Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

TCO Reviewer: Denise

Trapped in the Valley of the Kings by Blue Jones: Release Day Review

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Rival archaeologists Will and Jude slept together a year ago, on the night of the Summer Solstice at a dig in Stonehenge. But they were both wearing masks, so Jude has no idea it was Will he slept with, and Will’s been harboring a powerful, one-sided crush ever since.

Now they’re in Egypt, competing to find the lost tomb of Queen Nefertiti. Jude falls through a crack in the cave floor, and when Will reluctantly climbs down to help him, they find themselves in Nefertiti’s tomb, surrounded by archaeological treasures—where they must spend Christmas stranded by a sandstorm.

Will a few sultry hours stripped almost bare from the heat and sharing a bottle of whiskey sort out who should get credit for the discovery—and the real reason for the tension between them?

Title: Trapped in the Valley of the Kings
Author: Blue Jones
Category: Holiday, Advent
Pages: 24

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

I’ve always loved Egyptian history, so this was an easy pick for me to grab. Since it’s so short, it’s not like I could expect a lot of history, although there was a good mix in there of historical sites, and what those might look like.

It’s a cute story, and I loved the surprise ending (okay it wasn’t a big surprise, but I love that it was brought back in to resolve). When I read these short holiday stories, I admit I still want the “I love you” moment, because hey, I’m a romantic and all. 🙂 But that’s hard to do unless the MC’s already knew each other.

In this case they did. And they were rivals, who clearly had some issues to work out, including who got to claim Queen Nefertiti, which just made it that much more fun.

Fun holiday time (there are no fruitcakes or lights to be had).

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Warren’s Peace by Emjay Haze: Release Day Review

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The holidays are a time for second chances.

Warren Blessing lost his wife (two years ago), and his kids decide he’s been alone too long. They send him on a holiday singles cruise so he can meet someone new. On the flight from Chicago to Miami, he sits next to an attractive man, but when the flight’s over, he doesn’t think he’ll see him again.

Fletcher Hammond is a professional mystery shopper for vacation destinations and travel. After a split from his unfaithful fiancé, he’s embarking on a singles cruise. He meets a lovely gentleman on the flight, whose conversation and cocktails help Fletcher through his fear of takeoffs, but he doesn’t expect to see him again.

As if by fate, a meeting in the ship’s dining room renews their mutual attraction. But can they build a relationship with distance and baggage working against them? Or will they part ways when they return to port?

Title: Warren’s Peace
Author: Emjay Haze
Category: Holiday, Advent
Pages: 51

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

I really liked this trope. Vacation hookup that quickly becomes more. Can they make it work together at home. And I really liked that they had the opportunity to test it out at home a bit, meeting the kids, etc.

What threw me a little (and don’t get me wrong, I know it’s a holiday story, and short, so not a lot of time, but…) was that there was really no conflict at all. Everything that clearly was set up as a conflict, Warren’s adult children, who didn’t know he was bisexual, Fletcher’s keeping his job a secret from Warren, even Warren’s job traveling…none of those ever became an issue. It came “to a head” and was instantly gone. There was no real conflict to speak of. Which is absolutely fine, if that is the intent, but because all of those things were brought up many times, it seemed as if they should be.

Anyway, I really loved Warren and Fletcher’s relationship. They were instantly attracted, yet didn’t just jump right into bed. They spent time together, had fun, learned about each other, until they felt the time was right. And that the kids loved Fletcher immediately was fantastic as well, because that of course can make or break a relationship.

All in all a sweet story. 3.5 pieces of eye candy

 

An Alpha for Christmas by Charity Parkerson: Release Day Review

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Christmas Eve night with a sexy new friend turns into the perfect Christmas. But Austin never expects his dream holiday to ruin his life.

Hoping to avoid another yearly gathering of the worst people Austin knows—his family, he volunteers to play Santa’s little helper at the department store where he works. That’s where the sexiest Santa on the planet comes to his rescue.

Will plays Santa every year at his grandfather’s department store. It’s something he oddly enjoys. This year is twice the fun when he’s paired with a mouthwatering elf. When Will finds Austin stranded in the parking lot, he’s more than willing to help. A ride turns into an amazing night together. The night turns into a weekend that changes both their lives forever. Not necessarily for the good.

It’ll take more than a good time in bed to fix Austin’s life. For the first time, Will might have to put someone else first.

This is a short and steamy story, featuring a character from Charity Parkerson’s Low Blow series. It was written to be a complete standalone, separate from the series.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

I haven’t read any other Charity Parkerson books, but I definitely would after reading An Alpha for Christmas. I didn’t know the world that this story was built around, but it still could be read as a stand-alone.

Although it was short, I found it was just too short for my liking. I wanted more! J

Definitely steamy, and I loved seeing the personality of Austin. I always seem to fall for the characters that are not confident, or who haven’t had a golden spoon fed to them their entire life. Meanwhile, I absolutely wanted to know more about Will, because we got a glimpse into him, but not really learning WHY he needed control in all things.

The ending was sweet, and wonderful, and I wanted more. So…in the end…MORE!

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Barbies and Beaches by Asta Idonea: Release Day Review

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For the first time ever, Shane is not looking forward to the annual Boxing Day barbeque at Matty’s house. He recently divorced, none of his friends know what to say to him now, and Shane is tired of the pity and awkwardness. Things take a turn, however, when he meets Matty’s English cousin. Neil is struggling with the Australian heat, having left the UK after a bad breakup. When Shane suggests the two of them head to a secluded beach to cool off, the growing intimacy between them might make both reassess their current situation.

Title: Barbies and Beaches
Author: Asta Idonea
Category: Holiday, Advent
Pages: 21

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Barbies and Beaches was a very short, short story. I’m not sure I would call it cute, as both characters were basically somewhat depressed at the time they met. However, I could see how they made a connection based on their recent breakups.

I definitely would have liked having a few more pages to connect with the characters, so that they could connect with each other. I don’t even think we learned what Neil did for a living, although we did learn about Shane’s occupation.

Short stories are what they are, short, but this one felt like I could have enjoyed it more, if I’d had a few more pages to learn more about the characters versus the issues behind why they both wanted to leave the party.

3 pieces of eye candy

That Turtle Story by C.S. Poe: Excerpt and Release Day Review

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Nor O’Brien spends his days in sunny Key West caring for and rehabilitating sea turtles. He doesn’t need anything else in life, expect maybe a significant other to cuddle with after a long day. But recent heartbreak has left Nor salty, and he’s not in the mood for anything, Christmas included.

Then Eugene Montgomery walks into Turtle R&R, claiming to have found a clutch of eggs in distress. Nor is smitten with the tourist at first sight, and at the suggestion of his screwball colleagues, indulges in some no-strings-attached fun. Nor and Eugene are quick to get along, happily enjoy each other’s company, and take in the island’s unique holiday pleasures together.

But Nor would never leave his turtles, not for any man. So when his rebound fling turns into strong romantic feelings for Eugene, it’ll take a Christmas miracle to keep the two together forever in Key West.

Title: That Turtle Story
Author: C.S. Poe
Category: Holiday, Advent
Pages: 41

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

“Nor was recently dumped,” Gus said suddenly from behind us.

Eugene looked over my shoulder at her.

“Yup. So it’s mot that he’s a typical eye-undresser,” Gus continued, “just that I think he’s entering the rebound state–”

“I’m not,” I hastily said to Eugene.

“And he saw your abs,” Gus said.

Eugene smiled at that and glanced down at me. “I’m a personal trainer,” he clarified.

“Of course you are,” I answered. My face and neck were hot, I was surprised no one saw smoke wafting up from the collar of my shirt. “Gus is teasing.”

“No, I’m not,” Gus said, sounding too serious for her own good. “Hey, if you’re into dudes,” she addressed Eugene, “Nor is Grinch-lite–cute in the glass-is-half-empty sort of way. Might make your vacation memorable.”

I specifically asked the author for the above excerpt, because it was such a perfect example, early in the story, of how funny and enjoyable this one was.

I love C.S. Poe‘s stories, long and short, in part because the humor and sarcasm that she puts into her characters speaks to my sarcastic personality. And this short Christmas story is no exception. Nor’s internal dialogue, and Bah Humbug attitude, made me laugh, Gus’s external dialogue was hilarious. And I loved how sweet Eugene was. All the things I love about this author’s books.

Their conflict was simply a lack of verbal communication, although their communication behind closed doors seemed to be spot on. 🙂 The story was cute, sweet and fun.

The ending was just perfect, because you couldn’t help but root for these two.

4 pieces of eye candy

 

Santa Daddy by Keira Andrews: RDB, Review and Giveaway

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Mall Santas aren’t supposed to be hot.

Hunter Adams is hopelessly adrift after college. He’s still a virgin, can’t find a real job, and has no clue what to do with his life. In desperation, he returns to his humiliating old job as an elf at the Santa’s Village in his hometown’s dying mall. The Santa on the job is an unexpectedly sexy lumberjack, twice Hunter’s size and age. He makes Hunter feel very naughty—too bad he’s grumpy and intimidating.

Years after the tragic death of his partner, Nick Spini has his beagle and long, hard days on his Christmas tree farm. That’s plenty. But he can’t refuse a loyal friend’s plea for help and finds himself filling in as Santa at the local mall. Despite Nick’s attempt to stay aloof, the beautiful, anxious young man playing elf brings out his long-dormant daddy instincts.

When a surprise blizzard traps them alone in Nick’s isolated forest home, their attraction burns even brighter. Will they surrender to the sizzling connection between them and find the release and comfort they crave?

Santa Daddy is a holiday gay romance from Keira Andrews featuring an age gap, steamy m/m first times, daddy role-playing and light spanking, Christmas romance feels, and of course a happy ending.

Length: 30,000 words approx.

Cover Design: Dar Albert @ Wicked Smart Design

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Keira Andrews writes across such a wide range of romance sub-genres. Her characters can be anything from vampires to an age gap to historical and everything in between. But she manages to create a world where those characters find what they are looking for, not just as a romantic partner, but often in their own lives, as well.

The best thing about holiday stories is that, even though you are reading romance, you are always guaranteed a happy ending. And I have to say I absolutely loved the ending to Santa Daddy. Hunter, who is rudderless in life, finding and charting his course, as he finds the love of his life, created a dynamic that worked well for these two MC’s.

There was a large age gap between Hunter and Nick, but with the Daddy kink it worked. Keira Andrews can write some seriously sexy and hot scenes, and this book is no exception. She also writes her characters with heart, as well as real issues and problems.

Nick was a big Grinch who was forced to deal with someone, despite his initial intentions to stay as far away as possible. Then realizing that Hunter was a virgin, and was into having a daddy, his enjoyment of the holiday season took a turn upward.

This was a fun, sexy, cute holiday story, that you’ll definitely want to pull out again next Christmas.

4 pieces of eye candy

After writing for years yet never really finding the right inspiration, Keira discovered her voice in gay romance, which has become a passion. She writes contemporary, historical, fantasy, and paranormal fiction and — although she loves delicious angst along the way — Keira firmly believes in happy endings. For as Oscar Wilde once said:

“The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means.”

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