Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

Quick Reviews

Fractured Hope (Hope’s Ridge Book 1) by Kady Cordova: Blog Tour, Exclusive Book Excerpt, New Release Book Review and Giveaway

by

.                                 .
Can I really escape hell to find all I’ve ever longed for?

Bodhi
Finding yourself is hard. Finding someone you can truly trust is harder.

I have never known what it was like to have a true home or family, let alone real love.

After almost a year of planning, I finally escaped my abusive ex and ran as far away as I could with just the clothes on my back and a handful of cash. When I arrive in the quaint town of Hope’s Ridge, I’m ready to start over and reclaim my life.

When I painfully crash into Atticus’s life, something about him puts me at ease. I’ve never been one to trust, but now I’m in a situation where I have no choice. He might be what I’ve been longing for my whole life.

Atticus
I love my tight-knit town, my big Greek family, and the life I’ve built. I have a successful garage with my brothers and love my job. I have it good, but every now and then I long for a connection. Someone to chase away the loneliness that’s been creeping in. As my brothers like to point out, I am set in my ways and not one for flings, bar hopping, or one-night stands.

When a beautiful man stumbles into my life, I’m blown away. He’s skittish and afraid, but all I want to do is take care of him.

When Bodhi’s ex starts making threats, danger gets ever closer and threatens everything I hold dear. Can I keep Bodhi safe and prove to him he is worthy of love? Or will he run and take my heart with him?

Fractured Hope is a small-town, hurt/comfort, age-gap MM Romance with a broken boy looking for a safe place, a lonely man longing to find his person, and a family full of love, mischief, and colorful characters ready to step in and protect each other no matter the costs.

Title: Fractured Hope
Authors: Kady Cordova
Length: 71k
Series: Hope’s Ridge, Book 1
Genre: Contemporary.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

Exclusive excerpt Fractured Hope

I rose to greet him with a hug.

“You really are okay,” he said with relief. “So, who do we have here?” He turned toward Bodhi. “You must be the injured party I’ve heard nothing about.” He winked in Bodhi’s direction and elbowed me to introduce him.

“This is Bodhi—” I waved my hand at Bodhi. “—and this is my brother Sebastian, or Seb, as we call him.”

“The best-looking brother,” Seb added with his patented look at me dashing smile. Bodhi sat frozen as Seb approached and took Doc’s seat by the couch. Seb was the tallest and bulkiest of us. He and I did look similar; although, his nearly black hair was long and wavy. His beard was also longer and thicker than mine. Bodhi’s reaction seemed to be about more than just Seb’s presence. He’d been tensed up since my brother was in the doorway. Was he scared of Seb?

Punching my brother on the shoulder, I growled. “Leave him alone, jackass.” I gestured for Seb to follow me out so I could explain everything and get going as soon as possible. “Just give me a sec,” I said over my shoulder to a stoic and frozen Bodhi as I pushed Seb through to the office and closed the door behind us.

“He’s just your type. An injured stray,” Seb said, waggling his eyebrows.

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I flicked my hair out of my eyes and ignored his comment. “Just come on. I need to go through the day’s customers with you real quick. Oh, and sleeping beauty agreed to come in, so keep an eye out for him.”

Seb chuckled, gathering his thick hair up into his customary bun, ready to get to work. I went through the schedule and told him about the accident and how Bodhi was injured. I also made a note to investigate getting that storm drain fixed and the garage door greased. Seb offered to make a few calls.

What a way to start the day.

This book caught me right from the start. A guy literally escaping an abusive relationship. I love following a character overcoming adversity. Rising from the ashes, so to speak.

And so Bohdi runs. Gets on a bus and goes as far as it will take him. Which is Hope’s Ridge, Montana. A small town where everyone knows everyone and all of their business. Not a place to blend in and get lost. Especially after he gets startled and injures himself in front of the mechanics shop Atticus runs with his brothers.

Atticus is that guy. The big teddy bear type who will always help whomever, wherever with whatever. It’s just in his nature. And he gets to demonstrate that with Bodhi.

I will say that Bodhi and Atticus moved quickly. Yes, it’s a book. But I was still surprised that Bodhi wasn’t really apprehensive at all. But he was also getting taken care of which is not something he has ever had. But he is also incredibly vulnerable.

Of course Bodhi’s ex comes looking for him which leads to some intense scenes. I would have liked to see him earlier in the story. It would have added a lot to the story instead of just Bodhi and Atticus getting together.

We get to know Atticus’ brothers, mother and grandmother as well as a few people in town. Getting the lay of the land as it were for more books in the series. There are definitely more stories to be told.

If hurt/comfort is your catnip, dive right in. For a first book, not bad.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Kady Cordova is a queer author from Australia.

They survive on coffee and chaos. She has always been a hopeless romantic at heart even though they grow a little cynical and sarcastic with age.

Love is love and everyone deserves a happily ever after.

Kady is an advocate for Mental Health, Invisible Illnesses, and Protecting Trans Kids.

Fractured Hope is Kady’s debut novel.

Connect with Kady:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kadycordova/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kadycordovaauthor
Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kadycordovaauthor1
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kadycordova
Amazon: amazon.com/author/kadycordova
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/kadycordova_romance/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KadyCordova
a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Hookup Mix-up (Franklin University Series Season 2, Book) by Riley Hart: Blog Tour, New Release Book Review, and Giveaway

by

.                              .

Franklin University Series Season 2, Book 1

Perry
I moved to San Luco to get to know my brother, and so far, it’s been great. Working as a bartender at Shenanigans, a bar close to Franklin University, there are beautiful men and women everywhere. When a hot guy falls into my arms at a party, I’m down for some naughty fun. Until I realize he’s way too drunk for anything to happen. Thankfully, we agree to meet up the next day.

One near kiss later, I discover Theo has no idea I’ve been hitting on him. He thinks we’re hanging out as buddies, and to my great regret, says he’s straight. How did I misread this situation when I thought he was giving me all the right signals?

Theo
Perry thinks I’m a nine…a nine! Sure, I’m not into dudes, but it’s flattering that someone as attractive as him thinks I’m hot. Despite the confusion, Perry and I click and agree to keep hanging out. The more time I spend with him, the more I realize there’s a part of myself I’ve been ignoring. One that’s super bi and wants Perry as more than a friend.

Trying to study with him makes things hard for me…below the belt. Unfortunately, his abandonment issues have him open to a fling and nothing more, while I’m catching feelings in a big way. Can I be satisfied with a hookup? Or should I find a way to convince him to take a chance on making this something real?

Cover Designer: Natasha Snow
Model: Austyn – Photographer: Cadwallader Photography

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

What a fun start to this second set of books set in the FU world.

We met Perry way back in book 1 of the first set of books. The angsty illegitimate brother of Ty- lacrosse god. A guy who found out he has a half brother he wants to know. And now it’s his turn for a HEA.

Enter Theo. Kind of clueless in all things love and flirting and relationships. He’s a great guy who doesn’t realize how great he is. He only gives himself a 6. But then he meets Perry. Who gives him a 9. He’s also drunk and still stinging from being broken up with and not gay or bi. Mmmhmm… we all know how that goes.

Perry thinks Theo called for a hookup. Theo thinks he called Perry to invite him to a thank you lunch. That’s a sticky wicket.

Couple of things I really really liked about this. Theo is just kind of a doofus. But in an innocent way. And Perry thinks it is awesome. In fact he tells him to never change. And when Theo and Perry do start to really hook up, Perry makes no bones (hahahaha I kill me) about having wanted Theo the whole time. No false pretenses here.

And Perry tells Theo that shower sex isn’t all that! FINALLY! Someone says it! Sorry, pet peeve of mine. Shower sex is not sexy.

The story also deals with Theo struggling in school and potentially letting his parents down as well as Perry still avoiding meeting his father face to face for the first time.

Brax and Ty show up at great times in the story. I love meeting up with old characters.

Feel good, meet cute, just cutey cute love story.

4 pieces of eye candy

Riley Hart has always been known as the girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. She won her first writing contest in elementary school, and although she primarily focuses on male/male romance, under her various pen names, she’s written a little bit of everything. Regardless of the sub-genre, there’s always one common theme and that’s…romance! No surprise seeing as she’s a hopeless romantic herself. Riley’s a lover of character-driven plots, flawed characters, and always tries to write stories and characters people can relate to. She believes everyone deserves to see themselves in the books they read. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her reading or enjoying time with her awesome family in their home in North Carolina.

Riley Hart is represented by Jane Dystel at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret Literary Management. She’s a 2019 Lambda Literary Award Finalist for Of Sunlight and Stardust. Under her pen name, her young adult novel, The History of Us is an ALA Rainbow Booklist Recommended Read and Turn the World Upside Down is a Florida Authors and Publishers President’s Book Award Winner.
Join Riley’s reader group here!

Riley loves hearing from readers. You can contact her at rileyhartwrites@yahoo.com

Connect with Riley:
https://rileyhartshop.com/
https://www.rileyhartwrites.com/
Join Riley’s reader group!
https://www.instagram.com/rileyhartwrites/
https://www.facebook.com/rileyhartwrites/
https://twitter.com/RileyHart5
Subscribe to Riley’s newsletter & keep up-to-date with new releases!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Icebreaker: A MM Hockey Romance (Portland Lumberjacks Book 1): Release Blitz, Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

by

.                                  .
Axel Karlsson, a grumpy hockey defenseman in the twilight of an NHL career haunted by scandal and injury, is traded to the Portland Lumberjacks, a startup expansion team. There, he meets Quinn O’Reilly, a sunshiny, brash, talented rookie with a heart of gold.

Despite their differences, Axel and Quinn are drawn to each other, finding unexpected connections amid the pressures they face in trying to make the Lumberjacks contenders.

As they navigate the ups and downs of their relationship, Axel and Quinn find strength and support in their loved ones – Axel’s artistic sister Maja and stoic father Sven, Quinn’s fiercely protective sister Maggie and lovable best friend Milo.

But the road to happily ever after is never smooth, and Axel and Quinn must confront the ghosts of their pasts and the challenges of their present if they hope to have a future. With the help of their found family on the Lumberjacks and the love they’ve forged against all odds, they’ll learn that even the most battered and bruised hearts can thaw and bloom with the warmth of love and acceptance.

Icebreaker, Book 1 in Portland Lumberjacks, is a mm hockey romance with grumpy/sunshine, first time, and age gap themes, steamy scenes, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Title: Icebreaker
Authors: Blair Brady
Length: 60k
Series: Portland Lumberjacks, Book 1
Genre: Contemporary, Sports – hockey.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

Quinn Confesses to Best Friend, Moose

Moose’s manic grin softened into a gentle smile. “I should think so. Hopefully, you felt more than one thing. You’ve been dreaming about this moment for most of your life. It’s okay to be excited about it. I’d be screaming my fool head off.”

I nodded, swallowing around the lump starting to form in my throat. Moose was right about my excitement, and I did demonstrate that at the rink, but I was hesitant to say more—worried that the rest of the story would tumble out.

He tilted his head to the right. “It’s not like you to be quiet. Where’s brash Quinn O’Reilly? Did he leave the room?”

“Well, I guess there was something,” I blurted out. All Moose had to do was look at me a certain way, and all my secrets tumbled into the open. “I guess it might be someone instead of something else.”

Suddenly, one of Moose’s eyebrows arched nearly up to his hairline. “Oh, do tell.” He leaned forward with his chin propped on his hands, exaggerating his interest in my day. “Was he a cute singer with dimples? Or maybe a goalie with…well, you’ve told me about what kind of ass they have.”

I smacked him with a throw pillow from the couch. “No, doofus,” my cheeks flared beet red. “It’s…uh, fuck… can’t believe I’m saying this.”

“No turning back now.”

I sighed heavily. “Axel Karlsson.”

Moose blinked, and his mouth fell open in surprise. “Axel Karlsson? That guy you told me about? We watched him growling like a feral beast in a press conference. I thought he would eat those reporters for a late-night snack.”

I nodded and buried my face in my hands. “Yeah, that guy. I think…well, I guess I know… I’ve got a crush on him.”

.                              .

Blair Brady loves cooking, gardening, traveling, and hot and steamy romances…with a caramel latte on the side.

Connect with Blair:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077580952120
https://www.blairbrady.com

Newsletter signup – https://dl.bookfunnel.com/oslhw6siqsa Rafflecopter giveaway

Curveball by Eric Goodman: New Release Review

by

Jess Singer, pitching prodigy and son of the infamous Jewish Joe Singer—who starred on the mound for the same MLB team twenty-five years earlier—is blessed with a plus-plus curveball, possesses immense athletic abilities, and is on the fast-track to stardom. But he’s harboring perhaps the most potent secret a professional athlete can possess: his sexual preference.

In this briskly paced, highly entertaining novel following three generations of Singers during Jess’s first year in The Show, Eric Goodman imagines what life might be like for a gay baseball player. Will Jess live in a confined closet or do what no baseball player has done yet? Goodman charts Jess’s path with tremendous sensitivity and grace, while detailing a season as riveting as watching your favorite underdog take their shot at the golden ring.

Written with Goodman’s usual flair, humor, and zing—not to mention his deep knowledge and love of baseball—Curveball is a feel-good love story in which virtue and a wicked curve triumph over considerable adversity.

Amazon – All Regions

I love baseball. And you pretty much HAVE to love baseball to enjoy this book. A rookie pitcher making it to the show with the support of his grandfather and parents. Oh, and his dad was also a famous MLB pitcher in his day. Something happened to get him suspended and although the suspension was lifted, we never really got the full story.

And therein lies my biggest issue with this book. It was packed full of different stories. First wives who were sent to a psych facility and never came out. Some big baseball scandal 25 years ago. Cancer. An octogenarian love story. A wife with a secret that the husband doesn’t want to know. A rival middle reliever. Being Jewish. And in the center is Jess. Rookie pitcher with a wicked curve ball, a legacy to continue and a closet to hide in. But almost none of them were resolved! Including death threats!

The relationships between grandfather, father and son were interesting. A lot isn’t said about Joe (Jess’ father) and how he was raised by Jack (Jess’ grandfather), just the lingering animosity of The Scandal. Without Jess, I don’t know that Joe and Jack would still have a relationship. The intergenerational play was pretty fascinating to see.

I wanted more of Jess coming to terms with his sexuality. Because he told NO ONE. And then with no warning- BAM!- he’s in bed with a man floating in the afterglow. No warning, no lead up, no hints, nothing. This happened more than a few times where there was just no transition at all. Warm us up a little please.

And as I said, baseball. There is A LOT of baseball. So if you don’t enjoy it- especially the math in figuring out the post season- your eyes will glaze over. I don’t know how the author got permission to use real teams and real players, but I did enjoy that. But I love baseball.

So much was left undone. So much. We didn’t even get an epilogue. I feel a little cheated.

3 pieces of eye candy

Icebreaker: A MM Hockey Romance (Portland Lumberjacks Book 1) by Blair Brady: New Release Review

by

Axel :

I’ve been around the hockey block more times than I care to count. Hockey is my life, my sanctuary, and the only thing that’s kept me going through the years. Traded to the expansion Portland Lumberjacks, I’m now the grizzled, some would say grumpy, old-timer tasked with being the voice of experience for a team of wide-eyed rookies and journeymen. Dragged down by a scandalous past, I’ve long since given up on finding romance, but a certain blond, blue-eyed rookie is about to change everything.

Quinn:

Fresh out of college, I’m ready to storm the professional hockey world. With a sunshine smile and a quick wit, I’m determined to make my mark on the ice and in the hearts of my teammates. When I meet Axel Karlsson, the Lumberjacks’ grumpy defenseman, in person, I’m speechless, and I can’t look away. I’ve always been into older, more experienced men. I don’t want a daddy, but I want a lover who knows what he’s doing…in every part of his life. Armed with confidence and a persistent drive, I set out to melt the ice around Axel’s guarded heart.

Icebreaker is a mm romance with grumpy/sunshine, age gap, and first time themes. It’s the first book in the Portland Lumberjacks hockey romance series.

I’ve never read this author before, and even though the market is saturated with hockey romances, I do like sport romances so I thought I would give it a try. This is the 4th book this author has written and they are all hockey based. Which shows in the detail she gives to various scenes on the ice. That attention to detail could have gone a long way in other areas.

Grumpy veteran player who was just traded to an expansion team. Super happy rookie on the same team. Who decides to prank the veteran player? Ok, whatever. But Axel lets it be known that he isn’t babysitting or training or helping anyone. And he doesn’t need friends either.

And then he is suddenly friends with Quinn. They spend tons of time together doing non-hockey things. They declare love to each other. I think MAYBE they kissed at this point. But they are basically making life plans together. Is there a male equivalent to U-haul lesbians? Because that.

There’s a build up of a story line with Axel’s ex boyfriend. But it was so nothing, in my opinion. So really weird and didn’t fit. They make it out like this ex is going to ruin Axel’s life somehow. Which causes Axel to tailspin and isolate. But there is no big secret at all. A plot point that really went no where.

Quinn is a virgin but they have sex for the first time quick and dirty. Not cool. Mostly because even though Axel is grumpy, he isn’t that guy.

Honestly, my favorite character was Axel’s dad. He was awesome.

So unless you really love hockey and want to read this FOR the hockey, skip it.

2 pieces of eye candy

Baby Queen (The Court Book 3) by Charlie Novak: Release Day Review

by

Note to self: falling for the new queen you’re mentoring will only lead to trouble.

Being broke, single, and homeless after winning the UK’s biggest drag show wasn’t how my life was supposed to go. I’m meant to be the one with everything, but thanks to an unscrupulous tour company I’ve got nothing but my image and a mountain of debt.

Moving back home with my mum and taking the first gig I’m offered in a local drag panto is supposed to help me get back on my feet, but meeting Colin tangles me up more than ever.

Colin desperately wants to start doing drag and suddenly I’m helping a baby queen find her feet while falling head over heels for the man behind the lashes.

We all know mixing these power dynamics is a recipe for trouble, but my life is already a mess. Will falling for Colin really spell disaster or is he the only thing keeping me upright in my seven-inch heels?

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

I’ve loved this series, The Court. What’s not to love? Drag Queens, characters from the Forever Love series, Heather Bay series AND the Kiss Me series all make appearances because so many characters are connected to each other in various ways. I love checking in on them.

And yet, two new characters! Ok, sort of. Colin is the best friend of Ianto and Rhys, as much as you can be best friends with identical twins who are super tight. He’s our Baby Queen. A PhD student who does pole and wants to become a drag queen. FUN!

And then we meet Barbie Summers (a nod to Buffy Summers?), aka Anthony. She won a drag reality show and was fairly famous, but got screwed by her manager. So Anthony is home from London and shows up at The Court just when Colin does. Kismet for Barbie Summers to take on a drag daughter.

Here’s my single complaint- not enough learning to be a drag queen. Colin was far from a makeup pro and Barbie helps, but I wanted to see Colin do it and be proud. Just little things like that. But that being said, it was still a great book.

Barbie/Anthony and Colin (I won’t give away his drag name) just had chemistry right from the start. What I would call fast friends. They just clicked and spent a lot of time becoming friends. And ramping up the sexual tension.

Barbie grapples with coming to terms with everything in his life while also fighting his growing feelings for Colin. Barbie’s friend and mentor does not want him to get involved with Colin. But the heart wants what the heart wants, amirite?

There are lots of laughs, of course. Many around the subject of Colin’s PhD studies. Because how could you not? But it was also very sweet, very sexy and very fun.

This is an excellent addition to the series. I hope we get to see more of Colin as a drag queen in the future.

4 pieces of eye candy