Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

TCO Reviewer: Erin

Moved By You by Ann Lister: Release Day Review and Giveaway

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Vance feels trapped. He never cared about his family’s wealth and prestige, but he finds himself pinned in place by the weight of his father’s expectations. Vance would much rather sweat in his studio creating metal sculptures with his blow torch than take any kind of position at the family firm. When pressure from his father mounts, Vance is torn between going with the flow or making waves. But everything changes when Vance hits a bike messenger with his car.

Kyle has drifted through his life with a massive chip on his shoulder against the privilege that’s always been just out of reach. His job as a bike messenger doesn’t help. He’s stuck delivering packages to the very elites he loathes. When Vance crashes into Kyle, they’re suddenly thrust onto different paths than they ever expected. But can they take this new path together, or will egos and societal privilege create too many obstacles to overcome?

Moved By You is a 67,000 word MM novel with an enemies to lovers theme, and a HEA.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

 

I am normally a fan of Ann Lister. But this story was a disappointment for me.

What should have been an opposites attract kind of love story was, in fact, 2 guys bickering all of the time, misunderstanding each other, making assumptions, walking out, etc etc etc.

Their first encounter was expected. Hot office guy oogling the bike messenger. The second encounter- when hot office guy hits the bike messenger, literally, was a bit jarring. The bike messenger was just. so. mad.

Then he flips and he is nice. But wait, now it is time for the other guy to be a jerk.

Back and forth they go until Kyle, the messenger. gets devastating news and then ALL OF A SUDDEN Vance, hot office guy, is there acting like the best boyfriend in the world. When they could barely hold a conversation without sniping at each other.

So there’s this huge conflict before they are even a couple that they have to navigate. Which they don’t do well. So they stomp off again.

But then totally convoluted and rushed ending toward a HEA.

The time lines were messed up, the verbiage was off putting (a blue collar guy isn’t going to say things like “The moment I arrived at your door…”), conflicts resolved quickly, characters we never met playing a huge roll…. it was just a bit of a mess for me.

2.5 Pieces of Eye Candy

Ann Lister is a native New Englander currently living on the island of Martha’s Vineyard with her husband. She has pulled details from her years living in the New England area and uses many local settings and landmarks in her novels. After graduating art school, marrying, and raising two daughters, she established her own video production company. Her nearly two decades working in video production included work within the music industry and won her a coveted Telly Award.

Her ‘behind-the-scenes’ exposure to the music world and her love of rock music is the inspiration for her erotic rock star romances. Her rock star romance, “Fall For Me”, Book One in The Rock Gods series, was a Finalist in the 2013 Rainbow Award and Book Three, Make You Mine, established her as an Amazon #1 Bestselling Author. Each book in The Rock Gods series brings her two favorite elements together: musicians and the love between two men.

Her stories focus on what it truly means to love; love unconditionally, love without restrictions or labels, love without fear or judgment – to just simply love.

Website |Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon 


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Redeem (Under My Skin Book 4) by Christina Lee: New Release Review

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Successful financial analyst Michael Walsh leads a picture-perfect life that anyone would envy—unless they caught a glimpse beneath the surface. Haunted by failed relationships and self-doubt, Michael harbors a soul-deep loneliness that no number of casual hookups can fulfill. So why can’t he stop thinking about his New Year’s fling with a man whose quiet desperation matched his own?

Barista Stewart Jenkins has an abysmal track record with relationships, and no matter how hard he tries to keep things tightly under wraps, his life is spinning out of control. His hookup with the gorgeous Michael was only supposed to be sex—hot, dirty, uncomplicated—but that small taste leaves him yearning for more.

Every no-strings encounter that follows between Michael and Stewart peels away more layers, blurring the lines, until they’re left with a raw tenderness and acceptance they both crave. A relationship seems out of the question—they come from drastically different lives and are plagued by inexcusable sins. Being vulnerable is sure to reveal old wounds, and forgiveness seems out of reach, unless they can find a way around their fears on the road to redemption.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

If you read the previous 3 books in the series- well, just books 2 and 3- you know Michael and Stewart. And you hate them. They are assholes and we wished them flesh eating bacteria starting on their asses.

And then Christina Lee made us like them. Dammit.

What was a bonus scene (and not an excerpt from an upcoming book) was in fact, the opening scene in book 4. Michael and Stewart both proverbially licking their wounds on New Year’s Eve and having a hot hook up in the bar’s bathroom.

And then these bastards worm into our hearts. Gah!

We find out way more about Michael and Stewart and what makes them tick. What makes them they way they are. And after both of them lost great men because of their douchebaggery, they realize that maybe they should do a bit of self reflection.

It is slow going, but these guys grow on you more and more. And as they are growing on you, they are growing on each other. Not that they will ever admit it, but still. The whole no strings thing is oh so convenient to men who are afraid.

It isn’t easy to redeem (see what I did there) characters that you previously wanted to punch in the throat, but Christina Lee did it. And she gave us a sweet, sexy romance of two guys who really needed each other.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

Broken by Colette Davison: RDB, Excerpt and Release Day Review

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Rule #1: Keep running.

Jag’s rules have kept him safe and free since he escaped conversion therapy, but that was before he walked into Heaven and Hell. A no-strings fling with the club owner, Michael, turns into so much more as Jag finds himself breaking one rule after another.

Michael hasn’t been able to commit to anyone since his partner died, until Jag walks into his club. Falling in lust with the elfin young dancer is easy, and his heart is quick to follow.

Michael gives Jag a reason to stay, but fear rules Jag’s heart more than love. Despite his deepening feelings for Michael, Jag knows he can’t stay. Can he?

**Contains adult themes, content, and language.**

Book Title: Broken

Author: Colette Davison

Cover Artist: Colette Davison

Genre/s: MM Contemporary Romance

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

 

“I need to say a few things,” Michael said, pausing as he felt Jag stiffen. “I need to be honest with you.”

“No.” Jag’s hand pressed against Michael’s mouth, no doubt transferring silver smudges to his lips. “I’m happy with the lie you told me last night.”

Well, at least Michael knew he definitely hadn’t fooled Jag. Gently, he moved Jag’s hand away from his mouth. His hand became coated in a sparkling silver sheen.

“I’m not.”

Jag clenched his teeth.

“I care about you,” Michael said. “And I can’t pretend otherwise.”

“You don’t know me,” Jag hissed.

“Don’t I?”

Jag became even more rigid, his muscles so hard beneath Michael’s fingers he felt like a statue as well as looking like one.

“I don’t have to know about your past to know who you are now.”

I went all in on this book because I love angst. But, this was kind of meh.

The whole premise is that Jag is running from his family because they had him in conversion therapy as a teen. BUT HE IS NOW A GROWN ASS MAN. What is he still running from? Ugh

Michael hires Jag and gives him a place to live with no proper id, no real name and no references at all. Mmmmkay. And even though his partner died years ago, he hasn’t been able to move on. Until Jag. Now all of a sudden he is hot to trot. And he seemed to kind of be a stage mother. Dressing Jag up for the stage in paint and wings. It was just odd.

I didn’t get any chemistry at all between the two men. And it seems the only big trauma for Jag going through conversion therapy is that he can’t watch gay porn. But he is totally fine having sex with strangers.

Big disappointment that left a lot to be desired.

2.5 pieces of eye candy

Colette’s personal love story began at university, where she met her future husband. An evening of flirting, in the shadow of Lancaster castle, eventually led to a fairy tale wedding. She’s enjoying her own ‘happy ever after’ in the north of England with her husband, two beautiful children and her writing.

 

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Halo (Fallen Angel Book 1) by Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine: New Release Review

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Massive world tours. Over a hundred million albums sold. Groupies galore.
Every day is a party for Viper and the guys of TBD, the biggest rock band in the world. But it all comes to a screeching halt when the lead singer walks out of the studio one day and never comes back.

Ear-blistering vocals. Butchered lyrics. Fame chasers.
After months of lackluster auditions, Viper, the lead guitarist and resident bad boy of the group, is ready to find solace in the bottom of a bottle. Time’s running out and the pressure’s on to find a new singer, but it isn’t until an angel walks through the door that the band’s prayers are answered.

Charismatic. Talented. Magic behind the mic. Halo is everything they’ve been looking for.
With a voice to match his stunning good looks, it isn’t long before Viper’s taking notice. But there are several reasons this is a bad idea:

1.Interpersonal relationships in the band are discouraged
2.Viper has already broken rule #1—big mistake
3.Halo is straight

Too bad Viper’s body isn’t listening to his head—at least not the one on his shoulders. But you can’t fake chemistry, not onstage and certainly not off it, and Viper and Halo? They have it in spades.

As both men try to resist the fire blazing between them, and the band is forced to reinvent themselves, it’ll be a complicated rise back to the top. But from the ashes of what was, something beautiful is born. Something better. And when the world finally sees Halo stretch his wings, they’ll discover what it’s like to fall for an angel.

BOOK ONE OF THE FALLEN ANGEL SERIES
A ROCK ROMANCE

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Ok. I am a fan of both authors. And I particularly like when they co-author. And this book was fun as hell. And sexy. And a little bit sweet. And super hot. But if you are fans and have read their books before- Viper is the new Logan and Halo is the new Tate. There were A LOT of similarities.

Did I still totally enjoy this book? HELL YES I DID!

I love rock star books. They are just fun. A glimpse behind the scenes. This glimpse being the band, TBD, looking for a new lead singer after their original one walked out with no explanation. There is quite a bit of back story there that we didn’t get and I can only assume we will hear about in the coming books.

Halo, yes apparently that is his real name, auditions and blows the band away. Viper, lead guitarist, is immediately drawn to him. But he is straight.

After their big comeback show is a flop, the band regroups. Viper flirts HARD with Halo, Halo shows off that he is a musical prodigy, and they discover a new sound for themselves.

I didn’t really understand the comeback show flopping because the lead singer took off 7 or 8 months ago. That had to have been common knowledge. I mean, it is the age of social media. In fact, you’d think there would have been a social media blitz to introduce Halo. These little things bug me. Luckily, most of these little things happened at the beginning and I was able to move on. Mostly.

This book is a slow burn. There’s a lot of flirting by Viper. Quite a bit of soul searching by Halo. But for a gay for you book, slow burn in necessary. Keep us turning the pages waiting for the magic to happen.

I really liked that because of the lead singer change that the group went with a whole new sound and band name. Too easily could Halo have just slipped into a role.

The other band mates are fun and play good supporting roles. Two straight, one gay. They don’t seem to harbor as much vitriol for the missing lead singer as Viper does. Which is another big clue that there is way more to that story than we know yet.

So yes, I drew a lot of parallels between this book and Try. But I also really enjoyed reading it and want book two. Because I need answers!

4 Pieces of Eye Candy 

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

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

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

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

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Cronin’s Key I

Cronin’s Key II

Cronin’s Key III

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

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

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

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

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

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

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

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

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

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

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

4 pieces of eye candy

Grounded by Teodora Kostova: New Release Review

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A chance encounter.
A passionate night.
An intense connection.

When medical student Shane Sanford and RAF pilot Greg Becker meet the air between them sizzles with mutual attraction. There’s nothing holding them back as they give in to their desire. But once their paths lead them into a different direction, neither of them can forget the intense connection they’d shared.
When fate brings them together again a year later, they have a choice to make: try and make a long-distance relationship work or let this be a one-night stand again.With war, tragedy and fear standing in their way, can Shane and Greg overcome the challenges life keeps throwing their way?
Is their bond strong enough to survive?
Is love enough?

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

It’s been a while since Cookies (the precursor to Grounded) came out. Like almost 3 years a while. I had been waiting and it did not disappoint.

There are tons of military books out there. I don’t know if I have missed them or what, but it seems most are US military. This is set in England with Greg being an RAF pilot. He meets Shane at a bar and then again by chance a few weeks later.

What was so different about this book was that we witness this couple go through deployment and visits home, etc. So we get the highs of them reuniting and the lows of the separations. And with those, all of the emotions and feelings that go with them.

We also see the effects of PTSD while someone was still in the situation causing PTSD. War is destroying Greg. Following orders to bomb various places without regard to civilian casualties. His everyday job is giving him PTSD and he has to continue doing his job.

And even though this is the follow up to Cookies, there are parts that happened before, during and after Cookies took place. Again, it was different. And I like wandering from the beaten path.

All of these things together kept me really engaged with the story and the characters. The only thing I was missing was real closure with Greg and his parents.

Excellent book, you don’t have to read Cookies before this but you will want to because it is so good as well.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

* Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review – nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. *