Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

4.5 stars

Kiss Me Again by Garrett Leigh: Blog Tour, Release Day Review and Giveaway

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Tree surgeon Aidan Drummond is content with his own company. He works alone, and lives alone, and it doesn’t occur to him to want anything else until a life-changing accident lands him in hospital. Then a glimpse of the beautiful boy in the opposite bed changes everything.

Ludo Giordano is trapped on the ward with a bunch of old men. His mind plays tricks on him, keeping him awake. Then late one night, a new face brings a welcome distraction. Their unlikely friendship is addictive. And, like most things in Ludo’s life, temporary.

Back in the real world, Aidan’s monochrome existence is no longer enough. He craves the colour Ludo brought him, and when a chance meeting brings them back together, before long, they’re inseparable again.

But bliss comes with complications. Aidan is on the road to recovery, but Ludo has been unwell his entire life, and that’s not going to change. Aidan can kiss him as much as he likes, but if he can’t help Ludo when he needs him most, they don’t stand a chance.

“Kiss Me Again is a deliciously tender and prickly romance about the intimacy that comes with acceptance. Ludo and Aidan accept and love each other for exactly who they are—complications, injuries, mental health issues, moods—and I loved them for it.” — Roan Parish

Cover Design: Black Jazz Design

Length: 227 pages

 

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Amazon UK – Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link

I LOVED this book.

I really enjoy all of Garrett Leigh‘s books. But this one is so different from all of the others. Not only the characters and subject matter, but the writing and pacing were far different as well. And it was so good.

I guess it says something about me when I can connect with characters who have a mental illness. Maybe it is just because I was a psych major in college. Whatever it is, I feel these characters deeply. And Ludo- oh Ludo. Bipolar as his most evident diagnosis, but also anxiety. And Aidan, who calls himself an asshole who doesn’t care actually cares so deeply that it hurts. He isn’t an asshole. He is severely introverted, probably with social anxiety and needs therapy to deal with his parents’ deaths.

That’ll be five cents. 🙂

Ludo and Aidan meet in the hospital where Ludo had surgery on his wrist and Aidan is having many surgeries after a car crashed into the tree he was working on and fell 30 feet. In a place where they had no one, they discovered each other.

It’s like living in the Ludo-Aidan world. They just accept each other. All of their flaws. All of their quirks. All of the scars. There is such a beauty in that.

A lot of the book is fairly platonic. It’s like neither one of them wanted to break the spell by trying something different. Eventually, though, they do take that step. And like everything else in their world, it is completely unique to them.

There is brief mention a few times of Ludo’s couisn Angelo- the dancer. If you have read most of Garrett Leigh’s books, you know Angelo. There was also a hint of more to come because of that Angelo link. I hope it happens.

I devoured this book like my favorite meal. And much like my favorite meal, I wish it wasn’t finished.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Garrett Leigh is an award-winning British writer and book designer, currently working for Dreamspinner Press, Loose Id, Riptide Publishing, and Fox Love Press.

Garrett’s debut novel, Slide, won Best Bisexual Debut at the 2014 Rainbow Book Awards, and her polyamorous novel, Misfits was a finalist in the 2016 LAMBDA awards.

When not writing, Garrett can generally be found procrastinating on Twitter, cooking up a storm, or sitting on her behind doing as little as possible, all the while shouting at her menagerie of children and animals and attempting to tame her unruly and wonderful FOX.

Garrett is also an award winning cover artist, taking the silver medal at the Benjamin Franklin Book Awards in 2016. She designs for various publishing houses and independent authors at blackjazzdesign.com, and co-owns the specialist stock site moonstockphotography.com with renowned LGBTQA+ photographer Dan Burgess.

Website: http://www.garrettleigh.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Garrett_Leigh

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The Doctor’s Secret by Heidi Cullinan: Release Day Review

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The brilliant but brooding new doctor encounters Copper Point’s sunny nurse-next-door… and nothing can stand in the way of this romance.

Dr. Hong-Wei Wu has come to Copper Point, Wisconsin, after the pressures of a high-powered residency burned him out of his career before he started. Ashamed of letting his family down after all they’ve done for him, he plans to live a quiet life as a simple surgeon in this tiny northern town. His plans, however, don’t include his outgoing, kind, and attractive surgical nurse, Simon Lane.

Simon wasn’t ready for the new surgeon to be a handsome charmer who keeps asking him for help getting settled and who woos him with amazing Taiwanese dishes. There’s no question—Dr. Wu is flirting with him, and Simon is flirting back. The problem is, St. Ann’s has a strict no-dating policy between staff, which means their romance is off the table… unless they bend the rules.

But a romance that keeps them—literally—in the closet can’t lead to happy ever after. Simon doesn’t want to stay a secret, and Hong-Wei doesn’t want to keep himself removed from life, not anymore. To secure their happiness, they’ll have to change the administration’s mind. But what other secrets will they uncover along the way, about Copper Point… and about each other?

Title: The Doctor’s Secret
Series: Copper Point Medical: Book 1
Author: Heidi Cullinan
Release Date: April 23, 2019
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 250

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

There were just so many things to like about this book. Doctor and nurse. Secret relationship. Great friendships. Small town. K-Pop and Asian dramas. There was so much and all of it was fun, sexy, hot, interesting and just a really good read that kept me engaged throughout.

Dr Hong-Wei (Jack) Wu is starting his career over, almost as soon as it began, in tiny Copper Point, WI. Quite a change from the urban Texas town he mostly grew up in. After moving there from Taiwan at 10 years old. He is a blend of Americanized and traditional Asian. He feels guilty for not living up to his potential at a highly rated hospital, but the pressure was too much.

Simon is a surgical nurse tasked with picking up the new permanent surgeon from the airport. He had no idea that the doctor would basically be his fantasy man come to life. But the hospital has a fairly new and very strict no fraternization policy. Of which he is reminded constantly.

But Jack is determined and methodical. He wants to slowly court, flirt with and win Jack over. It is so sweet. He takes his time. Really getting to know not only Jack, but his best friends and roommates (who are also doctors at the hospital).

There was so much to this story that kept it moving along. Jack befriending the old Chinese couple who own the one Chinese restaurant in town (and so sweet when he calls then auntie and uncle!), fill in doctors with attitudes, church meetings, fund raisers, a sting quartet waiting to happen. And yet none of it seemed like filler. Just a full life for those living in the story.

Even with the clandestine meetings, subtle touches when there were people around, it never got super angsty at all. The biggest angst is with the Human Resources manager. There is a story there I am dying to hear.

I stayed up past my bed time to finish this book and it was totally worth it. I feel like I am not giving a great story the justice it deserves.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

His Cursed Prince by Ryan Loveless: Exclusive Guest Post, Excerpt and Release Day Review

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TCO is mad excited to have Ryan Loveless here discussing His Cursed Prince, her latest novella. From the synopsis on, you know you are in for a wild ride with this one, and I just love that Ryan gives us a little touch of what happened the day before these two connect. I hope you guys enjoy this!

Three facts about Tuckington Belle:

1. Given the choice between illegally scaling the royal castle’s walls to steal flowers for a client at his family’s dress shop or going on a date with a girl his brother set him up with (“He’s fertile, and he can sew!”), Tuck will scale the wall like a spider after a fly.

2. If, upon knocking himself unconscious when he falls off the wall, Tuck wakes up bruised, blindfolded, and inside the castle, where—based on the unearthly wails heard nightly—the prince no one has seen in ten years is probably a ghost, Tuck would still choose this over a date with a girl.

3. Tuck thinks it’s time to admit he’s gay.

Three facts about Prince Frederick George Deor (Read and approved with great reluctance by Lord “Protocol is Protocol. Stop Being a Pain About It” Todd):

1. He brought a curse upon himself and now bears the skin of a snake.

2. He can’t take his eyes off the injured thief recovering in the castle.

3. Friendships born from lying and insisting the other person wears a blindfold can blossom into true love—which he needs to break the curse.

Title: His Cursed Prince
Author: Ryan Loveless
Release Date: December 28, 2018
Category: Fantasy
Pages: 98

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

I love plotting and writing exercises. Before I start a story, I spend weeks or more filling out worksheets on various and sundry. I even made a special Scrivener file for it that incorporates worksheets from different writing books that I’ve read. (That’s another thing, I love books on writing.) A favorite writing exercise of mine is to write out what each of the characters was doing the day before the story begins. It helps me find a jumping off point for where my story should start. Let me share with you now what Tuck and Frederick did on The Day Before.

 

Tuckington: Tuck stared dejectedly at the empty till. “This won’t keep the shop open past the holidays.”

“The money’s in your hand, doofus,” his brother said.

“Including that. We have to do something special to get the customers in. A gala or a ball–”

“Or a royal wedding. If Prince Jasper were engaged–,” their mother interjected.

“If he were, he wouldn’t get married in the castle here, not with all the banshee-wailing that goes on. People who live near say it keeps them awake all night.” Daniel eyed Tuck. “No, we need a wedding closer to home. A fine young lady of the town matched with an enterprising young lad. A shop owner. She’ll want all the finery for herself and her maids of honor, which we will provide at a reasonable, but profitable, rate.”

Tuck put the money into a bank envelope and closed the till. He avoided looking at Daniel.

Daniel settled his hand on Tuck’s shoulder and squeezed. “And I’ve got just the lad. What do you say, Tuck?”

 

Frederick: Frederick lay in the center of his bed. Although it was large enough for six of him, he curled tight, trying to be as small as possible. It shouldn’t matter. It’s just an animal. Like me. He clutched his dark cloak, pulling it tighter. The hood covered his face.

“Your Highness? KitKat is sorry. You just surprised him is all.” Gracie sounded plaintive on the other side of the door. “Can we come in?”

She was probably holding the cat. It had been sitting pleasantly in Gracie’s lap, but when Frederick approached to pet it, the thing hissed and reared up. Frederick had taken off in one direction, the cat in another.

“I wish to be alone,” he shouted.

“But–”

“Leave me!” He rose up to roar, then collapsed back down, intending to stay there until he died.

“I’ll leave your dinner out here,” Gracie said after a moment. Frederick laid still, sulking, until the door opened, this time without a knock. Lord Todd entered and moved around the room, doing whatever he did while Frederick ignored him. Frederick hid beneath his hood and wished himself away.

“George has invited me back this evening,” Tuck said after working up the courage. (Sir Michael did not invite comfortable chatter, and they were nearly stopped before Tuck found his nerve.)

“Did he, now?” Sir Michael said. Tuck couldn’t tell if he was disinterested or annoyed. “Going on inviting thieves back, is he? Not giving us a chance to screen them and all, is he?”

Tuck judged that this addendum was not meant for his ears and remained quiet. He did need to clear up one thing, though. “Is he a servant or…. I don’t wish to get him into trouble. If I’m not to return, please tell me.”

When Sir Michael turned in his saddle to look at him, his face was such a mask of power that Tuck gripped his saddle horn a little tighter to distract himself from the need to cower. “George is no servant,” Sir Michael said. “He is held in especial affection by His Royal Highness Prince Frederick. You will consider a request from George as an order from your prince. What time did he request you this evening?”

The information Sir Michael poured on him was enough to make Tuck overlook the concluding question. “Prince Frederick is alive?” He was certain his eyes were bugging out, but there was nothing to be done about it.

“He is.” Sir Michael said nothing more. Tuck had it on the tip of his tongue to tell him about the rumors, what people said outside the castle grounds, but one look at the tightness around Sir Michael’s eyes quelled him into silence. Almost before he knew it, they arrived at the wall and the door that Prince Frederick had once closed on him. Then Tuck was on the cobblestone walkway outside the grounds, flowers in hand, with directions to return to the same door exactly two hours after sunset. The heavy latch had closed before Tuck realized he wanted to ask where the prince was, even though he was certain Sir Michael would not answer.

Tuck turned away and hurried down the hill. Prince Frederick was alive. He swallowed this truth down and hid it away in a place safe in his belly. Sir Michael hadn’t forbidden him from telling it, but something told Tuck that he should keep it to himself and never even hint at this knowledge.

 

Thank you all for reading. I hope you will buy His Cursed Prince and if you do, let me know what you think!

I’m going to keep this short and sweet. Grab this! Even if you aren’t into fantasy (I’m normally not!), even if you don’t like historical (which this has pieces of, but there’s still things like cell phones, so go figure), and even if the idea of a crying prince makes you want to cry yourself, grab this!

I completely enjoyed this. It was sweet, with some genuinely funny parts. And I loved that Tuck really just didn’t care, even knowing what he knew when his blindfold came off, he still only cared about the prince. Meanwhile, the prince needed to learn to care about himself.

On top of it, there is a twist on the curse, that I didn’t see coming, that I absolutely loved even more! So, once again, I will say…GRAB THIS! 🙂

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Ryan Loveless is the author of numerous M/M romance novels and short stories. She is honored to be recognized as a Rainbow Book Award winner (several titles), Epic eBook Award finalist (In Me an Invincible Summer), and a Florida Author and Publisher Association Awards bronze medalist (Ethan). She lives in New York with her family, a sentence that brings her great joy to write.

Twitter: @ryanloveless

FB: https://www.facebook.com/ryanlovelessbooks/

Nothing Special VI (S.W.A.T Edition): His Hart’s Command by AE Via: EXCLUSIVE Guest Post & Excerpt, Review and Giveway

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As always, TCO is super excited to have A.E. Via stopping by. Adrienne is honestly one of the nicest people you will ever meet. She is a beautiful woman, inside and out, and every time I see her, I have to give her the biggest hug. 🙂 But she’s also a very talented writer, and an amazing businesswoman. I’m excited to see what she does in 2019, because I know she works hard to achieve her goals. Check out what she has to say below, and the exclusive excerpt and a giveaway for readers. Hugs to you, A! 

Lennox Freeman (Free) is one of the best hackers in the world which has caused him to spend most of his life on the run. Never able to put down roots, he couldn’t trust anyone not to take advantage of him, even his own family. If it wasn’t for his best friend, Tech, shielding him, Free’s father would’ve sold him and his skills to the highest bidding crime family when he was still a student at MIT. Free owed Tech his life; so when his friend called for him to come to Atlanta to work with him, he couldn’t say no. However, he wasn’t expecting the overprotective group of detectives that made up Atlanta PD’s most notorious task force. And he certainly wasn’t prepared for the large-and-in-charge SWAT Captain that was responsible for their safety.

Ivan Hart has lived and bled one creed all of his life: To Serve and Protect. His intense focus and determination in law enforcement has led him to finally commanding his own team. He’d worked hard to put together a squad of badasses capable of backing up a very dangerous team of detectives. Being God and Day’s last line of defense came with a lot of responsibility that he took very seriously.

After his divorce was final Hart turned right around and remarried his job. He had his good friends there in the office with him every day, so it was easier to ignore the few quiet hours he spent at home alone each night. He’d settled well into his new routine and was comfortable with it. Then God decided to disrupt everything by hiring another tech specialist for his department. A man whose brains, trendy looks, and voice would leave Hart tongue-tied and captivated at their first introduction.

Free quickly awakens a passion in Hart that he long thought was dead. An attraction he didn’t know existed. He couldn’t fathom that the sexy cyber genius could be interested in an over-sized, big-bearded brute that served criminals the bottom line for a living. No matter what his best friend, God said.

A future with Hart could be potentially dangerous and often times full of terrifyingly close calls; but little did he know that so could falling for the most hunted hacker in the world. All Lennox Freeman wants in life is security, love and protection… Hart had all that to give and more.

This novel is a part of a series and contains previously mentioned characters, but CAN BE read as a standalone. No cliffhangers.

Author A.E. Via

Title:  Nothing Special VI (SWAT Edition)

His Hart’s Command

Series: Nothing Special Book Six

M/M ACTION/ROMANCE

Edited by: Sue Laybourn

Cover Artist – Jay Aheer

PAGE COUNT – 250

Official Release Date: November 30, 2018

Amazon

Smashwords

Goodreads

IT’s ABOUT THAT TIME AGAIN!

I’m so happy to be back with the next installment from my Nothing Special series. It’s been a while since I visited with my guys and let me tell you it was one helluva ride they took me on. This title has all the guys you love from the previous stories and some new that I’m sure you’ll adore. Which can make this title stand on its on. Since my last two novels, my alpha lovers have asked for more action and hotter romance. I hope I delivered.

I’m doing a guest post on each stop of my limited tour and each one WILL BE DIFFERENT. I never know what to talk about or say for a post – not wanting to do the usual – so I’m gonna talk about my many experiences I had over the several months of writing this book. Some will be funny quips, cute tales, people I spoke to, emotions I experienced, etc.

What I wanna talk about on Two Chicks today is the new direction I want to take my business and readership in 2019. I wanna produce more quality work for my readers and make more appearances at conferences as well. I wanna reach further audiences, so I’m working with my current publishers to translate more of my titles in various languages. I’m excited to say that Nothing Special is coming out on audio early next year as well. My first audio release, Prophesy, went well so I’m so eager to venture more into this. It’s been a rough year, 2018 hasn’t been kind to my heart. I would like to provide more contemporary romances as well and take a step back from so many car chases and violence. Whoa… Nothing Special and Promises isn’t going anywhere guys. I’ll still be adding to that series for sure. But, look for more strong, quiet and sweet from AE in 2019.

Thank you all for listening and thank you so much Denise for letting me stop by again. I adore you, love.

2019 will be the start of a lot of new things for me in my writing. Make sure you’re checking out my overhauled, prettily-polished website for the New Year and see what’s popping off first. http://authoraevia.com

Definitely leave me a comment below on your thoughts, (ARE YOU making any self-changes for 2019?), and enter a chance to win some of the kickass prizes in my giveaway that correlates with my computer-guru, MC. That means sweet gadgets.

Hart’s eyes darted to the couch then back. He scrubbed one hand roughly over his face looking unsure, and exhaled a long breath. “Um. Do you wanna sit down? Or…you want a drink? Are…are you hungry, maybe?” Hart moved toward the kitchen, flicking on a couple more switches and illuminating a dining room that led to the quaint eat-in kitchen.

Free grabbed Hart’s arm. He could still see the heaviness riding high on Hart’s shoulders. The tension knots were practically visible in his neck and Free knew it had to hurt like hell.

“Hey, hold on.” Free caressed the thick bicep he held in his grasp. “Just relax a minute. I don’t need you to do anything for me. I’m just trying to be here with you, yes. That’s okay?”

Hart leaned into him and Free’s chest swelled. “Yeah, that sounds okay.”

“Good.” Free ran his hand up Hart’s chest. “What’s the first thing you do when you come home from a difficult day? If I wasn’t here, what would you have done first?”

“I’d have gone in my office back there and obsessed over my last op and what I could’ve done differently,” Hart scoffed, as if he knew that wasn’t the healthy thing to do.

“Well, I’m not letting you do that, so what would be the second thing you’d do? If you were here alone, Ivan.” Free couldn’t help the grittiness in his voice. It was just something about this man that made him completely comfortable and able to be himself.

“I’d probably shower, let the jets beat on my tired muscles.” Hart reached up and gripped the back of his neck, right where Free saw the stress knots. “Heat up leftovers in the fridge, eat a late meal and try to watch some mindless television to keep from thinking about work. Then doze off.”

Free smiled.

“I bet I sound like an old man to you,” Hart grumbled.

You sound like comfort. Free narrowed his eyes. “You’re not ready for me to tell you what you sound like to me. So for now, I’ll tell you to go get that shower and I’ll have those leftovers warmed up for you when you come out…and a little something special for you that I think you might enjoy.”

Hart’s blue eyes gleamed and his eyebrows rose. It looked as if the question to ask more about said special something was on the tip of Hart’s tongue, but he refrained. Instead, he nodded stiffly, told Free to make himself at home, and turned to walk down the dark hall toward a set of double doors at the end.

 

Hope you enjoyed!

Hot damn! Let me tell you something- if you haven’t read AE Via’s books, you are missing out. Big alpha guys, crazy hot sex and an interesting story line to follow along. We haven’t seen God, Day and their crew in two long years. But it was worth the wait.

This book brings us the cross over between SWAT and God’s team. The resident tech guy Free has been crushing on straight SWAT leader Hart- who is crushing on him right back. Everyone thinks Hart is straight- he was married for 22 years. What they didn’t know was how and why he got married.

So big, bald, biker, SWAT leader Ivan Hart is….a giant mushy teddy bear. Swoon. He totally broke my heart. Without getting into a therapy session, I feel like I could see a lot of me in him. And not the big, bald, biker, SWAT leader part. The emotions part. The way he felt about himself after living with his wife for 22 years. Gutted me.

But Free is totally willing to hold Hart’s hand through it all. Show him how to be with a man. How to accept love and affection and caring. How to be totally ok with yourself. Every time Free calls him by his first name I swoon a little.

I also adore the friendship relationships these guys have. Hart and God and Free with Tech. They are there for each other and not afraid to love each other as friends.

You can’t help to but cheer for these guys. They totally need and deserve to love each other.

AND there is a teaser at the end about who the next book is about. Let’s hope she doesn’t make us wait 2 years again. *taps foot*

4.5 Pieces of Eye Candy

Hart and Free… were they not the cutest?!

I loved how different these two were from the rest of the guys in this series.

Hart, having denied himself his whole life because he was stuck in a loveless marriage with a woman who abused him mentally, emotionally, verbally and even physically… he was very insecure when it came to wanting Free, and his opinion of himself. As a SWAT leader, he’s the boss… he even put God in his place, that was hot…he’s sure of himself and his team, but when it comes to anything else… he’s been beaten down so much, that he has major self-esteem issues. I enjoyed seeing such a different subject line because it isn’t often that we see the shoe on the other foot, and the woman in any relationship being the abuser especially to such a big and strong, alpha-man. It just goes to show the kind of heart that Hart has, because not only did he endure it, but he tried to change so much of himself for his ex-wife…. You will not like her and I hated that she got off so easily with what she did and what she put Hart through, but… meh.. I’m petty and bitter, so it actually worked out well for all involved I reckon.

Free, as we got a small feel for him in Tech’s book, is probably the most dangerous hacker in the world. I knew was going to be a tough nut to crack, but he never wavered in his feelings for Hart and he was honest from the very beginning. He was actually the uncomplicated one. He knew what he wanted and he went after it. He showed Hart so much about himself and didn’t allow the insecurities to wedge between them. He was so sweet and affectionate and patient with Hart, he was everything Hart had wanted but never gotten in a relationship. I was so glad that he gave him that, and in return, Hart gave him security and made him feel safe and most important, loved. He’d come from a bad situation before Tech called him in to take over his job in the last book… If you haven’t read it yet… go do it! What’s the matter with you?

I also loved getting to see the rest of the guys, I don’t think anyone will ever top Green and Ruxs for me, they’re my favorite… but it was fun to see a softer side to God, I swear in the beginning God and Hart were like teenage girls, and I loved it! These big tough guys can be romantic and sentimental because they love so big, and I love that too.

I cannot…. I mean, CANNOT wait for Fox and Bull…

I love this series, I love all of the guys and I’m going to be so impatient waiting for the next one. 5 pieces of eye candy from me!

A.E. (Adrienne) Via has been a best-selling author in gay romance for five years now, but she’s no stranger to MM. She’s been an avid reader of gay lit for over twenty years before she picked up her laptop to place her own kiss on this beautiful genre. She’s also the founder and owner of Via Star Wings Books, having published a couple of great new up and coming MM authors.

A.E. has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Virginia Wesleyan College that she used to start her own paralegal firm after she graduated in 2008. She spent five years preparing and filing bankruptcy petitions for struggling blue collar workers who couldn’t afford to file with a lawyer. It was a rewarding and satisfying career… but another path called to me. Writing.

A.E.’s writing embodies everything from hopelessly romantic to adventure, to scandalous. Her stories often include intriguing edges and twists that take readers to new, thought-provoking depths.

Now that she’s gotten over her 10 books published hump, she’s kind of known now for her play rough and love hard, bad boy, alphas. However, I do like to push myself to step out of my comfort zone and explore with different tropes, but I never push myself into a whole other genre. I’m head over heels for gay romance and I have tons of more hot stories to tell.

Be sure to visit Adrienne on her social media pages and subscribe to her newsletter to never miss another release date! https://goo.gl/GbfCyk or Go to A.E. Via’s PRETTILY POLISHED NEW official website http://authoraevia.com  for more detailed information on how to contact her, follow her, or a sneak peek on upcoming work, free reads, VSWB submissions, and where she’ll appear next.

Links

Author Official Website: http://authoraevia.com

A.E. Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/2U4NXTu

A.E. Newsletter: https://goo.gl/hrfifS

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorAEVia


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Mr Frosty Pants by Leta Blake: Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

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Can true love warm his frozen heart?

When Casey Stevens went away to college four years ago, he ghosted on his straight best friend, Joel Vreeland. He hoped time and distance would lessen the unrequited affection he felt, but all it did was make him miss Joel more. Home for the holidays, Casey hopes they might find a way to be friends again. But Joel’s frosty reception reminds Casey of just how hard he had to fight to be Joel’s friend in the first place. It’s going to take a Christmas miracle to get past that cool façade again.

Joel isn’t as straight as Casey believes, and his years of pining for Casey have left him hurting and alone, caring for his abusive father and struggling to get by. Unable to trust anyone except his rescue dog—and with no reason to believe Casey is interested in him for more than a holiday fling—Joel’s icy heart might shatter before it can thaw.

Can Casey and Joel’s love overcome mistrust, parental rejection, class differences, and four long years apart? Mr. Frosty Pants is a stand-alone, Christmas gay romance by Leta Blake featuring a virgin hero, childhood friends-to-lovers, second chance romance, and steamy mm first times.

Length: 90,000 word approx.

Cover Design: Wicked Smart Design

Amazon US

Amazon UK

 

What a great story! Yes, it was, but wow, tough in places.

Mr Frosty Pants was actually a tough story for me to read, personally. The issues that Joel had with his father, post-stroke, I’ve had some experience with from my own father, and it’s tough to deal with. Leta Blake did an amazing job of portraying that well. Essentially anything “held back” pre-stroke is off the table post-stroke, and the patient will say whatever is on their mind, and demand. It was tough to read, but heartening to see how Joel was able to finally stand up for himself, and allow himself to live, and love, as he’d wanted for so many years.

Casey, despite his lack of communication with Joel during his time away, kept his torch for Joel smoldering, and wanted to get that fire burning as soon as he returned. His parents, snobs at best, bigots at worst, tried to make additional waves for Casey, but as often happens only managed to push their son further away.

The strongest aspect though of the story was Joel’s growth as a person. He was able to stand up for himself with his father, as well as be willing to take chances with his businesses, when it was clear that prior to that he’d only ever hoped for quiet on his property, and to be able to eek out the barest of existences. Very heartening to read. Truly showed his spirit!

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Author of the bestselling book Smoky Mountain Dreams and the fan favorite Training Season, Leta Blake’s educational and professional background is in psychology and finance, respectively. However, her passion has always been for writing. She enjoys crafting romance stories and exploring the psyches of made up people. At home in the Southern U.S., Leta works hard at achieving balance between her day job, her writing, and her family.

Patreon | Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Fair Isn’t Life by Kaje Harper: Exclusive Double Guest Post, Release Day Review and Giveaway

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I am so super excited to welcome Kaje Harper today at Two Chicks Obsessed. As soon as I saw Fair Isn’t Life was coming out, I immediately messaged Kaje and asked her to do a special guest post. Both Kaje and I live in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, where the Great Minnesota Get Together, also known as the Minnesota State Fair, is and where this book begins. The Minnesota State Fair is a huge deal in the state, and brings people from all over to eat “food on a stick”, see farm animals, and sweat in the hot sun and humidity that is a Minnesota summer. So, I had to do a “this or that” list with Kaje to see what our differences are. Check it out (and yes, all these things are things you can do/see/eat at the Minnesota State Fair), and enter the giveaway!

 

Luke Lafontaine survived the past year by not thinking about the father he lost, the dairy farm he couldn’t save from bankruptcy, or his way of life that vanished with the rap of an auctioneer’s hammer. Cleaning up city folks’ trash at the Minnesota State Fair is just another dead-end job. But at the Fair, surrounded by a celebration of farm life, ambitions he’d given up on and buried deep start to revive. And seeing Mason Bell in the parade—gorgeous, gay, out-of-his-league Mason—stirs other buried dreams.

Mason left his hometown for college in Minneapolis without looking back. Student life is fun, classes are great, gay guys are easy to find, but it’s all a bit superficial. He’s at the State Fair parade route with his band when he realizes a scruffy maintenance worker is Luke, his secret high school crush. Luke should be safely home working on his dad’s farm, not picking up litter. Mason wishes he hadn’t fallen out of touch. He’s an optimist, though, and it’s never too late for second chances. Now he just has to convince Luke.

States of Love: Stories of romance that span every corner of the United States.

Title: Fair Isn’t Life
Author: Kaje Harper
Release Date: November 16, 2018
Category: Contemporary, States of Love (Minnesota)
Pages: 148

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Thanks for giving me time to hang out on this blog, as my new book, Fair Isn’t Life, is released. How fun that we’ve both been to the Minnesota State Fair (second largest in the nation, I’ll have you know) where my book begins. The Fair has so many good things, including more food than anyone can possibly even try once.  I insisted Denise had to fill these questions out too – let’s see how our choices compare.

  1. Pork chop on a stick or turkey legs?

KH: I have to admit I’ve never tried either one. If I did, I’d be more likely to go for the pork chop. I eat 95% vegetarian, but when I splurge it’s usually bacon-related.

DSC: I’m not a big meat person (giggle), but definitely prefer turkey legs. And I am totally down with the bacon-related items that Kaje mentioned!

  1. Swine barn or miracle of birth center

KH: I love the Miracle of Birth Center, run by the veterinary college. It’s an important piece of Fair Isn’t Life too, as Luke confronts his dreams and future in there. Seriously— newborn calves, tiny piglets, twin lambs, and fuzzy ducklings. What’s not to love? (Although the annual biggest pig at the Fair in the Swine Barn is pretty impressive too. This year “Johnny” topped the scales at 1,040 pounds.)

DSC: Definitely the Miracle of Birth Center. I love goats! Like seriously LOOOOVVVEEEE goats, so any chance I get to see baby goats, or any goats, is my time. That being said, they are also in the Swine Barn, so I win either way.

  1. Space needle or Giant Slide

KH: I’m a Needle fan – I love looking down from (safe) heights. My kids loved the slide better.

DSC: Although we didn’t do it this year, I definitely prefer the Giant Slide. Although the bags you sit on are itchy!

  1. Sweet Martha’s cookies or deep fried candy bars/Oreos

KH: Cookies. Give me all the cookies. (I have nothing against candy bars – chocolate is my preferred writing fuel, but deep frying puts them over the top for me.)

DSC: Definitely Sweet Martha’s cookies. That overflowing bucket of melting cookies has you sick to your stomach. Why do they bother selling the little cone of them, I have always wondered. Does anyone actually buy that? lol

  1. French Fries or Cheese Curds

KH: Fries, please. Better yet, Duke’s Poutine – fries with cheese curds and gravy – a taste of my Montreal roots.

DSC: Cheese Curds. Deep fried deliciousness…Kaje mentioned the Poutine…my family loves it…me? I don’t quite get it, but hey, they can have that, and I get all the cheese curds!

  1. Ball Park (beer garden) or Wine Country

KH: I like a good wine (or even a cheap wine LOL), but never learned to appreciate beer. (My main characters Luke and Mason would say the opposite.)

DSC: This one I follow the family wherever they choose to go, neither one is a draw for me. But give me a huge cup of the lemonade? Oh yes!

  1. Coliseum or Grandstand

KH: Coliseum. I’m crazy about horses (I worked in a riding camp for girls as a teen) and I’m not crazy about really loud music and crowds, so I’d rather watch the pretty ponies.

DSC: hahaha I chose the Coliseum, but for all the little shops that surround it. I found some awesome Christmas presents there this year, and at a great deal since it was Labor Day! 🙂

  1. Open Sky Ride or Closed Sky Ride

KH: Open Sky Ride – I like the way it passes over the crowd but not too high and wide open, so you feel engaged with the fair below. This year, as we passed over the karaoke booth, they were playing Bohemian Rhapsody and people in the chairs were singing along with the folks on the ground to Freddie Mercury’s classic.  (Fun observation – everyone from seniors to preteens knew the words. Freddie was a genius.)

In years past, the building roof that the ride goes over had lots of dropped hats and flip flops; by now, we saw it’s mostly adorned with underwear. My son and I discussed how you could get out of bras and particularly undershorts while in the chair seats, or if people brought them along to drop…

DSC: Open Sky Ride. Although that being said, this year I noticed a ton of people dropped their undergarments on the roof of one of the buildings as they went overhead. I had to wonder…did they plan ahead for that? hahaha Kaje and I mentioned the same thing! I took a picture as a memorial. Someday someone will find that in my phone and wonder WTF?

  1. Agriculture Building or Education Building

KH: I like the Ag building. It brings the flavor of a real fair to the big urban celebration. I like looking at the prize winning vegetables and all the flowers.

DSC: Agriculture building. I love the Christmas display they get up in the middle. And the apples, and the taste testing. 🙂


  1. West End or International Bazaar

KJ: International Bazaar – it feels hopeful to see people learning about and enjoying other cultures.

DSC: We did the West End this year, and really enjoyed it. Definitely a must again next year. But I love the International Bazaar too.

  1. Butterfly House or Reptile House

KH: Reptiles are fascinating— I once owned a pet snake and he was a cutie. But I vote Butterfly House. I like watching the little kids in awe of having a butterfly land on their arm. There’s a tinge of sadness in the fragility that ends up in small crumpled losses in the corners (and that’s something that Mason was upset about as a kid, in a cut scene that didn’t make it into the book.) Still, the big-eyed wonder and seeing the kids try so hard to be still and gentle warms my heart.

DSC: Butterfly House. And I didn’t realize when I was reading the book the butterfly reference was more than the brief reference, so now I want to see that scene! 🙂

  1. Midway or Kidway

KH: Other than the Sky Ride or a Ferris Wheel, I’m not much of a rides person. So this depends on who I’m with. My first time at the Fair was when my older son was just 18 months old. This summer, my younger son was 22 years old. Their tastes changed.

DSC: I normally would have said neither, but this year my brother made me go on several of the fun houses in the Midway and we had a blast! Loads of fun.

  1. Haunted House or Fun House

KH: Fun House – not a fan of horror, or screaming. (Plus sometimes there are clowns in the haunted house.)

DSC: See previous answer! And the New York City one was awesome!!!

  1. Ice Cream or Custard

KH: If I’m going to eat a frozen treat, let it be decadent – Custard.

DSC: I’m going to go with the milk shakes, cause those are awesome!

  1. Minnesota Apples or Minnesota Honey

KH: Apples. The Honeycrisp is a Minnesota creation.

DSC: Honey all the way. The honey ice cream is delicious!

  1. Fried Pickles or Corn on the Cob

KH: Corn. I never developed a taste for pickles. And the corn is soooooooo good.

DSC: Hmmmm….well since it’s on a stick, I’m going with Corn on the Cob!!!!

KH: Thanks for inviting me onboard today, and for reminding me about all the good stuff from our Fair (and now I really want Funnel Cakes…)

DSC: Thanks for playing along!

Okay, I am not sure if it’s fair (haha, get it?) for me to review this book. I mean the Minnesota State Fair, and just all the Minnesota references were out of this world. I had so much fun with this book. Although it starts at the fair, as these two men get reaquainted, there are tons of other references that made me smile, laugh, or just reminded me of all the good stuff that comes with living in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. (Go Twins!) It was a great step into what a lot of people call “flyover country”, but don’t realize is a rich, diverse area with lots to see and do, including the Great Minnesota Get Together.

All that being said, I really did love this book, not just because of the location of the story, but also from a character driven aspect.

I really liked both of these characters, and what they were dealing with during this time in their lives. Luke was trying to bring himself out of a grief stricken and guilt induced depression that was crushing. He knew he needed to do something with his life, but hadn’t been able to see through the cloud of grief to decide. Having someone like Mason come back into his life at a time when he needed a guiding support, and even someone to push him a little was very realistic. It was obvious Luke had spent much of his life doing what he was told, and trying to be the good, faithful son, because his father wanted that from him. Breaking out a little was a great way for him to begin to find himself, who he wanted to be, what he wanted to do with his life, and acknowledge that he wanted Mason as his man.

Meanwhile, Mason, despite being a small femme man, knew what he wanted, and went right after it. He wanted Luke in his life, and even when Luke got caught up in all the things going on in his brain, Mason was patient but persistent. He wasn’t about to let Luke give up simply because he couldn’t believe that someone would want him. He helped Luke find his way, simply by being there for him, and giving him a helping hand as Luke tried to gain his footing. Mason may have been chatty, and gregarious, perhaps thought of by some of the baseball players in the book as over the top, but he absolutely knew when the right time was to sit back and wait, and when to push forward. I loved Mason’s attitude. He was confident, and helped Luke find his own confidence in himself and what he could do.

There was so much character development in this short novel, I was very impressed. Each movement of Luke’s, each comment, or non-comment, spoke to his personality, and the stressors in his life. So very well done. And we got an HFN, so that always makes me happy!

4.5 pieces of eye candy

I get asked about my name a lot. It’s not something exotic, though. “Kaje” is pronounced just like “cage” – it’s an old nickname. I’ve been writing far longer than I care to admit (*whispers – forty years*), mostly for my own entertainment, usually M/M romance (with added mystery, fantasy, historical, SciFi…) I also have Young Adult short stories (some released under the pen name Kira Harp.)

It was my husband who finally convinced me that after all the years of writing just for fun, I really should submit something, somewhere. My first professionally published book, Life Lessons, came out from MLR Press in May 2011. I now have a good-sized backlist in ebooks and print, both free and professionally published, including Amazon bestseller The Rebuilding Year and Rainbow Award Best Mystery-Thriller Tracefinder: Contact. A complete list with links can be found on my website “Books” page at https://kajeharper.wordpress.com/books/.

I’m always pleased to have readers find me online at:

Website: https://kajeharper.wordpress.com/

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

Goodreads Author page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4769304.Kaje_Harper

Leave a comment on this post, and win an ebook copy of one of Kaje’s backlist books.