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Book Reviews

Havoc by Kindle Alexander: Exclusive Excerpt, Blog Tour and Giveaway

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Keyes Dixon’s life is challenging enough as a full patch member of the Disciples of Havoc Motorcycle Club but being a gay biker leaves him traveling down one tough road. With an abusive past and his vow to the club cementing his future, he doesn’t believe in love and steers clear of commitment. But a midnight ride leads to a chance meeting with a sexy pretty-boy in a wicked hot sports car that has him going down quicker than a Harley on ice.

Cocky Assistant District Attorney Alec Pierce lives in the shadow of his politically connected family. A life of privilege doesn’t equal a life of love, a fact made obvious at every family gathering. Driven yet lonely, Alec yields to his family’s demands for his career path, hoping for the acceptance he craves. Until he meets a gorgeous biker who tips the scales in the favor of truth…and he can no longer live a lie.

Can two men from completely different worlds…and sides of the law…find common ground, or will all their desires only wreak Havoc?

Title: Havoc

Series: Tattoos & Ties #1

Author: Kindle Alexander

Genre: M/M MC Romance

Release Date: November 27, 2018

Goodreads

Cover Art: Reese Dante

 

Amazon US

Amazon CA

Amazon UK 

Amazon AU

 

He rifled through his sweat pants until he found a pair of elastic-waist capris then changed his mind and reached for his athletic shorts. He didn’t see Key as a capris-wearing guy.

“I admittedly haven’t washed too many clothes in my life,” he said, tossing the shorts to Key who had waited at the sink counter for him, lounging back against the granite. Alec opted for the capris and stepped into those. “But I’ve seen it done a million times on the Big Bang Theory.” When Alec said it out loud, the logic seemed faulty, but he wouldn’t be dissuaded.

Key trailed behind him. They had to sidestep the disruption they’d made in the living room as Alec weaved through the house, back to the kitchen entrance, picking up Key’s hastily discarded clothing along the way. He felt happier and more at ease than he had in a long time, and strangely enough, it wasn’t because of the sex he’d just had. With Key’s jeans in hand, Alec pulled the contents of the pockets free. He handed a trailing Key two pocket knives, one bigger than the other, a wallet, cell phone, loose coins, and some sort of tool, probably for a tire. Maybe. Who knew.

At the washing machine, Alec opened the front-load door, tossed the clothes inside, and shut the latch with a confident little click. That was when things turned dicey. His moment of superiority vanished. Alec stared at what could only be described as a NASA-level control panel. His housekeeper always did the laundry. He had no idea what to do but reached out a finger to touch the board. Every light on the thing illuminated, making it even more confusing.

“This is fancy,” Key said from behind him.

“Yes, it is. Hang on. Let me get my bearings.” Alec turned to leave the laundry room in search of his cell phone. Surely, he could find step-by-step directions on YouTube. No matter the complexity of the machine, people washed their clothing every single day. It couldn’t be that hard.

“Where you goin’?” Key asked, taking a step to the side to block Alec’s exit.

“To find the directions.”

Key crinkled his handsome face at that statement. Then he threw out an arm to block Alec’s continued retreat while he looked at the control panel. “Do you have laundry soap?”

“I believe it’s self-dispensing,” Alec said, cocking his head to stare at the device.

“Should we check that? Where does the detergent go?”

Oh great, Key was one of those common-sense guys. Every time Alec looked at the machine, he grew dumber by the second. Hell, with all these hard-hitting questions, this quiet, unassuming Key should be taking Alec’s job as prosecutor.

As if his hands held all the answers, he used them to outline the rectangle of the machine. “Somewhere inside this box.”

“Fancy.”

“You said that before,” Alec pointed out.

“Mine has a knob that pulls out or pushes in.”

“That’s the way they are on the Big Bang Theory too.”

Playlist:

 

Check out Erin’s review here.

 

Best Selling Author Kindle Alexander is an innovative writer, and a genre-crosser who writes classic fantasy, romance, suspense, and erotica in both the male/male and male/female genres. It’s always a surprise to see what’s coming next!

I live in the suburbs of Dallas where it’s true, the only thing bigger than an over active imagination, may be women’s hair!

Usually, I try for funny. Humor is a major part of my life – I love to laugh, and it seems to be the thing I do in most situations – regardless of the situation, but jokes are a tricky deal… I don’t want to offend anyone and jokes tend to offend. So instead I’m going to tell you about Kindle.

I tragically lost my sixteen year old daughter to a drunk driver. She had just been at home, it was early in the night and I heard the accident happen. I’ll never forget that moment. The sirens were immediate and something inside me just knew. I left my house, drove straight to the accident on nothing more than instinct. I got to be there when my little girl died – weirdly, I consider that a true gift from above. She didn’t have to be alone.

That time in my life was terrible. It’s everything you think it would be times about a billion. I love that kid. I loved being her mother and I loved watching her grow into this incredibly beautiful person, both inside and out. She was such a gift to me. To have it all ripped away so suddenly broke me.

Her name was Kindle. Honest to goodness – it was her name and she died a few weeks before Amazon released their brand new Kindle ereader. She had no idea it was coming out and she would have finally gotten her name on something! Try finding a ruler with the name Kindle on it.. It never happened.

Through the course of that crippling event I was lucky enough to begin to write with a dear friend in the fan fiction world of Facebook. She got me through those dark days with her unwavering support and friendship. There wasn’t a time she wasn’t there for me. Sometimes together and sometimes by myself, we built a world where Kindle lives and stands for peace, love and harmony. It’s its own kind of support group. I know without question I wouldn’t be here today without her.

Find out more by visiting www.kindlealexander.com or email me at kindle@kindlealexander.com

Social Media Links:

✦ Facebook ➜ https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKindleAlexander/

✦ Twitter ➜ https://twitter.com/KindleAlexander

✦ Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/kindlealexander2.0/?hl=en

✦ Book+Main Bites ➜ https://bookandmainbites.com/KindleAlexander

✦ Goodreads ➜ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6421828.Kindle_Alexander

✦ Amazon ➜ https://amzn.to/2JXnKRF

✦ BookBub ➜ https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kindle-alexander

✦ Newsletter ➜ https://www.kindlealexander.com/contact-us/

Christmas Countdown Giveaway (on authors page):

https://bit.ly/2zpJSAj

Barbies and Beaches by Asta Idonea: Release Day Review

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For the first time ever, Shane is not looking forward to the annual Boxing Day barbeque at Matty’s house. He recently divorced, none of his friends know what to say to him now, and Shane is tired of the pity and awkwardness. Things take a turn, however, when he meets Matty’s English cousin. Neil is struggling with the Australian heat, having left the UK after a bad breakup. When Shane suggests the two of them head to a secluded beach to cool off, the growing intimacy between them might make both reassess their current situation.

Title: Barbies and Beaches
Author: Asta Idonea
Category: Holiday, Advent
Pages: 21

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Barbies and Beaches was a very short, short story. I’m not sure I would call it cute, as both characters were basically somewhat depressed at the time they met. However, I could see how they made a connection based on their recent breakups.

I definitely would have liked having a few more pages to connect with the characters, so that they could connect with each other. I don’t even think we learned what Neil did for a living, although we did learn about Shane’s occupation.

Short stories are what they are, short, but this one felt like I could have enjoyed it more, if I’d had a few more pages to learn more about the characters versus the issues behind why they both wanted to leave the party.

3 pieces of eye candy

Join the Club by Charlie Cochet: Blog Tour, Excerpt and New Release Review

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When the cards are stacked against you, the Kings will even the odds.

Eduardo “Lucky” Morales is a fighter, from his childhood days in Cuba to his time as a Special Forces Green Beret. Scarred by the wars of his past, Lucky has learned nothing lasts forever. Guarding his heart is second nature, and getting emotionally involved is not an option. As co-owner of Four Kings Security, Lucky works hard alongside his former brothers-in-arms and fellow Kings, but he also plays hard. Flirting with sexy Texas cowboy and detective, Mason Cooper, is too much fun to resist, until Mason turns the tables on him.

Mason Cooper may not be a soldier, but he’s fought his share of battles as an openly gay cop and now a detective for Major Crimes. Mason has no idea when things changed between him and Lucky, but the gorgeous, fiery Cuban has turned his world upside down. When a mistake leads to his suspension from the force, Mason turns to the least likely person for help: Ward Kingston.

Determined to keep Mason at arms’ length, Lucky is surprised to find the man at Four Kings Security. The Florida nights might be getting cooler, but the heat between Lucky and Mason burns hotter with every passing moment. Working private security can be dangerous and unpredictable, but so can falling in love.

Word count: 75,208

JOIN THE CLUB

FOUR KINGS SECURITY #3

CHARLIE COCHET

M/M ROMANTIC SUSPENSE/CONTEMPORARY

RELEASE DATE: 11.19.18

COVER DESIGN: REESE DANTE

AMAZON US

AMAZON UK

This was going to be a long night. Lucky felt it in his bones.

Once they were in downtown Jacksonville, Lucky pulled the truck into the parking lot of the bank across the street from the skyscraper they’d be watching. Jack had acquired the perfect spot near the lot entrance in case they had to move quickly, and a small team of security agents were parked in the Central Station parking lot, waiting for word from Lucky. With the engine turned off, Lucky unbuckled his seat belt and climbed out of his seat at the time Mason did. Lucky reeled back in an effort not to bump into him, the back of his knees hitting the seat. He flailed, throwing an arm out, but he needn’t have worried. Mason wrapped an arm around his waist and caught him, bringing him up against his hard body.

“Easy there, darlin’,” Mason murmured quietly, their lips only inches apart. “Don’t want you hurting yourself.”

Lucky swallowed hard. He felt Mason’s warm breath against his skin. “You’re stepping on my shoe.”

Mason frowned. “You’re worried about your shoe?”

“These boots are Guiseppe Zanotti.”

“Am I supposed to know what that means?” Mason asked, releasing Lucky.

“It means they cost almost a thousand dollars.”

Mason stared at him. “Why the hell are you wearin’ thousand-dollar boots to work surveillance? You know there are kids out there starvin’?”

“Yes, I know,” Lucky spat, pushing Mason away from him. “I was one of them. Now excuse me. We have work to do.”

At least Mason had the decency to look mortified.

“Shit, Lucky, I’m sorry. I didn’t—”

“Forget it,” Lucky muttered, taking a seat behind the console to log into the security system. “I don’t need to explain myself to you. Just sit down and pay attention.”

Mason took a seat beside him, his expression solemn. Thankfully, he didn’t speak. Lucky didn’t need his apologies or his permission. In Cuba he’d spent most of his time barefoot because the shoes given to him were either beyond salvation or he grew out of them so quickly they hurt his feet to the point he couldn’t walk. Now he could afford all the shoes he wanted, and if he wanted to spend money on designer shoes, no one had the right to make him feel like shit for it. He wasn’t stupid. His savings account was solid, and his retirement account was one of the first things he’d set up when he got his first job. He spent a lot of money, but he also saved money because he knew what it was like to have nothing. He was never going back to that again. Never.

In my experience, in a book series there is always that one that is kind of…meh. Still good, but not nearly as good as the others. That is what we have Join the Club.

I was looking forward to Lucky and Mason. They were heating up the pages of books that weren’t theirs. But this story just didn’t do it for me. I felt like the catalyst for Mason temporarily joining the Kings was weak and never resolved, they had several jobs that they worked which just kind of cluttered the story and for all the bluster King himself says about how he hires employees, he basically just handed Mason the job for the sake of he and Lucky getting together.

We saw a lot of Ace- which was good for some comic relief- and got more of Lucky and Mason’s respective back grounds. but…meh. It felt like a filler book to me. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t regret reading it, if you are a fan of Charlie Cochet and this series you should read it, but it is definitely my least favorite.

3 pieces of eye candy

Charlie Cochet is an author by day and artist by night. Always quick to succumb to the whispers of her wayward muse, no star is out of reach when following her passion. From adventurous agents and sexy shifters, to society gentlemen and hardboiled detectives, there’s bound to be plenty of mischief for her heroes to find themselves in, and plenty of romance, too!

Currently residing in Central Florida, Charlie is at the beck and call of a rascally Doxiepoo bent on world domination. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading, drawing, or watching movies. She runs on coffee, thrives on music, and loves to hear from readers.

Website: http://www.charliecochet.com

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

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/charliecochet

Facebook Author Page: http://facebook.com/authorcharliecochet

Tumblr: http://charliecochet.tumblr.com

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/charliecochet/

Twitter: @charliecochet

Instagram: http://instagram.com/charliecochet

Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/charliecochet

 

 

 

That Turtle Story by C.S. Poe: Excerpt and Release Day Review

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Nor O’Brien spends his days in sunny Key West caring for and rehabilitating sea turtles. He doesn’t need anything else in life, expect maybe a significant other to cuddle with after a long day. But recent heartbreak has left Nor salty, and he’s not in the mood for anything, Christmas included.

Then Eugene Montgomery walks into Turtle R&R, claiming to have found a clutch of eggs in distress. Nor is smitten with the tourist at first sight, and at the suggestion of his screwball colleagues, indulges in some no-strings-attached fun. Nor and Eugene are quick to get along, happily enjoy each other’s company, and take in the island’s unique holiday pleasures together.

But Nor would never leave his turtles, not for any man. So when his rebound fling turns into strong romantic feelings for Eugene, it’ll take a Christmas miracle to keep the two together forever in Key West.

Title: That Turtle Story
Author: C.S. Poe
Category: Holiday, Advent
Pages: 41

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

“Nor was recently dumped,” Gus said suddenly from behind us.

Eugene looked over my shoulder at her.

“Yup. So it’s mot that he’s a typical eye-undresser,” Gus continued, “just that I think he’s entering the rebound state–”

“I’m not,” I hastily said to Eugene.

“And he saw your abs,” Gus said.

Eugene smiled at that and glanced down at me. “I’m a personal trainer,” he clarified.

“Of course you are,” I answered. My face and neck were hot, I was surprised no one saw smoke wafting up from the collar of my shirt. “Gus is teasing.”

“No, I’m not,” Gus said, sounding too serious for her own good. “Hey, if you’re into dudes,” she addressed Eugene, “Nor is Grinch-lite–cute in the glass-is-half-empty sort of way. Might make your vacation memorable.”

I specifically asked the author for the above excerpt, because it was such a perfect example, early in the story, of how funny and enjoyable this one was.

I love C.S. Poe‘s stories, long and short, in part because the humor and sarcasm that she puts into her characters speaks to my sarcastic personality. And this short Christmas story is no exception. Nor’s internal dialogue, and Bah Humbug attitude, made me laugh, Gus’s external dialogue was hilarious. And I loved how sweet Eugene was. All the things I love about this author’s books.

Their conflict was simply a lack of verbal communication, although their communication behind closed doors seemed to be spot on. 🙂 The story was cute, sweet and fun.

The ending was just perfect, because you couldn’t help but root for these two.

4 pieces of eye candy

 

First Light (Heartsville Book 2) by Christina Lee and Felice Stevens: New Release Review

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Two years after the death of his wife, Aubrey Hendricks is still weighed down by grief. He can’t focus on anything beyond working at the family farm, First Light. At the urging of a friend, he takes a step toward resuming a normal life and reopens the bakery his wife once ran. He places a Help Wanted ad in the local paper, and to his surprise, an applicant shows up the next day.

When Oliver Hansen gets a second chance at life, he grasps it with both hands. Leaving his stressful life in New York, he plans to enjoy the simpler things. Driving to Heartsville in the Pocono Mountains to thank his heart donor’s widower is a top priority. But the brusque man with the melancholy eyes strikes a chord in Oliver. So when Aubrey mistakenly believes he’s there to apply for the bakery job…Oliver takes him up on the offer.

As Oliver busies himself with the grand reopening, he and Aubrey establish a tentative friendship, which soon shifts to blazing attraction. Oliver falls hard for him, yet he can’t help but wonder if Aubrey’s feelings are an attempt to maintain a connection to the wife he’s still mourning. And Aubrey is unsure if Oliver will tire of the slow pace in Heartsville and go running back to the city he loves. The two must successfully navigate the stormy waters of grief, doubt, and their very different lifestyles, or they risk losing both their hearts—again.

*Please note: This is in the same world as our MMM, LAST CALL, except FIRST LIGHT is MM and a complete standalone.

Amazon-Kindle Unlimited

First Light is a super slow burn romance with mature men and second chances.

I really enjoy books with main characters are around my age. It shows that just because you aren’t 22 anymore doesn’t mean you can’t find love. And for Aubrey, it was finding love for a second time when he absolutely did not expect it.

There were no real dramatics or big angst between the couple- which I thoroughly enjoyed. It could have been VERY dramatic or angsty given the nature of their relationship, but as mature men, they actually discuss things. So refreshing.

Poor Aubrey is so gruff and grumpy. He honestly doesn’t realize how many people truly care about him. He doesn’t have the typical walls up of “I’ll never love again!”, he is just doing the best that he can.

And while Oliver is a total city guy his whole life, he adjusts to living a quiet farm life fairly quickly. He was open to new things, new experiences, perhaps a new life. He never tried to make Aubrey move on. In fact, he encouraged Aubrey to talk about Lisa and their life together.

I didn’t completely understand why Aubrey’s former in laws blamed him for Lisa’s death. She was a grown woman who was driving herself home. I mean, if it was me I sure wouldn’t want someone coming to pick me up just because it was raining. They only appear about twice in the story and were a bit distracting for me. If anything, I would have wanted them in there more. Perhaps making Aubrey question moving on with his life.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The premise was different, mature men, slow burn…so many things to love

4 Pieces of Candy

Santa Daddy by Keira Andrews: RDB, Review and Giveaway

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Mall Santas aren’t supposed to be hot.

Hunter Adams is hopelessly adrift after college. He’s still a virgin, can’t find a real job, and has no clue what to do with his life. In desperation, he returns to his humiliating old job as an elf at the Santa’s Village in his hometown’s dying mall. The Santa on the job is an unexpectedly sexy lumberjack, twice Hunter’s size and age. He makes Hunter feel very naughty—too bad he’s grumpy and intimidating.

Years after the tragic death of his partner, Nick Spini has his beagle and long, hard days on his Christmas tree farm. That’s plenty. But he can’t refuse a loyal friend’s plea for help and finds himself filling in as Santa at the local mall. Despite Nick’s attempt to stay aloof, the beautiful, anxious young man playing elf brings out his long-dormant daddy instincts.

When a surprise blizzard traps them alone in Nick’s isolated forest home, their attraction burns even brighter. Will they surrender to the sizzling connection between them and find the release and comfort they crave?

Santa Daddy is a holiday gay romance from Keira Andrews featuring an age gap, steamy m/m first times, daddy role-playing and light spanking, Christmas romance feels, and of course a happy ending.

Length: 30,000 words approx.

Cover Design: Dar Albert @ Wicked Smart Design

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Keira Andrews writes across such a wide range of romance sub-genres. Her characters can be anything from vampires to an age gap to historical and everything in between. But she manages to create a world where those characters find what they are looking for, not just as a romantic partner, but often in their own lives, as well.

The best thing about holiday stories is that, even though you are reading romance, you are always guaranteed a happy ending. And I have to say I absolutely loved the ending to Santa Daddy. Hunter, who is rudderless in life, finding and charting his course, as he finds the love of his life, created a dynamic that worked well for these two MC’s.

There was a large age gap between Hunter and Nick, but with the Daddy kink it worked. Keira Andrews can write some seriously sexy and hot scenes, and this book is no exception. She also writes her characters with heart, as well as real issues and problems.

Nick was a big Grinch who was forced to deal with someone, despite his initial intentions to stay as far away as possible. Then realizing that Hunter was a virgin, and was into having a daddy, his enjoyment of the holiday season took a turn upward.

This was a fun, sexy, cute holiday story, that you’ll definitely want to pull out again next Christmas.

4 pieces of eye candy

After writing for years yet never really finding the right inspiration, Keira discovered her voice in gay romance, which has become a passion. She writes contemporary, historical, fantasy, and paranormal fiction and — although she loves delicious angst along the way — Keira firmly believes in happy endings. For as Oscar Wilde once said:

“The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means.”

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