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Like I Promised (Heather Bay Book 1) by Charlie Novak: Release Day Review and Excerpt

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Falling for my childhood sweetheart wasn’t part of the plan.

Moving back to Heather Bay wasn’t on Oliver’s agenda for the summer, but after inheriting a cottage in dire need of renovation he doesn’t have much choice. Supervising the builders should be easy… except the man in charge is Oliver’s childhood best friend and ex-boyfriend.

Lane’s spent nine years desperately trying to forget his first love, but that doesn’t stop him from fantasising about Oliver in every spare moment once he discovers Oliver’s back in town. Falling into bed together isn’t supposed to mean anything, even if Lane’s emotions feel too big to be ignored.

Being drawn to each other is one thing, but being stuck together after disaster strikes the renovations is another. The pull of the past is strong but Oliver and Lane have been down this road before. This time they’ll need to learn from their mistakes so they can finally keep their promises.

Like I Promised is a steamy second-chance contemporary MM romance featuring former childhood sweethearts, interfering friends, questionable barbecues, a very lazy collie, cosy coffee shops, and secret beaches.

Title: Like I Promised

Series: Heather Bay (Book One)

Release Date: 21st July  2022

Author: Charlie Novak

Cover Design: Natasha Snow

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

I took a step closer until we were side by side. There was barely any space between us. I turned my head to look at him and found Oliver’s beautiful dark eyes gazing back at me.

“I missed you,” I said. “I missed you so much. There were days when all I wanted to do was talk to you—about work, about Sparrow, about some random shit I’d seen on TV. About everything.”

“I wanted to do the same, especially that first year. Everything was so hard. I didn’t know anyone, I felt so alone and isolated, and I kept wondering if I’d made a mistake moving away.”

Something deep inside me cracked as Oliver spoke. I knew we were both to blame for what had happened between us, but it didn’t stop guilt from spilling into my chest. My hand brushed against his.

I love a good second chance romance. Going back home to your small town. Faced with the guy you loved all your life but he chose to stay home while you went to college. And as soon as they see each other again **sparks**.

After literally not speaking for nine years, Lane and Oliver kind of fell right back into being friends. Probably because they started as friends when they were kids. But even with time and two broken hearts, they were meant to be.

I loved that neither one was all pissy at the other for what had happened. They both accepted fault and figured it was inevitable at the time. Imagine that, being all mature.

Then there’s the forced proximity. That always leads to sexy times.

It was fun to have characters from another book show up in this one AND there are big hints that another character will make an appearance. I love that because you get to revisit guys you fell in love with previously.

There is a lot of reminiscing, not only between Oliver and Lane, but also with their group of friends. Friends Oliver lost when he went away to college as well. Of course there are some newcomers to the group who are really interesting and I hope we get their stories as well.

No big drama. No bg angst. No big fight, subsequent break up and make up. Just two guys who know what they want and are willing to work for it. Oh and the sex scenes about lit my Kindle on fire. I kind of wish that had been explored a bit more. But I’m not complaining.

4 pieces of eye candy

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Charlie lives in England with her husband and two cheeky dogs. She spends most of her days wrangling other people’s words in her day job and then trying to force her own onto the page in the evening.

She loves cute stories with a healthy dollop of fluff, plenty of delicious sex, and happily ever afters — because the world needs more of them.

Charlie has very little spare time, but what she does have she fills with baking, Dungeons and Dragons, reading and many other nerdy pursuits. She also thinks that everyone should have at least one favourite dinosaur…

You can find her at charlienovak.com where you can also sign up for her newsletter, on Twitter and Instagram as @charlienwrites and you can join her Facebook reader group Charlie’s Angels for cover reveals, sneak peaks and general book shenanigans!

Website: https://charlienovak.com/

Newsletter https://charlienovak.com/newsletter-sign-up/

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

Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/charlie-novak

Twitter https://twitter.com/charlienwrites

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

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@charlienwrites 

Facebook Group Charlie’s Angels (https://www.facebook.com/groups/charlienovaksangels/)

Linktree (for all links) https://linktr.ee/charlienovak 

Hard Job: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 2) by Annabeth Albert: New Release Review

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How hard can it be to guard the country’s biggest rockstar?

As a SEAL officer, I’m no stranger to danger, but running my own security firm is a new challenge. Finding the right bodyguard for each client isn’t easy. Our next gig? My little brother’s best friend, rock god Ezra Moon, has a security crisis. Ezra is convinced I’m the right man for the job, but I’m not so sure.

From crowd surfing to infamous pictures, Ezra is known for taking risks. It’s no wonder his record label thinks he needs a keeper on tour.

But there’s not a tour bus big enough to contain our incendiary attraction. Ezra and his antics push every last one of my buttons, but the real problem is how much I want to kiss some sense into him. He’s a client, and angry make-out sessions aren’t the answer. Yet we keep finding ourselves alone and burning up the sheets until our secret fling threatens to scorch both of us.

I’ve spent my whole life running from the spotlight, trying to distance myself from my notorious father. Ezra wants to live his best life on the biggest stage. A future seems impossible, but our feelings are undeniable. Can I admit how hard I’ve fallen for Ezra without losing everything?

HARD JOB is book two in a brand-new SEAL bodyguard series. It features a reluctant SEAL bodyguard, a mouthy rock star with a heart of gold, molten chemistry, and pie. Lots of pie. Also, all the high heat, big emotions, and found family feels readers expect from this fan-favorite military romance author. Join A-List security for this new series featuring former SEALs and the celebrity clients who win their hearts. Happy endings and no cliffhangers guaranteed!

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Tough Luck: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 1)

Bad Deal: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 3)

Somehow I missed book one of this new series. I will definitely be going back to read Danny and Chase’s story. Luckily, this is easily read as a stand alone so I didn’t lose anything that I couldn’t extrapolate easily.

So. Rock star, yes please. Former SEAL now bodyguard, also yes please. Turn your AC on because this was a hot one.

Duncan has been a secret fan of They Wear Crowns and had a crush on the lead singer Ezra since they released their first album. Before that, Duncan knew Ezra from when he and Duncan’s half brother were on a television show together.

Ezra, on the other hand, ALWAYS had a crush on Duncan. There’s  maybe a 5ish year age difference which explains why Duncan had no interest in Ezra at first. But now, he is an adult with a great career and Duncan’s brother suggests him as security for the band and Ezra.

So they are thrown together right before the band is back on tour. Ezra can flirt with the best of them and it doesn’t take long to wear down Duncan’s tissue paper thin defenses. But Duncan doesn’t believe in happily ever after. He grew up with a Hollywood big wig for a father who has been married 4 times and had a lot of accusations swept under the rug. His father also wants him to work for him. Which is comical because Duncan does not have the personality for that at all. Can you imagine a former SEAL schmoozing in Hollywood? Duncan doesn’t even like sharing a last name with his father.

In the meantime Ezra and his band continue to tour with Duncan working security. And meeting in one of their hotel rooms at night. They are keeping everything on the downlow though, partly because Ezra is a client and partly because Duncan does not want to be in the gossip rags like his father. That leads to a lot of strife between them. But Duncan is definitely catching some feelings and that is just complicating things even further. Silly feelings.

I loved Ezra. He is down to earth, very mature considering his life in show biz, but also fun. He does not take himself too seriously at all. But don’t worry. Because Duncan is ALL about the serious. Probably too much about the serious. But together they are amazing. Duncan doesn’t realize how incredibly sweet and loving he is. He is such a nurturer but at the same time has no problem giving up control in the bedroom.

There isn’t a ton of interaction with the other band members. Mostly their manager, some with Ezra’s parents and then Duncan’s step brother and father. It kept the story from getting overly cluttered, but it was also a little odd that he didn’t hang with them much.

This was a good read with very likable characters who were meant for each other.

4 pieces of eye candy

Antagonist by Ana Ashley: Blog and IG Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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One artist. One attorney. Two single dads.

Meeting at a bachelor auction for charity had trouble written all over it as far as I was concerned, especially when the guy that won the bid for me seemed to be after only one thing…a good time between the sheets.

Refusing Fletcher’s advances was easy the first time round. After all, we weren’t meant to see each other again.
Except I’ve just moved to Stillwater where Fletcher lives.
Except both our kids are in the same class.

Now the kids are fighting and I’m ready to throw my own punches.
If only Fletcher wasn’t as goddamn irresistible as he is irritating.
When the fight moves from the playground to the bedroom, who will come out on top?

Antagonist is book 1 in Ana Ashley’s new series, Dads of Stillwater.
Single dads, sassy kids, Ana’s usual cast of intriguing secondary characters, Stillwater has it all.

Title: Antagonist
Authors: Ana Ashley
Length: 72k
Series: Dads of Stillwater, Book 1
Genre: Contemporary, Romantic Comedy
Tropes: Single dads, Small town, Opposites attract.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

If I could get under Harrison’s skin as much as he’s already under mine, we’d have the most explosive sex known to humankind.

That was one of the many Harrison-related thoughts running through my head most of the parent meeting, which Harrison didn’t show for, and it’s been the same over the last two days.

I can’t blame him for leaving. I’m annoyed, but I get it.

When I pulled him into the supply closet, it wasn’t with the intention of kissing him. The way he spoke to Karina was…I don’t even know. I’m sure no one has spoken to her like that ever. Not even her parents, who come from a modest background and tried, even if they failed, to raise her to be a good person.

I guess she was always a law unto herself. Determined to be just like the people she admired, which is basically anyone with money, regardless of who they really are.

So, no, I hadn’t planned on kissing Harrison. At most, I just wanted to hug him and make sure we were on the same page before walking into the meeting.

Of course, as soon as we walked into the dark closet, all my intentions went up in smoke. I didn’t pick the closet on purpose. I thought we were walking into a classroom or office.

So now I can’t stop thinking about Harrison. His lips, his hard body, his long cock straining against his slacks…

Fuck.

I need to apologize.

If the few interactions I’ve had with him have taught me anything, it’s that he’s wound tight. He likes to be in control of a situation, and as much as I would give anything to see him unravel, I don’t want it to be at the detriment of our tenuous relationship.

God, the way he let me take charge of the kiss. That moment he lost the battle against his own conscience and flipped us, pressing me so hard against the door. When my hair tie snapped, I thought I was going to come right there.

Christ. Get yourself under control, Fletch.

As I turn onto the last street to get to Bittersweet, I feel hot, and not just because of the lack of breeze. Walking to George’s school rather than driving was a good idea, in principle. It’s giving me a chance to put my thoughts in order because it’s only a matter of time before I see Harrison again, and my brain needs to be in sync with my mouth.

I’m not sure it’s working though. The more I think about Harrison, the more I think about all the things I shouldn’t be thinking.

Having not read anything by this author, wasn’t really sure what to expect, but figured starting with the first book in a series was a safe bet. There were quite a few side characters that I am guessing are from a different series, since most were in a relationship, but it didn’t really make me feel lost in the story, as it really was quite focused on the two MC’s and dealing with the new world they now lived in, Stillwater…somewhere in New England, not far Boston.

I liked the varied personalities of the MC’s, although, as the reader gets to know Harrison, his personality seems to morph a bit into what is likely his “real” personality, but not one we had seen previously. I actually liked this side of him. As he became more comfortable with the bisexual side of himself, he allowed himself to be more assertive, more open.

Meanwhile, Fletcher was 100% himself from Day 1. Which honestly is my biggest issue with the book. Consent was not given on multiple occasions by Harrison, he said emphatic no’s several times, and not only did Fletcher not accept them, he kissed (and more) Harrison anyway. More than once. And while Harrison could easily stand up for himself, and did. Fletcher was much more aggressive about it than I felt he should have been. One time I can see as that hot “see, you really want me” kiss, but Harrison said no many times, and Fletcher still did it, and was convinced Harrison wanted him.

Above all, though, both men were great fathers, who put their children above all else…I mean how adorable is it that Harrison could French braid his daughter’s hair, and then even Fletcher’s? They spent time helping the school and the community, as they became closer, and both men were close to Harrison’s ex-wife (I do love a story where a previous spouse can be on great terms with their co-parent. This was a fantastic example.)

Overall, I liked the story, and am seriously invested in book 2, wanting to know how Ellis and the sweet baby toting store clerk hit it off. I want to know his story, and see how it unfolds.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Ana was born in Portugal but has lived in the United Kingdom for so long, even her friends sometimes doubt if she really is Portuguese.

Ana Ashley writes sweet and steamy gay romance set in America, often in small towns where everyone knows everyone. Coming from a small town herself, she knows all about meddling families, nosy neighbors and that community spirit that comes from knowing people all your life.

You can find out more about Ana and her works-in-progress by joining her Newsletter. To sign up visit Ana’s website anawritesmm.com

Connect with Ana:
anawritesmm.com
Twitter: @anawritesmm
FB: https://www.facebook.com/anaashleyauthor
IG: @anawritesmm

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Sink or Swim (Shore Leave Book 2) by Annabeth Albert: Release Day Reviews

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Winning and losing are subject to sexy interpretation…

Navy chief Calder Euler loves to win big. His latest score? A remote mountain cabin. Checking it out is supposed to be a quick trip, but Calder’s luck abruptly turns when a freak injury and a freakier snowstorm leave him stranded.

Oh, and the cabin isn’t empty. A silver fox caring for two young girls claims that the property is his, but Calder’s paperwork says otherwise.

Felix Sigurd is on a losing streak, and his ex-husband risking the cabin in a reckless bet is only the latest in a series of misfortunes. He’ll tolerate the handsome stranger for a couple nights–even care for his injuries—but that’s it.

Calder doesn’t know a damn thing about kids, but making pancakes for Felix’s girls is a surprising delight. Trapped in the cabin, the four of them slip easily into the rhythms of a family. But when the ice melts, they’ll have to decide if a future together is in the cards.

Amazon

Carina Press/Harlequin

This book is exactly what I needed. Sweet, low angst, funny kids, two guys navigating whatever it is their relationship is, etc.

Calder and Felix are both of the “no thanks” camp on relationships. Felix is fairly newly divorced and is now raising his two nieces so his focus is elsewhere and Calder just never really believed in happily ever after.

But a mishap leaves them stranded in a cabin because of snow. Calder seems to get right into the groove of dealing with the girls, etc. He comes from a big family so it makes sense, even though he doesn’t think so. And who wouldn’t be enchanted by those 2 girls? I loved them from the start.

It is utterly adorable that Calder makes flimsy excuses for he and Felix to see each other again once they are back home. And it isn’t even for hooking up per se because they do way more kissing and cuddling than anything else. Which I really kind of loved. It wasn’t a sex driven romance at all.

Felix has to realize that he has room in his life for a partner and Calder does everything he can to prove that. I definitely think Calder worked a lot harder at establishing a relationship than Felix did, but he was a bit salty still from his divorce that happened because his husband had no intentions of being a parent.

Even though I really appreciated that it was low angst, the girls didn’t seem very affected by the fact that their mother died and Uncle Felix’s husband left. There as a comment or two, but nothing like that you normally see with similar situations.

So yes, I did love it even though I wanted the girls to express a bit of their trauma and I wanted Felix to try a little harder and not be a martyr.

4 pieces of eye candy

Having really enjoyed book 1 in this new military series by Annabeth Albert, I was super ready for Calder’s book. (If you haven’t read book 1, Sailor Proof, I highly recommend. They are both stand alone, but you get a good little peek into what is ahead for Calder, as well.) This book did not disappoint.

It was super sweet, but with such a different feel than what I would have gone in expecting for Calder, given what we knew of his personality. He’s all about the win, coming out on top, etc. Yet, he is not only a big softie, but also not out for the quick score. He wasn’t all about jumping into bed with Felix. Yes, there was sex, but it felt more like just a gradual step, not a big leap, and it worked for them both. It provided such a deep layer for Calder, one I certainly didn’t expect. It was a different approach, and really allowed Calder to grow into the person he was, but didn’t realize.

In fact, based on other tropes, there might have even been the expectation that Felix would have done the chasing, and Calder didn’t want to jump into a relationship. In reality, both of them realized they didn’t want a relationship, until Calder finally realized, yes I do, and wanted to get Felix on the same page. No small feat.

Felix had every reason in the world to be gun shy, and apprehensive of not just another relationship (what a d-bag his ex-husband was!!!), but one that could mean his nieces might have their hearts broken. Giving any sort of dating a chance was not what he was expecting, but one date, one night, one meal, one text at a time, Calder made Felix see that they had something worth continuing to work on.

Such a sweet, fresh approach, showing a lot of depth of character in the MC’s, and it was just a feel good book.

4 pieces of eye candy

Not Until Noah (Star Crossed, Book 1) by Lisa Henry: RB, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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Carter Westlake is on the brink of being Hollywood gold. Cast as the lead in a highly-anticipated sci-fi trilogy filming in Australia, he’s primed to be the next A-list action hero: all-American, hot as hell, and straight. The problem is, Carter can only check off two of those boxes. But that’s okay—his bisexuality can remain a secret until these movies are behind him.

Childhood educator Noah Jones has a plan. Work as a nanny for six months, make some extra cash, and move to the UK to teach. He doesn’t expect his new boss to be a Hollywood star. And he certainly isn’t prepared to fall for the guy.

One kiss sends them tumbling into a secret relationship, even though they both agree it can be nothing more than a fling. Carter needs to stay in the closet for the sake of his career, and Noah’s leaving. But when their feelings continue to grow into something deeper, Carter has a decision to make. Knowing that exposing his sexuality could cost him his career, would he rather carry on living a lie, or risk it all to stand tall in his truth?

Not Until Noah is the first book in the Star Crossed series, where regular guys meet famous ones, and sparks fly.

Title: Not Until Noah

Author: Lisa Henry

Series: Star Crossed, Book 1

Genre: Contemporary.

Tropes: secret relationship/manny and single dad.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Noah went into his bedroom and grabbed his bag of toiletries and the boxers and T-shirt he slept in. He bundled them all together and stepped back into the hallway, intending to head for the bathroom.

Instead, he almost stepped right into Carter Westlake.

He put up a hand to stop them colliding, his fingers sliding over the thin fabric of Carter’s soft shirt and into the dip of his sternum. His breath caught, and his face burned. He took a quick step back.

“Thanks,” Carter said. “For today. Emerson had a great time.”

“I did too,” he said, trying not to stare at the way Carter’s mouth moved. “She’s a great kid.”

“She doesn’t usually warm up to new people quickly,” Carter said. “But she loves you.”

There was something about the way Carter said it, something vulnerable in the slight hitch of his voice, that made Noah’s heart skip a beat. The moment was heavier than a compliment wrapped in a revelation about a child’s sociability should have been. Noah had no words, and the silence between them suddenly shifted and became laden with something that he was terrified to name, except he could feel it. Sudden anticipation in the air, sudden electricity. And Carter’s gaze was holding his as though it were magnetic. He almost forgot to breathe.

And then Carter was closing the distance between them again. “Noah, can I—”

“Yes,” he said, the blood roaring in his skull. It couldn’t be what he thought it was—it couldn’t be—but it also didn’t matter what it was. There was probably nothing in the world that Carter Westlake could ask him that Noah would refuse. Not in this strange moment where the rest of the universe had somehow ceased to exist.

Carter tucked a finger under Noah’s chin—Noah’s breath shuddered out of him—and leaned in to kiss him.

A million frantic thoughts sounded like klaxons in the back of Noah’s mind, all blaring the same urgent, panicked message:

Carter Westlake is kissing you!

Carter Westlake—the movie star—is kissing you!

And he had no idea what the hell he was supposed to do with that information, except maybe enjoy the kiss while it lasted.

He lifted his shaking hand and ran it through Carter’s hair, encouraging him to keep going, and shivered as Carter’s tongue slid along the soft seam of his lips. He opened his mouth, and the sensation of their tongues touching sent a thrum of molten heat through his body. He moaned into the kiss.

No, it wasn’t Carter Westlake the movie star who was kissing him; it was Carter Westlake the man. And he wasn’t sure why, but that suddenly seemed like an important distinction.

Carter drew back for a moment, and his heart seized at the loss. Carter only leaned in again, though, sucking gently on his bottom lip before releasing it and sealing their mouths together once more. Noah’s body thrummed with need. He twisted his fingers in Carter’s hair and shivered as Carter’s hands came to rest on his hips. He suddenly wanted to pull Carter closer, to bring their bodies together as tightly as he could—

His toiletry bag thumped to the floor as he released his grip on it.

The sudden noise broke the spell between them, broke the kiss.

Carter stepped away quickly. “I’m sorry. Shit, I’m sorry.”

The heat in Noah’s body transformed into burning shame.

“That was inappropriate,” Carter said. He wasn’t meeting Noah’s gaze. “I’ll…”

He gestured toward the stairs and then hurried past Noah toward them. He didn’t look back.

Noah’s hands shook. He leaned against the wall for a moment, fighting for breath. Then, his eyes stinging, he stooped and picked up his bag and his pajamas. He hurried to the bathroom, closing and locking the door.

He leaned against the vanity, his back turned to the mirror because he wasn’t sure he could look at himself right now.

And that distinction between Carter Westlake the movie star and Carter Westlake the man—the one that had seemed so significant while they’d been kissing—was a joke, wasn’t it? Because Carter Westlake was also his employer, and Noah was a fucking idiot not to have remembered that. Carter could fire him for this. Would that be better or worse than not being fired, but somehow continuing to stay here and pretend nothing had happened? He had no idea. Nothing like this had ever happened to him before. And he could wave any future contracts with CTL goodbye if Karen found out he’d kissed a client.

Stupid.

Stupid stupid stupid.

He buried his face in his hands, squeezed his eyes shut, and groaned.

Stupid, but if Carter knocked on the bathroom door right now and asked if he wanted to kiss him again, Noah wasn’t sure that he’d be able to refuse him. He wasn’t sure he’d want to because nobody had ever kissed him the way that Carter had, and even knowing it was the dumbest thing in the world, he wanted more.

This is the first contemporary book by Lisa Henry that I’ve read. However, considering how much I have loved the Lords of Bucknall series, I knew I wanted to jump into this one. I wasn’t disappointed with this one.

I always love when books are set in Australia, as I loved my brief time there, so it’s always fun to revisit mentally. Not that I was able to stay in a house quite like the one Carter Westlake was renting.

With Carter on the verge of his “big break” with a trilogy of action movies, he is still firmly in the closet, until Noah becomes a nanny for the five months they are expecting to be in Australia. What I loved most about Carter was his fallibility. He was a fantastic father…but still managed to disappoint his child on a few occasions, despite his best efforts. He wanted to be out of the closet, and yet knew he couldn’t until…whenever…and acknowledged that whenever will likely never come.

Noah meanwhile was so good with Carter’s child, not just being a manny, but actually engaging with her, teaching her, showing her the world. It was a lovely relationship. And when things did not go down well between Noah and Carter, Noah deeply felt his love for Carter’s daughter, and how upset she would be. (And she was…and she let Noah know about it. Loved that!)

Side note…Noah’s brother, Dylan…he was a really good character. Written very well, and he was so supportive of Noah. I just loved Dylan.

All around a really good read, and a good start to a new series.

4 pieces of eye candy

Lisa likes to tell stories, mostly with hot guys and happily ever afters.

Lisa lives in tropical North Queensland, Australia. She doesn’t know why, because she hates the heat, but she suspects she’s too lazy to move. She spends half her time slaving away as a government minion, and the other half plotting her escape.

She attended university at sixteen, not because she was a child prodigy or anything, but because of a mix-up between international school systems early in life. She studied History and English, neither of them very thoroughly.

She shares her house with too many cats, a dog, a green tree frog that swims in the toilet, and as many possums as can break in every night. This is not how she imagined life as a grown-up.

Lisa has been published since 2012, and was a LAMBDA finalist for her quirky, awkward coming-of-age romance Adulting 101, and a Rainbow Awards finalist for 2019’s Anhaga.

To connect with Lisa on social media, you can find her here:

Website
Facebook
Instagram
Goodreads
Bookbub
Twitter

She also has a Facebook group where you’ll be kept in the loop with updates on releases, have a chance to win prizes, and probably see lots of lots of pictures of her dog and cats. You can find it here: Lisa Henry’s Hangout.

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Imposing Saint (All Saints Security Series Book 3) by Jess Bryant: New Release Review

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Aaron Laughlin is young, rich, and a star among the Nashville political elite. That’s why nobody is more surprised than him when he ends up abandoned at the altar. But here he is, dumped on the most important day of his life, embarrassed in front of his entire city, and left with a bruised ego in place of a broken heart.

Needing time away to regroup after the fiasco that could very well derail his career, he decides to head to the mountains and enjoy his honeymoon on his own. Only, he isn’t alone. His imposing new bodyguard refuses to let Aaron out of his sight, or his reach, and the way his dark eyes follow Aaron’s every move gets under his skin in a way he can’t shake, and isn’t sure he wants to.

Isaac Chinn is practical, professional and takes pride in being good at his job. He’s never even considered breaching the client/bodyguard boundary, which is why being stuck on the side of a mountain with the gorgeous jilted groom that isn’t quite as straight as he’d like people to think, is such an imposition. The mayor might annoy and intrigue him in equal measure but Isaac knows better than to cross the line.

Only, the heat that flares between them refuses to be ignored. They’re like gasoline and a match, destined to consume each other if they get too close. But when faced with the cold of loneliness, is it worth the risk to feel the heat of passion, even if it might destroy them both?

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Having not read any of the previous books, I came in a bit blind to this series, which was fine. It was mostly stand alone, although I got the feeling that Ashtyn’s story was either a previous book, or a book to come. But none of that took me out of the story.

Isaac Chin was a bodyguard, working for/with his best friend, assigned to guard Aaron after he is jilted at his wedding. I really liked Isaac. I liked that even though he grew up in Nashville, he acknowledged his heritage, something not always represented in the gay romance genre. I liked that he was very intuitive (which I would assume is necessary in his profession) and was able to see there were already issues with Aaron and Ashtyn before wedding day arrived. He had no problems relaxing once they were in Colorado, but still kept his guard up to protect his man.

Aaron, on the other hand, I had a really hard time liking at times. He was so hot and cold with Aaron. I understand why, his career was on the line, his hopes for the future. However, he treated being bisexual like it was a disease sometimes. There was a very detailed conversation where he described how little bisexual it was (something like 3% towards men, 97% towards women), and it turned me off on him, as it just seemed to breathe self-loathing, when he was so confident and self-assured in every other way. (His parents were by no means innocent in how he must have felt about himself.) He also hurt Isaac multiple times, knowingly, because he was being selfish.

Now, it sounds like I hated Aaron, and yes, there were times I did. However, he does redeem himself, and does it (at least to me) in a surprising way, with a conversation that I didn’t see coming. That helped me to see Aaron as someone who really just needed to find a way to reconcile his life from all sides, in order to find a way to be happy, for himself and for the future he wanted with Isaac.

I really loved that these two men were able to find joy and contentment in nature, in the one place in the world where Aaron seemed to feel comfortable, and Isaac fell in love with immediately. Their joy in spending time in nature in Colorado made me want to take a day and go hiking. 🙂

3.5 pieces of eye candy