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Twice In A Lifetime (Sheltered Connections, Book 1) by R.M Neill: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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One is suffering through a fog of grief. The other crushing feelings of inadequacy.
Fate knew they needed each other.

Dominic
For the longest time, I believed we get one shot at true love. A single person that sets our soul on fire. I had that with my wife until she died, then I was lost in a dark sea of grief. In need of companionship, I decided to adopt a dog.

What I found at the shelter was so much more. Micha, the volunteer, is insanely cute and ridiculously funny. He awakens feelings within me I never knew existed. Is it possible I may get a second chance at real love?

Micha
Love just isn’t in the cards for some people. And I’m among those unfortunate few destined to be alone. I trusted the wrong man with my heart once and had it shattered into a million pieces. I won’t make that mistake twice. Instead, I pour every ounce of my energy into building my business and trying to convince myself I’m not lonely.

But Dominic could be the one to tear down the walls I hide behind. He’s the most handsome man I ever met and unbelievably kind. I know he experienced a horrible loss. Is that what’s behind his attraction to me? Or has the connection between us led to his bisexual awakening?

Twice in a Lifetime is the first book in the Sheltered Connections Series. This book involves themes of hurt/comfort, bisexual awakening, and an age gap. Swoon-worthy moments, laugh-out-loud humor, and scorching chemistry make up this 70k word story. Oh, and don’t forget the cherry flavored icing.

Title: Twice In A Lifetime
Authors: R.M Neill
Series: Sheltered Connections, Book 1
Genre: Contemporary.
Tropes: bisexual awakening, hurt/comfort, age-gap.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

I spin my phone and open the screen again to see mine and Jenny’s face smiling back at me. I slide it over to Micha.

His hand goes to his mouth with a quiet gasp. “Oh Dominic, is this Jenny?” I nod with a proud smile, and he raises the phone for a closer look. “She’s beautiful. I love her eyes, so full of happiness here. What were you doing?”

He passes the phone back to me and I close the screen. “It was the semi-formal in college. Almost ten years ago now. And thank you, she was beautiful.”

“Not was Dom. She is and always will be. That’s never going to change.”

My mouth goes dry as I stare at this man. The only person that’s pulled me away from speaking about Jenny in the past tense because he’s right, she always will be beautiful, and he wasn’t afraid to come out and say it. No tip toeing around, wondering if he might say the wrong thing to me. He so freely speaks his mind, even in the face of grief. It’s a refreshing change from how most people speak to me about her. I definitely like it.

This was a new to me author, and well there was an animal, so I jumped right in. I believe that although this is the first book in the series, that one of the couples may have been from a previous book. Either way, this book is a stand-alone.

Dom has decided to step back into the dating pool after his beautiful wife dies, and he is grief stricken. When that doesn’t quite go as planned, then adopt a dog to help with the loneliness. In comes Maggie, and the volunteer who helps Dom become a dog owner who knows how to care for his dog. So sweet! Dom had previously thought he was straight, but realizes he’s bisexual as he meets and wants to get to know Micha more, with very little angst on his part at the suddenness of it.

Micha had to be one of the best people in that town. He saw how easily people he was supposed to count on, hurt him and cast him aside. Meanwhile, he runs a successful dog grooming business by himself, volunteers at the animal shelter, and still seems to want to assist everyone as much as possible. I adored Micha, and was rooting hard for his HEA, after all the pain he’d experienced at the hands of his own father and the man he’d been in love with at 19. I also loved that Micha talked to the dogs he was grooming to try to work through his problem. That was adorable.

I found it a bit strange the way the location of the businesses was set up, or at least how I saw them. The grooming business was connected by a door to the vet business, even though they did not work together. The shelter, Dom’s butcher shop. It seemed as if they were all on the same street. Was it a small town, or a very tiny town? Also with Tara, how did she not know about Dom and Micha. Anyway, this all was a bit distracting to the story for me.

Micha’s friends were incredible with him. They were the friends that you call if you need to hide a body. They were completely behind him, always trying to build him up, and making sure he was taken care of. He deserved that kind of caring.

All in all, well written, with a few head scratching moments, but still a recommended read.

4 pieces of eye candy

I’m a wife, mom, animal lover and a hopeless romantic.

I want my stories to make you smile, swoon and snort laugh, but not necessarily in that order.

I hope I can be the author you turn to when you need a story to make you laugh, or add light to an otherwise dark day.

Coffee always wins, you can’t change my mind.

Connect with R.M.:
Website: https://www.rmneillauthor.com/
Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/RMNeillauthor
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/466017144750570
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/r.m.neill_author/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/r-m-neill
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21347944.R_M_Neill
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B091BGY8LS

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Mr. Jingle Bells: A Gay Christmas Romance (Home for the Holidays Book 3) by Leta Blake: RB, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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Opposites attract as frosty business partners become fake boyfriends in this Christmas gay romance!

After an emergency forces Ashton Sellers from his apartment, all he wants for Christmas is new lipgloss, zero contact from his abusive family, and a place to stay for the holidays. Cue his business partner begrudgingly taking him in.

Walker’s a fuddy-duddy with no sense of fun, but he does have a safe, warm home with four adorable dogs and delicious food on the table.

If it turns out Walker’s also a secret softy with a tender side and a hot body beneath his endless parade of golf shirts? Great, good, cool. And if Walker wants Ashton to pretend to be his boyfriend for his sister’s Christmas-themed wedding? Awesome, amazing.

Could Walker be the safe haven Ashton missed out on as a child? Could they be falling in love for real?

But when Ashton uncovers a painful mistake in Walker’s past, it hits too close to home. As the jingle bells quiet and the snow settles, will Ashton be able to forgive Walker, or will their relationship be over before it ever truly begins?

Mr. Jingle Bells is a gay Christmas story by Leta Blake featuring forced proximity, opposites attract, fake dating, office romance, steamy scenes, and a taffy-sweet happy ending. It’s set in the Home for the Holidays universe, which began with Mr. Frosty Pants, but can be read as a standalone.

Content warnings for childhood abuse, past addiction issues, PTSD episodes, and gambling

Title: Mr. Jingle Bells
Authors: Leta Blake
Series: Home for the Holidays, Book 3

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

“Walker, was this your idea?”

Walker realized that he’d let Ashton take control of the presentation, and he lifted his chin confidently. “It was. I thought of it last night, and I think we can pull it off. And even if we can’t, even if people suspect that it’s all for show and that I’m paying him to escort me, or even just pretending to be dating him like his post suggested, that’ll be fuel enough for gossip, right? Like why would I do that? People will have a lot to say either way. And none of it about you, Tom, Morgan, or the kids.”

“And Mom and Dad?”

“There should be nothing shameful in their son bringing a beautiful man to your wedding.”

Evelyn looked between him and Ashton and then down at their joined hands. Her mouth twitched up at the corner again, and she turned to Tom. “Let’s talk in private for a minute? In the hotel lobby? We’ll be right back.”

Walker thought Ashton would let go of his hand as soon as Evelyn and Tom left, but he didn’t. Instead he traced Walker’s knuckles with his thumb, saying, “I can’t believe they think I can’t do this. I mean, I could absolutely make anyone believe I’m in love with you. It wouldn’t even be hard.”

“But what about me?” Walker asked gruffly. “Maybe I’m not as great an actor.”

Ashton looked up at him, his green eyes shining in the candlelight. He searched Walker’s face and grinned. “Ah, no, just look at me like that! And everyone will believe we’re madly in love! That’s perfect, Walker. You’re a really good actor already, see?”

Walker almost gaped. He wasn’t acting right now? And he wasn’t in love? He was just…impressed by how much he’d missed about Ashton before. By focusing on all the ways Ashton was different from him, by feeling uncomfortable with Ashton’s dissimilarities instead of appreciating them, he’d almost missed out on a really cool person.

Ashton sighed happily, gazing up at him. “Man, the person you look at like that for real? They’re gonna be so lucky.” Then he released Walker’s hand and took up his drink.

Walker’s skin tingled where Ashton had been touching him, and he wanted to wrap their fingers together again. But he lifted his bourbon and sipped it instead. Weird how lines got so easily blurred when a person was lonely. He needed to keep that in mind.

Tom and Evelyn returned from the lobby, Evelyn with a grin spread across her face like Christmas-come-early, and Tom with a smirk directed at Walker that he didn’t quite know how to interpret.

“We’re in,” Evelyn said. “Right, Tom?”

Tom nodded, his eyes on Walker. “Yup. We’re good to go with this plan. Initiate Operation Fake Boyfriend.”

Ashton squirmed with excitement next to Walker. “Fantastic! Now we just need to decide on the details.”

Immediately, Ashton and Evelyn began to plot. Tom kept sneaking indecipherable looks at Walker but saying nothing. It wasn’t long before they all needed another round of drinks.

“Okay, so like how crazy can I go?” Ashton asked, leaning forward over the table toward Evelyn, hand to his chest. “I assure you I don’t ever want to take attention away from you as the bride—”

“No, please do!”

“Okay, I could wear this for example? To the wedding?” Ashton flipped his phone around and displayed a picture of himself in the most flamboyant suit Walker had ever seen. It was a sky-blue skinny tuxedo with orange and white koi fish printed all over it. Why did Ashton even own this atrocity? And why did Walker suspect that Ashton would actually look smoking hot in it?

“God, that’s perfect. Perfect,” Evelyn cooed. “Oh, Tom, just think of everyone’s faces. Your Uncle Dave will shit a brick.”

“Or maybe this one?” Ashton turned the phone around again, flipped through some of his photos, and then found what he was looking for. “Too much? Or just right?”

“Oh God, it’s great, but almost not enough.”

How could it not be enough? In the photo, Ashton wore a fitted, burgundy suit that was so tight through the legs and ass that it made Walker feel a little…well, a little aroused and tingly, and he wasn’t sure that was what he wanted to feel on his sister’s wedding day.

Nor did he think he wanted to feel that way about Ashton at all. Though it seemed to keep happening. Like the other night when he’d been unable to tear his eyes away from Ashton’s collarbones, or when he’d had to shift around as he’d massaged his feet to keep from getting hard.

“I have another more exciting option,” Ashton said. When he presented the next photo, Walker’s legs went numb and a cold sweat broke out in the small of his back. Fuck. That suit was some kind of high-fashion bondage gear combination. How had Ashton even afforded these pieces? They all looked like they were incredibly pricey. Plus, was Ashton into that? Bondage and all that went with it? Because Walker absolutely wasn’t.

Why did it matter? They were just friends! What was going on in his head?

Not gonna lie…when I saw how many pages this book was, I was a bit intimidated. Lately long books have taken me at least two weeks to read, and my expectation was that it would take me at least that or more for Mr. Jingle Bells. Nope! Three days, and it flew by. I couldn’t put this book down! I loved both these characters, the side characters, and especially the dogs. 🙂

Ashton was so unapologetically himself, and I loved that for him. He had a bad childhood, one that few people really understand the depths of, even when reading it. He worked hard to get where he was, even with little to show for it monetarily, because of his trust in the wrong person. He knew where his boundaries were, and didn’t allow others to cross into it, even if it hurt him. He was strong from the inside, and someone any of us would be proud to be friends with.

With Walker, he had his own boundaries but still managed to have a huge heart and would do almost anything for someone he cared about…or even someone he barely knew, when he took in Ashton.

There was so much going on in this book, it could have been difficult to keep everything straight, but it absolutely was not. Everything was weaved together seamlessly. Ashton’s moments of pain, one after another. Walker being there to pick up the pieces. Evelyn and Tom’s upcoming wedding. Even down to Walker’s grandfather, as a bit of a catalyst. It was so well written, that as the story wound through one portion then another, it flowed through each storyline, building upon itself.

There were a few pieces I didn’t understand. How did Ashton and Walker end up in business together if they really didn’t know each other at all, not something I could see doing. I also didn’t quite see how their idea of trolling people at Evelyn’s wedding would pay off in the end. It came together, but still wasn’t something I couldn’t quite grasp for myself. However, those were small issues, and did not take away from the story at all.

This book was not just about two men falling in love, but the redemption and changes they both needed in their lives. For themselves, and then for each other. And the sticky sweet ending will have you wondering why we can’t have Christmas books all year long. It was sigh worthy. (But also bring a few tissues to the reading of the book…you’ll need them in a few places, for sure.)

In the end, I think I loved this book even more than the previous two in this series, and that’s saying a lot, because I loved them as well. So well done, and you won’t regret a minute of sitting down, reading this, and ignoring all the other things you “should” be doing, for the thing you want to be doing. 🙂

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Author of the bestselling book Smoky Mountain Dreams and the fan favorite Training Season, Leta Blake’s educational and professional background is in psychology and finance, respectively. However, her passion has always been for writing. She enjoys crafting romance stories and exploring the psyches of made up people. At home in the Southern U.S., Leta works hard at achieving balance between her day job, her writing, and her family.

If you’d like to be among the first to know about new releases, you can sign up for Leta’s newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/bdn32H

Bonus material for the Heat of Love series, Will & Patrick Wake Up Married series, Training Season series, Smoky Mountain Dreams, Mr. Frosty Pants, The River Leith, and more is available on Leta Blake’s Patreon account. Sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/letablake

Or you can find out more about her by following her online:

On the web: https://letablake.com

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letablake

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/LetaBlakea Rafflecopter giveaway

Never Fade Away by EL Esch: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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Until death does us part, but it’s knocking on our door…

I’d had enough. That’s how I found myself in a dingy alleyway with my revolver in my hand. I was sick and dying anyway, and there was nothing I could do about it. Nothing except maybe taking back some shred of control by going out on my own terms.

One deep breath. Two… Three… Four…

Surrounded by the darkness of my own mind, this was the only solution I could see, but before I could do something I’d regret, rock star Anno Goodkind crashed into my life and flipped it upside down.

It was supposed to be one casual hookup. No complications and definitely no feelings. No, the most logical thing to do would be to stuff my emotions down so nobody got hurt. Especially not him. But nobody told me that love didn’t give a damn about logic.

CONTENT WARNING: This story has a HEA but deals with heavy themes of illness, suicide, anxiety, and depression. Reader discretion is advised.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

I opened my eyes and turned toward Anno. He’d retrieved a guitar from the SUV at some point and was now plucking the strings gently with his fingertips. It was the same one he’d been playing at the concert.

“Haven’t heard this one,” I said.

The multicolored rubber bracelets on Anno’s wrists shook as his hands moved expertly in and out of notes. He rocked his torso to the tune as he played, humming softly. The soft light of the moon traced his face as he moved, accenting his nose and jaw. Looking at him, I felt happy. He seemed so content, so in his element that he radiated a contagious aura of tranquility.

But all at once he stopped, and then he swore. The aura dissipated.

“None of it feels right lately.” He reached into the back pocket of his jeans and pulled out a lighter and a pack of cigarettes. He offered me one, but I held up my hand in refusal. After a long drag on a cigarette, he sighed deeply on a puff of smoke.

“It sounded good to me.”

“Ha, thanks.” Another long draw on the cigarette and then he tossed it to the ground and stomped out any lingering embers.

“It was a nice riff. Comfortable, soft… sort of haunting. I dunno, I liked it. Made me feel good.”

“You really think?” He hopped back up on the hood of the SUV and turned on his side toward me.

Why did he sound so uncertain? He was a popular artist. People loved his music. Yet I could hear the quiver in his voice when he asked me if I really believed what I’d said.

“I do.” I nodded. “And I haven’t felt comfortable in a long time. But maybe that’s the booze.” I started to laugh, and then I noticed Anno leaning toward me.

His lips were inches from mine. I could smell the beer we’d been drinking on his breath. He tilted his head and our noses brushed ever so slightly.

Shakily, I slipped my hand around the back of his head. His hair felt freshly cut and prickled along my palm as I gently pushed to close the gap between us.

If you’ve read my reviews you know I love angst. I want to FEEL the emotions. Good or bad. But also, I don’t want to read about fabricated angst. Those dumb fights that the couple has so they break up for five minutes and it’s called conflict just so they can get back together. No. I want real. I want gritty. I want to cry because I am so in their world that it feels like I know them. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten that. Until this book.

Vincent is sick and dying. Although we don’t find out exactly what he has and what is killing him for quite a while. When Anno finds him, Vincent is about to take matters into his own hands. Knowing he is dying anyway, why make it drawn out? Instead Anno shows up…and basically never leaves.

Anno has his own issues. And while this could absolutely lead to some serious codependence, it doesn’t. They call each other on their crap. Vincent doesn’t care that Anno is famous. Anno doesn’t care that Vincent lives in a tiny apartment. They learn about each other, what their demons are and they don’t try to fix each other. I was waiting for that. Waiting for Anno to try to throw money at the “problem”. Wanting to send Vincent to the best doctors, second, third and fourth opinions. But he doesn’t. He respects that Vincent is a grown man who can make his own decisions about his own life.

And they are grown men. Mid- late 30’s and early 40’s. THAT was refreshing.

I almost- almost- hated knowing that this would be a happily ever after. Because, how? I looked down at the percentage left and wondered how. How was this going to wrap up and not be rushed? But the author did it. The epilogue was just the perfect ending. Realistic and not “omg a miracle!”.

So yes, I ugly cried while reading. A lot. A lot a lot. Which just shows how invested I was in these men. Not only as a couple, but individually.

Why I took 1/2 a piece of eye candy away below
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Silly things like Vincent and his bestie met in college and stayed besties. And I get it that whatever he was in college for he went into construction because he loved it. But his bff is a stylist. So…I don’t know what she was doing in college? Or what she did and then went to cosmetology school?

Yes, I am picky. That is well established. Sorry, not sorry.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

I’m a huge gamer, a lover of books and art, and have a fascination for lizards and other small critters that borders on an obsession. Which is probably why I already own 3 and have to actively stop myself from getting more.

I began writing because I always loved the idea that words can create entire universes and characters from nothing but a blank page and an idea. Like one day you have an empty Word document and then in as little as a few minutes—boom! You just created a snarky art school graduate with purple hair whose blood may actually be 90% coffee.

I write Male/Male adult romance. My books usually focus on realistic life topics—stuff everyday people go through and struggle with. I like when we as readers can feel connected to the characters we’re reading about. When we can understand their feelings and then suddenly they become truly human.

Please consider signing up for new release information through my newsletter at my website:
https://www.eleschbooks.com

Connect with Eryn:
Website: https://www.eleschbooks.com
Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/author.elesch
Facebook Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/elesch
Instagram Follow – https://www.instagram.com/e_l_esch/
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Goodreads Follow – https://www.goodreads.com/e-l-esc
Amazon Follow –  https://amazon.com/author/elesch

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Not Until Noah (Star Crossed, Book 1) by Lisa Henry: RB, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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Carter Westlake is on the brink of being Hollywood gold. Cast as the lead in a highly-anticipated sci-fi trilogy filming in Australia, he’s primed to be the next A-list action hero: all-American, hot as hell, and straight. The problem is, Carter can only check off two of those boxes. But that’s okay—his bisexuality can remain a secret until these movies are behind him.

Childhood educator Noah Jones has a plan. Work as a nanny for six months, make some extra cash, and move to the UK to teach. He doesn’t expect his new boss to be a Hollywood star. And he certainly isn’t prepared to fall for the guy.

One kiss sends them tumbling into a secret relationship, even though they both agree it can be nothing more than a fling. Carter needs to stay in the closet for the sake of his career, and Noah’s leaving. But when their feelings continue to grow into something deeper, Carter has a decision to make. Knowing that exposing his sexuality could cost him his career, would he rather carry on living a lie, or risk it all to stand tall in his truth?

Not Until Noah is the first book in the Star Crossed series, where regular guys meet famous ones, and sparks fly.

Title: Not Until Noah

Author: Lisa Henry

Series: Star Crossed, Book 1

Genre: Contemporary.

Tropes: secret relationship/manny and single dad.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Noah went into his bedroom and grabbed his bag of toiletries and the boxers and T-shirt he slept in. He bundled them all together and stepped back into the hallway, intending to head for the bathroom.

Instead, he almost stepped right into Carter Westlake.

He put up a hand to stop them colliding, his fingers sliding over the thin fabric of Carter’s soft shirt and into the dip of his sternum. His breath caught, and his face burned. He took a quick step back.

“Thanks,” Carter said. “For today. Emerson had a great time.”

“I did too,” he said, trying not to stare at the way Carter’s mouth moved. “She’s a great kid.”

“She doesn’t usually warm up to new people quickly,” Carter said. “But she loves you.”

There was something about the way Carter said it, something vulnerable in the slight hitch of his voice, that made Noah’s heart skip a beat. The moment was heavier than a compliment wrapped in a revelation about a child’s sociability should have been. Noah had no words, and the silence between them suddenly shifted and became laden with something that he was terrified to name, except he could feel it. Sudden anticipation in the air, sudden electricity. And Carter’s gaze was holding his as though it were magnetic. He almost forgot to breathe.

And then Carter was closing the distance between them again. “Noah, can I—”

“Yes,” he said, the blood roaring in his skull. It couldn’t be what he thought it was—it couldn’t be—but it also didn’t matter what it was. There was probably nothing in the world that Carter Westlake could ask him that Noah would refuse. Not in this strange moment where the rest of the universe had somehow ceased to exist.

Carter tucked a finger under Noah’s chin—Noah’s breath shuddered out of him—and leaned in to kiss him.

A million frantic thoughts sounded like klaxons in the back of Noah’s mind, all blaring the same urgent, panicked message:

Carter Westlake is kissing you!

Carter Westlake—the movie star—is kissing you!

And he had no idea what the hell he was supposed to do with that information, except maybe enjoy the kiss while it lasted.

He lifted his shaking hand and ran it through Carter’s hair, encouraging him to keep going, and shivered as Carter’s tongue slid along the soft seam of his lips. He opened his mouth, and the sensation of their tongues touching sent a thrum of molten heat through his body. He moaned into the kiss.

No, it wasn’t Carter Westlake the movie star who was kissing him; it was Carter Westlake the man. And he wasn’t sure why, but that suddenly seemed like an important distinction.

Carter drew back for a moment, and his heart seized at the loss. Carter only leaned in again, though, sucking gently on his bottom lip before releasing it and sealing their mouths together once more. Noah’s body thrummed with need. He twisted his fingers in Carter’s hair and shivered as Carter’s hands came to rest on his hips. He suddenly wanted to pull Carter closer, to bring their bodies together as tightly as he could—

His toiletry bag thumped to the floor as he released his grip on it.

The sudden noise broke the spell between them, broke the kiss.

Carter stepped away quickly. “I’m sorry. Shit, I’m sorry.”

The heat in Noah’s body transformed into burning shame.

“That was inappropriate,” Carter said. He wasn’t meeting Noah’s gaze. “I’ll…”

He gestured toward the stairs and then hurried past Noah toward them. He didn’t look back.

Noah’s hands shook. He leaned against the wall for a moment, fighting for breath. Then, his eyes stinging, he stooped and picked up his bag and his pajamas. He hurried to the bathroom, closing and locking the door.

He leaned against the vanity, his back turned to the mirror because he wasn’t sure he could look at himself right now.

And that distinction between Carter Westlake the movie star and Carter Westlake the man—the one that had seemed so significant while they’d been kissing—was a joke, wasn’t it? Because Carter Westlake was also his employer, and Noah was a fucking idiot not to have remembered that. Carter could fire him for this. Would that be better or worse than not being fired, but somehow continuing to stay here and pretend nothing had happened? He had no idea. Nothing like this had ever happened to him before. And he could wave any future contracts with CTL goodbye if Karen found out he’d kissed a client.

Stupid.

Stupid stupid stupid.

He buried his face in his hands, squeezed his eyes shut, and groaned.

Stupid, but if Carter knocked on the bathroom door right now and asked if he wanted to kiss him again, Noah wasn’t sure that he’d be able to refuse him. He wasn’t sure he’d want to because nobody had ever kissed him the way that Carter had, and even knowing it was the dumbest thing in the world, he wanted more.

This is the first contemporary book by Lisa Henry that I’ve read. However, considering how much I have loved the Lords of Bucknall series, I knew I wanted to jump into this one. I wasn’t disappointed with this one.

I always love when books are set in Australia, as I loved my brief time there, so it’s always fun to revisit mentally. Not that I was able to stay in a house quite like the one Carter Westlake was renting.

With Carter on the verge of his “big break” with a trilogy of action movies, he is still firmly in the closet, until Noah becomes a nanny for the five months they are expecting to be in Australia. What I loved most about Carter was his fallibility. He was a fantastic father…but still managed to disappoint his child on a few occasions, despite his best efforts. He wanted to be out of the closet, and yet knew he couldn’t until…whenever…and acknowledged that whenever will likely never come.

Noah meanwhile was so good with Carter’s child, not just being a manny, but actually engaging with her, teaching her, showing her the world. It was a lovely relationship. And when things did not go down well between Noah and Carter, Noah deeply felt his love for Carter’s daughter, and how upset she would be. (And she was…and she let Noah know about it. Loved that!)

Side note…Noah’s brother, Dylan…he was a really good character. Written very well, and he was so supportive of Noah. I just loved Dylan.

All around a really good read, and a good start to a new series.

4 pieces of eye candy

Lisa likes to tell stories, mostly with hot guys and happily ever afters.

Lisa lives in tropical North Queensland, Australia. She doesn’t know why, because she hates the heat, but she suspects she’s too lazy to move. She spends half her time slaving away as a government minion, and the other half plotting her escape.

She attended university at sixteen, not because she was a child prodigy or anything, but because of a mix-up between international school systems early in life. She studied History and English, neither of them very thoroughly.

She shares her house with too many cats, a dog, a green tree frog that swims in the toilet, and as many possums as can break in every night. This is not how she imagined life as a grown-up.

Lisa has been published since 2012, and was a LAMBDA finalist for her quirky, awkward coming-of-age romance Adulting 101, and a Rainbow Awards finalist for 2019’s Anhaga.

To connect with Lisa on social media, you can find her here:

Website
Facebook
Instagram
Goodreads
Bookbub
Twitter

She also has a Facebook group where you’ll be kept in the loop with updates on releases, have a chance to win prizes, and probably see lots of lots of pictures of her dog and cats. You can find it here: Lisa Henry’s Hangout.

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I’m Not Your Enemy (Enemies Book #2) by Cara Dee: Excerpt and New Release Review

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The line between love and hate has never been so thin, and Blake and Sebastian return in this sequel with bottled-up hurt that somehow just brings them even closer.

Sebastian was right. I was a coward. I ran my closeted tail all the way back to Georgia. Once I got there, I had no place left to hide. My life imploded. But when I was welcome nowhere, I still had to go somewhere.

I could barely look my sister in the eye, facing Sebastian didn’t even exist on my radar, and I was prepared for my brother-in-law’s protective hostility. I just didn’t have a choice. For once in my life, I wanted redemption. I wanted to belong somewhere, and I was ready to work for it.

Sebastian was the exception—hard no. I might have screwed up royally, but he wasn’t so damn innocent. He’d hurt me too, and he better not push me. In fact, it was best we avoided each other altogether.

So it didn’t make a lick of sense for me to seek him out to provoke a reaction.

This story takes place in Cara Dee’s Camassia Cove Universe, a fictional town where all books stand on their own, unless otherwise stated, and the reader can jump in wherever they want.

I’m Not Your Enemy by Cara Dee

Series: Enemies Book #2
Genre: Gay Contemporary Romance
Tags: #LoversToEnemies #EnemiesToLovers #BestUnclesEver #Family #OutForYou #SouthernBadBoy #BeachCowboy #OppositesAttract #CamassiaCoveUniverse #StandaloneDuet #Book2

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

It was still weird for me to be part of a family dinner where no one said grace. It’d been the rule for as long as I’d lived. If dinner was among family and you sat at a table, someone said grace.

Fuckin’ heathens up here.

I removed my ball cap and left it on my lap.

“Momma, can we live in an RV?” Teddy asked.

“You think we have too much space at home?” Soph smirked.

Teddy grinned sheepishly. “No, but we could go anywhere!”

I chuckled and grabbed myself a Coke.

“Where would all your toys go?” Dylan asked.

Teddy hadn’t considered that. “Maybe in my room at Bastian’s house?”

Sebastian shot him a little grin but didn’t say anything. He was usually so vocal. Now, because I was here, shit was weird. He hadn’t looked my way once. Not a glance as far as I knew.

Isabella was getting fussy in Dylan’s arms, and Soph said she couldn’t put off feeding her any longer. She excused herself to head inside and nurse the little one.

“Don’t step on Oppy and Percy, please,” I said.

“Oh! I wanna see them, Uncle Blake!” Teddy pleaded and almost knocked back his chair when he stood up. As if I could deny him. “Momma, I go with you.” He grabbed a new pizza slice and tumbled toward Soph.

Dylan turned a perturbed look Soph’s way. “You’re leaving me with those two?” He just didn’t know how to whisper.

Soph thought that was hilarious and just giggled in response. Then she disappeared into the trailer with the kids, and the tension automatically turned awkward and agitated. The latter came from Sebastian, because without Teddy around, he didn’t have to pretend.

“Are you gonna fucking eat or what?” Sebastian asked irritably.

I glanced at Dylan, who was in the middle of finishing a slice, and it dawned on me that the question was for me.

“Huh?” I managed. Wow, he was talking to me.

Sebastian flicked me an impatient look. “You’ve lost weight, and you’re not eating. Are you sick or just dumber than you look?”

“This is nice,” Dylan said. “We should do this more often.”

I furrowed my brow and wondered what the hell Sebastian’s problem was. Okay, I could venture a guess, but if he wanted to avoid me, avoid talking to me, he didn’t have to worry about what I ate.

“I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about—I haven’t lost any weight.”

“Dumber than you look, then. Because yeah, you have.” He tossed a crust into one of the boxes and leaned back, his posture and expression saying he was letting it go. He didn’t wanna talk anymore.

“So how are the Pugs doing, Blake?” Dylan interjected. “Or was it Bulldogs?”

I slid my stare to Dylan instead and let some humor seep in. Bless him. “You don’t have to run interference, buddy. When Sebastian’s ready to hash things out like a real man, these passive-aggressive little bitch fits will be history.”

“Boy, there’s nothing passive about my aggression,” Sebastian laughed. “Unlike that snide remark you just offered.”

“What was that, baby? Yeah, I’ll be right there.” Dylan abruptly left his seat and fled inside.

Christ. We knew how to clear a room. Or a patio.

“We might as well get this out of the way so we can move on,” Sebastian told me, and I lifted a brow, admittedly curious. “Soph told me you were building them a house, and it goes without saying that I will be here to help out whenever I can. But as far as I’m concerned, there’s no reason you and I gotta talk. We’ll act civil around Teddy, and then—” He shrugged. “I’ll just wait until you run back into your closet in Georgia again.”

Nice speech. He had it all figured out, huh?

“All right.” I nodded with a dip of my chin. “I take it you’re not interested in an apology for leaving the way I did.”

He smiled faintly, a humorless twist of his lips that left me a few degrees colder. “No, you can save your excuses for someone who gives a rat’s ass.”

“Got it,” I replied tightly.

You really have to read book 1. There’s no getting around that. Book one is A New Enemy. It sets up all of the relationships. It isn’t super long, maybe about 100 pages or so. And honestly, I think it should have been all one book. Splitting it up doesn’t make sense.

On to the review.

After Blake ghosting Sebastian at the end of book one, we pick up not long after that with Blake back home on the family ranch in Georgia. But after coming out to his parents, things are strained and Blake ends up back in Washington state. Except he is laying low and no one knows he is there until his brother in law sees him out getting coffee.

There are a lot of hurt feelings. With his sister, his nephew, and with Sebastian. He not only lied and withheld information, but he left without warning. Things are ugly.

Sebastian forgiving Blake isn’t instantaneous, nor does it drag on indefinitely. Sebastian doesn’t hold a grudge just because he wants to. It takes a minute, but he listens. And then they can’t help but be all over each other.

Most of Cara Dee’s books have an element of BDSM in them. And while this isn’t a BDSM book, there are definitely elements of it in the story. And I just think that just makes it hotter. It’s not labeled. Not what they are doing or what they are. It’s just totally natural and they feed off of each other’s roles. Without defining them.

I loved the portrayal of the relationships that Blake and Sebastian each had with Teddy- who is Blake’s nephew and Sebastian’s best friend’s son. He has Down syndrome and it was an authentic look at someone with the condition. Of course, there are a varying degree of Down syndrome and how it affects a person and this just showed one person, but it was done really well without being gratuitous.

There was one thing that I believe was a bit unnecessary. It didn’t move the story along or become a big plot point but it made my ugly cry. GAH!

Read both of these books, one after the other as it is a smooth continuation. And a nice addition to the Camissa Cove world.

4 pieces of eye candy

About Cara Dee:

I’m often awkwardly silent or, if the topic interests me, a chronic rambler. In other words, I can discuss writing forever and ever. Fiction, in particular. The love story—while a huge draw and constantly present—is secondary for me, because there’s so much more to writing romance fiction than just making two (or more) people fall in love and have hot sex.

There’s a world to build, characters to develop, interests to create, and a topic or two to research thoroughly.

Every book is a challenge for me, an opportunity to learn something new, and a puzzle to piece together. I want my characters to come to life, and the only way I know to do that is to give them substance—passions, history, goals, quirks, and strong opinions—and to let them evolve.

I want my men and women to be relatable. That means allowing room for everyday problems and, for lack of a better word, flaws. My characters will never be perfect.

Wait…this was supposed to be about me, not my writing.

I’m a writey person who loves to write. Always wanderlusting, twitterpating, kinking, cooking, baking, and geeking. There’s time for hockey and family, too. But mostly, I just love to write.

Find Cara on social media here: https://www.caradeewrites.com/cdwlandingpage

 

Dead Serious Case #1 Miz Dusty Le Frey: (MM Paranormal Romance) (Crawshanks Guide to the Recently Departed) by Vawn Cassidy: RB, Excerpt, Release Day Review, and Giveaway

by

In the business of unfinished business…

Tristan Everett had always preferred the company of the dead because they were quiet and didn’t talk back. As a slightly awkward introvert working as a pathologist at the Hackney Public Mortuary suited him just fine. That is, until a freak accident with a rogue ice cube and suddenly he can see ghosts. No longer content to just lie on the table and let him figure out how they died, they’re now peering over his shoulder critiquing his work and confessing their most lascivious sins before skipping off merrily into the afterlife.

Just when he thought his life couldn’t get any weirder, London’s most infamous drag queen, Miz Dusty Le Frey, is wheeled in with a toe tag and she’s not prepared to go quietly into the light. Not only is she furious at the prospect of spending eternity in last season’s gold lamé, she’s determined that he help her solve her murder.

Suddenly Tristan finds himself thrown into a world of sequins and fake eyelashes, and worse still, he may have developed a bit of a crush on Scotland Yard’s brand new drool-worthy detective, Inspector Danny Hayes, who’s been assigned to Dusty’s murder. Oh, and as the icing on top of a really crappy cake, the killer now wants him dead too…

All he ever wanted was a simple life but suddenly he’s juggling work, a deliciously sexy detective, a stubborn ghost and a relentless murderer… and things have just gotten dead serious….

From author Wendy Saunders writing as Vawn Cassidy comes this hot and funny, slow burn, opposites attract paranormal mm romance.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

He’s wearing another suit that, god help me, clings to every inch of a six three body, which has clearly been hand carved by the gods while angels harmonised in the background. His suit jacket is unbuttoned, his white shirt stretched across a broad and obviously well-toned chest, his tie is loosened, and his top button undone.

Jesus holy moly Christ, the man is nothing short of temptation incarnate. All he needs is a trench coat and I’d have my very own spank bank version of Constantine. He lifts his hand, raking it through his dark blonde hair, and I swear it looks like he is in slow motion. I almost reach up to check my chin in case I’m accidentally drooling.

He turns, his gaze sweeping the room, and as his piercing blue gaze lands on me, his mouth breaks into a smile, causing his eyes to crinkle slightly and revealing, not dimples exactly, but fascinating creases either side of his mouth that I find myself desperately wanting to trace with the pads of my fingers.

He crosses the room in smooth confident strides until he’s standing on the opposite side of the table to me, with Dusty’s body between us.

Great, I realise with a sinking feeling. I’ve now added my hot crush to my rapidly expanding list of hallucinations. There is no way he’s really the guy from last night. He didn’t even know my name let alone how to find me. At this rate, I’m going to have to check myself into a mental hospital.

‘Tristan Everett?’ He smiles as he holds out his hand.

Without thinking, I reach out and grasp his hand, ignoring the little zip of electricity and letting out a startled gasp. When I’d tried to touch Dusty, my hand had passed straight through as if she weren’t there, but Mr Blue Eyes’ hand is warm and his grip firm.

‘You’re real,’ I whisper as he studies me, slightly puzzled by my response. ‘Uh, I mean.’ I clear my throat and offer him a polite, professional smile. He really doesn’t need to know how much I’d like to lean forward and press my mouth to those soft looking lips of his, especially considering I’d missed out last night as I was unconscious when he had his mouth on mine, while he was busy saving my life. ‘How did you find me?’ I ask curiously, momentarily forgetting everything in the room but him.

‘Serendipity,’ he replies softly, his mouth curving as he watches me.

‘I’m sorry?’ I blink owlishly in confusion.

‘Inspector Danny Hayes, Scotland Yard,’ he introduces himself, as his gaze flickers momentarily down at Dusty’s body. ‘That’s my case you’re about to post-mortem.’

‘Ohhh,’ I reply slowly as his words sink in. My mouth forms a small, silent ‘o’ as I stare at him, lost in his denim blue gaze, only marginally aware of the soft smile playing on my lips.

‘Oh my God, are you two seriously eye fucking each other over my dead body?’ a dry voice interrupts. ‘Er…rude…’

I haven’t read this author’s other books, including the other MM, Suddenly Beck. However, after reading this book, I did go grab it on KU, so that I could read it when I get a chance.

This book was funny, sometimes laugh out loud hilarious. I highlighted several portions of the book, because I laughed so much. This book also broke my heart so many times! Dusty was a force to be reckoned with in death, so you can imagine in life, she was just a wrecking ball (look for this in the book 😉 ). She was loved by so many in her life, and found a few more devotees upon her death. What a fantastic character! I’m going to need more of her in what I hope is the beginning of a series.

Meanwhile, Tristan and Danny were very much lust/love at first sight, and it was super cute, and oftentimes quite awkward. Exactly how I would have wanted it to be. They definitely would need to work on their trust of each other, but that comes with time, right?

All the side characters were fantastic as well. Chan, Benny, even a certain Madam with a crystal ball. Dusty had a lot of people trying to find her murderer, as it should be for such a great character.

My one issue with the arc, which I almost never mention, because as an arc, it is expected to have some errors. However, because I received the arc less than a week before publishing, I have to assume it had already been through editing, but there were many glaring errors that should have been caught with a thorough editing. Sometimes, these can even be attributed to American English versus UK English, but this was not the case.

All in all, a book I would highly recommend if you like some mystery with your romance, and if you love drag queens, this is even more for you.

4 pieces of eye candy

Vawn Cassidy is the MM pen name of author Wendy Saunders. She lives in Hampshire in the UK with her husband and three children. She writes Supernatural and Contemporary Fantasy Fiction as Wendy Saunders and Romantic Suspense as WJ Saunders.
Suddenly Beck is her debut MM novel and was borne of her love and enjoyment of MM Romance. During the lockdown, she wanted to write something fun and light-hearted, and as a quirky and unapologetic Brit herself, she wanted to set a story back home in the UK as opposed to her other fiction which is primarily set in the states.

Connect with Allison:
www.vawncassidy.com
www.facebook.com/vawncassidyauthor
www.instagram.com/vawncassidyauthor

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