Dahlia Donovan

Stubbed Toes and Dating Woes by Dahlia Donovan: New Release Review and Giveaway

May 31, 2023 by Denise

Niclas Ruiz loves digging in the dirt for ancient artifacts. He’s obsessed with old words and lives in his own world. His summers are often spent traveling to new places to hunt for treasure with his trusty metal detector while trying not to get lost or stumble off a cliff.

Love has never been high on his priority list. His being autistic and asexual has often been a hurdle for other people. But he’s happy enough to plod along on his own with his horde like a fairy-tale dragon.

But sometimes, he allows himself to dream about a man out of his reach.

Two things about Falk “Grizz” Evensen are certain. He runs a successful security firm and has been hopelessly in love with his best friend’s younger brother for many years. Neither of them has ever dared to test the waters.

When Niclas plans to visit Cornwall for the summer, his older brother convinces Falk to join him under the auspices of keeping him safe.

Is this May-December romance doomed to be derailed by fears of unrequited love?

Will their treasure hunt lead them to true love or fool’s gold?

Author: Dahlia Donovan
Title: Stubbed Toes & Dating Woes
Genre: Asexual M/M Rom-Com
Release Date: May 19th
Word Count: Approx. 30k

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Super cute book!

Things we don’t get a lot of. Realistic representations of ACE characters and neurodivergent characters. This novella gives us both.

Nic has a crush on his brother’s best friend. And his brother’s best friend has a crush on him. And both are asexual. What it takes to get them together is a clueless brother.

I will say that Nic’s brother really annoyed me. WAY WAY overprotective of his brother. I kind of understood when Nic was traveling alone. But after Falk joined him, it was total overkill.

But it was still a fun book to read. Traveling the English coast, digging for buried treasure, finally telling off a coworker who is mean and admitting that they have been in love with each other for years.

And because they were both ACE, there were a couple of brief “this is all I want to do” talks to see that they were both on the same page.

Great beach read!

4 pieces of eye candy

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

Dahlia Donovan wrote her first romance series after a crazy dream about shifters and damsels in distress. She prefers irreverent humour and unconventional characters. An autistic and occasional hermit, her life wouldn’t be complete without her husband and her massive collection of books and video games.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Crown Court Killer (London Podcast Mystery #3): Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

June 2, 2022 by Denise

. .

Months after saving their flamboyant theatre friend from disaster, Dannel Ortea and Osian Garey are back with a thrilling murder investigation in the third London Podcast Mystery series novel.

Dannel and Osian’s breakfast double date rapidly devolves into a murder mystery when a dead body is found in their solicitor friend’s car. Wayne is taken for questioning by police. He was last seen arguing with the deceased.

When Wayne’s tie is identified as the murder weapon, it’s hard to refute the growing evidence stacked against him.

Convinced of their friend’s innocence, Dannel and Osian throw themselves into the investigation. When Wayne’s boyfriend, Roland, finds himself suspended from the police, they realise powerful people are involved in the murder.

With a philandering crown court judge, two disgruntled wives, and an angry client as suspects, the clock is ticking for them to find the killer before Wayne winds up arrested—or dead.

Author: Dahlia Donovan
Title: Crown Court Killer
Series: London Podcast Mystery, #3
Genre: Cosy Mystery
Release Date: May 27th
Word Count: Approx. 50k

Amazon – All Regions

Goodreads

iTunes

B&N

Kobo

London Podcast Mystery Series

Cosplay Killer (book 1) ON SALE FOR 99c

Ghost Light Killer (book 2)

“We’re here.” Osian nudged him out of his thoughts. “Not sure the Uber driver wants to idle forever.”

“Sorry.” Dannel muttered an apology to the driver and got out of the car. He leaned his forehead against Osian’s shoulder after the vehicle had driven away. “Maybe we should’ve stopped for coffee.”

“Poor lad.” Osian reached up to gently massage Dannel’s neck. “It could always be worse.”

“How?”

“Chelsea could’ve already won.”

“Arse.” Dannel went to push him away when flashing lights caught his attention. “Ossie.”

“Hmm?” Osian followed his gaze to the numerous police vehicles blocking off a section of the car park. “Someone’s died.”

“Checked your crystal ball?”

“Don’t be daft.” Osian gestured to a group off to one side near the entrance to the building. They walked closer, trying to see what was happening. “Haider’s over there. Why else would they call him in, since he mostly handles homicides?”

“Rolly.” Dannel spotted his brother speaking with Detective Inspector Haider Khan. Roland was waving his hands about quite animatedly. “He’s not happy.”

“Inside voice,” Osian murmured. “Let’s not draw the attention of the nice constables and detectives just yet.”

“Look.” Dannel elbowed Osian in the side, nodding his head toward a familiar figure seated in the back of one of the police vehicles. “Not good.”

“Wayne locked up in the back is more than not good.” He caught Dannel by the arm, guiding him forward. “Let’s see if Haider will tell us anything.”

“Wayne’s car.”

They’d moved close enough to easily see the vehicle cordoned off with caution tape. Several detectives were inspecting the interior while others, who Dannel recognised from the coroner’s office, lifted a body out of the boot onto a stretcher. He had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.

“Danny.” Roland drew their attention, jogging over. He gripped Dannel’s arms tightly as if he’d fall over without the hold. “They won’t listen to me.”

Gone was his confident and strong brother. Dannel awkwardly hugged Roland. He couldn’t recall ever seeing him so affected.

Dannel didn’t quite know how to help his brother. He couldn’t tell if Roland was angry or sad; deciphering emotions didn’t come easily to him. “Who’s not listening to you about what?”

“DI Khan. Any of them.” Roland shook his head, stepping back and standing up straight. “They’ve taken Wayne in for questioning because they found Barnaby’s body in his boot.”

“I’d honestly hoped we’d run out of dead bodies to find.” Dannel kept a hand on his brother’s shoulder.

“Maybe third time’s the charm?” Osian suggested.

“We’ve discovered more than three bodies.”

Another fun (can that be a word for it?) cozy murder mystery with Ossie and Dannel and the rest of the crew. Poor long suffering DI Haider, although he is great at pretending to not care, but he does.

I love that these guys are not supposed to get involved, but really can’t help themselves. They have people they care about, and are not willing to let them be railroaded, so they just poke around until they find what they need, usually when it’s too late and someone is in danger. It’s just fun, enjoyable to read.

The relationship between Osian and Dannel is perfect. They do not feel the need to be glued to each other’s sides. And Osian knows when Dannel needs time on his own, and not only respects that, but doesn’t allow anyone else to disrespect that. Meanwhile, Dannel knows that Osian will take care of those things that Dannel just doesn’t have the capacity to deal with. He doesn’t question it, he just knows that Osian will cover it, and that kind of love and trust shows that not only are they an established couple, but one that has known each other for their entire lives. The short crayon story by Dannel’s father really showed how integral they’ve always been in each other’s lives.

I won’t give any spoilers on this, other than to say that the entire group gets involved in this one…and who knew about Ian??? 🙂 …Another really good story, and I can see how this series just blooms in different directions but still can focus on two such different MC’s but with such a loving and companionable relationship.

You will definitely want to read this if you’ve read the first two books.

4 pieces of eye candy

Connect with Dahlia:
Website: http://dahliadonovan.com
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1108750876162947/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dahliadonovan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DahliaDonovan
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/dahlia-donovan
Newsletter sign up: http://eepurl.com/Q0n0X
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/8184061.Dahlia_Donovan
Publisher Website: https://www.hottreepublishing.com/book-author/dahlia-donovan/
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Dahlia-Donovan/e/B00KFNZFHU
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dahliadonovanauthor/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Crown Court Killer (London Podcast Mystery, #3) by Dahlia Donovan: Release Blitz with Giveaway

May 27, 2022 by Denise

. .

Months after saving their flamboyant theatre friend from disaster, Dannel Ortea and Osian Garey are back with a thrilling murder investigation in the third London Podcast Mystery series novel.

When Wayne’s tie is identified as the murder weapon, it’s hard to refute the growing evidence stacked against him.

With a philandering crown court judge, two disgruntled wives, and an angry client as suspects, the clock is ticking for them to find the killer before Wayne winds up arrested—or dead.

Author: Dahlia Donovan
Title: Crown Court Killer
Series: London Podcast Mystery, #3
Genre: Cosy Mystery
Release Date: May 27th
Word Count: Approx. 50k

Amazon – All Regions

iTunes

B&N

Kobo

London Podcast Mystery Series

Cosplay Killer (book 1) ON SALE FOR 99c

Ghost Light Killer (book 2)

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ghost Light Killer (London Podcast Mystery, #2) by Dahlia Donovan: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

August 13, 2021 by Denise

Several months after their first brush with death, Dannel Ortea and Osian Garey are back with a thrilling murder investigation in the second London Podcast Mystery Series novel.

While helping their flamboyant neighbour with his play, Dannel and Osian discover more than a ghost haunting the stage at the Evelyn Lavelle theatre. It’s all fun and games until a friend is found kneeling over a dead body.

Is he the murderer or an unfortunate witness?

When one body turns to two, then to three, will the killer ever be found?

As Dannel and Osian work together to solve the mystery, the murderer focuses on them. Their drive to clear their friend’s name puts them centre stage. But not everything under the glow of the bright lights glimmers.

Will anyone be left when the curtain falls?

Author: Dahlia Donovan
Title: Ghost Light Killer
Series: London Podcast Mystery, #2
Genre: M/M Cosy Mystery
Release Date: August 7th
Word Count: Approx. 60k

Amazon

Goodreads

Cosplay Killer (book 1)

ON SALE FOR 99c

Amazon

“Not you two again.” Detective Inspector Haider Khan had pushed through the throng of onlookers, coming to a halt when he spotted Dannel and Osian. He pinched the bridge of his nose for several seconds. “Why am I not surprised?”

“We’ve got witnesses. It wasn’t us,” Dannel insisted immediately. “Definitely not us.”

“Inside voice.” Osian bent forward to whisper.

“Sorry.” Dannel grabbed Osian’s hand. “We were definitely not in the room where it happened.”

Haider narrowed his eyes on them when Osian muffled his snort of amusement against Dannel’s arm. “Small mercies, I suppose.”

Surveying the room and the crowded hallway, the detective inspector waved over the constables who’d come with him. He dispatched them to herd the witnesses out into the auditorium. His partner, Detective Inspector Powell, joined him; her eyes widened when she caught sight of Dannel and Osian.

Dannel didn’t want to risk unnecessary attention. He’d seen before how that almost led to Osian’s arrest. “We’ll join the other witnesses.”

“Not so fast.” Haider glanced around the room. Archie still stood in the far corner, pale and shaking, watching the paramedics finish up and step aside for the coroner. “While DI Powell speaks with your friend, why don’t we move down the hall and you two tell me what happened?”

I cannot and will not give anything away about this book. It is a mystery after all. 🙂

What I will say is Os and Dannel are at it again. They are kind of pulled into investigating, despite telling Haider “no we will not!”, the murder of one of their friends’ mother. It goes downhill from there, of course. But the enjoyment of the reader only just begins.

I love these two together. They are smart and funny, and just know each other so well. Os does what he needs to to take care of Dannel when he needs time to be away. And Dannel, while he doesn’t really understand Os’s grief, and how that progresses, he respects it, and does what he can to honor it. They are just great together, both funny and sensitive. It’s the relationship that works best for them, and hits the readers heart.

Something that really struck me with this was the author did not leave the PTSD for Os back in book 1. She carried it through here, giving him options for how to deal with it, how to move forward and even help other emergency responders deal with their own grief and PTSD. I appreciated that so much, because PTSD doesn’t just “go away”, and carrying this through, acknowledges that.

There is the fun cast of characters. A “ghost” that appears and shuts and locks doors when you least expect it. We get to see more of Ian, who is the neighbor that we all want in our life. And of course the mystery that only Os and Dannel can find the clues to. They may bumble right in to solving it.

Another well done book in this series, and I’m certainly ready to read more of their antics in London. 🙂

4 pieces of eye candy

Website: http://dahliadonovan.com
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1108750876162947/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dahliadonovan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DahliaDonovan
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/dahlia-donovan
Newsletter sign up: http://eepurl.com/Q0n0X
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/8184061.Dahlia_Donovan
Publisher Website: https://www.hottreepublishing.com/book-author/dahlia-donovan/
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2U83sik
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dahliadonovanauthor/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pure Dumb Luck by Dahlia Donovan: Exclusive Guest Post, Excerpt, and Giveaway

October 11, 2019 by Denise

When two small-town country dudes win the lottery, they finally find the courage to speak their truth.

An unexpected adventure follows.

Linwood “Woody” Robinson has a routine. He works for his baby brother in construction, buys three lottery tickets every week, and lusts after his best friend from high school. He’s done the same thing for twenty years.

Eddison “Eddie” Howard owns the only gas station in their small South Carolina town, sells lottery tickets, and lusts after his best friend from afar. They joke around but never speak their truth. He knows they’re cowards but can’t seem to find the courage to bridge the gulf between them.

And then they win eighty million dollars.

Life changes.

They go from never talking about their feelings to facing the world together.

Can anything pull them apart?

Title: Pure Dumb Luck

Author Name: Dahlia Donovan

Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing

Release Date: Saturday, September 28 2019

Story Type: Novella 20k-50k

Word Count: 30000

Cover Artist: Booksmith Design

Genres: MM Romantic Comedy

Pairings: MM

Tropes: friends-to-lovers

Keywords/Categories: travel, millionaire, best friends, adventure, hurt-comfort, comedy, foodie

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Amazon CAN

Publisher

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

iBooks

Goodreads

QueeRomance Ink

When I’m writing, I generally have a music playlist (or two), but I’ll also have one for movies and TV shows. Not for every novel, it’s just for certain stories I need a little help getting into the vibe. Pure Dumb Luck was definitely one of those.

I thought I’d share ten of the TV shows that I watched while writing my fun travel rom-com.

And they’re not in any particular order.

Travel Man (So damn funny)
World’s Most Dangerous Roads
Amazing Hotels
Parts Unknown
Kindness Diaries
Departures
Stephen Fry in America
Ugly Delicious
The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan
The Layover

How about you? What are your favourite travel-themed TV shows?

“Go inside. Buy your lottery tickets. Shoot the shit—all calm and natural-like.” Woody gripped the steering wheel of his pickup truck tightly, trying to talk himself into getting out of it. A familiar pep talk. Familiar and oft repeated. “You’ve known Eddie since elementary school. You’ve been staring at his ass since he played quarterback to your running back in junior high. No point in getting all fucking weird around him now.”

Patting the bobblehead football player on his dashboard for good luck, Woody reluctantly slipped out of his truck. He slammed the door and plastered a grin on his face. Lottery tickets wouldn’t buy themselves.

And Eddie had already seen his truck. If he ran away now, he’d never hear the end of it. The temptation to get back into his vehicle was strong.

C’mon.

This is not even close to the hardest part of your day.

Except it had definitely become the most difficult daily event. Woody had never considered himself a coward, yet every single morning, he walked into the gas station to see his best friend, the person he’d been in love with for years, and said nothing beyond small talk.

He never told the truth of the ache in his heart growing too painful to ignore. He couldn’t. What if Eddie rejected him?

“Your usual?”

Woody grinned at Eddie, who ran the family-owned gas station in their little country town nestled in the middle of a national forest in the southern Appalachian Mountains. “You know me. Boring as shit. I’m consistent, at least.”

“One large coffee, one pack of powdered donuts, and three lottery tickets. Two for you, one for me.” Eddie rolled his dark brown eyes and held out a large hand for the card Woody held out to him. “You never change, dude. You’ve been doing this for twenty years—since high school. I know Coach said you were full of dumb luck, but I don’t think he meant with the Mega Millions.”

“Have a little faith, Eddie.” He grabbed both his breakfast and the lottery tickets, winking at his oldest friend, who hadn’t changed much in the thirty years since they’d known each other. Still as fucking hot as the day I first saw him in the shower at the gym. His warm brown skin had glistened under the shower. Maybe stop thinking about Eddie naked in the middle of the gas station. “We still on for fishing this weekend?”

“Unless you get lucky with your numbers. If you do, we’ll go fishing on a yacht instead of your granddaddy’s rickety old boat.” He tapped a finger against the ticket stub in Woody’s hand. “Go on. Get your ass out of here. You’re ruining the atmosphere. Plus, I like watching you leave.”

For the past twenty years, they’d danced around each other. Woody had given up on anything happening between them outside of harmless flirting. Maybe it was too clichéd—two former jocks who fell in love on the football field finally getting their chance in their late thirties.

It sounded like a cheesy movie plot.

The only way I’m getting lucky at this point is with the lottery tickets.

And I’m all out of luck with that as well.