excerpt

High Alert: A Sweet with Heat Gay Romance by Becca Seymour: RB, Exclusive Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

August 11, 2021 by Denise

It’s a tale as old as time.

I’ve crushed on my brother’s best friend since I sprouted hairs on the unmentionables. Once upon a time, he was straight, until he wasn’t… and talk about bad timing.

And when we’re finally at a place for me to make my move, sexy rural firefighter Dan clams up and acts weird and I’m left with pants that are too tight and my heart feeling bruised… but he’s a good friend and I’m grateful he’s in my life.

Because of course Dan is a good guy.

Though him being “good” and ridiculously easy on the eyes and possibly the best man I know only makes me want him more.

When we’re thrust into a situation that brings both of us close to danger, it’s hardly the time to be chasing first kisses or finally acting on my crush. But Dan doesn’t seem to mind.

I just know that when the stakes are high and emotions are running wild, sometimes you have to show your hand and go all in.

And that’s exactly what I plan to do.

High Alert was originally a 7,000-word short story in the March 2020 charity anthology “When the Smoke Clears.” It is now a 64,000-word full-length novel, complete with smouldering low-angst loveliness and a group of Aussie men who will capture your hearts.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Easing off my knees, I stood, groaned, and angled back. A satisfying pop of my joints followed. Before I could respond to Dan’s question, his “Fuck, I hate that sound,” had me chuckling.

“But it feels so good.”

His scrunched-up face looked somehow cute, despite his unshaven jaw and the streaks of dust on his cheeks. “But it sounds bloody awful.”

I grinned and went back to his question. “As for the next job, I’m not sure yet. There’s a few things I want to get done. Maybe start the firepit.”

“Just in time for summer, huh.” He quirked his brow.

With a roll of my eyes, I said, “If you don’t want there to be a fire for toasting marshmallows, then keep up the snark.”

“I wouldn’t dare, not if marshmallows are on offer.”

“Wise decision.”

Oh this book was so sweet. And it was a love story not only between 2 men, but also a love story to Australia and the fires and floods they endured last year.

Classic story of crushing on your brother’s best friend. This time the age difference is only 2 years (why does it always seem like more in books?) AND he wasn’t the annoying little brother, he was often included in whatever they were doing.

Now everyone is a grown adult, the little brother Ross is the high school librarian, and the brother’s best friend, Dan, just moved back to their small town. Dan also has a crush on Ross, but neither know the other’s feelings. Poor Craig, older brother/best friend does know how they feel. Poor Craig.

Dan doesn’t want to lose the friendships he has with Ross and Craig so he decides to take it slow. Feel Ross out. Just be there until the time is right. Ugh, it was so cute without being saccharine sweet. It was almost like they were becoming best friends as well. So if you like slow burn…this is slooooooooooooow burn.

Speaking of burn. Paying homage to the devastating fires Australia had, Craig and Dan are both volunteer firefighters called in to help with the huge brush fires. Ross finds and helps a koala and her baby with burned paws, making note of the devastation to wildlife. And then the floods. It’s all so apocalyptic, but it happened. The country was ravaged by one extreme and then the other.

There is a great little side story about a guy who used to be in a group of bullies in high school who tried to torment Ross coming back to town. It was well done.

And without getting preachy one way or the other, respect is paid to the indigenous people of Australia, their stories and customs.

Overall this could have been a very in your face book about Australia with just the romance as a side note. But all of the facts were woven into the story so well you never felt like you were being lectured- but you did learn things.

And above all Dan and Ross were just perfect together. None of the silly stuff about treating him as the little brother even though they are all adults. No one was proving who they were. There was no relationship drama or angst. Just two normal guys from two normal families who fell in love.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Becca Seymour lives and breathes all things book related. Usually with at least three books being read and two WiPs being written at the same time, life is merrily hectic. She tends to do nothing by halves so happily seeks the craziness and busyness life offers.

Living on her small property in Queensland with her human family as well as her animal family of cows, chooks, and dogs, Becca appreciates the beauty of the world around her and is a believer that love truly is love.

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A Case for Christmas (The Lords of Bucknall, Book 2) by J.A. Rock & Lisa Henry: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt and New Release Review

August 5, 2021 by Denise

He loves no-one and never will.

Lord Christmas Gale is a genius and a misanthrope, and, quite to his disgust, adored by all of Society for his capacity to solve mysteries. When a man approaches him seeking help in locating a lost dog, Gale rebuffs him. But what begins with a missing dog ends in murder and intrigue–two of Gale’s favourite things, if it weren’t for the orphan that comes attached to them. Oh, and Benjamin Chant.

He has sworn to never love again.

The Honourable Mr. Benjamin Chant isn’t sure how he got swept up in Gale’s mad investigation, but there’s something intriguing about the man–a vulnerability that most of the world doesn’t notice, but which captures Chant’s interest, and his sympathy, from their first meeting. After a disastrous love affair in the past, Chant has sworn to never give his heart away again. Especially to a man who does not want it.

But it isn’t just their hearts at stake.

When their investigation takes a dangerous turn and their lives are threatened, both Gale and Chant are forced into the realisation that perhaps two imperfect men might fit perfectly together–that is, if they can outwit the killer who is intent on seeing them both dead.

A Case for Christmas is the second book in the Lords of Bucknall Club series, where the Regency meets m/m romance.

A Case for Christmas

The Lords of Bucknall, Book 2

By JA Rock and Lisa Henry

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

A Husband for Hartwell (The Lords of Bucknall Club Book 1)

A Rival for Rivingdon (The Lords of Bucknall Club Book 3) (Release Day 9/14/21)

Chant put an arm around Gale’s shoulders as comfortably as though they were the oldest and dearest of friends. They sat in silence for a moment. Then Chant’s hand drifted up, his fingers threading through Gale’s hair. Gale stiffened. Forced himself to take measured breaths. What on earth… ? Chant carded the strands gently, and Gale felt a strange but not unpleasant prickle go up his spine. Chant’s fingers brushed the hair at Gale’s temple, and then his nails dragged very lightly to the back of Gale’s scalp where they dug in just a little. This time, Gale’s whole body seemed to jump like a candle flame.

He swallowed hard. “What… what are you doing?”

“Shall I stop?”

“No. I—I just don’t understand what…” He trailed off.

“Have you truly never known the pleasure of having your hair stroked?” There was a smile in Chant’s voice, but a sadness in his tone that made Gale at once defensive.

“I… I’m sure I…” But he could think of no instance where anyone had run their fingers through his hair this way. The room grew completely still, until there was nothing but Chant’s gentle touch, and Gale’s awkward pattern of tensing, then letting go, and then tensing again as he tried to acclimatise himself to the sensations. “No,” he muttered finally as though conceding a great defeat.

“Do you dislike it?”

“The only thing I dislike about it is that I am perpetually dreading the moment you’ll cease,” Gale snapped.

“Well, then I shall never cease.”

Gale snorted in spite of himself.

“If you will indulge me, I’ll arrange you so that it is easier for both of us.”

“Chant…”

Chant seemed to be waiting for the rest of whatever Gale had to say. But Gale did not have more to say. He inhaled and then released his breath, trying to slacken his body but to little avail. “All right,” he whispered.

I absolutely love historicals, especially the Elizabethan era. And because m/m historicals are challenging to find, I usually gobble them up right away. (As an example, I was supposed to read three books before I received this arc…as soon as I received it, it jumped to the front without question). I also love stand-offish, snarky characters, and enjoyed Christmas Gale so much in book 1. He could never remember (wink wink) how many sisters he had, or their names. He just made me laugh. So, this was an instant read for me.

Gale is a reluctant hero, who once again gets caught up in mysteries and his detective work. And his banter with Chant was fantastic. It allowed their personalities to shine through, both the grumpy of one, and the sunshine of the other. However, they really seemed to be a great couple together, offsetting each others’ quirks.

The side characters were fantastic, and it just made the book that much more fun, but was still interwoven with a mystery to be solved.

I’m not sure I could have enjoyed this book more, and I’m ready for book 3.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

About JA Rock:

J.A. Rock is the author of over twenty LGBTQ romance, suspense, and horror novels, as well as an occasional contributor to HuffPo Queer Voices. J.A.’s books have received Lambda Literary, INDIEFAB, and EPIC Award nominations, and The Subs Club received the 2016 National Leather Association-International Novel Award. 24/7 was named one of the best books of 2016 by Kirkus Reviews. J.A. lives in Chicago with an extremely judgmental dog, Professor Anne Studebaker.

https://jarockauthor.com

About Lisa:

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.

Flawsome Explorations (Suite Dreams, Book 2) by Ariella Zoelle: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

August 5, 2021 by Denise

Unexpected sparks fly when a shy, straight, nerdy sweetheart meets a flirtatious, sexy, older Frenchman. Is Zio brave enough to take a chance on Armand?

Fabrizio “Zio” Revello
I embrace the philosophy that nobody is perfect by studying the art of imperfection. But then I meet Armand, forcing me to completely reevaluate my world view. From his gorgeous face, teasing sense of humor, and a French accent to die for, everything about him makes me forget one very important detail: I’ve never been attracted to a man until him. I shouldn’t let him tempt me, but the glimpse of the real Armand behind his playful flirtations makes him impossible to resist.

I’ve never been the adventurous type, but Armand makes me want to be brave and daring. Isn’t a lifetime of happiness with a person who understands me worth the risk?

Armand Bellamy
I approach Zio in search of a no-strings-attached evening of fun to kick off my business trip to Hawaii. But I get way more than I bargained for when I discover a shy, nerdy sweetheart who finds beauty in my flaws. He even accepts the parts of my heart that I hide from the world. It makes me want to make him mine—not just for one night but for every night of the rest of our lives.

He says he’s straight, but when have I ever let that stop me from getting what I want?

Flawsome Explorations is the second book in the Suite Dreams series and part of the Sunnyside universe. This novel features a bisexual awakening, shy/flirt, age gap, instalove, opposites attract romance. If you love cute sweetness, sexy fun, and no angst stories that will make you laugh and swoon, you’ll enjoy this satisfying HEA without cliffhangers. Each book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series in order.

Flawsome Explorations

Suite Dreams, Book 2

By Ariella Zoelle

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Chapter 5: Armand Bellamy

“You’re very confusing.” Zio’s eyebrows furrowed as he studied me. “Like, really confusing.”

I tilted my head as I regarded him. “In what way?”

“You’re impossible, but you’re real. You act as if you want me, but there’s no way in hell that’s true.” He scoffed as if it were the most ridiculous notion he had ever heard before.

The confirmation that he was at least aware I wanted him helped me judge where I stood with him. “Why not?”

“People like you don’t want guys like me.” After hearing about how his parents rejected him, his disbelief was more understandable. I was about to speak when he continued. “And guys like me aren’t supposed to want people like you.”

“Why not?”

He bit his lower lip as he hesitated. “Because you make me want things I shouldn’t, which is so damn confusing.”

“Such as?”

He gave me a pointed look. “You. I’m not supposed to want you. But you keep making me want you, and it’s fucking with my head, not gonna lie.”

“What if I want you to want me?” My question made him flush bright red. “What if I desired that very much?”

He touched the back of his fingers against his cheeks to check if they were as flushed as they felt. “It’s against the rules.”

“What rules?”

“The ones that say I play for the other team,” he mumbled without looking at me. “But you cause me to question the ethics of switching teams, which is scary. It’s not worth it for one game, but…”

Hearing he was straight explained a lot about his scared reactions to being attracted to me. “But you still want to?”

Hiding his face in his hands, he groaned. “But what if it’s not just for one game? What if I end up wanting to sign on for a permanent transfer?”

“Wouldn’t that be a good thing?”

“Only if you were playing for keeps. But that’s not what this is about.” He sighed heavily, avoiding my eyes. “I’m not even sure that’s what I’m hoping for. I’m so confused, I’m using sports metaphors, for fuck’s sake. I don’t know anything about sports.”

“Zio, look at me.” I waited until he obeyed before I continued speaking. “I’m not interested in playing a game with your heart.”

He fidgeted under my gaze. “I’d disappoint you by being an awkward virgin with a man.”

“There would be nothing disappointing about that,” I reassured him. “I’d take very good care of you.”

My words sent a visible shiver through him that made my ego purr. “I’m not saying no. But I need a little more time to sort my thoughts out about this before I can say yes.”

His comment gave me hope I still had a chance with him. “Take all the time you need. I have no intention of pressuring you into something you’re not comfortable doing.”

“Which is a huge tick in the column of why I should give in to you.” His wry grin was adorable. “For what it’s worth, the voice in the back of my mind is very vocal about letting you introduce me to a whole new world of pleasure. You don’t make it easy to tell it no.”

“Whatever it’s promising you, reality will be better than you can fathom.”

I could see the chills on his skin my words inspired. “That’s an awfully big promise.”

“Non, it is a guarantee.”

I’ve enjoyed a few of this author’s books now, for their sweetness, hotness, and the characters that are varied in their lives and loves. This book had themes about learning to love yourself, as well as being open to love when you had no idea that was ever on your radar.

This book was pure sweet insta-love, from page 1. Zio didn’t quite understand where it was going, since he’d always thought of himself as straight. Meanwhile Armand, surprisingly, didn’t seem to have any issues, despite having always felt that he was just going to be a playboy, unable or unwilling to find one love.

Zio’s work passion was so intriguing that I had to look it up myself. It’s beautiful. I loved that Zio received such fantastic support from Armand, but also from his brother with regards to not just his sexuality, but his schooling and work as well.

This book was just gooey, sweet, adorable as well as a visual feast of the land around them.

Very enjoyable, with characters that steal your heart.

4 pieces of eye candy

Ariella Zoelle adores steamy, funny, swoony romances where couples are allowed to just be happy. That means she writes low angst stories full of heat, humor, and heart. But sometimes she’s in the mood for something with a bit more angst and drama. And if you are too, check out her A.F. Zoelle books.

For real time updates on her writing progress, please join her Facebook group for exclusive teasers or follow her on Twitter or Instagram. You can also sign up for her newsletter to gain access to bonus chapters, previews of upcoming books, exclusive visual guides, and more.

Connect with Ariella:

Website: https://www.ariellazoelle.com/
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Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/amazingafzoelle/
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/AriellaZoelle
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Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/afzoelle
Bookbub: http://bookbub.com/authors/a-f-zoelle

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King of the Titans by J.K. Jones: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

August 3, 2021 by Denise

Revenge.

Resentment. Malevolence. Desire. It wraps around him like a familiar cloak.

Like a second skin. Years of war hardened his heart into something unfathomable. For centuries he knew nothing but retribution and the ruthlessness of death and decay. His clan lost the war. They were decimated, their way of life stripped and sold to the highest bidder.

Now he finally has a chance to take back everything he lost.

To kill the King of Titans, assassin Julian White pretends to be a courtesan.

Falling in love with Lucious Rex, the man that tortured and killed his family is an unfortunate complication.

King of the Titans
By J.K. Jones

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

The moment the arctic demon stepped near; a thrill ran down his spine. It was so sharp and sudden he nearly buckled. His knife weighed heavily in his pockets, and his hands itched to thumb the blade and plunge it into the demon’s neck. Yet amid his blinding hatred, something else settled inside him, a spark, quick and strident, something profound.

Ocean-blue eyes made him dizzy as if he were swimming in warm sun-lit currents before being pulled under. That face, he knew that face. For many years, Julian had meditated on it. The night that had brought hellfire and destruction right to his doorstep.

I will set you free. The day he’d taken pity on the worthless Þrælar had been his undoing. They’d been friends once. Julian stopped that thought before it could begin before it could even form and spiral into a well of self-loathing and despair. He went to bed soon after, his mind in disarray. What exactly did the demon want? Why go through all the trouble to scent him and mark his territory if all he wanted to was talk? None of it made sense.

Julian tossed restlessly throughout the night. In the morning, he awoke groggy and disgruntled, wishing he could close the curtains and go back to sleep. The threat of Madame Zelina barging into his room forced him to get up. No matter what, he wasn’t going to incur her wrath. He dressed simply, putting on some pants and his signature coat.

He tied his hair into a low bun, then went downstairs. Madame Zelina stood near the bar, her dress bright red with vines weaving up and down the hem.

I love fantasy when it’s well done, and this was really well done. Classic enemies to lovers. Basically the humans had ruled and treated the wolves like scum for years to the point of rape, torture, and starvation.

Julian (a human) years ago as a boy hears screams in his father’s house night after night and eventually plucks up courage to investigate. He finds a wolf (in human form) bound, starving, and tortured. He doesn’t find out until he’s an adult that his own father was raping the wolf as well.

Julian takes pity on him, lets the wolf go assuming he will escape, but instead the wolf frees other captive wolves and they slaughter the humans and eventually some years later take over and rule.

Now the wolves are in charge but they descend to the same levels of depravity as the humans once were at, except the King–the wolf Julian released all those years ago–doesn’t like what his wolves have become.

The world building, the writing, is amazing and that earns four stars all on its own.

The plot is tight and moves along at a good pace and the last betrayal was well set up and something I didn’t see.

My problem is the ending. They have an enforced three year separation which is never properly justified and then in the last few paragraphs the King sends for Julian and they have maybe three sentences worth of I love yous.

That isn’t enough for me.

After all that death, bloodloss, execution, murder and death I want to wallow in a happy ending. I want declarations of love and devotion that go on for days, and I didn’t get that.

But that’s me. It was a good book, I just wanted another chapter of smoochiness!

4 pieces of eye candy

J.K Jones is a University Graduate with a B.A in Sociology, also a TESOL certificate for teaching English as a Second Language. Literature is in my veins and the words pour out of my blood. Message me privately to join the mailing list. I like my artys with a bit of fartsy. I love Sundays spend drinking massive amounts of coffee and lingering over whichever book I am currently enthralled with. Favorite movies: American Beauty. Duh. What can I say? It’s a classic. Favorite place: The fort I built in my basement which my mom forced me to take down. Favorite food: Cheetos. Puffs. I don’t know what everything is crazy about the crunchy ones are crap.

Connect with Susi:
Website: www.jkjonesauthor.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/j.kjonesauthor
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Center Court (Order of Play, Book 1) by Brook Edwards: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

July 22, 2021 by Denise

The world of men’s professional tennis has been ruled by the same six men for more than a decade. There have been a handful of shock upsets and victories snatched by underdogs, but they’re few and far between. Now, the next generation are done being denied and have come knocking.

When the time comes, Soren Norgaard knows that the world expects him to lead the charge and take his place at the top of his sport. He’s focused and lethal on the court, until he isn’t. Sometimes the past, no matter how comfortable and familiar, doesn’t fit anymore and needs to be left behind. Soren’s past doesn’t want to let him go, but his future is coming fast whether he’s ready or not.

Elias Engström has been in love with Soren for as long as he has known him. The race for titles, for glory and their day in the spotlight has always been less all-consuming because he knows that there is an entire life stretching out when he leaves the court for the last time. A life that, for the first time, might include Soren in the way Elias wants him. Everything he wants is within reach, if Elias is willing to fight for it.

Center Court

Order of Play, Book 1

By Brooke Edwards

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Packing up to leave another place, another tournament finished without finding something of Matisse’s in with his things… it feels less like a loss than a new beginning.

Soren hasn’t missed the glances from Theó and Angeline, watching him like he is as fragile as the glass trophy he won four years ago in Florida at the Delray Beach 250.

Soren still isn’t entirely sure what the glass trophy is supposed to resemble, but he’s never felt less breakable.

His grandmother had been fond of a story about a young palm tree and an old oak tree. He had heard it many times over the years, no two retellings exactly the same, and her ever-changing mix of Danish and English garbling any recount he might give. But the meaning had stayed with him.

It doesn’t matter how strong the mighty oak stands or how deep his roots may go—there will always be a storm with winds that can bring him down. The palm who is built to bend? Now, he will survive the storm that felled the oak.

“Bøje, elskede,” she had whispered, like it was the deepest, darkest secret she had ever kept. “Bend so you do not break.”

Soren had always tried to live by it, but he understands it now like he hadn’t ever before. It had felt like he’d broken for a moment there, bent so far that it seemed impossible to ever stand upright again beneath the weight of the wind and the darkness. When the wind had eased and the clouds had cleared, he had stayed bent for a moment longer, not believing it was gone.

Now, upright and basking in the sun again, the next storm does not seem half as frightening.

The sun is always there just behind the clouds, after all.

Today the sun is filtering through the curtains of his hotel room, and Paris awaits.

Brooke Edwards is an Australian LGBTQ+ author and dreamer who got her start in fanfiction, and then started listening to the people in her head and writing up the incident reports afterwards. She’s a disaster masquerading as a functional adult, addicted to coffee and hopelessly obsessed with her dog.

Connect with Brooke:
author.to/BrookeEdwards
http://www.brookeedwardsauthor.com/
https://www.facebook.com/brookeedwardsauthor
www.facebook.com/groups/brookescoffeeshop/
Instagram: @brookeedwardsauthor
Twitter: @brookeedwardsau

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Bennet, Pride Before The Fall (Love, Austen, Book 3) by Anyta Sunday: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

July 21, 2021 by Denise

“I want someone to want me for who I am. No changing my appearance or philosophies or principles. I need a partner to be proud of me—in public and beyond—and proud of themselves.”
“Think you’ll find it?”

~ ~ ~

Bennet had always dreamed of love. Of finding his Mr. Right.
Hell, he’d even settle for Mr. Righteous.
Who he won’t fall for, not ever? Mr. Downright Pride-less.

~ ~ ~

It’s Pride and Prejudice, complete with scumbaggery, anguished declaration of desire, meddling villagers, Karaoke, Scrabble, and Pride.

Bennet, Pride Before The Fall

Love, Austen, Book 3

By Anyta Sunday

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

“I’ve yet to see what’s so compelling about him,” Caroline said. “Other than how punctual he is. But walking in this weather? Really. You should have seen him, like a soaked mop with all that wet hair around his face.”

“Walking does seem questionable.”

“Did you see his boots outside? Mud up to the knees.”

“He seems careful with his appearance. I can only assume that this meeting of yours means a lot to him.”

“More than catching a cold? Ridiculous. He should have borrowed a car.”

“He doesn’t have one?”

“Refuses to get one, I heard. Some nonsense about the environment. All this looking down on other people and their choices. Their beliefs are never as good as his own . . .” Caroline was quiet for a moment. Bennet squared his shoulders to walk in, but she continued, “Doesn’t that change your opinion of him?”

“My opinion of him is as it always was.”

Another short pause followed. Then Caroline, in that enthusiastic tone of hers, “Of course, I am interested in helping him with his party thing. I hate to see anyone struggling to fit in around the village, and my financial support will make this doable. I suppose I can encourage a few people to take part.”

“There’s a reason you’re the local queen.”

“Oh, stop it.” She giggled, not sounding like she wanted Darcy to stop at all. “I’m hardly a queen. I simply do my bit to make Cubworthy the best it can be.”

“Do you think a Pride event will help the village?”

Caroline made no immediate answer, and Bennet’s patience reached its end. He would not let Darcy ruin his chances for Caroline’s support.

He strode into the room.

Caroline gave a short nod of approval. Darcy offered a slower, lingering look. Again, he jerked his gaze away. “That coffee must be almost done.”

Caroline sprang up and sashayed into the kitchen.

Darcy had taken Bennet’s former place at the table; Bennet’s phone still rested there.

“Bennet, you were telling me what you do for a living,” Caroline called over.

“I’m a freelance editor of gay romance novels.” He stared deliberately at Darcy.

Darcy stared back. “Is there much work in that?”

“More than I can manage.”

“Kiwi writers?” Caroline asked.

“From all around the world, but Kiwi authors too.”

Silence followed his statement. The rain continued, a ceaseless drum over the roof and windowpanes.

The moment their coffees touched the table, his phone vibrated. Caroline’s, too.

“Oh, dear.”

Bennet resisted the cringey urge to lunge for his phone.

“What’s wrong?” Darcy asked.

“You should join the community message board,” Caroline said. “It’s a wonderful tool, don’t you agree, Bennet?”

“Yes. Full of very accurate news and fun family facts.”

Darcy’s lips curled and he slid Bennet’s phone toward him.

“There’s been a flash flood,” Caroline said. “The river has broken its banks. All bridges in and out of Cubworthy are out of use.”

Bennet lurched to his feet. Lyon. “I have to get home.”

“It’s not flooded the village. Your brother will be fine. The school bus didn’t pick up the Cubworthy kids today.” Caroline grimaced. “Looks like you’re stuck out here for a day or two.”

“Perhaps you own a dingy? I can row over.”

Darcy took the news easily and served them all coffee from the carafe. He met Bennet’s eyes as he poured into his china cup. “My advice for boating during a flood? Don’t.”

“Lyon is all alone.”

“From what I’ve seen of your brother, he doesn’t follow guidance anyway.”

Bennet closed his eyes briefly. “God. He’s marooned in a village full of shearers!”

Caroline and Darcy looked at him inquisitively.

“Never mind.” He waved the thought away with a hand. “Caroline. Would you put up with me until it’s safe to cross back into the village?”

“Well.” She touched her scarf, eyes flashing to Darcy. “I absolutely would welcome you to stay here. If I had any spare rooms. As it is, I’m sleeping in the living room during the renovations.”

Bennet searched in vain for another option. The nearest inn was practically in Port Rātapu. He didn’t want to be that far from Lyon. Farms this side of the river were few and far between. Not another one for miles. It’d be a cold trek without a horse, and still no guarantee he’d be welcome.

He drummed his fingers over his thigh.

There was no other option. His gaze locked with Darcy’s.

“I suppose that means I’m at your mercy.”

I am really loving these retellings of classic novels. But the best part is- you don’t need to know the original story. The updated retellings stand quite well on their own and I can’t wait for more.

This time, the retelling is of Pride and Prejudice. And I doubt many have read the story, I bet many have seen the movie(s). And we have all fallen a little bit in love with Mr Darcy.

Instead of Mr Darcy, we have Darcy, a widowed father of adult children we met briefly in previous books. And Bennet who returned home to the tiny village he grew up in to raise his brother after his parents died.

Bennet is not only out and proud, but so is his 15 year old brother. And because he is trying so hard to do right by him, he won’t back down from that pride and he won’t settle for less than true love with someone else as proud.

I absolutely loved the relationship between Bennet and his brother Lyon. Lyon, a typical 15 year old with the added weight of being an orphan and being gay. Throughout the book we saw their relationship blossom and grow as much as we say Bennet and Darcy’s relationship grow.

Of course there are friends and gossipy villagers and shearers who came in for sheep shearing season (ha! say that 5 times fast!). There is a side story with Bennet’s best friend which helps him see different kinds of love, different kinds of happily ever after.

Slow burn, romantic, very little sex on page and positively swoony. Loved it.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

I’m a big, BIG fan of slow-burn romances. I love to read and write stories with characters who slowly fall in love.

Some of my favorite tropes to read and write are: Enemies to Lovers, Friends to Lovers, Clueless Guys, Bisexual, Pansexual, Demisexual, Oblivious MCs, Everyone (Else) Can See It, Slow Burn, Love Has No Boundaries.

I write a variety of stories, Contemporary MM Romances with a good dollop of emotion, Contemporary lighthearted MM Romances, and even a splash of fantasy.

My books have been translated into German, Italian, French, Spanish, and Thai.

Contact: http://www.anytasunday.com/about-anyta/
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