Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

TCO Reviewer: Denise

Love in Spades by Charlie Cochet: Exclusive Excerpt and Release Day Review

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Ex-Special Forces soldier Anston “Ace” Sharpe is fighting a different battle these days—one involving the world of private security across the state of Florida. As part owner of Four Kings Security, Ace and his fellow Kings tackle everything from armed transport and investigations to cyber intelligence and executive protection. Cocky, fearless, and brash, Ace isn’t afraid to take risks.

After years of working alongside his father, Colton Connolly is ready to take the helm at Connolly Maritime, but his father’s retirement is put on hold when Colton begins receiving death threats. If that isn’t bad enough, his father signs a contract with Four Kings Security to provide Colton with round-the-clock protection, despite his adamant refusal. Colton’s life has been turned upside down, the last thing he needs is a shadow, especially in the form of infuriating, sexy-as-sin Ace Sharpe, who seems to be on a mission to drive Colton mad.

Sparks fly the moment Colton and Ace meet on a sultry night club dance floor. But getting involved with a client, even one as fiery and beautiful as Colton Connolly, is a line Ace is unwilling to cross. Colton might be attracted to Ace, but he’d been burned before. He might be willing to put his life in Ace’s hands, but not his heart.

As the Florida nights heat up, so does their passion, and Ace and Colton are faced with a difficult choice—take the plunge and risk it all, or play it safe and walk away?

If Ace can keep a deadly threat from robbing Colton of a future….

LOVE IN SPADES

CHARLIE COCHET

M/M ROMANCE

RELEASE DATE: 04.24.18

COVER DESIGN: REESE DANTE

 

 

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

 

Ace’s lips curled into a wicked grin, and he dove under the water. Colton stilled, waiting for Ace to pop, but he didn’t. Jesus, the guy could hold his breath for a long time. It was like he’d vanished. Until something grabbed Colton’s legs. He released a barrage of curses as he was lifted, his arms flailing in an attempt not to lose his balance as Ace came up under him, and Colton ended up on Ace’s shoulders.

“You ass!” Colton hugged Ace’s head to keep himself steady as he sat on the man’s broad shoulders while Ace laughed himself silly. He held on to Colton’s thighs, and started walking. “What are you doing?” Colton squeaked.

“Going for a walk,” Ace said as if it were obvious.

“No, you have something devious planned; I know it.”

Ace chuckled. “Are you doubting me?”

“Absolutely. Remember the pool?”

“In my defense, you were being an ass.”

Colton let out a mock gasp. “Are you using inappropriate language toward your client?”

“I’ll show you inappropriate.” Ace growled deep in his throat, and Colton shivered.

“Ace,” Colton moaned. “Please don’t make that sound while my crotch is pressed against the back of your head.”

Ace stopped moving. Before Colton could ask if he was okay, Ace sank into the water, and disappeared again, leaving Colton standing there wondering what the man was about to do next. One thing was for sure, Ace always kept him on his toes. Hands caressed his legs, and Colton groaned, his eyes closing as Ace slid his hands up Colton’s body until he resurfaced, his arms around Colton and front pressed to Colton’s back. Colton covered Ace’s hands with his and leaned back into him before turning in his arms.

“We should head back,” Ace murmured, his eyes on Colton’s lips.

“You drive me fucking crazy, you know that?” Colton huffed. He slipped his hands beneath the water and cupped Ace through his shorts, making him groan. “How about you stop teasing me, take control of these gorgeous balls, and bury yourself deep inside me.”

Ace cursed under his breath. He opened his mouth to reply, but Colton put his fingers to Ace’s lips and released his hold on him.

“You know where to find me.” Colton turned and swam back to the shore. If Ace was determined to drive him out of his mind with his sensual caresses, lingering looks, and sultry voice, then it was only fair Colton return the favor.

What a fun book!

Ms Cochet has big shoes to fill. Those of Dex, Sloan and all the characters she created in the THIRDS series. Honestly, I wondered if we were going to get Dex Redux. Nope. These are totally new characters, without a hint of THIRDS.

Four Kings Security is owned by 4 friends, former special forces military who are basically brothers. They are known to be the best- and as such they are hired to protect the son of a well known businessman. But the protectee does not want to be protected. So take-no-shit Ace is put in charge of the job.

Naturally, sparks fly. Chemistry abounds. Ace and Colton dance around each other and their attraction.

I really liked that the focus of the story was more on Ace and Colton- and protecting Colton- than it was on finding out who is sending Colton the threatening messages. It gave the story the chance to showcase them instead of the mystery of the Big Bad.

We also get to know quite a few side characters who I assume we will get to know even more closely in coming books. This band of brothers who all work together with the shared experience of something going wrong on a military mission. The love they have for each other shines through. But they always, ALWAYS take their job seriously.

Colton and Ace are both snarky. And both seem to be able to turn it off like a light when needed. Colton can be totally professional at work, at it doesn’t ever seem to be like he is faking it. He just has a clear line between work and play.

Ace is the same. Joking around one minute, military attention the next.

Sure, they fell too easily and quickly for each other. And maybe Ace should have fought the attraction a bit harder- at least until the job was done. But overall, it was a really fun read, with likable characters and hot sex.

I absolutely look forward to reading more from the Four Kings and getting to know them all even more.

 

Charlie Cochet is an author by day and artist by night. Always quick to succumb to the whispers of her wayward muse, no star is out of reach when following her passion. From adventurous agents and sexy shifters, to society gentlemen and hardboiled detectives, there’s bound to be plenty of mischief for her heroes to find themselves in, and plenty of romance, too!

Currently residing in Central Florida, Charlie is at the beck and call of a rascally Doxiepoo bent on world domination. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading, drawing, or watching movies. She runs on coffee, thrives on music, and loves to hear from readers.

Website: http://www.charliecochet.com

Blog: http://www.charliecochet.com/blog

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/charliecochet

Facebook Author Page: http://facebook.com/authorcharliecochet

Tumblr: http://charliecochet.tumblr.com

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/charliecochet/

Twitter: @charliecochet

Instagram: http://instagram.com/charliecochet

Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/charliecochet

 

Set Ablaze by KC Burn: Exclusive Guest Post, Release Day Review and Giveaway

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California firefighter Hayden Hurst is starting to realize there’s more to life than fighting fires and drinking with his buddies. He has room in his home and his life for someone special, but no one has stood out among his hookups. And while he’s out at work, admitting he’s gay is very different from showing up at social functions with a man. He’s afraid that’ll be too much for his less-than-accepting “friends.”

Broadway dancer Jez Bouchet hasn’t been mistaken for straight since he was gay-bashed at seventeen. After getting a lucrative job offer in Hollywood, he uproots his life in New York and drives to Los Angeles. His brother, who is Hayden’s best friend, arranges for him to crash at Hayden’s place.

The attraction between Hayden and Jez is unexpected but fiery, and they succumb before they’re even sure they like each other. But Jez hates Hayden’s homophobic friends, and Hayden knows Jez is too flamboyant for him to fly under the radar. Then there’s the complication of Jez’s brother.

Despite those hurdles, they fling themselves into a relationship. But Jez has secrets: a tiny spoiled dog and a determined stalker. If he doesn’t come clean, he might torch their burgeoning relationship before it has a chance to bloom.

Title: Set Ablaze
Author: KC Burn
Release Date: April 24, 2018
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 193

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Hi all! I’m KC Burn and I want to thank Two Chicks Obsessed for hosting me today for my new release Set Ablaze.

I know there are authors out there who have to hide what they write from family. There are readers out there who have to hide what they read. I am not one of those people. My friends are all supportive, my family is mostly supportive, my in-laws are super supportive. My hubby is the most supportive man I could ask for. When I’m not behind on deadlines, he edits my books and he’s excellent at catching plot holes and continuity errors as well as grammar mistakes.

For Set Ablaze, though, I required a different brand of support. Set Ablaze is set in a fictional firehouse, in Pasadena, California, where I currently reside. I’d done a bunch of research (like many of my books, the heroes’ professions only peripherally influence the story, so I didn’t need HUGE amounts of information about firefighters, just enough to get the parts I do reference correct). There were two questions I could not seem to locate answers for online though.

During this creation process, I traveled to Toronto for a conference. While I was there, I saw a Facebook post for the city of Pasadena. One of the fire stations was having an OPEN HOUSE. While I was AWAY. You could wander in and check the place out, and ask questions.

The conversation with my hubby went like this… “So… do you have any plans for Saturday?”

Yes, the hubby went to the open house, armed with my two questions, and took some pictures for me. It was exactly what I needed to finish the book. Gotta love my supportive hubby.

What about you? Have you been scorned for your reading choices? And I’m not necessarily talking m/m romance. Romance is often looked down on by the rest of the literary world. I’ve gotten flak for straight romances, and even just any sort of genre fiction. I really feel for those out there who can’t just enjoy the escape that reading (and writing) provides.

When I said I would review this book, I had no idea what to expect. A firefighter who’s out, but not quite out, a dancer with a future, but no home, and a puppy. So, yeah, all those together, and I said “yep, that’s for me!” Having not read this author before, I took a chance. (Meanwhile, I went and searched and found I had purchased at least one book by this author, and its in my TBR, moved up accordingly. 🙂 )

What I did not expect was the twists and turns this book would take, and not the normal ones you might expect. Jez’s brother, his reactions to Jez, and later his reasoning behind it all were surprising to me. Also, the…for want of a better word…s**t that Hayden took from his friends, despite them knowing he was gay, and how it was handled. This impressed me as a reader, because it could have easily turned into a hugely dramatic part of the book, and instead was dealt with as (hopefully) most adults would have handled it.

In the end though, I loved the relationship between Hayden and Jez. They respected each other, despite their extreme differences, and didn’t allow circumstances to pull them apart. They truly just worked on falling in love, with only a little internal drama-and a whole lot of cute puppy. 🙂

Hayden’s own issues made complete sense considering the circumstances he’d had to deal with, and the way he allowed Jez to assist with the process of letting go was touching. They really did make a good team together.

I really enjoyed this book, and am hoping to find some time soon to read Cop Out now…or if there’s another in this series, that too!

4.5 pieces of eye candy

KC Burn has been writing for as long as she can remember and is a sucker for happy endings (of all kinds).  After moving from Toronto to Florida for her husband to take a dream job, she discovered a love of gay romance and fulfilled a dream of her own — getting published.  After a few years of editing web content by day, and neglecting her supportive, understanding hubby and needy cat at night to write stories about men loving men, she was uprooted yet again and now resides in California. Writing is always fun and rewarding, but writing about her guys is the most fun she’s had in a long time, and she hopes you’ll enjoy them as much as she does.

Visit KC at her website, on Twitter, on Facebook, or find out about new releases by signing up for her newsletter.


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A Full Plate by Kim Fielding: Exclusive Author Guest Post and Release Day Review

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Opposites come together for a spicy surprise.

Bradford “Tully” Tolliver has everything—money, a great car, a beautiful condo, and a promising career as one of Portland’s hottest young lawyers. Sure, he puts in long hours and has no social life to speak of, but who needs romance when corporations pay top dollar for his expertise? He hesitates when a colleague asks if her cousin can live with him, but the arrangement will last less than a year, and then the cousin—Sage Filling—will return to his tiny hometown.

But Sage is handsome and intriguing, and his cooking makes Tully swoon. Sage has obligations back home, though, and Tully has offers he might not refuse from a persistent—and very wealthy—ex. Since Tully and Sage each have a full plate, can they make room for a side of love?

Title: A Full Plate
Author: Kim Fielding
Release Date: April 17, 2018
Category: Contemporary, Dreamspun Desires
Pages: 197

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Hi! I’m Kim Fielding, and I’m very excited to announce the arrival of my new Dreamspun Desires book, A Full Plate! If you’re in the mood for a sweet little opposites-attract romance with a hint of spice, this may fit your tastes exactly.

Are you a city slicker or a country bumpkin? Neither of those are very positive terms, so let’s put it another way. Are you more comfortable amid the high-rises of the urban jungle, where the hustle and bustle and the 24/7 lifestyle keep you juiced? Or would you prefer to remain in the quiet of the country, with nature at your doorstep and a slower, steadier pace?

I think both locales have pros and cons. I love the convenience of the city, the variety, and the opportunities for people-watching. But I also appreciate the peace of the countryside and the relative lack of stress.

To be honest, I live in neither environment. I’ve spent most of my life in the burbs or in cities that are too big to be towns but far too small to be metropolises. My current home is two blocks from almond orchards and cornfields, but the freeway roars nearby, and I can buy pho or a microbrew without leaving the city limits.

My day job and other practicalities keep me where I am for now. But if I were completely free to choose, I’d opt for a big-city condo—with frequent vacations to the mountains, the desert, and the beach. The best of both worlds, right?

In my new book, A Full Plate, the main characters face the basic question of where to live. Tully is a corporate attorney, born in Manhattan and now living in a Portland high-rise. Sage, however, is from the tiny central Oregon town of Hair Shaker—one of those places where everyone knows everyone else’s business. He aspires to nothing fancier than being a good cook, but he must temporarily live in the city in order to support his family.

So there we have it: a classic conflict. How can these two very different men ever find happiness together?

Where would you prefer to live, in the city or in the country?

 

Here’s a nice country-inspired recipe from my childhood.

 

Fruit Coffee Cake

 

Cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 ½ tsp grated orange peel

½ cup butter

2 eggs

1 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

3 ½ cups fresh fruit of your choice, washed, pitted or hulled, and cut into bite-size pieces

 

Topping:

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

¼ cup flour

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp butter

½ cup chopped nuts (optional)

 

Make cake: In a bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and orange peel. With pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter until mixture resembles cornmeal.

In another bowl, beat eggs lightly, then stir in milk and vanilla. Make a well in center of flour mixture and pour in egg mixture; stir just until moistened. Spoon batter into well-greased 7 ½ by 11 ½ pan and arrange fruit evenly on top, pressing in lightly.

Make topping: Combine sugar, flour, and cinnamon. With fingers, work in butter. Stir in nuts.

Squeeze together handfuls of topping, then break into chunks and scatter over fruit.

Bake at 350F until pick comes out clean, about 60 minutes. Cool 20 minutes on wire rack.

Sigh. I just love a happy ending. Not just when it ends on a good note, but when we get to see the characters in their new lives, enjoying each moment. It’s one of the reasons I love the Dreamspun Desires series. That happy ending is never far away.

I really enjoyed this one by Kim Fielding. A Full Plate gave me all the good feels. Sage was happiest right where he felt at home, in the kitchen, make those around him happy with his food. Okay, there was that one time with Tully, but it led to happy, so easily forgiven. J

What I loved most was Tully though, and not simply because the book was written from his POV. Tully grew up rich in Manhattan, going to private schools, having the best of everything, until he came out. That kind of childhood could have led to him being a snob, and looking down on Sage for “only wanting to be a cook”. Yet he didn’t, he told people with pride what Sage did. He treated him with respect and care, not caring that Sage didn’t have a college degree, or that he didn’t work for a Michelin starred restaurant. Tully was a person of great integrity-although I think he should have given Eddy hell for destroying wetlands-and treated everyone respectfully.

Tully and Sage were so compatible deep down, that it seemed odd that it took them so long to make that connection. But they did, and all cylinders seemed to fire from there. Love was inevitable.

I would love to see them pop up again somewhere else, just to get more of a glimpse into how their lives have evolved.

4 pieces of eye candy

Kim Fielding is the bestselling author of numerous m/m romance novels, novellas, and short stories. Like Kim herself, her work is eclectic, spanning genres such as contemporary, fantasy, paranormal, and historical. Her stories are set in alternate worlds, in 15th century Bosnia, in modern-day Oregon. Her heroes are hipster architect werewolves, housekeepers, maimed giants, and conflicted graduate students. They’re usually flawed, they often encounter terrible obstacles, but they always find love.

After having migrated back and forth across the western two-thirds of the United States, Kim calls the boring part of California home. She lives there with her husband, her two daughters, and her day job as a university professor, but escapes as often as possible via car, train, plane, or boat. This may explain why her characters often seem to be in transit as well. She dreams of traveling and writing full-time.

Follow Kim:

Website: http://www.kfieldingwrites.com/

Facebook: http://facebook.com/KFieldingWrites

Twitter: @KFieldingWrites

Email: Kim@KFieldingWrites.com

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bau3S9

A complete list of Kim’s books: http://www.kfieldingwrites.com/kim-fieldings-books/

 

Lost Souls Found by Kris T Bethke: Exclusive Author Guest Post and Release Day Review

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Dying is all in a day’s work. Love is more dangerous.

Ghostwalker Sam Jones has been half in love with Michael King since he started working at Requiem Inc. But Michael is his boss and a Guardian, to boot. Sam thinks they could make it work anyway, but Michael uses his position and his age to keep Sam at arm’s length.

When Sam continues to volunteer for the most dangerous cases, Michael has to intervene. He tells himself he’s just doing his job, but he’s always seen Sam as more than another operative, and he can’t bear the thought of not taking his chance. The connection between them has been strong from the beginning, and Michael’s telepathy adds unexpected depth and an edge to their new romance, but working together while they try to build their relationship might be the hardest part of their job if they don’t make some sacrifices.

Title: Lost Souls Found
Series: Requiem Inc.: Book 2
Author: Kris T. Bethke
Release Date: April 17, 2018
Category: Paranormal: Ghosts, Dreamspun Beyond
Pages: 207

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Hey everyone! I’m Kris T. Bethke, and I’m excited to be here today. Thanks so much for having me, and thanks for stopping in to read.

There’s a particular trope I love to read, and therefor love to write. Pining. Seemingly unrequited love. The crush that is so much more than just a simple admiration for another person. That feeling that goes deeper and you know, if you just got the chance, you could have that person forever.

That’s exactly how Sam feels about Michael in Lost Souls Found.

Sam might be younger than Michael, but he knows what he wants. And he knows that Michael is the perfect man for him. He understands why Michael keeps him at arm’s length. There are reasons, and though Sam doesn’t agree with them, he gets where Michael is coming from. Mostly. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t think Michael should give in  and just be with him already.

Sam is ready to give up. He’s ready to move on and start a new life, even though it’s not what he wants. But Michael isn’t ready to give Sam up. It takes time and conversation, and whole lot more, before these two guys finally get to a good place. It’s not easy for either of them, but they know it’s worth it.

This is the second book in the series, and if you’ve read the first, you know just how deep Sam’s pining for Michael goes. It was so integral to his character that I wrote he feelings on the page without knowing if I was going to be able to write Sam and Michael’s story. But I’m so glad that I was able to, and that it’s now released out in the world for you to read too. I loved these guys, and I loved penning their journey to love.

I hope you get a chance to check it out!

I loved the first book in the Requiem, Inc series, Ghost of a Chance, so I jumped when I saw book 2, Sam’s story, was coming. This series is a bit different than most paranormal I have read, although I don’t read a lot of PR. But it has such a unique take, I have enjoyed it so far.

I will say that Michael irritated me, at one point, I thought there was no chance he was going to redeem himself in my eyes, as he had become possessive and controlling. That being said, I had to consider the situation he was in, and give him some allowance for such a challenging position he was put in on a daily basis. He did redeem himself, showing his love for Sam, and his desire to do what he could to keep their relationship in tact.

Sam was great though. He knew what he wanted, and didn’t hesitate to go after it. And when he made a decision, he didn’t waiver, even if it wasn’t necessarily what he wanted. He also loved his job, and it showed in the care he took with the other ghostwalkers, and those that he helped to cross over.

With the Dreamspun Desires and Dreamspun Beyond, the books aren’t high angst (which I appreciate), but this one still had me crying at several different points. In the end, their happy ending worked out perfectly, and made great sense, and the reader got a good tease for the next book. (Although, I really need to know more about Tyler, after what happened to him….hint hint…).

4 pieces of eye candy for me, and waiting for book 3…

Kris T. Bethke has been a voracious reader for pretty much her entire life and has been writing stories for nearly as long.  An avid and prolific daydreamer, she always has a story in her head.  She spends most of her free time reading, writing, or knitting/crocheting her latest project.  Her biggest desire is to find a way to accomplish all three tasks at one time.  A classic muscle car will always turn her head, and naps on the weekend are one of her greatest guilty pleasures.  She lives in a converted attic with a way too fluffy cat and the voices in her head.  She’ll tell you she thinks that’s a pretty good deal. Kris believes that love is love, no matter the gender of people involved, and that all love deserves to be celebrated.

Find her on her site https://kristbethke.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Kris-T-Bethke/100014524539852

Twitter https://twitter.com/kristbethke

A Dom and His Artist by Xenia Melzer: Exclusive Guest Post and Release Day Review

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Sometimes the perfect man can be found in the most unexpected place….

Martin Carmichael owns a security firm and is part owner of Club Whisper. He’s a Dom in search of the right guy, and when his car breaks down on a lonely stretch of road, he thinks he might have found him.

Artist Collin Malloy is talented, easygoing, but somewhat insecure. Still, he has a big heart and is quick to offer help when he sees Martin in need. To thank him, Martin invites Collin to dinner, where the attraction between them becomes harder to resist.

But what will become of their budding relationship when Martin reveals that he likes his men bound, submissive, and in pain? Is it something Collin can accept… and possibly enjoy exploring? Even if he can, Collin has a secret of his own—a secret he doesn’t even realize he’s keeping.

Title: A Dom and His Artist
Series: Club Whisper: Book 2
Author: Xenia Melzer
Release Date: April 10, 2018
Category: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Pages: 194

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

An Interview with Collin Malloy

X.M.: Hello Collin, it’s great to talk to you. How are you doing?

C.M.: Hello Xenia, I’m fine, really fine. You know, Martin and I had a scene just yesterday and it was so nice, with hot wax in different colors, so of course I had to call red and start experimenting right away, and did you know Martin has all kinds of colors and the candles are made from bee’s wax and smell totally good, and I got a very nice dribble pattern on the sheets of our bed, and then I researched candles and wax, and in some parts of Bavaria and Austria people make pictures of holy people, like the Virgin Mary or Christ on the cross, from wax, which is just fascinating, and Martin said we can have some beehives so I can get my own wax, and the honey, though I think it’s kind of mean to take the honey from the bees, since they work so hard for it, and I’m sure sugar water isn’t even half as good, but at least they don’t have to fly far to get the honey, because our garden has all kinds of flowers and they bloom all year round, so perhaps it’s okay to take some of the honey, since the bees can always collect more, and isn’t that just cool?

X.M.: Uh, yeah, I guess so? Now, how did you meet Martin Carmichael?

C.M.: *bounces up and down on his chair* Uhh, that was so great. I was out looking for dreams, you know, the kind of dreams that you have and you feel they’re kind of real, even though a part of you knows you’re dreaming, and all it takes is a hard pinch to wake you, and somehow you want to wake, but somehow you also don’t want to, because then this feeling of being there and not being there is gone, which is a beautiful paradox that only makes sense in the dream world, which goes to show how important dreams are, and sometimes I wonder if the dream world isn’t the real world and what we think is reality is just some kind of twisted version of what could be if we would only realize it – though I’m not sure how eating and drinking would work when you’re asleep and the dream world was your home, and perhaps things would just switch around and we wouldn’t even notice.

X.M.: Yeah? About Martin…

C.M.: Right. How I met Martin. Sorry, I get distracted sometimes. This world is just so full of wonderful things… Anyway, I was looking for dreams and I found some pretty good ones, a skull, some pipes, old branches, and a few odd stones that reminded me of Stonehenge, the way they were grouped, and I hope I didn’t destroy somebody’s magic site, though I didn’t feel anything magical and there didn’t seem to have been any people recently, so I think it was fine. I was on my way back to Miami when I spotted Martin by the side of the road. His car had just stopped working, and later, nobody at the garage could tell him what the problem had been, but I think it was so that we could meet, and that is a totally logical explanation, even though Martin doesn’t think so, but I know when I’m right, because then I get this tingly feeling deep in my stomach, similar to when Martin makes me feel good in the playroom, and have you ever noticed how your body tries to talk to you and helps you with decisions and stuff, because mine does this all the time, and not only when I need to eat or drink. *smiles happily*

X.M.: Yes, I actually know what you’re talking about. Now, your first meeting with Martin…

C.M.: I still haven’t told you? Funny, how time runs away from us sometimes, as if it’s this living thing, like a puppy, that wants to play with us, and sometimes it runs so fast we can’t keep up, and other times it’s so slow, it seems as if nothing will ever happen again, and I can see why people refer to time as a river, though rivers are also a symbol of life and life’s journey, and perhaps I should start working with water, or no, I have to drive to the next river and find my answers there, and I wonder if it’s possible to build my own river, but then Martin has to buy a bigger yard to fit the river, and where would we put the beehives then, and I have to think about this, though my own river is probably not a good idea, but perhaps I can have my own pond with frogs, and fish, and dragonflies, and water lilies, and ducks. Ducks would be nice, don’t you think?

X.M.: *gives up* Yes. Yes, I think ducks would be nice. Thank you for your time, Collin.

C.M.: *already gone to find ducks*

This book is definitely not your average BDSM story. If you read the above interview with Collin, the sub MC in this book, you will absolutely see that this story will be a bit different than most would expect from a BDSM. However, the characters are just so interesting, it really makes that read just that much more enjoyable.

Collin is a true artist, and I loved this character so much. He saw art in everything, which was amazing. He was fascinated with bees, and skeletons, and tree branches. Honestly anything he saw. There was actually a BDSM scene in the book that I was very intrigued about, where it takes an unexpected turn. His Dom, Martin, at first is irritated, but quickly realizes he is looking at the situation from the wrong perspective.

That scene really honed in on the connection between the two characters, and how perhaps when you find someone, you need to allow them the leeway to be themselves, in order for them to be what you need in your life.

Martin learned quickly as his relationship with Collin developed that what had been his previous rules were never going to work with Collin. Martin quickly found his way into this new role.

A really enjoyable read that brought home the fact that BDSM is not about a set of rules that cannot be broken, but about finding the right set of rules for your situation, and your relationship. What works for one couple will not work for another.

4 pieces of eye candy

 

Xenia Melzer is a mother of two who enjoys riding and running when she’s not writing stories. She doesn’t like beer but is easily tempted by a Virgin Mojito. Or chocolate. Truffles are especially cherished, even though she doesn’t discriminate. As a true chocoholic, she welcomes any kind of cocoa-based delight.

You can contact her through her website: http//www.xeniamelzer.com

Or befriend and follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xeniamelzer/

 

No Tears for Darcy by Vicki Reese: Exclusive Guest Post, Excerpt and Release Day Review

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Letting love pass them by would be a crime.

Former forensic accountant Cameron has lost nearly everyone he’s ever loved, and now his vintage clothing shop has been broken into and trashed. When town police chief Will Carson asks an out-of-town cop friend of his for help, Cam takes one look at the dark-haired, blue-eyed detective and knows he’s in real trouble—and it has nothing to do with vandalism or murder.

Pete Minchelli is on leave from his job in Philadelphia due to a gunshot wound, but he figures he can help an academy buddy with some light police work. Plus, he’ll have a chance to experience small-town life. He’s tired of the big city and all its corruption. But he quickly discovers that not all the bad stuff happens in cities. What he doesn’t expect to find is death, treachery—or love.

Title: No Tears for Darcy
Author: Vicki Reese
Release Date: April 3, 2018
Category: Mystery/Suspense
Pages: 197

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Luc’s story

Hi! I’m Luc Minchelli. I run the new restaurant and club on the outskirts of town. I own it with my brother Pete. We’re doing pretty well, though I often wished Pete would take more of an interest in it. But he’s a cop. Or was one up til recently. That job may be in jeopardy, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Pete’s been in too many scrapes for the family’s comfort. He’s been shot, knifed, battered, nearly drowned… way too many things. But I think with Cam in the picture, that might be over.

Cameron came into our lives when his vintage clothing store downtown was vandalized. Pete’s friend Will, our chief of police, asked Pete to help out with the investigation. Pete was supposed to be on leave, taking it easy after his last run in with a perp. Shot up his leg pretty badly. I tried to get him to help me out here at the club more, but Pete couldn’t pass up a chance to help Will out. Not once he saw Cameron. I never believed in love at first sight, but with those two, it just might be something.

I’ve never seen anyone so totally taken with another person than those two are with each other. The first time Pete brought Cam up here, I knew. He’d never brought any of his male friends around before, but suddenly there’s Cam, looking all cute and innocent. And hungry! Pete brought him up for lunch, so we fed him. Had a great time teasing Pete as we made linguini and salt and lobster. That poor man wasn’t sure what to make of the way Pete and I are together. I mean, we’re brothers and from a big family. So we bicker. A lot.

Then we added Toni, our little sister, in. I’m surprised Cam didn’t run for the hills. Especially when we found out he was an only child. I wish! No, I take that back. My brothers and sisters may drive me nuts, but I love them all and wouldn’t change a thing. Our family is big, noisy, and every stereotype of Italian you can think of, but they’re mine. We may fight, but you don’t mess with us. We know how to fight back. And will.

So, anyway, this whole mess with Darcy and Cam’s ex and everything ended up being the best thing that ever happened to Pete—and me! I get to have my brother around more and Cam as a brother-in-law (eventually). And I am so glad. Cam is definitely a good person to have around. It’s a shame what he went through, but it brought him to our family so that’s all for the good.

“Pete will have my head for not feeding you,” Luc said.

Cameron groaned. “It’s no wonder you have all that exercise equipment out in the garage. With what I’ve been eating lately, I’m going to need to borrow it.”

“You? That’s absolute bunk. It’s no wonder you caught Pete’s eye.”

Cameron could feel his face heat. “Thanks. Why hasn’t some gorgeous babe captured you yet?”

“I’ve been saving myself for that someone special, but, alas, my big brother saw him first.” He put his hand theatrically to his brow, then ducked when Cameron lobbed a pillow at him.

“I’m pretty sure you don’t swing that way. Seriously, is there anyone, Luc?”

“You’re right. I don’t. But if I did….” He waggled his eyes at Cam, earning another pillow toss. “And yes, and no, to your other question. There’s a girl I’ve been dating off and on since we were in high school.”

“So what’s stopping you?”

He looked off, like he was seeing something distant. “I don’t know. I guess we’ve just gotten too comfortable with the way things are. She went away to college for a few years, then off to the old country to study art. She just got back a couple of weeks ago. I guess I didn’t think she’d feel the same way about me anymore.”

“Did you ask her?”

“No. I mean….”

Cameron threw another pillow at him. He was running low on ammunition. “Honestly, straight men are so stupid sometimes. Do you love her?”

“I guess so.” Luc stared at the floor as if it was the most fascinating thing in the world.

Cameron snorted. “Uh-uhn. There’s no ‘guess’ about love. How do you feel when she’s not around?”

“I miss her like crazy.”

“And if someone else looks at her or wants to date her?” Cam couldn’t help answering his own questions in his mind with Pete. He realized he’d never loved Jim. Been infatuated? Maybe. Jim had just been… handy. Which made him actually feel a little sorry for Darcy. She was right. He’d never asked. But it begged the question as to why Jim went after him. What did he have that Jim could want? And then there was Pete. Yeah, that was completely different. And it scared him a little. He brought his attention back to Luc as he gripped one of the pillows like he was strangling someone.

Luc looked up, eyes narrowed, mouth drawn down as if he’d eaten something rotten. “I’d have Pete arrest him, or he’d meet with an accident.”

It took Cam a second to remember what his question to Luc was. Oh. Yeah. Someone else wanting his girl. “Violence is not the answer. When you close your eyes and think about a future and a family, who’s in that picture with you?”

Luc nodded and smiled. “She is. Is that love?”

Cam grinned at him. “It isn’t indigestion. So, what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to go get you the best dinner we have, then I’m going to call the florist and order her a dozen red roses and call her.”

Cameron grinned. “So go. And Luc? Be sure to say the words to her. She needs to hear them.”

My enjoyment lately of gay romantic suspense (not normally an area I read) started with C.S. Poe’s Snow and Winter series, which by the way has a book 3 coming soon-ish (SQUEE!), and continues with what I am hoping is the beginning of a series by Vicki Reese in No Tears for Darcy.

This book was a slow burn, with Cam and Pete dancing around each other for a while, and at times, it seemed as if they didn’t trust each other. Yet, through it all, they kept finding their way back into each other’s space, and eventually heart and bed.

Pete was the protective cop, while Cam was just trying to make his way in his new life, as he worked through his grief over his mother. Cam was not helpless by any means, having spent time with the FBI, but with all the blows he’d taken emotionally, having someone to help him through, with Pete and his family all stepping up, helped keep him safe.

This was a good who-dun-it, with me wavering until the end wondering who was so obsessed with Cam. I loved that aspect of this story. There were a few suspects that could have been the stalker, and that kind of guessing always makes for a more engaging story. The author did a fantastic job of creating a thriller, with a suspect that went in several directions, always unexpected, and creating a character who the reader could see was unhinged from the beginning.

This book had a little of everything I like in this type of story, a love story with the MC’s getting their HEA, an unhinged criminal creating trouble for everyone,  and a crazy family that takes over whenever their family members are threatened. There were laughs, scary moments, and love. All elements that came together in this to make for a satisfying ending.

4 pieces of eye candy

Vicki Reese has been married forever to the one person who accepts that she lives in a fantasy world most of the time. She’s even been seen at the beach building worlds for her stories. In addition to creating suspenseful situations or fantasy worlds, she is very good at boring things like writing procedures manuals and continuity spreadsheets, both of which she actually earned money doing. With a master’s in library science, she likes things organized. Okay, so her family thinks having the spice rack alphabetized is a bit much, but she has no problem finding what she needs when she needs it. And just because her extensive library is catalogued and organized by the Dewey Decimal system doesn’t mean she’s obsessive. Honest!

When not writing, Vicki can be found in the kitchen cooking up gluten free/lactose free/allergy free goodies for her family, or just watching the world go by from her front porch swing.

You can find her online at:

Website: http://www.vickireese.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorVictoria

Twitter: @AuthorVictoria