Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

TCO Reviewer: Erin

The Magnolia Murders (Sawyer and Royce: Matrimony and Mayhem Book 1) by Aimee Nicole Walker: New Release Review

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Everything old is new again in love and murder.

Work together, live together, and play together is the name of the game for Royce Locke and Sawyer Key. But one of those things changes when Chief Mendoza taps Sawyer to lead the newly formed cold case unit. His first task: solve the Magnolia Murders that spanned three decades and suddenly stopped in 2000.

Chaos ensues when a fourth Magnolia Queen contender is murdered during a preliminary round. With the pageant’s one hundredth anniversary looming, the pressure is on to produce results. Royce and Sawyer, along with their new partners, have to team up to solve the Magnolia Murders—old and new.

As the investigation continues, a surprise visitor and an unexpected phone call force the men to face painful things from their pasts. The future Royce and Sawyer dream of is within their grasp, but first, they’ll need to uproot the seeds of discontent they’ve buried deep.

The Magnolia Murders is the first book in the Matrimony and Mayhem trilogy, the second story arc for Royce Locke and Sawyer Key. ** New readers should start with the Zero Hour trilogy before reading Matrimony and Mayhem. ** The Magnolia Murders is a continuation of Royce and Sawyer’s happily ever after as they move into the next phase of their lives—professionally and personally. Though some storylines span the trilogy, this book does not end in a cliffhanger. Heat, humor, heart, and homicide abound. You have been warned. 18+

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

We are back in Savannah with the power couple Locke and Key. We had a break from the guys being the main characters but now they are back, snarkier than ever and still under the control of their cat Bones. Gotta love it.

I admit I am not usually a blurb reader when it is an author I enjoy. So I was a little surprised that the crime fighting duo were taking different paths. Key’s new path starts immediately- he will be heading the newly formed cold case unit and his first assignment is to try to solve three beauty queen murders from 1984, 1996 and 2000. Dubbed the Magnolia Murders, Sawyer is all in.

And then another beauty queen is murdered. The MO is different though. This wasn’t at the finals, other details are different. So before his snark gets rusty, Locke and Key are chasing down leads together again.

They do a good job of trying to keep the cold case and new murder separate as they know they are different murderers. It was a fun whodunit ride. You think it is this person, then that person. The mystery was woven well and I was surprised at the reveal. Looking back at it all though, it made sense. And I love who ultimately helped them figure it all out. Or at least planted the seed to help them figure it all out.

Being that Sawyer and Royce were an established couple I wasn’t expecting so much…schmoopy. It got to be a little much for me but it didn’t detract from the overall storyline at all. Honestly, I will put up with all the schmoopy to read about their interactions with Sir Bonesington.

There were some nice cameos in there, Royce’s family, Felix, Sawyer’s old partner (is that really going the way it looks like it is going?) and the chief’s wife- baker of the perfect bear claw.

There was a lot set up for future books that I look forward to.

4 pieces of eye candy

Code Blue by N.R. Walker: New Release Review

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Steve Frost had dreams of wearing the national championship belt in mixed martial arts, maybe even going pro, but instead, finds himself working as a security guard for the rich and famous in LA.

Quickly earning a reputation for his blunt and precise people management skills, he lands a position on the security team for an up-and-coming boyband, Atrous. Years later, he’s head of security. He knows these boys, and with countless tours, flights, car trips, public events, concerts, he’s closer to one band member in particular.

Jeremy’s been a pillar for Atrous since day one, but even more so these last few months. Now the face of the band more than ever, he’s also got himself the attention of a delusional stalker-fan.

When the fame and stress become too much, when Jeremy’s health takes a hit, Steve becomes Jeremy’s lifeline. But as Jeremy knows already, and as Steve is about to learn, not even the brightest star can shine forever.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

I was eagerly awaiting this book! After reading Code Red- which focuses on a band of 5 male members- I knew I wanted more after Maddox got his HEA. But Maddox was the only member who identified as gay. The other four identified as straight. And while a lot of readers seemed to really want a Blake and Luke (BLUKE!) story, instead we get Jeremy. Which is fine with me. “Bluke” would have been an easy way out, if that makes sense. With Jeremy we get his struggle with identity as well as a stalker and a medical problem. All with Steve, the head of security, living with him and making him struggle with said identity.

Something else I really liked about this book is that it is after book 1, but several years have passed. So other relationships have formed, the band has continued on, etc.

This is definitely a slow burn, but it is SOOOOO worth it. Steve is gay, but not out. Not necessarily in the closet but he works so much he wouldn’t have time for a relationship anyway so why bother? Steve started crushing on Jeremy in the first book at least so we have a few years of unrequited feels right there.

Jeremy gets mad at himself- and Steve- for the feelings he is developing because he is straight. He finds no other men sexually attractive. But he also hasn’t hooked up with a woman in a while. BECAUSE OF STEVE. It was kind of cute when he got pouty about the feelings he didn’t understand.

Add a stalker into the mix and some sketchy health issues and Jeremy’s life is kind of fubar. The stalker story line turned out to be pretty interesting at the end when it was all connected and tied up. At one point I was thinking, meh, that’s it? Silly me.

We get plenty of the guys together as well. They are truly a brotherhood of men who love each other fiercely. The book takes place after an 8 week world tour so at least they are home and generally in one place.

Couple other things: Steve-sexual cracked me up. Roscoe and Maddox are still swoony. Why is it so sexy when a main character plays the piano in the middle of the night and the other watches him in secret? Sigh

Honestly, this book is the perfect ending to Atrous. There’s no drawn out thing of maybe this one will be gay or bi, etc. There was closure, the guys were happy and the epilogue was absolutely EPIC.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Finding Finn (Forever Love Book 2) by Charlie Novak: New Release Review

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What happens when a quiet boy with a secret falls for his best friend?

Finn has always kept people at arm’s length. Being quiet and shy doesn’t get you many friends outside your family, and it’s even harder when you’re running a spicy, secret side project.

But Gem might be the exception to the rule. The game designer is clever, self-deprecating, and appreciates Finn’s affection for all things nerdy. He’s the one man who can find the real Finn… if Finn lets him in.

When Gem asks for Finn’s help opening a new board game store, it brings the two of them closer than ever before. Soon things become complicated as lines of friendship blur between them, and Finn begins to worry Gem will find out his secret.

But maybe that wouldn’t be as bad as it seems. Maybe Gem already knows the secret Finn’s keeping. All he has to do is convince Finn to share…

Finding Finn is a 78,000-word contemporary MM romance featuring late-night shop shenanigans, far too many nosy siblings with no boundaries, two best friends, and some steamy audio fantasies. It contains no love-triangle, no cheating, and no angst.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

From the first time we met Lewis and his mixed family of crazy love, I couldn’t wait for more. And it helps that they all identify somewhere on the rainbow except for Richard. But he provides plenty of comic relief when he tussles with his brothers.

Book 1 of this series was another brother, Eli and aforementioned Richard’s best friend. That was fun.

This is book 2. Finn, by far the quietest and most unassuming of them all. I also think he is the youngest, so all of the other siblings dote on him. And even though he is quiet in real life, he works as a book narrator. Apparently a good one as he is always in demand. In previous books he tends to be the brother just watching the goings on, never really getting involved. I think a lot of big families have a member like him.

Finn is crushing on his best friend, but his best friend always seems to be seeing someone. Until he isn’t. I will say that whole break up was pretty lame in the context of the book. We never saw Gem and Jesse as a couple here, so their break up didn’t hold much weight. But it is what it is.

Gem works at Jacob’s book store (previous book and series, definitely recommend) and has dreams of being a board game designer. That is refreshing as it is old school board games and RPGs, not video games. But at 38 he feels like a failure because he hasn’t been successful in selling any of his games.

And then a storefront just down from the bookstore becomes vacant and his friends convince him to open a games store. A lot of the book is Gem, and by default Finn, going through the red tape, etc to start a small business. But he and Finn are spending a lot of time together and Finn’s crush might just be reciprocated.

The play the “oh it isn’t serious, just having some fun” thing that happens way too often because neither one wants to admit to their true feelings. But…each man is exactly what the other needs. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge, no spoilers, sorry.

It was sweet, cute, very VERY hot at times and I loved that it kind of full circled back to the Roll For Love series.

And the epilogue was PERFECT!!!! I adore a good epilogue and this one was *chef’s kiss*.

Here’s my obligatory, yes it can be read as a stand alone but seriously go back and read the 3 books of the Roll For Love series and then Always Eli, book one of this series.

I am giving it 4 pieces of eye candy because I really liked what Finn had going on. If it wasn’t for that I would knock it down half a piece simply because of the friends without strings blah blah that is kind of tired. It is still a well written book and I enjoyed it.

4 pieces of eye candy

Luke: Learning to Love #3 by Con Riley: RB, Release Day Review and Giveaway

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Can Luke learn to love the man who left him?

Headmaster Luke Lawson is committed to saving his boarding school before a cash crisis sinks it. He’ll do anything to keep it afloat, even if that means accepting help from the man who broke his heart at uni.

Nathan’s offer to teach for free could be a blessing as long as Luke can harden his bruised heart. That’s tough when they’ll need to share living quarters and have a history of hook-ups. But Luke knows being compatible in bed isn’t enough to build trust. It can’t be when Nathan has always left him before morning.

This time around, it feels different. Nathan’s work overseas has changed him. Touched him. Opened a locked chamber in his heart that Luke is beginning to think must have been bruised in the past too.

As pressure mounts, can Luke trust that Nathan’s committed this time—not only to his school but to a shared future with him long term?

♥ Featuring a second chance at first love in close proximity, Luke is the third standalone novel in the Learning to Love series. Set in England’s glorious county of Cornwall, each book has a fulfilling happily ever after. ♥

CW: Non-explicit mentions of childhood anxieties.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Book #1 – Charles

Book #2 – Sol

Book #4 – Austin (Out June 23)

Oh how I have been waiting for Luke to get his happily ever after! Always so stoic, worried about the school and the students. He sacrificed everything he could for that school and those kids. He always seemed so grumpy in the previous books, but it was really the weight of everything he took on.

We finally get Luke’s background story when it is his turn to speak about career paths. What led him to that path was his background. The author is just so good with sucking us in to the pain and trauma without really telling us EXACTLY what caused the pain and trauma. I mean, from previous books we know what happened with Sol’s nephew and we learn about another student. But it is never explicit. It certainly doesn’t mean you aren’t going to feel it.

With all of this, Luke is trying to make something real with Nathan. The college friend/roommate/friends with benefits he has had for years. Nathan works with Syrian refugees normally so it isn’t like he is in England often. But Luke decided he was worth more than being a port in a storm. And Nathan agrees.

And of course he is still trying to save the school, especially since they sent an accountant to look over everything and he isn’t very positive about the outlook.

Luke and Nathan learn more and more about each other. Showing that their previous relationship wasn’t deep at all. But they both held back. Each for their own reasons.

Let me tell you this book hit me in the FEELS and made me cry more than once. I love a book that can make me feel so deeply, to think about the characters even after I’ve closed the book for the night and desperate for my 9pm reading time the next night.

This can be a stand alone, but really you need to read the first two. They are excellent as well, but Luke is my favorite.

4.5 pieces of candy

CON RILEY lives on the wild and wonderful Welsh coast, with her head in the clouds and her feet in the ocean. 

Injury curtailed her enjoyment of outdoor pursuits, so writing fiction now fills her free time. Love, loss, and redemption shape her romance stories, and her characters are flawed in ways that make them live and breathe. 

When not people-watching or reading, she spends time staring at the sea from her kitchen window. If you see her, don’t disturb her — she’s probably thinking up new plots.

FACEBOOK GROUP: facebook.com/groups/458421868222590

TWITTER: twitter.com/con_riley

INSTA: instagram.com/con_riley

BOOKBUB: bookbub.com/authors/con-riley

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: amazon.com/Con-Riley/e/B00F8GT35Oa Rafflecopter giveaway

Sink or Swim (Shore Leave Book 2) by Annabeth Albert: Release Day Reviews

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Winning and losing are subject to sexy interpretation…

Navy chief Calder Euler loves to win big. His latest score? A remote mountain cabin. Checking it out is supposed to be a quick trip, but Calder’s luck abruptly turns when a freak injury and a freakier snowstorm leave him stranded.

Oh, and the cabin isn’t empty. A silver fox caring for two young girls claims that the property is his, but Calder’s paperwork says otherwise.

Felix Sigurd is on a losing streak, and his ex-husband risking the cabin in a reckless bet is only the latest in a series of misfortunes. He’ll tolerate the handsome stranger for a couple nights–even care for his injuries—but that’s it.

Calder doesn’t know a damn thing about kids, but making pancakes for Felix’s girls is a surprising delight. Trapped in the cabin, the four of them slip easily into the rhythms of a family. But when the ice melts, they’ll have to decide if a future together is in the cards.

Amazon

Carina Press/Harlequin

This book is exactly what I needed. Sweet, low angst, funny kids, two guys navigating whatever it is their relationship is, etc.

Calder and Felix are both of the “no thanks” camp on relationships. Felix is fairly newly divorced and is now raising his two nieces so his focus is elsewhere and Calder just never really believed in happily ever after.

But a mishap leaves them stranded in a cabin because of snow. Calder seems to get right into the groove of dealing with the girls, etc. He comes from a big family so it makes sense, even though he doesn’t think so. And who wouldn’t be enchanted by those 2 girls? I loved them from the start.

It is utterly adorable that Calder makes flimsy excuses for he and Felix to see each other again once they are back home. And it isn’t even for hooking up per se because they do way more kissing and cuddling than anything else. Which I really kind of loved. It wasn’t a sex driven romance at all.

Felix has to realize that he has room in his life for a partner and Calder does everything he can to prove that. I definitely think Calder worked a lot harder at establishing a relationship than Felix did, but he was a bit salty still from his divorce that happened because his husband had no intentions of being a parent.

Even though I really appreciated that it was low angst, the girls didn’t seem very affected by the fact that their mother died and Uncle Felix’s husband left. There as a comment or two, but nothing like that you normally see with similar situations.

So yes, I did love it even though I wanted the girls to express a bit of their trauma and I wanted Felix to try a little harder and not be a martyr.

4 pieces of eye candy

Having really enjoyed book 1 in this new military series by Annabeth Albert, I was super ready for Calder’s book. (If you haven’t read book 1, Sailor Proof, I highly recommend. They are both stand alone, but you get a good little peek into what is ahead for Calder, as well.) This book did not disappoint.

It was super sweet, but with such a different feel than what I would have gone in expecting for Calder, given what we knew of his personality. He’s all about the win, coming out on top, etc. Yet, he is not only a big softie, but also not out for the quick score. He wasn’t all about jumping into bed with Felix. Yes, there was sex, but it felt more like just a gradual step, not a big leap, and it worked for them both. It provided such a deep layer for Calder, one I certainly didn’t expect. It was a different approach, and really allowed Calder to grow into the person he was, but didn’t realize.

In fact, based on other tropes, there might have even been the expectation that Felix would have done the chasing, and Calder didn’t want to jump into a relationship. In reality, both of them realized they didn’t want a relationship, until Calder finally realized, yes I do, and wanted to get Felix on the same page. No small feat.

Felix had every reason in the world to be gun shy, and apprehensive of not just another relationship (what a d-bag his ex-husband was!!!), but one that could mean his nieces might have their hearts broken. Giving any sort of dating a chance was not what he was expecting, but one date, one night, one meal, one text at a time, Calder made Felix see that they had something worth continuing to work on.

Such a sweet, fresh approach, showing a lot of depth of character in the MC’s, and it was just a feel good book.

4 pieces of eye candy

The Right To Remain by L.A. Witt: New Release Review

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Levi Harris has never had a reason to stay on the straight and narrow. Nothing he does is ever good enough for his family, his teachers, his bosses, his drill instructors. He can’t do anything right, so why bother trying?

Then he gets caught breaking and entering, and now he’s bound for prison. Or is he?

Austin Caldwell isn’t thrilled about being burglarized, but when he finds himself face to face with the intruder, he sees himself in those terrified eyes. He knows more than most how much prison chews people up and spits them out. Maybe, just maybe, he can save Levi from that fate.

It starts as an arrangement for Levi to work off his debt to Austin. As trust grows between them, so does an undeniable attraction. Especially as Austin begins to see untapped desires in Levi, and he begins to unlock a whole new world of sensuality for his submissive protégé.

Levi’s in heaven. He’s finally wanted. He finally belongs. For the first time in his life, he has something to lose. All he has to do is stay out of trouble.

And hope trouble doesn’t find him.

The Right to Remain is a 150,000+ word standalone contemporary gay romance with a guaranteed happy ending.

CW: criminal activity, brief mentions of past death of a child, brief mention of past suicide, incarceration.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

This story has a lot. Age gap, kink 101, the evils of HOAs (no, seriously), the immense need for prison reform and a couple of emotionally manipulative pets.

Levi and Austin are more alike than they are different despite outward appearances. Austin owns a home, has pets, a good job, but he has pretty much no family except for a daughter he gave up for adoption but he luckily has a relationship with. Levi has a family, but whatever he does isn’t good enough so he stopped trying a long time ago. He has a crappy job, a crappy car and a crappy apartment he shares with 2 other guys. So to make a little cash on the side, he breaks into houses to steal what he can carry and sell. Until he finally gets caught. By Austin. In his leather room.

Austin starts off with altruistic intentions of helping Levi stop stealing, but there is chemistry there. Levi doesn’t really know what to do with it because he hasn’t really had relationships. Austin can’t stop thinking about Levi in the leather room. A little curiosity finally gets the conversation going.

Levi has NO idea about kink really. Except that it is a thing. Austin takes the time to explain everything to him as best as he can. What I really liked about this part of the story is that it is explained so, so well without feeling like a lesson in kink. He never makes Levi, or us, feel dumb or silly. And while it is explored why Levi might have the kink he does, Austin never gives a reason for being a dominant. Which just says that some people have reasons for their kink and some don’t and both are perfectly valid.

A lot of time is spent on talking about prison reform, why recidivism happens so often, how ridiculously hard it is for people to get ahead at all when they are released, etc. It was also another lesson for Levi. Go to prison once, you will probably end up back there. And if you don’t, you will probably struggle no matter how hard you try and it will follow you forever. I wish more judgmental people would understand all of this instead of just labeling people as bad or whatever.

There are quite a few lighthearted moments as well. Austin dealing with his “Karen” of an HOA president. his dogs and cat, them just hanging out together, getting to know each other, etc.

Levi’s parents will make you want to scream. They just cannot accept anything less than the best. Because of that, Levi gave up long ago. But they still berate him every chance they get, including belittling him and accusing him of breaking into their house. I really wish he or one of his brothers finally snapped and yelled at them. Oh well, can’t have everything.

This book is LONG. There’s definitely some repetition and I didn’t really expect something to happen toward the end, but looking back on it, it really did need to happen. (Don’t you love spoiler free reviews?) Austin and Levi are great together. The love and tenderness Austin has for Levi is so sweet. Seeing Levi learn to accept that love and tenderness is swoony.

Make sure your kindle battery is charged before you jump in. You will love these guys.

4 pieces of eye candy