Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

The Naughty North Pole Series by Deanna Wadsworth: Series Tour

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Series Blurb:

Welcome to the wacky and sexy world that is The Naughty North Pole. In this series you will be treated to a whole new version of Santa’s Workshop, where parties last for days, true love happens over a glass of butterscotch, and the elves have candy-flavored cum. You’ll never think of Christmas the same again!

Pip’s Boxing Day Wish Blurb:

All Pip wanted when he came to the North Pole as one of Santa’s elves was to belong. He thought he would finally find acceptance by his peers after Santa’s sister Ms. Claus selected him and two elves for a wild night of debauchery on Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, the morning after the hot four-way, it seems Pip’s reputation has gone from juvenile delinquent to tramp.

And to make matters worse, the sexy green-eyed elf Erik appears determined to ignore him despite their Christmas Eve connection. When Santa sends Pip on a special assignment with Erik on Boxing Day, will it be the most awkward day of his life or will Pip get the wish nearest and dearest to his heart?

 

A Gift for Santa Blurb:

Since birth, demi-god Nick Claus has heard the demands, wishes and dreams of all humans. Unable to grant the wishes of adults because they want love, health, and peace on Earth—things he cannot provide—Nick has devoted his eternity to granting the wishes of children by bringing them toys on Christmas Eve.

But what about the things Nick wants? Will he ever find the love he craves? Or will he continue to pretend the North Pole has not become lonely and Christmas is all he needs?

Enter Jack Frost.

The winter sprite has been teasing Nick and flirting with him ever since the first kiss they shared, centuries ago. With a saucy proposition, Jack convinces Nick to take a few minutes out for himself despite the busy Christmas season. The catch is, Jack hates Christmas.

Will Nick be able to melt the heart of Jack Frost, or will he end up getting frostbite from this sexy, naughty sprite?

 

Fun & Games with Rudolph Blurb:

Lars is the sarcastic elf who runs Santa’s Mail Department and he follows the dating rule of “no repeats”. But lately he’s been having a romantic textlationship with another elf, via the dating app Elf4Elf. When his cyber boyfriend goes AWOL after a misunderstanding, Lars realizes too late that there is more to life than sex, work, and cookies.

On Christmas Eve, Santa asks Lars to personally deliver a gift to Rudolph—a former reindeer handler who left the North Pole because of a misunderstanding. Rudolph lives on the secluded Sugar Plum Ridge and the only way to get there is by sleigh. Lars just can’t get a break!

When a sudden blizzard forces the two elves to hole up in Rudolph’s cabin, will they find a way to make their own fun and games or will one surprise ruin it all?

One thing is certain: after this night, they both will believe in the magic of the Naughty North Pole!

 

Series: The Naughty North Pole Series

Autor: Deanna Wadsworth

Titles Ms. Claus’s List, Pip’s Boxing Day Wish, A Gift for Santa, Fun and Games with Rudolph, and Everybody Hates Fruitcake

Genre:

Ms. Claus’s List: PMM Poly Romance, Christmas, Erotic,

Pip’S Boxing Day Wish: MM, First Time Romance

A Gift for Santa: MM Enemies to Lovers Romance, Christmas, Erotic

Fun & Games with Rudolph: MM Internet Romance, Friends to Lovers, Christmas

Everybody Hates Fruitcake: MM, MFF, Poly Romance

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

Deanna Wadsworth might be a bestselling erotica author, but she leads a pretty vanilla life in Ohio with her wonderful husband and a couple adorable cocker spaniels. She has been spinning tales and penning stories since childhood, and her first erotic novella was published in 2010. When she isn’t writing books or brainstorming with friends, you can find her making people gorgeous in a beauty salon. She loves music and dancing, and can often be seen hanging out on the sandbar in the muddy Maumee River or chilling with her hubby and a cocktail in their basement bar. In between all that fun, Deanna cherishes the quiet times when she can let her wildly active imagination have the full run of her mind. Her fascination with people and the innerworkings of their relationships have always inspired her to write romance with spice and love without boundaries.

Social Media Links:

Join Deanna’s newsletter HERE

Join Deanna’s Facebook Group HERE

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To Trust and To Touch by Vivi Anne Hunt: New Release Review and Excerpt

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Every Friday night, Alex goes to the infamous sex club, Kink World, to perform. He goes in, takes his money, and gets out. No complications and definitely no touching. It’s in the contract. Unfortunately, things don’t always go as planned, and one night’s incident pushes him into a chance encounter with a man who is the very epitome of the word ‘safe.’

After years of focusing on being a single dad to his adorable baby daughter, Sigh is venturing out into the world of dating, starting at his brother’s club on Friday night. He’s not too excited about any of it until a chance encounter with a man covered with vine tattoos reminds him of the needs he has ignored for far too long.

Will Alex be able to let someone touch him? Will Sigh break through Alex’s defenses and learn what exactly happened to him? Will the two men be able to start again?

Title: To Trust and To Touch

Author: Vivi Anne Hunt

Genre: MM romance, gay romance, bisexual, LGBT, contemporary romance

Tropes: age gap, hurt comfort, single parent

Page count: 225 (52,000 words)

Content warnings: mature language, content, and violence

Trigger warnings: SA (off page), PTSD, unaliving, mental health, therapy

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

It’s Wednesday, my night at Kink World, and I’m running late. I have to speed my bike through a couple of intersections, but I come out unscathed. I could die about a dozen ways riding like this. I know it won’t be that easy, though. When I go, it won’t be soon and it won’t be easy. It’s someone else, who is lucky. I’ve never been lucky in my fucking life.

I almost crash into the building’s entrance, regain my balance, and tie the bike to a nearby rack. Quick as lightning, I sprint to the entrance and knock three times. A small window opens. “Pass?”

I roll my eyes. “It’s me, Frank, open up.”

The window closes and the big gate opens, revealing a smirking individual. “Oh, you’re still with us, are you, Shade?”

Shade is my pseudonym at Kink World. My stage name, if you will.

“As long as there are greedy, horny fuckers in the world, I’ll always be employed, my friend.”

I struggled with this book initially. Alex was kind of an ass at the beginning, as you can see by the quote right above this. But I pushed past it, because it felt like there had to be more. I am so happy I continued to give it chance though because To Trust and To Touch did end up living up to my hopes, even if it was hurt/comfort (which is mostly not my jam).

You have two MC’s that were quite different. Alex with the tragic event of his past (it takes a long while to learn what it is, but man…), and so he ends up working at Kinkworld as a side job, by allowing others to watch him, but they cannot touch him. If they do…well, the guy could put them down to the ground in moments, after years of practicing martial arts.

Meanwhile, Sigh seemed a bit too good to be true. Not that I didn’t enjoy their cute milkshake dates, or the love of Sigh’s daughter towards Alex, but it was a bit too easy at times. There were just areas that gave me pause, feeling that the characters wouldn’t act that way in that circumstance. Although when they met was hilarious as Sigh is talking to his daughter, while Alex thinks he’s a Daddy talking to his boy/girl.

This was a lot of hurt/comfort for me which I struggle with it at times. However, the characters drew me in and it allowed me to ignore some of the little things I saw. Those small issues didn’t pull me out of the story. Reading the description of Alex’s assault was…rough for me. I had to stop for a bit.

Overall, there were a lot of very strong issues that were tough for me as a reader, but some heartwarming things as well to create a good balance. A good book if you are in the mood for all that.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

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Vivi Anne Hunt is a writer of steamy mm romance books and a big fan of the tropes age gap and hurt comfort. She loves writing and reading about men loving and protecting each other fiercely. She’s also a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Just Say When by Aimee Nicole Walker: Release Day Review

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Someone wants Police Chief Emilio Mendoza dead. And if his unknown assailant doesn’t kill him, pining for Sheriff Abraham Beecham just might.

Abe and Lio’s thirty-year journey has taken them from heated rivals to best friends with countless labels and pit stops along the way. Romance is the only avenue left unexplored but not from lack of love or desire.

Abe pushes people away before they can get too close, and Lio doesn’t engage in situations he can’t control. They’ve reached an impasse, and neither are willing to risk their friendship until fate intervenes, forcing them to reassess their priorities.

But when an unhinged enemy targets Lio, will their gamble be too little too late, or will their love truly conquer all?

Just Say When is a standalone romantic suspense novel within the author’s Savannah universe. This book contains mature content and is attended for adults.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Police Chief Mendoza has made many appearances in different stories. In several of them, the nature of his relationship with Sherriff Abe Beecham has been speculated about. Finally, we get their story.

We get a lot of their background story when they tell it to Lio (Chief Mendoza’s) ez wife’s new husband over pizza. Because even though they are divorced, they are still friends and they coparent a teenage boy. Which is nice to see.

And while the story gave us, well, the background story, it would have been nice to have a non-condensed flashback version. I might have been more invested in their relationship. Not that I wasn’t, but, yanno. More development of the characters and their relationship would have been nice.

Lio’s ex wife is also dealing with an investigation that started in another book. You don’t have to read the other books though as it is easily explained again. But it’s just funny to go from this bad a$$ Chief to a guy with a kid and an exwife who is on the periphery of the police force and a best friend since childhood who is a Sheriff. Who knew he had such a tangled web.

While Abe and Lio dance around each other, we hear a little more about the investigation and meet 2 Army buddies of Abe and Lio. Another thing we didn’t know. It was nice seeing the 4 guys kick back and hang out.

What I didn’t expect from this book were the tears. Which had nothing to do with Abe and Lio’s relationship. But if you don’t cry, I will be really surprised.

A couple of things I really did like. We only get a very brief scene with Locke, and then one comment from him at another point. I like when there is character cross over, especially because they are in the same world, but I feel like, given the chance, he could take over. So I’m glad we saw him briefly and that was it.

I also liked how both guys have no problem with their sexuality and don’t need, want, or have to hide. Especially because there is a teenager in the family. A pretty cool teenager too.

There is a bit of a whodunit going on, which added some interest to the story. No spoilers, natch.

Overall, I really enjoyed these nearly lifelong best friends accept their love for each other and find happiness. Especially since they weren’t 23 years old. I love seeing older characters represented.

4 pieces of eye candy

Measuring Up by Dani Hermit & Curtis Star: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt and New Release Review

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Monarch Springs is full of hot guys… So why is Aiden determined to be in love with the only one that he can’t stand?

Up-and-coming interior designer Aiden Hart came to Monarch Springs for an intriguing job and an escape from his old life. Redecorating the tourist trap that is the Monarch Mansion in a small town in Pennsylvania sounded like the exact opposite of his trainwreck of a life in Miami. Not to mention a way to jumpstart his DIY celebrity career.

Aiden didn’t want to think that his new start was cursed. But being assigned to work with the disgraced former TV carpenter Brett Jeffries at the last minute and breaking down by the side of the road not two minutes later made being cursed sound reasonable.

Things started looking up when a hot mystery man in a beat up truck stopped to rescue him. This flannel-wearing angel was not the kind of hot that happened in Miami. This was salt-of-the-earth, lumberjack, bearded, knows how to change a tire, H-O-T hotness.

Of course, his hot savior turned out to be none other than Brett Jefferies.

And that was only the start of Aiden’s problems. From a traitorous cat to exes showing up at the worst possible times, he still has to somehow get this remodel done before Christmas.

However, falling in love with the job, the town, and, worst of all, Brett, was not on Aiden’s Christmas list.

Title: Measuring Up

Author Name: Dani Hermit & Curtis Star

Word Count: 62K

Genres: small town romance, contemporary romance, romcom, gay romance

Tropes: hate to love, meeting the love interest before you know who he is, the hot ex shows up

Amazon – All Regions

“You know I’m not afraid of hard work, Brett. I don’t have your guns but I work out.” Aiden removed his fashionably torn sweater to reveal a tight navy blue t-shirt. “But it’s warm in here. I wasn’t expecting such an aggressive Indian summer.”

Brett probably wouldn’t notice but Aiden got a lot of numbers at the club in this very tee. Although that was seven years ago when he was usually covered in glitter and had just enough of the designer party drug of the day to offer to suck off somebody as yummy as Brett with ease.

The shirt was faded and paint-stained but Aiden still felt slightly bolstered with confidence when he wore it. He wasn’t intending to take his sweater off but now that he had, he wondered what Brett thought of him. Would he look at him the way the guys in the club did? Not likely. Not now that Aiden was about five years too old for that scene.

Aiden grabbed a brush and bucket of soapy water. He didn’t want to think about it anymore. Being over thirty and having lost his club boy appeal somewhere in the course of his failed committed relationship, Aiden often felt invisible.

“Are you sure about that?” Brett came up behind Aiden and squeezed his upper arms, lingering at his back for a solid minute. He walked away, not paying attention to the effect he had on Aiden. “I’m going to grab some more supplies. How about you start over there? I’ll start on this other side and we’ll meet in the middle?”

Aiden had to steady his breath. He was far too close to swooning around this guy. He stomped up the ladder to start washing the top of the wall. He tried to use the scrubbing to air out his irritation.

“Stupid jerk.” He muttered under his breath. “No reason to mock me. Maybe I haven’t gotten to the gym in a while. You can’t act like your stupid sexy self doesn’t know you have driven me crazy since the moment I met you. Stupid sexy jerk.”

Returning with more cleaning supplies from the truck, Brett set to work on the far side of the room. After about half an hour of silence, he paused and turned to Aiden. “Hey, pretty boy,” he called out. “Do you mind if I put on some music?”

And now he’s calling me pretty boy. Why would he do that? Oh yeah, cause he’s a stupid, stupid sexy jerk who knows he’s sexy.

Aiden began scrubbing even harder as if the wall had wronged him. “Yeah sure, but just know you are revealing a lot about yourself. So many secrets are spilled by what you listen to.” Aiden didn’t want to bother moving the ladder so he reached out as far as he could with the sponge while he waited to hear what Brett would put on.

Brett opened a door on the built-in cabinet that wasn’t far from where Aiden was scrubbing and plugged his phone into the stereo unit hidden inside. He hit play and classic rock began blaring out of the speakers that were concealed all over the house. Brett quickly adjusted the volume down to a more reasonable roar. Out of the corner of his eye, Aiden watched him as he lingered a moment, enjoying the song.

Aiden wasn’t paying attention to how far he was leaning, and the ladder he was sitting on started wobbling. Before he could correct his position or get his balance back, Aiden was tipping over. He closed his eyes and prayed he would hit the floor and not smash into the pile of tools that were nearby.

The current running tracks of thought in Aiden’s head came out of his mouth as he fell right into Brett’s arms. He couldn’t stop himself from hitting Brett’s chest as he ranted in an awkward attempt to get his heartbeat under control.

“Stupid, sexy jerk who rescues puppies. Of course, you are gonna catch me when I fall off the ladder.”

For his part, Brett didn’t say anything, he just let Aiden wear himself out. He stared into Brett’s eyes, his anger and fear played out, not sure what to do or say. It wasn’t like Brett was moving to set him down on the floor. The fact that the big man wasn’t dropping him like a hot potato was making Aiden’s heart beat fast again and his head filled with all the silly notions he was trying to avoid.

“Would you rather I let you crash to the ground and break your pretty neck?” Brett asked, not letting go of Aiden though he looked like he was tempted to drop him on his butt now that he was out of harm’s way.

Okay, this has gone on way too long, right? Why isn’t he putting me down?

Okay, this is a cute book. I’ve never read anything by this team of authors, so really not sure what to expect, to be honest. The cover wasn’t my favorite, and that is usually a call to me as a must read. It had some really fun elements…(I’m a crazy cat lady, so of course the ‘traitorous cat’ called to me.)

Aiden comes to this new town to start over. It’s a bit of a meet-cute after a car breakdown. I love inner monologues that really seem like they are talking to me and themselves, and Aiden’s inner monologue made me laugh.

Brett, the sexy lumberjack, just let Aiden get into his own little messes, I thought. Which made me laugh just a bit more.

There was a bit of a plot hole that I didn’t quite understand, but that sometimes happens.

Overall, a funny, cute holiday story.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

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Dani Hermit & Curtis Star are a married pair of writers who have been perfecting their craft even longer than they have been perfecting their marriage – over 20 years for both! It was a mutual love of slash fic and writing deep, angsty stories that lead to their love for each other.

It has been a rocky road full of pitfalls and potholes that has lead to the current format of writing boy’s love serials that are becoming the bedrock of the Hermit & Star brand.

Author Website: https://hermitstarbooks.com/

Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/hermitstarbooks

Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/hermitstarbooks

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hermitstarbooks/

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dani-Hermit/e/B00BG3335E/

Exposed by Christmas: A Secret Santa story by Hayden West: RB, New Release Review and Giveaway

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Secrets refuse to stay buried.

Pulled in for an op he never wanted, Michael Little knows it won’t be a hardship to pretend interest in his target. What does prove difficult is knowing that when it’s over, he’ll have to walk away.

Radek Dionne has busted his ass to keep his name away from the shady dealings his family is involved in. Used to people wanting him either for those connections or due to him being a player in the NHL, he keeps to himself. Until one night when he meets someone who gets to him on a level he’s never expected.

But family has a way of showing up when you least want them to and his is no exception. Secrets are exposed and loyalties tested. Will they be together by Christmas, or has this last secret ruined any chance of a happy ever after?

Reader advisory: This book contains scenes of violence, sexual harassment, blackmail, and kidnapping. There is mention of child abuse, domestic violence, drug abuse, human trafficking and child trafficking.

Exposed by Christmas by Hayden West

General Release Date: 13th December 2022

Word Count: 32,013

Book Length: SHORT NOVEL

Pages: 135

Genres: ACTION AND ADVENTURE; CHRISTMAS; CONTEMPORARY; EROTIC ROMANCE; GAY; GLBTQI; SPORTS; THRILLERS AND SUSPENSE

Amazon – All Regions

First For Romance

I’m not sure that I’ve read anything by Hayden West before, and I very rarely read hockey books, because I don’t know the sport at all, but I’m a junkie for the holiday books, so had to give it a shot (pun intended).

Radek is a hockey player who meets Michael at a party, and they immediately get involved. Meanwhile, Michael is an undercover CIA agent, working with the FBI, trying to bring down Radek’s brother who he’s done everything he could to distance himself from. Michael falls in love with Radek, but he has to follow where the job leads him. He never believes that Radek is guilty of any wrongdoing, but they need Radek to draw his brother out.

The secrets, of course, come out, and all hell breaks loose. Radek had every reason to be angry at Michael. And being the alpha male he was, he really wouldn’t let Michael explain, he just turned away. Radek was hard to like when he was angry and jealous, and he was A LOT. But it was obvious how much he loved Michael.

Fortunately, they do get the bad guy, and the HEA. And wow, the epilogue…my heart!!!! (I wanted it to be a little longer, to be honest.)

The book was a novella, but it had a little bit of everything happening. Some sexy times, some action and adventure, friends that wouldn’t turn away from Radek, and some very questionable dealings.

It was a good ride, and I enjoyed it.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Hayden West lives in the Pacific Northwest, enjoys being outdoors, and hanging out with friends when not working on the next novella to be released.

Find Hayden at their website and blog.

Author Links

Website: https://authorhaydenwest.wixsite.com/authorhaydenwest

Blog: https://authorhaydenwest.blogspot.com/

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Sleigh Ride with Kellan by Sophia Nixs: RB, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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A rugged, bearded mechanic becomes my knight in shining armor.

Traveling three hours to make my twin daughter’s Christmas come true.

I never expected him.

We are the complete opposites and he infuriates me like no one else.

Love was never on the cards for me.

A blizzard holds up my plans and I end up staying the night with him.

Everything I never thought I wanted.

I thought being stranded at Christmas was the only surprise I was in for. How wrong was I?

Title: Sleigh Ride with Kellan
Authors: Sophia Nixs
Length: 20K
Series: Standalone
Genre: Contemporary.
Tropes: Grumpy sunshine, Close/ Forced proximity, Secret Billionaire, Alpha male.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

I hated waking up early but I knew that Kellan needed to be back on the road as soon as he could; especially with only two days until Christmas. He needed to get back to his girls. I hated leaving him alone sleeping away in my bed but I’d never seen anything so perfect before as I creepily stood and watched him for a few moments before I got dressed and left him. I bet with the girls it was rare for him to have a full night’s sleep or to even sleep in this late. At least this way he could travel home refreshed and ready for the excitement of Christmas ahead.

I ensured Pip was okay and cleaned up the mess he had made before topping up and giving him a hand fed treat of some wet food and water. I grabbed my truck keys and Kellan’s car keys, determined to try and fix this mess he’d got himself into and help him on his way, while hopefully making sure his Christmas dreams didn’t shatter before his eyes.

I just needed to hope my skills were up to the job because no matter what, I couldn’t be the man to destroy two little girl’s hearts. They needed Kellan and one way or another, I’d get him back to them, even if I ended up buying him a brand new car myself.

This was a quick read, and since I haven’t read anything by this author (or her original pen name), I figured I’d give it a shot.

This is 100% insta-love. If you don’t like insta-love, this isn’t going to work for you. It was a sweet and sexy story, with a cute dog, even cuter twins and a little bit of alpha male thrown in.

Kellan, as a foster parent, was all about just getting back home to his girls with the puppy that they so desperately wanted. But as can happen in the winter, blizzard comes along and takes out the car, leaving Kellan and little Pip in a dangerous place. Eli, the son of the people Kellan purchased the dog from, came to the rescue. As a mechanic he could take care of the issues. However, first they had to stay at Eli’s for the night.

This was a feel good story, with insta-love, and an ever so patient man left back in Pennsylvania. Eli never called or even texted for three weeks. That seemed odd to me. I know he was giving Kellan space, but even a “I’m thinking about you” would have been good. And Kellan never once looked Eli up on his phone? “Man of my Dreams”? I guess I struggled with that a bit.

Probably my biggest issue, and it’s one I very rarely bring up, was the editing. When I receive ARCs, I very rarely comment on editing, as often the book hasn’t been through a final round of edits, etc. However, it needed a good edit, from either an American editor, or one who is very experienced in editing America based books. One of the MC’s was from Manhattan, the other Pennsylvania. Somebody should have caught things like “we’re a right pair” or “stay at mine”. It does jump the reader out of the story.

In the end, a lovely holiday ride. It did have a very happy ending, with the twins falling in love with Eli instantly, when Kellan introduced them. Couldn’t ask for more from a holiday romance.

3 pieces of eye candy

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Sophia Nixs is a romance author from the United Kingdom that writes steamy contemporary MM romance.

Sophia is a romantic at heart, she adores everything to do with love. In her eyes, when someone finds loves that’s all that matters.

Sophia’s dream is to live in the countryside where she can write her stories from her book nook whilst looking out at the gorgeous scenery in peace and quiet.

Connect with Sophia:
https://www.facebook.com/SophiaNixsAuthor
https://www.instagram.com/sophianixsauthor
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