Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Bonded 2 by Sara York: Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

August 21, 2015 by Denise

Title: Bonded 2

Series: Bound in Love #2

Author: Sara York

Genre: M/M Romance

Published: August 14, 2015

Liam Muller’s passion for life, mixed with his abusive past created more problems than Greg Peterson could handle on his own. When the pair meet Chris Edwards, everything changes. Both Greg and Chris keep Liam even, but when Liam’s parents plot his kidnapping, Chris and Greg can do nothing to keep him safe without the help of Chris’s new friend, Agent Samuel Graves.

Samuel is all about the job, but he craves a connection like Liam, Chris, and Greg have. When Sam meets Hudson Radcliff, he’s thrown off balance with attraction. His normally cool demeanor is set aflame with lust and need. Hudson and Sam burn for each other, but their passion is tested when everyone is put in danger.

Chris, and Greg fight Liam’s demons after they are reunited, but Liam’s parents won’t give up without a fight. Three men together may challenge people, but Liam, Chris, and Greg will fight to the end for their love.

Paula reviewed this for us-her first review with TCO. 🙂

I was so excited when I found out that Sara York was going to be giving us some more of Greg, Liam, and Chris. But in this second one we got those three plus the new couple of Sam and Hudson. Sam and Hudson’s relationship just about set my kindle on fire. I really liked the way Sara York delved deeper in the Greg, Liam, and Chris as characters. Especially how the trio coped with Liam’s crazy parents. That aspect of the story had my jaw dropping with the moves that they pulled.

The only real drawback of the story for me was at times things felt a little rushed. I would have liked to see more development and buildup of Sam and Hudson’s relationship. I enjoyed the excitement and drama that Liam’s family situation brought to the story. It was a nice way of introducing us to Chris and Hudson. I am hoping that we get to see more of Sam and Hudson in the future with maybe a book all of their own.

4 pieces of eye candy for this book.

Liam shook his head as he stared open mouthed at Agent Sam Graves. The agent nodded his head, so Liam looked to Greg then finally Chris.

“But I can’t.” He held out one hand to Greg then the other to Chris. “They’re both my husbands, and I can’t choose one.”

“I can understand how you feel, but your parents are fighting with everything they have. If they can get a judge to rule in their favor, you’ll be forced to undergo some sort of examination to determine your mental state. And trust me when I say they’ll probably pick a doctor who will find something wrong with your life. Few people understand what you, Greg, and Chris have. To make it worse, they’re also threatening legal action for your attack on your mom.”

“I didn’t attack her. She shoved me and then I reached out to keep from falling. I didn’t even really touch her. I might have brushed my arm against hers as I tried to keep from hitting the floor, but I didn’t do anything.”

“Marry either Greg or Chris and they’ll be your closest relative. Your parents will have no say in your life and no judge will force you to undergo a mental evaluation based on their insistence. If you have a spouse, then your spouse has the say in your life, not them. We could probably get through this without you getting married, but there is a slim chance your dad will use your past drug use against you and have a judge declare you mentally incompetent. It’s a long shot, but it will be impossible for them to have control if you have a spouse.”

“But I can’t be married to just one of them.” Liam felt like the world was closing in on him. How could he choose? Greg was the man who had saved him from himself, and Chris was his perfect lover. All three of them were intertwined so intricately that marrying one would be impossible.

“Liam,” Greg dropped to his knees in front of him, his beautiful brown eyes revealing his soul. “I love you more than life itself.”

He reached out and cupped Greg’s cheek. This man had made such a huge difference in his life. How could he say no to his proposal? His heart ached and he felt like it was breaking. He loved Greg, but he loved Chris too. How could he choose? But how could he say no to Greg?

“I love you so much, Greg.” Tears burned the back of his eyes, and he was powerless against whatever Greg wanted. Not because Greg lorded over him, but he loved the man so very much.

Greg licked his lips, and a smile played over his face. His eyes were bright, and Liam thought Greg looked better than ever before.

“I want you to marry Chris,” Greg said.

Liam pulled back, shocked by Greg’s words. “What?” He couldn’t have heard Greg right. Didn’t Greg want him?

Liam nodded and drew in a deep breath, watching the people move around him. People who looked to be medics took out the younger of the guys who’d been held here. The minutes ticked by, and he wanted to remind Sam he needed to see Greg and Chris, but every time he glanced to Sam, he held up his hand and nodded.

He was about out of all of his patience when the door to the facility opened and a new group of people walked in. The second man through the door was big, and it didn’t take him more than a second to realize it was Greg. He stood on shaky legs, tears streaming down his face. Greg was crying too and so was Chris.

“Greg.” Liam fell into open arms, trusting Greg would catch him. He wasn’t disappointed as Greg wrapped his arms around him and held him tight. He felt lips pressed against his face and neck, and then he felt more arms around him. Chris was beside them. His heart swelled so much, he wondered if his chest could contain it. He couldn’t stop the flow of tears as he held Greg. His men had saved him. They hadn’t forgotten about him.

“Okay, it’s time to head out.” Sam was standing right beside them, his gaze serious. “The locals have been alerted to what’s going on. We need the three of you to head to the airport. Greg and Chris, your bags are already in a car and on the way there. There is some grumbling from local law enforcement that they want to arrest Liam. We can’t let them get Liam back into their custody. Let’s move out, now.”

Liam held Greg’s hand and then reached out for Chris’s. All three of them settled in the backseat of the car Sam led them to, Liam in the middle, sandwiched between his lovers. Sam slid behind the wheel and another man sat in the passenger seat. Liam looked from Greg to Chris and back to Greg, his emotions rising to the surface again.

Chris placed his hand on Liam’s knee and squeezed. It felt amazing to be back with his men. There was so much to tell them, and yet he couldn’t say anything. He thought he’d be able to speak before they made it to the airport, but tension and fear held him in check. If the cops caught up to them, they might arrest him.

It took them more than thirty minutes to arrive. Once there, Sam led them into a small terminal.

“This isn’t the right place, is it?” Liam asked. “It was bigger when I flew in.”

“We’re flying private. You’ll be in Virginia in a couple of hours. Greg, Chris, your luggage is already stowed below. Liam, if we find anything that belongs to you, we’ll return it. I’ll be in contact with you in the next few days, and I’ll probably be sending a few photos of things we don’t have to hold and see if they’re yours. Some items may be used as evidence and you won’t get it back for a while.”

“Okay,” Liam whispered.

“Hey,” Sam held out his hand. “I swear you’ll be protected. I’ve discussed some options with Greg and Chris. When I fly home, I’ll meet with you and discuss those with you.”

He nodded as he shook Sam’s hand before moving next to Greg, seeking comfort. During takeoff, he had to be strapped into his own seat, but once they were flying, he unstrapped and crawled onto Greg’s lap. Chris moved to the seat he’d been occupying. He leaned forward and kissed Chris, tears forming in his eyes as he realized it all could have gone much worse. He was only at that shitty place for a little over a day. If he’d been there for weeks or longer, he knew he wouldn’t be the same person.

The kiss ended and he sat back, resting his head against Greg’s shoulder. Both Chris and Greg held him, giving him comfort. He fell asleep quickly and woke as they were starting their descent for landing.

“You have to strap in,” Greg said as he helped Liam move to the seat he’d been in earlier.

Liam found Chris in the row opposite them and reached over as Greg fastened his seatbelt. He held hands with Chris and Greg, not wanting to lose his connection with either one of them. The plane touched down and he let out a sigh. Now life could get back to normal, at least he hoped it could.

Writing is Sara’s life. The stories fight to get out, often leaving her working on four or five books at once. She can’t help but write. Along with her writing addiction she has a coffee addiction. Some nights, the only reason she stops writing and goes to sleep is for the fresh brewed coffee in the morning.

Sara enjoys writing twisted tales of passion, anger, and love with a good healthy dose of lust thrown in for fun. Almost a quarter of a century ago Sara met her lover, falling for him after knowing him for ten minutes. Sara’s passion for him comes out in her stories, mixing with her passion for life, love, and good times, flowing onto the page and becoming tales from the heart.

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Transmundo (Book One: Escape) by Varian Krylov : Review and Excerpt

August 20, 2015 by Denise

Strange, quiet Luka doesn’t live in this world; long ago he took refuge in his art, escaping into surreal mindscapes inspired by his favorite painters. In the beautifully monstrous realms of his imagination, he is safe from the pain of his losses: his family, his friends, his hope.

Until war breaks out, and he is forced to flee the only home he’s known since he was thirteen.

Captured by an enemy soldier, young Luka is marched across brutal terrain, toward a fate known only by the bearded menace holding him prisoner. Quick with a knife, tireless and strong, Tarik guards the purpose of his mission as he takes Luka deeper and deeper into enemy territory.

When the soldier discovers the painful secret he has been hiding since childhood, Luka fears he is about to endure a new kind of cruelty, worse than being abandoned, ostracized or beaten. Or is it possible the soldier holding Luka prisoner is the one person who isn’t afraid of the truth behind Luka’s silence and lies?

I’ve just recently started reading books by Varian Krylov (not sure what took so long to find them) so I was really excited to get a chance to read “Transmundo”, however my excitement of reading a new author was quickly changed to an absolute adoration for her. I have never read such an emotionally raw & gritty story that made me ache for more. Ms. Krylov words wrap around you until you realize you should probably breath while reading.

The character description & detailed storyline is one of the best I have read in a long time. You feel Luka’s pain, you hear his cries, you see the brutality of his world. My heart broke for him and at times I was afraid to proceed reading. I was holding my breath, reading with my fingers blocking half my eyes & heart pounding. Tarik is everything Luka is afraid of and everything he needs. When I reached the ending I sat there, staring at the page wondering how Krylov will top herself with the next book. I am extremely anxious, hand shankingly nervous and overly excited for “Exile”! I know it will not be hearts and flowers and that is what I am counting on.

If you are a Varian Krylov fan you will be blown away by this one. If you have never read any of her work I highly recommend this book. You will not be disappointed. Krylov style of writing is nothing like you have read! I am forever a 1-click for her and am very grateful for the beautiful stories she creates for us.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

**Varian told TCO that a photo shoot was done just for this book. Check out these cool photos that go along with the excerpt.**

It was weird, seeing himself in the mirror. He’d lost weight, and his cheekbones were much more pronounced than they used to be. While he brushed, Luka fingered the bruise ringing his neck, a nauseating chill slinking through him at the sight of the wound on his wrist as he lifted his hand to his lips, pushing them out of shape the way they must have squished and bulged while Begović smeared them with lipstick. Had he really looked like a girl? Or had they only said it to humiliate him?

What did Tarik see, when he looked at him?

Daris. Tarik was a father. Even though Luka tried to push it away, he couldn’t escape the image of Tarik kissing the ephemeral vision Luka had of the mother of his child, holding her in his arms, lying on top of her, moving over her. What was he to Tarik? Maybe, probably, he was just an implement. A diverting alternative to jerking off.

Stripped naked, Luka’s bruise-mottled body didn’t match his face, like a perverse child had put the wrong head on his doll’s body. He wrapped a towel around himself, pulling it tight across his chest and tucking the corner in like starlets he’d seen in old movies. Maybe Begović was right. Luka took the wet towel Tarik had used, charged with the little thrill of knowing that dampness came from Tarik’s body, and wrapped it around his head like a turban. He looked like someone else.

Was that other self in the mirror a revelation, or an erasure?

Luka jumped and gasped, startled by the soft knock at the bathroom door.

“Luka?”

He took a breath and tried to calm his voice. “Yeah?”

“I just wanted to make sure you’re okay. I didn’t hear the shower.”

A reckless impulse, reaching out, fingers trembling, heart pounding hard, legs unsteady, and opening the door.

“Are you alright?” Tarik held his gaze, and Luka couldn’t tell if Tarik saw the revelation, or the erasure.

“I was just trying to decide…” Luka stopped and took another breath because his voice was failing him. Then his courage failed him. He couldn’t say it.

Tarik gave him a kind smile. “What were you trying to decide?”

“Like this,” a breath, a leap, “do I look like a woman?”

Tarik’s kind smile still frozen in place, his eyes filled with confusion. After a few horrible seconds of silence, in a low voice he asked, “Do you want to look like a woman?”

“I don’t know.” He didn’t want to start crying. “Would you like it?”

“I don’t understand, Luka. Are you… does this have something to do with what Armin and Begović did to you?”

It didn’t. But it did. “They liked it.”

Tarik was quiet for a few moments, and Luka had the feeling he was carefully weighing each syllable of whatever he might say next. “Was the wig your idea?”

“No.” The word shuddered out of him, embarrassment squeezing his ribs in a sudden clench.

Tarik’s stance and expression softened.

“But if you’d like me like that…” He hated that he couldn’t keep his voice even.

Without knowing why, when Tarik stepped toward him, Luka backed away until he was up against the counter. “Do you know how I’d like you, Luka?”

Why was he shaking so badly? Why couldn’t he speak? Why was he suddenly cold, shivering in some lingering shadow of the fear he’d felt those first moments in the cave, Tarik bearded and wielding his big knife, twisting up in the terror of the belt squeezing his throat closed while Armin forced his mouth open?

Tarik raised his hand to Luka’s face. Bracing himself, willing himself to be still, Luka waited for a touch. A caress. Instead, Tarik lifted the towel from Luka’s head and dropped it on the counter. “This is how I’d like you to be. Just as you are.”

When Tarik touched the towel Luka had wrapped around his body, a shudder shook Luka. Tarik hesitated a moment, then, watching his eyes, pulled the corner free from where Luka had tucked it under his arm. A strangled little noise escaped Luka’s throat and he caught Tarik’s wrist.

“You don’t want me to?”

Luka met his eyes, but his hand stayed frozen

“Why does it scare you? Are you still afraid I’ll get angry with you?”

Luka’s throat felt like it was clogged with glue. “No.”

Voice quiet, but firm. “Then let me look at you.”

Like falling, falling from the safety of trusted arms toward cold, suffocating water waiting to swallow him, giddy with dread, bracing himself, Luka made himself let go of Tarik’s wrist.

Holding his gaze, Tarik pulled the towel from Luka’s body, then slowly looked him over. Panting for breath, Luka rooted himself there, strangling his desperate need to duck away, to run, to hide under something. To disappear.

Tarik’s gaze slid up his torso, and met his eyes. His voice was low and thick. “This is how I like you, Luka.”

Beware of Geeks Bearing Gifts by Charlie Cochet: Release Day Review

August 19, 2015 by Denise

Julian “Quinn” Quinetro, a gruff, tough Miami SWAT officer, has been injured on the job, and all he’s looking for is a little peace and quiet to recover—difficult to achieve with his large Cuban family. An adventure in picking up his prescriptions puts him in the path of his geeky, brownie-baking neighbor, Spencer Morgan. Spencer sweeps into Quinn’s life like a tropical storm of sunshine and rainbows. Not surprisingly, it’s chaos at first sight. Quinn’s in need of a little tender loving care, and Spencer decides he’s just the man for the job. Their very different lives might clash, but they might also find some common ground—and maybe more.

What can I say about this novella? First, I LOVE Charlie Cochet, and have made it my life’s goal to go back and read all of her stuff that isn’t THIRDS (and I can re-read THIRDS another few times just because). This novella had cute, sweet, sexy and hot, all mixed in. Along with that some crazy family and friends, and delicious baked goods, you really couldn’t go wrong with this one.

Quinn, injured on the job, found himself quickly cranky. Meanwhile Spencer has a crush on his neighbor and tries to help him out with all the little stuff. Spencer means well, but the chaos he brings with him could very well bring Quinn back to the ER. However, quickly he worms his way into his heart, first as baker and friend, then as lover.

I really enjoyed how free and fun Spenser was, bringing Quinn along for the ride. And when Spenser tests out his freedom and gets burned by Quinn’s friend, Quinn takes a stand to show his man how much he means to him, and that he wants him to stay with him.

These two opposites attract so easily. I remember an author telling me once that to tell a good story in a novella length can be more challenging than in a full length novel, and I believe that’s true. To make you connect with the characters, love their story, and want their HEA can’t be easy in less words, but Charlie has done a masterful job here. I loved Quinn for his heart and his bravery right from the start. Spenser, with his baking and his sweet sassy self was a hit right away with me, as well. Put them together and Charlie has built a strong fire.

I won’t lie, I wanted more. I always want more when I love the couple. I would love to see a second novella on them. That would be so much fun! (And I want that apron, just saying!)

4.5 pieces of eye candy for this one. Grab it today!

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Buchanan House by Charley Descoteaux: Book Blast, Excerpt, Giveaway

August 19, 2015 by Denise

Eric Allen, thirty-three-year-old line cook, moved in with his grandmother, Jewell, after a disastrous coming-out when he was in middle school. She raised him, and he cared for her when she fell ill. When Jewell died she left everything to Eric—angering his parents and older brother. The inheritance isn’t much, but Eric and his bestie Nathan pool their money and buy an abandoned hotel on an isolated stretch of the Central Oregon Coast. The hotel isn’t far from Lincoln City—a town with its own Pride Festival and named for a president—so they christen it Buchanan House after James Buchanan, the “confirmed bachelor” president with the close male friend.

Eric and Nathan need a handyman to help them turn Buchanan House into the gay resort of their dreams. Eric finds Tim Tate in the local listings and over the months leading to opening weekend Tim reveals himself as a skilled carpenter with many hidden talents. Eric falls hard for Tim, but before he can see a future with the gorgeous handyman he has to get over twenty years of being bullied and shamed by his birth family. It would be much easier if Eric’s brother Zach weren’t trying to grab part of the inheritance or ruin opening weekend.

Author Name: Charley Descoteaux

Book Name: Buchanan House

Release Date: August 19, 2015

Pages or Words: 45,000 words

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

Goodreads Link

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Cover Artist: LC Chase

Timothy Tate knocked on the front doors at eight o’clock sharp. Eric had barely been up long enough to start coffee, and Nathan had yet to emerge. They’d slept in one of the rooms on the first floor. The official reason was to avoid having to clean two rooms, but the unofficial reason was to talk into the night like they had back in middle school. Slumber parties for thirtysomethings. Somehow that didn’t make Eric feel any better about meeting this Tim person.

But opening the door sure did.

Tim Tate was as tall as Nathan, so six one, and he had curly black hair and eyes so dark you could get lost in them.

“Morning.” He wasn’t much for smiling, though.

“Good morning. Please come in. I’m Eric.”

Tim nodded and seemed to be looking at something behind Eric’s right shoulder. As soon as Eric remembered to step aside, Tim came in. “You bought this place?”

“Yes. Isn’t it lovely? The inspector said the bones are solid, and someone did amazing work on the rooms. Right now, we need help with the kitchen and some reno on the public areas.”

“Should tear it down and start fresh.”

“I beg your pardon. That’s a horrible thing to say. You don’t discard something just because it’s not perfect. With a little love—maybe this isn’t going to work out.”

Tim shrugged and looked around the room. His face seemed to soften into… nostalgia? It held a wistful quality, of that much Eric was certain.

“Have you been in this room before?”

Tim had turned away a little, so the left side of his face pointed toward Eric.

Is that his best side?

He didn’t answer, so Eric repeated the question, a little louder.

“Huh? Oh, yeah. When I was a kid. Sometimes the local clubs would use it for summer camps. It’s been empty for over ten years.”

“Why? I mean, did something happen here?”

“No. The owners died, and their kids didn’t want to live out here. Can’t blame ’em. Entertainment isn’t easy to come by.”

Nathan chose that moment to enter, in his pink robe with the ostrich-feather trim. He spoke quickly, almost dancing through the room and toward the aroma of coffee. “Good morning. You don’t mind I borrowed your robe? And this must be Tim. Lovely to meet you, sweetheart. Coffee, then business.” He flounced into the kitchen.

Eric and Tim watched him go. The silence in his wake stretched out a little too long for Eric, mortified by the thought Tim might believe the robe belonged to him.

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Charley Descoteaux has always heard voices. She was relieved to learn they were fictional characters, and started writing when they insisted daydreaming just wasn’t good enough. In exchange, they’ve agreed to let her sleep once in a while. Charley grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area during a drought, and found her true home in the soggy Pacific Northwest. She has survived earthquakes, tornadoes, and floods, but couldn’t make it through one day without stories.

Where to find the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charley.descoteaux.3

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/CharleyDescoteauxAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CharleyDescote

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/charleydescote/

Blog: http://cdescoteauxwrites.com/blog/

Tour Dates & Stops: August 19, 2015

Parker Williams, Havan Fellows, Bayou Book Junkie, Bike Book Reviews, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Inked Rainbow Reads, BFD Book Blog, Elin Gregory, Christy Loves 2 Read, Prism Book Alliance, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Molly Lolly, Amanda C. Stone, Dawn’s Reading Nook, MM Good Book Reviews, Two Chicks Obsessed With Books and Eye Candy, Velvet Panic, Tara Lain, Full Moon Dreaming, The Blogger Girls, Michael Mandrake, It’s Raining Men

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Definitely, Maybe, Yours by Lissa Reed: Blog Tour, Interview, and Giveaway

August 18, 2015 by Denise

Seattle-based baker Craig Oliver leads a life that is happily routine: baking cupcakes for an enormous family reunion, managing Sucre Coeur for its frequently absent owner, and closing out his day with a pint at the local pub. He has a kind heart, a knack for pastry, and a weakness for damaged people.

Habitual playboy Alex Scheff is looking to drown his sorrows, but instead discovers that he may have a weakness for Englishmen who carry cookies in their pockets. Can a seemingly incompatible pair find the recipe for love in a relationship they claim is casual?

Author Name: Lissa Reed

Book Name: Definitely, Maybe, Yours

Release Date: August 11, 2015

Pages or Words: 296 pages

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

Publisher: Interlude Press

Cover Artist:
Cover photography by LaToya Conward
Cover design by Buckeyegrrl Designs

Goodreads Link

With a wink, Craig pulls a ten-dollar bill out of his left coat pocket and a carefully bagged almond and raspberry-lemon croissant, Katie’s all-time favorite baked good, out of the right. He passes them across the bar as if he’s James Bond—a very cheeky and cheery sort of 007. “You know I’ll always look out for you. Keep the change.”

Katie squeals and flops across the bar to squeeze him breathless, and her ponytail slaps him in the nose. She bounces off with her treat in hand and Craig shakes his head and pulls long black and red hairs from his face, as he does every time this happens. Katie really is his favorite bartender at The Order of the Garter, hell, his favorite bartender in Seattle and maybe even the world. Much too good to be working at a grotty little pub, fending off unsavory advances and spilled drinks four nights a week; that’s why Craig will bring her any bakery treat she wants, anytime she wants it, until she finally wises up and gets the hell out of this place.

Time for another sip of this excellent, excellent stout: Craig reaches forward. It’s a good Thursday.

Of course, that’s when it takes quite the sharp turn, leaving every Seattle-pub-Thursday Craig’s ever known in the dust. Banner300x250

“Well, aren’t you a hit with the ladies,” comes a surly drawl from his left, startling Craig just as he’s got his fingers around his glass. “Was that a croissant in your pocket, or were you actually happy to see her?”

“Both,” Craig replies, shifting around to lean on his elbow and survey the formerly silent pile of misery hunched over two stools down, the limp guy at the end of the bar Craig had spotted on his way in. He is not unconscious after all, much to Craig’s surprise; judging by the row of empty shot glasses upside down in front of him and the distinct aroma of tequila emanating a good four-foot radius from his person, he should be. Craig winces and turns away as the fumes burn his nose.

“Baked goods. That’s a new one. Never saw anyone use baking to hit on the ladies before.” Mr. Misery sways his head upright, pushes a wild flop of brown hair out of his eyes and swings around until he locates Craig. He blinks. “Does it work?”

Surprised by the color of the eyes meeting his—an unusual shade, gray, not blue-gray or blue, but the gray of a sky covered in early storm clouds—Craig answers without thinking. “I wouldn’t know. I don’t hit on girls. Katie’s my friend, not my type.”

Author Interview:

Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing Lissa Reed, author of Definitely, Maybe, Yours.

Hi Lissa, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself, your background, and your current book.

Hello, and thank you so much for having me here! I’m a writer, banking software encyclopedia (almost, but not quite, my actual day job title), cooking enthusiast and dubious gardener living in north Texas. It’s me and my cats and my laptop and my many, many books all living in cozy, if hazardous harmony. Definitely, Maybe, Yours is my first novel. It tells the story of Craig the English baker-slash-freelance writer and how he met Alex, the slightly neurotic and freshly broken-hearted advertising creative with a hidden love of photography.

Tell us something about your character’s friends.

Craig is the kind of fellow who is friends with everyone he meets! He’s still close friends with his college ex-boyfriend, Nate, who is a bit of a sci-fi geek and wants to write a screenplay one day. Nate is now dating Samantha, and Craig has befriended her as well. She’s a newly minted elementary schoolteacher who loves vintage pinup fashion and indulges herself with shopping trips and eBay binges frequently. Nate and Samantha are a pair of little firecrackers who gleefully meddle in the lives of the people they love and they are disturbingly well suited to each other.

Alex’s best friend since he was a kid is Connor – they met when Alex went to Connor’s father’s shop to buy his very first camera of his own. Connor does photography and now he owns his father’s shop, but he’s also a former boxer, and he’s very blunt and grounded. His presence in Alex’s life gives Alex a touchstone when things might not be going as well as he can cope with, and he never shies away from telling Alex the truth.

What is your character’s favorite meal? Favorite dessert? Favorite snack food?

Craig loves Indian food – well, the English version of it! He loves a good curry. Alex is a fan of Chinese food. Both of them like the S’mores Brownie Pie that Craig makes. Alex isn’t a snacker, but Craig likes kettle-cooked potato chips.

What activity does your character absolutely hate?

Craig detests jogging. He’ll engage in pretty much any other form of fitness but jogging.

Alex cannot stand getting into arguments of any kind. He tried to join the debate team in high school at his father’s request. It ended very badly. Interjecting “Shut up, you’re wrong!” is not an acceptable practice, he found out.

What other author’s book do you think your character would be good in?

I think Craig would have a lot of fun in the Dirty Job universe by Christopher Moore. He can be pragmatic when he wants to be, so what would be the big deal about living in San Francisco, surrounded by supernatural creatures and the living incarnation of Death as a tiny schoolgirl? He’d probably end up as one of the Death Merchants strictly through his desire to help everyone, everywhere.

Alex…maybe in the Girl With A Dragon Tattoo series by Stieg Larsson. Yes, he would have to get used to living in Sweden, and languages have never been his strong suit, but I can see him getting hired as a freelance backup photographer for Millennium, and then Lisbeth Salander grabs him to help her with an investigation because he’s new and nobody knows who he is like they do the regular staff photographer, and he’s freaked out but also kind of a danger junkie deep down, and he’d just go with it once he gets past the part where he has an anxiety attack just thinking about what he’s working on.

What’s your favorite decade and why?

I was a teenager in the 90’s, and lord help me, I still love it. I still listen to so much 90’s music, and I still love boots and jeans and flannels, and I cannot tell you how excited I am that Clearly Canadian is making a comeback. My love for my home decade is hopeless, but let me tell you, I will never go back – I would miss my iPhone too much, and you can’t make me put up with dialup internet again.

Interlude Press

Smashwords: (For some reason, this isn’t showing. It should. I’ll check it out and send you the link)

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Nw89ne

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Lissa Reed is a writer of fiction, blogs and bawdy Renaissance song parodies. She traces her first interest in becoming a writer to the fourth grade, when her teacher gave her the gift of her first composition book. A former newspaper editor, Reed shifted her focus to romance and literary fiction early in her writing career. She lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and is currently working on her new novel, Certainly, Possibly, You—the sequel to Definitely, Maybe, Yours.

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Goodreads Link: Goodreads.com/LissaReedBooks

Blog Tours
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Happily Ever Chapter

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Because Two Men Are Better Than One

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Vampires, Werewolves, and Fairies, Oh My

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Beyond The Surface by Felice Stevens: Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

August 18, 2015 by Denise

Title: Beyond the Surface

Series: The Breakfast Club #1

Author: Felice Stevens

Genre: M/M Romance

Release Date: August 17, 2015

On 9/11, firefighter Nick Fletcher’s world changed forever. He’s unable to rid himself of survivor’s guilt, made worse by the secret he hides from his family and co-workers. Nick’s life is centered around helping burn victims, until he is reunited with the man he’d once loved but pushed away. Now he has a second chance at a love he thought lost forever.

For fashion designer Julian Cornell, appearances mean everything. His love affairs are strictly casual, and the only thing he cares about is making his clothing line a success. A chance encounter with the man he loved long ago has Julian thinking for the first time in years there may be more to life than being seen at the best parties and what designer labels to wear.

When Julian’s world takes an unexpected turn, it’s Nick who helps him regain perspective on what matters most in life. Julian, in turn, helps Nick accept who he is and understand he isn’t responsible for tragedies he couldn’t prevent. Lost love found can be even sweeter the second time around and after all the years apart, both men learn to look beyond the surface to find the men they are inside.

I read this book with my heart in my throat for much of it. Like most American’s who lived through and experienced 9/11, spending days watching the after effects on TV, seeing the flag raised on the rubble, it still breaks my heart whenever my mind is drawn back to those days. However, that being said, I didn’t live it, see the effects for days, months, years beyond what the national news portrayed. I didn’t know anyone who was there that day. Reading it through Felice’s eyes, being from NYC, having lived through the horrors that befell that beautiful city and its people, caused me to have such strong emotions for Nick.

Nick, a firefighter who lost many of his teammates that day, was not living 14 years later, he was existing. He had healed physically, but not emotionally, and certainly not psychologically. He was still stagnant in his love life, not having come out, and not ever having more than a casual hookup after his time in high school with Julian. As a reader, your heart broke for a man who so many years later, after such a devastating incident didn’t care enough about himself to even complete the simplest of tasks to help himself to a better life. Allowing his guilt to override any ideas that he had about having a happy life, he just went through the motions of life, not ever really living in it.

Julian coming back into his life turned it upside and allowed Nick the chance to heal and change, move forward. The emotions Julian brought back up in Nick were palpable. You could feel how much Nick felt it was worth it to want to make Julian happy, to want to come out to the world, to make himself happy, but just struggled with how best to do it.

I did struggle with Julian somewhat. I felt like his patience with Nick was thin, considering how much time they had spent apart, and how much Nick was moving forward with. However, as I thought on that, I also considered real life. In real life, many people would feel that way, and express that in the form of an ultimatum of sorts. Remembering, again, that Julian was not in NYC for 9/11, he didn’t experience, or go through everything that Nick had gone through, so his impatience with Nick in many ways made sense from his perspective. Also realistically, Nick’s family should have seen how little Nick was truly moving forward in his life, and take steps to intervene. But again, in real life, we often “let sleeping dogs lie” and that could easily happen in the closest of families. In the end, these two men came together and found their second chance at love, despite everything.

I felt like this was Felice’s best work yet. Felice is known to have lots of sweet moments in her books, which I love, and this one certainly did. However, it had lots of bite as well, really scratching at those raw emotions that can hit you hard when you think about an event such as 9/11, and all the effects and angst that go along with it, even after so many years. My heart broke for Nick, and again for all the families and friends of an event that will forever be stuck in so many people’s minds as “9/11”.

My final determination on this book is 4.5 strong pieces of eye candy, and a future re-read for me. Looking forward to sweet Zach’s story next, as this new series got off to a great start.

I just love Felice. Beyond the Surface was just as good as I expected. Full of every type of emotion, this story did not disappoint.

Julian and Nick have a bumpy road ahead of them. Nick is living with some serious emotional and physical issues due to 9/11. Julian is a fashion designer trying hard to stay ahead of his competition and design the next best collection. Julian is very out and proud. Nick, being a firefighter, is living in the closet and is terrified of his friends and family finding out he is gay. These two have a lot to overcome if they want to have a relationship and their story is told beautifully. This book has so much raw emotion and will bring tears for a lot of people. These two grow so much throughout the story and they really are the perfect match. They are exactly what the other needs.

This is a very well written story and one of my favorites from Felice. This is a great start to a new series and I can not wait for the next. 5 pieces of eye candy from me.

Julian was in the kitchen, sitting on one of the stools by the counter. He had a glass in front of him filled with what Nick presumed was vodka, having spied the Grey Goose bottle.

“Would you like a drink? I have beer, wine…anything you’d like.”

Nick shook his head, regret piercing his heart as he watched the hope drain from Julian’s eyes.

“I don’t think so. I’m going to head home. I want you to know how much I appreciate what you did for Jamal tonight.”

Julian stood abruptly, kicking the stool away from his feet.

“Don’t treat me like I’m some fucking stranger, Nicky. You owe me. It’s been eighteen years; you think I’m going to let you walk out on me again like you did before? After what just happened between us? After you fell apart? No fucking way. I’m not that same person and neither are you, obviously.”

Taken aback by Julian’s anger, Nick remained mute.

“What the hell is going on with you? One minute you’re tongue fucking me into the next century and the next you’re freaking out. I know I’m a damn good kisser, but this isn’t about us, is it? It has nothing to do with our past and everything to do with you and the shit that’s floating around in your head.”

Julian stepped closer to him and Nick, who normally couldn’t stand people near him, was rooted to the floor, unable to move.

“Talk to me, Nicky. Tell me what happened to you.”

He was so tired of holding himself together, feeling like at any moment he’d shatter into a million tiny pieces, leaving nothing behind but a pile of dust.

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

The words poured out of him, flowing unchecked this time. “It should’ve been me. We all went to the Towers to save them. It was my day off, but I went anyway. I heard and couldn’t stay home; I had a duty to help, you know? But I lived and they all died. Why, Julian? Why did I live and they didn’t?”

“Oh, Nick.” Julian held him close. “I don’t have the answers for you. No one does. But I’m going to be completely selfish and say I’m so thankful you did make it and we’re here together after all these years.”

Unflinching green eyes gazed back at him. Clever, beautiful eyes that Nick could never stop dreaming of. Eyes that at one time had held the promise of forever, until Nick ruined everything with his cowardice and shame. Unable to maintain Julian’s scrutiny, Nick broke away and ran to the elevator, his chest heaving, eyes stinging with tears.

“Let me out. I need to leave here. NOW.”

I have always been a romantic at heart. I believe that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending just around the corner. I started reading traditional historical romances when I was a teenager, then life and law school got in the way. It wasn’t until I picked up a copy of Bertrice Small and became swept away to Queen Elizabeth’s court that my interest in romance novels became renewed.

But somewhere along the way, my tastes shifted. While I still enjoys a juicy Historical romance, I began experimenting with newer, more cutting edge genres and discovered the world of Male/Male romance. Once I picked up her first, I became so enamored of the authors, the character-driven stories and the overwhelming emotion of the books, I knew I wanted to write my own.

I live in New York City with my husband and two children and hopefully soon a cat of my own. My day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. I practice law but daydream of a time when I can sit by a beach somewhere and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there is bound to be angst along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.

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