my eyes, and when I got a second chance, you were in my arms.He wasn’t ready to say that. Which meant he shouldn’t be doing it.

Except he wanted to keep touching Jared. It was like every time he’d been at a convention and seen the right guy at a bar after too many drinks. Like when in college he couldn’t take it anymore and had gone to those barseven while telling himself he couldn’t, he shouldn’t. This moment was the same except louder, sharper, deeper. Because it was the man who had cracked open the door to this part of himself. The man who had become his friend again after all these years. The man who had just confessed he’d been thinking of Nick all this time.

This moment was more because it was with Jared.

Total mixed review from me on this one. There were parts I liked, parts I loved and parts that had me rolling my eyes.

I really enjoyed books 1 and 2 and I recommend them. And if you read those, you will want to read this one as well. And it is definitely readable, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first two.

We’ve known for a while (if you read the first 2) that Nick and Jared had some kind of past. Now we find out what it was. They were boyfriends in high school. But Nick, being from a religious, fairly conservative family, wasn’t willing to come out. And so ended their relationship.

Twenty years later they mostly growl at each other when they pass at work. Until the elevator they are in breaks and quite nearly kills them. Then all of a sudden they are not only hot and heavy, but they are totally schmoopy with each other. Yes! Let’s get back together! I totally love you! But….I’m still in the closet.

They think they can sneak around, but they live in a small town where everyone knows everyone and gossip is king. So, good luck with that.

There is also the small matter of the elevator almost killing them. So that needs to be investigated as well as if they should fix the hospital as it stands or start fresh with a new building.

Nick and Jared continue to keep their relationship a secret because Nick doesn’t want to come out of the closet. He thinks his family will disown him. He has a strong loyalty to be the man of the family since his father died when Nick was in his teens. But seriously, how long can that go on?

*Mild spoiler alert?*

My favorite scene was when Jared’s racist parents come to see him at the hospital after their relationship is made public. His rant to them was EPIC. Bravo.

A lot of the story was spent on the hospital, who wants to buy it, who wants to invest, public support, was their sabotage, etc, etc. It got a little boring. And then it was wrapped up in 4 sentences. Oy.

So, yes, you’ll want to read this if you read the first two. But it is definitely my least favorite.

3 pieces of eye candy

Author of over thirty novels, Midwest-native Heidi Cullinan writes positive-outcome romances for LGBT characters struggling against insurmountable odds because she believes there’s no such thing as too much happy ever after. Heidi is a two-time RITA® finalist and her books have been recommended by Library Journal, USA Today, RT Magazine, and Publisher’s Weekly. When Heidi isn’t writing, she enjoys cooking, reading novels and manga, playing with her cats, and watching too much anime. Find out more at heidicullinan.com.

Kept in the Dark (Locke and Keyes Agency Series, Book 1) by Charlie Cochet: RB, Excerpt and Giveaway

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Former Army Ranger turned government assassin Álvaro Montero and CIA Officer Caiden Cardosa crossed paths two years ago in Vienna, where their encounter ended less than amicably—despite the explosive sexual chemistry between them.

Now Caiden is riding a desk at Langley after his cover is blown. And Álvaro—who was “killed”—has a new identity and purpose as Delta/D, an operative for the Locke and Keyes Agency, under the leadership of the mysterious Alpha Orion.

When D and Caiden team up in a deadly black ops mission, the urge to kill each other will have to take a back seat to the desire for revenge against the man who betrayed them both. Surviving the mission won’t be easy. Resisting the passion between them—that might be impossible.

Kept in the Dark

Locke and Keyes Agency Series, Book 1

Charlie Cochet

Gay Romantic Suspense

Release Date: 08.20.19

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

“You don’t need to be a designer to know how not to decorate your house,” D said, scowling at the vintage floral loveseat across from the blue velvet couch. “I think my grandmother had a couch like that. Except it was vacuum sealed in plastic. Nothing like sitting on a plastic-lined couch in the summer with no AC.”

Caiden gasped. “Wait, you had a grandmother?”

“Have. Yes.”

“Which means you had a mother.”

“Have a mother. Yes.” D squinted at him. 

“Where are you going with this?”

“Well, damn.”

“What?”

Caiden shrugged. “I was under the impression you emerged from the darkness below. Clawing yourself out from the dirt, like a zombie or a great evil that’s come back to life after a misguided loved one buried you in Stephen King’s Pet Sematary.”

D didn’t appear impressed. “Funny.”

“What does the Dark Lord look like?”Caiden asked, moving to inspect one of the pillars between two bookcases. “Was he like Tim Curry in Legend or sexy and British like Tom Ellis in Lucifer?”

“He was your height, blondish hair, with green eyes. A mouthy motherfucker who never shut up because he was a smart little shit who thought he knew everything.”

“Wow. That’s pretty specific.” Caiden nodded, removing his tablet from inside his messenger bag. “A mouthy motherfucker and a smart little shit. Sounds like an interesting guy.”

“Sounds like a certain pain in my ass,”D hissed from behind him.

Charlie Cochet is the international bestselling author of the THIRDS series. Born in Cuba and raised in the US, Charlie enjoys the best of both worlds, from her daily Cuban latte to her passion for classic rock.

Currently residing in Central Florida, Charlie is at the beck and call of a rascally Doxiepoo bent on world domination. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found devouring a book, releasing her creativity through art, or binge watching a new TV series. She runs on coffee, thrives on music, and loves to hear from readers.

 

Website: www.charliecochet.com

Email: charlie@charliecochet.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/charliecochet

Twitter: @charliecochet

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/charliecochet

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/CharlieCochet

Instagram: www.instagram.com/charliecochet

THIRDS HQ: www.thirdshq.com

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Appeal to You (Beyond the Cove Series, Book 3) by Jaclyn Quinn: Blog Tour, Excerpt and New Release Review

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Will the demons of the past ruin any hope for the future?

If there’s anyone who knows how to have a good time—be it with a man or a woman—it’s Ryder Pearce. Master of the nail-it-and-bail-it theory, he lives his life for one person and one person only: himself. When a man enters Ryder’s life who challenges him on every flirtation, every sexual innuendo he can come up with, Ryder’s thrown off his game in a big way. Because there’s one thing the man has made perfectly clear—they’ve played this game before, and Ryder doesn’t remember the outcome.

Avery Hamilton has seen all of Ryder’s moves and has witnessed his sex appeal. He knows all too well about his cocky sense of humor and his penchant for one-night stands. There was a time in his life when he’d taken the bait, but this time around, he wants more. He’s seen Ryder’s act; what he hasn’t seen is Ryder—the real Ryder he hides from the world.

When both men come together to help a young boy, Ryder’s forced to face things from his past he’s blocked out. Things he never wanted anyone to know. Now, Ryder has one fear… Will revealing that side of himself be real enough for Avery? Or will it be the reason Avery walks away?

***Warning: This book contains off-page references to sexual/physical abuse of a minor.

***This book is the third book in a series. Reading the books out of order may result in spoilers.

Appeal To You

Beyond the Cove Series, Book 3

Jaclyn Quinn

M/M Romance

Release Date:  07.31.19

Cover design by Cate Ashwood

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

“Listen, about earlier…” Avery began, hoping to get some kind of conversation going. “I really am sorry. I have this knee-jerk reaction to jump to conclusions with you.” Avery nudged Ryder playfully with his arm until he looked over at him. “You’re too damn quiet, and it’s making me nervous.”

Ryder laughed. “Never thought you’d say that, huh?” He shrugged his shoulders, looking forward again. “Forget about it, man. Trust me”—he glanced back over at Avery—“I’m nowhere near perfect. I fuck up every damn day.” His gaze shifted forward again as they separated, letting an older couple walk between them. When they met up again, Ryder added, “Most of the time, though, even if it doesn’t seem like it, it’s with good intentions.” His eyes flicked again to Avery’s, but it was as if he didn’t want to hold eye contact and nervously looked ahead once more.

“It hasn’t gone unnoticed. Not by me.” Avery owed him at least that much. Ryder’s surprised smile from Avery’s admission made him laugh. “Don’t look so shocked. I’m a very perceptive man. Not much gets past me.”

All at once, the smile faded, and Ryder looked straight ahead again. “Is that so?”

 Avery stopped short in the middle of the boardwalk, crossing his arms over his chest. Ryder looked back at him as he also came to a stop and turned around. “Yeah, it is. Like the fact that you’re acting weird. What the hell is up with you today?”

“Why does something have to be up?”

“Are you only going to answer me with questions?”

“Do you want me to only answer you with questions?”

Avery hung his head back and groaned. “Jesus Christ, sometimes I just want to strangle you.”

Ryder closed the distance between them with two slow steps. “I’ll try anything once. Didn’t take you for a breath play kind of guy, though. Do you make that groaning sound you just made while you do it? Because yes, please.”

Avery straightened his back then leaned his face only a few inches away from Ryder. “You really don’t take anything seriously, do you?” His tone came out huskier than he’d meant it to, but this man kept him in a perpetual state of frustration—including sexual.

“Sex. I take sex very seriously,” Ryder retorted, but his face didn’t show the conviction of his words. Damn, Avery was so tired of staring at the same fucking wall Ryder had built around himself. Ryder was, surprisingly, the first to break eye contact, moving his gaze to the ocean.

This wasn’t accomplishing anything, and they sure as hell weren’t going to find Chris by standing here. 

Yet, Avery refused to let the man get the last word. He lifted a finger to Ryder’s cheek, turning his head so he was looking at him again. “You’re acting weird, and it has nothing to do with sex.” Avery stepped around Ryder to continue walking, pissed that Ryder always had a way of pushing his buttons. So, push back. He turned abruptly, making Ryder bump into him. He stared down into gray eyes and couldn’t help himself when he said, “Although, if we were talking sex… Breath play? No. But I can make you come so hard, you’ll be gasping for air when I’m done with you.” 

“Hot damn,” Ryder whispered right before Avery forced himself to turn around again, holding back a smug smile as he began to walk and scan the area.

Yes!!!

I feel like I’ve been waiting on Ryder and Avery forever… I mean, I know I’m just impatient, but… come on!
I love this series so much and I couldn’t wait for Ryder’s story, because as much as I can’t stand the whole “player” trope, or as Ryder liked to call it “nail it and bail it” … I just knew there was a reason he was the way he was.
I was not prepared for how heartbreaking it was… growing up both in the system and with parents they kept giving him back to that in no way should’ve been in charge of a child. Abuse was what he was used to, from one home to another until he aged out of the system and did things he wasn’t proud of to survive… both because he needed it to literally survive, but also to do things on his terms….

There is mentions of sexual abuse, but it didn’t delve too deep, just enough to give you the idea of the torment he went through at such a young age. And it didn’t stop there… How could you not fall in love with him and understand a little bit what made him hide behind his crazy sense of humor and his need for distance and easy hookups. He didn’t think he was loveable… or worth love. That is, until Avery….

Avery was Kevin’s best friend and honorary uncle to Eli and Jakes kids. If you haven’t read their story yet… go back and do it; not only because you’ll be caught up on who these people are, but their story is just as amazing.
Avery wanted what Jake and Eli has… having never quite felt good enough for his own family,(and you’ll realize why when you read about them, they’re terrible… at least most of them are)… he loved being apart of the family that made up of all the guys in Eli and Jake’s group…. and that included Ryder.

Not getting off the right foot the first couple of times they met… Avery was charmed by Ryder but wanted more than he knew Ryder was willing to give…. and though Ryder liked Avery and wanted him in the worst way… he didn’t think he was capable of any sort of relationship that Avery deserved…. however, when Ryders elderly neighbor passes away and the little boy that lived with her goes missing…. the two team up to not only find him but do what they can to make sure he has everything he needs to feel safe and loved.

I adored these two and their relationship with the little boy, Chris. Chris was so scared of being sent away and all he wanted was someone to see him and have him matter. His grandma did the best she could, but she was gone now and he had nobody…. well, so he thought… Avery wasn’t going down without a fight and even though Ryder would’ve sworn that he wasn’t role model material or father material…. everything he did was to protect Chris and do what he could for him…. Seeing Avery doing the same thing softened him up, but it wasn’t without bumps in the road and late night confessions that set him back a bit… but they got there in the end…

I loved how real Ryder’s problems weren’t magically fixed just because he found love and let love find him. He was still working on himself and on what he wanted his future to be, even at the end of the book. When someone goes through such trauma, it doesn’t get fixed just like that…. and I liked how Avery pushed just enough and then helped guide Ryder to healing… and i loved that Ryder wanted to heal and had two people worth healing for, if he couldn’t find it in himself to heal for him… though I do think that he got there in the end.

The whole story was just heartbreaking and beautiful and such a great addition to the already amazing series. I cannot wait to see what’s in store for Parker… and I hope it’s intense! I also can’t wait to see more from the rest of the guys, more weddings perhap??!! Fingers crossed!
All the stars for me on this one! All of them!

I have been an artist from a very young age. From drawing cartoon characters and evolving into portraits, making jewelry, photography, and now writing. I have an amazing support system in my family and friends and couldn’t be more grateful.

I live in central New Jersey, love summers at the Jersey Shore, rock music, wine, sexy men, and laughing a lot with my amazing friends and family. Sunday dinners at my parents’ house are crazy, hysterical and you can count on a movie quote…or ten…being thrown out. Insults between siblings is how we show our love for each other!

When I’m not creating, you can find me reading books from my favorite authors. I’m a hopeless romantic, starving for passionate characters and always craving that happy ending, whether in reading or in writing my own books.

https://linktr.ee/JQbooks

Heart Strain by Michele Notaro & Sammi Cee: Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review and Giveaway

by

Holden~

When I get a call that my twin brother’s been shot, I’m in shock as I head back to Baltimore to be with him. Seeing him in a coma is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do; sitting here not knowing whether he’s going to live or die is the worst thing I can imagine. But at least Jameson is with me—he makes it more bearable, and I don’t feel like I’m in this alone. With everything going on, I probably shouldn’t be checking out my brother’s work partner, but I can’t seem to help it. Jameson’s been so sweet and kind and considerate; not to mention he’s so sexy I can’t keep my eyes off him.

Jameson~

My partner getting shot and ending up in a coma brings everything in my world to a screeching halt. He’s not only my partner on the police force, but my best friend and confidant. When I see his twin brother, Holden, sitting in the waiting room, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude that he neither blames me nor pushes me away. Now I’m doing my best to take care of him and support him; if only I’d stop noticing how his emotions reflect in his eyes and wondering how it would feel to touch him.

Will the bonding that takes place during their long bedside vigils become more than they expected? Can they be honest enough with themselves and each other to take it to the next level? And if they do, will Holden be willing to sacrifice the life he loves for the brother he’s kept at arm’s length for almost ten years and the man who could end up being his everything?

Heart Strain is the first book in the Interlocking Fragments series, but is a standalone novel. Each book in the series will feature a different couple, but the couples will show up throughout the whole series. This is a contemporary romance intended for 18+.

Heart Strain

Sammi Cee & Michele Notaro

M/M Contemporary Romance

Release Date: 07.22.19

Cover Artist: Soxsational Cover Art

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Holden~

As soon as the movie ends, I say, “I’m going to start dinner.” I need to get away from him for a minute before he notices what he’s doing to me. Unfortunately, the sexy bastard follows me into the kitchen with Nala trotting behind him. 

“What can I do to help?” 

I point to a stool. “You can sit down and look pretty while I cook.” 

His eyebrows go up a little. “I can’t help?” 

“Nope.” 

“When did you have time to buy all this stuff?” 

“Uh… I woke up early, so I went out this morning before you picked me up.” What I don’t say is that I’ve been having trouble sleeping—no matter how long I run at night or how tired I am—and it seems to be getting worse every night. But that’s not his problem, so I keep it to myself. 

He hesitantly sits on the stool and tentatively asks, “Why are you doing all of this?” 

Blowing out a breath, I shrug as I get the ingredients out of the fridge. “You’ve been helping me since I got here, and… and I wanted to do something nice as a thank you.” 

“You don’t have to thank me.” When I look at him, I can tell he has something else to add, but he doesn’t say whatever’s on his mind, so I just shrug again and get everything ready. 

“I made this marinade this morning and the tofu’s been soaking it up all day, so hopefully you’ll still like it even though you like eating animals.” 

He laughs out, “Gross.” 

I shoot him a grin. “Anyway, I’m gonna do some mashed potatoes and green beans, so hopefully you’ll like at least one thing.” 

“Sounds delicious, even the tofu.” 

After a minute, I notice him looking a little sad or something, so I finally relent. “Will you stop frowning if I let you help?” 

“Yes.” He smiles, just a tad.

“Fine,” I groan. “Help me with the potatoes.” 

“Yes!” Jameson grins widely and hops off the stool. “I knew you’d cave.” 

I laugh. “Was your plan to sit there looking all sad and pathetic until I did?” 

“I was going to start sighing dramatically to add to the effect.” 

I elbow him in the side with a chuckle and catch his gaze again. I can feel his warmth radiating off him because he’s standing so close to me. The moment I lick my dry lips, I see his eyes track the movement, and my breath catches. Does he want to kiss me as badly as I want to kiss him? Don’t look at his lips, Holden. Don’t look at them! 

I look at his lips. Dammit!

But I catch myself, clear my throat, and force my body to move away from him. 

Lucky for me, Jameson isn’t a huge awkward nerd like I am, and he ends up talking about the movie while we cook. Before I know it, he has me laughing again. 

Interesting…

This is a first from me from either of these author’s, but the blurb had me intrigued. Holden was coming back to his home town after his brother gets shot in line of duty. His childhood wasn’t as happy as his twins was, thanks to his mother mostly, so when he left for college, he never came back. Now both his parents are long since dead and his brother is fighting for his life… so of course, he’s there, no question.

Things are dicey when he arrives and it takes hours before the doctors tell him anything, but luckily he’s got his brothers partner and best friend, Jameson, who was there at the time he’d gotten shot… and although he blames himself heavily for not being able to stop the criminal from hurting Hendrix, he did get him back for shooting his partner. He’s also there holding Holden together.

Jameson is amazing. I loved him. Though in no way would I ever ever ever let anyone call me Foxy as a nickname, nor would I call someone Holds. I couldn’t get behind that. I ignored it. They were Jameson and Holden to me or I couldn’t take them serious. And Drix? Someone needs to teach the art of nicknames because those just didn’t work. At all.

Now, while Hendrix is in a coma Holden and Jameson spend a lot of time together because as you could imagine, Holden’s scared of losing his brother and Jameson is worried about his best friend. They’re kind of all each other has because once you meet Jameson’s family that works with him and Hendrix, you’ll not doubt why he doesn’t have anything to do with them. They make his life miserable, but they’re all like elementary school bullies… not even grown-up ones, they’re so juvenile… and they leave so much up in the air because Jameson has to do something about his innocent father being in prison. He has to do something to get his Uncle, who is his boss, out of his position of power. I mean, he’s a terrible person. He’s a terrible cop, and he deserves to be in prison… I haate haaaaaaaaaaate, hate when bad people get away with being terrible people. It ruins the whole book for me. I need karmic justice and we just don’t get it here anywhere. Jameson’s uncle and his brother and his cousin just get away with being terrible, and they’re people in a position of power in which they manipulate and take advantage of…. It made me sick and brought down the hole tone of the book for me. Ugh. Almost as much as having to say “Holds” and “Foxy.”

However, watching Holden and Jameson get to know one another and be there for each other was sweet. I loved how even though Jameson was jealous of Holden’s best friend, he still accepted him because he knew how much he meant to Holden. And I loved how Holden never question Jameson because he knows he’s an honest and trustworthy man. I loved their animals and the sweet people who had a small hand in getting them to stop beating around the bush and take a chance on each other, and I love knowing that the series is going to continue with Gavin… I hope it’s either with Hedrix or I really, really hope something amazing happens with Aiden. I also wouldn’t be upset if Jovany got his head out and helped everyone get justice from the terrible chief and his son… I hope he redeems himself and I hope we get to see it….

So, the dialogue was a little bit iffy for me and the nicknames were a straight up NO GO for me… but the rest, I found incredibly sweet and I’ll look forward to giving book 2 a chance when it comes out.

4 pieces of eye candy

Michele is married to an awesome husband that puts up with her and all the characters in her head—and there are many. They live together in Baltimore, Maryland with their two young boys and two crazy dogs. She grew up dancing and swimming and taught dance—ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, & modern—for ten years before her kids came along. Now she stays home to write about the sexy men in her head and does PTA everything—as long as coffee is involved. Two other tattooed moms run the PTA with her, and though she wants to rip her hair out from it, she still loves it.

Michele Notaro Links: 

Website: https://notarobooks.com/ 

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/author.notaro/  

IG: https://instagram.com/michelenotaro.author  

Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/michelenotaro 

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cseIXT 

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2yBe2RD  

My FB Group, Notaro’s Haven: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NotarosHaven/  

Reading Past the Realm (Paranormal group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/ReadingPastTheRealm/

Sammi Cee was raised in a family of readers. Summer vacations consisted of a good book while sitting lakeside from as far back as she could remember. After growing up and having her own children, her appreciation of how the written word could transport you on an adventure, bring you to tears, or give you hope, took on a whole new meaning. 

These days Sammi is watching her children develop into fine young ladies while doing the things she enjoys most: drinking coffee, eating chocolate, and writing her own stories. 

Sammi Cee Links:  

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

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/cee_sammi 

Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/sammi_cee_author/ 

Amazon Author Page: https://amazon.com/author/sammicee

My FB Group, Sammi Cee’s: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SammisSanctuary/

Prolific Works: https://claims.prolificworks.com/free/aZYLOwCi

Reading Past the Realm (Paranormal group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/ReadingPastTheRealm/  

 
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Hearts of Blood (Chevalier Book #2) by Kay Doherty: Exclusive Guest Post, Excerpt and Giveaway

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Omega wolf shifter, Vance, and the rest of his small pack have finally found an Alpha willing to take them on and were still trying to regain their footing when the McBane Pack attacked them. When a vampire appears in front of him, Vance realizes he’s looking into the ice-blue eyes of his mate, and the fact that his mate is something other than wolf scares him.

Sakima knew the wolf shifter was his destined companion the moment he scented him at Elysium, but claiming the gorgeous young Omega wolf is a dangerous proposition. Vance and his unconventional pack have attracted the attention of the vampire coven. As the owner of Elysium, Sakima has been asked to use the club to gather information on the powerful interspecies pack and its Alpha.

Unfortunately for Vance and Sakima, the vampire coven and the continued attacks by the McBane Pack are only a portion of their problems. Amidst concerns over Alpha Tanner’s abilities growing with Sakima’s addition to the pack, a spurned ex targets Vance in an attempt to remove him from Sakima’s life, and Elysium becomes a hot bed for interspecies mingling where anyone could be an enemy.

Title:  Hearts of Blood

Series: Chevalier, Book Two

Author: Kay Doherty

Publisher:  NineStar Press

Release Date: July 29, 2019

Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 42000

Genre: Paranormal, LGBT, wolf shifters, dragon shifters, bonded mates, Elementals, businessmen, vampires, gay

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A few days ago I came across the question, “what do you do and why do you do it?” After thinking about it for a bit, I can to one conclusion. Making stuff up. That has got to be the best part of being an author. I can do whatever i want on those pages. That’s why I enjoy writing this series so much. Creating a fantastic world that doesn’t exist, giving my characters extraordinary abilities, and then writing it in such a way that makes readers think, “what if…” I like playing with reality in a way that allows me to escape it, deal with it, make sense of this insane world we live in. Writing these stories gets me out of my head, out of my rigid way of thinking, so I can escape. “What if…” can be so much fun if when you let yourself bend all the rules you can’t change in real life.

Sakima

Sakima glanced around the yard at the wolf shifters, both in human and wolf form, before settling his gaze on the one he’d come for—his destined companion. He had waited hundreds of years for this creature to arrive. The beautiful golden-brown wolf whined and took a small step back, crouched in wariness, tail tucked.

“What do you want, vampire?” the Alpha asked.

“My name is Sakima Hawke, and I want him,” Sakima answered as he took in the tawny wolf.

The wolf began to shake, making Sakima’s skin itch. This creature was his destined companion; he should never be fearful of him. Sakima squatted so he was eye level with his wolf, his gaze never straying from him, in an attempt to show through action he was not a threat. He’d known the moment the tawny-haired man had brushed against him at Elysium they were meant to be together, but the place had been packed that night and the wolf shifter had quickly melted away into the throng. Sakima had searched the club, attempting to pick the man out from the crowd, but the wolf shifter had turned out to be quite elusive. He’d lost the wolf’s scent for weeks before finding it again quite suddenly moments ago while on his way home.

It was an act of the fates Sakima had decided on a leisurely stroll rather than traveling home at hyperspeed after visiting one of his oldest friends: a human donor who was declining in health. Excitement he’d not felt in decades thrummed through his veins at the sight of the wolf now crouched before him. The sharp tang of fear wafting from him increased Sakima’s discomfort. Perhaps the wolf wasn’t aware of what they were to each other yet, though it was more likely he was simply uneducated about vampires. Sakima was well aware of the fear his kind generated. Too many rumors, myths, and misunderstandings circulated about vampires.

Many believed they were the walking dead, that anyone they fed from would become a vampire as well, but that was all fallacy. Sakima was no more dead than anyone else present, though he knew he appeared to be with his pale skin, long white hair, and ice-blue eyes. He could love, mate, and feed from his partner without changing the beautiful creature. Sakima would take great care in helping his destined understand he was no more of a threat than the Elemental, dragon, or Alpha he kept company with, each of whom had their own myths and rumors.

Desire to touch the gorgeous animal before him had Sakima extending a hand. He did so with extreme caution, so as not to frighten the wolf further, but was unsuccessful. The wolf curled into himself, becoming as small as his bulk would allow, crouching lower to the ground on shaky legs, ears flattened to his skull. Sakima lowered his hand to the grass but otherwise remained still. Instilling trust with a shifter while they were in animal form being ruled a great deal by their animal instincts was difficult. This would be far easier if the young man would shift back to human, though Sakima understood why he wouldn’t do so at this moment. When the man shifted, he would be naked, which the shifter may view as a vulnerability in his human form.

“You must know I won’t hurt you,” Sakima said softly. “We are destined companions.”

The wolf whined and turned to the pack leader. If Sakima understood wolf shifters well, there was a bond between his wolf and the Alpha that allowed them to speak telepathically. He’d never been jealous of such a thing before, but he didn’t like his fated companion being able to communicate telepathically with anyone other than him. Unfortunately, the telepathic bond was an inevitable part of being in a wolf pack. And if he wanted to claim this wolf shifter, he would have to accept the pack as a whole because there would be no removing his companion from them. Not safely. Sakima rose to his feet, his heart sinking a bit when his wolf scurried away to hide within the house. He gave no reaction outwardly, but he gave a mental sigh as he turned to face the Alpha.

“My apologies,” the Alpha said. “I asked him to go inside for a moment. He’s a bit overwhelmed.”

“Frightened, you mean,” Sakima corrected.

The Alpha wasn’t concerned with semantics. “We’ve all been through quite a lot recently, and this is a bit of a surprise. I’m sure you understand…Sakima? May I call you that?”

Sakima inclined his head in acceptance. “And you would be?”

“Tanner McBane. I’m the Alpha, and Vance is a member of my pack.”

Vance. A unique name for a uniquely beautiful wolf. Sakima scanned the “pack,” his gaze drifting from a gray wolf to a gray-and-brown wolf to a dragon to a white wolf with wild eyes to an Elemental, finally coming to rest once again on the Alpha.

“Quite the unconventional pack, if I may say.”

“Yes, I know.”

“Word has spread through the paranormal ranks of a pack of outcasts who have gained more power than is considered safe or wise. I feel I should be concerned for the welfare of my destined companion being bonded to such a pack.”

The statement was met with several growls and a strong wind that only affected Sakima, whipping his long hair in every direction. Sakima smiled. Vance was clearly cared for and protected. Tanner glanced at the dragon on his left.

“Have you ever heard of a wolf mating a vampire? Chevaliers aside.”

“No,” the dragon answered. “But I’d never before heard of a wolf mating an Elemental either. Or a dragon.”

The expression that passed between dragon and Alpha was not missed by Sakima. The name Chevalier shook him, but he pushed the memory aside—a centuries-old mistake best left to the dust of time.

“So, the rumors are true,” Sakima said.

“What rumors?” the Elemental asked.

“Of same-sex, interspecies matings taking place openly. I had hoped, given what I now know of my own destined companion, but had remained skeptical,” Sakima answered.

By way of introduction, Tanner said, “The dragon shifter is Luca. He’s my mate. The Elemental is Deacon and his mate is the white wolf, Ross. The gray wolf is Ean, and the grayish brown wolf is Theran. If you truly plan to claim Vance as your mate, you, too, will be an openly mated interspecies couple. You need to be comfortable with that if you’re going to become part of the pack.”

Sakima showed plenty of fang when he spoke. “Oh, I have every intention of claiming my fated mate, Alpha, but I said nothing of joining your pack.”

Movement at the patio doors drew Sakima’s attention. Vance in human form was as handsome as his wolf was beautiful; golden-brown hair and the lithe, toned physique all wolf shifters possessed. Those hazel eyes showed fear and hesitation, but also recognition, making Sakima believe Vance knew they were destined companions. Vance simply wasn’t accepting it, yet.

“You would risk his safety and sanity by taking him from his pack, severing his pack bond? What kind of mate would do such a thing?” Deacon asked through clenched teeth.

Sakima was surprised by the vehemence and animosity coming from the Elemental. He’d made the simple suggestion that claiming his wolf did not necessarily equate to him joining the pack. Nothing more. Though perhaps removing his destined companion was something to consider, given the volatile nature the pack exuded.

“I won’t leave my pack,” Vance said softly.

His voice was melodic to Sakima’s ears. Despite the fear and uncertainty, Vance’s words didn’t waver. They were strong and decisive, despite the fact the wolf was still hiding behind the pack. Vance had donned a pair of shorts and a tank top, leaving his toned arms, legs, and feet bared to Sakima’s perusal, and he soaked in the sight.

“I know what I’m about to suggest will be difficult for you,” Tanner said. “But I think you should leave. Perhaps stay away for a few days to give Vance time to acclimate to the idea of having a vampire for a mate.”

“Not as difficult as you might think,” Sakima said.

He’d been living a solitary life for nearly forty years, and he planned to use the time apart from Vance to prepare for the wolf to join him. He moved with vampiric speed past the pack to stand before Vance. While he was willing to leave for a short time, he wouldn’t allow his companion to put the pack between them. When he stopped, he stood face-to-face with his beautiful man. Vance yelped and jumped back, but Sakima caught him with an arm around his waist, aborting any attempt at escape. Heat immediately seeped through the cloth of his shirt, warming his skin.

“Until next time, pet.”

Sakima placed a chaste kiss on Vance’s lips so as not to cut him with his fangs. Not yet. He would draw blood from Vance only after they became lovers, and Vance demonstrated his willingness. As quickly as he had appeared before Vance, he disappeared, leaving the outcast pack and his destined mate behind. It was a temporary situation, after all. Now that he knew where his wolf companion was, he felt far more relaxed and willing to let things progress at a pace comfortable for Vance.

Kay Doherty is an omnisexual/polysexual who lives in Colorado with her poly-family, Mike, Keri, and Tigz. Her house is overrun with cats and dogs. Family is important to her so there are daily texts, frequent visits to her parents, and constant banter with her brothers. She happily suffers a severe addiction to coffee and Mexican food. She loves to read and write and can easily become consumed by it for hours, much to the dismay of Mike and Keri (Tigz is an enabler). On occasion she can be convinced to venture out into the world of the living despite being annoyed by the sun shining in her face.

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http://www.kaydohertybooks.com/

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