Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Caught Inside by Jamie Deacon : New Release Book Blast, Excerpt and Giveaway

September 29, 2016 by Denise

Luke believes he has his life figured out…and then he meets Theo.

It should have been simple—a summer spent with his girlfriend Zara at her family’s holiday cottage in Cornwall. Seventeen-year-old Luke Savage jumps at the chance, envisioning endless hours of sunbathing on the private beach and riding the waves on his beloved surfboard. He isn’t interested in love. Though his rugged good looks and lazy charm mean he can have his pick of girls, he has no intention of falling for anyone.

Nothing prepares Luke for his reaction to Theo, the sensitive Oxford undergraduate who is Zara’s cousin and closest friend. All at once, he is plunged along a path of desire and discovery that has him questioning everything he thought he knew about himself. No one, especially Zara, must find out; what he and Theo have is too new, too fragile. But as the deceit spirals beyond their control, people are bound to get hurt, Luke most of all.

Author Name: Jamie Deacon

Book Name: Caught Inside

Series: Boys on the Brink

Book: One

Release Date: September 29, 2016

Pages or Words: 83,000

Categories: Contemporary, M/M Romance, Young Adult

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29540070-caught-inside

Publisher: Beaten Track Publishing

Cover Artist: Natasha Snow

I swallow against the dryness in my throat. “We need to talk.”

No response.

Slowly, as though wading through deep sand, I cross the room until I’m standing right behind him. He grips the edge of the worktop.

“Theo?”

Still nothing. Only the convulsive tightening of his fingers shows he even heard me.

“Theo,” my voice cracks, “don’t do this.”

Theo sucks in a breath. When he replies, his tone is even. “Do what?”

“This. Shutting me out.”

“I’m—”

“And don’t say you’re not, because we both know that isn’t true.” I’m aware of my voice rising, and lower it with an effort. “Just…don’t.”

Theo exhales in a long sigh. He turns to me, his expression distant but not unkind. I wish he’d glare at me, shout, whatever. Anything to show he gives a damn.

“Luke, I’m sorry about this morning. It was a mistake. If you got the wrong impression—”

“The wrong impression? You kissed me. What impression was that supposed to give me?”

He casts a nervous glance at the window.

“What’s wrong, Theo? Worried Giles might hear? I don’t blame you. He’d probably make you bathe in disinfectant for a year if he knew you’d kissed scum like me.” Theo starts to protest, but I shake my head. “You know what? Forget it. So sorry I embarrassed you.”

I need to get out of here. Humiliation, hot and clammy, coils like tar through my veins. Still, what did I expect? Theo’s made it perfectly clear how he sees me, that he thinks I’m beneath him. I grab for the nearest glass, intending to pour myself a liver full of whatever’s in that jug, but my hand shakes so much it slips through my fingers. Glass collides with oak in a minor explosion, glittering fragments flying.

“Shit.” I drop to my knees, begin picking up the larger pieces. I fumble, a jagged shard slicing my palm. “Shit.”

“Luke?” Theo crouches beside me.

“I’m fine.” I turn away from the phony concern in his eyes, fist clenched around the cut to hide it from view. Blood trickles through my fingers and onto my jeans. The pain is almost a relief.

“Let me see.” Theo holds out his hand, but I jerk away.

“I said I’m fine.”

He ignores me. With gentle firmness, he takes hold of my wrist, uncurling my fingers to examine the wound. My body stills. I scarcely breathe. Every nerve ending, every particle of my being is aware of him, the pressure of his fingers on my wrist, his warm palm supporting the back of my hand.

Beaten Track Publishing

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Jamie lives in a tranquil spot close to the River Thames in Berkshire, England, and has always been just a little out of place—the only redhead in a family of brunettes; an introvert far more at ease with dogs than with people; a connoisseur of simple pleasures in a society intent on the quest for wealth and fame. Despite an outward cynicism, Jamie is a romantic at heart, and, when not immersed in a book, can mostly be found writing emotional stories where young men from all walks of life are thrust headlong into the breathless, euphoric, often painful whirlwind called love.

Where to find the author:

Website: http://www.jamiedeacon.com

Blog: http://www.boysonthebrink.com

Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/jamiedeaconauthor

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jamiedeacon82

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/jamiedeacon/

Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Divine Magazine, Making It Happen, Bayou Book Junkie, Open Skye Book Reviews, Havan Fellows, Charley Descoteaux, Happily Ever Chapter, Dawn’s Reading Nook, The Jena Wade, Three Books Over The Rainbow, A.M. Leibowitz, Butterfly-O-Meter, Nephy Hart, BFD Book Blog, Up All Night, Read All Day, V’s Reads, Outrageous Heroes, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Two Chicks Obsessed With Books and Eye Candy, Alpha Book Club, MM Book Escape, Book Lovers 4Ever, Wake Up Your Wild Side, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Unquietly Me, Kirsty Loves Books, Velvet Panic, Molly Lolly, MM Good Book Reviews

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Kinky Sprinkles by L.A. Witt: Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

September 27, 2016 by Denise

kinkysprinkles_600x900 synopsis

Joel has finally walked away from his abusive ex and is ready to meet new people. But that isn’t easy for a guy who’s shy, self-conscious, and struggling with his body image.

Andre has wanted Joel since the first time he laid eyes on him, and finally Joel is single. But Andre is a Dom and a sadist, and Joel is unapologetically vanilla. There’s no happy medium—either Andre reins in the kinky side that took him years to accept, or Joel grits his teeth and subjects himself to kinks that aren’t his thing. No matter who bends, someone’s going to be unhappy.

They agree to walk away, but they keep circling back to each other. Though their kinks might not line up, the chemistry between them sizzles and the emotional connection keeps getting deeper. But none of that will get them anywhere if they can’t find some kind of middle ground in the bedroom.

Welcome to the Riptide Publishing/L. A. Witt blog tour for Kinky Sprinkles!

Amazon

Riptide Publishing

Heather's Review

I can’t remember the last time I had such a hard time summing up my thoughts on a book. Kinky Sprinkles combines two things I love: LA Witt and kink, which should make for a very happy day. But it is a novella, and I ran into some of the things I don’t love about shorter stories.

First, what I did love about this book:

Andre and Joel

Andre was written so well. His status as a Dom wasn’t about how he controlled anyone or how he dressed. It was simply the man he was. As Joel said at one point, he could’ve been wearing Hello Kitty pajamas and still been Dominant. It’s hard to find books where the author truly understands what makes a Dom.

On top of that, he was always mindful of his role as a Dom. There’s one scene that solidifies him as one of my favorite main characters in a BDSM story.

Joel is a bit more of a mixed bag. His visceral reactions to the lifestyle made sense given what he’d been through. At the same time, there were glimmers which led me to wonder what the future would hold for them. I give him props for being open and honest about what he was and wasn’t willing to do.

Tightly written

One of the benefits of a well-written shorter story is everything is stripped down to the bare bones. There’s no time for the author to wander along the garden path. And Kinky Sprinkles was one of those books.

Now, for what didn’t work for me:

Too many unanswered questions

If I hadn’t gotten wrapped up in the characters, I don’t know that I’d be as upset as I am at the end of the book. But I did. And I am. In the end, it felt more like the first portion of a book, where they go from being strangers (or in this case, acquaintances) to deciding they’re going to be together. But I’m still not certain they’re going to make it and there are going to be plenty of bumps in the road. My only hope is that maybe, just maybe, LA Witt has plans we don’t know about, because there could easily be a follow-up for these two.

Joel’s struggle

Yes, I know I just said I loved Joel for being honest, but by the time I read the last page, it felt more like he was sticking to his guns because he was holding onto the past. There were these passing thoughts that make me think everything will be okay in the future, but not in the way they agreed to proceed. I wish we’d had more time to see how the relationship progresses.

Even though I have mixed feelings, I’m giving this book 4 pieces of candy. LA Witt delivered what she promised and it was well written. It would’ve been a 5 for me if only there weren’t so many unresolved issues.

giveaway

Every comment on this blog tour enters you in a drawing for a choice of two eBooks off my backlist (excluding Kinky Sprinkles) and a $10 Riptide Publishing store credit. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on October 1^st. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Don’t forget to leave your contact info, and thanks for following the tour!

L.A. Witt is an abnormal M/M romance writer who has finally been released from the purgatorial corn maze of Omaha, Nebraska, and now spends her time on the southwestern coast of Spain. In between wondering how she didn’t lose her mind in Omaha, she explores the country with her husband, several clairvoyant hamsters, and an ever-growing herd of rabid plot bunnies. She also has substantially more time on her hands these days, as she has recruited a small army of mercenaries to search South America for her nemesis, romance author Lauren Gallagher, but don’t tell Lauren. And definitely don’t tell Lori A. Witt or Ann Gallagher. Neither of those twits can keep their mouths shut…

L.A.’s backlist is available on her website, and updates (as well as random thoughts and the odd snarky comment) can be found on her blog or on Twitter (@GallagherWitt).

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The Soldier’s Scoundrel by Cat Sebastian: Blog Tour, and Giveaway

September 27, 2016 by Denise

Two men only meant for each other.

THE SOLDIER’S SCOUNDREL

Cat Sebastian

Releasing Sept 20th, 2016

Avon Impulse

A scoundrel who lives in the shadows.

Jack Turner grew up in the darkness of London’s slums, born into a life of crime and willing to do anything to keep his belly full and his siblings safe. Now he uses the tricks and schemes of the underworld to help those who need the kind of assistance only a scoundrel can provide. His distrust of the nobility runs deep and his services do not extend to the gorgeous high-born soldier who personifies everything Jack will never be.

A soldier untarnished by vice.

After the chaos of war, Oliver Rivington craves the safe predictability of a
gentleman’s life-one that doesn’t include sparring with a ne’er-do-well who flouts the law at every turn. But Jack tempts Oliver like no other man has before. Soon his yearning for the unapologetic criminal is only matched by Jack’s pleasure in watching his genteel polish crumble every time they’re
together.

Two men only meant for each other

Amazon | B & N | Google | iTunes | Kobo

Cat Sebastian lives in a swampy part of the South with her husband, three kids, and two dogs. Before her kids were born, she practiced law and taught high school and college writing. When she isn’t reading or writing, she’s doing crossword puzzles, bird watching, and wondering where she put her coffee cup.

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One Pulse Charity Anthology: Guest Post and Excerpt by Bree Cariad

September 27, 2016 by Denise

everydaymiracles_fbbanner_dsp

Guest Post

Hi, Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy *waves*

You probably haven’t heard the name Bree Cariad before. I’m the inspirational side of A Thia Thing.

As Bree, I’ve been focused on writing m/f as that is where most inspirational books reside, but when I saw the open submission from Dreamspinner Press about this wonderful anthology where the proceeds go to help those in the LGBT community in Florida who were affected by the Orlando shooting, the need to help struck and the hugest plot bunny attacked my brain and I saw a way to bring out an m/m inspirational series.

The first draft of Everyday Miracles, the story featured in the One Pulse Anthology, poured out of me in about two hours. As if the story had to be told and I couldn’t move until it was out of my head.

Certain characters are overwhelming to an author, and Reverend Jonathon Neiland is one. He has so many levels to him and has this incredibly strong need to help and this belief that right will always overcome prejudice as long as he leans on the Lord. Unfortunately, that belief sometimes overshadows the darker side of the world and how to make his way through it. Thus enters the other hero in Everyday Miracles – Court Brecker.

Brecker lives in the world, knows how to make things work, though he is admittedly woefully unaware of the issues in LGBT community. However, when he sees something that needs to be done, he ignores what others say, goes with his gut, and makes things happen. And it takes only a couple hours for him to know that their community needs what Reverend Neiland is asking for: a shelter for homeless LGBT youth.

Unlike my books as a whole, this short story is not a romance. It is, however, a case of Love Conquers All, which incidentally is the name of my new series. Everyday Miracles is a prequel to the first novel in the series, of which the 1^st draft is complete and just under 80,000 words. Light in the Dark Night is a romance and I plan to release it next year.

I hope to find more inspirational m/m romances. While I have a wide classification of genres I read *and write*, I love M/M Romance and would love to see more inspirational stories out there.

Now you’re probably wondering about that A Thia Thing reference from above, aren’t you? *grins* I’m an author who writes in many genres. And some of them are different enough that I published them under different pseudonyms. But a year ago I started outing that I was all those names and a few weeks ago I launched a main website ~A Thia Thing~ which aggregates info from all my sites.

I’m me – You remember that old song “I’m a little bit country. I’m a little bit rock and roll”? Well, that basically covers me. I’m not a one concept person.

Under the name Bree Cariad, I write inspirational, sweet, and clean romance.

Under the name Thianna Durston, I write M/M Romance with a hint of spice. (Some call it erotic romance but I don’t because my stories are based on the characters and the romance. The sensual stuff is just added spice.)

Under the name Thianna D., I write m/f romance with a hint of spice.

And under the name Cynthia Kimball, I write a wide range of subjects: non-fiction, poetry, young adult, romance, and sci-fi/fantasy. If you look deep, you’ll notice there is one thing that ties them all together: Metaphysics.

While I’m most prolific under the names Thianna Durston and Thianna D. – thus A Thia Thing – sometimes the need to write inspirational romance or metaphysics-based fiction/poetry overtakes me and I love it when that happens. I’m a very eclectic non-normative individual and love differences and the full spectrum that is life.

I thought I’d leave you with a snippet from Everyday Miracles—Reverend Jonathon Neiland has been working for four years to open an LGBT youth shelter, but the city council has shut him down every time. That the new leader of the council, Court Brecker, is on his side seems nothing short of a miracle.

onepulse_cover_dsp Jonathon Neiland paced slowly back and forth in front of the city council doors. His hands shook slightly, a folder gripped firmly between them. They weren’t shaking from fear.

“Please, Lord,” he murmured under his breath. “Please fill me with your grace. I’m fighting the anger I feel toward the men inside that room. For years, they have blocked each move I’ve made to finish this center. You helped me find a way around each one. But we’re at the finish line. I need their okay to finish the home and make it an official part of the trust. All I need is a three-to-two vote in our favor.”

For four years, the council had pushed back his request. They needed more information or they required proof of something or…. But they couldn’t push back any more. He did everything they asked—even when it was redundant and nothing more than busy work—and the place was ready. Once he had their approval, they could open the doors officially as a youth shelter which would allow him to widen his reach for more money and more options for his kids.

“And my anger isn’t helping,” he admitted in a rush, feeling tears prick his eyes. “This isn’t for me. Please, Lord. Please. This is for your sons and daughters who have been kicked out of their homes just because of who they are. Please help this go through.”

The fact was, Jonathon had put all his money and that of his friends into the venture. The sheer number of homeless LGBT teens in the county was staggering, and every month it went up. Each month he saw that the house he’d renovated and made ready would not be big enough if they were lucky enough to round them all up. But he couldn’t afford any more. If the five men beyond that door would give their official stamp on it being a youth shelter, they could go forward.

The house was signed off on as far as the inspectors were concerned. All they needed were beds and food. Thirty-four youth were living in tents he had erected on the property. It wasn’t much, and they were tightly smooshed with six of them in each four-man tent, but he saw their gratitude daily for not having to live on the streets. For not having to beg or steal to survive. For not having to prostitute themselves to stay alive.

“And now all I need is their okay,” he murmured frantically, his fingers tightening on the folder. So close. So close to giving those kids a home, a home they would never be kicked out of because of who they were.

I hope you’ll enjoy this amazing anthology.

One Pulse

Stories drive life. Sometimes life is good; sometimes life is bad. But it’s the nature of our community that in the aftermath of an act of hatred, we respond with love. Because darkness cannot exist in the presence of light. Cruelty cannot stand against compassion. Negativity will never overcome hope.

To show our support for those affected by the Orlando shooting, our authors, editors, artists, and staff have volunteered their talents to create this anthology. All proceeds will be donated to LGBT organizations in central Florida. Join us as we celebrate the triumph of love over every obstacle.

Jon Keys—A Single Night, Alicia Nordwell—About Best Friends & Boyfriends, Mickie B. Ashling—Adíos, M.T. Aspen —Asking for Trouble, M.A. Church—Chasing Tyme, Caitlin Ricci—Coming Out, George Seaton—Cucurrucucú, Jayce Ellis—Dance, Bree Cariad—Everyday Miracles, Chrissy Munder—Everything I Need, Ellis Carrington—For the First Time, Felicitas Ivey—Get Me to the Church Town Hall on Time, John Amory—Happy Pride, Grace R. Duncan—Hope, John Goode—Let Them Eat Cake, J. C. Long—Magical Boys Just Wanna Have Fun, Elizabeth Noble—Magicicada, Renee Stevens—More Than a Pact, Troy Storm—One Big Happy… Bunch, Connie Bailey—One Heart at a Time, Dev Bentham—Perfection, Andrea Speed—Pride, Laura Lascarso—Pull, Lila Leigh Hunter—Raffled Kiss, Emery C. Walters—Ranch Dressing, C.C. Dado—Read My Lips, Sera Kane—The Stag’s Bane, KC Burn—The Tithe, Vicktor Alexander—The Wooing of the Marqués de Sierra de Outes, Edmond Manning—They Danced

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meet the author

twitter_avatar_bree Bree is a best-selling inspirational romance author who is proud to have a story in Dreamspinner Press’s One Pulse anthology. Xe identifies as non-normative, multi-gender, and believes in love in all forms and that happily ever afters come in many ways. Whether in a romance or a non-romance, in xys stories, love conquers all. Bree is completely not sussed about pronouns. Call xem she, xe, or they. A pronoun is just a label after all. And labels only have the importance a person puts on them.

Find Bree online:

Website – http://www.breecariad.com/

A Thia Thing – http://www.athiathing.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/BreeCariad

Twitter – https://twitter.com/BreeCariad

Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/thiannad/

Google+ – https://plus.google.com/+BreeCariad

Where We Left Off by Roan Parrish: Release Day Review

September 26, 2016 by Denise

synopsis

Leo Ware may be young, but he knows what he wants. And what he wants is Will Highland. Snarky, sophisticated, fiercely opinionated Will Highland, who burst into Leo’s unremarkable life like a supernova… and then was gone just as quickly.

For the past miserable year, Leo hasn’t been able to stop thinking about the powerful connection he and Will shared. So, when Leo moves to New York for college, he sweeps back into Will’s life, hopeful that they can pick up where they left off. What begins as a unique friendship soon burns with chemistry they can’t deny… though Will certainly tries.

But Leo longs for more than friendship and hot sex. A romantic to his core, Leo wants passion, love, commitment—everything Will isn’t interested in giving. Will thinks romance is a cheesy fairy tale and love is overrated. He likes his space and he’s happy with things just the way they are, thank you very much. Or is he? Because as he and Leo get more and more tangled up in each other’s lives, Will begins to act like maybe love is something he could feel after all.

Title: Where We Left Off
Series: Middle of Somewhere: Book Three
Author: Roan Parrish
Release Date: September 26, 2016
Category: Contemporary, New Adult
Pages: 260

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Dreamspinner Press

jennifer
I was honestly so excited to read this book. My heart broke for Leo in Rex and Daniels book, (I’m still mildly obsessed with Rex) But, I just knew he’d have a good story and while there were parts I absolutely adored in this; there were also parts, more often than not that I couldn’t stand.
I thought Leo was a bit too desperate; he totally was a kid with his first crush. He was obsessed with Will and Will treated him so bad. I mean, yeah, he was honest about not wanting everything and Leo just hung on like a lost puppy. But Will was rude and hurtful, and very contradictory. He’d tell Leo he didn’t want him but then kiss him and let him stay with him and all that. The whole “I’m so hot and I hate it” thing was ridiculous… like, woe is me, everyone treats me so awesome because I’m so good looking and I don’t like that. Why can’t people see me as something other than gorgeous?? Are you serious with that? And all the while, Leo is still obsessing even though Will tells him time and time again that he isn’t interested. He invites himself over, he invites himself to stay for school breaks, he reminds me of a little kid who has no boundaries or self-preservation. Leo’s mind set is…. “If I’m around enough, he’ll fall in love with me.” That’s such a juvenile way to be, and that sucks because I felt like with the way Leo’s family was… he was truly just looking for someone to love him. He wanted the kind of love that Daniel and Rex have… He was a romantic at heart and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Will was selfish…. Period….He wanted what he wanted and got mad when Leo wanted a little more. THEN he got mad at Leo for leaving when he pushed him away. Are you kidding me? Leo says, it hurts to sleep with you while you sleep with other people, one of which I walked in on. It hurts to love you so much when you constnantly throw in my face that we’ll never be anything more than FWB, It hurts me too bad to call and talk to you or spend the night or hang out or whatever and it mean nothing to Will… but it does, doesn’t it? Of course it does but instead of Will telling Leo, he gets mad again that Leo just put the clue’s together and figure it out himself…. Mind….BLOWN….
I didn’t feel like Leo was asking for too much. I mean, he was clingy and needy and pushy, but Will could have ended it at any time but he didn’t. He liked Leo being around, he liked that Leo liked him, he even admitted it that. And Leo changed. He done anything he could to be what Will wanted. He accepted Will’s terms, he done things on Will’s agenda and everything was about Will, even though it hurt Leo to do it. He’d literally take any scraps Will was willing to give for as long as he wanted to… WHAT???? And THEN when we thought we might get a good ending, it’s a HFN because Will can only promise he’ll try to not sleep with other people…. I literally cried my eyes out when I read that. And Leo acted like it was amazing! Like, oh my goodness he’ll TRY to stop sleeping around for me!
He deserved more. Leo deserved so much more than what he got and even if I can understand why Will might be a little bit the way he was. It in no way excuses his hurting people; especially with someone whom he knows loves him. It was selfish and cruel and I really wanted to see more for them. I was disappointed in the ending, even Will’s declaration of a sort was rude and obnoxious because he was irritated at even having to do it…. Jeeez, what a jerk!
On a lighter note, I loved watching Leo grow up, he had his own friends who were great and treated him with respect and kindness. They were genuine and funny and were always there for Leo when he was off pouting about Will…I loved that he had them. I wouldn’t mind the twins getting a story and especially Milton and Thomas. Both of them would have cute stories too I bet as long as there was no one like Will anywhere around!
I loved the other two books in this story, like… especially Rex and Daniel’s one…. But, this one has me on the fence, I’m more of a miss with this one only because it didn’t seem like a romance to me. It was unrequited love at its finest until the end and then it’s only a very little bit requited and I wasn’t convinced. The writing was good though, very descriptive and imaginative. I enjoyed seeing Leo get to know New York and find himself. It became home to him and I was glad to see him belong somewhere. I also loved that Rex and Daniel were still very much there for him and was there for him whenever he needed them. Overall, it’s not a bad story, but I wouldn’t call it a romance and I wouldn’t say it has a HEA… more of a “Content for now” ending. I can’t even say Happy because in no way did Will ever seem happy about it.
3 pieces of eye candy

Of Love and Corn Dogs by Parker Williams: Release Day Review and Excerpt

September 22, 2016 by Denise

synopsis

With more money than he could spend in ten lifetimes, Darwin Kincade still couldn’t keep death from stealing his lover. A little older and a whole lot wiser, flirting with his twice-a-week waiter is the perfect no-risk substitute for a real relationship. Until the night his routine is upended by the restaurant’s newest employee.

Ricky Donnelly loves people. While being a server isn’t his dream, he’s good at it. When a grumpy man is seated in his station, Ricky sees there’s more to him than he lets on, and when the man relaxes, he’s actually sweet.

As the two men bond over a discussion about corn dogs—something Darwin’s never heard of—he realizes how much he’s missed out on in his life. He vows to open himself to new experiences—including, perhaps, a chance at finding love again.

Not wanting anything to muddy their blooming relationship, Darwin hides part of himself from Ricky. He likes the look in Ricky’s eyes, unclouded by Darwin’s notoriety. Unfortunately, the truth can never stay hidden, and when it comes out, Darwin may lose any hope of holding onto the future they’ve begun to build.

excerpt

Darwin sat at his usual table and scanned the restaurant, anxious to see Roy, his favorite server. From the soft lighting of the candelabras that dotted the walls and the gleaming hardwood bar to the deep, rich brown carpeting, everything about Asiago screamed class. As the only five-star restaurant in the area, everything had to be the best. But Roy outshone all the glitz of the dining room. While Darwin knew Roy saw him as a customer, he secretly hoped that one day the waiter might realize he hadn’t been coming for the food all these months.

He frowned when the young man who approached the table looked nothing like the raven-haired beauty Darwin had grown accustomed to seeing twice a week for the last six months. He tried to school his features to hide his disappointment, not wanting to hurt the slender blond with the wide smile who drew near.

“Good evening, Mr. Kincade. My name is Richard, and I’ll be your server for this evening. Would you like to start with a drink?”

“Where’s Roy?” Darwin growled. His cheeks heated when Richard stepped back, looking every bit the kicked puppy. Darwin winced. He knew better than to snap at people. He scratched his cheek before he glanced up. “I’m sorry. It’s been a long day. Please forgive me. I assume Roy isn’t working tonight?”

“Roy quit a couple days ago,” came the hesitant answer.

Darwin’s gut clenched. He’d been coming to Asiago simply for Roy. Truthfully, the merely palatable food hadn’t been a drawing point. Seeing Roy had become the highlight of his week, and now he was gone.

“Did he say where he was going?” A hint of whine escaped, but goddamn it, he’d been in lust with Roy.

“He and his wife moved to be closer to her parents.” book-template

Nausea rolled through Darwin. He hadn’t even considered Roy might not have been gay. Such a fool he was.

“Would you like that drink?” Richard asked hesitantly.

Darwin knew Asiago was one of the few places in the United States that had the drink he loved most. “Yes, please. A shot of Macallan M. Neat.”

Richard gasped and then covered his mouth. “Sir, that costs—”

“I damn well know the cost,” he snapped. “Bring me my drink.”

Once more Darwin’s anger had gotten the better of him. Green eyes shimmered in the dim lighting, and Darwin worried the young man might break into tears.

“Again, please accept my apologies. It’s been a rough day, and I should probably just go home.” He reached over and grabbed his briefcase, ready to stand, when Richard held out a hand and graced Darwin with a genuine and disarming smile.

“No, please. Stay. Let me get you that drink, okay? I’ll let you know the dinner special when I come back. My grandma always said any day can be made better with a good meal.” Richard hurried off in the direction of the bar without waiting for a reply.

Darwin fumed at his lack of self-control. Not only had he made a fool of himself tonight, but he’d also hurt the feelings of someone he didn’t know. Though Richard would be right to refuse service to Darwin, he’d run to get a drink. As much as he wanted to believe the attentive attitude came down to getting a decent tip, Richard seemed too genuine for that. Darwin sighed and put his briefcase back on the leather seat. His mother would be so disappointed in him.

A crystal glass thunked against the table, startling Darwin. The amber liquid rippled gently. Darwin picked it up and gazed into the glass. He’d thought about downing it in one go, relishing the burn that would inevitably follow, but he hated losing control. He took a deep, steadying breath.

“Richard—”

“Ricky.”

“Excuse me?”

“Most people call me Ricky. You can, if you want.”

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jennifer
How sweet this story was….
First we have Darwin; being seated in a specific section at a restaurant he visits every week to check out a hot guy only to find out the hot guy isn’t there anymore. He’s a bit grouchy about it but quickly apologizes when he sees the new waiter and feels guilty for taking out his disappointment on him.
Ricky is a new server at Asiago and he’s just met Darwin. I’ve got to say, Darwin doesn’t make a good first impression but he more than makes up for it. He’s so sweet and charming and even though I thought the whole thing was kind of unbelievable, the whole Ricky and losing his job and the deal with his boss; it was a little bit ridiculous….. at least Darwin was trying to help.
Another problem I had was the way in which Darwin told Ricky who he was and how much he was worth… why not, instead of the way he done it… just been like, listen this is who I am, this is why I was hesitant to bring it up and I really like you and didn’t want to make things awkward… or something like that. I understand completely why he just wanted to be a normal guy liking a normal guy and they’d only been out a couple times, I didn’t blame him. Although I also think Ricky’s reaction was also understandable when he initially found out, I thought he was being a little bratty when he got to experience the whole thing at Darwin’s home. Again, I can understand how overwhelming it would be and his reaction to that was also understandable… but his reasonings and the way he justified it to himself as well as Darwin and anyone else, just made me want to shake some sense into him lol 960x350-1
What I loved about this story was how romantic and sweet and charming Darwin is… I love how independent Ricky is even if it makes his stubborn to the point I wanted to punch him a time or two…. I loved how Darwin treated the people in his life, how they became family and he respected them all and cared about them; especially Hensley. When Ricky said that Hensley was in love with Darwin that kind of threw me off because I didn’t get that feeling at all…. He was like a brother to him and wanted him to be happy, especially with Ricky because he saw how happy Ricky made him. I love how Ricky was so close to his mom and sister; the banter between them all was hilarious. I heard a lot about Darwin’s parents and how great they were and I know that Darwin’s father had passed but I don’t remember ever meeting his mother… did I overlook that part or did it just not happen?
Either way… this was an incredibly sweet, light read. It wasn’t too fluffy and although a couple parts were a little frustrating or unbelievable; I adored these two together and I wouldn’t mind getting to read more about them or even Hensley and Jeff. Super cute.
4 pieces of eye candy 4-pieces-of-eye-candy

meet the author

Parker Williams believes that true love exists, but it always comes with a price. No happily ever after can ever be had without work, sweat, and tears that come with melding lives together.

Living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with his husband of nearly 26 years, Parker continues to believe and writes stories where there is (almost) always a happy ending.

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