TCO Reviewer: Denise

American Christmas: A Multicultural Christmas Romance (Dreamers) by Adriana Herrera: New Release Review

November 29, 2020 by Denise

Denpo Myint “Yin” Thuta is living the dream. His dream. A good job, higher education, supportive community and, best of all, his live-in boyfriend, Ari. Yin has his happily-ever-after…if only he and Ari could take the time to actually enjoy it. With the holidays fast approaching, Yin’s determined to change all that and surprise Ari with an over-the-top gift that will leave him in no doubt how much he’s loved—even though they agreed to keep things simple this year.

Like Yin, Aristide “Ari” Douniama worked so hard to secure his future that he may have forgotten how to enjoy his present. Despite there being plenty to be thankful for in the moment. With big plans of his own in the works to surprise Yin, Ari may or may not have gone overboard. Or forgotten to check their respective schedules.

’Tis the season of giving, and in their quest to celebrate the “perfect” American Christmas—and failing—Ari and Yin get a much-needed reminder that they already have the greatest gift of all: each other.

Amazon

Dreamers

Book 1: American Dreamer

Book 2: American Fairytale

Book 3: American Love Story

Book 4: American Sweethearts

Full disclosure. I didn’t read the first four books when I read this one. In fact, I didn’t know this was part of a series when I grabbed this. I just went in blind, but who could resist that sweet cover? I had to read it. 🙂

Since this novella is book 5, of course I was a little behind. That being said, the author did a great job of making it a very stand alone story. Characters from what I believe are the first four books make their way into the story…and in fact come through in a big way for this sweet, loving couple.

These two young men definitely had it very rough in their early years, but the love that they developed for each other over a long friendship spilled into their romantic relationship and created a strong bond. All they wanted to do was create a life with each other, and make the other man happy. Their misunderstanding was sweet and the reader just wanted to hug everyone when all was done.

They were already working on their fairy tale happy ending, while their friends helped to bring it to fruition for Christmas. Enjoyed this holiday follow up to a couple I hadn’t read, but definitely want to go back and read their story.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Cupcakes and Christmas: A Bake Off inspired MM Christmas Romance by RJ Scott: Blog Tour, New Release Review and Giveaway

November 23, 2020 by Denise

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

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

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

Title: Cupcakes & Christmas

Author: RJ Scott

Cover Design: Meredith Russell

Length: 67,000 words approx.

Amazon

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

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

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

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

3.5 pieces of eye candy

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

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

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Liars (Licking Thicket Book 2) by Lucy Lennox & May Archer: Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

October 29, 2020 by Denise

Parrish Partridge’s True Facts:

There’s nothing hotter than a tall, gruff, bewildered, tattooed mountain of a man cuddling a sweet, orphaned baby, so you can tell yourself that you’ll resist him…

But that’s a lie.

And when that man asks you to do him a favor and pretend to be his very temporary, very fake fiance to help him get custody of that adorable baby, you can pretend you know better than to say yes…

But that’s a lie, too.

And when you actually get to know your kind, strong, pullet-loving prince of a fiance, and all his crazy, lovable, meddling neighbors, you can tell yourself you’re not really falling for Diesel Church and the town of Licking Thicket…

But that might be the biggest lie of all.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

“This is really pretty, actually.”

I followed his gaze as he looked around at the honeyed wood paneling I’d installed on the walls and ceiling in the kitchen and the living area just beyond it. Despite baby crap everywhere, my home was clean and bright. It may have been small and really run-down on the outside, but I’d been working hard to fix up the inside myself, and I was proud of it.

“Thank you,” I said gruffly, turning away to look for enough space in the fridge to fit his chicken dish. I didn’t have much in the way of food right now, so it was mostly an excuse not to have to meet his eyes after throwing him under the bus like I had.

“So… this is chicken pot pie with bacon-and-cheddar biscuits. I forgot to write down the reheating instructions. Do you have a pen and piece of paper?”

I glanced up at him from the door of the fridge. That was it? He wasn’t going to ask me what kind of crack I was smoking and why I’d claimed him as mine before we’d even officially met?

“Uh, sure. Lemme see…” I rooted around in the nearby junk drawer until I found a sticky-note pad and half-chewed pencil. “Sorry,” I muttered.

He took it delicately between two fingers and began to write the instructions in tidy penmanship before placing the sticky note onto the tinfoil.

“There. I hope you like it. I know it’s not much, but… I wanted to apologize for the way I snapped at you the other day, and Uncle Beau says no one’s ever gone wrong with an apology casserole.” He blinked rapidly and began looking everywhere but at me. “Which is probably not true. I kind of wonder if anyone’s accidentally poisoned someone with one, you know? Like, God forbid, at a funeral or a wake? What if they’d accidentally used old mayo or bad eggs or…” He blinked up at me and blushed as red as his old beater car out front. “Maybe that’s inappropriate. I promise I used all fresh ingredients in yours.”

He was adorably flustered, and I wanted to kiss his fool face off right there in the middle of my kitchen.

“It’s alright. I’m sure it’ll be fine,” I managed. I wasn’t about to tell him I was a vegetarian. I didn’t tell most people anyway, but I for damned sure wasn’t telling a man who’d gone out of his way to bring me a bacon-and-chicken casserole thing.

We stared at each other for a beat before he pulled the dish off the counter and shoved it at me. “Fridge is best. And, um… I probably have to go now.”

I took the dish and turned to throw it in the fridge, but when I turned back around, he was already halfway across the room waving goodbye over his shoulder and thanking me for my generosity in supplying him with writing implements. He reached the door and pulled it open, only to realize it was the coat closet. “Oh.”

I slapped my hand over my mouth as he turned in a few confused circles and tried a different door. That one was to my bedroom. He let out a little squeaky noise of alarm and slammed the door closed again. The sound shot like a crack through the small house, waking the baby he probably hadn’t noticed asleep in the portable crib on the far side of my bed. Suddenly, Marigold’s angry shrieks rang out around us.

The look of horror on Parrish’s face was almost comical. “Oh my God, my apology casserole visit is going to need an apology casserole,” he whispered in shock. “This is unprecedented.”

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, so the opportunity to read Parrish and Diesel’s story, was a “gimme”. These two authors write very well together, and bring the funny.

I laughed out loud several times. The fall festival??? HILARIOUS!

“Now everyone knows Johnsons are big fans of the Lickin.'” Amos rolled his eyes. “That ain’t no secret. Big Red Johnson goes crazy at Lickin’ time. And don’t get me wrong. Nutters like the Lickin’ too, But you might say bobbing is what Nutters do best.”

Just dying laughing. However, I also cried at some of it (you’ll know when you get there…it’s a nose blowing time).

Overall though, these two men…they definitely needed a class on communication. Liars was an apt name for this book. They had a really hard time telling the truth and actually talking to each other, not just about their needs and wants, but about things as simple as Diesel not eating chicken casserole because he was vegetarian.

The two MC’s really stood well together in the face of the challenge of raising one infant, and it was so endearing. Where Diesel had some challenges at being a sudden father, Parrish was able to step in, help, and teach Diesel some of what he needed to know.

Another fun, sexy (HAWT!), and endearing book by these two authors who know how to do small town romance right. 🙂

4 pieces of eye candy

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

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

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

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Bear Essentials (Bear Lake Chronicles Book 1) by Rain Carrington: RDB, Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

October 26, 2020 by Denise

A man determined. Another wounded to his soul. A town that slumbers.

A sleepy little town doesn’t know what, or whom, is about to hit it when Ked, Kaden Edmond Donegal, comes to live there.

Hyper and determined, Ked longs to be a great forest ranger, taking care of the land, watching over it like its protector. What he didn’t count on is falling in love with the people there nearly as much as the land, and one in particular that doesn’t give him the time of day.

Sean Ashby moved to Bear Lake to hide away from the world after he nearly died while serving in the army. A local artist, he makes his living bringing pieces of wood to life with stories of their own. When he sees Ked, he sees someone who needs tamed, but he doesn’t feel as if he’s up to the job.

Not giving up on the bearded ginger bear, Ked does everything he can to get in the way of the man, and he finally gets what he wants. Or, at least, what he thought he wanted. Sean is a dominant who needs a submissive, and Ked never thought of himself that way. With Ked’s rambling voice hushed and his hyper movements slowed, Sean leads him into a new life he didn’t realize he needs so badly.

The townspeople take him in as family, a man loves him unconditionally, and poachers are in need of catching. Is Ked up for his new life? Can he be a part of a community that is quirky and quiet, or will his own quirks and rarely silent voice make him permanently an outsider?

Contains BDSM and consensual sex between two men. Trigger warnings: abuse, violence and PTSD flashbacks.

Book Title: Bear Essentials

Author: Rain Carrington

Release Date: October 25, 2020

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Themes: Small town, Hurt/Comfort, PTSD, BDSM

Goodreads

Amazon US – Kindle Unlimited

Amazon UK – Kindle Unlimited

Having a very rare moment of quiet, Ked leaned on the frame of the door as he watched his two roommates going at it, letting him relive the months he’d rented a room from them.

They were a devoted couple, sure, but they definitely weren’t monogamous. As soon as he answered the ad for the gay-friendly room for rent, he’d had no idea what that would entail. The fact that two days after he’d moved in, he had been involved in an orgy, well, he could have never predicted that in a million years.

It was time to leave. His schooling was complete, his education less than his parents were happy with, but enough to be the forest ranger he’d longed to become. He was an officer of the law, the law of the actual land, a certified first responder, could work as a wild firefighter, and it was all about to be tested in one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

Bear Lake, Colorado.

“Are you going to say goodbye?”

Calvin looked up and grinned while Ron kept pounding him. “Be with you in about fifteen seconds, judging by his breathing.”

Ron was much bigger, a beefy gym rat that never once took his eyes from the hole he was pounding, making Ked roll his eyes. “Ron? Done?”

“Umph, umph, umph,” he grunted, then stiffened as he climaxed, bringing Calvin’s hips back and holding him there, leaning his head back.

Ked had seen that a lot over the previous two years but knew he wouldn’t miss it. He had no real feelings for the two except friendship, no matter how much they’d tried to pull him into to their relationship.

Calvin got off the bed, not a stitch of clothing on, and ran over to him, hugging him tight. “We’ll miss you.”

Usually talkative to the point of people trying and failing to shut him up, Ked, which was a nickname, hugged his friend back and kept from sobbing by biting the tip of his tongue, a move generally saved for keeping it from wagging.

Ron groaned as he moved from the bed, slapping him on the arm. “Yeah, it was fun. Keep in touch.”

Just sentiment from the big guy. “Thanks,” he croaked, the tears retreating some.

To Calvin, Ked started to ramble, “Thanks for everything, I mean, well, the sex was great, you know, but I mean the job, the movie theatre, you know, and feeding me until I got on my feet. I don’t know what I would have done without you, and it’s been fun, well, the sex, it was great, you know.”

“Shh, I know all that. You rambled about it for hours last night.”

Calvin was dark-skinned and skinny as a rail, but he blinked his chestnut eyes at Ked, and Ked melted. “Sorry. I know I did.”

“It’s okay. We’re gonna miss that, and you.”

Ked’s blue eyes welled with tears once more; a cobalt blue, his mother had always bragged. One thing he’d miss the most was not being the smallest man in the room at a hundred and forty pounds, five foot practically nothing. Well, five foot seven inches to be exact, but he didn’t look it. He towered over Calvin, though, and he’d miss that.

“Get moving if you want to get there before nightfall.”

The drive would be long, and he’d have a lot of time to worry and wonder. He did that a lot, worrying that his parents were right, that he was throwing away opportunities others would kill for.

I struggled a bit with this book. It was just a bit too insta-love for me. I liked the MC’s, and the quirky side characters, as well. However, something about the way this couple came about just didn’t work well for me.

However, the two MC’s were their own brandy of quirky…first kiss and love scene in a place I will admit I have never read before. You definitely feel a little dirty after reading that one…in many of the best ways. And for Ked to research his way into finding his submissive side, that was pretty awesome, actually. He approached it from a logical side (after a little bit of spying) and determined through research what might work for him.

Meanwhile, Sean, the mysterious wood carver, definitely made Ked work for his affections and time. While trying his best to help protect Ked in whatever ways he could from the present danger of the poachers. I loved that Sean respected Ked’s work, and their shared love of the land. It wasn’t just about what was best for Sean.

The visuals created of the location in the book were amazing. It’s clear the author has a genuine love for that area of the country, and portrayed it very well.

3 pieces of eye candy

I love writing, it’s been my dream for many years, and in October of 2013, when my first book went live on Amazon, that dream came true.

Writing love stories that are centered on flawed but lovable characters is my passion. Finding love between people isn’t easy, nor should it be. Even in a book, there have to be obstacles for the story to feel real.

I am a mother of three amazing people, and three adorable fur babies. I live in Colorado but love many other places besides my home. One state in particular is New Mexico, the state where I was born has always held a place in my heart.

People and places make my stories what they are. Each character I’ve written is a part of me in some way. Each place I write is as well. Adventures come in many ways, and each of my stories has taken me on an adventure that I treasure.

Come with me on my adventures and fall in love with my characters, as I have. I promise, you will love the ride.

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Origin by AJ Sherwood & Jocelynn Drake: Exclusive Excerpt and New Release Review * 2

October 22, 2020 by Denise

Cameron wants to make it clear that he did not go into the festival to find a dragon mate.

Germany is supposed to be an escape. With a new mechanical engineering degree, a new job looming, and a whole life planned out that isn’t his, Germany seems like the best place to find himself.

So how does he end up discovering his lost magic heritage, running from bad guys with a secret agenda, and being adopted by the not-so-extinct Fire Dragon clan?

Cameron blames tall, dark, and sexy Alric, king of the Fire dragons. His fated mate. Because of course he is, and mates are meant to take the blame, right?

It may take a hot second, but as Cameron learns more about the scarred Alric and the life he’s landed in, Cameron realizes that perhaps this is where he’s meant to be, magic and mates and kidnapping and all.

Turns out coming to Germany wasn’t an escape but his awakening.

Title: Origin (Spells n’ Scales, Book 1)
Author: AJ Sherwood & Jocelynn Drake

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Alric’s body burned. Every seductive pass of Cameron’s amazing hands left Alric aching to pull Cameron closer. He wanted to claim his mouth in a deep, drugging kiss that would finally wipe away his knowing little smirk. The man massaging tense muscles was well aware of how he was driving Alric crazy. It was all Alric could do to hold back the moan rising in his throat.

He was fairly certain all the blood in his body had flooded south to his throbbing cock pressed against the front of his slacks, demanding to have a turn with Cameron’s magical hands and that wonderfully slick oil.

To have those long, nimble fingers wrap around him and—

No! No thinking about that.

Clenching his teeth, Alric fisted his right hand at his side, inwardly praying Cameron didn’t notice the fine trembling of his muscles as he struggled to get control of himself.

Of course, that wasn’t possible.

Cameron chuckled softly, his warm breath brushing against Alric’s bare neck. Goosebumps broke out across his flesh, and Alric sucked in a breath through his teeth.

“Relax,” Cameron murmured. “The point of the massage is to help you relax. Make you feel good.”

“Would you be able to relax if someone was doing this to you?” Alric asked, his voice little more than a harsh growl.

Cameron hummed as if he was giving it some thought. He bent, dipping his fingers into the oil again. Moving behind Alric, he cradled his neck on either side, gently massaging muscles there before sweeping down across his chest. Alric’s nipples hardened to painful points, and there was no stopping the quick breath he sharply sucked in. This wasn’t his fault. He couldn’t stop how his body reacted to each amazing caress. He could only control what he did about it. And right now, he was going to sit there and take it because it made Cameron happy.

Alright, fine, he might be enjoying it too. A little.

“Just anyone massaging me?” Cameron asked.

Rage scorched through Alric’s body, and he glared at the wall in front of him at the thought of anyone putting their hands on Cameron. No one should touch him. Just Alric. Only Alric. Scheiße, and that was his dragon flaring up with possessiveness. Alric shoved it back down mentally.

“Whoa! You just got really warm,” Cameron gasped, his hands leaving Alric for a moment. “Are you okay?”

Alric nearly groaned at himself. “Yes. Of course. Hot flash,” he muttered and then rolled his eyes at himself. A fucking hot flash? Wonderful. That was really sexy. Now he was a menopausal woman.

I’ve only read one other book that had dragon shifters and it definitely wasn’t my favorite. But since Jocelynn Drake is one of the authors (I’ve never read AJ Sherwood, so no opinion yet) I figured why not?

Looking at it from completely a fantasy aspect- it was a fun book. The world building was pretty excellent and I love how Dragon shifters and mages (doers of magic) need each other for different reasons. I also REALLY loved that the one main character is Asian. I don’t think Asian people get nearly enough representation in books. Not only is he a main character, he seems to be fairly powerful, is mated with the dragon king and his twin sister and grandmother are also mages. Pretty cool.

Two things really bugged me. First- dragon shifters need mages in order to procreate. Dragon shifters are all pansexual because they don’t know what gender their fated mate will be. Ok, so like in this story we have a male dragon king and a male mage that are fated mates. They talk about having a family together. HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN? Seems kind of integral to the story, in my opinion.

Next is the clan of mages that are out for revenge. Meaning kill all of the dragon shifters. Ok. But I thought they needed each other? Mages get the power for their magic from dragons. So how are they able to do powerful magic without dragons?

I know, I know, I should let these things go. Maybe they will be addressed in book 2. But seriously, Cameron, the mage fated to mate with Alric, king of the dragon shifters, should be questioning these things! He didn’t even know he was a mage. And then they are talking about having a family. And this formerly human gay guy doesn’t say “Whoa, whoa, whoa… who here is getting pregnant and how?” Because I would TOTALLY ask that question.

Other than those two fairly glaring things, the story as a whole was well done. The history, even the citizens having a dragon festival unbeknownst to them that dragons are real.

Ok, I do have more questions, but they are minor.

I do want to read book 2 as I am invested now in their story, having the dragons find more mages, how they are going to find and fight the evil mages, etc.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

I loved the excerpt I read on this so much that I had to read it, even though I hadn’t read anything on dragon shifters previously.

I absolutely loved the two MC’s. Cameron was fun, and lighthearted, yet so smart and willing to do whatever needed to be done in the moment. Meanwhile Alric was very old school, taking his responsibilities very much to heart, and guarding his heart due to his injuries. They complimented each other very well. The side characters were great as well. Loved Cameron’s sister and grandmother, and Ravi, of course.

I’m definitely with Erin on one of the things that I felt needed to be addressed further. There was talk throughout the book about how dragons needed mages in order to have children, but never HOW. Is it surrogate, does someone suddenly develop the parts to do that. And I feel like if they are going to talk about having children, which they did, right before their mating ritual, then it is kind of imperative to let the person who has no idea what the process is, know so that he can step back and maybe decide.

Overall, this is a fun start to the series. It made me laugh out loud several times, and tear up a little. And I’d definitely like to see more of the Fire Dragon Clan, as well as see how they deal with their enemies.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

AJ Sherwood believes in happily ever afters, magic, dragons, good men, and dark chocolate. She’s often dreams at night of delectable men doing sexy things with each other. In between writing multiple books (often at the same time) she pets her cats, plays with her dogs, and attempts insane things like aerial yoga.

She currently resides in Tennessee with aforementioned cats, dogs, and her editor/best friend/sister/partner in crime.

Connect with AJ: https://www.ajsherwood.com/

New York Times Bestselling author Jocelynn Drake loves a good story, whether she is reading it or writing one of her own. Over the years, her stories have allowed her to explore space, talk to dragons, dodge bullets with assassins, hang with vampires, and fall in love again and again.

This former Kentucky girl has moved up, down, and across the U.S. with her husband. Recently, they’ve settled near the Rockies.

When she is not hammering away at her keyboard or curled up with a book, she can be found cuddling her cat Demona, walking her dog Ace, or playing video games. She loves Bruce Wayne, Ezio Auditore, travel, tattoos, explosions, and fast cars.

She is the author of the urban fantasy series: The Dark Days series and the Asylum Tales. She has just completed a gay romantic suspense series called The Exit Strategy about two assassins falling in love and trying to create a life together. Her newest project returns to her vampire roots with a MM paranormal romance series Lords of Discord.

With Rinda Elliott, she is one half of the Drake & Elliott writing team and has produced such series as Unbreakable Bonds, Ward Security, Pineapple Grove, and Weavers Circle.

With AJ Sherwood, she is journeying into a new MM paranormal romance series called Spells n’ Scales that is set to launch in September 2020.

Connect with Jocelynn: https://jocelynndrake.com/

Feinted Love (Crimes of the Hearth) by Elle Keaton: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

October 5, 2020 by Denise

A gambit for love and a half-baked revenge plot; one hot Seattle summer…

Arnie

One minute I’m minding my own business enjoying the sunshine, next I’m wearing my iced coffee.

I’m going to teach Tobias Barrington a thing or two; the first: you don’t always get what you want. I have no idea what the second is, I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.

Falling in love with Tobias is not on my list of lessons.

Tobias

I’ve never forgotten Arnie Ferguson, or the night we had together. When I find him again, I want to get to know him—as more than a friend.

I may come from a wealthy family; but I know better than most that money can’t buy happiness. But brash, socially awkward Arnie Ferguson makes me think happiness is possible when you let your heart chose.

Feinted Love is a first person, dual POV, following Arnie Ferguson and Tobias Barrington as they do their best to awkwardly fall in love. No cliff hanger, HEA guaranteed. Heat level, 3+.

Crimes of the Heart, Book 1

Goodreads

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Arnie’s POV

Side by side, holding hands again because the Broadway neighborhood is awesome like that, we begin to walk north. I’m trying to sort out how to casually invite Tobias to my apartment while I also try to focus on what he’s telling me about Down by Law and the director, Jim Jarmusch. I figure I’m just going to have to watch the movie again on my own.

“He’s the main reason I got interested in writing screenplays. But I also like Wim Wenders, Christopher Guest, the Coen brothers—there’s a ton more who are incredible.”

“That’s cool.” I want to know everything about Tobias. The real Tobias is so different from the imaginary one I built up in my head over the years. “What about your job now?”

“I hate working for my dad,” Tobias answers. “But… I don’t want to ruin the evening talking about the job or him. Want to stop here for a drink?”

I need to tell Tobias about my new job, but I don’t want to ruin our evening either. Here is the De Luxe, a place I’ve never been to even though it’s been in business since before I was born, the outside canopy declaring to everyone who passes by, “Since 1962.”

“Sure.”

“You don’t sound too excited.”

We stop walking. I’m trying to figure out how to ask him over without sounding totally pathetic.

I’m not cool. I’m not suave or polished, and I don’t have any idea what I’m doing (both tonight and in general). But I want Tobias to come home with me. You’re supposed to be getting revenge, the little voice in my head reminds me. I shove the thought aside. Revenge is the last thing on my mind right now. That ship has sailed. Being with Tobias isn’t about getting revenge or cosmic justice anymore—if it ever was.

“A drink sounds nice, but…” I’m fumbling my words, but I keep going. “I… do you want to come back to my place? Duff’s not home tonight. I made sure.”

I know I’m blushing a bright, hot red as I force the words out, but if I don’t ask, I will never forgive myself. Never, never, never. Ever.

With a grin, Tobias tugs me out of the way of the foot traffic. “I’d love to come over. Are you sure?”

“Oh, yes. I am very, very, sure.” My cheeks are still burning, but I return his grin.

There’s no stopping me now; I might as well humiliate myself completely. I’ve had a partial erection for hours. I’ve told Tobias the story about Hank the band kid. There’s not much lower I can go. Well, I’m sure Duff could think of an event I’ve forgotten about, but luckily, I’ve made sure he won’t be home.

“Should we grab a bite to eat first? Or was popcorn and Mike and Ikes enough for now?” Tobias asks.

I grab Tobias’s hand and drag him down the street and away from the De Luxe. “Next time.”

Tobias laughs, trailing after me down the sidewalk.

I announce, “You know, you ruined Dick’s for me for years.” I am hungry, after all, and we passed the famous hamburger stand a few blocks back.

“Excuse me?”

I look over my shoulder just as Tobias nearly trips over a crack in the sidewalk. “I ruined dicks for you? Somehow I don’t think so.”

I stare at him, dramatically widening my eyes as far as they will go. “Dick’s, not dicks. You’re as bad as Duff. I mean the burger place, not, you know.” I grab my package to demonstrate exactly what I mean, just as a couple of guys turn the corner heading toward us. They stare at Tobias and me. As they pass by, one of them mutters, “I’d say a four.”

“Oh my god, I can’t believe I did that,” I say to Tobias. At their retreating backs, I yell, “What do you mean ‘a four’? These skinny jeans make me look awesome!”

Tobias snickers and grabs my hand again, drawing me close to his side. “Okay, so tell me more about your problem with Dick’s.”

I love books with nerdy characters. Having them find love despite their odd tendencies is my favorite. And this book had Arnie, huge nerd, and Tobias who was a nerd hiding behind money and his jerk of a father. Two perfect nerds together. 🙂

Having read one or two books from Elle Keaton, I knew this one would be fun, and it was. These two were pretty hilarious together. I don’t often highlight books, it’s usually when I find funny lines, but this one has many highlights. Arnie’s mental musings made me laugh every time. Here are just a few of the things that made me lol:

Role play is not something you do with your mother. Wait. Is there…mommy kink?

“Are you worried about the dinner?” Tobias asks. No, I’m worried about arriving to the dinner alive.

These two tried so hard to create a plan how to be together/not be together, but just had to let nature take its course.

This was just a fun, enjoyable read. No angst, (other than Tobias’ father) and I would absolutely recommend it. Looking forward to the next book in this series.

4 pieces of eye candy

Elle hails from the northwest corner of the US known for, rain, rain, and more rain. She pens the Accidental Roots series, the Never Too Late series, and the soon be published Hamarsson and Dempsey series, all set here in the Pacific Northwest. All Elle’s books feature hot mm romance with the guarantee of an HEA. The men start out broken, and maybe they end up that way too, but they always find the other half of their hearts.

Elle began publishing March 2017, now she has ten books out. Fall 2019 Elle is adding a third series, Hamarsson and Dempsey, also set in the Pacific Northwest. H&D will focus on a single couple as they navigate the treacherous waters of romance and police work.

Elle loves both cats and dogs, Star Wars and Star Trek, pineapple on pizza, and is known to start crossword puzzles with ballpoint pen.

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