Book Reviews

Gideon (Finding Home Book 3) by Lily Morton: Release Day Review * 2

May 13, 2019 by Denise

Gideon Ramsay is so far in the closet he should be a talking faun.

A talented, mercurial, and often selfish man, Gideon has everything he should want in life. Fame, money, acting awards – he has it all. Everything but honesty. At the advice of his agent, Gideon has concealed his sexuality for years. But it’s starting to get harder to hide, and his increasingly wild behaviour is threatening to destroy his career.

Then he’s laid low by a serious illness and into his life comes Eli Jones. Eli is everything that Gideon can’t understand. He’s sunny tempered, friendly, and optimistic. Even worse, he’s unaffected by grumpiness and sarcasm, which forms ninety percent of Gideon’s body weight. And now Gideon is trapped with him without any recourse to the drugs and alcohol that have previously eased his way through awkward situations.

However, as Gideon gets to know the other man, he finds himself wildly attracted to his lazy smiles and warm, scruffy charm that seem to fill a hole inside Gideon that’s been empty for a long time. Will he give in to this incomprehensible attraction when it could mean the end of everything that he’s worked for?

From the bestselling author of the Mixed Messages series comes a story about a man who needs to realise that being true to yourself is really just a form of finding home.

This is the third book in the Finding Home series but it can be read as a standalone.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

These books are just so fun. All of her books are. This one wraps up this series, with the final friend/brother getting his happily ever after.

Gideon is Milo’s brother. He is also an asshole. An actor since he was 17, he is used to demanding and getting his way, treating people like crap and never forming relationships. Part of that issue is that he is gay and his manager hasn’t let him come out in the over 20 years he has been in the public eye.

And then he meets his match with the nurse hired to help him as he takes a cruise ship back home after being in the hospital with pneumonia.

Eli and Gideon together are amazing. At first Eli is kind of hesitant of Gideon because of his razor sharp tongue. Until he started giving it right back. I adore banter like that in a book. But they also didn’t rely on JUST that witty banter. Being stuck on a cruise ship for seniors, they really got to know each other and honestly became friends.

But it isn’t just his relationship with Eli that grows- but also with his brother Milo and his childhood best friends, Silas and Niall. Watching Gideon realize that people really do love him no matter how acerbic he is is just so awwww…

Gideon went from being a man child to a man confident in himself and the relationships he has with people. But he never loses that wicked tongue.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

Ahhh, Gideon…

The one that was hardest to love. I can say that I hadn’t liked him at all. Selfish, self-absorbed, self-important, self-indulgent, all the selves… He was entitled and bratty and didn’t really care what he did or who he hurt, as long as it benefited him. He was disgusting and I really didn’t think I’d care to read about him.

But, I haven’t read a Lily Morton story and not loved it, so I wanted to give him a chance. Especially because I could see that he was somewhat remorseful when it came to Niall and Milo. So… I dove in. I was NOT disappointed.

As you should know by now, that Gideon is one of movies biggest actors. Like so many of them, with unlimited money and power that brings, he was spiraling down a dangerous road, not taking care of himself. Drugs, alcohol, random guys… as long as they stayed quiet about his sexuality, he didn’t care about much else but himself. So, when a night of too much of all of that, topped with a nice bout of pneumonia, he nearly dies and ends up in the hospital.

Milo isn’t having it, and takes charge of his wellbeing, especially since Gideon nor his manager seem all that concerned. And let me take a second to warn you about this manager, Frankie. You will hate him. It made me sick to my stomach to think that anyone would let ANYONE treat him the way that Frankie treated him. Gideon was so stuck up to so many people, but Gideon, he let use him, talk down to him, treats him like absolute garbage, and for what?? I didn’t understand. I literally stopped reading so many times, because I hated this Frankie business and the way it was played out. He was outwardly homophobic, outwardly abusive towards Gideon, and nobody did anything about it??? WHY???

So, with a collapsed lung, Gideon can’t fly, so Frankie hires who he thinks is a female nurse to take care of Gideon, but he turns out to be a male nurse. A gay, good-looking male nurse, and since he can’t fly back home, Milo sends them on an oldies cruise to get him back to his place. Days with Gideon and his nurse Eli…. What could go wrong?…. or what could go right?

Eli is a nurse to the stars, mainly old folks, or addicts like Gideon, but he’s often jetting around with them, taking care of them for months until their better and then he’s off to the next location and celebrity. He’s never had a problem not falling for his clients, but the surly, bratty Gideon is different. They challenge each other and it’s fun for Eli to rile Gideon up… and Gideon finds himself someone that doesn’t cater to him and become his Yes Man. He cares about his wellbeing and doesn’t let him get away with things. It’s quite entertaining. Their banter is cute.

When their time is up, they’ve both realized that they’ve got something together, though other than a few kisses, they don’t act on, because Eli is worried about Gideon’s health and wellbeing, and it wouldn’t be right as he was just his employer.

So, they take the time they need to figure things out while keeping in touch, and I liked that Eli wanted Gideon to make sure that he was sure he wanted something with him and it wasn’t out of gratitude or some sort of obligation.

I fell in love with Gideon when he fell in love with Eli. I loved that he let his walls break down and let Eli take care of him in all the ways he was used to taking care of everyone else. I loved the way he worked things out with Milo and Niall, and I loved that he finally booted the hateful manager, though I’d have treated him much worse for all the things he put him through over the years.

Overall though, I just love this series, (and the mention of Asa, from Deal Breaker)…. I loved seeing Oz and Silas, and Milo and Niall… it was such a sweet story and I felt that Gideon turned such a big corner that it was so satisfying to see him by the end.

Loved it!

4 pieces of eye candy from me!

Mud & Lace by Jay Northcote: New Release Review

May 5, 2019 by Denise

When Wicksy falls for drag queen Charlie, they discover that both sexuality and gender can be fluid.

Simon Wicks—Wicksy to his rugby teammates—has only ever been interested in women. But when he sets eyes on Lady Gogo, a drag queen who performs at Rainbow Place, he can’t stop thinking about her. He knows there’s a guy behind the fishnets and make-up, but he’s ready to explore his fantasies, and Lady Gogo is game for making them come true.

Charlie adores performing in drag. It allows him to indulge in his love of cross-dressing while earning some extra cash. Fooling around with a mostly straight guy in secret seems like a fun diversion, and gives him the chance to explore his feminine side. He feels safe wearing the mask of his confident alter ego, because the real Charlie is hidden from view.

When Wicksy sees more of the guy behind the make-up and glitter, his attraction to Charlie persists, and he realises he’s bisexual. In turn, Charlie begins to understand and accept his gender fluidity. As their mutual journey of self-discovery brings them closer, the secrecy becomes increasingly hard to deal with. If they’re going to have a future together, they both need to find the courage to show people who they really are.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

I was so hoping for Lady Gogo’s story, so I was excited to jump into this one!

Sometimes I forget that these guys are young adult, and I only say that because it was more noticeable in this one. Simon Wicksy is one of the hot rugby guys that hang out at the Rainbow Palace. Allies of the LGBTQ+ community that hang out there. He seemed a bit jockish and brutey in the beginning, I flat out didn’t like him at all. Like straight boys that want to hide in the closet but reap the benefits of foolin around with the pretty boys, I didn’t like how the arrangement between him and Charlie/Ms. Gogo went. Fine to be with him in private but as long as nobody found out. It went on that way for a whiiiiile, and I can’t imagine Charlie being okay with it, except Charlie had some secrets of his own.

We meet Charlie as Lady Gogo, drag performer of RP, and she was sassy and confident and amazing, but apart from her mother knowing that she does it, no one else who knows Charlie, did. Not quite confident in dressing as a girl other times, but loving it, had her questioning her gender fluidity.

Now, here’s what I loved about this story…. Talking about the confusion and acceptance of gender identity. Charlie was trying to come to terms about what he liked and who he was, and what body he felt most comfortable in, and to him…. It wasn’t so cut and dry. He liked both. Some days he felt like Charlie, the boy, and some days he felt more femme, and I loved that. I loved that he had such a supportive parent who didn’t care either way, as long as he was happy…. I like the realistic way it was handled with her, and seeing the struggle with him, because seeing him figure himself out was beautiful. Bravo on that.

Wicksy, though I felt like was selfish in the beginning, was also fighting his own battle, because how would one feel if living their whole life one way, and then at 24 decide they were attracted to a different gender? It would be a bit to get used to, and while I didn’t like the way he used Charlie to figure it out… he sort of made up for it by the end. I was also happy that his family was supportive, though neither men had dads to worry about, and I wondered about that. It doesn’t get addressed though other than Wicksy’s parents being divorced. I only mention that because I remember the psycho dad in previous books and he was the biggest problem. Thankfully he doesn’t make an appearance in this one.

So, I liked that this story tackled such sensitive issues such as gender identity and all the facets of it’s fluidity, and sexual identities, which let me tell you, there are so many, as you will see in this book, and I love that each one is touched on and celebrated.

Overall, it was clumsy and new, it was cute and I enjoyed it. An awesome addition, and I can’t wait for more.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

Covet Thy Neighbor (Tucker Springs Book 4) by LA Witt: Release Day Review

May 3, 2019 by Denise

Welcome to Tucker Springs, Colorado, where sparks fly when opposites attract—but are some obstacles too great to overcome?

When tattoo artist Seth Wheeler meets his new neighbor, it’s like a revelation. Darren Romero is everything Seth wants in a man: hot, clever, single, and interested. For a minute he seems perfect. Then Darren drops the bomb: he moved to Tucker Springs to be a pastor at the New Light Church.

As a gay man whose parents threw him out, Seth has a strict policy of keeping believers at arm’s length for self-preservation. But Darren’s perseverance and the chemistry bubbling between them steadily wear down his defenses.

In a small town like Tucker Springs, Seth can’t avoid Darren—or how much he wants him. Which means he needs to decide what’s more important: protecting himself, or his feelings for his neighbor.

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Another book I’ve read before but forgot. And it is a re-edited rerelease, so even if I did remember, some things changed.

I’m a little leary of books that have religion in them. That is my own personal prejudice. But because of that, I really felt for Seth, an atheist with a pretty deep hatred for organized religion. So of course his new across the hall neighbor is a super hot, gay, minister.

I have to say that the back and forth with the 2 guys was very respectful of each other’s views. And really, that was kind of the point of the whole thing. That they don’t have to agree to then still have a relationship. I still say a hardcore atheist and a minister is an odd combo that I don’t see lasting, but hey. This is fiction.

This was one of those quick “beach reads” as I call them. Nothing too deep or angsty. Not a ton of plot, a lot of hot sex and at least a happy for now ending.

3.5 Pieces of Eye Candy

Montana Sky by RJ Scott: Blog Tour, Release Day Review and Giveaway

May 1, 2019 by Denise

When they spend time alone on a Montana mountainside will Tyler ever convince Martin that like sapphires, love is worth searching for?

Martin’s name was the very last on a kill list. The son of a murderer, he’s had no childhood; lost in a horrific holding pattern of death that turned his heart to stone. Thanks to the man who called him brave and spared his life, he no longer has to look over his shoulder, but he does have one question. Why did Justin let him live?

Tyler Colby has identified a major flaw in the seismic mapping system used to monitor earthquake activity. Sent to Crooked Tree by his employer, the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, he is tasked with adding a new remote station to the network. The installation should be his entire focus, but the lure of sapphires and his attraction to a heartbroken young man called Martin is enough to make him want more.

Length: 43,000 words approx.

Cover Design: Meredith Russell

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Book #5 – Second Chance Ranch – Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

I was SOOO pumped when I heard about this one. I honestly thought this series was over after the last one..

In this one, we have Martin, who was previously known as Jamie Crane, the son of the terrorist/torturer of Justin and Adam. My heart broke for him in the little glimpses we got from him in previous books, especially Justin and Adam’s, and although I could probably guess the kind of person his father was, it didn’t hold a candle to the life that Martin had suffered at the hand of his father and his goons.

So, now that his father was dead and Martin was no longer having to hide from him, he wanted to go to Crooked Tree to ask Justin why he’d let him live. Now, if you haven’t read the others in this series, you should stop what you’re doing and go read them!! I was so insanely obsessed with Justin and Sam, but really all of their stories are amazing!

At the Crooked Tree, Justin wants to tell Martin the answer to his question, but he wants to talk to Adam first, who is away on his honeymoon…so he talks Martin into staying and helping out around the ranch. So, when seismology expert, Tyler, comes to do some research, the group, aka, Justin, sends him to work with the guy. Mostly to keep him around, I’d wager. Justin knew that Martin needed the closure, and Adam really did too. So, Martin stayed and helped, not really having a plan anyway, as to where he was going to end up or what he was going to end up doing.

I’ll admit that the earthquake stuff was interesting to learn about, but it was too much like homework for me to get sucked into it. I did skim a little bit, but I could imagine the way that Tyler had become so animated and passionate about what he was talking about. It wasn’t just a job, it was his life and it was neat to learn.

While the guys are off the range together, even though Martin is broody and hard to get to know… Tyler loved learning what he could about the man, and eventually, he’d gone and fell in love with him.

When you see Martin’s baggage and his internal turmoil, it’s easy to see why he refused so much almost the entire book, but, it somehow felt very realistic and relatable.

It made his final acceptance and letting his guard down that much more enjoyable. I just loved this story and I’m so glad to report that Martin got his HEA, even if it did take a long time to get there. I knew that he wasn’t going to be easy, but he was 100% worth it.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

USA Today bestselling author RJ Scott writes stories with a heart of romance, a troubled road to reach happiness, and most importantly, a happily ever after.

RJ Scott is the author of over one hundred romance books, writing emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, millionaire, princes, and the men who get mixed up in their lives. RJ is known for writing books that always end with a happy ever after. She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isn’t with family either reading or writing.

The last time she had a week’s break from writing she didn’t like it one little bit, and she has yet to meet a bottle of wine she couldn’t defeat.

She’s always thrilled to hear from readers, bloggers and other writers. Please contact via the links below:

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Murder Most Lovely by Hank Edwards and Deanna Wadsworth: Exclusive Guest Post & Excerpt Release Day Review and Giveaway

April 30, 2019 by Denise

I’m so excited today! I’ve been waiting for this post for a while. Hank Edwards and Deanna Wadsworth are here to give everyone a little taste of Murder Most Lovely, their new release with Dreamspinner Press. I’m a cat person…like seriously a cat person (I have 5) and so having Mr. Pickles Furryton the Third hosted on here was even more of a pleasure. He’s a sassy little (well, not little, he’s fat) cat who gets himself catnapped by some dangerous peeps. But all in all I couldn’t have enjoyed this stop more, so check out the excerpt, the giveaway, and my gushing review. 🙂

A killer at a small-town literary festival. Bumbling drug dealers. A kidnapped cat. Starting a romance among all this chaos might be the death of them.

Michael Fleishman is excited to meet his favorite mystery writer, Russell Withingham, at Lacetown’s Literary Fest. He is not expecting to cross paths with sexy hairdresser Jasper “Jazz” Dilworth—or become embroiled in a real-life mystery. As Lacetown’s only mortician and the county coroner, Michael is called to his first murder scene and is shocked to recognize the victim—Russell’s young lover.

Jazz only wanted to confront his ex, Russell, over his cheating. Instead, he meets the adorably awkward Michael and becomes a murder suspect. Soon Jazz is teaming up with Michael to clear his name. Along the way, they are helped and hindered by Michael’s sassy assistant, Kitty, the grumpy Sheriff Musgrave, Russell’s creepy PR rep, Norbert, and Michael’s lothario grandfather, who likes his manhattans strong and his women saucy. And of course, Mr. Pickles Furryton the Third….

Title: Murder Most Lovely
Series: Lacetown Murder Mysteries: Case One
Authors: Hank Edwards and Deanna Wadsworth
Release Date: April 30, 2019
Category: Mystery, Suspense
Pages: 239

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Meet Mr. Pickles Furryton III

If you haven’t heard yet, Hank Edwards and Deanna Wadsworth wrote a book together. It’s a laugh out loud romantic mystery set in a fictional Lake Michigan town named Lacetown.

A killer at a small-town literary festival. Bumbling drug dealers. A kidnapped cat. Starting a romance among all this chaos might be the death of them.

The MCs are sharp witted and sarcastic Jasper “Jazz” Dilworth and the outwardly shy but dirty-minded mortician Michael Fleishman. But the real scene stealer of Murder Most Lovely—Lacetown Mysteries Case One is Mr. Pickles Furryton III, Michael’s fat black-and-white kitty.

Michael carries Mr. Pickles back and forth between his house and the funeral home. Mr. Pickles has the run of the funeral home (not the basement, however, where the embalming takes place), and sometimes acts as a therapy cat for people who are grieving.

Mr. Pickles had a lot of personality, and he plays a large part in the story. At one point, the poor kitty is cat-napped and held for ransom, a twist that leaves Michael in deep anguish.

But don’t worry! No cats were harmed in the making of Murder Most Lovely!

Enjoy a special excerpt for TCO readers where Jazz meet’s Mr. Pickles for the first time when he picks Michael up for their first date. Michael is unfortunately still working on the autopsy of the gruesome murder victim discovered in Lacetown, so Jazz goes next door to the funeral parlor where Michael works to wait for him, hoping Michael hasn’t forgotten about their date.

EXCERPT:

“You can wait in this display room,” the buxom blonde told Jazz. She’d said her name was Kitty.

When Michael had texted seven was still a good time, Jazz hadn’t expected Michael to still be working next door at the funeral parlor. But he supposed the death business didn’t run on a schedule. He could understand that.

Being a hairdresser, Jazz might be scheduled to work until five but end up being at the salon until seven. Russell had always acted like Jazz was lying, probably cheating because of his unpredictable hours.

Pot calling the kettle black.

“He’s just finishing up,” Kitty went on. “You don’t mind sitting in here, do you? The offices are private.”

Jazz looked around the large room. Where some funeral homes went overboard with floral wallpapers, antique furniture in the vein of “look but don’t touch,” and watercolor landscapes, Jazz was happy to see that was not the case at Fleishman Funeral Home. Soft pastel wallpaper, tasteful comfortable furniture, and a few plants made the room feel welcoming. “It’s just a room.”

“Where the deceased are displayed,” she countered, gesturing to the front of the room where heavy drapes and two pedestals framed a space for caskets. “Makes some people uncomfortable and—” Her words were cut off by a meow.

They both looked down when a fat black-and-white cat joined them and began caressing itself on her leg.

“This is Mr. Pickles Furryton the Third,” she said. “I suppose he can keep you company while you wait. That should make it less creepy.”

Jazz tried not to frown. It was almost like she was trying to weird him out. Maybe it was a test of some sort. To see if Jazz was worthy of Michael.

If that was the case, Jazz was going to like this lady. Anyone that protective of her friends was a good person.

“Mr. Pickles Furryton the Third,” Jazz said, smiling at the cat. He knelt and held out a hand, knowing better than to pet a cat without its express permission.

“Yes, he’s Mr. Fleishman’s cat. Comes to work with him every day,” Kitty explained.

Oh my God, Michael just got more adorable every second.

A grown man who named his cat Mr. Pickles Furryton the Third was a man after Jazz’s own heart.

“I’ll leave you two to get acquainted,” she told him. “I’m headed out for the evening. Enjoy your important meeting with Mr. Fleishman.” With a flirtatious wink that surely made all the straight boys drool, Kitty sauntered off.

And yes, those curvy hips definitely knew how to saunter.

Once alone with the cat, Jazz sat down. Mr. Pickles jumped lightly to the padded arm of the chair and paraded back and forth as Jazz stroked his soft fur. He must have been doing things correctly, because Mr. Pickles was purring like a small lawn mower. But just as that thought entered Jazz’s head, Mr. Pickles tensed, looked around, then leaped from the chair and took off.

Jazz chuckled as his fluffy white tail disappeared around the corner.

Typical cat.

Looking around the room, Jazz put his hands on his knees. There was an accordian style floor to ceiling divider tucked behind a brocade curtain, doubtless used to shrink the big room for small services, which struck Jazz as sad. Or was it sadder to leave behind so many mourners that a funeral was standing room only? As he pondered that, he wondered how long Michael would be and hoped he wasn’t so engrossed in his work that he forgot about their date.

Voices in the hallway outside the display room door caught his attention.

“…very disturbing indeed.”

That was Michael’s voice.

Jazz stood up and moved toward the main hallway, not wanting to interrupt Michael with a client or appear to be lurking. The plush carpet absorbed the sound of his footsteps.

“Who in their right mind shoves rubbers full of heroin up their poop chute?”

Flinching, Jazz was startled to hear Sheriff Musgrave .

“That, I’m afraid, is a question for you,” Michael said, his voice closer now. “I simply provide you with the evidence.”

A split-second before Jazz was about to announce his presence, Michael walked past the open doors and glanced in, doing a double take.

“Jazz!” Michael cried. “What are you doing here?”

Okay, I loved this book, so let’s just start with that. Lately, I have been enjoying more mystery/suspense books, and when I saw this, I knew it was right up my alley…then they went and added a sassy cat, and there was no way I wasn’t reading this! Mr. Pickles Furryton the Third just made me happy, made me giggle, and made some bad people mad…all the things to love about a cat! Meanwhile, I loved the MC’s, too!

Michael, a shy, somewhat insecure, but very DIRTY, mortician/county coroner was fantastic. He had the most inappropriate thoughts at the most inappropriate times, and really…who doesn’t? This time we just got to read them. 🙂 But he was also sweet, and adored Jazz from minute one, despite Jazz having a little paunch, being (cough cough) slightly older, and at first glance, very different. He loved his cat very much, and wasn’t afraid to show tears when he couldn’t find him. And even was sweet to his grandpa.

Jazz, meanwhile, had a few hang-ups going in, but never lost sight of wanting Michael. He was definitely the more outgoing of the two (being a hairdresser in town) but always made sure that Michael wasn’t excluded. He took care of Michael when he needed the extra comfort, and made sure Michael knew that he was a priority.

The story itself…the authors created a mystery here that surprised me. (The one where the murderer is caught was VERY surprising…in several ways!). It wasn’t an easy who-dun-it, and that’s always fun. But honestly, even if I had known who the murderer was…I would still have read through. It was funny, engaging, had side characters that were just as enjoyable as the MC’s, and brought some serious heat in, as well. On top of all that, one thing that you rarely see in romance novels is multiple POV’s, behind the MC’s, but we got to see multiple POV’s, which created even more richness to the story, and the mystery. It isn’t confusing at all, because those POV’s come at an appropriate time in the book.

Just a fun, wonderful story, that I would read again…or even better…I want more!!! Give me 5 more of these books!!!! PLEASE!!!!!

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Deanna Wadsworth might be a bestselling erotica author, but she leads a pretty vanilla life in Ohio with her wonderful husband and adorable cocker spaniels. She has been penning stories since childhood, and her first erotic novella was published in 2010 and served multiple as President of the Rainbow Romance Writers in 2017. When she isn’t writing books or brainstorming with friends, you can find her making people gorgeous in a beauty salon. An avid reader, she also loves gardening, cooking, music, and dancing. Often she can be seen hanging out on the sandbar in the muddy Maumee River or chilling with her hubby and a cocktail in their basement bar. In between all that fun, Deanna cherishes the quiet times when she can let her wildly active imagination have the full run of her mind. Her fascination with people and the interworkings of their relationships have always inspired her to write romance with spice and love without boundaries.

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Hank Edwards has been writing gay fiction for more than twenty years. He has published over thirty novels and dozens of short stories. His writing crosses many sub-genres, including romance, rom-com, contemporary, paranormal, suspense, mystery, and wacky comedy. He has written a number of series such as the suspenseful Up to Trouble, funny and spooky Critter Catchers, Old West historical horror of Venom Valley, and erotic and funny Fluffers, Inc. No matter what genre he writes, Hank likes to keep things steamy and heartfelt. He was born and still lives in a northwest suburb of the Motor City, Detroit, Michigan, where he shares a home with his partner of over 20 years and their two cats.

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Made For You by Anyta Sunday: RDB, Excerpt and Release Day Review

April 30, 2019 by Denise

Ben wants to find a new home.

Twenty-four-year-old Ben McCormick is the primary caregiver for his brother Milo after their parents’ death. A year into the job, he’s totally got the hang of it. Mostly. Sort of. Not at all?

Defeated and thoroughly chastised for his lack in parenting skills at teacher-parent night, Ben slumps away with the resolve to finally get his life sorted: be a better role model, and sell their parents’ house for a fresh start.

But first, he needs to spruce up his house to hit the market. He’s no DIY king, but Milo’s hot-as-hell woodwork teacher is…

Jack wants an old home to fix.

Thirty-nine-year-old Jack Pecker is waiting for the home of his dreams to come on the market in the summer. What better way to wait the interim months than working on a small renovation gig?

Only trouble is, the gig is for the McCormick brothers. And working in close quarters to red-haired Ben McCormick won’t be easy. Not with the attraction that simmers between them. Attraction Ben makes no effort to hide.

But Jack’s professional. Dating a parent is highly discouraged at Kresley Intermediate, and he’d never cross the lines…

Ben and Jack. Two guys searching for a home – a home that might just be where their hearts lead them.

~ – ~ – ~

Set in New Zealand, Made For You (Love & Family #2) is an MM gay romance featuring two guys at very different places in their lives – but both finding out they are looking for the same thing.

Can be read as a standalone.

Made For You by Anyta Sunday

Series: Love & Family #2

Publisher: Anyta Sunday (self-published)

Release Date (Print & Ebook): May 1^st 2019

Subgenre: Contemporary gay romance, friends-to-lovers, age gap (May-December)

Tropes: friends-to-lovers, slow burn, age gap, found family

Genre: New Adult, light-hearted contemporary gay romance

Amazon

When I return, Milo has turned around, finally facing Ben. “I don’t want you to sell the house.”

“Look, it won’t happen immediately. But it will happen.”

“It’s not fair.”

“Not got the memo yet, bucko? Life isn’t fair.”

They stare at each other. I don’t want to break their moment, but a twig snaps underfoot.

Milo spots me and his body jerks with surprise. “Mr. Woodpecker?”

I cut Ben a look, and he pauses to smirk before turning his chin toward Milo. I think he might tell him to cut that shit out.

“Mr. Woodpecker holds your Fanta ransom.”

Or not.

I’m close to putting an end to this stand-off and barking orders. If Milo were my kid, I’d have his ass in bed by now, no media for a fortnight.

Not my kid. Not my kid.

Ben reads my face and his expression shutters. “Fuck. We’re pissing off your teacher. How much will it take to get you down?”

He pulls a wallet from his back pocket.

“Fifty,” Milo hollers.

“Five.”

“Forty.”

This is not actually happening. Ben’s parenting is unorthodox at best.

“Ten.”

“Thirty-five, and not a dollar less.”

“Fifteen, and you shower before bed.”

Milo leans over the edge and reins in his shout. “Do I have to do my hair?”

Ben looks like he’s about to give into a frustrated laugh. The poor guy is damp and muddy and miserable, and Milo needs to quit it.

I catch Milo’s gaze and hold it. It might not be my place, but I have to do something for Ben. My voice is steady and commanding. “Get your butt down here, boy. Or I’ll have you cleaning the class bins all week.”

“Fine. Fifteen bucks. I’ll do my hair.” He lowers a ladder and I brace the shitty thing as he climbs down.

Ben crowds close behind me, a block of warmth at my back. He lets out a breathy ‘thank fuck’ at my nape that feels a lot like brushing up against an electric line that definitely shouldn’t be crossed.

I adored this story!

I was hoping it would be Jack, as I felt so bad for him in book one, after being introduced as Luke’s ex. I always want the good guys to get their happily ever after.
In this one, we have Jack who is a teacher at a prep-school teaching Milo, who’d lost his parents a year before and has been struggling, both with school and his home life with his brother, Ben.

Ben is doing the best he can, but it seems like everyone is always there, every time he turns around to tell him what an awful job he’s doing with his eleven-year-old brother. In my opinion, everyone in that school was snobby aside from Jack. I mean, the teacher that also had Ben in her class many moons ago, and the principal that was all but blackmailing Jack to keep him in line. I hated that. I was glad that Ben eventually put the teacher in her place… but I would’ve liked for that principal to be called out on her unprofessional and borderline illegal blackmailing BS she was on. She ruined some of the good of the story for me. I can’t lie.

Of course, having a relationship with a student’s parent, or big brother in this instance, is frowned upon, it’s in no way breaking any rules… I understood why Jack hesitated, but it was impossible to not fall for the two boys who needed him so much.

I loved the relationship Jack had with both, Ben and little brother Milo. He was incredibly sweet and patient, and let me tell you…. You need patience with both of them.

He helped Ben grieve for their parents, and assured him that he was doing right by Milo, as well as offering help when he could. And Milo just needed someone to listen. Someone to let him grieve too, and someone to tell him all the ways that his big brother was the best. That part had me wailing like a baby…
Milo was a little bit bratty, as was Jeremy in the last story… but anyone with kids, especially pre-teens, know that hey… sometimes you gotta bribe a kid to wash their hair, or eat their dinner. It doesn’t mean you failed, it means you’re picking and choosing your battles. Hats off to the young Ben…

Overall though, it was a sweet story and one I enjoyed very much.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

A bit about me: I’m a big, BIG fan of slow-burn romances. I love to read and write stories with characters who slowly fall in love.

Some of my favorite tropes to read and write are: Enemies to Lovers, Friends to Lovers, Clueless Guys, Bisexual, Pansexual, Demisexual, Oblivious MCs, Everyone (Else) Can See It, Slow Burn, Love Has No Boundaries.

I write a variety of stories, Contemporary MM Romances with a good dollop of angst, Contemporary lighthearted MM Romances, and even a splash of fantasy.

My books have been translated into German, Italian, French, Spanish, and Thai.

Connect with Anyta:

Author website: http://www.anytasunday.com/

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