TCO Reviewer: Michelle

Unbreakable Stories: Rowe by Jocelynn Drake and Rinda Elliott: Quick Reviews with Giveaway

July 11, 2017 by Denise

Unbreakable Stories: Rowe is a collection of short stories following the romantic adventures and misadventures of former Army Rangers turned security experts Rowe Ward and Noah Keegan following the events of Torch, book 3 of the Unbreakable Bonds series.

This collection is more than 30,000 words long and contain stories such as:
Piece of Pie
Mistletoe
Haunted
Gotcha
And many more…

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Kobo Books

Drake & Elliott have mastered another hit! Unbreakable Stories: Rowe is the compilation of shorts of Noah & Rowe and they are absolutely hilarious, sweet & s. There is not much more to say that I haven’t said in previous reviews. I adore this series and it will forever be in my top 5 of all time. Drake & Elliott are a dynamic duo that I hope continue writing together for years to come.

Noah & Rowe had everything…

Impressive writing – check
Good flow of each story – check
Witty – check
Sweet – check
Sexy – check

The stories that Drake & Elliot create are full of family and love. Every time I read a new story (short or long) with the Unbreakable Men I get ALL. THE. FEELS. My favorite short was Mistletoe. The warmth and love you feel Noah has for Rowe is gut clenching. Noah will do anything to make Rowe feel loved during the holidays and the reindeer games they play definitely did the trick. I love getting a glimpse into their lives and seeing a little bit more of how they are so well matched as partners.

I hope Drake & Elliott continue to do little shorts (or a full length) of the Unbreakable characters. I don’t want to ever let them go. Well done Ladies – Keep the stories coming!

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Why can I not get enough of these men? I just love all the men in this series, and they are written so well by Drake & Elliott, I have to wonder how anyone will be able to get enough. I almost NEVER beg for additional stories on characters, mostly because often it seems when they have achieved their happy ending, then there isn’t much to tell about them.

However, these two authors have written such an incredible series, with characters who are so true to life, so diverse in personalities, that I cannot imagine how any of them could be boring. Adding these stories after their happy endings are such a joy to read. You learn more about their lives, their pasts, their wants, all the hot sex they have, and mostly about how the relationships between all these men continue to strengthen bonds built over many years.

Rowe’s stories are no exception. We see the fun side of Rowe and Noah, as they mess with their oh so serious friends. And we see the tender side, as we learn more about Rowe’s deceased wife, and his sister in law. The tears were flowing…in a short story. THAT is hard to do. For an author to bring a connection to a reader based on a short story is an incredible gift, yet these ladies do it so well.

I can’t help but hope that we get more scenes, maybe even more books, even as I know that these two will be working on a spin off series that I have no doubt will rock my world. Their writing draws me in, creates some serious magic, and then spits me out the other side, wrung out from the feels, but still happy as can be that I get to have a little of that in my life.

Well done, ladies…well done.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

For a chance to win an ebook copy of any of the Unbreakable Bonds books (including the stories), tell us, have you read any of the books in this series? If not why (okay, run now!), and if so, which one is your favorite?

Unsteady by Melissa Collins: Release Day Blitz and Double Review with Giveaway

April 28, 2017 by Denise

Micah Hudson and Jude MacMillian were both lonely teenagers. One the new kid and one the target of relentless bullying, they quickly became friends. But when friendship grew into more, the relationship was too much for either to handle. As their tenuous bond was tested, everything tumbled down, leaving them lonely once again.

A decade later, Micah is on the brink of losing his will to live. Beyond exhausted from lying to everyone, including himself, Micah thinks of the one person who knows his deepest secret. Desperate and alone, Micah makes the only decision he feels he has: he must leave. But his need for closure depends on one thing.

Can Jude make room in his Unsteady life for Micah once again?

Amazon

I love this series.. I already knew, from the other two stories, that it was going to be a tearjerker for me. It was…

Micha and Jude… let’s discuss.

After losing his mom, Jude and his dad hit a rough patch… one turned to food while the other turned to alcohol and, it just seemed that they both just got so lost that they didn’t know how to find their way back. The bullying in this, made me sick to my stomach and I hated that the bully just got away with being terrible. I hate when that happens… Fortunately, the new kid, Micah, was Jude’s saving grace. Not only did he befriend him and help him in so many ways, he became Jude’s best friend….

Micah had his own baggage, mainly with his father. He was a jerk plain and simple. You won’t like him, I’ll point that out right now. But I feel like, he was the biggest part of why Micah was the way he was. Even though I’m not a fan of the going back and forth from past to present… it worked here. We needed it, for the story to work, but I was broken hearted by the time we made it back to the present.
After losing touch for ten years, knowing that their friendship was well beyond friendship and that they loved each other so much….it was hard to see Micah as anything other than the strong one like he had been when they were younger; but the tables turned and now Micah needed Jude to be the strong one.
And he was….

Things are great with them for a while, though I wanted to reach in and slap Micha upside the head for keeping so much from Jude. I knew it was going to end badly when all the secrets came out, there was no way around it. I did understand why he kept the secrets, but I hated that he did…for everyone involved. (I mean, I have to just leave that there, cuz I don’t wanna spoil it)

This is truly a second chance romance and if I have ever needed two people to work out like they did.. it was these two. Their chemistry and passion and love for each other was evident from the very beginning and it never quit. I wanted to cry for them several times and just say “you have to work out! You just have to!”…. In all fairness, I knew they would… but it was a rough road getting there.

I loved this story… I loved the hurt/comfort and the realness of each character and… sigh… I just love them as a couple. It’s hands down, an excellent addition to an amazing series, although it’s a standalone and you don’t technically need to read the other two… you just should… just because they’re amazing too. But this one… easy 5 stars….Don’t miss it.

Pieces of Candy: 5

WOW – When the Prologue has you in tears, slightly sobbing, you know you are about to read a book that is going to tear you apart but you’re not sure if you are going to be put back together. Unsteady lived up to its name especially after such a passionate and powerful prologue.

Micah was introduced in On Higher Ground (Dax & Bec). There was something very intriguing and mysterious about him. I squealed when I heard he was getting a story.

Unsteady is somewhat of a 2 part story as Jude and Micah were best friends back in high school. In a previous book of hers (Let Love Live) part one was the past while part two was the present. With Unsteady it is mixed together and I have never seen an author do this with such effortlessness as Collins does. You will never feel lost or feel like it is not part of the story. There are not many “flashbacks” and each one is valid and added at the precise spot it should be. It gives it an endearing quality to see what happened to separate 2 people who were so in love with each.

Micah has secrets….TONS of secrets but he is also feeling dejected so he finds solace with the only person he has ever loved…..Jude. Collins writing is off the charts remarkable and the story flows with simplicity. It’s hard to find a writer than creates such a broken character a
nd does it with dignity and pride.

I fell in love with Collins writing back in 2014. Even though I know her stories will leave me needing tissues and lots of wine I will always read what she writes. Her love of writing shows in the stories she shares with us and they will hit you in the heart and take up residence there – For that alone I adore her.
If you are looking for a well-developed story with 2 broken souls, some sexy romance and a bit of unsteady issues (<- – – see what I did there…lol) – Than this read is for you. If you don’t like to cry or get sentimental while reading than pretend I didn’t state that (I tend to get emotionally over some topics) and give it a try.

A HUGE thank you to Melissa Collins for writing a heartfelt and beautiful story of 2 misplaced souls finding each other again. I am now naming you the QUEEN of prologues – No one has ever made me shed a tear with in the first 3 pages. Kudos to you on such an astounding book.

PS: That is one drool-worthy cover and it represents Micah and Jude to a T

Pieces of Candy: 5

FAVORITE LINE: And with each day, it’s more and more difficult to capture those fleeting seconds of peace. They only come at night when I relive the soldiers dying in my arms. Envious of their peace,eventually the dreams became increasingly morbid. It was no longer a comrade taking his last breath, but me.

Join me on Facebook where you will find a $50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!
Melissa Collins Author Page

Melissa Collins has always been a book worm. Studying Literature in college ensured that her nose was always stuck in a book. She followed her passion for reading to the most logical career choice: English teacher. Her hope was to share her passion for reading and the escapism of books to her students. Having spent more than a decade in front of a classroom, she can easily say that it’s been a dream.
Her passion for writing didn’t start until more recently. When she was home on maternity leave in early 2012, she read her first romance novel and her head filled with the passion, angst and laughter of the characters who she read about it. It wasn’t long before characters of her own took shape in her mind. Their lives took over Melissa’s brain and The Love Series was born.

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Tied to You by Riley Hart: Release Blitz, Excerpt, Review and Giveaway

April 27, 2017 by Denise

TIED TO YOU

WILD SIDE BOOK 2

RILEY HART

M/M ROMANCE

COVER DESIGN: X-Potion Designs

COVER PHOTO: John Karrer

ARTWORK: Sarah Jo Chreene

Miles Sorenson prides himself on his brutal honesty. Facts and logic are a hell of a lot easier to deal with than emotions. He’s got his career and a small, close-knit group of friends, and he doesn’t need nor want anything else. The total opposite of Quinn Barker, who doesn’t take life too seriously and thinks a good laugh can cure anything.

When Quinn takes Miles home, it’s supposed to be a one-time deal. Except they really click in the sack and end up spending the weekend together, enjoying each other’s bodies as much as their company…to Miles’s dismay. Matters get even more muddled when, months later, they run into each other at the popular West Hollywood bar, Wild Side, and pick up right where they left off.

On the surface, Quinn and Miles are like oil and water, but the draw between them is undeniable. As their lives further entwine, they realize there’s more to their connection than the way they singe the sheets together.

But demons from the past have a way of catching up, and no matter how strong the link is tying Miles and Quinn together, the pressure may be enough to make it snap.

Goodreads

AMAZON US

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AMAZON CA

AMAZON AU

Miles still held him by the back of the head. Their lips were inches apart now, breaths heavy, Miles panting as he looked at Quinn.

He breathed in, Miles out, Miles in, Quinn out.

“You gonna fuck me or what, Counselor?” he finally asked, and then they were stumbling out of the shower—teeth clanking, tongues slashing, lips searching.

He felt like Miles was going to devour him, take him whole, and in this moment, he would welcome it.

Miles kissed him until they got to the sink. “Bend over it,” he said, and goose bumps shot across Quinn’s skin at the command.

He did as Miles said. Miles’s hand brushed down his back, his finger tracing each rise and fall of Quinn’s spine. “Perfect arch.”

Quinn looked up, met Miles’s eyes in the mirror and replied, “I know.” Because he did. He was fucking good at this.

“Mouthy little bottom, aren’t you?” Miles teased.

“Realistically confident.”

“You’re killing me.” Miles looked away, and Quinn knew it was because this was a lot. Because just fucking before he’d admitted that Quinn intrigued him was one thing, but now they both knew this was about more than just a piece of ass. What? They hadn’t gotten that far yet and didn’t know each other well enough to figure it out either, but it was a truth between them that hadn’t been there the first weekend they’d shared.

Or maybe they had known it but hadn’t been able to admit it.

“Get in me,” Quinn told him.

“Mouthy,” Miles said again. “Going to have to do something about that.”

It’s so hard to write a review for a book that that you adore without coming out looking like a crazy stalker or making you look like you are trying too hard to convince someone, who is reading this, to give the book a chance.

Riley Hart is an auto buy for me no matter what she writes or who she co-authors with. Some of my favorite books and book boyfriends have come from the genius mind of Riley. I love how each book/series is nothing like her previous books – always evolving into something new. The Wild Series is about 4 friends, Oliver, Matt, Miles and Chance, who have been best friends since they were kids. Tied to You is book 2 in the series where we meet the enigmatic Miles, who has taken over my heart.

Back when Quinn was introduced in Jumpstart (Christian & Beckett, Crossroads Book 4) the first thing I did was message Hart and immediately asked if Quinn was getting a book. Of course I loved the book but there was something with Quinn, despite being a secondary character that drew me to know more about him. To have him finally get his book and for it to be with Miles has the stars aligning and me being exceedingly happy.

Hart’s writing is remarkable with the book flowing with simplicity. Both Miles and Quinn each have a past that have made them the way they are….distance, closed off, only looking for some fun. Their connection is off the charts which you could feel from the start of the book. Reading this made me think Hart was inside my head while writing their story – I got all the feels. Here are my exact thoughts…

“I’m in love with Miles and Quinn’s banter. Gah…When he calls him Baby Boy….I’m Done….HOOK…LINE AND SINKER. I was not expecting to feel like I was punched in the heart when Miles & Quinn (((took spoiler out))). JFC….I haven’t read something that felt that intense in such a long time.”

I just love everything about this book – the writing, the characters, the secondary characters, the banter, the miscommunication, the walls that take a while to come done, the romance – **sigh** – Just everything.

If you haven’t started the series yet you should. Start with Dare You To (novella), than Gone For You.

If you didn’t care for either of those books and are reluctant to try this one….PLEASE TRY – This is one of best from Hart.

If you are a newbie to Hart’s work you should give it a go. I promise you will not be disappointed.

Another fantastic read by Riley Hart. I can’t wait to see what comes next.

FAVORITE QUOTE

“I got you, baby boy,” Miles said as Quinn wrapped his arms around Mile’s neck. “I got you. I’m here.” He kissed Quinn’s forehead. Held him tight. In this moment, nothing else mattered…”

Pieces of Eye Candy: 5

Riley Hart is the girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. She’s a hopeless romantic, a lover of sexy stories, passionate men, and writing about all the trouble they can get into together.

She loves reading, flawed characters, and hanging out with her husband and children, who she adores. She and her family live in Southern California, soaking up the sunshine while also missing seasons. Not a day goes by that she isn’t thankful she gets to wake up and do what she loves.

Life is good. Riley also writes young adult and new adult under the name Nyrae Dawn.

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Devour by Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott: Pre-Release Review and Giveaway

April 24, 2017 by Denise

Ian Pierce is the chef and part owner of the hottest restaurant in Cincinnati, his chosen family is full of happy relationships, and the scruffy, snarky cop who has been haunting his dreams is one step closer to being in his bed. But everything comes crashing down when the past he narrowly escaped nine years ago comes to a deadly head.

Hollis Banner was enamored of Ian at first sight. He’s kept his distance, knowing the gorgeous, self-confident man is out of his league. Yet there’s no standing aside when Boris Jagger escapes a raid. Jagger’s world has been nearly destroyed and this time, the crime boss is coming after Ian and his friends personally.

Hollis will do whatever it takes to keep Ian safe as they escape to a safe house with a couple of Ian’s overprotective friends. And Ian finds himself in a race to unlock painful memories—memories containing information that could take down the very last of Jagger’s illegal operations forever.

Amazon

**SIGH** I really didn’t want this series to end. I fell in love with Lucas, Snow, Rowe and Ian in Shiver (book 1). The series name definitely fits the friendships of these 4 men – there is nothing that will tear them apart and they will always have each other’s backs. I am a sucker for series that is revolved around a group friends and with each book you see how strong their bond is. With this series, you get the bond of friendship as well as the bond with their partner and I will forever love these 4 and the man they claim as their own.

Devour is book 4 in the Unbreakable Bonds Series and is best read in order as the storyline continues through all 4 books. I’ve been waiting, what feels like a lifetime, for Ian and Hollis’s story. I was a little worried about Hollis when he showed up in Torch (book 3) and was undercover. Ian holds a special place in my heart for what he has been through. In the previous books we only had a glimpse of what is early life was like but with Devour we finally are able to get the whole picture. You will definitely shed some tears – some happy and some gut wrenchingly sad.

Drake & Elliott are a duo team but you will never know there are 2 separate personalities writing this series. They write as one and it shows in how well composed the plot is. The story picks up where Torch left off. There are a lot of unknowns with Lucas leaving, Jagger out to get Ian and the rest of the group trying to pick up pieces to keep their family together. Devour is a thrilling rollercoaster of emotions. The suspense was throughout the whole book and I loved every minute of it despite my heart pounding the entire time. The book flowed with gripping ease you will not want to stop reading.

Drake & Elliott have given us another phenomenal read. It wasn’t always hearts and flowers but in the end they gave us an ending so wonderful I was fighting back the happy tears. This series will be a re-read for years to come. I am hoping they make a spin off series with the secondary characters we have come to love ***cough cough…Sven and Geoffrey**

A huge thank you to Jocelynn Drake and Rinda Elliott for creating a gripping series for me to love.

5 pieces of eye candy

FAVORITE LINE: He got it. The sweet message that Ian was so subtly sharing – Rowe had his back no matter what. Over the past year, he’d marveled at his tight-knit family Ian was a part of. He’d never seen such a group of men so devoted to each other, willing to give up anything and everything for one another’s safety and happiness.

We will be giving away two copies of Devour (or any book in the Unbreakable Bonds series) on release day. Tell us about your most unbreakable bond, person, place or thing.

Momo: My Everything by Posy Roberts: Quick Review

March 30, 2017 by Denise

Brave the spotlight for the man he loves, or stay alone in the shadows…

William Harris is a reserved man, private and guarded. He has no one to go home to. He’s never found a man worth sticking around for. He’s never been in love. And he’s convinced he’s happy with his lone-wolf life.

Nate Kelly is William’s opposite, social and easy going. He comes into William’s life as the elegant geisha Momo. When William realizes Momo is a man in drag, he’s captivated.

From their first date, William’s world changes. Nate is nothing like his usual type. And William soon finds out being with this carefree man means always being on display and attracting attention, which makes him want to retreat. He tries to keep Nate at arm’s length, but it’s no use. Nate’s transformed his life in a matter of months and keeps drawing him back in.

If they stand a chance, William has to be comfortable standing next to someone so at home in the limelight. Their future together and William’s happiness depend on it. Is Nate the man finally worth giving up William’s solitary existence? Is he worth sticking around for?

Amazon

Home run for my first Posy Roberts story. I read the blurb and thought “what-the-hell” I’ll give it a try. I am so very happy that I did. I generally bypass stories that are less than 100pgs. Nothing against those that write them I just don’t like them. The few I have read were rushed (beyond the fast pace that is needed for a short story) and have always fell flat. I will say that I was extremely surprised about how much I loved this.

Nate and William are the epitome of opposites and Roberts did an amazing job with their story. The only thing that would have made this story better (for me) was to have it as a dual POV as I would love to be inside Nate’s head. He’s personality was outstanding and fun.

The writing was fantastic. The story was well paced and for once did not feel rushed to get to the steamy scenes. Even though it is a short story there was a well-developed plot and character development. I am sure Nate is everyone’s favorite as William was a little bit more to handle but I wouldn’t change William’s character at all. He was exactly what (IMO) worked best for this story.

I highly recommend this book. I see a reread in the near future. I have now added all of Posy Roberts books to my TBR.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Fangs Like Me by Lyssa Dering: Quick Review

March 28, 2017 by Denise

Lane, a newborn vampire, still feels the pain of betrayal. Two years ago, a faithless boyfriend took his life, and now, Lane’s Maker has also left him behind. The pain of separation burns strong when all Lane wants are arms to hold him and enough warm blood to satisfy his voracious appetite. At a shifter party, Lane is drawn to a hunky Alpha werewolf who tries to console him.

Parker is more than a thoughtless hookup. Since his family disowned him for finding boys just as hot as girls, all he wants is someone to love and look after. The sweet little vamp calls to his protective instincts, but he sure is jumpy. Cuddling with boys is new and delicious, but when this boy also wants him as a food source, things get complicated.

Vampires and shifters aren’t supposed to get along, and Parker’s rough dominance triggers bad memories for Lane. But Parker’s wolf wants Lane, and he knows he can give Lane what he needs. Can Lane learn to navigate his past and give the thing growing between them a chance? Or will the very real possibilities of heartache, abandonment, and even death, keep them apart?

Amazon

Shifter and vampire books are starting to become my drug of choice. I love how every author does the world building and characteristics differently but also stays within the “norm” of Paranormal. Lyssa Dering does it a tad different than I am use to with Vampires so it took a bit to get into the blood as sweat and tears.

Lane is a “vamp baby” who is still dealing with how he was changed. He was bitten and left for dead by his vamp boyfriend. Theo, his maker, turned him instead of leaving him to die. Parker is an Alpha wolf shifter who left his pack to do to his family not approving of his choice of men over females. Lane & Parker meet at a party and from there we follow them through their story.

The writing was good and the story flowed smoothly. The issues I had were that Lane was depicted as more of a child losing his parent as Theo, the maker, is never around. He wants to be loved and be part of a family but he feels he doesn’t have anyone. Parker wants everything that comes with mating but without the actually relationship. Of course there is hot steamy scenes, knotting, biting and claiming but it wasn’t in the form of a growing romance until towards the end. Lane has certain “tastes” in the bedroom whereas Parker is a lover and caretaker. It was nice to see them work around the issues.

I enjoyed the book but wished there was less aggression and more romance. I am excited to check out other books by the author.

3.5 pieces of eye candy