Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

TCO Reviewer: Denise

The One I Want by Megan Slayer: New Release Review

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Book one in the Must Love Dogs series.

Who knew love could be found at the dog park?

Cameron Johnson wants to fall in love. He’d also like the man he’s interested in to like dogs, too. Why? He considers his black Lab, Winston, to be family. If the dog and the guy don’t get along, the deal is off. Except there’s one man who’s caught Cameron’s attention…and he’s got a Collie.

Josh McDowell didn’t start visiting the dog park to find a date. He wanted to exercise his Collie, Dolly. His dog, though, has other ideas. Once she meets Winston, she’s smitten. His owner is rather easy on the eyes, too. Josh gathers his nerve and makes the first move. Cameron is his kind of man—sweet, quiet, smart and a dog person. Their connection is strong, but with Josh’s insecurities and Cameron’s fear of commitment, will it last?

Amazon

I wanted to absolutely love this one. I mean look at that cover! Two dogs feature prominently, more so than the two men. And those two dogs fell in love instantly, similar to their owners.

I liked the book, and I felt horrible at the treatment that Cameron dealt with from his ex, even when the ex decided he had to have Cameron back. I did find though that, in my opinion, I thought it took him too long to stand up to that horrible man. If he felt so strongly about his dog, and his ex clearly hated the dog, it seemed like there should have never been a moment when he vacillated. It should have been over at that moment.

That being said, Cameron and Josh seemed to come together very well. They connected through their love of their dogs, and from there the connection between the two grew stronger, despite their differing job issues.

In the end, their dogs brought them together, and there was no doubt that all four ended up with their HEAs. I’m looking forward to the next in the series of this book.

3 pieces of eye candy

Merry-Go-Round by L.M. Somerton: New Release Review

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Book two in the Fairground Attractions series

Even the brightest places have shadows.

Stevie is sweet and shy—the only hint of an independent spirit comes from his lilac hair. For years he’s harboured a crush on his best friend, Adam, who is everything Stevie isn’t. The problem? When it comes to love, Adam is a bit slow on the uptake.

On top of that, Stevie fears the escaped killer known as Harlequin is targeting his friends, and clings to his role managing the merry-go-round for some semblance of normality. But someone is watching from shadows even the summer sun can’t penetrate.

Realising that life can be all too short, Adam takes steps to ensure that Stevie will be his. All his protective instincts kick in when Stevie attracts some unwanted—and very dangerous—attention, but he can’t take care of him alone. The group of friends needs to band together because the bright lights and whirling horses of the merry-go-round won’t be enough to keep Stevie alive. Some killers are far too good at hiding in plain sight.

Amazon

This novella series is about a group of college men who are spending their summer working at a local theme park. So far one has met his love while also finding a dead body, while two of them finally find their HEA together, while dealing with more death and bad guys.

I’m enjoying this series. Has some elements of BDSM, although very little on screen, some suspense, and a group of men who have all touched each other’s lives.  My best guess as a reader is the the finality of Harlequin will come at the end of the series, but I’m going to love these guys the entire way there.

They are hopeful, funny, and give each other tons of grief over the smallest things. I laughed a bit during this one as Stevie, the shy one finally gets the man he has always wanted.

I can’t wait to see what is next for these guys.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

 

The Leprechaun Next Door by Elizabeth Coldwell: Exclusive Guest Post, Blog Tour, and Giveaway

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Thank you to Elizabeth Coldwell for stopping by today and bringing an exclusive Guest Post for her new book, The Leprechaun Next Door. Johnny is a little naughty, so you know I like him. 🙂 Congrats to Elizabeth on the new release, and make sure you leave a comment, and you could win a copy of the book!

Happiness might be waiting at the end of the rainbow, but will it come with a price?

Devon’s down on his luck—he’s lost his job and discovered his boyfriend is cheating on him. His neighbor, Johnny, is not only cute, he also has a big secret: he’s a leprechaun with a pot of gold… and the ability to grant wishes.

Can Devon wish his way out of the hole he’s found himself in? He’d like a new job, some revenge on his lying ex, and maybe even love. Johnny can give him what he wants, but it won’t come for free… or in the ways Devon expects. Can he trust a sexy leprechaun to help him make a new start and wish himself into the arms of the man of his dreams?

Title: The Leprechaun Next Door
Author: Elizabeth Coldwell
Release Date: March 15, 2019
Category: Fantasy
Pages: 145

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Dreamspinner Press

Love That Leprechaun

When you’re thinking up the paranormal love interest in an urban fantasy novel, a leprechaun might not be high on the list. Other, more popular creatures definitely have the edge when it comes to being a supernatural bad boy. Vampires are a given – they’re dark, brooding and danger lurks behind their handsome, sophisticated façade. Shifters may be charming, but they could unleash their animal side at any moment. As for elves, just think Orlando Bloom in the Lord of the Rings films and it’s easy to see why they have their many admirers. But leprechauns?

It’s fair to say the leprechaun suffers from an image problem. They’re always depicted as no more than three feet high and grumpy, dressed in a green suit, buckled hat and knee britches, and almost homicidally attracted to protecting their stash of gold. If you’re American, you may also find it hard to separate them from their caricature on a breakfast cereal packet (Lucky Charms have never reached the UK in any quantity, which means an awful lot of jokes on The Simpsons passed us by over the years…). But the fact they’ve never really been regarded as sex symbols means there’s a lot more scope to get creative, and unleash a side of them the reader has never considered. Part of the fun of writing The Leprechaun Next Door was riffing on that unflattering image and the opportunity it gives Johnny, the leprechaun of the title, to hide in plain sight in a world where paranormal beings exist alongside humans – if only you know where to look.

Leprechauns are, as I’m sure you’re aware, one of the staple figures in Irish mythology. Stories about their misdeeds date back to mediaeval times, though their green clothing is a more modern invention. When I started researching them for the novel, this being one of those books where the title came first and everything else followed, I discovered one of the alternative spellings of their name was lubrican. And if that doesn’t make you think of sex, what does?

So as I worked on creating Johnny, I gave him most of the main traits of the classic leprechaun. He’s protective of his gold, which is safely stashed away from prying eyes, and has the ability to grant three wishes. However, because leprechauns have a streak of malevolence and love practical jokes, those wishes have to be carefully considered because they’re likely to come with a sting in their tail. Plenty of the old folk tales about leprechauns involve them tricking simple Irish folk into making foolish wishes that will dog them with bad luck. When Johnny grants Devon his wishes, Devon is in a low place, and as one of his wishes contains an element of revenge, that’s all Johnny needs to wreak a little havoc.

The classic leprechaun occupation is making and mending shoes, but in the modern world, the cobbler’s shop has all but disappeared from our high streets. So instead Johnny is a bartender who knows how to throw a great party. Rather than fitting the leprechaun image of being quick-tempered and solitary, he’s friendly, garrulous, and great fun to be around, which is part of the reason why Devon is so attracted to him. And like all leprechauns, Johnny loves to drink and adores music, especially that played by Devon, who’s been forced to hide his dreams of being a singer and songwriter since his ex was never very supportive of his talent. I like to think that Johnny would be a good friend but one you wouldn’t want to cross.

Now that I’ve done my best to reclaim the leprechaun, maybe it’s time to shine a light on other less popular supernatural creatures and make them sexy too. Once you start looking, there are so many to choose from. Try Jimmy Squarefoot, a creature from the Isle of Man who walks on two legs but has a pig’s head and the tusks of a boar. Or Jack Frost, the King of Winter, who’ll freeze you as soon as look at you. Bring on the dwarves, the pixies and the sprites – in the world of urban fantasy and paranormal romance, each one of them is just waiting to find the right man to love.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I set a leprechaun trap for St Patrick’s Day, and I need to check whether I’ve caught anything. If I have, my wish is simple – that you all have as much fun reading The Leprechaun Next Door as I had writing it.

 

I am Rotherham’s foremost (okay, only) writer of quality erotica and erotic romance. Though I’m now based in London, family and football take me back North on a regular basis. Indeed, if you’re ever at a Rotherham United match (I know, what are the chances?) and you spot a small blonde with a large ‘London Millers’ flag, that’ll be me. Originally from South Yorkshire, Elizabeth Coldwell has been making up stories for as long as she can remember, only now she gets to people them with hot men. When she’s not got her nose in a book, she’s reviewing or trying to stop one or both of her cats from walking over her keyboard. She spends her time following her home town football team and baking the best brownies in East London.

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Goodreads

Leave a comment for Elizabeth, and you could win a copy of the book.

Cronin’s Key I,II,III by NR Walker: Audiobook Reviews Narrated by Joel Leslie

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NYPD Detective Alec MacAidan has always been good with weird. After all, his life has been a string of the unexplainable. But when an injured man gives him cryptic clues, then turns to dust in front of him, Alec’s view on weird is changed forever.

Cronin, a vampire Elder, has spent the last 1,000 years waiting for Alec. He’d been told his fated one would be a man wielding a shield, but he didn’t expect him to be human, and he certainly didn’t expect that shield to be a police badge.

Both men, strong-willed and stubborn, are still learning how to cope with the push and pull of being fated, when fate throws them another curveball.

Rumors have spread quickly of turmoil in Egypt. Covens are fleeing with news of a vampire who has a talent like no other, hell-bent on unleashing the wrath of Death.

Alec and Cronin are thrown into a world of weird Alec cannot imagine. What he learned in school of ancient pharaohs and Egyptian gods was far from the truth. Instead, he finds out firsthand that history isn’t always what it seems.

History isn’t always what it seems.

With the battle of Egypt behind them, Alec and Cronin are enjoying the thrill of new love. Though fate doesn’t wait long before throwing them back into the world of weird.
They know Alec’s blood is special, though its true purpose still eludes them. And given Alec’s inability to be changed into a vampire, Cronin is free to drink from him at will. But the ramifications of drinking such powerful blood starts a ripple effect.
With the help of Jorge, a disturbing vampire-child with the gift of foresight, Alec and Cronin face a new kind of war. This time their investigations lead them to the borders of China and Mongolia—but it’s not what lies in the pits beneath that worries Alec.
It’s the creator behind it all.
In the underground depths of China, amidst a war with the Terracotta Army, they will find out just what the Key is, and what Alec means to the vampire world.

History isn’t always what it seems….

Twelve months after his change, Alec MacAidan is still getting used to his many vampire talents. While most vampires would give anything to have more than one supernatural power, Alec craves nothing more than peace and time alone with Cronin. But when Alec meets entities from outside this realm, he’s left powerless in their presence.

Zoan are half-lycan, half-dragon creatures that have slipped through time and reality, seemingly undetected by man and vampire. Or have they? They bear an uncanny resemblance to gargoyles, leaving Alec’s view on all things weird to get a whole lot weirder.

This new quest leads Alec, Cronin, and their band of friends to Paris, Rome, and Moscow, where they learn that gargoyles aren’t simply statues on walls. In the underground pits beneath churches all over the world, Alec discovers the Key’s true destiny. Facing the Zoan might take every talent he has. And he may need help from the dead to get them all out alive.

Cronin’s Key I – Audible

Cronin’s Key II – Audible

Cronin’s Key III – Audible

I’m going to review all of these three books at once, because I literally listened to them back to back to back. There was no real way to separate them.

I read the original stories when they first were released as ebooks, and even though I rarely read any sort of paranormal, and then on top of it, nothing that is vampire (literally nothing, this is the only vampire series I have ever read), I consumed these books immediately. NR Walker is such a fantastic story teller. She draws the reader in from the beginning, layers in so much history, and fantastical situations, you don’t know if they may or may not be real, and you honestly don’t want to go look it up, on the off chance you find out it wasn’t real. She sucks you in, grabs a hold of your lapel, and doesn’t let you go until the end of each book. You can say this about all of her books. I haven’t read one yet that I haven’t loved.

Cronin and Alec are so fantastic together, they really do fit as a team. And the secondary characters never feel secondary. All of them feel as vital to the book as the MC’s. There is such history, and backstory, that it literally takes all three books to understand exactly how everyone fits into the puzzle. (And later, you find out even more in book 4, which I never saw coming!)

I’ll admit to having a little trepidation with listening to these stories on audio (I actually bought the first one when it was released, and then didn’t listen to it) because I loved these stories so much, I didn’t want to take the chance that it wouldn’t live up to what I remembered.

And then along came Joel Leslie. When Joel Leslie speaks to me in an accent, I can’t stop listening. I don’t even really want to. His voices are so distinct, so varying for each character, you know exactly who is speaking, without even hearing the “…Cronin said”. His voice is so rich and distinct, that you sink into the story even more than you would if you were reading it. Not all books should be audio, I don’t think. However, if you have Joel Leslie as your narrator, you can guarantee you are going to get a fantastic reading of the book, which will enrich your experience as a reader.

These books are fantastic all on their own. Add in an amazing voice to give the characters life, and you take it to another level.

Stories: 5 pieces of eye candy
Narration: 5 pieces of eye candy

Don’t Fear the (Not Really Grim) Reaper by Carole Cummings: New Release Review

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When unassuming college student Emery Sutton wakes up in the morgue, it takes him a few minutes to remember he has magic (superpowers, damn it!) and free himself from the refrigerated drawer. And the body bag. (God.) It doesn’t take long, though, for him to remember the hot guy with wings he ran into just before a city bus ran into him.

Junior Reaper John must explain to his supervisor how his first solo assignment went so wrong. All he knows is that he happened upon Emery quite by accident, that Emery saw John when he shouldn’t have been able to, and when they accidentally touched, a bus came out of nowhere and plowed Emery under. (John really does feel bad about that.)

Hot angels, annoying demons, hijinks, absurdity, drunk siblings, a dash of silly romance, an inordinate attachment to wings, and a highly disorganized bid for world domination—Don’t Fear the (Not Really Grim) Reaper follows Emery and John down the rabbit hole where they find that moms are scarier than demons from hell, a goat is not a puppy no matter what Emery’s sister says, and awkward romance can happen anywhere.

Title: Don’t Fear the (Not Really Grim) Reaper
Author: Carole Cummings
Release Date: January 11, 2019
Category: Paranormal
Pages: 62

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

This is a short novella that I grabbed not knowing what to expect. Initially, I was a little confused as to what was happening, but it kicked in quickly.

What a fun story. I laughed out loud several times.

He’s luckier than most–actually any–who might find themselves in this ludicrous situation, though, because Emery is a little bit magic–

God, Dad, they’re superpowers, okay?

Emery, turning your sister’s hair green and purple is not a superpower.

I felt bad for John, finding himself in a rather odd situation, and falling in love with a human with superpowers. However, it made for some additional awkward situations that you couldn’t help but enjoy as a reader.

If you are looking for a fun little read, this is a great one for it.

4 pieces of eye candy

Cronin’s Key IV: Kennard’s Story by N.R. Walker: New Release Review * 2

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Kennard and Stas have been enjoying being newly bonded mates, hidden away for the last six months in Stas’ cabin, deep in the forests of Northern Russia. When they get a visit from Alec, Cronin, Eiji, and Jodis, Kennard and Stas decide to return to London where they get news of a supernatural disturbance in India.

Excited for a new adventure, the band of friends embark on a journey like they’ve never seen before. Following a trail of snakes and serpents, they slip through gates into timeless dimensions all over the world, leaving them without their vampire powers. Even Alec is powerless as they follow a trail of gates and doorways to their final destination.

But the bad guy isn’t who they think it is, and Kennard will need to draw on his past to save their future. Because history is never what it seems…

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Cronin’s Key I

Cronin’s Key II

Cronin’s Key III

Confession time. I read books 1 and 2 a long time ago. And I remember being like, meh, whatevs, about them. I never read book 3. So when this was coming out, I figured I would give them another go. And I am so glad I did. I love NR Walker. Before this there wasn’t a book of hers I didn’t like. I must have been in a bad place or something.

Anyway…the first three focus on Cronin and Alec. Kennard was a side character who helped them on their “adventures”. He deserved his own story. And he got it. Although he met his fated mate in book 3, so book 4 was really more about the adventure than the romance. Which was still super fun, but not really a romance in my eyes.

That being said, I think their adventures (for lack of a better spoilery term) are awesome. The way the author ties together real history and changes the perspective is so clever. I honestly don’t know how she gets her brain to do those things.

This one was shorter then the previous and I think that really had to do with skipping over the first 6 months of Kennard and Stas together. But since they were holed up together in a remote cabin in Russia with no outside contact, it was just a lot of sex.

We still get Cronin, Alec, Eiji and Jodis. There is still a ton of cool history and lots of vampire goings on. And as fun as these adventures are to read about, these guys need a break to just relax for a bit.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

I love NR Walker‘s work, everything she writes. When I first hooked into Cronin’s Key, I had to be pulled and dragged to read it because “I don’t read paranormal”, “I don’t want to read vampires”, blah blah. I was wrong, just plain wrong. I loved this series, just loved it. In fact, before I read Cronin’s Key IV, I went and listened to all three of the audiobooks back to back first (that review is ahead, as well), to get re-acquainted in preparation for this one. This series proved to me I should read anything and everything NR Walker writes, without question.

I have to admit, I was a bit perplexed by this book initially. Because Kennard met his fated in Book 3, and clearly realized it immediately, it was hard to see how it would be Kennard’s story. And for a portion of the book, I thought that it was feeling like it was still Alec’s story, just from Kennard’s point of view. Again, I was wrong. Yes, it did have a little of that feel initially, but as the reader got into the story, you realized that it went much deeper than that, and really was Kennard’s story–and a great one at that.

I don’t know how the author is able to mix all that history with a different perspective on what actually happened, but it is amazing, and as a reader, very engaging. She keeps it fresh and inventive, and makes the reader wonder if it really could have happened the way that these adventurous vampires know it to be true.

As usual with this group, there were lots of laughs, lots of harassing, even as they faced their villains, but they fought together with everything they had to get each other out of it all.

I’m not sure there is more story here for this group, but I could see a few more adventures ahead. Maybe not additional romances, but definitely some adventures. Doesn’t matter…as I said, I’ll read anything NR Walker writes. Grocery list anyone?

4 pieces of eye candy