5 stars

When the Dust Settles by Mary Calmes: Audiobook Review with Giveaway

March 23, 2017 by Denise

synopsis Glenn Holloway’s predictable life ended the day he confessed his homosexuality to his family. As if that wasn’t enough, he then poured salt in the wound by walking away from the ranch he’d grown up on, to open the restaurant he’d always dreamed of. Without support from his father and brother, and too proud to accept assistance from anyone else, he had to start from scratch. Over time things worked out. Glenn successfully built a strong business, created a new home, and forged a life he could be proud of.
Despite his success, his estrangement from the Holloways is still a sore spot he can’t quite heal, and a called-in favor becomes Glenn’s worst nightmare. Caught in a promise, Glenn returns to his roots to deal with Rand Holloway and comes face-to-face with Mac Gentry, a man far too appealing for Glenn’s own good. It could all lead to disaster – disaster for his tenuous reconnection with his family and for the desire he didn’t know he held in his heart.

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deanna review

This is by far my favorite series by Mary Calmes. There is just something about cowboys. All of your favorite characters from Timing and After the Sunset make an appearance in this one as well. I love when you get to followup with old favorites, and boy is Rand a favorite but I digress.

Mac Gentry is the foreman of the Red Diamond, Rand’s ranch. He comes across as gruff and down right mean, Most people steer clear of the man. He is the ranch and has no need for anyone who doesn’t live the ranch life.

Glen Holloway gave up the ranch life to open a restaurant, The Bronc. Since he doesn’t fit in with his own family he’s created a makeshift family of his own with the strays at The Bronc. He avoids the ranch at every opportunity to stay away from awkward family interactions with his brother and Rand, but mostly to avoid Mac. Mac makes Glen speechless and angry in equal parts.

When Stef calls in a favor, Glen has to go on a four day cattle drive with Rand and Mac. A long day in the saddle and a lonely night on the prairie has Glen and Mac re-evaluating their relationship. If they lay it all on the table will the foundation they build be strong enough to withstand real life or will it crumble to dust out on the prairie?

Love, love, love the book. The characters are familiar, the story is entertaining. I am keeping my fingers crossed that Mary will write another one. I’m not ready to let them go just yet.

Can we talk about Sean Crisden’s voice. Holy Hannah, that is the sexiest cowboy voice I have ever heard. It deep, rich, and just gruff enough to bring the characters to life with panty dropping perfection.

5 pieces of eye candy

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Tied Up In Knots by Mary Calmes: Audiobook Review with Giveaway

March 22, 2017 by Denise

synopsis Miro Jones is living the life; he’s got his exciting, fulfilling job as a US deputy marshal, his gorgeous Greystone in suburban Chicago, his beloved adopted family, and most importantly, the man who captured his heart, Ian Doyle. Problem is, Ian isn’t just his partner at work – Ian’s a soldier through and through. That commitment takes him away from Miro, unexpectedly and often, and it’s casting a shadow over what could be everything Miro could ever dream of.
Work isn’t the same without Ian. Home isn’t the same, either, and Miro’s having to face his fears alone…how to keep it together at the office, how to survive looming threats from the past, and worst of all, how to keep living without Ian’s rock-solid presence at his side. His life is tied up in knots, but what if unknotting them requires something more permanent? What would that mean for him and Ian? Miro’s stuck between two bad choices, and sometimes the only way to get out of the knot is to hold tight to your lifeline and pull.

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deanna review

I love the Marshalls series. There is just something about Ian and Miro. Their story is a fairytale,.. Kinda… Maybe… If Quentin Tarantino were writing it.

This installment picks up with Ian being away on a four month op and Miro being loaned out to the DEA on the west coast. Of course Miro finds all sorts of trouble to get into out there. As he’s headed home he gets the call that Ian is heading home too. For the first time, Ian asks Miro to pick him up from the airport with his team.

Miro starts hoping for some normalcy when Bam, the military life rears it’s ugly head again. Several people from Ian’s old unit have died and the government brass think that someone is trying to kill the whole team. Ian heads to Washington to try to figure out what’s going on, meanwhile Craig Hartley has escaped from prison again.

Ian and Miro have some tough choices to make. Can Miro stand by Ian when’s he gone for as much time as he’s home? Can Miro live with the anxiety everyday of not knowing whether Ian is going to come home safe? Is Hartley coming after Miro again?

This story wraps up in stunning fashion, as I’ve come to expect from this series. I can’t wait to see where the next story takes us, hopefully their is a wedding involved.

These characters are some of my favorites, the story was entertaining and fast paced. I’m kinda over the Hartley story line, I know the storyline was left open so he could possibly return in a later book, but please Jesus let Miro be. I can’t handle the stress of him being kidnapped and tortured again.

I think Tristan James is perfect for this series. The Chicago accent is great, it’s gritty and tough and perfect for Ian and Miro. I will admit Kage sounds damn good too.

5 pieces of eye candy

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There’s This Guy by Rhys Ford: Release Day Review with Giveaway

March 17, 2017 by Denise

there's this guy synopsis How do you save a drowning man when that drowning man is you?

Jake Moore’s world fits too tightly around him. Every penny he makes as a welder goes to care for his dying father, an abusive, controlling man who’s the only family Jake has left. Because of a promise to his dead mother, Jake resists his desire for other men, but it leaves him consumed by darkness.

It takes all of Dallas Yates’s imagination to see the possibilities in the fatigued art deco building on WeHo’s outskirts, but what seals the deal is a shy smile from the handsome metal worker across the street. Their friendship deepens while Dallas peels back the hardened layers strangling Jake’s soul. It’s easy to love the sweet, artistic man hidden behind Jake’s shattered exterior, but Dallas knows Jake needs to first learn to love himself.

When Jake’s world crumbles, he reaches for Dallas, the man he’s learned to lean on. It’s only a matter of time before he’s left to drift in a life he never wanted to lead and while he wants more, Jake’s past haunts him, making him doubt he’s worth the love Dallas is so desperate to give him.

Title: There’s This Guy
Author: Rhys Ford
Release Date: March 17, 2017
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 200

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Dreamspinner Press

paula review

Rhys Ford has yet to create a character that hasn’t had me wrapped around their finger. Jake and Dallas were no exception. Jake about broke me in this story. His parents messed him up so bad, it made me cry. As a parent I found myself wondering through a lot of this story how a parent could treat their child this way. I’m as clueless now as I have ever been. Jake is an extremely well developed character. I went on this journey with him and I was exhausted by the time I finished(in a good way). Dallas was perfect for Jake. His lightness was so good for Jake to experience. He has such a beautiful heart. And of course it wouldn’t be a Rhys Ford book if it didn’t have a little mystery in it. Not telling what though, you’ll have to read and find out for yourself.

5 pieces of eye candy

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denise review

The only book I have read by Rhys Ford before was Fish and Ghosts a few years ago, and I recall enjoying the book. So, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started There’s This Guy.

The opening scene with Jake was powerful, frightening, and grabbed you quickly. The reader can tell that they are in for a hell of a ride from the very beginning. Dallas was light-hearted and was able to slowly take a hold on Jake’s heart, one interaction at a time. You literally saw Jake changing as you read the book. That was awesome to see.

However, where I struggled with the book, and considered putting it down was the descriptions. There were too many metaphors and embellished descriptions for me. It felt overly wordy and unnecessary, especially in the first half of the book. I struggled with really loving the story and the characters, especially Celeste, and feeling as if the book might have been even better with about 1/3 less words.

In the end, I enjoyed the story, and stayed in, happy to see Jake work so hard to find his happy ending with Dallas.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

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Who We Are by Nicola Haken: Blog Tour, Reviews, Excerpt and Giveaway

March 14, 2017 by Denise

Title: Who We Are

Author: Nicola Haken

Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance

Release Date: March 13, 2017

synopsis

Since putting his life on hold ten years ago, Oliver Clayton doesn’t know who he is anymore. To his clients at the hair salon, he’s the sassy and confident stylist. To the crowds who come to watch his drag act at the club, he’s the fierce and fabulous Miss Tique. He’s popular. Talented. Out, proud, and self-assured.

He’s also a good actor.

Sebastian Day is content with life’s easy, if not a little monotonous, routine. After several failed relationships, he likes the simplicity of being alone in his truck at his job as a heavy goods driver, spending the weekends with his teenage son, and putting the world to rights with his cat, Marv. He’s not lonely. He isn’t hiding.

At least…he doesn’t think he is until he meets the mesmerising stranger with the red hair and purple lips.

Can Oliver and Sebastian help each other embrace who they are? Or will a cruel twist of fate end their journey before it’s even begun?

Angie at Wicked Reads ~ “Very heartwarming story, the banter between these guys is so sweet. I can’t say enough about this book to do it justice, just read it, you will love it.”

Beverly at Southern Babes Book Blog ~ “Sebastian and Oliver’s story is beautiful and heartbreaking… These two amazing men are trying to figure out who they really are and together they figure out that they can do anything.”

Jodi at Alpha Book Club ~ “Oliver’s story will make you cry and stand up and cheer for how strong of a human being he is… Loved this story and would recommend to anyone.”

MJ at Alixzia Reading Corner ~ “I ache and bleed with this book for every page turned! Highly recommend!”

Deanna at Two Chicks Obsessed ~ “This might be my new favorite Nicola Haken book. Broken nearly broke me, thus becoming my favorite; but this one left me far more emotional and thoughtful. I think it’s taken the crown.”

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Who We Are

~ Sebastian~

I WAS JUMPING down from my cab after arriving back from my last drop of the day when my life almost ended. Okay, so maybe I was known for being a tad on the dramatic side, but when Benny – my oldest friend and biggest pain in my arse -jumped out from behind my trailer, I almost choked on my fucking heart.

“Jesus Christ,” I muttered, breathless from the fright. “How the hell did you get in the yard?”

I’d been a heavy goods driver for thirteen years, working here at Patterson Haulage Ltd. for three of those – long enough to know they didn’t let pedestrians wander in off the streets to play hide and seek behind the lorries. Transport was in my genes, I guess. My dad had been a trucker all his life, and he met my mum at work – she worked as a clerk in the office. I never wanted to do anything else. I walked straight into my first warehouse job fresh out of school and stayed there until I was old enough to train for my Class 1 licence and could go out on the road. I loved my job.

“That old lady with the bright orange face let me in. Told her I needed to talk to you about Scott.”

“Scott?” Slamming the door to my cab closed, I fished my phone from the pocket of my Hi-Vis jacket and scanned the screen for missed calls. “What’s wrong with him?”

“Well, he likes Eminem, but hopefully he’ll grow out of that.”

“What?” Narrowing my eyes in confusion, I stared at Benny who looked to be admiring his thumbnail.

“Nothing’s wrong with him. I just knew they’d let me come see your truck if I played the kid card.”

Rolling my eyes, I huffed as I turned and re-opened my cab door. Climbing the steps, I leaned inside to grab my holdall and tacho card before hopping back down. “You’ve seen a wagon before. You shouldn’t use Scott like that. There could be a real emergency one day.”

“And if there is I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be the one anyone’d call about it,” he said, his tone amused as he ran his finger along the curtain of my trailer. “This needs a wash.”

“You offering?” I asked as I locked up the cab and started walking towards the transport office. I found it highly doubtful as I turned my head to the side and eyed up his leather coat, and beige turtleneck that no doubt he’d paid upwards of a hundred pounds for. Benny worked in recruitment. In other words, companies paid him far too much money to find them suitable candidates for their businesses, money which he wasted on overpriced shit he didn’t need. “Or did you come here for another reason?”

“I came because, as you know, it’s my birthday on Friday. The big three-four. I want y…” Pausing mid word, Benny spun on his heels. “Holy hot ginger.”

I didn’t need to turn around to know he’d spotted Rod, seeing as he was the only red-headed bloke who worked at this depot. “Christ, Benny. Keep it down. I have to work with these guys.”

“Chill out. The fact you’re mates with a gay guy won’t give away the big secret that you like cookies and ice cream.”

“It’s not a secret,” I snapped. Or maybe it was, given that I’d never told anyone I worked with that I was bisexual. My last two relationships had been with women, and ‘passing’ as straight was simply…easier. I was a copout and a liar but I was tired of explaining, defending myself.

There are a lot of misconceptions about bisexuality and I’d encountered most of them during my twenties. Now, at thirty-four, I was kind of exhausted with it all. I wanted to fall in love and create a future with another person as much as anyone, but I’d given up on the idea a while ago. Relationships, for me, whether with a man or a woman, seemed to consist of me justifying myself, reassuring my partner, or hiding – as Benny would say – the cookies or ice cream part of my sexuality.

I couldn’t just be me.

I wasn’t good enough.

Contrary to popular belief, I didn’t want to sleep with everybody, and there weren’t twice as many fish in the sea, because most fish thought I was confused, greedy, unfaithful, trying to be trendy, or afraid to admit I was gay. The last one confused me the most. The number of people who believed bisexuality was a temporary label used to ease the transition to gaytown would never cease to amaze me. It happened, sure, but there were a hell of a lot of bisexuals claiming to be gay, or straight, for no other reason than they couldn’t face the stigma attached to it, too.

I was simply attracted to people. I got turned on by the way someone carried themselves, by their confidence, or even shyness. I felt the same stir in my cock and pull of excitement in my chest when I saw the rugged grooves of a man’s chest as I did the silky curves of a woman’s hips. People are beautiful. I couldn’t help it. It’s just the way I was made.

Thankfully, many people realised these days that being gay or straight wasn’t a choice. Unfortunately, some of these same people believed bisexuals were capable of making a choice, and that they should. Well, I tried that when I was a teenager. I tried to pick a side, to ‘fit’ in somewhere.

Unsurprisingly, it didn’t work out too well.

“Just tell me what you came for,” I added to Benny, pushing open the swinging door that led to the warehouse which, in turn, led to the office.

“Do you have Scott this weekend?”

“No. Lisa’s taking him to see Jenny’s parents in Cornwall. Why?”

“Great! You’re coming to the village for my birthday.”

Ugh. “Ah, you know it’s not really my scene.” I had my reasons for not frequenting the village, unlike Benny who spent so much time there it could be considered his second home. Besides, after a day on the road my idea of a good time was Netflix and a takeaway.

“Yes, Mr Misery, I know having fun isn’t usually on your To Do list but it’s my birthday and you’ll hurt my feelings if you say no.”

We’d reached the office now and I handed my keys over to June through the window partition while raising a sceptical eyebrow at Benny. “Fine,” I said. “But as soon as you’re too drunk to notice whether I’m there or not I’m leaving.”

“I love you.” He turned to June who looked rather amused by my dickhead friend. “I love him, you know.”

“Knock it off, moron,” I said, ramming my shoulder into his.

“Watch the jacket!” he shrieked as he rubbed at the tan leather that made him look like a seventies pimp. “You’re covered in dirt and smell like oil.”

“Please excuse my friend, June. They don’t usually let him out unattended.”

“Don’t mind me, lovey. I’ve seen all sorts in my time.”

I risked a glance at Benny, whose mouth had dropped ever so slightly open. For a man who wasn’t easily offended, the image was priceless.

“You’re on the Midlands run tomorrow, lovey,” June added as she tapped on her keyboard.

Nodding, I told her I’d see her in the morning, swung my holdall over my shoulder and started making my way to the car park, all the while trying not to laugh at Benny’s reaction.

“Did she seriously refer to me as an all sort?” he muttered under his breath when we neared my car. I knew he wouldn’t let it go so easily. “Clearly, out of the all sorts she’s met none of them have been make-up artists.”

“Stop it,” I said, snorting as I clicked open the central locking on my matte black Ford Galaxy. “June’s lovely. A little old-fashioned, but harmless.”

“I’m sure. It just wouldn’t hurt for her to go down a shade or twelve in the foundation department is all I’m saying.”

Opening the rear door, I tossed my bag onto the back seat. “Have you finished being a bitch?”

“God, I hope not.”

Removing my thick, Hi-Vis jacket, I threw that on top of my bag, revealing my dark green uniform polo shirt, before closing the door and getting into the driver’s seat. “Is that all you wanted? You could’ve called or text.”

Benny leaned against my open door, hand on hip. “Told you, I wanted to see your big truck.” He winked at me.

I wanted so badly to roll my eyes, or at least keep a disinterested expression, but I couldn’t help chuckle at him.

“I was in the area, and besides, you’d have said no without my pretty face to seduce you.”

Probably.

“And hey, if you want to bring a plus one your red-haired co-worker is more than welcome.”

Shooing him away from the door, I pulled it closed and brought the engine to life before rolling down the electric window. “Let me know when and where during the week,” I said, dismissing the idea of inviting Rod. He’d only been here for three months and I didn’t know the guy well, but the fact he had a wife and three kids told me Rod wouldn’t be interested in the kind of socialising Benny had in mind for him.

“Will do,” he said, tapping the roof of my car before backing away. “Don’t forget I have expensive taste!”

Shaking my head, I bit my lip to suppress the grin that wanted to escape as I reversed out of my space. I already had his present – a bottle of Dior aftershave, same as every year. It was the only thing I knew the fussy bastard wouldn’t return in exchange for store credit.

deanna review

I’ve read some of Nicola Haken before and as usual she ripped my heart out of my chest again. In the best way possible. (There’s a compliment in there somewhere.)

Oliver Clayton put his life on hold 10 years ago to raise his little brother after his mother died of leukemia. He works in a hair salon by day and a drag bar by night to make ends meet.

Sebastian Day is a truck driver. He lives alone with his cat Marv and spends weekends with his son, who he’s raising with his best friend and her wife.

The two meet at a bar and exchange numbers. Both of them will need to come out of their comfort zones if they want to see where this goes. Oliver us so used to living for his brother and Sebastian isn’t really living at all, instead choosing to spend down time at home with his cat.

After several weeks of dating things start to get serious. They introduce their families and start planning for the future. When a health scare puts Oliver’s plans on hold Sebastian will need to hold on tight and anchor Oliver to the life they have started creating together. With support from Seb’s friend Benny and Oliver’s friend Rhys, Sebastian and Oliver can’t look anywhere but forward, together.

I’m not sure where to begin. Even knowing Nicola’s writing, when she hit me with the plot twist I was left stunned. I felt like Seb and Oliver had climbed to the top of the mountain together and she just drop kicked Oliver all the way back to the start of the trail. I cried all over myself while he climbed back up, she totally made up for it. The ending was perfection.

The speed of the story was perfect and it was in no way predictable. She shocked my socks off a few times. The characters were lovable and relatable.

I really would like a sequel that tells Rhys and Benny’s story but I’m so afraid of what she will do to them to give them their happily ever after. In order to live up to this book she’s going to have to hit one with a car or something equally shocking and horrific.

This might be my new favorite Nicola Haken book. Broken nearly broke me, thus becoming my favorite; but this one left me far more emotional and thoughtful. I think it’s taken the crown.

5 pieces of eye candy

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Whenever Ms Haken has a new release- I MUST HAVE IT! First the Souls of the Knight trilogy, which was so good. Plus, rock stars. But then she branched out a bit in her next 2 books. Both of them both broke my heart but left me happy. And she did it again.

When I first started reading this book I thought “hmm, maybe this will just be a nice love story romance and she won’t rip the heart right out of my chest and stomp on it”. HA! She did. And I am totally ok with that. Because her writing is so great that you have to feel deeply for her characters. They climb into you and won’t let go.

Oliver is a hair stylist just barely making ends meet while raising his brother. One night a week he goes out and performs as Miss Tique- his drag persona. And although he is in drag, he does it with his beard. And sings his own songs. I loved her.

Sebastian is a single dad, co-parenting with his best friend. And one night he runs into Oliver. Or Oliver runs into him. And he is smitten. The purple lipstick mesmerized him.

They begin to date, slowly. Each hiding the secret of the teenager at home. And while Sebastian is ready to go all in, Oliver isn’t. But fate has a different idea.

Even with everything life throws at them, they have a good slow romance burn. Both teenagers play heavily into the storyline which was nice because they really were integral to the story.

I don’t want to tell you too much about what happens. Because I really want you to read this book. Have tissues handy, but you will also smile and laugh and swoon.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

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Nicola Haken lives in Rochdale, England, with her five kids – one of whom is a grown man who many refer to as her husband. She spends her days writing about life, love, and all the beauty and angst that comes with it, and her nights binge watching Netflix or being the household slave. She’s also not very good at referring to herself in the third person, so if you’d like to get to know her your best bet would be to follow her on social media!

Oh, and if the kids ever ask, she moonlights as the Pink Power Ranger while they’re sleeping…

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Hacked Up by Ethan Stone: Quick Review with Giveaway

February 22, 2017 by Denise

synopsis Seattle is being plagued by a string of gruesome murders. For Detective Peter Tao, it’s a career-making case, but he’s struggling to find a lead. How is the killer choosing his victims? What is he trying to prove?

With a long list of suspects and nothing to connect them, Peter is more determined than ever to apprehend the murderer. Then Peter gets the one vital piece of evidence that ties everything together. Now he’ll have to look beyond the obvious to identify the killer before anyone else is murdered.

Solve the mystery in this fast-moving crime thriller by Ethan Stone.

Title: Hacked Up

Author: Ethan Stone

Publisher: Stone Publishing

Release Date: Feb 6, 2017

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deanna review

Ethan Stone is a new author for me and I was really looking for something different than the normal contemporary romance I’ve been reading lately. This book definitely hit the mark, from the first page I was sucked in. So much so, that I woke up at 3 am to read the last half of the book.

Detective Peter Tao and his partner Detective Jamey Nolan pick up a homicide case where the male victim was stabbed in the neck and after he died his genitals were cut off. It takes two victims for the detectives to link the crimes back to the hack of Ashley Madison by the hacker group Anonymous. I don’t want to get into too much detail and give anything away.

I will say there is a small romantic story line but it in no way overshadows the other plot line and really complements the story.

The plot moves at a steady pace with numerous twists and turns. The story was well thought out and well executed. It was incredibly entertaining and I couldn’t find any plot holes or anything I would have changed. The characters were very well developed, the backstories were full of rich detail.

This book was the perfect detour from my normal contemporary read. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to read more by Ethan Stone.

5 pieces of eye candy

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meet the author

Romance on the Edge

Ethan Stone doesn’t write your typical boy meets boy stories. With a combination of love and suspense he makes his characters work hard for their HEAs. If they can survive what he puts them through, then they can survive anything. He enjoys Romance with an Edge.

Ethan has been reading mysteries and thrillers since he was young. He’s had a thing for guys in uniform for just as long. That may have influenced the stories he writes.

He’s a native Oregonian with two kids. One of whom has made him a grandfather three times over; even though he is way too young.

Readers can find Ethan online.

www.ethanjstone.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ethan.stone.54

Twitter: @ethanjstone

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/ethanjstone/

Tumblr: www.tumblr.com/blog/ethanstone

Email: ethanstone.nv@gmail.com

His books: http://www.ethanjstone.com/my-books

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Imago by N.R. Walker: Release Day Review with Giveaway

February 20, 2017 by Denise

synopsis

Nerdy, introverted genius lepidopterist, Lawson Gale, is an expert on butterflies. He finds himself in a small town in Tasmania on a quest from an old professor to find an elusive species that may or may not even exist.

Local Parks and Wildlife officer, Jack Brighton, is an ordinary guy who loves his life in the sleepy town of Scottsdale. Along with his Border collie dog, Rosemary, his job, and good friends, he has enough to keep from being lonely.

But then he meets Lawson, and he knows he’s met someone special. There’s more to catching butterflies, Jack realises. Sometimes the most elusive creatures wear bow ties, and sometimes they can’t be caught at all.

Lawson soon learns there are butterflies he can’t learn about it in books. They exist only in a touch, in a kiss, in a smile. He just has to let go first, so these butterflies can fly.

Imago is the story of finding love, bow ties, and butterflies.

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jennifer

First, let’s take note of how cute this cover is. I mean, I’m not a fan of butterflies… I’ll actually be honest and say that I’m downright terrified of them. Have you seen their bodies with the long antenna’s and their wings with the voodoo looking faces on the back? And I’m pretty sure they can smell fear, because I was once chased around the outside of my dad’s house a few years ago by a giant, green and yellow one. I’ve never recovered….. Still… I picked this book because 1: The cover and 2: I’ve yet to read a book by this author that I didn’t love.

This one was no different. Let’s talk about why…

Lawson Gale is on his way to an important interview, in which he’d flown into town to attend when the car renter lady informs him that they didn’t have a rental for him. Already disgruntled from the plane and running a bit late, he doesn’t know what he’s going to do.

Jack Brighton has witnessed a couple reasons why Lawson would be so flustered and overhears him at the rental car counter. He offers him a ride to the museum, since he’s going that way and Lawson, eventually accepts. Lawson is adorable and shy and sweet and classified as a genius, so his social skills, he thinks are lacking. I, personally think that he’s charming. So does Jack. The way he talks, the way he blushes, his cluelessness about how attractive he is.. and of course, his adorable bow-tie. What’s not to adore?

The chemistry between these two charming men, is palpable. Their first date was light but impressive and it felt so genuine. Not like so many dates, now days where it’s like… “Let’s go get drunk and hook up”… No, Jack was a gentleman in every sense of the word. He was polite and charismatic, subtle and just…charming… I can’t say that enough about both of them… They both charmed me, from the very beginning.

So, Lawson was in town, trying to find a new species of butterfly that a former butterfly enthusiast had seen many decades ago. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the proper equipment to record his findings and despite the last many years, trying to find them again, he was unable to. Now, too old and not able bodied enough to trek around searching and researching, he passed the task off to, Lawson because Lawson was much like himself. He done the work because of a passion for it, not because he wanted credit on a great find or because he wanted to be famous. It was his life’s work and he took pride in it. Mr. Tillman (former butterfly enthusiast) respected Lawson because of it and needed it to be him to get the job done.

In the meantime, Jack used the time that Lawson was in town, to woo him- and woo him he did. Their dates were perfect. It was old-school courting type dating and it was respectable and genuine and sweet…Until it got hot and heavy, then little genius, Lawson had himself a dirty mouth lol, it was incredibly endearing. Each of the men also found that because they had such a great deal in common, it wasn’t like the men that they’d both dated before. They each knew how important their jobs were, Lawson especially had a problem with that, because “someone who chases butterflies” might not be taken very seriously. But it was indeed an important job and I loved that Jack saw that… so did Lawson.

I could seriously wax on about this story all day, but I’ll save you all from my gushing and spoiling. If you’re a fan of this author at all, you’ll know not to pass it up. It’s sweet and adorable and you’ll love the banter and chemistry between these two men.

Easy 5 stars from me!
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Where to find N.R. Walker

Email:

nrwalker2103@gmail.com