Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

All the Way to Shore by CJane Elliott: Audio Book Release Blitz, Excerpt and Giveaway

January 7, 2020 by Denise

What happens when a cruise ship romance crashes on the rocky shores of reality?

Poor-little-rich-boy Jonathan Vallen is the heir to Vallen Industries, but is more interested in music and gardens. He clashes with new CEO Marco Pellegrini, a self-made man and rising star in business, who is brought in to salvage the company. Jonathan gladly leaves Vallen and moves to Cape Cod. When they meet again on an LGBTQ Caribbean cruise, Marco doesn’t recognize Jonathan, who has spent a year transforming from an ugly duckling into a very sexy swan. After Marco shows interest and sparks fly, Jonathan reluctantly assumes a false identity, egged on by his cousin Anthony. None of them expect a shipboard fling to deepen into true love.

Back on land, the romance crashes when Marco discovers his perfect man is not only a lie but the son of his boss, Frederick Vallen. Jonathan resolves to win Marco back, but Frederick takes vengeful action. Jonathan and Marco must battle their own fears as well as Frederick’s challenge to get to the future that awaits them on the horizon.

Title: All the Way to Shore

Author: CJane Elliott

Narrated by: Tim McKiernan

Publisher: Self-Published

Original Release Date: 11/23/16

Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 5 hrs and 55 mins

Genre: Romance, Contemporary

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Audible

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

The strains of a steel band mingled in the air with the tantalizing aroma of meat on the grill. Jonathan was thinking about getting something to eat when Anthony suddenly clutched his arm.

“Jonny! Over there!” Anthony practically hissed the words as he jerked his head to the right.

“What?” Jonathan took another sip of his sangria, not too concerned. Anthony got worked up about everything.

“I think that’s Marco Pellegrini!”

He lifted his head and stared in the direction Anthony indicated. A tall, dark-haired man in glasses stood surveying the crowd next to a younger woman bearing a strong resemblance to him. Both were stunningly good-looking. The man’s tousled curls were longer than Jonathan remembered Marco’s being. But when the breeze lifted them from his face, his Roman nose and defined cheekbones were unmistakable. So was the amazing body clad in a tank top and shorts ensemble that managed to combine elegance with sexiness. Damn. It was Marco. “On this cruise? I thought he was engaged or something. And straight.”

“Guess not. I knew that guy was gay!”

“I think you mean bi.” Jonathan’s mouth grew dry as Marco squinted in their direction, and the humiliation of their past encounters rose in his mind. “Oh, damn, damn it, Tony. What’s he doing here?”

He was about to turn and flee to their stateroom when Anthony said, “He’s staring at you, Jonny. I think he likes what he sees. Stop fidgeting! Let’s go over and say hi.”

“Are you kidding?” Jonathan whispered. “I never want to see that guy again. And he for sure doesn’t want to see me!”

“No? Then why’s he walking over here? My God, the man is gorgeous! If you don’t want him, I get him.”

“You—” Jonathan cut himself off because Marco was indeed strolling in their direction, the woman at his side.

Anthony grabbed Jonathan by the arm and all but dragged him closer, then beamed at Marco. “Hello, there!”

While Jonathan tried not to die a thousand deaths, Marco smiled and said, “Hello.” He showed no recognition that he’d ever met Jonathan before. What he did show, shockingly, was a rather blatant interest in him, running his eyes up and down Jonathan’s body before saying, “I’m Marco.” Jonathan had never seen Marco in shorts or a close-fitting tank before and was having a hard time breathing at the sight of his tanned shapely legs and muscled shoulders.

The woman, who had to be his sister or cousin, nodded at them and smiled warmly. “And I’m Sophia. We’re also known as the Pellegrini twins, only we’re not really twins. Just sister and brother.”

Before Jonathan could respond, Anthony jumped in. “Nice to meet you! I’m Andrew Arrington, and this is my cousin, Jonah Rutledge.”

Jonathan felt his mouth drop open. Then he gave a weak smile, still poised to flee, sure that Marco was going to recognize him any moment. “Um, hello. Where are you from?” After they got through this fiasco, he planned to kill his cousin.

After years of hearing characters chatting away in her head, CJane Elliott finally decided to put them on paper and hasn’t looked back since. A psychotherapist by training, CJane enjoys writing sexy, passionate stories that also explore the human psyche. CJane has traveled all over North America for work and her characters are travelers, too, traveling down into their own depths to find what they need to get to the happy ending.

CJane is an ardent supporter of LGBTQ equality and is particularly fond of coming out stories.

In her spare time, CJane can be found dancing, listening to music, or watching old movies. Her husband and son support her writing habit by staying out of the way when they see her hunched over, staring intensely at her laptop. Be sure to check out CJane’s new Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/RainbowReadersClub.

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Vespertine by Leta Blake & Indra Vaughn: Audio Book Review

January 7, 2020 by Denise

Can a priest and a rock star obey love’s call?

Seventeen years ago, Jasper Hendricks and Nicholas Blumfeld’s childhood friendship turned into a secret, blissful love affair. They spent several idyllic months together until Jasper’s calling to the Catholic priesthood became impossible to ignore. Left floundering, Nicky followed his own trajectory into rock stardom, but he never stopped looking back.

Today, Jasper pushes boundaries as an out, gay priest, working hard to help vulnerable LGBTQ youth. He’s determined to bring change to the church and the world. Respected, admired, and settled in his skin, Jasper has long ignored his loneliness.

As Nico Blue, guitarist and songwriter for the band Vespertine, Nicky owns the hearts of millions. He and his bandmates have toured the world, lighting their fans on fire with their music. Numbed by drugs and fueled by simmering anger, Nicky feels completely alone. When Vespertine is forced to get sober, Nicky returns home to where it all started.

Jasper and Nicky’s careers have ruled their lives since they parted as teens. When they come face to face again, they must choose between the past’s lingering ghosts or the promise of a new future.

Audible

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Okay, full disclosure. According to my Amazon buying history, I purchased this book July 25, 2017. That being said, it has languished on my TBR since then. I think mostly because I was afraid of the angst that I anticipated would come with it. I am not an angsty reader generally (I leave those books to Erin 🙂 ), I generally want as my friends would say “puppies pooping rainbows”. I had heard many times how good this book was, but was a bit scared to read it.

Yeah, yeah…I was wrong. 🙂 When I found out it was on Audible, I knew it was time, and now I am just sorry I waited so long…Although that being said, Michael Ferraiuolo‘s narration was once again, completely on point. Fantastic job.

It was definitely hard to read/listen to the drug portions of the book, even about Nicky shooting up (had an ex that did this, so…) but the authors did a fantastic job of taking that line, crossing it just enough to engage, but not so much that it squeaked me out. My heart hurt for Nicky, and how much he went through, and how hard it was for him to make himself stay clean. He was determined, and it showed.

Meanwhile, at the outset, you would not have assumed Jasper was the one who broke Nicky’s heart, or that he could be a Catholic priest, working with LGBTQ+ children while being out himself. However, he did all that, and the authors made it seamless. They didn’t put them back together instantly (this is a long book!), they took their time, brought them back together as the friends they once were first, and let them find their way back to each others’ hearts as each misunderstanding, argument, or painful memory was cleared.

I really did love this book. It was so unique, and hit so many buttons. Meanwhile, the narrator did what always makes a difference for me when I am listening, let me know through his voice, which character, MC or not, was speaking. Michael knocked it out of the park on this narration, and I’m so glad that he was my first introduction to this book. It allowed me to just enjoy it, rather than worry that I was going to be crying in the corner. (Which by the way, I did a little…but the authors gave me my HEA so all is well.) 🙂

Story:

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Narration:

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Interpretive Hearts (Dreamspun Desires Book 94) by Amanda Meuwissen: Quick Review

January 7, 2020 by Denise

Love is easy once you learn the steps.

In the competitive world of dance, Teddy was a flawless performer and hardass choreographer who students feared and admired in equal measure. But hip surgery ended the glamour and drama, and now Teddy is recovering at his beach house, lost and listless.

Until he meets Finn, his neighbor, who is too perfect, gorgeous, and kind to exist—but very ill timed. In a seaside town as small as theirs, they can’t avoid each other, especially since Finn is also Teddy’s new physical therapist. But Teddy isn’t the man he used to be, and though Finn flirts shamelessly with him, Teddy can’t believe a has-been dancer is worthy of someone so young and full of life.

Finn’s sunny smile is also hiding heartache. Pursuing Teddy challenges both his professionalism and his self-preservation, but if he can convince Teddy to trust him, maybe they both can heal.

Amazon

I read the blurb and got excited! Angst! Drama! But really, not so much.

It was a sweet, easy to read story with very likable characters that should have and could have been so much more angst driven drama. Teddy- former professional dancer and then professional choreographer- has retired after hip surgery. He is mad. He didn’t want to retire, but he has. To his house on the beach. But he hates sand. (cue Anakin Skywalker joke)

Finn is hiding his pain with a super cheery exterior. And interior. He seems to only let himself mourn and feel on a specific anniversary.

Finn is young and optimistic, Teddy is “old” and jaded. Naturally they have lots of chemistry that Teddy fights and Finn doesn’t.

There’s also a super happy dog and a bristly cat. Yes, parallels to the main characters.

There are some decent side characters- sisters and mothers and friends and in laws. The hurt/comfort was played well, but I really wanted Teddy to be more of an asshole about his situation. OR for Finn to tell him that he could still choreograph. It was just a bit too tidy in the end. If it is going to be tidy at the end, at least make it super messy before that.

It’s a decent read, but a bit forgettable.

3.5 Pieces of Eye Candy

Hometown Christmas by Garrett Leigh: Quick Review

January 6, 2020 by Denise

Yani Nicolaou is sworn off love for good. After fleeing a bad break-up in London, the only blood, sweat, and tears he has left are for his gyro stall at the Christmas market. Rebound fling? No thanks. He’s sticking to one-night-stands.

Ex-army vet Gavin Richie has even less capacity for romance. Managing a homeless shelter while recovering from injury keeps him far too busy. So what if he’s often alone? He’s content being single, or so he thinks until a chance meeting lights a spark he can’t ignore.

Yani is the warmth and affection Gavin hadn’t known he was missing. As Christmas lights up the city, their lives entwine in more ways than one. Falling for each other is easy. Holding on is harder, unless a hometown Christmas proves their love can last longer than the festive season.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

One of the things I love about Garrett Leigh‘s books is that they are unapologetically British. The slang, the cursing, the food, the wide spectrum of nationalities. It is just so fun and refreshing. It really brings me into that world instead of “Americanizing” all of the language and white washing the characters. And it gives me fun new curse words for my arsenal.

Yani and Gavin were each minor characters in previous books and when they meet now- sparks fly. Their one night stand turns into more, but no feelings. The dreaded FEELINGS! Ha. There are feelings everywhere.

I loved that even after they had a sexual encounter and couldn’t stop thinking about each other, instead of immediately getting naked again, they take the time to get to know each other. Including sleeping in the same bed but only kissing. Swoony sweet.

They basically work opposite hours at different jobs, but make the time to see each other when they can. And fall for each other a little more each time.

So after the first hot and heavy, it turned into a slow burn. But it was totally worth it.

A great Christmas story with a sweet love story.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

The Christmas Deal by Keira Andrews: Quick Review

January 6, 2020 by Denise

Will fake boyfriends become the real deal this holiday?

It’s the most wonderful time of the year—except ex-Marine Logan is jobless and getting evicted. Worse, he’s a new single dad with a stepson who hates him. A kid needs stability—not to mention presents under the tree—and Logan’s desperate.

Then he meets lonely Seth and makes a deal.

Can Logan temporarily pretend to be live-in boyfriends to increase Seth’s chances at a promotion? If it provides a roof over their heads for the holidays, hell yeah. Logan considers himself straight—he doesn’t count occasional hookups with guys—but he can fake it. Besides, with his shy little smile, Seth is surprisingly sexy.

Make that damn sexy.

Shocked that Seth has only been with one man, Logan can’t resist sweetening their deal to teach him the joys of casual sex. No strings attached. No feelings. No kissing.

No falling for each other.

Easy, right?

The Christmas Deal is a steamy holiday gay romance from Keira Andrews featuring fake boyfriends, bisexual awakening, a clueless single dad with an angry preteen, and of course a happy ending.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Fun and filthy and sweet and sexy as all get out.

To be honest, I didn’t like Logan at first. I get that his life was total crap, but he just seemed like a jerk. But the more I got to know him and his story, the more I liked him and felt badly for the hand he was dealt in life.

Seth was pretty adorable in that “I don’t even know how adorable I am” way. He deals with his crappy situation a by pretending to be happy.

Seth and Logan both need each other for different things- and Logan’s sister offers the perfect solution. Fake boyfriends for the holidays. Add in a teen going through his OWN crap, an overly friendly boss from Texas and a small group of people helping to pull this off, and you actually get a good story that isn’t totally cliche.

Religion did a number on Seth and his views on sex. He isn’t really a prude, he just doesn’t really know better. But let me tell you, Logan knows better. **fans self** He has the filthiest mouth I think I have ever read in a book. And he doesn’t do it to embarrass Seth, but to show him how awesome sex can be.

There was depth to the story, the heart breaking stories of Logan, Seth AND Logan’s stepson had me in tears more than once. I really loved how each of them helped the others to at least partially overcome their past.

Did I mention Logan’s filthy mouth? Ya. That.

We get not only a happily ever after (how could you not in a Christmas themed book?) and a 5 year jump epilogue which was super satisfying.

4 pieces of eye candy

A Granted Wish by Lily Michaels: Quick Review

January 6, 2020 by Denise

A workplace romance can melt the heart of a real estate mogul Scrooge.

Over the three years Adam Meade has worked for Grant Alexander, his crush has steadily grown, until the annual holiday party, where he finally musters the courage—both actual and a touch of the liquid variety—to dare push their professional relationship in a vastly different direction. A tentative kiss ignites a blazing inferno and begins a stream of steamy hook-ups that the men soon recognize may extend into something much more than just physical.

However, nothing worth keeping is easy, and Adam will need a hefty dose of trust to avoid falling into the trap a scheming co-worker has created to destroy their new bond and allow him to salvage the Christmas of his dreams.

Reader advisory: This book contains very light threads of BDSM and reference to homophobia.

General Release Date: 19th November 2019

Genre:

CONTEMPORARY
EROTIC ROMANCE
GAY
GLBTQI
MULTICULTURAL

Amazon

Pride Publishing

I love office romances. The generally low angst, the power struggle, the hiding and secrets, and I really like the naughtiness in the office. All of those things. I need more office romance in my life!

This was a sexy little holiday novella that took the office romance and tipped it on it’s ear a bit. The boss was the one needing to be bossed around, and the PA was just the man to give it to him.

What I loved, though…it really was a romance, sweet and caring. It really wasn’t just about the office naughtiness. These two men genuinely cared about each other, and it showed in all they did.

I really liked this one! 4 pieces of eye candy