TCO Reviewer: Erin

Secret Simon (A Haven Hart Novel) by Davidson King: Blog Tour, Excerpt and New Release Review

June 3, 2021 by Denise

Simon

Being the nephew of one of the most infamous mob bosses in the world isn’t easy. Our family has enemies everywhere, and no one is safe without protection. Here I am at college with a fresh start, a new last name, and secrets hidden from those around me—life is going according to plan. Then one day on campus, I see him…and I want him to strip me bare…in more ways than one.

Rush

Abernathy is more than just the university I attend. It’s my destiny, my namesake. Singing and entertaining are who I am, but my father wants me to major in something more appropriate for the name I carry. I’ve resigned myself to being who my father wants, doing what he wants. Then Simon comes into my life…and turns everything upside down. Now I have a reason to fight for what I want.

Who knew our love story would lead to secrets revealed, murderous plots, and finding our forever buried under so many lies? Hopefully we’ll live long enough to see it.

*Trigger: Violence and mention of suicide

Secret Simon

A Haven Hart Novel

Davidson King

M/M Romance

Release Date: 05.24.21

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Figuring out how to begin my story was the hardest part, but I knew when it was over, there was a good chance Rush would walk out that door and never return. I supposed it didn’t matter how I started—the end would be the same, most likely.

“I’m about to tell you a lot of shit, Rush. You’re not going to like most of it, and I understand you may never want to see me again afterward.” He was about to interrupt, but I held up a finger. “Don’t make a promise you don’t know if you can keep by saying ‘nothing I tell you will change how you feel,’ because that’s bullshit. What I will ask is only one thing. Let me tell the story to the end before you walk out of here.”

“You’re so sure I’ll leave?”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

Rush tightly fisted his hands together on his lap, readying himself, no doubt. “Okay, tell me.”

Simon is all grown up. The kid we met when he was 8, also nicknamed Eight by his father, is now in college. Five hours from home and under a fake name so he isn’t connected at all to his uncle (who raised him and they are like father and son) because, yanno, MOB.

Starting his second year of college, he is immediately drawn to a guy singing karaoke in the common area. A little digging shows where he works. And Simon arranges an accidental meeting. Sparks fly.

But Rush is part of the family who created the college. His father works there and expects his son to as well. Rush was pretty much resigned to his fate until Simon came along. For a kid who lived with expectations, Simon sure knows how to throw them out the window as well.

There was a bit of mob stuff, some of it was a little much for me- a bit convoluted- but still entertaining. And with the mob stuff with get Snow in all his glory and an appearance by Christopher Manos, mob boss, dad and husband.

Having Simon grow up and get his happily ever after was very satisfying. I love that it was part of the Haven Hart world, but not part of the big story arc told over many books. It’s a solid stand alone that is a fun read.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Davidson King, always had a hope that someday her daydreams would become real-life stories. As a child, you would often find her in her own world, thinking up the most insane situations. It may have taken her awhile, but she made her dream come true with her first published work, Snow Falling.

She managed to wrangle herself a husband who matched her crazy and they hatched three wonderful children.

If you were to ask her what gave her the courage to finally publish, she’d tell you it was her amazing family and friends. Support is vital in all things and when you’re afraid of your dreams, it will be your cheering section that will lift you up.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/davidsonkingauthor

Love on the Horizon (New Adventures in Love Book 1) by R.J. Peterson: Blog Tour, Excerpt and New Release Review

June 2, 2021 by Denise

Two years after losing his husband, the last thing widower Rob Asher wants to do is go on a cruise-for-two by himself. But after some practical advice from his best friend, Rob realizes that his husband wouldn’t have wanted him to hide away from the world with only his grief for company. So despite some lingering doubts, Rob packs his bags for his cruise adventure and flies to Barcelona to board the Ocean Wanderer.

Actor Ben Rockingham has just finished a whirlwind promotional tour around Europe and is looking forward to a week long cruise so he can relax and unwind. He’s felt alone for far too long and doesn’t foresee that changing anytime soon. But a chance encounter in a hotel bar has Ben feeling things he hasn’t contemplated for a very long time.

He and Rob hit it off right away and Ben is both intrigued by and attracted to this conflicted man. Is it possible that Rob is the one who’s been missing from Ben’s life all these years, and can Ben help Rob move past his grief so they have a chance at a future together? They have one week aboard the Ocean Wanderer to find out and the stakes are high on the high seas.

Love on the Horizon

R.J. Peterson

Gay Romance

Release Date: 05.04.21

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Ben rolled over and looked at the clock on the nightstand. The alarm on his phone would go off in fifteen minutes. Just enough time to lie there and think about yesterday. Meeting Rob at the bar had been a pleasant surprise. And though Rob recognized him right away, he didn’t act like he was an over-the-top fan who only wanted to chat with Ben for bragging rights later. He just seemed like an all-around nice guy.

Rob was handsome, but there was more to it than just his good looks. Sure, Ben had always found both men and women attractive, but no man had put butterflies in his stomach since Ryan back in college. Until now. Fuck, was there any chance that Rob maybe felt the same way? Yes, he was gay, but his husband died two years ago and he was obviously still in mourning; only natural considering how long they had been together.

What do I know? I haven’t had feelings like this for such a long time—wait, do I have feelings for Rob?

Something is definitely going on here, but I’m not really sure what. Ryan was a great boyfriend, but it was the ‘80s then and we had hidden our feelings from pretty much everyone. We’d known each other for years and just kind of fell into a romance after admitting that we found each other attractive. At the time, there was so much homophobia out there and neither one of us had been ready to be out and proud. Over time, we had drifted apart and then I met Caroline. And while we got along great at the beginning, our relationship had mostly been rocky, if I was being honest. We did have Kyle though, so it hadn’t been all bad.

“Okay,” he said aloud, “I had a short relationship with a guy thirty-plus years ago and then a longer relationship and marriage with a woman a few years after that, and not much of anything since then.” He paused a moment, trying to organize his thoughts. “Both of those relationships had taken a while to develop. I’d never experienced ‘love at first sight’ or ‘lust at first sight’ or whatever the hell this was. Sure, a few dates here and there, but nothing that really felt completely right. For so many years I thought that either I was bi or that Ryan was just a one-time thing.”

But now, after spending just a few hours with Rob, he’s all I can think about.

Ben remembered a movie set he had been on a few years ago. He’d been chatting with one of the crew one day and the guy mentioned that he was ‘demi.’

“Demi? What the hell is that?” Ben had wanted to know.

“Demisexual,” the guy had replied. “I like girls and I like guys, but unless I have an emotional connection to them, I can’t get serious. Casual sex just doesn’t do it for me, but if we connect emotionally, it’s magical.”

That had stuck in the back of Ben’s mind and sometimes he thought that maybe he was demisexual too. He had done a bit of research at one point and it seemed like the emotional connection took a bit of time to develop. That certainly fit in with what he’d experienced before. It had been so long since he felt anything for anyone, he had started to think maybe he was asexual. Now, those emotions were starting to stir again when he thought of Rob. Was this really happening?

Ben’s phone began to chime, so he reached over and shut off the alarm, then got up and began to get ready for the new day.

This is one of those times I really wish the author had betas and/or editors that weren’t friends. I am totally assuming that the beta readers were friends with the author. Because I can see the platitudes. And here I am, trying to word this well.

The books is…nice. The characters are nice. The story is nice. The setting is nice. The writing can use a bit of polish.

Every meal they eat is described. And so much of the book reads like a big ole advertisement for the cruise industry. It was just kind of tedious. Oooh he chose a lemon danish! That rebel! Oh you can get your cruise wristband made into a necklace. Awesome!

I needed MORE. A lot of time is spent with Rob thinking about and talking about his deceased husband. But where’s the rest? He is 58, he was with his husband 20 years, he had been dead for 2. That is still a lot of background that could have added so much interest to the character.

Even Ben, famous actor. He is only recognized like twice and is very gracious about it. And when he talks about his career it is all sunshine and roses. And he rarely talks about it or himself.

And they constantly use each other’s names. The language was just very formal and a bit stuffy.

It was a valiant first effort for a book. Seriously. But some constructive criticism and an honest beta reader or two can go a long way.

2.5 pieces of eye candy

R.J. Peterson is a retired graphic designer.

He is an avid reader, preferably while sipping a vodka martini or some bourbon on the rocks. RJ’s had a long and varied career, including library page, car wash attendant, customer service representative, interpreter for the deaf, travel agent, and graphic designer in the marijuana industry. He also worked in banking for twenty-five years. In addition to starting up a writing career, he still works as a freelance designer, creating book covers and other items for several authors.

RJ loves to travel and has been on 40+ cruises. When not on a cruise, he and his husband live in New England.

Love On The Horizon is his first book.

Where to find RJ

Website: www.rjpeterson.net

Email: rjp@rjpeterson.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/138818084707307

Twitter: @RJPeterson4

Head to Head (Nerds Vs Jocks, Book 3) by Eli Easton & Tara Lain: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, and Giveaway

May 31, 2021 by Denise

If these two don’t kill each other, they might fall in love.

Rand hates Jax because he’s the laid-back, vegan-eating, tree-hugging, total-Zen-until-I-get-a-chance-to-screw-you president of Sigma Mu Tau, the nerdy fraternity that’s the sworn enemy of Rand’s house, Alpha Lambda Alpha. What a phony!

Jax hates Rand for being the privileged, rich-heir-to-an-oil-empire, environment-destroying, soul-sucking president of the ALA jocks—but mostly because Rand hated him first. Rand has sent nothing but hateful vibes his way since the day they met. What a douche!

The enemies have never had a single conversation that didn’t involve shouting—until Jax’s old Buick breaks down on a road trip and Rand plays reluctant rescuer. Jax is forced to sit on Rand’s dead cow seats. Rand learns chickens can enter the living room and that Jax’s beliefs are more than skin-deep. The bitter rivals embark on a quest to save a family member and discover that sometimes animosity is a mask for crazy-hot attraction. With this much face time, head-to-head might become heart-to-heart.

HEAD TO HEAD is an enemies to lovers, forced proximity, opposites attract, searching for his sister, clashing cultures, MM romance—with a whole lot of fracking.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

I’d been so angry after the meetup with the Johnsons that I’d just walked away from my father and fucking Fremont before I said something I couldn’t take back, and I wasn’t ready to hang out with them on a long flight either.

I grabbed for my phone and dialed.

Two rings and my father’s anxious and pissed-off voice said, “Where the hell are you?”

“Go back without me. I’ll come later on commercial.”

“What the fuck, Rand? Don’t be childish. I have a perfectly good jet waiting at the airport.”

“I said I’ll take commercial.”

“Why?”

“You know why, and so does Fremont. Thanks for a happy graduation day, by the way.”

“Dammit, Rand, be fair. Neither Fremont nor I had any way of knowing we were walking up to some alternate boyfriend you never told us about. Yes, Fre told me that you two weren’t engaged, but come on. Couples fight. They break up and get back together. It never occurred to me you wouldn’t even want Fre at your graduation, for craps sake. So I made a gaff? I’ve got a big mouth. Sue me.”

Shit, my head was spinning. Had I overreacted? Everything he said made sense as usual, but my heart hurt and my stomach wanted to lose its contents. “Look, Dad, I just need to think. I’ll be home later tonight or tomorrow, whenever I can get a flight.” I hung up and wiped angrily at my eyes.

“Hi. Are you an SMT?”

I blinked and stared at a kid, maybe seventeen or eighteen, standing at the base of the porch. “No.”

He wrinkled his nose. “Darn. I just love the SMTs. My dad says they’re the very best fraternity with all the smart guys. I really hope they ask me to pledge.”

“You’re a freshman?”

“In the fall. So why aren’t you an SMT? You look like a smart guy.” He grinned and pushed up his glasses. He was SMT material all right. He reminded me of Sean.

“I’m an ALA.”

“Oh.” His eyes widened as he looked across the street. “Aren’t the SMTs and the ALAs enemies?”

I gave him a tight smile. “We used to be. But things kind of changed this year.”

“Darn. I thought all the jokes and pranks sounded like fun.”

“The Dean got tired of them.”

“Oh.” He gave an exaggerated sigh. “So is there anybody inside?”

I shrugged. “There might be, but I didn’t see anyone.”

“I’ll go see.” He walked up the first two steps, then stopped. “So if ALA and SMT are friends now, maybe I’ll see you.”

I shook my head. “I just graduated. I’m headed home.” The words felt like rocks scratching over my throat.

“Oh yeah, that makes sense.” He took another step. “I thought you looked like an adult.” He walked inside as my stomach did a flip. Jesus. Didn’t I wish.

About Eli:

Coming from a background in computer game design, Eli has written over 35 books in m/m romance since 2013. The Mating of Michael (2014) and A Second Harvest (2016) both won The William Neale Award for Best Gay Contemporary Romance, and Eli’s books have won many awards from the Goodreads M/M Romance Group’s Reader’s Choice Awards. She is best known for her Christmas romances, the Howl at the Moon series of rom coms featuring dog shifters, and her Sex in Seattle series, which revolves around a sex clinic in Seattle.

Connect with Eli:
www.elieaston.com
Facebook: Eli Easton
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/164054884188096
Twitter: @elieastonAbout Tara:

Tara Lain believes in happy ever afters – and magic. Same thing. In fact, she says, she doesn’t believe, she knows. Tara shares this passion in her stories that star her unique, charismatic heroes and adventurous heroines. Quarterbacks and cops, werewolves and witches, blue collar or billionaires, Tara’s characters, readers say, love deeply, resolve seemingly insurmountable differences, and ultimately live their lives authentically. After many years living in southern California, Tara, her soulmate honey and her soulmate dog decided they wanted less cars and more trees, prompting a move to Ashland, Oregon where Tara’s creating new stories and loving living in a small town with big culture. Tara loves animals of all kinds (even snakes), diversity, open minds, coconut crunch ice cream from Zoeys, and her readers.

She has around 57 books published or scheduled for publication.

Connect with Tara:
Website: https://taralain.com/
Facebook Reader’s Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/255111391312743
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taralain/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/taralain
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taralainauthor/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/tara-lain

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Snowbody Like You by Ariella Zoelle: Blog Tour, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

May 27, 2021 by Denise

Getting stranded with an attractive stranger in a hotel room with only one bed is something Jude’s dreamed about forever. When he finds himself in that situation for real, can it live up to his expectations?

Jude Moore

I never expected a blizzard to turn one of my daydreams into a reality. The meet-cute gods generously bless me with the perfect costar to act out my favorite scenario about being snowed in at a hotel room with only one bed. Rigby is my ideal fantasy man brought to life: tall, adorable, with a dash of academic nerdiness thrown in to make him absolutely perfect. The best part is that he’s actually real and not just a figment of my imagination.

Is it too soon to ask if he wants his next starring role to be my boyfriend?

Rigby Pasquali

Falling in love with a charming cutie at the airport during a flight delay was not on my to-do list, but a chance encounter with Jude teaches me that the impossible is actually possible. He’s full of endless surprises like that. Once we get back home, my favorite discovery is learning that his creative imagination is as vivid as mine. That’s when things get really exciting as he makes all of my dreams come true.

Jude is made of magic and muchness, so how could I not love him with all my heart?

Snowbody Like You is the first book in the Suite Dreams series and part of the Sunnyside universe. This novel features an instalove, role-playing, height difference, only one bed romance. Full of cute sweetness and sexy fun, every story ends with a satisfying HEA and no cliffhangers. Each book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series in order.

Snowbody Like You was originally featured as a 14k short story in the Winter Wonderland giveaway. It has been expanded into a 61k full-length novel, which means there’s more of Jude and Rigby to love!

Snowbody Like You (Suite Dreams, Book 1)
By Ariella Zoelle

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Chapter 3: Jude Moore

“Remember how I said my mom and sister pray for me to find Mr. Right every time I fly?”

I didn’t blame Rigby for looking confused by my jump in conversation. “Yeah?”

“My sister’s biggest fear is I’ll be unprepared when I finally meet the love of my life.”

He couldn’t hold back a laugh. “That’s her biggest fear?”

“Well, that, and spiders,” I joked. “Lucy takes it upon herself to ensure that never happens.”

“Meaning?”

“Even though I haven’t been with a guy in five years, I have condoms and lube in my bag thanks to her. I can show you her texts about it if you don’t believe me.”

The spark of interest in his blue eyes made my prick perk up at the promise of some horizontal fun together in our near future. “After hearing your stories about Lucy, I totally believe you, but I also kind of want to see her texts.”

More than happy to indulge his curiosity, I took out my phone. I showed him Mom and Lucy’s group chat messages about keeping an eye out for my Hallmark hottie before I pulled up the private texts with just my sister.

Lucy: How could you let your condoms expire unused? What’s wrong with you?

Jude: It’s not like I need them for solo action.

Lucy: The point is using them with someone else, dumbass! I shouldn’t have to explain that to you. It really has been too long if you don’t know that.

Jude: Sorry, I’ve been too busy being single to fuck around. It takes up all my free time.

Lucy: That’s bullshit, and you know it. Please try not to waste the new box I snuck into your bag.

Jude: It’s not sneaking when you announce you’re responsible for it.

Lucy: One day you’ll thank me for making sure you’re prepared for meeting Mr. Right McDreamy.

Jude: You act like we’ll be fucking in an airplane bathroom the minute we meet

Lucy: Would you rather get back to your apartment with him and realize you can’t get laid because you don’t have condoms?

Jude: I’m about to go through security. I look forward to getting this lecture again in a few years when they expire unused.

Rigby laughed hard as he scrolled through our exchange. “Wow, and I thought I was close with my sister. I can only imagine Lucy’s reaction when she finds out you finally put them to good use.”

The confirmation that we were definitely going to fuck gave me a semi. “She’ll gloat about it for the rest of my life, but I can live with that when you’re the reason I’m getting ribbed.”

He snickered. “Did you just make a ribbed condom joke?”

“I sure did.”

Rigby came over to me and helped me stand up from my chair at the table. Our sizable height difference made me extra horny. “Remind me to thank her afterward.”

To my great delight, Rigby leaned down to kiss me. He was tentative, almost like he feared I’d reject him. There wasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell of that.

I tugged on his sweater to pull him closer as I kissed him back with five years of pent-up lust. Moaning against his lush lips, I was already rock-hard and ready to fuck.

His tongue teased mine, making me crave more. I laced my fingers through his hair as I resisted being swept away by our ardent passion.

When we paused for air, we were both breathless and aroused. He was the first to breathe in awe, “Wow.”

“I’d say.” I couldn’t stop grinning. “And here I was afraid it had been so long that maybe I’d forgotten how to kiss.”

His laughter filled me with indescribable levels of joy. “Oh my god, I was worried about the same thing!”

“Want to see if we remember how to get naked?”

Get ready for Book 2
Flawsome Explorations

Coming July 23

Unexpected sparks fly when a shy, straight, nerdy sweetheart meets a flirtatious, sexy, older Frenchman. Is Zio brave enough to take a chance on Armand?

Fabrizio “Zio” Revello

I embrace the philosophy that nobody is perfect by studying the art of imperfection. But then I meet Armand, forcing me to completely reevaluate my world view. From his gorgeous face, teasing sense of humor, and a French accent to die for, everything about him makes me forget one very important detail: I’ve never been attracted to a man until him. I shouldn’t let him tempt me, but the glimpse of the real Armand behind his playful flirtations makes him impossible to resist.

I’ve never been the adventurous type, but Armand makes me want to be brave and daring. Isn’t a lifetime of happiness with a person who understands me worth the risk?

Armand Bellamy

I approach Zio in search of a no-strings-attached evening of fun to kick off my business trip to Hawaii. But I get way more than I bargained for when I discover a shy, nerdy sweetheart who finds beauty in my flaws. He even accepts the hidden parts of my heart that I hide from the world. It makes me want to make him mine—not just for one night but for every night of the rest of our lives.

He says he’s straight, but when have I ever let that stop me from getting what I want?

Flawsome Explorations is the second book in the Suite Dreams series and part of the Sunnyside universe. This novel features a bisexual awakening, shy/flirt, age gap, instalove, opposites attract romance. Full of cute sweetness and sexy fun, every story ends with a satisfying HEA and no cliffhangers. Each book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series in order.

Pre-Order Link

Goodreads

So. Hmm. Well…it was…cute?

I get it, it was a bit of a riff on Hallmark Christmas movies. Strangers in an airport, snow, forced proximity, etc. Cute. But oh my.

There is literally almost zero plot to this book. It is almost ALL sex. And- there is tons of conversation DURING sex. And not even related to the sex. Like, a conversation about something not sex related WHILE THEY ARE HAVING SEX.

And, of course, insta love. Literally saying they love each other after less than 24 hours.

Jude constantly talking about how tall Rigby is and how much he loves it.

Jude’s sister and mother were a bit over the top. Ok, maybe if you have a really close relationship with your sibling you might openly talk about sex as in depth (eek, sorry) as they do. But his mom as well?

Oof, sorry. This one was a pass for me.

2.5 pieces of eye candy

Ariella Zoelle previously published as A.F. Zoelle. She adores steamy, funny, swoony romances where couples are allowed to just be happy. That means she writes low angst stories full of heat, humor, and heart. Her vast knowledge of weird, wild, and wonderful randomness colors her writing, meaning her characters have some pretty strange and entertaining interests.

There are even rumors that she’s a time management wizard who uses her magic powers to create enough free time to turn her massive horde of plot bunnies into sassy M/M romance novels. Her next feat will be turning herself into a full-time author.

For real time updates on her writing progress, please join her Facebook group for exclusive teasers or follow her on Twitter or Instagram. You can also sign up for her newsletter to gain access to bonus chapters, previews of upcoming books, exclusive visual guides, and more.

Connect with Ariella:
Website: https://www.ariellazoelle.com/
Newsletter: https://www.ariellazoelle.com/newsletter
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/amazingafzoelle/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/extraafzoelle
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AriellaZoelle
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariellazoelle/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/ariellazoelle
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ariella-zoelle

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Wicked Outlaw (Ward Security Book 6) by Jocelynn Drake and Rinda Elliott: RB, Excerpt, New Release Review *2

May 26, 2021 by Denise

Cole loves the city. He loves the noise, chaos, and having tacos delivered at 2 a.m.

He loves his job at Ward Security. He might look like a bodyguard, but there’s nothing better than being counted as one of the hacking tech triplets.

There is no way he will ever love horses, cows, and the great wide open of Texas.

At least, that’s what he thinks until JB Alexander rides into his life.

He can’t deny the burning attraction of JB’s easy smile and weird sense of humor.

And while they’re dodging gun shots, crazy neighbors, meddling family, and secret plots, Cole might be forced to admit that he’s found an even greater love.

Wicked Outlaw is the sixth full-length novel in the Ward Security series and is jam packed with crazy neighbors, wild gun shots, a horse named Dopey, llamas, code names, a bisexual awakening, and new beginnings.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

He was about to put on his headphones for some music when Rowe’s red head popped around the doorway. “Cole, I need you in my office.”

Cole set the headphones down and stood. He followed his boss and settled in one of the chairs in front of the desk.

Surprisingly, Rowe’s area was one of the hot spots for the entire building. His large office with the big, comfortable black leather couch tended to become a random crossroads or meeting place. All throughout the day, people popped in and out to ask Rowe questions, bring him updates, or share a joke. And Rowe welcomed every last one of them, regardless of what they did at the company.

They had meetings there often and the cool, blue paint on the walls gave the room a comforting feel. Cole might feel more at home in the tech room, but this was his second-favorite spot at Ward Security. Rowe always greeted him with a smile or a teasing comment like they were old friends.

“How’s the hand?” Rowe asked with a wicked smirk. He dropped behind his desk and relaxed in his large leather desk chair. “You cleaned that man’s clock pretty good.”

“Sore, but fine,” he replied, once again flexing his hand in his lap. “He still in police custody?”

Rowe shook his head. “No, bastard got out. They couldn’t hold him for threats. Which brings me to the problem I brought up last night. Derrick Briggs is a piece of work, with dirty hands in several deep pots, one of which is the local mob.”

Cole’s heart skipped a beat. The mob. Shit. No wonder Gidget had been so hesitant to talk about it. This was definitely worse than he’d imagined. “You think he’s going to come after me?”

“I do. I’d like to put Sven on you for the time being—”

“No,” Cole interrupted. “I don’t need a bodyguard. Look at me.” He tapped both hands on his broad chest. “I’m nearly as big as Sven. I can take care of myself.”

Rowe shook his head, not looking convinced in the least. “Not against a bullet.” He paused and added with a wry grin, “And nobody is as big as Sven.”

“A bodyguard isn’t going to help with a bullet, either.”

“Sven also has years of training. He knows what to look for, and he knows exactly how to handle an armed assailant or assailants.”

Cole glared at his boss for a moment. He didn’t think he’d ever utter these words. Never truly thought about it, but he was feeling cornered. Maybe it was time, considering the line of work he was in. “Then train me.”

Rowe leaned back in his chair, eyeing Cole closely. Cole held his breath. He loved his job behind the computer, working at Ward Security. He’d never had any interest in doing what the bodyguards did.

At last, Rowe shook his head. “Like I said, years of training. We don’t have that kind of time. But I am going to remember this moment.” He pointed at Cole, his smirk returning for a heartbeat. “However, I came up with a different idea. You, laying low for a while. Out of town.”

Cole’s eyes flared open wide. “What? No, that’s not a good idea, either.”

“It’s an excellent idea, and it’s not a suggestion. I’ve already called a friend, JB Alexander, and set everything up.”

Cole vaguely remembered meeting JB a couple of years ago. Thin guy, about six feet tall with blond hair. “Wait, isn’t he from Texas?”

Rowe nodded, the corner of his mouth turning up in a half grin. “On a ranch outside of Austin. It’s the perfect place for you to hole up while I work on getting Derrick Briggs behind bars.”

“You’re saying you want me to go to Texas.” Cole scrubbed a hand over his face, trying to get his brain to process the insanity Rowe was force-feeding him. “Isn’t this a bit of overkill?”

“I don’t think it is.” Rowe leaned forward, placing his forearms on the top of his desk. “Last night wasn’t Briggs’s first encounter with the cops. He’s managed to sneak out of assault charges and more in the past. There are rumors a few guys have disappeared because of him.”

Cole could feel the blood drain from his face to pool nauseatingly in his stomach. A kind of cold clamminess clung to his skin. This was getting worse by the second.

“Not only did you come between him and what he sees as his property, but you made him look like a chump in a very public, very high-brow place. He’s gonna want you dead in the worst way.”

“I see what you mean,” Cole replied in a low, rough voice.

“Good. Then it leaves me with two choices. One is that I put Sven on you and possibly another guy, twenty-four seven. At least until we know this guy won’t come after you.”

But that meant putting friends and coworkers directly in the line of fire to protect his ass. No, that wasn’t an option.

“I still won’t go for that.”

Rowe held up both his empty hands in front of him as if to say Cole was taking the decision out of his hands.

“But Texas?”

Ah Ward Security. A world of code names, explosions and love matches. After pairing off most of the main body guards and one of the techies- it is time for another tech guy- Cole. Although unexpectedly.

To ensure his safety, Ward Security ships Cole off to the ranch owned by Noah’s Army buddy JB. So the city boy from Cincinnati is now on a ranch in the middle of Texas. Don’t worry- there’s wifi.

Cole and JB had immediate chemistry. But Cole is straight. Interesting. And then a near death experience has Cole kissing the hell out of JB.

I loved that Cole, the straight guy, kissed JB first. AND didn’t freak out. I mean, he stepped back to figure things out but he wasn’t a jerk about it. There definitely was some awkward.

The plot of the book was a bit on the weak side. Developer wants JB and two other ranches to sell to him so that he can build a resort. Then different things keep happening on the ranch. Since JB is the holdout on selling, it isn’t too much of a leap to figure it out.

Not really a spoiler, because duh it’s a romance, but Cole does get past his “I’m straight” thing. And then he and JB have a lot of fun together. I liked that after the first kiss, Cole accepted his attraction to JB and JB didn’t really question Cole’s motives. There wasn’t the existential dread of “omg am I GAY?” or “is he just using me to experiment?”

We do get a classic Ward Security mission, complete with code names. But sadly no explosions.

This was a super easy read, fun and sexy.

4 pieces of eye candy

Oh, how I love thee let me count the ways. This is another slam dunk for Ms. Drake and Ms. Elliot. The authors definitely have a way with words. They know how to bring you into the story so you become you obsessed with their men.

I don’t want to give too much away on this review. But what I do you wanna say is there is a lot of Passion and you feel for these characters in the spot they’re in. JB feels like he’s lost everything when he loses Noah. Then along comes Cole.

And he finally understands what he felt for Noah was not what as strong as he thought it was. There’s not as much action in this one as there usually is in Jocelyn and Rinda’s books. But it’s still keeps you on your edge of your seats.

These authors still remain in my top 5 faves.

4 pieces of eye candy

Deliverance: A Second Chance Gay Romance (Darkest Skies) by Garrett Leigh: RB, New Release Review

May 24, 2021 by Denise

Banished gangster Benito Martell is living on the edge. An explosive hook-up in a club gifts him the relief he craves, but nothing about his life is ever so simple. Complications abound, and before long, he’s falling for the only man who can save his family from eviction.

Recovering addict Mickey Larwood has worked hard to leave his past behind. He can’t look back, not even for the beautiful Benito, the last soul on earth he expected to steal his heart—a soul who’s knee-deep in the underworld Mickey has run hundreds of miles to escape.

Benito can deny it all he wants, but Mickey can smell trouble a mile off.

And Benito is trouble with a capital T. As his desperate lies unravel, so does the fledgling love that’s grown between them. If Benito wants deliverance from his old life and a future with Mickey, old ghosts need to die.

If they don’t kill him first.

Deliverance is an angsty standalone MM romance novel, with second chances, found family, friends-to-lovers, and buckets of hurt/comfort themed loveliness. Trigger warnings for addiction and childhood trauma.

Cover Design: Black Jazz Design

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Book #1 – Redemption – Currently only 99c

Book #3 – Salvation – Pre-Order Out September 20

I really loved the first book in this series, Redemption, for a lot of reasons. So I was excited to get my hands on this one. And I really can’t wait for the third!

Dark, gritty, heartbreaking. But these two guys finding each other when they did was just perfection.

The last time we saw Benito he was working for Asa and had shot Dante. Flash forward and Benito is out of the gang, but not without a price. So while trying to go straight, he is still a bit crooked. He has a plan to come up with the money to buy his freedom, but it involved stealing from his former boss. But after the boss threatened Benito’s mother and sister, he is doing what he has to do to keep them safe.

Benito has so many layers that make him who he is. The son who wants to hate his mother but can’t, the brother who wants only the best for his sister, the former gang member who just wants out, the guy still grieving the father he lost years ago and the man who doesn’t have any idea how to be in a relationship.

That brings us to Mickey. A club hookup who wants more of Benito. But Mickey has his own demons- including also being a former gang member. And while Mickey is on the straight and narrow, his past haunts him. Which is why I think he tries so hard at his job to help as many people as he can.

Mickey and Benito together are explosive. They are sooooooo hot together. Even their first encounter they practically fight each other until they are sated. I mean, have ice water handy. Maybe a fan.

We don’t get a ton of background on Mickey. Just that he was formerly in a gang, had to leave his hometown, is a recovering addict and now has a full time job. He has some demons of his own but Benito is still the main focus of the story.

This is angsty, raw and real. I loved it.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Garrett Leigh is an award-winning British writer and book designer.

Garrett’s debut novel, Slide, won Best Bisexual Debut at the 2014 Rainbow Book Awards, and her polyamorous novel, Misfits was a finalist in the 2016 LAMBDA awards.

When not writing, Garrett can generally be found procrastinating on Twitter, cooking up a storm, or sitting on her behind doing as little as possible, all the while shouting at her menagerie of children and animals and attempting to tame her unruly and wonderful FOX.

Garrett is also an award winning cover artist, taking the silver medal at the Benjamin Franklin Book Awards in 2016. She designs for various publishing houses and independent authors at blackjazzdesign.com, and co-owns the specialist stock site moonstockphotography.com with renowned LGBTQA+ photographer Dan Burgess.

Website: http://www.garrettleigh.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garrettleighauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Garrett_Leigh