4.5 stars

Imagoes: An Imago Series Short Story by N.R. Walker: New Release Review

February 16, 2021 by Denise

When Jack receives a phone call from a colleague in the southeast of Tasmania with news of a newfound butterfly habitat, he and Lawson head off on another adventure. It’s not an easy trek to the location. The Franklin-Gordon National Park is famous for wild rivers, rainforests, and rocky cliff faces, and they’ll need to hike and abseil—in the dead of winter—to get to the site.

It’s no ordinary expedition because this is no ordinary butterfly, and Jack and Lawson aren’t an ordinary couple. Join Jack and Lawson on another quest in this short story of extraordinary butterflies and extraordinary love.

~ Imagoes is a 17,000-word short story.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

What a fun short!

We met Jack and Lawson in Imago. The studious Lawson met park ranger Jack when he goes searching for a butterfly that could be a brand new discovery.

There was Imagines, same couple, book 2. Now together and navigating life.

This short has Jack and Lawson leaving their son with Jack’s mom and sister while they investigate another butterfly sighting. This time, in a cave.

I love how Lawson, My Bow Tie, has no problem carrying a pack and hiking to where he needs to go to check out the butterfly sighting. He even faces a fear when they have to repel down to the cave. This could easily have been another situation where Lawson hurts himself and needs Jack to rescue him, but luckily that didn’t happen. (Similar happened in the two previous books)

Upon making the discovery, Lawson has a huge decision. Leave his family for months at a time to study these butterflies and look for others, or pass it on to another lepidopterist to continue the study.

Jack is ever supportive, letting Lawson make the decision that is best for him.

This was such a great short to give us another look into their lives. Many of us fell in love with Jack and Lawson and this short was a gift.

4.5 Pieces of Eye Candy

Upside Down by N.R. Walker: Audiobook Review

February 4, 2021 by Denise

Jordan O’Neill isn’t a fan of labels, considering he has a few. Gay, geek, librarian, socially awkward, a nervous rambler, an introvert, an outsider. The last thing he needs is one more. But when he realises adding the label asexual might explain a lot, it turns his world upside down.

Hennessy Lang moved to Surry Hills after splitting with his boyfriend. His being asexual had seen the end of a lot of his romances, but he’s determined to stay true to himself. Leaving his North Shore support group behind, he starts his own in Surry Hills, where he meets first-time-attendee Jordan.

A little bewildered and scared, but completely adorable, Hennessy is struck by this guy who’s trying to find where he belongs. Maybe Hennessy can convince Jordan that his world hasn’t been turned upside down at all, but maybe it’s now—for the first time in his life—the right way up.

Audible

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Read Erin’s review of the ebook here.
As for the audio…

I am very picky with my narrators. Shocking, right? I know. Glen Lloyd was new to me. I was a bit wary because I am used to Joel Leslie narrating the “not serious” stories NR Walker writes. But let me tell you something. Glen Lloyd NAILED IT.

He absolutely brought the characters to life. He used slightly different voices for Jordan and Hennessy, but nothing over the top or obviously fake. If that makes sense. Jordan was a bit more nasal and Hennessy spoke slower. Jordan also says “motherfucker” a lot in the book. It is a thing. Like a reflex, he can’t NOT say it. And I was waiting for the first one. And the tone was absolutely perfect. He says it almost conversationally, but to himself. So funny.

I really loved this book so when I got my mitts on the audio, it was make or break time. But this absolutely made it. I will definitely listen to this again.

4.5 Pieces of Eye Candy

Right As Raine (Aster Valley, Book 1) by Lucy Lennox: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

February 3, 2021 by Denise

Tiller:

As the first openly gay professional football player, I can’t afford to make any mistakes, on or off the field. And the absolute biggest mistake I could make right now would be to fall for Mikey Vining, my best friend, employee and, more importantly, Coach’s baby boy. I might fantasize about Mikey at night-—every night—but actually touching him would be a serious personal foul.

And falling for him? That’s completely out of bounds.

Mikey:

I’ve learned my lesson about falling for one of my dad’s players. They’re a bunch of spoiled jocks with more muscles than brains. I’ve spent years learning to keep my eyes, and my hands, to myself. But resisting the temptation becomes nearly impossible when Tiller Raine and I end up together in a small cabin in a remote Colorado town.

Suddenly, there’s not much to do but look at each other. And talk. And hopefully, hopefully touch.

But what happens when our stay in Aster Valley is over and it’s time to return to the real world? Will Coach blow the whistle on our relationship? Or will Tiller admit there might actually be something he loves more than football after all?

Right As Raine

Aster Valley, Book 1

By Lucy Lennox

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

When we got to the check-in counter at the airport, I split off to go to the regular people’s line while Tiller headed for the first-class one. It took him a second to realize I was no longer behind him, but when he did, he hissed at me loudly enough for everyone to hear. “Get over here, you moron.”

I dutifully followed, knowing from years of experience how this was going to play out.

“I can’t fucking believe you did this again,” he snapped under his breath.

“You cuss like my dad,” I muttered. “And you know how I feel about spending your money.”

When it was our turn at the counter, Mr. NFL Superstar turned on his charm and laid down his celebrity card. “Hi…” He squinted at the woman’s name tag. “Nessa. How are you this morning?”

She blushed right on cue and fluttered her fake eyelashes. “I’m doing great, thanks! How can I help you today, Mr. Raine?”

He put his hand on top of my head and turned me to face Nessa. “My assistant here made a mistake when he booked our reservations, and I need to upgrade him to first class to sit with me, please. We have some work to do, and I don’t want to waste our time in the air.”

It was bullshit, of course. He just preferred sitting next to someone who wouldn’t pester him about his job, the team, stats, and insider information. When I was his seatmate, he had a buffer between him and the oftentimes rabid Rigger fandom. It didn’t hurt that I was so much smaller than he was and he wouldn’t have any issues fitting his giant shoulders and legs into the space between our seats. First-class seats were big, but not NFLer big.

She clicked on her keyboard and sighed, huffed, and scraped her upper lip with her bottom teeth before finally letting out an ah-ha noise. “Got it. Gimme just one… there. I’ll print these new boarding passes out for you and get your bags checked in.”

When Tiller tried handing over his credit card, she blushed again and pushed his hand away, her own hand lingering on his. I turned around so I could roll my eyes without being rude to her face. The businessman behind us in line caught my eye.

“Is that Tiller Raine?” he whispered.

I shook my head. “Bobby Simplethorn. You probably know him from that hemorrhoid commercial.”

The man looked at me in total confusion. “What?”

I sang a little jingle. “Nothing softens bottom thorns quite like Simplethorn… No? You don’t know it? Huh. Bobby here is the CEO. That miracle cream is his baby. I can introduce you if you want?”

The man winced. “Uh, no. That’s okay. Thanks, though.”

I shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

When I turned back to face the lady at the counter, I found both her and Tiller staring at me. Nessa turned to look at Tiller with a raised brow.

“No,” he said before she could ask. “The closest I’ve come to hemorrhoids is dealing with this pain in my ass.” He thumbed at me over his shoulder. “And now I’m regretting the seat change.”

In the beginning of January, a lot- and I mean A LOT- of authors were part of a big winter giveaway. Lucy Lennox was a part of it and her contribution was a short novella called Winter Waites. Set in Aster Valley, Colorado, it featured an occupational therapist and a famous musician.

Now we officially have book 1 of the Aster Valley series. Mikey, the 5th son of a college football coach who is the complete and utter opposite of his 4 burly brothers who played sports. Oh, and he is gay. Not in the closet either, which was nice to see.

Tiller is a hot shot player on Coach’s pro team the Riggers. Problem is, Tiller really doesn’t know how to fuel his body with the right foods. Oh guess what? Tiller is also gay and out. WHEE! Don’t worry- they will hide their relationship for different reasons.

Mikey is hired temporarily as Tiller’s personal cook and dietician. Temporary turns into over five years. And when I say that, I mean there was a 5 year time jump in the book. Which is kind of cool knowing that both of these guys were crushing on each other and doing everything they could to stay away from each other. AND neither knew. HA!

Until Tiller is hurt and since he can’t play, Coach sends him off to Colorado to visit his family. Coach just doesn’t know that Mikey went along.

So Tiller and Mikey alone in a cabin- ok, cabin is a BIG stretch- in the winter with no one else around…let’s just say they finally started acting on their feelings.

What follows is an introduction to the adorable former ski resort town of Aster Valley and a few of the citizens- including who we met in Winter Waites. It is easy to fall in love with the town- and Mikey does. Mikey and Tiller start facing some facts as well. Tiller doesn’t NEED Mikey any longer. Mikey isn’t following his dream- instead he stuck with what was comfortable. But the bigger question- could Mikey leave Tiller in Texas to chase his dream in Colorado?

Mikey’s family and they way they treated him just broke my heart. His mother was just the stereotypical 50’s housewife who just deferred everything to the husband. I wanted to smack her. She was so completely clueless. Ugh.

Anyway. Mikey and Tiller were awesome together. I ADORE that they basically lived together for 5 years before anything happened. There were some really fun characters we met in Aster Valley that I can’t wait to get more of. This is definitely a series I will follow. I hope it is more than 2 or 3 books.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

After enjoying creative writing as a child, Lucy didn’t write her first novel until she was over 40 years old. Her debut novel, Borrowing Blue, was published in the autumn of 2016. Lucy has an English Literature degree from Vanderbilt University, but that doesn’t hold a candle to the years and years of staying up all night reading tantalizing novels on her own. She has three children, plays tennis, and hates folding laundry. While her husband is no shmoopy romance hero, he is very good at math, cooks a mean lasagne, has gorgeous eyes, looks hot in his business clothes, and makes her laugh every single day.

Lucy hopes you enjoy sexy heroes as much as she does. Happy reading!

To celebrate Lucy’s upcoming release, we are giving away 2 e-copies of Right As Raine!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

Charisma Check (Roll for Love Book 2) by Charlie Novak: New Release Review

February 3, 2021 by Denise

Hatred is complicated, clothing is simple—Edward doesn’t need a man, and he certainly doesn’t need cosplayer and tattoo artist, Izzy Montes, AKA The Masked Gentleman, Edward’s ultimate nemesis.

Edward and Izzy have been antagonising each other for over three years. Their rivalry is fierce, and Edward is determined to keep Izzy at arm’s length. Which would be all well and good… if they weren’t engaging in a secret, heated hook-ups.

Forced to appear together at a film premier in LA, Edward is determined to get in and out with minimal damage to his reputation… and his heart. But Izzy Montes proves to be a complication Edward couldn’t have predicted. Biting, funny, and charming in equal measure, he’s the one man Edward needs to loathe.

He’s also the one man Edward can’t get out of his mind.

Not that Izzy plans on letting him.

Charisma Check is a 80,000-word contemporary MM romance featuring comic conventions, snark, many costume changes, and only one bed. It is book two in the Roll for Love series and should be read as part of the series.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

SO FUN!

Ok, Charlie Novak is a new-er to me author. I had read one of hers fairly recently and then when this because available I read book 1 first (must read!) and then immediately went to this book.

We met Edward in book one as the best friend of Jay. A professional cosplayer who has the natural ethereal look that makes him so successful. You can tell what a nice guy Edward is, but at one comic con, another cosplayer rubbed him the wrong way and declared themselves mortal enemies. Except they keep finding themselves naked in bathrooms together…

Izzy started cosplaying with his little brother. He was a total amateur when he met Edward the first time, but with practice makes perfect and he just continues to get better. One of the biggest differences is that Izzy has a full time job and cosplaying is just a hobby for him.

So enemies who meet periodically at various comic cons, who end up having quick and dirty hate sex and avoid each other like the plague. Until they are both hired to cosplay a movie premiere. In Los Angeles.

A comedy of errors- or karma- have them sitting together on an 11 hour transatlantic flight AND sharing a hotel room. And being that they are cosplaying a COUPLE, they are posing together and kissing for cameras. All while hating each other. Honestly, it was hilarious.

Because much of their story exists only at comic cons, the time frame spans a few years. Until Izzy’s full time job lands him in the same town Edward lives in. And then Edward’s best friend Jay gets involved. And there are invitations to game nights at the book store. And then not necessarily hate sex, but more friends with benefits sex. But they’re not really friends, right?? HA!

This is one of my favorite enemies to lovers I have read. Mostly because they seemed to pretend to hate each other right from the beginning. But everyone- from Edward’s PA to their friends and people that they meet at the movie premiere- all see right through it.

Hate sex, not hate sex, sex with kinky toys, and pretty panties. This book was hot, funny, sweet and yummy.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Merry Measure by Lily Morton: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

December 15, 2020 by Denise

Arlo Wright’s introduction to his sexuality came when he saw his older brother’s best friend, Jack Cooper, in his sweaty football kit. Unfortunately, he didn’t have long to enjoy the revelation because he promptly knocked himself out on a table.
Relations between them have never really moved on from that auspicious beginning. Arlo is still clumsy, and Jack is still as handsome and unobtainable as ever.

However, things look like they’re starting to change when Arlo finds himself sharing a room with Jack while on holiday in Amsterdam at Christmas. Will the festive spirit finally move them towards each other, or is Arlo just banging his head against a wall this time?

From bestselling author, Lily Morton comes a warm romantic comedy set in chilly Amsterdam

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

“Sorry,” I mumble.

He chuckles. “For what? You slept well.”

“That’ll be the wine,” I say. “I didn’t think I’d drunk that much, but I was obviously being drunkenly optimistic.”

“Well, you didn’t drink heavily if you compare yourself to Mel Gibson. A vat is nothing these days.”

I laugh and groan as pain slices through my eyeballs. “Shit.” I press my fingers against my eyes. “I need some paracetamol.”

“I’ll get you some,” he says.

I force my eyes open in time to see him throw the sheets back and get out of bed. For a wild second, I think he’s naked, but then the sheet clears his middle, and I see he’s actually wearing blue-checked pyjama shorts that are hanging low on his hips. In the bathroom, he rummages through his shaving bag, and I can’t help but eye the view. Broad shoulders, narrow hips, and lots of lean muscle that reflects how much he loves running.

He paces back to me, carrying a bottle of water and two tablets. I take the tablets, gulp the water, and watch as he strides to the tea tray and switches the kettle on.

“I’ll make some coffee,” he says over his shoulder.

“Why can’t I always share a room with you?” I say plaintively. “You’re so much nicer than Tom. I was always stuck with him when I was a kid.”

“Well, it’s a fact that I don’t snore like Tom.”

“Jesus Christ,” I say with feeling, propping myself against the pillows. “I’ve never heard anything at that decibel unless it was a jumbo jet. I’m fucked if I can work out why Bee doesn’t stab him in his sleep.”

He chuckles. “It is bad. I spent a year rooming with him at uni, and at the end I must have looked like Beetlejuice.”

I laugh and reach out eagerly for the mug he hands me. I inhale the fragrant steam and look at him. “This smells good and not at all like normal hotel coffee.”

He shrugs. “This place has a cafetiere.”

“Not at all like the youth hostel, which is the last place where Tom and I shared a room. It’s also the place I hitchhiked home from rather than listen to him snore anymore.”

He laughs. “You all argue like cats and dogs. I never could understand it because we didn’t do that at my house.”

“No need when your parents can kill someone with the force of their glare,” I mutter.

He shakes his head and carries his drink over to his bed. The mug has a string and a little label hanging from it, so I’m pretty sure his drink is so powerfully healthy that it’s detoxing him through the china.

He settles back into bed. “You feeling better?”

I try a cautious shake of my head. “A bit,” I say judiciously. “Nothing that a nice greasy fry-up won’t cure. I’ll shower and get dressed in a minute and then we can go down to breakfast.”

“You sure you’re up to it?” he asks, eyeing me dubiously.

“Of course,” I say robustly. “Tom’s paid for this, and it’s probably cost more money than the European Union’s tea budget, so we’re going down there and eating every expensive morsel.”

This book was so fun!!!

Set in Amsterdam during Christmas, Tom assembles his best friends and his brother for a short holiday during which he will propose to his boyfriend, Bee. Tom’s best-best friend, Jack, and his brother, Arlo fly together from England to Amsterdam. And end up rooming together due to a mix up. No big deal, right? Except for Arlo’s gigantic crush on Jack.

I adore how so many of Lily Morton’s characters are snarky, witty, awkward, etc…but they are those things in different ways. I don’t feel like the same personalities are recycled book after book. Arlo is snarky because he is awkward, witty because he is sharp. His humor is different than other main characters.

Jack is stoic, but also warm. It seems as though he is humoring Arlo, but really he is trying to take care of him. Until the super drunken night.

No spoilers (but duh, it’s a romance with a HEA) I love that Jack didn’t hide from Tom. He’s a stand up guy who was crushing on Arlo as well and decided that Arlo was absolutely worth it.

The backdrop of Amsterdam at Christmas was just beautiful. They did fun, touristy things that really highlighted the city. All of the side characters- the other friends, the EX (dun, dun, DUN!), even their parents who show up at the end.

Sweet and Christmas-y and just wonderful.

4.5 Pieces of Eye Candy

Lily writes contemporary romance novels, and specialises in hot love stories with a good dose of humour.

Lily lives in sunny England with her husband and two children, all of whom claim that they haven’t had a proper conversation with her since she bought her first Kindle.

She has spent her life with her head full of daydreams and decided one day to just sit down and start writing about them. In the process she discovered that she actually loved writing, because how else could she get to spend her time with hot, funny men!

She loves chocolate and Baileys and the best of all creations – chocolate Baileys! Her lifetime’s ambition is to have a bath in peace without being shouted by one of her family.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Gifts for the Season: Winter & Christmas MM Charity Anthology by Various Authors: New Release Review * 4

November 30, 2020 by Denise

A charity anthology from your favorite MM romance authors featuring fifteen brand new stories.

RJ Scott – Single Dad Christmas

It would be a Christmas miracle if he loved me back.

Annabeth Albert – Must Be Santa

Tis the season for Operation Christmas Papa!

Joanna Chambers – The First Snow of Winter

Christmas Eve, 1814: a maimed war hero and the childhood friend he almost kissed five years earlier are trapped together by the first snow of winter.

Eli Easton – Twelve Days of UPS

What happens when your Secret Santa is less intriguing than the delivery man who brings the gifts?

Suki Fleet – Sometimes, Always

When Echo’s Christmas Eve surprise for Peri goes a little sideways, it turns into a night they’ll both remember for the best reasons, for always.

Lane Hayes – Out For The Holidays

Good Things Happen When You’re Out for the Holidays!

Annabelle Jacobs – Driving Home For Christmas

A road trip, snowstorm, and only one big bed at the Inn…

Alex Jane – Homestead for the Holidays

Alone in a cabin in snowy Nebraska for Christmas

Amber Kell – A Santa for Trin

Everyone needs a bit of Christmas magic.

Garrett Leigh – No Place Like Home

As long as they’re together, love always wins

V.L. Locey – Dressed In Holiday Style

Can the spirit of Christmas save this budding love affair?

Clare London – Five Gold Blings

Where Christmas sparkle leads two lonely hearts.

Posy Roberts – Sojourn with You

This year, a place to stay is the best Christmas gift Sawyer could ask for.

Felice Stevens – The Gift of Forever

What do you get the man who has everything?

AE Via – An Unworthy Gift

What do the lonely do at Christmas?

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Proceeds go to the Trevor Project

AE Via: An Unworthy Gift

As per her norm, this was well written and super hot! A regular guy who hates Christmas because his parents died and he has no other family. A super rich guy who lost his brother a few years ago and Christmas just isn’t the same. Brought together by a bracelet and a scheming friend.

I don’t know how she tells a story with so few pages, spanning a day, but she does. We feel sad for both characters for different reasons. We love that Cole is so down to earth even though he is crazy rich. And Cole and Spencer were just perfect together.

This was a story of love (ok, and lust) at first sight with some nice romance in there.

Lane Hayes: Out for the Holidays

I believe this story involves and established couple from a book I haven’t read. Yet. But we get enough of the back story that we don’t feel as if we are missing anything.

This story spans several months, although there is a time jump. Derek and Gabe as a couple want to open a bistro. But really is it Derek’s baby. Since they are already a couple, this story is more about friends and family. Friends who are always there for you and mending hurts with family.

We see Gabe and Derek grow and grow up as a couple. From college kids to business owners. I really enjoyed this story even without knowing their back story. So I am sure regular readers will love it.

RJ Scott: Single Dad Christmas

Who doesn’t love a single dad story? This one is definitely a stand alone (not based on previous characters) about an older single dad of triplets and their manny.

Single dad Austin has triplets by a surrogate. Unwilling to wait any longer for the family he wanted, he was shocked with triplets but ran with it. Paul gets hired as the live in manny with the caveat that he will only be there 2 years because he plans to travel.

But of course after living together and taking care of children together, they each fall for each other but no one says anything. Except Austin did say something when he thought Paul was sleeping.

Silly boys.

Running over about three days, with three precocious children, this story was very cute. The way the kids were portrayed (for their age) was pushing it a bit, but I let it go.

Very cute, sweet, homey and happy.

Eli Easton: Twelve Days of UPS

This is my first story that incorporated covid into the storyline. UPS driver Dan has been busy with all of the deliveries because of covid AND Christmas. But a guy on his route doesn’t know who is sending him a gift through UPS everyday, it kind of becomes a game with them.

Something one of the main characters, Paul, says is about how everything is slowed down now. Even taking off your mask to show someone who has never seen it before can sometimes leave you holding your breath. So with Dan and Paul, it was sweet and slow until Paul finally invited Dan for wine and cheese- one of the gifts. But it stayed slow because Dan got busier.

It all culminated on Christmas day, when the secret gift giver is revealed.

Slow burn romance with a touch of covid for the win.

Annabeth Albert: Must Be Santa

Seriously, I knew she would make me cry!

Teddy and Nick are an established couple from a previous Christmas story. This time, Teddy and Nick are looking into foster to adoption. Teddy doesn’t think Nick is as excited about it as he is, so when they get a placement for two kids- one of them a girl, Nick is nervous. But he trusts Teddy.

Another story that takes place over several months, but with a couple of well placed time jumps to move us forward, Nick learns that he can be a good dad, Teddy learns that he loves being a dad, and two kids realize that these two foster dads are amazing and don’t want them to forget their previous life.

Swoony story about making your own family. Loved it.

4.5 Pieces of Candy