blog tour

Home Improvement – A Love Story by TaraLain: Exclusive Guest Post, Excerpt and Release Day Review

July 11, 2019 by Denise

Romance on Aisle Sixteen—opposites attract amid the hammers and screws of the home improvement store.

Gabe Mason became a father at seventeen, and his daughter, Ellie, is the most important thing in his life. But being the parent the courts demand means Gabe has given up most of his dreams—education, making furniture, a gay social life—to be a model dad with a steady, reliable job in a home improvement store. Life’s predictable until Jerry, a shy, eccentric guy in a hat and sunglasses, begs Gabe to oversee the renovation of his run-down mansion.

Gabe loves the house and the work, and Jerry’s pretty lovable too, but when Gabe discovers Jerry’s secret identity, he fears their passion could overturn both their lives forever.

Title: Home Improvement – A Love Story
Author: Tara Lain
Release Date: July 9, 2019
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 192

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Favorite Tropes – What are Yours?

Welcome. I’m so happy to be here to introduce my new romance, HOME IMPROVEMENT – A LOVE STORY. This is a single dad, opposites attract, secret identity story. Funny how I use those words and we all have a solid idea what they mean in a book. In literature, we call them tropes. While the literal definition of the word trope has to do with figures of speech, in novels, especially genre fiction, tropes have come to mean the familiar themes that we find in stories– especially romances – that have thrilled us since the days of the Greeks, Shakespeare, and Moliere. These are themes like “secret baby”, arranged marriage, rich boy/poor girl (or boy!), friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, boy disguised as girl or vice versa, studly cowboy, dashing sheik, and on and on. Our love for these familiar plot devices unite and connect us through shared experience.

Tropes always remind me of the famous Star Trek The Next Generation episode called Darmok, one of the most praised shows of any scifi series. (Look it up.) The premise was that there was a planet that had been unable to join the community of nations because no one could understand their language. The reason? All the words and references were based on cultural norms and common experiences that other planetary societies didn’t share. That’s how we are with tropes. If we refer to a Romeo and Juliet story, virtually anyone vaguely familiar with the play knows just what we mean. Rich girl/poor boy suggest immediate conflicts that we all know, and friends-to-lovers means something to everyone who reads or watches any kind of popular culture.

What are your favorite tropes? I only have to glance at my books to know what mine are. Opposites attract has been way at the top of my list from my earliest novels. I love the immediate conflict that arises from two people who appear to be different in most every way like a blue collar guy and a fashion stylist, an NFL football center and a drag queen, or a guy who works in a home improvement store and someone rich and famous.

I also find I love single dad stories. It took me a while to get into this trope. Most of my early books don’t have kids in them. But once I dipped in a toe – I think it might have been in my short story, Trex or Treat, I was hooked. I’ve written lots of single dads since then, in Lord of a Thousand Steps, High Balls, Cowboys Don’t Come Out, and, of course, in HOME IMPROVEMENT – A LOVE STORY.

Shakespeare and I share a love of secret identities. Shakespeare constantly dressed his woman as boys and got them in all kinds of trouble. I tend to do the opposite, of course and dress my guys as girls, but I also like stories where the identity of one of the lovers is hidden for some reason. That’s true in my new book.

I hope you love reading HOME IMPROVEMENT – A LOVE STORY and that it captures some of your favorite tropes.

When he got to the end of the aisle, he looked casually to his left. Tight against a display of light fixtures, back turned to Gabe, stood the guy in the beanie. He had long legs in baggy jeans, an equally baggy sweatshirt that still stretched across really wide shoulders, all his hair covered by the cap, and still the total strangeness didn’t obscure the view of one world-class ass inside the jeans.

Gabe cleared his throat but didn’t get too close. “Can I help you find something, sir?”

“Wha—” He half turned, and Gabe saw he’d put on sunglasses after he’d withdrawn from peering around the corner.

“Can I help you, sir?” Gabe thought he should probably walk away, but the guy had become kind of a challenge.

The customer reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out a drawer handle. He muttered, “Need handles this size.”

Gabe took it. “All right, sir. If you’ll come with me, we have the drawer pulls at the end of aisle sixteen.”

The guy nodded and turned but never raised his head enough to look Gabe in the eye. Still, his high cheekbones and full lips made his face striking, even when it was pointed at his shoes.

Gabe started walking, trusting from the soft scuffling of sneakers behind him that the man was following. Those footsteps slowed when they passed the woman with the kids as she gathered the last of her screws, but he sped up again after she dragged the children toward the checkout registers. In front of the rows of drawers containing handles and knobs, Gabe pointed to the samples attached to the front of each drawer. “See any you like?”

The guy’s head barely moved, so through the glasses, Gabe couldn’t see if he even looked. He shrugged.

“Do you like modern? Traditional?”

“Modern.”

“Brushed nickel, maybe? Or are you a chrome guy?”

The slim nose wrinkled.

“So no chrome. Nickel, then.” Gabe walked to the drawers and held out the sample the guy had given him to check for size and spacing center to center. He picked a couple of modern pulls he liked and took them from the drawers, then held them out to the man.

He looked at the pulls intently, cocked his head, and then ripped off the glasses somewhat impatiently, as if someone had made him wear them.

Gabe sucked in a soft breath. The guy’s eyes were two different colors, one a deep blue and the other light green. Startling and very distinctive. Maybe it affected his eyesight or sensitivity to light and that’s why he was wearing sunglasses in ImproveMart?

The guy reached out a long-fingered hand and tapped the handle that was Gabe’s favorite—a simple wide U-shape of brushed nickel. Gabe nodded. “Yeah, that’s a good one. How many do you need?”

“Uh, eight.” His voice was soft to the point of nonexistence.

Gabe pulled the drawer out farther and began counting out the plastic packages that contained the handle and necessary screws, piling them on the shelf beside him. “Need anything else?”

The guy had put his glasses back on by the time Gabe turned to him. Darn. Those eyes are something. The man nodded his head and pointed to some simple, ball-shaped drawer pulls. “Ten.”

“Oh, I hope I have enough.” Gabe pulled open the drawer and started counting.

The dude stepped closer to watch the counting, which turned out to be a bad idea for Gabe’s autonomic responses. What is that smell? Like some mix of orange and spice. Whatever it was, Gabe’s lower regions came out for a sniff. He shifted his feet and pressed his elbows against his work vest to be sure it covered his crotch. Down boy.

He forced a smile as he scraped the last package from the drawer. “There you go. We just made ten.” Gabe looked around. The guy had no cart. Not even a carry basket. What exactly was he planning on hauling stuff in?

The man seemed to realize it at the same time as Gabe. He grabbed his lip between his teeth, looked down, took hold of the hem of his giant sweatshirt, and held the bottom out like a bag.

Gabe chuckled. “Excellent save.” The problem with the dude’s invention was it raised the shirt from his narrow hips—and what might, just might, have been a half-mast condition thrusting out the front of his jeans. Don’t need to know that—if it’s true. Hell, just what he needed. To get turned on by weird customers.

Gabe’s life consists of two things… working at the homewares store and providing the best life he can for his teenage daughter. He puts everything else on the back burner, partly because he wants her to have the best life, but also because his ex-wife, depending on the man she’s with at the moment, is just itching to take him back to court to get custody of their daughter, even though she’s almost 17 and able to make those decisions for herself…..

I first want to say that I adored this story, but the whole storyline with the ex and all the trouble she makes, is ridiculous when at the end, she just kind of gets over it when the whole story she’s been this evil, bigoted, hate-spewing woman that causes both Ellie and Gabe nothing but stress and misery. Gabe even goes so far and spends his life alone, not dating….ever, just because she’d make trouble! Then all the sudden she calls, they go running and all is forgiven??? Uhm, no.

So, Gabe is excellent at his job and he’s probably the most experienced man there, so when a clueless and shy guy comes in for help, Gabe is sent to help him out. That’s when he meets Jerry.
I adored Jerry… Painfully shy and socially awkward, I knew there was something about him that he was hiding. It’s obvious from the beginning and though it was easy to figure out, I can’t believe Gabe didn’t before he did.

I loved how slow their relationship formed and progressed. It was sweet and realistic, watching them tip toe around each other and hope that the other was feeling the same way… you could tell they had feelings for each other but neither of them would come out and say it. It was a little bit annoying that Gabe kept jumping to conclusions and ran away when things got even a little bit tricky, but they always worked it out.

I also didn’t understand Jerry’s brother…. He seemed shady and bad news, and I thought for sure that Jerry would have it out with him, but he just kind of disappeared as well. Causing trouble one second and then gone the next. I’d have liked for Jerry to have told him off and not let him have all the say in his life anymore. I’d have liked the satisfaction… but meh, I’m petty.

It was tricky, being a celebrity and trying to be a normal person with a private life, as Jerry tried to do, and it proved a bit tricky to be the little piece of normal for the celebrity that so very much needed that, but they got there in the end.

Overall though, I loved how Gabe and Jerry was with each other, and I loved each one’s relationship with Gabe’s daughter Ellie. She’s sweet and helpful and she just wanted them both to be happy. Other than the ex-wife and Jerry’s brother… I really enjoyed it!

4 pieces of eye candy

Tara Lain believes in happy ever afters – and magic. Same thing. In fact, she says, she doesn’t believe, she knows. Tara shares this passion in her best-selling stories that star her unique, charismatic heroes — the beautiful boys of romance — and adventurous heroines. Quarterbacks and cops, werewolves and witches, blue collar or billionaires, Tara’s characters, readers say, love deeply, resolve seemingly insurmountable differences, and ultimately live their lives authentically. After many years living in southern California, Tara, her soulmate honey and her soulmate dog decided they wanted less cars and more trees, prompting a move to Ashland, Oregon where Tara’s creating new stories and loving living in a small town with big culture. Likely a Gryffindor but possessed of Parseltongue, Tara loves animals of all kinds, diversity, open minds, coconut crunch ice cream from Zoeys, and her readers. She also loves to hear from you.

Author Links:

Website: http://taralain.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/taralain

FB Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/taralain

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tara-lain

Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/2ICPcCZ

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4541791.Tara_Lain

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/taralain/

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Love, Trust, and Secrets by LA Bryce: Blog Tour, New Release Review and Giveaway

July 10, 2019 by Denise

For a man on the run, is finding love a good enough reason to stay? And for a man who doesn’t want to leave, is a secret enough reason to walk away?

Even though a bad situation brings Tyler and Jarod together, they quickly find the good in their relationship. But when Tyler falls in love and finds the feelings returned, he’s forced to question if his and Jarod’s relationship is worth risking his freedom, his life, and their hearts.

Jarod knows Tyler is hiding something, but his fear of scaring Tyler away has him accepting Tyler’s silence. But instead of keeping Tyler close, Jarod’s avoidance ultimately leads to Tyler being taken away, leaving Jarod clueless and unable to help the man he loves.

Love, Trust, and Secrets is a story whose main focus is the love between two men and all the trial and tribulations that come with that love.

Publisher: JMS Books

Length: 91,000 words

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I feel like I need to apologize. Lately it seems that most of what I am reading is just not that good. Maybe I am just spoiled because I know (to me) what really good books are. I also won’t pander to authors I am “friends” with. I try to be honest in my reviews without being cruel or mean.

That being said, this one was another snooze for me.

Jarod meets Tyler at a bar when Tyler begs him for help claiming to be drugged. Ok, good start. Jarod takes him home after he passed out. And basically stayed passed out for 2 days. When he woke up, he ran. But then he went back to find out what happened and punched Jarod. Repeatedly. And Jarod just took it. Couple of days later they go on a date. Mmmkay

The whole book is about them keeping things from each other. And getting mad when they find out. But at the same time, they don’t communicate! “What’s wrong?” “Nothing”. And that’s it.

I get Tyler’s big secret. But Jarod? He was hiding that why?

Then toward the end of the book Jarod says they have been together for almost a year. Ya, because several chapters start with “two months later” or “the next month flew by”.

There was just no cohesion, loose ends everywhere. Plot points that didn’t drive the story, plot points that didn’t get resolved.

With a strict edit, this could be a decent book. But with the rambling, it’s just boring.

Sorry…2.5 pieces of eye candy

I’ve been telling stories for as long as I can remember; my parents tell me it’s been going on even further back than that and not always at the appropriate times. Now I choose to use my gift for good.

I enjoy meeting new people, even if they’re only in my head.

I believe love comes in all different packages and each should be wrapped in a ribbon and cherished.

I’m currently working on a contemporary romance with a splash of suspense. I get a thrill coming up with unexpected and usually dangerous situations for my characters to be in and then thinking of extraordinary ways for them to escape with outcomes that deviate fro

m the expected.

I live with my family in the Northeast where we enjoy white winters, balmy summers, a spring flurried with fragrant flowers, and a fall filled with piles of leaves to dive in to. Our small town offers the old world charm of knowing your neighbor and its location enables us to take off for dinner in a city known for its beautiful skyline or to an afternoon playing in the sand of some of the best beaches found in the United States.

For me, writing is relaxation for the soul and reading is its nourishment.

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I’ve Got You by Becca Seymour: Exclusive Excerpt, Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

July 10, 2019 by Denise

When a single dad and a newly outed veterinarian meet by chance, it takes red-cheeked conversations, a tentative friendship, and the willingness to put their hearts on the line to show these men they’re made for each other.

Single dad Davis Jackson is busy balancing his coffee shop and being the best dad he can be. That doesn’t mean he’s not lonely. After a fumbling encounter with a man who looks as gorgeous as he does unhappy, Davis is left wondering who the mystery man is.

All Davis knows is that he has never felt such an instant attraction to anyone before, but when he discovers the brown-eyed man’s identity, it’s clear the recently out-of-the-closet veterinarian is lost and quite possibly broken.

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“Unexpected Meeting” Exclusive Excerpt from I’ve Got You by Becca Seymour

I had no idea what the hell had just happened, but I was sure the man beside me had been about to pass out. He’d turned white and seemed on the cusp of hyperventilating.

Still gripping his arms, I shook off the wayward thought of how strong they felt under my palms, instead concentrating on helping him breathe. Slowly, his color returned, yet I held on tightly, certain my touch was keeping him grounded.

His stare, which had been pointedly fixed on my mouth as I breathed with him, dropped down. Rex was no longer leaning on him, having shifted when I’d first reached out to him. I wasn’t sure if his eyes remained open, but I felt his arms shift, turn out slightly as his hands gripped my forearms so we were holding on to each other. I squeezed gently, not knowing what he needed, but hoping the gesture would continue to help him calm.

When I’d headed out this evening, this wasn’t quite the position I’d expected to be in. Okay, hanging on to another man, or possibly a woman, wouldn’t have been a shitty way to end the evening, but being someone’s lifeline… definitely not my expectation.

His breaths started to even out, and his fingers flexed on my skin. I was quite happy to stay this way a while longer. Touching firm muscles, having his appealing scent wrap around me, was surprisingly familiar, and hell, kinda nice, despite the weird situation and the poor guy’s meltdown.

Still holding on, I dipped my head a little, leaning closer. “You good?” I kept my voice low, quiet, not wanting to break the moment or startle him.

A slight, jerky nod was my answer.

“Okay. There’s no rush.” And there really wasn’t. There was something about him, this random guy who was a sorta friend to Carter, that had made it easy to reach out and comfort him. He was attractive, sure, with short, dark brown hair that was a little messy, possibly from running his fingers through it one too many times, plus he had the prettiest eyes I’d ever seen on a man or woman. But there was something deeper there too. He seemed lost.

Alright… I was a little bit leery about coming into this one because though I wanted a Scott story, he was a really big bully in Tanner and Carter’s story, so I wasn’t sure he was going to be able to redeem himself. He did though, he really really did.

So, first things first, we met both guys in Tanner and Carter’s story… Davis, because he and his daughter Libby, is who Tanner had moved to the small town to be close to. I loved Davis and anyone who’s read any of my reviews, know that I’m an absolute sucker for a hot dad story… and this one was up close and personal with

Davis’ daughter, Libby. She wasn’t pushed aside as an afterthought, she was ample page time and all the guys from this book and the previous one was wrapped around her one-year-old little finger. I loved it.

Then, we know Scott as the jerky vet that made a lot of trouble for Carter in his story. As I mentioned, he wasn’t one to be liked in that story… he was bigoted and hateful and went out of his way to try to run Carter off or to get him fired, and I hated him for that because I HATE when people get away with being terrible people.

However, in saying that… when you read about the environment in which he grew up and the abuse he endured because of his sexuality, I didn’t blame him for being scared of it or scared to admit it. It was hard reading about, because not only do most folks have a hard time with coming out and acceptance, not only with themselves but the acceptance that other people have with them… Scott knew it wasn’t an option, not ever, and he’d been conditioned to be afraid of it. I hated it so bad for him, especially because while meeting Davis the time or two they’d run into each other, even though they were attracted to one another, Scott’s anxiety and fears had him having near on panic attacks. Luckily, Davis was sweet and patient and understanding, and even though he’d heard a lot of bad about this guy, mostly
from Tanner… he couldn’t help but be intrigued by him.

There wasn’t a whole lot of drama in this one, which I really liked. I’m not a big fan of angst… instead, we got to focus on these two getting to know each other while Scott figured out what he wanted his next move to be. Did he want to stay at the practice and work with the animals, or move on? He was taking some time to figure out what he wanted and at the same time, figure out if being out was worth it. It was, especially because Davis and Libby were so amazing and cute.

Of course, we get to see some of our favorites from the other books, and meet some new ones along the way… like Scott’s sister and her kids, that was equally as cute as Davis’ and Carter’s parents, who were so sweet and not afraid of the embarrassing scene that had me cracking up with Scott and his loose lips. I’ve totally done that before… it was amazingly bad but so funny.

The abusive dad does pop up and try to wave his bully flag around, but both Scott and his sister have both grown since meeting Davis, and it was awesome to see them stick up for themselves. More of that, please!

I dunno who will be next or if anyone will be, but I really enjoyed this one and I would absolutely be interested in reading more from these couples. Awesome addition!

4 pieces of eye candy

Becca Seymour lives and breathes all things book related. Usually with at least three books being read and two WiPs being written at the same time, life is merrily hectic. She tends to do nothing by halves so happily seeks the craziness and busyness life offers.

Living on her small property in Queensland with her human family as well as her animal family of cows, chooks, and dogs, Becca appreciates the beauty of the world around her and is a believer that love truly is love.

Author Website: https://beccaseymour.com

Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/authorbeccaseymour

Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/beccaseymourauthor/

Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/beccaseymour_

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorbeccaseymour/

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18745264.Becca_Seymour

Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/21905/

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Becca-Seymour/e/B07NYXX6JP

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Triple Threat by Davidson King: Exclusive Guest Post, Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

July 8, 2019 by Denise

Lee, Jones, and Ginger deal with dangerous situations and mounting stress daily working for the most powerful assassin organization in the world. All of those things seem like a walk in the park compared to the friction that sparks between them. When all three are assigned to the same job, ignoring the heat from the inferno of desire becomes impossible.
Lee is a master at deciphering codes, skilled in hacking complicated systems, and never misses a target, even from over fifty miles away. His feelings for Jones and Ginger, however, may be the first code he’s unable to crack.

Jones deals in absolutes, but the road to his past is paved with bodies and regrets. Getting Lee to acknowledge the pull they both feel toward Ginger may be the hardest mission he’s ever had to face.

Ginger struggles to cope with the overwhelming guilt that accompanies this new job. Falling for these hired killers will be a risk—one that could wind up with him losing in the end or gaining everything he’s ever wanted.

As the three work together to take down a human trafficking ring—and save a desperate soul—time is of the essence. Their lives are on the line as mysteries unfold and unexpected encounters throw them off course. Will Lee, Jones, and Ginger let doubts come between them, distracting them from their mission and blocking any hope of love? Or can they face the toughest challenge of their lives and become…a triple threat?

Triple Threat

Haven Heart Series, Book 6

Davidson King

Release Date: June 27th

M/M, Suspense, Romance, Action, Menage

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Writing Ménage

Ménage is my most favorite trope to read, and probably not for the reasons you think. While sex is lovely it’s not on the top of my list. Because it’s my favorite, I find myself as a critical reader when it came to ménage. I have found exceptional books that tackled the dynamic perfectly. And others that were just either a big orgy or something felt like it was missing.

Triple Threat is a ménage and the first I’ve ever written. Going into it I was nervous partially because it’s following a story arc and I was tossing in an MMM where some don’t like them, and also because I was writing the one trope, I am somewhat judgmental with.

It was important to me while pushing the story arc forward, to also bring the elements of each character out and connect them in a way that was believable and realistic. I felt I accomplished that but recognize where I find the strengths of a throuple, others may not.

The psychology of a three-person relationship is vital. I need to feel it, believe it, know it in my bones to be true. Yes, sexually— if that’s even their preference— they must work as well. But more than anything you need to say, “Yeah they were never supposed to be two, always three.”

Writing ménage was so very hard because sometimes getting my thoughts out isn’t easy but in the end, I felt I did it justice and wrote Jones, Lee, and Ginger exactly how they were meant to be portrayed, and pushed the story along.

With Lee and Jones busy, I popped my earbuds in, hit play on my Spotify, and drowned in the sounds of Pat Benatar. I loved the ‘80s, some of the ‘90s, but damn the ‘80s had amazing music. As with every time I listened to my music, I started swaying in my seat. I closed my eyes, let my hands tap, my feet slide, and that chorus in “We Belong”… it possessed me, and I couldn’t help myself but to sing. I sang softly as to not disturb Lee and Jones.

“What the absolute fuck!” The sound of Jones’ voice broke through. I opened my eyes and pulled my buds out. The van had stopped and now Lee was standing, staring at me, too.

“Hey,” I said meekly. “What’s up?”

“You scared the crap out of me,” Jones said, and Lee nodded in agreement.

“How?”

“One second it’s all quiet, then it’s like opera cats or something,” Lee answered, and this time Jones agreed.

“Wow, that’s harsh.” I drew my legs up to my chest, hearing the faint sounds of Tiffany singing that she thinks we’re alone now.

“Just warn us when you’re going to break out into song is all,” Lee grumbled, and then got back into the driver’s seat. I slipped the earbuds back in.

A tap on my leg had me pulling out my earbuds again.

“You listen to all ‘80s or you got some not shitty crap in there?” Jones asked, and I gripped my phone like he just shit on my dreams.

“Nothing of what I have is shit!”

Lee started to laugh as he pulled back onto the road and Jones had a huge grin. It was a change I hadn’t really seen in a while. Those two actually enjoying each other. I knew there was history there, everyone did.

If they wanted to be that way, okay. “Just for that,” I said as I put the phone on speaker and hit play. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts started singing about loving rock and roll, and because they love it so much, I sang with them.

Jones’ eyes widened and Lee once again pulled to the side of the road and turned in his seat. Seemed I was entertainment. I knew I didn’t have the best voice, but I had rendered these two dangerous men speechless. I was loving the power, the control.

Feeling daring, I inched over to Jones who looked positively terrified, and began drumming on his legs.

“Sweet Jesus,” Lee said and laughed so loudly I lost track of my words and watched him. Tears ran down his face, and he had his arms wrapped around his middle. It was a contagious laugh, and suddenly the three of us were in hysterics.

Finally we get Lee and Jones! And Ginger!

I loved the entire story line of this book regarding the human trafficking. The “romance” and start of the throuple, meh. Left me wanting a bit as it definitely took a background role.

Lee and Jones have refused to work together for a while. But now they have to. King is making them partner up to take down a human trafficking ring. And when Ginger sees that one of the boys up for auction is is brother, he is all in as well.

This book definitely gave all of King’s employees a heart. Showing that they aren’t just assassins. Like I said, it was a great story with a lot of twists and turns and tons of characters and even a few other incidental storylines in there.

What I really wanted as well was a good juicy love story between the three guys. But honestly, it seemed like they just kind of fell into it. Lots of flirting and and then BAM! They were a throuple. Very little discussion, Lee and Jones are all happy again like nothing happened between them in the past. Ginger questions his role in the throuple in the beginning, but then he is also all in with very little thought.

Don’t get me wrong, I think they are great together. But they needed to be together without the human trafficking assignment looming as well. They were so busy focusing on their assignment that they really didn’t have time to focus on themselves.

Knowing this author, we will definitely see more of these three. And I hope it is them living together happily.

We also got another fairly big hint as to the entire enigma that surrounds Poe. GAH!

So yes, really good book, fair love story. But if you are a fan of these books, you have to read this one to help connect all the dots leading to the next.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Davidson King, always had a hope that someday her daydreams would become real-life stories. As a child, you would often find her in her own world, thinking up the most insane situations. It may have taken her awhile, but she made her dream come true with her first published work, Snow Falling.

When she’s not writing you can find her blogging away on Diverse Reader, her review and promotional site. She managed to wrangle herself a husband who matched her crazy and they hatched three wonderful children.

If you were to ask her what gave her the courage to finally publish, she’d tell you it was her amazing family and friends. Support is vital in all things and when you’re afraid of your dreams, it will be your cheering section that will lift you up.

LinkTree to ALL links: https://linktr.ee/davidsonkingauthor

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Eyeliner and Lace by Ruby Moone: RB, Excerpt and New Release Review

July 4, 2019 by Denise

The day Ryan Fulton realises he’s in love with Jamie Holt is the day he knows he’s losing him. With blue-tinted white blond hair, eyeliner, and a personality to match, Ryan knows he’s a bit much. But can he change? Can he tone it down and, if he does, can he live like that? He’d never suspect Jamie of cheating, but maybe his closeted boyfriend decided flamboyant Ryan wasn’t worth the effort.

But Ryan isn’t going to take it lying down. Determined to win Jamie back, Ryan even decides to get rid of the black and blue lace undies he just bought.

Then Jamie comes home and says they need to talk.

Length: 4,067 words

Publisher: JMS Books

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An hour or so later, the door slammed, and there was Jamie. He looked tired. His tie was loosened, and the top button of his white shirt undone. Rain curled the ends of his dark hair. They’d been living together for two months now, and it still made Ryan’s chest feel all achy when Jamie came home from work and smiled as though he was happy just to see him.

Jamie shrugged wearily out of his jacket and hung it up, then, when he spotted Ryan, his face just lit. Just as it always did. “Hey, you.”

Jamie held out his arms, and Ryan walked into them. They held each other tight, and Ryan kissed Jamie’s jaw. He was shorter than Jamie, skinnier, so he fit perfectly into his arms. He gave the best hugs. Hard, but warm and safe. All the craziness melted away when Jamie held him. Maybe things weren’t as bad as he thought.

“I’ve planned dinner,” he said, kissing him again.

Jamie nuzzled his neck and made a soft humming sound. “What’s for dessert?”

Ryan pulled back and smiled up at him. “Wait and see.” He gave him a suggestive wink, patted his backside, and set off for the kitchen with a swish. He glanced back to see Jamie checking his phone. When he noticed Ryan watching, he slid it into his pocket.

“Who was that?” Ryan tried to keep his voice normal. He opened the fridge door and concentrated on pulling salad things out rather than look at him.

“No one.”

Ryan’s chest hurt. He paused and closed his eyes for a second before speaking again. Making sure his voice was even.

“Do you want to shower before dinner?” he organised the food on the counter.

“Yeah. Why not.” Jamie stood behind Ryan, pulled down the neck of his T-shirt, and nibbled the nape of his neck sending shivers all over him as always. “Won’t be long.” He squeezed Ryan’s arse cheek and headed for the bathroom.

Ryan tapped the cucumber against his lips for a moment, they shoved all the salad stuff back in the fridge.

He gave Ryan chance to get into the shower, then ran up to the bedroom, stripped off, and followed him. The shower had been Jamie’s idea. A walk-in affair, definitely big enough for two. He watched Ryan. He was so beautiful it was hard to breathe. He had his back to him as he rubbed soapy bubbles over his chest, under his arms, around his neck. Muscles rippled across his back, and his backside clenched when he soaped further south. Ryan’s mouth went dry.

Short but so, so sweet!

Ryan and Jamie are an already established couple, living together for the last couple of months and everything had been going great up until recently. Sneaky phone calls, distracting texts, changing of passwords and leaving without explanation of where or with who, has Ryan an insecure, heartbroken mess. All signs lead to Jamie losing interest, after-all, he’s so much different than Jamie, right?

Where Jamie is shy and keeps to himself, Ryan is out there, living his best life, with his blue hair, gorgeous eyeliner and bold and bright clothes. Ryan thinks that maybe he’s a bit too much and if it means losing Jamie, he can tone it down some, right? Strip the blue and lose the eyeliner, it would be boring and he’d feel plain and simple, but he’d do it for Jamie.

I cried all the tears! All of them! At four in the morning, because I hated that Ryan felt like he had to change himself to be what someone else wanted. How often do people do that? It kills me every time.

Just when Ryan realized he couldn’t live without Jamie, he was convinced he was going to lose him.

All is not as it seems though, and though I won’t give the rest away, I will say that I adored Jamie and his love for Ryan and I wish so badly that there was more to this couple…. I’d read them all day! I would love to know how they started out together….

Wait, this is a first for me from this author, so I’m going to have to go look… but even if not, just read this one… it’s so sweet, a little heartbreaking for a quick minute, but it ended in the best possible way. I need more of them!

5 pieces of eye candy

My name is Ruby Moone and I love books. All kinds of books. My weakness is for romance, and that can be any kind, but I am particularly fond of historical and paranormal. I decided to write gay romance after reading some fantastic books and falling in love with the genre, so am really thrilled to have my work published here. The day job takes up a lot of my time, but every other spare moment finds me writing or reading. I live in the north west of England with my husband who thinks that I live in two worlds. The real world and in the world in my head…he probably has a point!

Website – www.rubymoone.com

Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/RubyMoone/?ref=bookmarks

Twitter – https://twitter.com/RubyMooneWriter

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

Waited So Long by J.M. Dabney: Blog Tour, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

July 2, 2019 by Denise

What happens when your best friend’s son comes home and he’s all grown up?
Devon Hoffman has a secret. He’s wanted a Daddy all his own, but when you’re pushing fifty, you’re completely over the hill. Newly divorced and trying to be single again after an almost thirty-year relationship, he’s lost and needs someone to ground him. Except he’s anxious and his depression intensifies until Bern returns after leaving the service and the younger man suddenly takes interest. Can he let his guard down and risk losing his best friend or should he do whatever is needed to keep his secret safe?

Waited So Long

J.M. Dabney

Genre: MM Daddy Kink/Light Age Play/Domestic Discipline Romance

Release Date: 06.18.19

Cover Art by J.M. Dabney

Cover Image – Golden Czermak/Furious Fotog

Cover Model – Caylan Hughes

Amazon

“Bern.”

“You know you want to say it, just say it.”

“Daddy,” I whispered the word and marveled at the freedom I felt. As if decades of weight lifted from my chest with a few syllables.

“Yes, baby?”

“Don’t hurt me.”

“There is plenty I want to experience with you, give you and none of them has anything to do with hurting you. I’ve waited way too long.”

I loved his gruff voice and the conviction I heard in it. I truly believed he wanted me and that shocked me. Bern could have any man he wanted and he freely admitted that it was me. No one had desired me in years, I’d always been lacking because of what I required. But I’d hidden those needs and the opportunity was right there, offered freely to me.

“I’ll be there when you get off the plane and then we’ll come home, I’ll hold you and you can ask me all the questions you want.”

“Okay.”

Devon and his Daddy.

What would it be like to love a married man and wait for him for over a decade? I couldn’t imagine it. Devon had been with his husband for almost thirty years and he treated him awful. There were things that Devon needed that he never put a voice too, but he also withheld the little things, like his love and affection. I’m not sure how everyone stayed quiet over the years, especially when they all saw how unhappy he was. I’m a big mouth, if my friend seems unhappy, I’ll be the first one to say it… especially if it’s so blatant that they’re unhappy and being cheated on. I didn’t understand why nobody said anything…

But, when Bern got wind that Devon’s husband up and filed for divorce, he knew he couldn’t stay away any longer. Having been in love with Devon since he was 15, every fantasy he’d ever had included Devon and the kind of relationship he wanted with him. An overheard experience opened up a whole new world for Bern, and he loved what he now knew Devon needed.

I loved the way Bern took care of Devon, because he’d spent so much of his life not getting what he needed from anyone else. He deserved all the happy. I feel like the age play, like cartoons and playtime was sprinkled in just for effect, because it wasn’t paid attention to much, but the way Bern took care of Devon and D/s aspect of their relationship wasn’t BDSM’y, which I’m really not a fan of, so I appreciated that… and it was just about being what the other needed and showing each other that they loved each other in the way that they both needed, and I loved that.

My heart broke for Bern’s dad, but I’m glad things started getting better for him at the end. I like when everybody gets their HEA, and though nothing could bring the love of his life back, he was doing what he could now to move on and keep living, all while remembering this big love that he’d have forever. I adored that.

Overall though, this is just yet another short and sweet read by an author that’s an instant one-click for me. I’m never disappointed….and hello…. Bern was hot when he got all growly and Daddy-like. I’d have read it for that alone…. Having all the love and feels was just a bonus!

I’m also glad the ex got to see Devon being treated the way he deserved. I’m glad it made him mad and I’m glad it got rubbed in his face a little bit. I’d be interested to see if Jeff could get a story, I’d be all about that !!! Hopefullly this is just the beginning of another great series. Would love to read more.

5 pieces of eye candy

J.M. Dabney is a multi-genre author who writes mainly LGBT romance and fiction. They live with a constant diverse cast of characters in their head. No matter their size, shape, race, etc. J.M. lives for one purpose alone, and that’s to make sure they do them justice and give them the happily ever after they deserve. J.M. is dysfunction at its finest and they makes sure their characters are a beautiful kaleidoscope of crazy. There is nothing more they want from telling their stories than to show that no matter the package the characters come in or the damage their pasts have done, that love is love. That normal is never normal and sometimes the so-called broken can still be amazing.