Andrew Grey

Trapped in Oz by Andrew Grey: TBT – Throwback Thursday Quick Review

June 7, 2018 by Denise

Tales from Kansas

Martin Long has plans and dreams, but they are derailed when his parents move and must sell their house. In need of a place to stay, fast, he answers an ad for a roommate, and even though the house needs work, the owner seems nice so Martin agrees to move in.

Gary Hunter is barely making ends meet, with mysteriously disappearing tips at work and tuition to pay. Disowned by his family and left with a house in need of repair, Gary desperately needs the extra set of hands along with the money.

When Gary confesses that his family disowned him for being gay, Martin makes his own confession that opens a world of possibilities. But Gary has paid a heavy price for being who he is, and Martin’s unwillingness to open up to his family puts strain on the fledgling relationship.

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Very cute, YA read.

Martin’s dad has accepted a job that’s taking him and his mother out of state, though he’s an adult now with a good job, maybe college and all of his friends here, he decides to stay behind. Well, his parents insist that he stay behind, really, I don’t think he would’ve on his own lol Anyway, he needs to find someone looking for a roommate, fast.

Gary inherited his grandmother’s house when she passed, but never had much of a relationship with her because his parents wouldn’t allow it. Now, kicked out and disowned by the terrible people, he has a place to stay but not enough money for the taxes and upkeep; and thankfully, but unfortunately for his expenses, his douchey roommate flunked out of school and had to leave. Meaning, he needed a new roommate fast, someone that wouldn’t care about his sexual preference.

Easier said than done, but he gets lucky when he meets Martin, and after getting to know Martin a little bit, he tells him before he moves in. It’s a problem for Martin, but not because Gary’s gay, but because Martin is too, he’s just never gotten to experience what that means, just yet. He’s scared of how his parents will react, especially after hearing how Gary’s own coming out was.

I will say that I was kinda annoyed that Gary put so much pressure on Martin, though I understand not wanting to be in a relationship where he had to hide it, Martin was literally JUST coming to terms with it himself, so I can understand his hesitancy… some people go decades without ever telling anyone, or accepting it themselves… and it’s up to them when and where they feel comfortable coming out. I didn’t like that Gary seemed to guilt him, even if it wasn’t intentional…. And I didn’t like that Martin felt like he had to choose between one or the other.

I also felt a bit like these guys were so young, and the pickin’s were slim, that it was just convieniant because they lived together…. I mean, they liked each other, sure…. But it didn’t feel like much more than that for me. I dunno… maybe I’m reading too much into it, but to me… it felt forced because it was a right time right place kinda thing. It worked out for them in the end, though I was also surprised at how Martin’s family took it. They were accepting eventually….but I figured with the way his mom was, that she already knew.

Overall, it’s a cute, short read with a happy ending. That’s good right?

3 pieces of eye candy from me!

Redeeming the Stepbrother by Andrew Grey: Exclusive Guest Post and Excerpt

April 11, 2018 by Denise

Family can be a blessing and a curse, but for artist Florian, it’s a nightmare he longs to escape.
As chief designer for Bartholomew Artist Porcelain, Florian specializes in painting birds. He also watches them in the wild to distract himself from his short-tempered mother, at least temporarily. Florian’s heart is too soft to leave his stepsister, Ella, to suffer alone. Still, he can’t help dreaming about one day finding happiness and love.

When Count Dieter von Hollenbach arrives in town to visit a friend and present an award, he isn’t looking for romance. Then again, he doesn’t expect someone as perfect as Florian to come into his life. To make sure Florian is all he seems and that their connection is genuine, Dieter keeps his title to himself.

But he isn’t the only one with a secret.

At a masquerade ball to celebrate the award, some of the masks fall away, but those that remain in place could destroy the love beginning to grow between them.

Title: Redeeming the Stepbrother
Series: Tales from St. Giles: Book 2
Author: Andrew Grey
Release Date: April 10, 2018
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 192

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

I love the story of Cinderella and Redeeming the Stepbrother is my take on the classic fairy tale. Well sort of. See I didn’t want to do a Cinder-fella story. They had been done, so I decided to twist the story and write a romance from one of the stepbrother’s perspectives. See, I’ve already twisted the story to meet my own needs. Of course you’ll recognize many of the classic players in the fairy tale, including the prince. LOL I had an amazing time with this story. It was fun, and interesting for me as a writer. To play with some classic archetypal characters and put my own spin on them. I think as a writer to be able to play with things like this, for me anyway, was as liberating and fun as it was a challenge. I wanted to bring something new while still retaining enough of the familiar to make the story fun. Of course you’ll see some old friends as well from Taming the Beast. I really hope you enjoy it.

“Look at that mess,” Mother scolded. “You need to stop all that stupid bird shit and do something productive with your time.” She sat at the kitchen table in a pair of jeans and a red blouse, reading a book. She lifted her gaze to Isabella, who was at the sink doing dishes, before returning to her book. “Put the jeans in the washtub once you’ve changed so they can be rinsed out. Don’t put them in the washer. I don’t want mud in there again.” She never looked up at me. It was her usual behavior.

I went up to my room, changed, and brought the jeans back down. Once they were taken care of, I took a sandwich to my room and locked the door so Jeremy, Mother’s favorite and my perfect older brother, didn’t come in to cause trouble. We each had a talent, and that was definitely his. The jerk.

I put the plate and glass of water on my desk, then pulled out my paint kit and a blank canvas from the closet. I set up my small easel and got to work, brush in hand, mixing colors, letting my inner eye take over.

There were many things about my job that I loved. Painting birds in great detail, flying, sitting still, standing in a pool of water—I enjoyed it. The work made me happy and I was good at it. I could actually make a living with my art. And I was proud of that. But it was what I did in this room, after work, alone—just me, the paint, and the canvas—that got my heart racing. At night, I painted men—nude, beautiful men, the ones who came to me in my head. And I had a vivid, wild, and sometimes naughty imagination. What always made me smile was that I sold my art on the internet. People paid me for the visual representations of my fantasies.

My mother and brother would have two fits and a hemorrhage, each, if they knew about my little side business, so I hid the canvases under my bed. After all these years, if I stacked them all up, my mattress would be six feet off the ground. Lots of pictures came to me. Not that it mattered, as I shipped most of them away, all over the world, and did it very quietly.

Anyway, I put the fresh canvas on the easel and got to work. The shoulder-length blond hair and strong jaw were easy enough to recreate, as were Dieter’s eyes and nose. Those I had seen, and because I posed him slightly to the side, I was easily able to imagine what his butt looked like. After the way his pants had tightened when he’d bent over, I just let my mind’s eye remove them. It was the rest of him that left me at a loss, but not for long. One thing I had learned was to let my mind fill in the blanks. It was so much easier and a lot more fun. I painted his broad shoulders, which were pretty easy to see through his clothes, and the rest, I just let my little old mind take over.

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.

Author Links

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The Good Fight by Andrew Grey: TBT Quick Review

February 8, 2018 by Denise

A new feature we are bringing to TCO, TBT, Throwback Thursday Reviews. A chance to review that book you’ve been “meaning to read” for a long time! So check out what some of the “older” books have to offer!

Jerry Lincoln has a problem: his Sioux Falls IT consulting business has more work than one man can handle. Luckily, that means he can hire some help. Jerry just hopes his new employee, John Black Raven, ends up being more helpful than distracting—but John’s deep eyes and long hair are very distracting.

John came to town for an education and a chance at a life he couldn’t have on the reservation, but what’s important to him now is getting a job and keeping it. Six months ago, his sister died, and now her children are in foster care. Despite having the law on his side, John can’t get custody—can’t even see his niece and nephew.

As Jerry and John grow closer, John discovers he doesn’t have to struggle alone. Jerry helps him win visitation rights and provides much-needed support. Yet their victories aren’t without setbacks. Child Services is tangled up with money, politics, and red tape, and Native American children are their bread and butter. But John and Jerry are determined to fight the good fight and to win—in more ways than one.

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Loving this cover! I feel like I’ve had this one on my TBR list forever, because I love this author and hello….hot Native American’s? Yes please! So, here we have Jerry, a consulter for some tech stuff with coding and all that stuff I know nothing about so I can’t tell you the actual name for it…. But, with more work than he could handle on his own, with a suggestion and help from a good friend, he decided to hire someone that could help him out. He found two prospects, both were qualified, and things happen in which he could hire them both…. Only problem, one of them was John Black Raven, and he was extremely attracted to him. To the point of distraction.

Fortunately, it worked out and while working together and getting to know one another, Jerry learns of a family matter that John needs help with. His niece and nephew has been taken by child services when their mother died and because of their heritage, they aren’t likely to be given to John, because they earn the state money being in care. I’m not sure how true this is, or if things like that do indeed happen, but I was really hoping for more karmic justice with the terrible state worker who actually lied and deceived to keep John from his family. When his sister passed, shed wanted John to have the kids…. The social worker was awful though and she fought him every step of the way. That’s where Jerry came in.

Jerry wasn’t having it with the social worker and heled John as much as he could. How could you not fall for someone like that…. That’s exactly what John did, and Jerry, seeing how much he loved his niece and nephew and how badly he wanted them to be with him… it was impossible not to fall for him too!

Overall, it was just a really cute read with a really sweet ending… and I’m looking forward to reading the next one!

4 pieces of eye candy for me.

Taming the Beast by Andrew Grey: New Release Review with Giveaway

October 13, 2017 by Denise

The suspicious death of Dante Bartholomew’s wife changed him, especially in the eyes of the residents of St. Giles. They no longer see a successful businessman… only a monster they believe was involved. Dante’s horrific reputation eclipses the truth to the point that he sees no choice but to isolate himself and his heart.
The plan backfires when he meets counselor Beau Clarity and the children he works with. Beau and the kids see beyond the beastly reputation to the beautiful soul inside Dante, and Dante’s cold heart begins to thaw as they slip past his defenses. The warmth and hope Beau brings to Dante’s life help him see his entire existence—his trials and sorrows—in a brighter light.
But Dante’s secrets could rip happiness from their grasp… especially since someone isn’t above hurting those Dante has grown to love in order to bring him down.

Title: Taming the Beast
Author: Andrew Grey
Release Date: October 13, 2017
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 200

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Kobo Books

Andrew Grey writes so prolifically that I think he must write a book a week. And where he gets his plot bunnies is only known to him. However, this book seems to have come from the Beauty and the Beast storyline, with a much more modern (and of course m/m) feel.

Dante’s past still haunted him even after meeting and falling for Beau. The guilt he carried for the death of his wife was so self inflicted that the town picked up on it, treating him as he felt he should be treated, as a killer. Moving past it would take more than the love of a single man, but forgiveness of himself.

I really liked that though Beau was the “Beauty” in this mix, he wasn’t a man to just sit there and do as his Beast told him. He was determined to make the situation work, as well as wanting to see beyond the distant exterior of Dante. He accepted that Dante could do things in the town he couldn’t but wanted to make sure that he didn’t take advantage of that.

They fell in love quickly but it did feel organic simply because Beau wouldn’t let Dante keep pushing him back. They worked together to figure out how to deal with the crises that came to them, yet didn’t try to solve the problem for the other (well okay Dante wanted to but he respected Beau’s wish to not have him solve it)

The epilogue worked well to complete their story, and gave the reader a glimpse into the full transition of Dante back into the world he had cut himself off from. I would have liked a little more informations on how his deceased wife’s parents handled everything but that wasn’t critical to the story. These two men with such distinct tragedies in their lives found a love and life together, bringing their HEA full circle. Definitely a book I enjoyed.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

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Never Let You Go by Andrew Grey: Exclusive Guest Post, Excerpt and Giveaway

September 12, 2017 by Denise

Friends since they met in school, Ashton and Brighton soon become much more. Ash and his aunt are Brighton’s haven away from his mess of a family, and when Ash enlists in the Army, Brighton learns to endure his long absences and eagerly awaits his return from missions.

Until one day Ash doesn’t come back, and Brighton thinks his greatest fear has come true.

Months pass and Brighton grieves for Ash, not knowing that a terrible misunderstanding sent Ash running, unable to cope when he thought Brighton had betrayed him. Even after an emotional reunion, their relationship isn’t the same—Brighton is now responsible for his young niece, and he’s having a hard time rediscovering the trust he once had in Ash. Ash must still tend to his mental health, but before he can, he’ll have to deal with a past secret that puts all their lives at risk. With so many forces determined to tear them apart, can Brighton and Ash hold on to each other and never let go?

Title: Never Let You Go
Series: Forever Yours: Book Two
Author: Andrew Grey
Release Date: September 8, 2017
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 200

Amazon US

Dreamspinner Press

Kobo Books

Usually when I start a story, I begin with the characters, a few times it’s the setting or a particular situation. Never Let You Go started with the prologue. I had a clear vision for how this story was going to start. That vision of Ash seeing Brighton and then turning to walk away when he jumps to a conclusion, is what drove the entire idea. That in turn helped me develop Ash and Brighton. It told me a great deal about Ash, his history, and just how broken he felt at that moment. Brighton and the hurt and pain he carried with him came into clear focus as well. That isn’t how I usually do things, but for this story I think it worked very well. Though I will confess that I’m not someone to let go of a story idea no matter where it comes from. Inspiration can be both fleeting and amazing at the same time. I like to think that the important thing about inspiration is to wrangle it once it strokes and not let go. I’m certainly glad I didn’t let go of that initial vision for Never Let You Go.

“You know, you need to get out once in a while,” Raymond said as he came out of his bedroom. “Do you realize it’s been eighteen months since they told you about Ash? He’s gone and isn’t coming back, and you need to find someone to share your life.” He leaned closer. “And don’t say that’s what you have me and Violet for. You need someone to love and love you in return.”

“I had that once, and I don’t know if I can ever have that again.” Brighton knew what it felt like to have someone who was the other half of him. “Besides, Violet is still settling in and I need to concentrate on her. Allie asked me to take care of Violet if anything ever happened to her, and I intend to do the very best that I can.” He knew the answer was a cop-out of sorts and that he was hiding behind his niece, but he wasn’t ready to date yet. “So you go on out and have a good time.” He did a double take on Raymond’s outfit. He wore a pair of jeans that had to be two sizes too small and a shirt that showed off his arms. “Where are you going?”

“To Rose’s for coffee.”

“Don’t you think you’re a little overdressed… or underdressed, in this case? God, you don’t want to cut off circulation to your bits. And this is Biglerville.”

“The guy I’m dating is from LA. His name is Ethan, and he’s Justin Hawthorne’s assistant. So he’s used to being around people who are really cool and interesting and….” Raymond shifted his gaze to the floor.

“You are not allowed to be unsure of yourself. Go back in there and change. Let this Ethan see who you really are and he’s sure to like you. And if he doesn’t, I’ll show up at his house and kick his ass.” Brighton pulled Raymond into his arms. “Now go ahead and change. Just be yourself.”

With a smile, Raymond went back into his room while Brighton returned to making dinner.

“Violet, please turn that down a little.”

She lowered the volume, and Brighton cut up some lettuce to make them each a small salad. He was really blessed that Violet loved vegetables, though if he asked her what she wanted to eat she’d tell him bacon. That girl would eat bacon for each and every meal if he let her. He opened the door to the refrigerator and pulled out some chicken he’d already cooked and began cutting it into small pieces, along with a little celery and some herbs, as well as chopped nuts.

“Is this better?” Raymond asked, and Brighton nodded.

“You look great. The slacks are nicer than the tight jeans, and I like that shirt. The green is great on you.” Brighton watched as Raymond pulled on his shoes and got ready to go. “Take an umbrella. You’re going to need it.”

Raymond looked out the front window, groaning as the rain lashed the glass.

Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled, sending Violet off the sofa and into his arms. He set aside what he was doing, lifted her up, and took her back to the sofa. “It’s just thunder. There’s nothing to be afraid of.” He sat down with Violet on his lap and turned to Raymond. “Just wait a little while. This isn’t going to last long. When are you supposed to be there?”

Raymond checked his phone. “Fifteen minutes.” He shoved it back in his pocket. “The one time I’m ready early and I’m stuck waiting until the storm lets up.”

Brighton patted Violet’s knee. “Why don’t you go get the really big umbrella for Uncle Raymond? That way he won’t get wet.” He smiled as Violet hurried to the closet and brought over the black-and-white umbrella. She jumped when the thunder rolled again, but handed it to Raymond and then sat next to Brighton once more. “Do you think you can sit here while I finish making you something to eat?” He tweaked her nose, and she nodded slowly.

The storm was already moving on and the thunder sounded less sharp. Raymond took the umbrella and headed for the door to the stairs. “I’ll see you later.” He waved, and Violet waved back. Raymond closed the door behind him, and Brighton stood to return to the kitchen.

Violet laughed as one of the characters on her show did something funny. He adored that sound. She’d been with him for six months now. His sister had developed cancer, and by the time they diagnosed it, she was beyond help and lasted only a few more weeks. The strain she’d had was nasty and had left none of her untouched. At the end she’d been little more than skin and bones. One of the hardest things Brighton had ever had to do was take Violet home with him as she cried for her mother while he was barely able to hold himself together. Thank God Raymond had come to stay with him the year before.

Just like when Ash walked out of his life for the last time to take his assignment. Ash had promised it would be his last one that his time was up after that. It all turned out to be true, though not in the way either of them had hoped at the time.

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Fire and Fog by Andrew Grey: Exclusive Guest Post, Excerpt and Giveaway

July 13, 2017 by Denise

Carlisle police officer Dwayne knows what Robin is doing the moment he lays eyes on the young man at Bronco’s club. But he doesn’t know that, like him, Robin also comes from a family who cast him out for being gay, or that he’s still lugging around the pain of that rejection. Robin leaves the club, and soon after Dwayne decides to as well—and is close by when things between Robin and his client turn violent.

When Dwayne finds out Robin is the victim of a scam that lost him his apartment, he can’t leave Robin to fend for himself on the streets. Despite Dwayne’s offer of help and even opening up his home, it’s hard for Robin to trust anything good. The friendship between them grows, and just as the two men start warming up to each other, Robin’s sister passes away, naming Robin to care for her son. Worse yet, their pasts creep back in to tear down the family and sense of belonging both of them long for.

Will their fledgling romance dissipate like fog in the sun before it has a chance to burn bright?

Title: Fire and Fog

Author: Andrew Grey

Series: Carlisle Cops #6

Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Release Date: July 7 2017

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

I write a lot of guest posts for a lot of blogs. But I love this one. mainly because the name is so cool. See it speaks to me. I may not be a chick, but I am obsessed with books. I have hundreds of them on my Kindle and more on the bookshelves in my house. I have been a reader for most of my life. As a kid I used to go to bed and read The Hardy Boys mysteries. Later I read classics and adventure stories. Finally I found gay romance and I was hooked. Completely and totally. Obsession confirmed. I also love eye candy. After all I am a gay man and there are few things more beautiful than a handsome man…well maybe a handsome man, naked, lying on his back with I want you eyes and….Well you get the picture. Thankfully Dominic is the best eye candy ever.

Robin lay still for a long time. His life had gone to hell, and he kept descending further and further by the day. Now he was homeless, in essence, lying on a surprisingly comfortable sofa in a stranger’s living room, and wondering just when the next shoe was going to drop. He could see all the way into the dining area and kitchen from where he lay and it seemed rather homey and brought his predicament into focus.

He jumped when water ran, wondered if Dwayne was up, but it was somewhere else in the building.

If he was honest with himself, he wouldn’t have minded so much if Dwayne had been interested. Robin had to admit Dwayne was hot, and when Robin closed his eyes, his mind did an efficient job of pulling away Dwayne’s club clothes and filling in all the blanks.

Eventually Robin slept, then woke with a start at the clink of dishes. The night had been warm and he’d pushed the blankets off. He rolled over and wished he hadn’t, because after a night with images of Dwayne running through his head, jumbled up with the other things that had happened to him, he was as hard as a rock and completely confused. Still he didn’t want to be flashing Dwayne.

“Did you sleep okay?” Dwayne asked as the scent of coffee filled the apartment, calling to Robin like a siren of the morning.

“Yes. Thanks.” His arousal went down as his reality sank in hard. There was nothing for him to get excited about.

“I’ll have breakfast ready in ten minutes or so. Go on and get cleaned up if you want.” Dwayne seemed to watch him for longer than necessary before turning away to get out some pans. Robin took the opportunity to escape, hurried to the bathroom, closed the door, and paused to breathe once he was safely inside.

He gasped and leaned against the door as everything from the past few months pressed down on him like a lead weight. What the hell was going to happen to him now? He’d failed at everything. Hell, he couldn’t even hustle properly and got picked up by a cop his first time out. He had no home, a few bills in his pocket, and didn’t know where his next meal was coming from.

Robin slid down the door and ended up scrunched at the base of it in a heap, unwilling and unable to move. He knew he had to get up and somehow do what he needed to leave this room before Dwayne thought something was wrong and came looking for him. Falling to pieces was one thing, but someone seeing him do it was completely different. He needed to be strong so no one thought they could take advantage of him.

Using the door handle, he pulled himself to his feet, then ran water and splashed it on his face. He’d forgotten to get his toothbrush and stuff before he’d made his escape, so he screwed up his courage, left the bathroom, and returned to the living room, where he opened the top box and found what he needed in a CVS bag. He also grabbed some cleanish clothes and then raced back to the bathroom as everything boiled to the surface. He tamped it down and managed to get behind a closed door one more time, stared at himself in the mirror, and tried to see the part of him that had fucked everything up so badly. Maybe he did have loser written on his forehead. Robin actually checked. He couldn’t see anything, but there had to be something, because he’d sure drawn the loser stick in life.

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