Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

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It’s Not You by Becca Seymour: RB, Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

by

When a protective ex-cop helps his gorgeous tenant through his recovery, their complicated history is asking for trouble. Will the fear of the past repeating itself destroy any possibility of happiness?

Daredevil drifter Lawrence Crawford is hunting for a place to call home. After ten years of looking, he believes he’s found what he’s been searching for. With a job that pays the bills and a small group of friends he’s opening up to, he lets down his guard. Perhaps too much so. Finding himself in need of support, Lawrence is forced to accept help from the one man who’s been driving him to distraction for the past year. His landlord.

Former cop Billy Hilton made a mistake—admittedly there’ve been many over the years. The latest is when he lets Lawrence believe he isn’t interested in pursuing anything with him. It’s not even the age difference or the fact the guy lives in Billy’s studio apartment that’s the problem. Instead, it’s all him. When Billy offers to play nursemaid to Lawrence, his intentions may not be pure, but they’re honest. And that honesty blows their lives wide open when Lawrence’s past comes knocking on the door, demanding changes and threatening an upheaval neither man may ever recover from.

Book five in Becca Seymour’s stand-alone low-angst, feel-good LGBTQ series, True-blue. In this small town, there are busybodies, dogs who cause chaos, families who have the “best” of timing, and opportunities for good men to find their perfect match.

It’s Not You by Becca Seymour

True Blue, Book 6

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

I flicked a quick glance behind me, rewarded immediately by Lawrence’s attention on my ass, his bottom lip clamped between his teeth. Immediately I turned away, thankful as hell that that look from him was enough to prevent my self-loathing from bubbling to the surface.

Finishing up, I double-checked the tightness of the fitting, then eased back. Standing, I turned and said, “You did a great job fixing this up. Thanks.”

The smile he offered was tentative, shy, and sweet as hell. “It’s all good,” he answered with a shrug. “You want to get me the sealant and I’ll get it—”

“No, it’s cool. I’ll do it.” The slow trail my gaze made down his body was deliberate as I said, “Aren’t you off for a run?” I’d already spotted his skateboard near the front door when I’d entered. And if he wasn’t on the death trap of a board, he was off running.

Lawrence shifted a little, the pink in his cheeks returning. The color looked too good there for me to feel guilty for pushing him into a reaction. My bastard status was strong. I knew this, but I needed a reaction from the guy. Only then could I start figuring out the way to make this right.

An apology had already happened.

He’d accepted it graciously, but his hurt had remained palpable. I’d definitely apologize again, but I needed to do more.

“Yeah. Just a short one. Only going to do five miles today.”

I nodded, a little envious that five miles were so easy for him. He had youth and fitness on his side. My leg had never quite recovered, my knee especially giving me a problem. At times I felt like a crusty old fart. And with winter doing a number on me, making me ache and limp, I felt that way even more in the colder months.

“I can do this while you’re out, if that’s okay?” We stepped into the open living space, and I looked around, noticing a few chips of paint and that the place wasn’t looking its best.

“Yeah, that’s fine.”

“Looks like this place could do with a fresh coat of paint too,” I added, feeling bad that the place was looking a bit shabby.

“Oh.” Lawrence shrugged. “I don’t mind. It’s dry and comfortable. Plus the air conditioning works,” he said, his smile this time fuller and genuine.

“Well, that’s good at least, but I do want to get a lick of paint on the walls.” I paused, eyes roaming the place, giving my mind time to percolate on the idea that was forming. I internally grimaced at the plan… the playing of games, but spending time with the guy, giving him the chance to see I wasn’t always an asshole, was the only possible way forward.

Before I’d ruined everything, our friendship had been growing. We’d shared more than a few beers and meals together. And while I knew he had a birthmark on his right hip, which I’d lavished attention on, I didn’t know the deep stuff. I didn’t even know if he had family, as he guarded some parts of his past closely. And that was all on me.

I wanted to know the guy.

Becca Seymour lives and breathes all things book related. Usually with at least three books being read and two WiPs being written at the same time, life is merrily hectic. She tends to do nothing by halves so happily seeks the craziness and busyness life offers.

Living on her small property in Queensland with her human family as well as her animal family of cows, chooks, and dogs, Becca appreciates the beauty of the world around her and is a believer that love truly is love.

Connect with Becca:
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https://www.amazon.com/Becca-Seymour/e/B07NYXX6JP
Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/r9f0i4

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First (99 Daddies Book 1) by Casey Cox: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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First: (adverb)
a: before another in time, space, or importance.
b: for the first time.
See also: Stirling “First-Time Daddy” Bishop.

A boy who can’t find what he wants.
A Daddy who doesn’t know what he needs.

With his big blue eyes, lean frame, and propensity for adorkable clumsiness, Mikey Harrison is a Daddy magnet…for the wrong type of Daddy. Those who mistake his desire to serve as an open invitation to mistreat him and abuse his trust.

But all of that changes when he lays his eyes on Stirling Bishop. Sure, the strong, silent (and irresistibly sexy) type ticks all of his boxes, but it’s the tenderness underlying Stirling’s strength that makes him achingly irresistible.

For Mikey, it’s insta-love.
For Stirling, it’s insta-huh?

Despite looking like he was put on this earth to be the Daddy of every boy’s dreams, the thought of dating a younger guy has never even crossed Stirling’s mind, much less the idea of being a Daddy.

But there’s no denying that Mikey awakens something deep within him—the desire to dominate, the need to care. It’s been dormant, yet bubbling under the surface within him for his entire life.

Can Mikey help Stirling find the strength he needs to be the Daddy he was meant to be…and become the Daddy of Mikey’s dreams?

FIRST
First is a Daddy/boy, May-December gay romance featuring a strong, silent, first-time Daddy, and an eager boy who can show him the way. Come along for the ride and enjoy some crazy/sexy/cool shenanigans including: impromptu foot rubs, naked butlers, a crew of sassy friends, lots of LOLs, and all the feels on the way to a heartwarming HEA.

First is the first book in the 99 Daddies series. Each book in the series will contain overlapping characters and storylines, so you may enjoy them more by reading them in order.

99 DADDIES
99 Daddies is a hilarious, entertaining, and heartwarming Daddy/boy, May-December MM romance series.

Escape to Daylesford, the (fictional) Daddy capital of America. If you love steamy and complex Daddy/boy dynamics, May-December gay romances with a twist, sweet and sassy MM age-gap romances, and chasing those guaranteed HEAs, you’ll love it here.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

He closed his eyes. I loved seeing his massive chest rise and fall with every breath in and out. We didn’t need words. There was something happening here, something between us that defied logic and sense, but it was as real as the floor I was sitting on.

Did he feel it too? What was going on inside of him? I could feel his whole body starting to loosen, to relax under my firm touch. As I looked up at him, I could see his jaw unclench and his face start to soften.

He had to be feeling this too. It couldn’t just be me, could it, imagining something that I wanted so badly? Seeing only what I wanted to see?

Oh fuck, it probably was. I always did this. I always let my imagination and my desires run away with me, pulling me toward what I hoped for and wanted, while choosing not to see what was actually right in front of me. I’d done it with Brian before, was I doing it again with Stirling now?

I sighed loudly, which made him open his eyes. He looked around as if he had just woken up and wasn’t entirely sure where he was. He was so freaking sexy I couldn’t handle it. I smiled up at him.

“What you’re doing feels so good, Mikey,” he said, looking straight at me.

Hearing him say my name for the first time made my heart do cartwheels of joy.

“Good,” I said, looking straight back. “I’m happy to keep going for as long—”

“Sorry to interrupt,” Steel’s voice cut in.

He was standing beside me. There wasn’t even the slightest hint of judgement in his voice or in the look that he gave me. And trust me, I knew a thing or two about being judged.

“We need to go, Stirling. I just saw a cake being wheeled out. Sorry.” He looked at me when he apologized.

“It’s fine,” I said, releasing Stirling’s feet gently. “You are the birthday boy, after all. You’re kind of needed for that whole cake thing.” I said as I stood up.

“Yeah, that’s usually how these things work,” he said with an apologetic smile, as Stirling started to put his socks and shoes back on. Slowly, of course.

Once he was done, he stood up in front of me. He was a good four inches taller than me, which I really liked for some reason.

“Uh, thanks,” he said. He opened his mouth as if to say something else, but then quickly snapped it shut.

“You’re…welcome.” It was all I could think of to say as Steel grabbed Stirling by his arm and the two men began to walk away from us.

Nick stood next to me as we watched them make their way across the room, rejoining their friends and turning their attention to a massive chocolate cake filled with candles, that was being brought out by two naked butlers.

“Now those are some seriously sexy Daddies.”

Nick’s words hung heavily in the air between us.

“Uh huh.”

It was all I could manage.

“So,” Nick said as he placed his hand firmly on my shoulder, giving it a little squeeze. “That whole I’m-over-men thing, then?”

I didn’t even have to turn my head. From the corner of my eye, I could see the shit-eating grin stretching across his face.

“Yeah, totally over that.” My eyes were fixed on Stirling, following his every movement. “I am one hundred percent back into men.”

Okay, so… I have a thing for hot dads. It’s no secret, not to those who know me, and especially not to those who follow my reviews. In saying that, this one, in my definition, is not a Daddy/boy book.

I mean, sure, they toss it out there every once in a while, but the lifestyle and mechanics behind such a trope. No. It was hard to keep my interest after I figured that out.

So, in the beginning, Mikey and his best friend since high school, Nick, are naked waiters… which somehow gets them into being naked furniture, which somehow morphs into being human footstools, which I didn’t like. I mean, you could ask first, couldn’t you? Don’t just take off your socks and put your clammy feet on my naked back, ew… but, it’s where Mikey meets Stirling…

Now, Stirling is fresh out of a relationship where his husband not only cheated but then took him for half of everything and still blamed him. So, he’s jaded, if only a bit.
He’s a first time ‘Daddy’, which is no surprise, and he really doesn’t know what he wants at first, though it doesn’t take him long to realize that what he wants is Mikey… and Mikey, he’s a little too much at times for me, but he’s funny and clumsy and his brain to mouth filter is a bit delayed, but he’s a loveable type. I did like the pair of them together.

Of course, it isn’t all cute and sweet and getting to know one another, there are a few bumps in the road that I would love to rant about for a while, but as I’ve recently been told that my ranting is mostly all spoilers, I’ve tried to tone it down a bit…. I will say that you will NOT like any of the exes in this book, and that’s putting it lightly. (especially from me)

Overall though, if you like a couple of cute guys who find love in each other after heartbreak, some really good friends, and some very very very very light Daddy kink… you’ll likely enjoy this one.
Especially if you’re a sucker for a good HEA.

3.5 Pieces of Eye Candy

Casey Cox is devoted to delighting readers with sassy, sweet and sometimes steamy MM gay romance tales of gorgeous, good-hearted and complex men chasing that thing we all love: a guaranteed HEA.

Casey’s writing has an escapist, wanderlust quality to it because, let’s face it, these days there are plenty of reasons to run from reality.

Casey lives on the east coast of Australia, loves the beach and is a proud paw-parent to two utterly adorable French Bulldogs named Ralphie and Lilly.

Connect with Casey:
Website: https://caseycoxbooks.com/
Goodreads
BookBub
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/casey.cox
Email: caseycoxbooks@gmail.com
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Cupcakes and Christmas: A Bake Off inspired MM Christmas Romance by RJ Scott: Blog Tour, New Release Review and Giveaway

by

The story of long nights in a wintry mountain hotel, a baking show with secrets, a snowman called Jeremy, and finding the greatest love of all.

After winning season four of ratings hit the World’s Best Baking Show, Brody Thomas had become a sought-after cake maker to the stars. Happily married, he dreamed of a bright future, but his perfect life imploded when he discovered that his husband had done nothing but lie to him. A year later, Brody is mid-divorce, and his life has been turned upside down, so being part of the WBBS charity event is excellent timing. He’s sure it will give him time away from home and space to get his head straight, only he never expected to meet the man of his dreams in a snowy Alberta.

Winning season one of WBBS gave Justin Mallory a chance to outrun the demons of a childhood lost in the foster system. He’s a social media influencer, with millions of followers, and works every hour to make money that equals security for the rest of his life. His marketing team signs him up for the WBBS Christmas charity show, but he’s convinced he’ll fall at the first hurdle. Only, after a few days in the competition, his worry isn’t that he’ll be the first to leave, it’s that he’ll lose his heart to a rival baker, Brody.

Title: Cupcakes & Christmas

Author: RJ Scott

Cover Design: Meredith Russell

Length: 67,000 words approx.

Amazon

This book was sweetness, 100%. How could it not be with a title like Cupcakes & Christmas? It was like getting that cupcake with the most decadent filling, coated in icing. It could be too much sweetness, but you still have to have it all. 🙂

I don’t watch much TV, and so haven’t seen much of these baking shows, but you can tell that the author has loved every second of them, and made me want to run out and watch them myself. What I loved though was that the two MC’s clearly had a love for baking, especially as they kept watching the show even after they won their own seasons. At one point one of the MC’s mentions baking every day. (Don’t you want to live next door to him???). Having had crushes on each other during the other’s season, I thought it was fun how the author brought them together with a reunion show as the backdrop (oh, and now I really want to go to Banff!). This added a little drama, but honestly it was mostly drama free. It was about the two MC’s finding their way to each other despite their lack of communication.

I loved Brody’s family, especially his twin, and that even though they’d been through some serious challenges the previous year due to Brody’s marriage, they were all still completely behind each other (and later Justin as well). Meanwhile, Justin was just trying to figure out how to transition to a career he could be proud of, and still feel successful, with a balance in the bank.

Jeremy was the icing on the cupcake. I loved that little piece of the book. It was just awesome that that became their time together, their place to talk, to work through issues or even to be alone. We all need a Jeremy in our lives.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

RJ Scott is a USA TODAY bestselling author of over 140 romance and suspense novels. From bodyguards to hockey stars, princes to millionaires, cowboys to military heroes to every-day heroes, she believes that love is love and every man deserves a happy ending.

Find RJ here: Amazon | BookBub | Facebook – Also, Never miss a release


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Blind Warrior (The Weavers Circle Book 3) by Jocelynn Drake and Rinda Elliot: RDB, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

by

Grey Ackles

The Soul Weaver feels useless.

A burden endangering his brothers.

The last battle with the pestilents cost Grey his sight and powers.

Now he’s dependent on his vision rehabilitation therapist Cort to learn how to function on a daily basis.

But as he grows closer to Cort, Grey is left wanting his powers back for a new reason—how will he ever know if the man he’s falling for is actually his soul mate?

Cort Newton

There is some really weird stuff going on at that house.

Spell books, guns, and a giraffe in the backyard?

But no matter how strange it gets, Cort is not going to leave the grumpy writer.

Adjusting to sudden blindness is hard for everyone, but Grey clearly has deeper reason for needing his vision back at any cost. Cort just wished Grey would confide in him.

Even with Grey’s secrets, Cort has never been drawn to a man like he is with Grey and he will do anything to keep this man safe.

Blind Warrior is the third book in the Weavers Circle series. It includes fast-paced action, running through Savannah, secrets, shapeshifting, brainwashed assassins, a gorilla, sexy times, fun with water, insecurity, three crazy old ladies, and magic!

Title:  Blind Warrior

Series: The Weavers Circle #3

Author: Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott

Publisher: Drake & Elliott Publishing LLC

Release Date: November 20, 2020

Heat Level: 4 – Lots of Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 98k

Genre: Romance, Fantasy

Goodreads

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Grey reluctantly got out of the vehicle and felt his way to the warm hood. “Gotta be a lot of glass bottles in there for me to knock over,” he warned as Lucien placed a hand on his biceps.

“We’ll steer you in the right direction.” Lucien pressed on his arm as they started walking. “You need the exercise.”

“Makes more sense for me to wait in the—” he broke off when a horrid smell hit his nose. It was like rotting meat left out on a hot summer day. “Shit, pestilents,” he hissed. Fear gripped his heart, his lungs freezing in his chest. How the hell was he supposed to protect himself?

Pestilents were these…humanoid creatures…from another realm who were trying to kill him and his brother Weavers. Their world was dying, and they wanted to leech energy off this one to save their own. Grey and the other Weavers had been tasked to stop them, using magic they’d gained from three goddesses. Insane. All of it sounded absolutely insane, but it was now his life.

One positive was that they were easy to spot, thanks to their awful stink. They rotted slowly in this world because they didn’t belong.

“I just smelled them, too,” Lucien grumbled under his breath.

“Can you see them?” Grey asked.

“They have to be in the store. Do pestilents drink alcohol?” Baer’s voice was moving away from Grey, possibly toward the Jeep.

“How the hell would we know?” Lucien led Grey back, too. Doors opened around him and he reached out with his left hand, coming into contact with the familiar durable fabric covering the rear bench seat in Baer’s Jeep.

“That’s it? We’re going to run?” Grey slid inside the vehicle, inwardly fuming. They were running to protect him.

“You expect us to just attack them in broad daylight in a wine shop?” Baer’s voice came from the driver’s side this time. “I can’t believe they’re rallying forces this fast. We had a three-month break last time.”

“There is obviously more than one set out there, or they wouldn’t have been chasing us over the United States.” Grey grabbed the front seats and pulled himself forward to lean between them as Lucien got into the passenger side. “I don’t think we should just leave them.”

Lucien cleared his throat. “I see only one at the counter now.”

“Doesn’t mean there aren’t more in the back,” Baer countered.

“Why don’t you go in there and lure him out?” Lucien suggested. “See that field behind those trees? We could fight it there.”

Grey saw nothing, but he didn’t bother to point that out. All he knew was, he felt wrong running and leaving any pestilents free to attack them later. Or even an innocent human who just happened to get in their way. If there were only a few, Baer and Lucien would be able to easily take care of them on their own. “I think that’s a good idea. But you should both go inside, just in case there are more than one.”

“And leave you help-er…alone out here?” Baer snapped. He cursed softly. “Sorry, Grey.”

But he was fucking helpless, and he knew it. Before losing his sight, his powers hadn’t done a lot when it came to fighting, but he’d been able to shoot a gun, use a knife. He wasn’t bad in a fight. And he’d been able to serve as a lookout, offer cover for his brothers. Now, he didn’t even have that.

Of course, his powers were tied to his sight, so he couldn’t use those. All he got were the occasional broken thoughts and emotions from others. His ability to see auras had been nipped in the bud. As was his ability to see into people’s souls, to read their past, motives, desires, and thoughts. He didn’t know if he could still manipulate people, hadn’t even tried.

“I’m going in,” Baer announced. “I’ll lure him into the field and shift into something fierce. We’ll dispatch this asshole, grab our booze, and go home.”

I have been eagerly awaiting this book! This is book 3. It is not a stand alone, you absolutely have to read books 1 and 2 as it is a continuing story. That being said, spoiler from book 2 coming. Although the title kind of gives it away.

Grey, the Soul Weaver, introvert, mind reader, goes blind after the last big battle with the pestilents. And even though Dane, the healer, can help with everything else, he cannot restore Grey’s sight. Without his sight, Grey has no powers. Without powers, Grey can’t help the other Weavers in the war against the pestilents. Oh, that was the cliff hanger for book 2 and why I couldn’t wait for book 3.

We pick up pretty much right where we left off. A week or two has passed, Grey has been to a doctor who couldn’t do anything except offer the number of a vision rehabilitation specialist so that he can learn to manage his life better.

There were some funny scenes when they were all trying to keep the whole Weaver thing from Colt- the VRS. “Was that a giraffe?” BAHAHA! They tried, but keeping the secret was next to impossible.

And so they brothers continue on, trying to figure out a way to beat the pestilents for good, while trying to come up with a healing spell to get Grey his sight back, and Grey and Cort slowly falling for each other.

Even with a story taking place almost solely at one house, with the same people always interacting and the two main characters thrust together because of necessity, there is still some really sweet and romantic scenes. And Grey does know how to use his words to woo Cort. And woo he does.

There is a bit of drama when Grey hears one of Clay’s thoughts. Working through that was tough for them.

Oh wait! I forgot we also got another Weaver! This time it is the Water Weaver. (PS- I love the diversity of the characters. Out of 7 there are two black men and one Asian man.) He isn’t freaked out at all and takes to it like a duck to water. Whomp whomp. Sorry, had to.

There are battles and invaders and spells and shifters and everything that makes this series so fun, intriguing and readable.

I loved it and can’t wait for book 4. Luckily there was no cliff hanger on this one.

4 pieces of eye candy

Jocelynn Drake and Rinda Elliott have teamed up to combine their evil genius to create intense gay romantic suspense stories that have car chases, shoot outs, explosions, scorching hot love scenes, and tender, tear-jerking moments. Their first joint books are in the Unbreakable Bonds series.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | eMail

http://drakeandelliott.com/

https://www.facebook.com/drakeandelliott/

https://twitter.com/DrakeandElliott

drakeandelliott@gmail.com

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Strawberry Kisses by Charlie Novak: RDB, Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

by

Patrick’s To Do List:
1. Tell family I’m gay
2. Make giant cake for anniversary party
3. Convince Connor to be my fake boyfriend for the weekend
4. Try to keep my hands off Connor
5. Make sure Connor doesn’t find out I’ve been in love with him for the last three years

Connor’s Steps for Success:
1. Perfect pole routine for Chrome Stars
2. Continue search for perfect music
3. Survive weekend with Patrick’s family without mauling him while sharing a bed
4. Prevent feelings from exploding like a glitter bomb
5. Make sure Patrick doesn’t find out I’ve been in love with him forever

Strawberry Kisses is a 78,000 word standalone, contemporary MM romance featuring a sweet pastry chef, sassy pole dancer, a nosy but loving family, fabulous make-up, fluffy feels, and copious amounts of cake.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Patrick

Connor took my hand, leading me through the empty house towards the stairs. I followed without hesitation. When we got to the stairs, he paused, stepping onto the bottom step and looking at me over his shoulder. “Don’t worry. We won’t do anything more than you’re comfortable with. But I do want to find out what you look like when you come.” He turned and leant in close, his eyes burning with heat. “I bet you look fucking gorgeous.”

Then he turned and started walking again, leaving me speechless behind him. I nearly tripped up the stairs as I followed. My eyes never left his perfect, round ass, which swayed enticingly in front of me. I couldn’t think of anything except his last few sentences. God, I wanted this to be good for him.

I wanted to be good for him.

I wanted to kneel down in front of him and worship him from head to toe because Connor was my world and I needed him to know just how much I adored him. Even if I could never tell him, I hoped I could show him so, when all this was over, he’d never forget what had happened between us.

Connor opened the bedroom door and ushered me inside, clicking it shut behind us and sliding the lock into place. I knew nobody would come looking for us, but it was nice to know nobody was going to come barging in on the off chance we were missed. He took my hand, pulling me towards the bed. I swallowed, feeling suddenly too hot in my shirt, like my skin was on fire, and I just needed to jump into a pool to cool off.

“Take off your shirt,” Connor said. His voice was soft but firm, and my hands moved before he’d even finished speaking.

His eyes roamed over me appreciatively. Part of me felt like I should be nervous because I looked nothing like the man I thought Connor deserved, but then I remembered he wanted this. He wanted me.

Charlie lives in England with her husband and a dachshund named Biscuit. She spends most of her days wrangling other people’s words in her day job and then trying to force her own onto the page in the evening.

She loves cute stories with a healthy dollop of fluff, plenty of delicious sex, and happily ever afters — because the world needs more of them. Charlie also believes that loves comes in all shapes and sizes.

Charlie has very little spare time, but what she does have she fills with cooking, pole-dancing, reading and ice-hockey. She also thinks that everyone should have at least one favourite dinosaur…

Connect with Charlie:

Website: https://charlienovak.com/
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Facebook https://www.facebook.com/charlienovakauthor/
Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/charlie-novak
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Instagram https://www.instagram.com/charlienwrites/
Facebook Group, Charlie’s Angels https://www.facebook.com/groups/charlienovaksangels/

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Surrounded by Silence by Eric Huffbind: RDB, Exclusive Author Interview, Excerpt and Giveaway

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Lonely billionaire, Samuel Barron, has finally met someone he finds himself falling for, but can he handle a romance for a gentleman whose entire world is surrounded by silence?

After public humiliation, Sam Barron has come to the realization his billions can’t buy him love or happiness. Despondent and feeling like his life is in a downward spiral, he comes to realize he needs some professional help. Despite trepidations, Sam turns to Jason Parker, a social worker who at his heart, is a rescuer. Even though Sam had been so hateful towards him in the past, Jason can’t help but think Sam deserves to suffer. Jason tells Sam straight out, “You’re a spoiled brat without a shred of humility!”

Jason has deep concerns about helping Sam, but might be willing, if Sam volunteers at a soup kitchen. Grudgingly, Sam accepts Jason’s condition, and while performing his volunteer work, meets the flirtatious Noah Wagner. Noah is close in age, attractive, and Sam likes the way he feels whenever he’s around him. Noah is the first person Sam has known who is profoundly deaf. So, how is Sam to navigate a romantic interest with a man who can’t hear a word he says?

Surrounded by Silence, a Contemporary Gay Male Romance, is a sequel to Mr. Huffbind’s debut novel, The Rescuer. However, this book can be read as a stand-alone. If you enjoy a story where the villain becomes the hero, you will love Surrounded by Silence.

Book Title: Surrounded by Silence

Author: Eric Huffbind

Cover Artist: Eric Huffbind

Release Date: October 14, 2020

Genre/s: Contemporary Gay Male Romance

Trope/s: Billionaires, Hurt/Comfort, Post-Divorce, Middle Age

Themes: Learning what it means to be selfless rather than selfish.

Heat Rating:  4 flames

Length:  71 000 words/259 pages

This is a sequel to The Rescuer, but can be read as a stand-alone.

Goodreads

Amazon US- Kindle Unlimited

Amazon CA- Kindle Unlimited

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Do you use images to develop your character’s looks? As a matter of fact, I do, but not entirely. I have a vague vision in my head as to what I want based on the character’s age. Considering age, I search for photos of male models who fit the image I have in my head. Then I can use those pictures to help refine the details of the physical description based on what the cover model actually looks like.

Are your characters based on people you know? Most definitely! In both my first book, The Rescuer, and this book, Surrounded by Silence, Jason Parker, is based on me. I’m a retired RN, and I have always thought of myself as a rescuer. As Jason discovered in The Rescuer, trying to mix being a rescuer with romance often ends badly. With the man I fell in love with and married, there was definitely no rescuing required.

Do you use your experiences in your books? Absolutely! I constantly pull from real life experiences to fuel the plot of my story. It’s like the old adage they tell authors. “Write what you know.”

Do you ever get writer’s block? God yes! I feel this is the huge downside I find myself in, because I am a pantser rather than a plotter. You look at your manuscript and you see you have only written 35,000 words, yet you’re looking for 70,000 words. I need to come up with a lot more plot. This can result in a huge writer’s block, because I have no idea where I want the story to go. I have had writer’s blocks for as much as 3 weeks before I’m struck with an epiphany.

What do you think makes a good story? That’s a good question, but somewhat challenging. It’s like asking me what makes my favorite ice cream flavor peanut butter chocolate chip. I suppose two minimal requirements must be present. Firstly, the plot has to be easy to follow. I don’t want to need to constantly go back and reread passages to process what I just read. Secondly, for the big reason many readers enjoy the Romance genre, I want a ‘Happily ever after.’

What has been one of your most rewarding experiences as an author? Occasionally, I will receive an email from a new fan who has been profoundly touched in some way by my book. That is quite gratifying.

What do you do when you’re not writing? I typically work a full time job as a Travel Agent, but with the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic, I am currently on a 3-month furlough. The virus has had a devastating impact on the travel industry with sales that have fallen off a cliff.

Do you like music or silence when your write? Most definitely silence

Thank you.

Coming through the front door of their apartment, Jason called out, “Honey, I’m home. Where are you?”

Poking his head out, Christopher announced, “I’m in the kitchen making dinner.”

Strolling into the kitchen, Jason gave Christopher a kiss, and asked, “How was work today?”

“Oh, it was okay, same old same old. Not particularly exciting. How about you?”

Jason took a small step backwards and began rubbing his eyebrows. “Well, an old friend of yours came to see me today, without any forewarning, of course!”

“An old friend of mine? I can’t imagine what old friend of mine would come to see you.”

“I’m being facetious,” Jason said. “Calling this man a friend is a bit of a stretch, and he’s someone I wasn’t happy to see.”

Christopher’s eyes narrowed as he squinted. “Please, tell me it wasn’t Sam Barron?”

“I’d be happy to tell you it wasn’t Sam Barron… but I would be lying. Yes, it was Sam. Admittedly, I was floored! And as you can imagine, especially since he showed up unannounced, I was less than ecstatic to see him.”

“Dear God, almighty! What in the hell did he come to see you about?”

“As you might suspect, I was a bit miffed. Not trying to change the subject, but something smells awfully good. What’s for dinner?”

“Just a frozen entrée of lasagna. Don’t get too excited, but it’s your favorite brand. So, go on, why did Sam show up at your office?”

Jason took a seat at the small dinette table. “As hard as you might find this to believe, he came seeking my professional help. As far as I can gather, ever since all the bad press in the media hit the airways, he’s fallen into a deep depression. Perhaps, a deep depression isn’t the best choice of words. Significant emotional distress is more accurate. Complains of loneliness and being guilt-ridden.”

Christopher said sharply, “And why should you care if he’s guilt-ridden? He deserves to feel guilt-ridden!”

“You’re not going to get an argument from me. Still… I felt bad for him. It was as if he was pleading for forgiveness, and begging for my help. He says he wants to become a better person. The guy was crying. Sounded desperate.”

“Christopher responded, “It sounds like he needs a psychologist, not a social worker.”

“Exactly! That’s what I told him, but he insisted he wants me.”

“No offense, but why does he want your help?”

“You know Sam,” Jason answered. “He always wants the best. In his mind, I’m the best. In addition, I’m gay, which is especially important to him, and I get that.”

Christopher started shaking his head in utter disbelief. “Wait now! Wait just a minute here! After the way that man treated you! And treated me for that matter! He has the gall to come and ask you for help!”

“He said he was a nervous wreck coming to see me! He knew damn well I wasn’t going to be happy having him show up on my doorstep. The thing is, honey, I felt bad for him, and believe me, I hear myself saying this, and yet, I can’t believe these words are coming out of my mouth.”

Christopher crossed his arms against his chest. “Let me guess! Your inner rescuer kicked in.”

Jason nodded his agreement of his husband’s quick and accurate assessment.

Jason waved his hand in a gesture to encourage Christopher to sit down with him. He pushed the chair away from the table giving Christopher easier access to sit.

“He saw how much I helped you. So, he trusts me. That’s why he wants my help. You’re right, of course, my inner rescuer did kick in. I told him I had to speak with you, and I would only help him if you granted me permission to. I wasn’t going to do it without your consent. The guy looks pitiful. He said I could name my price! He even offered to pay me five hundred dollars an hour. Mind you, not during my regular working hours. He knows this is something that must take place outside the realm of my job. He was willing to come here, or I could go to his home. Tell me, what do you think? How do you feel about it? Would you be okay if I worked with him? Trust me, I have my own reservations, and… I can’t lie, the money does sound appealing. I’m not a licensed therapist, but what I do isn’t such a stretch from what a psychologist would do. So, I’m asking, would you be comfortable with this?”

Christopher asked, “The question you should be asking yourself is, how do you feel about it?” Although, I must admit, I know that man. If he wants you bad enough, he’ll pay you whatever price you want. Ever since you sold your condominium and decided to live in my apartment, you’ve wanted to buy a house for us. Remember the model home we saw? The one built by Kirkland Home Builders. That money could help a lot towards a down payment. It’s just so ironic! This is the same man who sent you into a panic attack, and now he comes crawling to you for help. Although, I know what you’re talking about. There’s a side of Sam Barron he doesn’t let people see. I’ll be okay with it—if you’re okay with it.”

Eric Huffbind is a man of many talents. Over the course of his lifetime, he has worked as a Registered Nurse, a Travel Agent, and an Uber driver. He characterizes himself as a hopeless romantic and is the eternal social butterfly. Among his passionate interests are history, genealogy, romance books, and travel.

Although his novels focus on the romantic relationship of two gay men, regardless of your sexual orientation, his stories are meant to rekindle the spirit and euphoria of falling in love.

Eric is a lifelong resident of Southwest Ohio. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, he currently resides in West Chester, Ohio with his husband Paul and their Pomeranian, Linus.

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