Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

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Guess Who’s Coming to Karamu by Cy Blanca: Release Day Review

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Grant Cary, a twenty-eight-year-old grad student, has let his Kwanzaa shopping go to the very last minute. In his rush to get home, he quite literally bumps into Will Sheritan, a fortysomething software developer, in the elevator. But luck favors (or curses) the adventurous, because their elevator shuts down due to a blackout. Grant and Will learn about each other’s pasts and find more than just a casual interest.

Will has never celebrated Kwanzaa, and he’s reluctant to enter into a relationship, but exploring a new tradition—with a new friend—might brighten his lonely holiday. And if Will accepts Grant’s invitation to join his family for the Karamu feast, Grant might get his Imani gift early.

Title: Guess Who’s Coming to Karamu
Author: Cy Blanca
Category: Holiday, Advent
Pages: 25

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

I loved that this short holiday story had diverse main characters, which seldom happens. In addition, Grant’s inner dialogue was hilarious. He made me laugh. Meanwhile, it was hard to know quite where Will stood. And with such a short story, it wasn’t necessary to have an HEA, or even really an HFN. It was just a quick holiday date, and that was ok.

Also, learning about a holiday that I don’t know much about, even through the eyes of a short story was fun.

3 pieces of eye candy

The Christmas Lights Battle by Skylar M. Cates: New Release Review and Giveaway

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For a single dad and his neighbor, the Christmas competition is on!

Julian Moss wants to give his children a happy Christmas. Since his divorce, Julian has no time for a social life; he’s been doing the tiring work of two parents while his cheating ex-husband dodges his responsibilities. If that isn’t stressful enough, he has to deal with his new—and ridiculously good-looking—neighbor and his noisy dogs. Christmas used to be Julian’s favorite holiday, but lately all he sees is the cost. Then Julian’s young son tells him about a Christmas lights competition with a much-needed prize.

Leo Adams is going to be alone for Christmas…again. All he’s ever wanted is to be accepted by his family, but he knows that will never happen. Deciding to focus on his career as a personal trainer, Leo develops a boot camp program on the beach, but he needs publicity. The lights competition offers Leo a way to get some free press, and if it annoys his snooty neighbor Julian—all the better.

The battle is on, and both Julian and Leo want to win. The stakes are high, the reward is great, and the neighbors are in it to win it. There’s nothing like a little competition to make Christmas at Shelby Beach extra merry and bright.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!

Too much? Sorry …. This one really put me in the Christmas spirit. First, we meet Julian and his two adorable kids, Charlie and Sadie. I don’t need to tell anyone how much I adore a hot single dad and his babies. They’re my favorite!

After his divorce, (and y’all, you will hate the cheating, verbally and emotionally abusive ex-husband, here’s your warning)…. Julian is doing everything he can to just make life easy for their children, who both suffer from emotional issues, like anxiety and aggression. Julian is so patient and easy with them, he loves them more than anything….so seeing them hurt time and again by the ex, hurts him too. Never one to stand up for himself, especially with the ex, I was so glad to see him finally do it….

Now, Leo is house/dog sitting for a close friend who just happens to be Julian’s nextdoor neighbor. They don’t get along at first, but it’s short-lived and kind of entertaining… I hated that it hurt Leo, even a little bit, because he’s been hurt so much, I just didn’t want anymore for him… Leo is charming and gorgeous and generous and sweet… it’s easy to become smitten with him… and he’s good with the kids. As a single parent, you can’t ask for anything better than that.

When the small town of Shelby Beach, holds a Christmas Lights competition, both of the men are intent on winning. Julian, so he can give the kids a good Christmas, and maybe do something fun with them, and Leo, because he’s still trying to make a name for himself in Shelby Beach, and getting the exposure and his name out there could go a long way in his want to start his own business. But, as the competition gets on and the guys call a truce, an unfortunate, tiny little accident has Julian needing Leo’s help, and Leo being all in to help out, and even to merge the competition.

I don’t want to give everything away, but I just adored this story. It’s sweet and light and fun, and I loved these two together. I loved Julian’s family and what they could give Leo, because he so desperately needed the love that his own family failed to give him. I loved how accepting they all were, if even a little nutty, Julian’s family and Leo’s best friends… I loved how the ex- seemed to just go away and we never saw him again… and I loved the little happy for now we get, that could promise so much more for these two in coming books. Which I’m very much hoping for. Overall though, it was just the perfect little Christmas read on this cold and rainy day for me, and I loved it.

FAVORITE LINE: “If Falling in love is insane, I want to be crazy every day of my life.”

4 Pieces of Candy

Skylar M. Cates loves a good romance, especially ones that are steamy and emotionally satisfying. She is quite happy to drink coffee,  curl up with a good book, and not move all day. Her bestselling novels feature strong, passionate men. Skylar loves to craft stories where realistic men are challenged with emotional situations. Skylar’s character-driven series will often feature close-knit familes, animals, and loyal friendships being tested.

Social Media:

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cxODzT

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Skylar M. Cates has offered a copy of her other holiday story, The Holiday Hoax. Simply leave a comment on this blog post.

Trapped in the Valley of the Kings by Blue Jones: Release Day Review

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Rival archaeologists Will and Jude slept together a year ago, on the night of the Summer Solstice at a dig in Stonehenge. But they were both wearing masks, so Jude has no idea it was Will he slept with, and Will’s been harboring a powerful, one-sided crush ever since.

Now they’re in Egypt, competing to find the lost tomb of Queen Nefertiti. Jude falls through a crack in the cave floor, and when Will reluctantly climbs down to help him, they find themselves in Nefertiti’s tomb, surrounded by archaeological treasures—where they must spend Christmas stranded by a sandstorm.

Will a few sultry hours stripped almost bare from the heat and sharing a bottle of whiskey sort out who should get credit for the discovery—and the real reason for the tension between them?

Title: Trapped in the Valley of the Kings
Author: Blue Jones
Category: Holiday, Advent
Pages: 24

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

I’ve always loved Egyptian history, so this was an easy pick for me to grab. Since it’s so short, it’s not like I could expect a lot of history, although there was a good mix in there of historical sites, and what those might look like.

It’s a cute story, and I loved the surprise ending (okay it wasn’t a big surprise, but I love that it was brought back in to resolve). When I read these short holiday stories, I admit I still want the “I love you” moment, because hey, I’m a romantic and all. 🙂 But that’s hard to do unless the MC’s already knew each other.

In this case they did. And they were rivals, who clearly had some issues to work out, including who got to claim Queen Nefertiti, which just made it that much more fun.

Fun holiday time (there are no fruitcakes or lights to be had).

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Summerfield’s Angel (The Christmas Angel Book 2): Blog Tour, New Release Review and Giveaway

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After the hard winter of 1888 ended Alby Boyle’s work as a Nebraska ranch hand, he returned to New York City in search of his long-lost family. His mother and brothers are nowhere to be found, however, and after Alby’s years of absence, Five Corners no longer feels like home. His prospects seem as dim as the nighttime alleys.

When Alby pauses to admire an angel ornament in a department store window’s Christmas display, he meets Xeno Varnham-Summerfield. Wealthy, handsome, and enthusiastic, Xeno brings Alby some temporary cheer. But for Alby to achieve his dreams of love and a real home, well, that may take a bit of holiday magic.

Amazon

Christmas Angel is back at it again…

When Alby comes back to New York to find his mom and brothers, he stumbles not only into Xeno, who is the complete opposite of his hard-working, barely able to make ends meet, ranch hand without a ranch, having self; but also, a beautiful Christmas tree Angel that gives him a little pep talk, and a kiss on the forehead… and a little Christmas magic, I suppose.

Xeno comes from a wealthy family, and is so open and outgoing, it was impossible for Alby to not become enchanted by him.. and Xeno seemed fascinated by Alby and his story…which was a heartbreaking one… After pointing him to a place he could stay and be warm, Alby decides to look for a job while he’s in town. Little meetings with Xeno turn into long nights in a private room at the Y, and even though they both feel for one another, they know something long term isn’t likely. People would talk, speculate, and all this was a time where you could be jailed, or worse for the crime of homosexuality. How thankful I am that the times have changed, but how heartbreaking that would be…

When the angel appears once again to warn Alby that Xeno is being hurt, everything changes… when Alby saves Xeno’s life, everyone is so grateful, Xeno’s family offers them a perfect solution… I love how accepting they are, his dad and sister, and I was cheering for them the whole time. Alby even gets to reconnect with one of his brothers. A Christmas miracle!

Awesome addition to this little series… I can’t wait to see what the Angel has in store for the next couple!

4 pieces of eye candy

Dec 2 – Xtreme Delusions, Gay Book Reviews, Dec 4 – Cupcakes & Bookshelves, Sexy Erotic Xciting, Open Skye, My Fiction Nook, The Secret Ko, Lelyana’s Reviews, Rainbow Book Reviews, Dec 6 – Mirrigold, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Two Chicks Obsessed, Dec 8 – Making It Happen, Amy’s MM Romance Reviews, Dec 10 – Momma Says: To Read Or Not To Read, Drops Of Ink, Lillian Francis, Wicked Reads, Dec 12 – Megan’s Media Melange, Dec 14 – Bayou Book Junkie, Dec 19 – Bonkers About Books, Dec 21 – MM Good Book Reviews

Kim Fielding is the bestselling author of numerous m/m romance novels, novellas, and short stories. Like Kim herself, her work is eclectic, spanning genres such as contemporary, fantasy, paranormal, and historical. Her stories are set in alternate worlds, in 15th century Bosnia, in modern-day Oregon. Her heroes are hipster architect werewolves, housekeepers, maimed giants, and conflicted graduate students. They’re usually flawed, they often encounter terrible obstacles, but they always find love.

Kim’s novel Brute was the 2013 Rainbow Award Winner for Best Gay Fantasy and tied for fourth place for Best Gay Novel.

After having migrated back and forth across the western two-thirds of the United States, Kim calls the boring part of California home. She lives there with her husband, her two daughters, and her day job as a university professor, but escapes as often as possible via car, train, plane, or boat. This may explain why her characters often seem to be in transit as well. She dreams of traveling and writing full-time.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Romancing The Undercover Millionaire by Clare London: RB, Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

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Can poverty and privilege find a loving compromise?

Alexandre Bonfils, a rich and spoiled second son, is tired of being ignored and decides to help when the family’s exclusive wine business is in trouble. Going undercover in the warehouse, he loves the adventure—and the chance to be close to the sassy and sexy manager, Tate Somerton.

Tate is hardworking and financially struggling, bringing up his siblings on his own. A suspected saboteur at work is his latest challenge, but now he also has a clueless, though very attractive, new intern. There’s an immediate spark between the ill-matched couple, until a shocking accident cuts short Alex’s amateur sleuthing.

While recovering in the generous care of Tate and his family, will Alex realize what belonging really means? Passion and pride come together to fight for the company they’re both committed to preserving, but can a personal bond remain when the dust settles?

Title: Romancing the Undercover Millionaire
Series: Romancing The…: Book 3
Author: Clare London
Release Date: December 4, 2018
Category: Contemporary, Dreamspun Desires
Pages: 249

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Dreamspinner Press

“ALEXANDRE, GOOD morning.” Charles Bonfils, the patriarch of Bonfils Bibendum, the highly prestigious London wine merchants, a cousin of an English baronet, and a personal multimillionaire—if he ever had the poor manners to share actual financials with anyone other than his personal advisors—inclined his distinguished, salt-and-pepper-haired head at the young man sitting on the other side of his desk. “Good of you to turn up on time.”

Alex Bonfils inwardly winced. His father was one of the few people who could, without fail, make him feel four years old again. He resisted rubbing his palms dry on his designer slacks, but only just, and nodded in reply. “Papa, when you call, I come. Of course.”

Charles lifted one eyebrow; that was all.

It was enough.

“Father.” Alex took a deep breath and ran his hand through his blond hair, inevitably destroying the artful work of his personal stylist. “Okay, so I know I haven’t been your most reliable son—”

“I only have two,” Charles murmured. “And all I ask is that they are both full participants in the family business. Or any legitimate business, for that matter.” He sounded calm, but his fingers tightened dangerously around his antique ink pen.

“Yeah.” Alex assumed this summons was something to do with him missing the latest Bonfils management meeting. Or maybe it was because of those embarrassing paparazzi pictures taken in the nightclub last weekend with the twin male models. Or when he gate-crashed the Queen’s garden party last summer, or the fact that Alex had never bothered to finish his university business management course, preferring to go backpacking in Ibiza, or… or… oh, many more examples of how he continued to disappoint his august Papa.

“I think the time has come to face facts,” Charles said.

“Yes? I mean, it has? What about?”

Charles grimaced, obviously struggling to keep his temper. “You have shown little enthusiasm in the business to date, whereas Henri….”

Alex bit back a snort. Henri. His revered, very sober and sensible elder brother, with a gorgeous aristocratic wife and two precocious children to carry on the Bonfils family line. Henri was their father’s chosen heir to the business dynasty. Henri was brighter, smarter, more reliable, more respectable, more predictable—

“Alexandre? Are you listening to me?”

Alex jolted back to attention. “Sure. Go on. You were talking about Henri. How does that affect me?” He hadn’t meant to sound snappy, but constant comparison to a preferred sibling would do that to a guy.

“He’s Bonfils’s CEO for a reason, Alex. He’s committed to the company, a fierce supporter of the industry. He listens, and he learns. Then he works hard.”

The implication was there—Henri was and did all the things Alex wasn’t and didn’t.

“I can work hard.” Alex wished he sounded less defensive. He could work hard. He was just so rarely inspired to. Or rather, he was distracted by things more exciting, more dramatic, more intriguing than profit and loss accounts, stock turnover ratios, and five-year operational budgets.

He hid his shudder at the mere thought.

Surprisingly, his father didn’t scorn his protest. Instead, his gaze almost softened. “Believe me, I know you can. And you do, for the things you love. You have many excellent qualities, and the good intention of using them. But I can’t rely on mere intention for the continuing, successful management of this company. It needs to be your life’s work.”

Alex blinked hard. What was Charles saying? “Jesus, Papa. Are you firing me?”

Charles blew out a tight breath. “I cannot fire you, as you so quaintly put it, when you have a unique position as my son. However, I see no reason to burden you with an operational role any longer.” His tone hardened. “Alexandre, I think you should find yourself a new, personally satisfying project. You will no longer be needed at the monthly management meetings. Your personal allowance will continue—it was your mother’s last wish that all members of the family are supported, regardless of their role in the business—but I think it best for both our expectations if you distance yourself for a while from Bonfils’s Bibendum.” He placed his pen down on the desk blotter with exaggerated care.

Alex was speechless. It was an unfamiliar status.

For a long moment, Charles was still. Then he stood and half lifted his hand from his side, as if he was about to shake Alex’s hand or maybe—just maybe—pat him on the shoulder. Instead, he sighed deeply and gestured gently toward the door for Alex to leave. “And now, if you’ll excuse me, I have an appointment elsewhere.”

Mmmkay, so I didn’t read the first two in this series, so I’m not sure if it took anything way from the story, but I don’t feel like it did.  I’m not usually one to read “millionaire” books, cuz they all seem so pompous and holier than thou, and that just gets on my nerves….
While Alex doesn’t seem to have much ambition at first, or really take things like his job seriously… he didn’t have the jerky quality that most entitled people have LOL, I was glad for that.

So, if you read any of my reviews, you know how much Jennifer digs hot dads, or father figures. That’s what we get in Tate. He’s taking care of his siblings and working at the company that Alex just got fired from, that his father owns.

Alex kind of seems like he has more money than sense…. So, he’s surprised when his dad lets him go. Instead of going like his dad requested, he instead decides to go undercover with the company, start from the bottom and work his way up to impress his dad, but also to find out who’s been involved in some shady going on at said factory…

I saw it coming from 10 miles away, so the mystery wasn’t so much of a mystery to me… it just seemed like a “duh” moment when everything comes to light….

So, when they meet, Tate being Alex’s boss…. Of course they’re attracted to each other… Tate’s not sure about dating, having so much on his plate and taking care of his family, but Alex was pretty charming.
Their back and forth was cute, it wasn’t passionate or lovey, I would say…. But I did like Alex slid in and was so good with the family. Is there anything hotter than a hot guy with kids? I mean, really? So, I enjoyed that part.

Even though things were a bit rocky in the beginning, I did enjoy these two together and I’m glad that everything worked out for them, especially as a family…

3 pieces of eye candy from me.

Dec 4 – BFD Book Blog, Urban Smoothie Read, My Fiction Nook, Dec 6 – Amy’s MM Romance Reviews, Dec 8 – The Geekery Book Review, Two Chicks Obsessed, Dec 12 – Bayou Book Junkie, Dec 14 – Valerie Ullmer, Mirrigold: Mutterings & Musings, The Way She Reads, Lillian Francis, Megan’s Media Melange, MM Good Book Reviews

Clare London took her pen name from the city where she lives, loves, and writes. A lone, brave female in a frenetic, testosterone-fuelled family home, she juggles her writing with her other day job as an accountant.

She’s written in many genres and across many settings, with award-winning novels and short stories published both online and in print. She says she likes variety in her writing while friends say she’s just fickle, but as long as both theories spawn good fiction, she’s happy. Most of her work features male/male romance and drama with a healthy serving of physical passion, as she enjoys both reading and writing about strong, sympathetic, and sexy characters.

Clare currently has several novels sulking at that tricky chapter three stage and plenty of other projects in mind… she just has to find out where she left them in that frenetic, testosterone-fuelled family home.

Clare loves to hear from readers, and you can contact her here:

Website: http://www.clarelondon.com

E-mail: clarelondon11@yahoo.co.uk

Blog: www.clarelondon.com/blog

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/clare_london

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/clarelondon

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2UkDiUP

Google+ : https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ClareLondon/posts


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Warren’s Peace by Emjay Haze: Release Day Review

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The holidays are a time for second chances.

Warren Blessing lost his wife (two years ago), and his kids decide he’s been alone too long. They send him on a holiday singles cruise so he can meet someone new. On the flight from Chicago to Miami, he sits next to an attractive man, but when the flight’s over, he doesn’t think he’ll see him again.

Fletcher Hammond is a professional mystery shopper for vacation destinations and travel. After a split from his unfaithful fiancé, he’s embarking on a singles cruise. He meets a lovely gentleman on the flight, whose conversation and cocktails help Fletcher through his fear of takeoffs, but he doesn’t expect to see him again.

As if by fate, a meeting in the ship’s dining room renews their mutual attraction. But can they build a relationship with distance and baggage working against them? Or will they part ways when they return to port?

Title: Warren’s Peace
Author: Emjay Haze
Category: Holiday, Advent
Pages: 51

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

I really liked this trope. Vacation hookup that quickly becomes more. Can they make it work together at home. And I really liked that they had the opportunity to test it out at home a bit, meeting the kids, etc.

What threw me a little (and don’t get me wrong, I know it’s a holiday story, and short, so not a lot of time, but…) was that there was really no conflict at all. Everything that clearly was set up as a conflict, Warren’s adult children, who didn’t know he was bisexual, Fletcher’s keeping his job a secret from Warren, even Warren’s job traveling…none of those ever became an issue. It came “to a head” and was instantly gone. There was no real conflict to speak of. Which is absolutely fine, if that is the intent, but because all of those things were brought up many times, it seemed as if they should be.

Anyway, I really loved Warren and Fletcher’s relationship. They were instantly attracted, yet didn’t just jump right into bed. They spent time together, had fun, learned about each other, until they felt the time was right. And that the kids loved Fletcher immediately was fantastic as well, because that of course can make or break a relationship.

All in all a sweet story. 3.5 pieces of eye candy