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About Last Night by Caitlin Ricci: Release Day Review and Guest Post

April 4, 2016 by Denise

Before jumping into his first semester of college, Thomas Maloney decides to lose his virginity at a party to a stranger he’s sure he’ll never see again. Only the next day, he’s surprised to learn the same one-night stand will be sharing his dorm room. Thomas considers himself lucky, but his new roommate—not so much.

Closeted as they come, football jock Remington “Rem” Daniels is on track for a shot at the pros. Rem tries to play it cool and avoid falling for the confidently gay Thomas, which could hurt his chances. Dealing with their constant need to get in bed together wouldn’t be so hard if Rem didn’t have a girlfriend and Thomas didn’t have a conscience.

When she delivers news that will change Rem’s life forever, Thomas knows it’s time to move back home to Thornwood, Colorado. But neither the distance nor knowing Rem belongs to someone else helps Thomas get over him. Rem’s feelings haven’t changed either. When it comes down to love or football, Rem will have to make the hardest choice of his life and hope Thomas will still be waiting for him when he does.

Title: About Last Night
Series: Thornwood
Author: Caitlin Ricci
Release Date: April 4, 2016
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 200

This is the story of Thomas, while off to college in a new city decides to lose his virginity at a party before college starts next week. The hottie he hooks up with ends up being Rem his roommate and closeted football star with a steady girlfriend. Even knowing it’s wrong, Thomas can’t get enough of Rem and they continue sleeping together. Rem and his girlfriend end up getting some pretty shocking news and as Thomas sees that Rem will never be in a position to “come out” for him he leaves college and returns home at the end of the semester.

As time passes Rem and Thomas both have growing up to do, but their feelings never fade and only the test of time will tell if they are meant to be.

I am in awe of this book, the character development is beautiful. Rem put Thomas through some pretty crappy stuff, but Thomas made it through without looking like a doormat and I feel like Rem learned and grew from those experiences as well. He never came off as an entitled jerk.

The story takes place over several years and you get to watch the characters grow and mature. Their lives change drastically but their love is a constant, tangible thing.

I think this book was very well written. The story moved along at a good pace. It was angsty at times but it wasn’t overdone.

Being the greedy person that I am, I would have loved an epilogue to show how they were doing a year or so down the road. I can see myself rereading this one again soon.

5 pieces of eye candy

About Last Night by Caitlin Ricci is the second book in the Thornwood series. I hadn’t read the first, but I can assure you, it’s not necessary to feel in the loop when you start this book.

At first glance, I will admit, it sounded like it had the potential to be one big cliche. Thomas, the small town virgin, decides he’s going to lose his virginity the moment he gets to Miami, where he’s going to college. Little did he know the masked man who gave it to would be his roommate.

Rem is a very conflicted young man. He knows he’s bi, but can’t be out because he has dreams of playing pro football. Okay, I can accept that, because I believe it’s likely still a very prevalent issue. Unfortunately, his girlfriend of five years also doesn’t know that he’s bi. Or that he’s been scratching the itch, so to speak.

Even with the cheating, I was sucked into this book. My heart ached for Thomas, having to watch the man that he loved with the girl who loved him. And yes, it’s clearly pointed out that while Rem likes Amanda, he’s not in love with her. It was uncomfortable to see Amanda and Thomas becoming friends, mostly because that meant he was keeping secrets from someone who at one point told him that he’s a great friend to her.

Everything changes when Amanda announces that she’s pregnant. And this is where it gets weird… for some unknown reason, Thomas’s mother thinks it’s the perfect solution for her and her husband to adopt the baby, even though she knows her son is in love with the baby daddy. Yeah, because that wouldn’t be awkward at all. So, the three of them fly out at Christmas and when Rem and Amanda go back to Florida, Thomas stays behind because it’s too painful.

The second half of the book is a lot of phone calls. It spans years, but didn’t feel choppy. You can tell Rem was never sold on giving the baby up for adoption and loves her with all his heart. He’s glad that Thomas is in his baby’s life if he’s not. It was uncomfortable, again, but it felt real and raw.

There’s a wedding, and eventually a divorce, and Rem see his dreams come true. He falters, upsetting Thomas, which makes him realize that he can’t let him walk away again. So, they are going to make it work. He drives up to see Thomas and meet Madeline, who’s now a five year old instead of the newborn she was the last time he saw her, and Thomas takes Madeline to a game. The whole time, she just thinks Rem is her brother’s friend.

Up to this point, I was honestly going to give the book five stars. Caitlin Ricci handled some uncomfortable topics very well and made me feel their pain. Seriously, I was bawling my eyes out through much of the book.

But then… that ending. It’s impossible for me to ignore how upset I was with the ending of the book. There were two major struggles for Rem: his career and the baby he gave up for adoption. When I read the words “The End” I knew I wasn’t going to get resolution on either point. Yes, he came out, but the reader is left with zero indication of how it was handled by the team or by the public. And yes, he mentioned possibly buying a condo in Thornwood to move closer to Thomas and get to be part of Madeline’s life a bit more, but we have no clue if that happened. We don’t know if Madeline ever learned the truth about him (which she may have, given the terms of the adoption) or if he and Thomas were a huge part of her life. Hell, we don’t know if he followed through on teaching his daughter how to throw a football. All of those issues could’ve been resolved through an epilogue giving us a glimpse into the future, but instead, they weren’t and it completely destroyed the feels I had going on before that.

3 pieces of eye candy

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

ARe

Hey. I’m Caitlin Ricci and I’m here to talk a bit about my new novel, About Last Night, and the tiny town of Thornwood where all of the characters in this series live.

Sometimes with a series, especially one that you don’t have to read in order, it’s hard to keep track of how everyone is connected. I’m hoping that this post helps clear some of that up.

Thornwood was first introduced in Weathering the Storm, which is a young adult novel with Harmony Ink Press. In that novel Robbie, and his brothers Daniel and Ben come to live with their Uncle Caleb after their mom dies. Dan, their dad, comes with them and for a while it works out for them. Caleb is dating one of Thornwood’s cops, Trent. Trent is the son of the Thornwood police chief.

I had so many editors ask me for Caleb and Trent’s story that the Thornwood series was born. They fall in love in One More Time, which is Thornwood book 1. Before Caleb and Trent got together, Trent had sex with Eli who works at the horse rescue where Caleb adopts a horse from in that book. Eli’s book is the third in the series, which comes out late 2017.

Weathering the Storm would come next in the reading order.

In Thornwood, there’s a diner called Rosie’s, which is really the only place to get anything to eat unless you want to go to the deli at the grocery store and get something there. Most people in town go to Rosie’s a few times a week at the very least. They have the best milkshakes.

Trent’s mom owned the diner and her best friend, Roxie, worked there. Because they both had names starting with R they decided that their children would have matching names too. Roxie calls Trent her son Thomas’s cousin. Roxie looks after Trent since his mom has passed away, but sometimes he can be frustrating. She’s convinced that Thomas is essentially a perfect little angel who can do no wrong most of the time. She was a great character to write.

Thomas lives with his mom, dad, and multiple children they’re fostering in a townhouse in the center of town. The grocery story is behind them and Rosie’s is just down the street. These are the only townhouses in Thornwood and Trent’s is just a few doors down.

The idea for Thornwood came from getting lost on my way from Denver to Black Hawk, which is our little version of Las Vegas. Only we have mountains and little creeks and old mining towns that are so tiny there are barely enough people in them to even consider them a town.

That’s the kind of place I wanted Thornwood to be. It started off as a mining town and most of the people have left. The ones who have stayed do so for the small town life. They don’t mind that I-70 often gets shut down in the winter, or that sometimes they can’t go very far because there’s a rockslide blocking the highway because they enjoy the community and the slower pace of life there where everyone knows each other and Roxie is the source of the town’s gossip.

Thank you for spending some time with me today. What would your ideal town be like?

Caitlin

Caitlin was fortunate growing up to be surrounded by family and teachers that encouraged her love of reading. She has always been a voracious reader and that love of the written word easily morphed into a passion for writing. She comes from a military family and the men and women of the armed forces are close to her heart. She also enjoys gardening and horseback riding in the Colorado Rockies where she calls home with her wonderful husband and their two dogs. Her belief that there is no one true path to happily ever after runs deeply through all of her stories.

www.caitlinricci.com

House Hunt by Jackie Keswick : Release Day Review

March 30, 2016 by Denise

Jack Horwood hates owing favors. But when a simple day out to treat Gareth to the best oysters in England leads to a discovery of drugs and counterfeit money—things that neither Jack nor Gareth have the jurisdiction to handle—he has to call in help. Help that doesn’t come cheap, and that forces him to do something he promised himself he’d never do again—walk away from Gareth and the family he’s starting to make for himself.

Three months undercover is a long time. After missing Gareth’s birthday, Jack is determined not to miss their first anniversary. But coming home and being home are two very different things. So when he is asked to assist with a corporate espionage investigation, Jack can’t say no, despite knowing it will impact his already straining relationship.

Except, of course, he’s walking into a trap….

Title: House Hunt
Series: The Power of Zero: Book Three
Author: Jackie Keswick
Release Date: March 30, 2016
Category: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense
Pages: 300

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

ARe

The next installment in the Power of Zero series doesn’t disappoint.

A day trip for Jack and Gareth leads them to uncovering a large amount of drugs and counterfeit money. Jack goes tumbling into a three month undercover assignment to bring down the leader of the drug cartel.

Jack comes out of his undercover assignment feeling unsettled and a little unsure of where his relationship with Gareth stands. Together, while trying to find a mole within Nancarrow Mining they must work to strengthen the foundation of their relationship until Jack realizes that home has always been with Gareth.

Loved this one. Once you start you won’t be able to put it down. A well written plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this series!

4 pieces of eye candy

Happy by Chris Scully : Release Day Blast, Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

March 29, 2016 by Denise

Growing up Greek-Canadian, Peter Georgiou always knew his duty was to his family, for whom twenty-first century rules don’t apply. In his early thirties, Peter still lives at home, dates who his parents tell him to, and works at the family restaurant. But watching his two best friends find happiness in each other’s arms has made him worry over his destiny.

When Louie Papadakis returns home to nurse his broken heart and start a new life, he can’t believe his sister is dating his high school crush, Peter. There’s a sadness behind Peter’s eyes that draws him in, and a chemistry he wishes he could ignore. After his closeted ex broke his heart, Louie is afraid to fall in love again, especially with a man who’s keeping secrets.

As Peter finds himself drawn to Louie in unexpected ways, old and new worlds collide. Then a family crisis forces Peter’s hand, and he must decide if he’s willing to sacrifice his happiness for family duty.

Title: Happy
Author: Chris Scully
Release Date: March 30, 2016
Category: Contemporary
Pages: TBC (Novella)

Dreamspinner Press

Amazon

ARe

“So,” Sandra explained, “as I told you in my e-mail, it’s a one-bed, one-bath unit. There’s a pool downstairs, and I’ll show you the gym and the media room later if you’re interested. No parking, though.”

“I don’t have a car,” Louie said.

“Perfect, then. You won’t need it anyway if you work downtown. I’m looking for someone willing to sign a ten-month lease immediately.”

“Immediately?”

“Well, starting next month. Is that a problem?”

“No. Actually… that’s great. I’m just surprised you don’t have someone lined up.”

“Oh I did. She backed out at the last minute. Which is why I’m now freaking out. I leave in two weeks. It’s hard to find someone willing to sign a short-term lease. Most people want at least a year. When Tammy said she knew someone who was looking for a place, I was so relieved.”

“A wine fridge,” Peter exclaimed, still in the kitchen. “This place is awesome.”

Did Peter know nothing about apartment hunting? You weren’t supposed to let them know you were interested. Sandra dimpled. “You guys are too cute. I have such a good vibe about you.”

Oh, no. Did she think they were together? Before Louie could correct her, she began talking again. “This is a fun building. Lots of young professionals. And most people are pretty cool. You guys won’t have to worry about fitting in.” She turned away. “Come on, the bedroom’s through here.”

“Why would she worry about us fitting in?” Peter, who had finally emerged from the kitchen, whispered in his ear as they followed.

“She thinks we’re a couple, Peter.”

The look on his face was priceless: like he couldn’t decide whether to be shocked, amused, or flattered.

Louie grinned. He gave Peter a shove. “Don’t get all worked up. You should be so lucky.”

He felt a slight warmth in his face as he followed Sandra down a short hallway and into the sole bedroom. It was definitely a shoebox. “It’s a little tight in here,” he pointed out.

“All we need is a bed. And you like to cuddle, so a queen is fine.”

We? Cuddle? Louie whirled around, but Peter was already moving into the en suite bathroom. “Oh my God. Check out the size of the shower,” he exclaimed, voice echoing off the tile. “We’d both fit in here, Louie. And the tub has jets. This place is great, babe.”

Sandra made an “aw, isn’t that sweet” face, and Louie decided he had a pretend boyfriend to kill. “Excuse me a minute.”

He marched into the bathroom, ignoring the sleek gray tile and chrome fixtures. “Babe?” he hissed, poking Peter in the chest. “Really?”

“Do you like ‘honey’ better? Sweetie?”

Louie narrowed his eyes. The bastard was enjoying this, judging by his smirk.

“So, what do you think?” Sandra asked, poking her head through the door.

“We love it,” Peter replied without hesitation. “What about the furniture?”

“I’m taking some of it with me, but the rest can stay, or I’ll put it in storage if you don’t want it.”

Louie still wasn’t convinced. It was a lot of money, and with only the one bedroom, he wouldn’t even be able to have a roommate. “It’s at the top of my budget.”

“For the right tenant, I might be willing to negotiate. I need someone I can trust. Tammy likes you, and I trust her judgment.”

Tammy had known him a week, Louie wanted to point out. He wouldn’t put too much stock in her judgment.

“And to be honest,” Sandra continued, “I would feel better leasing to a couple than a single person.”

Peter’s arm wrapped around his shoulders, taking Louie by surprise. “Guess it’s a lucky day for all of us, then.”

This was my first book by Chris Scully, and I was impressed by the writing skills of the author. She had a great ability to show the feelings of her MC’s, not just with her words, but with the actions, and the reactions.

Peter, in all honesty, frustrated me for about 70% of the book, which I think was the author’s intention. 🙂 He was so stuck in this dead end job, in a dead end life, and really had nothing in mind as to how to get out of it, or if he wanted to. His mother was such a stereotype of what I imagine a native Greek mother would be like, clinging to her son, guilting him into staying home for college, that I wanted to throttle Peter for giving in, and allowing it to continue. His father was not that much different, working himself into the ground, and telling his only son that he should do the same. He really had no idea if he was gay, because he had always lived his life how his parents wanted him to. Then he met Louie.

These two started as friends, although it was obvious that they quickly wanted to be more, even if they didn’t act on it. Meanwhile Louie fresh from a rough breakup, and a move across the country, to start over where his life had begun. He was heartbroken, and new back to town, and becoming friends with Peter helped bring him back to life. I really liked that it wasn’t forced, it happened naturally, and then began to slowly progress to more.

My one issue with the book was that it could have been longer. If it had been longer, I would have felt that the resolution with Peter and his parents would not have felt rushed, and like it was tied up in a neat little bow. I liked where Peter and his parents got, (although not seeing his mother’s last reactions seemed out of place) but I felt like I needed more incidents of them getting to that place, not just having an unpleasant event bring on Peter’s happiness.

All in all, though, a strong book with really good characters that I would like to catch up with as they continue their path toward being fulfilled in life.

4 pieces of eye candy

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CHRIS SCULLY lives in Toronto, Canada. She grew up spinning romantic stories in her head and always dreamed of one day being a writer even though life had other plans. Her characters have accompanied her through career turns as a librarian and an IT professional, until finally, to escape the tedium of a corporate day job, she took a chance and began putting her daydreams down on paper.

Tired of the same old boy-meets-girl stories, she’s found a home in gay romance and strives to give her characters the happy endings they deserve. She divides her time between a mundane 9-5 cubicle job and a much more interesting fantasy life. When she’s not working or writing (which isn’t often these days) she loves puttering in the garden and traveling. She is an avid reader and tries to bring pieces of other genres and styles to her stories. While her head is crammed full of all the things she’d like to try writing, her focus is always on the characters first. She describes her characters as authentic, ordinary people—the kind of guy you might meet on the street, or the one who might be your best friend.

Although keeping up with social media is still a struggle given her schedule, she does love to hear from readers.

Connect with Chris:

Website: chrisscullyblog.wordpress.com

Facebook: facebook.com/chris.scully.author

Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/6152322.Chris_Scully

Email: cscully@bell.net

Beyond the Sea by Keira Andrews : Guest Post, Review and Giveaway

March 29, 2016 by Denise

Thanks so much to 2 Chicks for inviting me here today to talk about my new contemporary romance Beyond the Sea. Denise asked me to share where I got my inspiration for the book, and it came from various places.

First off, I visited Fiji 17 years ago (where does the time go?!), and the South Pacific is just so stunning. The clear water and fine sand, bright sun and peaceful calm. It was absolutely idyllic, and I long to return.

When my dad got sick and passed away last fall, it was obviously a very stressful time. I wanted to work on a book that was an escape and unlike any I’d written before. I’ve always loved to read stories about strangers thrust into survival situations together, whether it’s battling the elements or evil villains. On the latter count, Dark Rivers of the Heart by Dean Koontz springs to mind as a fave. (And since Koontz got his start as a romance writer using a female pseudonym, his books often have a satisfying romantic element.)

My characters Troy and Brian fortunately don’t have any shadowy government figures on their tail, but they must work together to survive, totally cut off from the rest of the world. I wanted to strand two people who would normally never have known each other. Troy is a boy bander who grew up a child star, and Brian is an emotionally scarred pilot struggling with survivor’s guilt.

Brian’s past ties into another interest that contributed to the idea for this book: my love of aeronautical science. I’m purely a layman, but I find it so fascinating how we can fly, and what factors—from weather to a tiny mechanical part the size of a pencil—can cause an emergency. I watch a lot of documentary shows on the subject, and was shocked to learn that only 2-3% of Earth is actually covered by radar. (For Troy and Brian, this fact naturally proves to be a huge problem!)

Troy and Brian are unhappy and emotionally marooned in their lives, and I wanted to explore how by being lost, we can become found. This is a story of survival, exploring your sexuality, and finding true love where you least expect it.

Can two straight men fall in love without it being some dirty secret left on a deserted island? After reading Beyond the Sea by Keira Andrews, yes, I think it is. This is not a tale of men being gay for the right person, bi for the right person, or whatever other label you might want to give it. It’s the story of two men in a situation most of us couldn’t even fathom who wind up falling in love.

How many real life stories are there out there about people who come together because they’ve been through a traumatic experience together? Brian and Troy were the survivors of a plane crash on a deserted island out far enough that it was unlikely either of them would be found alive. I’d say that qualifies as the type of experience which would instantly bond them to one another. When they were tempted to give up, the only person they had to turn to was the other. It’s going to bring people closer together.

Add to that the very basic need for human touch and you have the recipe for two people falling in love.

One thing I love about how Keira Andrews wrote Brian and Troy’s story is that it wasn’t this instant, easy attraction. Even once they started fooling around, I don’t think they were totally comfortable with it, but it was the touch of another person. Not even just in a sexual way. It worked.

What really sealed the deal for me was how the men acted once they were rescued (yeah, sorry for the spoiler there). If this was nothing more than a deserted island fling, Brian and Troy would have said their goodbyes and moved on with their lives. But they couldn’t. What happened on that island changed them. It opened their eyes and forced them to approach love from an emotional rather than anatomical perspective. It’s a beautiful story that, I hope, will someday not be seen as scandalous.

GREAT JOB, Keira! 5 pieces of eye candy

Two straight guys. One desert island.

Even if it means quitting their boy band mid-tour, Troy Tanner isn’t going to watch his little brother snort his future away after addiction destroyed their father. On a private jet taking him home from Australia, he and pilot Brian Sinclair soar above the vast South Pacific. Brian lost his passion for flying—and joy in life—after a traumatic crash, but now he and Troy must fight to survive when a cyclone strikes without warning.

Marooned a thousand miles from civilization, the turquoise water and white sand beach look like paradise. But although they can fish and make fire, the smallest infection or bacteria could be deadly. When the days turn into weeks with no sign of rescue, Troy and Brian grow closer, and friendship deepens into desire.

As they learn sexuality is about more than straight or gay and discover their true selves, the world they’ve built together is thrown into chaos. If Troy and Brian make it off the island, can their love endure?

This is an LGBT romance about discovering yourself, finding love, and eating way too many coconuts. 85,000 words.

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1RGVrIr

Amazon Global: http://mybook.to/BeyondTheSea_KA

ARe: http://bit.ly/1UlSagE

iTunes: http://apple.co/1nDnESx

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1QS6SaI

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1SGDmsU

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1QTCzAp

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, paranormal, and fantasy 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.”

Website: http://www.keiraandrews.com

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/2Z-G5

Twitter: https://twitter.com/keiraandrews

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keira.andrews.author

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1366040.Keira_Andrews

Amazon Author Page: http://author.to/KeiraAndrews

TCO is giving away a copy of Beyond the Sea to one commenter on this post. So, tell us what one thing you would bring to a deserted island if you had a choice.

Love for the Seasons by RJ Jones: Series Tour, Excerpt and Giveaway

March 29, 2016 by Denise

Title: As the Leaves Fall AND As the Ice Melts

Series: Love for the Seasons 1 & 2

Author: R.J. Jones

Genre: M/M Romance

Release Date: March 18, 2016 and April 1, 2016

The perfect job or the perfect man. Surely Aiden and Noah can have both, right?

Aiden Turner’s world flipped upside down when his vengeful ex-boyfriend destroyed a major project, costing his uncle’s architectural firm an important client. Feeling guilty, Aiden has since sworn off all romantic involvement with anyone he works with.

Noah Walker is getting ready to interview for his dream role when he catches Aiden’s eye on the London Tube. They strike up a conversation, and even though the attraction sizzles between them, Noah must decline the offer of a morning coffee. The interview is crucial, and he needs to focus on getting the job, not getting a date.

When Aiden discovers the enigmatic man on the train is the same man he is interviewing, he is torn. But he knows Noah is the right man for the job, and he attempts to put some professional distance between them. However, it’s not long before Noah makes his way under Aiden’s skin.

Neither man can afford to risk their employment, but keeping their relationship a secret takes its toll. When things get ugly, they need to decide what’s more important—or if the job is worth the sacrifice.

○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●

As hearts begin to thaw, a betrayal of trust threatens to put out the flames.

When Marcus McDonald receives a formal warning from his employer, he knows it’s time to tuck tail and head home to Manchester. His medical condition forces him to keep people at arm’s length, and it wouldn’t be the first time his temperament has landed him in trouble.

All Adam Radney wants is some time to paint, but his father’s death, leaving Adam and his mum up to their ears in debt, means taking on two jobs. Working at the family’s run-down Manchester fish and chip shop, Adam is confronted by a new, surly face in town and instantly dislikes the icy newcomer. So what if he pushes all of Adam’s hot buttons?

When the ice melts and things heat up between Marcus and Adam, Adam thinks all his dreams have come true. With Marcus’s help, new customers arrive and the chip shop starts to flourish, easing Adam’s mind. But when Adam puts all his trust in Marcus on the busiest night the shop has seen in years, thing go awry and it leaves Adam with more questions than answers.

○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●

“This book is a great example of why I love M/M romance books.” – Goodreads Reviewer for As the Leaves Fall

“This is a fun, easy read that will keep you entertained all the way through.” – Alpha Book Club for As the Leaves Fall

“When I finish reading this the first thing to come to my mind was WOW this was really really good!” – Goodreads Reviewer for As the Ice Melts

As the Leaves Fall

SPENCER & ASSOCIATES was located on floors twenty-six through twenty-eight of a gleaming new office tower on Portland Place. I entered the lift with a crowd of workers, all going to different companies within the building. My hands were clammy and my stomach kept doing flips.

When I reached the twenty-eighth floor, I pushed the glass door open and was greeted by a forty-something woman with a kind smile, her brunette hair in a loose bun. She sat behind a wide oak desk that housed dual monitors that gleamed with that just-polished shine.

“Good morning. I’m Noah Walker. I have an appointment at 9.30. I know I’m a little early but I was hoping I could study my notes while I waited.” Desperate much?

“Good morning, Mr Walker. I’m Sally. Mr Turner is expecting you. Would you like a tea or coffee while you wait?”

“No, thank you. I don’t think my nerves could handle anything in my stomach right now.”

Sally smiled sweetly. “Mr Turner is a big softie. He may seem intimidating but I can assure you, it’s all an act. You have nothing to worry about. Sure you don’t want that cuppa? It might help settle your tummy.”

“You’re right, it might do the trick. Thank you.”

“Take a seat and I’ll bring it to you. Mr Turner hasn’t arrived yet and neither has his 9 a.m. It will be quiet enough for you.” Sally gestured to the spacious waiting area, complete with leather armchairs, low tables and evenly spaced magazines. It also had an expansive view over the city.

I took a seat and watched London bustle below for a few minutes before Sally returned with my tea. “Here you are, Mr Walker. I hope it’s to your liking.”

“I’m sure it’s great. Thank you.”

Sally nodded and left me to my notes as I got a feel for the space around me. This was where my office would be if I landed the role. Building and Design shared the floor with the upper executives. Surveying, Printing and Production, Property Development and Interior Design all shared the twenty-seventh floor while the main reception and other divisions were housed on the floor below that. Sally was efficient and friendly, and I assumed she acted as a personal assistant to someone while being the receptionist for the twenty-eighth floor.

The executive offices were what I’d expected from a company of this calibre. No expense had been spared on the luxury fittings, and fresh flower arrangements dotted the waiting area and wide reception desk. But it wasn’t ostentatious. It was tasteful and understated. Around the meeting area, frosted timber-framed glass doors indicated client meeting rooms, and I presumed the wide corridor to the left of Sally’s workstation led to the individual offices. Sally’s tea wasn’t helping as I took in the atmosphere. If anything, I was even more jittery, and it hit home how much I wanted the position.

I went over my interview answers for a while until I heard the main door open. “Hello. I’m Toby Franks. I have a 9 a.m. appointment with Mr Turner.”

His voice sounded vaguely familiar so I looked up to see the guy from the Tube who Aiden had bumped into.

Toby declined Sally’s offer of a tea, then took a seat near me and nodded a greeting. I smiled slightly, then studied him covertly while I pretended to study my notes. He lounged in the chair as if he owned it, full of cocky confidence as he flipped the screens on his phone and sucked on a takeaway coffee. I had a weird sense that Toby was my direct competition. If he was, and if he came across as much of an arsehole as he did on the Tube, then perhaps I had a better chance than I thought. But surely if he had showed that side of himself in the previous interviews, he wouldn’t have made it this far. Then again, maybe this Toby Franks was just the right type of confident twat to be a good working match with Mr Turner.

I needed something stronger than Sally’s tea.

I continued reading, trying not to think about my competition, when the main door opened again. I glanced up out of curiosity and saw Aiden chatting casually with Sally. My stomach flipped again, but for a completely different reason. Maybe I could get that coffee with him after all. He took a sip from his Starbucks disposable cup as Sally handed him some files. He smiled and laughed quietly at something she said, but I couldn’t hear what was exchanged. Aiden turned towards the waiting area, and our gazes locked as they had earlier that morning. I felt a familiar burst of electricity spark between us. His eyes went wide then softened when he smiled and moved towards me. Then he noticed Toby sitting there and stopped in his tracks. He regarded the two files in his hand, which I now suspected belonged to myself and Mr Franks, and walked back to Sally. He handed her one of the files and gave her an instruction that had her picking up the phone, dialing quickly. Aiden pulled himself to his full height, all casualness gone, and stalked back to the waiting area, concentrating narrowed eyes on Toby Franks.

When Toby realised Aiden was heading straight for him, he stood and held out his hand. “Mr Turner? I’m Toby Franks. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

I didn’t know what surprised me more—that Aiden was the Mr Turner I was interviewing with that morning, or that Toby Franks hadn’t recognised Aiden from the Tube. The glare Aiden sent Toby had me wanting to break open the popcorn and enjoy the show.

As the Ice Melts

THERE WAS a lull in the evening’s trade, and we had only two customers waiting, and five phone orders to wrap up. I wasn’t worried. There was always a small break between the times people ate their dinner. Some liked it later than others.

I’d been watching a guy through the glass front door who’d been standing outside the shop. He’d glanced at the faded sign in the window then walked away. Now he was back, looking up and down the street, before eyeing the sign again. I wondered if he was going to enter or not.

“Mum. Do you know who that is?” I asked, nodding my head towards the door.

Mum frowned. “No. Doesn’t look like a regular. What do you think he’s doing?”

“I have no idea.” I was hoping he wasn’t trying to get up the nerve to rob us.

The guy walked away again, only to return five minutes later, and this time he actually entered the shop.

He shook his hoodie off and stomped his feet on the mat, dislodging the dirt and ice from his pricey-looking black boots. If he’d been a criminal, he wouldn’t have taken the time to dust off. I couldn’t see where he’d be hiding a weapon, either; his dark blue jeans were practically painted on.

Maybe he was lost. If he was I would’ve loved to help him find his way. This guy tweaked all my buttons, and I couldn’t help but take in his lean form, slim hips, and dishevelled dark blond hair. Designer stubble on a pretty face and I was pretty much a goner.

His icy, blue eyes met mine, and his plump lips pulled into a tight line as he approached the counter.

“Are you Rodney?” he practically snapped at me.

I bristled. Who did he think he was? “Who’s asking?”

“Gran told me to go to the chippie around the block and order her usual, only double. At first I thought she was having me on, but I’ve walked around two blocks and you’re the only chip shop around. She said Rodney would know what her normal order was, ’cause I have no fucking idea. So again, are you Rodney?”

“Did you read the sign?”

“I can’t bloody see the sign, the paint’s all faded. You should do something about that, you know. People will think you’re a run-down drug house or something, which is why I’ve been wandering the streets for the past half hour. Do you know how cold it is?”

Mr Shithead glanced around the shop with a look of disgust. The shop needed a lick of paint, and not just the sign in the window. The wallpaper was peeling, and no matter how many times Mum and I scrubbed the floor, it was always going to be a stained mess.

I reined in my temper. “Gran, you say. From Forbes Road?”

“You know Gran?”

“Obviously.”

He looked down his nose at me, which was quite a feat considering our height difference. “Well, I know you’re not her grandson. How do you know her?”

I bristled again. What an arsehole. “How do you think? She comes in every week and orders the same each time. We all love Gran here. And just how do you know her?” I was hoping he hadn’t just robbed the poor lady blind on her way here. She always walked the same route at the same time of night, so she’d be easy prey for a thug who knew what he was doing.

“Because I’m her grandson. Unlike you.”

“Ahh, you must be Mark.” It was hard to picture. Gran was lovely and sweet, the way most doting grandmothers were. She told it like it was, but she was never rude. This guy couldn’t possibly have been related to her.

His eyes flashed in obvious annoyance. “Marcus. How do you know?”

“You haven’t been listening, have you?” You dumbarse. “Gran comes in each week. Over the years, we’ve gotten to know her a bit. She speaks about you a lot.” I gave him a not-so-subtle once-over. “Some big shot in London, apparently.”

“Well, Rod.” Marcus sniffed. “Gran would like her usual, only doubled. How long will it take?”

“Who’s paying?”

“What?”

“Who’s paying? You or Gran?”

“Me. Why?”

“That’ll be ten quid.”

Marcus’s eyebrows drew together. He pulled his wallet from his back pocket and searched through the large stash of bills, seemingly looking for a tenner. He handed me a five.

“And the rest of it. That’s only a fiver.”

Marcus’s features went from frustrated arsehole to red and embarrassed in a nanosecond. He pulled a twenty out, handed it to me without a word, and then sat down to wait for his order.

I left it till he sat on the farthest chair from me before I asked, “Did you not want your change?”

Marcus came over and I handed him his notes. He wouldn’t look at me, and it appeared all his bravado had fled. He seemed vulnerable and exposed, and I had the distinct feeling he would’ve slunk out if he didn’t have to wait for his food. Without looking at the money, he stuffed it back into his wallet. I could’ve given him anything and he wouldn’t have known.

○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●○ ●

RJ started as a reader and eventually made the progression to reviewing. It wasn’t until two men popped into her thoughts, insisting on telling her their story that she started to write. It started with one scene. A hot and dirty one in the shower.

RJ’s initial thought was if she could write their scene then they’d shut up and allow her to concentrate on other aspects of the day. That shower scene was 3000 words long and three hours of work. But they didn’t shut up. They told her their entire story and she didn’t sleep for days. Sometimes she couldn’t keep up with what they were telling her and she had to keep a notebook by the bed.

Whilst RJ was writing their story a side character decided he needed his story told too. Then other characters followed suit.

You see the problem? If RJ ever wants to sleep again then she needs to write.

RJ is a wife and a mother to two boys. Even her dog is a boy.

She is surrounded by males.

RJ writes emotionally charged, character driven romances. Her guys will always get their HEA, but it will never be easy.

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Patchwork Paradise by Indra Vaughn : Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

March 28, 2016 by Denise

Oliver and Samuel’s relationship is fairy-tale perfect. They share a gorgeous house in Antwerp, go out with their friends every weekend, and count down the days to their dream wedding. But their happy ending is shattered one late night, and just like that, Ollie is left bereft and alone.

The months that follow are long and dark, but slowly Ollie emerges from his grief. He even braves the waters of online dating, though deep down he doesn’t believe he can find that connection again. He doesn’t think to look for love right in front of him: his bisexual friend Thomas, the gentle giant with a kind heart and sad eyes who’s wanted him all along.

When Thomas suddenly discovers he has a son who needs him, he’s ill prepared. Ollie opens up his house—Sam’s house—and lets them in. Ollie doesn’t know what scares him more: the responsibility of caring for a baby, or the way Thomas is steadily winning his heart. It will take all the courage he has to discover whether or not fairy tales can happen for real.

I read this book basically in one sitting. It definitely kept me hooked in. So many things going on this book, but not overly done in that respect.

From minute one in the book, you are already anticipating what you know is ahead, the death of a beloved young man, and the growth into a new relationship. I’ve never read a book that walked its reader through the entire grief process, as part of an mm romance. The author did an amazing job with it, though. The book takes place over the span of a year, and yet, you see every stage of Ollie’s grief at losing Samuel, and every stage of Thomas’ losing Ollie over and over again.

The story never dragged on, it allowed the reader on the journey as Ollie learns how to be himself, and how to learn to love someone in an entirely new way (actually two someones). What a blessing for him to find a way to not only let go of the past, but find a way to incorporate it into his future.

I really enjoyed following along on this journey to Ollie becoming a new man, a family man, and Thomas finally getting what he had wanted since the first day he met Ollie.

4 pieces of eye candy

Amazon

After living in Michigan, USA for seven wonderful years, Indra Vaughn returned back to her Belgian roots. There she will continue to consume herbal tea, do yoga wherever the mat fits, and devour books while single parenting a little boy and working as a nurse.

The stories of boys and their unrequited love will no doubt keep finding their way onto the page—and hopefully into readers hands—even if it takes a little more time.

And if she gleefully posts pictures of snow-free streets in winter, you’ll have to forgive her. Those Michigan blizzards won’t be forgotten in a hurry.

Connect with Indra:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/indra.vaughn.7
Twitter https://twitter.com/VaughnIndra

To celebrate, Indra is giving away an ebook from her backlist at EVERY BLOG STOP! She’ll also be giving out a grand prize of $25 in Riptide credit. Leave a comment to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on April 2, 2016. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!