Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

Book Review

The Right One By Felice Stevens: New Release Review

by Leave a Comment

“Wrong never felt so right.”

Morgan Cantrell is a survivor. After running away from an abusive husband, he’s finally divorced and starting over, but it’s hard. Of course he doesn’t mean to set off the smoke detectors in the building or short out the electricity in his apartment. Mistakes happen. The last thing he wants is to draw the attention of his growly, moody-ass super. Every time they meet, it’s like oil and water—they just don’t mix.

Leo DeLuca learned at an early age that the people who are supposed to love you only hurt you. He’s happy to keep to himself, but the walking disaster of a new tenant in 5C won’t stop getting in his way and into his business. They can’t even speak to each other without arguing, but Leo has to admit—it’s kind of a turn on. That must be the reason why he can’t stop thinking about the guy in 5C. Or wanting to touch him. But hell, no. That would be a mistake.

One kiss leads to an explosive night both men fight to forget—after all, Leo has nothing in common with the sweet kindergarten teacher while Morgan is looking for a happily ever after he knows Leo can’t give. Yet it’s Morgan who Leo leans on to help deal with his painful past, and Leo is the key to unlocking Morgan’s inner strength.

Trusting someone is never easy, but it might be the only way they discover that everything they think is wrong about each other, could be everything that’s right.

*This book deals with domestic and verbal abuse and contains discussion of past traumatic events

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

I love a good angsty book. So that is my biggest complaint about this book- not angsty enough. Teehee

Morgan- innocent guy moves to the city from upstate New York. He is a kindergarten teacher who falls for and marries a high powered lawyer. Who turns into a husband beater. So when Morgan is able to escape in the middle of the night, he does. And spends a year crashing with friends. But it is time for his own place.

Off he goes to Brooklyn. I do love that it is set in Brooklyn. I don’t think the boroughs get enough rep.

Leo owns the building that Morgan rents an apartment from and acts as the super. Leo comes off as super grouchy, but I think he is just kind of quiet. He’s that guy who listens but doesn’t say a lot- especially about himself.

But Morgan wedges himself into Leo’s brain and they both can’t stop thinking about each other. But Morgan was hurt- literally and figuratively- by his last relationship and Leo is hurt by what should be an easy relationship- that with his mother.

They are classic opposites attract but it totally works for them. But really, they are just 2 regular guys. They work hard because they enjoy what they do, but they aren’t workaholics who want to just be rich. They are happy in their Brooklyn neighborhood.

For two guys with messed up pasts, they fit into each other’s lives perfectly.

4 pieces of eye candy

Show Me (Extracurricular Activities Book 3) by Neve Wilder: Exclusive Excerpt and New Release Review

by Leave a Comment

Two roommates. One camera. A whole lot of action. 

I get crushes the way some people get seasonal allergies.
And sharing a house with four hot roommates is like being stuck in permanent spring.
Too bad I keep getting friend-zoned.

But it’s senior year now, and I’m done pining for the impossible.
Time to live it up and go out with a bang.
Or a lot of bangs.

And I’m definitely, definitely not getting attached to anyone.
Especially not my straight, gym-loving, football-player roommate Sam whose impressively large… smile I caught a glimpse of once.
Or several times.

That’s why, when Sam asks me for help with a very special, very NSFW project so he can make a little cash, of course I agree. In the name of friendship.

And if it turns out that Sam’s more than just muscles—that he’s sweet, and smart, and a little bit filthy, and a whole lot less straight than I thought—well, that’s neither here nor there, because this time I’m gonna be smart. This time, I’m friend-zoning myself.

We’ve got a list of deliciously hot scenarios, a camera, and Sam’s huge… smile. What could possibly go wrong?

From the author of Want Me comes the third new adult college romance in the Extracurricular Activities series. Expect low angst, high heat, plenty of laughs, a flustered redhead, a gentle giant of a football player, and enough BDE to power a mid-size city.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Attending the palm prom. Beating the meat. Playing one-handed baseball. Tug-of-war with the Cyclops. Firing off knuckle children.

Whatever you wanted to call it, I had approximately twelve minutes to do it.

I speed-walked down one of the sidewalks that wound through campus, darting around disoriented freshmen and slow-moving upperclassmen in no hurry to get anywhere fast on the first day of fall semester.

I hit the Record button on my phone as I walked, keeping the camera angled down so I didn’t inadvertently capture any faces. It would be obvious by the shuffle of shoes on the sidewalk that I was out in public, though. Those were, hands down, my most popular videos and earned me the most in tips on my OnlyFans page.

Veering off the path, I headed toward an outbuilding I’d been scouting for the past two weeks as the summer semester had wound down. I always scouted before shooting, because while I was all over the extra cash, I definitely didn’t want indecent exposure on my record. All the sprints Coach had us do in practice had come in handy more than once.

The dew-damp grass tickled my ankles as I strode around the side of the little shack. I’d figured out during my covert ops that it housed a couple of riding mowers that campus maintenance usually broke out on Wednesdays. Since it was Thursday, I should be home free.

With one last glance at the sidewalk a few yards behind me, I slipped around to the backside where thick bushes stretched out to either side of the building, probably to make it look prettier.

It was perfect, though. Just enough privacy for me to do my thing while passing traffic remained visible through the tree limbs, giving my viewers the thrill factor they seemed to love. And, okay, maybe I got off on it, too. That had been one of those unexpected self-discoveries that I had absolutely no one to share with.

The rush was similar to what I felt on the football field, but with the added bonus of an orgasm.

Dropping my backpack next to the wall, I pulled my baseball cap down low and leaned my shoulder against the metal siding of the building. Then I shoved the waistband on my gym shorts down.

The first video I’d ever done had been on a whim while sitting at my desk in the dorms, and even though I’d been hard as a rock before starting, the second I’d clicked on the camera, my dick had deflated like a windsock.

Now it was an old pro, and my dick had started rising to the occasion the second I’d strayed into the grass. Hell, the buzz of voicexs and occasional shouts, yells, and bursts of laughter behind me got me harder. I wouldn’t have ever described myself as an exhibitionist or risk taker before, but it was funny what you could get used to—even into—after a while.

After pressing the button to start recording, I aimed the camera over my shoulder to give my subscribers a quick, blurry view of passersby through the trees, then aimed the phone down at my crotch as I stroked myself to full hardness.

Was it glamorous? Not particularly, but I couldn’t deny that I got a taboo thrill out of quietly getting off when there were masses of people nearby going about their business unaware.

Apparently my subscribers did, too. I’d puttered along doing solo videos in my bedroom or bathroom for a month before the whim had hit to mix it up and I ended up in a stairwell in the engineering building. The fifteen-second snippet I’d posted on Pornhub of me leaning against the stairwell railing, about to come while the door on the floor below swung open and a few students thundered downstairs, had gotten me more subscribers in twenty-four hours than I’d gotten all month with my desk chair jerks.

Closing my eyes briefly, I tried to focus, listening to the sounds behind me as I worked my dick. Sometimes I didn’t think about anything. Sometimes I mentally replayed a few trusty porn clips. Today, I queued up an old favorite of two footballers with a cheerleader. Trite, but whatever. It did the trick.

Precum leaked down my shaft, and I fought to keep my camera hand steady as I twisted over my head, spreading all the good stuff around and groaning helplessly as pleasure prickled through me when I rubbed my thumb back and forth over my slit.

Shooting a quick glance over my shoulder just to check all was good, I squinted at a slim-figured strawberry blond walking across the quad and slowed my pace.

Was that Jesse? Yeah, definitely Jesse walking with some other guy I didn’t know. The curly ends of his hair and profile were unmistakable.

I grinned, thinking about how surprised Jesse had been at Mark’s dad’s party when I’d handed him the napkin with John’s number on it. He could kiss my ass. I was a great wingman. Though I couldn’t really see him with John. Jesse was better-looking than John, and in my opinion, Jesse should be with someone who appreciated him more. I’d noticed John’s eyes straying toward other guys at least five times when he and Jesse had been talking.

Jesse threw his head back, laughing at something his friend said, and I jerked my attention back to my cock as fire spiked through my shaft and raced up my spine.

“Fuck,” I moaned out softly as I unloaded all over my fist. Damn, that one had snuck up on me unexpectedly.

I slicked my release all over my shaft and pumped into my fist, riding out the little lightning-bolt tremors that racked my shoulders, while hoping I hadn’t messed up the money shot when I’d gotten distracted.

I glanced over my shoulder again, but Jesse had moved out of sight.

For funsies a while ago I read the first book in the series. I think I started book 2, but I had to stop because I had ARC deadlines. I might go back and read it though.

Let me tell you- this book was fun. Just kind of silly, it doesn’t take itself seriously, their “acting” had my laughing out loud and at the same time it was kind of sweet and definitely hot.

The book even started with a flashback to freshman year that involved a cheating boyfriend and a dildo in the kitchen.

Jesse wants to be in love. But he is kind of over it right now. College has been fun, but since he was cheated on freshman year he’s a bit leary.

Sam the football player has been filming masturbation videos for a porn site to make some extra cash. He never shows his face or any identifying surroundings. Until he does and Jesse figures it out.

Sam is so nonchalant about so many things. Like, ya, masturbating for money, no big whoop. Jesse finds out, ok, no big deal. Jesse offers some tips, Sam can’t do it alone…and that is how Jesse becomes the Francis Ford Coppola of masturbation videos. It’s funny how he is all in. Directing, getting cool angles, etc.

One thing leads to another and seriously, what hot blooded gay man can watch another man wank without getting turned on?

The whole book was just fun and hot. No angst. Just a total college hottie beach read.

4 pieces of eye candy

Neve Wilder lives in the southern United States, where the summers are hot and the winters are…sometimes cold.

She reads promiscuously, across multiple genres, but her favorite stories always contain an element of romance. Incidentally, this is also what she likes to write. Slow-burners with delicious tension? Yes. Whiplash-inducing page-turners, also yes. And every flavor in between.

She believes that love conquers all. Except the heat index in July. Nothing can conquer that bastard.

For updates on new releases, giveaways, and other fun stuff, subscribe to her newsletter at:nevewilder.com/subscribe

Facebook Readers’ Group:facebook.com/groups/WildersWildOnes

Connect with Neve:
IG: @nevewilder
FB Page: facebook.com/nevewilderwrites
Website: https://www.nevewilder.com/

Nothing Special VIII: SWAT Ed.: Fox & Bull by A.E. Via: Blog Tour, Excerpt, New Release Review *2 and Giveaway

by Leave a Comment

A fox can set many traps to catch his target—but this one only needs one to catch his.

Dominic “Bull” Walker is used to the simpler things in life. Give him his own land to work, a strong horse, and twelve hours of daylight, and he is a contented man. But when someone threatens to take away the successful ranch that took him two years to rebuild, he’ll accept any help he can get to defend it.

Mandel “Fox” Tucker is a sixth-generation SWAT soldier. It’s embedded in his bones to protect and serve his community. So when he gets word of the vandalism occurring on the Walker Ranch, he quickly volunteers the free time he has, thanks to his recent suspension.

The brief visit Fox had with Bull four months ago had been a contentious—but powerful—encounter. Therefore, he’s not surprised when he shows up on his doorstep unannounced and has to pull out some of his best tricks to get past the six-foot-four, stubborn Texan.

Fox is only there to safeguard what’s most important to Bull. But being on the ranch brings an awareness to him that he embraces with both hands. Nature, peace… love—things he never found in the city.

This book contains the love story of two new characters. It is a part of a series but can be read as a standalone.
There are no multiple pairings or sharing. Ends in a very HEA.
Trigger Warning: Mild police violence. Scenes are not graphic.

Amazon US – Kindle Unlimited

Amazon UK – Kindle Unlimited

“Hey,” Fox said, staring up at him. “I’m going to find who did this…and when I do…I’m going to make ’em pay.”

Bull realized Fox was almost standing on top of him they were so close. But his aura exuded protectiveness and power that Bull needed whether he wanted to admit it or not. “I haven’t made any enemies, Fox. I’m not that kinda man. I don’t go looking for trouble.”

“You don’t have to, Bull. Sometimes trouble comes looking for you.”Fox nodded towards the house where a couple of Bull’s maintenance workers were tacking plywood over the missing window. “Let’s go inside and eat breakfast, then we can work out what you’re gonna tell your employees.”

“What do you mean?”

“Like. I don’t want you to tell anyone I’m a cop. Not yet anyway. It’s best to let people feel comfortable around me, and no one is ever comfortable talking to a detective,”Fox said. “We’ll just say I’m here doing land surveys. No one really knows what those guys do in that line of work. I think their job is to just walk around on land. Besides, you don’t want a small town spreading gossip that you got a detective snooping around your place of business.”

“That would definitely turn people off from bringing their kids around here. I can’t afford to lose any business right now. Especially during the cold season,”Bull said gravely. 

“Then let’s hope it doesn’t take me long.”Fox put his hand on Bull’s shoulder and squeezed, the firm, reassuring touch reaching him even through his thick black Carhartt coat. 

“Yeah. Let’s hope,”Bull muttered as he followed Fox back to the house because there was nothing else he could do. He’s only been here a few minutes, and he’s already talking about hurrying up. If that wasn’t enough for Bull to get his head out of the clouds, he didn’t know what would be. At thirty-three, Bull was in the settling-down phase of his life. And men like Fox were not catchable.

We, as a fandom, have been eagerly awaiting this book. The sparks between Fox and Bull were just too hot to ignore.

Most of Ms Via’s books- especially involving the SWAT guys or the guys from narcotics- are action packed roller coasters. This one is tame by comparison. But it works because this story is 99.8% set on Bull’s ranch.

Fox volunteers to check out the ranch after he is benched at work again. Also handy since he has had the hots for Bull since he met him.

Instead of our usual cast of characters, this time we get Bull’s father, their housekeeper, Bull’s best friend, and other random ranch hands.

Don’t worry. God and Day and the others make more than one appearance. But Atlanta PD is not the main focus here.

Instead the focus is on Fox and Bull dancing around each other, figure out who is vandalizing the ranch and Fox figuring out where he belongs.

The heat was NOT turned down at all in this book compared to others. Ms Via can write a sex scene as well as she can write an action scene. Both keep you glued to the pages.

If you are a fan, you’ll definitely want to read. And this really can be read as a stand alone, but going back to book 1 is not a waste of time at all.

4 pieces of eye candy

Sighhhh, I love all of them. I’m always ready for more of this series!

You know how you’re waiting for something for a long time and then you finally get it and then you’re kinda scared of it because you want it to be everything you hyped it up to be but are scared it won’t be? Yeah… this isn’t like that. This was well worth the wait and definitely worth the read.

I’ve been intrigued by Fox and Bull since we were first introduced to them and I loved getting to know them both better in this one. I’m going to try to be as spoiler free as I can because I got in a little bit of trouble in my last review and I don’t want to do that again lol

So, first, Fox and Bull had already known each other and I like the meet again scenario that’s a little different in this book. I also really dig a hot cop and a cowboy because uhmm, duh. Why are we not funding more of this?

I absolutely adored Fox, though my heart hurt for him and all he’d been through and put up with to get where he was. I loved Bull for being this sort of safe place for him.

I loved catching up with some of the rest of the guys, even though I was a little torn with my normally unwavering love for God in this one. I didn’t think that could ever happen, but jeez, what a jerk (this is not the first name I called him but it’s the one safest for my review LOL) I can see where he was coming from, the tiniest bit, but I really felt like he was trying to come in between these two and I really didn’t like that. It clouded my opinion of him slightly, though I still love him so… ya know…

Sidenote: I did not like Dale. I’m not fond of love triangles and I was worried that this one would be. It wasn’t, thankfully, but I still wasn’t a fan of him.

I like the way things progressed here, it was a slow burn, and I feel like it was what both of them needed because both were afraid of getting hurt. I loved their witty banter (especially Fox and Dale) and how fun it was watching them learn to trust each other and slowly give in to their feelings for one another.

It was really sweet as much as it was dirty and sexy and all the other fun words that you expect from Queen V. (Can we call her that? I think that should be a thing)

Anyway… I’m not sure that anyone will ever top Ruxs and Green for me, but these two were entertaining, sweet, heartbreaking, funny and I was really rooting for them. I liked that there wasn’t a lot of angst and though there was drama, it wasn’t enough to make me think that they wouldn’t come out together in the end. I loved the ending and other than a brief wtf moment from God, it was perfect!

A great addition to an already amazing series that I cannot wait to start all over and re-read them again!

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. 

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

Ponyboy (The Braided Crop Ranch Book 2) by AE Lister: RB, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

by Leave a Comment

Owen Lipke is looking for adventure. When he hears about a ranch in the Muskokas catering to kinky men who don’t want to settle for backroom amateurs, he signs up in a second.

At the Braided Crop Ranch, Owen finds what he’s looking for: A sex-positive space with safety protocols and Doms (trainers) who know their business. And a stable full of well-behaved ponyboys to prove it.

Owen thinks his trainer, Kamal, is hot as hell but finds being a ponyboy isn’t as intuitive as he expected. As he struggles to learn the basics of equine pet play under the firm hand of his trainer, he finds himself falling for the experienced older man.

And perhaps Kamal is developing a thing for the young, adventurous newcomer. But there are rules about fraternizing with staff at the ranch. And Owen wonders if it’s wise to fall in love with the pragmatic trainer who unravels him layer by layer to expose his deepest needs and most secret proclivities.

But perhaps wisdom is overrated. And maybe the rewards of adventure are only achieved when you abandon caution and take a huge leap of faith.

Title:  Ponyboy

Series: The Braided Crop Ranch

Author: AE Lister

Publisher:  NineStar Press

Release Date: 04/12/2021

Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male, Male/Male Menage

Length: 71200

Genre: Contemporary BDSM, LGBTQIA+, BDSM, pony play, puppy play, cowboys, entertainment, sex toys, menage, rewards, punishments, insta-love, voyeurism

Amazon

Nine Star Press

Goodreads

Shadows and dim lighting made the inside of the club appear deceptively edgy. The Stocks boasted a selection of the most overrated brews and clientele in the city, in my opinion. But this particular club was one of the few places I could go to try to find the kind of man I was looking for.

“Hey, Lipke, what are you doing here again?” Sandro smiled, clapping a hand on my shoulder and taking the stool next to me. “I thought you had the real deal? You know, a nice cozy apartment with your man.”

“We broke up,” I said, staring at the bar and trying not to let the fact I didn’t feel much disappointment about the end of my relationship bother me.

“Ah, shit, that’s too bad,” Sandro replied, but I saw a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes as he motioned to the bartender. “Hey, a drink for my buddy here, Paulo.” He turned back. “What are you having, Owen?”

I shook my head and tossed the dark hair out of my eyes. It was getting way too long in front. I’d been meaning to get it cut, but I was so unmotivated to do anything these days. “Thanks, but I’m hoping for some action tonight.”

I never trolled for Doms with alcohol in my system. I’d learned that lesson a long time ago.

“How about a Coke, then?”

“Okay, sure. Thanks.”

He was trying to butter me up because he wanted to hook up. He’d tried with me before, but I had been in a relationship that didn’t allow for “extras” so I’d had an excuse to turn him down.

“A Coke for Owen, please. And a ginger ale for me,” he said, throwing a tenner on the bar.

“Thanks,” I said again, looking Sandro over and wondering if he could give me what I wanted.

He wasn’t a bad-looking guy; a little heavier in the gut, but it worked for him. He had a decent “Daddy” vibe going on and appeared to be pushing forty. Maybe he had the experience to give me something…more. Something solid and demanding and ruthless.

The Stocks was an underground fetish bar, where I’d come innumerable times to find the type of hook-up I was after. But anyone I’d ever gone home or played downstairs with, had disappointed. It wasn’t operating on the down-low. The club was literally underground, which made it even darker and dingier inside than most places—almost claustrophobic.

Everyone played games. That was often the point with fetish and BDSM, and a lot of guys were perfectly happy with that. But I was tired and bored with it all.

I’d had a connection with Simon, my ex, but even he couldn’t give me what I wanted in the end. I couldn’t define that particular desire but I knew I hadn’t fulfilled it—ever.

At night I’d dream about a Master who took total control, put me in my place easily and perfunctorily, without a thought to my comfort, yet took care of my needs like they were his own. This mystery man became a shadowy, elusive presence in my waking world. I’d never encountered an actual human being who could measure up to the Dom in my dreams. Maybe no one ever would.

Maybe I should make the most of what I could get, here and now.

This is the second book in the series, and I enjoyed this one much more than the first. The first book didn’t quite work on the romance level for me. Meanwhile, Ponyboy really hit a lot of high notes in the romance department, especially for a specific genre such as bdsm, with pony and puppy play. Not all bdsm books need to be romances, and certainly not all romances need (or should be) bdsm. That being said, if you are going to do a bdsm romance, it needs to feel like there is a romance happening, and not just sex for the sake of showing bdsm. The first book didn’t do that, but it didn’t hit romance touchpoints for me. Ponyboy definitely had a much more romantic feel to it.

I also really enjoyed seeing Owen find and discover something about himself that he had no idea he was looking for. He had never seen or experienced pony play, but as soon as he moved into the arena (pun intended) it felt natural to him. He wanted to be the best pony Kamal had ever had.

Meanwhile the romance between Owen and Kamal flowed naturally. They just found a connection, and small things along the way that worked for them. Whether it was discovering puppy play was a thing they enjoyed, to Owen being a bit of a smart ass, to even spending time out in nature. Their relationship evolved, which any and all relationships should.

Their communication was on point. They talked (when Owen was able to speak 🙂 ) and had discussions about what was right for them, in both bdsm, as well as their lives. And they disagreed, and still found a way to each other.

**small spoiler** There isn’t necessarily “cheating”. However, some readers do not want their MC’s having any sort of sex with others, and there was definitely some of that going on in the book.

Overall, a good portrayal of a part of bdsm not often seen in books.

4 pieces of eye candy

AE Lister/Elizabeth Lister is a Canadian non-binary author with a vivid imagination and a head full of unique and interesting characters. They have published many other books, one of which (Beyond the Edge) received an Honorable Mention from the National Leather Association–International for excellence in SM/Leather/Fetish writing.

Author Links

Website: https://www.aelister.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aelister.elizabethlister/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lizbethlister

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Holding onto Light by Lucien Grey: Release Day Review

by Leave a Comment

Two strangers running from their dark pasts find redemption in each other.

Harry, a former army doctor, lives in isolation after the devastating war between Rasacara and the Empire came to a bloody and violent conclusion. His lonely life is disrupted by a young, beautiful man surrounded by secrets and suspicion, who would likely destroy Harry if he knew who he was.

Kit, former member of the witch army’s Blue Crows, now on the run from his former master, must keep his identity a secret as his enemy is closing in and Harry, the gruff, mysterious woodsman, is all that stands between him and the man who wants him dead.

Forced together by Kit’s injuries, the two lonely men find comfort in each other, both scarred by the darkness of their pasts, but when Kit’s enemy catches up with him, they are forced to fight, revealing to each other the evils both of them have committed, and testing the strength of their new, fledgling love.

Amazon

Pride Publishing

The background to Holding Onto Light is an aftermath of a terrible war that happened some years previously. In this world magic users were harnessed by the leaders and used to war against their enemies. They are hunted out now by a magic-wielding secret police type group now and most live hidden in fear. This group has the power to “bind” magic users so they cannot use their powers or are forced to use it against their will.

An embittered ex soldier–Harry–is living his life in solitude because of his actions that brought about the end of the war. (I have to remain vague and unspoilery.) He worked as a medic during the war, but he has a large dark force of magic inside him that he struggles to contain for fear he will hurt someone.

Our second MC–Kit–has a different and quite unique use for magic, but he is on the run from the same group.
The group captures them both and tries to use one to force the other into welding magic.

I loved the unique twist on the magic, the story setting and the characters had so much potential.

My only niggle is that the whole story was based on mistakes that were made in this war many years ago, and its aftermath, and sense of punishment or retribution carried on through the whole book. The story kept me engaged to read it in one sitting, but I was still left with the feeling that neither Harry or Kit ever really forgave themselves or each other.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Garden of Cupid (Love’s Bloom) By Elizabeth Hollows: New Release Review and Giveaway

by Leave a Comment

Will doesn’t want a relationship. Blain isn’t looking for a boyfriend. But with an old lady playing Cupid, how can they ignore a chance at love?

Will Brewer is a shy artist living with only his cat for company. He’s not good with people and even worse with relationships. He isn’t looking for a boyfriend. He just wants to paint. In fact, he would happily be living the life of a hermit if his eighty-year-old neighbor, Mrs. O’Grady, wasn’t constantly roping him into tasks around her house.

And he isn’t the only one she’s preying on.

The new and gorgeous mechanic Blain Stewart has just moved in next door. Where Will feels like an awkward fool around Blain, the mechanic finds him adorable.

Blain has just ended a bad long-term relationship with a high-maintenance man who didn’t understand him. He feels like he’s starting all over again and he’s hesitant for his fresh start to include the talented and charming Will.

But when Mrs. O’Grady asks them to plant some flowers in her garden, the tension between them skyrockets.

They both think friendship would be safer than a new romance. But when attraction, connection and an enthusiastic old lady are pushing them together, can they resist?

Amazon

Pride Publishing

Goodreads

This novella is part of the Love’s Bloom collection by Pride Publishing, focused around spring time, and this one hit that right on the head. The main characters are conned (in the sweetest way possible) into planting the flower garden of a sweet little old lady who was doing her best to play Cupid, and it worked. These main characters fell in love immediately.

I did love the characters, and for a novella, we got great background on both of them. The reader learned a lot about their lives, both past and present. Both were sweet, caring men, who really wanted to be themselves, and ended up finding their loves. The characteristics that made it difficult to find their right person, were part of what drew them to the other man.

And of course, their Cupid was slightly diabolical, and awesome. She was determined to get these two men together, and did it as sweetly and nonchalantly as possible.

My biggest issue with this story, although you have to give grace to the fact that it is a novella was that this was super insta-love. The MC’s both didn’t want to have a relationship, didn’t want to date, etc. Yet, had a date within a few hours, and basically were at “I love you” the following day. A bit quick for me.

All in all, though, cute and sweet.

3 pieces of eye candy

Elizabeth Hollows is an Australian writer of LGBT love stories specializing in homosexual or lesbian romance.

Her preferred genres are fantasy, science fiction and contemporary/modern.

She has been writing since she was twelve, but has spent the last few years writing romance stories and discovering a passion for LGBT romance.

When Elizabeth is not writing she embroiders, reads and plots her next novel. She is a fan of the winter months and always has a book in her handbag and a cup of tea nearby.

You can find Elizabeth at her website here – https://www.elizabethsromances.com/

https://www.firstforromance.com/index.phproute=product/author/info&author_id=11740

Enter to win a fabulous gift package and get a First For Romance Gift Card!

Love’s Bloom Giveaway – https://upvir.al/113008/lp113008

THE LOVE’S BLOOM AUTHORS ARE GIVING AWAY THIS FABULOUS PRIZE TO ONE LUCKY WINNER. ENTER HERE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A LOVELY GIFT PACKAGE AND GET A FIRST FOR ROMANCE GIFT CARD! Notice: This competition ends on 20TH April 2021 at 5pm GMT. Competition hosted by Totally Entwined Group.