Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

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The Master Will Appear by L.A. Witt: Audiobook Tour and Review with Giveaway

by

Dr. Mikhail “Misha” Budnikov takes one look at fellow fencer Ryan O’Connor and instantly knows his type. The undisciplined hothead is all ego with no finesse and even less control. In short, Misha’s pet peeves personified. To put the arrogant kid in check, Misha challenges him to a sparring match, which he predictably wins.

Not so predictably, Ryan asks him to be a mentor and show him how to fence. Startled by the moment of humility, Misha agrees.

What begins as fencing lessons becomes something much hotter, and before they know it, Misha is giving Ryan an entirely different kind of education. Dominance, submission, pain, pleasure—at the hands of an older, experienced man, a whole new world is opening up for Ryan.

As the trust deepens and their bond strengthens, though, Ryan retreats because that sham called love left him jaded long ago. Cynical beyond his years, he’s not letting his guard down, least of all for a thrice-divorced man twice his age.

Now Misha has to find a way to crack through those defenses…or accept defeat and walk away from the submissive who might just be the love of his life.

Length: 12hrs 59mins

Narrated By: Michael Ferraiuolo

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Audible

I have this book on paperback (stick with me here…) that I purchased and had signed by the awesome L.A. Witt at GRL last year, but I never read it, even though I REALLY wanted to. The reason was simply because for some reason the size of the book (Amazon estimates at 447 pages) intimidated me. So when the Audible version came out, I jumped at the chance to listen to it.

And as usual, L.A. Witt rarely disappoints. This author writes across genres (she has several pen names), across age, race, religion, political issues, as well as across sexual orientation. That is one of the things that I love most about this author. She does not write the same group of 20 something gay, white males, living in San Francisco (as an example) for each book. While I enjoy those books, I also very much appreciate that this author realizes that this is a very diverse country, and world, and her writing reflects that.

In the case of The Master Will Appear, Witt takes on a Russian college professor and fencing. I’d imagine that took some serious research. Misha, the Russian college professor, and a Dom, meets and clashes instantly with Ryan, a college student at a different university at a fencing club, and Ryan asks Misha to teach him more about fencing. As they take on a teacher/student relationship, they also quickly learn that not only are they attracted to each other, but Ryan wants to learn more about being a submissive. I love that this didn’t turn into a story about Ryan becoming the best fencer, and winning-or losing-a huge match (a la Karate Kid), while falling in love with his teacher. It really was a story about not just the relationship that developed between Misha and Ryan, both romantic and D/s, but also about the relationships that these men had with their families and friends.

All that helped the story flow from a realistic perspective, and explained so much about Ryan’s outlook on love and life. With Misha clearly being a romantic (he’s being married and divorced three times) and Ryan being as anti-romance as possible, it left room for Ryan to learn what love was, when he had not seen any examples of it in his life before Misha. It took time for Ryan to transition to that point, but Misha was patient, even as Ryan didn’t realize he was falling in love. He realized he loved being a sub, and the sex, but missed the part where he fell in love. I do enjoy it when characters are clueless about their own feelings. J

Witt took her time showing us all the levels of these men, just as it would take time in a real relationship. We learned new things about their pasts, how they became the men they were, winding it all together to allow the reader to learn who they were slowly.

The narrator, new to me as an audiobook listener, was engaging to listen to, and was able to perfect the Russian accent (at least to this untrained ear) so that the listener didn’t always need to know by the words who was speaking. Yet, he didn’t overdo the accent. It was only apparent while Misha spoke, not in his thoughts while it was in his POV, and it wasn’t so thick to make it difficult to understand. I tend to listen to my audiobooks at 1.25X, and had absolutely no problems dicephering the words.

All in all, a book I would definitely read and listen to again.

Story: 4.5 pieces of eye candy

Narration: 4 pieces of eye candy

August 1 – Dog-Eared Daydreams, Mainely Stories, Gay Book Reviews, August 6 – Gay Media Reviews, August 8 – Kimmers’ Erotic Book Banter, Love Unchained Book Reviews, August 10 – Lillian Francis, Momma Says To Read Or Not To Read, Bayou Book Junkie, Xtreme Delusions, Two Chicks Obsessed, Wicked Reads, United Indie Book Blog, BFD Book Blog, We Three Queens

L.A. Witt is an abnormal M/M romance writer who has finally been released from the purgatorial corn maze of Omaha, Nebraska, and now spends her time on the southwestern coast of Spain. In between wondering how she didn’t lose her mind in Omaha, she explores the country with her husband, several clairvoyant hamsters, and an ever-growing herd of rabid plot bunnies. She also has substantially more time on her hands these days, as she has recruited a small army of mercenaries to search South America for her nemesis, romance author Lauren Gallagher, but don’t tell Lauren. And definitely don’t tell Lori A. Witt or Ann Gallagher. Neither of those twits can keep their mouths shut…

Website: http://www.gallagherwitt.com

E-mail: gallagherwitt@gmail.com

Twitter: @GallagherWitt

Blog: http://gallagherwitt.blogspot.com

 

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Hard to Hold by Jaclyn Quinn: Blog Tour, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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Perfect, happy, “Jonah the Savior”, that’s how most people see Jonah Taylor. What they don’t always see is how incredibly overwhelmed he is with his new business or how lonely he is. When a painfully shy man enters his wellness center, all Jonah wants to do is help break him out of his shell. The problem is, the attraction he feels to the nervous, timid man is undeniable.

Cameron Vaughn has let most of his life be decided for him. A traumatic event from his past has caused him to doubt every decision he makes. When he’s forced into a new, anxiety-ridden situation, his first instinct is to run. So, what is it about the owner of the wellness center that has him questioning everything he’s ever been told?

Can one man convince the other he’s worth saving? Can the other realize he’s strong enough to save himself? Together, can they prove that what they’ve found is worth holding on to?

HARD TO HOLD

HAVEN’S COVE SERIES BOOK 2

JACLYN QUINN

M/M ROMANCE

RELEASE DATE: 07.24.18

Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon CA
Amazon AU

Jonah sat in his office on Monday morning with a smile on his face that he couldn’t seem to stop from forming. Cameron had spent most of Sunday with him, and although they hadn’t done much more than kiss or hold each other after their night together, it was more than enough for now. He’d even skipped Sunday dinner with his family because he was still really upset with his mom. Jonah sure as hell didn’t blame him.

Being with him was better than Jonah’s wild imagination could’ve ever thought up because he couldn’t have imagined the absolute awe on Cameron’s face as they discovered each other. He couldn’t wait to see him and glanced at the clock—again. Couldn’t the damn day go by any faster? He still had hours to go.

He picked up his coffee and took a sip of the liquid, hoping it would get him through the day. He was exhausted physically, but emotionally, he was bouncing off the walls. He hadn’t even noticed when Gabe came to the door until he heard him clearing his throat dramatically.

Gabe crossed his arms then raised one hand to scratch his chin skeptically as he arched one eyebrow and studied Jonah. “You had sex.”

Jonah spewed the sip of coffee he’d just taken, choking on it a little. He wiped the coffee from his chin and looked up at Gabe in surprise. “What?”

“Don’t play dumb with me, sir. I know that look when I see it, and I want details.” He came in the room, sitting down in the chair alongside Jonah’s desk. Putting his elbow on the desk, he leaned his chin on his hand like he was ready for Jonah to tell a tale. “Spill.”

“There’s nothing to tell,” he said, but for the life of him, he couldn’t wipe the smile off his face.

“Hmm, there it is… That’s the face of a man who thoroughly enjoyed himself this weekend. A little, I’ll scratch yours if you scratch mine, perhaps?”

“Jeez, Gabe.” Jonah sighed, shaking his head in amusement.

“Now, I’m going to take a wild guess here and assume the cheesy grin on your face was not created by some one-night stand. No, that’s the grin of a man who finally got what he wanted, am I right?”

“How do you do that?” Jonah asked, taken aback by his accuracy.

“It’s a gift. Now, stop avoiding the subject. Tell me before I start to whine.”

Jonah scrubbed a hand over his face and laughed. “Cameron may have spent Saturday night at my place.” Gabe waved his hand as if to tell Jonah to go on. “And we may have gotten to know each other better.”

“Oh, for the love of Gucci, Jonah. Did you fuck or what? I’m getting gray hair here waiting for you to spit it out.” Gabe rolled his eyes.

Jonah laughed at his friend’s sheer knack for being blunt. “Ugh…okay! No, we didn’t fuck, as you so romantically put it. Let’s just say neither one of us was left unsatisfied.” He felt awkward talking about this, knowing it was Cameron’s first time with a man, but he did say the only people he wasn’t ready to tell were his parents.

“Ah, so there was some deliciousness though?” Gabe waggled his eyebrows.

“Deliciousness?”

“Stalling,” Gabe said in a sing-song voice, teasing Jonah.

Fuck it... “We both got off…twice. Is that what you wanted to hear?”

“Now, was that so hard?” Gabe chuckled. “I must say, I had my doubts. So, are you two an item now?”

Jonah….

The ex-boyfriend of Owen, who you just couldn’t help love. More best friends than anything, he was respectable and so understanding when his boyfriend had feelings for someone else. It hadn’t been working for them for a while, but still… it had to be tough. I admired the way he loved Owen enough to want to see him happy, even if it wasn’t with him. And he deserves to be happy too. So… already, I loved Jonah. Side note… I loved his giant, deep voiced brother Zachariah as well, and I hope to be seeing more of him in the future… just throwing that out there <wink wink>

So, in this one… we of course know, Jonah.. if you don’t, I strongly urge you to go back and read the other two in this series, because…those guys are just as amazing. It’s a year later and with help from Gabe, he’d opened his own gym. He’s struggling, because of course opening your own business is a lot of work, especially when doing it on your own…but he’s happy. He’s always been of a mind that whatever you want in life, you can have it, as long as you work for it. So, that’s what he’s done.

Cameron… how to describe Cameron. Lost. Numb. Scared. Shy. Confused. Don’t get me wrong, he has justifiable reason to keep himself sheltered, but he doesn’t want to.. He’s tired of living life on everyone else’s terms, listening to people tell him who he should be and what he should want; and his brother and sister-in-law know that he’s hiding from who he really is because he’s been told his whole life that he’s different than what he really is. He finally starts questioning that when he meets Jonah.

It’s a slow-going read, sometimes too slow for me, but only because I wanted so much for Cameron. It was exactly what he needed though, and I adored Jonah for letting things happen naturally. Jonah is endlessly patient and so understanding, I truly believe he would’ve waited for Cameron forever had he needed to.

A childhood trauma and extremely overbearing parents caused Cameron to be confused about his sexuality and the things he was capable of in life; but with a small push from his brother and a three-month trial at Jonah’s gym… Cameron slowly comes out of his shell. Not only comes out of his shell, but he also starts a friendship with Jonah, which of course turns into more.

It’s hard, especially with Cameron’s mother thinking she still knows what’s best for Cameron… my goodness that woman, I’d have liked to have smacked her a time or two, and the therapist that went behind Cam’s back to tell her things ILLEGALLY… I wish he’d have gotten his karmic smack down, but sadly that didn’t happen….but eventually, the more he felt comfortable with Jonah, and the more he opened himself up to the possibility of things that actually made him happy… the more he let himself live.

I was rooting for them from the very beginning, and I knew it would be worth it. I’m loving the way that everyone is progressing forward with the guys and their families. I truly can’t wait to read more.. I’m really crossing my fingers that Zach is next!

What an awesome addition to a really great series. 4 pieces of eye candy from me!

 

I have been an artist from a very young age. From drawing cartoon characters and evolving into portraits, making jewelry, photography, and now writing. I have an amazing support system in my family and friends and couldn’t be more grateful.

I live in central New Jersey, love summers at the Jersey Shore, rock music, wine, sexy men, and laughing a lot with my amazing friends and family. Sunday dinners at my parents’ house are crazy, hysterical and you can count on a movie quote…or ten…being thrown out. Insults between siblings is how we show our love for each other!

When I’m not creating, you can find me reading books from my favorite authors. I’m a hopeless romantic, starving for passionate characters and always craving that happy ending, whether in reading or in writing my own books.

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The Missing Ingredient by Brian Lancaster: EXCLUSIVE Excerpt, Release Day Review

by

It can take losing everything to realize what you had all along.

Up-and-coming London chef Marcus Vine is poised on the edge of success, but the only men courting him are investors. That leaves Marcus with some free time—which is fortunate, because his godchildren need him.

A year ago, a horrible accident killed Marcus’s best friend, Raine, leaving her children without a mother and her husband, Tom, without a partner. Consumed by grief, Tom has been going it alone, refusing help, but when Marcus sees him out with the children, it’s obvious that Tom and his two daughters need someone. His persistent caring finally wears Tom down, allowing him to accept the comfort Marcus offers. Soon Marcus is up to his elbows in homework, home-cooked meals, and after-school activities. Over time he helps them rebuild their world, until soon their lives are approaching normal.
Then the unexpected happens: Tom confesses he has romantic feelings for Marcus, and nothing can ever be the same.

Title: The Missing Ingredient
Author: Brian Lancaster
Release Date: August 7, 2018
Category: Contemporary, Dreamspun Desires
Pages: 211

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Ten minutes later Marcus heard Tom’s soft footfalls on the stairs.

“You want a beer?” said Marcus, twisting around and yanking open the fridge door as Tom hit the bottom step. “Got a couple of cold ones in here.”

“Actually, another reason I came back is because—” said Tom, hesitating momentarily before going on. “Because I wanted a chat with you.”

“Oh, shit,” Marcus hissed, two bottles of Asahi in one hand, and quietly closed the fridge door shut, his face falling. “What have I done now?”

Tom appeared genuinely mystified.

“Sorry?” he said, taken aback. “What do you mean?”

“Whenever you want to chat with me, it usually means you’re either going to tell me to fuck off or back off.”

“No, I—” said Tom, his eyebrows scrunched up in confusion, before he deflated with a sigh and gently shook his head. “Is that what you think? Hell, have I really been that much of a dick? After everything you’ve done for us, for me?”

“You’re not a dick, Tom. But you can be bloody stubborn at times. Beer?”

Tom ambled over and took the proffered beer bottle, twisted the lid, and took a long draft. Afterward, visibly relaxing, he perched on the barstool. Marcus went and joined him, leaving a sizable distance between them.

“What I meant was, I don’t get to hang out with you anymore. And I know that’s what I asked for, but in all honesty, I miss it, I miss our little chats.”

“Yes, well, whose fault is that?”

“I know, I know. I already claimed the dick card, remember?”

Marcus relaxed too, then leaned forward to clink the neck of his bottle with Tom’s. “Well, if it’s any consolation, Tom, I miss our grown-up time together too.”

And it suddenly dawned on Marcus how much he really had missed just chatting to Tom. If only he could master his infatuation. Maybe now would be a good time to win some points in the friends stakes, tell Tom about Damian Stone, tell him what they had found out. But while the thoughts swirled around in his head, Tom had started talking.

“I really do like that shirt on you, Marcus. Is it cotton?”

“Egyptian cotton,” said Marcus absently.

“Looks comfortable. Mind if I…?” Tom held a hand out as if waiting for permission to touch the material.

“Sure. Knock yourself out.”

Tom reached across the distance and pinched the material beneath Marcus’s collar between his thumb and forefinger.

“This Indian tailor round the back of Edgware Road makes them for me. Has done for a couple of years. If you want, I can—”

When Marcus raised his eyes to meet Tom’s, all thoughts left him, the dark heat in that gaze blistering. A sudden memory came back, of Tom sitting on the garden rug, staring angrily at him. Except it had not been anger at all but lust. Instinctively he inhaled a deep breath as Tom fisted the shirt and pulled Marcus out of his chair toward him. Even as Tom brought their mouths together, Marcus hesitated, fully expecting him to recoil, to reevaluate in disgust what he had initiated. But the moment never came. Closemouthed lips pressed onto Marcus’s own—firm, urgent, yet still a little unsure. And then, a second later, the essence of Tom Bradford hit Marcus hard, spicy aftershave mixed with Tom’s natural body scent and heat, so masculine, intoxicating and addictive. Instinctively Marcus’s arms found their way around Tom’s neck and he stepped into the man’s body, molding himself into the embrace. When he pushed his tongue between Tom’s lips, forcing them to part, Marcus took control of the kiss, touching, stroking, exploring, snaking his own tongue around Tom’s. In response, Tom shuddered and released a deep moan, before lifting Marcus off the floor and walking him backward until he had him pinned up against the fridge door. Breathless, Marcus pulled his mouth away.

“Well. That’s one mystery solved,” whispered Tom as he lowered Marcus back to earth, his lips tickling Marcus’s ear.

“What do you mean?”

“I wondered if my attraction to you was all in my head” came Tom’s husky voice before he thrust his substantial rock-hard groin into Marcus’s own arousal.

“Apparently not.”

I haven’t read Brian Lancaster’s previous book, Uninvited Guest, so I really had nothing to go on, other than the blurb and that it was in the Dreamspun Desires category romance. I really liked to story premise, a widower falling in love with his deceased wife’s best friend, who comes to his aid with regards to the care of his children. (Warning, could be small spoilers ahead)

There were a few things that I didn’t quite understand with the story. The first, which never really resolved to my satisfaction, was Tom just turning Marcus away after Raine’s death, as if Marcus wasn’t grieving as well. This might have worked better in my mind if Tom felt confusion about his feelings for Marcus, but that wasn’t the case. He had no romantic feelings towards Marcus until after Marcus came back into their life.

The other issue I had was the search into the circumstances around Raine’s death. This bothered me simply because there really wasn’t a reason to look into it. It ended up causing hurt feelings and anger, and although the resolution-including the epilogue-was well done, I just thought it might have been unnecessary at that stage.

So, those were my issues. Now, what I loved about the book. J

First, and foremost, I loved the widower and kids situation, as I said earlier, with Marcus coming in to help at a later time. There was already a bond in place between Marcus and the children. And although I felt like Tom was a bit difficult to love at first, simply because he held back so much, it was obvious that part of the reason Marcus had stayed away was because of his inappropriate feelings toward Tom from the day they met.

I also really liked that Marcus did not allow himself to be walked all over. He was a proud man, confident in his business and himself, and he was able to stick up for himself when Tom was being difficult with him. He also continued to expand his business, even with all his new responsibilities, moving forward with a life that wasn’t wrapped around Tom and his family.

Once Tom and Marcus began a relationship, I like how they conducted themselves. They kept it discreet, in response to the children, yet were respectful of each other, and their separate lives.

In the end, definitely a book worth grabbing and spending an afternoon reading. Enjoy!

BRIAN LANCASTER is an author of gay romantic fiction in multiple genres, including contemporary, paranormal, fantasy, crime, mystery, and anything else his muse provides. Born in the sleepy South of England, the setting of many of his stories, he moved to Southeast Asia in 1998, where he shares a home with his longtime partner and two of the laziest cats on the planet.

Brian Lancaster once believed that writing gay romantic fiction would be easy and cathartic. He also believed in Santa Claus and the Jolly Green Giant. At least he still has fantasies about those two.

Born in the rural South of England in a town with its own clock tower and cricket pitch, he moved to Hong Kong in 1998. Life went from calm and curious to fast and furious. On the upside, the people he has since met provide inspiration for a whole new cast of characters in his stories. He also has his long-term, long-suffering partner and two cats to keep him grounded.

After winning two short story competitions in 2006 and being published in a compendium, he decided to dive into writing full- length novels. Diving proved to be easy; the challenge has been in treading water and trying to remain afloat. Cynical enough to be classed a curable romantic, he is not seeking an antidote. When not working or writing, he enjoys acting in community theater productions, composing music, hosting pub quizzes, and any socializing that involves Chardonnay. And for the record, he would like to remind all those self-righteous white wine drinkers that White Burgundy, Chablis, and Champagne are still essentially Chardonnays.

Be Still My Heart (Four Kings Security Book 2) by Charlie Cochet: EXCLUSIVE Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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Former Special Forces medical sergeant Russell “Red” McKinley knows a thing or two about wounds, like the fact some can take a lifetime to heal, if they heal at all. The scars Red carry run deep, and living with PTSD often means battling the memories of his past. Injuries he received while working an executive protection case with fellow Kings and co-owners of Four Kings Security, have once again forced past heartaches to the surface, but Red is determined not to let it derail his blossoming romance with sweet and sexy fashion photographer Lazarus Galanos.

Laz can’t deny there’s something special developing between him and Red, but Laz has wounds of his own. He’s hesitant to jump into a new relationship after his recent explosive breakup. Experience has taught Laz to doubt his judgement when it comes to men. Guys who seem too good to be true, usually are, and no one appears more perfect than Red.
When an attempt is made on Laz’s life, Red is determined to keep him safe. Laz may not be a client, and Red is still off duty, but Laz is one of their own, and nothing means more to the Kings than family. While an investigation is underway, Red and Laz are growing closer, but can they find a way to help each other heal and take a chance on love, or will their fears and insecurities cost them more than their future together?

BE STILL MY HEART

FOUR KINGS SECURITY #2

CHARLIE COCHET

M/M ROMANTIC SUSPENSE/CONTEMPORARY

RELEASE DATE: 07.28.18

COVER DESIGN: REESE DANTE

 

Amazon

“You send your security officers to train in Miami?” Mason looked horrified, making Red laugh. Despite having lived in Florida for years now, Mason continued to be baffled by its residents. He was convinced something was in the water. That or the humidity was affecting people’s oxygen intake. Ace loved to poke and prod Mason just to hear him rant. It was highly entertaining.

“I’m sorry, but have you tried making a left turn in Miami during rush hour?”

“Nope. Too busy trying to figure out which of the ten cars driving with their hazard lights on during a thunderstorm actually has an emergency. I’ll give you a hint, none, because they’re not using the damn thing like they’re supposed to.”

“Well, we do live in the state of shoplifting turkeys,” Ace said with a grin.

“Someone shoplifted turkeys?” Laz asked, confused. He was so damned adorable.

“No, someone dressed like a turkey was arrested for shoplifting.”

Laz opened his mouth to reply, then closed it. He shook his head. “I got nothing.” The wind blew his hair into his face, the soft dark curls calling to Red, and he couldn’t help reaching out to tuck a lock of hair behind Laz’s ear, earning him a sweet smile. “Thanks.”

Red returned his smile and shoved his hands into his pockets, the urge to touch Laz overwhelming. Laz was a good half foot or so shorter than Red, which meant he had to look up to meet Red’s gaze, and for some reason Red found that endearing. He wasn’t sure why. At six-foot-three, most people had to look up when talking to him. Maybe because he liked how Laz felt tucked against his body. How well they fit together. One thing he did know was that the more time he spent around Laz, the more he wanted to bring him into his arms and kiss him.

“Well, hello, Officer Cooper.” Lucky swaggered over, blatantly checking Mason out like he always did, and like every other time, Mason ignored him. “You are looking particularly fine today.”

“Lucky,” Mason grumbled by way of greeting, folding his beefy arms over his chest, his bulging biceps straining against the shirt sleeves of his uniform, drawing Lucky’s hungry gaze. Red stifled a laugh and exchanged glances with Ace, who waggled his eyebrows. Mason had no idea how much he flexed when Lucky was around. For all his bitching about Lucky’s “manwhore” ways, he preened an awful lot around the guy. “When are you gonna get rid of that death machine?”

“Why? Are you worried about me?”

Mason let out a snort. “Yeah, I ain’t touchin’ that.”

“You should. Who knows. You might like it.” Lucky winked at him, and Mason rolled his eyes.

“How did you know we were here?” Red asked Lucky. It’s like his friend had an internal radar. Wherever a group of young beautiful people were gathered, Lucky was bound to be there.

Lucky held up his phone, his grin wide. “You uploaded the video to the cloud by mistake. I would have been here sooner, but I had to pull over because I couldn’t see from the tears, I was laughing so hard.”

Oh shit. Red cringed. “Oops.”

“Oops?” Ace punched Red in the arm. “Thanks a lot, asshole. You know what’s going to happen now, right?”

“I’m sorry.” He was. He really was. He wouldn’t wish what was about to happen on anyone, not even Ace. Okay, maybe sometimes he did wish it on Ace because… well, it was Ace, so he probably did something to deserve it, but this was on Red.

Ace’s phone rang, and when he answered, he didn’t bother with a greeting. “Fuck you. The both of you.”

Wow, that was quicker than expected.

Ace put his phone on speaker, Jack and Joker’s loud peals of laughter filling the air. Jabbing a finger at his phone, Ace hung up and glared at Red. “This is your doing. I hope you’re happy.”

He wasn’t. Not really. Okay, maybe a little.

“I can’t wait to see what Jack does with the video,” Lucky said, rubbing his hands together in glee. “Ooh, this means another training video.”

Ace spun to thrust a finger in King’s face. “Stop putting me in training videos!”

“What’s he talking about?” Laz whispered at Red.

Red leaned in to reply quietly so Ace wouldn’t hear him and give him another reason to yell. “Anytime someone catches Ace doing something like today and records it, King puts it in a training video on how to not do that thing.”

“I’ll stop putting you in training videos when you stop expertly demonstrating all the wrong ways to diffuse a situation,” King growled, swatting Ace’s finger away from his face. “Do that again and you’re going to be featured in a new video on broken fingers and how not to get them broken.”

Ace opened his mouth to reply, but King narrowed his eyes, his jaw muscles working, and his expression daring Ace to mouth off.

“So,” Ace said, pivoting toward Mason, “Tell ’em your good news.”

I’m going to let you in on a little secret. I am a BIG BIG fan of Charlie Cochet’s THIRDS series. So much that I was apprehensive to start this new series. What if it isn’t as good? What if it is *gasp* better? But still, I had to read them because of course I did.

And I really, really liked book 1. There was a little tiny bit of Dex (THIRDS) in Ace (Four Kings book 1), but not a ton. I think just because they were wise cracking guys. So eyes wide open with book 2. Again- I really, really liked it.

Red and Laz started flirting in book 1, so we knew what was coming. And the ride getting there was fun. This book picks up a few months after the last and it has been a few months since Red and Laz have seen each other. But neither forgot. And then they do see each other with some meddling by Ace.

But then someone is trying to kill Laz. Like, who would do that? He is the nicest guy with no enemies except his vapid ex boyfriend and that is just too obvious. So while The Kings assign themselves bodyguards to Laz, Red assigns himself to personally guard Laz’s body.

I LOVED Laz in this book. He is a different guy in the bedroom with Red, you really see how he cares so much for his friends and he is wanting to make a name for himself in the fashion photography business without connections.

Red is still recovering from a gun shot wound even though the doctor cleared him. But he is also still dealing with PTSD from his time in the military. And because his last partner couldn’t deal with the PTSD and left, Red thinks Laz might do the same.

So (attempted) murder mystery, PTSD, new relationship…. a fast paced story with the feels and the romance and the sexy times. Ace provides a lot of comic relief, but doesn’t take over the story at all. I actually thought all 4 of the main guys were equally well represented- with Red and Laz getting the most page time obviously.

At the end of book 2 we find out the couple for book 3. Which we figured out already. So now I am totally shifting 2 characters in my head hoping they are book 4.

And a big shoutout to the author for calling out piracy in her own way. ART IS NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE FREE!!!

4 pieces of eye candy

Charlie Cochet is an author by day and artist by night. Always quick to succumb to the whispers of her wayward muse, no star is out of reach when following her passion. From adventurous agents and sexy shifters, to society gentlemen and hardboiled detectives, there’s bound to be plenty of mischief for her heroes to find themselves in, and plenty of romance, too!

Currently residing in Central Florida, Charlie is at the beck and call of a rascally Doxiepoo bent on world domination. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading, drawing, or watching movies. She runs on coffee, thrives on music, and loves to hear from readers.

Website: http://www.charliecochet.com

Blog: http://www.charliecochet.com/blog

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A Dance For You by Colette Davison: Release Day Blitz with Giveaway

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New job, new city: Mason hopes both will lead to him escaping burnout as a ballet dancer. Not living out of a suitcase anymore is a bonus. His new life gets off to a steamy start when he encounters his new neighbour, David. Things soon become complicated when Mason turns up for his first day at BalletEast, to discover that David is not only his choreographer, but the man who inspired him to take up dancing in the first place.

With two divorces and a string of failed relationships behind him, David has no intention of promising ‘forever’ to anyone. But when he meets Mason, he falls hard and fast for the enigmatic young dancer. As David becomes more serious about Mason, he wants to open his lover’s eyes to the kinks that he enjoys.

Whilst the two men are navigating the early stages of their romance, Mason is facing immense pressures in the rehearsal studios that threaten to dampen his natural enthusiasm for life. Will David’s love and support be enough to help Mason continue to hold his head high and dance like he’s never danced before?

**Contains explicit language and sex scenes, including mild, consensual BDSM**

Title: A Dance For You

Authors: Colette Davison

Genre(s): MM Contemporary Gay Romance

Length: Approx. 64,000 words

Goodreads

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

 

Colette’s personal love story began at university, where she met her future husband. An evening of flirting, in the shadow of Lancaster castle, eventually led to a fairy tale wedding. She’s enjoying her own ‘happy ever after’ in the north of England with her husband, two beautiful children and her writing.

Follow Colette Davison

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Love Letters A-C by Anyta Sunday: New Release Excerpts and Reviews

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A small town with big hearts, Greenville awakens at the mercy of Millionaire Row, the wealthy neighborhood across the tracks from Poplar Low.

Bad-tempered boys meet cheeky lovers.

Colliding worlds spark a fire of emotion. Heat rages. Hearts mend. Love is lost. And found.

Love Letters are playful, sexy, contemporary M/M stories that can be read as standalones.

Welcome to Greenville. Come for the sexy boys. Stay for the HEA.

Tropes: Alpha male, millionaire bad boy, athlete, help/comfort

Themes: Basketball, coming out

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Series blurb:

Feisty. Nerdy. Sexy. Secretive.

Greenville has them all.

 

Book blurb:

A is for Ash Heartford.

Adorable, strong, and independent.

Abandoned by his parents and attached to only one person—his little sister.

Attracted to River, the sultry man who saunters onto his doorstep with startling news.

Always yearning for more River, yet afraid to let him in.

 

Should he play it safe, or claim his legacy and risk losing his heart?

A is for Admiring Ash.

Tropes: Slow burn, virgin, one true love, happily ever after, related but not, hurt/comfort, forbidden love

Themes: Sudden inheritance, broken family, insta-dad

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Series (name + # in series):  Love Letters #1

Publisher: Anyta Sunday (self-published)

Release Date (Print & Ebook): July 31st, 2018

Length (Print & Ebook): 41600 words / 222 pages

Subgenre: Light-hearted, sexy gay romance

Direct Link: https://www.anytasunday.com/projects/admiring-ash

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

“You have deft fingers.”

Ash’s voice vibrated through him, urging River to make a move. The playful twitch of those lips begged to be kissed as much as River’s lips begged to do the kissing.

He wanted to slide his hands into Ash’s tangled hair and let their lips collide.

He wanted Ash under him, mapping every inch of his skin with his mouth.

He wanted Ash not to be off-limits . . .

But he was.

I had no idea what I was getting into when I started this book. New to this author, I’m always up for some new hot guys… I was surprised at how quickly I fell for Ash and his story.

Ash, on his own, caring for his younger sister was killing himself working numerous jobs to give her a life she didn’t have to struggle for. It was tough, but he was making due. Sure, he had to sacrifice a lot of himself, but it was worth it to keep his sister happy and doing well. He was determined that she make something of herself so she didn’t have to work so hard, like he did. It was admirable and sweet, and I loved him immediately. His sister too, she hated that he sacrificed so much and she wanted him happy too. So imagine their surprise, when River shows up with a letter from a grandfather Ash never knew about it and the book store and house he’d inherited. It seemed like the answer to their prayers, right?

River made a promise to the man he loved as a grandfather. When he passed, he’d find Ash and gift him the book store and hopefully let his honorary grandfather’s legacy go on. What he didn’t count on, was the feelings he developed for him and how badly he wanted to take care of him. If anyone needed a little taking care of, it was Ash.

Unfortunately, some land developers contacted Ash and gave him a very tempting offer. One that could make them live easy for a bit and even send Ash’s sister to college. It was a lot of money to pass up, especially for some man he didn’t know and a store he never knew about.

River asked him to take some time and see what Lester and his legacy was all about before he decided. So he did. He wanted to learn about this family he never knew of, and maybe feel some sort of connection to him. He never planned on finding a connection with River. So used to hiding himself away because he never had time for anything but work and taking care of his sister; and then not wanting to need someone like his mother always seemed to do; letting River get close was too risky.

River was incredibly patient though. He genuinely cared about Ash, even before he knew him, because he knew that he was someone to Lester. It didn’t take any time at all for River to fall for Ash though, it seemed inevitable. I found myself rooting for them from page one.

I also loved River’s brother’s. One, his twin and the other, his brother he chose; who also has a massive crush on his twin. I’m VERY interested to see how that turns out! Although unrequited love almost always breaks my heart, cuz duh, relatable….(I still think about you, 14 year old crush, Joey L! ) I can’t wait to read more of this family. I hope they all get their version’s of happy, just like River and Ash did.

4 pieces of eye candy from me!

Book blurb:

B is for Ben Spengler.

Brilliant. Bashful. Burned.

Brimming with desire for his BFF Landon, who is beyond compare.

But they aren’t the same Ben and Landon anymore. Not after what Landon did. And didn’t do.

Bitter about his unrequited love.

Bound by a night of drunken promises.

 

Will the chemistry between them change, or will Ben break first?

B is for Begging Ben.

Tropes: Pretend boyfriend, friends to lovers, virgin, brother-like, jealousy

Themes: Science, geek, alcohol induced oblivion

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Series (name + # in series): Love Letters #2

Publisher: Anyta Sunday (self-published)

Release Date (Print & Ebook): July 31st, 2018

Length (Print & Ebook): 41000 words / 220 pages

Subgenre: Light-hearted, sexy gay romance

Direct Link:

https://www.anytasunday.com/projects/begging-ben

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

“What do you want from a real marriage?”

Ben paused, clawing back the “you” desperately trying to escape him. Not Landon. He was over that. “I want to have someone who supports me, and vice versa. I want conversations and shared interests. I want common goals, my husband and I, a team. Us against the world. I want to be so close to him that I can guess what he is thinking. I want a man who sees I have failures and flaws but loves me anyway. Who has a fantastic sense of humor and finds joy laughing at the silly things. And . . . .”

“And?”

Ben couldn’t hold Landon’s deeply curious gaze. “I want to be his first choice. Not a backup when the guy he really wants doesn’t want him back.”

The silence that followed felt thick and taut, and Ben struggled to breathe.

Landon sat back with a determined stare toward the road. He licked his bottom lip and his hand rested on the wheel, thumb tapping. “You deserve all that, Ben. That and more.”

Sigh… I was reluctant.

Unrequited loves almost kill me. I reckon it takes me back to my 14 year old self when I was in love with my twin brother’s best friend. Spoiler, I’m 33 now and whenever I see him, I’m just as giddy and nervous as I was back then, and I’m married with kids of my own LOL, so unrequited love. I understand it. I know how much it hurts. It’s relatable and real. So, when it came to Landon… he wasn’t my favorite.

After waking up in Vegas, where it seems weddings were all the rage, Landon was tired of the distance Ben had put between them (for good reason. Another reason Landon wasn’t my favorite)… Landon seemed selfish to me in the beginning, no, he didn’t seem it, he just was. But, I had to admire his thought process, even though it was selfish, I got it. He didn’t want to lose Ben, and Ben needed the space. Still…. He needed a swift kick.

A ploy from Ben’s mom has the guy needing to spend the week with her, and of course, they’ve got to play their parts. Landon loved Ben’s mom just as much as Ben did; so he readily agreed. Problem was, it was about then that Landon got his head out, and realized his feelings for Ben were far more than platonic. He was finally seeing what Ben had been seeing their whole lives; he just didn’t realize it.

Watching Landon try to win Ben over, and Ben try to move on was entertaining and hopeful, because they’re inevitable. A love that starts with the foundation of the best friendship that turns into more; well… of course it’ll work out for the best.

And of course we see River and Ash a little bit, and some from Chris. I understand the next book is going to be about Chance, who lead Landon for a long time, is deeply, deeply in the closet and the biggest flippin jerk; so I can’t imagine liking him… though, I would’ve said that about Landon too, and I fell swift and easy for him. So, I’m excited to continue the series. I haven’t been disappointed yet! (well, at least not for long) I’m also curious about clown waiter, Gabe. Can he be the letter G? Hope so!!

Another great hit with a happily ever after!

4 pieces of eye candy from me!

C is for Chance Roosevelt-Sutton.

Chiseled jaw. Smug attitude. Wild ways.

Chained to his ego—or so everyone thinks. Except his personal assistant, Brook. He knows better.

Chance is challenged to make his father happy for once, but he needs Brook’s help.

Choosing honesty is too risky, so instead they choose secrecy.

Choked by their pasts, they dream of a better life . . . and

Charm each other into submission.

 

Will their pasts ruin what they have, or will they grow together?

C is for Challenging Chance.

Series (name + # in series): Love Letters #3

Publisher: Anyta Sunday (self-published)

Release Date (Print & Ebook): July 31st, 2018

Length (Print & Ebook): 32000 words / 182 pages

Subgenre: Light-hearted, sexy gay romance

Direct Link: https://www.anytasunday.com/projects/challenging-chance

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Brook pulled him tighter by the lapels of his suit, returning the kiss. He pulled back, breath drizzling over Chance’s wet lips. Brook’s eyes held a ray of earnestness. Something soft and unspoken drifted between them but Chance couldn’t quite grasp it. He frowned and stepped back. Ran a hand through his hair and glanced at himself in the mirror. Lips red, cheeks flushed—and he was grinning.

“Never stop smiling like that,” Brook whispered, sliding behind him, arms circling his waist to undo the jacket button. “You look amazing. I’d like to see that last jacket on you though. To make an informed decision.”

Informed decision, his tight ass.

He smirked at Brook in the reflection of the mirror. The sales assistant knocked on the door. Chance called out, “Just trying on the last jacket.”

“If you need any help . . .”

Brook drew off the jacket, palms sweeping over his shoulders down to his forearms.

“I’m fine, thanks.” Chance hoped he hadn’t croaked on that last sentence. Heels tapped across marble floor, growing fainter.

First, let me just say that I was not a fan of Chance. If you’ve read this one, than you know he’s the guy who done Landon so dirty in the last book. He’s selfish, deeply in the closet and doesn’t seem to care about anyone but himself. However, like many people who are so outwardly douchey, it’s because of something deeper.

Chance leads a miserable life. He may have more money than he’ll ever know what to do with; but he’s missing all the important things in life, and he knows it. He’s not free to be himself, because he’s got this constant need to make his dad happy and nothing that he does, is doing it. His dad is a hard man to please, and instead of getting to know his other son, he just throws money at him and gives him these ridiculous expectations… I didn’t like the dad either, but I think even he was misunderstood. I think he wanted Chance to grow up and be responsible. He just went about it the wrong way. Maybe it was tough love, I dunno… it was harsh either way.

My heart hurt for Chance so much because everyone used him for literally everything. His friends weren’t friends, they just used his house to party, his money for booze and going out to dinners. They never even asked, they all just expected it. His dad was constantly disappointed in him and he was living in the shadow of his brother; the one that made his dad proud. He was incredibly lonely and even though he was surrounded by all these fake people, it was better than actually being alone.

Enter Brooke. Brooke was desperate for a job, and happened to overhear someone in a bar talking about being a personal assistant to the most demanding jerk there was. So, of course Brook applied for it. He’d made some bad mistakes in the past and was trying to rectify them. It wasn’t easy… Chance didn’t make it easy because he knew that he’d be attracted to Brook, and there was no way that he could disappoint his dad in that way, too. Right?

Except, Brook was patient and calm, where Chance was out of control and hasty. Brook kept him in check and didn’t let him get by with brushing him off or hiding away from his feelings or what he wanted. He stood up for Chance and fought for him, and even when it hurt him, he wanted what was best for Chance.

I loved these two together, and it didn’t take me anytime to love Chance. I knew that I would. And Grandma, (Brook’s grandma) you’ll love her. She was charming and the little piece of family that Chance needed. They took him under their wings, no questions asked, and Chance had needed it.

Sigh… overall, it was just a great story and I honestly cannot wait to see what’s up next in this series! I’m definitely hooked; and like the other two in this series, it ended perfectly.

4 pieces of eye candy from me!

HEART-STOPPING SLOW BURN

A bit about me: I’m a big, BIG fan of slow-burn romances. I love to read and write stories with characters who slowly fall in love.

Some of my favorite tropes to read and write are: Enemies to Lovers, Friends to Lovers, Clueless Guys, Bisexual, Pansexual, Demisexual, Oblivious MCs, Everyone (Else) Can See It, Slow Burn, Love Has No Boundaries.

I write a variety of stories, Contemporary MM Romances with a good dollop of angst, Contemporary lighthearted MM Romances, and even a splash of fantasy.

My books have been translated into German, Italian, French, and Thai.

Author website: http://www.anytasunday.com/

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