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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

3 stars

Jonty’s Halloween (Unfinished Business) by Barbara Elsborg: New Release Review

September 26, 2021 by Denise

Jonty and Devan’s Big Adventure travelling around the world is cut short when Devan’s mother falls ill, and they have to fly home. Leaving Jonty to his own devices is never a good idea and before Devan can say no, Jonty has talked his way into hosting a Halloween extravaganza at The Dunes Hotel.

Family and friends are roped in to help and perform on the evening, but someone has it in for Jonty, who ends up getting a fright he hadn’t expected.

Join Jonty and his friends and family in a Halloween extravaganza with a surprise ending!

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

I’ve loved Jonty from the beginning. He was goofy and fun and had no filter. And I hate to say this, but it is time for him to chill out a bit.

Honestly, it feels like this book should have been a novelette or novella, but added a bunch of Jonty being ridiculous to fill it in to make a full length book.

I except Jonty to be silly. Especially when he is uncomfortable. But it was just WAY over the top for me. The way he spoke to and about Devan was borderline hurtful (IN MY OPINION!!!) and was just to get laughs. He is never, ever serious. His insecurity was a bit much as well.

While it was fun to revisit a bunch of characters, especially Tay and Ink, and the whole Halloween party itself was fun, the drama with the manager was silly and it is just time for Jonty to grow up a bit. Tone it down, feel more comfortable with himself and his relationship. He can still be playful and fun without always being the center of attention at the expense of Devan and others.

3 pieces of eye candy

Filed Under: Book Review, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, TCO Reviewer: Erin Tagged With: 3 stars, author, Book Reviews, gay, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, review, romance

Hotter Than Hot: A Friends to Lovers Romance (Suntastic Fun Book 2) by Ariella Zoelle: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

September 23, 2021 by Denise

Baxley has been teasing Callahan for years about wanting to be with him. When Callahan finds out his best friend is actually serious about being with him, his curiosity gets the better of him. Why should being straight stop him from having fun with his sexy best friend?

Callahan

Baxley is a lot of things: an awesome friend, a relentlessly shameless flirt, a little too attractive, and way too tempting when I’m straight. All of his heated teasing is starting to get to me, making me wonder if maybe indulging my curiosity might be worth blurring the boundaries of our friendship for a night. But what if it’s so good that I want a repeat experience?

He promises me an experience that’s hotter than hot, but am I ready to discover that I like what he’s offering me?

Baxley

When everything about Callahan lights my insides up like a fireworks finale on the Fourth of July, I knew from the moment I first saw him that he was the one for me. The only thing stopping me from making him mine is that he’s straight. But that excuse goes out the window when he kisses me, like he’s been dying for a taste of me for years.

If he’s ready to take a chance on me for one night, can I make him fall in love with me forever?

Hotter Than Hot is the second and final book in the Suntastic Fun duet. This novella features a friends to lovers, bisexual awakening, no angst romance. If you love cute sweetness, sexy fun, and scorching-hot banter that will make you laugh and swoon, you’ll adore this satisfying HEA without cliffhangers. Each book can be read as a standalone but is best enjoyed in order.

Hotter Than Hot was originally published as Turn Up the Heat for the Boys of Summer M/M giveaway. A new epilogue has been added for publication.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

It was precious how Callahan blushed at the sight of my arousal. “Now that I know you haven’t been with anyone for years, your raging horniness makes a lot more sense.”

I reached down to stroke my length as I held his gaze. “This has everything to do with finally being blessed enough to have the chance to prove to you I’m not all talk.”

He blinked at me several times with a dazed look.

Not wanting to overwhelm him with too much too soon, I stopped touching myself. “Are you having second thoughts?”

He shook his head, making me breathe a sigh of relief. “No, I’m confused.”

“About what?”

He bit his lower lip. “You’re going to laugh at me.”

“In theory, that should reassure you since that’s the norm.” My words earned me the chuckle I knew they would. “But if it’ll make you feel better, I promise I’ll try really hard not to.”

He took a deep breath as he squared his shoulders with resolve. “I might have had a few inappropriate late-night thoughts wondering what it would be like if I ever said yes to your offers to suck my dick.”

What a delightful kernel of knowledge that was. Rather than thanking him for giving me something new to fantasize about, I nodded to show I was listening, and he should continue.

“We’re always clothed when you tugged my pants down when I reached the point where I couldn’t take the teasing anymore.” He looked away in embarrassment. “I never pictured either of us being completely naked.”

“Would it make you more comfortable if I put my clothes back on?”

“No, but I feel like I’m supposed to have a squeamish straight-guy reaction to seeing you jerking off, but, um…”

I was dying to know how that sentence ended. “You can tell me.”

He looked up at the ceiling with a pained expression. “I can’t say it. It’s going to make me sound so self-centered.”

“That’s fine. It’s hot when your ego comes out to play a little.” Grinning at him, I tried to convince him some more. “It should be fairly obvious by this point that I love it when you’re a bit of a bastard. Lay it on me.”

It took him a few moments to build up the courage to confess. “Instead of being grossed out watching you touching yourself, it’s kind of…um, well, it’s sort of sexy seeing how turned on you are because of me. I don’t know what to do with that reaction.”

“You’ve got plenty of time to overanalyze it later. All that matters right now is you’re into this.”

He drew a shuddering breath. “Way more than I was expecting.”

I closed the distance between us to give him a searing kiss to refocus his attention on what was happening. He whimpered into it as I let my hands wander over his bare skin. I slowly worked down to his shorts, unbuttoning them and sending them to the floor.

I stopped shy of my goal, even as I took a moment to appreciate the bulge straining in his navy briefs. “Do you want me to keep going?”

“Dear god, please.”

This was kind of a continuation/off-shoot of It Might Be Hot: A Friends to Lovers Gay Romance (Suntastic Fun Book 1), so similar to the first book, this one was about the same. Lots of sex, LOTS, and a couple that were friends, become lovers and are in love pretty much overnight.

It was very, for want of a better word, schmoopy. Very gushy, with Baxley being in love with Callahan from the first time they met. It was insta-love three years later. 🙂 With lots of sex. lol

I did enjoy that we got to learn a bit more about these guys than the first book, and we did learn that the reason Bax was so flirty with Callahan was not because he was just a huge flirt, but because he kept hoping Callahan would just take him up on it.

It was low angst, very sweet, and you felt for Bax who had been in love with his best friend for all this time. However, there was definitely a lack of meat to it. With it being a beachy/summer read, though, that’s what you’re generally looking for. A fun, quick read.

3 pieces of eye candy

Ariella Zoelle adores steamy, funny, swoony romances where couples are allowed to just be happy. She writes low angst stories full of heat, humor, and heart. But sometimes she’s in the mood for something with a bit more angst and drama. If you are too, check out her A.F. Zoelle books.

For real time updates on her writing progress, please join her Facebook group for exclusive teasers or follow her on Twitter or Instagram. You can also sign up for her newsletter to gain access to bonus chapters, previews of upcoming books, exclusive visual guides, and more.

Connect with Ariella:

Website: https://www.ariellazoelle.com/
Newsletter: https://www.ariellazoelle.com/newsletter
Amazon Author Profile: https://amzn.to/3hNv3xT
A.F. Zoelle’s Books: https://amzn.to/3BAgypg
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/amazingafzoelle/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/extraafzoelle
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AriellaZoelle
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariellazoelle/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/ariellazoelle
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ariella-zoelle


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Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Excerpt, Book Review, Giveaway, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, Release Day Review, TCO Exclusives, TCO Reviewer: Denise Tagged With: 3 stars, Ariella Zoelle, author, blog tour, Blog Tours, book, Book Reviews, excerpt, exclusive, gay, giveaway, Giveaways, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, novella, review, romance

Got Me Hoping (Vet Shop Boys Book 1) by Casey Cox: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

September 9, 2021 by Denise

It’s just a one-night stand, they said. It’ll be simple, no-strings fun, they said. They. Lied.

I’m done with love and being broken-hearted. The only dogs I want to deal with are the ones I treat in the veterinary clinic I work at.

But at thirty-four, having my first one-night stand can’t hurt. Right? The rules are pretty simple.

1. Don’t spend the night.
2. Don’t see him again.
3. Don’t share anything personal.
4. Don’t fall in love with him.

But when Haze, the guy I spent a blazing hot night with and haven’t been able to forget about, shows up as our new receptionist, the rules fly out the window.

There’s no way one night could lead to anything more. So why has Haze got me hoping this might just last?

Got Me Hoping is book 1 in the Vet Shop Boys series and can be read as a stand-alone. Expect plenty of humor, found family, an adorable golden retriever, a foul-mouthed parrot, a whole new way of getting clean (as well as very, very dirty) and a heartwarming happily ever after!

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

My thoughts screech to a halt when the guy I’ve been subtly ogling all evening practically bowls me over. Okay, I admit, I may have strategically positioned myself near the hallway that leads to the men’s room so that we’d maybe bump into each other as he left. I wasn’t expecting it to happen quite so literally, though.

He’s nervous, and it’s cute as hell. Maybe that’s why it unleashes a cheekiness in me. As we settle at the bar and have a drink, I’m struck by his eyes. Yes, he’s got the whole Henry Cavill thing going on, and seriously, those biceps are beyond ridiculous, but it’s his eyes that pull me in. They’re a rich, mossy green, but more than that, they’re kind. You can tell a lot about a person by their eyes, and his tell me he’s a decent guy.

Even as we’re chatting away, I can see that he’s a little on edge. It’s endearing, though, and when he tells me he’s never had a one-night stand, the pieces fall perfectly into place.

He’s still a little skittish as we wait for an Uber outside the bar. I zip my bomber jacket all the way up and blow out a puff of steam into the cold night air. “I’ve only had four drinks,” Noah tells me, eyeing the road, on the lookout for the car. “I’m just erring on the side of caution, is all.”

“It’s okay,” I assure him, gripping his forearm. He’s got that irresistible hard-jaw, soft-eyes combination that makes everything okay.

The ride back to his place is a silent one. Our fingers play with each other across the middle of the backseat, threads that tangle, then loosen. His thumb caresses the top of my hand.

We smile at each other, and his eyes gleam under the passing streetlights.

So this was…fine. Nice. Readable. Cute. It is definitely not a book I am going to remember past tomorrow.

I love the setting of the book (and series) a veterinary clinic that is called The Vet Shop Boys. I do have to say that maybe those younger won’t get that. But I enjoyed it. And care was used in representing veterinarians and all they go through. From the cost of school to the long hours and the sadness. But also that most really, really love their jobs. And these guys that work together are all friends and a great support system for each other.

And it was those friends who couldn’t believe that Noah had never had a one night stand. So of course, that means he will have one NOW! TONIGHT! Enter Haze (I eye rolled the name at first but then further along in the book it is explained and I aww’d) super hot guy in the bar who is down for that one night stand. Especially because he is going to London for six months. But of course, they connected. And, of course, when Haze gets back from his six months abroad he starts working at the clinic.

From there it’s a lot of flirting until they finally admit they have feelings. But Haze was so wishy washy. For someone “studying to be an actor” in college (after finishing some bio-something degree) he never talks about acting. Literally. Kind of a weird thing to study- in college- if it isn’t something you had ever done. I don’t know. It was so throw away but a plot point. So it’s a plot point that had no backing.

And if he said, one more time that he was “almost 30” I was ready to throw my kindle. Oy.

Weird plot point intrudes so that Haze has to make a decision. That was also odd. You’ll see.

I just don’t feel like the whole story line was well thought out. The acting thing was completely misplaced and the little side story with the owner of the clinic was seen from LITERALLY the beginning of the book, but Noah didn’t see it? Really? That naive?

If you want kind of mindless fluff, go for it. But I don’t think I will be seeking out book 2.

3 pieces of eye candy

I’ve been wanting to do this ‘authoring’ thing since forever. But this thing called ‘life’ kept getting in the way. And then this thing called ‘turning 40’ happened. Eep!

So I did what any responsible newcomer to middle-age-hood would do: I quit my day job, started drinking copious amounts of coffee, and reconnected with my life long passion–donuts, er, I mean writing.

So here I am. And there you are… Hello!

I live on the east coast of Australia, I’m the proud paw-rent of two of the most utterly adorable French Bulldogs, Ralphie and Lilly, and when I’m not writing, you’ll most likely catch me down at the beach (I’m the one drinking Rosé and eating donuts while other people are doing healthy things like ‘walking’ and ‘swimming’).

Connect with Casey:
Website: https://caseycoxbooks.com/
Goodreads
BookBub
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/casey.cox
FB Reader Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/casetheplace
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/caseycoxbooks
Email: caseycoxbooks@gmail.com

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Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Excerpt, Book Review, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, TCO Exclusives, TCO Reviewer: Erin Tagged With: 3 stars, author, book, Book Excerpts, Book Reviews, Casey Cox, excerpt, exclusive, gay, giveaway, Giveaways, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, review, romance

Jaywalking (In Step, Book 1) by Rachel Ember: Release Day Review

August 11, 2021 by Denise

Second edition. This novel was previously published as a novella of approximately 30,000 words. The second edition is roughly twice as long.

Emile leads a quiet but contented life as a university professor, with a perfect dog, comfortable home, and loyal friends. Maybe there’s something—or someone, missing. But dating is hard enough for vanilla people. Emile doesn’t just have to find someone he wants to date—he has to find someone he wants to kneel for.

Jay likes playing soccer, reading poetry, and handsome men in tweed vests. Men like Emile, who Jay can’t forget after they connected on a rainy July night. Their encounter awoke a powerful urge in Jay to take, command, and control that has haunted him ever since. Jay had hoped that starting college would distract him, but that hope died when he showed up for the first day of his literature class and discovered Emile was his professor.

When Emile tells Jay they can’t be together, Jay is still determined to figure out a way for the two of them to explore what they share. And Emile craves Jay’s gentle dominance too much to resist him.

Jaywalking includes an age gap, a professor-student relationship, BDSM, a very polite dog, explicit sex, and a happy ending

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Preorder on Amazon

Before I start talking about the book, take a look at the cover…it’s super adorable, isn’t it? And notice book 2, just as cute! I’ve said it a million times, a cover can absolutely produce a sale. It doesn’t have to have a naked torso on it (although those are nice too)…but when you find the cover the tells you several things about the book, and it draws you in. That’s the cover you need. I had never heard of this book, and the second I saw the cover, I knew I wanted to read it.

And now I am likely going to gush even more. 🙂

This book was so well done. It was sweet, lovely, had some heat, and a good pet to round it off. It really did tick many boxes for me. It had age gap, which with the age of Jay, did make it a bit weird for Emile, but Jay didn’t question it at all. I really felt that Jay found confidence in himself, by just acting confident. It was a case of “fake it till you make it with him”. He did seem to do that also with the BDSM side, but it was fairly light BDSM, so I wasn’t concerned. If it had delved much deeper, I would have questioned it much more with a lack of training.

However, I think Emile appealed the most to me. He was confident in his job, enjoyed his life, had good friends, and a sweet dog. His ex…well that was not as good, but definitely paid off in the end. Life, for Emile, was going fairly well, and then he has this attraction dropped out of nowhere that was inappropriate and against all his ethical standards. (As it should be.) In this case, love conquered. Emile struggled to keep the two sides of his life separate, but as we all know, that can only be held for so long.

I absolutely loved this book. And I can’t even say how much I am looking forward to book 2, Oliver, Blake and Cujo’s story. That one is going to be a wild ride, I think. 🙂

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Soon to be college freshman Jay, and definitely not a college freshman Emile, meet at a poetry reading. Sparks fly, but Emile bails. Life goes on. Until Jay walks into Emile’s Literature 100 class.

This book is a mix for me. Emile is a sub, Jay thinks maybe he is a Dom? Maybe? But this book is SO not BDSM at all. Just because Emile likes to kneel at Jay’s feet does not a sub make. And Jay’s childhood neighbor, who is a Dom (but they never discussed going to the same college or comparing schedules) brings him to an invite only demonstration. Which was completely fade to black so we have no idea how Jay felt in the situation.

Both men are adorable, in a stereotypical way. Emile in vests, cords and bow ties and Jay in track pants and tshirts. And they seem to have a lot of time for each other even though Jay is in school full time, plays soccer for school AND took on a part time dog walking gig.

Overall it is readable, but it absolutely has a crisis of character not knowing what to be. Is it YA? Is it BDSM? Is it age gap? All of those? Jay is awfully confident for someone who has little experience. Just didn’t seem to fit. And the thing with Jay’s college roommate? So odd.

3 pieces of eye candy 

Rachel lives in the Midwest United States with her family, which includes an ever-growing menagerie of pets. If she isn’t writing (or reading) she enjoys riding and traveling to competitions with her horses.

Filed Under: Book Review, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, Release Day Review, TCO Reviewer: Denise Tagged With: 3 stars, 4.5 stars, age gap, author, bdsm, blog tour, book, Book Reviews, gay, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, review, romance

Waiting on Life by Parker Williams: Quick Review

June 28, 2021 by Denise

Big, bald, tattooed, and more than a little possessive, Toby Tomlinson isn’t what you’d call a lady’s man. In fact, he usually got too serious before they were ready. One day, upon returning home from work, Toby finds a young woman kneeling to pick up mail she’d apparently dropped. Taken with her red hair and slender body, he says hello as he grabs his own mail. The woman jumps and bangs her head against the open door, then lets loose with a string of expletives. She turns around and Toby discovers…the person he’s been ogling isn’t a woman at all, but a man.

Kyle Roga’s heard it all before. High school was filled with taunting classmates who could tell Kyle was far too fabulous to be straight. And now, here he was, being pawed at by a man who stole Kyle’s breath away. He ticked every box Kyle had, and a few he didn’t even know he wanted ticked. The problem? Kyle’s been burned before by straight men who think you’re good enough for sex, but not for a relationship. He’s been bitten way more than once, and he doesn’t want to go down that path again.

Two men, each with a different way of looking at love, find themselves having to reexamine what they always believed about themselves. Will it be enough to bring them together? Will each discover what they’ve been doing isn’t living, but waiting on life?

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Not terrible, not great, easy read that doesn’t take a lot of brain power.

Toby is supposed to be this big, tough, scary dude. It is mentioned in the book. Often. But he is SO OBVIOUSLY a giant teddy bear.

Kyle is fairly recently out of college and he and his best friend move in to the apartment across the hall. First Toby thinks Kyle is a woman. Then realizes that he finds him attractive. But keeps telling himself that he “doesn’t like d*ck”. Come on. There are way better ways to say that.

Anyway, Kyle is immediately smitten with Toby. (even the name Toby is teddy bearish), but assumes he is straight and since he was burned badly by a previous “straight” guy, he isn’t willing to go there again.

I am sure you can glean what the rest of the book is like.

Again, there isn’t really anything BAD about the book (except timeline mentions), it was just fairly generic. An easy beach read to keep you occupied, but I doubt it would make your top 10.

3 pieces of eye candy

Filed Under: Book Review, Quick Reviews, TCO Reviewer: Erin Tagged With: 3 stars, author, book, Book Reviews, gay, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, Parker Williams, review, romance

Hollywood to Horses by Dez Schwartz: RB, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

June 18, 2021 by Denise

Mateo Harris, a retired Olympic Show Jumper, achieved just about everything he could want in life. Rising from a nobody to becoming a beloved gold-medalist, co-owning H&H Riding Academy with his cousin—and best friend—Emily Hall, and he’s one of the most powerful and respected men in his hometown of Sweetspire, VA. Nothing can shake the foundations of the life he’s built for himself. That is until he hears his nemesis and former crush, Christopher Wright II, has moved back to town.

Christopher, a runaway movie star, has returned to Sweetspire to inherit the family business: Wright Stables, the only rival riding academy Mateo has ever had to worry about. With Christopher’s charm, talent, and fame taking charge, Mateo is faced with real competition both in and out of the arena. He’ll have to be at the top of his game to prove he’s still the number one equestrian in town, but every encounter with Christopher becomes as challenging as any obstacle he’s faced on horseback.

Title:  Hollywood to Horses

Author: Dez Schwartz

Publisher:  NineStar Press

Release Date: 06/14/2021

Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 29800

Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQIA+, Equestrian, Horses, Sports, Rivals to Lovers, Over 40, Gay, Bisexual, Rom Com

Amazon

Ninestar Press

Goodreads

Mateo Harris and his black Belgian warmblood soared over a post-and-plank obstacle, then galloped in a curve to face two gates in proximity. They leapt over both with swift ease. The final stretch sent them gliding over the triple bars as they completed the course in a flawless fashion.

Mateo’s students applauded from the fence where they each sat astride their own horses, the eagerness for a chance to try the course themselves apparent.

The solid thud beneath Mateo’s riding boots reverberated through him, a satisfying crescendo indicating the finale of his performance. He believed a rider should never consider themselves finished showing until they were no longer on horseback. Although he hated to admit to himself, the ache in his right knee also grounded him in the truth—injury and age.

Defying reality, and because of his inherent showmanship, Mateo pivoted his athletic body in one graceful movement to face his pupils.

“And that’s how you win an Olympic gold medal in show jumping,” he announced. “Any questions?”

His students applauded, and he grabbed the reigns to lead his horse out of the arena.

“Why can’t you still win them?” a snide voice rang out. “Maybe you could teach us how to not fall off our horses.” The comment, which referenced an injury he sustained at his last Olympic competition, came from a tall blonde girl, Payton Parker, who Mateo found irritating on any given day; this one especially.

Most of the students appeared to hold their breath after the bold insult as if all the oxygen of the pleasant Virginian afternoon had been depleted. Their wide eyes showed they’d never dream of saying such a thing to someone so well regarded. Known for his equestrian accomplishments in the city of Sweetspire, the waitlist to get into H&H Riding Academy—the school Mateo and his cousin, Emily Hall, ran together—was as long as his list of accolades.

A few uncontrolled giggles cropped up, and Payton smirked at him to show she found the power-play to her peers worth any repercussion.

Mateo pursed his lips and produced a warning smile as he approached Payton, taking his time to remove his black riding gloves finger by finger.

He addressed her but did so loud enough so the entire class would be sure to hear him. “Your parents pay me excessive amounts of inherited money to turn entitled leeches like yourself into professional equestrians. As if any amount of funding could ever supply you with the aptitude you so obviously, and painfully, lack. You’ll be lucky to ever win so much as a participation trophy awarded for anything other than nepotism. You’re hereby dismissed from this class, Payton. In fact, because I’m feeling particularly plucky today, you are expelled. Good day, Miss Parker. I’ll expect a call from your parents as soon as the nanny reminds them they have children.”

The same student giggles returned, this time siding with Mateo and proving to be as good as a slap in the face for Payton. Fuming, she coaxed her Hanoverian toward the exit of the outdoor arena. She shouted over her shoulder as she left. “There are other riding academies, you know! I’ll go to Wright Stables! I don’t need you to win a blue ribbon!”

“I agree. You need talent!”

Nothing made him see red faster than mention of Wright Stables, his only real local competitor.

He chided himself for being drawn into an immature argument with a spoiled teenager and moved to get his class back on task.

“If anyone else would like to be expelled today, please, negligently criticize me. Otherwise, run your courses!”

Mateo waved them off, and they rushed to begin taking turns practicing the paces.

He led his prized horse, Top Shelf, back to the stables and handed him off to a stable hand. Once out of the long corridor on the other side of the luxury barn, Mateo reached inside his navy-blue riding blazer, grabbed his flask, and threw back a swig of French vodka.

He took a deep breath of the balmy late afternoon air, letting the heat of the drink warm his chest and relax him.

He spotted Cameron Myers leaning on the fencing of a corral where he had a student practicing dressage basics. The lines from Cameron’s dancer’s muscles showed through his thin white shirt whenever he leaned forward on the railing, and he combed his fingers through his wavy chestnut hair as he shouted out instructions to the student for improvement. Cameron clapped his approval when the student followed his recommendation to the letter.

He’s a much nicer instructor than I could ever be. It’s a good thing I hired him, or my student body might be severely lacking in numbers.

Cameron raised an eyebrow once he turned to Mateo. “Little early for that, don’t you think?”

Mateo found his youthful naivety charming and smiled. “Just a light afternoon snack.”

The corners of Cameron’s eyes crinkled sympathetically. “Tough day?”

“I teach overly indulged teenage millionaires how to make an animal jump over brightly colored poles for a living.” He took another drink at the thought. “Every day is tough.”

Cameron chuckled and turned his attention back to his own student. “You know you love every minute of it.”

Mateo grinned, putting the flask away. “No, you love it. I just have an affinity for collecting dead presidents.”

“You know I don’t believe that for a second.” Cameron signaled to the young rider to start their routine over. “I wouldn’t be here if that were true.”

Appreciative of his candidness, Mateo patted Cameron’s shoulder.

Finding a contemporary book that steps a little outside the norm is fun, so I definitely was looking forward to this one that was based around horse training. With one of the MC’s having been an Olympian equestrian, and the other MC coming back home, it pitted previous potential lovers to enemies into a lively competition.

I think this novella could have easily been expanded. It felt a bit rushed, in my opinion. Mateo’s personality was prickly to say the least, and I wasn’t quite sure why he was so grumpy. I didn’t feel that the backstory the reader was given was enough to really help the reader understand and empathize with his situation. So many times it just seemed he was grumpy and a bit mean. Although, he definitely came through when it counted. 🙂

Meanwhile, we learned a lot about Christopher’s backstory, and why he was finally coming home to run his father’s stables. Since he wasn’t the POV for the book, it was all from dialogue, but it would have been nice to get the same from Mateo.

The two MC’s definitely did a good job though of making their connection felt, and with the final big scene, it made complete sense how it all played out.

Side characters were very good. Emily was a perfect foil for Mateo, and seemed to really be the only one who saw through his defenses, other than Christopher. This book may be part of a series, it isn’t quite clear, but there is definitely a potential story there with Cameron, one of Matteo’s trainers.

3 pieces of eye candy

Dez Schwartz is a LGBTQ, Dreampunk, & Gothic Romance author and artist based in San Angelo, Texas. She holds a BFA in Studio Art and worked as a graphic artist, and a Director’s Assistant at a fine arts museum, before transitioning to writing full-time.

Her longtime love of Victorian spiritualism, gay literary fiction, and romantic comedies inspired her to begin writing all of the stories she wished existed.

When she’s not passionately crafting tales, she can be found drawing, researching, or traveling with loved ones.

Author Links

Website: http://www.dezschwartz.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DezSchwartz

Twitter: http://twitter.com/dez_schwartz

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

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Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Excerpt, Book Review, Giveaway, New Release Book Blast, New Release Review, Release Day Review, TCO Reviewer: Denise Tagged With: 3 stars, author, blog tour, Blog Tours, book, Book Excerpts, Book Reviews, excerpt, gay, giveaway, Giveaways, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, Nine Star Press, review, romance

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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

16 hours ago

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
✨EXCERPT: ROOKIE MOVES by @jodioliverauthor releasing September 24th!“You said last night you don’t know whether people are genuine, so maybe I can help you find a girl? I can be like your wingman. I’ll vet them beforehand,” he suggests, offering a reassuring smile.A girl.The word hits me like a hulking defenseman into the boards.Fuck. I really didn’t think this through. Because it’s not just admitting I’m still a virgin.It’s the fact that I have to come out to him as well.I dip my gaze back to the floor, anxiety swirling inside me like a tornado. I’ve come this far, so I can’t back down now.With my eyes fixed on his beaten-up Vans, I conjure up the courage to let one more person in on my secret and hope like hell he can figure it out on his own without me saying the words out loud.Not in here, at least.“What if I don’t want to find a girl?” I mumble.Silence descends over us once again, and the only sound I can hear is the rapid thud of my heartbeat in my ears.When I finally glance back up, his brows are pinched. A mixture of confusion and shock is written across his face as his dark eyes bore into me.“Colby…” he says slowly with a hint of apprehension.His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows hard. Taking a step closer, he erases the distance between us until I can feel the breath of his whispered words against my skin.“Are you…” He shakes his head, like he’s shaking the words aside before he gives me an understanding smile. “Thank you. For telling me. I promise I’ll take it to the grave.”A sense of relief washes over me, and my lips twitch in a lopsided smile as my breath comes out in a rush.One challenge down, just one more to go.I straighten my spine, take another deep breath, and muster up all the confidence a projected first overall draft pick should own and confess, “I don’t want you to be my wingman to find someone. I want it to be you.”#jodioliver #hockeyromance #mmromance The Author Agency ...

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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

16 hours ago

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
✨EXCERPT: TWISTED LITTLE GAME by @raleighruebins releasing September 24th! "Get in the car."Roman's accent comes out as he says it. Sometimes his Russian influence sounds strong, and other times it’s barely audible. While his mind is occupied with other things, he’s less capable of holding his standard American accent. I have no idea where Roman is taking me next.I look over at him in the driver's side seat. “Did you grow up in Russia?" I ask him. "I like your accent, when it comes out.”He turns the key in the ignition and the car’s engine roars to life.“You like my tattoos... my car... my accent. My size.”I raise an eyebrow. “Never said I liked your size.”“Mm. But you do.”He grips the wheel as he reverses the car, looking at the rearview mirror. Christ, he’s so hot. The muscles of his forearm are prominent beneath the dark lines of his tattoos. Most of them are abstract, just looping lines or patterns on his skin, but I can make out a few small birds, a coin, and a date written in numerals. He pulls out onto the road, gripping the steering wheel harder, but he says nothing as he eases the car onto the cobbled street that leads out of campus. I look closely at his hands under the passing shadows, and I notice scars along many of his fingers. A couple of them have tattoos inked over them that only accentuate the raised skin of the scarring. He makes a left turn and his thick torso turns a little with the movement. Why does he have so many scars?I just took Roman’s word that he was hired to protect me. For all I know, he could have been lying.He could be kidnapping me as we speak.#raleighruebins #mmromance The Author Agency ...

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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

16 hours ago

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
✨TEASER: CALLOUS SHOT by @authorbeccasteele releasing September 24th!Why you need to #ONECLICK this book…🖤M/M standalone🏒enemies to lovers🖤rival hockey teams🏒morally grey🖤college romance🏒hockey romance🖤crime boss son x lawyer's son🏒obsessed with each otherDaniel Hoyton has been a thorn in my side for as long as I can remember. We play for rival hockey teams. We attend rival universities. Our families are on opposite sides of the law. I hate him, with his irritatingly smug smile, his arrogance, and his inability to take anything seriously.I want to wipe that smile from his face with my fist.…Or my mouth.I can’t decide if I want to punch him or kiss him, and it’s beginning to be a problem. A problem with big consequences. Not only is he completely wrong for me, but his family and friends are under investigation…and my uncle is in charge of the operation. I know we’re going to crash and burn.But I can’t seem to stay away from the flames.#beccasteele #hockeyromance #spicyromance The Author Agency ...

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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

16 hours ago

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
✨TEASER: UNDER WATER by @authoremlindsey releasing October 26th! Why you need to #ONECLICK this book…🔥Rivals to Lovers🔥Friends with Benefits🔥Single Dad MC🔥Fake Dating🔥Workplace Romance🔥Forced Proximity🔥Only One Bed🔥MM RomanceThat’s it. My co-worker has to die. There’s no other way around it. If I have to spend one more day cleaning up his mess—no matter how good he makes the mess look—I’m going to lose it.It’s too bad Easton’s beloved around the station. It’s too bad my kid also loves him.It’s too bad I’m starting to see what the hype is all about. Especially because the hype is making me want things I can’t have. And it’s not just because I’m lonely, tragic, and in the middle of a messy divorce.It’s also because Easton is straight…Isn’t he?Under Water is the second book in the Storm Season series. It’s a workplace rivals to lovers romance with a bi-awakening, baby ducks, a snarky pre-teen who sees way too much, and a steamy happily ever after.#emlindsey #mmromance The Author Agency ...

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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

22 hours ago

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
✨ It’s cover reveal day for THE COCKPIT by @authorkimberlyknight & @rachellynadams releasing November 2! Pre-Order now at your favorite book vendor as it will be exclusive to Amazon on release day!Link in the comments 👇Why you will love this book…🔥Friends with Benefits🔥Forced Proximity🔥Hookup to Lovers/Casual to Committed🔥Long Distance🔥Sports Romance🔥Pilot Romance🔥Vacation Romance🔥Feelings Weren’t Part of the Plan🔥Virgin Hero🔥MM Romance MASON MONROEAge: 23Occupation: MMA fighterLocation: SacramentoPersonal rule: Don’t let anything get in the way of the next fightCurrent problem: Accidentally rejected the hot pilotNOLAN BRADFORDAge: 29Occupation: Airline pilotLocation: TampaPersonal rule: No repeatsCurrent problem: Finding reasons to break his own dating ruleWhen MMA fighter Mason Monroe accidentally rejects airline pilot Nolan Bradford on the dating app The Click, he doesn’t expect to run into him on his flight. He definitely isn’t prepared for one drink at their hotel to turn into a one-night stand.They go their separate ways, convinced that’s the end of it, until three months later, when they’re reunited as best men on a weeklong wedding cruise.Nolan has one rule when it comes to hookups: no repeats. But with Mason in the cabin next door and the attraction between them impossible to ignore, finding a loophole is way too tempting.Their vacation fling quickly turns into friends with benefits, with one agreement: whatever happens on the cruise ends when they get off the ship.Except neither of them wants it to.With Mason building his fighting career in Sacramento and Nolan based in Tampa, more than two thousand miles and two demanding schedules should make keeping things casual easy.Too bad walking away from each other gets harder every time they try.Cover Credit:@yall_that_graphicPhotographer: Wander Aguiar#coverreveal #kimberlyknight #rachellynadams #mmromance The Author Agency ...

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