Quick Reviews

Twisted and Tied by Mary Calmes: Release Day Review * 2

March 13, 2018 by Denise

Deputy US Marshal Miro Jones finally has everything he ever wanted. He’s head-over-heels in love and married to the man of his dreams, his partner Ian Doyle, he’s doing well at work, and all his friends are in good places as well. Things are all tied up nicely… until they’re not.

Change has never been easy for Miro, and when situations at work force the team he’s come to depend on to break apart, and, worst of all, when his and Ian’s individual strengths put them on two separate paths, he’s pretty certain everything just went up in smoke. But before he can even worry about the future, his past comes for a visit, shaking his world up even more. It’s hard to tell what road he should truly be on, but as he learns some paths are forged and others are discovered, it might be that where he’s going is the right course after all. If he can navigate all the twists and turns, he and Ian might just get their happily ever after.

Title: Twisted and Tied
Series: Marshals: Book Four
Author: Mary Calmes
Release Date: March 13, 2018
Category: Contemporary
Pages: TBD (Novel)

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Sigh…Ian and Miro…and a good amount of Sam Kage, which I will never ever complain about.

In this one, I started off a little disappointed because the guys were married and we didn’t get to see this big elaborate wedding that I felt like Miro would’ve wanted…. But I shouldn’t have worried, I know better than to doubt this author… everything was perfect, and when you read it, you’ll totally get it.

There’s a lot going on, as there usually is in this particular series, but it’s all art of seeing these two grow, not only as a couple, but also as characters. Things kind of get thrown up in the air, when Sam Kage shakes things up a little bit regarding his team and their new roles. It creates some tension between Miro and Ian, and I could see where they were both coming from, so it was hard for me to pick a side! Not that you have to, but….well, you’ll see.

What I loved about this one, is that in the other books in this series.. I felt like Miro was the strong one…. Not physically, that’s not what I mean… But he was confident and so sure about everything and he knew who he was and was okay with that. He didn’t struggle like Ian did, so I felt like Miro was the one with the reigns the majority of the time, keeping Ian together, reassuring him and being there for him in the ways that only Miro could. And in this one, we see Miro depending on Ian a little bit more, and Ian being the one that needed to do the reassuring. I mean, even in last books with all the Hartley and all that Miro had gone through with him… being kidnaped and tortured and all that, Miro was still the one that kept it together so Ian would be okay. Not that it was ever a problem, because, that’s just how their relationship worked… but in this one, it was nice to see the shoe on the other foot.

Speaking of Hartley…he’s back. Of course he is, that’s no secret… and while I know I’m probably a minority in this, for all the terrible things he’s done… I still found it hard to hate him in this one. Who I did hate though, was Miró’s coven sisters husband…You will too, and I wasn’t expecting that…and I don’t know how relevant it is to the story, because it was kinda just thrown in there, but…. Ugh, didn’t like that…

But, back to Hartley… I felt like Miro got some closure there, which I was relieved about. He also rooves that its true what he’s always said, nobody knows Harley like Miro and it gets proven several times in this page turner.

Side note, I was really worried about Cabot and Drake in the last one, and if you read my reviews at all, I made it very clear as to why, and I am leased to say that Im so happy with the way all that turned out…And I’m over the moon with the way Ian and Miro turned out.

I want to gush, and I’m probably uber vague and annoying because of it, but if you’ve been waiting for this book like I have, and you’re anxious to know what happens.. I promise, it’s well worth the wait, and you’re going to fall in love with these guys all over again. It’s impossible not to!!!

No surprise here, but this one was 5 very deserved pieces of eye candy from me!

So…. this is the first book in a spin-off series of A Matter of Time. I thought I couldn’t love anyone as much as I do Jory Harcourte and then Mary Calmes threw Miro Jones at me. It was love at first sight.

Sam Kage has been promoted from US Marshall to Supervisory Deputy in charge of his own team. Miro Jones and Ian Doyle have been partners for 3 years. Miro has been in love with his partner for every bit of those three years assuming his affections will never be returned because Ian is terminally straight.

Ian Doyle is as tough as they come, an Army Ranger and badass US Marshall. He never plays by the rules but knows without a doubt that Miro will always have his back. Ian has always treated Miro more like a boyfriend than a best friend or partner, just minus the sex. When Miro is hurt in the line of duty while Ian is off playing Army Ranger it causes him to rethink his position.

Just when Ian and Miro start to focus on a future together a tough witness relocation assignment has them wondering if they’ll survive long enough to see happily ever after.

I don’t know where to begin. The story was so entertaining, the plot and attention to detail was amazing. The characters were all well developed and so relatable, even the secondary characters.

Ian and Miro, what can I say. They made my top ten favorite couples of all time list. Ian is so tough on the outside but so caring with Miro at the same time. Miro has a great sense of humor and the internal dialogue was hysterical.

This series is definitely going to be reread often. If you haven’t read it yet give it a shot. You won’t be disappointed.

5 pieces of eye candy

Unraveled by K.M. Neuhold: Exclusive Excerpt, Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

March 7, 2018 by Denise

Clay:
My mind and body are full of chaos; the only time I can truly feel free is when my hands, arms, and legs are secured. Just because I want to be bound, able to give over my pleasure entirely to another person, doesn’t mean I want to be controlled, humiliated, or made to endure pain. I’m a successful, happy, confident adult man who wants a lover to tie him up. Why is that so scandalous? And why is it so difficult to find? It doesn’t help that I’ve developed a hopeless crush on my straight roommate. Maybe a fulfilling relationship isn’t in the cards for me.

Max:
I’m completely out of control of my life. My ex is trying to take my daughter away from me… again, my dream of owning my own motorcycle repair shop seems out of reach, and somehow, I find myself a thirty-two-year-old man who can’t afford to have a place without a roommate. So, it’s no huge surprise that the idea of being given complete control over someone’s body and pleasure is a major turn-on. I never had any inkling I might be into guys, until my best friend told me he likes to be tied up. Now I’m losing sleep, imagining him bound and begging for me. I can’t figure out if it’s just the kink or if it’s possible I’m falling for him.

UNRAVELED

A HEATHENS INK SPIN OFF

K.M. NEUHOLD

M/M ROMANCE

RELEASE DATE: 02.08.18

COVER DESIGN: K.M. Neuhold

COVER PHOTO: StockPhoto

Amazon

When I get off work, I have a few hours to kill before Clay gets home. I decide it’s the perfect time to do a little research.

I grab my laptop and settle on my bed. Clay’s reactions to dominance are at odds with what he told me he needs, and I know I have to gain a better understanding of how to take care of him.

After slogging through a few porn sites that aren’t at all helpful in figuring anything out. I finally find a blog by a couple in a D/s relationship.

I read through several posts and come to two major conclusions: First, Clay may only think he doesn’t like dominance because he’s never had a partner he’s trusted before. And second, it’s my job to read Clay’s body language and give him what I know he needs.

The main thing I’ve taken away from our previous conversations was that Clay doesn’t want humiliation and he doesn’t want pain. Maybe he doesn’t realize it’s possible for me to use some dominance to simply care for him.

The front door opens, and I close my laptop. “Honey, I’m home,” Clay calls out, and I smile.

I will give him everything he needs.

Sigh…. Okay, so I might have skipped a couple to get here, but the mmm, isn’t really my thing, but, you bet Im gonna go back and read Adam and Nox!

So, okay, in this one, we have Clay and Max, and having only read the first one in this series, I wasn’t familiar with them, but I am a sucker for a hot dad, so… it was a given.

So, Max has shared custody of his daughter Gigi, and seriously, she is so cute…. She has Max and his roommate and best friend Clay, wrapped around her little finger. Clay is a dancer at his own place, and very much out and proud, and Max is his straight bestie…. Trouble, right ?

However, here lately, they’ve been seeing each other in a new light, because Max is gorgeous, and so good with his daughter, and then Clay is so good with Maxs daughter, and they’re best friends, right …. If you’re gonna fall for someone, it should absolutely be your best friend!! In my opinion at least! They’re perfect for each other!

However, Clay has some kinks and he hasn’t had much luck with finding someone compatible in the ast. Nothin major, just a little bit of binding, and rope play… hot right ?

Well, after hearing about it and seeing a picture of Clay bound, Max is intrigued and it opens a world of possibility to both of them.

Things are amazing for a while, but then Maxs ex drops a bombshell on him that she’s leaving and taking his daughter with her….and ya’ll, I know she wasn’t being made to be the bad guy, but I HATED that so much. She was getting married, so presumably already living with the guy and had known him for a while, but you don’t tell your child’s father until you’re already moving…. Nu uh…. Not gonna fly…then tell me that you’re taking said kid across the country and not only is nobody doing anything about it, they take it to a judge and the judge just said, OKAY….. again, no way, honey…NOT GONNA FLY…. But it does…

Say whaaaaaaaaatttttttt ? …. I know, I know… I was thinking the same thing…

Now, while were on the topic of ignorance… Maxs brothers and the way they regarded their brother’s gay bestie, regardless of them not knowing he was with him, was a MAJOR no, no…. I understand ignorance can be forgiven, and they did okay in the end, but… no, I grew up with racist grandparents, and a homophobic family, and still…. By 5 years old, I was crying each time I heard the words they were using and I knew better at 5! My father called me a sympathizer…. Are you kidding me ? ….I didn’t like that either.

Other than that, though, those two things… I loved the way these guys loved each other. I loved how Max knew and loved what Clay needed, and as heartbreaking as it was, Clay knew what Max needed and let him go. Be still my heart right. I was gutted…
The end though, couldn’t have been more perfect, Or, it would’ve been amazing had Gigi got to see her Clay… but, there’ll be other books, right ?

Next time, hopefully.

4 pieces of eye candy from me!

I’m an author of m/m and new adult romance. I have a strong passion for writing characters with a lot of heart and soul, and a bit of humor as well.

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Hard to Let Go by Jaclyn Quinn: Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review and Giveaway

March 7, 2018 by Denise

Owen Richards lives a quiet life in his small hometown of Haven’s Cove. He has a rewarding life consisting of three very supportive—not to mention feisty—women, and a successful bakery that he owns and absolutely loves. Yet, Owen can’t seem to shake this emptiness inside or the intense feeling that something is missing. A sudden encounter with a man from his past, one he despises, turns his entire world upside down. When Owen finds himself attracted to that sexy man, he questions everything, including his sanity. After all, only an incredibly disturbed person would find that he can’t stop thinking about his high school bully.

Brody Walker never expected to return to Haven’s Cove. He’s made a life for himself in Boston where he can truly be the person he was always meant to be. But an unexpected call has Brody facing all the demons he’d left behind so long ago. Now, he’s faced with not only a difficult goodbye, but one long overdue apology to a man who is no longer that lanky kid from high school. The challenge is to convince the guy he’s changed—and also prove he’s worth taking a chance on.

When passions ignite, truths are exposed, changing beliefs these men have held on to for years. Faced with the knowledge that things aren’t always what they seem, will they choose to hold on to the incredible thing they’ve found…or is it easier to give in to the fear and let go?

HARD TO LET GO

JACLYN QUINN

M/M ROMANCE

RELEASE DATE: 02.19.18

Cover by Cate Ashwood Designs

Interior Design and Formatting by Flawless Touch Formatting

Amazon

Brody nodded his head and let his aunt Nora lead him down the hall. Had this hallway always been so damn long? The walls were lined with pictures. There were Brody’s school pictures, holidays, and family photos of the three of them smiling.

It was a hall full of lies.

As he crossed the threshold into the room, it was like breaking through a thick wall. His chest hurt and every muscle in his body tensed. He didn’t know what he was expecting, but it wasn’t this. A hospital bed was against the soft blue wall to his right; an IV stand with a bag hanging from a hook at the top blocked his view of his mother’s face. The room had the same beige carpet he remembered, but his father’s desk was replaced with a big reclining chair. There was another chair in the room on the far side of the bed. A small table on wheels sat next to it and on it were tissues, a pair of glasses, and the last thing he expected to see—a framed picture of him from when he was little. Next to that was an oxygen tank with tubing connected to it. The tubing led up to where it hooked around her ears to hold the small prongs in place in her nose. There were no big machines, no sounds of incessant beeping.

Then it really hit him. She wasn’t there to get better; she was there to let go. Brody stepped softly into the room, afraid to disturb her, afraid to breathe too heavily and throw off the serenity of her room.

Brody’s heart was trying to beat its way out of his chest. He felt a light touch from his aunt on his back, as if she was telling him it was going to be okay—even though they both knew it wouldn’t be. He walked to the side of the bed cautiously, praying he didn’t upset her if she didn’t want him there. As he lowered himself into the chair, his breath caught, and he looked into his mom’s eyes for the first time in too long. Oh God, was that panic in her eyes? Pain? He didn’t want to cause her either in her final days.

“Brody? Honey, is it really you?” Her voice was so soft, but there was no mistaking the words as a tear slid down her cheek, and her eyes had a sudden light.

Just like that, Brody released the breath he’d been holding and let the tears fall down his face. “Yeah, Mom. It’s me. I’m here.”

I don’t do love triangles so I was a little bit worried about this one in the beginning.

See, Owen and his boyfriend Jonah were best friends that turned into more, Jonah was there for Owen when he needed him the most and he’d always have love for him…. Unfortunately, as of lately, they both knew that things weren’t that way with them anymore. They had all the love in the world for each other, but they weren’t in love with each other. I respected how maturely they handed everything and was glad that there wasn’t a bad guy in the situation; they were both very likeable characters.

Now… on his way to work one morning, Owen runs into an old high school bully, Brody. Brody and his friends weren’t just bullies, they were BULLIES… especially the ring leader, Chuck, and it’s heartbreaking what they put Owen through…. What’s even worse though, is the heartbreaking, terrible life that Brody was hiding from. I couldn’t stomach the way his father treated him and I’m really bummed that he didn’t get the karmic justice that he deserved. Somethin akin to ripping his flesh off the bones and keeping him alive for days to be tortured…. Too much? Meh, doubtful….

Anyway, although Owen is angry at seeing Brody and very mistrusting of him, he didn’t know that Jonah had already hired him to some remodeling work at Owen’s house. It starts off terribly, but, once Owen knows why Brody is back in town and finds out the way he suffered alongside Owen all those years ago, just in a different way… things change for the pair.

I love how jealous both men get in regards to the other man while they try to hide their feelings for each other. I love Owen’s family and Brody’s best friend Gabe, I really hope he gets a story with Nate, as well as Jonah gets his happy with someone perfect. I love that Owen cared so much about Brody and was there with him every step of the way when tragedy strikes and Brody needed him.

These two had the best chemistry, and not even just during sexy times….this author done an awesome job expressing such deep feelings of confusion, lust, anger, regret, guilt, sadness and overall love. This is my first by this author, but it for sure won’t be my last!!

4 heartbreaking and hopeful pieces of eye candy from me.

I have been an artist from a very young age. From drawing cartoon characters and evolving into portraits, making jewelry, photography, and now writing. I have an amazing support system in my family and friends and couldn’t be more grateful.

I live in central New Jersey, love summers at the Jersey Shore, rock music, wine, sexy men, and laughing a lot with my amazing friends and family. Sunday dinners at my parents’ house are crazy, hysterical and you can count on a movie quote…or ten…being thrown out. Insults between siblings is how we show our love for each other!

When I’m not creating, you can find me reading books from my favorite authors. I’m a hopeless romantic, starving for passionate characters and always craving that happy ending, whether in reading or in writing my own books.

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Undone by You by Kate Meader: Exclusive R-rated Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

March 5, 2018 by Denise

USA TODAY bestselling author Kate Meader brings her signature “steamy sex scenes, colorful characters, and riveting dialogue” (RT Book Reviews) to this novella in the Chicago Rebels series, following the general manager of the Rebels as he scores with one of his players off the ice.

Dante Moretti has just landed his dream job: GM of the Chicago Rebels. And screw the haters who think there should be an asterisk next to his name because he’s the first out managing executive in pro hockey. He’s earned the right to be here and nothing will topple him off that perch—especially not an incredibly inconvenient attraction to his star defenseman, Cade “Alamo” Burnett. Cade has always been careful to keep his own desires on the down low, but his hot Italian boss proves to be a temptation he can’t resist. Sure, they both have so much to lose, but no one will ever know…

As Dante and Cade’s taboo affair heats up off the ice and their relationship gets more and more intense, they’ll have to decide: is love worth risking their careers? Or is this romance destined to be forever benched?

Amazon

They pulled up outside Cade’s condo building in Riverbrook, about a five-minute walk to Rebels HQ. Dante kept the engine running—a form of threat, perhaps?

“In you go, Burnett,” Dante said softly. “Be a good boy for the rest of the night.”

This guy was definitely mixing his signals, because if he thought Cade wasn’t going to fuck him after that little tease, he wasn’t nearly as smart as he looked. Cade turned to look at Dante. The streetlight glinted off his hair, giving it a blue-black shine, casting his face half in shadow.

“We’ve got a game in New York in a couple of days, then a weekend off.”

“And you’re reminding me of the team’s schedule why, exactly?”

Cade took a breath. “I’d suggest meeting in your hotel room in New York, but it’s risky. When we get back, I want to spend that weekend with you.”

Dante snorted his disbelief. “So now it’s an entire weekend?”

Not a no. Not a screw you. Just a timing query.

Cade smiled, waited a beat. “I’ve had time to think. You should have talked to me on the ride home but you didn’t. You kept this surly, sexy, stoic act up, and it’s only turned me on more.”

He could tell Dante was torn on how to handle this. Faced with one of his players coming out and on to him, the man was likely weighing his managerial duty to protect against his human desire to give in. Cade just had to figure out what would tip the scales.

“Cade,” Dante started, his voice gentle enough to signal how this was going to go. Gay mentor Dante? Get in the rink! “I understand that this is tough for you. Your private life has suddenly collided with your public life, and that’s a lot to process. However, navigating this confusion should not—will not—involve an inappropriate hookup with your boss.”

Now probably wasn’t the time to tell Dante that the collision between private and public wasn’t so sudden. Better to pop a finger on the scales.

“I have a list,” Cade said, as if that was the most logical response to your boss telling you a hookup was off the menu.

“A list?” Dante was probably going for bored, but Cade heard it: curiosity.

“Things I’ve fantasized about doing to you. With you.”

“Jesus.” Dante—I kid you not—actually pulled on his tie. Like the car had become hotter than the hinges of hell in the last ten seconds and that stretch of silk was a noose. Fucking adorable.

Cade might be an excellent defender, but even he knew the best defense was a wicked offense. The shot was lined up. He just had to take it. “Want to hear more about the list?”

Nostrils flaring, Dante ground out, “There are ethical implications here. It might be a game to you, but this is my fucking job.”

Dante’s New York accent was unmistakable in how he said job like jawb. Getting a little agitated there, boss? He dipped his gaze down Dante’s body, his destination obvious.

Dante’s cock was currently engaged in an ethical cage match against the zipper of his pants. Perfect.

“Considering I’m the one propositioning you, then I think we can assume an even ethical playing field. We could both make a lot of trouble for each other if this were to get out.”

“The threat of blackmail is making me hard, Burnett.”

Oh man. Cade loved the way Dante talked. That clipped, lethal cut of every word.

“What I’m trying to say is that we both have a lot to lose. It’s dangerous”—he leaned in—“taboo”—so close he could see Dante’s flared irises and the dark flush flagging his cheeks—“and sexy as hell.”

Dante placed a hand on Cade’s chest, both pushing him away and holding him in place. It was the first time Dante had touched him, and Cade’s heart went hog wild.

“Aren’t you concerned I might play favorites after?” Dante murmured. “Or worse, want to trade out evidence of my indiscretion?”

“Would you?”

“I guess it depends on how good of a fuck you are.”

Cade laughed heartily at that, enjoying Dante’s honesty and quick wit and—oh yes. The sardonic tilt to his lips that told him Dante was enjoying this just as much.

Scales. Tipped.

“Good night, Cade,” the hot Italian murmured, pushing him away gently.

Reluctantly drawing back, Cade gripped the door handle. “Think about it, Dante. No-holds-barred, pure, unadulterated pleasure. Best of all, no one will ever know.”

And then he exited that car, leaving the man wanting.

I haven’t read any of the previous books in this series, but jumped on this one when I saw it, and absolutely loved it. Cade and Dante really hit the spot for me.

Dante, being openly gay, and GM of an NHL hockey team can’t have been easy for him, but he moved forward, and didn’t let being gay define him. It didn’t define his work with the players either. It was clear he was respected, but Dante also was careful not to put anyone into a difficult situation. Not the owners, not the players, and (he tried very hard at least!) not himself.

Cade, I loved. He went after what he wanted. He walked into an exclusive gay club looking for what he wanted…Dante…and didn’t take no for an answer. He wasn’t worried about being too young for Dante, or even that he wasn’t out. He wanted the sexy GM, and was willing to step up and let him know.

This novella was sexy, seriously sexy. These two, once they found their middle ground, found themselves hitting the sheets whenever they could. However, it wasn’t just that. It was so obvious that they enjoyed each other’s company as well. Cooking together, hanging out, not just hitting the sheets. They found ways to connect that didn’t involve just sex.

The struggle to come out for Cade was heartbreaking. He knew what he was up against with choosing it, and Dante tried to impress upon him what coming out in the NHL could mean. And with Dante feeling like his job depended on not showing he was involved with a player, the feels were definitely there.

I just loved this one, and I hope that this author will continue to write m/m. She has really captured what is a difficult sometimes for authors that make the transition from m/m to capture. Keeping the strength and passion of the two men, while still showing their vulnerability. I cried a little during this one, laughed a little, and overall just wanted to read it again right after I put it down. 🙂

4.5 pieces of eye candy

I loved this book so much, I wanted to make sure someone else got a copy! So, leave a blog comment and we’ll draw a winner to receive an ebook copy of Undone by You.

Ever After by Riley Hart and Christina Lee: Release Day Blitz, Excerpt and Review

March 2, 2018 by Denise

As next in line for the Evergreen crown, Prince Merrick Davendall’s future involves ruling, marriage, and producing an heir of his own. But he’s long been tormented by desires that are far from princely. Especially when the beautiful Cassius is promoted to be his new valet, and Merrick is struck by a longing like never before—a longing to know him far beyond royal and servant.

After his father’s passing, Cassius Havendale’s sole duty is to provide for his family. A promotion to serve a pampered prince is something he endures only for their sake. Surely Prince Merrick has no understanding of true suffering of the common people, nor could he possibly understand what it’s like to desperately desire something he cannot have.

Except the prince is not at all what Cassius imagined. Kind, humorous, and caring to those in need, he also shares Cassius’ affinity for the arts. In fact, Merrick understands his deepest vulnerabilities in a most remarkable way.

As their affection deepens, the underlying tension between them becomes unbearable and they’re unable to ignore it any longer. But when the queen prepares a lavish ball with all the eligible ladies in the land in attendance, Merrick must fulfill his obligations to his country, and Cassius has the needs of his family to consider. They’ve long known their stolen moments would have to come to an end, but are they ready to give up one another and the idea of a happily-ever-after?

***PLEASE NOTE: EVER AFTER is a romantic fairy tale—minus the magic—that features one compassionate prince, one brooding valet, and plenty of angsty forbidden love. It’s loosely based on a certain treasured fairy tale in a wintery make-believe setting that wouldn’t be considered contemporary but also isn’t based on any specific time period and doesn’t play by any traditional rules.

EVER AFTER

A GAY FAIRYTALE

RILEY HART & CHRISTINA LEE

M/M ROMANCE

RELEASE DATE: 02.28.18

COVER DESIGN: JAY AHEER/ Simply Defined Art

Amazon

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“Now you are all set,” Cassius remarked, slipping the national Evergreen sash over Merrick’s neck and adjusting it over his shoulder.

Merrick was entertaining the Duke of Cairn this morning for brunch. The king would be joining them this afternoon for ice fishing on the property. Apparently, the royal family of Cairn were avid fishermen, and when the king mentioned it a few weeks back on his visit, Merrick’s father told them about Evergreen’s abundance of freshwater trout. Merrick did not exactly enjoy the sport, but Cairn was Evergreen’s closest ally, and it was important to entertain them properly while they discussed pressing matters, including Merrick’s royal visit to their lovely countryside in the coming months.

“At breakfast I overheard the cooks going on about how handsome the duke is,” Cassius mentioned casually as he smoothed down Merrick’s coat and then picked at some lint on the lapel.

The change in topic threw Merrick, and when he did not respond, Cassius glanced up curiously at him. Merrick smirked as he wrapped his hands around Cassius’s waist and pulled him closer. “You are jealous.”

“Of course not!” he declared as his neck turned beet red. “I was only relaying the gossip in the castle.”

“Hmmm, that’s very peculiar since you’ve never seemed to be affected by gossip before,” Merrick remarked, backing him against the wardrobe, the innocent look in Cassius’s eyes completely charming.

“What are you doing?” Cassius asked, his gaze flashing toward the closed chamber door.

“I don’t give a flying fig whether the duke is handsome or not. I have never paid him any mind.” Merrick kissed his cheek. “What I do know is that a stunning man is standing before me, driving me completely mad. And I long to take his prick into my mouth.”

Cassius gasped and swayed toward him. Merrick wondered if Cassius felt just as feverish after spending such a sweet and intense moment in the woods the other day. He only dreamed to know more of him before it was too late.

“It is all I thought about last evening after you left me in the parlor room with the conservation committee,” Merrick added with a groan as he gripped the waistband of Cassius’s trousers. “I want you in my bed every night. In my arms. But I know it is an empty wish.”

“We…shouldn’t,” Cassius replied in a gruff voice even as he sank against Merrick, his prick already hard as the steel jousting stick on display in the Great Hall. “You make it quite difficult to properly concentrate on my duties.”

Merrick drew back immediately, searching Cassius’s eyes. “I am sorry. I do not want you to feel any sort of regret.”

“Never.” Cassius grasped Merrick’s hand and placed it against the bulge beneath his zipper. “But now I shall go around all day with the front of my pants uncomfortably tight while you socialize with the handsome duke.”

Merrick hissed and then promptly dropped to his knees before the valet.

Ever After is a sweet love story about Prince Merrick of Evergreen and his valet Cassius. The two find themselves wildly attracted to each other but neither can act on it due to their separate responsibilities. Merrick’s to the crown in producing an heir and Cassius to his family as the sole provider for his mother and sisters. Acting on their attraction can never lead to anything more, so why risk their reputations and futures?

While the writing is straightforward, this book made me think a bit. In Evergreen, men who desire other men are not considered criminals, but they aren’t given the same rights, respect and freedoms that heterosexuals get. And if they did, Merrick still has a duty to the crown by marrying a woman and producing an heir. But how does Merrick live with himself if he were to marry a woman knowing he can never truly love her the way a wife deserves to be loved, and therefore denies her the chance to find real marital happiness. If Merrick decides to be with a man, what happens to the line of succession? Cassius depends on his job, so there’s the weird master/servant power dynamic that can be just … icky. Is Cassius allowed to say “no”? What if they get together and then it sours? Cassius depends on his job to support his widowed mother and young sisters. So, there’s a lot of internal/external conflict going on here. These guys are dealing with a lot. I don’t generally search out m/m books that have these kind of conflicts, but when I find myself reading one, I do enjoy contemplating the implications and ramifications. I am also never bored seeing the various ways and the extent to which authors resolve these issues.

This book is told in third person, alternating between Merrick’s and Cassius’ POV. There were a few spots that the writing was confusing about who was doing what, and at one point the wrong name was used, but that didn’t bog me down or make me want to DNF. Cute read. I would try the authors again.

3 pieces of eye candy

Riley Hart is the girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. She’s a hopeless romantic, a lover of sexy stories, passionate men, and writing about all the trouble they can get into together.

She loves reading, flawed characters, and hanging out with her husband and children, who she adores. She and her family live in Southern California, soaking up the sunshine while also missing seasons. Not a day goes by that she isn’t thankful she gets to wake up and do what she loves.

Life is good. Riley also writes young adult and new adult under the name Nyrae Dawn.

Once upon a time, I lived in New York City and was a wardrobe stylist. I spent my days shopping for photo shoots, getting into cabs, eating amazing food, and drinking coffee at my favorite hangouts.

Now I live in the Midwest with my husband and son—my two favorite guys. I’ve been a clinical social worker and a special education teacher. But it wasn’t until I wrote a weekly column for the local newspaper that I realized I could turn the fairytales inside my head into the reality of writing fiction.

I write Adult, New Adult, and M/M Contemporary Romance. I’m addicted to lip gloss and salted caramel everything. I believes in true love and kissing, so writing romance novels has become a dream job.

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Skater Boy by AE Wasp: Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review and Giveaway

February 28, 2018 by Denise

In a world that measures success in dollars, how do you put a price on happiness?

Love, marriage, and a baby carriage. It’s all Alex Staunton has ever wanted. Well, that and an Olympic medal for figure skating. The medal he got. The rest of it – not so much.

When his most recent poor decision comes to a door-slamming end, Alex moves into the house of his best friend, Thunder starting goalie, Sergei Pergov. But when tragedy strikes, giving Sergei custody of the twins he fathered confidentially, Alex’s problems take a backseat to the needs of two infants, and Alex vows to be the best fake-dad and house-husband he can be.

Sergei is dazzled by the way Alex makes managing all the craziness look as easy as doing a triple-axel. As their friendship grows even deeper, Sergei realizes he doesn’t want to imagine a life without Alex in it. Alex is the one who makes their house a home; his love makes them a family. How can Sergei make Alex understand he’s worth everything?

Skater Boy is a story about falling in love with your best friend. It contains discussions about baby poop, day drinking, girls’ night out, and the purchase of a mini-van.

Book Title: Skater Boy: Hot Off the Ice #4

Author: A. E. Wasp

Publisher: Self-Published

Cover Artist: Ana J. Phoenix

Genre/s: Gay Sports Romance

Length: 75,750 words/303 pages

Skater Boy is a standalone story in the Hot Off the Ice series.

Amazon US – Kindle Unlimited

Amazon UK

Goodreads

It was funny how much one kiss could change everything. Well, kissing and whatever else he could get away with. Sergei loved finding ways around the rules or seeing how much he could get away with while still technically staying within bounds.

Alex had typed up a list of the rules and taped them to the inside of the door that held Sergei’s coffee mugs and tea cups. “This way I know we’ll see it at least once a day.”

“In case I forget?” Sergei pulled Alex’s hand toward him, tracing light patterns over his wrist and palm in the same way Alex had tortured him the other night.

“Bastard,” Alex said, yanking his hand away. He darted in for a quick kiss. “In case I forget.”

Then last night after dinner, he’d come up behind Alex in the kitchen while he was washing dishes, and keeping his hands above the waist and over the clothes, lifted up Alex’s gorgeous hair and kissed the back and sides of his neck until Alex begged him to touch him. “Just a little. Please? Just my stomach.”

“Rules say no hands under clothing,” Sergei said, voice heavy with regret. “You made rules.”

Without another word, Alex slid out from under Sergei. Grabbing a pen from the junk drawer, he stomped the few feet to the cabinet, opened the cabinet, and crossed off the word ‘clothing.’ He wrote ‘pants’ above it, handwriting sloppy.

Slamming the door, he marched back to Sergei. “Better?”

Sergei yanked Alex against him, face to face this time. He slid his hands up the back of Alex’s shirt. His skin was softer than he had ever imagined and so warm. “Much better,” he growled, then pushed Alex up against the counter. They kissed until Sergei’s lips were numb.-

This is the 4th in a series, but I haven’t read the series so it is an easy stand alone.

This was a cute friends to lovers story, that I don’t think was meant to be cute.

Alex finds out his boyfriend is actually married. And being that Alex lives in an apartment paid for by him, he needs to leave. Best friend Sergei to the rescue. Quite literally.

Alex starts off living with Sergei kind of strong. Wanting to be his own man, pay his own way, etc. But he doesn’t seem to try real hard. Sergei is all sorts of adorable, but what starts out as sounding like he is pan or demi, turns into gay or maybe bi? I wish the author had explored that aspect more. Not because we need to know, but from a representation stand point.

They are all cute and playing house and BAM! Crisis. Big crisis. Life changing. And while Sergei is rightfully freaking out, Alex just seems to take it in stride. Because, ultimately, it is kind of what he wished for. Not under those circumstances, but still.

So it was all neat and tidy and….cute. The wives of Sergei’s teammates kind of treat Alex like a pet, a novelty. Most of the characters were basic stereotypes.

There was more there that could have been fleshed out. Instead, it was all sort of glazed over to bring you a cute story. And there’s nothing wrong with cute stories, but meh.

3 pieces of eye candy

After time spent raising children, earning several college degrees, and traveling the world with the U.S. State Department, she is returning to her first love – writing.

A dreamer and an idealist, Amy writes about people finding connection in a world that can seem lonely and magic in a world that can seem all too mundane. She invites readers into her characters’ lives and worlds when they are their most vulnerable, their most human, living with the same hopes and fears we all have. An avid traveler who has lived in big cities and small towns in four different continents, Amy has found that time and distance are no barriers to love. She invites her readers to reach out and share how her characters have touched their lives or how the found families they have gathered around them have shaped their worlds.

Born on Long Island, NY, Amy has lived in Los Angeles, London, and Bangkok. She currently lives in a town suspiciously like Red Deer, Colorado.

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