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Barely Regal (Rosavia Royals Book 5) by E. Davies: Exclusive Author Interview, Blog Tour, New Release Review and Giveaway

July 15, 2020 by Denise

A bratty boy prince needs: a firm but fair Daddy.

Prince Renford is a royal brat. Nineteen and last in line for the throne, Wren hates his made-up job: Commander of Roses. Good thing his long-time valet has a firm hand—if only Wren could tempt him to break all palace protocol and use it.

Thom Pierce is sixteen years older. Old enough to know he should ignore his prince’s less-than-subtle flirtation. He’s been burned by a higher-ranked boy before. His job and reputation are at stake if the palace catches a scandal unfolding under their noses.

Wren needs the part of Thom that he’s kept locked away for years. If the young prince wants to be taken as seriously as his older brothers, he has to grow up fast. Thom’s rules could help Wren become the man Thom knows he can be in time for the Royal Ball… or they could attract the very attention that forces them apart forever.

Welcome to the tiny European country of Rosavia, where roses ramble over alpine slopes and princes fall for the men of their dreams. Every Rosavia Royals book happens simultaneously, so books can be read on their own, or in any order… but keep an eye out for familiar faces around the palace!

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

How did you become a part of this project/world?

Funny story, actually! The covers came first—they started out as premade covers from our wonderful cover designer, AngstyG. The time zones happened to work out perfectly: I was on vacation and Helen (HJ Welch) was awake late, so we saw them straight away. Helen said, “We HAVE to do an MM royalty shared universe!” and that was it!

We’d already learned how to build a shared world while working together to run Men of Hidden Creek (I herd the cats and set up and Helen cheerleads). So we quickly set about recruiting our shared beta reader, editor, etc, and reaching out to authors as we started collaboratively building the world of Rosavia. This time, we’ve really focused on getting all the authors to beta-read for each other as we wrote so that we could nail as many crossovers as possible. And I’ve also been the main series organizer post-draft-completion, so I feel like I’ve been living in Rosavia since late February! It’s very weird but incredibly exciting to finally share it with the rest of the world.

Where did your story’s inspiration come from?

The title of Barely Regal came to me first; I knew I wanted to write the story of the youngest prince, and as a youngest child myself, I knew that he was going to be a feisty little rebel who hadn’t yet learned the importance of his own duties. Muddy little Renford (or Wren, for short) came to life in a flash. I also knew from the very start that I wanted to write his valet, Thom Pierce, experiencing a conflict of interest between his palace duties and the pull he feels to fulfil Wren’s needs.

Also, on the cover, Wren has mud streaked across his neck. I decided that he’s learning to garden, and that the roses in Rosavia represent each family. Each royal family member has their own rose created for them at birth, so when they marry, another rose is created by crossing the couple’s varieties. Of course, when you’re marrying someone you were never expected to end up with, this creates complications…

How did you create your Prince?

Once I realized that Wren had to be the youngest prince, his bratty, flirtatious nature was obvious. And every brat needs a Daddy! The obvious man for the job was Thom, the quiet valet who has guided and steered him for the last decade. These two just came to life at the same moment, because they’re so made-for-each-other.

I really wanted to tell the story of Wren growing into his duties. Through the course of the story, Wren starts off feeling like he’s not taken seriously. I think last-born kids can relate to that feeling of being babied for too long, and it’s not helped by his own bratty nature! But luckily someone’s there to see what’s immaturity and what’s Wren’s need for a strong guiding hand. Over the story, Wren comes to realize that he’s actually playing an important role in telling the royal family’s story, and his unique talents matter.

Five books by five authors about five different brothers who are part of a monarchy in the fictional country of Rosavia. You’ll see this is book 5, but all 5 books occur simultaneously, culminating with the Royal Ball that is celebrating 500th birthday of the country. So they can be read in any order because they are all happily ever afters and those HEAs are revealed at the end of each book. So book 1 reveals the that yes, prince 5 did in fact end up with his valet.

I’ve read three of the books so far, and this one remains my favorite. I think partly because the characters get into a specific type of relationship, congruent with their romantic relationship, and I think it was well done without being too serious. And really, Wren is just kind of funny. He is 19 and acts 19. Which I think is awesome, even with the monarchy. He is kind of awkward trying to flirt and be sexy with his valet who is not only 16 years older than him, but has also been his valet for a long time. He has seen Wren from a child at his worse to a burgeoning man. And while he tries to stay away, he just can’t.

Add in some crazy cats, blueberry lube, a serious rose garden and very accepting parents, this was a fun book to read. I suspended all belief for this sweet, romantic, sexy fairy tale of a series. You should too.

4 pieces of eye candy

Book 1: Up for Heir By Stella Starling

A playboy heir needs a man to marry, right now.

After spending half his life dodging his duty to the crown, the rebel heir to the Rosavian throne has been told in no uncertain terms that it’s time to settle down. Crown Prince Leopold has one month and a vetted list of suitable princesses, and he will announce his engagement during Rosavia’s Royal Ball. But Leo’s got his own ideas about what really suits him…

Royal Librarian Edvin Blom is good at not attracting attention. Shy and self-conscious of his stutter, he’s used to being overlooked and more than happy to stay in the background. At least, until the crown prince with a wild reputation shows up at the library’s new opening and decides to flirt with Edvin’s sister…

Edvin isn’t at all what Leo thought he wanted, but turns out to be everything he can’t stay away from. Edvin’s been burned by falling for someone out of his league before, though. And believing that Leo has really fallen for him? While Edvin’s drowning in his own doubts and insecurities, that might prove impossible… unless love gives them both a reason to come up for air.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited
Goodreads | BookBub

Book 2: Reign or Shine By HJ Welch

A secret prince needs a lost tourist to save.

Prince Cassander is on vacation from his overdeveloped sense of duty. While hiding out as simply ‘Cas’ in the Rosavian capital, he rescues a gorgeous, distressed American tourist. Matty has no idea that Cas is second in line to the throne. And with only two weeks together to explore the sparks between them, he doesn’t need to ever find out.

New Yorker Matty Doyle is a fish out of water, taking care of his niece and mending his broken heart. When Cas rescues him, the handsome stranger coaxes Matty out of his shell and he throws caution to the wind. Nobody knows him here. Would it hurt to live a little for once?

But a prince can’t stay secret in his own country for long. Cas would give anything to protect Matty from reality, but how can this fantasy together continue when they belong in different worlds?

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited
Goodreads | BookBub

Book 3: Throne Together By Zoe Dawn

A pining prince needs: a second chance at love.

Prince Julius has only ever wanted one man. Raised alongside Prince Dante of Thedes, the two were inseparable until their unspoken mutual attraction ignited into a single passionate encounter. Convinced that it ruined their friendship, Julius retreated to his duties in Rosavia, where he daydreams of another chance to win Dante’s heart.

After four years apart, fate brings Prince Julius back to Thedes. He offers Dante a coveted invitation: return to the Rosavian palace for ten days, and be his plus-one to the Royal Ball of the century. Before long, they realize one night of passion wasn’t enough, and they can’t imagine losing each other again.

As the clock ticks down to the ball, Julius catches wind of Dante’s family meddling, and he must decide if their feelings are real or if they’ve both been played. Were they always meant for each other, or is it all an illusion that will melt away at midnight?

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited
Goodreads | BookBub

Book 4: In His Court by Max Rowan

A spy prince needs a man who sees through his disguise.

Prince Benedict is not what he seems. His image as a lazy playboy is carefully constructed to hide the truth. Trained since childhood to become Rosavia’s top spy, he spends his life in disguise—and danger—to protect his country. Nobody sees the loneliness in his heart.

Felix Wright is a genius with four degrees, no real-world experience, and a top-secret job… and he’s never even been kissed. A lifetime of being alienated for his most valuable assets has left him reluctant to trust the charming prince who thrusts him into fieldwork for the very first time.

When the Crown Jewels are stolen two weeks before the royal ball, it’s their job to save the country’s reputation. Benedict helps Felix believe in himself, while Felix slowly coaxes the real prince out of hiding. But can they find the jewels and rescue the most priceless treasures of all: each other?

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited
Goodreads | BookBub

Rosavia Royals Out Now!

Come join the fun on the Royals Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/RosaviaRoyals/
Add them to Goodreads!
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E. Davies grew up moving constantly, which taught him what people have in common, the ways relationships are formed, and the dangers of “miscellaneous” boxes. As a young gay author, Ed prefers to tell feel-good stories that are brimming with hope.

He writes full-time, goes on long nature walks, tries to fill his passport, drinks piña coladas on the beach, flees from cute guys, coos over fuzzy animals (especially bees), and is liable to tilt his head and click his tongue if you don’t use your turn signal.

E. Davies Links:

Stella Starling Links:
Website | Newsletter
Facebook | Facebook Group
Amazon Author Page | Goodreads | BookBub

Zoe Dawn Links:
Website | Newsletter
Amazon Author Page | Goodreads | BookBub

Max Rowan (formerly Max Hawthorn) Links:
Amazon Author Page | Goodreads | BookBub

Shoot the Moon by Jacqueline Grey: Exclusive Guest Post, Excerpt and Giveaway

July 8, 2020 by Denise

I’m so excited that Jacqueline Grey is joining us today with a TCO exclusive author Guest Post about her latest book, Shoot the Moon!! Her post is about BDSM, and it’s use in her book. Check it out, along with the excerpt and there’s a giveaway at the end, so don’t forget to enter!

All Adam Kern was looking for when his best friend dragged him to the club Harte was some good dancing and a little flirting to distract him from his troubles. He never anticipated meeting the club owner, Jesse Harte, and having a whole new world of experiences opened up to him. On an impulse, Adam follows Jesse to the upper, kinkier floors of the club where an informative tour ends in a steamy scene that both men are looking forward to repeating. The attraction between the two is scorching and over the next few weeks their adventures into kinky sex are nothing short of daring.

Adam loves the thrill of sex with Jesse but soon a gnawing fear sows doubt into his mind about the possibility of a relationship with the other man. Though he loves every moment he spends with Jesse, he fears what these sexual explorations may mean for him. Jesse is successful, an entrepreneur, and a well-known Dominant in the BDSM community, but Adam cannot see himself as a submissive. What sort of future could they have if he is unable to give his lover what he needs?

Title: Shoot the Moon

Series: Suit of Harte’s, Book Two

Author: Jacqueline Grey

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: June 29, 2020

Heat Level: 4 – Lots of Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 27700

Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQIA+, BDSM, romance, contemporary, gay, sex industry, prostitution, D/s

Amazon

NineStar Press

Goodreads

Thank you so much for having me here today and letting me share the re-release of Shoot the Moon, the second book in the Suit of Harte’s series. As the series is a romance centered around BDSM, I thought I’d talk to you today about my love of kink, particularly the mental aspect of it.

I am an avid believer that for sex or kink to be fun the brain needs to be engaged just as much as the body. No one wants to be intimate with someone who’s trying to remember if they turned the stove off before they left the house. Or worse, being the person who’s bored enough to think about the stove when they should be having a great time!

When it comes to kink, it’s not just about the physical. Sometimes it’s the brain that’s responsible for the pleasure more than what’s happening with the body. An example of this would be what I like to call hidden exhibitionism. Most definitions of exhibitionism mention performing sexual acts in public or being naked in public. Being watched is what turns the exhibitionist on, but for some it is the idea that matters more than the exposure. These people enjoy the idea of being observed or the possibility of being caught despite not wanting to be seen. The latter is what I mean when I say, “hidden exhibitionism”.

In Shoot the Moon, Jesse incorporates this kink when he has sex with Adam against a window above a dance club full of patrons. Jesse teases Adam with the idea that everyone could look up and see them. Even though they are both aware of the fact that the window is one-way, the idea turns Adam on. In this case the thrill of the kink comes from Adam’s mind more than the physical act.

Our minds and the fantasies and ideas they can create are powerful. I find the use of the mind in sex and kink fascinating and I love reading stories that incorporate it. What do you think about the mind’s power when it comes to kink? What are some books you like that utilize this aspect of BDSM and kink?

“We’re going to Harte.”

Ash said this as if Adam would know what the hell he was talking about.

“Where?”

Ash waved the question away with a flick of his wrist and an expression that clearly said it didn’t matter. “You’ll know when we get there. Now, come on.” He linked their arms and half dragged Adam out the door.

On the taxi ride to wherever they were going, Adam tried to get more details, but all Ash would tell him was that Harte was a local nightclub.

“You didn’t let me get dressed.”

“Why do you think I lent you that shirt to begin with? You look fantastic. Trust me.”

The crowd outside the club wrapped around the side of the building and back again. Thankfully, it wasn’t too cold out, or they would have frozen solid before getting inside.

“Is this place always so crowded?” Adam asked as they took their place at the end of the line.

“Packed like sardines,” Ash confirmed. “Best place in the city for good drinks and dancing.”

A man in skintight leather pants and what Adam guessed was a harness walked by. “Varied crowd,” he said.

Ash spotted the man and did that wrist-flick thing again. “He’s headed around back for the upper floors.”

“The upper floors?”

“Yeah, the nightclub is only on the first floor. It’s got three dance floors, each with their own bar, and a backroom, which was most likely meant to be a bathroom but is usually otherwise occupied. Upstairs is the kinky stuff. From what I hear, Harte has the best dungeon in the city, and he’s known to be top-notch on safety. It’s pretty well-known despite being members only up there. The entrance to the second floor is in the back, though, because there’s a difference between exhibitionism and indecent exposure.”

“Huh.” Adam had never been to a kink club. Granted, they didn’t have plans to head upstairs, but this was the closest he’d ever been to one.

Eventually, they made it inside. With the beat of the music and the press of sweaty bodies grinding around him, it was easy for Adam to be distracted from thoughts of the upper floors. It wasn’t long before he’d lost Ash to the throng as well. His friend tended to sidle toward the nearest hot guy before passing him up for the next one on the dance floor. It gave him more exercise than the dancing itself. When he wanted a break, he’d pop up next to Adam as if finding someone in a crowd was the simplest thing to do.

Tonight, Ash’s method fit Adam’s mood. He scanned the floor for someone to dance with. It didn’t take him long to find what he was searching for.

The man was dancing alone and, apparently, without a care in the world. He seemed lost to the music, his body moving with enviable grace and confidence. He was lean with boyish good looks and the kind of face that would still look thirty when he was fifty-five. His light-brown hair was just long enough to be spiky, and though his clothes were casual, he dressed stylishly.

When the dancer turned his head, he caught Adam staring. A jolt ran through Adam, but he couldn’t look away. Even from a distance, the man’s pale eyes had him trapped, and Adam found himself moving through the crowd as if pulled by an invisible string. When he was close enough, he reached for a seductively swaying hip. The touch of a hand on the back of his neck encouraged him to move even closer.

They moved together for a while, sliding their bodies against each other but in no hurry to make it anything more than dancing. They simply let the pleasure of touch build on itself. The feel of his partner’s body against his was electric.

Adam was about to ask if they should find the “bathroom” when the man asked, “Care to go upstairs?”

Adam hesitated. “Isn’t it members only?” He figured that was a simple way to change the subject without having to turn the guy down.

“I can bring a guest if I want to.”

There went his easiest excuse. His reluctance must have shown on his face because the man asked, “Not your thing?”

“Not really,” Adam admitted.

“Ah” was the only reply, but Adam heard the disappointment in the word.

“Sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

Truthfully, Adam had never given kink much thought. He’d heard about it, read a little online, but he’d never considered putting what he’d read into practice.

Jacqueline Grey currently lives on an island on the east coast of the United States. She spends her time outside her day job juggling her many interests which include reading, writing and drinking tea. She loves M/M romance, usually focusing on stories that include BDSM themes to one degree or another.

Jacqueline has always been driven by characters. She loves a good plot, but it’s the characters that pull her into a story. She loves romance and believes everyone has a right to be happy. She enjoys seeing her characters find that happiness for themselves.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

http://jacquelinegrey.com/

https://www.facebook.com/JacquelineGreyBooks

https://twitter.com/jacqueline_grey

https://www.pinterest.com/Jacqueline_Grey/

Tour Schedule

7/6 MM Good Book Reviews http://mmgoodbookreviews.com/

7/7 The Blogger Girls http://thebloggergirls.com/

7/8 Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy https://twochicksobsessed.com/

7/9 Love Bytes Reviews http://lovebytesreviews.com/

7/10 Joyfully Jay http://joyfullyjay.com

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Redemption: Second Chance Gay Romance by Garrett Leigh: RB, New Release Review and Giveaway

July 6, 2020 by Denise

Reformed gangster Luis falls hard for his boss. When friendship turns to love, it’s up to Paolo to convince him second chances are worth the pain.

Luis Pope is back on the street after a six year stretch in prison, but life on the outside seems just out of reach, especially when the whole neighbourhood knows his face for all the wrong reasons.

Paolo’s temper makes it hard to keep staff, and he knows Luis’s rep all too well. But his nonno believes in redemption, and Luis isn’t the tough guy Paolo remembers. Prison has left its mark, inside and out, and all the kindness in the world can’t fix the three inch scar on Luis’s skull.

And it can’t keep ghosts locked up. Luis’s the best worker Paolo’s ever had, and Luis’s happier than he’s ever been. But his old life doesn’t want to stay in the past. Trouble comes to call, and when it makes him an offer he can’t refuse, keeping Paolo safe hurts the most.

Redemption is an angsty, standalone MM romance novel, with second chances, found family, friends-to-lovers, and buckets of hurt/comfort themed loveliness.

Cover Design: Garrett Leigh @ Black Jazz Design

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

What do I like? Broken main characters! What is better than one? TWO!

So yes, this book sucked me RIGHT in. And let me tell ya, I needed it after reading 3 bombs in a row. I actually started it 10 minutes after I finished a book because I needed good writing in my brain.

Luis walks out of prison after 6 years with nothing. He was a member of his brother’s gang and when he got caught stealing, he admitted it and did his time. It also cost him most of the hearing in one ear. (more on that later)

He is restless without the schedule he had to follow in prison and wanders into a local cafe to inquire about a job. Paolo, owner of the cafe, recognizes him immediately from when they were in school together and later from the rumors about the gang. Paolo is a mess as well. Running his grandfather’s cafe, literally by himself, 7 days a week is killing him slowly. But he needs the money to take care of his grandparents who raised him. He doesn’t trust Luis, but he will give him a chance.

Ugh, Luis. He is like that puppy in a shelter who was beaten daily by his previous owner. He broke my heart. He just wants to live his life. He expects nothing. He doesn’t want what little family he has and all of his “friends” are tied up with that family.

Paolo just plods on. Day by day, doing what he needs to do, never really thinking about the future. These two broken men belong together.

They very quickly fall into a routine, and become hesitant friends. Until the booze comes out. Then perhaps more than friends?

Watching them slowly open up and trust each other and begin to fall in love is swoony. There are no great declarations. So huge romantic gestures. Because they are just 2 guys, working 7 days a week because they have to. Spending time with Paolo’s grandparents when they aren’t working.

Back to Luis’ hearing loss. I am deaf in one ear and everything she described is so spot on. From not being able to hear at all if someone is on the “wrong” side to being overwhelmed with too much sound. Including anxiety attacks because of it. Kudos for that. I think this might be the first character I’ve read that was hard of hearing in the same (or similar) way that I am and I really appreciate the representation.

4 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_Leigh

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Fakers by Lucy Lennox & May Archer: RDB, Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

July 2, 2020 by Denise

Brooks Johnson’s Words To Live By:

When returning to Licking Thicket, TN, for the first time in ten years to reunite with your nosy neighbors, heart-broken ex-girlfriend, and matchmaking mama who never quite believed you were gay, it’s best to bring a fake boyfriend as backup…

Just don’t be surprised when your ex-girlfriend does the same.

And when her incredibly hot fake boyfriend becomes the one island of calm in a sea of bovine-based insanity, it’s best to exercise caution… especially when he pushes you up against the rough barn wall to check you very thoroughly for splinters…

Just don’t be surprised if you fall head-over-hooves in love with him.

Cover Designer: Cate Ashwood

Universal Link

Goodreads

After this lovely dinner with the family—and by lovely, I obviously meant horrific—I was counting down the minutes until I could give my excuses and scurry back to the blessed solitude of my arboreal guest house. Before the last ear of corn had been gnawed to the quick, however, Ava’s dad put me under the interrogation lights.

“You’re going to win this race for her tomorrow, right, son?”

I snuck a glance at Ava in hopes she’d be holding up a cue card with a little guidance on what the heck he was talking about. Instead, she was happily stripping a drumstick like a starving teenager biting into a turkey leg at a medieval festival.

“Do you mean metaphorically, or…?”

Mr. Ivey’s eyes narrowed. “The Lope. We need this. The Ivey family has won every Lope that’s been run without a Johnson. Just because Brooks is back this year and Elliot’s not competing doesn’t mean they get to take the title away from us.” He sat forward, pushing his dinner plate off to the side where Mrs. Ivey scrambled to clear it to the kitchen. “It’s one thing for that boy to win the race when he was in top shape as the QB for the Bovines, but I’ll be damned if some pencil pusher from New York City is going to embarrass the Iveys. Do you understand what I’m saying, son?”

I was pretty sure he was saying the Thicket’s high school mascot was a cow, but that should have been obvious. It certainly explained the random moo shouts I’d heard earlier today when Brooks had walked into the planning meeting. At first I’d thought they were heckling the poor guy, and then I’d assumed they were making a comment about his “pencil pushing” physique. Which, honestly, was pretty damned fine if you asked m—

“Malachi!”

I jumped at Mr. Ivey’s bark. “Yes, sir. I mean, I can try. I do run fairly regularly.” I glanced at Ava again, who, if I was keeping track properly, was enjoying her sixth ear of buttery corn.

She nodded. “Yes, Daddy. It’s like I told you. Mal runs when he’s upset which means he’s in really good shape.”

She made me sound like I had an anger management problem. “That’s not—”

“Good,” Mr. Ivey said, sitting back and clasping his fingers over his belly. “That’s real good, son. I knew we could count on you for something.”

How was it possible to feel like I’d both impressed and disappointed him at the same time?

“You’re… welcome?” I glanced toward the kitchen, both hoping there might be dessert to soothe my hurt feelings and hoping there wasn’t dessert so I could leg it the fuck out of there.

Mrs. Ivey came in carrying a cake with lit candles. “Mal, dear, why don’t you lead us?”

I glanced around the table hoping someone, somewhere would tell me what the hell was happening. Was it someone’s birthday?

“Um… I don’t…” Several expectant faces beamed at me, and it was worse than the interrogation lights. “Happy Birthday,” I began singing and thankfully everyone else joined in immediately.

After enjoying creative writing as a child, Lucy didn’t write her first novel until she was over 40 years old. Her debut novel, Borrowing Blue, was published in the autumn of 2016. Lucy has an English Literature degree from Vanderbilt University, but that doesn’t hold a candle to the years and years of staying up all night reading tantalizing novels on her own. She has three children, plays tennis, and hates folding laundry. While her husband is no shmoopy romance hero, he is very good at math, cooks a mean lasagne, has gorgeous eyes, looks hot in his business clothes, and makes her laugh every single day.

Lucy hopes you enjoy sexy heroes as much as she does. Happy reading!

May is an M/M author who lives in Boston. She spends her days raising three incredibly sarcastic children, finding inventive ways to drive her husband crazy, planning beach vacations, avoiding the gym, reading M/M romance, and occasionally writing it. She also writes MF romance as Maisy Archer.

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The Making of Jonty Bloom (Unfinished Business Book 1) by Barbara Elsborg: Release Day Review and Exclusive Giveaway

July 2, 2020 by Denise

Finding his fiancé in bed with his brother was bad enough, finding out they’re getting married is the final blow.

Devan Smith needs to cool his anger. He needs to forget the lies and betrayals and work on resetting his life. When his boss orders him to scope out a remote hotel for a possible buyout, Devan’s only interested in getting the job done and getting out. What he’s not interested in is the guy with the piercings, bleached hair, and the smart, kissable mouth behind the reception desk.

Working the hotel reception is the only thing that’s stable in Jonty Bloom’s unstable life. His best friend has had a terrible accident, his ex refuses to move on, and his eight-year-old self is still waiting for his mother to collect him from school. Jonty needs his job. What he doesn’t need is the rude, arrogant, and hot as they come guy who’s rocked up demanding he be let into his room right now.

Thrown together by a freak accident, Devan and Jonty’s lives entwine, and neither wants to loosen the knot. Can the irrepressible Jonty be the reset Devan needs? Can Devan be the making of Jonty Bloom, or will secrets drive them apart?

First in the Unfinished Business series. All books are standalones.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

This is a new to me author, although I see people talking about her books on Facebook quite often. So I figured I would give it a shot. The one main character, Jonty, sounded super quirky and I usually really like quirky characters.

He started out a little too quirky for me. But definitely got better. He has back and forth dialogue in his head between him and his best friend. Remember- in his head. This isn’t out loud on the phone or in person. And at the beginning it was really kind of turning me off because it was so much of it. But it didn’t last, at least not that heavily, as the book went on and I was able to enjoy it much more.

Devan, after hearing that his ex fiance and his brother (whom he cheated on Devan with) were getting married AND his brother wanted him to be best man, Devan’s boss offers to have him scout 2 different hotels that his company may buy. And kind of orders him to stay away for a while, since the brothers work in the same office.

Devan is moody and grouchy and the quirky Jonty is annoying him. While also making him notice. I love that Jonty just refuses to be brought down by grumpy people.

An accident happens that risks both of their lives at the same time. And from then on, Devan seems to have a switch flipped. Acknowledging that he is attracted to Jonty. That he isn’t annoying, he is pretty fun.

Poor Jonty- that kid has had a life. I won’t get into it, I’ll let you all discover it on your own. It’s worth it.

Jonty and Devan together are cute, hilarious, romantic and healing. I really think they helped heal each other from their pain.

Jonty will have you absolutely laughing out loud. I’ve read books with funny characters that I really enjoyed. But Jonty seemed unique to me with his brand of sarcasm and self deprecating humor that almost never stops. But he can also be serious and introspective. And he offers great advice to Devan on dealing with his family and his ex.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the multiple layers of both characters. There were great supporting characters that really helped the story and getting to know these guys as they got to know each other.

I’m looking forward to book two. If it is what I hope it is.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

Barbara Elsborg has generously offered an ebook of any of her backlist books to one commentor on this post. 🙂

Everybody Burns (Enhanced World Book 6) by Victoria Sue: New Release Review and Exclusive Giveaway

July 2, 2020 by Denise

Eli was only seven years old when he had been given to monsters.

Sixteen years later he finally gets the chance for revenge, and with his enhanced abilities changing, nothing and no one is gonna stop him, especially a new partner that seems to see right through the black holes in his soul.

Agent Daniel Connelly left Washington trying to keep his sanity, but the images of the innocent victims are still haunting him and knows the horror in Eli’s eyes is exactly what he is trying to forget.

Everybody Burns is a story about two men falling in love. Except, one doesn’t think he is capable of it…

And the other doesn’t think he deserves it.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

This series is really damn good, if you like paranormal type stuff…although the paranormal isn’t crazy if that isn’t your usual cup of tea. It truly is abilities that are enhanced.

That being said, this book was a hard one, because when you see Eli’s story unfold, there are a couple things that could be hard for an author to make happen in 200 or so pages and still feel like it was realistic. One of them was that Eli just had not gotten over, or really even started to heal at all, his deep wounds from childhood abuse. He truly didn’t believe he deserved to be happy, and to fall in love during that, well it just isn’t going to work in most cases. There were also physical “wounds” that many survivors of abuse cannot get past…no matter how much therapy, how many drugs, or how many times they “try”. That also really makes it hard to find the person that is going to accept you, and be willing to stand with you as you heal.

I’ll be really honest…as I saw this unfolding, I just didn’t see how that was going to happen without it being wrapped up in a tidy little bow of joy and rainbows. That is a lot of hurt, and pain that one person cannot safely and realistically get through in a very short period of time. Color me surprised when it did work! 🙂 The author didn’t rush it. She didn’t have Daniel make it all better with his magical personality and p***s. It was clear that it was work, and understanding, and a lot of love.

Eli needed all of that to heal and be able to find love. Without it, he couldn’t love himself, and certainly couldn’t love Daniel. The story around the love story, in this case, was more about redemption. The meat of this book was simply that Daniel didn’t force his love on Eli, he simply let Eli find it. Meanwhile Daniel let Eli know that whatever worked for them, worked for THEM. Their love, and their relationship was about what they needed, and what they would find in each other.

And isn’t that what we all want in a relationship?

Also, it was fantastic catching up with all the guys–LOVED the scene with Finn, Sam, and poor wide-eyed Eli. Totally fantastic!

4 pieces of eye candy

Victoria Sue fell in love with love stories as a child when she would hide away with her mom’s library books and dream of the dashing hero coming to rescue her from math homework. She never mastered math but never stopped loving her heroes and decided to give them the happy ever afters they fight so hard for.
She loves reading and writing about gorgeous boys loving each other the best—and creating a family for them to adore. Thrilled to hear from her readers, she can be found most days lurking on Facebook where she doesn’t need factor 1000 sun-cream to hide her freckles.

www.victoriasue.com

@vickysuewrites

https://www.facebook.com/victoriasueauthor

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Newsletter: http://bit.ly/VictoriaSueNewsletter

Victoria Sue has generously offered up an ebook from her backlist to one commentor to this blog post. 🙂

Giveaway

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited Goodreads | BookBub

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited Goodreads | BookBub

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited Goodreads | BookBub

I’m so excited that Jacqueline Grey is joining us today with a TCO exclusive author Guest Post about her latest book, Shoot the Moon!! Her post is about BDSM, and it’s use in her book. Check it out, along with the excerpt and there’s a giveaway at the end, so don’t forget to enter!

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited
Goodreads | BookBub

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited
Goodreads | BookBub

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited
Goodreads | BookBub