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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

Hidden Gems List: Books you might not have read

June 10, 2015 by Denise

hidden gems

We here at Two Chicks Obsessed want to take some time to spotlight Hidden Gems, as we call them. These are books (in the case of this week’s post) or authors (next week’s post) that people have recommended that are not on the “most often recommended” list. We are all aware of the authors that are recommended when you want a paranormal, or a contemporary m/m, or even historical, and we love them, too. However, these Hidden Gems are books and authors you may not have heard of before…I know many of these, I have not! We will also spotlight, with a review, or an interview, one book or author during each post, so you can have a more in depth look at it.

So take a look at all the books, give us your thoughts, let us know if you have Hidden Gems, and they may be in a future edition of Hidden Gems.

Hidden Gem Spotlight:

Saving Kane by Michele M. Rakes (AKA Mikey Rakes)

Synop11354947_772791496170499_1591351830_nsis:
A twenty-something paramedic suffering from PTSD and a failing relationship with his high school sweetheart becomes embroiled in the tragic life of a young, gay man brutally beaten, raped, and left for dead.Kane Abel can’t help falling for his caregiver, the handsome paramedic who saves his life, but he’s resistant. The one time Kane threw caution to the wind, he was left with a wired jaw and a tracheostomy. He can’t take much more hurt. But with his attacker’s promise to return, Kane lives in a constant state of fear, and with the ever-present paramedic, arousal.Garrett Young struggles with the question of his sexuality, unable to get Kane out of his mind even as he fights against the demise of his long-time engagement with his girlfriend Amanda. Every day is complicated by his ongoing battle with PTSD and alcoholism, compounded by his fear for Kane’s life.

 

denise review

I won’t lie. I was afraid to read this book. Like, big spider holding you hostage in the corner of your bedroom, scared. (Yes, that was a recurring dream for me as a kid…don’t ask…) I read Fourth and Long in March, but hadn’t read Saving Kane. I heard it was a not a light read. And although not all the books I read need to be light (Fourth and Long certainly isn’t), I just kept thinking I needed to mental prepare myself to read this book. I finally did, and I’m sorry I waited so long to read it! It wasn’t a light read, that is true, very heavy subject matter, but these men grab your hearts from the word go. I definitely had built up the fear in my mind, but found it was not as frightening as I had initially thought it would be! I mean let’s face it…it has an HEA, so what was I afraid of? 🙂

I don’t know how to describe the feelings throughout this book. Anguish immediately, as you see what Kane is going through. Hope, as he recovers physically, and Garrett is by his hospital bed every night, talking to him, despite Garrett believing Kane was asleep. Love, as they try to find a way to connect with each other, despite Garrett being straight. Heartbreak as Kane is a victim once again. And pure joy as they are able to connect with their families, after they have vanquished the evil that had lain before them.

In the end, their love began as a questioned emotion by these men, neither quite sure where they stood with the other. However, where they never failed to stand, was right by each others side. They were, without a doubt, loyal to ensuring that the other was safe and healthy, as much as they could be for not being in a relationship.

As a reviewer, I feel that something being an actual re-read, not just an “I hope to re-read this again someday”, but one that will be re-read with certainty is the highest compliment I can pay an author, and deserves a five pieces of eye candy rating. Their work is such a joy, or so emotion evoking, or whatever it is that catches each reader, that you are planning into your time to re-read a book that you don’t have to read, but that you are looking forward to re-reading. This book (as well as Fourth and Long) are both “must re-reads”, without question. Five pieces of eye candy.

1-5 pieces eye candy

Other Hidden Gems Recommendations:

  • Stay with Me by S.E. Harmon
  • The Stars That Tremble by Kate McMurray
  • Owning Corey by Maris Black
  • Bonds of Earth by G N Chevalier
  • Out of Hiding by Mia Kerick
  • Two Sides of the Same Coin (The Blake/Dusty Chronicles Book 1) by Thianna Durston
  • A Strong and Sudden Thaw by R.W. Day
  • Wicked Gentlemen by Ginn Hale
  • Aftermath by Cara Dee
  • Outcome (Aftermath Book 2) by Cara Dee

Related

Filed Under: Author Spotlight, Hidden Gems, Uncategorized Tagged With: author, book, Book Reviews, Cara Dee, erotica, G N Chevalier, gay, Ginn Hale, Kate McMurray, lgbtq, m/m romance, Maris Black, Mia Kerick, Michele Rakes, R.W. Day, romance, S.E. Harmon, Thianna Durston

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Denise Dechene says

    June 10, 2015 at 6:45 pm

    Great post. For the past couple of weeks I have been highlighting authors that most don’t recommend on Facebook. I have read some great books , and often wonder why others haven’t recommended them. AR Moler’s How We Operate and Inches of Trust are a couple of my re reads. AKM Miles Scarcity series are great reads and Greeting Cards and Two Lips Indifferent Red by Tinnean are a few I can name

  2. Thianna Durston says

    June 11, 2015 at 2:07 pm

    Thanks so much for featuring Blake & Dusty in Two Sides of the Same Coin 🙂

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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

17 hours ago

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
My review: Twisted Little Game by Raleigh RuebinsAnother in this Crimson College series. This one was a bit different than the others. Yes, they are still in college and it takes place there, but the other members of the Onyx Society aren't much of a part of the story as in previous books. And, not for nothin, I thought it was a big secret society and let Roman just waltzes in with Tate and no one questions it.Anyway. Roman is Bratva and as a favor to a cousin he is now the bodyguard of Tate, son and brother of football royalty who has been getting some pretty nasty threats.Tate is that golden retriever happy guy who literally makes friends with everyone. But he is mad about having a babysitter. Even if Roman is hot af.Roman never thought he liked guys. Until this blonde dynamo was under his care.Push, push back. Bicker. Test boundaries. Finally give in. But we knew that would happen, right? They are really hot and cute together so that's fine.And the plot was a bit interesting when we find out the twisted web the stalker came from.What disappointed me was the utter lack of family. Here Tate is being threatened and presumably has a stalker. Yes, he got kicked out of his last college, but seriously. His parents don't check on him? Or his brother who seemingly hired Roman to be a bodyguard.And on that note, Roman is all about how he is Bratva because of family and honor and whatnot, but never once do we see his father. You'd think the head of the Bratva Petrov family would want to know what his son is up to. Since it's obviously not Bratva business.Anyway. I did like the book and I loved them together, but they were was too insolated from most of the world.4 pieces of eye candy ...

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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

23 hours ago

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
My review: Rookie Moves by Jodi OliverWhat a fun read. I loved the premise- hockey prodigy wants to go to college for a year before he is drafted to get the experience of going to college. Of course he still plays for the college hockey team. He has three things he wants to accomplish during that year. And one of them is losing his v card. Cliche? Maybe. But the story is told really well.And even though Colby is a freshman, he recruits senior Tyler to help him. But it isn't wham, bam, thank you D man. It's slow and drawn out. Which shows Tyler's maturity. Wanting it to be perfect for Colby.Underneath it we have Tyler who is graduating soon which means working for his father back home and giving up hockey. Two things he absolutely doesn't want to do. And grr his father makes me so mad. And Colby who wants to play in the NHL, but also already feels the pressure of it. Hockey has had their eyes on him since he was a child. And it isn't getting better.We follow these two for several months with the backdrop of college hockey and making it to the Frozen Four. Of course with the ultimate goal of winning it. There isn't too much hockey (sorry, I don't like getting bogged down with page after page after page of hockey plays) and there isn't too much sex. It's actually balanced really well and the story moves forward without getting stuck anywhere.And apparently there will be a book 2 so we get more of Colby and Tyler? Yes please! I loved these guys4 1/2 pieces of eye candy ...

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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

23 hours ago

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
My review: Asystole by Jillian D Wray I am kind of hooked on this author's books!This is the start of a new series that is spun off from the previous one Ricochet Ridge. We met Logan and Chase briefly in that series and now they get their own story several years later.These 2 were classic black cat and golden retriever. And since Logan is still pining after the man he can't have, I'll let you guess which one he is. And even though Chase is a surgical resident in a long distance relationship trying to live up to his parents expectations- he is just a happy guy. So when he basically doesn't give up on asking Logan out for a beer, a friendship is formed.I will say that this is a VERY slow burn and it does involve cheating. So if cheating is a hard pass, now you know.The book gives them time to develop a relationship-mostly as friends-until it's more. But I liked that. I loved seeing them BE friends. Hanging out, getting a beer, etc.It also shows what residents go through. Not just the long hours- but what is expected of them. Giving up time off, writing reports, meeting with drug companies. I had no idea.And I really can't wait for book 2!4 pieces of eye candy ...
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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

23 hours ago

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
My review: Callous Shot by Becca SteeleYes, another hockey book. But this one is set in England and although the rivalry between 2 colleges is prominent, I don't think hockey takes the front seat. What does is the weird rivalry between the son/nephew in a crime family and the son/nephew of another crime family's lawyer and the detective who is investigating them. IHonestly, it took me a while to get into this book. I just didn't understand the "I hate you/No I hate you" stuff. Which lasted a LONG TIME. And it was over and over and over again. Like, ok. We get it. You hate each other. Even when you are having sex you hate each other. Got it. And the last names. Even outside of hockey why do guys call each other by their last names? Once they finally got over that, the book got better AND there was more plot. Dan and Link both have legacies to live up to. Unfortunately, Link's father is pretty horrible. A do this or else kind of guy. Dan doesn't seem to have the outward pressure that Link does, but in his head he does. Because he is next in line to take over. The kind of convoluted storyline with Link's father wanting Dan's family investigated finally makes sense at the end. But it's a bit of a meandering road. One that causes the 3rd act break up before they inevitably get back together.It was ok. I certainly didn't love it. There was a lot that could have been cut. I normally like this author, but this one was a bit of a miss.3 pieces of eye candy ...

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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

1 day ago

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
It’s release day for TWISTED LITTLE GAME by @raleighruebins! Grab it in KU!Why you need to #ONECLICK this book…🔥MM Dark College Romance🔥Mafia Bodyguard x Reckless Jock🔥Size Kink🔥Hired to Protect Him🔥Rule Giver x Rule Breaker🔥Bi Awakening🔥Hurt/Comfort🔥Emotional Scars & HealingMy stalker is a problem… but my bodyguard is a monster.I never asked for Roman Petrov.I made one mistake, got threats on my life, and now my brother hires me a bodyguard?Roman is six-foot-five, pure muscle, and a gorgeous, scowling face.I break a few of his rules on my first night of his protection.Provoke him until he pins me to the wall.And something explodes between us when he lays his hands on me.Our size difference sparks a pure physical addiction.His two rules:His family runs the mob… but we don’t talk about it.And he’s usually 100% straight… but completely obsessed with me.I can take a man who’s taller and bigger in every way.As threats escalate, Roman demands I stay in his room, closer than ever.When I’m attacked on campus, Roman’s unhinged, vowing to destroy anyone who hurts me.He’s the heir to a powerful Bratva crime family, and war with the mafia is erupting now, too.I know I’m in danger.Lines blur between who I can or can’t trust.But I have Roman close to me.And I believe it when he says I’m his.#newbookalert #raleighruebins #mmromance The Author Agency ...

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