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The Magnolia Murders (Sawyer and Royce: Matrimony and Mayhem, Book 1) by Aimee Nicole Walker: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

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Everything old is new again in love and murder.

Work together, live together, and play together is the name of the game for Royce Locke and Sawyer Key. But one of those things changes when Chief Mendoza taps Sawyer to lead the newly formed cold case unit. His first task: solve the Magnolia Murders that spanned three decades and suddenly stopped in 2000.

Chaos ensues when a fourth Magnolia Queen contender is murdered during a preliminary round. With the pageant’s one hundredth anniversary looming, the pressure is on to produce results. Royce and Sawyer, along with their new partners, have to team up to solve the Magnolia Murders—old and new.

As the investigation continues, a surprise visitor and an unexpected phone call force the men to face painful things from their pasts. The future Royce and Sawyer dream of is within their grasp, but first, they’ll need to uproot the seeds of discontent they’ve buried deep.

The Magnolia Murders is the first book in the Matrimony and Mayhem trilogy, the second story arc for Royce Locke and Sawyer Key. ** New readers should start with the Zero Hour trilogy before reading Matrimony and Mayhem. ** The Magnolia Murders is a continuation of Royce and Sawyer’s happily ever after as they move into the next phase of their lives—professionally and personally. Though some storylines span the trilogy, this book does not end in a cliffhanger. Heat, humor, heart, and homicide abound. You have been warned. 18+

The Magnolia Murders

Sawyer and Royce: Matrimony and Mayhem, Book 1

By Aimee Nicole Walker

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Tara’s right brow arched, and her mouth quirked into a smirk. “You think I’m some player, huh?”

Royce offered an easy smile before returning his attention to the traffic light. “No, I don’t, but you have a lady-killer reputation. I think still waters run deep, and there’s a lot I don’t know about you.”

Tara chuckled. “It really kept our unit on their toes, yeah? They were hiding their wives from both of us.”

Royce laughed too. “Have you met Ashcroft’s wife yet?”

“Nope,” Tara replied. “You?”

“Yeah. He introduced us once I came out,” Royce said.

The memory of kissing Sawyer in front of their unit at Joe’s still heated his blood and made him smile. They’d been there to celebrate Royce’s promotion to sergeant, and he hadn’t liked the way Diego Fuentes, who’d been a patrolman at the time, kept flirting with his man. The kiss had started out as a chest-thumping gesture but had become so much more.

Sawyer hadn’t pressured Royce to come out, but he’d existed in the shadows long enough, always living vicariously through others. Sawyer made Royce want more out of life than just existing, so that press of lips in a crowded bar had been his phoenix rising. And for three years, what they’d had together was enough. Royce had known Sawyer was ready for matrimony and babies, but he hadn’t pushed. Not even when invitations to weddings and baby showers for their friends arrived in the mail. Sawyer just patiently waited until Royce was ready.

And like the ginormous turkeys Evangeline roasted for Thanksgiving, Royce’s internal thermometer had popped, yet he continued baking in his fears of inadequacy. If he weren’t careful, he’d end up like the husk of a turkey on National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, the only Christmas movie worth watching besides Die Hard and Lethal Weapon.

Ever since she was a little girl, Aimee Nicole Walker entertained herself with stories that popped into her head. Now she gets paid to tell those stories to other people. She wears many titles—wife, mom, and animal lover are just a few of them. Her absolute favorite title is champion of the happily ever after. Love inspires everything she does, music keeps her sane, and coffee is the magic elixir that fuels her day.

I’d love to hear from you.

You can reach me at:
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Sapphire Sunset by C. Travis Rice: Blog Tour, Excerpt and New Release Review

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For the first time, New York Times bestselling author Christopher Rice writes as C. Travis Rice. Under his new pen name, Rice offers tales of passion, intrigue, and steamy romance between men. The first novel, SAPPHIRE SUNSET, transports you to a beautiful luxury resort on the sparkling Southern California coast where strong-willed heroes release the shame that blocks their heart’s desires.

Logan Murdoch is a fighter, a survivor, and a provider. When he leaves a distinguished career in the Marine Corps to work security at a luxury beachfront resort, he’s got one objective: pay his father’s mounting medical bills. That means Connor Harcourt, the irresistibly handsome scion of the wealthy family that owns Sapphire Cove, is strictly off limits, despite his sassy swagger and beautiful blue eyes. Logan’s life is all about sacrifices; Connor is privilege personified. But temptation is a beast that demands to be fed, and a furtive kiss ignites instant passion, forcing Logan to slam the brakes. Hard.

Haunted by their frustrated attraction, the two men find themselves hurled back together when a headline-making scandal threatens to ruin the resort they both love. This time, there’s no easy escape from the magnetic pull of their white hot desire. Will saving Sapphire Cove help forge the union they crave, or will it drive them apart once more?

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Apple Books

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Goodreads

“Wow.” Logan’s voice echoed through the rocky chamber.

Here, the sounds of the ocean surf softened into something that was more like a gurgling brook. What whitecaps the cave’s mouth captured were filtered down into something frothy and inviting amidst the labyrinth of low rocks within. The basic security lights at foot level threw a soft golden light across the metal struts that secured the rock ceiling overhead.

“I used to come here all the time as a kid with my friends,” Connor said nervously. “There’re all kinds of caverns back here we used to play and hide in before my mom found out and busted us. She still has no idea they don’t go that deep. She still thinks you could get lost in here. But I’ve got an excellent sense of direction.”

“Do you?”

“Yeah, I usually know where things are headed.”

“Makes sense, I guess. Your life’s kinda laid out for you, right? You’ll probably run this place someday, right? Heir apparent and all that.”

“Oh, God. Do they still call me the prince?” Connor turned, resting his butt against the guardrail so he could focus on Logan.

“Kinda.”

“Is that a good thing? Should I be annoyed by that?”

“Better to be the prince than a peasant, I guess,” Logan said.

“Are those really the only two choices?”

Logan laughed, but there was relief in it. As if Connor’s snarky response had shined a light on possibilities he hadn’t seen before now. “I guess not.”

“Whatever. I’ll let it go.”

Silence then, save for the gurgling of the sea pushing its way past them and deeper into the cave.

Connor rested his elbows on the rail on either side of him, an attempt to look casual even though the sight of Logan leaning against the cave wall, hands in his pockets, studying Connor with a half smile made Connor feel welded in place. “All right, your turn.”

“My turn for what?” Logan asked.

“I told you mine, and my grandpa’s. What’s your magic moment?”

“Okay.” Logan straightened. “So if I remember correctly, it’s like a moment when you’re doing something you love and you feel the most satisfied by it. Is that right?”

“Exactly.” Connor was thrilled that Logan had listened so closely.

“Well, my life is kind of starting over, so I’m kind of figuring out what it is I love to do. Kickboxing’s up there, but that’s more of a fast and furious kind of thing, and the high is mostly when I’m done. Not sure there’s really a magic hour there. There was some stuff about the Marines that I loved, especially once I was a staff sergeant and I was in the zone for gunnery sergeant. But a lot of it was tough, and a lot to hold.”

“I’m sure.”

When Logan started toward him through the shadows, Connor’s breath caught. His feet felt planted to the boards, and the sides of his face got tingly and hot.

“So if I had to pick,” Logan said, “I’d pick this one.”

“Walking rounds?”

“No. I’d pick the moment when I’m finally all alone with a guy who drives me wild, and I know we’re about to kiss, but I’m not sure when. So there’s this tension in the air, and I can feel it. Everywhere.”

They were inches apart now, so close Connor had to look up at him to maintain eye contact.

“And we’re both circling, waiting for the right moment. And I’m trying to take it kinda slow because I know one little touch”—Logan gently grazed Connor’s cheek with the side of one finger—“and it might turn into a lot more than a kiss. But first, there’s a promise to be kept.”

“What promise is that?” Connor asked in a squeaky whisper.

“I believe you promised me a dance.”

“Or you promised me one.”

“Either way, seems like time.”

This is a LONG book, almost 500 pages. However, I will say that it really doesn’t feel that long when you are reading it. It actually went really quickly. I’ll also say I haven’t read anything by this author before, but of course needed to give this one a shot, considering who the author was.

I really loved this book. I loved the story. Love the characters, and even the setting was beautiful. These two MC’s were so well written, and given a really strong backstory, which helped in understanding the reasons why they did the things they did in that first period of time.

One of the things that I enjoyed most about this book was how Connor and Logan had a chance, five years previous to the main portion of the book. They clearly had a love at first sight meeting, spending time together that night, kissing, before Logan remembered that his priority needed to be his job, and his father. Although it wasn’t necessarily a prologue (it was a little to long for that) that first section of the book had me crying. However, it was easy to understand how Logan felt such a need to take care of the man who loved and truly cared for him, despite the things that could have made him NOT love his son.

Connor needed a chance to grow up a bit, as well, become the man he would have liked to have been, but would never have been able to at that point in time. That piece just worked so well.

When they meet up five years later, after the initial “I hate you”, etc, they really did well trying to figure out how to make a relationship work for them.

There’s a particularly bad guy, who you end up feeling a little sorry for, and a really nasty lady, who it’s hard to feel sorry for her, but you still do a little. But of course, love and happily ever after win in the end.

My one little peeve with the book was the vocabulary. There was a lot of vocabulary used that I don’t think would have necessarily come out of a man who didn’t go to college, and spent time in the Marine Corp. But I suspended that belief, because I just loved the characters so much.

I definitely am looking forward to any future book in this series.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

C. Travis Rice is the pseudonym New York Times bestselling novelist Christopher Rice devotes to steamy tales of romance between men. Christopher has published multiple bestselling books in multiple genres and been the recipient of a Lambda Literary Award. With his mother, Anne Rice, he is an executive producer on the AMC Studios adaptations of her novels The Vampire Chronicles and The Lives of the Mayfair Witches. Together with his best friend and producing partner, New York Times bestselling novelist, Eric Shaw Quinn, he runs the production company Dinner Partners. Among other projects, they produce the podcast and video network, TDPS, which you can find at www.TheDinnerPartyShow.com.

Connect with C. Travis Rice

Website: http://www.christopherricebooks.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christopher.rice.writer

Twitter: https://twitter.com/chrisricewriter

Honeymoon Ever After by Ariella Zoelle: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

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Rory’s never been attracted to a man before, but Kieran changes everything from the first moment they meet. Will he be able to embrace his unexpected feelings for the Hollywood celebrity?

Rory Kinsella

My new life plan is going great:

  1. Dump my awful fiancée who was in love with her best friend and not me? Done.
  2. Celebrate my newfound freedom and happiness by going on a solo “me-moon” honeymoon? Great, that should be awesome.
  3. Fall in love with a famous Hollywood action hero when I’m straight? Wait, what?!

Besides being absurdly handsome and incredibly charismatic, Kieran looks at me with his magnetic and captivating green eyes in a magical way that makes me feel like I’m the only person in the world that matters. But is that really enough to make me forget that I’m normally attracted to women?

Apparently, the answer is “Yes!” However, it’s not only his gorgeous good-looks that sway me into switching teams. No, what really makes him tempting is something much deeper than that. How can an academic nerd like me resist someone as sweet as a man who wears TARDIS pajamas and wants to shower me with all the love my ex-fiancée never gave me?

Kieran Aiello

My hide out from the paparazzi “vacation” plans:

  1. Go to Sweden to escape from a scandal? Easy, I can do that.
  2. Stay in my hotel room without leaving for any reason per my manager’s orders? Yeah, that’s not happening.
  3. Find a hot Swede to hook up with in a sauna? Definitely doable.

But things take a surprising turn when I accidentally run into Rory instead, a cute grad student who actually sees the real me that most people don’t believe is hidden under all my Hollywood muscles. He wasn’t part of my original plans, but what could be more tempting than that?

I always thought the insta-love romances I portrayed in my movies were a little hokey, but Rory turns me into a true believer. The chemistry between us is undeniable, but I want more than just a physical relationship with him. If he’s willing to take a chance by opening his heart to me, then why should I settle for anything less than a true romantic ending of a lifetime of love together?

Honeymoon Ever After is the fifth and final book in the Suite Dreams series and part of the Sunnyside universe. This novel features a bi awakening, insta love, celebrity/regular guy, age gap, forced proximity, gay romance. If you love cute sweetness, sexy fun, and no angst stories that will make you laugh and swoon, you’ll enjoy this satisfying HEA without cliffhangers. Each book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series in order.

Honeymoon Ever After (Suite Dreams, Book 5)

By Ariella Zoelle

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Chapter 3: Rory Kinsella

“Can we please talk about something else now before I combust into flames from how hard I’m blushing?” I asked.

Kieran laughed heartily. “Fair enough. Why don’t you tell me about what you’re hoping to do once you graduate with your PhD? That seems like a nice, safe, unsexy topic of conversation.”

It was a relief to move into the safety of academia. “My degree guarantees I’ll be teaching at university, since it’s not good for much else. But I’d love to make my own graphic novel series someday when I’m not up to my eyeballs in research for my dissertation.”

“That’s an amazing idea!” His genuine enthusiasm caught me off guard.

“Jude and I have talked about collaborating before. I can illustrate, but I’m not the best storyteller. But he’s an incredible writer, plus we work well together. I think we could make something awesome if we ever find the time to do it.”

“I’m in full support of this idea. You guys need to make that happen for real.”

I tilted my head as I studied him with curiosity. “Why? For all you know, I could be a shitty artist and he could be a terrible writer.”

“No, you’re too remarkable to be anything less than stellar. Not to mention you’re probably a perfectionist who will only accept absolute perfection.” He stated it with so much confidence that it stunned me.

“I think calling me remarkable is a bit of a stretch. I’m pretty ordinary, especially compared to people like Jude or my brothers.” They all were far more spectacular than I could ever aspire to be.

“With all due respect, I strongly disagree. There’s nothing ordinary about you.”

“That’s sweet, but once you’ve known me for more than twenty-four hours, I suspect you’ll have a very different opinion.”

“You’re right. I’ll probably think you’re even more amazing than I first gave you credit for.” He looked at me with such an earnest belief that it astounded me. “Clearly, we need to work on your self-esteem.”

“It’s easy to be confident when you’re you.” I gestured at all of his incredibleness. “But I’m me.”

My breathing hitched when he reached out and cupped my face in his hands to look deep into my eyes. “There is nobody better at being you than you are. Your kindness, your passion, and your empathy make you stand out from everyone else I have ever encountered. You can see the real me that most people don’t believe exists under these muscles. That counts for a lot in my book when the Hollywood veneer blinds everyone. But you don’t care about any of that.”

The warmth in his green eyes as he tried to convey his sincerity got me all twisted up inside, as his touch filled me with nervous butterflies. I wasn’t sure what to say to such sincere praise, but the knock on the door and someone calling out “Room service” spared me. Kieran tenderly caressed my cheekbones with his thumbs before he got up to get the food.

I drew in a shuddering breath as my heart hammered in my chest like a hummingbird’s wings on fast-forward. The experience had been too intense to process. I tried to remember how to act normal while Kieran had the bellhop put our lunches on the small table off to the side. I waited until they left to go over and join him.

Kieran handed me a bottle of chilled cider and held his up in toast once we sat down. “Here’s to exciting new friendships.”

“I’ll drink to that. Cheers.” I clinked my bottle against his before we both took a sip.

Ariella Zoelle adores steamy, funny, swoony romances where couples are allowed to just be happy. She writes low angst stories full of heat, humor, and heart. But sometimes she’s in the mood for something with a bit more angst and drama. If you are too, check out her A.F. Zoelle books.

For real time updates on her writing progress, please join her Facebook group for exclusive teasers or follow her on Twitter or Instagram. You can also sign up for her newsletter to gain access to bonus chapters, previews of upcoming books, exclusive visual guides, and more.

Connect with Ariella:

Website: https://www.ariellazoelle.com/

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A.F. Zoelle’s Books: https://amzn.to/3BAgypg

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/amazingafzoelle/

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Till Death Do Us Wed by Jason Wrench: Excerpt and New Release Review

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Planning a wedding is hard enough without international politics, an assassin, your fiancé’s ex-boyfriend and your mother to deal with.

NYPD Detective Frank Schultt and his fiancé, FBI Agent Aaron Massey, have bought a new condo, adopted a dog and are planning their wedding. But when an international assassin starts killing people on the streets of New York City, Aaron and Frank must work together to find the killer before she strikes again.

Combine the assassin with the pressure of Frank’s jealousy when Aaron’s ex-boyfriend comes back to town, and can their relationship withstand the pressure? Will Aaron and Frank make it to the altar on time, or will the assassin and Frank’s destructive behavior stop their wedding before it ever heads down the aisle?

Publisher’s Note: This book is best read as the sequel to Twelve Days of Murder.

Amazon

Frank stared around the pink office, wondering if a bottle of Pepto Bismol had accidentally spilled. He watched the perky blonde woman sitting in front of him, doing his best to pay attention. It wasn’t exactly how Frank liked to spend his Saturday mornings. But it was Aaron’s big day, so he’d promised to grin and bear it.

“With Central Park wedding locations, we are definitely somewhat limited. For example, the Bow Bridge only allows for ten guests and the Belvedere Castle Terrace only allows thirty. The North Garden, Southern Garden, Wisteria Pergola and Cherry Hill each allow for up to one hundred. What size are you two thinking?”

“Eloping,” Frank muttered.

“Twenty-five to fifty,” Aaron said, shooting Frank a sideways glance.

“I’m joking,” Frank reassured, patting Aaron’s leg and giving it a squeeze before turning to the woman. “Whatever Aaron wants, I want him to have.”

NYPD Detective Frank Schultt and FBI Special Agent Aaron Massey had met the previous year during a serial murder spree. The Twelve-Day Killer, as dubbed by the media, had terrorized NYC over the holidays. Aaron and Frank had put their lives and careers on the line hunting the bastard down. In the process, they had found each other.

Frank glanced over at the man he loved. God, where would I be without him? He reached up and rubbed the back of Aaron’s neck gently. From the top of Aaron’s head with his dark brown quaff haircut and his Caribbean ocean-blue eyes, to his lithe but fit body, Frank took in this man sitting beside him who was going to be his husband. Frank was still stunned at his good fortune in landing the affection of such an amazingly intelligent and gorgeous man.

Realizing his thoughts had drifted, Frank brought his attention back to the woman sitting in front of him, who was rattling on about Central Park weddings. He glanced down at her nameplate, ‘Amber Wethersfield’. The woman was in her late twenties. And judging by the giant diamond on her wedding ring, her husband was definitely wealthy. Frank glanced across the pink office looking for personal items and was surprised by the lack of photos. For a woman who sells marriage, where are the pictures of her happy day?

“So, do you have an officiant for your wedding lined up? If not, I have a list of great people who work with LGBTQIA+ people.”

“Huh?” Frank blurted before he could catch himself.

“Officiant…the person who will oversee the ceremony and the exchange of your vows,” Amber offered.

“No, you listed off a bunch of letters,” Frank said.

“Oh.” Amber perked up. “Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer-questioning, intersexed, asexual and others.”

Dear God, that sounds like a gay BLT. Frank was about to make the snide comment, but a quick glance from Aaron told him that he’d better hold his tongue. Instead, Frank just nodded his head and gave a thin-lipped smile.

“Actually, we have a few people in mind,” Aaron noted. “Frank knows a judge who volunteered her services, and we have a couple of other names in the hopper as well.”

“Oh, good,” Amber said. “You’d be amazed at how many people totally forget the officiant until the last minute. I even have a license I got from an online church because I’ve had to step in at the eleventh hour when something went horribly wrong. I just don’t enjoy being in the wedding party, because it makes it harder for me to run things behind the scenes.”

Frank leaned back in the chair and watched as Aaron and Amber discussed the wedding. This wasn’t Frank’s first. He’d been married, but his husband had been murdered in a liquor store robbery on Christmas Eve over six years ago. As much as Frank loved Aaron, there was still a vast hole in his heart that had been left by Adam’s death. But Frank loved Aaron and was going to make sure their wedding day was every bit of glitz and glamour that Aaron desired.

“Well, if you have questions,” Amber said, bringing Frank’s attention back once again, “just let me know. You have my email, cell phone, home phone and office phone numbers, so never hesitate to reach out. I look forward to working with both of you on your big day.”

Amber stood up from her desk to usher the couple out of her office. She pushed herself up, exposing her pregnant belly.

“When’s the due date?” Aaron asked.

“Mid-March. But I swear she’s ready to come out any day.”

Frank stared at her belly and just thought, Are you sure there’s only one in there? But once again, he held his tongue.

“Don’t worry. I won’t miss your big day. When I’m out on maternity leave, my assistant will take over the day-to-day preparations, and he’ll be in constant contact with me. When I had my first baby, we were texting right up until they told me to push.”

“Well, it was really was nice meeting you,” Frank said.

“Likewise. And I just have to say, you two make such a cute couple.”

“Thank you,” Aaron said. “I think he’s a keeper.” Aaron gave Amber a little wink before turning to leave.

As Frank followed suit, Aaron’s hand rested in the small of Frank’s back. Frank leaned into Aaron in response.

“Earth to Frank!” Aaron said as they exited onto the sidewalk. The February chill immediately caught Aaron off guard, and he lifted the collar on the trench coat to protect his neck.

“Huh, what?”

“I said, “Earth to Frank.” What’s going on inside that head of yours?”

“Overwhelmed, I guess.”

“How so?”

“The whole wedding planning is just bringing up some memories.”

Aaron squeezed Frank. “I hadn’t thought about that. I forget that you’ve done this before.”

“Yeah,” Frank said, scrunching his forehead. “It’s surreal. Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited to be marrying you. I hope you know that. It’s just that it brings up memories of Adam.”

“I get it,” Aaron said. “I would be surprised if it didn’t, to be honest.” Aaron hesitated for a second before adding, “Just know…I will never try to replace Adam. I know what you two had was special—”

“What we have is special too.”

“I know,” Aaron acknowledged. “I just want you to know that I love you and would never try to change you…warts and all.”

“God, I hope I don’t have any warts.”

“We all have warts. Some have them physically and others have them metaphorically.”

“Sure thing, professor,” Frank teased.

After dealing with the Twelve-Day Killer, Aaron had taken a teaching position part-time with the John Jay School of Criminal Justice. He was technically still on the FBI’s payroll, but his utility as an undercover agent had taken a hit after the amount of press the Twelve-Day Killer had received. And with the forthcoming publication of his new book about the case, Aaron and Frank both knew a fresh round of press attention was right around the corner.

“So, we didn’t have breakfast after the gym this morning,” Aaron said. “Shall we have a quick brunch before heading back to the apartment to get ready?”

“Do we have time?” Frank asked, glancing down at his watch. “It’s already ten a.m. What time is the car picking us up for the reading?”

“The reading’s at two o’clock, so the car is scheduled to pick us up about one-fifteen.”

“I guess we have plenty of time. Any suggestions on where we should eat?”

“How about 9Ten?” Aaron asked, referring to one of their favorite diners.

“Lead the way.”

I really enjoyed book 1, so finding out there was a book 2 was a super happy moment. Book 1 had some seriously sad moments, but of course ended with the HEA these two deserved.

This book really centered more on the mystery of the new killer they were investigating, with a bit of a side story about Frank’s extreme jealousy and insecurity when it  came to Aaron.

The mystery was very well done, with lots of avenues to go down, and incorporated a lot of new side characters. Although we didn’t really learn much about the side characters’ lives, we did get to see their crime solving skills, along with some great one liners. (My favorite is still the ME, and her flirting with Frank. Makes me laugh every time.)

When all was said and done, the killer…well, we’ll go with, there is still more questions in regards to the killer. And Frank’s mother, well that seems to be a story that still needs to be finished. There is a lot of baggage to unpack there.

Frank, with his jealousy that reared up often, had work to do himself. I really liked that he finally was beginning to open up to the therapist, after all the time that he had been seeing her. Finally, he was talking about things that really meant something, and not just the things he was forced to talk about. It seemed so realistic for the place that Frank was at, both personally and professionally.

I’m hoping we get to see another glimpse into these guys, as they seem to work well together.

4 pieces of eye candy

Jason Wrench is a professor in the Department of Communication at SUNY New Paltz and has authored/edited 15+ books and over 35 academic research articles. He is also an avid reader and regularly reviews books for publishers in a wide number of genres. This book marks his first full-length work of fiction.

Find out more about Jason at his website – https://www.jasonwrench.com/

Jason Wrench – https://www.firstforromance.com/index.php?route=product/author/info&author_id=11780

Luke: Learning to Love #3 by Con Riley: RB, Release Day Review and Giveaway

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Can Luke learn to love the man who left him?

Headmaster Luke Lawson is committed to saving his boarding school before a cash crisis sinks it. He’ll do anything to keep it afloat, even if that means accepting help from the man who broke his heart at uni.

Nathan’s offer to teach for free could be a blessing as long as Luke can harden his bruised heart. That’s tough when they’ll need to share living quarters and have a history of hook-ups. But Luke knows being compatible in bed isn’t enough to build trust. It can’t be when Nathan has always left him before morning.

This time around, it feels different. Nathan’s work overseas has changed him. Touched him. Opened a locked chamber in his heart that Luke is beginning to think must have been bruised in the past too.

As pressure mounts, can Luke trust that Nathan’s committed this time—not only to his school but to a shared future with him long term?

♥ Featuring a second chance at first love in close proximity, Luke is the third standalone novel in the Learning to Love series. Set in England’s glorious county of Cornwall, each book has a fulfilling happily ever after. ♥

CW: Non-explicit mentions of childhood anxieties.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Book #1 – Charles

Book #2 – Sol

Book #4 – Austin (Out June 23)

Oh how I have been waiting for Luke to get his happily ever after! Always so stoic, worried about the school and the students. He sacrificed everything he could for that school and those kids. He always seemed so grumpy in the previous books, but it was really the weight of everything he took on.

We finally get Luke’s background story when it is his turn to speak about career paths. What led him to that path was his background. The author is just so good with sucking us in to the pain and trauma without really telling us EXACTLY what caused the pain and trauma. I mean, from previous books we know what happened with Sol’s nephew and we learn about another student. But it is never explicit. It certainly doesn’t mean you aren’t going to feel it.

With all of this, Luke is trying to make something real with Nathan. The college friend/roommate/friends with benefits he has had for years. Nathan works with Syrian refugees normally so it isn’t like he is in England often. But Luke decided he was worth more than being a port in a storm. And Nathan agrees.

And of course he is still trying to save the school, especially since they sent an accountant to look over everything and he isn’t very positive about the outlook.

Luke and Nathan learn more and more about each other. Showing that their previous relationship wasn’t deep at all. But they both held back. Each for their own reasons.

Let me tell you this book hit me in the FEELS and made me cry more than once. I love a book that can make me feel so deeply, to think about the characters even after I’ve closed the book for the night and desperate for my 9pm reading time the next night.

This can be a stand alone, but really you need to read the first two. They are excellent as well, but Luke is my favorite.

4.5 pieces of candy

CON RILEY lives on the wild and wonderful Welsh coast, with her head in the clouds and her feet in the ocean. 

Injury curtailed her enjoyment of outdoor pursuits, so writing fiction now fills her free time. Love, loss, and redemption shape her romance stories, and her characters are flawed in ways that make them live and breathe. 

When not people-watching or reading, she spends time staring at the sea from her kitchen window. If you see her, don’t disturb her — she’s probably thinking up new plots.

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To Whom It May Concern (For Him, Book 3.5) by A.M. Johnson: RB, Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

by

To whom it may concern,

I can’t be sure what you’re into, that being said, if you like sexy and sweet romance with a whole lot of quirk, keep reading…

Ever since Clay Saxon’s parents passed away a year ago, he’s been stuck in a rut, running their business, and suffering from the worst writer’s block ever. But when Syrus Albie, aka yellow sweater guy, (you’ll see) walks into The End Book Store, Clay’s mundane little world turns to sunshine.

I don’t want to ruin it, but I can definitely say, when an introverted as hell narrator finally meets his favorite author and crush, all of his usual protocols go up in flames.

Set in the For Him World, this standalone is the perfect introduction or addition to this steamy MM collection.

Sincerely yours, A.M. JOHNSON

To Whom It May Concern (For Him, Book 3.5)

By A.M. Johnson

 

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

It was noon when he walked into the bookstore wearing a yellow sweater and pale blue jeans. The yellow, not quite yellow, more mustard than canary, stood out against the muted colors of the book spines stacked against each other on the shelf. A shock of dark brown hair fell over his brow as he dipped his head, kneeling to get a closer look at something on one of the lower shelves. His long legs folded neatly beneath his trim waist, his broad back facing me, I most certainly checked out his ass. He was fit, built more like a runner and less like a tank. And from my first glance, I thought he had a nice face. Handsome with a short, trimmed beard, and a strong profile. I wanted to ask him if he needed any help, but something in the way he held himself, eyes down, shoulders tight, told me he didn’t want to be bothered. I’d been working at The End, my parents’ bookshop, long enough I’d learned how to read people. Hell, I’d worked here ever since my folks had deemed it safe for me to climb the ladders on the stacks. I wouldn’t have ever considered my parents the cautious type, they’d allowed me to cook my own pancakes at the age of six, but apparently climbing a ladder had been too perilous for anyone under the age of ten.

“Do you have this in paperback?” A pimply teen pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and set down a copy of The Street Vendor’s Son, blocking my view of the yellow sweater guy.

Sighing, I leaned an elbow on the counter and shook my head. “The paperback hasn’t been released yet.”

“I heard on Reddit that Wilder Welles hid a bunch of copies throughout the city.” He stared up at me with a superior look on his face.

I’d heard the same rumor, but I didn’t have the heart to tell the kid it wasn’t true. I actually knew Wilder, the author of said book. I was represented by the same literary agency, Lowe Literary, and had met him through our mutual publisher, Bartley Press, at a Christmas party a couple of years ago.

“Maybe try Book on Main?” I suggested and he nodded, his hazy blue eyes widening. I imagined he was plotting out his next move. “I’d hurry though. I heard yesterday there were only a total of three.”

“Three,” he hissed. “Dammit.”

He turned for the door and left without a thank you. Maybe I should have broken his heart. Laughing to myself, I picked up the book and placed it under the counter next to the small pile I planned to reshelve when we closed in an hour. Distracted, I didn’t realize the cute yellow sweater guy had approached the counter. He cleared his throat, keeping his quiet gaze pointed at his feet.

“Hey, man,” I said, smiling in what I hoped was my best flirty, easygoing, no-I- wasn’t-staring-at-your-ass-earlier smile. “Did you find everything okay?”

He cleared his throat again, setting two books down in front of me. “I’d like to purchase these.” Though unsure, his voice was the perfect harmony of smooth and low. It settled in my stomach, warm and heavy. “No bag, please. I prefer to carry them.”

“Yeah… sure.” I picked up the titles, both nonfiction reads on shipwrecks, and rang them up. “Are you a fan of Jack and Rose?” I teased and his shoulders stiffened.

“What?” he asked, and I couldn’t tell if he was confused or aggravated.

He raised his gaze, revealing in short blinks, bursts of green and amber. I’d never seen eyes like his. Hazel, but more. Shiny, but shy. I struggled to remember what the hell I’d said in the first place.

“Um… uh…” I smiled, rubbing at the back of my sweaty neck. When he didn’t smile in return, I scratched my head, looking down at the shipwreck books, and it came back to me. “Titanic. Jack and Rose? I’m the king of the world.” I held out both of my arms like an idiot. Who knew I had such a thing for yellow sweaters?

He blinked again, his throat working as he stared at me. “I haven’t seen it.”

I didn’t waste too much time thinking about how that was possible, and told myself not everyone was into overly produced blockbuster movies. “It’s not the greatest film of all time or anything, but if you’re a shipwreck kind of guy, it would be right up your alley.”

“I’m not a shipwreck kind of guy,” he said, his cheeks ruddy as he handed me his credit card. “This is research.”

I swiped it through the card reader and let the three words hang in the air, hoping he’d elaborate. He didn’t. He didn’t seem much older than my twenty-three, but I was a shit gauge when it came to age. He couldn’t be over thirty, though, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t in college. Or maybe he was a scientist? A sexy, sweater-wearing nerdy chemist or botanist, or something equally intelligent.

“Cool.” I slid his receipt across the top of the counter along with his credit card. “Are you a scientist?”

“What?” He grumbled as he picked up his card and slipped it into his wallet. “No? Why?”

“Research? I figured…”

“That I was a scientist? Lots of people do research for their work. Actors… I could be an author, or a professor, or a… ship maker. Among many other options.” He didn’t sound rude, per se, but definitely annoyed. “A treasure hunter.”

“Now that sounds like fun.” I tried a smirk this time and his entire face flushed.

“I can’t say I agree.” He scooped up his books and tucked them under his arm. “It’s dangerous, for one, and stealing history seems unethical.” I wanted him to keep talking. Honestly, I could listen to him talk for hours. His voice was like a balm, even if he was kind of an asshole. “And there’s no guarantee you’ll ever find what you’re looking for. Seems like a waste of time.”

“But if you do find what you’re looking for, what then?” I asked.

He’d avoided direct eye contact until that very second, and holy shit, my lungs forgot how to work.

Air out, air in. Or was it air in and then air out.

Shit.

“It has been my experience that life is only a game of mishaps and unexpected coincidences,” he said, and I laughed.

“You just quoted my book.”

“Your book?”

“Yeah… The Branches Between Us,” I said, feeling a puff of pride as I exhaled, remembering how to breathe after all.

His throat bobbed again, his face paling as he took a step backward. “Your book. I didn’t realize you were—”

“I’m flattered.” I leaned both elbows on the counter. “Not a lot of people liked… or read that book.”

“I enjoyed it immensely,” he said but not in a starry-eyed, starstruck way. He was matter of fact in the delivery, and even more so when he continued. “I’ve read it ten times.”

“Wow.” My grin pinched at my cheeks. “Ten times.”

The air snapped in the brief silence that descended. I stole a few seconds to unabashedly stare at him while he glared at the floor. His thin nose twitched, and I noticed his upper lip was fuller than his bottom. A subtle crease sat between his thick brows, and it deepened when he scowled.

“I need to go,” he said, tacking on a curt, “Thank you,” before he turned to leave.

I watched him exit the store, bewildered and a bit shocked.

Okay, after I read this novella, I went and looked the author and the series up. I had never read either before. I have every intention of rectifying that. 🙂 I really enjoyed this, and after getting a tiny glimpse of other characters in the series, I’m looking forward to going back and checking it all out.

To Whom It May Concern has to be one of the sweetest books, with a super introvert. Myself being married to an introvert who has so many of the same characteristics, I can see how challenging it would be for Syrus to find love. Putting himself in a situation where he could be embarrassed, or seen in any negative light is one of the most terrifying things extreme introverts can go through. This author portrayed that so well. Syrus’ expressions about how much he loved Clay’s book were 100% on the mark. His logic said he loved it, so why would someone else, even the author NOT love it.

Meanwhile Clay, who is still grieving for his parents, running the store they loved, even as he knew his mother would have wanted him to keep writing had to find little ways to stay within Syrus’ orbit. Their communication via email in regards to Clay’s book, which Syrus wants to narrate is cute and sweet, and oh so flirty. Clay really just didn’t let Syrus get away. He had to make a little more of the effort to win some time with Syrus, even if it meant just saying he wanted a date, even when Syrus couldn’t fathom that. So sweet!

There wasn’t a need for there to be grand gestures, and in fact, with such an introvert as a couple there could not be, but just a sweet story about two people finding each other, and a little more of themselves.

4 pieces of eye candy

Amanda is an award winning and best selling author of LGBTQIA and contemporary romance and fiction. She lives in Utah with her family where she moonlights as a nurse on the weekends and hikes in the mountains as much as possible.

If she’s not busy with her three munchkins, you’ll find her buried in a book or behind the keyboard where she explores the human experience through the written word, exploring all spectrums and genres.

She’s obsessed with all things Hockey, Austen, and Oreos, and loves to connect with readers!

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