Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

A Forced Silence by Cate Ashwood : Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review and Giveaway

December 19, 2015 by Denise

For paramedic Adam Carson, his world is lights and sirens and saving lives. Pressures at work keep him firmly in the closet, and life is too busy to contend with the complications that come with dating and relationships. When a familiar face from his past turns up where he least expects it, Adam starts to question whether or not there is room in his life for those complications.

The last person forensic pathologist Sam McKenna expects to see at pub night is Adam, the guy who made his life hell in high school. The attraction is instant, but Adam isn’t gay and Sam has no interest in pursuing him. Still, the leftover animosity from their teenage years isn’t enough to extinguish the lust growing between them. After both are called to the scene of a horrific murder, Adam admits he’s not as straight as he led Sam to believe and they seek comfort and distraction in each other’s arms. One night becomes many as the murder investigation intensifies, but when Adam is faced with losing Sam, he is forced to make a choice: to break his silence, or to give up everything for the job he loves.

Author Name: Cate Ashwood

Book Name: A Forced Silence

Series: Zero Hour

Book: One

Release Date: December 11, 2015

Pages or Words: 200 pages

Categories: Contemporary, Crime Fiction, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Romance

Goodreads Link

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Cover Artist: Melody Pond

This was my first book by Cate Ashwood, and I will say that immediately after finishing A Forced Silence, I went an grabbed Tasting Notes to read that as well. It seems I have some books to catch up on to get through her library.

The story of these two men began in high school, with Sam (aka Dex) and Adam being at odds, an enemies to lovers story. Dealing with not only the murder of a young man, both the paramedic who dealt with it at the scene and the forensic pathologist who gave voice to the young man who died, had to find a way to not only co-exist, but quickly gave into their passion.

One thing that was exceptional to me was Adam being in the closet. Now, this is nothing new, quite often we read about characters struggling to get out of the closet, wondering how it will affect their family, friends, co-workers, etc. However, in the case of Adam, I loved how Sam reacted. He let it be. He didn’t try to force Adam out of the closet. He didn’t tell him he was silly for being in the closet. He respected his decision, and let him know that if and when he was ready to come out he would be there, but he wasn’t going to be the one to push him out.

Their relationship was well connected, as these were two very fleshed out characters, with not only history between them, but passion, and both with a need to help people.

I did find the ending rather abrupt. It had a little bit of a cliffhanger (not with the relationship), but it just felt slightly unfinished. There were a few questions that should have been dealt with, and its entirely possible the next book may deal with them. However, I did feel that at least one or two needed to be dealt with in this book, as it was specific to these characters, and not the overall arc of the secondary storyline.

In the end, I still found it an enjoyable read.

4 pieces of eye candy.

“Ah, here they are,” Ford said, turning his head toward two men who were making their way to the table.

“Adam, John, this is Sam. Sam, these are two of the city’s ugliest heroes, John and Adam.” Ford made the introductions as John slid into a chair across from him, lifting his head in greeting.

Sam swallowed hard, barely registering anything other than the man still standing in front of him. Adam Carson. He watched as recognition dawned in Adam’s eyes and a slow smirk appeared on his face. It was the same familiar cocky expression he wore when Sam knew him a billion years earlier.

“You sure have grown up, Dexter,” Adam said, exercising the nickname he had used for him all through school.

Sam lifted one eyebrow. “It seems you haven’t.”

“You two know each other?” Ford asked, eyebrows lifted in question.

“Oh, me and Dex go way back,” Adam supplied, never taking his eyes off Sam.

“Dex?”

Sam rolled his eyes. Ford was his friend, but that didn’t mean he wanted to rehash the shit that happened back in high school. That name was one that haunted him right through the twelfth grade. When he moved, he tucked it safely away, but tonight, it seemed, it had followed him.

“Long story,” Adam said. “It’s good to see you. It’s been a long time.”

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

ARe

Cate Ashwood wrote her very first story in a hot pink binder when she was in the second grade and found her passion for writing. Her first successful foray into romance writing came five years later when she wrote her best friend, who was experiencing a case of unrequited love, her own happily ever after.

Cate’s life has taken a number of different and adventurous roads. She now lives a stone’s throw from the ocean, just outside of Vancouver, British Columbia with her husband, son, and two cats. Her life is filled with family and friends, travel, and, of course, books.

Where to find the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cate.ashwood

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/Cate-Ashwood-Author-288329491267435/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cateashwood

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

Newsletter: http://www.cateashwood.com/contact.html (Sign-up on the right hand side of the blog)
Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Bayou Book Junkie, V’s Reads, Book Reviews and More by Kathy, Cate Ashwood, KathyMac Reviews, Just Love Romance, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, The Hat Party, The Jena Wade, Carly’s Book Reviews, BFD Book Blog, Happily Ever Chapter, Iyana Jenna, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Molly Lolly, Divine Magazine, MM Good Book Reviews, Foxylutely Book Reviews, Inked Rainbow Reads, Sassygirl Books, Alpha Book Club, Two Chicks Obsessed With Books and Eye Candy, Andrew Q. Gordon, Velvet Panic, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Cheekypee Reads and Reviews, My Fiction Nook, 3 Chicks After Dark, Kirsty Loves Books

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Moment of Silence by Karen Stivali : Release Day Review and Giveaway

December 18, 2015 by Denise

Growing up, Jason Stern led a charmed life complete with devoted sisters, a father who was one of Brooklyn’s most respected rabbis, and a mother who made the world’s best babka. He headed to NYU ready for anything—except falling for the wrong guy, coming out, and getting disowned by his once-loving family. In spite of that, Jason managed to graduate with honors. He’s got friends who treat him like family, and he’s proudly running the largest LGBTQ teen shelter in Manhattan. Life is good, but he’s still falling for the wrong men.

When charming, sexy Quinn Fitzpatrick begins work at the shelter, Jason falls hard and fast. Quinn is tall, blond, funny—damn near perfect. Only if Quinn’s gay, even he doesn’t seem to know it. If he does, he’s not telling anyone. And he’s about one ceremony away from becoming a Catholic priest.

Long hours of work turn to long nights of talking and laughter, and Jason dares to hope this time he’s falling for the right guy. But Quinn’s got a past to deal with and major decisions to make about his future. When Quinn leaves for a silent retreat, Jason knows the silence may change everything.

Author Name: Karen Stivali

Book Name: Moment of Silence

Series: Moments In Time

This book is a ‘Moments in Time Novel’. It takes place in the same world, but can be read separately.

Release Date: December 18, 2015

Pages or Words: 76,000 words

Categories: Contemporary, M/M Romance

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5170527.Karen_Stivali

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Cover Artist: Anna Sikorska

Pierogi were just what the evening required. We got two orders, potato with fried onions, and cheese doused in butter. To round things out, we added a gigantic link of kielbasa and finished it all off with blueberry blintzes. By the time we were done eating, I was so full I could barely move.

“This was awesome.” Quinn licked a purple streak of blueberry off his fork before setting it down and pushing his plate away.

I was too mesmerized by the sight of his tongue to speak right away.

The waitress stopped at our booth. “All set?”

“Yeah, thanks.”

She placed the paper check between us, and Quinn reached for it, but I grabbed it first. “I’ve got this one. Make up for the popcorn you gave away.”

“You don’t have to do that.” He pulled out his wallet and put a twenty on the table.

“You can’t let anyone do anything for you, can you?”

Quinn’s eyes bugged, then softened. “Yeah, I guess I do have a problem with that sometimes.”

“Sometimes?”

“Okay, most of the time.”

“You know what they say. The first step is admitting you have a problem. And the second is letting me pay for dinner.” I stuck the check and enough money for the meal and tip under the glass sugar shaker, then grabbed Quinn’s twenty, folded it in half, leaned over, and tucked it into his shirt pocket.

My fingers were in the pocket before I fully realized what I was doing. Then the whole universe condensed into the drag of my fingers on that two-inch-square area of his chest. His rock-solid chest that tightened the instant I made contact. My own chest froze, devoid of air. I’d forgotten how to breathe. All I could do was think about the fact that I had my hand on this man who’d consumed my waking and sleeping hours for weeks. And I had to let go. Literally.

I pulled my hand away, trying to turn the rush of breath that returned to my lungs into something resembling a laugh. “Ready to get out of here?”

Quinn nodded.

Shit. He’s silent again. Did he notice that moment of fantasy lust I just played out? What the fuck is wrong with me? Way to make him uncomfortable. Fuck—My monologue of self-criticism was interrupted by his hand on my shoulder.

His hand was probably a normal temperature, but given the heat it generated in my body, he might as well have been the Human Torch . Great. I’m not only in love with a straight priest, he’s also a superhero.

Quinn chuckled, and for a second I worried I’d said my crazy thoughts out loud. My face flushed to match the heat that coursed through the rest of me. “What?”

He handed me my keys. “You left these on the table.”

“Oh.” I took them, heat flaring through me in another rush when his fingers brushed mine as he placed the keyring in my hand. “Thanks. Geez. That would have sucked if I’d left those here.”

“Yeah.”

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I nearly tripped over the step as we left the restaurant. It was a text from Campbell. I laughed. “Apparently my roommate’s having an orange juice crisis, as in we’re out of orange juice. I need to stop at the bodega on the way home. I feel like we’re married sometimes. In a weird, sexless way.” Stop talking. Now.

“It’s good you get along so well.”

I gestured to the store on the next corner. “You need anything?”

“Nah. I’m too full to even think about eating or drinking anything.”

“The power of the pierogi.”

He grinned. “See you tomorrow?”

“Get some sleep. Tomorrow we’ll work on those shelves. Unless you think we need to run the math one more time.”

“Just triple-checking your skills.” The teasing sound in his voice made me want to stay on that corner and talk to him all night. Anything to keep hold of the pleasant hum that was vibrating through my body. But then he turned away, heading toward his place, hand in the air in a backward wave of sorts. “Good night.”

It was indeed. “Night.”

I’m a huge fan of the Moments in Time series. It took me a while to pick up Moment of Impact, but once I did, I couldn’t get enough. Now that Tanner and Collin are happy and in love, Karen Stivali has moved on to writing about some of their friends and family.

Moment of Silence is the story of Jason and Quinn. Those who’ve read the earlier books in the series will remember them from Moment of Truth and Moment of Clarity. Jason was the friend who was crushing on Collin when they were on Fire Island, and Quinn is Collin’s almost-priest brother.

I went into the story blind because Karen Stivali has yet to let me down with a book in this series. That may have been a bit of a hindrance, because it took me a little while to remind myself who they were. Once the puzzle pieces started to fall into place, I couldn’t get enough.

I worried about how this story would play out given the fact that there was not only Quinn’s potential priesthood, but the fact that Jason’s father is a Rabbi. That could have been a recipe for disaster because sometimes books with such strong, religious characters tend to come across preachy. Not the case here.

Quinn definitely struggled with his feelings for Jason and the future he’d been working toward for a decade. As I read, I felt for him. I wanted him to be happy. And luckily, Jason didn’t go into this relationship with any expectations of what would happen in the future. He knew the score. He knew there was a chance Quinn would walk away.

I can’t say too much more without giving away major parts of the story, but I will say this is one of the first books in a while to make me both laugh and cry. When I finished the last page, I couldn’t help but read the excerpt for Moment of Fate at the back of the book, because I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to this cast of characters. Karen Stivali is still firmly on my must-read list with this great new release!

4.5 pieces of Eye Candy

Amazon

DSP eBook

DSP Paperback

Karen Stivali is a prolific writer, compulsive baker and chocoholic with a penchant for books, movies, and fictional British men. She’s also the multiple award-winning author of contemporary and erotic romances. She writes novels about love…like real life, only hotter.

Karen’s lifelong fascination with people has led her to careers ranging from hand-drawn animator, to party planner, to marriage and family counselor, but writing has always been her passion. Karen enjoys nothing more than following her characters on their journey toward love. Whether the couples are m/f or m/m, it’s guaranteed that Karen’s novels are filled with food, friendship, love, and smoking hot sex—all the best things in life.

When Karen isn’t writing (and often when she is), she can be found on Twitter attempting witty banter and detailing the antics of her fruit-loving cat, BadKitteh. She loves to hear from readers (and other writers), so don’t hesitate to contact/follow/like her at: [insert contact info here]

Where to find the author:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/karenstivali

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

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/karenstivali/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5170527.Karen_Stivali

Blog: http://karenstivali.com

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/KarenStivaliAuthor?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, BFD Book Blog, Bayou Book Junkie, Unquietly Me, KathyMac Reviews, 3 Chicks After Dark, Book Reviews and More by Kathy, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Jessie G. Books, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Elin Gregory, Inked Rainbow Reads, Divine Magazine, MM Good Book Reviews, Happily Ever Chapter, Just Love Romance, Three Books Over the Rainbow, Book Lovers 4Ever, Butterfly-O-Meter, Two Chicks Obsessed With Books and Eye Candy, Charley Descoteaux, Because Two Men Are Better Than One, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, A.M. Leibowitz, My Fiction Nook, V’s Reads

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The Greatest Gift by Felice Stevens: Blog Tour, Excerpt and Giveaway

December 16, 2015 by Denise

GreatestGiftBanner

The Greatest Gift

Memories, Book 3

Felice Stevens

M/M Romance

GreatestGiftCover

Cover Designer: Dar Albert/Wicked Smart Designs

Cover Photo: StockPhoto

Release Date: 12.10.15

BLURB:

After five years, Alex Stern and Rafe Hazelton have what seems to be the perfect marriage. Alex is entering his last years of residency and Rafe’s veterinary business is busier than ever. For Rafe, all that is missing is a child, but Alex, afraid of ending up to be a man like his father, isn’t as sure. He doesn’t want to make any mistakes.

When a new patient enters the hospital, Alex is drawn to the young, desperately ill single mother, who shares her fears for the future of her young son. Rafe worries about the toll on Alex becoming emotionally invested in a patient, yet he too can’t walk away once he meets the little boy, and together they vow to help in any way possible.

Families are not always born of blood— love is a gift no one can plan for. And sometimes from the darkest of tragedies, the brightest light will shine.

This is a 25k word novella in the Memories series.

Did I need tissues? Yes, of course I did, its a Felice Stevens book after all. 🙂 But they were happy tears-mostly.
Reading this was all about revisiting with old friends, Alex and Rafe, Micah and Josh, their combined families, as well as meeting new friends, Jude and the little boy that captures the heart of the family.
What I enjoyed most was not just revisiting with them, but finding new places for these men to go in their lives. Alex was so determined to keep pushing the idea of a child aside, and yet fate, despite all of Alex’s grumblings, stepped in and took over. With his residency, and his fears, the only way to get through to him was to just have fate decide for him.
I liked that it wasn’t a quick fix, or even a quick timeframe for these men to fall in love with this little boy. Felice didn’t make this happen in three days of (book) time. There was time written in, outings that happened, and even just hanging out, and learning to love each other as a family.
So worth every second. 4 pieces of eye candy

BUY LINKS

AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/1NPZ376

AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/1Njkl9F

AMAZON CA: http://amzn.to/1U5kwds

ARe: http://bit.ly/1Y4HUrV

iBooks: http://apple.co/1XYM6i9

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1OUZDjd

GreatGift

EXCERPT

“Are you asking me to walk away from it?” Sometimes in the night he’d wake up and ask himself if it was worth it, so he understood Rafe’s concern. But then he remembered Seth’s words, inscribed in his heart—if you give up, maybe that one person whose life you can help won’t make it because you aren’t there.

And that meant everything was worthwhile.

“No, of course not. I know how hard you’ve worked. It’s hard to see you sad, that’s all I’m saying.” Rafe toyed with the beer bottle. “I don’t want you to change from the happy person you always were.”

“Am I?”

His greatest fear, the one that prevented him from adopting a child and giving Rafe that family unit was losing his joy and becoming bitter and disillusioned, like so many others.

Without answering, Rafe took his hand and led him to the sofa where they sat down together, legs entwined.

“No, not yet. But I could see how easily it might happen. I know you’re doing it because of your brother—”

“No, you have it all wrong. It may have started out to beat what killed Seth, but now I want it because I feel as if I am making a difference. That if I help one person it can be the start of helping two or three.”

Alex needed this validation from Rafe, the person he loved beyond anything to ground him. While this residency was brutal emotionally, the rewards it reaped were worth the toil and he’d gladly give of himself if it helped his patients. He needed to know that Rafe wouldn’t give up on him and their marriage.

“I want to keep on with it but I don’t want to lose you in the process. If I become a different person or you see me change for the worse you need to point it out to me; smack me in the head and tell me I’m fucking us up.”

There was such tenderness in Rafe’s eyes, and his lips curved in a smile. “You’ll never lose me; I’m in it for the long haul. It’s you I worry about. I don’t want you to lose yourself.”

There was a sense of peace wrapping his arms around Rafe to hold him close; something special and wondrous in being secluded from the rest of the world with the one person who understood and never judged him, who merely loved and provided a warm and safe harbor to return home to every time.

“I’ll try not to.” He rubbed his feet over Rafe’s, warming them up against his socks. “But if I do, make sure you look hard.”

“You could never hide from me,” said Rafe kissing his cheek. “No matter where you go, I’ll always find where you are.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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

OTHER WORKS BY AUTHOR

Memories Series

Memories of the Heart, Book 1

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Yb4fJF

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1PxZZPv

ARe: http://bit.ly/1ReSjis

B&N: http://bit.ly/1QJVUXS

One Step Further, Book 2

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Yb4ioP

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1N95vb8

Through Hell and Back Series

A Walk Through Fire, Book 1

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1NPYDOi

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1NZpZlr

ARe: http://bit.ly/1MT33io

B&N: http://bit.ly/1Odz5sY

After the Fire, Book 2

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Yb4owN

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1QsuF4J

ARe: http://bit.ly/1j5pZDk

B&N: http://bit.ly/1Odzcom

Embrace the Fire, Book 3

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Yb4pAS

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1kCjZUr

ARe: http://bit.ly/1SVQMz4

B&N: http://bit.ly/1j5ramu

Home for the Holidays Anthology

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Yb4wfA

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1SA7SSg

Rescued

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1NPYKtc

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1SA8Bmx

ARe: http://bit.ly/1WXekt8

B&N: http://bit.ly/YSu2df

The Breakfast Club Series

Beyond the Surface, Book 1

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1NPYOJw

Amazon UK http://amzn.to/1S1zUpD

ARe: http://bit.ly/1PMdRUF

Betting on Forever, Book 2

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Yb4DrG

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1X3tWG7

All Romance: http://bit.ly/1MykS7o

GIVEAWAYS

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Snowed In by Teodora Kostova : Quick Review

December 15, 2015 by Denise

Be careful what you wish for…

Nate has been in love with Quinn, his brother’s best friend, for as long as he can remember. But when he finally gets the chance to show Quinn how he feels, his heart gets broken in the most unexpected way.

Second chances come when you least expect them…

Quinn doesn’t believe in miracles, especially not Christmas ones. When he decides to win Nate back he knows it won’t be easy. The last thing he expects is a health scare, a road trip and a vicious snow storm to work in his favor.

In the end, a cabin in the woods turns out to be not only the shelter they desperately need, but also Quinn’s very own Christmas miracle.

Sometimes, to forgive, you need to get snowed in…

*Stand alone novella, not connected to any series

Amazon

This holiday novella follows Nate and Quinn, through their very young adulthood for part one. Then again several years later for part two, as they get to their HEA.

Nate was such a sweet young man in part one, who couldn’t wait to see the man he had been in love with since they met. Quinn left town, and broke his heart, and Nate became an angry, promiscuous man, who hated Quinn upon seeing him again.

I will admit, that after Quinn broke Nate’s heart at the end of part one, I was angry myself. I couldn’t read the novella for a while after that, stewing in my anger, much the way Nate seemed to do. When Quinn came back, to win Nate over, I was hesitant at first too, not knowing why Quinn left in the first place. He tried to convince Nate that he wanted him back, that he wanted to make up for the pain he had caused.

I did have a few issues with the characterizations in this novella, though. There might be a few small spoilers ahead, so you are warned.

The brain tumor of Quinn’s roommate led the pack here. Quinn felt beholden to the roommate as he got sick, and that he needed to care for him. That was the type of person he was, wanting to take care of a man who had taken care of him. However, in all honesty, they had been roommates and friends, so why would Quinn choose to hurt a man so tremondously, that he claimed to love, because someone who was a friend was sick? Could it be because he didn’t want Nate to see him struggling to deal with it? Perhaps. Another reason might have been their ages. Making a decision like that, at that age, could very well be what someone would think was best. However, for me, it didn’t strike me as something someone who loves you would do.

In addition, remembering that Nate’s parents had taken in Quinn, much as the roommate had, why would the roommate win over Quinn’s devotion more than Nate? Was it because Nate had his brother and parents, and the roommate had no one? That is entirely possible, but again, I go back to the fact that the roommate was just a friend, and Nate could have easily been a source of support for Quinn as he helped the man die with dignity.

All that being said, I definitely felt the connection between these two. One of the issues sometimes with novellas is they are so fast, it’s hard to feel the connection that the reader wants in order to get to the HEA satisfactorily. In this case, that wasn’t an issue. Because Nate and Quinn had a connection prior to expressing their love to each other, the reader was able to feel that bond reform as they traveled towards Denver, and found themselves at the place that their previous falling out had taken place.

There was so much to love in this novella, two men who tiptoed around each other for years, then had to find a way to go from enemies to lovers, some hot sex scenes (because Teodora can definitely write some of those!), and an awesome cover, that my other issues could be put to the backburner somewhat.

I definitely enjoyed this one, and was glad I got a chance to read it. I would love to read a little more on these men. How they were able to work through some of the lingering anger and fears to solidify their relationship could be an entirely different novella!

3.75 pieces of Eye Candy for me

Hi, my name is Teodora and I live in London with my husband and my son. I’ve been writing ever since I can remember, but it became my full time job a few years ago when I decided that everything else I’ve tried bores me to death and I have to do what I’ve always wanted to do, but never had the guts to fully embrace. I’ve been a journalist, an editor, a personal assistant and an interior designer among other things, but as soon as the novelty of the new, exciting job wears off, I always go back to writing. Being twitchy, impatient, loud and hasty are not qualities that help a writer, because I have to sit alone, preferably still, and write for most of the day, but I absolutely love it. It’s the only time that I’m truly at peace and the only thing I can do for more than ten minutes at a time – my son has a bigger attention span than me.
When I’m procrastinating, I like to go to the gym, cook Italian meals (and eat them), read, listen to rock music, watch indie movies and True Blood re-runs. Or, in the worst case scenario, get beaten at every Nintendo Wii game by a kid.
Don’t be shy and get in touch – I love connecting with my readers.

Blog: www.teodorakostova.blogspot.com

Twitter: @Teodora_Kostova
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teodorakostovaauthor

E-mail: t.t.kostova@gmail.com

Instagram: teodorika1

What Happens At Christmas by Jay Northcote : Quick Review

December 15, 2015 by Denise

When two friends pose as boyfriends, could what happens at Christmas turn into something more?

Justin is recently and unhappily single. Christmas is coming, and he doesn’t want to face his ex alone at their office party. So Sean—Justin’s best mate and long-time secret crush—volunteers to go with him and pretend to be his new flame.

Sean has always lusted after Justin from afar, but there’s never been a good opportunity to ask him for more than friendship. Posing as Justin’s boyfriend isn’t a chore, and if Justin wants to rebound onto him, Sean’s more than willing. At the party pretence and reality blur, and a kiss on the dance floor leads to a night of passion.

In the aftermath, they both assume it was a one-time thing until fate intervenes. Stuck together in London over the holidays, they give in to temptation again. But what happens at Christmas stays at Christmas… right?

Length: 37,000 words

Amazon

What Happens at Christmas by Jay Northcote combines two of my favorite tropes: friends to lovers and holiday magic. Justin and Sean were both written beautifully. Even though this is a novella, I felt there was plenty of time given to getting to know both characters, as well as explore their feelings for one another.

It would have been so easy for this story to take a turn into a cheesy mess, but the author never went that far. It was a perfect balance between Sean and Justin trying to play their parts in front of Justin’s ex and them trying to decide whether to hide or reveal their own feelings.

Even though it would have been plausible if they had jumped right into the sack, I appreciated that there was a bit of build up to them doing the deed. It made their connection that much stronger and believable.

I’m not typically a fan of novellas because they always leave me feeling like something’s missing, but that was NOT the case this time. I feel confident that Justin and Sean are on their way to a great new life together and will stand the test of time!

This book has already been added to my holiday collection and I can’t wait until next year when I can enjoy it all over again!

5 pieces of Eye Candy

Winter Wonderland by Heidi Cullinan : Quick Review

December 14, 2015 by Denise

Finding Mr. Right can be a snow lot of fun.

Minnesota Christmas, Book 3

Paul Jansen was the only one of his friends who wanted a relationship. Naturally, he’s the last single man standing. No gay man within a fifty-mile radius wants more than casual sex.

No one, that is, except too-young, too-twinky Kyle Parks, who sends him suggestive texts and leaves X-rated snow sculptures on his front porch.

Kyle is tired of being the town’s resident Peter Pan. He’s twenty-five, not ten, and despite his effeminate appearance, he’s nothing but the boss in bed. He’s loved Paul since forever, and this Christmas, since they’re both working on the Winter Wonderland festival, he might finally get his chance for a holiday romance.

But Paul comes with baggage. His ultra-conservative family wants him paired up with a woman, not a man with Logan’s rainbow connection. When their anti-LGBT crusade spills beyond managing Paul’s love life and threatens the holiday festival, Kyle and Paul must fight for everyone’s happily ever after, including their own.

Warning: Contains erotic snow art, toppy twinks, and super-sweet holiday moments. Best savored with a mug of hot chocolate with a dash of spice.

Amazon

Can I tell you how much I love the little town of Logan, MN? Sure, they have their issues and their closed-minded jerks, but I want to move there so bad! Especially after reading Winter Wonderland, the third book in the Minnesota Christmas series.

Last year, I fell in love with Arthur, Marcus, and Paul. The first two men found their happily ever afters, but poor Paul was left without someone to keep him warm at night. I needed him to find love.

When a book starts out with something as cheesy as snow penises, it could be cause for worry. It would have been if not for the fact that the first two books in the series were so solid.

Yes, it got a bit tiring to listen to Paul’s reasons why he and Kyle couldn’t work out, but I think that’s because if Paul was my real-life friend sitting in the room with me, I’d have wanted to slap him and remind him that he deserves to be happy. He was written that well.

And then you have poor Kyle… my mom used to tell us that we’d better not do anything on one end of town that we didn’t want her knowing about before we got home. Because small Midwestern towns take that whole “it takes a village” philosophy very seriously. And just like long lost relatives, small towns have a hard time believing that one of their own is all grown up. But damn, Kyle is grown!

One thing that sticks with me about this book is how Heidi Cullinan bucked stereotypes. Paul might have been the “bear” of the couple, but Kyle has no problem trying to tame him.

If I had to make a complaint at all, it’d be that there’s not a fourth book out. Like now. I love the boys of Logan and really hope there are more stories coming, because I need to know if their big dreams for Logan become a reality!

5 pieces of Eye Candy