Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

5 stars

Nothing Special by A.E. Via: Audiobook Review

by

Detective Cashel “Cash” Godfrey is big, tattooed, and angry so people typically keep their distance. He’s fresh out of the police academy, however, no one is looking to partner with the six-foot-four beast with a huge chip on his shoulder and an inability to trust. When Cash scans the orientation room he wasn’t expecting to find sexy hazel eyes locked onto him. Eyes of the handsome Detective Leonidis “Leo” Day.

Leo is charming, witty, hilariously sarcastic and the only one that can make Cash smile. He’s proud, out, and one bad-ass detective.

Together, Cash and Leo become the most revered and successful narcotics detectives Atlanta’s ever seen. Able to communicate and understand each other, without even having to voice it, they quickly climb up the promotional ranks.

When Cash saves Leo’s life in a raid that turns deadly, Leo begins to see something in the big man that no one else does…something special. But Leo fears he’ll never break through the impenetrable wall that protects Cash’s heart.

Audible

Amazon Ebook

I love this series, it’s at the top of re-read list. So, imagine my excitement when Mrs. Via said she was working to put it out in audio format. I may have fangirled a little.

God and Day and two of the most entertaining and lovable characters I have ever read. They are funny, caring, compassionate and tough as nails. Not only do we get to see God and Day transition from partners are work to partners at home, we also get to ride along with some of their hilarious antics on the job. This story has it all; jokes, gun fights, closeted co-workers, and just enough of a sad backstory to balance out the story.

If ever there was a man that was made to be the voice of Detective Cashel Godfrey it was Aiden Snow. His voice is the perfect mix of deep rumbles and smooth honey. He was able to bring to life a story that I have read too many times to count and make me fall in love with it all over again. It was almost like reading it for the first time. I can’t wait to see what magic he brings to Embracing His Syn.

5 Pieces of Eye Candy

The Hate You Drink by N.R. Walker: Release Day Review

by

Erik Keston, son of the Keston Real Estate empire, knows what it takes to be successful. Despite his inherent wealth, he holds his own. He works hard, he’s grounded, he’s brilliant. He’s also secretly in love with his best friend.

Monroe Wellman lost his parents three years ago and never grieved, never recovered. Inheriting the family company and wealth means nothing, and his spiral of self-destruction is widespread and spectacular. Dubbed Sydney’s bad boy, he spends more days drunk than sober, and the only person who’s stuck by him through it all is his best mate.

But when Monroe hits rock bottom, Erik gives him an ultimatum, and his entire world comes to a grinding halt. It’s not until the haze lifts that Monroe can truly see what he’s been searching for was never in the bottom of a bottle. It’s been by his side all along.

* * *

An 80,000-word friends-to-lovers story about fighting the demons within and trusting in the love that takes its place.

“Because when all you drink is hate, that’s all there is inside you.”

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

 

Wow…

What a relevant topic of today. Addiction.

I’ve gotta say that this one was incredibly emotional for me, as someone who not only has struggled with alcohol addiction but also grew up with an alcoholic father, it was so well written and described every part of the recovery process perfectly.

Erik and Monroe have been best friends since they were 18 and met in college. More than best friends though, one cannot function without the other, and since Monroe lost his parents in an accident three years ago, he’s needed more from his friend than is healthy. Using alcohol as a way to cover up all the feelings and grief associated with losing his parents that he didn’t have a great relationship with, he let himself get carried away with his addiction.

Erik though, man… there would never be a more patient and supportive friend, but support can so easily turn into enabling and it’s a fine line between the two if you don’t know how to handle someone with an addiction. Erik cared so much, love his friend so much that he let him get away with so much, as long as it kept him happy. But, with any kind of addiction, if left untreated, it just gets worse and worse, and Erik was afraid that if Monroe didn’t get control of it, he’d end up in prison, or dead. His family used their connections and set up a type of intervention to get Monroe some help, but wow, it was not easy.

I loved that we got to see the addiction from both POV’s. I love how raw and painful it was, but that’s honest. I liked the way it was described because it isn’t just the one with the diseases battle to beat, it affects so many people, the people closest to you especially. Monroe hurt his best friend time and time again. He hurt his father’s old friend, and lawyer Jeffery, and Erik’s parents and sister as well. He realized this after he was forced to listen to their intervention, and it was enough to make him want to get help. It was heartbreaking for all of them.

They were all there for Monroe, but they needed to be there for Erik as well, and he was such a strong person… his love for Monroe kept him strong because he needed him to get better. Their relationship may have seemed co-dependant, and maybe a little bit, it was, because they needed each other’s happiness to be truly happy… but with the help of Saul, the therapist, (who is the epitome of amazing) they got through it and used it in a healthy way.

I know addiction is stigmatized and it leaves a bad taste in your mouth when someone mentions it… but like with these two, it can grab ahold of anyone and it’s so easy to get lost down this rabbit hole of numbness and easy ways to forget; and it’s hard to pull yourself out of it. Almost impossible to do on your own, and I loved how real and honest it was with the whole process. Not everyone has success stories, not everyone has support systems and if Monroe didn’t have Erik, I don’t think he would’ve had anyone else.

Each of them had to prove that they could handle things on their own so they could be better for each other. It was emotional and sometimes a struggle and I shed many tears for both of them. What an awesome read though, I really enjoyed it. And the ending was perfect and they both deserved it after all their hard work. It just tied everything together perfectly. I definitely recommend!

5 pieces of eye candy from me!

Killer Bond by Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott: Release Day Review

by

Daniel Hendricks wants a vacation. Ward Security’s accountant and resident code breaker just needs a little R&R from the chaos and usual shenanigans of the office.

But what was supposed to be a sexy vacation hook-up explodes in his face when he’s mistaken for a rogue secret agent.

Now he’s on the run with CIA agent Edward Raines from Bermuda to Barcelona to Paris as they try to find the secrets the real rogue was attempting to sell before another foreign spy does.

The chemistry between them is off the charts, but how is Daniel supposed to trust a man who had originally set out to kill him?

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

I swear, every new one of these books, they convince me they’re my favorite. I don’t think anyone will top Rowe and Noah, or maybe Lucas and Andrei… Mmmkay, nevermind, I can’t pick.

So, in this one we have Ward Security accountant, former FBI-guy, Daniel, vacationing in Barcelona. With a head for numbers and a quieter job than the rest of the guys at Ward, he didn’t really feel like he fit in; so he needed some time away.

Sitting on the beach with a good book and a cocktail, he’s surprised when a very charming and good looking man sits next to him and chats him up. Normally shy and more reserved than the other guys, I liked how confident and flirty he seemed with Edward, even if he was still a little shy.

And Edward, who was supposed to be in telecommunications, turns out to be a secret CIA agent with a job to do and mistakes Daniel for someone else, he figures he’ll do whatever he needs to do to get what he needs from Daniel; even if it means seducing him.

Edward, even though he’s kind of a bad guy disguised good guy… I found him incredibly charming, even when he talked about seducing and probably killing Daniel when he was done with him. Their connection was immediate, and even though he tried to keep his distance from him, it proved pretty impossible because Daniel was equally as charming.

When described like a Bond movie, that’s exactly what this was. I was flipping pages almost faster than I could read them. Every time I thought that the danger was over, they were thrust back into it, and I want to explain it all so you’ll see how amazing and heart-pounding this is, but you just need to experience it for yourself.

Also, if you haven’t read the other ones in this series, what is wrong with you?! Stop what you’re doing and go do it! You’ll find yourself fighting over favorites like I do, I guarantee it!

As much fun as the adventure, the site-seeing, the danger and the getting to know each other was with these two, my heart kind of broke a couple of times for Daniel, because he fell for Edward so quickly, and even though Edward was a little bit better at hiding it, he’d fallen for Daniel too. He was actually really sweet and though dangerous and quite deadly… he was protective and possessive and everything we all love from these guys!

There were twists and expectations that I had that turned out to be completely wrong, which I was glad about because in every story I’ve ever read, the ‘handler’ turns out to be a bad guy. I was waiting for that. And just when you think that everything’s over… it turns out to be just the beginning for these two. I was really disappointed by the end. I hadn’t been paying attention and I wanted about 10 more chapters, just cuz!

Overall though, I love this series…. It’s a frequent go-to for me and I love every single couple and every mini-movie that each story feels like. I can’t wait to see who’s next, and I hope to see more of these two in the future…

5 pieces of eye candy

Thirst For You by Jaclyn Quinn: Blog Tour, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

by

“What happens when thirst becomes an obsession that can’t be quenched?

Forty-year-old Zachariah Taylor prides himself on being the overprotective older brother of seven. He owns a successful bar, Zach’s Bar and Grill, in the quiet town of Riverside Falls and loves the life he’s built for himself. But as his siblings move on and find their forever partners in life, he’s starting to feel less and less needed—not to mention old. Suddenly, he’s finding it even harder to ignore the younger man who has pursued him for years, but the twelve years separating them is something Zach can’t seem to overlook.

Twenty-eight-year-old Drew Belford has been in love with the stubborn Zach Taylor for seven years. Sure, he was a kid when they’d first met, but what Zach is determined to ignore is the man Drew has become. Drew, however, is just as strong-minded and refuses to let Zach use their age difference as an excuse to disregard the attraction burning between them. He doesn’t need an overprotective older brother—he needs Zach.

When Drew begins to get unsettling messages from an unknown person, Zach feels helpless in a way he’s never felt before. How can he protect Drew from someone he can’t find? The thought of anyone hurting Drew unleashes years’ worth of pent-up desire Zach has had for the younger man. Is his thirst for Drew enough to protect him from the danger lurking in the shadows, or will the threat of the unknown be enough to dowse the spark of love between them—and silence Drew forever?
“
Warning – This book contains acts of violence which some readers may find disturbing.

THIRST FOR YOU

A BEYOND THE COVE NOVEL

JACLYN QUINN

M/M ROMANCE

RELEASE DATE: 04.10.19

COVER DESIGN: CATE ASHWOOD

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Hearing the snickers around the room, Zach stood up and headed to the front door. As he walked out onto the steps, he asked, “So…what’s up? Something happen at the bar?”

Drew’s eyes narrowed for a second in confusion before growing wide. “Oh! The shipment didn’t come today. I didn’t know if you wanted to give Joe a call or if I should.” He ran his pink tongue across his plump, bottom lip, the skin glistening in its wake. Zach was grateful for the fact that only his face could be seen by Drew as he pressed the heel of his hand down on his erection. The kid was too damn sexy for his own good. Okay, so kid was pushing it. Drew was twenty-eight; the same age as Eli. The problem was…Drew was the same damn age as Eli. Zach was twelve years older, for fuck’s sake. But he couldn’t deny how gorgeous the guy was with his dark, short hair that was always perfectly styled, his bourbon-colored eyes, and those lickable, plump lips that were meant for—

“Hello? Earth to LumberZach.”

“How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me that?” Zach growled.

“You know I’ll never listen. You should probably punish me.” Drew wiggled his eyebrows, and Zach could hear people in the background laugh.

Zach covered his face then ran his hand down through his beard. “Do you really have to say that shit where people can hear you?”

“No, I don’t. Your place or mine?” Drew winked, and the laughter next to him got louder.  When Zach hung his head back in frustration, Drew said, “Relax. It’s just Grant and Lisa.” He shifted the camera to his right. “See?” Drew’s older brother Grant and his girlfriend Lisa waved, each with mocking grins on their faces.

“Your brother’s a pain in my ass,” Zach said to Grant as his friend continued laughing. Hell, it was Grant’s fault Drew worked at the bar to begin with. He’d only hired Drew as a favor to Grant, but in all fairness, that wasn’t why Zach kept the younger man on. Besides the fact that Drew was a hard worker and loved by the customers, Zach knew there was another—nope, don’t even go there. There’s no other reason you keep Drew around.

“You know,” Drew said, bringing Zach’s attention back to the phone screen, “you could be a pain in my ass. A delicious pain in my—”

“I’ll call Joe,” Zach replied quickly then disconnected the phone. “Jesus Christ.” Too bad he couldn’t get the guy to shut up by putting those alluring, full lips to good use.

Yes! I was so looking forward to Zach’s story!

Now I’m going to be impatiently waiting for what I hope is Mason, Grant and Sawyer’s story. I want them all together! And maybe Ryder and Avery, I”m looking forward to them too… .Can we just have all of them, right now? I didn’t want this one to end!

So, okay… in this one, we have Zach, who we know his own bar, aptly named, Zach’s. But then we get to meet and get to know Drew, who is Zach’s best friends little brother and the man that Zach has been pushing away for the last seven years since Drew made it well-known that he wanted Zach.

Something about their age gap and the fact that Drew works for Zach, and the fact that Drew is supposed to be off limits as his best friends little brother… but mostly it’s the age gap and Zach’s own fear standing in there way.

Drew is a little spitfire though. Not ashamed of what he wants or how he goes about getting it. Even if his brazenness does rub some the wrong way. I thought he was charming and sassy.

But, in all the pushing away that Zach does, it gets harder to do when Drew starts getting threats at the bar and a little later in person and they’re getting progressively worse, until they try to succeed in getting to him.

I will admit that the person that I thought it was the entire story, wasn’t the stalker/murderer. While I do think it was weird who it ended up being and kind of like, whaaaaat? I feel like it was just thrown in at last minute to have this dun dun duuuuun moment. It didn’t really make sense, but meh, it kept me guessin, so….

Overall though, I just love this series. I love all the guys, the family, the friends, though I would’ve liked to have seen what happened with Angie, she just kind of up and left and then with Silvia. I hope Drew got to keep being apart of her life, she was the best. I’m just really looking forward to who’s next, and I really hope it’s the threeway with Mason, Grant and Sawyer. Or Ryder and Avery… I don’t care which… I want them all!

If you haven’t read Haven’s Cove, you should… then come back to these ones and get more! I recommend them all!

5 pieces of eye candy from me!

I have been an artist from a very young age. From drawing cartoon characters and evolving into portraits, making jewelry, photography, and now writing. I have an amazing support system in my family and friends and couldn’t be more grateful.

I live in central New Jersey, love summers at the Jersey Shore, rock music, wine, sexy men, and laughing a lot with my amazing friends and family. Sunday dinners at my parents’ house are crazy, hysterical and you can count on a movie quote…or ten…being thrown out. Insults between siblings is how we show our love for each other!

When I’m not creating, you can find me reading books from my favorite authors. I’m a hopeless romantic, starving for passionate characters and always craving that happy ending, whether in reading or in writing my own books.

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

GOODREADS

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Fracture by Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott: RB, Excerpt, Release Day Review *2 and Giveaway

by

After three years, Snow and Jude’s relationship is still passionate and strong. They’re getting ready for a romantic vacation at home when Jude receives a horrifying call no one wants to receive. His youngest brother was found barely clinging to life. While Jude’s family is rallying around Jordan, Jude is determined to find out what happened to him.

Snow and Jude follow the clues, investigating a side of Jordan’s life none of them knew about…and is far darker than any would have believed possible. They get pulled deeper into the seedy side of life, while echoes from a past Snow thought he walked away from return to offer an unexpected insight into the cause of Jordan’s injuries.

But someone else has noticed their involvement and is furious, putting them both in danger. The risk is high but so is Jude’s determination to find the truth—though the knowledge could very well fracture his heart.

Title:  Fracture

Series: Unbreakable Bonds Series #6

Author: Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott

Publisher: Drake & Elliott LLC

Release Date: March 29, 2019

Heat Level: 4 – Lots of Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 71,000

Genre: Romance, Thriller/Suspense

Add to Goodreads

 

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Shiver (Book #1)

Shatter (Book #2)

Torch (Book #3)

Devour (Book #4)

Blaze (Book #5)

Snow rushed through the emergency room with Jude. His heart was pounding so hard it was like he could feel it in his throat, threatening to choke off his airway. A sinister nagging voice in the back of his head kept repeating, <em>Three years, three years, three years</em>.

Roughly three years ago, he’d run into this same hospital to find one of his best friends on the floor, his entire world falling apart because his wife had been killed in what had appeared to be a car accident. And he hadn’t been there to operate on her. To save her life.

Melissa Ward had been light and laughter and happiness. She’d brought joy to all who knew her.

And Rowe Ward had been devastated to lose her. They all had been.

They’d nearly lost Rowe to his grief.

Now Snow was running through the hospital where he and Jude worked nearly every day. He was vaguely aware of familiar faces registering surprise and flashes of sadness as they passed by, but it didn’t matter. They stopped only long enough to find out that Jordan was in surgery and that Jude’s family was already in the surgical ICU waiting room.

“Snow,” Jude said in a low, shaky breath as they waited for the elevator to ascend to the correct floor. That broken sound gutted him.

He reached over and wrapped his hand around the back of Jude’s neck, pulling him tight against his taller frame. “We’ll figure this out,” he replied, forcing the words past the lump in his throat while telling himself that this was not going to be like Mel.

Jordan was a strong young man. Not even twenty-one yet. A good guy who loved to laugh. Definitely not the sort to seek out trouble. This had to be nothing more than him being in the wrong damn place at the wrong damn time. The doctors on call would be able to fix him up and get him safely on the mend.

But he couldn’t give Jude promises that he couldn’t keep or offer fake platitudes. Jude had worked as a paramedic for several years now. He’d been the paramedic first on the scene for Mel. He knew how quickly things could turn bad with nothing anyone could do to stop them.

“My brain won’t accept it. Not Jordan.”

“I know,” Snow said. “But he’s young and he’s strong. That works in his favor.”

The elevator doors parted, and they were quickly moving again to the large, quiet waiting room.

Every time, I think I’m prepared for the wild ride my emotions and my heart rate is going to go on, but I never really am… Its like a little action movie in each story, and I love every second of it!

In this one, we go back to Jude and Snow, which I keep saying are my favorite, but then I remember Noah and Rowe and it’s just a big ol’ toss-up. But, I was glad to see all the guys again, and we get a little peek at all of them, of course they get brought in…. When one person in the family is going through something, they all rally in their bad a $$ glory…

What starts out to be a sexy vacation with Snow and Jude, quickly turns into a nightmare with Jordan, Jude’s baby brother. When the call comes in that he’s been found naked, beaten and shot, it flips a switch in Jude that worries Snow. It’s touch and go for a while for Jordan, but Jude feels somewhat responsible for now keeping a better eye on his brother and therefore feels like he has to find out how it happened and who was behind it.

We know these guys are only inches away from full blown insane, and none of them seem afraid for their safety…. Noah and Rowe seem to find extreme danger, a hobby and a fun past time and it is hilarious when they chase the tails of the evil that sometimes infects their inner circle. It’s entertaining for sure, but my heart broke for Jordan, and Jude for having to watch what happened to his younger brother. I could not imagine, and it had me in tears. Of course, nothing new there, I’m a cryer, but it was heavy and descriptive and it just gutted me. You might need a warning there, it could be triggering to some.

It definitely tripped something in Jude though, even though a healer at heart, he needed to get justice for his brother and I so thoroughly understand that… I know these guys do bad things, it seems like murder is just second nature to them…. But they do it for the greater good. They do it to protect their family, and every single time they take a life, I feel a little vindicated on their behalf.

And through it all, we get such a sweet ending for Jude and Snow. I love seeing the guys with Lucas and Andrei’s baby, and I hope they all get to a point where they have little mini badasses running around. I can’t even imagine the trouble they’d all get into. It would be so perfect….

So, in saying that… you can count it as my vote to just keep this series going forever, because I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of them all. I love it.

Now, if you’ll excuse me… I need to take a blood pressure pill and rest a while til my heart rate goes back to normal. I highly recommend this one! Now, who’s next?!

FAVORITE LINE: “And then, when those twenty minutes were up, they’d plan to set the world on fire.”

5 Pieces of Eye Candy

Oh man I love these books. First the original 4 guys, then little novellas for them. Then a spin off. Now we are getting back to the original 4 and new stories. This book focuses on Snow and Jude- and Jude’s brother.

Jude’s brother ends up beaten, shot and left naked in a field to die when he is found. Jude sees red and wants vengeance, not trusting the cops to do their jobs. So he and Snow poke around a bit themselves, but find that this is way uglier than they thought and enlist Rowe, Noah and one of his hackers to help out.

The more they dig, the uglier it gets. It starts to bring Snow back down a dark path he left behind. But he and Jude are total support for each other without dissolving into that over protective thing.

And even though the guys are working on figuring this out- don’t worry. There is plenty of Snow and Jude hotness to go around.

I really loved that for a good portion of the story it was only Snow and Jude looking into this. They only called Rowan and Noah when they had to. And the other two guys and their significant others are kind of on the back burner and don’t take over the story. Not even Lucas- who loves to take over a story.

The only weak point for me is what brought Jude’s brother to the brink. I thought it was kind of weak. It could have been a lot stronger if the bad guy focused more on the repercussions than what brought him in. How is that for vague? I hate spoilers. Even little ones. Don’t hate. You’ll thank me later. But even that didn’t really detract from the story.

Definitely one of the strongest books of the bunch and I can’t wait for more.

Jocelynn Drake and Rinda Elliott have teamed up to combine their evil genius to create intense gay romantic suspense stories that have car chases, shoot outs, explosions, scorching hot love scenes, and tender, tear-jerking moments. Their first joint books are in the Unbreakable Bonds series.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | eMail

http://drakeandelliott.com/

https://www.facebook.com/drakeandelliott/

https://twitter.com/DrakeandElliott

drakeandelliott@gmail.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Family Camp (Daddy Dearest Book 1) by Eli Easton: Blog Tour, Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

by

When Geo signs up for Family Camp, he envisions nature hikes, s’mores, and a chance to win over his recalcitrant new foster kids, Jayden and Lucy. He’s tried to become a dad for so long, and he hopes the three of them can be the family he’s always wanted. What he doesn’t anticipate is the prickly and gorgeous camp counselor who constantly comes to his rescue.

Travis spends a week every year at Camp Evermore, the camp his adoptive parents own. As a pro baseball player, his presence guarantees a full campground and excited campers. He has one rule: never, ever mess around with anyone at camp. His profession demands he stay in the closet. But one sweet and funny new dad is about to test all his resolve.

Sparks fly for Geo and Travis, and not because of the nightly campfire. Having been a foster kid himself, Travis is drawn to Geo’s sincerity and big heart and to his kids. The four of them just fit. But will this be a summer romance? Or can they find a way to be a family long after Family Camp is over?

Length: 219 pages

Cover Design: Reese Dante

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Sixth inning. Geo was ready for the game to be over. It was fucking hot on the ball field, all open and exposed, the sun baking down. And he was also not sure how much more Travis-watching he could take—him with his silky burgundy gym shorts and a sweaty Camp Evermore green shirt stretched over those muscles. His long legs were tanned and well-defined from hours at the gym.

Those thighs could fucking crack walnuts. Dude.

Damn, but that was one fine-looking man. Geo knew he should lay off, though. Travis had made himself clear.

Only he hadn’t. At all. One minute, Travis seemed into him him. He sought out Geo’s company, like the way he kept coming by the cabin at night. And the next minute, he’d put distance between them, ignoring Geo or closing himself off behind a granite-like expression and those eye-hiding shades. And Travis had laid a clear line in the sand. Not at camp. Not gonna happen.

Yup. That was fine. Sure, Geo hadn’t been mutually attracted to a guy that hot in ages. Or ever, really. But Geo hadn’t come to camp to fool around. He had other priorities.

It did make him wonder though. Bridget had said Travis wasn’t out. A quick Google search last night had confirmed that. In fact, Geo had been shocked to discover there’d never been an out baseball player in the major leagues. Like, in the history of American baseball. Which was tragic. No wonder Travis was in the closet. It had to suck monkey balls living like that. Especially with all the women who threw themselves at him constantly. There were a dozen women on the sidelines right now that looked ready to have his babies. That had to be weird for a gay guy. Didn’t it?

Geo himself was always super uncomfortable when women came on to him. He felt compelled to blurt out “I’m gay!” in the first five minutes. It was just too weird otherwise.

Then again, Travis’s love life was none of Geo’s business. Maybe the guy was bisexual. Maybe he liked dating women just fine.

Jayden came up to bat. Geo focused on his son, clapping hard. “Come on, Jayden! You’ve got this!”

Jayden took a wide stance beside the plate, both hands gripping the bat, choked up a little. Travis had spent a few minutes with Jayden at the start of the game, showing him how to stand, and Jayden copied him exactly. The kid was a great mimic. He’d been nervous at first, tense and defensive. But by now he just looked focused. He stared, narrow-eyed, at Frank as Frank pitched an easy ball.

Geo loved that about this game, that everyone tried to give the kids easy wins, and no one took the competition seriously.

Jayden hit the ball hard. It flew through the air a short ways then plonked to the ground and skipped along fast. It was heading right down the center line, though a bit more towards third base and Travis’s side of the field.

“Go Jayden! Go!” Geo shouted. He went after the ball. In his peripheral vision, he saw Jayden round first base and keep running.

Travis was going after the ball too, dodging low. He scooped it up. He was going to throw it to third base, keep Jayden back on second. Geo couldn’t let that happen.

He dove in front of Travis, crowding him, holding an arm out to block Travis from throwing the ball.

Travis snorted, bemused. “What are you doing? You’re on my team.” He backed up, trying to get away from Geo.

“Blood before bros, man,” Geo said with fake seriousness. He kept up with Travis, step for step, grabbing Travis’s right arm in a firm grip so he couldn’t raise the ball.

“Stop it!” Travis laughed. “Dork. That’s not legal.”

“Don’t care.”

They took three steps back, like they were dancing. Geo held Travis’s right arm, staring him down. Travis met his gaze, a goofy smile on his lips. Back and back they stumbled. Suddenly, Travis got a sparkle in his eyes. He wrapped his left arm around Geo’s waist and picked him up, swinging him around so he ended up behind Travis.

Geo was still finding his feet as Travis drew back his arm and sent the ball sailing.

Right to home plate. But Jayden got there first. Umpire Cindy made the motion with her hands, safe.

Geo laughed and raised his arms in triumph. “Yeah, baby! Great job, Jayden! Home run, whoo!”

Then he realized everyone was staring at them. On the sidelines, there were a dozen cameras raised, filming.

Oh. Er. Hmm. Geo wiped his face, feeling sheepish.

That’s when a piercing scream rent the air.

 

First, let me start off by saying that I adore stories about family. Give me a hot dad any day of the week. I’m a sucker for em… throw in some foster kids that need someone sweet and patient and amazing, like Geo, and I’m droolin’ all over myself page after page.

In this one, Geo is on his way to Family Camp. It’s exactly what it sounds like and he’s excited to take his new foster kids to hopefully do some bonding over the next week. Both kids, twelve year old, Jayden and five-year-old, Lucy, both come from neglectful and troubled pasts, and you will melt for them. They’re both so sweet, though Jayden a little prickly, but understandably so… and Geo is doing everything that he can to make them feel wanted and loved. He’d wanted to be a dad for so long, and now that he has his chance, it’s just not going the way he hoped it would. Still…. He cares for them so much, and it’s obvious that no matter how discouraged he gets, he’s made these kids his family.

Unfortunately, on the way to camp, everything that could go wrong, does go wrong… with the icing on the cake being he’s run out of gas before camp. With a moody almost-teenager and a little girl attached to her dolly’s and not much else, he praying for everything, but mostly a miracle.

Enter Miracle…. Professional major league player, Travis, who’s family owns the camp that they’re all attending for the next week, (though neither of them know it yet)….he stops to help the broken down family and the attraction is more than obvious… however, a misunderstanding has them starting off on the wrong foot, and though I can understand where Travis was coming from, I did want to be like… “you know what they say about folks who assume”….. but, again…. It’s hard not to understand why he felt that way…

ANYWAY…. Once everyone gets to Big Bear, it’s a week of fun in the sun, with hilarious mom’s with their likeminded children…and a pro-baseball player that everyone has their eye on… especially Geo. He’s cool about it though, and over the week, the attraction is reciprocated and acted on, even if it has to be secret, because spoiler alert…. Travis isn’t out… not only not out to his teammates and manager, but also his family… especially his parents, though they’re amazing, so it’s more of a fear thing….which you’ll understand if you read it.

Watching these two fall for each other was entertaining, sweet, cute and downright swoon-worthy, especially when you see Travis with the kids. Both men are so reassuring and patient with the kids who so badly needs all of that from them. It’s just a feel good family type read with some secret sexy times between the trees. I loved every second of it… and though things come to light and careers are tested, and friendships and family are questioned… it all comes together perfectly in the end.

You really just can’t go wrong with this one, and the happiest of happy endings is well worth it!

5 Pieces of Eye Candy

Having been, at various times and under different names, a minister’s daughter, a computer programmer, a game designer, the author of paranormal mysteries, a fan fiction writer, and organic farmer, Eli has been a m/m romance author since 2013. She has over 30 books published.

Eli has loved romance since her teens and she particular admires writers who can combine literary merit, genuine humor, melting hotness, and eye-dabbing sweetness into one story. She promises to strive to achieve most of that most of the time. She currently lives on a farm in Pennsylvania with her husband, bulldogs, cows, a cat, and lots of groundhogs.

In romance, Eli is best known for her Christmas stories because she’s a total Christmas sap. These include “Blame it on the Mistletoe”, “Unwrapping Hank” and “Merry Christmas, Mr. Miggles”. Her “Howl at the Moon” series of paranormal romances featuring the town of Mad Creek and its dog shifters has been popular with readers. And her series of Amish-themed romances, Men of Lancaster County, has won genre awards.

Her website is www.elieaston.com

You can email her at eli@elieaston.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway