Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

TCO Reviewer: Jennifer

Ben’s Rainbow (Rainbow Key Book 3) by Victoria Sue: Quick Review

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Benedict Keeler was one of America’s most popular models. Hot body, hot career, and super-hot boyfriend, until a devastating house fire destroyed his face and his dreams. After being told all his life that a pretty face is the measure of his worth, he can’t face another rejection and runs from his lover, eventually hiding out on Rainbow Key.

Zachary Jones, a highly sought after photographer—even if he would rather shoot the homeless in Manhattan than a fashion spread—is now facing the real possibility that a genetic disease will render him blind and his days behind a camera may be over.

Two devastated men, one haunted by his past and one convinced he has no future. Will they both hide from the world, or will they give love, and each other, a second chance?

 

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Ben, Ben, Ben….I was most excited for his story….what a big ol’ bag of emotional messes I was with this book!

This one was a little different than the other two, Ben has been on the island for a while, making a home there to hide out after a horrific housefire left him horrible scarred and no longer able to model. Coming from a broken and slummy home with an alcoholic mother who treated him terribly, I could understand his need at a young age to have money and a reputation, so that he never had to endure the things he had to while living with his mom. Unfortunately, his relationship with Zach suffered for it.

Zach was a photographer who didn’t do designer shoots normally, was doing a favor for a friend and that’s where he met Ben. He was captivated by him from the beginning…. Of course, after getting cliff notes from their early relationship, before Ben left him…. We get to see a side of Ben that I didn’t like very much. He was selfish… so extremely selfish, and I hated the way he treated Zach… not bad, really, he just took him for granted and didn’t make him a priority when he should’ve. Zach was on the back burner and it wasn’t until he lost him that he realized how badly he’d messed up.

What he didn’t realize though, was that Zach had never given up looking for him; he never stopped loving him, so when he goes to Rainbow Keys to relax and take it easy after an eye surgery and becoming almost completely blinded… he was so shocked to run into Ben. I knew that Ben couldn’t stay hidden and I was glad for it. I was glad the author didn’t make us watch him hide and wait for when they’d run into each other. Once he saw Zach, he couldn’t stay away, and it was like no time had passed between them at all.

They needed to work on trusting each other and had a lot to talk about, but, they were determined this time around. I think being away from each other really cemented their need to be together. The only thing I kept waiting for, was Zach’s brother Seth to cause problems. He was more than a little overbearing and meddlesome and I didn’t like him at all. He rubbed me the wrong way and I never got over it…..even if he did make up for it at the end.

Another thing I can’t stand in this series, is why do the bad guys get away with being bad guys? Did the reporter ever get in trouble? Did May-bell’s daughter ever get her teeth knocked in? Like, what happened with them? I hate that they caused so much trouble and had no repercussions. I HATE when that happens… It leaves me feeling like something was unfinished, because I needed them to get their karmic justice. Bad people should pay for what they do, and neither one of those two did….. just blah.

What I loved though, was Beth and Chris, and the ending with Beth, Josh and Daniel. I was so hoping for that, and it was so much sweeter when we got it. I love Matt, and I sincerely hope he’s next book, and I hope I don’t have to wait long to get it. I have a feeling that he’s going to be my favorite! I’m looking forward to the new guy and his sister with Downs…. And what about Joe? What happened to him? I was hoping he was for Matt.

This is just such a great series and all three books had me hooked from the first few pages. I’m really looking forward to more! What a sweet ending so far though..

4 pieces of eye candy from me <3

Charlie’s Rainbow (Rainbow Key Book 2) by Victoria Sue: Quick Review

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Eventually being diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder as a child, difficult didn’t even begin to describe the nightmare of Charlie’s life. Escaping the drug-induced limbo he existed in and running from his alcoholic mother and despotic grandfather, he finally finds some peace and a home on Rainbow Key.

Noah is also running, even if he doesn’t realize it, and the guilt he feels over his brother’s suicide chases him no matter where he goes. When he meets and falls for Charlie, he finally thinks he might have the chance to make a home and a future with the adorable man, except he doesn’t realize that the secret that Charlie is hiding is the one thing that he fears the most.

And not even a chance of mending their future can heal the scars of Charlie’s past.

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Sigh…. I think maybe I loved this one more than the first one….and hey there, hot cover!!!

In this one, we have Charlie, who we got to know in the first book of this series. He has trouble with touch, tactile sensitivity, and in a lot of cases, being touched even causes them physical pain. I couldn’t even imagine that, especially as a child, or having a child with such a …. I don’t want to say disability, but, it kind of is. My heart broke for Charlie, because living with this was brutal; with an alcoholic mother who didn’t know how to live with him and selfishly made it all about her, and a grandfather who tried to toughen him up by forcing it on him. I didn’t begrudge him for a second. He was a survivor, and I loved reading his story.

Noah gets left at the altar and was set to go on his honeymoon to the resort that we got to know and love last book. Unfortunately, Joshua was away with Daniel, so it left Charlie in charge of getting him set up and comfortable. It didn’t well in the beginning, but something about Charlie kept Noah wanting to be around him. Plus, being alone on your honeymoon….probably not a lot of fun.

However, it didn’t take Noah to realize that not going ahead with the wedding was a blessing in disguise. I was mad at the ex at first, but only for the way he done him on his wedding day; after that, I didn’t give him another thought.

While Noah was on the island, Charlie gets upsetting news and goes into this protective mode that wanted to help Charlie out. It was obvious that they felt for each other and it was kind of seamless, even though Noah had just gotten out of a very long-term relationship. It didn’t feel rushed to me, and maybe it should’ve, but they went through a lot together in such a short time that it didn’t feel forced or rushed at all. Bravo author, that’s hard to accomplish! Plus, Noah had his own demons he was battling, and I think helping Charlie kind of muted it, in a way….I understood it.

Unfortunately, Noah’s time away had come to an end, and he had to get back to his life. Charlie had made the impression though and an even bigger surprise, was so did Noah, to Charlie. He was so mindful of Charlie’s obstacles, and instead of getting frustrated by them or thinking there was something wrong with him, he just took it for what it was and worked around them. He didn’t judge Charlie or make him feel bad; he cared about him in a way that no one had before….so when he left, both men were left missing the other.

Leave it to Josh to concoct a reason to get him back on the island some weeks later, though….and though I want to gush some more and give you a step-by-step encounter of every piece of it, starting with what I loved and then moving on to what I adored…. I won’t. though I think you should just stop right now and go read it.

I cannot wait to see what happens with Ben, and I really, really, really need for Matt to get everything his heart could ever want. Knowing a little bit more about his story made me want to wish him real so I could spend all day every day, just hugging him for how unfair he was treated and how much of his life he missed out on. I sincerely hope he gets some justice for that!!! And Joe… I hope Joe is a part of all that happy…. Even though I’m curious to read about the new guy, Ryder and his little sister.

Overall, fantastic addition to a really great series. I cannot wait for more!

5 well deserved pieces of eye candy from me.

Joshua’s Rainbow (Rainbow Key Book 1) by Victoria Sue: Quick Review

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Rainbow Key – an idyllic island retreat off the west coast of Florida. Think wedding destination, white sandy beaches, lurve… except at the moment Joshua is struggling to pay the electricity bill, they’ve no paying customers, and even if they did they can’t afford the repairs from the devastating hurricane that struck three years ago – and to top it off they have to take in Daniel, a grumpy businessman who has been ordered by his doctor to take some time off before he has a heart attack from too much stress.

Funnily enough, Daniel owns a very expensive hotel chain that has been trying to buy the island for the past two years. Not that Joshua knows that yet, and boy are sparks gonna fly when he thinks he’s been set up.

Of course, sparks of a different kind are also soon flying between them.
Then there’s Matt who just got let out of prison, Charlie who ran away from home, and Ben, a famous model until a devastating house fire destroyed his face.

Welcome to Rainbow Key – held together by love, family, and sticky tape.

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This author is new to me, so I wasn’t sure what to expect going in; by page three, I couldn’t put it down!  Although it was a little bit confusing for me, being thrown in with so many characters at once, I quickly fell in love with all of them….. granted, they’re secondary character’s, so they don’t get their own POV’s or anything, for a second I was like, okay, now…who’s who? After getting to know them though, I was pleased to know that most of them get their own story ! Yes, I paused to go look lol

So, in this one…. Daniel is a very busy, fast paced, very wealthy investor. He’s got hotels and resorts all over the place, and at the opening of his latest one, he suffers from a very serious panic attack that he confuses for a heart attack. It’s enough to scare him into agreeing to a little time away to recoup and let his body slow down and heal.

While there, he meets Joshua, the small little hotel’s manager, I guess he would be. Technically, it’s his hotel, though not for long if the man he inherited from’s family has any say in the matter….which, they do. Needing all the help he can get, he’s glad when Daniel comes and stays, with his time there paid in advance. Joshua knew that the hotel needed more than the few guests that he had, but he was determined to keep the place he’d deemed a safe haven for him and his friends. They’d all ran away from something, and all of them had the most heartbreaking stories, and we only got snibbits of each one. I truly cannot wait to uncover the terribleness that each one had endured to get there…. I want them all to get their pieces of happy, especially Charlie, Ben and Matt!

The days that Daniel stays, has Joshua hoping for things he thinks he can’t have. His self-worth is non-existent, and I hated the reason’s why. I hated the way he was treated, and I hated that he never got justice from any of the people who hurt and humiliated him. I hate when people get away with being terrible people. I need bone crushing vengeance or I Just feel unsettled LOL I may need to look into that. And Daniel, the more time he spends with Joshua, the more he wants everything that Joshua wants, and more!

The problem is, while in the beginning, Daniel could only see himself buying the hotel and thinking about what he could do with it. Because of that, he didn’t tell Joshua who he was, or what he really done for a living. Secrets are never easy, and I knew it wouldn’t end well…. Then, a poorly timed emergency with his sister just left everything seeming one way, when it was really something completely different.

It was low-angst, which I liked… I feel like I’m not emotionally able to handle angsty reads, but this one was sweet and hopeful, and by the end, I was so happy for all of them, especially what Daniel gave them all…. I loved him so much for that. I loved it for their whole broken and slowly mending, amazing family. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the rest of them, and hopefully it’s not the last I’ll see of this couple either.

4 pieces of eye candy from me!

Better Together BL Maxwell: Release Day Review Blitz and Giveaway

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Since being thrown out of his home by his parents, Caden has been struggling to survive on the streets. He lives in constant fear, stresses over his next meal, and dreads trying to find a safe place to sleep at night. One night he finds an unlocked car and settles in to sleep, but he’s soon interrupted when someone steals the car. With little choice but to ride along, Caden soon learns that first impressions aren’t always correct.

Seventeen-year-old Damario has been raising his little brother and sister by himself since his parents were deported. He never imagined how hard it was going to be paying the bills and making sure there was always food on the table. Or how hard it would be to hold his family together when they all depended on him to do it. He finds himself stealing cars to make ends meet, but he never expected to find someone sleeping in the back of one of them. And he really didn’t expect this stowaway to change his life.

When Damario brings Caden home, it was only supposed to be for a shower and a hot meal, but he can hardly kick him out onto the streets again. There is no way he could have seen that by saving Caden that night, he was also saving himself. When Damario’s world starts to fall apart, they both realize that the answer to all of their problems is helping each other, and although the world tries to drive them apart, they really are better together.

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I have to first point out that I am such a sucker for single dads, or brother’s that step up and take care of their siblings. Hot guys with kids are just an overall must read, for me. In this one, we start off with Caden, who has the world worst parents. Upon finding a m/m romance novel in his room, they give him 10 minutes to pack a couple things and then his dad drives him far away from home and just drops him off in an abandoned parking lot. Literally, like a dog they wanna dump, they just load him up and haul him off. What I do not understand, is why nothing was done about this when he didn’t show up at school or whatever. The cops came and they told him he was a runaway, but the sister, she should’ve said something. Why did she not tell anyone the real story??? Why didn’t Caden?? His parents should’ve been punished for what they done, not only once, but they done it TWICE!

Damario, or Rio, has he’s called…. Is just shy of seventeen when his parents get deported over something ridiculous. I hope our government isn’t that terrible that a simple address change can get you deported, but anyway….It didn’t seem believable that three minor children would just be left to their own devices when the parents got deported, the youngest being six. I mean, they had a neighbor that helped out a bunch, sure, but they were all still minors… how did nobody catch on to that?

Anyway, while out doing some shady business to make a little extra cash, Rio finds Caden sleeping in the back of a car he’s trying to steal, and sees how skinny and unkempt he is. He takes him along with him and decides he’s going to help him. I thought this was admirable because the kid and his two siblings didn’t have much, but Rio wanted to help Caden. It was cute, if not a bit unrealistic. I can say with absolute certainty that in no way would I have trusted my little siblings alone with a homeless stranger I met an hour ago… no matter how harmless he seemed. I didn’t like that, it again seemed unrealistic.

I did like how each boy felt like the other saved them in a way… it felt like young love, and I found myself rooting for them both. I was glad that eventually, everything started working out. I had thought that they’d have a lot more trouble from the guy boosting cars when Rio just wanted to quit. Typically, when you start doing shady work for shady people, they don’t’ just let you leave whenever you want to. So, I was glad that wasn’t the case, but again, it just felt unrealistic to me. I feel like I’ve used that word a lot in this review, but if I had to describe it all in one word, that’s what it would be.

It was a cute story, a bit mushy in some places but overall, it was cute. I was happy with the way it ended and though Rio’s family didn’t ever make it back into the states, I was glad that they were able to visit them often and everyone seemed to be happy and healthy and together.

3 pieces of eye candy from me!

 

BL Maxwell grew up in a small town listening to her grandfather spin tales about his childhood. Later she became an avid reader and after a certain vampire series she became obsessed with fanfiction. She soon discovered Slash fanfiction and later discovered the MM genre and was hooked.

Many years later, she decided to take the plunge and write down some of the stories that seem to run through her head late at night when she’s trying to sleep.

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Hard To Get by Jaclyn Quinn: Blog Tour, Review, Excerpt and Giveaway

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Gabe D’Angelo has it all. Designer clothes, luxury cars, a cool confidence most would envy, and a never-ending supply of money—and men. When he arrived in Haven’s Cove to be there for his best friend, he never imagined he’d end up extending his stay indefinitely. Small town living isn’t so bad after all, and the views are magnificent—especially the view of a sexy, rugged blond. But when that mysterious, brooding man refuses all Gabe’s advances, he is forced to take a step back and truly look at the person he’s become.

Nate Black moved from Boston to Haven’s Cove for his family. He’s missed small town living and the simple, tranquil life that comes with it. What he doesn’t bargain for is the pushy, spoiled playboy who’s set his eyes on Nate as his next conquest. Knowing this man has the potential to crack the foundation of his quiet life, Nate will do everything he can to protect his safe, closed-off world.

Is one man worth loving? Is the other worth the sacrifice? Or is the love they’re searching for not just hard to get but completely out of reach?

HARD TO GET

HAVEN’S COVE SERIES, BOOK 2

JACLYN QUINN

M/M ROMANCE

RELEASE DATE: 04.19.18

COVER DESIGN by Cate Ashwood Designs

AMAZON US

AMAZON UK

 

Sigh… a hot dad. Why can I never get enough stories about hot dads? I’m such a sucker for them..

So, in this one, we have Nate and Gabe from the first book. Gabe being Brody’s best friend, and Nate working construction with Brody. We saw in the last book (and if you haven’t read it, you really should).. how Gabe was trying hard to get Nate to look his way, even though he thought he was married.

I’ll admit… I wasn’t too sure about Gabe at first, I mean, he didn’t have boundaries, he was waaaaay over the top, and he seemed to love proving to himself that he could corrupt married, straight men. Of course, when you get to know in this one, why he was the way he was, you’ll totally understand. I absolutely cannot stand people like Gabe’s father, he was the worst kind of person… so be prepared to want to rip the flesh from his bones while he’s still alive. Harsh? Not even a little bit, he’d been using money and their family to hold over Gabe’s head for a long time, and my heart just broke for him. To know how loyal he was to Brody, and to know how good of a friend he was despite the terrible family he grew up with was really a testament to his character. Once you get to understand him, you’ll realize how big his heart is, and you’ll love him too.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t that easy for Nate… turns out, he wasn’t married after all, but he does have a daughter. A really young daughter that depended only on him because the man that was supposed to raise her with Nate, up and left them before she was born. Both Nate and Gabe we very distrusting of each other for justifiable, valid reasons, so it wasn’t easy, even after they’d decided to give each other a chance.

I also loved the way Gabe was with Lily, (Nate’s daughter), because he’s painted to be this selfish, rich, playboy… his selflessness and generosity are a welcome surprise, and it was just another reason I ended up loving Gabe so much. I loved seeing all the guys back, and getting to know Nate’s mom, who is amazing!

Of course, Gabe’s father tries to put the kibosh on Gabe’s happiness, and I’ll even admit that he almost succeeds… Luckily, he didn’t, and both men fought for their love each other, and for Lily. The way it ended was perfect for them, and I love getting a little teaser about Jonah and Cam’s story. I cannot wait for that, because it will be perfect…

I’m loving this series, and this one was no different. I can’t wait for more!

5 stars from me!

There was that huge heart again, trying to see something in Gabe that just wasn’t there. Gabe smiled. “Jonah Taylor, always trying to save the world from heartbreak and pain. You can’t solve everyone’s problems, Jonah.”

Jonah smirked and shrugged his shoulders. “I can try. Look, I think you need a distraction. Maybe even step away from the whole Nate situation a little.”

“Why, Jonah, you sly fox. Are you offering yourself as the commercial break from my regularly scheduled program?” Gabe said seductively, laughing as Jonah turned the color of a ripe tomato.

“Gabe…” Jonah squirmed in his chair, and Gabe couldn’t keep up the teasing.

Gabe patted Jonah’s hand and laughed. “I’m kidding, Jonah. Besides, I prefer devil’s food cake for dessert.” Gabe winked at him.

Jonah shook his head and chuckled, looking offended. “What are you trying to say? I’m vanilla?”

Gabe let his eyes roam over Jonah’s muscular body as he sat in the chair, making sure to take in every bulge. “Oh…no, sir. Not vanilla. Let’s just say, I enjoy something a little more sinful, and you definitely have angel’s food written all over you.”

Jonah’s skin was flushed from Gabe’s roaming eyes as he squirmed in his chair a little. “I’ll try to take that as a compliment.”

“Absolutely. You should.” Gabe smiled.

Jonah returned the smile, relaxing again, and said, “Why don’t you come to the gym with me? I can get you a pass. I know it’s not the fun you had in mind,” Jonah laughed, “but it could be a good distraction. Not to mention, the scenery isn’t all that bad.” Jonah wiggled his eyebrows up and down.

Gabe suddenly had visions of hot, sweaty bodies, muscles straining with exertion, grunts of men as they lifted. Why hadn’t he thought of it himself?

Jonah smirked. “By the look on your face, I’d say you’re interested.”

Gabe narrowed his eyes then grinned. “I have to say, Jonah, for someone who doesn’t know me all that well you seem to have read me correctly.”

“Remember you said that,” Jonah said. “Pretty sure it applies to everything I’ve said to you just now.”

Gabe hung his head and laughed. “Walked into that one, I suppose.”

“So, you’ll come?” Jonah asked.

“Maybe a little later. Right now, I think I’ll go to the gym with you,” Gabe said and watched as Jonah blushed once again.

“And I walked into that one.” Jonah chuckled.

Gabe stood up and walked Jonah to the door. “Shall I follow you, or do you want to just give me the address?”

Jonah reached his hand in his pocket and pulled out his car keys. “I’m on my way there now. If it won’t take you long to get ready, I’ll wait in my car.”

“I’ll only be five minutes. I may be high-maintenance, but believe it or not, I don’t wear my Armani suits to the gym.”

Jonah chuckled again and nodded his head. “Okay, I’ll be in my car. The gym’s in Maple Grove, the next town over, but still only takes ten minutes to get there. You can follow me.” Jonah opened the door then turned back around with a wicked smile. “Oh, and by the way, even angels fall every now and then, and it’s twice the ride. Scorching on the way down, but the best fucking ecstasy you’ve ever felt on the way back up.” It was Jonah who winked that time, and Gabe found himself with a shitload more respect for the guy.

I have been an artist from a very young age. From drawing cartoon characters and evolving into portraits, making jewelry, photography, and now writing. I have an amazing support system in my family and friends and couldn’t be more grateful.

I live in central New Jersey, love summers at the Jersey Shore, rock music, wine, sexy men, and laughing a lot with my amazing friends and family. Sunday dinners at my parents’ house are crazy, hysterical and you can count on a movie quote…or ten…being thrown out. Insults between siblings is how we show our love for each other!

When I’m not creating, you can find me reading books from my favorite authors. I’m a hopeless romantic, starving for passionate characters and always craving that happy ending, whether in reading or in writing my own books.

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