blog tour

The Art of Living by Abrianna Denae: Blog Tour, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

June 17, 2021 by Denise

Letting go is the hardest thing a person can do…

Robert Harper has spent the past seventeen years living for his son. He doesn’t know who he is if he’s not being a caregiver and protector all rolled into one.

Niall Ross is finally ready to make a life of his own. After years spent making sure his younger brother had everything he needed, it’s time for Niall to discover who he is.

All it takes is one glance across a crowded meeting room for the men to feel a connection, but Robert is terrified his life is too complicated for the other man. Luckily, Niall has patience in abundance. With a little help from Robert’s meddling family, the two begin a tentative relationship.

Just as they’re finding their footing, all of Robert’s worst fears come to life and he falters under the pressure. Niall takes the challenge to show Robert that he’s a safe place to lean on, but when his own life begins to unravel, he places his heart in Robert’s hands. When two independent men are forced to trust each other will the love win out, or will vulnerability and fear cause them to lose the best thing they didn’t even know they had.

Book Title: The Art of Living

Author: Abrianna Denae

Cover Artist: Pretty in Ink Creations

Release Date: June 10, 2021

Genre: Contemporary gay romance

Tropes: Single dad, hurt/comfort, office romance, slow burn

Themes: Trust, meddling family

Heat Rating: 3 flames

Length: 35 000 words/ 90 pages

It is a standalone book, though the reader may be interested in The Gift of Believing, a companion book featuring the MC’s son: mybook.to/GoB

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

“You really want me to date?”

Garrett nods. “I want you to live your life. I know you’re going to argue and say that you have everything you need with me, and Uncle Jared, and Sam. Maybe that’s true, but I also can’t help but feel guilty because if I wasn’t me then maybe you’d have found someone else by now.”

“Garrett, no, you know that’s not true,” I say gently. “Those other people I dated when you were younger, they didn’t last because they weren’t right for our family. If anyone can’t handle me and everything I come with, then they’re not worth my time.”

He studies me with those dark, wise eyes of his. “Does this mean you’ll give Niall a chance then? Because he’s different, I can feel it.”

Shit. I walked right into that one.

“Yeah,” I sigh. “I’d be open to trying.”

Garrett smiles and whips out his phone. I don’t bother asking who he’s texting, since the pieces are starting to slowly fall into place. I look at Presley, “They planned this, didn’t they?”

Pres smiles and nods. “Jared thought you both needed a little intervention.”

I shake my head and laugh a bit because my family is insane.

Garrett is still texting away while Presley and I clean up the kitchen. I try to tell Pres that he doesn’t need to help since he and Gare cooked, but he waves me off.

I just get the dishwasher started when my phone rings. The display reads Niall and my mouth suddenly goes dry while my stomach begins to tie itself into knots.

Both boys stare at me as I accept the call. “Hello?”

“Hi,” pause, and then Niall laughs, “This is more awkward than I thought it’d be.”

I smile and turn away from the teenage busybodies. “I seriously doubt whatever you have to say is more awkward than the dinner I just had.”

He laughs again. “They tried to butter you up with food, huh?”

I groan. “Yes. When’d they get to you?”

“Sam talked to me this afternoon. Then they added me to a group chat a few hours ago and promptly blew up my phone with texts about twenty minutes or so ago.”

I sigh. “I’m sorry about them.”

“It’s fine,” Niall assures. “They’re just looking out for you.”

“They’re nosy and need to learn how to mind their own business.” I look over my shoulder to find Garrett and Presley sitting at the table, hanging onto my every word. Shaking my head, I stride from the room in search of some privacy.

“So if I were to ask you to dinner, you’d say no?”

“I guess you should ask and find out.”

Niall chuckles a bit. “Will you have dinner with me, Robert?”

My heart stutters in my chest and it takes a moment for me to get my mouth working. “Yes,” I finally manage to say.

“Great. Tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow is perfect.”

“I’ll text you the details unless someone else does it for me.”

I snort. “That’s a high possibility. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow,” he repeats. “Have a good night, Robert.”

“You too.”

The line goes dead and a part of me mourns the loss of his voice. Taking a steadying breath, I let the giddy feeling of a first date wash over me. I’ll never tell my family this, but I’m glad they decided to interfere with my life. I never would have had the guts to do this myself.

Tomorrow can’t come fast enough.

Having not read anything by this author, although I may go back and read the YA novella, this looked like a good one to start with.

I enjoyed this novella, and really liked the MC’s. Niall was kind and generous, and never tried to make Robert feel guilty when he was torn between what he wanted, and the health of his son. Niall knew what Robert’s first priority was, and was great at letting him know that he would never interfere. However, it really made it challenging for me to understand why Robert pushed Niall away, for that very reason. He just couldn’t handle having any other priority in his life, even if Niall knew he wasn’t first priority.

I did think at some point that the fact that Robert worked for Niall would become an issue in the book, but it never did. I really appreciated that, simply that they were both professionals, and could keep private and personal lives separate.

It was a nice, sweet story, with a little angst, and a lot of family love.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Abrianna Denae is a twenty-four-year-old author living in Northern California. An English major, she has always had a passion for writing.

Deciding to sit down and write one of the many stories that had plagued her mind for years was the easy part—finding the time to do it was a different story.

Caffeine is her best friend, and sleep is her worst enemy.

A lover of books that make the reader feel something, she tries to incorporate as much of her real-world views and feelings into her stories as she can.

Social Media Links

Facebook | Facebook Group | Twitter | Instagram

BookBub | Goodreads Author Page | Amazon Author Page

You can also email her at authorabridenae@gmail.com

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either a $20 Amazon gift card or one of two ebooks from the author’s backlist.

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Shiftless by TA Moore: Blog Tour, Exclusive Short Story Excerpt, and Giveaway

June 16, 2021 by Denise

Night Shift is the city’s thin, silver line- and some nights it’s thinner than others.

It isn’t the fact he almost died last night that’s thrown Night Shift officer Kit Marlow. He’s used to that. It’s the fact that instead of a werewolf trying to rip his throat out, it was his friend and colleague who tried to put him in the ground.

Well, ‘friend.’

Now Marlow’s been framed for a murder he didn’t commit by a man who’s committed more than his fair share. Half the cops in San Diego want to see Marlow behind bars for what he’s supposedly done, and the other half want him dead before he can tell his side of the story. The problem is that he can’t tell them apart.

There’s only one person in town that Marlow can trust, even though he knows he shouldn’t drag Cade Deacon into his problems. The sharp-tongued CEO of a private security firm might have gotten close to Marlow over the last few weeks, but taking on the SDPD is a lot to ask.

Marlow doesn’t have much choice, though. If he can’t clear his name before the last full moon of the month sets, he might not see another one. That’d be a shame since Marlow would really like to spend the night with Cade without needing protective gear.

Title: Shiftless

Publisher: Rogue Firebird Press

Release: June 19

Amazon

Book 1: Shift Work

Book 2: Split Shift

First of all, thank you so much for having me! I’m thrilled to be here with my new release, Shiftless by TA Moore, which completes the Night Shift trilogy! I believe it is still technically a novella, although it’s the novella that kicked the other novellas out of the nest and ate all the food!

For the blog tour I’ve written a short story set in the Night Shift world. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter Four

It was a re-run.

Half the programs Marlow had TiVo’d were re-runs. There wasn’t a lot of downtime when you were on the Night Shift or training to get into the academy. Marlow had missed a lot of must-see programming over the years. Some of it was just comfort food, though—old enough that the last time anyone had talked about it around the water-cooler, it had been weekly.

This month it was Quincy. He’d watched it the first time around with his grandmother—probably, he couldn’t remember it, but she’d never missed an episode—and there was something comforting about how simple life was on the show. Murders happened, sure, but if Quincy didn’t solve them with his coroner’s experience, he’d sniff out the killer on the full moon.

Handy trick that.

Marlow sprawled back in the bed and watched the flannel-faced detective scowl intently over a slide before he raced off to save the day. Despite the soporific effect of sentimentality, Marlow’s brain wouldn’t shut off.

He wanted to be wrong.

For a good six months, every time he felt uneasy about a call Piper made or didn’t make, he’d told himself he was wrong. Of course he was. They were Night Shift, the good guys of a hundred stories. Piper was a goddamn legend, a literal poster boy for the department.

Except… he wasn’t.

His phone buzzed next to the bed. He grabbed it in case it was Gil—he might not be scheduled to work, but he was still on call every night until the moon waned—but Bennett’s name was stamped over the text notification.

Marlow flicked it open.

Why were you at the Crate? I told you to let it go. It’s not your problem.

Marlow really wished that was true, too. He set the phone back on the bedside table without answering Bennett and flicked the TV off. It hadn’t been Gil that time, but if she did call him in, he’d rather have gotten some sleep.

By rights, it should have taken him half the night to grab some shut-eye. His head was stuffed with unresolved doubts and questions. His body knew better. His head hit the pillow, and he was out.

His dreams weren’t peaceful, but they didn’t disturb his rest either.

What woke him up was the crack of his door being kicked in.

TA Moore is a Northern Irish writer of romantic suspense, urban fantasy, and contemporary romance novels. A childhood in a rural, seaside town fostered in her a suspicious nature, a love of mystery, and a streak of black humour a mile wide. As her grandmother always said, ‘she’d laugh at a bad thing that one’, mind you, that was the pot calling the kettle black. TA Moore studied History, Irish mythology, English at University, mostly because she has always loved a good story. She has worked as a journalist, a finance manager, and in the arts sectors before she finally gave in to a lifelong desire to write.

Coffee, Doc Marten boots, and good friends are the essential things in life. Spiders, mayo, and heels are to be avoided.

Website: www.tamoorewrites.com

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

Twitter: @tamoorewrites

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Getting Friendly (A Never Just Friends Novel, Book 3) by Saxon James: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

June 15, 2021 by Denise

LEON
When I’m looking for a hook up, I want three things:
Big, thick, and rough.
So it doesn’t make sense that I can’t get my new hire out of my head.
He’s a tiny guy with big ideas … and he’s my apprentice which means he’s completely off limits.
But he’s already under my skin.
And for the first time with any guy, I don’t think I can hold my own against him.
Physically, yes. Emotionally, no.
Auggie makes me weak.

AUGGIE
Growing up, I always wanted to go into the family business and follow in Dad’s footsteps.
Until in my senior year of high school when he told me to find a new dream.
No one would let a small, clumsy guy like me on a construction site.
And after trying and failing for years, I was starting to believe him.
Then LJ Constructions calls me for an interview and when I meet Leon, he becomes my new dream.
He’s hot as hell, self made, and instead of putting me down, he sees what I’ve always seen in myself.
But I’m not dumb enough to throw away this one chance at my dream job, not even for him.
Not even if I really, really want to.

Getting Friendly

A Never Just Friends Novel, Book 3

By Saxon James

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Book 1: Just Friends

Book 2: Fake Friends

I try to play it cool, like Leon kissing me is a totally normal, everyday occurrence. His beard scrapes my skin, and his tongue pushes against mine, and I swear every part of me has turned to jelly—except my dick, which is now rock hard—but I manage to keep on my feet. Manage to meet each lap of his tongue with one of my own. Manage to not hump his leg like a dog in heat.

Though that one is a very close call.

He breaks away, and I can’t quite make out his expression with his back to the streetlight.

“This okay?” he asks, slightly out of breath. Because of me. I did that.

“If it wasn’t, I would have kneed you in the balls by now.”

He reaches down to cup his groin. “Good to know.”

“So, umm …” My nerves are buzzing, making it hard to think. “House. My house. Are you coming? There! Coming there. Not coming coming, though I definitely hope there’s some of that too.”

Leon chuckles, and his lips brush mine again. “I’m coming to your place, where I’m going to make you come so hard, I’ll ruin you for anyone else.”

Mmm … he already has. Just locking me between his arms, up against a wall like this, is enough to do it, and I mean, he didn’t even touch me last time and it was still one of the hottest moments of my life. Looking up from my knees at his sexy body towering over me …

“I’ll be holding you to that.”

Before I can overthink it, I slide my hand into his and tug him back out onto the street. It’s only a few minutes’ walk before we’re rounding the hardware store, climbing the stairs we built, and walking into my apartment.

I expect Leon to get straight to it, but instead, he hesitates.

“Here’s the thing …”

“Uh-oh. Nope. Don’t go promising me hot sex and then back out.”

That makes him laugh, at least. “I’m not planning on backing out, even though a smarter man would.”

“Then what is it?”

He nods at my couch before taking a seat and patting the place next to him.

Ah. We’re talking.

Fun.

I flop down beside him.

“Ground rules.” His voice takes on a bossy tone that I like. “We covered some last time, but I want to make sure we’re both on the same page before things get started. First, this is casual. It’s only sex.”

I hurry to agree because like hell am I dumb enough to let those terms get in between me and Leon’s dick. “Just sex. Got it.”

“Second, I want to reiterate that us hooking up doesn’t affect work. Those things are completely separate.”

And yep, I know that’s a pretty important point, but all I latch onto is, “Hooking up? As in present tense. As in possibly more than just last time and tonight?”

A whole mess of conflict crosses his expression before he pushes it away. “Let’s take it one day at a time, but … well, I’m attracted to you. Very. And I can’t see that going away anytime soon, but we both have to be okay with the other person turning around and being honest when it isn’t working anymore.”

“Of course. Yes. I can do that.”

He watches me for a moment. “So tomorrow, if I decide I’m done, you’ll be okay?”

“I’ll be disappointed because I can’t imagine a time when I don’t think you’re the sexiest man I’ve ever seen, but I’ll understand. And I won’t hold it against you. Or let it interfere with work.”

His handsome face breaks into a smile as he turns his body toward me. I almost melt when he reaches for my face and smooths a calloused thumb over my cheek. “Yeah, I don’t think one more night will be enough either. But we’ll see.”

I wriggle closer. “Is there a third point?”

“Yes.” He clears his throat. “And for some reason, it’s more awkward to tell you this than random strangers that I meet, but … I’m a cuddler. So after sex, there’s none of that leaving right away bullshit. I like the intimacy of it, so if that’s too weird for a casual hookup, you need to tell me now.”

Aww … sexy, big, bad Leon is a snuggler? I melt, and when I give him the soppiest face I can manage, he barely holds back from rolling his eyes at me.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m a big ol’ teddy bear.”

“That’s adorable.”

“It’s totally normal and not at all weird for someone to want closeness after sex. I don’t buy into the crap about needing to fuck and run.”

“No, I agree.” I’m still trying not to laugh though. Not at him. But, well … okay, kind of at him, but only because he’s uncomfortable which is usually my domain, and also, he’s so adorable I can’t even.

“One question,” I say, tucking my knees under me and shuffling closer to him.

“Mmm?”

“Are you the big spoon or little spoon?”

He chuckles and pinches my thigh.

So, I haven’t read the first two books, but thought this one sounded sexy and fun, so in I went. 🙂 And I was rewarded with sexy and fun, with low angst, just my type of book.

On the one hand, Auggie, super cute, sweet, very twinkie, adorkable, etc, but apparently with a serious dong. lol He loved what he did, but had a father who didn’t trust him, rightfully so, which made it that much more difficult to find the right position. But he wasn’t afraid to go after what he wanted, whether it was the job, or the man. And as he gained more confidence in himself professionally, he was able to stand up for himself more with his father, and step in as needed with Leon’s company.

Leon…poor guy…to be that young and work himself into the ground, literally. He chose Auggie for reasons that weren’t as cut and dry as him being the best candidate. It eventually worked out well for him, but he was stressed so often, he was putting himself into an early grave. Auggie worked on teaching him to enjoy time away, by being there when he needed it, and still forcing him to step away.

Definitely HAWT, seriously HAAAAWWWWTTTT, sex scenes. And Auggie wasn’t as shy there, as he was everywhere else. 🙂 They meshed well together as they discovered things about each other that went beyond the “naked” eye.

My one issue with this book was the proofreading/editing. I’m aware that the author is from Australia, and so there are phrases that I absolutely recognized as being from Australia. However, the book is set just south of Portland, so things like “footpath” are things that should be caught by a proofreader or editor. It’s generally negligible, and I rarely comment on editing/proofreading simply because it is an ARC. However, it appears to me that if it has gotten this far in the process, those kinds of corrections should be brought to the author’s attention. Also, I would feel that way if the opposite was true, and it was based in Australia, and the character was native and then said sidewalk. Again, small issue on the whole for a book I really enjoyed.

I enjoyed the book, the MC’s chemistry, and even appreciated the references to the side characters who appeared in the previous books. I am terribly interested in one event that seems to have carried forward as a story arc, and maybe, hopefully will be resolved in the next book? 🙂

4 pieces of eye candy

Saxon James is an author from Australia who’s obsessed with writing queer characters. She has a range of books from YA to adult and they all have one thing in common: swoony, sweet love.

When not writing, Saxon exists on a diet of coffee and chocolate while putting her KU subscription to the test.

Connect with Saxon:
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pg/thesaxonjames/
Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/saxonssweethearts/
Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/profile/saxon-james
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Saxon-James/e/B082TP7BR7
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/19404191.Saxon_James
Instagram: www.instagram.com/saxonjameswrites/

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Cameron Wants To Be A Hero (Love, Austen Book 2) by Anyta Sunday: New Release Review

June 15, 2021 by Denise

Lake: Did you get his number this time?
Cameron: Yes. But I’m not sure I should use it so soon.
Lake: What’s soon? Didn’t you last see him yesterday?
Cameron: I thought you’re meant to wait three days? Otherwise it looks desperate.
Lake: You are desperate.
Cameron: Thanks.
Lake: From everything you’ve told me, sounds like this could be something.
Cameron: You think?
Lake: Message him. Keep it sexy.

~ ~ ~

When it comes to romance books, Cameron Morland can always read between the lines. When it comes to real romance, he may need a dictionary.

Or Jane.

~ ~ ~

It’s Northanger Abbey, complete with a neo-gothic mansion and charming misunderstandings. But contemporary. And gay.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Another modern day retelling of a Jane Austen classic, although I’d venture to guess a lesser known classic. And I loved it.

Cameron, the shy scriptwriter, living in his brother’s shadow, ignored at best by his father who’s friends are off traveling for work. He loves books- especially Austen as he feels that it brings him closer to his mother who died when he was a baby. So when he meets Henry- in an interesting and strange way- and English teacher, he is smitten. Unfortunately, he is also being pursued by his new neighbors. A brother and sister who are renting the house of his friends next door. The brother in romantic pursuit and the sister in a best friend pursuit. More on that later.

This book was just so fun. There was a *tiny* bit of angst involving fathers, but hardly the crux of the plot line. Cameron and Henry took it very slowly. Wooing each other through text messages, emails, and even written letters. All while being thwarted by the neighbors, John and Isabella.

I love when stories involve written communication like that. Yes, everyone texts these days, but when Cameron can be so much more open with written words than face to face, they get to know each other really well.

John and Isabella though- ugh. I wanted to slap them both. John for being ridiculously pushy, arrogant and trying to steamroll Cameron into a relationship he didn’t want. And Isabella who really seemed like she just wanted the eye rolling “gay bestie”. Whereas Henry’s sister wanted to be friends with Cameron because of him. And because her brother was smitten.

I was missing a little of Cameron’s work life. I know what he wants to do, but not actually what he does.

You don’t need to know anything of the original story to thoroughly enjoy this one.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Real Trouble: M/M Romantic Suspense (West Coast Forensics Book 1) by Elle Keaton: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

June 14, 2021 by Denise

Two men on opposite sides of the law: will they be able to set aside their differences and trust love?

Danylo Peters has issues, lots of them. He’s not on Piedras Island by accident, he’s not a nice guy, and Peters isn’t his real name. Dany’s hiding, trying to escape his family’s influence and start a new life. But he must have been born under a bad sign because the very man he’s really running from is one of the first he runs into.

A new life in a new town seemed like the right decision for Soren Jorgenson, especially after a difficult case left him recovering from a gunshot wound and lonely as he’d ever been. Finding Dany living on Piedras brings back all the feelings he’d tried to lock away. He’s angry and bitter and Dany is not going to continue to get away with his old tricks. Too bad Dany is just as compelling as he ever was.

The two men find themselves on opposite sides of Soren’s first case on Piedras, but neither is able to deny the attraction between them. They keep finding themselves in compromising situations; if they’re found out there will be Real Trouble.

Real Trouble is set in the Veiled Intentions world, while familiar characters appear Real Trouble can be read as a standalone. Real Trouble is a dual POV following Soren Jorgenson and Danylo Peters as they fight their way to their HEA and is the first in the new West Coast Forensics series. These characters originally appeared in the Shielded Hearts series (formally Accidental Roots).

Real Trouble By Elle Keaton

West Coast Forensics, Book 1

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

“He tromped back to the cruiser, glad to be out of the wind. The clear nights were nice but cold. Out on the main road, Soren drove aimlessly toward the south end of the island, passing through Killegen’s Point again. Chester’s Grocery-Mart was closed, as was the hardware store across from it.

As each day passed, there were more and more people visiting the island, and some of the rental houses that had been dark all winter now had lights on in the living rooms and front porches. Even with the temperature dropping to the low forties, Soren spotted smiling people wrapped up in parkas, scarves, and knit caps hanging out on patios and decks with glasses of wine or bottles of beer in their hands.

It made him feel lonely. Or maybe lonelier.

He’d been lonely in his hometown too; the feeling wasn’t anything new. He hated that he wanted to belong to someone, wanted to be someone’s person. He could swear sometimes his heart clenched with the wanting.

The evening stretched out in front of him. He’d prefer to be out knocking on doors, rattling cages and finding out who’d killed Bryan Reynolds—and set the fire at Brooch. It was possible the two events had happened within hours of each other. Were they related? What would the murder of a struggling, but generally liked, islander have to do with arson at the resort? If they were related, it was because Bryan knew something that worried the perpetrator, and Soren needed to find the connection.

An image of Dany Petyr, dark and dangerous, wormed its way into his head. He’d spent all day shoving thoughts of the other man aside. His mental lockbox was weakening as the night of no sleep took its toll. Why, of all the men on the planet, did Dany Petyr have to be the one Soren’s heart wanted? He’d wanted Dany from the first second he’d laid eyes on him, and he wanted him now.”

Elle Keaton writes contemporary gay romance and MM romantic suspense set in the Pacific Northwest. Elle’s books are known for their hot mm romance, complex characters, and unique sense of place. The men start out broken, and maybe they’re still banged up by the end, but they always find the other half of their hearts.

Elle published first in 2017, now she has over seventeen books available for you to read or listen to. She loves cats and dogs, Star Wars and Star Trek, pineapple on pizza, and is known to start crossword puzzles with a ballpoint pen.

Love always wins, thank you for supporting this indie author!

Connect with Elle:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ElleKeatonWrites
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HighwayToElle/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/elle-keaton
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellekeatonauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PirateQueenRdz1
MeWe: https://mewe.com/profile/5ac2766f310a7853d4ce8ad4
Website: https://www.ellekeaton.com/
Amazon: https://amzn.to/ek-amazon-profile
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/ek-gr-profile

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No Flag by Liz Borino: RB, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

June 11, 2021 by Denise

Captain Mike Kelley does not ignore his intuition, so when sexy bartender Will Hayes captures his heart, Mike embarks on a mission to win him over to a Domestic Discipline relationship. Will accepts with one caveat: Mike must promise not to renew his army contract.

Mike agrees, until the army invokes the stop-loss military policy to involuntarily extend his commission and send him back overseas, rendering him powerless and threatening everything he and Will have built. Will, left alone to cope with a new café, must rely on the support of old friends who may no longer be trustworthy.

A horrific terrorist attack on Mike’s outpost changes everything, leaving them both at a loss.

Mike awakens in a hospital with a devastating injury and no recollection of the attack. As the only survivor, his memory may be the key to national security. Mike struggles to cope with his injury and Will struggles with his new role in Mike’s life.

For Mike and Will, “No Flag” meant “come home alive.” Will has Mike back rather than a folded flag, but in the aftermath of war, can they rebuild the life they had before?

Title: No Flag

Series: After Everything, Book One

Author: Liz Borino

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: 06/07/2021

Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 67100

Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQIA+, contemporary, family-drama, military, war, violence, terrorists, disabilities, amputee, bartender, Dom/sub relationship, domestic discipline, OCD

Amazon

NineStar Press

Goodreads

Chapter One

The News

July 7, 2012

Bombs exploded on the evening news, one after the other. Body parts flew past the camera. The headline across the bottom of the screen read: “20 Army Intelligence Officers Dead.”

“Early this morning, a bomb exploded in the Army Intelligence building, killing twenty American soldiers from Platoon 518,” the blonde newswoman reported.

Will Kelley squinted as the fuzzy security images played behind the woman’s head, searching through the chaos for reassurance. Nothing. His heart pounded and he tried to swallow but found only dry air in his mouth and throat. The female reporter described the weapons used and structural damage done in vivid detail, which made for sensational television, but failed to answer any questions for the people at home. Victims’ families had to be notified before the media could release their names. So, Blondie would lose her job if she read the list in front of her.

“What the hell are you doing, man? We open in thirty minutes and you’re watching television?” Seth, his roommate, demanded from the doorway of the living room.

“Answered your own question, didn’t you?” Will responded.

“Are you ready?”

“No.” Will did not take his eyes off the screen. “I’ll drive myself.”

“When?”

The report flashed to an increase in allergies in children, so Will switched to another station while typing “Attack on American S2 Building in Afghanistan” into Google. It wouldn’t be that easy though. So, Will tried several more combinations of search terms before finding a video shot by an insurgent involved in the attack. The camera shuddered. Focused on different areas of the chaos. Men ripping clothes off soldiers. Looting. Bodies blown to bits. A man removing computer hard drives. And only one face. On the severed head of Major Evans.

“Will!” Seth jabbed him in the shoulder with a pen. Will forced his eyes away from the computer. “What happened?”

“Mike’s platoon was attacked. Twelve survivors.”

“Shit,” Seth said. “Can you call…?”

Will took a slug from the nearby water bottle. “Who? No one will talk to me. I’m not my husband’s family.”

Seth stared at him for a long moment and said, “I’ll have Casey cover for you.”

Will stood and shook his head. “Why? I can’t do anything here except watch the same videos over and over. May as well see if I can make some money.” He shut his computer and set it on the side table. “Meet you there. I won’t be too late. Promise.” He had to stop himself from scoffing as the meaningless word left his lips.

“Will…” Seth began.

“You wanted me to move, I’m moving! Go. I’ll be there.” He walked toward his bedroom, Seth’s gaze burning into his back. Stopping to throw a glance over his shoulder, he added, “Don’t tell Casey. I can do without her mother-henning me.”

“Will…”

“Please, Seth.”

“Sure.”

“Thanks.” Will climbed the steps and closed his bedroom door. He leaned against the wood cutting him off from the rest of the world. His gaze roamed the four walls decorated with art prints, a whiteboard, and his wedding picture. Will strode over and fingered the golden frame. Behind the glass lay a photograph of Will and Mike in tuxes in the middle of their first dance. Their smiles easily outshone the gold on the frame. Mike had always been handsome with broad, built shoulders and muscular pecs, leading to abs you could grate cheese on.

But none of that stood out to Will, not on their wedding day of the year before. Mike’s blue eyes radiated a strength and hope. Will removed his wedding band to read the promise inscribed: No Flag.

Please keep your promise, Mike, Will thought as he took a deep breath and tore himself away from the picture and the crushing memories it brought. He had a job to do tonight.

Domestic discipline is one of my favorite tropes and I feel like recently it’s become hard to find. This book reeled me in from the first page. If was well written. The characters were well developed, interesting and assimilated well into the story.

It is definitely a hard fought love for Mike and Will, but oh so worth it. With everything trying to tear them apart; Mike’s deployment, Will’s friends, Mike’s injury, and day to day life Mike and Will stay strong and true to each other.

I felt like the story had so much vivid detail. The storylines were woven together masterfully, I was never confused about what was happening to who or when it was happening. The intimate scenes were shorter with less detail and I found that a refreshing change to my normal reading.

I couldn’t put this book down and I am really excited to read some of the authors other works.

5 pieces of eye candy

Liz Borino has been telling stories of varying truthfulness since she was a child. As an adult, she keeps the fiction on the page. She writes stories of human connection and intimacy, in all their forms. Her books feature flawed men who often risk everything for their love.

When Liz isn’t writing, she’s waking up early to edit, travel, and explore historic prisons and insane asylums—not (usually) all in one day. Liz lives in Philadelphia with her two cats.

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