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Dead Serious Case #3 Mr Bruce Reyes by Vawn Cassidy: RB, Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

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.                           .

Crawshank’s Guide to the Recently Departed, Book 3

Tristan Everett was finally getting used to the strangeness that was his life. Being able to see the dead and helping them solve their unfinished business and cross into the light wasn’t so bad after all, especially when he was accompanied by his best friend, dead drag queen Dusty Le Frey. His boyfriend, sexy Scotland Yard detective Danny Hayes, now knew the truth about Tristan’s “gift,” and they were about to move in together officially.

Life was good.

That is until Death—honest to god, Death (aka The Grim Reaper)—pitches up in Tristan’s kitchen with an unusual request: stop Dusty’s ghostly hookup Bruce from crossing into the light, which may result in dire consequences. i.e an accidental apocalypse.

Determined to do the exact opposite, and avoid potentially the end of the world, Tristan and Danny assemble their own ragtag gang of one prickly witch, one snarky psychic private investigator, one living drag queen with an affinity for feathers, and one dead one with an affinity for a deceased rugby player in tiny shorts. Together they must solve a forty-year old cold case, while juggling a dose of the flu, a broken leg, a supernatural storm, and an immortal death deity with the looks and temperament of a sexy but grouchy CEO.

Seriously… what could possibly go wrong?

Title: Dead Serious Case #3 Mr Bruce Reyes

Authors: Vawn Cassidy
Length: 90K
Series: Crawshanks Guide to the Recently Deceased, Book 3 (needs to be read as a series)
Genre: Paranormal, Mystery/Suspense

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Goodreads

“Did you tell Danny about it?”

“You mean, tell my boyfriend, the guy who’s only just learned ghosts are real, that I had a cup of tea in London’s most snobbish restaurant with Death, who told me the world was going to end if I didn’t steal some bones from the Forensic Anthropology department and stop your dead boyfriend from solving his unsolved business and crossing into the light?” I break off and start coughing again.

“Ah.”

“Exactly,” I sigh. “Still trying to figure out how to start that conversation.”

“Well, look on the bright side. Bruce’s body hasn’t been found yet, so we’ve still got some time.”

Suddenly, I sneeze violently, forcing my glasses to shoot off my face and land with a plop in my now stone-cold cup of tea. I pluck them out of the mug and grimace, holding onto one of the arms as it drips. Jacob Marley shifts and cracks one eye open before stretching up and licking the tea from the lenses, leaving smear marks over the glass.

For fuck’s sake.

Giving up, I set the mug on the bedside table along with my glasses and slide further down into the bed, displacing Jacob Marley, who gives a loud mewl of indignation and shifts to the end of the bed, then settles with his back to me as he lifts his tail and moons me. I swear to god he does it on purpose.”

“My head is killing me,” I mutter miserably. I turn on my side and try to ignore the heaviness in my chest as I grab another tissue and wipe my nose.

“You should get some sleep, sweetie,” Dusty says softly and spoons up behind me.

I let out a little hum of contentment as she starts to sing. Unlike when she’s trying to force me into doing something she wants and belts her way through chorus after chorus of West End hits, eighties chart-toppers, and sixties classics, this time she quietly croons the Mamas and the Papas’ version of Dream a Little Dream of Me to me.

Dusty’s comforting voice and the patter of the rain, mix with Jacob Marley’s rusty-old-tractor purr to wrap around me and I find myself slipping easily into sleep under her touch.

Vawn Cassidy is an MM author living in the UK. She’s often known for her world building skills and sense of humor. She loves to write in different genres and has penned contemporary romance, paranormal mystery/romance and dark historical with a supernatural twist.

You can sign up to her mailing list by visiting her website, she can also be found on social media.

Connect with Vawn:
www.vawncassidy.com
www.facebook.com/vawncassidyauthor
www.facebook.com/groups/cassidysbayboys
www.instagram.com/vawncassidyauthor
www.goodreads.com/vawncassidy
www.bookbub.com/profile/vawn-cassidy
www.amazon.com/~/e/B098XMW7M1
Newsletter Signup – https://tinyurl.com/VawnCassidyNewsletter

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Kicking it in Vegas: Out and Kickin’ Book 2: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt , New Release Review and Giveaway

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.                                      .

I woke up in Vegas with a hangover and a ring on my finger.

At my last recollection, the bachelor party was off to a great start. During dinner I met sexy celebrity Chef Oliver who was far more intriguing than his surly public persona let on.

Afterwards, my buddies and I set out to bar-hop at some of Sin City’s biggest hot spots. To my surprise, I ran into Oliver again as he was unwinding by tossing back drinks at a bar. What followed was a hot night of dancing and drinking… and a very confusing morning.

Not only did we spend the night together, we got married. Oliver is quick to suggest divorce, but I’m not ready to give up so easily. We may be opposites in every way imaginable, but there’s a chemistry between us I can’t deny or ignore.

Can I convince Oliver to give our unlikely romance a chance? Or will what happened in Vegas end in Vegas?

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

Cam

“Divorced?” I asked, my voice coming out sounding like a squeak.

Oliver nodded as he pulled on his clothes. “Yeah. I have a buddy who’s an attorney. He’ll handle everything, don’t worry. Let’s just make this a clean break. No mess, no fuss.” He peered in the mirror and skillfully tousled his hair. “I just need your contact info so when Grant gets the paperwork drawn up, I’ll know where to send it.”

We hadn’t even been married twelve hours and Oliver was already talking about divorce. My mind raced. I know we barely know each other, but we had to have a reason to get married, right? “Wait.”

Oliver stopped what he was doing and looked at me. “Yes?”

My heart thudded. I knew I was taking a risk. “Maybe we don’t.”

“Don’t what? Wait? I can call Grant right now if that’s what you mean.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and tapped to light up the screen.

I took a deep breath and a few steps to cross the room before putting a hand on Oliver’s. “No, I mean, maybe we don’t have to get divorced right away.”

He frowned. “What are you talking about? Of course we do.”

I took the phone from his hand and gently set it on the dresser. “I mean, we don’t have to. Look, I know you’re probably not a romantic at heart like I am. I’m a huge marshmallow who believes in love. And I honestly believe that we wouldn’t have gotten married last night if there wasn’t something between us. A spark, something. I don’t know. I just don’t think we need to go get the courts involved just yet. Give us a chance to get to know each other first. Then we can decide whether we want to stay married.”

Oliver shook his head. “I don’t think that’s a great idea.”

My lower lip wobbled as tears threatened to fall. I’d finally gotten married and I couldn’t remember it and it was to a guy who didn’t even want me. “Don’t you think it’s worth a try? Besides, it’s not that easy to get a divorce, is it? Back home, there are residency requirements and waiting periods. Is Nevada like that, too?”

He scrubbed his hands over his face and growled, deep and sexy, in what seemed like frustration. “I don’t know. An annulment then. I’ll figure it out.”

I put my hand on his arm. “Don’t you think we deserve a chance?”

If you read Kickin it with the Best Man, which was book one, this book gives us the bachelor weekend of those two main characters. And even though it is their weekend, obviously we are focusing on another couple.

And if you read my review of that book, a lot applied here. Silly, cute, super sexy fast beach read. But this one was a bit sillier and more far fetched than the first. Why? Because Cam (friend of the grooms) and Oliver (chef at the restaurant where the fancy dinner happened the first night) run into each other at a bar, ditch the grooms and other friends, bar hop some more and then get married before the night is over.

I know getting married in Vegas is a trope. Waking up married, marrying a stranger, getting married while wasted, etc. In Vegas. By an Elvis impersonator. Little eye rolling.

There’s a lot of sex in a short book, but whatever. But it just doesn’t give you the chance to get to know these guys at all so I just couldn’t get invested. For 140 some odd pages, it could keep my attention. Anything longer than that and I would have tapped out.

Sure it’s fun and sexy and completely unrealistic. As long as you go in knowing those things, it’s a nice fast read to fill the time.

3 pieces of eye candy

Riley Long is an author of gay romances novels spanning many genres from contemporary to paranormal. They live a quiet life in Virginia, with their husband, son, and two very silly pit bulls.

They spend their evenings writing, reading, and watching bad television (or not so bad television).

For fun, Riley participates in NaNoWriMo, GISH, and reads with her book club, the BAMFs.

They like things with silly acronyms.

Riley can tell you two different stories about getting covered in dairy products for a hug.

Connect with Riley:
https://www.facebook.com/WriterRileyLong
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1097122257097073
https://www.instagram.com/writerrileylong/
https://sendfox.com/writerrileylong

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Heartless by Robin Knight: RB, Excerpt and Giveaway

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.                                .

Sometimes love is a three-piece puzzle.

ASHTON
If money makes the world go round, then the real estate market in New York is the engine that keeps it spinning. As one of Manhattan’s elite realty agents, it’s my job to wine, dine and do whatever it takes to close the deal. Yes sir, I act the part and look the part. Designer suit… immaculate. Hair… precision. Body… perfection. Well, maybe not quite, but I’m not about to let anyone know the flaw in this outwardly flawless power single.

So when my secret chink-in-the-armor begins to show, I’ll do whatever I need to protect myself, especially when it comes to putting Jax Lockhart — the newest, slickest, sexiest agent at Vanquest Realty — in his place.

With the help of my assistant Bailey, I’ll do what it takes to bring Jax down. The last thing I was ever expecting was to fall for the enemy… and my assistant Bailey too!

BAILEY
Without any possible rhyme or reason, I’ve been in love with my boss Ashton since the day I started working for him. I have no idea what this irresistible attraction is, especially when he’s the total opposite of me? He’s filthy rich and handsome beyond words, possessing the kind of confidence, ambition and uber-success that I could never match… or even want to match. That’s okay, I have no problems pining over him from afar while I live my quiet little life, looking after my Grammy and scraping together enough to pay the bills.

But then one day Jax Lockhart walks into the offices of Vanquest Realty… the very same Jax Lockhart I’d fallen head over heels in love with at the orphanage where we’d both grown up.

Now what was I to do? Continue dreaming about the boss I could never have? Or rekindle the flame that two kids shared a lifetime ago?

I’m tempted to keep both of my secret crushes a secret… until I find out that both Ashton and Jax each have secrets of their own.

HEARTLESS is an enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract, hurt/comfort standalone 50k MMM romance, with steam, swoon and a love that will never die.

Title: Heartless
Authors: Robin Knight
Length: 50k
Series: Standalone
Genre: Contemporary, Menage/Poly/Harem.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

I turned to see Victor walking toward me. By his side was a guy so hot my knees almost buckled… although he wasn’t the kind of hot I was used to seeing in the Vanquest offices, or anywhere else in the realty business.

He had a rough diamond vibe happening.

His suit was slightly off kilter.

His skin was clearly in need of a good moisturizer, the kind they keep behind lock and key at the day spa.

And his hair and beard were in desperate need of Francois, my barber.

“Ashton, I said ‘are you alright?’” Victor repeated. “I got a call from the hospital. What happened to you?”

“Nothing. I just fell over.” I held up my right hand as exhibit A.

“Fell over. That’s not what they told me. They said you were hit by a bus.”

“Almost hit by a bus. Victor I’m fine.”

“Good, so long as you’re alive, that’s all that matters. Now, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

Beside me I sensed Bailey giving off a seriously weird vibe as he kept his eyes down and started drawing figure eights on the tiled floor with the toe of his shoe.

The hot guy held out his hand for me to shake. I offered him my right hand instinctively, then promptly changed it, pulling my bandaged hand back and offering him my left hand instead.

The hot guy graciously shook it, switching to use his left hand as well, happily accommodating my needs.

Victor introduced us. “Ashton, I’d like you to meet Jax. Jax Lockhart. He’s my newest shining star who’s ready to knock it out of the ballpark.”

“Really?” I said. “That’s exciting news. Where are you from, Jax?”

The rough-around-the-edges stud smiled, and I had to steel my knees yet again. There was something about him that I couldn’t quite put my finger on, a certain je ne sais quoi you might even say, although nothing like mine.

“I’m from the west coast. I’ve sold property everywhere from Malibu to Palm Springs, but I’m excited to take a bite out of the Big Apple now.”

Ouch, did he really say that?

How could someone look like a suited-up Son of Anarchy yet use a pun that painful?

It made him brim with a sense of something that irked me.

What was it?

Innocence, perhaps.

No, naivety.

No… it was authenticity.

He oozed authenticity.

It sent a shiver down my spine.

There was just something about authentic people that I didn’t quite trust.

This guy had an agenda, I could smell it a mile away.

.                                .

Robin Knight is the author of gay fiction novels, novellas, and short stories, ranging in genre from gay adventure, gay romance, gay suspense, and gay comedies.

The heroes of Robin’s books love to spend their time jumping off the page, stumbling through misadventures, and falling in love.

Robin has worked in advertising, politics, journalism, and event management, but nothing is as fun as telling stories.

Connect with Robin:
www.authorrobinknight.com
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001541476005
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B002F89TV6/about

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Better Latte Than Never by CC Bridges: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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.                            .

Finn’s love stories always end in death.

He’s made millions writing as author Morgan Heart and his fans can’t get enough of his tragic love stories. But a bad breakup results in a killer case of writer’s block, and Finn needs to try something drastic to fix it, like. . .going to a coffee shop to write. There’s got to be a reason it’s a cliche, and in his world, cliches sell.

He shouldn’t be flirting with the hot, younger barista. He shouldn’t be using said beautiful barista as another character to kill off in his new book. And he sure as hell shouldn’t be getting his heart involved, especially since he’s still keeping his real identity secret.

Working at his aunt’s coffee shop is a temporary thing. . . that’s been going on for eight years now. One day soon Enzo is finally going to make it big with his art and move on. But when Finn walks into the cafe – confident, mature, put together, everything Enzo is not – he can’t help developing a huge crush, even if Finn is a customer.

As their relationship deepens, Finn’s deceptions and Enzo’s insecurities threaten to undermine everything they are starting to build together. If they can each confront their inner demons, then Finn might be writing a happy ending for the first time in his life.

Better Latte Than Never is an m/m age gap, coffee shop romance featuring a slow burn attraction that grows steamier than an espresso machine.

Warnings: Mention of partner betrayal, death of character’s parents in the past

Title: Better Latte Than Never

 Author Name: CC Bridges

Cover Artist: Kanaxa

Amazon – All Regions

“What brings you to our cafe?” He winced at how terrible that sounded. Apparently Enzo completely forgot how to flirt when it was a customer he thought was hot. He could charm the old ladies like nobody’s business, but a cute guy? Nope.

Finn nodded at his laptop. “Came for the Wi-Fi and stayed for the coffee. And then the surprise party.” He picked up his fork and stabbed the last piece of cake left on his plate. “This cake is amazing.”

“Everything my aunt bakes is amazing.” Enzo watched the bit of chocolate make its way to Finn’s mouth and the sensual way his lips closed around the metal of the fork. That shouldn’t be turning Enzo on right now, but God, if he didn’t want to follow that piece of cake with his own tongue against Finn’s lips.

“So what do you make that’s amazing?” Finn asked with a wink, and that was when Enzo knew they were in business, or at least on the same wavelength.

He could feel the blush creeping up his cheeks. “I don’t bake, but I do brew a mean cup of espresso.”

“I’d love to have a taste.”

“You’ve got—” Enzo gestured to his own face. A smear of chocolate had found its way to Finn’s chin. “Here.” He picked up a napkin from the table and brushed it away.

Finn took the napkin, his fingers tangling with Enzo’s for a moment. His eyes were smoldering. “Thank you.”

Enzo cleared his throat and pulled at the collar of his shirt. Who’d turned up the heat in here? “What are you working on?”

“My book. It’s not behaving.” Finn glared at his laptop. “I’m hoping coming here will help spark…something.”

Enzo opened his mouth to tell Finn exactly what he hoped it would spark when he felt a tug on his sleeve. He looked over to find Scottie had left his mother’s side. The kid seemed to like Enzo. Any time he and his mother visited while Enzo was working, Scottie would trail him around the cafe.

“Enzo, I saw you had your sketchbooks,” he whispered. “Are you going to draw me again?”

Before he could reply, Tami had made it to their side of the room. “Scottie, leave him alone. That was a special occasion!”

Enzo had done caricatures one day as a promo for the cafe. Scottie had loved the little drawing Enzo had done of him as an astronaut. “It’s not a problem. Let me get this gentleman some more coffee first. Are you drinking regular, or would you like to try my espresso?”

“I’d love to try your espresso.” Finn smiled, and for a moment it felt like they were the only two people in the entire cafe.

But Enzo had to get back to work, shattering the illusion. He went behind the counter, quickly chatted with his aunt so she could leave for the day while brewing Finn’s espresso. Then he grabbed his sketchbook and tucked it under his arm before bringing out the coffee.

“Here you go.”

“Thank you. About that drawing you’re going to do?” Finn accepted the cup of coffee but didn’t drink it.

Enzo gestured with his sketchbook. “Oh, it’s nothing. I’m going to make a cartoon for Scottie over there.”

“Mind if I watch? Unless you’re the kind of artist who can’t work while someone is looking at them?”

“You’re procrastinating, aren’t you?” Enzo teased. “Let me guess. Deadline?”

“You have no idea.”

Enzo shook his head. “You can watch if you want. I’m used to it.”

This is a new to me author, but the premise sounded cute so why not? Featuring an age gap, as well as a success gap, and both of those things can easily be death to a relationship. Together with secrets, it can be a recipe for disaster.

One MC is successful in his chosen field, but hiding it from the other. Meanwhile, Enzo, the picture of a struggling artist, has his own insecurities to deal with, and they begin to hurt their relationship as well.

There’s definitely some life lessons for these characters, as they work to grow as people and in their relationship.

I did struggle a bit with this book, as I found the interactions stiff between the two MC’s, and for me, I wasn’t sure if it was intended to be that way, or the writing was a bit too stiff for me. I started and stopped this book a couple of times before finally getting into it later in the book. In the end, they struggled to get to find the right place to land in their relationship, but just like I needed, an HEA.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

CC Bridges spent her childhood visiting other worlds in books, comics, and the starship Enterprise. It’s no surprise that she ended up a librarian, being surrounded by the books she loves so much. She writes about amazing worlds with honorable heroes. Her hobbies include paying money to get locked in a room for an hour so she can solve puzzles to escape, along with the aforementioned reading. She lives with her husband and son on the Jersey Shore. She is currently pursuing an MFA from Southern New Hampshire University

Author Website: https://www.ccbridges.net

Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/ccbridgeswriter

Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/ccbridges10

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccbridgesauthor/

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2780312.C_C_Bridges

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I Never Knew: Riverside Town (Book 4) by Darla O’Malley: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

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.                                  .

Ryan Hayes wasn’t looking for a distraction from the one in five chance of him being the father to his lying, cheating, “not his girlfriend”, pregnant ex-girlfriend’s baby, but that was exactly what Elijah became. That was until the lines got blurred and Elijah became something to him that he never knew was possible: everything.

Elijah Anderson hid the struggles he faces every day to keep his diner afloat behind a smile, but Ryan saw through it and gave Elijah real reasons to smile. Though Elijah tried to fight it—Ryan may have a baby on the way and was also the soon to be brother-in-law to his best friend—Ryan seeing Elijah in his lingerie and showing how receptive he was to roleplay was Elijah’s undoing…he was hooked! He wanted to lose himself in the gorgeous, demisexual, and bi-curious man in ways he never had before.

Ryan saw how hard Elijah worked every day to make ends meet and how his generous behavior was being exploited. Not anymore.

Elijah saw past Ryan’s candid approach to dealing with his family and understood the love behind his words. They’ll see how considerate you are.

Just as Ryan and Elijah settle into their happy lives together, it gets rocked by a heavily pregnant woman wielding a hammer.

Author note: male/male romance, can be read as a standalone. Contains sexual acts between consenting adults, roleplay, sexy lingerie, and two men who never knew what love was until a heavy box was dropped on one of them.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

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Ryan

“Rye!” Zach shouted after spotting me and Elijah walking closer to them. “I found your flag!” he yelled, even though I was close enough that he didn’t have to. The smell of fruit and alcohol wafted off his breath, explaining his loud behavior.

Zach wrapped the large flag around my head like it was a towel, and I was a kid that had just been for a swim in the lake.

“Thanks, Zach,” I said as I tugged the flag off my head. I didn’t unwrap myself from the flag, though, instead placing it around my shoulders. Looking around, I saw there were a lot of people with different colored flags…I liked the colors in my flag: there was a black triangle and three stripes coming from it, the top stripe was white, and the bottom one was grey; the middle stripe was a thin strip of purple. The colors were subtle, but what I liked most was that I felt a sense of pride in the flag, similar to when I saw the Star-Spangled Banner; this flag represents…me. “Can I keep it?” I asked.

“Course you can,” Zach said, smiling brightly. The glassiness in his eyes portrayed his drunken state—I wasn’t even gone an hour! “Cammy and Taylor were telling me about all the flags, and when he said about the demi one, I was like, that’s what Ryan said earlier. So, we bought you this.” He held a corner of the flag up for me to see, still smiling from ear to ear.

“You guys bought this for me?” I asked, finally looking at my brother and my dad’s boyfriend. Neither of them heard my question. They were dancing rings around Elijah. When my boyfriend saw me looking his way, he grinned and winked at me.

Zach’s hand heavily tapping on my shoulder broke our eye contact. “What?” I asked him.

“Do you like my flag?” Zach asked, pointing to the wonky rectangle on his bare chest with a small dick in the middle. I also noted that he had his T-shirt tucked into the back of his jeans like I did.

“Is that you coming out as having a small dick?” I quipped.

“Fuck you, dickhead!” Zach shoved my shoulder but was laughing.

“Hey!” Cam shouted as he got between Zach and me. “No fighting. Let’s dance.” He took hold of my hand, raised it above his head, and began twirling himself beneath it. I wasn’t really a dancer, so I just watched him. Taylor joined the mix, and before I knew what was happening, he was behind me, holding my arms out and moving them to the music.

“I’m not a puppet,” I said over my shoulder to him. The movement had my flag falling off my shoulders and to the ground. Taylor let go of me, but Cam had already picked up my flag for me.

“Tie it ‘round your neck like a superhero,” Cam said as he tied the black corners of the triangle around my neck. The alcohol I could smell on his breath was more potent than what Zach smelt like, My little brother was pretty hammered. Not the straight-laced narc he once was.

Darla O’Malley had been writing male/male fiction and paranormal stories as a hobby for quite a few years, until encouragement from friends and family to become a self-published author had her finishing one of her many half-written novels. She’s extremely happy she heeded their advice as having others read her creations has become an exhilarating experience.

Connect with Darla:
Facebook: facebook.com/darla.omalley.96
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Head Over Feels: A Bent Oak, Texas Novel by Bix Barrow: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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.                                     .

Well, this puts the “ex” in “explosive”…

Felix: What would happen if everyone you’d ever dated got together and plotted against you?

For me, it’s glitter bombs. Lots and lots of glitter bombs.

Okay, maybe I deserved the first one or two. Or three. But when things become less glitter and more grenade, I’m forced into hiding with the smokin’ hot older client I just had a sizzling one-night stand with.

Malcolm’s gruff exterior hides a marshmallow center (who else would hire a pet massage therapist for their elderly cat?) — but until the bomber is behind bars, neither of us are safe.

And no one would risk their life for a disaster like me…right?

Malcolm: I wasn’t under any illusions the night I ended up in Felix’s bed. He’s just my type — smart, funny, and adorable with just the right amount of meat on his bones.

But a guy like that deserves more than a grouchy forty-something ex-FBI agent with a broken body and a screwed-up brain. So, I knew we were only ever in this for one night.

Except now with his dating history blowing up in his face, Felix is turning to me for help.

And I’m pretty sure my feelings can’t be defused.

Head Over Feels is a low-angst MM contemporary romance. Come for the grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity (but there are two beds, sorry), hurt/comfort, and found family. Stay for the 1985 Buick Riviera convertible, dreams coming true, personal growth, game nights, and an online date gone very, very, wrong. HEA guaranteed!

Head Over Feels is part of the Bent Oak, Texas series. It can be read as a standalone but will be more enjoyable if you’ve read Heart Me Up first. Characters from Holding On to a Hero have significant roles as well, in case you want the complete backstory.

Title: Head Over Feels

Author Name: Bix Barrow

Series Title: Bent Oak, Texas

Release Date: Friday, June 23 2023

Cover Artist: Cate Ashwood

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Holding On to a Hero

Heart Me Up

(from Felix’s POV)

“So,” Jaime remarked as he forked up some of his osso buco, “Tell me your professional aspirations. Surely you aren’t planning on working in a call center forever.”

The way he phrased the comment rubbed me a little the wrong way, but I brushed the concern aside. He’d brought up something I was excited to share with him.

“I’m actually planning to go into business for myself,” I told him. He gazed at me with rapt attention while he sipped his wine. It was heady, let me tell you, to have someone that good-looking focused on me.

“I recently got my certification to be a pet massage therapist.”

Jaime went still, his wine glass midair. “I’m sorry, a what?”

“A pet massage therapist,” I repeated enthusiastically. “Animals get arthritis or other mobility issues, same as humans. Massage can help them walk more easily and reduce pain. I completed a certification course and in a few months I’ll be doing pet massage full time.”

While I’d expounded on my favorite topic, Jaime had slowly lowered his wine glass to the table. I’d been so energized by what I was saying, I’d finished speaking before I noticed his expression was… not encouraging.

Jaime’s eyebrows—which I now noticed had been waxed—scrunched together. “This is a career you are set on?”

Hadn’t I just said that? “Yes. I’d originally planned to be a Veterinary Technician, but I did some shadowing in a vet’s office and, well… it wasn’t for me. Doc Pinkerton, the vet there, suggested I try pet massage therapy instead. I love it.”

Jaime frowned and shook his head. “I’m sorry, Felix. It didn’t occur to me to ask about this when we were chatting online. I’ve enjoyed our dinner very much up to now.”

My mouth dropped open. He. Was. Not. And yet, he was. “But I cannot date someone with such an…” He waved a hand as if searching for the right word. “Unambitious career. I’d be the laughingstock of my friends and business associates.”

I sat there, staring in shock. I could feel the blood draining from my face. Jaime would be embarrassed by my being a pet massage therapist? My dream job?

Cal’s voice rang through my head, reminding me how vulnerable my former dates had made themselves by sharing their unusual pastimes.

Jaime interrupted my awful epiphany. “I’d still be down to fuck after dinner though.”

Who the heck did this guy think he was?

I sputtered, trying to form the words to tell him to go screw himself, when Jaime glanced past me toward the restaurant’s entrance.

He froze. His eyes went wide and his face went Oh shit. “Quick,” he said, his voice low and urgent. “You are my work colleague, an architect. Just play along.”

Oh, hell to the no. On top of everything else, he was cheating? My dream career was embarrassing to a cheater?

I considered throwing my drink on him, but I didn’t have much left. In the spirit of getting something, however small, out of this debacle, I drained my wine glass. Then I set my napkin next to my plate and pushed back from the table. I’d wallow in my anger later. Right now I needed to exit, pronto.

“Sorry, Jaime, I’m not helping you. You’re an ass.”

Jaime barely had time to look confused before a harsh voice boomed out, “What the fuck is this?”

Dang it, too late.

I couldn’t avoid looking at the man stomping toward us. He was in his mid-thirties, dark-haired, tall, and rangy like a runner. And—scowly glare notwithstanding—very attractive. Huh, Jaime must be one of those rare people who didn’t have a physical type. I mean, my face was okay, but….

What the heck was I doing? It was past time to leave.

Jaime’s boyfriend—hopefully just a boyfriend; I didn’t see a ring—was followed by two other men, another tall dark-haired guy and a shorter blond guy. The boyfriend’s entire body was taut with rage, and his friends’ expressions were grim. Any of them could probably kick my ass. Crap.

Jaime put out a placating hand toward his boyfriend. “Listen, babe,” he started.

“You said you had to work late. You said you’d be ordering dinner in with your team. He is not your team.” He pointed at me but stared daggers at Jaime.

Jaime’s expression said he was pretty sure he’d be able to talk his way out of the situation. I was pretty sure he was wrong.

Felix, get out.

I stood up, pushing the chair back with my legs. “I thought he was single, I swear,” I muttered, keeping my head down. Hopefully I’d be allowed to leave without getting punched first.

I stepped away from the table to make my getaway, but in my haste I caught my shoe on a chair leg, causing me to stumble right into Jaime’s boyfriend.

“Oof! I’m so sorry!” I cried as I thudded into his chest. He didn’t look like he lifted weights or anything, but it was like I’d hit a wall; he didn’t even step back. Did I mention I’m not the skinniest guy around? The boyfriend didn’t look at me, just put his hands on my biceps and pushed me upright. I sidled away as quickly and inconspicuously as possible. Thankfully the blond guy took my elbow and pointed me toward the exit. I managed to nod my thanks and hightail it out of the restaurant.

Cole owed me so hard for this.

I yanked my phone from my pocket as I power-walked through the parking lot. Should I call or text him? Yelling would be pretty satisfying right now, I decided.

This is a new series to me, as well as a new to me author. It mentioned that it was stand-alone, but the beginning was a bit hard to follow, so I’m thinking it would be easier to read the first two books.

Malcolm and Felix are quite sweet together, and I enjoyed how the author was able to integrate the mystery and the romance to their relationship. Felix was a pet massage therapist (who knew that was a thing?) with some serious dating disasters. Meanwhile Malcom was a grump, but also very protective.

While there was a lot of action, suspense, mystery, there was also a lot of funny parts. With great secondary characters that came from the previous books. If you like grumpy/sunshine, with a side of forced proximity, then give this one a shot.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

When Bix Barrow got an idea for her first book, it ended up turning into her second — and thus the first two stories in the Bent Oak, Texas series emerged. An aspiring author for most of her life, it took a foray into the MM romance genre to spark the steamy scenes and blazing banter Bix now weaves into her novels. Accompanying her on her writing exploits are her two dogs and multitude of cats (seven at last count). An avid traveler, Bix has started to view her expeditions as interviews for her future home. Born and raised in Texas, she is eager to move somewhere with fewer politicians, hurricanes and flooding. Connect with Bix at www.bixbarrow.com

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