Andrew Grey

Nowhere to Run by Andrew Grey: Quick Review

January 3, 2022 by Denise

Roy Unger is greenhorn running from his past. He’s gotten a ranch job and works hard to prove himself every day. Since leaving home in a hurry, he’s come to realize that this job is the only thing standing between him and starvation. He isn’t going to mess it up, no matter how much Brad might drive him to distraction.

Brad has been around the block more than once. He’s a cowboy through and through, complete with a failed rodeo career and a love life that could only be described as hopeless. He’s worked hard and kept his head down. Roy makes him want more, but Brad has come to realize that what he wants isn’t what he gets.

Brad knows what desperation feels like and how important it is to fit in. When he decides to help Roy get over his fear of horses, the two men spend more time together, leading Roy to share confidences about his troubled past. Listening builds trust, which shifts into so much more. But before they can have any sort of future, they need to deal with Roy’s past, which could ruin everything.

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Andrew Grey always has books that are sweet, sexy and are so varied in their locations, I think he must research for months to get his info correct. (Seriously, in this book, when Roy is cleaning out a stable, there’s information about what is put down on the ground…and who knew it was anything other than hay?)

This one has sweet Roy, who is pretty much as sweet and virginal as you can get for a ranch hand. He’s hiding out to stay away from some unpleasantness at home. His goal was just to keep his head down, not get in any trouble, and make some money. Fortunately, he landed somewhere that didn’t ask a lot of questions, and seemed to want to take in a lost soul.

Brad, meanwhile, had his own issues, after having spent most of his young life dreaming of riding in a rodeo, then his first time, he is thrown and injured. He’s made do with the hand he’s been dealt, and seems to have spent time loving what his new life is. He takes Roy under his wing, teaching him how to ride, standing up for him until Roy could stand up for himself, and figure out how to address the situation at home.

I had a bit of a hard time staying in the story when Roy just decided to go home and deal with the issue. It threw me how he had gained that much confidence in just a few days time. It was a novella, though, so there has to be grace for that. Roy did seem to be able to step back into his parents’ lives and not allow them to step all over him, and much of that was due to Roy being at the ranch, not just being with Brad.

Overall, a nice little cowboy novella, although I’m not sure I would re-read it.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Fire and Diamond by Andrew Grey: New Release Review

August 7, 2020 by Denise

When Deputy Nick Senaster chastises a bunch of college kids at a bar, he doesn’t think anything of it, even if their leader is gorgeous. The guy is too young and way too cocky, and soon Nick has an emergency foster placement to focus on. His first job is ensuring ten-year-old Ethan knows someone cares for him. But Nick doesn’t realize Ethan is a package deal.

When Alexander finds out his abusive stepfather, Dieter, has lost custody of his half brother, he’s torn between relief and dread. Alexander can’t get custody until he can provide a home for his tiny family. In the meantime, at least Ethan’s foster father will let Alexander visit.

So of course the man turns out to be the cute but dour cop who gave Alexander a hard time.

Soon Nick and Alexander discover they misjudged each other. Nick is more than an authoritarian automaton, and Alexander has a drive and a maturity that belie their first meeting. But between a campaign of intimidation from Dieter, their own insecurities, and the logistics of dating with Ethan’s fragile sense of stability hanging in the balance, they have their work cut out for them if they want to build a future.

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Another cute addition to the Carlisle PD, in this one we get to know Nick. Nick is a sheriff’s deputy with the department, so we also see a lot of our regulars, which I loved. But recently left by his partner, instead of going home to an empty house most nights, he goes and has dinner and a drink at his favorite bar that I don’t remember the name of right this second. That’s where he meets Alexander, though it’s a less than friendly meeting.

I did not like Alexander at first, he seemed like one of those entitled rich kids that spout the law like they don’t have to follow it just because they know it. As he’s just graduated law school, he just wanted to celebrate with a few of his classmates, but he really was a jerk… they all were. That didn’t seem promising to me, but we get past it… until Donald called and asked Nick if he could foster a young boy that had just been taken from his father… who happened to be Alexander’s step-father, making the young boy his brother.

Nick, being a former foster kid that eventually aged out of the system, was all for helping the young boy and after finding out who is brother was, he wanted to help him too. The part that aggravated me to no end, was the fact that the father KNEW the stipulations to his visitation and kept popping up at Alexanders work and Nick’s house, not to mention the school where Ethan goes, forced a lockdown, was always drunk and disorderly, caused numerous scenes and threatened every freaking body…. They never had him arrested. He was just told to leave, every single time. Nevermind this guy had a basement dungeon he locked his son in, nevermind he verbally and sometimes physically abused him and directly disobeyed a court order… he never got arrested and everyone was reminding the guys that the courts like to reunite kids with their abusive parents, so be prepared for that… and I’m over here like WHAT??? I mean, I know that CPS and the system fail kids so so often, but this guy…. He should’ve at the very least been arrested for child abuse, neglect and violating visitation laws, but nay… he was free to keep harassing them all and eventually kidnapping the kid AND Alexander… separate occasions. It had me steaming.

If you can get past all that though, I did enjoy seeing Alexander fighting for his brother, Nick being there for both of them and Nick and Alexander getting together, which felt really quick to me, but it worked for them. I liked how real Ethan’s struggles were, as dark as they were at times. I always appreciate the realness of these situations because they’re becoming more and more talked about, more people are taking notice of it in real life…. I think that’s why it frustrated me so bad to know that their dad kept getting away with everything because it’s like… why is nobody doing anything about this?

Fictional, I know, but I reckon it hit close to home with me on this one. Overall, very sweet story though and I adore this series. I can’t wait to see what’s next!

4 pieces of eye candy

Notes from Home by Dirk Greyson: Exclusive Excerpt, Blog Tour and New Release Review

December 10, 2019 by Denise

While deployed on a covert mercenary assignment, Johnny doesn’t have much in the way of holiday cheer. But the mysterious notes from Dex that somehow appear in his bunk—reminding him of the gifts, cookies, celebrations, and most of all, love, waiting for him back in Wisconsin—help him get through the long, hot days. Will they be enough to keep his spirits up when the rest of his unit goes home to their families and he’s left alone?

Title: Notes From Home

Author: Dirk Greyson

Series: Stand Alone

Genre: M/M, Contemporary, Holiday Romance

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Release Date: Dec 1 2019

Edition/Formats: eBook & Print

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Dreamspinner Press

I set the letter aside and closed my eyes, thinking I could almost reach out and touch him. Dex seemed so close for a moment, but he wasn’t here, and I was spending another holiday away from the people I knew, just like I had for the last eight years. Outside, it was hot enough to fry eggs on the vehicle hoods, and yet for a few seconds, the bracing cold and covering of white back home had carried me away.

I stood up, put the letter back in the envelope, and set it next to the other three on the board just above my bed, the carefully crafted construction-paper snowman joining a Christmas tree, an ornament, and a Santa. I stilled, looking at all four of them, and sighed for just a second. Then the door to our quarters opened and thunked closed, popping the bubble of imagination and longing. I turned away from the letters and gathered my things before heading toward the bathroom and a much-needed shower. I stepped out of my cubicle, and Henry Cavit waved from the far side, stopping me.

This was a very short little story, but it was so heartwarming. It didn’t need to have a lot of background to really get the feel of the story.

Dex made mystery happen for Johnny who never really had a chance to have a happy holiday at home. So, Dex made it as happy as he could away from home. I won’t give away much, but I will say, the puppy on the cover does come into play 😉 and there is a happy ending. 🙂

4 pieces of eye candy for this short but sweet holiday story

Dirk is very much an outside kind of man. He loves travel and seeing new things. Dirk worked in corporate America for way too long and now spends his days writing, gardening, and taking care of the home he shares with his partner of more than two decades. He has a Master’s Degree and all the other accessories that go with a corporate job. But he is most proud of the stories he tells and the life he’s built. Dirk lives in Pennsylvania in a century old home and is blessed with an amazing circle of friends.

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Heart Unbroken by Andrew Grey: Exclusive Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

August 6, 2019 by Denise

Car restorer Dean Milford knows how to make damaged things beautiful again. Only, after a bad breakup, he loses sight of who he is, playing the field and distracting himself with any man he comes across. But now there’s only one guy who really matters to him. And maybe with his latest restoration job—a vintage Cobra—he’ll get the chance to let him know.

Losing his sight wasn’t the worst thing to happen to Lee Studer—losing his independence was. It’s taken a while, but he’s finally found his place in the world—in a garage. Funny enough, his acute hearing allows him to pinpoint engine problems just by listening. And even better, he’s going to have a chance to help his long-time crush, Dean, rebuild his fantasy car.

As the restoration comes together, so do Lee and Dean, building a friendship that quickly turns into so much more. But before they can think about a future together, they have to deal with the past. Only that turns out to be more dangerous than either one ever dreamed….

Title: Heart Unbroken
Series: Hearts Entwined: Book 4
Author: Andrew Grey
Release Date: August 6, 2019
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 192

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Dreamspinner Press

Lee and Scott were done with the Cadillac. Scott was just moving the car out of the bay when a hand touched Lee’s shoulder. Lee tensed until he smelled Dean. “You two do amazing work.”

“I hear the problems, and he sees them. I know my way around most engines, and he guides me. I wouldn’t be able to do this job without him.” Lee was well aware that Scott would be a great mechanic whether he was there or not. He was grateful that Scott worked with him, and he hoped he was helping Scott more than he was slowing him down.

“Trevor and I have come to an agreement. I’ve been restoring cars for the last decade out of my home garage, but I can’t keep my head above water. So he and I are going to partner together.”

“Down at the old Sears place? Trevor has been looking into that lately, and he always seems to be able to find the right fit for his ideas.”

“Yeah, exactly. And he said you and Scott might be interested in working with me. I do a lot of the body work—that’s my specialty—but I need experienced people to rebuild the engines and things like that. I can do it, but I’m better at other parts of the process.”

“I can talk with Brent and Scott.” Lee was excited about the possibilities. He’d heard one of the guys mention that Dean had just come across a Cobra he intended to restore. Lee’s hands itched to spend some time with that engine.

“Please do that. We’d all be working for Trevor, so things wouldn’t really be that different. But you’d have the chance to work on classic cars for a change, bringing them back from the dead.” Excitement filled Dean’s voice, and it was catching.

Lee nodded as his nose filled with the richness of Dean’s cologne , even over the garage’s exhaust fumes and grease. “Okay. I’ll think about it,” Lee said, wishing he had more questions, if only so he could get Dean to stay and talk with him a little while longer.

Where to start….

First.. love the cover!

Okay, so in this one, if you’ve read the first two in this series, you should remember
Dean, who is best friends with Trevor and Brent. He’s a bit of a player and still stuck in the bachelor life, even though his friends are both loved up and living their own lives… he seems a bit bitter about it, and to be honest, he was hit and miss with me in the other books, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like him… even at the beginning of this one, I didn’t really… but it all changed when he met Lee…

Lee works with Trevor at the garage, he’s the ears in the duo of him and Scott, who is deaf. A blind and deaf mechanic? I know… it’s hard to wrap your head around, but they seem to make it work and they’re both good at it…. Plus they have very supportive friends, whom I love.

Because Dean is a restorer of old classic cars and Trevor owns his own garage, he offers Dean a partnership of sorts to work for him but still do his own thing… which Dean appreciates because he was barely keeping his head above water financially as it was. A bonus was getting to work with Lee, who he had his eye on for a while but never did anything about because a bad breakup had him playing the field and not interested in getting hurt again, and Lee was a bit younger than him as well….which showed, a lot in my opinion.

Dean seemed kind of jerky until he caught Lee’s attention too. I liked watching them get to know one another and watching them both kind of navigate something new. Dean because he was opening himself up for something more than random hookups and Lee just getting to experience a normal type relationship with a normal guy… not that his impairment was abnormal, but it was just the way he felt. I can understand how hard it would be feel normal when everyone treated you with kid gloves…

And that brings me to the few things that I didn’t like…. There was the stereotypical overbearing mother… which I get… I’m a mother of two teenagers and sometimes I still treat them like they’re 10…. And they let me, why? Cuz I’m their mom and sometimes you just gotta humor your mom…but my goodness, Lee’s mom was too much….every conversation with her, literally every single one was him telling her that he’s not a kid… that he wants to be independent… that he cares about Dean, because yes, she was even a jerk to Dean…” what are your intentions with my son”, and “I think you need to break up with him”… like, really?? … I understand her concern, but it was too much, though she did redeem herself by the end I guess.. was still very stereotypical.

Also, things kept happening at work and when the guys went out to the club… elaborate things that you’d expect in a superhero movie with over the top villains … I knew exactly who was causing problems though I didn’t guess how they were related, I was annoyed when nobody seemed to know who was behind it all when it was so glaringly obvious.

Lastly…. Lee can smell illness? Is that a superpower? Someone walks up and asks to talk to Dean and he’s like…. Hepatitis or HIV? … I can smell it.
That whole part had me like…. Whaaaaat?

Overall though, I love this author’s stories and I love the way in which he uses impairments and real life problems with life and love. I like the complex situations and realistic views and solutions in handling things. I like the little embarrassing moments that some author’s skip over and I love the happily ever after’s that we get in this series. I was glad to see Dean get his happy and I loved the way he loved Lee.

It was a sweet read and I hope the series continues.

4 pieces of eye candy

Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation.

Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing) He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

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Fire and Agate by Andrew Grey: Audiobook Review

August 2, 2019 by Denise

When Chris Anducci is moved off jail duty and into the sheriff’s office, he doesn’t expect his first assignment to be protecting a witness against a human-trafficking ring. Knowing the new sheriff doesn’t abide screwups, Chris reluctantly agrees to work the case.

Pavle Kasun has spent the last four years of his life at the mercy of others. When an opportunity presented itself, he took it, resulting in his rescue. Now, the safe houses he’s placed in are being threatened, and he needs protection if he is to have any sort of chance at a life.

Chris opens his home to Pavle, but he doesn’t expect Pavle and his story to get under his skin…and stay there. Soon, they discover they have more in common than either of them thought. Slowly, Pavle comes out of his shell, and Chris finds someone who touches his heart. But as the men looking for Pavle close in, they will stop at nothing to get him out of the way. Even if Chris can keep him safe, he might not be able to protect his heart if Pavle moves back home.

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Audible

I love this series so I wasn’t surprised that I liked this one as well. Andrew Grey has a unique way of taking a sensitive subject and painting the picture so that it’s bearable and not so dark.

Chris is newly promoted to the sheriff’s office and his first real assignment is a favor to the Carlisle PD. Keep their human trafficking victim, Pavle safe until he can help the DEA, FBI and every other three letter agency identify his keepers. Chris will need to find a way to keep Pavle save without making it seem that he’s just exchanged one prison for another and without any of those pesky feelings getting in the way for the strong, enigmatic man.

The story was entertaining and enjoyable. The characters were well developed as was the storyline. I love that we get to catch up with old characters like Red and Terry. The audio performance was perfect, as is to be expected from Greg Tremblay. He didn’t get to be one of my go-to narrators for no reason. This was the perfect way to spend 6 hours.

4 Pieces of Candy

Survive and Conquer by Andrew Grey: Exclusive Guest Post, and Release Day Review

July 15, 2019 by Denise

Newton DeSantis was on the ground when the towers collapsed on 9/11. Though he still carries the scars on his body and his heart, he’s determined to ease some of the world’s suffering. Now a social worker and father to two children with special needs, he’s doing his best. But when his son’s health takes a drastic turn, Newton knows he can’t do it alone.

Family law attorney Chase Matthews is a rising star, and he’s in high demand. Still, Newton is very persuasive, and Chase takes his case pro bono. Everything about the other man appeals to Chase, but he’s determined to keep the relationship professional—even though, after meeting Newton’s kids, he wants to be a part of their lives.

Chase’s job doesn’t always allow him to pick his clients, though, and a case that could make him partner will put him on the opposite side of the courtroom from Newton—along with everything he believes in and the future they could build together.

Title: Survive and Conquer
Author: Andrew Grey
Release Date: July 9, 2019
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 193

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Dreamspinner Press

I love top 5 posts. They’re fun and it isn’t me talking about my book and why I think you should read it. We all get enough of those posts and I get tired of writing them. 🙂 So I thought I would write about my Top 5 special places in the world. These are ones that have a very special meaning for me.

1) Willow Alaska – My aunt had a cabin there and I spent many happy hours boating and swimming in the lake. (The swimming was when I was a kid and didn’t know what real cold felt like)

2) Albuquerque NM – My dear friends BA and Julia live there and we always have an amazing time

3) S Lake Tahoe CA – A dear friend of my aunts lived there and she gave me a refuge of sorts when I was trying to figure things out as a relatively young adult

4) Ludington, Michigan – I spent part of my teenage years there, but this is before that, when my family used to vacation there. We camped, hiked, and basically learned to grow up under the trees on the shores of Lake Michigan.

5) Carlisle PA – This is home and where I have lived longer than anywhere else in my life. And its been with my husband. So much has happened int he 16 years we’ve been here that its hard a list them all.

Siiiiiigh, how I love this author and his way of writing the sweetest dads.

In this one, we meet Newton, who was on the ground when the towers were hit on 9/11, and he did his part to help in the way that he could and was injured from it, not only physically, but mentally as well. Having flashbacks is almost as bad as his scarred foot and constant pain, causing him to limp with a cane. He’s forty-two and has adopted two of the cutest, well-behaved kids, a boy and a girl that also has physical handicaps that made it harder for them to get adopted. Not with Newton, though, he loved them immediately and you can see it throughout the entire story. Love that.

Now, Newton is a social worker and he’s working a case with a woman who’s in-laws are trying to get her kids out of spite, and Newton knows just the person to help, although he’s very busy and turns him away at first… that’s how we meet Chase… a family attorney that has children’s best interest at heart not only because it’s morally right, but because of his own childhood that broke my heart for him.

Thankfully he has an amazing mother, which is more than I can say for Newton… which sucks, because she plays a side part in this story that was more annoying than anything. She’s a basketcase that uses her religion and Newton’s sexuality to cause trouble… I wish we’d have gotten a better karmic smackdown in her face, but I’m petty and vindictive and mother or not, that woman was awful. Prepare to not like her.

Now, Newton needing Chase’s help, he bribes him a little bit with a homecooked meal to meet the mother and two kids that need his help and that’s how things with them start. At dinner, a medical emergency with Newton’s son has them spending time together outside of the professional setting and it was just easy to fall for
Newton and his kids, especially seeing how loving of a father he is and how he’s willing to put himself on the back burner to make his kids happy. It’s sweet and admirable and Chase is smitten with them all.

Things get complicated when the guys find out they’re working on the same case, but they handle it like adults and though things are rocky for a minute, it gets resolved quickly. I like the low angst and the mature way things are handled in
Andrew’s stories…. Little drama, little frustration…. I like that the couple is a bit older and don’t play games or let their pride get in the way of not communicating and unnecessary problems….

Overall, it’s a cute read with adorable kids and a sweet dad who finds love for them all…. Perfect!

4 pieces of eye candy