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TCO Reviewer: Jennifer

Nothing Special VII: EX Meridian by A.E. Via: Exclusive Guest Post, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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A.E. Via is back again today, and bringing her oh so alpha guys for the next installment of the Nothing Special series, EX Meridian. I love Adrienne’s stories, because they are gritty, full of heart, and all the demons that these men battle daily. Also, I have to say, she is honestly one of the most lovely people you ever would meet, if you get the chance. Check out her post, excerpt, and grab the book! Don’t forget to enter the fantastic giveaway!

Police Lieutenants, God and Day are under intense pressure from the chief to take back control of Atlanta’s streets. The last thing their task force needs is a pair of trained killers in town with a personal score to settle. 

Take a man and strip him of his ability to feel compassion, empathy, remorse, or any of the emotions that make him human, but leave the ones that ignite rage and aggression and you have the perfect killing machine—now imagine two of them.

Code names Ex and Meridian are synonymous for ‘guaranteed death’ to international terrorists. Two broken men from the same crooked streets, recruited into an unsanctioned government program that few know about. Trained to operate most efficiently—lethally—together.

When Ex returns from an op in Bolivia to learn his little brother has been accidentally killed in a feud between drug gangs, he’s stateside before he can consider the rules he’ll be breaking, and of course Meridian is right beside him. There’s mayhem on the streets of Atlanta and the police are losing control. If Godfrey and his elite team of detectives can’t get the job done then they’d be happy to lighten their caseloads for them. And Ex nor Meridian care about doing it quietly.

“I know who you are.” The man grunted when Ex turned to leave. “You’re the fucking devil.”

Meridian walked past, glaring one final time. “Say that loud enough… maybe God will save you.”

But after their first run-in with the big lieutenant and his protective husband, Day, Ex and Meridian start to reevaluate their own relationship. Wondering if they could be even deadlier if they let loose the feelings for each other that they’ve been forced to suppress for years.

Meridian’s dark eyes stayed locked on his, “A man who can fight beside the one he loves doesn’t make him weaker, Ex—it makes him more dangerous.”

No multiple pairings. No cliffhangers. Ends with a HEA.
Note: This is a partners-to-lovers, out-for-you, action romance.

Title:  Nothing Special VII: Ex Meridian

Series: Nothing Special

Author: A.E. Via

M/M Action Romance

Edited by: Sue Laybourn

Cover Artist – Jay Aheer

PAGE COUNT – 302

Official Release Date: February 24, 2020

Amazon

Universal Buy Link 

Hello Friends!!

I want to thank Denise so much for welcoming me back to promote another new release here on Two Chicks! My MM action/romance novel entitled – Nothing Special VII: EX Meridian – released on February 24th is already getting amazing reviews. I’m so excited to bring you the seventh installment in the award-winning, best-selling Nothing Special series.

I really can’t wait to introduce my new dark alphas into this series. I’ve had Ex and Meridian on my mind for a while but didn’t know if I was going to give them a standalone or a series. But the moment I heard God talking, I knew I had to give him the challenge. My assassins are dark and beautiful in the most nonconventional way. You don’t see their appeal immediately… you have to fall for them first.

I’m hoping that Ex and Meridian’s characters in this installment will be ones that readers can empathize with and relate to. We all have inner struggles, demons, or simply our conscience that we fight with daily. But, true to my style, these men experience inner battles to the fifth power.

I’m used to writing stories about characters that are real, men that you might actually meet in your neighborhood, in your grocery store, or your local police department. Stories that are genuine and relatable. But, then sometimes I want to just give you a balls-to-the-wall, fast and furious ride.

This book is about highly complex MCs that will take the readers through lots of twists and unexpected surprises. I haven’t written four POVs in one book in almost a year, and I must say it was a pleasurable challenge.

Be sure to follow me on social media, or sign-up for my newsletter to never miss another release.

Happy Reading!

xoxoxox

Adrienne V.

“Calm down, Cash. You don’t know if anything is—”

“You’re right! I don’t know! How the fuck could I do that, Leo?” God paced back and forth in the tight confines of the empty bathroom while he had a small conniption.

“Cashel. Stop it. You made a judgment call and you—”

“Against your judgment.” God ran his hand through his hair, looking at him apologetically. “How could I do that?”

Day couldn’t stand to see his partner like this—doubting himself to the point where it was making him frantic. And he understood why. He hadn’t wanted his husband to tell Ex and Meridian that Joseph was staying at their enforcers—Ruxs and Green’s—house until it was time to give his recorded statement. None of them trusted him staying in a safe house with some other random cops.

“Ruxs and Green were home all night… nothing happened. Hart has a couple of his men over there now and it’s all clear. You got this, okay. The kid’s gonna stay safe.”

“I just… there was something about that guy,” God said, standing with his head down and his hands braced on the sink.

Day came and stood behind him and wrapped his arms around his waist. “Which one?”

“Ex.” God shook his head. “There was this kind of pain in his eyes. This case is personal for him.”

“So, why’d you tell him?”

“I just got a gut feeling that something is going to happen, Leo. Something bad, something we can’t defeat… and we’re gonna need them.”

Day turned his husband around so he could see him. “Look at me.”

He waited as God began to relax in his hold the longer he stared at him. Day gave him a slow smile. “That’s better.”

God bent until their foreheads touched. “We shouldn’t be in here like this.”

“It’s okay,” Day whispered. “It’s okay to take five minutes for yourself.”

God squeezed his waist and pulled him closer. He buried his face in his neck and groaned. “Sweetheart. Please tell me I didn’t just make the biggest mistake of my career.”

Day smoothed his hands over his ponytail. “You didn’t make a mistake… you may’ve just saved one of our lives. We trust you, God. I trust you.”

“C’mere,” God said roughly, then took his mouth.

Day let his husband lose himself for a couple of minutes as the kiss turned passionate.

Why do I love these books? They are like action movies in book form. I am not the biggest fan of action movies, but I can’t stop reading (and then listening) to these books.

This latest installment brings in two brand new characters. Ex and Meridian. They are partners working for the government on black ops. Trained assassins who do the dirty work you never hear about to keep the world safe. To that end, they are officially dead. For Meridian who has no family, that is fine. But for Ex, with a younger brother and mother it is harder. Especially when his brother is the innocent victim of a drive by shooting.

Enter God and Day. This is on their turf. They want justice but they are being thwarted at every turn. When Ex and Meridian think the Atlanta PD aren’t doing their jobs, they quietly interfere. Until they aren’t so quiet.

Two pairs of big ole alpha men. Hot. Two of them already a couple, the other two dancing around it. SUPER HOT. If I encountered their machismo in real life I would roll my eyes. On the page though? Damn.

There was a good story line in there as well. Drug dealers, corruption, pay offs. The ending- wow. Seeing these men as real humans who get scared. It gave me feels.

I’d love to see more of Ex and Meridian, but I doubt it. But the door was definitely left open for more of God and Day and their crew,

4 pieces of eye candy

This story was overwhelming and intense and as much as I love this series, these guys and all the guys of God and Day’s team. I actually had to put it down a couple of times to get rid of the pit in my gut. I was ON EDGE, y’all.

These guys make God, Day and their crew of rowdy boys, look like kittens compared to America’s most savage defenders. Ex and his partner Meridian are the typs of guys you only hear about in movies. Jason Bourne type guys, chemically and physically modified to be killing machines for our country. They’re the baddest of the bad, because they’re basically robots… or they should be… but when Ex’s baby brother is killed in God’s neck of the woods, the guys go rogue in order to exact vengeance on his killers.

And oooh, what a ride it is. These two have been through everything together, but being off on their own without their handler in their ear, and Ex going through the loss of one of the only few people in the world who ever meant something to him, was messing with his head. He felt it.

That opened up all kinds of feelings he didn’t know he possessed, and the biggest of that, aside from anger, guilt and pure rage at the persons responsible for his brother’s death, is his love and need for his partner, Meridian. And it wasn’t one sided, Mere would do anything for Ex, including this off the radar mission to get justice for Ex’s baby brother.

Unfortunately, it isn’t as easy as getting in, getting messy and getting out… no, they’ve got dirty DA’s, dirty cops and God and Day’s crew to get around, because as we know, if anything goes on in God’s city, he knows about it and he and his guys go above and beyond to stop it. Except this time, there’s a couple of rogue Ravens they’re unsure about, though they don’t know how dangerous these guys are at first…

I wish I could tell you this whole story, I feel like I could talk about it forever.. but I won’t, because it needs to be experienced like it was for me. We see all the guys and their guys, we get the guns and explosions, but it’s more intense because these guys don’t have rules. They don’t have red tape, they don’t have anyone to answer to… not even God and Day. They don’t have to be clean and by the book. They get in, they get messy and they get out, before anyone even knows they’ve been there. It was impressive and scary and it makes you think about how real these kinds of guys are and how terrifying it would be to come face to face with one, but how badly I want to do it anyway.

What a frickin ride this one. I’m still flummoxed lol I’m impressed and I cannot wait for Fox and Bull. Every book is my new favorite, though I still have such a soft spot for Ruxs and Green, and it didn’t change after this one, especially after how big this story played a part with them… They’ll forever be my favorite, but these guys, Ex and Meridian are coming in a hot, close second. And I have a feeling that we’ll be seeing more of them in the future, too. I hope we do anyway.

Overall, an amazing read. I wouldn’t suggest skipping any book in this series, but if you do… make sure it isn’t this one. All the stars from me!

5 pieces of eye candy

A.E. Via has been a best-selling author in the beautiful gay romance genre for six years now, but she’s no stranger to MM. She’s been an avid reader of gay literature for over twenty years before she picked up her laptop to place her own kiss on this genre. She’s also the founder and owner of Via Star Wings Books, having published a couple great, new up and coming MM authors.

A.E. has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Virginia Wesleyan College that she used to start her own paralegal firm after she graduated in 2008. She spent five years preparing and filing bankruptcy petitions for struggling blue collar workers who couldn’t afford to file with a lawyer. It was a rewarding and satisfying career… but another path called to her. Writing.

A.E.’s novels embodies everything from hopelessly romantic to adventure, to scandalous. Her stories often include intriguing edges and twists that take readers to new, thought-provoking depths.

She’s recently celebrated her 20th book anniversary, and is well-known for her hardcore, love hard, bad boy, alphas. However, she does like to push herself to step out of her comfort zone, exploring different tropes. She’s head over heels for gay romance and she has tons of more hot stories to tell.

Be sure to visit Adrienne on her social media pages and subscribe to her newsletter to never miss another release date! Go to A.E. Via’s official website http://authoraevia.com  for more detailed information on how to contact her, follow her, or a sneak peek at upcoming work, free reads, VSWB submissions, and where she’ll appear next.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48195130-bishop

Author Official Website: http://authoraevia.com

A.E. Newsletter Signup: https://goo.gl/4hfuMh

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/aeviaauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorAEVia

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Saving Rafe (Lords of Discord #2) by Jocelynn Drake: Exclusive Guest Post, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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I’m so excited for today’s guest post! She’s definitely one of my fave authors, as she creates worlds so well, and always has some sort of “boom” in them. 😉 Jocelynn Drake is here talking about Saving Rafe, and where she started when she created the Lords of Discord series. There’s also a fantastic excerpt from Saving Rafe that is super sexy. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

 

The troublemaker. The risk taker. The sexy club owner full of wicked promises.

Rafe has devoted his immortal existence to pleasure and causing mischief.

The only ones who can depend on him are his brothers. Of course, that’s very much a Varik thing.

But when the leader of the Arsenault clan specifically requests Rafe’s help in tracking down a killer, he can’t say no.

Sure, Rafe claims he’s doing it for his family. They’ve attracted too many enemies and could use a few allies.

That’s not the whole truth, though.

There’s something about Philippe Arsenault that draws Rafe in. He wants more of Philippe. The vampire leaves him longing for another second in his presence, another taste of his lips, another caress of those perfect fingers.

Yet when it’s all over, what will become of Philippe and Rafe? Because Philippe will always be an Arsenault, and Rafe will always be a Varik.

Saving Rafe is the second book in an MM paranormal romance series that has vampires, betrayal, annoying brothers, music, heartbreak, hope, sexy times, and a pair of star-crossed lovers.

Title:  Saving Rafe

Series: Lords of Discord #2

Author: Jocelynn Drake

Publisher:  Indie

Release Date: March 6, 2020

Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 105000

Genre: Romance, paranormal romance

Goodreads

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Claiming Marcus (Book in the Lords of Discord series)

A Different Kind of Vampire By Jocelynn Drake

I have loved vampires forever. From Bram Stoker’s Dracula to Anne Rice’s Lestat to Kerrelyn Sparks’ cuddly, sexy vampires to Lynsay Sands’ Atlantean vampires. I love them when they are mindless, blood-sucking killing machines and I love them when they are brooding, tortured souls who just need a hug.

One of the hardest and most exciting questions when starting a new vampire series is: What kind of vampire do you want?

Mindless killer?

Tortured soul?

Just a regular guy with diet restrictions?

Are you going to follow all the old school rules of garlic, mirrors, church relics, and a stake through the heart?

Are they superhuman with great healing, speed, and mind control?

Sadly, you can’t do it all because you’re likely to end up with a mess.

When I was creating my vampires for the Dark Days series, I went with a lot of the traditional rules and myths. They were superhuman and couldn’t go into churches. They were incredibly fast and great healers. And could even do a little mind control. But they were dead during the daylight hours.

When I decided to tackle the Lords of Discord series, I thought I’d pull back on the powers just a little and make my vampires slightly more human. Oh, they are still good at healing, but it takes a little longer than blink an eye and the wound is gone.

The vampires in the Lords of Discord can eat regular food. They just don’t need to. It’s more for pleasure than sustenance.

They are also awake during the daylight hours, but their severe allergy to the sun continues.

And when it comes to powers, that’s where the fun stuff kicks in.

Each vampire ends up with a different gift, and they never quite know what they are going to end up with.

As we learned in Claiming Marcus, Marcus Varik has the ability to suck all light in a room into himself, creating a suffocating, all-encompassing darkness.

In Saving Rafe, Rafe shows off his ability to “charm” and influence others to do his bidding.

Beltran has already shown that he can speak to and control animals.

And Winter, he’s given little hints of his ability, but you’ll learn more about the youngest Varik soon.

Be sure to catch up with all the Varik brothers in Claiming Marcus and Saving Rafe — the first two books in the Lords of Discord series.

From their first meeting at The Gallery, Philippe found himself drawn to Rafe. Everything about the vampire whispered temptation. Philippe longed to pin Rafe to the nearest flat surface and make the most delicious moans rise from those lush parted lips. But more than feeding and fucking, Rafe whispered of escape and freedom. No more worry and responsibility beating him down. With Rafe, Philippe would be able to run free and laugh, enjoy the long life he’d been cursed with.

Jullien had warned him that Rafe didn’t seem to be appearing at his club as much as he had in the past, but Philippe wasn’t worried. Lola had spotted the Arsenault pair from where she was leaning against the bar. If she hadn’t called Rafe already to alert him that the clan leader was at his club, she would shortly.

No. There was no need. Rafe was already there.

The vampire was in the middle of the dance floor, surrounded by a throng of men and women as they moved to the pounding beat of the music. A slender blonde pressed tightly to his front, her long arms wrapped around Rafe’s neck, while a muscular man in a shirt that looked as if it was a second skin was pressed against Rafe’s back.

Reaching behind him, Rafe grabbed a handful of the dancer’s hair and held him in place as Rafe ravaged his mouth. Even through the writhing crowd of bodies, Philippe could see the man’s left hand tighten on the vampire.

Blood shot straight to Philippe’s dick as he regarded the blatant display of sex and power. His fangs ached to slide down, but Philippe couldn’t figure out if he wanted to join the sexy threesome or if he wished to shove both humans away so he could claim Rafe for himself. Neither of them was a healthy thought or would help his clan, so he shoved away the flicker of hunger.

As if he knew what was flitting through Philippe’s brain, Rafe released his companion and looked directly at Philippe, a wicked grin growing on his glistening lips. There was the faintest glow in his sharp blue eyes. It could be blamed on the flashing lights, but Philippe recognized it for what it was. Hunger. Sharp, sexual hunger.

Philippe’s breath caught in his throat and his fucking dick gave another begging throb, urging him to cross the damn club and grab Rafe, but he kept his feet planted as if they’d been bolted to the floor.

The look passed in just a second; then Rafe was turning to both people cuddled against him. He said something to each in their ears before extricating himself and making his way across the club toward Philippe.

“Oh, he’s here already,” Jullien murmured behind him as if he’d just spotted Rafe.

Philippe gave a curt nod, not trusting himself to speak yet. He wanted to reach down and adjust himself in his slacks, but he was afraid of Rafe catching the movement as he got closer. Philippe kept his eyes on Rafe as he smiled and laughed, kissing cheeks of familiar patrons while he slowly made his way through the crowd. Halfway to Philippe, a vampire he didn’t recognize whispered in Rafe’s ear while handing him a drink. Rafe’s smile shrank a millimeter as he accepted the glass.

And those electric-blue eyes were on Philippe as he sipped his dark drink, a wicked smile playing on his lips. God, Philippe was dying to kiss that smile off his lips.

When Rafe was standing in front of him, the club owner took a deep breath as if he was scenting the air. Philippe couldn’t guess what he smelled, but he carefully schooled his face, giving away nothing but mild amusement.

“You’ve finally made your way into my little den of sin,” Rafe said with a laugh.

“I’ve heard so much about it, Mr. Varik. I thought I should see it for myself.”

Rafe’s eyes sparkled with laughter, and he leaned close so he could speak directly into Philippe’s ear. Behind him, Jullien stepped forward, bumping Philippe’s shoulder. Philippe immediately reached back, pressing a restraining hand to Jullien’s stomach. Rafe wasn’t threatening him. No, the vampire was playing with him, and there was a part of Philippe dying to play with Rafe.

“Come now, Philippe. We’re going to be forming an alliance. We’re practically family. I think you can call me Rafe.”

For a second, Philippe closed his eyes at Rafe’s rough whisper. It was like the vampire was lightly raking his nails across all Philippe’s nerve endings, sending the most decadent shiver across his flesh. There was a whiff of blood and alcohol on Rafe’s breath, enflaming Philippe’s hunger. He had only to turn his head and he’d be able to capture Rafe’s sinful mouth in a scorching kiss.

But Philippe didn’t let himself move. Didn’t flinch a single muscle as he fought his own desires to get to the heart of what Rafe was telling him.

Philippe’s eyes snapped open, and he found himself drowning in Rafe’s all-too-perceptive blue eyes. “You’re going to help me find Piper?”

Something passed over Rafe’s face for a second, but Philippe couldn’t describe it. It was gone almost as quickly as it appeared, and Rafe was smiling his wicked grin again.

“The Variks are happy to help the Arsenaults,” Rafe said, and they were back to the diplomatic comments.

Philippe couldn’t quite stop his disappointment from showing. He liked the flirty, playful Rafe more. The one who liked to fan the flames. He didn’t seem the “watch the world burn” type, but he didn’t mind lighting a few small controlled fires to shake things up.

I am obsessed.

I was so so excited to see that Rafe was next. I was so enamored with him in Marcus’ story, I just knew that he was going to be my favorite. The careless playboy who took nothing seriously and enjoyed gaining all the wrong kind of attention… I just knew that there was something there, waiting for someone to come along to let it out. I think Bel and Winter are going to give him a run for his money because I’m so excited for them, but Rafe is hands down, my favorite so far!

A little about Rafe…other than being the playboy with a penchant for sex, blood and his sarcastic nature, he was hiding this loneliness and such a deprecating sense of self. He tried to tell himself he had all that life had to offer, but he was missing something so big. He was envious of his brother and his newfound love in Ethan, even if he wasn’t honest with himself, he wanted what they had so badly, he just didn’t think it was possible for him…. And that’s where we meet Philippe.

Philippe seemed to be the polar opposite of Rafe. Leader of his clan of misfits, along with his power, he made his family up of people who needed his help. What a sweet heart he had. I could see why Rafe was so smitten. When one of his family goes missing, he goes to Rafe for help.

These two were drawn to each other from the first time they lay eyes on each other, but Philippe needed Rafe’s help and Rafe didn’t waste his time with repeats and relationships, right? But he could… with Philippe, he could… not only that, he wanted to, more than almost anything. First things first though, was finding out who was targeting Philippe’s clan and why.

This whole story kept me on the edge of my seat and it felt like the craziest action movie I could see so clearly in my head. I won’t give it all away, but some key points are….throughout this story, we so much growth within the family and get to know each of the brothers a little bit better. We meet some new players and get a sense for what’s coming. We see Rafe war himself between what’s in his heart wants and what it needs…. There were so many times when Rafe would tell himself one thing and in the same breath, say the exact opposite when it came to Philippe. He loved him so much, even from the beginning, even when he knew he shouldn’t, even when he tried not to and told himself to stop. He couldn’t. He’s a romantic at heart, really… this whole story was so romantic when you separated it from all the action and blood and war lol

I’m not usually a fan of paranormal… no, correction, not usually.. I’m just not a fan of paranormal, period… but I can’t get enough of this series. I’ve gone and fell in love with each of these brothers and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Bel and Winter and hopefully Ryder and Gideon. Maybe Gideon and Winter? That’d be cute, huh? Or Gideon and Ryder? I hope Gideon gets some happy, I hope he gets a story.
This is quickly becoming one of my favorite series that I’ll definitely revisit and probably often. What a great read! Don’t pass it up, especially if you love family, romance and a whole lot of blood.

5 pieces of eye candy

Vampire books can be either really good or really bad. When I read the first, Claiming Marcus, I held my breath waiting to see what I would get. It was definitely good, almost really good. This one is good. But not close to really good.

I like the plot, but it seemed so stretched out. Phillippe goes to Rafe for help with a missing clan member. Turns out that 2 clan members were already murdered before Phillippe looked for help. I get that they are a secretive, keep to themselves kind of clan, but I don’t see Phillippe as having the ego to not ask for help sooner. I get that a couple of his other clanmates don’t want him asking for help, but that should have been a big warning right there.

I really liked snarky Rafe from book 1. I feel like he lost a bit of his snark, a bit of what makes him Rafe when he fell for Phillippe. As a couple I liked them ok, but more sexual tension would have been welcome.

I do love that Aiden is back for good. The four brothers desperately needed him and his guidance. The scenes with him and the brothers together were so sweet.

We are obviously building up to a show down with the ministry, but I’m sure the next book will be more set up for that. Don’t get me wrong, I will definitely read the other books when they come out. I look forward to them in fact. Something just fell a little flat with me in this one.

3 pieces of eye candy

It started with a battered notebook. Jocelynn Drake wrote her first story when she was 12 years old. It was a retelling of Robin Hood that now included a kickass female who could keep up with all the boys and be more than just a sad little love interest. From there, she explored space, talked to dragons, and fell in love again and again and again.

This former Kentucky girl has moved up, down, and across the US with her patient husband. They’ve settled near the Rockies…for now. She spends the majority of her time lost in the strong embrace of a good book.

When she’s not hammering away at her keyboard or curled up with a book, she can usually be found cuddling with her cat Demona, walking her dog Ace, or flinging curses at the TV while playing a video game. Outside of books, furry babies, and video games, she is completely enamored of Bruce Wayne, Ezio Auditore, travel, tattoos, explosions, and fast cars.

She is the author of the urban fantasy series: The Dark Days series and the Asylum Tales. She also has a gay romantic suspense series called The Exit Strategy and has recently launched a new paranormal series called the Lords of Discord. She has also co-authored with Rinda Elliott the following series: Unbreakable Bonds, Ward Security, and Pineapple Grove. She can be found at www.JocelynnDrake.com.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | eMail

https://jocelynndrake.com/

https://www.facebook.com/jocelynn.drake/

https://twitter.com/JocelynnDrake

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1080585.Jocelynn_Drake

jocelynn@jocelynndrake.com

 

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Nothing Special VII – Ex Meridian by A.E. Via: Release Day Review

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Police Lieutenants, God and Day are under intense pressure from the chief to take back control of Atlanta’s streets. The last thing their task force needs is a pair of trained killers in town with a personal score to settle.

Take a man and strip him of his ability to feel compassion, empathy, remorse, or any of the emotions that make him human, but leave the ones that ignite rage and aggression and you have the perfect killing machine—now imagine two of them.

Code names Ex and Meridian are synonymous for ‘guaranteed death’ to international terrorists. Two broken men from the same crooked streets, recruited into an unsanctioned government program that few know about. Trained to operate most efficiently—lethally—together.

When Ex returns from an op in Bolivia to learn his little brother has been accidentally killed in a feud between drug gangs, he’s stateside before he can consider the rules he’ll be breaking, and of course Meridian is right beside him. There’s mayhem on the streets of Atlanta and the police are losing control. If Godfrey and his elite team of detectives can’t get the job done then they’d be happy to lighten their caseloads for them. And Ex nor Meridian care about doing it quietly.

“I know who you are.” The man grunted when Ex turned to leave. “You’re the fucking devil.”
Meridian walked past, glaring one final time. “Say that loud enough… maybe God will save you.”

But after their first run-in with the big lieutenant and his protective husband, Day, Ex and Meridian start to reevaluate their own relationship. Wondering if they could be even deadlier if they let loose the feelings for each other that they’ve been forced to suppress for years.

Meridian’s dark eyes stayed locked on his, “A man who can fight beside the one he loves doesn’t make him weaker, Ex—it makes him more dangerous.”

No multiple pairings. No cliffhangers. Ends with a HEA.
Note: This is a partners-to-lovers, out-for-you, action romance.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

This story was overwhelming and intense and as much as I love this series, these guys and all the guys of God and Day’s team. I actually had to put it down a couple of times to get rid of the pit in my gut. I was ON EDGE, y’all.

These guys make God, Day and their crew of rowdy boys, look like kittens compared to America’s most savage defenders. Ex and his partner Meridian are the typs of guys you only hear about in movies. Jason Bourne type guys, chemically and physically modified to be killing machines for our country. They’re the baddest of the bad, because they’re basically robots… or they should be… but when Ex’s baby brother is killed in God’s neck of the woods, the guys go rogue in order to exact vengeance on his killers.

And oooh, what a ride it is. These two have been through everything together, but being off on their own without their handler in their ear, and Ex going through the loss of one of the only few people in the world who ever meant something to him, was messing with his head. He felt it.

That opened up all kinds of feelings he didn’t know he possessed, and the biggest of that, aside from anger, guilt and pure rage at the persons responsible for his brtohers death, is his love and need for his partner, Meridian. And it wasn’t one sided, Mere would do anything for Ex, including this off the radar mission to get justice for Ex’s baby brother.

Unfortunately, it isn’t as easy as getting in, getting messy and getting out… no, they’ve got dirty DA’s, dirty cops and God and Day’s crew to get around, because as we know, if anything goes on in God’s city, he knows about it and he and his guys go above and beyond to stop it. Except this time, there’s a couple of rogue Ravens they’re unsure about, though they don’t know how dangerous these guys are at first…

I wish I could tell you this whole story, I feel like I could talk about it forever.. but I won’t, because it needs to be experienced like it was for me. We see all the guys and their guys, we get the guns and explosions, but it’s more intense because these guys don’t have rules. They don’t have red tape, they don’t have anyone to answer to… not even God and Day. They don’t have to be clean and by the book. They get in, they get messy and they get out, before anyone even knows they’ve been there. It was impressive and scary and it makes you think about how real these kinds of guys are and how terrifying it would be to come face to face with one, but how badly I want to do it anyway.

What a frickin ride this one. I’m still flummoxed lol I’m impressed and I cannot wait for Fox and Bull. Every book is my new favorite, though I still have such a soft spot for Ruxs and Green, and it didn’t change after this one, especially after how big this story played a part with them… They’ll forever be my favorite, but these guys, Ex and Meridian are coming in a hot, close second. And I have a feeling that we’ll be seeing more of them in the future, too. I hope we do anyway.

Overall, an amazing read. I wouldn’t suggest skipping any book in this series, but if you do… make sure it isn’t this one.

FAVORITE LINE: “A man who can partner with the one he loves doesn’t make him weaker… it makes him more dangerous.”

“If you had stopped breathing,” Meridian said hoarsely, looking Ex dead in his eyes. “I would’ve laid here holding you until I did too.”

5 Pieces of Eye Candy

Virgin Flyer by Lucy Lennox: RB, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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Wanted: One night together, no strings attached. Hold me, make love to me, treat me like I’m the most important person in the world. No talking. No names. And don’t be surprised if I’m gone in the morning.

After crushing on my best friend for years, I realize he’ll never want someone inexperienced like me. So I decide to get it over with, play the V-card once and for all with an anonymous hook-up. The terms are simple: no talking, no names.

It isn’t as easy as it seems. Now I can’t get the handsome stranger who greeted me with soft kisses and gentle touches out of my mind. Those hands, those lips… But it was just a one-time thing, and I need to forget about him once and for all.

At least I know I won’t ever see him again—until I board a flight and catch sight of a familiar profile in the cockpit just as the door closes.

Cover Designer: Steamy Designs
Photographer: RafaGCatala

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

When we finally made it to my apartment, I opened the door to discover a giant mess. Somehow, a bag of popcorn I had safely put away in a closed kitchen cabinet had been retrieved and scattered all over the studio apartment. I groaned and looked for the culprit. Waffles was nowhere to be found. Meanwhile Socrates was curled up in a tight ball on my neatly made bed as if nothing had happened.

Typical.

“Crap, I’m so sorry,” I began, stooping to begin the cleanup. “She’s such a jackass sometimes. I don’t know how she does it, but Waffles is like… she’s like goddamn Houdini or something, but only with snacks and toilet paper rolls.”

Jack began picking up the spilled popcorn next to me, making a little tsk sound with his mouth periodically until Waffles, the jackass snacker, came slinking out from under my bed.

“C’mere, baby,” Jack murmured, holding out a hand toward Waffles. For a split second, my stomach did that little flippy thing it always did when he spoke to me in that tender voice. But he wasn’t talking to me, he was talking to the destroyer.

Waffles waddled her way over and sniffed Jack’s hand before prancing a figure eight through Jack’s legs and rubbing up against him like a slut.

I sighed. “Seriously? She’s a menace.” I continued cleaning while Jack sat down and made room for Waffles on his lap and continued to massage the cat like this was some kind of feline day spa.

After most of the popcorn was cleaned up, I realized I was staring at Jack’s hands as he stroked his long fingers through Waffles’s coat. Those hands had been all over my body. Those fingers had been inside of me. Just thinking about it ramped me up and made me want him again. In some ways, I felt like an adolescent who’d just discovered masturbation. Except… it was sex, and now I wanted it every minute of every day.

I wiggled my hips, trying to unkink my dick without making it obvious I needed to shift things around.

Jack’s eyes met mine, and the corner of his mouth ticked up. “Whatcha looking at, cutie?”

“Nothing,” I said stupidly. “Um, the cat.”

My face flooded with heat. Why hadn’t I just said, You, you sexy fucker. Want to bang?

Jack gently nudged Waffles out of his lap and stood up, reaching out a hand for me. “C’mere, baby.” This time the words were meant for me. A knowing glint in his eye told me he knew exactly what he was doing. “Now would be an excellent time for your first advanced sex lesson.”

“Um…”

“Take off your clothes, Teo.”

“But, ah…” I looked around, wondering if I was ready for advanced moves. I’d barely gotten my basic competency on the regular moves.

“Get naked, or the first advanced move you’re learning involves my palm leaving a nice pink mark on your ass.”

Okay, first things first, I hate best friend Chris….I hated him from the first page to the last one and he never redeemed himself. I hope he stays miserable. I’m also not a fan of fake relationship tropes or love triangle type reads, but this was seriously the cutest story and even if you’re like me and hate those things, you’ll adore Teo and Jack…

Jack is also my dads’ name, so I had to put that out of my mind when I was falling in love with him. But fall in love with him, I did. Lemme tell ya why.

So, Teo has been in love with his best friend for as long as he can remember. He’s held himself back from even looking for anyone else because his best friend promised him that one day, they’d be together. He just had to be done being selfish first and little spoiler, it doesn’t happen. It was never gonna happen, he just liked having his fun and having Teo there for everything else. But, as Theo was a twenty-six-year-old virgin, having only ever waited for his bestie to grow up and realize he loved him back as promised…. He decided to get that pesky virginity out of the way, so when Chris came calling, he’d be ready. I wanted to smack him. Both of them actually. I think I actually said, Ew….

HOWEVER, a grindr app proposition from a guy looking for one night of romance and someone to treat them like their whole world…. Teo wanted to feel like he’d never got to feel before, he wanted to be someone’s everything, even if it was just for one night. And who better to answer that proposition, other than pilot and workaholic, Jack, who didn’t want a commitnment and liked living the jet-set life.

Their night together is everything they both expected and so much more. I feel like we didn’t only saw a tiny glimpse of Teo up until he met Jack, and then he opened him up as this whole new person that was impossible not to be completely smitten by.

When one night turned into a chance meeting a couple of weeks later, it started something between the men that they tried so hard to deny, even and most especially to themselves. They tried to stick to the rules because Jack didn’t do relationships and Teo loved his best friend, right? Wrong. These two had the cutest chemistry… I loved their banter and I love the person Teo got to be when he was with Jack. And Jack… so nurturing, so compassionate, so understanding. He not only cared about Teo, but he was so attentive and sweet with Teo. He was protective and a smidge possessive at times and if you could’ve ….well, I was going to say that if you could’ve thought up a most perfect person for Teo, it would be Jack, but hello… that’s exactly what was done 😛

And Teo, it was like he thought he was asking too much by just wanting to be loved and that love to be acknowledged. Man, unrequited love is the worst and my heart broke for him here. I was so happy he found Jack!

I loved the secondary characters (minus Chris, I mentioned him being a selfish blow hard already… no need to revisit)…. But both of Jack’s and Teo’s families were so great and supportive and they all just wanted the men to be happy, especially together, because you could see how happy they made each other already.

Is this book as sappy as I’m making it out to be? Probably not, you must’ve caught me on a particularly mush day… but I loved them. I loved both of them individually and I loved them so much together. They were good for each other and they pushed each other to be better and sighhhhhh…. It was all so worth it in the end. Even if I didn’t get to smack imaginary Chris upside his literary visualized in my mind, head.

5 pieces of eye candy from me! Great read!

 

After enjoying creative writing as a child, Lucy didn’t write her first novel until she was over 40 years old. Her debut novel, Borrowing Blue, was published in the autumn of 2016. Lucy has an English Literature degree from Vanderbilt University, but that doesn’t hold a candle to the years and years of staying up all night reading tantalizing novels on her own. She has three children, plays tennis, and hates folding laundry. While her husband is no shmoopy romance hero, he is very good at math, cooks a mean lasagne, has gorgeous eyes, looks hot in his business clothes, and makes her laugh every single day.

Lucy hopes you enjoy sexy heroes as much as she does. Happy reading!

Connect with Lucy:
Facebook Page | Lucy’s Lair Facebook Group
Twitter | Pinterest
Website | Newsletter
Amazon Page | Goodreads | BookBub

To celebrate Lucy’s new release, we are giving away 3 eBooks copies of Virgin Flyer

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Roxy’s Recovery by Kim Breyon: Quick Review * 2

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As the newest veterinarian in the small town of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Vaughn Winters doesn’t have time for relationships. He is too busy healing injuries and establishing his reputation as a trustworthy vet. But when a strange man waves him down one stormy night seeking help for his injured dog, Vaughn simply can’t refuse.

Obviously homeless and with no means to pay for Roxy’s medical care, Vaughn throws caution to the wind and strikes a deal with the hesitant stranger that would allow Roxy the time to heal and provide some much-needed TLC to his property as well. As the days pass, Vaughn’s curiosity grows. Alex’s dedication to the job is as surprising as the sexy tats hidden beneath his rugged clothes. What could have pushed this kind, hardworking man to the streets, or cast such dark shadows in his otherwise bright blue eyes?

Will six weeks be enough time to earn Alex’s trust? Or will asking questions cause him to tuck tail and run as soon as Roxy is able?

***

Roxy’s Recovery is a 61k standalone contemporary romance involving two men, a meddling sister, and a seriously sassy pug.

Title: Roxy’s Recovery

Author: Kim Breyon

Publisher: self-published/Amazon

Release Date (Print & Ebook): November 21st, 2019

Length: 62k words

Subgenre: contemporary romance

Warnings: Very brief on-page mentions of dog abuse & domestic abuse. It is mentioned after the act has occurred, not during.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

“I’m worried about you, Alex, and it bothers me that I still don’t know what happened to you. You haven’t told me why you left Spokane, so all I can assume is it was something awful.”

He looked away, shaking his head in frustration. “Everyone assumes that.”

“Well, what else am I supposed to think? What could have happened to make you want to live on the streets? Or put Roxy in danger when you clearly love her more than anything? It’s what anyone would think! And it’s why Bri is worried! It’s not normal for people to choose to live that way unless they’re…” I bit my tongue from saying more.

He scoffed. “Unless they’re the cause of their own problems, right? Like a drug addict? Believe me, I know. People have assumed the worst. They’ve accused me of trying to steal shit or take one look at me and assume I’m some criminal!”

“I didn’t,” I argued. “And I still don’t.”

His jaw ticked. “Yeah, well, you were the first.”

I took a step closer, not daring to touch him yet. “One of the first questions I asked you was if you were running from trouble. You didn’t hesitate to say no, and I believed you. You want to know why?”

His jaw ticked again.

“Because I heard the pain in your voice even then. I heard the things you didn’t say, and I saw how tired you were. The shadows in your eyes. You may not have been asking for help, but you wanted someone to give you a chance.” Alex didn’t look away, and I took that as a good sign. “Whether you meant to or not, you’d shown your true self that night, and it was enough for me.”

So, I’m a sucker for a hot dad, even if it is the dad of a fur baby instead of a real one. Vaughn is too, apparently, at least he is when he runs into an unkempt man and his injured dog in the pouring rain.

Alex has nothing left in this world but a few cents, an inherited harmonica and the puppy his dad gifted him before he passed. After falling on hard times and trusting the wrong man, Alex is lost and wandering, trying to just not give up. If not for his little pug, Roxy, he might have. With no destination in mind and nothing to do when he gets there, Alex has been wandering for months. It was pure luck that the man who stopped to help him and Roxy on the side of the highway, was Vaughn.

First things first, Vaughn has a huge heart and while it might sometimes leap before it looks, you just can’t help but fall in love with him. When he sees a down on his luck drifter with pain in his eyes, he offers him a place to stay while he and his dog heal and in return he can do some landscaping work around Vaughn’s clinic. He didn’t plan to fall for the mystery man and his dog, but after taking things slow, earning his trust and getting to know him… he didn’t stand a chance.

Healing after a toxic and/or abusive relationship is tricky and there are a lot of do’s and don’ts there that Alex needed to get through before things could progress with the nice man helping him and Roxy. He didn’t want to do anything to mess up the deal they’d made but he also couldn’t help but falling for the sweet man that just seemed to keep offering everything he and Roxy needed. He was hesitant to accept it because he didn’t want to get thrown back into the same type of relationship he was in before. He knew Vaughn wouldn’t physically hurt him, but he was wary. Rightfully so….

It took the two some time to get to where they needed to be and even then, it’s tossed around by a few speed bumps that had me broken hearted for both of them. I thought they both were too darn stubborn and misunderstandings and confused feelings had a lot of the blame. Understandably though, especially when you’re getting to know someone and figuring out how to navigate a relationship. I loved both of these guys, and I adored them together. I wish the ex that popped up would’ve gotten a bigger dose of karmic justice, but meh…. Not everyone is as petty as me LOL

Such a cute ending, loved to see inside the head of Roxy for a cute minute and really wouldn’t mind reading more about these two in the future!

Very cute read.

4 pieces of eye candy from me!

I loved this story. It’s rare that you have a character as selfless and caring as Alex. When he is down on his luck and homeless, Roxy his beloved pet Pug is all he has. When Roxy gets hurt he knows he has to do what he can to stop her pain, even if that means losing the only thing he has left in the world.

When Vaughn finds them on the side of the road in a snow storm and offers his assistance he know he will do anything he can to save Roxy for Alex. Alex puts his pride aside to take the offered help, but in exchange he works as a handy man for Vaughn’s veterinarian practice.

Vaughn and Alex become friendly and then romantic all the while Alex is trying to keep himself at a distance because he know good things don’t last forever. The two will need to work together to stay together while at the same time not crushing the independence that Alex just earned.

This is such a good read. I love how hard Alex worked on reaching his goals, independence and care for Roxy. I also love how even when Vaughn had a hard time understanding why Alex needed those things he didn’t push him to change his goals or stop all together. The compromise and understanding make this such a sweet holiday read.

4 pieces of eye candy

I am an Idaho native who grew up dreaming about traveling the world and writing stories. As a child, I would often spend my spare time curled up with my favorite blanket and a notebook, writing another fairy tale. I never would have guessed those fairy tales would one day grow into gay romances, but that is where my heart led me and I am so glad it did. I write about love because I believe it can happen to anyone, with anyone. I also believe dreams never expire, redemption is possible, and true forgiveness can heal us in ways we never expect. I know firsthand how messy life can get, but as any artist will tell you, a little mess is needed to create something beautiful. You can often find me with a mug of coffee in one hand and a dog toy in the other. There is never a day that goes by without my sweet boy insisting on a game – or twenty – of fetch.

Author links:

Amazon: http://bit.ly/KimBreyon

IG: www.instagram.com/kimbreyon

FB: www.facebook.com/kimbreyon

FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/breyonsbraveones

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/BREYON-newsletter

GR: http://bit.ly/Goodreads-Breyon

Cancer Ships Aquarius by Anyta Sunday: Blog Tour and New Release Review

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Prepare to dip your toe into the biggest adventure of your life, Cancer. There’s romance in the air, and it smells deliciously salty.

Dumped by the fifth girl in two years and abandoned by his best friends, Reid Glover is alone and in need of a home.

Desperate, he interviews to become a live-in manny aboard widowed Sullivan Bell’s yacht, the Aquarian.

The job? Not to look after thirteen-year-old Joanna. No, this child-mastermind needs Reid to befriend her dad, urge him to participate more in family life, encourage him to date, oh, and become his closest confidant and help him unleash his bottled emotions.

No pressure.

At least he’s not entirely out of his depth.

Okay, so he may have a slight aversion to the ocean. And possibly attract more than his fair share of misadventure.

But he is a pro at crying.

Watch out, Sullivan. Reid is on his way with a family-sized carton of tissues. He will help Sullivan through his fears. Will help him find love again.

Will absolutely not fall for him in the process . . .

Caution, Cancer, how long will you fool yourself?

Title: Cancer Ships Aquarius

Author: Anyta Sunday

Series: Signs of Love #5

Release Date: February 17, 2020

 Subgenre: Contemporary m/m romance

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Their gazes snagged, and Reid’s knees wobbled.

Sullivan pulled him into the main room beside the bed. Through a crack in the curtains, dim light seeped in from the light-spangled city below. Sullivan stood, and Reid heard every shift of his clothes, felt the heat of Sullivan’s body, smelled the scent of vanilla soap and under it Sullivan.

Reid licked his lip, trembling at what they were about to do. Waiting for it to happen.

Sullivan pinched Reid’s tie and drew if off him slowly, keeping the knot in place.

“Sullivan?” Reid watched Sullivan set the tie carefully on the bed beside their pillows. “This is my first time with a man.”

Sullivan plucked gently at his buttons. His words tickled over Reid’s nose. “I bet you’re wondering what I will do with you. How it will feel.”

Yes. “I need you to take my breath away.”

 

Reid, freshly dumped with the same ol’ line he’s been hearing his whole life, “it’s not you, it’s me”. Even from his own dad when he left, he’d long since read between those lines and figured out they meant the exact opposite. The common denominator was him afterall… So, finding himself broken up with and homeless, save for sleeping on the floor of his friends place, he needed the manny job he was applying for the same day as his broken heart. That’s when he meets Johanna, the daughter he’s interviewing to be looked after. Only, she’s almost 14 and Reid is only there because she talked her widowed father into needing a nanny as a guise to find him a new love.

It’s been 3 years since Sullivan’s husband passed away and though he’s an excellent father, he’s running from the hurt of losing the love of his life and dragging his daughter with him while he researches and invents great things! Sounds great, and a lot of fun, unless you’re a teenage girl who wants a place to call home so she can make friends and like boys, especially the one at the marina who lives a few docks down. She’s the mastermind here and she’s honest with Reid from the start and Reid, being the caring heart that he is, along with really needing the job, he’s determined to help this family.

He isn’t prepared for the gorgeous Sullivan to naysay him at every turn and genuinely not want him there. He’s isn’t prepared for liking him and his daughter so much and falling for them the more he gets to know him. And it’s funny and sweet and I completely fell in love with Reid and Johanna, especially. Unfortunately, Sullivan wasn’t prepared for Reid at all and wasn’t ready to move on from his husband. This is why I don’t care for widowed romances because it’s so hard to have a one true love when you’ve already had one. I know, I know, it’s not realistic, and of course Sullivan deserved a second love, but I felt like it was at the suffering of Reid…..he deserved more. Especially at the end… I HATED that Sullivan used those words on him “it’s not you, it’s me” knowing how painful they were to Reid. I hate that even after that, Sullivan wasn’t the one who chased after Reid and showed him that he did love him, but instead, it was Reid chasing Sullivan AGAIN and showing him that he loved him. Reid asks at one point, do I put others happiness and needs before my own? And the best friend said, you already know the answer to that… well, of course, he did… and he deserved for someone to put him first for a change and Sullivan didn’t do that.

I was literally floating through this whole book, loving every single second of it. I ugly cried and then felt so let down by that at the end. I wanted so badly for Reid to know, without a shadow of a doubt, that he was wanted and loved. He deserved that, didn’t he? He shouldn’t have had to work so hard for it. And don’t get me wrong, it ended beautifully, and I loved the two of them together, I just wish it didn’t feel so one sided at times. My stomach literally sank and it felt empty and I wanted Sullivan to show him that he was worthy after a lifetime feeling anything but.

Other than that, it’s an entertaining and sweet read with lots of giggles, plenty of tears and of course, horoscopes of love. I adored every book in this series and this one was no different. I can’t wait to see who’s next.

4 pieces of eye candy

A bit about me, Anyta Sunday: I’m a big, BIG fan of slow-burn romances. I love to read and write stories with characters who slowly fall in love.

Some of my favorite tropes to read and write are: Enemies to Lovers, Friends to Lovers, Clueless Guys, Bisexual, Pansexual, Demisexual, Oblivious MCs, Everyone (Else) Can See It, Slow Burn, Love Has No Boundaries.

I write a variety of stories, Contemporary MM Romances with a good dollop of angst, Contemporary lighthearted MM Romances, and even a splash of fantasy.

My books have been translated into German, Italian, French, Spanish, and Thai.

Author website: http://www.anytasunday.com/

Author newsletter signup: http://www.anytasunday.com/newsletter-free-e-book/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anytasundaybooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/anytasunday

Instagram: https://instagram.com/anytasunday

BookBub: https://bookbub.com/authors/anyta-sunday