Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

2.5 stars

Suddenly, Last Summer by Michael Robert: New Release Review and Giveaway

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.                                               .

TREY BARNES

I professed my love for Jordy when I was seventeen. He was leaving for his last year of medical school after working another summer at my family’s Banks Lake resort in the Pacific Northwest.

Desperate for him to know how I felt even though he was my older brother’s best friend, and fearing that he wouldn’t return after that summer, I decided to take the plunge and admit my feelings while I had the chance.

As the adult in the situation, Jordy wisely chose to discount my confession as simply a teenage crush. But my last spoken words to him were that I’d wait patiently for him.

And I always kept my promises.

 

JORDY HALL

I’d been away from my small hometown for nearly five years. Life and a stressful medical residency had kept me busy, but I finally returned to fulfill my best-man duties for my best friend’s upcoming wedding.

His younger brother, Trey, was a sweet, sensitive kid when I left years ago. The shy, lean teenager who’d tearfully professed his love for me my last summer there had grown into a sexy, confident man. I was intrigued by what I saw, though I probably should have walked away again.

Had he actually waited for me to return? Did I hope he had? He was nine years my junior and my best friend’s little brother. But he could be so much more.

After five long years, it was suddenly last summer.

Title: Suddenly, Last Summer

Author: Michael Robert

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

This was an author I had not read before, so I decided to give it a shot, as it was a second chance age-gap romance. Whew, I struggled to cross the finish line with this book.

The premise of the story was good. Trey tells Jordy on the day he is leaving for his medical school residency that he’s in love with him, and that he will wait as long as it takes. And Trey really does wait. When Jordy finally comes back home, four years later, Trey is still a virgin, never having been kissed, still in love with Jordy, but all grown up at the age of 21.

When Jordy left he had some feelings, but let’s face it, Trey was underage, and he’d watched the young man grow up, so yes, it would have felt uncomfortable. I did like that Jordy respected himself and Trey’s parents enough to leave. However, I didn’t understand never communicating with Trey during that time.

There were several things that never quite clicked for me. Why Trey’s brother was so “emotionless”, yet wanted Jordy to stay away from Trey. Why Jordy was best friends with him in the first place.  The cringey conversations in the sex scenes, that was tough for me to get through. And the conversations between Trey and Skippy, or even Trey and his parents about “the gays”. At one point , Trey calls his best friend a f*g, as they are talking about Skip passing out. These conversations were a bit disturbing for me, since they came from the MC’s or close side characters. There were just too many things that didn’t make sense, or hit me the wrong way.

The relationship between Trey and Jordy did make sense, though. They really were very well matched, personality-wise. However, it just wasn’t enough to pull this story back from some of the difficulties that I felt were there. I think this could have been a really good story, but in the end, it didn’t leave me feeling happy as an HEA should for me.

2.5 pieces of eye candy

Michael Robert is an author residing in Seattle, Washington. The Crow Flies Free is his debut novel. Michael enjoys traveling and he aspires to visit the locations of his upcoming novels so as to provide vivid and accurate descriptions of them. He enjoys tennis, road trips and fast cars. Please look for his future projects, the next story coming soon.

Connect with Michael:
https://linktr.ee/AuthorMichaelRobert

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His eliXXir (Men of New York Book 2) by L.J. Harris: New Release Review

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Trey Winters had always been a user. So arrogant and self-centered. Being co-owner of eliXXir, one of the highest profile clubs in Hell’s Kitchen meant he never failed to attract the hottest men around and toss them aside after one encounter. Trey had a life most would envy. One he reveled in, until a mystery man crossed his path one Valentine’s Day, complicating matters both in and outside the bedroom.

He didn’t want to want him.
Didn’t want to need him.
But fate, it would seem, had other ideas.

Noah Middleton craved to express himself the only way he knew how. Reach his full potential, chronic illness be damned. Accepting a place at a prestigious New York dance academy might have made his goal so close he could taste it, but after admitting to his best friend he’d been unable to stop thinking about the beautiful stranger he’d met on his last visit, said friend took it upon himself to play Cupid.

The man was irresistible.
A temptation like no other.
And for Noah, that was the scariest part of all.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

This is a new to me author. But it was listed that it can be read as a stand alone and one of the main characters is a dancer. That’s catnip for me.

Sadly, the story was disjointed and lacking.

I’m not sure if Noah’s age was mentioned, but I assume mid 20’s based on the fact that he has a college degree. So getting a scholarship to a dance school was a bit on the odd side. And then, we rarely see him dancing. Except in a club for fun.

The time line jumps ahead often. Two weeks later, two months later. For two men who obviously want each other but are holding back, that is a lot of story we aren’t getting.

90% of the book they aren’t together. It just makes no sense. If I am reading a romance, I want some, yanno, romance.

On top of that all of the cliche things that make me want to bang my head on my desk. Calling himself whipped because he wants to make his not boyfriend happy? The nickname twinkle toes. Having sex to “get it out of their systems”. And one of my favorites, teeth so sharp that they bite through a lip causing it to bleed, but they just carry on like nothing.

There’s also a back story with one of the main characters, Trey, that comes to a really easy resolution. I was like, that’s it?

Ugh, sorry. But give this one a pass.

2.5 pieces of eye candy

Bete Noire: En Pointe, Book Two (En Pointe Series 2) by Mickie B Ashling: Release Blitz, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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Misha Vergara had it all—a promising career as a principal dancer, a thriving stage partnership with Talia Baranova, and the unconditional support of his mentor—until he revealed his true feelings for Henri.

Crushed, and worried about her own reputation, Talia publicly denounced Misha and severed their intricate relationship. Now, thirsting for revenge, she vows to destroy the people he loves. Dating his alleged half brother is only the beginning.

Kazimir Lebedev has done everything he can for his illegitimate son, except acknowledge paternity. When Misha announces he’s bisexual, Kaz struggles to understand. With Talia behaving recklessly and making vicious threats, he can no longer guarantee a good outcome, for any of them.

Finally reunited after a six month separation, Misha and Henri enjoy every sublime moment of their New York vacation. Henri has secretly loved Misha since he was thirteen years old, so being out with him is a dream come true. Until news of an abduction propels them back to St. Petersburg, Russia. Will they weather this latest crisis and grow even closer or will Talia wreak havoc on their newfound bliss?

Bête Noir is a direct sequel to Torn, the first book in the En Pointe Series. The novels should be read in order to fully appreciate the dynamic of these complex characters. Content Warning: Kidnapping, violence, death of a secondary character.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

Misha’s POV

As I stood at the back of the theater, enjoying what might be Henri’s last performance at the Mariinsky, I soaked in his arresting presence. Even in the White Rabbit costume, with heavy stage makeup masking his attractive features, he shined like the brightest star in the sky. When we were on stage together, I couldn’t take in the full measure of his talent, but from a distance, I was enchanted by his playful interpretation of the role. It was no surprise the audience was riveted whenever he appeared. His legs were encased in red tights, leaving nothing to the imagination, and I zeroed in on his scrumptious package. My body’s spontaneous reaction to Henri was predictable, and I reached down to adjust myself, looking forward to the lovemaking we would enjoy later in the evening.

After the performance, I waved my ID at the security guards, in lockstep with everyone else. Although they recognized me, I couldn’t deviate from the rules. I took the stairs down to the basement where Henri shared a dressing room with a bunch of other guys.

I received the usual perfunctory greetings, and waited for Henri to shed his rabbit persona. He creamed off the heavy makeup, while fixing his moss-green gaze on my image standing behind him. When his cinnamon complexion peeked through the guck, he smiled in response to my reaction.

I bent forward and whispered in his ear. “You are so hot.”

“Like what you see?”

“Very much.”

“I can’t wait to find out,” he breathed.

“Whenever you’re ready, my love.”

My endearment generated another dazzling smile and he pushed away from the changing table. I tracked his progress like a hawk eying his next meal. Standing in front of his open locker, Henri rolled off the sinful tights, removed his top, and reached for his street clothes. The elastic bands of the jockstrap encircled his waist and disappeared down his ass crack while the front pouch cradled his genitals. I might have drooled at this point, and if we didn’t get away soon I couldn’t be held responsible for my actions. He cackled when he recognized the blatant desire on my face and hurried to cover up.

Grabbing his bag, he reached for my hand. “Ready?”

“Hell, yeah.”

We headed to his apartment to get a change of clothes for tomorrow. When the elevator door opened, there were three men in dark suits waiting outside his door. I pressed the down button before they could react, and we took off running when it dinged open.

“What’s going on?” Henri demanded when we slowed down several blocks later.

I gave him a quick synopsis of my earlier conversation with the minister and the French expletives pouring out of his mouth were jarring. His agitation was contagious, and my own fear rose significantly.

“Why are we going to the hotel?”

“To get my stuff.”

“I’m sure those bastards already know I’m registered.”

“How?” My naiveté  was still in place and Henri scowled at me.

“The all-seeing FSB has a list of every foreigner who’s flown into this country or rented a car, or checked into a hotel. I will stake my life on it.”

“I believe you,” I said. “Shall we try to catch the train home?”

“What about your things?”

“There’s nothing irreplaceable in my carryall. My wallet and ID are in my pocket. What about you?”

“Same. Let’s go,” he said with some urgency.

“Hold on a second.”

“Why?”

“There’s no turning back if you walk away. They’ll blackball you for sure.”

He gave me one of his typical Gallic shrugs. “And if I stick around, I might lose my actual balls.”

I am such a sucker for a book with dancers. BALLET DANCERS. But I should have left this one alone.

This is not a stand alone so you really must read book 1. I did. Although after reading book 2, both could have used a good edit and then one book that flowed better might have come out of it.

The book takes place mostly in Russia, some in Estonia. And for Russian kids (yes, kids, that is coming next) they speak with a lot of American slang. Totally didn’t fit.

Book 1 set the story. Misha, sort of an orphan, is being raised by his biological grandmother (but he doesn’t know that) and he knows his biological father as her son and calls him uncle. But he has no idea of the blood relation. Luckily (?) he looks like his Brazilian mother. He is part of a famous ballet company in Russia. His uncle sponsors him and his 2 best friends. One, Talia, he partners with and it is assumed that when they are old enough they will marry. BUT he is secretly with his other best friend, Henri.

Here’s where I say something about kids. Look, I know it’s fiction. But I just don’t want to hear about two 16 year olds having sex. It’s kind of icky.

I’m also surprised that it took that long for anyone to realize that Misha’s “uncle” is the Russian Foreign Minister and childhood bffs with Putin.

The uncle is a patron of the ballet and sponsors three dancers but his family never goes with him? His wife who loves being rich and seen by those who care? Because it’s the ballet. In RUSSIA.

It was all just too much. I made it through both books but it sounds like there will be a third. No thanks. I’ll be passing on that.

2.5 pieces of eye candy

MICKIE B. ASHLING is the pseudonym of a multi-published author who resides in a suburb outside Chicago. She is a product of her upbringing in various cultures, having lived in Japan, the Philippines, Spain, and the Middle East. Fluent in three languages, she’s a citizen of the world and an interesting mixture of East and West.

Since 2009, Mickie has written several dozen novels in the LGBTQ+ genre—which have been translated into French, Italian, Spanish, and German. Some of her backlist is still “Under Construction” as she slowly transitions from traditional publishing to representing herself. Her goal is to have most of her novels back in the universe by the end of 2023. Audiobooks and foreign translations are still available at Amazon and Audible.

Author Links

Website: https://mickiebashling.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickie.ashling/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MickieAshling

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2904716.Mickie_B_Ashling

Email: mickie.ashling@gmail.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickieashling/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mickie-b-ashling

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One Step Forward, Two Steps Back by Cyd Sidney: RB, Exclusive Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

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.                                  .

A stuffy composer meets a flirty ballet dancer. Can these opposites make music together, or will their dreams pull them apart? This is a sweet and steamy MM romance set against the sun-soaked hills of Los Angeles.

Joshua

I should be applying for grad school. Or looking for a job. Anything to get out of my awful rut. But instead, I’m obsessing about the dancer I hooked up with at the ballet studio. Who would have thought a gig playing the piano would lead to the hottest sex of my life? Before we got down to it, I think I promised to help out on a dance concert he’s producing. I was in such a lust haze I barely remember. He’d better text soon. I wonder if he’s still interested in seeing me in a *very* unprofessional capacity.

Brandon

I can barely focus on the upcoming dance concert or my move to New York. I’m thinking about that cute pianist instead. Did I tell him I’m moving? Things happened so fast between us I can’t remember. I’ve never had an experience like that where I was totally unraveled by a stranger. If I wasn’t about to move across the country, I would definitely want to go another round. But I’m leaving, so no more hot domination games with Joshua. I’ve got to keep things professional and not fixate on the way his elegant fingers moved across my body.

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back is the first book in the Ballet Boys series. Each book is a standalone, but for maximum enjoyment, I suggest starting with book one.

Title: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
Authors: Cyd Sidney
Length: 35K
Series: Ballet Boys, Book 1
Genre: Contemporary, BDSM, Romantic Comedy.
Tropes: Opposites attract, Grumpy/sunshine, Instalust.
Content: Dominant/submissive BDSM relationship with impact play, Sex is described explicitly, and Parental illness/death is mentioned.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

Brandon was packing his bag for their fourth rehearsal with Joshua. Three meetings and three quick goodbyes; the clock was literally ticking on his departure, and all this potential sex time with Joshua was gone with no sex in sight. It was a fucking tragedy in Brandon’s opinion, but he would just have to make peace with it. Joshua was holding firm on not socializing with them and Brandon didn’t want to push.

Tristan strolled in and started stretching on the floor. Brandon tried to cover his frustration when he greeted his roommate.

“Hey, man.”

“Hey, yourself. Listen, Brandon, we’ve got to talk.” This was news to Brandon. Everything seemed to be going well for his team of dancers.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s you.” Brandon felt a sting of anxiety tighten in his chest as Tristan continued, “You and Joshua.” Brandon was relieved that it wasn’t something serious but irritated that Tristan was bothering him with this.

“There’s no me and Joshua. How could there be something wrong?” Tristan rolled his eyes.

“You and Joshua have been doing some weird kind of avoidance dance ever since day one, and it’s painful to watch. That, and the eye fucking, and pining looks. There’s been a lot of pining and yearning. You guys need to get it together and figure out what’s happening between you. Sarah and I thought about locking you two in the closet,” Brandon let out a little gasp, “but we think you need more than a good fuck. We think you need to talk to each other, and then maybe fuck.”

“I don’t see how that’s any of your business.” Brandon’s cheeks were hot with embarrassment.

“You have made it our business. It’s everybody’s concern because you two are emoting all over the place, and it’s a real distraction.”

“Fine, I’ll talk to him.”

Sarah skipped into the room.

“Did you talk to Brandon about the sad puppy dog faces, Tris?”

“Yep.”

“Is he going to do something about it?”

“I’m right here, you guys! Fuck.” Brandon was starting to get ticked off for real. Tristan gave him an appraising look.

“He says he’s going to take care of it, but I have a feeling he’s going to try to weasel out.”

“I will not weasel out.”

“We know you won’t,” Sarah smiled sweetly, “because if you do, we’ll confront him ourselves and tell him how pouty you get every time he turns down one of our invitations.”

“You would never.”

“Don’t test us. Talk to him.” Sarah gave him a quick hug and turned to get her stuff.

You know I always want to read a book that has ballet in it. So I figured I would give it a shot. Let’s say, I’m glad it was short.

There is a story there, but it needed WAY more fleshing out. There’s very little dialogue so the book just tells me what they are doing. The book starts with Joshua sounding like a hot mess…but he isn’t. At least not for the rest of the book. He also tries being a Dom, or at least a very strong top, to Brandon and it just comes off as silly.

Joshua comes off as very meek and mild. Damaged by his previous boyfriend, yet we don’t really get a lot about that whole situation. A natural Dom he is not. More like he wants to be a Dom to take back control he lost to his previous boyfriend.

Brandon is very outgoing but immediately let’s Joshua take control sexually. When it seems like it is going to be a one off. It just didn’t hit right.

So I am going to give it a meh and be glad that it only took less than 2 hours to read.

2.5 pieces of eye candy

.                            .

My name is Cyd Sidney and I write queer, romantic tales with a lot of spice/steam/heat (let’s just call it sex). My stories are funny, surprising, and include lots of banter. I’m thrilled that you’re here and hope you’ll join me for the ride!


Catch up with Cyd:
https://twitter.com/CydSidney
https://www.tiktok.com/@cydsidney
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22076301.Cyd_Sidney
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077148340652
https://www.instagram.com/cydsidney
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Betting on His BF: A Friends-to-Lovers, Buddy Trip, Bisexual Awakening Romance (Nerds vs Jocks) by Eli Easton and Tara Lain: New Release Review

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Big Bet. Big Trouble. Big Love.

When Felix the Quiz Bowl Champion reveals other oversized assets besides his brain, it takes PJ, the super-wheeler-dealer, to wangle maximum profits from it—in bets, wet jock strap contests, and Wang of the Week.

But winning money turns out to be second to falling in lust, and sexual escapades replace time at the poker tables as the number-one activity of their wicked week in Vegas.

Still, accepting the hospitality of PJ’s father’s client, the mobster Joey Oretano, proves a nearly fatal money-saving scheme, and brings Felix and PJ face-to-face with the serious side of life.
Very. Serious.

Will someone take the chance to be a hero?
Or will someone wind up dead?

BETTING ON HIS BF is a friends-to-lovers, bisexual awakening, what-happens-in-Vegas-can-win-you-money, dash-of-suspense, MM romance—with large assets.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Let me preface this by saying that I KNOW there are some hard core fans of these authors. And while I don’t know who wrote what parts, I can pretty much guess, but I won’t point it out. But, at least to me, it is super obvious that it was written by 2 different people.

The story started out pretty well. Felix and PJ, characters we know from the previous 3 books, on a road trip together to Vegas. First stop- a buffet. Of course! But they got scammed by the small print and PJ being PJ made a wager to get their food for free. And what he was betting was a continuous theme throughout. Constantly. Always. Like omg we get it. It doesn’t need to constantly be talked about. And if I were Felix, I’d be SO PISSED at PJ. The fact that he isn’t is mind boggling.

Ok. Felix and PJ are cute together. Doing that flirty bff thing. You know there will be more, but it is fun to watch them flirt and squirm.

PJ, who has very wealthy parents, scores a free suite for them from one of his father’s clients. Can you say stereotype? “Mafia” springs to mind. And how these kids didn’t realize is beyond me.

Anyway, PJ really persuades Felix into things he is uncomfortable with (again, friends don’t treat friends like that), but whatever. They are having fun until something happens with PJ’s father, which makes the hotel owner/client of PJ’s father mad and drama ensues.

It was SO convoluted and completely unnecessary. It was like they realized they had to fill in a lot more story to make a book and added this whole nonsense. Eye rolling nonsense.

Literally the best part of the book was the epilogue.

2.5 pieces of eye candy

The Way to a Man’s Heart by Ann Marie James: New Release Review

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The heart wants what the heart wants…

Christian Diaz grew up as the best friend and unofficial bodyguard to the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Corazón. After an incident left him questioning his place in the castle, Christian joined the military and didn’t return for ten long years.

Now he’s been assigned to the castle as Royal Military Liaison to investigate the source of some recent threats against the crown. The annual Midsummer’s Ball is the perfect place for the anti-monarchy group to make their next move, so that’s where Christian will be too. If it gives him a chance to reconnect with his friends in the castle and make a play for the man he has compared all others to, it’s even better.

Max Ramirez is now the head chef for the castle. He started as a sous chef at age twenty when Christian was just an awkward teen. Now that Christian’s back at the castle, all grown up and interested in Max, the chef is determined not to let an opportunity with Christian pass him by.

When someone tries to sabotage the Midsummer’s Ball, Max and Christian need to work together to track down the people determined to make this event their last.

Amazon

I was looking forward to the premise of this book. A fictional monarchy, some suspense, intrigue…but it just fell flat for me. The MC’s in this romance did not date before Christian left town for 10 years. He shows back up, and immediately, as in right away, they are dating and living together, and said I love you a few days later. I understand insta-love, but this to me should have been more of a second change. However, these two never spent time together as a couple, and there was no learning new things about each other. It was just a look across a ballroom, and they were in love.

There was some backstory with the father of Christian, not sure we learned anything about Max’s backstory, and that was solved in a quick meeting with the King. Then some intrigue that really didn’t lead much of anywhere, and they moved in together and were talking marriage.

This book was rushed, which I can understand if you are working on a novella. However, there just wasn’t the story to allow the reader to understand the connection these men had, which left me feeling like it was a missed opportunity.

2.5 pieces of eye candy