Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

Annabeth Albert

High Heat (Hotshots Book 2) by Annabeth Albert: New Release Review *2

by

Annabeth Albert’s Hotshots series continues—the emotions and intensity of Chicago Fire with the raw, natural elements of Man vs. Wild.

Smoke jumping is Garrick Nelson’s life. Nothing, not severe injuries nor the brutal physical therapy that follows, is going to stop him from getting back with his crew. But when a lost dog shows up on his front porch, he can’t turn her away, and he can’t take care of her on his own. Thankfully, help comes in the form of his new sexy, dog-loving neighbor. As they work together, trying to re-home their little princess, Garrick can’t resist his growing attraction for the other man, even though he knows this guy isn’t the staying type.

Rain Fisher doesn’t take anything too seriously. He dances through life, one adventure at a time, never settling in one place for too long. When his hot, conveniently buff, neighbor shows up on his doorstep, dog in tow, Rain’s determined to not just save the adorable puppy, but her reluctant owner as well. He never expects their flirtation might tempt him into stay put once and for all…

Danger lurks everywhere for Central Oregon’s fire crews, but the biggest risk of all might be losing their hearts. Don’t miss the Hotshots series from Annabeth Albert: Burn Zone, High Heat, and Feel the Fire.

Amazon

Oh Garrick. We met him in book 1 as the best friend of Linc. The super cocky smoke jumper who was gravely injured (seriously gasp inducing as I read it) at the end of book 1. Book 2 gives us a bit of a time jump as Garrick is home now, but still in recovery mode.

His neighbor across the street is an older lady he gets along with well. And then, because of a stray dog that ended up on his porch, he meets his neighbor’s grandson. Much younger grandson.

I loved Rain. This poor kid is so lost but tries to act like he has it together. Growing up in basically a hippie commune, he is definitely a free spirit. But he is feeling the pressure of not really knowing what he wants to do with his life. He is a natural caretaker though, so when Garrick needs help with the stray dog, Rain is all in.

And so begins the older/younger we shouldn’t/but we want to game. Garrick was the typical grumbly older guy feeling like he was taking advantage of Rain. But Rain was sex positive, has no hangups about age and has no problem teasing Garrick until he caves.

All the while Garrick is determined to beat the odds and get back to smoke jumping. Even though he is still on crutches at best and in a wheelchair at worst. Being such an active guy his whole life, his ego and self worth are taking a serious beating. But Rain is so good and anticipating Garrick’s needs without taking over or making Garrick feel useless.

Oh- and a cute dog! If anything can make you feel better- I am convinced it is a dog. And Cookie definitely is her own character in the story.

Garrick and Rain each have their own personal ups and downs. They have the relationship crisis that then brings them back together again with eyes and hearts wide open.

This was sweet, fun, sexy as hell, exciting and a bit romantic. Really good follow up to book 1. Can’t wait for book 3!

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

I am just loving this series. It has heat from fires, and heat from the bedroom. All the HEAT! 🙂

Garrick, the injured smoke jumper from Book 1, is now home, and recovering from his injuries, hoping to get back to his high stakes job soon. And when he meets a sweet and skittish dog, and his neighbor’s grandson, Rain, his world is turned upside down again. Just what he needed.

I loved these two together. Rain didn’t fuss over Garrick, just gave him time to find what  he needed to do, and was willing to help when he was asked. Rain also had no problem being himself, whatever that was for him that day. Meanwhile, Garrick wasn’t the super masculine fire fighter who cared that his friend/boyfriend wanted to wear silver shorts or glittery tops. They were just each other when they were each other, what they both truly were looking for, first in a friend, then as lovers.

Cookie brought them together, but their own desires kept them together. Desires to be with each other, but also their future desires. Rain wanting to finally find a place he belonged. Garrick wanting to get back what he once had, but then stepping back up when he couldn’t and taking on a new place for himself.

Really enjoyed the wrap-up on this. It was just what these guys deserved.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

Arctic Heat by Annabeth Albert: Exclusive Author Guest Post and Interview, Blog Tour, Release Day Review and Giveaway

by

A lasting connection needs more than simply surviving a winter together—they’ll have to outsmart danger, let down their defenses and open their hearts.

Owen Han has a fresh lease on life—he’s kicked cancer’s ass and is roaring through his bucket list. The former investment banker hopes to find his next challenge in Alaska, volunteering alongside park rangers and fulfilling his childhood dreams of snowy winters and rustic life. Of course, those dreams did tend to feature big strapping mountain men in vivid detail…

Ranger Quilleran Ramsey would like to be anywhere other than dealing with newbie volunteers. And really, the only thing he needs less than a green volunteer “partner” is the flirty attentions of a buff city boy who doesn’t look ready to last a week, let alone an Alaskan winter. They’re all wrong for each other, even if Quill’s traitorous body enjoys the flirting more than it should.

As the weeks pass, the two snowbound men give in to temptation. But can their seasonal romance last until spring? For them to have a future together, each will have to trust the other…while hoping that the harsh elements and omnipresent dangers don’t destroy what happiness they’ve found in the moment.

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!

This book is approximately 89,000 words

ARCTIC HEAT by Annabeth Albert

Series: Frozen Hearts #3

Publisher: Carina Press

Release Date: Sept. 23 (ebook/audio), Oct 1 (print)

Length (Print & Ebook): 89,000 words

Subgenre: m/m contemporary romance/ action adventure m/m romance, interracial romance

Warnings: None.

Amazon

Audible

B&N

Kobo

Google

iBooks

Goodreads

 

 

Hi! I’m so thrilled to be here on Two Chicks Obsessed, one of my favorite blogs! I’m here with some Q&A  about ARCTIC HEAT, my newest release in the Frozen Hearts series set in Alaska. As with the other two books in the series, this one stands alone fine—there’s only the briefest of mentions of the prior books’ couples and no spoilers. This is my opposites-attract, odd couple roommates, snowbound romance as a seasoned ranger finds himself paired with a newbie volunteer for the winter season where they’ll be snowed in together at a remote Alaska state park. Quill and Owen were so much fun to write, and I can’t wait for readers to meet them! Got other questions for me? Be sure and hit me up on social media! I love hearing from my readers!

  • Where did you draw inspiration for an Alaskan series from?
    • I’ve always loved the Arctic setting, and I have a fond place in my heart for the old-school Alaskan romances from authors like Nora Roberts and Debbie Macomber and other category romances taking place in Alaska. When I was brainstorming a new series, I wanted to capture that feel—big scenery, rugged terrain, real dangers, isolated settings—but in a modern way that welcomed some LGBTQ pairings and reflected changes, both in Alaska itself, but also in the romance genre. I wanted romances that felt fresh and real but still had all the appeal of some of my favorite Alaska tropes, like snowbound and close proximity!
  • How much ‘world building’ takes place before you start writing?
    • For this series, there was a ton of background research. Maps. Biographies. Websites. Message boards. State documents. Documentaries. I tried to really immerse myself in the world as best I could and then started fleshing out the plot from that point. While completely fictional, I did try to ground the series in reality, basing locales on actual places I discovered in my research and trying to make the plot points feasible. I also do a lot of characterization work before I start writing, really digging deep into conflict, motivation, wants, need, and desires for each character.
  • When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
    • Each book in the Frozen Hearts series has a different couple with unique background and unique hurdles to their HEA. This keeps things fresh for me because each character needs different things and as a result, each book is very different. I also kept things fresh by doing different times of year—Book 1 is Summer into Fall. Book 2 is Late Spring into Summer. Book 3 is Fall into Winter. Also the tropes vary from book-to-book within the series. Book 1, ARCTIC SUN is very much an opposites-attract, hurt/comfort romance. Book 2, ARCTIC WILD is a May/December romance with a plane crash at its center. Book 3, ARCTIC HEAT, is a fish-out-of-water, close proximity, snowbound romance. Varying the tropes kept me on my toes, and I think it also lets each book stand on its own with readers. I also tried for not too much crossover between books so that each truly can stand alone and reader can read in the order that they prefer.
  • What were the key challenges you faced when writing this book?
    • Writing from Oregon, my biggest challenge was in not being there! Absolutely, not being able to take a weekend trip to explore a locale in the book was a big issue for me throughout the series. I had AMAZING beta readers for the series who were from Alaska, and I owe a huge debt to them.
  • What’s your favorite scene from this book?
    • Without giving away too many spoilers, I have to say that while this isn’t a holiday romance, the Christmas scene is probably my favorite romantic moment in the book, but there were so many little moments and scenes I loved!

Thank you so very much for having me! I hope you check out ARCTIC HEAT!

“Tea for everyone. Then a hot shower and lots of blankets,” Owen declared as they entered the building, bossy streak making a blessed reappearance right when Quill really needed to not be the one thinking. If Owen had a plan, so much the better because Quill wasn’t good for much besides stripping off his gear, stowing his piece, stomping upstairs, and flopping into a kitchen chair. Owen draped one of the blankets from the couch around his shoulders before doing the same for himself, wearing it like a cape as he made tea. “Bourbon in yours? I found a bottle in the cabinet the other week.”

“Yeah.” Quill didn’t often imbibe, but he needed the burn of the liquor even more than any warmth-giving properties. The bourbon was there exactly for nights like this one where Quill had done his best and it still hadn’t been enough. Fucking universe and its random acts of cruelty.

After adding a healthy glug of liquor to each of their mugs, Owen shoved a cup at Quill. He also put a plate of cookies from the batch that got baked on the table. “Here you go. Eat something so the alcohol doesn’t hit too hard.”

“Feels like I should be the one taking care of you,” Quill admitted after he’d had a few sips of tea, let the warmth and burn work past the tightness in his throat and chest.

“We can take care of each other,” Owen countered, pulling his chair close to Quill’s. “That’s what we’re here for, right?”

A few hours ago, Quill would have argued that being alone was the best way to cope with something like this—find a way to push through and on to the next day either with the aid of some strong drink or just a restless night spent replaying the events until sleep did its thing, softened the edges of the awfulness. But when Owen grabbed his hand, squeezed, and looked at him with such compassion in his eyes, Quill couldn’t find it in himself to pull away.

“Yeah,” he said, even as he knew that he shouldn’t let himself come to need Owen like this, to lean on him. He and Hattie had always tended to retreat to their own corners after a hard shift, and he prided himself on being a strong man. Sure, accidents like this affected him as they would anyone, but he’d always tried to handle those emotions on his own. Harsh memories of his father’s comments about men who showed their feelings didn’t help any, but lately all those memories, all the family drama, seemed more distant. Less sharp.

And funny how without that mantle of a painful past, his present seemed somehow more hopeful, old wounds and past fears no match for Owen. In fact, they’d been on the verge of another disagreement when Owen had dropped everything to come help. And now here he was, taking care of Quill yet again. Owen simply didn’t seem to have it in him to hold a grudge too long. Quill would be a fool to pull away now, even if he knew the next night like this, the inevitable one after Owen left, would hurt that much more. But that moment, all he wanted to do was hold Owen close, take every comfort he offered from Christmas lights to hot toddies to underdone gingerbread to that strong hand of his, holding on when Quill needed it most.

Sweet, slow burn, opposites attract. It was….nice.

The third in the series she set in Alaska, this time we get the introverted park ranger and extroverted volunteer. Of course they are paired together.

I really loved the story- Owen the volunteer trying so hard to at least be friends with Quill. Hearing about all that they do as rangers and volunteers. The Northern Lights, the super short days, the cabin fever.

I just didn’t really feel the heat with Owen and Quill. And even though I really liked Owen, I just didn’t see him living a remote life like that. Several times in the book he stated he was going crazy from not having anyone to talk to.

The story is definitely readable- especially if you are a fan of the author and/or Alaska. I’m just not going to put it in her top ten.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer. Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Her critically acclaimed and fan-favorite LGBTQ romance series include the #FrozenHearts, #OutOfUniform, #Gaymers, #PortlandHeat, #RainbowCove and #PerfectHarmony series.

To find out what she’s working on next and other fun extras, check out her website: annabethalbert.com or connect with Annabeth on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify! Also, be sure to sign up for her newsletter for free ficlets, bonus reads, and contests. The fan group, Annabeth’s Angels, on Facebook is also a great place for bonus content and exclusive contests.

Connect with Annabeth:

Website: http://annabethalbert.com/

Newsletter:  http://eepurl.com/Nb9yv

Fan group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/annabethsangels/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6477494.Annabeth_Albert

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Annabeth-Albert/e/B00LYFFAZK

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnnabethAlbert

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annabethalbert

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annabeth_albert/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Arctic Wild: An Alaska Romance (Frozen Hearts Book 2) by Annabeth Albert: New Release Review

by

When a plane crashes in the Alaskan wilderness, the best place to land is in the arms of a younger man…

Hotshot attorney Reuben Graham has finally agreed to take a vacation, when his plane suddenly plunges into the Alaskan wilderness.

Just his luck.

But his frustrations have only begun as he finds himself stranded with the injured, and superhot, pilot, a man who’s endearingly sociable—and much too young for Reuben to be wanting him this badly.

As the sole provider for his sisters and ailing father, Tobias Kooly is devastated to learn his injuries will prevent him from working or even making it back home. So when Reuben insists on giving him a place to recover, not even Toby’s pride can make him refuse. He’s never been tempted by a silver fox before, but something about Reuben is impossible to resist.

Recuperating in Reuben’s care is the last thing Toby expected, yet the closer they become, the more incredibly right it feels, prompting workaholic Reuben to question the life he’s been living. But when the pressure Toby’s under starts closing in, both men will have to decide if there’s room in their hearts for a love they never saw coming.

Amazon

I love this author, so in all honesty I didn’t even read the blurb first. HA! So color me surprised when the plane crashed. (not a spoiler at all)

I really enjoyed the first book in this series. As I said, I am a big fan of this author AND I am a bit obsessed with Alaska. I was all in.

We got a brief glimpse of Toby in the first book. The happy go lucky one night stand guy who kind of seemed to be putting on a bit of a front. Turns out he was. Mostly that he was the sole provider for his family including his disabled father and 2 college age sisters. So not only is he bummed when his tour group drops from 3 people to 1 but also that the one person is grumpy and attached to his phone for work. And, yanno, the whole plane crash thing.

Let me be honest here, I didn’t feel the connection between Reuben and Toby. Not before the crash or after. I really felt like the story was more about Reuben and his daughter reconnecting.

Don’t get me wrong, there were some very hot sex scenes. But with his daughter in the picture with them, there was very little flirting and no touching or pda. Even their nighttime activities didn’t seem to have that clandestine excitement.

There were a few other things that were just off for me. Mostly concerning the aftermath of the plane crash. But if you’ve read my reviews, you know I am a picky bitch and stickler for details.

It was an enjoyable read, the sex scenes were hot if not detached and I really enjoyed the relationship between Reuben and his daughter.

3 Pieces of Eye Candy

Rough Terrain by Annabeth Albert: Exclusive Excerpt, Blog Tour and Giveaway

by

The camping trip from hell may be the first stop on the road to happily-ever-after in Rough Terrain, the final book in Annabeth Albert’s critically acclaimed, fan-favorite Out of Uniform series.

Navy SEAL Renzo Bianchi has a soft spot for Canaan Finley, and not only because the man makes a mean smoothie. He’s the first guy to get Renzo’s motor revving in a long time. But when he agrees to Canaan’s insane charade—one all-access fake boyfriend, coming right up—he never expects more than a fling.

Creating a hot Italian SEAL boyfriend to save face seemed like a good idea…until his friends called Canaan’s bluff. Now he’s setting off into the woods with the very man who inspired his deception, and Canaan is not the outdoorsy type. The sparks are already flying when a flash flood separates them from their group, leaving Renzo and Canaan very much trapped…very much alone in the wilderness.

Working together to come up with a plan for survival is sexier than either of them expects. But back in the real world, being a couple is bringing its own set of hazards…

ROUGH TERRAIN by Annabeth Albert

Series: Out of Uniform, #7 *Final book in the series*

Publisher: Carina Press (Harlequin)

Release Date (Print & Ebook):

eBook: Monday January 14, 2019

Print (mmp): Tuesday January 29, 2019

Length (Print & Ebook): 384 Pages

Subgenre: Contemporary Romance, Male/Male Romance, Military Romance

Warnings (if any): No content warnings needed. Hot fake relationship shenanigans dominate along with being trapped outdoors, but HEA for everything. No addictions/bdsm/deaths etc.

Amazon

Harlequin (eBook)

Harlequin (print)

Harlequin (audio)

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

iTunes

Google play

Audible

 

“Are you graduating soon?”

“December if all goes well, and I, you know, pass my classes.”

“You will.” Renzo’s confidence made Canaan need to swallow hard, not sure he deserved that kind of belief. He started fiddling with Renzo’s stereo.

“I made a playlist,” they both said at the same time, and Canaan had to laugh.

“I knew I liked you.” He made the stereo switch to Renzo’s phone, which was already plugged in. “How about we listen to the playlist of whoever’s driving? We can start with yours, then switch to mine when we trade drivers.”

“We can switch playlists whenever, but I’m driving. Seven hours is nothing.”

“What? I don’t get to drive the truck?” Canaan faked being wounded because joking around was far easier than letting Renzo know how much his support of Canaan’s ambitions meant. “What happened to being a good boyfriend?”

“I’m a great boyfriend. But I’m driving.”

“So a good boyfriend meets the fam, but doesn’t let me touch the truck. I get you now.” Canaan shook his head. “But speaking of boyfriend stuff…”

“Yeah?” Renzo sounded suddenly wary.

“I don’t wanna make you uncomfortable, but is it okay if I touch you? Like minor PDA stuff? I’m a kinda touchy guy especially around close friends, but I can back it off if it’s not your thing.” I really want to touch you would probably have been the more direct route to take, but framing it as part of the fake-boyfriend thing was easier than putting himself out there.

Renzo flushed and took his time replying, waiting long enough that Canaan started counting RVs they were passing. “I…uh…”

“Not your thing. I got you.”

“Didn’t say that. I like…touching. Within reason. Don’t go planting one on me without warning, okay? I’d rather not have our first kiss with an audience, you know?”

“I can totally work with that.” Canaan all but started chair dancing at Renzo’s implied assumption that there would be a first kiss at some point. “And just so you know, I’d be game for getting that kiss out of the way when we stop for gas. Or whenever.”

Only the fact that they were going seventy-odd miles an hour stopped him from proposing that now would be a good time.

 

Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer. Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Her critically acclaimed and fan-favorite LGBTQ romance series include the #OutOfUniform, #Gaymers, #PortlandHeat, #RainbowCove and #PerfectHarmony series.

To find out what she’s working on next and other fun extras, check out her website: annabethalbert.com or connect with Annabeth on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify! Also, be sure to sign up for her newsletter for free ficlets, bonus reads, and contests. The fan group, Annabeth’s Angels, on Facebook is also a great place for bonus content and exclusive contests.

Connect with Annabeth Albert:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Better Not Pout by Annabeth Albert: Blog Tour and Review

by

One hard-nosed military police officer.

One overly enthusiastic elf.

One poorly timed snowstorm.

Is it a recipe for disaster? Or a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for holiday romance?

Teddy MacNally loves Christmas and everything that goes along with it. When he plays an elf for his charity’s events, he never expects to be paired with a Scrooge masquerading as Santa Claus. His new mission: make the holiday-hating soldier believe he was born to say ho-ho-ho.

Sergeant Major Nicholas Nowicki doesn’t do Santa, but he’s army to his blood. When his CO asks an unusual favor, Nick of course obliges. The elf to his Kris Kringle? Tempting. Too tempting—Nick’s only in town for another month, and Teddy’s too young, too cheerful and too nice for a one-night stand.

The slow, sexy make-out sessions while Teddy and Nick are alone and snowbound, though, feel like anything but a quick hookup. As a stress-free holiday fling turns into Christmas all year round, Teddy can’t imagine his life without Nick. And Nick’s days on the base may be coming to a close, but he doesn’t plan on leaving anything, or anyone, behind.

Title: Better Not Pout

Author: Annabeth Albert

Pages: 288

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Male/Male, Holiday

Imprint: Carina Press

Add on Goodreads

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Publisher

 

Tis the season for Christmas stories! And for me there is no better way than with a book by one of my favorite authors.

This story deviated from her norm in that it was set in upstate NY (not the Pacific Northwest or San Diego) and it featured an Army MP (not a Navy Seal). And it was adorable.

Nick is in his last month of active duty as an Army mp before he retires. Sounds like he was pushed into retirement, but I don’t think it was ever explained why. And without giving anything away, the events surrounding the tragedy in Nick’s family was never really explained either. Small details most probably won’t notice.

Teddy runs a non-profit in his home town. A hometown that seems to be overrun by his extended family. Nick is persuaded to help Teddy and the non profit by dressing as Santa for some pictures and other events leading up to Christmas.

To say Nick and Teddy are polar opposites is putting it mildly. Nick is super grumpy, minimalistic, isn’t close to his family and doesn’t care about the holidays. And he much prefers sun and surf to snow and ice. Teddy is a do-gooder, perpetually happy, is ridiculously close to his family and adores the holidays.

I loved Teddy’s confidence. He puts himself out there with Nick and when he is turned down he doesn’t get all mopey and feeling sorry for himself. He just continues on. The way he slowly insinuated himself into Nick’s life as a friend was super cute.

And then they did get together and wow. That would melt the snow on the roof.

I appreciated that the book included Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve in the story line. It was a fairly happy, low angst book with all of the holiday and family feels.

4 Pieces of Candy

Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer. Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Her critically acclaimed and fan-favorite LGBTQ romance series include the #OutOfUniform, #Gaymers, #PortlandHeat, #RainbowCove and #PerfectHarmony series.

To find out what she’s working on next and other fun extras, check out her website: annabethalbert.com or connect with Annabeth on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify! Also, be sure to sign up for her newsletter for free ficlets, bonus reads, and contests. The fan group, Annabeth’s Angels, on Facebook is also a great place for bonus content and exclusive contests.

Better Not Pout by Annabeth Albert: Exclusive Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

by

One hard-nosed military police officer.

One overly enthusiastic elf.

One poorly timed snowstorm.

Is it a recipe for disaster? Or a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for holiday romance?

Teddy MacNally loves Christmas and everything that goes along with it. When he plays an elf for his charity’s events, he never expects to be paired with a Scrooge masquerading as Santa Claus. His new mission: make the holiday-hating soldier believe he was born to say ho-ho-ho.

Sergeant Major Nicholas Nowicki doesn’t do Santa, but he’s army to his blood. When his CO asks an unusual favor, Nick of course obliges. The elf to his Kris Kringle? Tempting. Too tempting—Nick’s only in town for another month, and Teddy’s too young, too cheerful and too nice for a one-night stand.

The slow, sexy make-out sessions while Teddy and Nick are alone and snowbound, though, feel like anything but a quick hookup. As a stress-free holiday fling turns into Christmas all year round, Teddy can’t imagine his life without Nick. And Nick’s days on the base may be coming to a close, but he doesn’t plan on leaving anything, or anyone, behind.

Publisher: Carina Press (Harlequin)

Release Date (Print & Ebook): Ebook: Monday November 12, 2018; Print (mmp): Tuesday November 27, 2018

Length (Print & Ebook): Ebook: 288; Print (mmp): 288

Subgenre: Contemporary Romance, Male/Male Romance, Holiday Romance, Military Romance

Amazon

Carina Press

Barnes & Noble

 

“Hey, I’m happy for the company,” Teddy reassured him. “I’d just hate having to find another backup Santa because this one froze to death for not knowing the area. But just watch, by next year, you’ll be as prepared as any native.”

Nick took a spoonful of stew and swallowed before answering. “Won’t be here next year, sorry.”

“Oh. Being moved to another base?” Teddy was hit with a brief pang, which was ridiculous. The military moved people all the time, and like Charlie said, people left. No surprise here.

“No. Retiring. Last day is December 22nd.”

“Retiring? You’re only fortyish right? Isn’t that a bit young?”

“Ish.” Nick’s tone stayed bland, mouth not curving into a smile. “Forty-six. And almost thirty years of service is positively ancient in military terms. I’ve done pretty much everything an enlisted person can do—pretty rare for us to stay on after getting our twenty years of service. I’m a dinosaur at twenty-eight years in. Most of my friends left at twenty, but I was set on making sergeant major, so I stayed in.”

“So what will you do? Go back to school? Civilian law enforcement? Some new dream to chase?” Teddy leaned forward, eager to hear Nick’s big plans.

“Too old to go back to school.” Nick waved a hand dismissively. “And no dreams. All I ever wanted was to be a cop. Joined the military police because we couldn’t afford college, and I liked the idea of being in the service and still being able to be a cop. Then I set my sights on advancing. Last goal was to make sergeant major, and I did that, so no complaints.”

Teddy liked listening to Nick talk, but he was a bit disheartened by how…defeated he sounded. Like he’d battled Father Time and time had won and now he had no choice but to move on. And that was damn sad. He said he had no complaints, but Teddy could read between the lines well enough to see that Nick didn’t want to retire.

“But you can still be a cop. I bet there’s not a law enforcement agency in the country that wouldn’t be happy to have you. Hell, you could even do FBI or Secret Service—”

“Slow down, Teddy.” Nick smiled, the first one Teddy had really seen from him, this one accompanied by a subtle head shake. But Teddy could take the censure—the smile was damn worth it. Broad with both cheek and chin dimples, it took Nick from “scary giant man” to “Hollywood action star” in a single upward slant of his lips. “You sure know how to dream big. And I’ve thought about civilian law enforcement. I’ve even got the degrees they all want, but in the end, I think I’m just too old a dog to learn new tricks.”

Tis the season for Christmas stories! And for me there is no better way than with a book by one of my favorite authors.

This story deviated from her norm in that it was set in upstate NY (not the Pacific Northwest or San Diego) and it featured an Army MP (not a Navy Seal). And it was adorable.

Nick is in his last month of active duty as an Army mp before he retires. Sounds like he was pushed into retirement, but I don’t think it was ever explained why. And without giving anything away, the events surrounding the tragedy in Nick’s family was never really explained either. Small details most probably won’t notice.

Teddy runs a non-profit in his home town. A hometown that seems to be overrun by his extended family. Nick is persuaded to help Teddy and the non profit by dressing as Santa for some pictures and other events leading up to Christmas.

To say Nick and Teddy are polar opposites is putting it mildly. Nick is super grumpy, minimalistic, isn’t close to his family and doesn’t care about the holidays. And he much prefers sun and surf to snow and ice. Teddy is a do-gooder, perpetually happy, is ridiculously close to his family and adores the holidays.

I loved Teddy’s confidence. He puts himself out there with Nick and when he is turned down he doesn’t get all mopey and feeling sorry for himself. He just continues on. The way he slowly insinuated himself into Nick’s life as a friend was super cute.

And then they did get together and wow. That would melt the snow on the roof.

I appreciated that the book included Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve in the story line. It was a fairly happy, low angst book with all of the holiday and family feels.

4 Pieces of Candy

Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer. Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Her critically acclaimed and fan-favorite LGBTQ romance series include the #OutOfUniform, #Gaymers, #PortlandHeat, #RainbowCove and #PerfectHarmony series.

To find out what she’s working on next and other fun extras, check out her website: annabethalbert.com or connect with Annabeth on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify! Also, be sure to sign up for her newsletter for free ficlets, bonus reads, and contests. The fan group, Annabeth’s Angels, on Facebook is also a great place for bonus content and exclusive contests.

Connect with Annabeth Albert:


a Rafflecopter giveaway