Andrew Grey

Planting His Dream by Andrew Grey: 5 star Release Day Review

April 11, 2016 by Denise

Foster dreams of getting away, but after his father’s death, he has to take over the family dairy farm. It soon becomes clear his father hasn’t been doing the best job of running it, so not only does Foster need to take over the day-to-day operations, he also needs to find new ways of bringing in revenue.

Javi has no time to dream. He and his family are migrant workers, and daily survival is a struggle, so they travel to anywhere they can get work. When they arrive in their old van, Foster arranges for Javi to help him on the farm.

To Javi’s surprise, Foster listens to his ideas and actually puts them into action. Over days that turn into weeks, they grow to like and then care for each other, but they come from two very different worlds, and they both have responsibilities to their families that neither can walk away from. Is it possible for them to discover a dream they can share? Perhaps they can plant their own and nurture it together to see it grow, if their different backgrounds don’t separate them forever.

Title: Planting His Dream
Author: Andrew Grey
Release Date: April 11, 2016
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 200

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Dreamspinner Press

ARe

One of my favorite Andrew Grey books yet! Absolutely loved this story.

Foster, a young farmer struggling to keep the family farm after his father’s sudden death meets Javi, a young migrant worker at the farm to pick asparagus. Foster is struggling to come to terms with his father’s death and the financial state the farm is in when Javi comes to the farm and awakens all these new feelings in him. Javi is also struggling, with an abusive father and a mother and two younger siblings to help take care of. As a migrant worker, Javi must go where the work is. There is no sense in dreaming of what he could have with Foster, in his life dreams only bring a reminder of what you can’t have.

Slowly, Foster and Javi develop a friendship while repairing the farm. Foster is thankful for the new ideas that Javi has suggested and Javi is awestruck that someone is listening to his suggestions. Over the weeks the two work together they must come to terms with their feelings for each other, knowing their time together is short. Javi is not in a position to leave his family, even if it means missing out on a love like theirs.

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. Perhaps even after Javi and Foster have to go their separate ways maybe they will just find their way to being where they need to be. Together.

I loved this story. The strong sense of family and hard work was endearing. The huge amount of detail about farm life was interesting and gave the story a feeling of authenticity.

It was a great read, I couldn’t put it down.

5 pieces of eye candy

Love Comes to Light by Andrew Grey: Release Day Review, Guest Post and Excerpt

March 18, 2016 by Denise

Artist Arik Bosler is terrified he might have lost his creative gift in the accident that left his hand badly burned. When he’s offered the chance to work with renowned artist Ken Brighton, Arik fears his injury will be too much to overcome.

He travels to Pleasanton to meet Ken, where he runs into the intimidating Reg Thompson. Reg, a biker who customizes motorcycles, is a big man with a heart of gold who was rejected by most of his family. Arik is initially afraid of Reg because of his size. However it’s Reg’s heart that warms Arik’s interest and gets him to look past the exterior to let down his guard.

But Arik soon realizes that certain members of Reg’s motorcycle club are into things he can’t have any part of. Reg can’t understand why Arik disappears until he learns Arik’s injury was the result of his father’s drug activity. Though neither Reg nor Arik wants anything to do with drugs, the new leadership of Reg’s club might have other ideas.

Title: Love Comes to Light
Series: Senses Series
Author: Andrew Grey
Release Date: March 18, 2016
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 206

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Dreamspinner Press

ARe

Thank you to Andrew for joining us with a Guest Post!

When I was developing this final story for the Senses series, I wanted to return to the world of Ken and Patrick, but I didn’t want to return to them directly. They had already had their happy ending and I didn’t want to revisit that. So Arik was born. He’s an artist who has been injured. Before his accident, he entered a contest and won an internship of sorts with Ken. He hesitantly accepts his prize, believing that his accent has also claimed his talent. Arik of course receives help form Ken, but more importantly, he meets Reg, a garage owner who’s everything Arik fears.

Reg is large, bald, and intimidating and Arik reacts with pure fear the first time he meets him. But Arik is more than just his size and intimidating package. He’s an artist of sorts himself and he has a heart as big as his body. The big man with a heart of gold is a character type I have written before and it’s one I love. With many of us, our exteriors say one thing, but it isn’t until we learn what’s inside that we truly know a person. This story is very much about two people who must learn to look inside themselves and be willing to look deeply into others in order to find happiness.

Another great book by Andrew Grey. I absolutely adored Arik and Reg. My heart went out to Arik and what he had suffered in his past. His belief that he can’t do what he loves to do because of his injury and the feelings he shows really made me feel for him and connect with him. I thought that Reg was a great counterpart to him. His attitude and personality was so endearing to me. I thought Andrew did a wonderfull job keeping the story moving and entertaining.

4 pieces of eye candy

I have read a lot of Andrew Grey’s books but this was the first of the Senses Series that I have read.

This is the story of injured artist, Arik who is invited to paint with famous artist Ken Brighton. Despite the injury he goes to at least meet the painter. While there studying with Ken to overcome his injury and learn to create with different methods he meets Ken’s friend Reg, the local mechanic and gas station owner.

Arik is a broken man, just recovered from his injury and scared of his own shadow. Over time he becomes comfortable with Reg who is a much larger man than him. Arik and Reg start spending time together when Reg introduces him to his friends from the biker club. Arik, having grown up with junkies as parents instantly knows what some members of the club are doing and breaks it off with Reg. Not willing to lose Arik, Reg cuts ties with the biker club but that presents a whole new set of problems for Reg.

Arik will need to let go of a hurtful past before he can envision a future with Reg. Will Reg sit by and wait for Arik to come to his senses?

I enjoyed this book. Arik was pretty broken and sometime care across as whiny but by the end of the book I was fully invested. The story had good build up, there weren’t any plot holes and it was a great HEA. A solid three star read.

“Arik, I’m glad you made it.” He set his palette aside and walked toward Arik, extending his hand. Arik hesitated, then pulled his right hand out of his pocket. He could tell instantly when Mr. Brighton noticed. He looked into Arik’s eyes, meeting his gaze straight on. That alone was different. So was the gentle, yet firm, way Ken gripped his damaged hand. “It’s good to meet you.”

Arik looked away. “I should explain. I really wanted to meet you, but I thought about calling to cancel because—” He looked down at his hand. “Well, I’m not an artist any longer. I was so thrilled when you called, and I wanted to meet you so badly, but… I probably shouldn’t waste your time.”

“Slow down. And please call me Ken.” He reached over, grabbed a stool, and moved it closer, motioning for him to sit. “Let’s take things one at a time. This is my partner, Patrick,” Ken said, and Arik extended his hand. Patrick nodded and shook it. “He isn’t able to speak because of an accident, but he’s very adept at other forms of communication.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Arik said, and Patrick smiled, his eyes warming even more. Patrick lightly patted Arik’s hand and then released it. Patrick then left the room, closing the studio door. “Like I said, I shouldn’t have come and wasted your time.”

Ken didn’t say anything, just walked to the corner of his studio and returned with a painting that Arik instantly recognized as his contest entry. “All of the entries were sold at a charity auction, and yours was the only one I bought. It spoke to me in a way that went right to my heart. I had to have it.”

“I did that a year ago….” He looked down at his hand and slid it back into his pocket. He hated seeing it.

“Your work is gorgeous and shows great talent,” Ken said.

“Well, it shows what I once had.”

Ken continued looking at the painting.

“That was my grandmother’s home,” Arik said. “The contest guidelines were for us to paint a memory. I chose a time when I was happiest. My grandmother had a house on the lake in Muskegon. There was a swing in the backyard under a tree, and she and I used to sit in it and she read me stories.”

“She must have been a gardener.”

Arik nodded. “She loved flowers and even bred roses. The purple ones and the orange ones in the picture are ones she bred herself. She loved the color, but I think she was after scent more than anything. I remember her always smelling like roses. They were her passion.”

“You didn’t put her in the picture,” Ken remarked.

Arik smiled. “She’s there.” He pointed to the row of color that disappeared along the side of the house. “She’s in those flowers. She told me once that after she was gone, she’d live on as long as someone grew her flowers.”

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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For Other Works by Andrew Grey

(Please Be Sure To Stop by His Website to See All of His Works)

Love Comes Silently Book 1

Love Comes in Darkness Book 2

Love Comes Home Book 3

Love Comes Around Book 4

Love Comes Unheard Book 5

Love Comes to Light Book 6

The Lone Rancher by Andrew Grey : Blog Tour, Excerpt and Review

February 29, 2016 by Denise

Aubrey Klein is in real trouble—he needs some fast money to save the family ranch. His solution? A weekend job as a stripper at a club in Dallas. For two shows each Saturday, he is the star as The Lone Rancher.

It leads to at least one unexpected revelation: after a show, Garrett Lamston, an old friend from school, approaches the still-masked Aubrey to see about some extra fun… and Aubrey had no idea Garrett was gay. As the two men dodge their mothers’ attempts to set them up with girls, their friendship deepens, and one thing leads to another.

Aubrey know his life stretching between the ranch and the club is a house of cards. He just hopes he can keep it standing long enough to save the ranch and launch the life—and the love—he really hopes he can have.

Title: The Lone Rancher

Series: Standalone

Genre: M/M, Contemporary Romance, Western

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Release Date: Feb 15 2016

Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

“Ladies, gentlemen, and those of you who have yet to make up your minds,” the master of ceremonies quipped over the loudspeaker. It was an old joke, and one Aubrey had heard each and every Saturday night. Activity buzzed around him, but Aubrey kept his mind focused on the task at hand. “We have an amazing lineup for you tonight.” A whoop went up from the gathered crowd, shaking the walls. “And we all know who you’re waiting for….”

Another, louder yell made the floor vibrate. Excitement ramped up inside him, and Aubrey took a step closer to the stage entrance. He knew the shtick that went on—it was all designed to get the crowd fired up.

“Should I bring him out at the end of the show?”

The resulting sound was deafening. “Now!”

“I can’t hear you,” he sang, and the crowd became even louder. “All right, you asked for him, and here he is. The one… the only… the cowboy who can light my prairie on fire anytime he wants. The Lone Rancher!”

Music pumped and the stage went dark as Audrey raced on. When the lights flashed on, the crowd of men in front of him went wild. He snapped his hips to one side, and men yelled, jumping up and down to the beat of the music. He began to move, pumping his fists and snapping his hips to the beat in a raucous, salacious impersonation of ass-slapping sex, the fringe on his chaps flapping wildly. Then he turned around to give them a clear view of his jeans-clad ass framed in chaps and pumped his hips, clenching his cheeks, making them do a little dance in the denim that sent the crowd into a frenzy.

His vest was the first to go. Aubrey peeled it away, twirling it over his head as he rolled his hips, moving his entire body to the pounding beat that filled him. He knew his routines by heart, so he let go, sinking deep into himself and just going with what felt good. He kicked his boots into the wings and then removed the chaps in a flash of leather that sailed across the stage, landing just out of sight of the crowd. Now in just his checked shirt, jeans, hat, and, of course, the mask he wore the entire time he was in the club, he whirled around, his back to the crowd, and pulled at his shirt, spreading it wide, letting it slip off his shoulders. He shimmied it back and forth, then whipped back to face the audience, pulling the shirt closed as he did.

Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere andrew-grey-pic 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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Darkness Threatening by Dirk Greyson: Blog Tour and Excerpt

February 12, 2016 by Denise

Fredrik is back from college and trying to stay out of his power-hungry brother’s way, until his brother takes a prisoner for his pleasure. Unable to tolerate his family’s cruelty, Fredrik overcomes his fear to help her escape back to her pack. There, he meets Christopher, and their instant attraction tells him Christopher is the one. However, since the threat of his brother remains, Fredrik is reluctant to pursue a relationship.

Christopher is still figuring out his place in the pack and has been living on his own to avoid making waves with his brother, Mikael. Now he’s met his soulmate, and he’ll do anything to take care of his love, including rejoining the pack.

With coaxing, Fredrik accepts his feelings, and Christopher’s pack gives him the home he’s never had. But Fredrick soon realizes he should keep running. His brother is on his tail and will stop at nothing to obtain the power he craves, especially when he realizes the source of the power could be Fredrik himself.

Title: Darkness Threatening

Author: Dirk Greyson

Series: Yellowstone Wolves

Genre: M/M, Paranormal Romance, Shifters

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Release Date: Feb 3 2016

Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print

Book Links

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Dreamspinner Press

“Let’s go for a run. I need to hunt something,” Juneau said as Fredrik reached the door to his room and went inside. He closed the door as silently as he could and stood stock-still, trying not to breathe so he could hear them.

The front door opened and closed. Fredrik hoped they had all gone, but it was likely one of the dipshit twins had been left behind. He listened at the door and then opened it slightly, scenting for anyone in the house. He could smell fear and hear soft sobs from the room next door, but that was all. He stepped out of the room as a chair scraped on the floor. Just as he suspected. Squaring his shoulders, Fredrik walked back toward the open central room.

Dimitri sat at the table, staring off into space. “What are you up to? Juneau said I was to stay here and keep an eye on you and his present.” He grinned like an idiot. “But I was thinking that maybe you could be my present.” He stood. “A hole’s a hole, right? Besides, I bet you’d like what I got for you.”

Fredrik swallowed hard. “I don’t think so. You aren’t my type.”

“I ain’t, huh? I’m a guy and you like guys, so I figured I could see what all the fuss was about.” He stepped closer, and Fredrik took a small step back. Dimitri stomped his foot and then laughed. “I ain’t gonna soil myself with the likes of you. You can stop looking like you’re gonna jump through the roof.” He walked to the small table near the old sofa, yanked open the drawer, and pulled out a deck of cards. He began shuffling again and again, the snap and thump sounds filling the small space.

Fredrik’s throat was bone dry, so he pulled open the refrigerator door and got some water. Inge had left too, so it was only Dimitri and him. His gaze kept going to the door of Juneau’s room. There was a girl in there frightened half to death. The scent was enough to turn his stomach again. He opened the bottle, rinsed his mouth, and spat into the sink. Then he took a long drink, the liquid settling in his stomach with a hollow thud. He closed the door and opened one of the kitchen drawers. He needed a weapon, anything at hand, if he was to have a chance against Dimitri. The guy was smaller than Yuri, but Fredrik was no match for him physically. Hell, he wasn’t a physical match for anyone in his family. His father had always called him his runt pup.

“What are you up to?” Dimitri didn’t even look up from his game.

“Just getting some water. You want some?”

“Nah. Get me a beer, though,” he said and played another card. “I got eyes in the back of my head. I’ll know if you pull anything.”

Fredrik opened the refrigerator again and got a beer. As he closed the door and pulled open the drawer next to it, he had to keep himself from whooping for joy. He’d found the knives. He picked out one and then carried the beer over to Dimitri and set it on the table.

“I know what you’re doing,” Dimitri said and grabbed his hand. “I know everything, and you’re just some runt. So don’t be thinking you’re going to try anything so you can get away. If I let you leave, Juneau will have my nuts, and I want them right where they are. And the only way you’re getting out of here is if I let you leave.”

“Is that so?” Fredrik jerked away and plunged the knife into Dimitri’s neck before pushing him forward onto the table. He managed to get out of the way of the blood, but it sprayed all over the floor. “You may think I’m small, you piece of shit, but I’ve got fight in me,” he said to blank eyes as Dimitri went completely still.

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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Andrew Grey’s Fire and Rain – Release Day Review

January 10, 2016 by Heather

Since the death of their mother, Josten Applewhite has done what he’s had to do to take care of his little brother and keep their small family together. But in an instant, a stroke of bad luck tears down what little home he’s managed to build, and Jos and Isaac end up on the streets.

That’s where Officer Kip Rogers finds them, and even though he knows he should let the proper authorities handle things, he cannot find it in his heart to turn them away, going so far as to invite them to stay in his home until they get back on their feet. With the help of Kip and his friends, Jos starts to rebuild his life. But experience has taught him nothing comes for free, and the generosity seems too good to be true—just like everything about Kip.

Kip’s falling hard for Jos, and he likes the way Jos and Isaac make his big house feel like a home. But their arrangement can’t be permanent, not with Jos set on making his own way. Then a distant relative emerges, determined to destroy Jos’s family, and Kip knows Jos needs him—even if he’s not ready to admit it.

Andrew Grey is one of the few author’s who’ve made it onto my auto-buy list. Fire and Water, the first book in the Carlisle Cops series, was the book that placed him there. While I love seeing more books released featuring the small communities I’ve come to expect from Andrew, I will admit it always makes me nervous when I crack open the next book. I keep worrying that, as much as I love him, this book will be the one to make me wish he’d ended the series sooner. I’m elated to say Andrew has not hit that point with the boys from Carlisle. If anything, he has continued leaving me wanting more.

From the moment Kip responds to a call and finds Jos and Isaac trying to stay warm and dry, your heart begins to melt. As typical for this author, he doesn’t simply try to draw you into the romance between the couple, he takes you on a journey of growth for all of the characters.

It was easy to see the road Jos would have to travel. No matter how bad his situation might have seemed, he was determined to make it on his own, not only for himself, but for his young brother who needed him. At times, I wanted to slap him but then I thought about how I would look at the world if I’d gone through what he had. A steady parade of men coming through the door, a minimally present mother, being thrust into parenthood at a young age, and then losing everything. It’d be hard to believe anyone truly wanted to help without expecting anything in return.

Kip’s journey was a bit harder to figure out. I never doubted that he was helping Jos and Isaac for a reason deeper than feeling some sense of civic duty. The revelation was heart-wrenching. What I loved the most about him was that he tried to weigh his own desires against Jos’. It truly felt as though he wanted what was best for Jos and Isaac, even if it was painful for him.

Unlike many romances involving children, I didn’t feel as though Isaac played a supporting role. He was the key to Jos and Kip falling in love. If Jos had been alone, Kip may not have felt the same draw to help him. If Jos hadn’t been responsible for Isaac’s well-being, he’d have never let Kip offer him a helping hand. He offered comedic relief at times, and worked well to show the soft heart of both adults.

I’ll admit, the distant relative’s return didn’t hold many surprises, but I don’t think it was meant to. It was simply a tool to help Jos realize how strong he was. What I enjoyed about this particular plot arc is that Andrew knew how much to add without going overboard.

I will say, if you’re looking for a hotter read, along the lines of Andrew Grey’s Bronco’s Boys series, this may not be the book for you. That’s not to take a single thing away from this story, because it’s one of my favorite books he’s written. But I felt it worth mentioning that this is a love story, a slow burn that leaves you with no doubt the couple will make it through anything life throws their way.

I’m not sure if there will be more Carlisle couples, but Fire and Rain left me wanting to read the story again, trying to figure out who might be next.

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Dreamspinner Press

Challenge the Darkness by Dirk Greyson : Pre-Release Day Review

August 29, 2015 by Denise

When alpha shifter Mikael Volokov is called to witness a challenge, he learns the evil and power-hungry Anton Gregor will stop at nothing to attain victory. Knowing he will need alliances to keep his pack together, Mikael requests a congress with the nearby Evergreen pack and meets Denton Arguson, Evergreen alpha, to ask for his help. Fate has a strange twist for both of them, though, and Mikael and Denton soon realize they’re destined mates.

Denton resists the pull between them—he has his own pack and his own responsibilities. But Mikael isn’t willing to give up. The Mother has promised Mikael his mate, told him he must fight for him, and that only together can they defeat the coming darkness. When Anton casts his sights on Denton’s pack, attacks and sabotage follow, pulling Denton and Mikael together to defeat a common enemy. But Anton’s threats sow seeds of destruction enough to break any bond, and the mates’ determination to challenge the darkness may be their only saving grace.

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Dreamspinner Press

This was such a wonderful wolf shifter romance. Mikael and Denton are 2 very well written characters. One of the things I liked the most about this story opposed to a lot of the other fated mates stories I have read is that the two MC’s don’t “share” feelings. I really like watching them trying to figure each other out the old fashion way. Mikael is very much the ALPHA in this story, and it was fun watching Denton teach him how to lean on someone. Denton makes a great compliment to Mikael. Watching these two figure out how to be together and not let their respective packs down was very nice.

Another difference from other books in this genre is how truly segregated and small the wolf packs are. And the mystical elements are different between the two packs in this story. The plot as a whole kept me interested throughout the entire book and none of it felt overdone. I would very much like to see some more books come out of this “world”.

4 pieces of eye candy for me.