Book Excerpt

Rewind by Roman Shaw: Exclusive Excerpt, Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

March 18, 2019 by Denise

The day Enzo Chevalier lost his hearing, everything changed. Forced to rebuild his future and fight for his dreams, Enzo refused to let anything take him down…until the man of his life walked out on him and shattered his heart.

Florian Beaudry had his whole life figured out. His business was flourishing and everything was settling down at last. Or so he believed…until he walked in on his girlfriend and best friend.

Still on the rebound and unable to trust another man, Enzo never expected a chance encounter with Florian. The one person he thought he would never see again. The one person he missed the most.

Were they truly meant to get a second chance or were they doomed from the start?

REWIND is an MM romance novel set entirely in France. Though part of a series, it is a standalone story without a cliffhanger.

Book Title: Rewind

Author: Rowan Shaw

Publisher: Self-published

Cover Artist: Molly Phipps

Genre/s: MM Romance

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 73 350 words/ 343 pages

Release Date: March 18th, 2019

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“You gave him your phone number?” Patrick asked, crashing on my couch later that night.

“You’re so curious. And please don’t rip the fabric with your keys. Thanks.”

He shifted around and pulled the chain to the front of his pants. “Aww, come on! Did you or did you not?” he signed, crossing his legs at the knees.

“Maybe.”

His arched brow never fell. “You still haven’t told me who he is.”

I let myself drop into the armchair closer to the entrance and placed my feet on the wooden coffee table between us.

“So who was the blond guy at the club? He had eyes to die for—as blue as the Mediterranean Sea. You missed your chance to get laid. He wouldn’t stop ogling you.”

I raked my mind for a reply. “I didn’t tell you who he is because I know you’re gonna judge.”

Patrick raised his hand to his chest in a feigned hurt movement.

“You know you would. You do that all the time.”

“I do not.”

“Yes, you do.”

“The only one I ever judged from the start was Cyrille, and I was right about him. If you had listened to me, it would’ve spared you a whole lot of heartache.”

He was right about that, but I wasn’t about to acknowledge it. The last thing Patrick needed was for me to inflate his large ego.

My conversation with Florian at the bar had lasted for hours. He hadn’t left his stool to dance at all, even when a couple of guys came up to flirt with him. He brushed them both off and stayed with me.

“Did you see the look on Cyrille’s face when he spotted you with him, though?” Patrick let out a laugh that was silent to me, his Adam’s apple dancing in his throat when he tilted his head back.

I had hoped my ex wouldn’t show up at all, though. Florian and I were laughing so hard remembering our teenage years, Cyrille’s presence was a slap back to reality. I was thankful he didn’t talk to me.

“Honestly, I don’t get that guy. He dumps you, then he can’t stand seeing you with other men,” Patrick signed.

I had a hard time with this one. While the story itself is good, and I enjoyed the romance aspect between Florian, who just finds his girlfriend in bed with his best friend, and she’s so catty about it, it’s disgusting… and Enzo, an ex from high school who’s still hung up on his emotionally and verbally abusive ex boyfriend who both work at a school for the deaf, since Enzo himself is deaf… they meet again in a club while both are trying to lick their wounds and move on.

The way in which their friendship/relationship ended back then was kind of hidden and little bit confusing to me. I don’t understand why it was something that wasn’t talked about more, but, it didn’t take away from the story, other than it caused a little bit of friction I guess.

The two of these guys were cute together. I enjoyed watching them get to know each other all over again and reminisce here and there about the past…. But what irritated me to no end, is the terrible terrible terrible people that just kept getting away with being terrible people!

Enzo’s ex who was so awful… I’m not kidding, he turned my stomach. He was so condescending and belittling to Enzo, and nobody ever done anything about it. He’s a sociopath who lacks any kind of emotional or moral compassion.

And Florian’s ex literally ruins every part of his life, with his ridiculously ignorant friends, his job, and eventually his relationship with Enzo, which also irritated me to no end, because why not lean on your man when you need him? Why let anyone take your relationship from you… that’s exactly what everyone wanted. Ugh, I just couldn’t with that.

So, definitely frustrating for me, especially because although Florian’s ex has somewhat a nice change of decency when she feels badly about all the havoc she inflicted on his life, only slightly, because she didn’t stop it, OR the ex best friend of
Florian’s that went so far beyond any type revenge that he had no right to… she was just a disgusting person, and Florian didn’t karmically kick her in the teeth, he just ran to her when she summoned him, because why? She didn’t deserve that…. As a matter of fact, the things she deserved I won’t even mention because I’m having a hard time remembering that she’s a fictional character and I don’t know if I wanna acknowledge that level of craziness from myself.

So, yeah… it was a hard read for me. Angsty and just ridiculous in some parts that I never felt were justifiable…. And I just have such a pet peeve for people who get away with being terrible people. We have enough bad in the world, I don’t wanna read about it too, and these people were the worst!

Apart from that, it did have a happy ending for the couple and I was glad for that. They really did make a cute couple, and I love second chancers. I feel like Raphael is going to be just as angsty, so I might skip the next one… but if you like a realistic, angsty read, don’t pass this one up. It just sadly wasn’t my kind of read, and that’s on me.

3 Pieces of Eye Candy

Rowan Shaw is a human being from Planet Earth (originally from the country of France). She’s also the queer author of Rewind, an MM romance series set entirely in her home country.

Addicted to reading and writing, Rowan can usually be found with a book in her hands or sitting in front of her computer typing some kind of story while listening to music from the 80s.

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The Forever Kind of Love by LA Bryce: New Release Review, Excerpt and Giveaway

March 15, 2019 by Denise

You never forget your first love … especially when they cause you pain. Chase thought he was doing the right thing when he left Liam years earlier, but when he finds out he was wrong, it might be too late. The trust they once shared may be past the point of repair.

The Forever Kind Of Love is a story of second chances that asks the question — is a good reason enough to wash away the years of hurt it caused? Chase comes home from the military ready to start his life with Liam. But he discovers Liam’s life has already started without him. Is there a place for him in it? Is the possibility of more pain worth the risk for Liam?

If that isn’t hard enough, they only have the week Chase is on leave to come to terms with their future. Can they find forever in seven days?

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Liam walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out the salads he planned to bring to the backyard. He put them on the counter, then headed to the linen closet where Mrs. Alston said she had put the extra napkins. He walked into the hall, and stopped short. Bending down on his knee, he tied his opened shoelace.

The sound of a deeply inhaled breath had him looking up. His body started to shake. Unable to hold his balance, he tipped over. “Chase.” The name was out of Liam’s mouth before he could stop.

The other man stood silently, looking almost like a mirage. Liam couldn’t break his stare.

Someone calling Liam’s name snapped him out of the fog surrounding him.

“Liam, are you in here?”

Before Liam could answer, Phil was standing behind him, bending down. “Are you okay? What the hell happened?”

Not giving Liam a chance to answer, Phil put his hands on Liam and pulled him up. “Did you fall?”

Again, before Liam could say a word, Phil looked at Chase with a scowl on his face. “Did you knock him over?”

Chase didn’t say a word. He stood where he was, his eyes going between Liam and the man who currently held him.

“Come on,” Phil said, as he turned Liam around and walked him back to the kitchen.

Still in shock, “Napkins,” was the only word that would come out of Liam’s mouth.

“Where are they, hon? I’ll get them for Sharon.”

Liam pointed toward the hall. Phil headed back that way. Liam heard him say, “Be careful where you’re walking,” to Chase as Phil passed him by. The tone of Phil’s voice sounded none to friendly. Liam couldn’t help, but smile. Phil, his little protector. If only Phil knew who Chase was, and what he’d done to Liam four years earlier, Chase wouldn’t have a chance.

Liam stood in the kitchen in somewhat of a daze when Mrs. Alston walked in. Why hadn’t she told me Chase was coming home? Then he realized maybe she didn’t know. Which meant at that moment she had no idea Chase was there.

Finding his voice, Liam said, “Mrs. Alston there’s a surprise for you and Mr. Alston in the hallway.”

As soon as the woman passed him, headed to the hall, on shaky limbs, Liam made himself scarce. He headed back outside; he wanted to avoid becoming part of the hug fest he knew would be taking place any second.

He made his way over to Mr. Alston. “Mrs. Alston needs your help inside,” he said, not wanting to spoil Chase’s surprise for the man. Mr. Alston turned around and walked into the house. Within seconds, Liam heard screams of happiness floating from inside.

Liam wanted nothing more than to leave, but taking off after all Mr. and Mrs. Alston had done for him was something he knew he couldn’t do. But knowing he’d have to face Chase again almost had him saying fuck it to doing the right thing.

Chase and Liam…

So, I realize this is a short story, but ooooh how heartbreaking and bittersweet it would’ve been to have been a full length novel. It felt like because we had to rush so much into a short little story, I was like…. what? Did you honestly think that that would work? Because I understood it from Chase’s point of view, I really understand where he was coming from… but explaining it, and saying it out loud, just sounded ridiculous.

So, Chase had always dreamed of going into the Navy. (Hot, right? ), the problem is… even though he was young, he knew the life he wanted and who he wanted it with. His boyfriend and childhood best friend, Liam.
Unfortunately, he didn’t share those dreams with Liam, because he knew that Liam loved him enough to blindly follow him anywhere and he didn’t want Liam to put his dreams on hold to follow him.
Understandable, right? Comendable even. Completely selfless. I loved that about him…. that he loved Liam so much he wanted him to have his own life, for them to grow up and experience life before settling into that forever. It was the hardest thing Chase had ever done, but of course he’d do it, because he wanted Liam to have everything he dreamed of too, since being in the Navy was his dream.

So, when he comes back four years later after leaving Liam without a word, his reception isn’t all that welcoming. And could you blame him? As far as LIam was concerned, the love of his life just up and left without a word four years ago and left him behind. No word then, no word since. Devastated, rejected, heartbroken, alone, could you imagine all the things you’d feel about that? With no word… So, I definitely understood his anger and hurt towards Chase, and I definitely wanted to slap Chase upside the head and ask him what he expected to happen?!
BUT, with the help of his amazing mother, who was not only amazing to him, but also Liam over the years, treating him as her other son… of course they work things out and we get a very sweet HEA.

Of course, I felt like it would’ve been more believable and less, whaaaaaat??? had it been longer and we got to know the things as they were happening… but this author, who is new to me, done a really good job of meshing everything together to where I felt like nothing was left out or missing. It was just quick and a lot at once given that it’s supposed to be a short story… Overall though, I enjoyed watching Chase going back for his man, and eventually, Liam going back for his too.

Cute story! Waaaay more than I’d pay for a such a short story, but cute nonetheless!

4 pieces of eye candy from me.

LA writes m/m romance with a splash of suspense. She loves her men to work hard, play hard and love hard. It doesn’t matter what their walk of life, although she has a special place in her heart for Military heroes, those that put their life on the line every day to keep us safe, trouble always seems to find them—whether it’s a homicidal maniac, someone with a grudge against the country, or an ex who’s seeking out revenge—LA’s guys aren’t always faced with just fighting for love, they often have to fight for their lives.

LA has always lived in the North East and has recently stretched her boundaries and moved further North—the more relaxed life style giving her more time to write—in theory anyway.

Among the things she loves besides writing and her family are her friends, those she writes with and those she writes about, reading, games (the kind with boards, not in love), playing poker, her dogs, Nutella and Bok Choy, and of course, the men and women from the Military, past and present, who keep us safe.

When she finds herself stuck at the keyboard, her fingers refusing to move, her characters refusing to talk, she likes to take a break, blast some music, and dance like no one is watching her or sing her heart out into her hairbrush microphone.

She’s living her happily ever after and wants the same for all her characters. LA believes love comes in all different packages and each should be wrapped in a ribbon and cherished.

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A Body In A Bathhouse by Brad Shreve: Exclusive Excerpt, Tour and Giveaway

March 14, 2019 by Denise

On the verge of bankruptcy, private investigator, Mitch O’Reilly takes any gig that comes his way, while running his Eye Spy Supply shop in a forgotten Los Angeles strip mall. After two tours in Afghanistan, Mitch’s life amounts to operating his store, coping with his fun-loving sister, Josie, and scoring with anonymous men he meets online. That changes when he gets a break. A beloved comedy scriptwriter is murdered at a bathhouse, and Mitch is hired to prove the innocence of the club custodian. Adapting from a two-bit gumshoe to a high-profile sleuth proves more challenging than he expected.

As if Mitch didn’t have enough to deal with, charismatic bathhouse operator, Trent Nakos, enters his life. After a heartbreaking past, the manager is the definition of a man the brooding P.I. actively avoids.

Following leads from sprawling mansions to sketchy hoods is demanding but becomes more troublesome when deadly threats jeopardize the biggest opportunity of his career.

Length: 65,000 words approx.

Cover Design: UmeWorks

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Trent sat at his desk, rested his chin on his fist, and flashed a mischievous grin. I struggled to look away from the rich golden eyes that complimented his olive skin. His wavy auburn hair looked tousled, but never moved. I guessed he spent time each morning nursing each strand in place for that perfect disheveled look.

He stared through me while stroking his scruffy chin. I debated whether he was flirting or looking past me in deep thought. If he caught me checking him out, he didn’t let on.

I broke the silence. “You’ve been under a lot of stress the past couple of days so we should get the questions out of the way.”

“Yes. We’ll talk while touring the facility. We’re reopening soon, for my sanity, I need one last walk-through. Follow me.”

We stepped into a TV lounge area. My eyes watered again.

“Sorry about the smell,” Trent said. “We’re taking advantage of the downtime to do some heavy-duty cleaning. I thought the scent would be gone by now.”

I nodded at the seating area. “Nice furniture. Like in the lobby.”

“They’re identical, except these are covered in plastic. They’re funny because they make farting sounds when the guys stand up, but it makes it easier to clean after hundreds of naked asses have been on them.”

I grinned.

They had also renovated the back of the club while keeping a different personality from the front and his office. The once-black walls were steel gray, and the black cement floors had been resurfaced with large, dark red tiles. I found it odd—it didn’t look the same, but it felt the same. I shrugged my shoulders and blinked my eyes to stop my heart from racing and skin from tingling.

“Let’s start in the sauna where he was murdered,” I directed. “Did he rent a room that night?”

“Yes, he always does. Room twenty-two is… was… his favorite, so we tried to keep it open for him. I’ll take you there after we see the sauna. The police cleared both. They took the tape down, but it’ll be awhile before I rent that room. It’d feel disrespectful.”

We walked through a narrow hall with many rooms on each side until we reached the sauna. Trent unlocked the door.

“Look inside. We haven’t turned it back on. We’ll have our guests use just the one in the back for a while. It’s bigger anyway.”

The small standard redwood sauna looked built more for home than a spa. The wall next to the door was smooth, and benches ran along the other three sides, except for the corner opposite the entrance, where the heater with hot rocks stood.

“The cops were thorough. I doubt you’ll find much.”

“How was he when he was found?”

His lower lip quivered. “He was naked on a mat, face down on the floor, with his ass to the door. He looked as if everything was fine, except for all the blood. The police took the mat for evidence. There was no sign of a struggle, so they think someone came in behind him. They say he most likely never saw who did it.”

I smirked. “Not that he could tell us, anyway.”

After growing up in Michigan and North Carolina, Brad Shreve criss-crossed the country while working in the hotel industry. In addition to working in hotels as a bellman, front desk clerk, and reservation call center director, he’s managed coffee houses, waited tables, sold potato chips off a truck and even hocked pre-burial funeral plans.

He credits Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak for developing his interest in art and storytelling. He’d spend hours on the floor sketching and painting and writing stories. My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George gave him his first inklings that he’d like to be a novelist someday.

In addition to perpetually thinking of how to kill people, he’s a proud dad, a beach bum, and coffee house squatter.

He currently lives in the Los Angeles South Bay with his husband, Maurice.

Website/Newsletter Sign Up: www.bradshreve.com

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bradshreve

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Borrowed Heart by Andrew Grey: Exclusive Excerpt, Blog Tour and Giveaway

March 13, 2019 by Denise

Robin, the recipient of a brand-new heart, knows he can’t give it to just anyone….

Robin’s been through his share of upsets recently, from heart transplant surgery to a brutal breakup. But his experiences have taught him life is short, and he’s ready to seize the day and start anew. A job at Euro Pride Tours is just the kind of adventure he’s looking for. He gets to see the world and live a little, but love isn’t on his radar screen. He isn’t sure his heart can endure that again.

Johan might’ve disappointed his family by striking out on his own, but when he meets Robin, he has no intention of letting him down. Each man is just what the other needs to feel whole again, and while Johan might not be the man Robin originally thought he was, he’s exactly what the doctor ordered to make Robin’s borrowed heart beat faster. As the tour through Germany progresses, they grow closer, but when Robin’s ex joins the tour, he could bring their blossoming love to a dramatic halt.

Title: Borrowed Heart
Author: Andrew Grey
Release Date: March 12, 2019
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 194

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After dinner, the group had taken a night tour of the town. Most of them had settled in a small café near the town center for coffee and dessert. Robin made sure they knew their way back to the hotel and then went back himself. He needed to try to get some sleep.

He unlocked the room and stepped in, just as Johan came out of the bathroom, a small towel around his waist that barely covered his bits and butt, leaving strong legs and sexy abs exposed to Robin’s hungry gaze. He turned away and went right to his bag, busying himself as Johan moved behind him, hopefully dressing.

“Are you going out?” Johan asked.

“No. Most of the group found a café. Billy and Kyle went off to find some nightlife.” Robin carefully sat on the cot, relieved when it didn’t collapse, though it definitely groaned. “I’m going to go over the things for tomorrow.”

Johan rolled his eyes, and Robin got up the courage to actually look up at him. Johan had pulled on a pair of jeans, but he was still bare-chested, and the temperature in the small room spiked at least ten degrees. A visual feast of golden skin, lean muscle by no means muscle-bound, and a dusting of dark hair sent Robin’s pulse racing. He turned away again, because lusting after his coworker was so damn wrong on so many levels.

Robin’s brown curls—his mom called them shaggy—fell into his eyes, and he used them as cover to look a little more. Johan walked closer to the window, his belly at perfect eye level, a dark trail slipping into his pants, leading to… well, Robin’s imagination could certainly fill in any gaps, and it did in spectacular fashion.

“Maybe I will go out,” Robin said softly. Lord knew if Johan stayed in the room, especially like that, Robin wasn’t going to be able to breathe. Robin grabbed his messenger bag and hurried to the door, almost forgetting his key, before leaving the room and hurrying down the hall to the stairs.

Outside on the cobbled street, Robin took a deep breath and slowly walked toward town. There was a small convenience-type store a few blocks away, and it would be good if he got some more water and a few snacks.

“Robbie.”

Robin gritted his teeth and turned to find Johan striding toward him.

“You didn’t have to leave the room so quickly.” He fell into step with him.

“I’m Robin, not Robbie,” he said firmly. He hated that nickname.

“Okay. You still didn’t have to leave.” Johan looked at him with his big, almost-mysterious brown eyes for long enough that Robin felt heat rising at the base of his spine. “Are you one of those prudish Americans who keeps himself covered all the time?”

“I’m not prudish,” Robin said. “I just needed some fresh air and to get a few things.” He continued on his way, doing his best to keep his attention on the way ahead and not on Johan’s hotness.

“Do you not like guys? Is that it? You work for a gay tour company.” Johan walked faster as Robin sped up. He hadn’t meant to, but his legs just kept moving more quickly. “Maybe you’re one of those people who doesn’t like to be happy or something.”

Robin came to an abrupt stop, opening his mouth to give Johan a tongue lashing, but he realized he was standing in front of the café where half his tour group sat, watching them. Well, they were watching Johan. No one ever paid that much attention to him.

Robin whirled on his heels and continued toward town. How dare Johan try to get into his head. “For your information, yes, I like guys, and I’m not a prude. Though you seem to have exhibitionist tendencies. Is what you’ve got really worth making sure everyone sees it?” He turned to Johan and cocked his eyebrow.

Johan smiled and didn’t retort, which pissed Robin off a little more and actually raised his curiosity level. Damn it all to hell. Why was he doing this to himself? They had a job to do.

Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation.

Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing) He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

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Order (Tattoos and Ties Duet Book 2) by Kindle Alexander: Blog Tour and Giveaway

March 13, 2019 by Denise

Assistant District Attorney Alec Pierce wants a future with the sexy, tough-talking biker who came to his rescue six months ago. But when evidence capable of destroying his future comes to light, Alec sets a plan in motion to keep the man he loves from a district attorney bent on vengeance.

Will Alec’s efforts pay off or will he destroy them both in the process?

As a Disciples of Havoc member, Keyes Dixon rides the line between society’s moral code and that of his brothers. He straddles two worlds… One owns him and the other seduces him with the promise of a future. But when a rush to judgment has him swerving to miss the roadblocks suddenly in his lane, he’ll have to choose between the club that demands his loyalty and the gorgeous assistant district attorney who deserves his commitment.

Can Keyes escape his circumstances to take a chance on a future he wants?

Six months into what started as a one-night stand, both men must navigate their developing feelings as they remain bound by differing oaths that threaten to drive them apart. Not only does their future hang in the balance of opposing forces, but an unexpected strike of the gavel could send them on a collision course neither is prepared for.

Will havoc continue to determine their lives or is their love strong enough to bring order?

Title: Order

Series: Tattoos and Ties #2

Author: Kindle Alexander

Release: March 5, 2019

Genre: M/M Romance

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Havoc (Tattoos and Ties #1)

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Best Selling Author Kindle Alexander is an innovative writer, and a genre-crosser who writes classic fantasy, romance, suspense, and erotica in both the male/male and male/female genres. It’s always a surprise to see what’s coming next!

I live in the suburbs of Dallas where it’s true, the only thing bigger than an over active imagination, may be women’s hair!

Usually, I try for funny. Humor is a major part of my life – I love to laugh, and it seems to be the thing I do in most situations – regardless of the situation, but jokes are a tricky deal… I don’t want to offend anyone and jokes tend to offend. So instead I’m going to tell you about Kindle.

I tragically lost my sixteen year old daughter to a drunk driver. She had just been at home, it was early in the night and I heard the accident happen. I’ll never forget that moment. The sirens were immediate and something inside me just knew. I left my house, drove straight to the accident on nothing more than instinct. I got to be there when my little girl died – weirdly, I consider that a true gift from above. She didn’t have to be alone.

That time in my life was terrible. It’s everything you think it would be times about a billion. I love that kid. I loved being her mother and I loved watching her grow into this incredibly beautiful person, both inside and out. She was such a gift to me. To have it all ripped away so suddenly broke me.

Her name was Kindle. Honest to goodness – it was her name and she died a few weeks before Amazon released their brand new Kindle ereader. She had no idea it was coming out and she would have finally gotten her name on something! Try finding a ruler with the name Kindle on it.. It never happened.

Through the course of that crippling event I was lucky enough to begin to write with a dear friend in the fan fiction world of Facebook. She got me through those dark days with her unwavering support and friendship. There wasn’t a time she wasn’t there for me. Sometimes together and sometimes by myself, we built a world where Kindle lives and stands for peace, love and harmony. It’s its own kind of support group. I know without question I wouldn’t be here today without her.

Find out more by visiting www.kindlealexander.com or email me at kindle@kindlealexander.com

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How Not to Break by Susan Hawke: Release Day Blitz with Excerpt

March 11, 2019 by Denise

Take one former SEAL with a healthy dose of regret…

Nick St. Cloud is living with shame from the one time he let his lust override his sense of honor. He’s haunted by the memory of when he made love to his best friend’s eighteen-year-old son. The tragic accident that happened that same night has only compounded his guilt. A decade later, he’s doing his best to be there for Charlie’s son, but anything more than that just wouldn’t be right… would it?

Plus the younger guy who he’s tried to forget…

It’s been ten years. Ten long years. Does Shaw Michaelson feel bad about having seduced his dad’s best friend? Umm, maybe? Although he could’ve done things differently, Shaw can’t find it within himself to be sorry for the hottest night of his life with the one man he’s never been able to forget. The man he’s patterned every subsequent relationship after… yeah, Shaw totally has a type.

Equals a pair of men who deserve a second chance at a first time.

The two men are living in an uneasy peace within the same small town and circle of friends, being careful not to let the other get close enough to open old wounds. All their walls fall when a stalker begins terrorizing Shaw, sending him running to the one man he knows will keep him safe.

This is the fourth book in the LOVESTRONG series about finding love and being yourself in a small town. Intended only for 18+ readers, this is an mm romance full of all the fun, fluff, and feels you’d want from an S. Hawke book.

Note: Possible trigger warning for the mention of an animal being harmed off-page and the psychological trauma of being stalked.

How Not to Break

A LOVESTRONG NOVEL

Susan Hawke

M/M Romance

Release Date: 03.09.19

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Rising from my chair, I got right up in his space and glared up at him. “I know it’s hard for you to wrap your brain around this, but I’m a man. A grown-ass man. I don’t need a keeper, a savior, a knight in shining armor, or a master. Get it through your skull, and pass the memo along to any and all interested parties.”

I was so angry at this point that I was shaking. And he wasn’t the only one I was pissed at. I turned and pointed at Rick. “And as for you… you can wipe that smug shit off your face, because that goes for you too. If you want to help me, then go find whoever’s behind all this crap. I’m leaving, Rick. If you follow me, I swear to God I will kick you in the nuts. Seth, give me a five-minute head start, okay? Make sure Rick doesn’t try to follow me, because I don’t want to get arrested for assaulting an officer.”

Seth was laughing his ass off as I stormed out of the bar. I hadn’t made it even half a step over the threshold before Nick came rushing up after me.

“Goddammit, Shaw. Walk off in a huff on your own time, not when you have a stalker. Seriously, you can’t be an idiot when you have someone stalking you. At least let me walk you to your car if you won’t let me do anything else for you.”

Instead of commenting, I merely pulled my key fob out of my pocket and clicked the button to unlock my car. Headlights flashed from where it was parked two spaces from the door. I waited for him to notice that before I spoke. “See? Not an idiot. I actually thought ahead and parked by the door. Go me!”

Nick groaned, rubbing a hand over the top of his head as if I frustrated him so much that he couldn’t even deal. Good. That made two of us because I couldn’t deal with him right now either. “I don’t think you’re an idiot. I think you’re vulnerable—there’s a difference. You’re a small guy, Shaw. You could be easily overpowered.”

I was almost to my driver’s door when Nick decided to prove his point. He pulled a slick move that had me bent backward over my hood and gaping into his face where it hovered just above mine. I was beyond pissed… and more than a little bit turned on.

The fucker had the nerve to wink. “See how easy it was to overpower you? Tell me, Shaw—do you have any idea how to turn the tables and get free of my hold? Sure, this is me right now, but if it was someone else? This is why you need protection.”

Without stopping to think it through, I acted on impulse. Grabbing his head, I pulled him forward as I leaned in to close the distance and kissed him hard. My cock came to full attention when the kiss got away from me. Frustration turned to passion somewhere along the way and I forgot what I was doing for a few. While our tongues danced against each other, Nick eased up on his hold to run a hand lightly along my side. Despite my racing heart and aching cock, the moment I felt the touch of his hand, I remembered my half-assed idea that had gotten me here.

Gotcha.

Breaking the kiss, I quickly ducked under his arm and whipped open my driver’s door, slipping into the car while he stood there with a dumbfounded look on his face. I started the car, then cracked the window just enough to slip my hand out to flip him off.

I followed the gesture with a little taunting. “Tell me, Nick. Was that distraction a good enough tool to get free? Piss off. I’m neither your charity case nor your ward to protect. I’m a man, Nick. A man who can take care of his own shit. Have a good evening!”

I glanced into the rearview mirror and grinned when I saw that he stood gaping after me as I drove off. I would call the points Shaw: one, Nick: zero—except for the fact that I was driving away with tingling lips and a throbbing cock. Talk about a plan backfiring.

As an avid reader and big romance fan myself, I love sharing the stories of the different people who live in my imagination. My stories are filled with humor, a few tears, and the underlying message to not give up hope, even in the darkest of times, because life can change on a dime when you least expect it. This theme comes from a lifetime of lessons learned on my own hard journey through the pains of poverty, the loss of more loved ones than I’d care to count, and the struggles of living through chronic illnesses. Life can be hard, but it can also be good! Through it all I’ve found that love, laughter, and family can make all the difference, and that’s what I try to bring to every tale I tell.

I’m a happily married mom with one snarky teenage boy, and three grown “kids of my heart.” I’m more widely known for my mpreg writings as Susi Hawke; this new name is a departure from that. Whether written by Susan or Susi, the books are filled with that all-important love, laughter, and family I mentioned; the only difference is that this name has no male pregnancy. I look forward to sharing my stories with you, and to bringing more romance and laughter into this world that needs it so very badly.

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