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

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

Book Review

Underdog (In Vino Veritas) by L.A. Witt: Audiobook Review, Narration by Nick J. Russo

October 14, 2022 by Denise

.                             .

Life in foster care wasn’t easy. Life after prison? Unforgiving. But I’m determined to stay out of trouble, and I’m gaining a foothold on the closest I’ve ever known to normal.

Then, thanks to a pair of escape artist dogs from the sanctuary where I’ve found work, I cross paths with my boss’s neighbor, Ty Adams. He’s a horse trainer, and winter is his quiet season. It’s also the season when he gets restless and lonely—two things I know all about. He’s not interested in love or romance. I’m just happy someone’s interested in me at all, even if emotions are strictly forbidden.

When we’re not together, I’m thinking about him. When we are together… Well, I’m definitely thinking about what he does to me and what I want to do with him.

As we keep each other warm through the Vermont winter, this feels a lot more than physical. Somehow he soothes my pain, and I wonder if I’m touching something deep inside him too. But Ty won’t let himself love anyone. I never had a chance. And now, with my past closing in, I could lose the one man I hoped I could count on. The one I thought might be different.

When his present and my history collide, is it too much to hope he’ll choose me?

CW: Sick horse and a minor accident involving a horse—no animal deaths or serious injuries/illnesses.

Audible – Narrated by Nick J. Russo

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

First, this is not a short book/audiobook. I mean let’s face it, L.A. Witt doesn’t really write short books, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. It tops out around 400 pages in the ebook, and 12 hours on the audiobook, and not one ounce of filler in there. Zero. So, plan to be engaged the entire way! I know I was.

What can I say? Landon got ALL the love from me. A really good guy (c’mon he loved animals so much!) who thanks to a really cr@ppy childhood grew up and got himself into a lot of trouble, multiple times, until he was locked up for nearly 10 years. It’s hard to imagine how someone can not come out of something like that completely changed. And to see how many people questioned him, shunned him, assumed that he was always up to his “old ways”. He took each of those blows to heart, but tried to be so forgiving, and understanding of them, that this is what he felt he deserved and always would. Yet he treated each one of those animals like they were precocious children and gave them all the love he had in him. It was hard not to love Landon from the first page.

Ty was also a really good guy, very dedicated to his career, so much so that he never saw it coming that he and Landon were just going to continue on the path toward each other. It was honestly a little funny how he kept denying it, and explaining it away as two friends just having great sex, denying it to himself as much as he did to Landon. This guy could not get out of his own head. But he quickly began to see Landon not as a friends with benefits situation, but as someone who he could depend on, and learn to incorporate into his life.

There was one thing that Ty did that, while I understood why he did it, and honestly would have likely done it myself in that situation, I was bothered that he didn’t end up telling Landon about it. I would have liked to have seen that level of honesty from Ty. But it didn’t change the course of the book, and likely wouldn’t have changed their relationship in the long run.

I will admit I cried more than once at the treatment of Landon, who just wanted to get his life on track, to put his head down and work. Meanwhile so many people would not give him a chance. It was heartbreaking. And yet, I would imagine so realistic to those who are coming to the outside after incarceration.

The knowledge given to the reader/listener about the horse world was not overwhelming, but definitely enough to make sure you knew what was going on. And with all the different personalities in the different animals, it just made it that much more fun to read.

I don’t often re-read/re-listen to books, but this one will definitely hit that list. Now that my heart isn’t in my throat wondering about the HEA (which this author always gives…but it was hard sometimes to see it coming!)

Narrator Nick J. Russo, does another fantastic job with character voices. I always appreciate a narrator who can give multiple voices to his characters, and being able to tell who was who based on voice is a talent. He did a great job of this. I enjoy his narration every time I get the chance to listen, and I will be listening to this one again!

Story: 4.5 pieces of eye candyNarration: 4 pieces of eye candy

Filed Under: Audiobook Reviews, Book Review, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, TCO Reviewer: Denise Tagged With: 4 stars, 4.5 stars, Audio Book, author, book, Book Reviews, L.A. Witt, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, Nick J. Russo, review, romance

Football Royalty by Eden Finley (Franklin U Series, Book 8): Blog Tour, Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

October 14, 2022 by Denise

.                                .

If you never fooled around with someone of the same gender, did you even go to high school?

PEYTON

My whole life I’ve had the pressure of being Marcus Talon and Shane Miller’s football prodigy. I’ve been destined to follow in my NFL-playing fathers’ footsteps since the day I was born. I usually thrive under pressure, but as senior year looms, it all gets too much, and I need an outlet. The last place I thought I’d find my release is at Levi Vanderbilt’s graduation party. In his bed. With him.

It’s a one-time thing. An experimentation. And while it was fun, we agree that being with guys isn’t for either of us. I’m happy to accept that until he turns up in California.

I haven’t had to think about him for four years, but now I can’t get him out of my head.

LEVI

Coming to Franklin University for grad school to follow a boy I hooked up with once is the stupidest thing I could have done.

We said that high school didn’t mean anything, but the truth is, that night made me realize who I truly am, and since then, I’ve been trying to find that sense of freedom again.

I’m hoping it can be with him, but everything I’ve heard around campus points to Peyton not having the same life-changing revelation I did.

And if that’s the case, did I just move across the country for a straight guy?

Kill me now.

Title: Football Royalty
Authors: Eden Finley
Length: 70K
Series: Franklin U Series, Book 8
Genre: Contemporary.
Tropes: Second chance, sports, football, first-time/bisexual awakening.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

Franklin U (8 book series)

We move closer in the coffee cart line, my wet shirt from my spilled coffee sticking to my skin.

“So, what will you have to drink?” My tone is airy and light, but in a forced kind of way and not at all calm and collected like the night we hooked up.

It’s hard to believe the guy with so much game back then grew up to be a bumbling idiot.

Peyton looks hesitant, like he wants to fight having me buy him a coffee, and I can’t say that I blame him. If all of his socials have anything to say, it’s not like he bats for my team. He’s always posting photos of him and his teammates with girls, and I’ve tried to search for homoerotic subtext in the photos with any guy other than his brother, but even I know that’s grasping at straws.

And last night, when I caught sight of Peyton at Shenanigans, kissing the bartender, it all but confirmed my suspicion.

While I lied through my teeth about our hookup only being fun but not earth-shattering, it seems Peyton didn’t have the same revelation I did: I’m gay AF.

“I haven’t decided yet, but I need to make this quick. My place is just off campus, and I’d like to change before my next class starts in an hour.”

Disappointment that shouldn’t belong here punches me in the gut. “Sure.” I hope my tone can pass for nonchalant, but I doubt it.

“You’re welcome to come back with me.” He eyes me, and every inch his gaze touches burns like fire. “You could probably fit my clothes now you’re not so scrawny.”

Damn. As easy as that, the tension leaves my shoulders. “I wasn’t scrawny in high school either, you dick.”

“You were scrawny, but you’ve definitely … uh … filled out.” He eyes me again but is trying to be subtler this time.

The totally wrong thing to say here is he can fill me out anytime because that wouldn’t go down well. I’d go down well. On him. But no. Straight boy is straight.

If the universe loved me at all, he’d be bi, but that’s wishful thinking on my part.

We get to the front of the line, and I order another latte—or in this fucked-up Franklin U system, a “study juice”—and point to Peyton. “And whatever he wants.”

“I’ll get the same, but with two pumps of caramel.”

“Is that allowed on your team diet?” I ask while I tap my card to pay.

“Who are you, my brother?”

“Eww, fucking hope not.”

Peyton tenses.

Oh. Right. No mentioning the thing that was fun but not really but totally mind-blowing and the thing that changed the direction of my life. Not mentioning it. At all.

When I don’t elaborate, Peyton relaxes.

“Besides. I was at practice at 6:00 a.m. I need to survive the full day of classes somehow.”

“With a side of caffeine for your sugar?”

“Yep. It’s the only way I can make it drinkable.”

We’re given our order, and I let Peyton lead us.

We drink our coffees in silence because after all these years, there are no words.

“So, you’ve been on campus this long and I haven’t seen you?” he asks.

Oh, look at that, my throat is dry, and I need more coffee. I sip slowly and try to think of a reasonable excuse for that.

“It’s a big school.”

“I saw you last night at Shenanigans, didn’t I?”

I play dumb. “Oh, were you there?”

“I was. And you were right across from where I was standing.” Yeah, he’s not letting me get away with that.

“Okay, fine. I saw you there with your girlfriend, and I didn’t want to interrupt.”

Peyton laughs. “Not my girlfriend.”

Hope blooms in my gut … And then he keeps speaking.

“I don’t have time for relationships.”

“Ah. Player on and off the field, huh?”

He scoffs. “Hardly. I’m too focused on my career to mess with anyone’s emotions.”

Except mine. Which he’s unwittingly doing. Gah, I want to ask him straight up if he’s into dudes, but then I have to remind myself that Peyton Miller is not the reason I’m in California.

He’s not.

And I’ll prove it by being honest with him. “I knew we’d run into each other eventually, and I did see you last night, but …” I bite my lip. “I kind of chickened out of talking to you.”

“Oh, so you went with spilling hot coffee on me instead. I have to say, a simple hello would have worked.”

“I wanted to make it memorable,” I quip.

“First-degree burns are memorable, I guess.” Good closing book for the series.

We met Peyton in book 1 or 2. The football god brother of Brady, bff to Felix. Peyton and his brother are the sons of Superbowl winners and out former NFL players. So while Brady gave up on football as it wasn’t his passion, Peyton LOVED it.

And of course, Levi, the other main character, knows nothing about football. This trope is getting a little tired. Anyway.

Levi and Peyton were in the same social circles growing up. Peyton being new football money, Levi was very old money. The differences are huge. They have a one off at a high school graduation party, both declare it not their thing and move on. But neither did.

 

So four years later, Levi transfers to FU and does his best to avoid Peyton, but that doesn’t work well.

Soon enough things change with Peyton and Levi. Secrets are told, secrets are kept, football championships are waiting to be won.

When it comes down to the wire, it’s the age old “what will I pick? my future with football or my future with him?”

So yea, a lot of plot devices that we’ve seen 100 times. But I really liked Peyton and Levi. They were good together, they were good on their own. Levi doesn’t completely crumble under pressure and Peyton thrives on it.

Peyton and Brady’s dads are HILARIOUS. But I also got that one of them was kind of never serious and it was obvious that sometimes they needed a serious dad.

I was kind of surprised that the final book was Peyton and not his brother. His out and proud brother. Peyton had always said he was straight. BUT Brady does have something going on and I kind of hope we get more of that in another book.

Nothing new here except the names and the setting. There’s nothing really wrong with the book but I was hoping for a little more and to go out with a bang.

3.5 pieces of eye candy


.                                .

Eden Finley is an Amazon bestselling author who writes steamy contemporary romances that are full of snark and light-hearted fluff.

She doesn’t take anything too seriously and lives to create an escape from real life for her readers. The ideas always begin with a wackadoodle premise, and she does her best to turn them into romances with heart.

She’s also an Australian girl and apologizes for her Australianisms that sometimes don’t make sense to anyone else.

Newsletter sign-up: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/d4e2a5

Connect with Eden:
www.edenfinley.com
https://www.facebook.com/EdenFinleyAuthor
https://www.facebook.com/groups/absolutelyeden
https://www.instagram.com/finley.eden/
https://www.tiktok.com/@edenfina Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Excerpt, Book Review, Giveaway, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, Release Day Review, TCO Reviewer: Erin Tagged With: 3.5 stars, blog tour, Blog Tours, book, Book Excerpts, Book Reviews, excerpt, gay, giveaway, Giveaways, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, review, romance

Bad Deal: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 3) by Annabeth Albert: New Release Review

October 11, 2022 by Denise

I’m a bodyguard and far from ideal boyfriend material, but agreeing to this fake dating scheme might be the best bad deal I’ve ever made…
I’m a fixer. As a SEAL chief, I succeeded in impossible no-win situations. Now I’m retired and determined to improve the lives of my former military teammates through our Hollywood security firm. Plus, I get to guard intriguing people like Ambrose Sterling, creator of one of my favorite TV shows.

Of course, I want to keep Ambrose safe. When he’s attacked, I leap into action to save him and his scrappy little therapy dog.

But my good deed results in a coastal road trip with me pretending to be Ambrose’s boyfriend to keep him out of more danger.

I don’t do relationships, and I’ve never thought about dating a man before, but here I am, sizzling with every touch and dreaming about more stolen kisses.

Each night of white-hot passion brings us closer to an unbreakable bond. But I’m blue-collar, and Ambrose is Hollywood elite. I want a happy ending more than anything. Can I turn this fake boyfriend gig into the real thing, or am I just a guest star?

BAD DEAL is book three in the A-List Security series. It features a highly protective SEAL bodyguard, a suit-wearing silver fox, an adorably ugly dog, 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 the celebrity clients who win their hearts. Happy endings and no cliffhangers guaranteed!

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)

Rocky Start: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 4) Coming Soon!

This is the second book this week that I have read where one of the main characters didn’t have any experience with men, but also didn’t doubt what he felt or that he could be “good enough” for the other main character. So refreshing!

Book 3 in the series (easily read as a stand alone) gives us Harley, owner of the security firm that is working a television shoot on site. One of his favorite tv shows. Written by the silver foxy Ambrose, Hollywood royalty.

I loved that it is Ambrose who has a crush on Harley first, instead of the other way around. It made Ambrose so much more real instead of untouchable Hollywood elite. His sister on the other hand…she bugged me. Anyway.

The overprotective sister enlists Harley as Ambrose’s plus one and to act as a bodyguard to her daughter’s wedding after he had a scare. Which leads us to the classic forced proximity/fake boyfriend. BUT, these guys actually like each other as humans. So many forced proximity/fake boyfriend tropes the guys hate each other for a myriad of reasons.

The self professed perma bachelor is actually quite good at the fake boyfriend stuff. So much that the faint line that was there is easily crossed. And he doesn’t fight it. Just kind of goes with the flow. He realizes that he isn’t straight, but pan. Or maybe not that he just realizes it, but he says it out loud. And is ready to act on it. With Ambrose.

A little more back story to why Ambrose had a panic disorder, or what brought it on would have been helpful. Because that is the main reason his sister is SO protective of him. It was bad enough that he has meds and a support dog. Perhaps she wouldn’t have bugged me so much if I knew more.

The chemistry between the two men is undeniable. They are completely open with each other and what they like sexually. No one stumbles or is afraid to speak up. That confidence that they had together spoke volumes.

This one is definitely my favorite of the series so far. Not that I didn’t like the others because I certainly did. But there’s something about these 2 guys that was just perfect.

4 pieces of eye candy

This is the third book in the A-List Security series, but does well as a stand alone. You do see the characters from the previous two books, but for short periods of time. This book spends quite a lot of time with Ambrose and Harley on a road trip.

Ambrose, a silver fox, grew up in Hollywood, because his father was famous, but he was more creative, as opposed to his sister who was more of the business side of their production company. (**Small spoiler here: I’ll be honest, I kept wondering if the sister was going to be a “villain” in the book – like perhaps she organized the protests or something – because she was not my favorite. She was beyond overprotective, almost a bit condescending for my tastes. But alas no villain, which was nice since I didn’t want Ambrose hurt.) Ambrose had a lot of anxiety, having an emotional support dog, which my visual of Hercules made him so adorable, yet we don’t really understand what that was about. I would have liked to know more about that. He did seem to become more confident as he felt safer with Harley, though. I also REALLY liked that Ambrose wasn’t a snob (his sister was). He was willing to help around the cabin, learn new things, not something one would expect from his pedigree.

Harley, meanwhile, only recently came to the realization that he was pan (prior to starting anything with Ambrose), and was surprisingly okay with it. Some nervousness telling his family, but overall, he understood that it was just another part of him, just as yet unexplored. We don’t often read about pan or demi characters, so it was nice to have that. As a fake boyfriend, he was great, even if he thought he would never make a good one, in real life or fake. He treated Ambrose so kindly, never made him feel less than when Ambrose had any sort of anxiety or nervousness, and treated Hercules like he was his own.

I loved that they explored sex and intimacy together, as Harley learned what they both liked. Harley didn’t have a SEAL ego that he had to know everything, he let Ambrose guide him to what would work for them both. And while they were hot together, they also were fine with just being together, hanging out, cuddling, etc. It also wasn’t all about f*cking, there were aspects of their sex life that you very rarely read about in books, which isn’t easy to do!

I really enjoyed this one, because these two were so romantic together. They definitely needed to learn to communicate better, but they cared about each other, and weren’t afraid to speak the words, when they could get the nerve to do it.

I’m looking forward to the next book (there’s a little preview in the back of Bad Deal), which has Avery, which we meet briefly in this book. Should be another fun one. (Speaking of Bad Deal…I never did figure out where the title came from. lol)

4 pieces of eye candy

Filed Under: Book Review, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, TCO Reviewer: Denise, TCO Reviewer: Erin Tagged With: 4 stars, Annabeth Albert, author, book, Book Reviews, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, review, romance

About Last Night by Aimee Nicole Walker: RB, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

October 10, 2022 by Denise

.                                .

The bicurious cop and his sharp-dressed man…

Detective Christopher “Topher” Carnegie is unlucky in love. He either tries too hard, doesn’t try hard enough, or hasn’t found the right person yet. But recently, he’s started seeing Julian Fine, his sister’s best friend, in a new light. If there’s one thing a fabulous tailor knows, it’s how to take a person’s measure. Julian recognizes a straight man when he sees one, but that doesn’t stop him from falling head over heels for the unattainable man.

Just a few short days and one shared bed…

When a white lie backs Julian into a corner, Topher steps in to save the day. He’s worked plenty of undercover assignments before, but pretending to be Julian’s boyfriend during a family wedding might be his most dangerous mission yet. Julian challenges everything Christopher knows about himself, and soon, reaching for each other feels as natural as breathing. But can their newfound feelings survive the real-world challenges they face? There’s only one way to find out.

About Last Night is a low-angst standalone romance within the author’s Savannah universe.

This book contains mature content and is intended for adults.

Title: About Last Night
Authors: Aimee Nicole Walker
Length: 65K
Series: Standalone in Walker’s Savannah Universe
Genre: Contemporary.
Tropes: sister’s best friend, forced proximity, bi-awakening, and fake boyfriend.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

I bolted upright. “Are you hurt?”

“Nah,” he said, waving me off. “I just had an incident with the ground tonight, and my shoulder is stiff.”

I scooted back deeper on the couch, spread my legs, and patted my thighs. “Let me see if I can ease some tension for you.”

Christopher gave me a tentative smile and shook his head slightly. “I’m okay.”

“Take him up on his offer if you’re hurting, Toph,” Harper said as she returned her attention to the drama on the TV. “He has magic hands.”

“Words I never want to hear my sister say again,” Christopher said.

I lifted my hands and studied them as if seeing them for the first time. “They look pretty average to me,” I said.

Harper snorted. “Magic. Capital M.”

I waggled my brows at Christopher, then patted my thighs once more. He smiled and shook his head, even as he eased off the couch and scooted over to sit between my feet. Christ, his shoulders were broad. I had to spread a little wider to make room for him.

I looked at my ordinary hands once more. Please don’t fail me now. I gently placed them on Christopher’s shoulders and noted the tension tightening his body. Was it from being so close to me, or was he in more pain than he was letting on? I carefully pushed my fingers into the meaty part of his shoulder. “Tell me where you need me most,” I said, moving my thumbs around to probe the areas.

“Warmer,” he said when I moved lower. “Maybe both hands on my left shoulder since that’s where I hurt most.”

I move my right hand over and used both thumbs to dig into each new knot I discovered.

“Oh!” Christopher said, his entire body stiffening.

I stilled. “Oh or ow?”

“Maybe both,” he said. “I want to pull away and lean into your touch at the same time.”

Harper snorted. “I’m getting grossed out.”

“Yeah,” Christopher said, “and I didn’t like hearing your headboard banging against my wall when you had a visitor on Saturday night.”

Harper’s face flushed red, and she narrowed her eyes. “You were supposed to be on a date.”

Trying to head off a fight, I adjusted my pressure and said, “How’s this?”

Christopher let out the sluttiest moan I’d ever heard. “Holy fuck, that feels good. God, give me more.” I pushed a little deeper into the knot and worked it until the muscle relaxed. “Magic hands, indeed. Not just a capital M. All caps and bold print.”

I leaned closer to his ear. “But not underlined?”

Christopher’s head fell back onto the couch cushion between my legs, and he stared up into my eyes. “Double underline,” he said huskily, then closed his eyes. “Please don’t stop.”

“Seriously, should I go to my room?” Harper asked.

“Yes,” Christopher replied while I said, “No.”

This story was so fun for many reasons. Topher is a detective working with Sawyer Key at the Savannah PD. So it’s a character we know but who is finally getting his story. Because of that, we get SOME Locke and Key interaction, but not a lot. This is not their story.

Another reason is the seamless way Julian’s story, starting with when he moves to Savannah, is told and then there is a 3 year time jump. In a short time we get to know him, his new bff Harper, where they live and most of Harper’s family. Including her brother Topher. Julian flirts with Topher starting at their first meeting. And never stopping. Even though Topher is straight. And his best friend’s brother. But that is just who Julian is. Out, loud, proud and doesn’t hold back. Even though he does curtail his flirting while Christopher is in relationships. Plural. Because they never last.

Instead of various mysteries and cold cases, this book gives us a story about just the two men. I mean, mostly. There’s a wedding and an ex boyfriend and lots of family members. But the main story is Julian and Topher falling in love with each other. Julian realizing that his dream man is really that dreamy as a boyfriend. And Topher realizing that he’s not nearly as straight as he thought.

There was never that “don’t use me as an experiment” thing or “you should try out other guys”. I hate that plot device. No one was out to prove anything because how they felt for each other was obvious. And of course it was obvious to EVERYONE ELSE besides them for a long time.

Savannah to Atlanta and back and Julian does a full circle with Topher right there with him.

It was swoony and sexy and funny and I loved it.

4 pieces of eye candy

.                                 .

Ever since she was a little girl, Aimee Nicole Walker entertained herself with stories that popped into her head. Now she gets paid to tell those stories to other people. She wears many titles—wife, mom, and animal lover are just a few of them. Her absolute favorite title is champion of the happily ever after. Love inspires everything she does, music keeps her sane, and coffee is the magic elixir that fuels her day.

I’d love to hear from you.

You can reach me at:
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/aimee-nicole-walker
Twitter – https://twitter.com/AimeeNWalker
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/aimeenicole.walker
Instagram – http://instagram.com/aimeenicolewalker
Blog – AimeeNicoleWalker.blogspot.com

Want to be the first to know about my book releases and have access to extra content? You can sign up for my newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/dlhPYj

My favorite place to hang out and chat with my readers is my Facebook group. Would you like to be a member of Aimee’s Dye Hards? We’d love to have you! Click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AimeesDyeHards/

Connect with Aimee:
https://linktr.ee/AimeeNicoleWalkera Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Excerpt, Book Review, Giveaway, New Release Review, Quick Reviews Tagged With: 4 stars, Aimee Nicole Walker, author, blog tour, Blog Tours, book, Book Excerpts, Book Reviews, excerpt, exclusive, gay, giveaway, Giveaways, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, review, romance

The Rivals of Casper Road (Garnet Road Book 4) by Roan Parrish: New Release Review

October 9, 2022 by Denise

He’s in it to win it

Until he falls under his neighbor’s spell.

Bram Larkspur’s rugged, sexy looks belie his fear of all things horrifying. But as Casper Road’s newest resident, he’s excited to join the annual Halloween decorating contest. The competition is keen, especially from six-time champion, architect Zachary Glass. But when enigmatic Zachary sparks a prank war, it’s game on—until one sizzling kiss turns these rivals into allies. Now only one thing scares Bram: how quickly he’s losing his heart to Zachary.

From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

Amazon 

Harlequin

Garnet Run

Book 1: Better Than People
Book 2: Best Laid Plans
Book 3: The Lights on Knockbridge Lane
Book 4: The Rivals of Casper Road

Is it because they are Harlequin romances? Which, for the record, makes me SO happy that probably the biggest romance publisher is starting to release gay romances. And if you had never read Roan Parrish BEFORE Harlequin put out these four books, you don’t know that they are way more sweet and cute than her norm.

As such, I need to erase from my brain all other RP books and focus on only this one.

This was like a Hallmark Christmas movie mashed up with the Great Christmas Light Fight (yes, that is a real tv show) and set it during Halloween. It has all the ingredients. New guy in town. Slightly odd neighbor who works from home but takes his Halloween decorations VERY seriously. Quirky neighbors. Small town. Check, check and double check. And because this is book 4, we revisit characters and couples from the previous 3 books.

Both Bram and Zachary have sad backstories. Bram’s involves an ex boyfriend and an ex best friend while Zachary’s is about family. And while both of those back stories shape who they men are today and are referenced, the story doesn’t dwell. I will say I was hoping Zachary was going to get some closure.

It’s hard to say why Bram was drawn to the prickly Zachary, but it works. Bram definitely softens Zachary’s edges a bit without trying to change him. Zachary will never change Bram’s mind about horror movies though!

This was a sweet romance with a Halloween backdrop. Fairly predictable but still a nice read.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Filed Under: Book Review, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, TCO Reviewer: Erin Tagged With: 3.5 stars, author, gay, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, review, romance

Part Time Daddy by B. Harmony: RB, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

October 8, 2022 by Denise

.                                  .

Exhausted, overworked, underpaid, and for damn sure underappreciated.

Struggling to find a balance between the career I’ve always wanted and the desire to have someone to take care of me, I agree to join an exclusive event at The Garden.

A couple of hours to let go with Dean Nash, the Daddy of my dreams, then it’s back to the grind.

As head of security at The Garden, I’m content with my single life.

When my boss calls in a favor, I reluctantly agree, knowing a few hours of play won’t mean anything. Until I lock eyes with an exhausted boy across the room and every instinct calls me to protect the boy from falling asleep on his feet.

Tanner Morgan checks all my boxes, though I’ve sworn no one ever could.

When we’re tossed into each other’s paths weeks after our one night together…

I offer to show Tanner there can be enough space in his life for a part-time Daddy. A caregiver without expectation of a relationship, feelings, or promises he can’t keep.

Falling in love isn’t part of the agreement, no matter how perfectly we fit together.

Title: Part-Time Daddy
Authors: B. Harmony
Length: 51K
Series: Standalone
Genre: Contemporary, BDSM, Kink, Daddy/Boy – some age play.
Tropes
: Age-gap, Daddy kink, sworn-off relationships, somewhat of a slow burn.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

This is the most confusing situation I’ve ever been in. Tanner’s slick hands dig into my back with strength I wouldn’t have guessed him capable of. Each twist of his fingers and knuckles works through my knots and sore muscles—ones I didn’t realize I had. My body melts into a puddle of mush, one square inch at a time.

Except for one particularly firm spot between my legs. While Tanner does his level best to work my muscles into submission, his erection slides against my ass. His bare chest brushes my lower back as he stretches to reach my neck and shoulders. My dick woke up the second my boy stripped for me and hasn’t done anything but grow thicker and needier for him with each touch.

See what I mean? Confusing as hell.

Have I ever been so horny and so relaxed at the same time?

No.

Any other time, I would have flipped us over, pinned Tanner between my body and the couch, and fucked him into oblivion. Which, to be fair, is still top of my mind, but I’m loath to ask him to stop.

It feels too fucking good.

“You’re so tight here,” Tanner murmurs, digging into a painful spot on my right shoulder.

A groan escapes. “It hurts so good.”

Tanner lets out a breathless laugh, sliding away from the tender spot to run his hands over my arms. “How are you feeling, Daddy?”

“Like Jell-O.”

Tanner pokes a finger at my middle. “There isn’t a jiggly spot on you,” he says around a giggle. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

Tanner’s dick drags over my ass as he slides backward, his hands drifting to my lower back. Those talented fingers of his trace over the area, kneading closer to the swells of my ass. I bite my lips to stifle a smile at Tanner’s hesitant exploration, his fingers testing the limits of my ass and crack.

I’ve never been much of a bottom per se, but I enjoy an occasional finger or two. It’s cute how he’s quietly testing my limits.

On a rather brave pass, Tanner’s hands run the full expanse of my cheeks, spreading slightly to allow a single soft digit to run up the length of my seam. The fingertip is nothing more than a featherlight caress, glancing over my pucker. Yet, it’s enough to have the smallest moan float out of my chest, my erection swelling painfully against the towel I’m lying on.

“Oh,” Tanner says breathily.

“Does this still count as a massage?”

Since I’ve not ready anything before by this author, I was going in blind as to what to expect, except that the author’s bio says “mostly sweet”…which I was not expecting to be honest with this book. First, it’s Daddy kink, with a large age gap. Second, many books on the BDSM spectrum tend to be sex heavy (which I don’t mind!)…so how could a Daddy/boy book be sweet. Well, this author managed it, and I FLOVED it!

Dean was the ultimate sweet Daddy. He took care of his boy who was spiraling out of control. He gave him time to be a little, gave him a regimented schedule, food that wasn’t a granola bar, even had the cutest nickname for Tanner’s little. Oh my gosh! My heart! Dean never wanted a relationship, yet almost immediately he wanted Tanner to be his person.

Meanwhile, Tanner had zero time to be little, was overworked with no way out, no one to take care of him, and no time to have a relationship with someone. So, his bidding on Dean at the auction was out of character, but just what he needed, a night to be little, and have all his decisions just taken from him. And their relationship evolved from there.

Sex for these two happened, but honestly as was very appropriate for their “part-time” relationship, it took time. It happens very late in the book, and that was exactly where it belonged. This book was heavy on relationships, both with Daddy and his baby bat, as well as Dean’s with his friends at The Garden. All that moved the story forward, and made this a book that I just couldn’t put down.

Definitely recommend this one, if you are good with a cinnamon roll Daddy, a very tense boy, and all the toys. 🙂

4.5 pieces of eye candy

.                        .

B. Harmony is an MM romance author with a penchant for writing about boys who kiss boys, rock music, and headbanging. Pretty obvious with the last name Harmony, right?
With survival instincts fueled by iced coffee and far too many swear words to rival any sailor, B. Harmony somehow manages to produce (mostly sweet) contemporary MM romance, with plenty of steam.

Connect with B. Harmony:
www.bharmonyauthor.com
https://amzn.to/3D4GkFo
https://www.facebook.com/bharmonyauthor/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bsharmonizers
https://www.instagram.com/bharmonyauthor/
https://www.tiktok.com/@authorbharmony
https://twitter.com/bharmonyauthor
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20444716.B_Harmony
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/b-harmony
https://www.pinterest.com/bharmonyauthor a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Book Excerpt, Book Review, Giveaway, New Release Book Blast, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, TCO Exclusives, TCO Reviewer: Denise Tagged With: 4.5 stars, author, bdsm, blog tour, Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Daddy/boy, excerpt, exclusive, giveaway, Giveaways, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, review, romance

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Go to page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 29
  • Go to page 30
  • Go to page 31
  • Go to page 32
  • Go to page 33
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 136
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Social Media

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

Subscribe to Blog via Email

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

Join 2,350 other subscribers

Partner Ads

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: No feed with the ID 1 found.

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

Recent Posts

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

We’re on Twitter

My Tweets

Top Posts & Pages

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

Tags

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

Goodreads

Cover for Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
2,172
Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

We are two chicks who love books (m/m romance with an HEA) and enjoy our eye candy. http://twochickso

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

2 days ago

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
✨Let’s celebrate! It’s release day for HAT TRICK by @authoremlindsey! Grab it in KU!#OneClickNowa.co/d/0io1BhPZWhy you need to #ONECLICK this book…🔥Friends to Lovers🔥Only One Bed🔥Sexual Awakening🔥Hockey Goalies in love🔥Grumpy/Sunshine🔥Hockey Bro Banter🔥Praise Kink“For five million dollars, would you send a relative to jail?”"Bud, I would pay five million dollars to send a few there."Problem number one: Almost everything the world thinks they know about me is a lie.Problem number two: Two people know the truth.Problem number three: One of those two is a stalker and he's having a blast using that informationagainst me to get his way.The good news is, the second person who knows the truth about who I am seems pretty dedicated totaking my stalker down.The bad news is, it’s NHL goalie Vanya Maximov, and he and I had a one night stand that I can’t stop thinking about. And while Vanya might be walking sunshine so bright he can make even my blind ass see light, we have no business being together.I’m a mess, and while Vanya is everything I’ve ever wanted in a partner, he deserves better than me.If only he was willing to listen to reason. If only he was less stubborn and able to give up on a lost cause.But with his ability to give me exactly what I want—a little pain with my pleasure—and his refusal to treat me like I’m fragile, something dangerous starts happening.I’m beginning to think that maybe—just maybe—he’s right, and I am worth everything he sees.Hat Trick is the second book in the Punk as Puck spin-off series, Legends and Fury. It’s a high heat, friends to lovers romance with a sunshine NHL goalie who also might be a golden retriever in disguise, a PPHL goalie with big black cat energy, a stalker, and no faith in himself, hooking up in a friend’s car, praise and pain, high stakes romance, hockey bro banter, tons of chirping, and the swooniest happily ever after.#newbookalert #emlindsey #mmromance The Author Agency ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

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

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

4 days ago

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
✨Did you see?✨SUCK, a MM Monster Romance by @authoremlindsey & @coraroseauthor is available NOW! Grab it in KU! #OneClickNowmybook.to/feedandfeastbook1 Why you need to #ONECLICK this book…🔥Monster/human🔥MM Romance🔥Hurt/Comfort🔥Sexual Awakening🔥Monster Peen🔥Opposites Attract🔥First Times🔥Lots of Sucking🔥Body Piercings🔥Monster World🔥Power Dynamics🔥High HeatWhen portals from another world split open the sky, humanity braces for war… only to discover the monsters from Erethar aren’t here to conquer. They need something from humans. Something oddly specific in order to survive.Suck is the first book in the MM Monster Romance series Feed and Feast. It contains a clueless human who’s just looking to do his duty for humanity, a naïve monster who has no idea how much humanity will change him, so much sucking, swooning, antagonists to lovers, cuddling as a love language, body piercings, secret romance, and a toe-curling happily ever after.#newbookalert #corarose #emlindsey #monsterromance The Author Agency ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

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

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

5 days ago

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
My review:Shadows Never Leave (Shadows duet book 2) by Lark TaylorThis is book 2 of a duet and you must read book 1 first...a.co/d/06h9mALvThis one was a bit tough for me. Mostly because I enjoyed book 1 so much I was expecting more from book 2.A note that cheating doesn't really bother me in books. But I felt that having Ryan engaged when Dominic returns was a bit too much...After 10 years Dom (and Max) are back. Dom wants to win Ryan back. Max wants his twin back in his life. But Ryan isn't that 18 year old kid anymore. And he isn't taking anyone's crap either.Dom is totally annoying at first. Ryan jokingly calls him a stalker, but there were stalker vibes there. Which fit with his personality but still.Too much of the book is them just rehashing what happened when Dom left and the fact that they have had zero communication in that time. Over and over and over again. It got to the point where I was ready to throw my kindle if Ryan said "BUT YOU LEFT!" one more time.And it is sooooooo obvious that he and his fiance Katie don't belong together. They liked each other. Probably loved each other. And they were the type of couple to make it work and make it look perfect on the outside. But they would have ended up miserable.So yes, we get the HEA. But we had to trudge through some mud to get there.3 pieces of eye candy ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

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

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

5 days ago

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
New release and my review for:Seven Minutes by Raquel Riley At times this was a difficult read for me (stress for ME). But that didn't make it a bad book. Quite the contrary. Any book that stirs feelings in you is a book that hits home.We aren't yet privy to the relationship between Adrian and Eli when a horrific car accident brings Eli to Adrian's emergency room. (maybe a nitpick here but how did none of the staff know it was his husband??) The title refers to the 7 minutes after you die when your brain is still functioning. Which is really kind of scary to me. But it is through those 7 minutes of recollection by Eli that we get most of the back story.Being that this is a romance, I don't think it is much of a spoiler that Eli survives. But what comes next is picking up the pieces of their lives, and more importantly, their marriage. There are fights and apologies and explanations.... Eli is still ready to give up despite his love for Adrian. Adrian is not giving up because of his love of Eli.You don't appreciate what you have until you lose it. Or almost lose it.4 Pieces of Eye CandyOne click here 👉 a.co/d/0e1X1vOC ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

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

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

5 days ago

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
✨Let’s celebrate! It’s release day for EVERYTHING, EVERY DAY FOR ETERNITY by @e.w.silver! Grab it in KU!#OneClickHerea.co/d/04PAcfh1Why you need to #ONECLICK this book…🔥MM Paranormal Romance🔥Enemies to lovers🔥Forced proximity🔥Forbidden love🔥Star crossed lovers🔥Fated mates/chosen one🔥Revenge/atonement plot🔥Emotional healing after trauma🔥Second chance at trust🔥Hurt/comfort🔥Deep emotional intimacy🔥Protective partner / overprotective vampire🔥“I’d burn the world for you” devotion🔥Found family themes🔥D/s dynamic🔥Masochist × sadist compatibility issues🔥Aftercare as a love language🔥Rebuilding trust in intimacy🔥“I’m afraid I’ll hurt you” conflict🔥Magic with consequences🔥Life-or-death stakes🔥Dark curse / magical attack🔥Running out of time🔥Secrets that threaten love🔥Self-sacrifice for the one you loveOne broken wolf. One duty-bound vampire prince. One bond neither of them saw coming.Mark hasn’t shifted in ten years. Not since heartbreak stole his wolf and left him trapped in grief. He keeps to himself, silent and in pain... until the night Caster St. John, heir to the Vampire Crown, crosses his path.Caster is used to control. Command. Power.But Mark?Mark makes him want to break all his rules.Their connection is instant, intoxicating, undeniable, and dangerously forbidden. When a vengeful witch sets her sights on Mark, their fragile bond becomes the only thing standing between survival and destruction.Desire can be a weapon. Love can be a risk.But together? They might just be unstoppable.Everything, Every Day for Eternity is the first book in the Shadow Haven Series and an emotionally intense M/M romance about loss, healing, and choosing love even when it hurts.#newbookalert #ewsilver #mmparanormalromance The Author Agency ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

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

New to M/M Romance?

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

Loading Comments...