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Book Review

Friendly Fire by Saxon James: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

by

Rafe
It started in high school.
We grew apart. Bit by bit, then all at once.
The friend who was my ride or die suddenly wanted nothing to do with me.
Now Cam’s back from college, living in the house next door, and pulling stupid pranks just to annoy me.
Between my intense family and my failing relationship, I’m struggling enough without his antics.
But Cam won’t go away. And I’m not so sure I want him to.

Cam
It started with a smile.
A touch.
A shared look of mischief.
Rafael Ortega stole my heart before I realised it was mine to give away.
We were best friends from the time we were in diapers right up until the unthinkable happened: he started dating.
I put distance between us to save myself, but now I’m back, willing to do anything for his attention again.
Because the only thing worse than Rafe breaking my heart…
Is him not getting a chance to.

Friendly Fire is the final book in the Never Just Friends series. It’s a low angst childhood-best-friends-to-lovers romance with skinny dipping, sex toys, and one final happily ever after.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Cam flicks a little water from the hose my way, and I quickly jump back from the spray. “It’s okay, you don’t need to beg. It’s all yours.”

I stare at him for a moment. “What is?”

“My spare room.”

“I didn’t ask for your spare room.”

“You don’t need to. I know how you work, timing it so I’m out the front as you’re leaving.” He winks. “Well played.”

My lips twitch again. “That’s definitely not what happened.”

“Oh, sure, yes, of course not. Do you want me to beg to make you feel better? Oh, please, Rafe, stay. It’ll be so much more convenient for me for you to be close to home. I’ve been dying to share my own personal space with someone.”

I assume he’s mostly joking, but the last thing I want is to put him out. It would be more convenient, but I can’t imagine Cam shares well. “Lucky for you, then, that Tanner offered.”

I turn to head for my car, when Cam’s hose suddenly shuts off and he vaults the fence between us. “Don’t be stubborn.”

“I’m not being stubborn.”

“You’re being dumb and stubborn when you know staying here would be a thousand times easier.” His confident stride closes the space between us. “Now we can do this back-and-forth thing for however long it takes, or you can admit that you want to stay and we can get on with our lives.”

“Campbell …” I do want to stay. But there’s also a side of me that really, really doesn’t. It’s sending off warning signals that are making my heart thump harder. “You literally kicked me out this morning.”

“I was hungover.” He gives me a smile, and damn him, it actually looks sincere.

I jump when his fingers trail over the back of my hand and then close around my bag strap.

I should fight him.

Instead, I let go.

“There we are.” He slings my bag over his shoulder and starts to head for his house. I fall into step with him. “This arrangement is going to be great. I’ve always wanted a live-in butler.”

“No chance.”

“Tell me you know how to cook, then. I’ll settle for a live-in chef.”

“Nope.”

“Maid? I could buy you one of those black-and-white costumes.”

I choke on air. “Hell no.”

“Handyman?”

“I regret this already.”

“Sure you do.” He leads the way up his front stairs. “Fine, fine. I guess I’ll settle for you repaying me with sex.”

I’m not sure what look crosses my face, but Cam cracks up laughing. “Jesus, dude, relax.” He pauses before opening the front door, and all teasing leaves his face. “You’re my friend. I just want to help you out.”

Then he gives me one of his rare, genuine smiles, the one that makes his eyes go all soft, and that warning signal goes nuts.

Everything about Cam is familiar. It makes me warm and settles the fear and self-doubt inside me. There’s no reason why I shouldn’t stay with him.

Hopefully, it’ll only be a night or two.

I’ve really enjoyed this entire series, and discovered a new author that I will definitely re-read. This being last in the series, I was very hopeful that it would be as much fun as the last books. While it definitely was, there were a few points that I missed the mark with me.

Rafe and Cam were friends from an early age, and then sort of drifted apart. It happened a little when Rafe was sent to another school, and then further when Cam got a girlfriend, while Rafe realized he was gay and in love with his best friend. It happens to all of us, we drift away from someone we once cared about, but this was deliberate on Rafe’s part, and understandable.

When Cam returned to their small town, he bought the house next door to Rafe (lucky it was for sale wasn’t it?) and immediately began finding little ways to annoy Rafe. This was a little confusing to me, other than Cam just could not get past the fact that they were childhood friends, and so played pranks on Rafe. (I just have to say, though, that I absolutely laughed out loud at the two biggest pranks…think a gnome and some forks.) It was Cam’s way of getting Rafe’s attention in the only way he could think of…in order to become friends again. It frustrated me honestly, but it did work to at least get his attention, and allow them to start to work towards each other. I’m not sure it would have worked for most people, but hey everyone is different.

Meanwhile, Rafe was going through some crises. His girlfriend since high school and he had become complacent, and had needed to break up about 5 years prior, but instead just kept pretending with each other. Rafe started to work out that he was asexual, maybe gray ace, but somewhere on the spectrum, and yet felt a growing connection with Cam. And this is where the book really worked well in my opinion.

Sometimes in romance novels (more often than I’d like, tbh) someone who is introduced as asexual is portrayed as someone who doesn’t have sex, doesn’t ever or will never have/want sex, etc. And while that can be true, or somewhat true, it doesn’t describe everything about how someone who is ace actually conducts their life or even feels. Rafe, as he was working it out in his mind, confided in Cam, and not only was Cam encouraging, he was able to help Rafe find ways to be the person he needed to be, for himself. He respected Rafe, didn’t push him, and in kind Rafe respected, and loved Cam enough that sex could be on the table, when it was right. The asexual portion of this book was so well done, it was clear that the author really checked into what people on that spectrum felt was important to them. Sometimes when you love someone, you make compromises that work for you both, and they were able to find what worked for them.

With the rest of the story, the back and forth with the girlfriend, and the mother, and not wanting to tell anyone, and the instant forgiveness for a rather rude event that happened in a previous book…that was a miss for me. I understood that Rafe grew up in that town, had a lot invested, loved his mother, and his girlfriend-as a friend, but it was a bit odd to me that them breaking up needed to be a secret that was let out slowly and with very careful choices of when and where.

But overall, this book worked for me, with the asexual depiction, and the work on the relationship that Rafe and Cam developed on their second go round in each other’s lives.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Saxon James is an author from Aus who’s obsessed with writing queer characters.

She has a range of books from YA to adult and they all have one thing in common: swoony, sweet love.

When not writing, Saxon exists on a diet of coffee and chocolate while putting her KU subscription to the test.

Connect with Saxon:
Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/saxonssweethearts/
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Website: https://saxonjamesauthor.com
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Rogue Royal (Club Royal) by Elouise East: Blog Tour, Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

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Welcome to Club Royal, where your deepest desires are no longer a secret…

Douglas is the spare heir, and he chafes at the restrictions placed on his extra-curricular activities. He wants nothing more than to lose himself in someone else, but too many people are out for what they can get from him, including a membership at the exclusive and highly confidential Club Royal.

Maverick was given the role of social media manager to Douglas as punishment for showing up his boss two years ago. Try as he might, he has not been able to get a transfer, though it could be because he is too damn good at his job. Despite being given the exclusive membership to Club Royal, he doesn’t use it…it’s just not his kind of thing.

When Douglas figures out Maverick’s weakness, he wants to be the one to teach Maverick everything, and it sends them on a journey neither had anticipated.

Can Maverick trust his body to a man who can have anyone he desires?

Title: Rogue Royal

Series: Club Royal #1

Author: Elouise East

Release: September 9, 2021

Genre: MM Romance

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Secretive Royal (Club Royal, Book 2): Coming 11/4/21

“Teach me,” Maverick whispered, eyes lowered.

Douglas inhaled shakily, overwhelmed by the trust Maverick was showing in him. Lifting his hands, he skimmed his middle fingers of each along Maverick’s skin from wrist to the end of his finger, receiving a tremble in return.

“It will be my pleasure.”

Reining in his libido because he knew what needed to be done first, he cupped Maverick’s chin with his forefinger and lifted his face to his. “Maverick, we have things to discuss before this can go any further.”

“Mav.”

Maverick’s eyes were heavy-lidded, and it took everything in Douglas to keep from closing the gap. Douglas blinked a few times and frowned. “Sorry?”

“Please, call me Mav.”

Douglas licked his lips and pulled back, releasing Mav. “Okay. Mav, take a seat. We have things to talk about.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Maverick—Mav—stumbled over to the sofa opposite, which was much farther than Douglas wanted him to be, but a suitable distance to allow Douglas to think properly. When Mav sat, Douglas took a breath.

“Before we go any further, we need to decide what it is you want from this relationship. What do you like? What don’t you like? And safe words are a few questions.” Mav cleared his throat, but Douglas held up a hand. “Let me ask you one at a time, and you need to think before you answer. I will take whatever you say as truthful unless your body language says otherwise.” Mav nodded.

“I think I have an idea, but tell me, what don’t you want?”

Mav gripped his own hands, rubbing the thumb of one over the back of the other as he contemplated Douglas’s question. “I don’t want to be hurt. Pain for me is just that, pain. I don’t have a high pain threshold, I don’t think.”

“I beg to differ.” When Mav raised his eyebrows in silent question, Douglas continued, “You manage to continue working when you have a migraine. Now, I’ve never suffered from them before, but I know they can be debilitating. If you have the strength to work through those, then your pain threshold is higher than you think.”

Mav tilted his head, and Douglas could see his brain whirling. “Regardless, though, I don’t like pain. I don’t find it sexy. I don’t find it arousing. I find it painful. It’s why I’ve shied away from BDSM in the past. I thought it was all about pain.”

Douglas narrowed his eyes. “What made you decide to research?”

Mav’s cheeks darkened until red stained his cheeks and neck. “After thinking about the massage and what you did, I was curious.” Douglas wasn’t sure if Mav was aware he was skimming his fingers across his own palms as he spoke, but the action heated Douglas’s blood.

Okay, let’s start off with the premise of this series…a secret BDSM club owned/operated by the Royal Family of the UK. And all members of the royal family are officially taken there when they are of age, and can then decide if that is something they want to pursue, or not. The premise of this was so thought provoking to me! For centuries there have been rumors of the royal family being a part of secret society groups, but this…I thought this was quite inventive.

**Side note: The book says at the very beginning that it’s helpful if you read the free prologue. To me, it was almost critical. There are mul)tiple POV’s in this book, not just the two MC’s, and it’s helpful to have some idea of the royal family dynamics before going into it. You could get through the book just fine, but this is definitely one of those cases that it is going to increase the reader’s enjoyment of the rest of this series. It’s not super long, approximately 8 chapters, I believe, but well worth the time if you are going to delve into this series.**

Douglas and Mav (Maverick) had been working together for some time, but basically ignored their attraction, letting it simmer so that it was almost an afterthought to both of them. That all changes when Douglas realizes by happenstance that Mav is very much about sensation, and he introduces Mav to the world of BDSM through sensation versus the often thought of pain/pleasure side of the lifestyle. They are in sync quite quickly with their lifestyle choices. Although I loved that Mav respected his own boundaries and refused to even enter the club until he was comfortable, which was a much longer period of time than many books would show, and Douglas never pressured him at all.

Douglas was very secretive about his “double life”, but it made him all the more appealing as a person, and a royal, which he took very seriously. He felt a strong need to help people who might not be able to help themselves. Once Mav found out about this double life, it pushed his feelings for Douglas even further towards the HEA we are all looking for.

There were some conflicts with Mav’s boss (he was basically a contractor within the castle walls) which I thought was a bit more contrived than I would have liked. However, it did introduce us to Mav’s father, who was a sassy older man that just made you want to hug him, and tell him to stay off ladders.

There is also an overarching slightly suspenseful arc that will be interesting to see how it plays out. There are several cousins that get along really well…I am thinking this is scheduled to be a six book series, with all the cousins being an MC. However, there are some definite homophobes within the family, which may be causing some trouble internally. All is not peaches and cream within the royal family.

All in all, very well done. A great start to what I am hoping is a great series.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

I am Elouise East but feel free to call me Elli. I write sweet and steamy connections in gay romance. I also touch on taboo stories under the name Elouise R East.

Books that tell the stories where friendship and family are the focal point – be it blood family or chosen – is very important to me. That’s why I include a variety of personalities, talents, ages, situations and abilities as I believe a story needs, or a character needs. I want my characters to be real, to be relatable, to be free to have whatever views they tell me they have. And trust me, most of the time, I do not have any say in the matter!

My characters come to life on the page for me as well as my readers. Their stories unfold in front of me, and I have very little input into how they want to be shown. Just like real life, the lives of my characters change with every choice, every interaction and every conversation. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I write books that are emotionally realistic, even if liberties are taken with other aspects of my stories. I don’t know any other way to write. It comes from deep inside.

Who am I? A single parent to two children who make life worth living. An avid reader who still devours every book she can get her hands on. A student of learning about any subject that takes her fancy. An author of books she would read herself. And a romantic at heart who loves anything cheesy.

Who’s in?

Social Media Links:

Universal: https://linktr.ee/elouiseeastauthor

Newsletter: https://elouiseeast.com/newsletter

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/EastElouise

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Imposing Saint (All Saints Security Series Book 3) by Jess Bryant: New Release Review

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Aaron Laughlin is young, rich, and a star among the Nashville political elite. That’s why nobody is more surprised than him when he ends up abandoned at the altar. But here he is, dumped on the most important day of his life, embarrassed in front of his entire city, and left with a bruised ego in place of a broken heart.

Needing time away to regroup after the fiasco that could very well derail his career, he decides to head to the mountains and enjoy his honeymoon on his own. Only, he isn’t alone. His imposing new bodyguard refuses to let Aaron out of his sight, or his reach, and the way his dark eyes follow Aaron’s every move gets under his skin in a way he can’t shake, and isn’t sure he wants to.

Isaac Chinn is practical, professional and takes pride in being good at his job. He’s never even considered breaching the client/bodyguard boundary, which is why being stuck on the side of a mountain with the gorgeous jilted groom that isn’t quite as straight as he’d like people to think, is such an imposition. The mayor might annoy and intrigue him in equal measure but Isaac knows better than to cross the line.

Only, the heat that flares between them refuses to be ignored. They’re like gasoline and a match, destined to consume each other if they get too close. But when faced with the cold of loneliness, is it worth the risk to feel the heat of passion, even if it might destroy them both?

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Having not read any of the previous books, I came in a bit blind to this series, which was fine. It was mostly stand alone, although I got the feeling that Ashtyn’s story was either a previous book, or a book to come. But none of that took me out of the story.

Isaac Chin was a bodyguard, working for/with his best friend, assigned to guard Aaron after he is jilted at his wedding. I really liked Isaac. I liked that even though he grew up in Nashville, he acknowledged his heritage, something not always represented in the gay romance genre. I liked that he was very intuitive (which I would assume is necessary in his profession) and was able to see there were already issues with Aaron and Ashtyn before wedding day arrived. He had no problems relaxing once they were in Colorado, but still kept his guard up to protect his man.

Aaron, on the other hand, I had a really hard time liking at times. He was so hot and cold with Aaron. I understand why, his career was on the line, his hopes for the future. However, he treated being bisexual like it was a disease sometimes. There was a very detailed conversation where he described how little bisexual it was (something like 3% towards men, 97% towards women), and it turned me off on him, as it just seemed to breathe self-loathing, when he was so confident and self-assured in every other way. (His parents were by no means innocent in how he must have felt about himself.) He also hurt Isaac multiple times, knowingly, because he was being selfish.

Now, it sounds like I hated Aaron, and yes, there were times I did. However, he does redeem himself, and does it (at least to me) in a surprising way, with a conversation that I didn’t see coming. That helped me to see Aaron as someone who really just needed to find a way to reconcile his life from all sides, in order to find a way to be happy, for himself and for the future he wanted with Isaac.

I really loved that these two men were able to find joy and contentment in nature, in the one place in the world where Aaron seemed to feel comfortable, and Isaac fell in love with immediately. Their joy in spending time in nature in Colorado made me want to take a day and go hiking. 🙂

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Got Me Hoping (Vet Shop Boys Book 1) by Casey Cox: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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It’s just a one-night stand, they said. It’ll be simple, no-strings fun, they said. They. Lied.

I’m done with love and being broken-hearted. The only dogs I want to deal with are the ones I treat in the veterinary clinic I work at.

But at thirty-four, having my first one-night stand can’t hurt. Right? The rules are pretty simple.

1. Don’t spend the night.
2. Don’t see him again.
3. Don’t share anything personal.
4. Don’t fall in love with him.

But when Haze, the guy I spent a blazing hot night with and haven’t been able to forget about, shows up as our new receptionist, the rules fly out the window.

There’s no way one night could lead to anything more. So why has Haze got me hoping this might just last?

Got Me Hoping is book 1 in the Vet Shop Boys series and can be read as a stand-alone. Expect plenty of humor, found family, an adorable golden retriever, a foul-mouthed parrot, a whole new way of getting clean (as well as very, very dirty) and a heartwarming happily ever after!

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

My thoughts screech to a halt when the guy I’ve been subtly ogling all evening practically bowls me over. Okay, I admit, I may have strategically positioned myself near the hallway that leads to the men’s room so that we’d maybe bump into each other as he left. I wasn’t expecting it to happen quite so literally, though.

He’s nervous, and it’s cute as hell. Maybe that’s why it unleashes a cheekiness in me. As we settle at the bar and have a drink, I’m struck by his eyes. Yes, he’s got the whole Henry Cavill thing going on, and seriously, those biceps are beyond ridiculous, but it’s his eyes that pull me in. They’re a rich, mossy green, but more than that, they’re kind. You can tell a lot about a person by their eyes, and his tell me he’s a decent guy.

Even as we’re chatting away, I can see that he’s a little on edge. It’s endearing, though, and when he tells me he’s never had a one-night stand, the pieces fall perfectly into place.

He’s still a little skittish as we wait for an Uber outside the bar. I zip my bomber jacket all the way up and blow out a puff of steam into the cold night air. “I’ve only had four drinks,” Noah tells me, eyeing the road, on the lookout for the car. “I’m just erring on the side of caution, is all.”

“It’s okay,” I assure him, gripping his forearm. He’s got that irresistible hard-jaw, soft-eyes combination that makes everything okay.

The ride back to his place is a silent one. Our fingers play with each other across the middle of the backseat, threads that tangle, then loosen. His thumb caresses the top of my hand.

We smile at each other, and his eyes gleam under the passing streetlights.

So this was…fine. Nice. Readable. Cute. It is definitely not a book I am going to remember past tomorrow.

I love the setting of the book (and series) a veterinary clinic that is called The Vet Shop Boys. I do have to say that maybe those younger won’t get that. But I enjoyed it. And care was used in representing veterinarians and all they go through. From the cost of school to the long hours and the sadness. But also that most really, really love their jobs. And these guys that work together are all friends and a great support system for each other.

And it was those friends who couldn’t believe that Noah had never had a one night stand. So of course, that means he will have one NOW! TONIGHT! Enter Haze (I eye rolled the name at first but then further along in the book it is explained and I aww’d) super hot guy in the bar who is down for that one night stand. Especially because he is going to London for six months. But of course, they connected. And, of course, when Haze gets back from his six months abroad he starts working at the clinic.

From there it’s a lot of flirting until they finally admit they have feelings. But Haze was so wishy washy. For someone “studying to be an actor” in college (after finishing some bio-something degree) he never talks about acting. Literally. Kind of a weird thing to study- in college- if it isn’t something you had ever done. I don’t know. It was so throw away but a plot point. So it’s a plot point that had no backing.

And if he said, one more time that he was “almost 30” I was ready to throw my kindle. Oy.

Weird plot point intrudes so that Haze has to make a decision. That was also odd. You’ll see.

I just don’t feel like the whole story line was well thought out. The acting thing was completely misplaced and the little side story with the owner of the clinic was seen from LITERALLY the beginning of the book, but Noah didn’t see it? Really? That naive?

If you want kind of mindless fluff, go for it. But I don’t think I will be seeking out book 2.

3 pieces of eye candy

I’ve been wanting to do this ‘authoring’ thing since forever. But this thing called ‘life’ kept getting in the way. And then this thing called ‘turning 40’ happened. Eep!

So I did what any responsible newcomer to middle-age-hood would do: I quit my day job, started drinking copious amounts of coffee, and reconnected with my life long passion–donuts, er, I mean writing.

So here I am. And there you are… Hello!

I live on the east coast of Australia, I’m the proud paw-rent of two of the most utterly adorable French Bulldogs, Ralphie and Lilly, and when I’m not writing, you’ll most likely catch me down at the beach (I’m the one drinking Rosé and eating donuts while other people are doing healthy things like ‘walking’ and ‘swimming’).

Connect with Casey:
Website: https://caseycoxbooks.com/
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Email: caseycoxbooks@gmail.com

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Playing It Safe (Sydney Smoke Rugby Series Book 7) by Amy Andrews: Release Day Review

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Donovan Bane loves playing rugby for the Sydney Smoke. And if that means he has to keep his sexuality a secret, that’s a sacrifice he’s prepared to make. At least until after he retires, anyway. He doesn’t want to be the first pro rugby player in Australia to officially come out while still playing. The team doesn’t need the media shit storm and he’d rather be known for his footy skills. Which means no dating, no relationships, no sex. Nothing but playing ball.

Until one man suddenly changes everything…

Beckett Stanton is out and proud—and not looking for a guy who isn’t. Been there, done that, complete disaster. Unfortunately, on the first day of his new job working for the Sydney Smoke, he locks eyes with Donovan Bane and he’s a goner. Big, gruff, and athletic isn’t usually Beck’s type, but for some reason this man is ticking all his boxes. And it’s clear the feeling is mutual. It’s also clear that Donovan is not out, and doesn’t plan to be anytime soon. Still, Beck can’t resist being the man to show Donovan everything he’s been missing.

For the first time, Donovan doesn’t play it safe and allows himself to indulge in things with Beck he knows he can’t have. But when their relationship gets serious, he knows he has to choose between the career he loves and the man he loves, because how can he possibly have both?

Amazon

I haven’t read any of the other books in this series, as I believe they are all m/f. However, when I saw this one pop up on NG, I was super intrigued. First, Australia, Sydney to be exact, which I love, with a little New Zealand thrown in there, have always loved the home of the Kiwis, and on top of it sports romance. All great things in my book. I don’t know anything about rugby (although I did get to watch an All Blacks match when I was in NZ), known as footie Down Under, but I can’t imagine I wouldn’t love it.

Poor Dono…he struggled so hard to be true to himself, love his family, and just keep working his career, knowing someday he could be an out FORMER player. He never counted on falling in love. He always felt his teammates, the team leadership, the fans would hate him, and bring pain to his only child, simply because he was gay. He truly felt he had no options.

Meanwhile Beck swore he wasn’t going to do the whole boyfriend in the closet piece ever again, and kept to that, for some time at least. He told himself he could keep it separate and casual, but Dono knew exactly what he wanted, it was a challenge for him to agree to it.

This was an insta-love/lust that turned into a slow burn, allowing these two to become friends, getting to know each other on a level that was far beyond the hot sex that came later. Even though they hid away from the world, they spent time doing domestic things, cooking together, ordering in, watching movies and old rugby matches, laughing and having fun together. They dated behind closed doors, until they had no other options.

Definitely some crying, and a super happy ending. Would definitely recommend.

4 pieces of eye candy

Amy is an award-winning, USA Today best-selling, double RITA nominated, Aussie author who has written eighty plus contemporary romances in both the traditional and digital markets. Her books bring all the feels from sass, quirk and laughter to emotional grit and panty-melting heat.

She loves good books and great booze although she’ll take mediocre booze if there’s nothing else. For many, many years she was a registered nurse which means she knows things. Anatomical things. And she’s not afraid to use them!

She lives in a pretty little coastal town where she gets to look at the ocean all day.

To keep up with her new releases you can join her mailing list here – http://www.amyandrews.com.au/newsletter.html

Salvation: A Second Chance Gay Romance (Darkest Skies) by Garrett Leigh: New Release Review with Giveaway

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Reformed gang boss Dante Pope is out after a four-year stretch in prison. But freedom has found him faster than he’s ready for. His only brother hates him, and with nothing but PTSD and a newfound fascination with plants for company, the outside world is a terrifying place.

A prisoner rehabilitation scheme lands him at a stately home that might as well be the moon. Working for gorgeous gardener Sid is a welcome distraction—his shoulders are broad, his rugged jaw unshaven, and his long, tanned legs?

Wow.

But Sid has problems of his own. A life-changing disease has left him limited in ways he can’t bear and accepting help, even from a stranger, makes him want to curl up and die.

If Dante would let him.

Newsflash: he won’t, and he’s not a stranger for long. With his dark smile and sinister ink, Dante Pope is the most beautiful man Sid has ever seen. Life is hard, but falling for each other is easy.

Sunshine and shadows.

Old ghosts can haunt Dante all they like. Loving Sid is the only salvation he’ll ever need.

Salvation is a sweetly angsty standalone MM romance novel in the Darkest Skies series. Expect: second chances, forced proximity, friends-to-lovers, and buckets of hurt/comfort themed loveliness. Content warnings for childhood trauma, violence, and chronic illness.

Cover Design: Black Jazz Design

Darkest Skies Series 

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Oh my heart. I LOVED this book.

The last we saw of Dante, he was getting shot in the foot and then sent to prison. He has served half his time and is up for parole (set in England so it isn’t called parole, but you know) and gets an amazing work release job as a gardener. While in prison, his most recent job there was as a gardener and he really loved it. But Dante is broken. So, so broken. He went from being the head of his road boys (gang) to having nothing. He isn’t even excited about getting out of prison. Because what does he have? He is the polar opposite of the Dante we knew before.

Sid is the head gardener at a posh estate that is open to the public. He also has MS and never knows when an attack will hit. Of course he doesn’t WANT help, but he has no choice. And as soon as he sees Dante’s picture, he is immediately drawn to him. Sid is angry at having MS, at needing help, at his sister and best friend always trying to help, at all of the weird symptoms from MS, and on and on. But your heart breaks for him too.

These guys are so perfect together. They are both broken but I feel like together they make each other whole. I love all of their interactions- from being at work together to hanging out in one of their cabins. It is all just so natural.

There was closure from Dante’s road boys days and even what happened with his brother toward the end was just perfect. Because it wasn’t perfect. Because life isn’t perfect.

This might very well end up being my favorite book this year.

PS- read the first 2. You really have to so you know what Dante has done, what he has been through and the connections to the different people.

5 pieces of eye candy

Garrett Leigh is an award-winning British writer and book designer.

Garrett’s debut novel, Slide, won Best Bisexual Debut at the 2014 Rainbow Book Awards, and her polyamorous novel, Misfits was a finalist in the 2016 LAMBDA awards.

When not writing, Garrett can generally be found procrastinating on Twitter, cooking up a storm, or sitting on her behind doing as little as possible, all the while shouting at her menagerie of children and animals and attempting to tame her unruly and wonderful FOX.

Garrett is also an award winning cover artist, taking the silver medal at the Benjamin Franklin Book Awards in 2016. She designs for various publishing houses and independent authors at blackjazzdesign.com, and co-owns the specialist stock site moonstockphotography.com with renowned LGBTQA+ photographer Dan Burgess.

Website: http://www.garrettleigh.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garrettleighauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Garrett_Leigha Rafflecopter giveaway