Book Reviews

The Captain’s Snowbound Christmas by Catherine Curzon & Eleanor Harkstead: New Release Review

January 18, 2021 by Denise

A Captivating Captains story

Will Reuben be unwrapping a captain this Christmas?

Reuben’s a makeup artist who’s much in demand in the business, from making the beautiful even more gorgeous, to creating an alluring love-scene glow. All of his Christmas wishes come true at once when he’s hired to work on the set of his favorite TV show. And not only that, but on the swoony Christopher Manners.

Bunny is lusted after by millions as the brooding hero of television’s Captain Firth adventures. His manly swash and handsome buckle have earned him a legion of fans and when he strides onto the screen and commands, “draw your sword, sir”, it’s time to get down to business.

When Reuben and Bunny’s first date turns into a disaster, it looks as though the show’s over before it’s begun, but a blizzard, a mysterious bearded man in a red coat and a hot winter night combine to give them a second chance.

Amazon

Pride Publishing

Holiday romances are my favorite. And there were so many to choose from this year! I only was able to read a few of them, but this one was a must read, because I love when these authors co-write. It is seamless to me, and that isn’t always the case with books that are co-authored.

I have to start with poor Rueben. We’ve all been in the situation he was in (well maybe not that exact situation), when you open your mouth, and the wrong thing comes out…despite all your best intentions. That was bound to happen…poor Rueben…and it did. It almost waylaid the budding romance with Bunny (which by the way, this was just a bit of an odd nickname for the MC, it threw me a big). However, thanks to a little bit of car trouble, and a little bit of the old Christmas magic, they were able to find their way to each other.

This novella was all kinds of gooey, and fluffy, and happy, and that’s exactly what we need during the holidays, and really all the time right now. I will probably re-read this in July, when it’s sweltering outside, and I can fall into the joy of a little Christmas love.

4 pieces of eye candy

Angels in the City by Garrett Leigh: New Release Review

December 21, 2020 by Denise

A fake relationship with a stranger. An office romance with doughnuts and white knights. An addictive arrangement—friends with benefits—fast turns to love.

Jonah Gray is rich, successful, and the most eligible bachelor in the city, according to his mother, at least. But the truth is, despite her efforts to pair him off, he’s fine on his own. All he needs is a date to the Christmas ball.

Sacha Ivanov is a lone wolf, content in the cycle of long days, late nights, and anonymous hook ups, but when a chance encounter in a broken-down lift brings a gorgeous copper-haired CEO into his life, everything begins to change.

As Christmas fast approaches, a favour for a stranger blooms into something more. He doesn’t do second dates or relationships. But for kind-hearted Jonah, his angel in the city, he might just change his mind.

Angels in the City is a Christmas themed MM friends-to-lovers, forced proximity, office romance. Expect fraught days, steamy nights, and true love built around festive snacks and Christmas trees.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Fake boyfriends is always a fun trope. But these guys were strangers to fake boyfriends in 20 minutes! And then fake boyfriends to a one night stand. But they work in the same building on the same floor and share the same break room.

Sacha is a Russian expat living in London. Everyone thinks he is grumpy and scary. But Jonah saw the real Sacha when they first met. It’s the Sacha that keeps drawing Jonah in.

This was Christmas themed, but definitely not just only a Christmas book. In fact, I loved that Sacha (being Russian) doesn’t even celebrate Christmas. It’s nice to see a character that is different from the norm.

Something that surprised me- the low angst! Garrett Leigh is a master of angst! But nope, except for a mother who died when he was young and a father he doesn’t speak to, there was no drama!

Being that it was tame, there was also quite a bit about their respective jobs. Those parts were a little boring. I don’t want to sit in on meetings at my own job, let alone fictional ones.

Overall, a fairly feel good, low angst, Christmas is involved story.

3.5 Pieces of Eye Candy

A String of Lights (Naughty or Nice?) by Alexa Milne: New Release Review

December 17, 2020 by Denise

Sometimes loves shines a light.

Devlyn Collins lives with his mum and stepdad in the north of England. He goes out with his mates, drinks a bit too much and works for his Uncle Sid. The trouble is, he’s begun to think he wants more.

Henry Ward is a man with a secret—he’s a multi-millionaire who owns a landed estate on the edge of Exmoor, thanks to a massive win on the lottery. He’s also a man with a mission, determined to restore Secoombe Hall and village and find out how he shares a history with the place. He’s too busy for love.

Christmas brings these two men together when Henry offers Sid and Dev silly money for a last-minute job of putting up Christmas lights. Dev doesn’t expect to meet an attractive man in this small village and Henry expects them to be just strangers, passing for one night only.

But events conspire to bring Dev back to the village…and keep him there for Christmas. Will this be just a holiday romance, or could it develop into something more?

Amazon

Pride Publishing

I kind of live for the holiday stories every year. I am definitely an HEA, low angst, reader. I don’t mind insta-love, and definitely want some of the fluffy reads. Keep them coming, I say.

This one, although not quite insta-love, qualifies for me as one of those types of stories. Dev doesn’t mind working for his uncle, although you can tell it isn’t his dream job, but putting up the lights…that he really enjoys. Meanwhile, Henry, with money he received from lottery winnings (by the way, I applaud the author for not making the money between the siblings be a source of contention, that would have been disappointing) found this estate that spoke to him and did everything he could to fix it up, make it a place for tourists to come, and locals to feel at home, all in secret.

I loved that Dev was confident in himself, he never felt like he wasn’t worthy of someone’s affections. Meanwhile Henry, besides his millionaire side, also had a little bit of a bad boy side underneath his sweet little sweaters.

This story gave me such joy. I loved reading about the town (and definitely would love to read more about it…maybe the pastor???), the townpeople, as well as the MC’s…and the sassy cat who wouldn’t go back outside. 🙂 Definitely a stand alone, and will give you all the happy feels.

4 pieces of eye candy for me.

On the Run (A Whispering Key Novel) by May Archer: Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

December 16, 2020 by Denise

I was supposed to be partying with a bunch of celebrities in paradise this week, okay?

But then I made one teeny, tiny error in judgement before leaving New York, and suddenly the paparazzi expected me to give a command performance as “the other man” in their straight celebrity “outing” of the week.

Um, no, precious. So much no.

Instead, I did what any self-respecting, secret-keeping man would do in that situation: I cancelled my trip and fled New York to hide out in the last place anyone would look for me–a weird little Florida island where nothing exciting ever happened.

Or at least it didn’t… until I arrived.

Now I find myself shacked up with my fake boyfriend Beale Goodman, Whispering Key’s most adorable, most enormous, most virginal cinnamon roll—a guy who rescues feral cats, believes in soulmates, and talks about happiness like it’s free for the taking.

A guy who nearly convinces me, with every smile and kiss, that it is.

Stranger still? I find myself falling for the people on the island. Fitting in, instead of sticking out. Making, you know… friends. And for the first time ever, I think I’ve found something I want to run to, rather than from…

As long as I can keep my secrets from catching up with me.

On The Run (Whispering Key, Book 2) by May Archer

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

“I know what I want to do with you today.”

Toby, who was picking up our assorted clothes from the corner of the guest bedroom, paused to give me a flirtatious grin. “Oh, really? You ready to go again already, Goodman?”

I snorted. God, he made me happy.

“Not that.” Although, you know, these days I was always down for that. I had zero hesitation when Toby was involved. “I meant an activity where you can work on your tan.”

We’d been so busy for the last couple of days, what with trivia, and town meetings, and me taking a couple of shifts running Goodmen Outfitters’ tour boat around the island, and Toby being the unofficial social events coordinator for Whispering Key, Toby had joked the night before that he was the only person in the world who’d leave Florida paler than he’d arrived.

Meanwhile, I’d started thinking maybe I didn’t want him to leave at all.

He straightened, narrowed his eyes, and set his hands on his hips. “What kind of activity?”

“I…” Somewhere around Monday, he’d developed a line of freckles across his nose that were the cutest, most distracting thing ever. I wanted to boop them with my fingertip. I also knew better than to mention this on pain of death.

“You, what?” he demanded. “Finish the thought, Goodman.”

His scowl made me grin. “So suspicious.”

Toby went back to gathering up clothes. “Wonder why. Possibly because we’ve already re-enacted Titanic? Or because we were nearly stranded on a deserted island? Or because you fed me vegan seitan hotdogs yesterday and claimed it was an accident? Or—?”

I laughed out loud. “We absolutely were not stranded, you enjoyed the seitan before you knew what it was, and nothing has tried to murder you in hours and hours.I’m starting to think you enjoy being almost-murdered, Toby.”

“Nonsense. I do not have a murder fetish, thank you very much, and I am the perfect amount of suspicious.”

Another May Archer winner for me.

Poor Toby…talk about a bad day, which only got worse, before it got even worse. Honestly, though, he presented himself as someone who couldn’t deal with all the “icky” stuff that was dumped on him all throughout the book, but he did. He handled it all as well as a man who’d transplanted himself from Ohio because his family didn’t want anything to do with him.

Meanwhile, Beale was the sweetest 28 year old virgin you’d ever meet. All he wanted was to find what and who he was meant to be, and the soul mate that his mother taught him to wait for. He took a lot of ribbing from the people on the Key, and just let it all go, because he knew in his heart he was right to wait and let the Universe tell him what was next.

Complete opposites, but they fit like two pieces of a puzzle. I also loved how Toby, without really meaning to, ended up getting involved in the local “scene” on the Key, but was Beale’s champion.

Lots of snark, fun, and some sweet and sexy times. All the antics that’s are a fun and funny May Archer book. Mostly stand alone, although there were parts where I felt like a little more explanation could have been given for the unaware reader.

4 pieces of eye candy

May is an M/M author who lives in Boston. She spends her days raising three incredibly sarcastic children, finding inventive ways to drive her husband crazy, planning beach vacations, avoiding the gym, reading M/M romance, and occasionally writing it. She also writes MF romance as Maisy Archer.

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Merry Measure by Lily Morton: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

December 15, 2020 by Denise

Arlo Wright’s introduction to his sexuality came when he saw his older brother’s best friend, Jack Cooper, in his sweaty football kit. Unfortunately, he didn’t have long to enjoy the revelation because he promptly knocked himself out on a table.
Relations between them have never really moved on from that auspicious beginning. Arlo is still clumsy, and Jack is still as handsome and unobtainable as ever.

However, things look like they’re starting to change when Arlo finds himself sharing a room with Jack while on holiday in Amsterdam at Christmas. Will the festive spirit finally move them towards each other, or is Arlo just banging his head against a wall this time?

From bestselling author, Lily Morton comes a warm romantic comedy set in chilly Amsterdam

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

“Sorry,” I mumble.

He chuckles. “For what? You slept well.”

“That’ll be the wine,” I say. “I didn’t think I’d drunk that much, but I was obviously being drunkenly optimistic.”

“Well, you didn’t drink heavily if you compare yourself to Mel Gibson. A vat is nothing these days.”

I laugh and groan as pain slices through my eyeballs. “Shit.” I press my fingers against my eyes. “I need some paracetamol.”

“I’ll get you some,” he says.

I force my eyes open in time to see him throw the sheets back and get out of bed. For a wild second, I think he’s naked, but then the sheet clears his middle, and I see he’s actually wearing blue-checked pyjama shorts that are hanging low on his hips. In the bathroom, he rummages through his shaving bag, and I can’t help but eye the view. Broad shoulders, narrow hips, and lots of lean muscle that reflects how much he loves running.

He paces back to me, carrying a bottle of water and two tablets. I take the tablets, gulp the water, and watch as he strides to the tea tray and switches the kettle on.

“I’ll make some coffee,” he says over his shoulder.

“Why can’t I always share a room with you?” I say plaintively. “You’re so much nicer than Tom. I was always stuck with him when I was a kid.”

“Well, it’s a fact that I don’t snore like Tom.”

“Jesus Christ,” I say with feeling, propping myself against the pillows. “I’ve never heard anything at that decibel unless it was a jumbo jet. I’m fucked if I can work out why Bee doesn’t stab him in his sleep.”

He chuckles. “It is bad. I spent a year rooming with him at uni, and at the end I must have looked like Beetlejuice.”

I laugh and reach out eagerly for the mug he hands me. I inhale the fragrant steam and look at him. “This smells good and not at all like normal hotel coffee.”

He shrugs. “This place has a cafetiere.”

“Not at all like the youth hostel, which is the last place where Tom and I shared a room. It’s also the place I hitchhiked home from rather than listen to him snore anymore.”

He laughs. “You all argue like cats and dogs. I never could understand it because we didn’t do that at my house.”

“No need when your parents can kill someone with the force of their glare,” I mutter.

He shakes his head and carries his drink over to his bed. The mug has a string and a little label hanging from it, so I’m pretty sure his drink is so powerfully healthy that it’s detoxing him through the china.

He settles back into bed. “You feeling better?”

I try a cautious shake of my head. “A bit,” I say judiciously. “Nothing that a nice greasy fry-up won’t cure. I’ll shower and get dressed in a minute and then we can go down to breakfast.”

“You sure you’re up to it?” he asks, eyeing me dubiously.

“Of course,” I say robustly. “Tom’s paid for this, and it’s probably cost more money than the European Union’s tea budget, so we’re going down there and eating every expensive morsel.”

This book was so fun!!!

Set in Amsterdam during Christmas, Tom assembles his best friends and his brother for a short holiday during which he will propose to his boyfriend, Bee. Tom’s best-best friend, Jack, and his brother, Arlo fly together from England to Amsterdam. And end up rooming together due to a mix up. No big deal, right? Except for Arlo’s gigantic crush on Jack.

I adore how so many of Lily Morton’s characters are snarky, witty, awkward, etc…but they are those things in different ways. I don’t feel like the same personalities are recycled book after book. Arlo is snarky because he is awkward, witty because he is sharp. His humor is different than other main characters.

Jack is stoic, but also warm. It seems as though he is humoring Arlo, but really he is trying to take care of him. Until the super drunken night.

No spoilers (but duh, it’s a romance with a HEA) I love that Jack didn’t hide from Tom. He’s a stand up guy who was crushing on Arlo as well and decided that Arlo was absolutely worth it.

The backdrop of Amsterdam at Christmas was just beautiful. They did fun, touristy things that really highlighted the city. All of the side characters- the other friends, the EX (dun, dun, DUN!), even their parents who show up at the end.

Sweet and Christmas-y and just wonderful.

4.5 Pieces of Eye Candy

Lily writes contemporary romance novels, and specialises in hot love stories with a good dose of humour.

Lily lives in sunny England with her husband and two children, all of whom claim that they haven’t had a proper conversation with her since she bought her first Kindle.

She has spent her life with her head full of daydreams and decided one day to just sit down and start writing about them. In the process she discovered that she actually loved writing, because how else could she get to spend her time with hot, funny men!

She loves chocolate and Baileys and the best of all creations – chocolate Baileys! Her lifetime’s ambition is to have a bath in peace without being shouted by one of her family.

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Strawberry Kisses by Charlie Novak: New Release Review

December 14, 2020 by Denise

Patrick’s To Do List:
1. Tell family I’m gay
2. Make giant cake for anniversary party
3. Convince Connor to be my fake boyfriend for the weekend
4. Try to keep my hands off Connor
5. Make sure Connor doesn’t find out I’ve been in love with him for the last three years

Connor’s Steps for Success:
1. Perfect pole routine for Chrome Stars
2. Continue search for perfect music
3. Survive weekend with Patrick’s family without mauling him while sharing a bed
4. Prevent feelings from exploding like a glitter bomb
5. Make sure Patrick doesn’t find out I’ve been in love with him forever

Strawberry Kisses is a 78,000 word standalone, contemporary MM romance featuring a sweet pastry chef, sassy pole dancer, a nosy but loving family, fabulous make-up, fluffy feels, and copious amounts of cake.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

New to me author! That I like! YAY! Yes, I know that is rare. Ish.

Connor and Patrick. BFF who are a bit like Mutt and Jeff. Patrick, pastry chef, doesn’t work out, big family that are definitely on the high end of middle class, quiet and a bit introverted. Connor. ballet and pole dancer, incredible body, son of a single mom, full of energy and everyone’s friend.

They shouldn’t be best friends, but they are. So when Patrick has to go home for his parent’s 50th wedding anniversary, he figures he finally has to come out to them. They are hardly surprised and they think Connor is his boyfriend.

BFF to fake boyfriend to real boyfriend! Fun!

I love how Patrick just let Connor be who he was. Slightly fem, wears make up, is a pole dancer. He won’t tolerate anyone making comments or disparaging him. It was so sweet. Even though they were “fake” boyfriends, they fell right into the roles. Probably because they were the roles they each wanted but were too afraid to say.

Until the kissing.

Patrick’s family was fun and funny and added to the story without taking it over. Some of the comments from the elderly aunts were an absolute riot! But at the same time, it didn’t drone on introducing 100 family members. Just a couple to keep it interesting.

There’s a bit of a “is this real or is this fake” thing, which both characters struggled with before they finally came to their senses. Whew!

And the epilogue was just perfect. I am such a sucker for a great epilogue.

If you are a Lily Morton fan, this book is in that same vein. Not as snarky, but similar humor, great characters and a good story line.

4 pieces of eye candy