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Book Excerpts

Healing Their Wounds (City of Fountains Book 3) by Hayden West: RB, Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

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Sometimes you have to face the past to heal old wounds.

Craig Donaldson has been through a lot in his life. There’s one good thing that has come from it—his son. Owning his own business is hard but he’s making it work. Landing in the hospital after a car accident brings into his life someone he wasn’t sure he needed. The problem is, Craig isn’t positive he’s willing to expose himself to more wounds.

Dr. Hobert ‘Bobby’ Pearson loves his job at the hospital. Being the disappointment of his family isn’t something he is happy with. It seems as though when he gets close to someone he feels he could start a real relationship with, the past shows up and he’s again left alone. His family leaves fresh wounds in their wake. This new patient he has, however, hits all kinds of emotions inside him.

Will they be able to heal together? Or will past pain keep them apart?

Healing Their Wounds by Hayden West

Book 3 in the City of Fountains series

General Release Date: 29th March 2022

Word Count: 15,470

Book Length: NOVELLA

Genres: CONTEMPORARY, EROTIC ROMANCE, GAY, GLBTQI

Amazon

First for Romance

Goodreads

Craig leaned forward, his heart caught in his throat. Perspiration dripped down his face, and he shuddered as excitement thrummed through him. So close. Oh God, he was close. So close.

He tensed, words lodged in the back of his throat, almost ready to be released but Not. Quite. Yet. Fingers curved, digging for purchase on something, anything, around him.

A few more seconds. He could hold out. He wouldn’t let go until he was sure. That strain on his body didn’t matter two seconds later.

He erupted, launching up from the hard bleacher seat he’d been on as he watched his son and his team compete in the semi-finals of the Little League World Series.

“Yes!”

All around the parents and friends of the team were cheering beside him. His son, Cody, was twelve this year, and it was his last year to participate. And Cody’s double had allowed his teammate to get that winning run.

Craig’s legs were weak as he continued cheering. He wanted to sink back down to the seat, but wouldn’t. Tears burned his eyes as he watched all of his son’s teammates gather and cheer to celebrate their win.

“Congrats, Craig.”

He accepted the hug from the father of another player, Christopher.

“Same to you. This is great for them.”

The man crossed his arms and nodded. “Sure will help line up the women.”

Craig frowned. “They’re twelve.”

Christopher smirked. “Never too young to start.”

Craig disagreed. “Yeah, they are. And it’s not happening with my boy.”

The man’s wife dropped between them with a squeal. “What are you two talking about? Colleges that will come after them?”

“Something like that,” Christopher said.

Emily kissed Craig’s cheek. “Congratulations, Craig.”

“You too, Emily.”

The blonde bounced down a few more bleacher steps to continue chatting it up with other families. Their son was one of the pitchers on the team.

“I just mean,” Christopher continued, “I need him to know he should have a bitch on his arm, not be sucking dick, isn’t that right?”

Holding Christopher’s blue eyes, Craig clamped his mouth down on his initial response and weighed his words. The last thing he wanted to do was make the year difficult for his son.

“Right now? Right now, I’m going to be the supportive and very fucking proud father of my son. I’m not thinking of his choice in a partner, because he’s twelve.” He stepped closer and lowered his voice. “I’ll support my son regardless, because it’s not only his choice but as his parent, it’s mine to support and love him unconditionally.”

Leaving before he put his fist in the man’s face, he walked to the steps and made his way down, progress hampered by all the celebrating. Not that he minded.

Okay, I’m coming into this short read, right in the middle. I had no idea who these people were or anything about the previous stories, but it didn’t take anything away from this story, so I was thankful for that because I saw a single dad and…well….they’re hot, right?

In this one, it’s action from the second you open the book. We meet Craig, who is at his son’s little league game and they’ve just won. In the first few pages, you get a homophobic teammate’s dad and a terribly obvious, terrible mother of his own child. Both of these people and their hateful views seemed so out of the blue and it was a lot all at once, then, the next paragraph… an accident. So, it was a lot, all at once. In saying that…

Because it’s a quick read, we don’t get to know much about Dr. Pearson (Bobby) other than he seems outspoken and kind of invasive for a doctor. I found it kind of charming but putting myself in a patients place it seemed kinda weird to me. He spoke to Craig as if they were old friends and it didn’t feel like a patient/doctor relationship at all.  Craig was also very cussy, and I’ll admit, I’ve got a mouth like a trucker, but it was all so overused and unnatural. Cody’s dialogue too… how old was this kid? 12 or 30? I’m unsure.

I had a hard time with Craig’s ex, Cody’s mother. I have a hard time believing that people actually act that way. That they say things like that out loud, knowing how stupid they sound. I was cringing at her character the entire time.

When the ex finds out that Cody is going to be on TV because of his baseball championship that is called “World Series Finals” or something like that, she all of a sudden wants to be in his life again, and even takes them all to court.

It was a quick read and angsty read, so if those are your things, I’d say this one is for you.

3 pieces of eye candy from me

Hayden West lives in the Pacific Northwest, enjoys being outdoors, and hanging out with friends when not working on the next novella to be released.

Find Hayden at their website and blog.

Author Links

Website: https://authorhaydenwest.wixsite.com/authorhaydenwest

Blog: https://authorhaydenwest.blogspot.com/

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Jake (Single Dads of Gaynor Beach Book 1) by Charley Descoteaux: Release Day Review

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A man isn’t defined by the worst moments in his past, but they can be hard as hell to leave behind.

Fresh starts are overrated. I’ve lived in Gaynor Beach my whole life, and I’m damn proud of it. I miss my wife like hell, and a grumpy mechanic may not make the best single dad, but the kids and I are doing okay right here. They’re not complaining—maybe because they’re never home. Teenagers.

Then a fresh start falls into my lap when the hottest man I’ve ever seen has his car quit on him. And if I can’t forget the feel of his arms around me when he rode on the back of my bike…well, nobody needs to know that except me.

But now Micah’s introducing me to worlds I’ve never been a part of before, or even imagined I could be. Worlds with ropes and explosive chemistry and adventures much bigger than our rides in the Southern California sunshine. Being with him feels like the biggest risk I’ve ever taken—and not everyone in town wants us to take this chance together.

I hope we can hang on when the ride gets bumpy.

JAKE is an angsty opposites-attract Romance in the Single Dads of Gaynor Beach world with a grumpy mechanic, a sunshiny high school teacher with a secret, size difference and a few first times, and three teenagers who are more perceptive than their parents bargained for.

Please see the Look Inside feature for possible triggers.

Amazon

(Shared World)

Finn: A Single Dads of Gaynor Beach Romance by Jessie G (Available 4/26/22)

Wynn (Single Dads of Gaynor Beach) by Amelia Hayden (Available 5/24/22)

Demetrius (Single Dads of Gaynor Beach) by Sienna Sway & Zaria Knight (Available 10/11/22)

Leo: Single Dads of Gaynor Beach by Meredith Spies (Available 11/08/22)

Siiiigh, hot dads… I’m a sucker for em.

In this one, we have Jake… a single bi widow who is trying to juggle working full time and being a full-time single dad for the last seven years to his now teenagers and realizing that something is missing from his life. Something he doesn’t even notice until a broken down Camry on the side of the road, puts him face to face with a flirty younger man that pushes all of his buttons.

Micah is back in Gaynor Beach for his sister and the son they share. It isn’t as weird as it sounds, he was the donor for her and her wife, and I just adore their relationship. All of them. Normalizing mixed-matched families in all the ways, I loved it. Micah is also the new teacher at Gaynor Beach High, and the broody mechanic that picked him up off the side of the road is a little more than he can handle thinking about, even if everything about him pushes every button he has, especially the one’s he’s kept hidden for a good long time. An openly gay high school teacher with a porny past? That isn’t something you want to get out, especially in a small town like Gaynor Beach.

Now, I’m not usually a fan of BDSM but that part was a surprise to me and one I found myself actually enjoying. Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing, there is a little angst thrown in for good measure, but it was handled realistically and though I wanted to smack Micah around a time or two, with his stubbornness and pride, I fell in love with him about as quickly as Jake did.

I’m also always pleased when the bad guy doesn’t get away with being the bad guy and though I’d have liked to have made him eat his words and get as humiliated as he liked to make others, I’m happy he wasn’t more of a problem than he was.

Overall though, I thought Jake and Micah were very cute together and their relationship, though wasn’t always easy, always felt real and genuine and I enjoyed watching them both let their guards down enough to let someone worthy in. I’m interested in maybe seeing we get to know Ripley a little better and hey, maybe there’s still time to get a little karmic justice on those bullies that have been reining a little too long for my liking. I’m excited to see who’s next!

4 pieces of eye candy

Punching the V-Card by Leta Blake: IG Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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Best friend’s hot older brother? Check. A weekend alone? Check.

Finally punching that V-card? Oh yes.

Carl has a pesky “innocence” problem that requires a solution. His best friend’s brother Devon is the perfect answer.

Devon’s experienced, gorgeous, and Carl’s been secretly crushing on him for ages. Carl doesn’t want to “lose it” to just anybody. Everyone says the first time should be special—and what’s more special than sharing it with the guy of his dreams?

It’s not like Devon won’t enjoy it. Solving this so-called problem is an objectively fun experience for most people! The plan is totally win/win!

Shockingly, Devon agrees. But even though it goes better than either of them ever expected, Carl’s moving across the country soon. It’s not possible to have more. No matter how much they both want it.

Right?

Punching the V-Card by Leta Blake is a is a high heat, NO ANGST, new adult gay romance featuring a best friend’s hot older brother, scorching first times, and falling in love with the guy of your dreams.

Title: Punching the V-Card
Authors: Leta Blake
Length: 35k
Series: Standalone.
Genre: Contemporary, New Adult, and very light BDSM/Kink, almost nonexistent, but the themes are still there.
Tropes: Best friend’s older brother, losing virginity, whirlwind romance, first love, virgin baby dom and natural older submissive, forced proximity (to a degree), new adult.
Content: Very light BDSM theme.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

“I keep some supplies up here,” Carl said, approaching a sizable fallen tree that was hollowed out inside, and the massive, nearly bench-shaped rock beside it. “Lighters, candles, gummy bears, that sort of thing.”

“Gummy bears?” Devon said, watching as Carl knelt in the pine needles and peered into the log using his flashlight. “Checking for snakes or other ghoulies,” he said before reaching inside and tugging out a Ziplock bag. Inside, sure enough, Devon could make out a package of gummy bears, a lighter, a few tea light candles, and what looked like a pack of cigarettes.

“Do you smoke?”

“Huh?” Carl glanced at the bag and grimaced. “Hope and I tried it. Thought it might look cool on stage, you know? But, ugh. I’d rather eat ass than smoke a cigarette.” A sudden grin cracked over his face and his eyes lit up even brighter. “I guess I mean that literally now. I’d much rather eat ass. That only leads to orgasm, unlike cigarettes which lead to coughing, gagging, and smelling like, well, cigarettes, you know?”

Devon watched Carl take a seat on the big stone bench, and he climbed onto it, too. It was big enough that they could sit cross-legged facing each other.

“Okay,” Carl said, pulling out the tea light candles, the lighter, the gummy bears, and a piece of chalk that Devon hadn’t noticed before. “First we draw a pentagram, like this,” he said.

And Devon watched, surprised, as Carl did draw a big pentagram between them. “What are you doing?”

“Magic,” Carl offered, with a little grin. “Fairy magic.”

Devon blinked at him.

“Kidding. But, yeah, sometimes I like to cast a spell or two. It can be fun.”

Devon shrugged, a nagging uncertainty in his gut, but he watched as Carl put a tea light on each point of the pentagram before lighting them.

“Now, we have to focus on what we want,” Carl said.

“What we want?” Devon repeated.

“Like when I did this last week, I focused on you agreeing to this weekend, and look. It worked.”

“You cast a spell on me?” Devon asked, trying to not feel a little weirded out by that. The forest around them smelled of wet dirt, disintegrating leaves, and fresh air, but the light that sparkled off the water droplets all around and filtered through the swaying tree tops did feel otherworldly. Plus, he was tired, so tired, and drained, and kinda horny still. He felt a little possessed, actually.

“J-just a l-li-li—ugh. A small one,” Carl said, with a shrug. “Do you c-care?”

The stutter. He was anxious now.

Devon looked at the small, flickering candles and up into Carl’s glittery eyes. He didn’t care. If he was told that he was hypnotized into this weekend, he’d be happy about it. If he was told that he’d been put under a powerful elf’s spell, he’d be glad. The time he’d spent with Carl was already the most interesting and arousing he’d ever had.

This book had so many surprising elements in it…in fact, the LEAST surprising element was that Carl had been in love with Devon for years. Just a few of the surprises…Devon’s sister set up this weekend punching of Devon’s V-card. Carl, who began the weekend seemingly shy AF, barely saying a word, turns out to be a baby Dom. Meanwhile, Devon immediately falls in line with it, showing a submissive side, when it is obvious he NEVER would have thought that of himself before this weekend. That two young men were able to have that much sex, and eat so little food (ha ha).

This was one very steamy novella, with two really well fleshed out MC’s for a novella. Carl is leaving for LA to begin a music career, while Devon is not leaving TN because his parents want him to do all the right things. Carl has a stutter that really only shows when he is nervous or emotional. Devon meanwhile has no idea what he wants to do with his life, but he knows he can’t go anywhere. He needs to finish college, then get a job…in what, he doesn’t know. They were honestly exactly as many young people that age, just trying to figure out what was next for them.

This was high heat, low angst, very sweet in places, had a hopeful future and some fun thrown in. It may not be for everyone, as it has A LOT of sex, but it still tells a very good story, as this author always does.

4 pieces of eye candy

Enter the #Giveaway for your chance to win a $15 Amazon Gift Card. Follow @LetaBlake & Comment on any Instagram host photo with #PunchingTheVCard Tag friends & share on your IG stories for extra entries, make sure you tag GRR! Good luck!

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Out of Focus by A. L. Lester: Excerpt and Release Day Review

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Alex has never quite believed he’s good enough. Not as a person and not as a lighting technician. He hates that however hard he tries he can’t get his boss, Luke, to like him. In the two years he’s been in the job it’s become a Thing with him and he’s got a huge crush on the man. He needs to move on for his own sanity and his career and he’s just about to accept a job at a bigger theatre when one of the volunteers he’s bedded and dumped pushes him off a ladder.

Luke likes Alex a lot and has done since the day he walked through the door of Theatre Fawr two years ago. He doesn’t date his staff though, or do casual, and Alex is the epitome of casual. So Luke keeps his distance despite Alex’s constant flirting.

Will Alex’s injury give Alex and Luke the push they need to open up to each other? Or will Luke’s inadvertent discovery that Alex has a secret job offer push them further apart?

Enemies to lovers, a broken wrist, hurt-comfort and pining. A gay romance set in a little Welsh theatre.

Publisher: JMS Books LLC

Editor: Lourenza Adlem

Release date: 26 March 2022

Word Count: 17,500 words

Genre: gay, contemporary, short-story, Welsh theatre, hurt-comfort, enemies to lovers

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Goodreads

Luke was furious. Bloody furious. His theatre. His crew. Alex.

He’d got back after a leisurely look round a potential new supplier of scissor-lifts and harnesses followed by a pub lunch with the business owner to find the theatre in uproar. Alex had tipped over on the zargees…which was bloody ironic given it was the approaching new height restrictions about using ladders to rig that had sent Luke on his errand.

He’d gone straight to the hospital and found Alex about to check himself out against the doctor’s advice. Bloody Alex, as well.

Alex had been a thorn in his side since he’d started in post two years ago. It was a tiny theatre and the chief technician was responsible for anything with a plug on it as well as showing the film programme and doing the lighting and sound for shows. They’d done a panel interview and Luke, a couple of members of the board and Lacey the theatre manager had seen half a dozen people. Alex had come out head and shoulders above the rest.

He’d walked in on his first proper day on the job and looked at Luke from underneath his ridiculously long eyelashes and smiled and said something perfectly professional that Luke hadn’t heard, because he was gone. Gone, gone, gone. His heart had given a big thump, he’d flushed from his chest to his hairline and he’d taken an actual physical step back because otherwise he’d have done something stupid.

Everyone on the circuit knew about Alex Tilsom by reputation. Not his professional reputation, although that was solid. His unprofessional reputation, as Luke privately thought of it.

It was a small industry.

Luke had seen whole companies explode because people fell into bed with each other and the detonation when they fell out of bed again meant they couldn’t work together. He’d been at Theatr Fach for a long time now and although there were no actual rules against it, his personal tenet was to keep his professional relationships professional.

So he let Alex’s good natured flirting roll over him, he didn’t respond like he wanted to and he never, ever commented or ribbed him like the others did about his latest conquest. It was worse because strictly speaking he was Alex’s boss. He tried very hard not to be the older creep who letched on his staff.

Newsflash. In this case he did not always succeed.

It made him feel uncomfortable and itchy inside his own skin. Alex was a funny guy. He worked hard, he was good at his job. He charmed passing crew and volunteers into bed and out again with no drama before or after. He’d be gone in two or three years…he was the sort of person who saw Theatr Fach as a stepping stone to something bigger and more challenging.

All Luke had to do was hold on to that thought and not smile back.

He’d thoroughly fucked that up in the last twenty-four hours, hadn’t he? It was his job to go and see what was going on at the hospital. And he supposed he could argue it was his job to stay with Alex overnight if no-one else could, if the stupid arse wouldn’t stay in hospital like he should have.

It wasn’t his job to mostly fail to sleep in the armchair in the corner of the man’s bedroom and creepily watch over him all night. Or was it? Was that on the right side of the line? Fuck it, who knew any more.

There are some shorts that tell a full and complete story. And there are some shorts that just…don’t. Because it was just too short.

There’s nothing wrong with this story, I just didn’t feel any connection at all. Both guys crushed on each other for 2 years. One openly, one secretly. But we never SAW that, we were just told that.

So when Alex is hurt and Luke goes to the hospital, I kind of expected Luke to let some of his feelings show. But nope.

And then after Luke staying with Alex for 24 hours, even though Alex is known to not be a relationship guy and Luke not wanting a relationship with his subordinate, they just decide to be boyfriends.

If you want a quick read with zero angst, zero sex as a palate cleanser, this is for you. But it was just a bit boring for me.

Writer of queer, paranormal, historical, romantic suspense, mostly. Lives in the South West of England with Mr AL, two children, a terrifying cat, some hens and the duckettes. Likes gardening but doesn’t really have time or energy. Not musical. Doesn’t much like telly. Non-binary. Chronically disabled. Has tedious fits.

Facebook Group : Twitter : Newsletter (free story) : Website : Link-tree for everywhere else

Uniquely Average by Susan Hawke: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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A twenty year age gap, a neurodivergent ‘boy’ and a gray ace of a ‘Daddy’, both lonely and unable to find their match… until now.

Ethan Humboldt is a cocky, confident chef with zero filter and even less humility. He’s also a very good, neurodivergent boy who’s been searching far too long for the perfect Daddy. At thirty, Ethan knows what he wants—and what he needs. The only problem? Finding a caregiving type of Daddy to provide it.

Danvers Jones has more money than he knows what to do with and nobody to spend it on. He’s not looking for a fling, Dan needs someone to pamper. To romance… to adore. As a romantic gray ace, nothing else will do it for him.

Newly retired, Dan has one final mission—to find his former best friend’s long lost son and deliver a trust fund. After that, Dan’s determined to start fully living his life, which starts with the right partner. Only problem? Dan requires the type of person who’ll need his unique brand of Daddy.

Danvers and Ethan aren’t expecting to meet their perfect match in a random meet cute gone wrong, but when does life ever go according to plan?

This stand-alone novel is a full-length, 43k non-age play Daddy romance. The core of this story was previously published as a 15k short in the USA Today bestselling “Dirty Daddies 2021 Anthology.” It’s now been reworked and lengthened to provide the tale as originally intended.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Watching for Daddy’s reaction to breakfast, I tried not to stare while taking a bite of my own. I’d served us perfectly cooked Eggs Benedict, complete with Canadian bacon and my own special hollandaise. My secret? A bit of OJ and a dash of orange zest.

It felt like my heart was beating in my throat when he finally took that bite. Pinching my lips tightly shut, I squeezed my legs together with my hands rhythmically patting my knees. I knew I was stimming, even before my hands started going, but I wasn’t concerned.

And why should I be? Some repetitive motion because I was excited was perfectly fine, a fact my doctor had drilled into me. As long as I wasn’t flapping my hands too much or letting my excitement turn to stressed anxiety, I’d be good.

And yes, I did need to remind myself of this every time and this was also okay.

Thank you, Dr. Stapleton. Years of work, God only knew how much money spent, and now I could calmly explain to myself why I was excited and how it was okay for a little light stimming.

Gasping, I jumped when a light knock on the table jerked my attention away from myself. I looked around the room, desperately trying to anchor myself again—I’d been that startled.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. Did I frighten you?” And just like that, Daddy’s voice gave me the anchor I was looking for.

“Huh? I guess I was zoned out, lost in my head. I was being stupid, going through a bit of rationale in my head, and I guess I was deeper than I thought if I never heard you speak.” And, now I truly had a reason to be upset but… I glanced down to see my hands resting quietly on my legs. Huh. So much for the stimming.

I couldn’t understand why, but Daddy looked upset. He held up a finger, waving it back and forth. “That’s a no-no, sunshine. Never call yourself stupid, not on my watch. Especially when you are anything but. In fact, now I think I would enjoy hearing what had you lost in thought. Trust me, I wasn’t adding anything to the conversation. All I said was how these were the best Eggs Benedict I’ve ever eaten.”

It felt like my chest exploded with a surge of rainbows and glitter and hearts and all the other things that made my mother squeal like a little girl. At least when I felt myself smiling, I didn’t have to question why. “Sorry about the whole stupid thing, I can respect that rule. But we can agree to disagree on what you consider fascinating conversation because I want to hear more about how much you enjoyed my eggs.”

Daddy started chuckling as he loaded his fork with a fresh bite. “I’m not exaggerating, these are amazing. Definitely the best. I might be prejudiced because I have a crush on the chef, but I don’t think so. And since we both know you tell it like it is, how about you simply agree with me and I can focus on eating instead of talking? Sorry not sorry, sunshine. But this deliciousness needs to get in my belly.”

Why did his dorky side make me like him more? That was a question. One I wasn’t certain how to answer. But quite frankly, I shouldn’t be this enamored by an outdated Austin Powers reference—or the Daddy with the worst Scottish accent ever who’d given it. And yet, here I was with another crazy question I knew I couldn’t answer.

It was super hard not to find it cute when Daddy powered through his breakfast, finishing before mine was half done. I gave up and started laughing when he actually lifted his plate and began licking it clean.

Finding a romance with anyone who is neurodivergent is difficult. I have looked for them, as someone I am very close to is on the spectrum. Finding a romance where one of the main characters is neurodivergent, is very rare, so I was excited to pick this one up, and I wasn’t disappointed.

What I loved most about this book was that Ethan wasn’t portrayed as a lost man, someone who hadn’t known anything about himself until he found his true love. He was a confident chef, tried to be a good person by using the social cues his mother had drummed into him, and knew enough about himself to know that a Daddy was exactly what he wanted and needed in his life, in the bedroom and out…but definitely NOT in his business. He just hadn’t found the correct Daddy. He didn’t hide this part of himself, and in fact, his mother presented Dan with the contract that they would use for the one week trial. It was so refreshing to see all of this, all the while still having many of the same issues that someone on the spectrum might have; i.e. lack of eye contact, zero filter, anxiety, etc.

Meanwhile, Dan himself knew enough to know that he really wanted a boy that he could cherish, and found all of Ethan’s differences from “normal” to be adorable, and exactly what he wanted in his life. He saw himself as being on the ace scale, although in the book he does discover that perhaps it isn’t as cut and dry as he once assumed. So, he was willing and able to grow and change in their relationship as well.

Portraying someone on the spectrum with a “normal” life (I keep putting that in quotes because it comes up several times in the book, and is simply a descriptor, and not an indicator that Ethan wasn’t as normal as the next person) can be difficult, because no one is the same, and yet, there are many areas that will be seen in many people. But the author did a great job of showing that they can fall in love, they can feel, they can have a great sense of humor (which Ethan does!), and still may need to avoid eye contact, flap their hands, and try to wheedle a puppy out of their Daddy. 🙂

This was sweet, a little sexy, funny, and all around, a read well worth the time.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

As an avid reader and big romance fan myself, I love sharing the stories of the different people who live in my imagination. My stories are filled with humor, a few tears, and the underlying message to not give up hope, even in the darkest of times, because life can change on a dime when you least expect it. This theme comes from a lifetime of lessons learned on my own hard journey through the pains of poverty, the loss of more loved ones than I’d care to count, and the struggles of living through chronic illnesses. Life can be hard, but it can also be good! Through it all I’ve found that love, laughter, and family can make all the difference, and that’s what I try to bring to every tale I tell.

I’m a happily married mom with one snarky teenage boy, and three grown “kids of my heart.” I’m more widely known for my mpreg writings as Susi Hawke; this new name is a departure from that. Whether written by Susan or Susi, the books are filled with that all-important love, laughter, and family I mentioned; the only difference is that this name has no male pregnancy. I look forward to sharing my stories with you, and to bringing more romance and laughter into this world that needs it so very badly.

Connect with Susan:

Facebook Page | Twitter | Instagram

Website |  | Facebook Group: The Hawke’s Nest

Amazon Page | Goodreads | BookBub
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Style of Love by AJ Sherwood: New Release Review

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Asher’s dream job: Interior design – check.

His dream boyfriend: Park Bo Gum – not check. Sadly.

Straight as a board, childhood bff Zar: check

Zar becoming his boyfriend: che–wait, what?!

Tags: Oh look a contemporary romance, GFY, Best friends to lovers, Dumbasses to lovers, not so much slowburn as two idiots standing around on fire, emotional baggage check, HGTV meets BL, family of choice, Asher needs a better family, Zar’s will adopt him, healthy choice making (and some impulsive ones), no angst here only cuddles, best friends giving The Talk, yes that one, Gage hates -coughlovescough- them, tropey tropes a lot, yaoi fangirls as co-workers leads to interesting situations, and sexy photoshoots, best supporting character goes to the dog, small town, Asher and Zar are so obvious there is a bet riding on them, Zar uses handcuffs for not sexy reasons, at least the first time, only one sledgehammer was sacrificed in the making of this book

Trigger warning: Toxic family members

Title: Style of Love

Series: Gay 4 Renovations Book #1

Author: AJ Sherwood

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

 

I called him as I walked—more like stomped—along the sidewalk. As soon as the call connected, I demanded, “Where are you?”

“Leaning against your car.” 

I almost stumbled over thin air. Had he seriously circled this entire area until he found my car? At least he realized we had to talk this out, though. It was smart of him to wait. I didn’t want to have this conversation over a phone. “Fine. I’ll be there in five minutes.”

“Okay.”

I vibrated in place, waiting for the walk sign at the crosswalk, then hurried across. I’d parked toward the back of the lot, away from most of the streetlights, so there wasn’t the best illumination back here. Still, enough light to see by, and I could see that Zar was good to his word. He was leaning against my car, legs crossed at the ankles, as if he had all the time in the world. That look was back on his face, too, the one that said he was hiding something from me. His eyes locked on me as I stalked over. 

“What the hell was that?” I demanded, coming in close enough to slam my portfolio on the trunk. 

“Me checking on you.”

“The hell it was. I realize it looked like a date at first glance, but I have never asked you to pull me out of a date with a man. It’s only when my mother tricks me that I call you in! So, I repeat, what the hell was that? You were acting jealous and possessive, like I was cheating on you. Even Wesley picked up on it, and he doesn’t know you at all.”

Zar stopped leaning against the car, turning to face me dead-on. “Maybe I was. Maybe I was feeling jealous and possessive.”

I had no words for a second. What the hell? Since when did my straight best friend care if I was on a date with a man? 

“Zar, I’m seriously lost here. What? What are you even thinking?”

“I think I’ve been fucking blind. I think I’ve ignored or found reasons for things that I shouldn’t have.”

“If you’re trying to be cryptic, congrats, you’ve succeeded. Now start making sense.” 

“I’m attracted to you, Ash.”

I stared at him, waiting for the words to make sense. They didn’t. I had literally been naked in front of this man several times and he’d never batted an eye, and now suddenly things had changed? The fuck?

“You don’t believe me,” Zar said with resignation. 

“Uh…no?” I kept staring at him, not sure where this was coming from. Or how I felt about this sudden declaration out of the blue. “No, I don’t. When the hell did you decide this?”

“Saturday made it clear to me.”

“Okay, no, Saturday was just us playing at being lovers—”

“Yeah, and that playing brought feelings out in me I didn’t realize were there. Ash, you have no idea how many times I almost kissed you.”

Ever get so startled you feel unbalanced, enough that you almost fall even though you’re standing still? Yeah. Me in that moment. “I’m sorry, what?!”

“Surprised the hell out of me too. I’ve thought about it, slept on it…hasn’t changed the realization any. I want you, Asher.” 

I’ve read the entire Scales ‘N’ Spells series this author wrote with Jocelynn Drake, and loved it, seriously just loved it. (If you haven’t read this series, go now…even if you don’t “do” dragons…worth all of it!) That being said, I really had no idea this author wrote contemporary too. But the blurb drew me in, and I didn’t want to put it down.

First, Ash and Zar…so dang cute! They honestly loved each other, before they were in love with each other. They were affectionate, touchy-feely, Zar was constantly bringing Ash lunch, or calling him in the morning. The only thing they didn’t do was actually have sex. Which is what the entire town knew…hence the board in the diner…just wait. 🙂 Zar had spent all their lives defending Ash, being there whenever he needed him, and never realized he wasn’t straight, but actually in love with  his best friend.

Zar, when he realized, he was all in, no question. Ash, on the other hand, took a bit of convincing. (BTW, him demanding that Zar come over at 6pm made me laugh so hard.) Ash didn’t think Zar could all of a sudden want him, without any sort of thoughts about it before the photoshoot, with the girls who just wanted a new model for their books.

Once Ash was convinced, the two were just even more sweet, and sexy. Everyone around them were all in, as well, except for Ash’s family, who were horrible people, and deserved more than they got as punishment for their awfulness.

One thing that I really liked, because it absolutely is a conversation that would be had was about how to define Zar’s sexuality. He didn’t know how to define it because Ash was the only man he’d ever wanted. So, it was just left as they were in a relationship, and no label. I loved that! There wasn’t a need to have Zar define himself.

This book had lots of laughs. The text group between the four partners of the renovation company made me laugh several times.

Gage: Guys, help. I’m having creation ideas above my skill level

Asher: Pfft that’s nothing, I have creation ideas above my motivation level

Cohen: I have them above my free time level

Riggs: I’m suddenly glad I’m not the creative type

Asher: Bragging is unbecoming

The four partners in this company clearly had a lot of love and respect for each other, despite their many differences, and it was hilarious to watch. I cannot wait to read the next book (I’m guessing Cohen).

Oh, and BFG…we all need a BFG.

Really enjoyed this one.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

AJ Sherwood believes in happily ever afters, magic, dragons, good men, and dark chocolate. She’s often dreams at night of delectable men doing sexy things with each other. In between writing multiple books (often at the same time) she pets her cats, plays with her dogs, and attempts insane things like aerial yoga.
 
She currently resides in Michigan with aforementioned cats and dogs.

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