Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

4 stars

Don’t Fear the (Not Really Grim) Reaper by Carole Cummings: New Release Review

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When unassuming college student Emery Sutton wakes up in the morgue, it takes him a few minutes to remember he has magic (superpowers, damn it!) and free himself from the refrigerated drawer. And the body bag. (God.) It doesn’t take long, though, for him to remember the hot guy with wings he ran into just before a city bus ran into him.

Junior Reaper John must explain to his supervisor how his first solo assignment went so wrong. All he knows is that he happened upon Emery quite by accident, that Emery saw John when he shouldn’t have been able to, and when they accidentally touched, a bus came out of nowhere and plowed Emery under. (John really does feel bad about that.)

Hot angels, annoying demons, hijinks, absurdity, drunk siblings, a dash of silly romance, an inordinate attachment to wings, and a highly disorganized bid for world domination—Don’t Fear the (Not Really Grim) Reaper follows Emery and John down the rabbit hole where they find that moms are scarier than demons from hell, a goat is not a puppy no matter what Emery’s sister says, and awkward romance can happen anywhere.

Title: Don’t Fear the (Not Really Grim) Reaper
Author: Carole Cummings
Release Date: January 11, 2019
Category: Paranormal
Pages: 62

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

This is a short novella that I grabbed not knowing what to expect. Initially, I was a little confused as to what was happening, but it kicked in quickly.

What a fun story. I laughed out loud several times.

He’s luckier than most–actually any–who might find themselves in this ludicrous situation, though, because Emery is a little bit magic–

God, Dad, they’re superpowers, okay?

Emery, turning your sister’s hair green and purple is not a superpower.

I felt bad for John, finding himself in a rather odd situation, and falling in love with a human with superpowers. However, it made for some additional awkward situations that you couldn’t help but enjoy as a reader.

If you are looking for a fun little read, this is a great one for it.

4 pieces of eye candy

Cronin’s Key IV: Kennard’s Story by N.R. Walker: New Release Review * 2

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Kennard and Stas have been enjoying being newly bonded mates, hidden away for the last six months in Stas’ cabin, deep in the forests of Northern Russia. When they get a visit from Alec, Cronin, Eiji, and Jodis, Kennard and Stas decide to return to London where they get news of a supernatural disturbance in India.

Excited for a new adventure, the band of friends embark on a journey like they’ve never seen before. Following a trail of snakes and serpents, they slip through gates into timeless dimensions all over the world, leaving them without their vampire powers. Even Alec is powerless as they follow a trail of gates and doorways to their final destination.

But the bad guy isn’t who they think it is, and Kennard will need to draw on his past to save their future. Because history is never what it seems…

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Cronin’s Key I

Cronin’s Key II

Cronin’s Key III

Confession time. I read books 1 and 2 a long time ago. And I remember being like, meh, whatevs, about them. I never read book 3. So when this was coming out, I figured I would give them another go. And I am so glad I did. I love NR Walker. Before this there wasn’t a book of hers I didn’t like. I must have been in a bad place or something.

Anyway…the first three focus on Cronin and Alec. Kennard was a side character who helped them on their “adventures”. He deserved his own story. And he got it. Although he met his fated mate in book 3, so book 4 was really more about the adventure than the romance. Which was still super fun, but not really a romance in my eyes.

That being said, I think their adventures (for lack of a better spoilery term) are awesome. The way the author ties together real history and changes the perspective is so clever. I honestly don’t know how she gets her brain to do those things.

This one was shorter then the previous and I think that really had to do with skipping over the first 6 months of Kennard and Stas together. But since they were holed up together in a remote cabin in Russia with no outside contact, it was just a lot of sex.

We still get Cronin, Alec, Eiji and Jodis. There is still a ton of cool history and lots of vampire goings on. And as fun as these adventures are to read about, these guys need a break to just relax for a bit.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

I love NR Walker‘s work, everything she writes. When I first hooked into Cronin’s Key, I had to be pulled and dragged to read it because “I don’t read paranormal”, “I don’t want to read vampires”, blah blah. I was wrong, just plain wrong. I loved this series, just loved it. In fact, before I read Cronin’s Key IV, I went and listened to all three of the audiobooks back to back first (that review is ahead, as well), to get re-acquainted in preparation for this one. This series proved to me I should read anything and everything NR Walker writes, without question.

I have to admit, I was a bit perplexed by this book initially. Because Kennard met his fated in Book 3, and clearly realized it immediately, it was hard to see how it would be Kennard’s story. And for a portion of the book, I thought that it was feeling like it was still Alec’s story, just from Kennard’s point of view. Again, I was wrong. Yes, it did have a little of that feel initially, but as the reader got into the story, you realized that it went much deeper than that, and really was Kennard’s story–and a great one at that.

I don’t know how the author is able to mix all that history with a different perspective on what actually happened, but it is amazing, and as a reader, very engaging. She keeps it fresh and inventive, and makes the reader wonder if it really could have happened the way that these adventurous vampires know it to be true.

As usual with this group, there were lots of laughs, lots of harassing, even as they faced their villains, but they fought together with everything they had to get each other out of it all.

I’m not sure there is more story here for this group, but I could see a few more adventures ahead. Maybe not additional romances, but definitely some adventures. Doesn’t matter…as I said, I’ll read anything NR Walker writes. Grocery list anyone?

4 pieces of eye candy

Grounded by Teodora Kostova: New Release Review

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A chance encounter.
A passionate night.
An intense connection.

When medical student Shane Sanford and RAF pilot Greg Becker meet the air between them sizzles with mutual attraction. There’s nothing holding them back as they give in to their desire. But once their paths lead them into a different direction, neither of them can forget the intense connection they’d shared.
When fate brings them together again a year later, they have a choice to make: try and make a long-distance relationship work or let this be a one-night stand again.With war, tragedy and fear standing in their way, can Shane and Greg overcome the challenges life keeps throwing their way?
Is their bond strong enough to survive?
Is love enough?

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

It’s been a while since Cookies (the precursor to Grounded) came out. Like almost 3 years a while. I had been waiting and it did not disappoint.

There are tons of military books out there. I don’t know if I have missed them or what, but it seems most are US military. This is set in England with Greg being an RAF pilot. He meets Shane at a bar and then again by chance a few weeks later.

What was so different about this book was that we witness this couple go through deployment and visits home, etc. So we get the highs of them reuniting and the lows of the separations. And with those, all of the emotions and feelings that go with them.

We also see the effects of PTSD while someone was still in the situation causing PTSD. War is destroying Greg. Following orders to bomb various places without regard to civilian casualties. His everyday job is giving him PTSD and he has to continue doing his job.

And even though this is the follow up to Cookies, there are parts that happened before, during and after Cookies took place. Again, it was different. And I like wandering from the beaten path.

All of these things together kept me really engaged with the story and the characters. The only thing I was missing was real closure with Greg and his parents.

Excellent book, you don’t have to read Cookies before this but you will want to because it is so good as well.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

* Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review – nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. *

#Burn (Fever Falls Book 2) by Devon McCormack: New Release Review

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DAX:

My job is putting out fires–PR fires, that is. Partner in one of the most prestigious PR firms in Hollywood, I’ve lived most of my life helping others stay in the spotlight but keeping as far away from it myself as humanly possible.

Enter Jace Kruse.

#HottieFirefighter is the hashtag everyone is using for the overnight Insta-star who made headlines when a pic of him with a pooch he saved from a runaway vehicle went viral. Doesn’t have anything to do with my life until a major potential client shows interest in an endorsement deal with the internet sensation, and Jace becomes my ticket to stomping the ass of one of my company’s fiercest competitors.

Problem is: Jace isn’t swayed by dreams of fame and fortune. He prefers his down-to-earth life in Fever Falls and has turned down every company who’s approached him to leech off his recently acquired celebrity status.

But where others have failed, I’m confident I can succeed. If there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s persuading. And after a few encounters with Jace, the easy-go-lucky, ever-charming, sexy-as-hell, and surprisingly #topcurious firefighter has me persuading him about more than signing on for an endorsement deal.

He may be good at putting out fires, but Jace sure knows how to start them in the bedroom…and then in my heart. However, between his rising star power and the intensity of my feelings, I know where this inferno is leading, and if we don’t put it out soon, someone’s gonna get burned.

#BURN is part of the Fever Falls series but can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

#Burn is the second book in the series Fever Falls. Book 1 was written by Riley Hart. The two authors have previously co-written books, but this is the first time that they authored their own books but set them in the same world. It was kind of cool.

With the co-authored books I couldn’t tell who wrote what parts. These books definitely show the author’s different voices and made them their own.

Back to THIS book though. It was fun, sexy, hot and a bit different. Firstly, Jace has no problem admitting a man is sexy and that he is attracted to him even though he always identified as gay. There was very little internal struggle with him and “omg I am attracted to a MAN!”. I think this is really indicative of how the next generation will be. Not totally, but yanno.

Dax was cool with Jace being a gay virgin as well. It didn’t freak him out. He didn’t think of it as this massive responsibility. They just had fun together.

And what fun they had. OH MAH GAH. I thought my kindle might catch fire. This author can write a sex scene without penetration like nobody’s business.

Both guys are damaged, but Dax is pretty good at keeping it concealed and Jace really doesn’t acknowledge his damage. Orphan till 10, no big whoop. Adopted father dies 6 years later, he’ll deal with it. It isn’t until toward the end that Jace’s mother makes him see what she does. And then who cries? Everyone. That’s who.

There were a few kind of cheesy lines and if I never read the word “girth” again I will be happy. But this was a really good read.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

Love Happens Anyway by RJ Scott: Audio Book Review

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Derek is facing yet another Christmas where his life feels out of control. He has a new career that doesn’t feel like his, and parents who would just love to see him settled down. All he needs is a temporary buffer for the parties he has to attend, and for his parents to leave him alone. Enter, Luke.

Luke is twenty-thousand dollars short for the renovations on Halligans; his family’s bar in New York’s Financial District. A favor for a buddy has him agreeing to play the part of boyfriend to a guy with more money than sense.

But when the spirit of Christmas works its magic on the two men, and they begin to fall for each other, Derek runs scared, and Luke needs space.

It doesn’t matter what obstacles you throw in the way of love, or how much you run in the other direction, because, when you’re least expecting it, whether you want it or not, love happens anyway.

Audible

Amazon

Great Holiday Listen!

Super cute story about a down on his luck ex-fireman that hires himself out to his friends escort service to come up with the funds to remodel and re-open his family bar and a super stressed Ad Exec who has himself caught in a snare with a little made up story about a boyfriend that his parents have insisted they meet. Both are in a pickle but maybe together they can both find a happy every after.

Love this one. The characters are well developed, especially for a holiday novella. The story is entertaining without too much drama or over the top sugar.

What can I say about Sean Crisden? He is one of my favorite narrators. He has a way of bringing a story to life with his smooth rich voice.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

All He Needs by Ann Grech: Release Day Review

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When a former pro-snowboarder finds himself caught between two men who have stolen his heart, it takes heartbreak and a hit of reality for him to start believing love is truly all he needs.

I didn’t think it’d turn out this way: my life story in a nutshell. Life, Karma, whatever—it was testing me. Pushing me to the limit of what I could endure and beyond.

But in the steaming pile my life had become, I felt it. The spark. Like my soul met its counterparts, or whatever the corny saying was. I didn’t think it was possible. For a closeted guy, falling for not one but two men was never going to be easy, but I couldn’t deny its truth. Mace and Rick were….

Then I had to leave. My sister needed me. Having a baby alone was out of the question and I couldn’t wait to be an uncle. But going to stay with her in Florida meant leaving them. New Zealand and the USA couldn’t be further apart.

I’m not a saint. I’ve screwed up more times than I can count. But I was trying to redeem myself. Gracie, my niece, needed me to be a better man. If only there was a way I could have both—men to love and a family close by.

This is my truth, and this is all I need.

A MMM Romance.

Amazon

Okay, so, first things first, I did not read this blurb before I started reading it. I saw a guy with a baby, and thought, this is all I need… Hot guys with baby’s, they’re my kryptonite. However, I’m not a fan of menages, so I was a little hesitant when I found out that the story would be between Mason, Rick, and Caden. I’m telling you now, that if you, like me, don’t care for the trios… get over it! Lemme explain why.

Caden was a pro-snowboarder….which okay, I’m also not a fan of athlete’s or musicians or just rich people in general. I like my heroes to be blue-collar dudes with real-life problems and realistic obstacles… not, omg, my life suck, but I have all this money and great looks, and adoring fans and blah blah blah….again, Jen.. get over it!

When Caden was suspended from his sport for having an illegal drug in his system, he was at a loss of what to do. Falling for his two straight friends has also got his head jumbled up… so when his single pregnant sister is about to give birth.. going home to her and helping her out seems like the right thing to do…. To get away from his feelings and his failures, it’s as good of a plan as any, right? Unfortunately, life sometimes has a way about kicking us when we’re down, and when tragedy strikes yet again, Caden feels so alone, trying so hard to raise his sister’s new daughter. He’s a mess, he doesn’t know what he’s doing, but he loves that little girl so much already.

When Mason and Rick find out, they’ll stop at nothing to do what they can to be there for the guy they’ve also fallen for. Unfortunately, it’s a rocky start with Mase, having had a hand in some of Caden’s failures, but don’t worry… it gets worked out quickly. There isn’t a lot of drama and angst in this one, and I like that. These guys were going to have to juggle quite bit to get to where they all wanted to be…

First, I loved Riccardo. He seemed to be the more decisive one in the group. The way he just loved both of his men and wanted to take care of them was hot. He was the more dominant one, and not just in the bedroom, although that part was hot too. And the way he loved his guys and Gracie was sweet…I kind of fell for Rick myself.

Mason was the sweeter of the group. He loved big and fell in love with Gracie the second he laid eyes on her. He was confused, at first, why he was having feelings for both of his guy friends, but, he worked it out himself, fairly well. He was the softer and sweeter of the group, and all he wanted to do was love his family…the family that he wanted with Cade and Rick. It’s why I fell a little bit in love with Mason.

And Caden… having lost so much in his life already, and was losing his dad in the middle of trying to do what was best for his sister’s daughter… well… he was a big ol mess that just needed a little saving. Everything that could go wrong, was going wrong and he was barely holding his head above the water….You know how I feel about the wounded bird… and he fits that to a T. He was doing the best that he could, but he needed his guys to hold him up until he was able to figure out what to do and where to go with his new daughter. .you couldn’t help but fall in love with him too…. And together, they just work. I honestly couldn’t imagine two of them without the other. I couldn’t even pick if I had to… they all needed each other, and they all just fit together so perfectly.

So, I got the blue-collar guys with the pretty little baby, and the real-life problems and the realistic obstacles… throw in the really hot bedroom stuff and it’s a book you won’t want to pass up. I laughed a little, cried a little, and loved a whole lot! A perfect HEA.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy