Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

Silent Sin by E.J. Russell: Exclusive Cover Reveal

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E.J. Russell is here today with an exclusive cover reveal to her upcoming gay historical romance, Silent Sin. It looks like it has some mystery and suspense wrapped up in, it my favorite kind of historical! Check out the lovely cover below by L.C. Chase.

When tailor Marvin Gottschalk abandoned New York City for the brash boomtown of silent-film-era Hollywood, he never imagined he’d end up on screen as Martin Brentwood, one of the fledgling film industry’s most popular actors. Five years later a cynical Martin despairs of finding anything genuine in a town where truth is defined by studio politics and publicity. Then he meets Robbie Goodman.

Robbie fled Idaho after a run-in with the law. A chance encounter leads him to the film studio where he lands a job as a chauffeur. But one look at Martin and he’s convinced he’s likely to run afoul of those same laws—laws that brand his desires indecent, deviant… sinful.

Martin and Robbie embark on a cautious relationship, cocooned in Hollywood’s clandestine gay fraternity, careful to hide from the studio boss, a rival actor, and the press on the lookout for a juicy story. But when a prominent director is murdered, Hollywood becomes the focus of a morality-based witch hunt, and the studio is willing to sacrifice even the greatest careers to avoid additional scandal.

Title: Silent Sin
Author: E.J. Russell
Release Date: March 3, 2020
Category: Gay, Historical Romance
Pages: 268
 

eBook

Paperback

E.J. Russell—certified geek, mother of three, recovering actor—holds a BA and an MFA in theater, so naturally she’s spent the last three decades as a financial manager, database designer, and business intelligence consultant (as one does). She’s recently abandoned data wrangling, however, and spends her days wrestling words.
E.J. is a multi-Rainbow Award winner, and her book, The Druid Next Door, was a 2018 RITA® finalist.
E.J. is married to Curmudgeonly Husband, a man who cares even less about sports than she does. Luckily, CH loves to cook, or all three of their children (Lovely Daughter and Darling Sons A and B) would have survived on nothing but Cheerios, beef jerky, and satsuma mandarins (the extent of E.J.’s culinary skill set).
E.J. lives in rural Oregon, enjoys visits from her wonderful adult children, and indulges in good books, red wine, and the occasional hyperbole.
Newsletter: ejrussell.com/newsletter
Website: ejrussell.com
Facebook reader group (Reality Optional): www.facebook.com/groups/reality.optional
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/e.russell.author
Twitter: @ej_russell

First Impressions (Auckland Med: Book One) by Jay Hogan: New Release Review

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Michael:

Two years ago I made a mistake—a big one. Then I added a couple more just for good measure. I screwed up my life, but I survived. Now I have the opportunity for a fresh start. Two years in NZ. Away from the LA gossip, a chance to breathe, to rebuild my life. But I’m taking my new set of rules with me.

I don’t do relationships.

I don’t do commitment.

I don’t do white picket fences.

And I especially don’t do arrogant, holier-than-thou, smoking-hot K9 officers who walk into my ER and rock my world.

Josh:

One thing’s for certain: Dr. Michael Oliver is an arrogant, untrustworthy player, and I barely survived the last one of those. He might be gorgeous, but my daughter takes number-one priority. I won’t risk her being hurt again. I’m a solo dad, a K9 cop, and a son to pain-in-the-arse parents.

I don’t have time for games.

I don’t have time for taking chances. I don’t have time for more complications in my life.

And I sure as hell don’t have time for the infuriating Dr. Michael Oliver, however damn sexy he is.

Title: First Impressions
Series: Auckland Med: Book One
Author: Jay Hogan
Release Date: November 1, 2019
Category: Contemporary Romance

Amazon

Okay, first impression? Hot cover!

Anytime you give me a hot man in uniform, it’s going to give me pause. Throw in a hot doctor, uhm, yes, please! Make one of them a dad? Just take my money…. Take all of it!

In this one, we have Michael, who I’ll get to first. I didn’t care for him in the beginning. He’s arrogant and slutty and no matter what his reasons were, I just didn’t connect with him. After the death of a patient had hit him hard and lead to a multitude of problems in his life fueled by alcohol, guilt, and anger, he tucked his tail and ran away to Auckland, NZ, to take a job there. That’s where he meets K9 officer, Josh something or other and his dog.

A drug sting lead him and his team to the club where he finds Michael in a compromising position in the backroom of a club. He’s unapologetic but he knows Michael’s type, having had his heartbroken by a player of the same type. He wasn’t far off, Michael admits later to have purposefully cheated and though it’s off-page, I just never got over that either. I get the why’s, kind of, but it just wasn’t a good excuse to me. I didn’t like the way he treated Josh one second and then flipped the next and their banter wasn’t fun in the beginning.

So, after a scene at the club that left one officer dead, another injured and Michael a witness… Josh had to put his feelings away for a bit and tolerate Michael. He was insanely attracted to him, but he knew it would only lead to heartbreak. That’s all guys like Michael were good for, right?

Somehow or another, their angry banter turns sexual, which was hot. I hate the friends with benny’s thing, but anyone who saw them together knew how they were lying to themselves because you could tell that even from the beginning, even though they didn’t want to, they developed feelings for each other. I adored how vulnerable Michael let himself be with Josh, and I loved seeing Josh take charge and give Michael what he didn’t know he needed. I loved the relationship with Josh and his sister and his relationship with his daughter. It may have been a secondary storyline, but, it was real and sweet and he was protective and smart when it came to her and her safety and the strained relationship with his parents… who are horrible, by the way. I actually thought they’d be a bigger problem than they were, but I was glad about that.

Of course, with any relationship that starts out casual with one or the other constantly reminding each other that it’s casual, it’s bound to get… messy. And it did. Again, I couldn’t stand how Michael used all these different things to push Josh away and I couldn’t stand how Josh just let him. I didn’t like that even though it was Michael that needed to do the groveling and the growing, that Josh was the one who went after him. To fight for them. Michael should’ve been the one to realize how stupid he was being and stop running for a change. I also didn’t understand the unlikely friendship with the ex and his new fiance, especially a touchy feely one at that.

I dunno, when I adored it, I really, truly adored it but Michael really need a slap or two upside his head to maybe knock some sense into him. The dialogue between them was a little….eeeek, but, only because I didn’t see Michael as the person he let himself sometimes be. It was hard for me to connect with him throughout. I wanted to, ooooh, how I wanted to… it just sadly never happened.

It definitely kept me interested though and I was glad for the happy ending, but my goodness, did it take a while to get there. I’d be really interested to see who’s next. I loved Michael’s makeup wearing charge nurse, Cam and Josh’s bestie, Mark… I’ll definitely be looking forward to the next one!

Even though my review miiiight seems ranty, it’s a solid 4 pieces of eye candy from me

 

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Bishop: A True Lover’s Story by A.E. Via: Quick Review

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At only thirty-two, Bishop Stockley has lived a hard-knock life. His gang was his family, the streets his home. Until the crew he’d always called his brothers betrayed him. After doing five years in a federal prison, Bishop is back at his dad’s trailer and working for his landscaping company, thrust into a legit world where he’s no longer the alpha—a world where a criminal record is the least of his disadvantages, because Bishop can’t read or write. Illiteracy had never been an obstacle for him on the streets, he didn’t need to know how to read Moby Dick to survive, he needed to know how to read people… and that was a hustle he’d learned hard and fast. Now, he had to change his life.

Bishop’s only support system was a young, inexperienced dad who’d insisted he call him Mike all their life—since they looked more like brothers than father and son. And his hot-tempered, childhood, best friend from ’juvie, Trent. Bishop already had the deck stacked against him, but he wasn’t afraid of hard work to change his situation, and he did want to change. Especially after he encountered Edison Scala, a kind-spirited office manager who didn’t hesitate to come to his defense… a man that saw past Bishop’s grass-stained coveralls. A man who wasn’t intimidated by his stern features and his silence.

Edison hadn’t grown up the way most of his peers had. He’d been raised by a single father who’d owned an old-fashioned barber shop where Edison was taught how to not only shave with a straight razor, and shine shoes, but also how to treat others, to not judge, to be a gentleman, to be respectful and speak without profanity. But, the biggest lesson he’d learned, was to always be himself. His lack of friends and a social life wasn’t his fault. No matter how much weight he gained, no matter how many times his staff called him a square, Edison did not need to change.

Bishop knew Edison was off-limits. He’d made personal vows to himself when he was released from prison, ones that he never intended to break. But, when Edison asked him about providing landscaping services at his home, there was no way he could refuse. He hadn’t expected Edison to feed him, praise him, encourage him, and look at him the way he did—as if Bishop was somebody. Mike and Trent warned him not to mix business with pleasure and he didn’t intend to.

No multiple pairings. No cliffhangers. Ends with a very, very HFN.
Warning:
This book is a M/M contemporary romance, a hardened man’s struggle to find real love. There are no police chases or doors being kicked in, in this one. But, don’t worry. Bishop is still intense enough to keep you on the edge.

Amazon

Yup, she did it again. AE Via is known for gritty, urban stories with alpha men and guns. This story strays from her norm but is no less than stellar.

Bishop is fresh out of prison and trying to make a new start. Living with and working for his father is an adjustment. They didn’t have a typical father/son relationship and because of that Bishop suffered.

Edison is like the perfect gentleman. He dressed and grooms impeccably, he rarely drinks, no drugs, no cursing…and no friends. His one friend was his father who died several years ago.

Bishop and Edison are the complete opposites and so perfect together. They were swoony. Bishop compliments Edison all of the time. How handsome he is, how he likes his suit, he cooking, his house. It’s so charming and not what you would expect from a guy who pretty much grew up on the streets and spent 5 years in prison.

Edison at first doesn’t understand what Bishop would see in him. A guy who has no friends, no social life and is a little squishy. But Bishop is attracted to the person, not the package. But he does find the package very appealing.

I found it so interesting that Bishop is pretty forthcoming with his criminal record and time in prison. What he is desperate to hide is his illiteracy.

One of Bishop’s co-workers tries to sabotage the relationship from the beginning. And even though Bishop doesn’t think he deserves Edison, he stands up for what he wants. Again, swoony.

Besides Bishop and Edison beginning a relationship, we also witness Bishop and his father Mike starting their relationship over.

There’s also some levity in the story with the banter between Bishop and his best friend Trent. They cracked me up. Bishop the big quiet guy and Trent the little spitfire. Their relationship is not one you always see represented well in books.

This is a very slow burn. I don’t think they even met each other for several chapters, let alone started seeing each other. But that just made it better.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

 

 

 

*** Disclosure of Material: We may have received a copy of this book from the Author/Publisher with the hope that we would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. We have not been asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review – nor were we compensated in any way. We are posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. ***

Mr. Naughty List: A Gay Christmas Romance (Home for the Holidays Book 2) by Leta Blake: New Release Review

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A cute teacher gets a spanking this Christmas. How hot can it get being on his former student’s Naughty List?

Is Aaron allowed to want a hot holiday fling with his young former student? Even more forbidden, is he allowed to want this student to spank him?

It’s another Christmas, and Aaron is still in the closet as a gay man and a natural submissive. With one youthful indiscretion blacking his ethics record, he can’t afford to indulge his desires no matter how pent up and needy that leaves him.

Until his former student comes home for the holidays.

Dominant and charming, RJ knows what Aaron needs—intense, steamy encounters and a firm hand. As Christmas nears, RJ helps Aaron unlock his true self. But family and fallout await, and all good things must end.

Or can their hot holiday affair turn them into lasting lovers?

Mr. Naughty List is a steamy Christmas MM romance set in the Home for the Holidays series that began with Mr. Frosty Pants, but can be read as a standalone. Featuring light D/s, spanking, an older sub with a younger Dom, former student/teacher dynamics, and, of course, warm, sweet holiday feels complete with a strong happy ending.

Amazon

Most Christmas stories are on the shorter side. Not this one. You get a full length book.

It’s fun, sexy, dirty, a bit angsty and totally worth the read. I definitely liked the characters and the story itself more than the BDSM elements, well scenes, but that is just my opinion. I know Ms Blake has written several BDSM centered books, but this one didn’t totally jibe with me. Maybe lack of experience on both sides? Or not using proper instruments? A ruler- ok. But a braided belt not meant for spanking? Ehh..a little sketchy for me.

Back to the story though.

Aaron kowtows to his mother- also the principal of the school where he teaches. Because of her (and an indiscretion several years ago), he has to not only be on his best behavior, he also needs to stay in the closet. And he is ok with that. Until he isn’t.

RJ was a senior when Aaron was a first year teacher. The ink wasn’t even dry on his diploma when he took off to play guitar. In the 5 years since, he has a solid career touring as a back up guitarist for various bands. But his mother is remarried with twins and RJ comes home for Christmas.

RJ is out, proud and dominant. But, like I said, he hasn’t had that much real time practice. And he had a crush on Aaron during his senior year. He is willing to keep whatever it is with Aaron quiet to preserve his closet status because he is only home for Christmas.

I really liked the two guys with no long term expectations getting together. And slowly realizing independently that it is moving into more. Quickly. Poor Aaron needs love like no one’s business. And even though RJ doesn’t believe in love, he sure is willing to give it.

Watching them each trip over the labels they will use for each other, as well as what defines each label, is adorable. And even though their relationship was built on BDSM, RJ has no problem showing Aaron that it isn’t all he is after.

And then there is a sassy cat, a mom trying too hard, a mom not trying at all, a nosy best friend (I didn’t like her at all, sorry) and a step brother with a crush.

It’s a good story that didn’t feel overtly Christmasy because of the length, but still worth the read.

3.5 Pieces of Eye Candy

 

*** Disclosure of Material: We may have received a copy of this book from the Author/Publisher with the hope that we would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. We have not been asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review – nor were we compensated in any way. We are posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. ***

Lucky Break (Clean Slate Ranch Book 4) by A.M. Arthur: New Release Review

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Welcome to Clean Slate Ranch: home of tight jeans, cowboy boots and rough trails. For some men, it’s a fantasy come true.

Shawn Matthews never imagined he’d be living out of his car, trying to make ends meet, but life doesn’t always go your way—he knows that better than most. When an accident leaves the Clean Slate Ranch shorthanded, Shawn is enlisted to help cook and finds himself bunked next to the sexiest cowboy he’s ever laid eyes on.

The first time Robin Butler spots the new chef, he thinks he’s seeing an actual ghost. Shawn is the spitting image of his late husband, and it spooks the hell out of him. The former rodeo-star-turned-ranch-hand does his best to avoid the soft-spoken cook—except it’s kind of tough when the man makes the best damn grub this side of the Mississippi and has a boy-next-door charm that’s impossible to resist.

Even though the tension between them practically sizzles, Shawn doesn’t do hookups and Robin isn’t ready for a new relationship. Besides, Robin can tell Shawn’s been hurt and deserves a partner who isn’t saddled with a tragic past. But chemistry doesn’t lie. Maybe finding each other—and a second chance at love—is the lucky break they both need.

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!

This book is approximately 99,000 words

Amazon

Oh yea, back on the ranch. The Clean Slate Ranch that is.

We got a hint about something brewing between Robin and Shawn at the end of the last book. And now we get their story. And background stories. Ugh, my heart.

Robin was definitely known as a guy who wasn’t discerning, shall we say, when it came to sex partners. He was all about having fun. Shawn, however, was the complete opposite of that. So they sniffed around each other for a bit until fate sort of threw them together.

We’ve seen the ranch with guests and the ghost town before, during and after construction. Now we see the in between. The ghost town closes for several months when it gets colder and the ranch closes for the Christmas holidays. Except for those who live there full time and a skeleton crew. It was cool to see more behind the scenes without guests there.

Robin doesn’t speak to his family, so staying on the ranch suits him fine. And Shawn really has no where else to go. Even though he is an employee of the ghost town, he gets an opportunity to work at the ranch while the ghost town is closed.

Robin was SO PATIENT with Shawn. Taking the time to even romance him a bit. Going at Shawn’s pace in the bedroom. It was kind of surprising based on Robin’s reputation. But so, so sweet.

The down time on the ranch let them get to really know each other and spend time together. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that Miss Angsty Author loves to make readers cry, wrote a really sweet book.

Ok, Robin’s back story is sad. Shawn’s back story is sad. But nothing that made me cry. This might just be a first for me.

Two likable characters, a slow but steady burn (which turned wicked hot) and some redemption.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

 

 

 

 

 

*** Disclosure of Material: We may have received a copy of this book from the Author/Publisher with the hope that we would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. We have not been asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review – nor were we compensated in any way. We are posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. ***

For Sam, times infinity by Suki Fleet: Blog Tour, New Release Review and Giveaway

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After growing up in care, all Sam wants is to make a home for him and Tommy, his kid brother by choice. But it’s not as easy as he thought, especially when his social worker finds him a job miles away. And falling for the surprising boy at work only makes things harder.

Evra is different, his past a mystery. Being truly himself is not something he’s ever felt safe enough to be with anyone, not until Sam, the shyest boy ever, saves his life at work and Evra finds himself inexplicably trusting him. Wanting him.

Problem is, Sam is leaving, unable to stand being so far away from Tommy. And Evra can’t leave, not when he has consequences to face.

Making things work might seem complicated, but sometimes falling in love has its own consequences.

Length: 60,000 words approx.

Amazon US – Kindle Unlimited

Amazon UK – Kindle Unlimited

Okay, so, I have a hard time with stories where bad people get away with being bad people and it really seemed like that’s all there were here in the beginning, apart from Sam and Evra, but everyone was terrible to them. I’m also not a big fan of young adult, so I was wary in the beginning of this one.

First we meet Sam and Evra, who work together at the same factory, though in different parts. Work isn’t good for either of them, their boss is terrible, as are the people they work with, both men have a bully that seems intent to make work miserable for the pair of them, but for different reasons. Sam is only there because the home he aged out of helped him find the job, though it was hours away from who he considered his little brother from the home, Tommy. They will break your heart. Sam loved Tommy so much and hearing the two talk, you knew that they only had each other, but unfortunately, Sam not really being Tommy’s brother and the fact that Tommy’s only 13 and has special needs, he needs the care system still, especially while Sam gets established… they’re working towards it though and I was glad to see that for them, even if it did seem that there were hundreds of hurdles in their way.

Evra was a little mysterious for me. Not only his relationship with Mav (who I eventually came to adore, despite he and Karl’s bullying) but also the home they lived in. Taken in as refugees when their shipping container was found, Mav and Evra had come across each other while in care, but was now living in a support house tht tried to help them get established, but didn’t at all because of the tyrant, militant, manipulative person they lived with. How he could dictate their every moment (even bowl movements) was so strange to me and I don’t know how nobody noticed this or how he wasn’t in prison or locked in a loony bin. I didn’t understand that entire storyline. It seemed so unbelievable because who would willingly go along with that?

Evra though, especially because of his upbringing, didn’t understand the whole right from wrong 100% though, he didn’t realize what Berill was doing was wrong. Strange, but not wrong. Not until Maverick found out. I loved how much Mav had Evra’s back. I hate that we didn’t get to see the “consequences” that Beril got, but maybe next book??? I’m hoping so. I cannot handle when bad people get away with being bad.. I need karmic justice… I’m petty that way!

So, it’s a complicated situation for all involved, but together, with all of them being there for one another, things get worked out, all while Sam and Evra fall for each other. It was a bittersweet ending, especially knowing how much the boys had gone through to get to where they ended up… I love happy or happy for now endings, I wouldn’t mind reading more about Karl and Mav. I have a feeling they’ll break my heart too.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

About The Author

Award Winning Author. Prolific Reader (though less prolific than they’d like). Lover of angst, romance and unexpected love stories.

Suki Fleet’s first novel This is Not a Love Story won Best Gay Debut in the 2014 Rainbow Awards, and was a finalist in the 2015 Lambda Awards. Foxes won Best Gay Young Adult story in the 2016 Rainbow Awards.

You can contact Suki at sukifleet@gmail.com

If you’re interested in hearing about upcoming releases, works in progress, giveaways and freebies, please sign up to Suki’s newsletter.

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*** Disclosure of Material: We may have received a copy of this book from the Author/Publisher with the hope that we would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. We have not been asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review – nor were we compensated in any way. We are posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. ***