Book Review

The Loner (The Vers Podcast Book 1) by Riley Hart: Release Day Review

January 24, 2023 by Denise

Declan
As a founding member of The Vers, a queer podcast I host with my three best friends, I’m The Loner—quieter than the others, and except for them, I don’t let myself get too close to people. Most of them just let you down anyway, or maybe it’s just that something about me chases people away.

Infrequent, no-strings-attached hookups have always worked for me. Who knew my favorite one would become such a popular movie star? But Sebastian Cole and I made it work, meeting up whenever he was in Santa Monica and in the mood—until he called it off when he got a serious boyfriend. A boyfriend he later found in bed with another man.

Now Sebastian is back in California, taking a break from acting. He needs a friend, and for whatever reason, he decides that should be me. We’ve known each other intimately for years, and yet we’ve never spent much time together with our clothes on. When he starts taking me places, it feels suspiciously like dates…and surprisingly, I like it.

Despite our differences, Sebastian’s lonely, like me. The more we hang out, the more I realize I’ll never get enough of him.

A loner dating a celebrity doesn’t make much sense. I don’t know how to be someone’s boyfriend, let alone be in the public eye. But to call him mine, I’ll need to leave the past behind and finally allow myself to move forward with him.

The Loner is an opposites attract romance about a movie star rethinking his career and a bar owner/podcast host who isn’t fond of most people. Expect Southern California sun, swoon, found family and once-in-a-lifetime friendships.

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What a great start to a new series. AND because there are 4 best friends, we kind of don’t have to wonder who is going to get their HEA next.

The series starts with Declan. Ten years ago a hook up turned into a semi regular hookup. Declan was a bartender and Sebastian was an actor trying to make it. Which he did. But still had semi regular hookups with Declan because being out in Hollywood doesn’t necessarily mean being OUT. Eventually they drifted apart because Sebastian got a Hollywood approved boyfriend.

And 10 years later he walks into Declan’s bar once again. This time, Declan is the owner.

I loved Sebastian. Hoe he got to do what he loved, but he was also questioning if that was all he wanted to do. Realizing that friendship can be fickle when you become a celebrity. And being a homogenized Hollywood version of “acceptable gay” really kind of sucks.

Rattling around his big house he figures out that he really doesn’t have friends. Which, really, I can totally see happening. Starting life as a closeted gay person doesn’t lead to a lot of lifelong friendships. So when people then wanted to be his friend, it wasn’t necessarily for the right reason.

Declan has friends. Exactly 3 and that was enough for him. But Sebastian convinces him to be his friend. And with that, they end the sexual side of their relationship. Declan is a grumpy Gus who doesn’t want to be wooed by Sebastian’s charms. The problem is, Sebastian doesn’t even realize how charming he is.

So they do the dude bro thing and hang out, grill, drink beer, etc. Friends. But the more they get to know each other, the more the friend thing blurs.

But that is one of the things I really liked about it. That they had TEN YEARS of being hook up buddies who knew practically nothing about each other. And getting to know each other lets them each mature a bit past thinking only with their small heads.

Declan’s 3 best friends are fun too. Their dynamic is a little bit overboard for me with the way they constantly mock each other. But that seems to be when all 4 are together. When Declan is with just Parker, his bestest best friend, they are way more real. I want to see more real with the 4 guys. And stop calling each other stupid names. It’s like they revert back to being 15.

Anyway. The romantic love relationship between Sebastian and Declan was very organic. It made sense what they were doing and the path they were headed down. AND without the big, cliché misunderstanding that leads to a break up thing. That’s so tired.

I’d love to see more of these guys. Partly because we didn’t get to see them together while Sebastian was working. That will be an interesting dynamic.

Looking forward to the other three guys finding their happiness.

4 pieces of eye candy

Twilight Heist by Katherine McIntyre: RB, Release Day Review

January 20, 2023 by Denise

Heist rule number two? Never fall for a lone wolf.

A blast from Tuck’s circus past draws Tuck and the charming lone-wolf hacker, Leo, into a dizzying web of passion, secrets, and betrayal.

When the circus comes calling, Tuck is helpless to the lure, and this time, his old troupe’s in trouble. Their attempt to leave Reynauld Industries ended with a hit on them, courtesy of the deadly mercenary group, the Stockyard. Tuck can’t sit idly by, and as the resident stealth operator for the Outlaws, he’s in a unique position to help.

Leo’s a lone wolf hacker, and no amount of his best friend’s pleading, Tuck’s flirty smiles, or interesting jobs will sway him into working with the Outlaws. At least, until they land this one. After growing up in the hellish Stockyard, he’s wanted to take them down for years, and this is the Holy Grail of opportunities. Only problem? The Outlaws can never know about his history with them.

When Leo and Tuck start working together, a chemistry emerges that neither of them can deny. Leo’s mantra of “one and done” falters the moment Tuck shows him a care and steadfastness he’s never experienced before, and the more time they spend with each other, the more he doesn’t want to give up the first man he’s started to fall for. However, if the Outlaws discover his past or the Stockyard finds him first, Leo will end up one of the bloated corpses they’ve left lining the Chicago River.

Title: Twilight Heist

Author: Katherine McIntyre

Genre: M/M Romantic Suspense

Series: Outlaws #2

Release Date: January 19, 2023

Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing

Cover Designer: BookSmith Design

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Midnight Heist (Book 1)

Twilight Heist is book 2 in the Outlaws series. Although it can be read as a standalone, I would recommend book 1, Midnight Heist first. This author has such a great gift for storytelling, and her backlist covers quite a few different genres, so if you are in the mood after this, grab some others. (I definitely recommend checking out the Chesapeake Days series.)

In this book, we learn a lot more about Tuck, and his backstory. As a tightrope walker it helped his ability to move carefully and quietly, and was out for revenge. Meanwhile, Leo, the hacker, is essential to the operation, and himself is out for his own revenge. They definitely had some issues to work through on their way towards their happy ending. Trust is a two way street, and when it’s broken, quite difficult to get back.

Lots of action in this series, and this one packs quite a bit in. However, as always with this author, character development is so well done. You really begin to understand the motives behind their actions, even as they work toward their happy ending.

Well written, and filled with emotions amongst all the action.

4 pieces of eye candy

Katherine McIntyre is a feisty chick with a big attitude despite her short stature. She writes stories featuring snarky women, ragtag crews, and men with bad attitudes—and there’s an equally high chance for a passionate speech thrown into the mix. As an eternal geek and tomboy who’s always stepped to her own beat, she’s made it her mission to write stories that represent the broad spectrum of people out there, from different cultures and races to all varieties of men and women.

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Rocky Start: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 4) by Annabeth Albert: New Release Review

January 19, 2023 by Denise

. .

I think I’m falling for my bodyguard co-worker. Now I need protection… from myself.

As a former SEAL intelligence officer, I’m supposed to be smart. Unfortunately, those smarts don’t apply to love. I did a nice thing and took my heartbroken fellow bodyguard out for a Valentine’s dinner. Just us bros. But my plan worked a little too well, and a night that ended with a scorching kiss has turned into the most awkward morning at the office ever. Now we’re working together as bodyguards on a remote mountain movie shoot. And we’re roommates.

I’ve never been attracted to a guy before, but something about Avery calls to every protective instinct I have. We’re not dating, but every night alone together, I fall a little deeper. It’s also Avery’s first time with a guy too, and while we’re both enjoying all sorts of new things together, I worry my heart will be broken when we return to civilization.

No matter how badly this may end, I can’t seem to stop wanting Avery. All of him. I want to see who he’ll become if he ever manages to get out of his own way. I want to be his biggest cheerleader, best friend, and the guy he comes home to. But going from secret hookup to forever after is a big ask. Are we both brave enough to take the leap?

ROCKY START is book four in the A-List Security series. It features TWO highly protective SEAL bodyguards, a double awakening, an exploration of the sexy, lacy kind, and all sorts of brand-new emotions. Get ready for all the high heat, big feels, and found family feels readers expect from this fan-favorite military romance author. Join A-List Security for this lower-angst series featuring former SEALs and celebrity clients. Happy endings and no cliffhangers guaranteed!

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Tough Luck: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 1)

Hard Job: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 2)

Bad Deal: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 3)

This book was not quite what I was expecting. One of several things you can count on with an Annabeth Albert book is fantastic characters. Quite often she writes military, and this book is, as the rest in the series is former military. But the characters? Not at all what I was expecting, and I found I enjoyed that more!

Avery was quite the interesting character. A bit clueless in a way that made you laugh. Having lost his arm during his time in the military, it would be easy to think that he has little self esteem due to that, but really it was due to a lot of internalized homophobia, and watching him work his way out of it, with the help of Malik was fascinating. It wasn’t instant, it was one compliment at a time, one cuddle at a time, one reaction from Malik at a time, even every time he looked in the mirror and saw himself looking sexy. Avery learned to love himself at the same time he was learning to love Malik.

Malik, so perfectly represented by the cover model, was not only a sweet man, but one who clearly cherished his partners in all things. He didn’t just buy Avery sweet and sexy things, he worked to make Avery believe in himself, as much as in them as a couple. Even with his PTSD, he was so giving to others, Avery, his mother, other vets suffering following their service.

Both men had only been with women, so this is a bit of a bi/gay awakening for them both, but honestly it was hard to see how they would have worked with anyone else. Malik stood beside Avery as he took the nearly crippling step of standing up to his family, and telling his mother flat out that he was gay.

This is a VERY steamy book, but not overdone. The sex scenes in the book were well placed, and really helped to forge the path that Avery was going down of learning he was loved, sexy and wanted. Also, I laughed when he admitted at one point that he was a bit of drama.

Not just a happy ending for the couple, but a happy ending for each of the men in their own right, learning what brought each of them joy and passion, outside of their budding relationship. Their relationship flowed seamlessly from co-workers to friends to friends with benefits to lovers, and never felt forced.

The author mentions that she wrote this during a time of extraordinary grief in her life, and it is so obvious how much passion she poured into this couple as she dealt with such a major event. This was a saving grace for her, clearly, and it shows as you read it.

I enjoyed these two so much. Worth every minute, and a re-read.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

His eliXXir (Men of New York Book 2) by L.J. Harris: New Release Review

January 18, 2023 by Denise

Trey Winters had always been a user. So arrogant and self-centered. Being co-owner of eliXXir, one of the highest profile clubs in Hell’s Kitchen meant he never failed to attract the hottest men around and toss them aside after one encounter. Trey had a life most would envy. One he reveled in, until a mystery man crossed his path one Valentine’s Day, complicating matters both in and outside the bedroom.

He didn’t want to want him.
Didn’t want to need him.
But fate, it would seem, had other ideas.

Noah Middleton craved to express himself the only way he knew how. Reach his full potential, chronic illness be damned. Accepting a place at a prestigious New York dance academy might have made his goal so close he could taste it, but after admitting to his best friend he’d been unable to stop thinking about the beautiful stranger he’d met on his last visit, said friend took it upon himself to play Cupid.

The man was irresistible.
A temptation like no other.
And for Noah, that was the scariest part of all.

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This is a new to me author. But it was listed that it can be read as a stand alone and one of the main characters is a dancer. That’s catnip for me.

Sadly, the story was disjointed and lacking.

I’m not sure if Noah’s age was mentioned, but I assume mid 20’s based on the fact that he has a college degree. So getting a scholarship to a dance school was a bit on the odd side. And then, we rarely see him dancing. Except in a club for fun.

The time line jumps ahead often. Two weeks later, two months later. For two men who obviously want each other but are holding back, that is a lot of story we aren’t getting.

90% of the book they aren’t together. It just makes no sense. If I am reading a romance, I want some, yanno, romance.

On top of that all of the cliche things that make me want to bang my head on my desk. Calling himself whipped because he wants to make his not boyfriend happy? The nickname twinkle toes. Having sex to “get it out of their systems”. And one of my favorites, teeth so sharp that they bite through a lip causing it to bleed, but they just carry on like nothing.

There’s also a back story with one of the main characters, Trey, that comes to a really easy resolution. I was like, that’s it?

Ugh, sorry. But give this one a pass.

2.5 pieces of eye candy

Rocky Start: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 4) by Annabeth Albert: Release Day Review

January 12, 2023 by Denise

. .

I think I’m falling for my bodyguard co-worker. Now I need protection… from myself.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Tough Luck: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 1)

Hard Job: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 2)

Bad Deal: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 3)

Well. Damn. **Fans self**

I’ve been a fan of Annabeth Albert for a long time and I am fairly certain I have read all of her books. This one is by far the sexiest. There were several- huh, wasn’t expecting that but yes!- moments. Which just kept me turning the pages.

Oh and the cover model? If that isn’t Malik, I don’t know who is.

This is a double awakening for this couple. Both had only ever been with women. Avery is that poor shlub that tries too hard, it seems, with women, only to be dumped again and again. Malik isn’t a serial dater and doesn’t do casual. Having come out of a long term relationship, he is fine on his own.

Avery has A LOT of internalized homophobia. Enough to beat himself up and make Malik mad. Before Malik is able to smooth his feathers. Good thing since they are on an assignment together in Colorado. And rooming together.

Like the previous books, both guys are vets. Avery lost an arm and Malik has some crippling PTSD. And while Avery sometimes feels sorry for himself, I think it’s really so that Malik will boost him up.

Watching Avery come into his own was kind of beautiful. And once he is fully accepting of himself- wow.

Like I said at the beginning, there were places this book went that I wasn’t expecting. BUT they were absolutely perfect. So well written. Not over the top at all. Very real and organic.

I savored this book, not wanting to rush through it. Avery and Malik deserved that attention.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Spring Strings by Lily Morton: Blog Tour, Excerpt, Audiobook Review and Giveaway

January 10, 2023 by Denise

. .

Malachi Booth is a supermodel. He’s used to moving about the world, sleeping with whoever takes his fancy and watching the money roll in. The last place he expects to find himself is on a run-down farm in Cornwall, but a bad bout of bronchitis means that he’s stuck there. The only compensation for this dismal state of affairs is that the farmer is very good looking, even if he’s the grumpiest person that Malachi has ever met.  

Cadan Landry’s farm has been in his family for hundreds of years but that doesn’t make it any easier to make ends meet. As a consequence, Cadan could be called grumpy. Most men would consider a supermodel collapsing at their feet while dressed in the skimpiest pair of briefs ever made to be a sign of good fortune. Cadan just resents the fact that the young man is taking up space in his cow field.  

These two men are from different worlds, but can they ever meet in the middle?   

From bestselling author Lily Morton comes a novella about snarky models, misconceptions, and finding a home in the most unlikely of places. 

Spring Strings
By Lily Morton

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Audible

Goodreads

“There’s no need for a hospital. It isn’t pneumonia yet, and I’ve given him something to make him sleep. I’ll also give you a prescription for some very strong antibiotics. He needs plenty of sleep and taking care of. He’s very run down.” He huffs and pats his big belly. “Damn good job I wasn’t a model. I’d have collapsed if I was as thin as that lad in there.”

I try hard to repress the image of Doctor Samuels modelling the very tiny underpants that the model called Malachi was wearing. “And sure

ly he’ll get that care in a hospital,” I say with emphasis.

He shakes his head. “Cadan, I’m not sending him to hospital. He needs rest and then fresh air and feeding up.”

“Have you somehow got mixed up and forgotten that I run a farm and not Champneys health spa? I can’t have him here. I’ve got too much to do.”

A look of disappointment crosses his face, and I resist the impulse to shuffle from one leg to the other like I’m once again the child he used to see and give lollipops to. “Cadan, your mother would have a fit if she heard about your lack of hospitality. We look after our own in Cornwall.”

“But he isn’t our own,” I argue. “He’s somebody else’s own. I don’t know whose. Maybe Yves Saint Laurent.”

So, I did not read the ebook when it came out. I meant to, but just didn’t get to it. However, I’ve seen a lot of the newsletters that Lily Morton has sent out with Mal’s podcast, and loved his snark, so grabbing this audiobook, with the bonus of Joel Leslie’s amazing voice…that was an easy call.

I just loved Mal. He wasn’t the typical super model, instead being snarky and helping around the farm, with lambing, etc. He just made me laugh.

Cadan, meanwhile, was serious and hard-working, but still gave back the snark just as hard. He had a heavy burden with the finances of the farm, but was willing to work as hard as he needed to, to get ahead.

These two very different men found a lot of similarities together, and both had the same work ethic, work as hard as you can whenever you can.

Cadan’s mother was fantastically written, a flawed person who loved with her whole heart one time, then kept trying to find that magic. Yet, she immediately loved Mal, and knew he would be perfect for Cadan.

I enjoyed this one a lot, and would love to listen to it again, for any little things I might have missed.

4 pieces of eye candy.

Lily is a bestselling gay romance author. She writes love stories filled with heat and humour.

She lives in sunny England with her husband and two children, all of whom claim that they haven’t had a proper conversation with her since she got her Kindle.

Lily has spent her life with her head full of daydreams, and decided one day to just sit down and start writing about them. In the process she discovered that she actually loved writing, because how else would she get to spend her time with hot and funny men?

She loves chocolate and Baileys and the best of all creations – Chocolate Baileys.