Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

4.5 stars

Confessions: Robbie by Ella Frank: New Release Review

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Relationships are complex.
Love ever-changing.
And when it comes to rules of the heart,
they were made to be broken…

That’s what Robert Antonio Bianchi was telling himself, anyway.
Otherwise, he really had no excuse for what—or who—he’d done.

No excuse, except for his lonely heart, a pitcher of margaritas, four Bitter Bitches, and the apparent need to confess all his weaknesses to the two men he knew would bring him nothing but trouble.

But trouble was nothing new.

Just ask his crazy sisters or any of his friends, and they’d be the first to tell you:
If there was a bad decision to be made, Robbie always had a knack for making it.

And thus begins the story of the priest, the princess, and the prick.

 

Amazon

 

Truth be told, I don’t always jump on the popular band wagon. When books get super hyped, it gives me pause. There is nothing wrong with having a big fandom- I think it is fab. But I also think that same fandom will read anything their favorite author(s) put out.

But……………….I needed to read this. Robbie has intrigued me since we met him in Try/Take/Trust (I can’t remember which) and he just seemed so sad. So needing love and affection and attention. So I was ready to jump in. And this book did.not.disappont.

Menage is a difficult trope. Some are ok, some are good and some are truly terrible. This one though? So effing good. Add into the mix of bringing a third into a well established relationship and this could have gone all sorts of wrong.

And Robbie deserves this. This guy held a torch for Logan for so long. But Julien and Priest snuffed it right out. I loved how they wooed him. They took the time to wine, dine and romance him. Robbie probably would have easily slept with Julien (and maybe even Priest. Maybe) after the drunken text. But they didn’t take advantage of him like that.

And yes, they do take care of him in ways. But never in a way that seems like he can’t take care of himself. They are both just so ALPHA, they need someone to allow them the pleasure of caring for someone like that.

And Julien and Priest. YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!! I need and want more! Of course I really REALLY want more Priest and he will be book three. **Pouts** But I need Julien as well.

Yes, the sex scene were literally the hottest I have ever read. Menage can get clumsy. Who’s hand is where, body positions, etc etc. But that was not a problem at all with this book. Whew.

Robbie, Priest and Julien do not disappoint. I cannot wait for more

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Ten Mile Bottom by Teodora Kostova: Release Day Review

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Hitting rock bottom is just the beginning…

I’m a son, a brother, a friend.
A writer.
An addict.
Dead.
Cardiac arrest isn’t enough to keep me dead, though. The doctors brought me back, but for what?

At twenty four I’ve already achieved what most people do in a life time. I’m a successful author, own a flat in the heart of London and drive my dream sports car.
Or at least that’s what people see.
Once the spotlight fades, I’m left alone with my overactive mind, alcohol and drugs the only way to quiet down the noise.
Until an overdose nearly kills me and drags everyone I love down with me.
With the help of my best friend, I leave London and its toxic influence behind, moving to a small town in the outskirts of Cambridge to try and put my life back together again.

If only it were that easy.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

I finished this book a few days ago and had to sit and let it work in my head before I could write the review. I’ve read quite a few- maybe even most- of this author’s books. I’ve enjoyed them all. But nothing like this one.

This was, by far, her most character driven story. Finn, at the very center, broke my heart in so many ways. An addict with a toxic mother, fame that came too early and a best friend who enabled and participated in the worst of his behavior. And Ben, the forever do gooder trying to make up for one mistake he made as a kid.

Although Finn is technically on the road to recovery, he is stuck in a pattern of helplessness that he brings on himself. And although Ben sees the good, Finn can’t get past the bad. Ultimately, Finn has to face his fears, his life, his mother, in order to move forward.

Never did the author fall back on plot devices we see so often-the giant fight caused by a simple misunderstanding, running away from the other person, the big break up. Which just made the story all the stronger for me.

There were definitely scenes- even sentences- that hit me right where it hurts. But isn’t that one of the reasons to love a book? Because you can connect with it in some way on a personal level? And knowing that aspects of the story were completely personal for the author is what made it so compelling.

Without spoilers, there were small things that kept this from being a 5 POEC for me. But really, 5 POEC is ridiculously rare for me. This book was incredible.

4 1/2 Pieces of eye candy

Undone by You by Kate Meader: Exclusive R-rated Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

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USA TODAY bestselling author Kate Meader brings her signature “steamy sex scenes, colorful characters, and riveting dialogue” (RT Book Reviews) to this novella in the Chicago Rebels series, following the general manager of the Rebels as he scores with one of his players off the ice.

Dante Moretti has just landed his dream job: GM of the Chicago Rebels. And screw the haters who think there should be an asterisk next to his name because he’s the first out managing executive in pro hockey. He’s earned the right to be here and nothing will topple him off that perch—especially not an incredibly inconvenient attraction to his star defenseman, Cade “Alamo” Burnett. Cade has always been careful to keep his own desires on the down low, but his hot Italian boss proves to be a temptation he can’t resist. Sure, they both have so much to lose, but no one will ever know…

As Dante and Cade’s taboo affair heats up off the ice and their relationship gets more and more intense, they’ll have to decide: is love worth risking their careers? Or is this romance destined to be forever benched?

Amazon

 

They pulled up outside Cade’s condo building in Riverbrook, about a five-minute walk to Rebels HQ. Dante kept the engine running—a form of threat, perhaps?

“In you go, Burnett,” Dante said softly. “Be a good boy for the rest of the night.”

This guy was definitely mixing his signals, because if he thought Cade wasn’t going to fuck him after that little tease, he wasn’t nearly as smart as he looked. Cade turned to look at Dante. The streetlight glinted off his hair, giving it a blue-black shine, casting his face half in shadow.

“We’ve got a game in New York in a couple of days, then a weekend off.”

“And you’re reminding me of the team’s schedule why, exactly?”

Cade took a breath. “I’d suggest meeting in your hotel room in New York, but it’s risky. When we get back, I want to spend that weekend with you.”

Dante snorted his disbelief. “So now it’s an entire weekend?”

Not a no. Not a screw you. Just a timing query.

Cade smiled, waited a beat. “I’ve had time to think. You should have talked to me on the ride home but you didn’t. You kept this surly, sexy, stoic act up, and it’s only turned me on more.”

He could tell Dante was torn on how to handle this. Faced with one of his players coming out and on to him, the man was likely weighing his managerial duty to protect against his human desire to give in. Cade just had to figure out what would tip the scales.

“Cade,” Dante started, his voice gentle enough to signal how this was going to go. Gay mentor Dante? Get in the rink! “I understand that this is tough for you. Your private life has suddenly collided with your public life, and that’s a lot to process. However, navigating this confusion should not—will not—involve an inappropriate hookup with your boss.”

Now probably wasn’t the time to tell Dante that the collision between private and public wasn’t so sudden. Better to pop a finger on the scales.

“I have a list,” Cade said, as if that was the most logical response to your boss telling you a hookup was off the menu.

“A list?” Dante was probably going for bored, but Cade heard it: curiosity.

“Things I’ve fantasized about doing to you. With you.”

“Jesus.” Dante—I kid you not—actually pulled on his tie. Like the car had become hotter than the hinges of hell in the last ten seconds and that stretch of silk was a noose. Fucking adorable.

Cade might be an excellent defender, but even he knew the best defense was a wicked offense. The shot was lined up. He just had to take it. “Want to hear more about the list?”

Nostrils flaring, Dante ground out, “There are ethical implications here. It might be a game to you, but this is my fucking job.”

Dante’s New York accent was unmistakable in how he said job like jawb. Getting a little agitated there, boss? He dipped his gaze down Dante’s body, his destination obvious.

Dante’s cock was currently engaged in an ethical cage match against the zipper of his pants. Perfect.

“Considering I’m the one propositioning you, then I think we can assume an even ethical playing field. We could both make a lot of trouble for each other if this were to get out.”

“The threat of blackmail is making me hard, Burnett.”

Oh man. Cade loved the way Dante talked. That clipped, lethal cut of every word.

“What I’m trying to say is that we both have a lot to lose. It’s dangerous”—he leaned in—“taboo”—so close he could see Dante’s flared irises and the dark flush flagging his cheeks—“and sexy as hell.”

Dante placed a hand on Cade’s chest, both pushing him away and holding him in place. It was the first time Dante had touched him, and Cade’s heart went hog wild.

“Aren’t you concerned I might play favorites after?” Dante murmured. “Or worse, want to trade out evidence of my indiscretion?”

“Would you?”

“I guess it depends on how good of a fuck you are.”

Cade laughed heartily at that, enjoying Dante’s honesty and quick wit and—oh yes. The sardonic tilt to his lips that told him Dante was enjoying this just as much.

Scales. Tipped.

“Good night, Cade,” the hot Italian murmured, pushing him away gently.

Reluctantly drawing back, Cade gripped the door handle. “Think about it, Dante. No-holds-barred, pure, unadulterated pleasure. Best of all, no one will ever know.”

And then he exited that car, leaving the man wanting.

I haven’t read any of the previous books in this series, but jumped on this one when I saw it, and absolutely loved it. Cade and Dante really hit the spot for me.

Dante, being openly gay, and GM of an NHL hockey team can’t have been easy for him, but he moved forward, and didn’t let being gay define him. It didn’t define his work with the players either. It was clear he was respected, but Dante also was careful not to put anyone into a difficult situation. Not the owners, not the players, and (he tried very hard at least!) not himself.

Cade, I loved. He went after what he wanted. He walked into an exclusive gay club looking for what he wanted…Dante…and didn’t take no for an answer. He wasn’t worried about being too young for Dante, or even that he wasn’t out. He wanted the sexy GM, and was willing to step up and let him know.

This novella was sexy, seriously sexy. These two, once they found their middle ground, found themselves hitting the sheets whenever they could. However, it wasn’t just that. It was so obvious that they enjoyed each other’s company as well. Cooking together, hanging out, not just hitting the sheets. They found ways to connect that didn’t involve just sex.

The struggle to come out for Cade was heartbreaking. He knew what he was up against with choosing it, and Dante tried to impress upon him what coming out in the NHL could mean. And with Dante feeling like his job depended on not showing he was involved with a player, the feels were definitely there.

I just loved this one, and I hope that this author will continue to write m/m. She has really captured what is a difficult sometimes for authors that make the transition from m/m to capture. Keeping the strength and passion of the two men, while still showing their vulnerability. I cried a little during this one, laughed a little, and overall just wanted to read it again right after I put it down. 🙂

4.5 pieces of eye candy

I loved this book so much, I wanted to make sure someone else got a copy! So, leave a blog comment and we’ll draw a winner to receive an ebook copy of Undone by You.

The Lightning-Struck Heart by TJ Klune: Throwback Thursday Review

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Once upon a time, in an alleyway in the slums of the City Of Lockes, a young and somewhat lonely boy named Sam Haversford turns a group of teenage douchebags into stone completely by accident.

Of course, this catches the attention of a higher power, and Sam’s pulled from the only world he knows to become an apprentice to the King’s Wizard, Morgan of Shadows.

When Sam’s fourteen, he enters the Dark Woods and returns with Gary, the hornless gay unicorn, and a half-giant named Tiggy, earning the moniker Sam of Wilds.

At fifteen, Sam learns what love truly is when a new knight arrives at the castle—Knight Ryan Foxheart, the dreamiest dream to have ever been dreamed.

Naturally, it all goes to hell when Ryan dates the reprehensible Prince Justin, Sam can’t control his magic, a sexually aggressive dragon kidnaps the prince, and the King sends them on an epic quest to save Ryan’s boyfriend, all while Sam falls more in love with someone he can never have.

Or so he thinks.

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

This book is ridiculous. Over the top. Bananas. Bonkers. Weird. Funny. Smart. Corny. Sweet. Hilarious. Too much. Not enough. Spot on. I didn’t know what to expect with this book. I mean look at the beautiful cover: it’s unassuming and seems perfectly respectable. Who would think insanity awaits you? And on virtually every page — EVERY PAGE — I lol’d (yes, literally), snorted, and/or had to just put the book down to laugh and ponder every detail of the moment. And the craziest part is this the first time I’m reading TJ Klune. Lesson learned.

This is an odessey/adventure tale. Sam is a brilliant and promising wizard apprentice. He’s beloved by pretty much everyone. He’s fiercely loyal to his family and friends and his King. He’s resourceful, which helps since he’s captured, like, a lot and finds himself in the most absurd situations. He’s confident in his abilities, yet awkward and completely clueless when it comes to his longtime crush Knight Ryan Foxheart. Will Sam be able to find the cornerstone for his magic, survive the trek to rescue a prince and *finally* lose his flower (preferably to Knight Ryan?) The answer to those questions is almost not even the point because there’s just so much more to this book than that.

It’s not just the cursing. Or the bizzare situations Sam finds himself in. Nor is it the oversexed gay unicorn and half-giant BFFs. Or the just crazy things they all say to each other. It’s somehow all of it together that totally works for me. Pretty much every character is so well drawn, I can see and hear them. And the technical aspect to Klune’s writing just works. Sometimes he’ll walk completely away from the insanity and tell us so much about Sam with a handful of words. Klune finds a perfect rhythm and the narrative flows in a way that I just adore. I will say there are a very few times when the joke/insanity goes on just a wee bit too long, and that coupled with how much the narrative and language just does not conform to the typical fantasy/adventure/romance book, I can see this book has the potential to rub some readers the wrong way.  I get it, and that’s cool but absolutely none of that bothered me. I felt like this was a book that I could have written, actually, style and language wise …  I also realized there is not much difference between me and a 20-year-old gay wizard apprentice, maturity wise, so Sam and his travails totally resonated with me. I loved it. This book is epic, and I rec it so hard.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Finders Keepers by N.R. Walker: Release Day Review *2

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Finding hope, keeping love.

Needing a change of scene, Griffin Burke moves from Brisbane to Coolum Beach to start a new job. The beautiful white sand, aqua-coloured ocean, blue skies, and summer breezes are everything he longs for. What he finds is a mud-covered dog, lost and hungry, with a nametag and a phone number.

Dane Hughes is stuck in Surfers Paradise at a week-long work conference when he gets a phone call from his distraught mother. His dog, his fur baby, Wicket, has run away. Unable to leave and feeling helpless and miserable, he gets a text from a guy. “I think I found your dog…”

Griffin and Dane start talking, and Griffin agrees to look after Wicket until Dane can collect him. With a few days left before his new job starts, Griffin takes Wicket on some coastal adventures and sends Dane photos of their fun, and so the start of something new and kind of wonderful begins.

Griffin might have moved to Coolum in search of a new life, but what he finds is so much more. What he gets to keep just might take some four-legged help.

Amazon

 

 

Sign. Swoon. Smile. *fans self* This story is so sweet, so romantic, so hot. Like a rom com movie in gay book form. With lots of hot sex. AND A DOG NAMED WICKET!

I will read anything my NR Walker. I love her stories. I love how they are all so different. This has to be her sweetest to date. No angst, no miscommunications, no anger. Just two people falling in love.

A good, I’d say, third of the book is them communicating by text and phone calls. Dane is away at a work conference and Griffin found his lost dog Wicket. Since Griffin just moved, he gets to know the down by going on day trips with Wicket and relaying the info to Dane. When they finally meet- the sparks fly.

There aren’t a lot of supporting characters, save for some random co-workers. But Griffin’s landlady and her boyfriend/booty call are awesome. She is definitely the old lady I want to be!!! Both of them added to the story, yet still had their own story. I loved them both.

I don’t always love sweet, fluffy books like this. Oftentimes I don’t feel like I know the characters. But this one was different. You really get to know them, and in turn love them. You cheer for them and smile for them. It was sweet without being sappy and fluffy without being airheaded.

If you need a reconfirmations that love is out there, it is real and it doesn’t have to have obstacles- yes, this is absolutely the book for you.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Griffin is new to the beach town of Coolum and while out exploring places to hike, he happens upon Wicket, a wet, dirty and sweet dog. Griffin uses the contact info on Wicket’s tag to get in touch with Wicket’s human, Dane, who’s out of town on business. Griffin agrees to care for Wicket in the meantime and over the course of the next few days, the two men hit it off as they call and text, then make plans to meet. The rest is just a sweet story.

The book is told in first person by each of the MCs, one per chapter. As usual Walker’s writing is very good and I feel like her characters are real people. I wanted to grab and snuggle Wicket the dog. There’s not much serious angst. Initially they each go through wondering if the other man is gay? Single? Interested? Just being nice? Which, since I like these characters, I enjoy reading about their insecurities, what they really think of each other and how cute each one thinks the other is while not thinking it about themselves. It’s always nice to see likable characters find each other and develop their chemistry and relationship further. What’s not to like about these guys? Dane is devastated that his baby, Wicket, has gone missing. Griffin appoints himself Wicket’s caregiver until he’s sure who he’s sending him back to is worthy. Dane and Griffin are just good eggs, and I want them to care about each other, have great sex and be happy. And I’m not disappointed.

Good guys. A little bit of yummy angst. Sexy times. HEA. What more can I ask? I mean, there’s a DOG for crying out loud. There’s nothing not to like or want, as long as you’re okay with not whole lot of action, which is not a criticism. I’ve read a handful of Walker’s things and you just know what you’re getting from her. And that’s ok with me.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Romantic Behavior by L.A. Witt and Cari Z: Blog Tour with Giveaway, Double New Release Review

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Detective Andreas Ruffner is no fool—he’s found a man who loves him, puts up with him, and has stuck with him through hell and back, and it’s time to put a ring on it. Darren Corliss is the love of his life, and he wants the whole world to know it.

Now the fun part—the wedding!

Well, after the not-so-fun part of planning the wedding in between dealing with overbearing and impossible-to-please family members. With future mothers-in-law driving them both up a wall, the guest list growing out of control, and the wedding getting ever more complicated, Darren and Andreas have to wonder if they’re in over their heads.

But they’re going to make it to the altar if it kills them . . . and at this rate, it just might.

Amazon

Riptide Publishing

Finally, finally, Darren and Andreas are going to ride off into the sunset. Or are they? If you’ve seen my other reviews for this series, you’ll know I’m a little obsessed. If LA Witt and Cari Z could put out another Darren and Andreas (I tried to ‘ship their names, I’m way too old, so I’ll just keep typing them) every week of the year, I might get tired of them.

Nothing goes smoothly for poor Andreas. The good news is they can laugh about it right along with the readers. With some other couples, the mishaps may have seemed contrived or a bit too much, but not with these guys.

This review is short and sweet, because again, I can’t give away the story and I’m afraid anything I say can or will be held against me. To sum it up, if you haven’t read the Behavior series, you’re totally missing out. Romantic Behavior is, quite possibly, one of the best proposal/marriage stories out there!

4.5 pieces of eye candy

 

I have to go with Heather’s review here. Short and give very little away.

I’ve loved these men since the first book, through all their many trials and tribulations, and so few actual peaceful times. And although this book is about their Happily Ever After, it certainly isn’t without its own trials. But these men keep smiling and laughing through it, even as it is killing them a little.

The authors have given these guys exactly what they needed, some much needed comic relief when they need it most.

A couple fun quotes from the book (and I just can’t give you the best one, because you just HAVE to read it!):

“…he’d saved the wedding planner as “Satan” in his contacts.”

 

“You can pick my mom out of a crowd at twenty paces?”

“When she’s the only woman in the crowd who’s both old enough to be your mom–“

“Hey!”

I just love that these men can sit back and laugh and love each other, and know that they are each other’s ports in the storm, no matter if it’s the storm of Andreas’ kids being kidnapped, or Darren nearly dying, or deal with the wedding planner from hell.

Isn’t that what love is really about?

5 pieces of eye candy

 

It’s “hell no” at first sight for newly partnered detectives Andreas Ruffner and Darren Corliss. Darren is too chipper, Andreas is too gruff, and that whole “IA wants me to prove you’re a dirty cop” thing really doesn’t get them off on the right foot.

It doesn’t matter if they like each other. They’re partners and that’s final. Though Andreas is easy on the eyes. And Darren is kind of cute. And . . . okay, maybe they can make this work.

They’d better, because as their cases get more horrifying—and more personal—they’ll have to trust each other with their lives, and with their hearts.

Check out Bad Behavior!

About Cari Z.

Cari Z was a bookworm as a child and remains one to this day. In an effort to combat her antisocial reading behavior, she did all sorts of crazy things, from competitive gymnastics to alligator wresting (who even knew that was legal!) to finally joining the Peace Corps, which promptly sent her and her husband to the wilds of West Africa, stuck them in a hut, and said, “See ya!” She also started writing, because some things she just thought she could do better. She’s still climbing that ladder, but can’t stop herself from writing, or from sharing what she creates.

Cari enjoys a wide range of literary genres, from the classics (get ‘im, Ahab) to science fiction and fantasy of all types, to historical fiction and reference materials (no, seriously, there are so many great encyclopedias out there). She writes in a wide range of genres as well, but somehow 90% of what she produces ends up falling into the broad and exciting category of m/m erotica. There’s a sprinkling of f/m and f/f and even m/f/m in her repertoire, but her true love is man love. And there’s a lot of love to go around.

Cari has published short stories, novellas, and novels with numerous print and e-presses, and she also offers up a tremendous amount of free content on Literotica.com, under the name Carizabeth.

Connect with Cari at http://cari-z.net/  or via her blog, http://carizerotica.blogspot.com/

 

About L.A. Witt

L.A. Witt is an abnormal M/M romance writer who has finally been released from the purgatorial corn maze of Omaha, Nebraska, and now spends her time on the southwestern coast of Spain. In between wondering how she didn’t lose her mind in Omaha, she explores the country with her husband, several clairvoyant hamsters, and an ever-growing herd of rabid plot bunnies. She also has substantially more time on her hands these days, as she has recruited a small army of mercenaries to search South America for her nemesis, romance author Lauren Gallagher, but don’t tell Lauren. And definitely don’t tell Lori A. Witt or Ann Gallagher. Neither of those twits can keep their mouths shut . . .

L.A.’s backlist is available on her website, and updates (as well as random thoughts and the odd snarky comment) can be found on her blog or on Twitter (@GallagherWitt).

To celebrate the release of Romantic Behavior, one lucky winner will receive a $10 Riptide credit and their choice in an ebook from each of Cari and L.A.’s backlist! Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on January 20, 2018. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!