Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

A Dom and His Artist by Xenia Melzer: Exclusive Guest Post and Release Day Review

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Sometimes the perfect man can be found in the most unexpected place….

Martin Carmichael owns a security firm and is part owner of Club Whisper. He’s a Dom in search of the right guy, and when his car breaks down on a lonely stretch of road, he thinks he might have found him.

Artist Collin Malloy is talented, easygoing, but somewhat insecure. Still, he has a big heart and is quick to offer help when he sees Martin in need. To thank him, Martin invites Collin to dinner, where the attraction between them becomes harder to resist.

But what will become of their budding relationship when Martin reveals that he likes his men bound, submissive, and in pain? Is it something Collin can accept… and possibly enjoy exploring? Even if he can, Collin has a secret of his own—a secret he doesn’t even realize he’s keeping.

Title: A Dom and His Artist
Series: Club Whisper: Book 2
Author: Xenia Melzer
Release Date: April 10, 2018
Category: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Pages: 194

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

An Interview with Collin Malloy

X.M.: Hello Collin, it’s great to talk to you. How are you doing?

C.M.: Hello Xenia, I’m fine, really fine. You know, Martin and I had a scene just yesterday and it was so nice, with hot wax in different colors, so of course I had to call red and start experimenting right away, and did you know Martin has all kinds of colors and the candles are made from bee’s wax and smell totally good, and I got a very nice dribble pattern on the sheets of our bed, and then I researched candles and wax, and in some parts of Bavaria and Austria people make pictures of holy people, like the Virgin Mary or Christ on the cross, from wax, which is just fascinating, and Martin said we can have some beehives so I can get my own wax, and the honey, though I think it’s kind of mean to take the honey from the bees, since they work so hard for it, and I’m sure sugar water isn’t even half as good, but at least they don’t have to fly far to get the honey, because our garden has all kinds of flowers and they bloom all year round, so perhaps it’s okay to take some of the honey, since the bees can always collect more, and isn’t that just cool?

X.M.: Uh, yeah, I guess so? Now, how did you meet Martin Carmichael?

C.M.: *bounces up and down on his chair* Uhh, that was so great. I was out looking for dreams, you know, the kind of dreams that you have and you feel they’re kind of real, even though a part of you knows you’re dreaming, and all it takes is a hard pinch to wake you, and somehow you want to wake, but somehow you also don’t want to, because then this feeling of being there and not being there is gone, which is a beautiful paradox that only makes sense in the dream world, which goes to show how important dreams are, and sometimes I wonder if the dream world isn’t the real world and what we think is reality is just some kind of twisted version of what could be if we would only realize it – though I’m not sure how eating and drinking would work when you’re asleep and the dream world was your home, and perhaps things would just switch around and we wouldn’t even notice.

X.M.: Yeah? About Martin…

C.M.: Right. How I met Martin. Sorry, I get distracted sometimes. This world is just so full of wonderful things… Anyway, I was looking for dreams and I found some pretty good ones, a skull, some pipes, old branches, and a few odd stones that reminded me of Stonehenge, the way they were grouped, and I hope I didn’t destroy somebody’s magic site, though I didn’t feel anything magical and there didn’t seem to have been any people recently, so I think it was fine. I was on my way back to Miami when I spotted Martin by the side of the road. His car had just stopped working, and later, nobody at the garage could tell him what the problem had been, but I think it was so that we could meet, and that is a totally logical explanation, even though Martin doesn’t think so, but I know when I’m right, because then I get this tingly feeling deep in my stomach, similar to when Martin makes me feel good in the playroom, and have you ever noticed how your body tries to talk to you and helps you with decisions and stuff, because mine does this all the time, and not only when I need to eat or drink. *smiles happily*

X.M.: Yes, I actually know what you’re talking about. Now, your first meeting with Martin…

C.M.: I still haven’t told you? Funny, how time runs away from us sometimes, as if it’s this living thing, like a puppy, that wants to play with us, and sometimes it runs so fast we can’t keep up, and other times it’s so slow, it seems as if nothing will ever happen again, and I can see why people refer to time as a river, though rivers are also a symbol of life and life’s journey, and perhaps I should start working with water, or no, I have to drive to the next river and find my answers there, and I wonder if it’s possible to build my own river, but then Martin has to buy a bigger yard to fit the river, and where would we put the beehives then, and I have to think about this, though my own river is probably not a good idea, but perhaps I can have my own pond with frogs, and fish, and dragonflies, and water lilies, and ducks. Ducks would be nice, don’t you think?

X.M.: *gives up* Yes. Yes, I think ducks would be nice. Thank you for your time, Collin.

C.M.: *already gone to find ducks*

This book is definitely not your average BDSM story. If you read the above interview with Collin, the sub MC in this book, you will absolutely see that this story will be a bit different than most would expect from a BDSM. However, the characters are just so interesting, it really makes that read just that much more enjoyable.

Collin is a true artist, and I loved this character so much. He saw art in everything, which was amazing. He was fascinated with bees, and skeletons, and tree branches. Honestly anything he saw. There was actually a BDSM scene in the book that I was very intrigued about, where it takes an unexpected turn. His Dom, Martin, at first is irritated, but quickly realizes he is looking at the situation from the wrong perspective.

That scene really honed in on the connection between the two characters, and how perhaps when you find someone, you need to allow them the leeway to be themselves, in order for them to be what you need in your life.

Martin learned quickly as his relationship with Collin developed that what had been his previous rules were never going to work with Collin. Martin quickly found his way into this new role.

A really enjoyable read that brought home the fact that BDSM is not about a set of rules that cannot be broken, but about finding the right set of rules for your situation, and your relationship. What works for one couple will not work for another.

4 pieces of eye candy

 

Xenia Melzer is a mother of two who enjoys riding and running when she’s not writing stories. She doesn’t like beer but is easily tempted by a Virgin Mojito. Or chocolate. Truffles are especially cherished, even though she doesn’t discriminate. As a true chocoholic, she welcomes any kind of cocoa-based delight.

You can contact her through her website: http//www.xeniamelzer.com

Or befriend and follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xeniamelzer/

 

Sweet Nothings by T. Neilson: Exclusive Guest Post, New Release Review

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Will a bitter bite from the past spoil a sweet romance?

Tristan Love, the youngest of seven brothers, is back in his hometown. He’s left the New York food scene and an abusive relationship behind him, but he holds his love of French pastries close to his heart and is determined to put his skills to use in a bakery of his own.

Returning to his childhood home means his meddlesome brother Simon will butt into his business, but before the bakery even opens its doors, Tristan’s delectable creations have the town’s mouths watering, and Jake, a cute mechanic, asks Tristan out. It all seems worthwhile….

That is, until the bakery burns down, Jake’s criminal past comes to light, and Tristan’s nasty ex rears his head where he is decidedly not wanted.

 

Release Date Apr 3, 2018

Type Novel

Genre MM Contemporary Romance

Words 63,173

Pages 248

ISBN-13 978-1-64080-248-3

File Formats epub, mobi, pdf

Amazon

Dreamspinner

Kobo

Sometimes life slings something unpleasant your way, and there’s nothing you can do about it and there’s no way to get out of the way. At times like those, I reach for a romance. And a cinnamon roll.

I love pastries, and I love romance. The richer, fluffier, and sweeter the better. It’s like that meme that’s been going around the internet, “Cinnamon roll, too good for this world, too perfect”; that’s my ideal M/M pairing. Two cinnamon rolls, sweet and fluffy, but no strangers to sticky situations. In this case, there’s Tristan, the determined-to-prove-himself youngest of seven (seven!) who came back home after a bad romance and is picking up the pieces, and there’s Jake, who’s maybe a little crusty on one side what with his time in jail and the things people say about him, but who’s just as sweet as can be, and has a real soft side for anyone willing to take the time to try to uncover it.

But you can’t just have two cinnamon rolls there on a plate and call it good. You need a little something more. You need the guys who run the cafe next door who brew coffee strong enough to cut all that sugar, and the big sister who always cleans up the messes, and the brothers who squabble over who gets the most icing but really actually love one another right down to the crumbs. Basically the textual equivalent of coffee with those rolls. And possibly ice cream too. Because, heck. Everybody needs a sweet treat once in a while.

Sweet Nothings by T. Neilson: Release Day Review

T Neilson writes flirty, silly, contemporary m/m romance featuring recovering addicts, mental health problems, and abuse survivors. Honestly, honestly, the books are silly. I swear.

Deadly Dorian by Jocelyn Drake and Rhinda Elliott: Exclusive Excerpt, Pre-Release Day Review and Giveaway

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**TCO is excited to have Jocelynn Drake and Rhinda Elliott stop by with a sassy, exclusive excerpt from Deadly Dorian, which comes out next week–EEK!–Make sure you check out the giveaway at the bottom of the page for a chance at an ebook copy of any of Drake and Elliott’s back releases.

Someone is trying to kill Marc Foster.

Attempted poisoning was bad enough, but when the would-be killer messes with the brakes on Marc’s precious Porsche, the art dealer admits he needs help. He just wasn’t expecting help to be quite so dark and sexy.

Royce Karras loves his job at Ward Security. He’s making up for a lifetime of bad decisions and a bloody past he’d rather forget. But Marc isn’t the spoiled rich boy he thought he’d be protecting. Sticking close to Marc as his “boyfriend” gives Royce insight into his toxic family, but it also reveals a brilliant, compassionate man who completely disarms Royce. Against his better judgment, Royce finds himself falling.

But can they find a way to make it work when Royce’s past threatens to tear their lives apart? Their future hinges on a lost Renaissance painting, six Bichon Frises, and a pornographic Robin Hood.

No worries, right?

Pre-order exclusively at Amazon

 

Just like the kitchen, the living room looked completely untouched. He’d seen model homes that looked more lived-in. A white sofa and a black chair faced a nondescript wooden table. A TV offered the only break in the white walls. There were no pictures of family or friends. No art whatsoever. There was…nothing.

An uneasy twist tightened his stomach. It didn’t look as if anyone lived in this house. There was nothing personal. No little hint into the man who was supposed to be keeping him safe, as if he’d erased all signs of his soul. Marc had watched those horrible true-crime shows that revealed images of a psychotic killer’s home to find it meticulously cleaned and organized. Royce’s home reminded him a little too much of that.

“Have you lived here long?” Marc called after Royce as he continued to follow Royce’s heavy footsteps. He paused at the foot of the stairs by the front entrance, then shrugged. Royce never told him to stay in the living room. Didn’t speak to him at all. So, he went up.

At the top of the stairs, he found three open doors. One to a bathroom and another to a spare bedroom with only a queen-sized mattress and box spring on the hardwood floor. The other room was the master bedroom, and this one had a little shred of color and personality.

The king-sized bed dominated the room with its black comforter and wooden headboard with the open slats. Perfect for gripping or tying someone to. Marc blinked and jerked his gaze away from the bed to the pair of framed pictures on the nightstand. Without thinking, he stepped farther into the room, squinting at the pictures. One looked a couple of decades old at least and was of two young boys. The other was of a handsome young man with a colorful scarf tied around his neck. It looked like a nice spring day with cherry blossoms in the background. Even from a distance, the man’s smile was incredibly sweet.

Royce stepped out of the walk-in closet with a black roller bag in hand. He glared at Marc, looking as if he were surprised to find him there. “Wait downstairs,” he barked. “I’ll be down in five minutes.”

Marc stiffened at his tone, feeling like a scolded child. Sure, this was Royce’s private domain, and the man couldn’t like having his privacy invaded, but Royce was about to touch every inch of Marc’s private life. “Of course,” Marc bit out as he turned on his heel and started to leave the room.

A low muttered curse rumbled from Royce a second later. “Wait,” he said with a heavy sigh. “Is there anything in particular I should pack?”

“Most days I’ll be at the gallery downtown. You can wear whatever you want there.” Marc partially turned to look at Royce, still expecting to be ejected from the room at any second.

“Jeans and T-shirt?”

“You can wear onesie unicorn pajamas and a tiara every day to the gallery. It certainly wouldn’t be the strangest thing I’ve seen.” Some of the tension eased from Marc’s shoulders when he saw the corner of Royce’s mouth jerk like he was fighting back a smile.

Clearing his throat, Royce tossed the roller bag on the bed and opened it. “I’ll skip the onesie this time. I’ll be carrying, and it could get in the way.”

His heart missed a beat at the mention of the fact that Royce would by carrying a gun and that danger was still haunting his steps. It was easy to forget at times when he was focused on the strange man grabbing clothes out of the top dresser drawer on the opposite side of the room.

With every one of these books, I come out thinking that it’s my new favorite.

Maybe it is for the time being, I dunno…I think I might be a little bit in love with all of them though! In this one, we have Royce…who I had been waiting for. He was beautifully tragic in a way that you just knew he had some hidden heartache in him, and boy did he.

And Marc… the art dealer who was convinced that someone in his family was trying to kill him. That’s when he met with Royce, because he needed a bodyguard.And because it was someone that had access to his home, and all aspects of his life, he needed them to be with him 24/7…And what better way to go undercover, than to pretend he’s Marc’s boyfriend.  What could possibly go wrong there??

I will admit, that this story kept me on my toes and flipping through pages like crazy. I read it half of a day because I couldn’t put it down once I’d started. Who I was convinced was behind it, wasn’t at all and really surprised me by the end. I love that it was a twist that I didn’t see coming.

I kind of felt like the two problems in the story was a bit much…like, we have this big thing with Marc and someone trying to kill him and then a huge thing pops up with Royce, making him have a big problem. It was a bit much, I’ll say again… I did like that during Royce’s problem, the guys all took his back and made him realize that they were all a family. All the guys that he worked with had his back not only on the job, but in life…Royce had felt alone for a very long time, and it was nice to see the brotherhood and connection that they all had together. They really proved themselves loyal after this one. I mean, not that they don’t already, but…especially after they helped Royce out with his situation.

With Marc, my heart kind of broke for him because he never felt good enough since he was the baby of the family, and wow, his siblings were kind of terrible, especially his sister. I never did warm up towards her.

I did love the way he and Royce were when they were together, though…It never felt like a show, or just a job, even from the beginning. They were perfect for each other and it was obvious. Of course, they both had to learn some things about themselves before we got there in the end, but of course they did.
It was just a perfect addition to an already great series, and you get to see all the hotties from previous books, so bonus there!

I honestly cannot wait for more from this series…

5 pieces of eye candy from me.

At TCO, we all love Jocelynn and Rhinda’s work, so leave a comment, and you could win and ebook copy of any of their backdated releases!

Austin by Felice Stevens: Release Day Review and Excerpt

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I can make it by myself. The only rules I follow are my own. Love? I learned that lesson the hard and painful way—it wasn’t right for me. Sure, sometimes it gets lonely, and I wish I had a man to hold. Who’d love me. Want me. Treat me with respect. Yeah, I dance in a club, but that doesn’t mean I’m easy. Or a fool. So you, sitting in the back, watching me? I know what you want. You want me. In your bed. Under you. But I say no. It doesn’t matter how many presents you give me.

I’m not falling for you. I know who you are. But you don’t know me. You don’t know Austin.

AUSTIN

MAN UP SERIES

FELICE STEVENS

M/M ROMANCE

RELEASE DATE: 04.05.18

COVER DESIGN: REESE DANTE

Amazon


I lifted my chin. “I’m sorry, but customers aren’t allowed in here. You have to leave.”

Ignoring my statement, he closed the door behind him and stood, his face impassive, expression hard and fierce as if hacked out of granite.

“Did he hurt you?”

The softness of his voice surprised me. It didn’t reconcile with his large, imposing presence. Forgetting my previous statement, I gazed up at him from my seat, and not wishing to be at a disadvantage, stood.

“You saw what happened?”

“I did.” A twinkle lit his startling blue eyes. “You handled it perfectly.”

“Fucking asshole. He’s lucky I didn’t kick him harder.”

“The kitten has claws, I see.”

A smile curved his stern mouth, and he looked younger and impossibly attractive. A rush of desire hit me, but I couldn’t fall prey to it or him.

“I’m not a kitten, and if you think I need a protector, you can forget it. I can take care of myself.” I’d had to all my life.

“I don’t want to be your protector.” Fire replaced the smile in his eyes. “Did you like what I sent you?” He licked his lips. “Are you wearing it?”

I should have been scared. Being alone with him here could be dangerous, even though my instinct told me he’d never hurt me. But whether to listen to my body or my heart, I hadn’t yet decided. Wordlessly, I took several steps until I stood only a few feet in front of him. I peeled back the top of my shorts, exposing the frothy lace. The sparkling crystals caught the light. He reached out with a finger, then halted in midair.

“May I?”

My dick shifted in my thin shorts, and though it was impossible not to notice my rising desire, he waited for my response.

“No.”

What a tease!!!

This super short is the start of…something. The next book will be out shortly and I can’t help but wonder. Another short like this? Longer like novella length? Full length? Whatever it is, I want it.

We meet Austin, dance teacher by day, go go dancer by night. Doing what needs to be done until he can get his big break dancing on stage.

But there is a guy who always shows up to watch him dance. And began sending him gifts. But is a mystery.

There are quite a few supporting characters that we get to know as well. Unfortunately I missed a few of this author’s books, but they seem to be from other stories.

So while I definitely want to read more- and would have continued reading had this book been longer- Austin is a bit of a mess for me. One minute proclaiming that he doesn’t need a man, the next staring wistfully at a happy couple wishing he had that. I’m sure there is more to it- and I want to see what it is.

3.5 Pieces of Candy 

 

 

Felice Stevens has always been a romantic at heart. While life is tough, she believes there is a happy ending for everyone. She started reading traditional historical romances as a teenager, then life and law school got in the way. It wasn’t until she picked up a copy of Bertrice Small and became swept away to Queen Elizabeth’s court that her interest in romance novels was renewed.

But somewhere along the way, her reading shifted to stories of men falling in love. Once she picked up her first gay romance, she became so enamored of the character-driven stories and the overwhelming emotion there was no turning back.

Felice lives in New York City with her husband and two children. Her day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. Although she practices law, she daydreams of a time when she can sit by a beach and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there is bound to be some angst along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Twitter:https://twitter.com/FeliceStevens1

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/felicestevens/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8432880.Felice_Stevens

Instagram: https://instagram.com/FeliceStevens

Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/felicestevensauthor?ref=hl

Newsletter:   http://felicestevens.us8.list-manage2.com/subscribe?u=d43061d90bf2256eb322ed69f&id=586ac8fa57

Nobody’s Prince Charming by Aimee Nicole Walker: Exclusive Guest Post, Blog Tour and Review

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Fire and ice. Oil and water. Vodka and decisions. That’s what Darren McCoy and Wren Davison are: two opposites that shouldn’t mix well. Dare believes in fairy tales, true love, and happily ever after. Wren believes in fast cars, freedom, and no-strings sex. What can these two men possibly have in common? A magnetic pull strong enough to obliterate logic and reason.

For more than a year, Dare and Wren have worked together at the Curl Up and Dye Salon. Dare has pursued the mysterious, brooding man, and Wren has resisted his provocative charm. Then one day, something happens that allows the men to see each other in a new light. Wren learns that Dare hides a heavy heart behind his brilliant smile. Dare realizes that beneath Wren’s gruff exterior beats the heart of a prince.

Passions ignite once the men stop fighting their attraction, but will it be enough to overcome their differences? Is Wren the prince that Dare is looking for? Can Dare teach Wren that true love does exist?

Nobody’s Prince charming is a modern-day fairy tale where some princes ride Harleys, and castle walls are built to scale. It is the third book in the Road to Blissville series but can be read as a standalone book. This book contains sexually explicit material and is intended for adults eighteen and over.

NOBODY’S PRINCE CHARMING

AIMEE NICOLE WALKER

M/M ROMANCE

RELEASE DATE: 03.23.18

COVER DESIGN: JAY AHEER/ Simply Defined Art

COVER PHOTOGRAPHER: WANDER AGUIAR

Amazon

Hello, everyone! I am excited to be back hanging out with Two Chicks Obsessed to chat about writing and Nobody’s Prince Charming.

Today, I’m going to discuss the intricacies of writing a spin-off series from a popular series. Writing a successful series isn’t easy to do and diverting your attention away from it to start a spin-off series is scary as hell. You hope that your readers are as invested in the supporting cast members from the original series as you are and that they’re willing to give the new series a chance. There is absolutely no way to predict how well it will be received. So, how do you handle it? Stay true to your characters and hope for the best.

When I started planning my Curl Up and Dye Mysteries, I had no intention of writing a spinoff series. I decided there would be four books for the Roman-Wyatts and that was going to be it. Then I noticed that I was building something far bigger than just Josh and Gabe; I was creating a universe filled with wonderful characters that had their own stories to tell. At the same time, I realized that Josh and Gabe’s story would extend beyond four books. How am I juggling it? I’ll share some tips.

  1. Don’t box yourself in. Be careful how much information you give about a supporting character if you think there’s a chance that he or she will star as the main character in their own story. You want to give enough information to intrigue your readers without giving everything away or boxing yourself in with situations and characteristics that you will regret when you go to write their story.

 

  1. Patience and timing is everything. You must be patient enough to allow the stories and relationships to develop organically. A forced story doesn’t feel good to write, and readers will not connect to the characters. Sometimes that means alternating books between the two series to keep things fresh and fun. As much as it pains me to say this, a series can drag on too long. No matter how difficult, an author needs to know when it’s time to say goodbye to beloved characters. Another part of having patience is understanding that it might take a while for the new series to take off. Don’t give up or get discouraged. Keep writing.

 

  1. Originality is critical. No two people on this earth are the same so why would you expect any different from book characters? Don’t turn on the cruise control and think you can change the names like outfits on a Ken doll and get away with it. Let each character have a unique voice and personality.

 

  1. Communication with your readers is key. There are many ways to accomplish this: blog posts, Facebook groups, social media posts, and newsletters. How can you expect someone to be excited about your new spin-off series if you’re not talking about it? Communicate what you’re doing and when you approximately see it happening. Tease, entice, and excite them about your expanding universe and all the new players moving into town. I’m not saying you have to give away major storylines or box yourself in with unattainable release dates, but don’t stay silent either.

I get asked a lot why I like writing series so much. I think the simple answer is that I’m curious. The supporting cast member suddenly appears on the page, and I want to know what their story is and what makes them tick. The more complicated answer is that I want everyone to have their happily ever after. I am a person who lives her HEA every single day, and I want that for everybody. That doesn’t mean I live some perfect life free of stress, trauma, disappointment, or heartache; it means that I have a partner to share those things with me, just as he celebrates all the joys. Every couple, real life or fictional, has a different idea what their HEA looks like and that speaks to originality again. The pure joy of writing is discovering exactly what that HEA entails and sharing it with my readers.

That’s my take on spin-off series. If you’ve made it this far, perhaps you’ll indulge me a little longer as I share the latest release in my Road to Blissville series, Noboby’s Prince Charming.

Yay! We are back in Blissville! These books are just fun and funny and sexy and cute. And I needed all of that after several heavy (but amazing) reads in a row.

We are finally getting Dare and Wren after watching them tip toeing around each other for a year now. Which is kind of cool. Wren was the hold out- believing he wasn’t good enough for Dare. But after renting the garage apartment from him, he has no defenses left.

Dare is awesome- and while he will never be Josh- he gives him a run for his money. He is sassy and loyal and loving and he wants Wren. Wren is broody and stand offish and grouchy. I love how Dare doesn’t get discouraged and keeps going for what he wants.

We get a few glimpses of characters from previous books- always a plus- but they don’t take over the story at all. This was all Wren and Dare. And Dare’s grand father who is equally awesome.

There is a bit of a twist about Wren’s background, but the whole book is still very low angst and a fun sexy read. You can’t help but smile reading about anyone in Blissville.

4 Pieces of Candy

 

I am a wife and mother to three kids, three dogs, and a cat. When I’m not dreaming up stories, I like to lose myself in a good book, cook or bake. I’m a girly tomboy who paints her fingernails while watching sports and yelling at the referees. I will always choose the book over the movie. I believe in happily-ever- after. Love inspires everything that I do. Music keeps me sane.

FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/aimeenicole.walker?fref=nf

AMAZON – http://amzn.to/2C6LWfs

TWITTER – https://twitter.com/AimeeNWalker?lang=en

BLOG – http://aimeenicolewalker.blogspot.com/

NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/2GwKeX7

 

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No Tears for Darcy by Vicki Reese: Exclusive Guest Post, Excerpt and Release Day Review

by

Letting love pass them by would be a crime.

Former forensic accountant Cameron has lost nearly everyone he’s ever loved, and now his vintage clothing shop has been broken into and trashed. When town police chief Will Carson asks an out-of-town cop friend of his for help, Cam takes one look at the dark-haired, blue-eyed detective and knows he’s in real trouble—and it has nothing to do with vandalism or murder.

Pete Minchelli is on leave from his job in Philadelphia due to a gunshot wound, but he figures he can help an academy buddy with some light police work. Plus, he’ll have a chance to experience small-town life. He’s tired of the big city and all its corruption. But he quickly discovers that not all the bad stuff happens in cities. What he doesn’t expect to find is death, treachery—or love.

Title: No Tears for Darcy
Author: Vicki Reese
Release Date: April 3, 2018
Category: Mystery/Suspense
Pages: 197

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Luc’s story

Hi! I’m Luc Minchelli. I run the new restaurant and club on the outskirts of town. I own it with my brother Pete. We’re doing pretty well, though I often wished Pete would take more of an interest in it. But he’s a cop. Or was one up til recently. That job may be in jeopardy, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Pete’s been in too many scrapes for the family’s comfort. He’s been shot, knifed, battered, nearly drowned… way too many things. But I think with Cam in the picture, that might be over.

Cameron came into our lives when his vintage clothing store downtown was vandalized. Pete’s friend Will, our chief of police, asked Pete to help out with the investigation. Pete was supposed to be on leave, taking it easy after his last run in with a perp. Shot up his leg pretty badly. I tried to get him to help me out here at the club more, but Pete couldn’t pass up a chance to help Will out. Not once he saw Cameron. I never believed in love at first sight, but with those two, it just might be something.

I’ve never seen anyone so totally taken with another person than those two are with each other. The first time Pete brought Cam up here, I knew. He’d never brought any of his male friends around before, but suddenly there’s Cam, looking all cute and innocent. And hungry! Pete brought him up for lunch, so we fed him. Had a great time teasing Pete as we made linguini and salt and lobster. That poor man wasn’t sure what to make of the way Pete and I are together. I mean, we’re brothers and from a big family. So we bicker. A lot.

Then we added Toni, our little sister, in. I’m surprised Cam didn’t run for the hills. Especially when we found out he was an only child. I wish! No, I take that back. My brothers and sisters may drive me nuts, but I love them all and wouldn’t change a thing. Our family is big, noisy, and every stereotype of Italian you can think of, but they’re mine. We may fight, but you don’t mess with us. We know how to fight back. And will.

So, anyway, this whole mess with Darcy and Cam’s ex and everything ended up being the best thing that ever happened to Pete—and me! I get to have my brother around more and Cam as a brother-in-law (eventually). And I am so glad. Cam is definitely a good person to have around. It’s a shame what he went through, but it brought him to our family so that’s all for the good.

“Pete will have my head for not feeding you,” Luc said.

Cameron groaned. “It’s no wonder you have all that exercise equipment out in the garage. With what I’ve been eating lately, I’m going to need to borrow it.”

“You? That’s absolute bunk. It’s no wonder you caught Pete’s eye.”

Cameron could feel his face heat. “Thanks. Why hasn’t some gorgeous babe captured you yet?”

“I’ve been saving myself for that someone special, but, alas, my big brother saw him first.” He put his hand theatrically to his brow, then ducked when Cameron lobbed a pillow at him.

“I’m pretty sure you don’t swing that way. Seriously, is there anyone, Luc?”

“You’re right. I don’t. But if I did….” He waggled his eyes at Cam, earning another pillow toss. “And yes, and no, to your other question. There’s a girl I’ve been dating off and on since we were in high school.”

“So what’s stopping you?”

He looked off, like he was seeing something distant. “I don’t know. I guess we’ve just gotten too comfortable with the way things are. She went away to college for a few years, then off to the old country to study art. She just got back a couple of weeks ago. I guess I didn’t think she’d feel the same way about me anymore.”

“Did you ask her?”

“No. I mean….”

Cameron threw another pillow at him. He was running low on ammunition. “Honestly, straight men are so stupid sometimes. Do you love her?”

“I guess so.” Luc stared at the floor as if it was the most fascinating thing in the world.

Cameron snorted. “Uh-uhn. There’s no ‘guess’ about love. How do you feel when she’s not around?”

“I miss her like crazy.”

“And if someone else looks at her or wants to date her?” Cam couldn’t help answering his own questions in his mind with Pete. He realized he’d never loved Jim. Been infatuated? Maybe. Jim had just been… handy. Which made him actually feel a little sorry for Darcy. She was right. He’d never asked. But it begged the question as to why Jim went after him. What did he have that Jim could want? And then there was Pete. Yeah, that was completely different. And it scared him a little. He brought his attention back to Luc as he gripped one of the pillows like he was strangling someone.

Luc looked up, eyes narrowed, mouth drawn down as if he’d eaten something rotten. “I’d have Pete arrest him, or he’d meet with an accident.”

It took Cam a second to remember what his question to Luc was. Oh. Yeah. Someone else wanting his girl. “Violence is not the answer. When you close your eyes and think about a future and a family, who’s in that picture with you?”

Luc nodded and smiled. “She is. Is that love?”

Cam grinned at him. “It isn’t indigestion. So, what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to go get you the best dinner we have, then I’m going to call the florist and order her a dozen red roses and call her.”

Cameron grinned. “So go. And Luc? Be sure to say the words to her. She needs to hear them.”

My enjoyment lately of gay romantic suspense (not normally an area I read) started with C.S. Poe’s Snow and Winter series, which by the way has a book 3 coming soon-ish (SQUEE!), and continues with what I am hoping is the beginning of a series by Vicki Reese in No Tears for Darcy.

This book was a slow burn, with Cam and Pete dancing around each other for a while, and at times, it seemed as if they didn’t trust each other. Yet, through it all, they kept finding their way back into each other’s space, and eventually heart and bed.

Pete was the protective cop, while Cam was just trying to make his way in his new life, as he worked through his grief over his mother. Cam was not helpless by any means, having spent time with the FBI, but with all the blows he’d taken emotionally, having someone to help him through, with Pete and his family all stepping up, helped keep him safe.

This was a good who-dun-it, with me wavering until the end wondering who was so obsessed with Cam. I loved that aspect of this story. There were a few suspects that could have been the stalker, and that kind of guessing always makes for a more engaging story. The author did a fantastic job of creating a thriller, with a suspect that went in several directions, always unexpected, and creating a character who the reader could see was unhinged from the beginning.

This book had a little of everything I like in this type of story, a love story with the MC’s getting their HEA, an unhinged criminal creating trouble for everyone,  and a crazy family that takes over whenever their family members are threatened. There were laughs, scary moments, and love. All elements that came together in this to make for a satisfying ending.

4 pieces of eye candy

Vicki Reese has been married forever to the one person who accepts that she lives in a fantasy world most of the time. She’s even been seen at the beach building worlds for her stories. In addition to creating suspenseful situations or fantasy worlds, she is very good at boring things like writing procedures manuals and continuity spreadsheets, both of which she actually earned money doing. With a master’s in library science, she likes things organized. Okay, so her family thinks having the spice rack alphabetized is a bit much, but she has no problem finding what she needs when she needs it. And just because her extensive library is catalogued and organized by the Dewey Decimal system doesn’t mean she’s obsessive. Honest!

When not writing, Vicki can be found in the kitchen cooking up gluten free/lactose free/allergy free goodies for her family, or just watching the world go by from her front porch swing.

You can find her online at:

Website: http://www.vickireese.com

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

Twitter: @AuthorVictoria