TCO Reviewer: Jennifer

Kairos by Mary Calmes: Release Day Review with Giveaway

December 15, 2017 by Denise

Sometimes the best day of your life is the one you never saw coming.

Joe Cohen has devoted the past two years of his life to one thing: the care and feeding of Kade Bosa. His partner in their PI business, roommate, and best friend, Kade is everything to Joe, even if their relationship falls short of what Joe desires most. But he won’t push. Kade has suffered a rough road, and Joe’s pretty sure he’s the only thing holding Kade together.

Estranged from his own family, Joe knows the value of desperately holding on to someone dear, but he never expected his present and past to collide just as Kade’s is doing the same. Now they’ve stumbled across evidence that could change their lives: the impact of Kade’s tragic past, their job partnership, and any future Joe might allow himself to wish for….

Title: Kairos
Author: Mary Calmes
Release Date: December 15, 2017
Category: Contemporary
Pages: TBD (Novella)

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Dreamspinner Press

Honestly… did you expect this book to be anything other than Mary Calmes perfection? Shame on you, if you did.

If you love Ian and Miro, you’re going to love this one, they reminded me so much of them… not too much, that it’s like reading the same thing but with different dudes, but enough to where I’m like… oh yes, I love them already!

Kade and Joey are PI’s in Chicago, partners, roommates and best friends. Hired by someone that Kade knew, back when he was a police officer, has some truths thrown up in the air along with everything he thought he knew crumbling around them when the guy they were supposed to find. He has a lot of information on Kade…. This kid reminded me a little of Jory and a little of the two kids Ian and Miro found, Cabot and Drake… Can I tell you how much I love them all?

Well, deciding to get out of town, Kade takes it upon himself to reunite Joey with his estranged family. Estranged by Joey’s doing, not theirs and you’ll fall in love with all of them, they’re their own brand of crazy!

Also, like Ian and Miro, they’re best friends, partners and always together, they’re also madly in love with each other and my heart broke for Joey several times because I thought Kade just didn’t see it, or didn’t want to. That wasn’t the case though and I loved every heart breaking minute of it!

It’s short and a bit familiar, but everything we love about this author and the boys she gives to us. It’s short-ish, but you won’t be disappointed…. AND there’s a mention of Mr. Aaron Sutter, would you not read it just for that? I mean, come on!

Overall, it’s an amazing story, with amazing hot guys and their amazing love….

5 well deserved pieces of eye candy from me!

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Hearts and Hazelnuts by Kris T. Bethke: Exclusive Guest Post, Release Day Review with Giveaway

November 30, 2017 by Denise

Mechanic Jordan Hart is down on his luck, so he gladly accepts a temporary job servicing tractors at a hazelnut farm in Newberg, Oregon. He doesn’t expect to be attracted to his boss, Beckett Shaw. Still working on embracing his bisexuality, he’s reluctant to start anything, but Beckett’s gentle coaxing convinces Jordan to take a risk.

Beckett has vowed not to get involved with anyone until he can restore the Shaw Farms name as a leader in hazelnuts. But there’s no denying his interest in the shy mechanic who shows up at his door. Just as they begin to find a balance, outside forces threaten to tear them apart. Job opportunities force Jordan out of the Portland area he loves so much. But when danger comes too close to Beckett, Jordan must decide if he can follow his heart to the Willamette Valley… and straight back to Beckett.

States of Love: Stories of romance that span every corner of the United States.

Title: Hearts and Hazelnuts
Author: Kris T. Bethke
Release Date: November 29, 2017
Category: Contemporary, States of Love
Pages: 103

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Hi there! I’m Kris T. Bethke, and first let me say a great big thank you to the gang here for allowing me some time.

Being a part of the States of Love collection is an honor for me, and it was something I wanted since the sub call went out. I loved the idea, and I’m so excited to be a part of it.

That said, this was a challenging book to write. Looking back on it now, it was a great experience, and I learned a lot about myself as a writer. At the time, though, it was sort of frustrating. And the first hurdle I had to overcome was which character would tell the story.

If you’ve read any of my backlist, you might have noticed that I’ve always written in first person, past tense. I write that way because it’s my favorite tense to read. There’s an immediacy to being in one of the character’s heads that really works for me. And up until this book, I found it the easiest way to tell my stories.

But Beck and Jordan had other ideas.

For a long time, I flip flopped back and forth between which guy would get the narrator role. Both had merit. Both Beckett and Jordan have a high stake in the story, and either one of them would have been a good driving force. But I was struggling with finding that perfect balance, and the right scenes to show. No matter which MC I used, it felt like something was missing.

I briefly flirted with the idea of alternating first, but that’s a whole other set of challenges, and even though I gave it a try, it still wasn’t right. So I took a deep breath, threw caution to the wind, and started writing third person.

It’s not like I never used alternating third before, but I hadn’t used it in a full length story. I had a deadline I couldn’t go back on, and I was getting anxious, so I knew I had to try something. And lo and behold, it actually worked. Where before I was having issues, now the story flowed.

There’s something special about getting both MCs’ POVs. It gives the reader a more complete picture, for sure. But it also gives the story a different feel. I didn’t know, when I started out, that this was what Beck and Jordan needed. But when I was finished, I knew I had the right story on the page.

(And it was good practice for the next three books I wrote, which had to be in alternating third, but that’s a different story altogether.)

In the end, I have a book I’m proud of. I hope you’ll enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it. Hearts and Hazelnuts is available now from Dreamspinner Press.

Excerpt:

“We sell at a booth at the Newberg fair. Would you be interested in helping me out there?”

Okay, that wasn’t exactly what he planned to say. In fact he’d been ready to calculate the hours Jordan had worked and cut him a check. But when it came down to it, Beckett just couldn’t say the words. He wanted to see more of Jordan.

“Umm. I guess?”

Jordan looked totally confused. With good reason, Beck supposed. It was an odd request, and Beck couldn’t explain the reason behind it. He wasn’t going to start anything with Jordan. His focus had to be on the farm and nothing else. It just seemed too soon to say goodbye, so he thought fast.

“I need Cory to stay here and supervise the tail end of the harvest. And it’s easier to work the booth if I have someone helping me out.” It was all technically true, if not entirely accurate. Beck could work the booth by himself if he had to.

“Okay. I can help.” Jordan still looked at him oddly.

“I’ll pay you your regular rate.”

Jordan shook his head before Beck even finished talking. “No. That’s too much. Whatever you pay the guys.”

Beckett’s heart melted a little because Jordan was clearly an honest man. Which Beck already knew that, but he was glad to see it confirmed. “Okay. If that’s what you want. You’re helping me out, and I appreciate it.”

“I don’t mind. I’m happy to help.” Jordan’s gaze dropped to his hands. Beckett’s did too, and he watched as Jordan rubbed his palms over his jeans. He had good hands, strong and veined, and Beckett would have liked to know what they felt like on his skin.

“Thanks,” Beckett said softly. He really had to get himself under control. After Saturday he’d have to put Jordan out of his mind. It was the best thing for everybody.

“What time do you want me here?”

Beck squinted as he thought. “Fair opens at eight. We have to be there by seven thirty to set up. So, umm, be here by seven?” Though it was only a few miles up the road, it would take a bit of time to get everything in the truck.

Jordan nodded and stood. Then he took a deliberate step to the side so he was farther from Beckett. Barely keeping in a sigh, Beck stood too and leaned back against his desk to give Jordan even more space. He knew he was being weird, but he couldn’t seem to help it.

“Okay. See you then.” Jordan barely waited for confirmation before he left. Beck stared after him.

Dammit.

Lookit that cute cover….. Why wouldn’t you stop and read a book with such a cute cover? I’ll be honest, it was the biggest reason I wanted to read it… Its okay, you can call me a judger.. it paid off in this instance!
In this incredibly sweet, albeit short story, we have Beckett and Jordan.

Jordan was out of work, something about his old boss embezzling from the company he worked for as a mechanic, or something like that. Unfortunately, as we all know, jobs are hard to come by and the cost of living is expensive, so Jordan moves in with his brother while trying to find a different job and get back on his feet. That’s where he meets Beckett.

Beckett needs help with one of his tractors, it’s harvesting time and he needs a mechanic and calls Jordan’s brother, who refers Jordan for the job.

These two have chemistry right away but it’s a little slow going at first. Jordan is hesitant, he needs the job and once he gets a regular job, this temporary arrangement at Becketts farm will be forgotten. Its not that easy though, as these guys go from a nice, working friendship to a sexual relationship and even though Jordan wants to be hesitant, it’s not that easy with easy going and charming Beckett. I loved these two together, they were sweet.

Unfortunately, Beckett also had some trouble with a neighboring farm that wanted his land. I dunno why the dude didn’t approach Beckett’s dad when he had the farm, youd think with the way the man was money hungry and wanted to retire, he’d been the first one to sell. I mean, I’m glad he didn’t, but the guy was just random, foul mouthed and tried to be scary, but he came off as dumb and not so threatening, even though he tried really hard to be. It just wasn’t’ convincing. Which is probably why Beckett didn’’t hold anything he said with a grain of salt. He was more a nuisance than anything.

Which is why when Jordan accepted a job hours away and their relationship took a hit, Beckett didn’t call Jordan when the old man made good on his not so idle threats. Jordan comes running, and again… more sweetness. I just loved all of this story and wish it was longer!

I also wouldn’t mind reading more about Cory, especially now that he’s away from the cheating boyfriend. I bet that’d be a good story!

Final thought? I loved it!

5 pieces of eye candy from me.

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

Find her on her site https://kristbethke.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Kris-T-Bethke/100014524539852 or on Twitter https://twitter.com/kristbethke

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Unlikely Hero by Sean Michael: Exclusive Guest Post, Release Day Review with Giveaway

November 21, 2017 by Denise

When his three-year-old daughter is kidnapped, Eric Wilson doesn’t have many options, and time is running out. With nowhere else to turn, he reaches out to his ex, influential businessman Brock Vencenza, whose money and contacts might be able to save Josie.

Brock never got over Eric’s loss, and he’s more than willing to help when Eric needs him most. Together with law enforcement and private security, they embark on a twisting investigation to find the little girl—and who wants to hurt her and destroy both men in the process. Under the circumstances, confessing he still has feelings for Eric would be inappropriate, but Brock can’t deny what’s in his heart. He doesn’t know if their love can be rekindled or if he can even protect Eric and Josie. But one thing is certain: Brock’s determined to be the hero in reality that he is in Eric’s eyes.

Title: Unlikely Hero
Author: Sean Michael
Release Date: November 20, 2017
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 210

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Thank you very much for hosting me today!

With it being Thanksgiving, I’m thinking about how Eric and Brock would celebrate the holiday and I’m pretty sure they would approach things from very different angles.

Eric would plan ahead. He’d make up menus for the day before Thanksgiving, then Thanksgiving itself and he’d even make plans for what to do with the leftovers. He’d find recipes and by the time Thanksgiving week would arrive he’d have everything he could buy ahead bought would be purchased and he’d have all his lists made up – no doubt attached to the fridge with magnets.

Brock on the other hand would want to lavish Eric and Josie with everything possible, but rather than planning out and doing everything himself, he’d order everything to be made and delivered by a private chef.

Both men would consider what they’d done a way to show their love for their family.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my US readers, and happy November to everyone else.

Sean Michael

smut fixes everything

Eric’s daughter is kidnapped from her daycare and left a ransom note on his car. Im not sure when the daycare noticed her missing, as Eric just picked her up and noticed she was gone, or what… but instead of calling the police, he calls Brock…his ex from nine years ago. Now, I’m not sure what Brock does, but he seems to have infinite money and “kidnapping” experts on his payroll, so…they jumped in to try to get Eric’s daughter Josie back.

Now, nothing in the beginning of this story goes by protocol at all. It’s hands down ridiculous! The handling of the kidnapping, the police, taking Josie to the hospital, Brock just being the one in charge of Josie, even though he’s not family…him taking her out of her room and out of the hospital and to other buildings…You can’t do that! Even if he was her parent, he still couldn’t do that! You can’t just take an admitted baby out of her room and walk to another building with her lol that’s insane! Then his lawyer just checked her out of the children’s hospital without being seen again or anything with a man that wasn’t her guardian? I mean… he is her guardian, but nobody knew that yet. And that was another ridiculous thing…he was named guardian of her in case anything were to ever happen to Eric, but he and Brock hadn’t been together for near on a decade…. Could you imagine?? What if something had happened to him after a decade later and then someone showed up on his doorstep with a baby and was like SURRISE! You’re her guardian! …..all that part was just so unbelievable.

Now, if you’re like me though, and don’t care about the randomness and unlikelihood of some plot points…I can overlook a lot. I enjoy the fluffiness and the endearments, although baby and Eric’s constant thinking Brock is his “hero”…But I like a good family book, with hot guys and their baby’s. It made it somewhat redeemable. The dialogue was also kind of cheesy, lots of “lover’s” and again, the repetitive “baby’s”

Now, the people who kidnapped Josie, was…Okay, just know that it isn’t what it seems, because the first reason, the initial thought of why, was so extra, that I was like…seriously??? But putting all the pieces together later, makes more sense. Not a lot of sense, cuz the person behind it is a serious whack job, but I guess it’s more believable than the initial thought.

I also really wish we’d have found out what happened to Gordon’s partner Max. They done so much for them and I hated to think that Max got in any trouble at all for protecting them and doing his job. I know he cant get in that much trouble since he was there at the end, but I wanted to know he was okay.

And if you know me at all, you’ll know that I’m a sucker for a happy ending, and this one of course had that. I loved that they ended up happy and healthy and together. Although the story was at times over the top and a little believable, it was still enjoyable.

3 pieces of eye candy from me.

Best-selling author Sean Michael is a maple leaf–loving Canadian who spends hours hiding out in used book stores. With far more ideas than time, Sean keeps several documents open at all times. From romance to fantasy, paranormal and sci-fi, Sean is limited only by the need for sleep—and the periodic Beaver Tail.

Sean fantasizes about one day retiring on a secluded island populated entirely by horseshoe crabs after inventing a brain-to-computer dictation system. Until then, Sean will continue to write the old-fashioned way.

Sean Michael on the web:

WEBSITE: http://www.seanmichaelwrites.com

BLOG: http://seanmichaelwrites.blogspot.ca

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SeanMichaelWrites/

TWITTER: seanmichael09

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/seanmichaelpics/

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Snowflakes & Cinnamon Buns by Claire Castle: Exclusive Excerpt and Pre-Release Day Review

November 12, 2017 by Denise

Cameron Pearce loves to work hard and play hard. Living in New York City, means lots of men and lots of variety. He isn’t looking for love.

When he goes to his small hometown Dickensville for Christmas, food, friends, family and seeing his best friend Levi are what’s on the agenda. He also hopes for some friends-with-benefits enjoyment.

Levi Jones owns and runs his own café in Dickensville. He loves the Christmas season and all that comes with it. Decorating, baking, and snow among other things. Another perk is when Cameron visits home and he gets him all to himself.

What will happen when true feelings are revealed and everything is put on the line. Will their friendship survive?

Can best friends go from hooking up to a real relationship? Do they even want to?

This book contains delicious cinnamon buns, a cute westie and sexy hot men to warm up your holidays.

As I lay in bed the next morning after an incredible night of hot sex, I thought how amazing it was to be so relaxed and in tune with someone. To know their body and what they wanted and needed and for them to know the same about me. We were incredible together. I was almost sad that our time was nearly over, though I always knew it would come to an end. It was for the best. Commitment involved risk and I was very risk averse. To put your love and devotion into someone and have them up and leave you, would be devastating. I preferred to know what was going on. Know where I stood. Not very romantic, for sure, but that was the way I had always been.
I peeked out the curtain as my musing continued and saw snow. I sprang out of bed and ran to find Levi. I got excited for snow, like a big kid. So sue me. Belatedly, I realized I was still naked. I grabbed one of Levi’s hoodies, boots, and my pajama pants and opened the front door. Wow, it had snowed again overnight. Quite a bit too. It made everything look more beautiful. I raced down the path and threw snow up in the air. I heard movement behind me and knew it must be Levi. He started to say something when I threw a snowball at him. Uh oh, he had no shirt on. That must be cold as fuck.
His nipples looked like they could cut glass. I had no idea what the saying was about the cold and shrinkage or not but I stared at his bulge as his sleep pants tented.
“You will pay for this.” He threw a snowball at me and ran down the front steps. He had been smart and bundled up in a jacket. Rory sprung around beside him, bounding through the blanket of white, kicking up the snow as he went. Levi ran behind a tree, but I still tried taking aim. The ball hit the side of the tree. Damn. As I crept closer, Levi snuck around the back somehow and shoved a big ball of snow down my pants.
“Oh my gawd, you bastard!” My teeth chattered. I ran and grabbed him and pulled him down into the snow. We were both rolling around and he ended up on top of me. “You are way too heavy,” I joked as I reached up and kissed his nose.
“Hey that’s my line.” He jumped up to run in the house and Rory followed him.
Laughing, I ran in after him. Rory looked up at me as if I was a crazy man and Levi had about the same look on his face. “What, it was fun, admit it!” I said, grinning through the shiver that rolled through my body.
“You are crazy,” he said. “I think it’s cute, your love of the snow.”
“I know, ” I said, sauntering away.
“Toast” he asked?
“No cinnamon buns this morning?”
He laughed before telling me to get some warm dry clothes on, and then said he would make coffee. “Maybe then you won’t be so demanding.”
“Me, demanding? Never.”

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

A very short little Christmas read…

Cameron is coming home for the holiday’s and he needs the break from his “work hard, play hard” type of lifestyle… We don’t see that, it’s just kind of self-proclaimed. When he gets back into town, he stops by at his childhood friend Levi’s house first…. They have a kind of FWB relationship when he comes to town…. It’s hot, if a little cheesy…but it seems to work for them. Cameron spends the whole holiday with Levi, doing things together and catching up, like friends do.

However, I’m kind of on the fence about this one because while I do like friends to lovers and second chancers… I thought Cameron was extremely selfish. Nobody is that clueless, he had to have known that Levi had feelings for him, but for a second, lets say he didn’t know… he was possessive and jealous when he thought someone else was flirting with Levi, he was really boyfriend-y, acting as if they were together, even AFTER Levi told him that he loved him. He might’ve been pulling away in his head, but he wasn’t at all while they were together…. Cuddling and kissing him the way it was explained. I mean, all the while, knowing he was going to up and leave. How selfish is that?!!!

Then….he stays away for A YEAR…. Not a couple weeks while he gets himself together, not a couple months, realizing how much he misses and loves Levi back, nope…. A whole entire year!!! And Levi, pshhh. Make him work for it, man… when he does come back ….AFTER A YEAR… he’s all arms wide open and forgiving, like he didn’t just leave you high and dry, no contact for THE LAST YEAR!

Am I the only one with a problem with alla that??? I mean before they were FWB, they were supposed to at least be friends, best friends actually…. But you don’t have any contact with him for a year after he tells you how he feels about you? That’s cool….

Anyway, alls well that ends well I guess… it does have a HEA ending that too, is cheesy but cute. I just can’t get over all the stuff in the middle.

3 pieces of eye candy from me.

Claire Castle grew up surrounded by books. She has loved reading for her whole life. Her true love is romance and HEAs. When she’s not reading or writing, she can be found wearing comfortable leggings, drinking mocha and petting her west highland terrier. She loves collecting awesome mugs and paperbacks of her favorite stories.

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Twitter: @CCastleAuthor

Email: Clairecastle_author@yahoo.com

A Sniper’s Devotion by Christa Tomlinson: Release Day Review

November 7, 2017 by Denise

Officer Hector Castillo, a sniper on Houston’s elite SWAT team, is content living alone as a perpetual bachelor. But when he opens up his small apartment to a friend in need, their close quarters awaken long suppressed desires Hector can’t help but acknowledge.

Miguel Delgado’s unfortunate detour down a road he never intended to travel ends in a big wake up call, but he vows to get himself back on track. Though he’s always looked up to Hector, Miguel isn’t a kid with hero-worship anymore, and his schoolyard protector has matured into a strong and caring man – who happens to look damn sexy in his SWAT uniform.

Though their physical attraction to each other is undeniable, Hector and Miguel try hard to resist and protect their friendship. Until one night changes everything…

A Sniper’s Devotion is a loving and sexy, friends to lovers erotic romance. Hector and Miguel’s story is part of the Cuffs, Collars and Love series, but it is a stand-alone novel.

Title: A Sniper’s Devotion
Series: Cuffs, Collars and Love #5
Author: Christa Tomlinson
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: November 7, 2017
Heat Level: 4 – Lots of Sex
Pairing: Male/Male
Length: 77,500
Genre: Romance, Friends to Lovers, Multicultural Romance, Hispanic Main Characters, Spanking, Stand Alone

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Oh, how I’m in love with this series!

For me, I didn’t think there was any topping Logan and Clay, but I think Hector and Miguel might be my new favorite! Hector, we remember from the other books, is part of the SWAT team, with Clay and Ryan. I always thought he was hilarious, but never expected him to have his own story, really surprised me in this one…I felt like he was so different once we got to know him more. Oh yeah, he’s not as straight as we thought either! That was made apparent when his mom and her best friend, showed up at his place with his childhood friend Miguel.

Miguel had run out after getting knocked around, again, by an abusive boyfriend. Needing a place to hide out where the now ex wouldn’t find him, their mother’s’ brought him to Hector, knowing he’d protect him and look out for him while Miguel tried to start over with only a few hundred dollars in the bank and a small sack of clothes he thought to grab. After being cut off from friends and a job and anything else that might lose him the strong hold he had on the control of Miguels’ life, it was going to be a tough road for him… Luckily, he had Hector.

Now, sidenote, when they were growing up, the two had always crushed on each other, but their friendship was most important and for all intents and purposes, Hector was straight, so that’s all they stayed. However, Hector never stopped taking care of him, and protecting him, always wanting the best for him…. Not until they’d lost touch, but now he was back.

Things between the two were fine, with Miguel trying to find work and trying not to be a burdon on Hector, though Hector saw him as anything but,. He was happy to take care of him, do things for him to help him get on his feet, that’s the kind of person he is. I loved that about him. But, Miguel, who’d just got out of a relationship where he had no control over anything, it caused some problems between them, and I could see how. Theyre relationship also progressed into something that was much more confusing than the both of them knew what to do with, and I understood Miguel’s hesitation…

What I loved, so much, was once Hector came to terms with the fact that he had romantic feelings for his best friend, who was a man…that never wavered. He never questioned it, well, okay… I mean, he did in the beginning, but it still never wavered. He never once lost that devotion to Miguel, even when he was confused or working things out. Sure, he put his foot in it a time or two and made Miguel mad a time or two, but all of his intentions always came from the best place. He cared about Miguel, always had. I loved, loved, loved that!

And of course, things with exes are never easy, Miguel’s didn’t like to lose, so he caused some trouble, forcing some strong feelings from both men, that differed on how they both reacted, and I wanted to shake Miguel, but I also understood. He needed to find himself, and still…Hector never wavered…

Can you see how one might love these two?? I really really did! It’ll be hard to top them for me, no matter who’s next! Though I did enjoy Clays smart mouth in this one and wouldn’t mind some more of him and Logan! This one also wasn’t as heavily BDSM’y and I really liked that too.

Overall, this one was one, very well deserved 5 pieces of eye candy from me! I loved it!

Wheels Up by Annabeth Albert: Release Blitz, Excerpt (NSFW), Giveaway and Release Day Review

November 6, 2017 by Denise

Their love is forbidden, but their hearts aren’t listening to rules and regulations…

Lieutenant Dustin Strauss is a reformed man. No longer a twentysomething hell-raiser, he’s his SEAL team’s new XO—and a man with a secret. Or seven. He’s kept his bisexual identity under wraps for years, along with his kinky side and a fondness for the military-themed semi-anonymous hookup website Joe4Joe. His latest chat buddy is more than a sexy online distraction—they’re taking their very not-safe-for-work relationship into real time.

Petty Officer Wes Lowe has a smart mouth, a take-charge attitude and an uncanny ability for making things go boom. The life of an enlisted man isn’t always enough to satisfy him, but one wild, no-questions-asked weekend with his online love comes close. When a transfer order comes in, Wes feels ready and centered. He’ll make a good impression on his new SEAL team and keep his growing feelings for Dustin on the down low.

But as they log more time online and some very real emotions surface, Dustin and Wes struggle to pretend they’re just a harmless fling. And when his commander introduces Dustin to his team’s newest member, they’re in for the shock of a lifetime…and a crushing disappointment: their difference in ranks means even a friendship without sexual contact could end their navy careers for good.

With their hearts on the line, Dustin and Wes may not survive their next mission, let alone find a way toward a future together.

Title: Wheels Up

Series: Out of Uniform #4

Publisher: Carina Press

Release Date (Print & Ebook): November 6th, 2017

Subgenre: M/M Contemporary Military Romance

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He’d seen Wes’s chest before on camera, but the camera was fuzzy, missing key details like how Wes’s nipples were the exact color of Dustin’s favorite butterscotch toffee and how his collar bones looked made for biting. And the camera had never captured the force of Wes’s stare, the way he seemed to see past Dustin’s soul to his most secret of desires.

“Think you could get your cock out for me?” Wes’s voice was as seductive as a kiss, and his eyes never left Dustin.

Using his left hand, Dustin got an awkward grip on his cock, drew it out, waited for the next command.

“You’re doing so good for me,” Wes praised. “Pinch a nipple for me, nice and hard, and I might let you touch your cock.”

“Oh fuck.” Dustin absolutely loved when Wes played like his, and being able to look at his intense face while he made such dirty commands was the best head trip ever. Following orders, he used his left hand to pinch his right nipple, hard enough to make himself gasp.

“Twist it. More.” Wes leaned forward, arms resting on his knees.

“Hurts,” Dustin panted. He’d had worse pain, of course, but somehow deliberate pain like this was a far different beast than the ordinary wear and tear he took over the course of training or a mission.

“That’s right. Doing good.” Wes’s blue eyes were almost black now. “You’ve earned a stroke, but slowly.”

“Yes. Thank you.” Dustin’s eyes squished shut as his hand connected with his throbbing cock.

“No, look at me,” Wes commanded, and Dustin’s eyes snapped back open.

He stroked himself with a firm grip, but slowly like Wes wanted. He had to squeeze hard on the base because he was that close to the edge. “Oh God.” His voice broke.

“Yeah? Tell me what you want.” Wes was breathing hard, the only sign that he wasn’t immune to Dustin’s show.

“I’m close.” Dustin’s whole body trembled as he repeated the slow stroke upward on his cock.

“No, you’re not.” Wes’s voice was stern, his eyes like granite chunks. “Tell me. Tell me what you want.”

Usually this was where Dustin would start begging to come, admitting to progressively kinkier fantasies, but instead the truth tumbled out. “Touch me. Oh, God, touch me please.”

Hey hot cover!

Okay, first things first… if there isn’t an APP like Joe4Joe… there should be…

In this one, Dustin (Dylan’s brother, remember him? From At Attention? Gorgeous and Broody? Yeah, this is him.) Anyway, I didn’t understand his hesitation with everybody knowing his ‘’orientation’’ because his hello, remember the brother?? But, whatevs, to each their own personal journey, and I do not judge, I felt for him immensely.

Wes, is also on the app and he and Dustin had been talking for several long months. Being from different sides of the country, what could it hurt, right?? That’s how Dustin viewed it, anyway… Until both of them were supposed to be in the same place at the same time and agreed to meet. Of course, after months of getting to know each other and…..doing other things via video chat… of course they hit it off and had chemistry… lots of it.

All things considered though, as tough as it might be…. It was only a one timer, or it was supposed to be… but what happens when Wes gets transferred and SURPRISE… of anywhere in the world, guess where he gets sent to?….. Yep, same place Dustin is…. (A bit far fetched?? Yeah, okay… but it kinda works, so…just go with it)….. Now, I’m not sure all the rules of the military, but apparently, with some such ranking, you’re not even allowed to be friends with people of different rank… seems silly, but… I’m sure there’s reason’s…. so if theres no friendship possibility, you can guess how a relationship would be tolerated…. It wouldn’t! But, these guys… they cant seem to help themselves… their time together and continued conversations, I would’ve risked it too!

I loved them together, they were hot and Wes was endlessly patient and all the things that Dustin didn’t feel he could be. Wes…sigh…hi Wes!

What I didn’t love was the back and forth…the forbidden sense of it all made them getting together a bad idea and they’d promise this time was the last time, because their careers were in jeopardy if anyone found out…but then, they’d do it again and then feel bad about it. It was angsty and unfair the situation that tried to keep these two apart and then you throw in some dangerous situations and it had me in a near panic attack a time or two…I got very invested, and I love stories like that!!

I will say, that Dylan and Apollo continue to be my favorite in this series, but I did enjoy these two’s back and forth. While I feel like the HEA was a little…HFN, I’m looking forward to maybe hearing about them in future books.

Overall, 4 pieces of eye candy from me.

Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer. The #OutOfUniform series joins her critically acclaimed and fan-favorite LGBTQ romance #Gaymers, #PortlandHeat and #PerfectHarmony series.

To find out what she’s working on next and other fun extras, check out her website: www.annabethalbert.com or connect with Annabeth on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify! Also, be sure to sign up for her newsletter for free ficlets, bonus reads, and contests. The fan group, Annabeth’s Angels, on Facebook is also a great place for bonus content and exclusive contests.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two active children.

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