Book Reviews

Beautiful Trauma by Aimee Nicole Walker: New Release Review

July 22, 2019 by Denise

Does trauma define or motivate a person?

Homeless and rejected, Henry Sullivan arrived on the doorstep of Ryan’s Place with nothing but the clothes on his back. Life as he knew it was over. Within those walls, Henry found the encouragement and love needed to turn hopeless into hopeful. Enrolling for summer classes at his community college was the first step toward achieving the dreams he thought were lost to him. There was just one little snag: the professor standing in the front of the room taught Henry the true meaning of human sexuality.

After a crushing breakup, Professor Ezra Meyer moved to the Queen City for a fresh start where everything was new—job, home, and friends. His first challenge: prove the benefits of his biology of human sexuality course outweighed the controversy. Ezra agreed to teach the class during the summer semester at a community college associated with his university to gauge interest. There was just one little problem: Ezra had personally demonstrated the unit on Sexual Technique and Behaviors with one of his students.

Random or Fate?

It was supposed to be a harmless hookup on a night when Henry was celebrating his birthday and Ezra was trying to ease his loneliness. Fast forward six months later, the attraction blazed hotter than ever, but acting on it could have dire consequences neither man was willing to risk. Or were they? Could true love be Henry and Ezra’s ultimate reward, or were they destined to become just another sad lesson learned?

Beautiful Trauma is a story about triumph over tragedy, embracing the unexpected, and a reminder that family is more than biology. Are you looking for a feel-good romance with witty banter, toe-curling passion, and a story that stays with you long after the final page? Look no further. Beautiful Trauma is the third book in the Queen City Rogues series but reads as a standalone book. It contains sexually explicit material and colorful language and is intended for adults 18 and over.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Okay, so I’m coming in late to the series, having not read the other two in the series first, and though I feel like I should’ve known who one or two people were, it didn’t take anything away from the story.

In this one, we have Henry, who was kicked out of his mothers house and erased from her life after finding out that he’s not only gay but HIV positive. Her words did more damage than her actually turning her back on him, but with the help of his best friend Geoff, he’s able to find shelter and place to belong at Ryan’s House, a shelter type place that helps folks like him.

The folks there gave him the acceptance and understanding he so badly needed and helped him put one foot in front of the other and go on. The night of his twenty-first birthday, Geoff takes him out to celebrate his first legal drink in his first gay club, and that’s where he meets Ezra.

Ezra seems a little pompous and stodgy to me in the beginning, I wasn’t sure I liked him. His dialogue was too proper and he seemed old fashioned in the way that made old fashioned seem old fashioned. Does that make sense? Anyway… I wasn’t sure about him at first and he definitely had to grow on me… but grow on me, he did…

After the hottest one night stand of either of their lives, imagine their surprise when a few months later, when Henry starts classes at a community college, and Ezra is his professor.

Now.. I’m not big on forbidden romances such as boss/employee and teacher/student, because the plot line and outcome are always always always the same… they’re forbidden, so they resist at first and then have to be kept a secret whereas one of them, normally the student gets their feelings hurt and then someone/something outs them and their jobs and reputations are threatened and in the end, everything works out and all is well….That’s exactly what happened here.

I’m such a sucker for a wounded bird though and although Henry is much younger and his age really shows in their back and forth with each other… he’s very insecure and feels unworthy, thanks to his mother, so Ezra has to do a lot of reassuring and showing Henry that he loves him. Their back and forth is a bit redundant, but I can see where Henry needs it.

What I loved….is Ezra’s parents and their unwavering support and unconditional love for not only him, but each other and Henry too. I wish everyone had parents like them. I loved Henry’s best friend Geoff and I hope he gets a story as well, as well as his friend/roommate Jess, and everyone at Ryan’s house and Maria’s Pizzaria, who all accepted Henry with open arms and accepted him for the sweet person he is.

Overall, it was a sweet read and I’m curious to see if Geoff is next. Definitely going to go back and read what I missed with the other two.

4 Pieces of Candy

Intoxicating by Onley James: Excerpt and New Release Review

July 22, 2019 by Denise

Lincoln Hudson has just been handed the easiest job in the world. Babysit the spoiled son of a conservative senator, keep him out of trouble, and receive a six-figure paycheck, a paycheck he desperately needs. Wyatt’s father claims he needs Linc’s firm hand and discipline. One look at him and Linc agrees. Wyatt needs discipline.

Being the closeted gay son of a family values senator has left Wyatt Edgeworth with a reckless streak and a love of partying that just cost him eight months of his life and might cost his father his re-election. So now he has a babysitter. A very sexy babysitter.

When Wyatt drunkenly tells Linc he’d make an excellent Daddy, they reach an understanding. Wyatt gets a Daddy and Linc gets a paycheck, then they go their separate ways. For this to work, discretion is key, but with a reporter dogging Wyatt’s every move, that might prove impossible.

Staying together was never an option, but with each passing day, their feelings only grow. Will they risk it all for what’s supposed to be a harmless fling?

Intoxicating is the first book in the Elite Protection Services Series and contains age-gap, Daddy-kink and BDSM elements complete with a HEA and no cliffhangers. Warning: This book contains scenes which may trigger some people including, self-harm, suicide attempt, past and present physical abuse and implied past sexual violence.

Intoxicating

Elite Protection Services Book 1

Onley James

M/M Contemporary/Age-Gap/Daddy Kink/BDSM

Release Date: 07.08.19

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

He had a right to pout, he assured himself. His balls ached and his cock was hard enough to break a window yet some stupid part of him was still desperate to please his Daddy. If Linc wanted to punish him, Wyatt couldn’t stop him, but that didn’t mean he had to be happy about it.

He was the opposite of happy and it was his right to behave accordingly.

He side-stepped Linc, hitting him with the most frigid look he could muster. “Fine, then I’ll just go take a cold shower… Linc.”

Using Linc’s name was petty, but it gave him a small measure of satisfaction as he sauntered past. Linc caught him by the upper arm, his other hand swatting Wyatt’s backside twice. He bit his lip to keep from moaning, even as his cock leaked, betraying him. Linc spun him back around. “If you need to shower, you can shower with me so I can keep an eye on you. I won’t have you getting yourself off all alone in there.”

“I wouldn’t,” Wyatt fumed.

Linc snickered. “Oh, you would. Instead, I think you should get on your knees and blow me.”

Wyatt glowered at him. “Oh, do you?”

Linc smirked. “Mm hmm. Right now.”

Wyatt cocked his head to the side, lips pursed. “No.”

“Are you disobeying me again?” Linc questioned, threading a hand in Wyatt’s hair, forcing his head back.

Why did he like this so much? “I’m already being punished. What does it matter?”

Linc grinned, stepping into Wyatt’s space, pressing kisses into his throat and along his jaw. “Do you think I can’t make it worse? I could bend you over this bed and spank your bottom until its raw, jerk myself off while I tell you all the things I would’ve done to you if you’d just behaved, put your cock in a cage, make sure you don’t come again for a week, maybe more. Is that what you want? Me, using you for only my benefit? That doesn’t sound like much fun for you?”

I am a huge fan of daddy kink so I was so excited when I read the synopsis and let me tell you, Olney James did not disappoint. This one is scorching hot!

Linc’s new assignment is to watch over Wyatt until his father can be re-elected. It’s explained to Linc that Wyatt is a spoiled brat, always seeking attention with horrendous behavior when nothing can be further from the truth. Once Linc gets to know Wyatt he has a hard time keeping his hands off of him and needs to decide if this “fling” can last longer than the election season.

I loved everything about this book; the story, the character… The plot was fast moving but never predictable. The characters were well developed, even the supporting characters had depth. Wyatt’s best friend Charlie was a hoot, she had such a big personality and a ton of charisma. Wyatt’s Dad on the other hand, I have never hated a fictional character more in my life. Ugh…

Onley James takes you on a wild ride of emotion, from shear desperation to love, despair and then all encompassing happiness. I believe this is the start to a really great series.

5 pieces of eye candy

Onley James is the pen name of YA author, Martina McAtee, who lives in Florida with her daughter, her daughter-in-law, and a menagerie of animals, both good and evil. When she’s not writing m/m romance or supernatural LGBT young adult books, she’s running 7 Sisters Publishing and attempting to maintain both her sanity and her full-time job as an RN.

When not at work you can find her mainlining Starbucks refreshers, whining about how much she has to do and avoiding the things she has to do by binge-watching unhealthy amounts of television in one sitting. She loves ghost stories, true crime documentaries, obsessively scrolling social media and writing kinky, snarky books about men who fall in love with other men.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/OnleyJamesWrites

Facebook Reader Group: www.facebook.com/groups/OnleysOubliette

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/onleyjames/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/OnleyJames10

Instagram: www.instagram.com/OnleyJames10

Website: www.onleyjames.com

Kneading You by C.S. Poe: Release Day Review

July 19, 2019 by Denise

Christopher Hughes is new to the small New England town of Lancaster, New Hampshire. He’s been hired to save an old library from closing, but his obstacles include not only fighting for state funding, but a Selectman who wants to tear the building down in favor of a shopping center.

Christopher meets Miles Sakasai, a charming tattooed repairman hired to help restore the historical interior. Working in close proximity has both men falling hard for each other, and also provides Christopher an opportunity to learn about Miles’s passion for baking. As it turns out, Miles’s skills in the kitchen may end up being the key to saving the library—but only if his bread can rise to the occasion.

Previously published by Dreamspinner Press in the Simmer anthology, 2016.

Title: Kneading You
Author: C.S. Poe
Release Date: July 19, 2019
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 40

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Okay, let’s start off with one HUGE truth…if C.S. Poe writes it, I am going to want to read it, and as quickly as possible. If I see that author’s name, it’s like a quick U-turn on whatever I am reading.

This was a short story, but so uplifting and enjoyable. We didn’t learn a ton about the MC’s (it’s very difficult with short stories), but we learned enough to know that neither one of them was doing the jobs they would love to do, but they were living in the place that would give them access to the things they love to do.

These two immediately connected, and dated…a novel concept sometimes in romances. 🙂 Meanwhile, since Miles loves to bake bread, and apparently Christopher loves to eat Miles’ bread, they were a match made in heaven. There wasn’t any real angst, other than a very quick pass through from Miles’ ex- which led to a brief conversation and a move on.

Of course there was an HEA, or really an HFN for the new boyfriends, but overall was cute, fun and sweet. And was I the only person to look at that cover and thing that those circles were from a pottery wheel? lol Just saying…

3.5 pieces of eye candy

***As an aside, if you haven’t read the Snow and Winter series by this author, I HIGHLY recommend it…and if you have…did you know Book 4, The Mystery of the Bones, is up for preorder…grab it here!!!!

Warm Heart by Amy Lane: Exclusive Guest Post and New Release Review

July 19, 2019 by Denise

Survive the adventure. Live to love.

Following a family emergency, snowboarder Tevyn Moore and financier Mallory Armstrong leave Donner Pass in a blizzard… and barely survive the helicopter crash that follows. Stranded with few supplies and no shelter, Tevyn and Mallory—and their injured pilot—are forced to rely on each other.

The mountain leaves no room for evasion, and Tevyn and Mal must confront the feelings that have been brewing between them for the past five years. Mallory has seen Tevyn through injury and victory. Can Tevyn see that Mallory’s love is real?

Mallory’s job is risk assessment. Tevyn’s job is full-on risk. But to stay alive, Mallory needs to take some gambles and Tevyn needs to have faith in someone besides himself. Can the bond they discover on the mountain see them to rescue and beyond?

Title: Warm Heart
Series: Search and Rescue: Book One
Author: Amy Lane
Release Date: July 16, 2019
Category: Dreamspun Desires, Contemporary
Pages: 213

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

So, part of the premise of Warm Heart is our heroes spend an uncomfortable chunk of days stranded in a storm caring for their injured pilot (who gets his own book next January!) And this was both a delight and a challenge as a writer.

Being stuck somewhere with people you care about and no outside distraction can lead to deeper understanding, bonding, true conversation, and moments of real meaning.

It can also lead to batshit boredom.

And our heroes weren’t just stranded together. They couldn’t make the conversation all about themselves. They had to entertain Damien, who was in a lot of pain and trying hard not to be afraid.

They were all trying not to be afraid.

It turns out Mallory is the guy who saves the day in this instance. I mean, they all take turns saving each other, whether it’s from the fire going out, boredom, or being too tired to go on. But in this instance, Mallory, who’s always had a sort of quietly devastating sense of humor, sings showtunes and old camp songs over the fire, and gets his two compatriots to play a guessing game involving mundane things in his personal history. And these silly things turn out to be the morale builders that our little team needs to keep going—and when the conversation got too intense, they gave our two heroes a way out, when they were literally trapped in the same place together in the snow.

Like with so many things, I got the idea from Mate and I.

Over the last thirty years Mate and I have seen a lot of movies. If we’ve really loved a movie together, we’ve probably seen it multiple times. We know these movies backwards and forwards, we’ve looked up their cast, their director, even their producers. We know the lines from the movies, and we know what the actors who uttered those lines went on to do.

So we’ve invented this movie game that is so insanely complicated and so completely dependent on the people playing being us that we only play it when the kids are done talking to us and there’s nothing else to do.

I’ll start: “Come up to the coast, we’ll have a few laughs!”

His reply would be: “Why a spoon, brother?”

I think for a moment: “Oh honey—we all deserve to wear white.”

And he’ll respond with: “I’m not going back to Texas.”

For those of you who wonder what we’re doing, that’s Die Hard to Robin Hood via Alan Rickman, Robin Hood to Bull Durham via Keven Costner, and Bull Durham to Thelma and Louise via Susan Sarandon.

And so on. We can play this game literally for hours, getting as obscure as using a director or a producer as the link to the next film we’re quoting. And the source material spans thirty years—but it’s our thirty years, so that’s okay.

That game is ours. It doesn’t mean anything to anyone else, and every movie line is everything from the times we’ve seen the movie together to why we loved it in the first place.

So when I stranded Mallory and Tevyn and Damien on the mountaintop, I had to give them a game that’s uniquely theirs. I succeeded, I hope, and hopefully the guys’ banter will keep you all entertained. But I did it with that deep conviction that all successful couples have their little games, their conversational gambits, their bantering sallies, that keep them interested in talking to each other.

Because sometimes, that conversation is the thread that keeps us bound together for life.

What a fun, interesting and exciting book. I have to admit I was a little worried that it would get boring with 3 guys stranded in a blizzard- one of them totally incapacitated. But it wasn’t at all. It moved along nicely and didn’t lag.

Tevyn and Mallory have been dancing around their feelings for each other for years. But I think both were kind of waiting for Tevyn to grow up a bit. But then when their helicopter crashes and they become stranded, the begin to acknowledge what they have been feeling.

It was refreshing to read a book where the two MC had to face their feelings head on. They literally couldn’t hide behind sex because they not only had a third person there, but they were outside in the elements during a blizzard.

Instead they talked and learned more and more about each other. Comically, with Tevyn trying to figure out Mallory’s middle name.

The story got serious at times, with the helicopter pilot in desperate need of medical attention and Tevyn’s grandmother on her death bed back home. But the author tried to keep the story light in spite of all of that. So while you got the excitement and seriousness of what was happening, it didn’t drag you down at all.

There is a HEA, don’t you worry. And there is perhaps a hint to the next book? I hope?

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Amy Lane lives in a crumbling crapmansion with a couple of growing children, a passel of furbabies, and a bemused spouse. She’s been finaled in the RITA’S (TM) twice, has won honorable mention for an Indiefab, and has a couple of Rainbow Awards to her name. She also has too damned much yarn, a penchant for action-adventure movies, and a need to know that somewhere in all the pain is a story of Wuv, Twu Wuv, which she continues to believe in to this day! She writes fantasy, urban fantasy, and gay romance–and if you accidentally make eye contact, she’ll bore you to tears with why those three genres go together. She’ll also tell you that sacrifices, large and small, are worth the urge to write.

Treasure Trail by Morgan Brice: Guest Post, Excerpt and New Release Review

July 18, 2019 by Denise

Erik Mitchell traveled the world uncovering art fraud and relic theft, which pitted him against spoiled billionaires, unscrupulous collectors, mobsters and cartels. He worked with law enforcement across the US and Europe, but a sting goes wrong and Erik ends up injured, then returns to find his partner cheating. Erik decides to stop globe trotting and buy an antique shop in scenic Cape May, NJ, rebuild his life, and nurse his broken heart.

Undercover Newark cop Ben Nolan went down in a hail of bullets when a bust went sideways, after a tip-off from a traitor inside the department. After he recovers, he spends a couple of years as a private investigator, only to tire of seeing the worst of human nature. So when his aunt offers him the chance to take over her rental real estate business in Cape May, it seems too good to be true. Now if he could just believe he could ever be lucky again in love.

When a missing antique shows up under mysterious circumstances, Ben and Erik are plunged into danger as a cursed hotel’s long-ago scandals resurface. Someone wants those secrets to stay buried—and is willing to add Ben and Erik to the death toll to keep the past hidden.

BLOG TOUR

Book Title: Treasure Trail

Author: Morgan Brice

Cover Artist: Lou Harper

Genre/s: Urban Fantasy MM paranormal romance

Trope/s: Second chance, friends to lovers, starting over, psychic/medium and a cop, mystery, action/adventure,

Themes: Taking a chance on love, running from your past, trust, friendship, found family

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Add on Goodreads

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Sexy Supernatural Suspense

I love stories with spooky stuff and sexy men. Add in some magic, a few ghosts, and maybe a creature or two, and I’m in my happy place. Oh, and throw in a murder or two just for good measure!

Treasure Trail checks off all my boxes—spooky, sexy, supernatural stuff, along with old scandals and unsolved murders. Throw in two hot guys with dangerous pasts and sparks really fly! Treasure Trail is set in Cape May, New Jersey. Erik Mitchell used to track art fraud and bust up forgery rings, but after a close call, he moves to Cape May to make a fresh start. Ex-cop Ben Nolan is also starting over, and sparks fly when the two men meet. But when old scandals and murders come to light, they’re going to need each other and every bit of luck to get their happy ending!

I’ve always loved ghost stories and murder mysteries, as well as urban fantasy tales where magic and creatures lurk in the shadows. Cape May is said to be one of the most haunted towns on the coast, with ghosts from shipwrecks, pirates, tragedy and lost loves—and some who just didn’t want to leave when their vacation time was up! Erik can see ghosts, but not talk to them. He sometimes also gets visions when he touches objects that have been part of a crime or trauma, letting him see what happened near the item at the time. Ben believes him about the ghosts—almost everyone in Cape May, including Ben, has seen a ghost or two. But when the spirits are linked to unsolved crimes, Ben and Erik need to solve the mystery fast, or risk becoming ghosts themselves!

Treasure Trail is the first in a new series. If you’ve read my Badlands and Witchbane series, you’ll see familiar characters make cameo appearances, since all of my characters and series overlap and cross over, including characters from my non-romance urban fantasy series that I write as Gail Z. Martin. It’s one big spooktacular universe!

“What the hell did you pack in these boxes? Rocks?” Sean Meirlach shifted the heavy moving box on his shoulder. Sean looked and sounded like the Jersey Shore guy he was, brawny and blunt.

“Books,” Ben replied. “You know, those rectangular paper things? Ever read one?” The teasing was good-natured. Ben Nolan had spent most of his summers working for his cousin’s mom, and they were thick as thieves. Which, Ben reflected, was a poor analogy for an ex-cop-turned-former-private-investigator. And now, at least for this summer, a vacation rental manager in beautiful Cape May, New Jersey.

“Yes, dumbass. I’ve read lots of books. And not just the ones with pictures in them,” Sean said with a smirk. Sean played up his bad boy persona, but Ben knew his cousin had plenty of brains, hustle, and street smarts.

“Good to know. I’d hate to have to break it to Aunt Meg that her favorite son was illiterate.”

Sean snorted. “Favorite son? I’m her onlyson, asshole. And she’s already pissed at me because I just want to run my food truck in Wildwood. Which is why you’re doing me a huge solid, taking over the family business.”

“Whoa, there! Hold up. I’m here for the summer. Justthe summer. I said I’d see how it went. No promises.”

“Just the summer? You sure brought a lot of shit with you if it’s just for the summer.” Sean set the box down a little harder than necessary on a table in the upstairs apartment over the rental office, which would be Ben’s home for the next few months. Ben dumped the tangle of odds and ends he had carried up from the rented van and flopped onto the couch. He had put most of his things in storage when he left Newark and brought what he didn’t want to do without, or what the apartment didn’t have. Sean had driven the truck up to Cape May, while Ben drove his black Mustang, packed to the roof.

He owed Sean a lot for helping him move—and, if truth be told, for pushing him as the perfect candidate for the job to Aunt Meg.

“Don’t screw up the master plan, dude!” Sean chided. “You’re sick of the big city and getting shot. And I need a little of that good life, somewhere not quite as buttoned-down.” He reached for a bottle of water and took a swig. “I love this town, but I need to stretch my wings. And the vibe in Wildwood is different. People come for the Pier and the Boardwalk and the rides. More singles, not just families. And they all have to eat!”

Sean’s truck, Put A Ring On It, specialized in kickass onion rings, which went on everything—burgers, hot dogs, chicken wings, even chili. The combination of great food, a catchy name, and Sean’s outgoing personality had made for a very successful launch.

I’ve just been enjoying this author’s books so much. Happened upon one audio by accident, and have been working my way through them here and there. I love a little supernatural, and a little mystery with my romance, and Morgan Brice brings all of that.

In the case of (pun intended) Treasure Trail, we also get some historical including antiques, so this book hit all of my buttons. The mystery portion was a bit convoluted, and lost me a little a few times, but overall, it was exciting, and had current badies-so they weren’t literally chasing ghosts-and some supernatural aspects thrown in.

Ben was a bit tough to win over initially, but Erik was able to get him to understand a bit more of what their world consisted of. Throw in some sexy times and you end up with a fun, sexy thriller, and makes you want to dig around into that universe even more…which I might have done. 😉

4 pieces of eye candy

Morgan Brice is the romance pen name of bestselling author Gail Z. Martin. Morgan writes urban fantasy male/male paranormal romance, with plenty of action, adventure and supernatural thrills to go with the happily ever after. Gail writes epic fantasy and urban fantasy, and together with co-author hubby Larry N. Martin, steampunk and comedic horror, all of which have less romance, more explosions. Characters from her Gail books make frequent appearances in secondary roles in her Morgan books, and vice versa.

On the rare occasions Morgan isn’t writing, she’s either reading, cooking, or spoiling two very pampered dogs.

Other books include Witchbane, Burn, Dark Rivers, and Badlands. Watch for more in these series, plus new series coming soon!

Join my Worlds of Morgan Brice Facebook Group! Get the early scoop on upcoming books and new series, see new covers first, enjoy insider news and special contests and giveaways! Plus it’s where I get my beta readers and launch team!

Author Links

Amazon

Facebook Group

Pinterest (for Morgan and Gail)

Twitter: @MorganBriceBook

Website

BookBub

Check out the other blog posts and reviews here

Cold Pressed by Allison Temple: New Release Review with IG Giveaway

July 17, 2019 by Denise

No strings attached is all Oliver can offer. He’s hiding a broken heart that holds him back from diving into a new relationship, but he’ll go on a blind date to make his family happy. Just one date, though; he doesn’t have time for love to derail his plans.

Divorced and demoted to the night shift, Nick has his own problems. He’s got an ex-wife who needs him and a kid with one foot in juvie. The last thing Nick needs is to butt heads—or other body parts—with a tempting hipster who wears a sad smile on their blind date.

Their chemistry can’t be denied, though, in an argument or in bed. No strings sex is uncomplicated and that’s what Nick and Oliver need. But getting into bed together is one thing. Staying out of each other’s hearts soon becomes so much more complicated than either one imagined.

Cold Pressed is an 80k contemporary MM romance. It features a smoldering bisexual single dad, a broken-hearted hipster with a thing for beet juice, and a friends-with-benefits arrangement that blooms into the HEA you’ve been looking for.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

First things first… I was skeptical coming into this one because I was not a fan of the first one in the series. I’d luckily forgotten most of it or I might’ve passed this one up. I’m so glad I didn’t!

In this one, we have Seb’s brother Oliver, remember him? It’s okay if you don’t, I didn’t in the beginning… he’s moved to Seacroft after his long-time partner left him high and dry after talking him into quitting his job to open a juice cleanse bar… it’s a lifestyle, really, but, it was hard to get it started, especially because it wasn’t really Oliver’s dream, but Coopers (the ex, he’ll have very little page time and really just cuz he pops up sporadically, he’s not too important, thankfully)….

Nick works dispatch at the firehouse across from the farmers market where Oliver is set up and their first meeting wasn’t a good impression on either of them. Nick has a lot of baggage, an ex-wife, a troubled teenager and a job that he was watching from a desk due to an injury on the job… when Oliver gets his car towed after a long night shift, he’ll admit that he wasn’t so friendly when they first met…. Or the second time they met when his buddy/coworker Brian sets him up on a blind date with the gorgeous jerk who got his car towed!

Thankfully, after the initial shock wore off, the two guys were able to have some wine and get to know each other. They were about as opposites as two people could be, but you know what they say about opposites and all that… while they didn’t see a future beyond maybe messing around, neither had the time to devote anything more than that anyway, what with Oliver trying to get his failing business up and running and Nick trying to keep his sully teenager out of juvie without letting Oliver in on the more personal problems in his life… they’d agreed to that, not getting personal, but it was hard for them to stay away from each other… I kinda loved that too.

Now, Nick’s son… I saw that coming… maybe not the how… but the why…. I would’ve liked to have throttled him about a half dozen times. As a mother of a 14 and 15 year old (though, 16 in August)…. He was so disrespectful and hateful and I just wanted to beat the attitude out of him. Some of the things he said to Nick was unforgivable… child or not, he knew the shots he was firing when he ran his mouth, and did he even apologize, ever? I don’t remember it if he did. Just like Oliver and Seb’s dad in the last one, Nick’s son, Hayden was a big pain in the butt for me. I’m glad he got his stuff worked out, but he never redeemed himself for me…. I’m also glad their dad wasn’t in this book like he was in Seb’s, because I would’ve stopped reading immediately, if he was.

I’m curious to see about Avery though… the ginger twink, as Seb called him. I kinda hope he’s next! I hope he does something about the town meeting people too, they never got the karmic kick back they deserved either… Jerks!

Overall though, watching these two fall for each other and then lean on each other when they both needed each other was sweet. I kind of fell in love with Oliver myself. He was so patient and understanding and …. Did I mention patient? He’d have had to have been with Hayden.

It was a really sweet story and one very much worth the read.

4 pieces of eye candy

Whether I knew it then or not, I’ve been a writer since the second grade, when I wrote a short story about a girl and her horse. My grandmother typed it out for me and said she’d never seen so many quotation marks from a seven-year-old before. I took that as a challenge and have tried to break that record in all the stories I’ve taken on since then. It’s good to have goals, right?

I live in Toronto with my very patient husband and the world’s neediest cat. I try to split my time between writing, community theater stage management, and traveling anywhere that has good wine. Tragically, this leaves no time to clean the house.

Author links:

The A-List (Facebook Reader Group)

Giveaway details: Enter the giveaway on Instagram by following @allisontemplebooks & comment on any tour host photo using #ColdPressedTour. There will be one winner of a paperback copy of either Top Shelf or Cold Pressed. Open Internationally.