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Not Just Passing Through by Jamie Dean: Release Day Review

April 27, 2016 by Denise

Socially awkward, closeted virgin Avery Malcolm passes his days and nights running his bigoted aunt’s motel in rural New Mexico. He dreams of getting away and hitting the road, but with one friend, a few acquaintances, and no real life to speak of outside his duties as front desk clerk, he doesn’t know if he’ll ever get a chance.

Fate sends hot drifter Chase Lancaster to the Red Ram Motel, riding in on his sexy black motorcycle. Within twenty-four hours, Avery’s life is turned upside down. Before long, even though Chase’s sexual interests seem to run exclusively toward women in bars, Avery finds himself falling for the beautiful biker with no permanent address. Chase is much more than his bad boy persona, so while it’s nice to have another friend, Avery doesn’t know how he’ll survive with his heart intact when Chase inevitably moves on.

Title: Not Just Passing Through
Author: Jamie Dean
Release Date: April 27, 2016
Category: Contemporary
Pages: TBC (Novella)

This a good slow burning, first love story.

Avery is the manager of his aunt’s motel when Chase rides in on his motorcycle to rent a room and turns Avery’s life upside down in the process.

It’s instant attraction for Avery, while Chase insists that he is straight. The two manage to build a friendship even with the one sided attraction.

As the weeks turn to months Avery realizes he is in love with Chase, while Chase is fighting his growing feelings for Avery. When Chase has to leave to help his sister, Avery isn’t sure if he will ever see his love again. Chase will have to come to terms with his feelings for Avery and decide whether they are worth pursuing and if he can be tied down to one place.

This was a slow burn, too slow in some spots. Since this story is told from Avery’s point of view we only see and hear what he does, which isn’t much. There isn’t a lot going on at the hotel and he doesn’t have much of a social life. If we had gotten a split POV with Chase’s internal dialogue I think it would have helped. He seemed to be the more conflicted character, and watching him work through his feelings would have been interesting.

Overall, the characters were interesting and the setting was well described.

3 pieces of eye candy

Audio Tour Strong Enough & Love at First Sight by Cardeno C : Reviews

April 26, 2016 by Denise

Strong Enough: Family Collection

Written by: Cardeno C.
Narrated by: Ezekiel Robison
Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins

LISTEN TO AN AUDIO CLIP

When a casual hookup turns into the potential for love, staid Spencer realizes he wants to build a life with vibrant Emilio.

When 22-year-old Emilio Sanchez sees handsome Spencer Derdinger walking by his construction site, Emilio makes it his goal to seduce the shy professor. Getting Spencer into bed isn’t difficult, but Emilio soon learns that earning the trust of a man deeply hurt will take time and patience. With a prize like brilliant, sweet Spencer on the line, Emilio decides he is strong enough to face the challenge.

Spencer is surprised when he’s approached by the gorgeous construction worker he’s admired from the safety of his office window. Acting spontaneously for the first time in his 38 years, Spencer takes Emilio home. When the casual hookup turns into the potential for love, Spencer realizes that if he wants to build a life with Emilio, he’ll need to be strong enough to slay his personal demons and learn to trust again.

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I enjoyed this book quite a bit when I read it the first time a year ago. Spencer, a sweet man who has been hurt by love more than once, shy and insecure. Meanwhile Emilio, young, but confident, and willing to go after the man he wanted as soon as he saw him. Emilio is one of my favorite characters that CC has written. Despite his age, Emilio knows his mind, knows what he wants, and isn’t afraid to go after it. He’s all the things that Spencer needs in his life.

As much as I enjoyed the book when I read it, I loved it even more when I listened to Ezekiel Robison’s audio version of the book. His narration has gotten better and better as he has done this series, and my enjoyment of his narration of this book was off the charts. He was great, including accents and voice changes that worked well for both main characters.

The story of these two men was sweet, and sexy, and really touched your heart as you learned all that Spencer had been through, and that Emilio only cared about taking care of Spencer, and helping him to heal and love. These two, such opposites, attracted in the best way possible. They filled holes that the other didn’t quite realize they had.

Story: 4.5 pieces of eye candy

Narration: 4.5 pieces of eye candy

Love at First Sight: Home Collection, # 4

Written by: Cardeno C.
Narrated by: Alexander Collins
Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins

LISTEN TO AN AUDIO CLIP

The moment naïve, optimistic Jonathan Doyle glimpses a gorgeous blue-eyed stranger from afar, he believes in love at first sight. Unfortunately, he loses sight of the man before they meet and then spends years desperately trying to find him. Just as he is about to give up, Jonathan gets a break and finally encounters David Miller face to face.

Successful, confident David turns Jonathan’s previously lonely life into a fairy tale, giving him more than he ever imagined. But the years spent searching were hard on Jonathan, and he’s terrified his young son and scandalous past will destroy his blossoming relationship. For David and Jonathan to build a future together, they’ll both have to dig deep: David for the courage to share himself in a way he’s never considered and Jonathan for the strength to tell the truth.

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Once again, the Home Series by Cardeno C has found a way to capture my heart with another story about how life goes awry, but there is that one person who helps make it all better. Jonathan was such a sweet man who honestly wanted nothing more than to be loved. He didn’t have grand expectations of ruling the world. He wanted to be loved completely by the navy blue eyed man, from the moment he saw him. Surviving the intervening years was a challenge for him, one that is only slightly discussed in the book, until he meets back up with David in Emile City, holding back his secrets.

Meanwhile, David was living his life with short relationships where the most random things would cause a breakup, because he hadn’t found what he was looking for. When they finally found each other, they clicked. They just worked together, even having different lives and goals, they worked as a couple. Their focus was on each other, and of course Samuel, and quickly finding a life together.

Alexander Collins, as always, does a great job of narrating. Because so many of the books in this series I have only read through Alexander Collins’ narration, his voice is now synonymous to the Home Collection for me. I’m not sure I would read them again, because I have enjoyed his narration so much.

Story: 4 pieces of eye candy

Narration: 4 pieces of eye candy

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cardeno C. – CC to friends – is a hopeless romantic who wants to add a lot of happiness and a few “awwws” into a reader’s day. Writing is a nice break from real life as a corporate type and volunteer work with gay rights organizations. Cardeno’s stories range from sweet to intense, contemporary to paranormal, long to short, but they always include strong relationships and walks into the happily-ever- after sunset.

Cardeno’s Home, Family, and Mates series have received awards from Love Romances and More Golden Roses, Rainbow Awards, the Goodreads M/M Romance Group, and various reviewers. But even more special to CC are heartfelt reactions from readers, like, “You bring joy and love and make it part of the every day.”

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Personal Entanglement by Sylvia Violet: Preorder Blitz, Teaser and Giveaway

April 26, 2016 by Denise

Title: Personal Entanglement

Series: Thorne and Dash, Book 2

Author: Silvia Violet

Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance

Release Date: April 30, 2016

Several months ago Thorne hired Riley as an escort. They fell hard for each other and ultimately made their relationship personal rather than professional. Every moment they spend in bed is pure bliss, but good sex can’t solve all their problems as they struggle to make things work between them. Thorne convinces Riley to move in with him, but their differences in age and income weigh more heavily on Riley once they share a home.

If that weren’t enough, culinary school is turning out to be a disappointment for Riley rather than a dream come true, and he’s considering the daunting prospect of starting his own business. Thorne wants to swoop in and fix everything, but Riley keeps refusing Thorne’s money or advice, feeling like he’s losing control over his own life.

Thorne and Riley will have to rely on their love for each other to help them find the balance between independence and entanglement.

Silvia Violet writes fun, sexy stories that will leave you smiling and satisfied. She has a thing for characters who are in need of comfort and enjoys helping them surrender to love even when they doubt it exists. Silvia’s stories include sizzling contemporaries, paranormals, and historicals. When she needs a break from listening to the voices in her head, she spends time baking, taking long walks, and curling up with her favorite books. Read excerpts from Silvia’s stories at http://silviaviolet.com and keep up with her latest ventures by signing up for her newsletter: http://silviaviolet.com/newsletter.

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Cookies by Teodora Kostova: Blog Tour and Review

April 23, 2016 by Denise

I went to war, running away from myself. I came back in pieces to find out who I really was…

It took me nearly ten years, two tours in Afghanistan and losing a leg to come to terms with who I really am.

Two years after coming back from war, I can say that I’m finally content. I’m as fit as ever, my prosthetic leg allowing me the freedom to move and exercise as if nothing has changed. I own a small bakery in the centre of Cambridge, and I have a loyal circle of friends that I can always count on.

And yet…

Yet, there’s something missing. A part of me craves the intimacy, the deep connection to another human being. But another – bigger – part of me is terrified of letting anyone in.

My internal conflict didn’t stand a chance when I met Jay. He stormed through my defence walls like a hurricane, wrapping around me with gentle force until I had no choice but to surrender.

Surrendering has never felt so good.

Will Jay want to stay when he sees the real me? When he sees the nightmares and insecurities clawing at my soul? When he realises the burden I come with may be heavier than we both can carry?

My name is Amir Gopal and this is my story.

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My favorite thing about Teodora Kostova’s books is that they are about real people, living their lives, despite whatever hard things they have gone through, they have lives that they are trying to live, and hopefully love will come to these men in the process.

These two men, one imperfect physically and emotionally from his time at war, and one who really had an all around perfect start in his life, who wanted to love this perfect-for-him man.

Quite often books that have characters returned from war have PTSD, and it is a HUGE part of the story. And in some ways it was. Amir, “Cookie”, suffered from it, after losing a leg, and being taken down in a building. Yet, that wasn’t the primary focus here. Yes, he had bouts of it, and he did try to shield Jay from the worst of it, but he was working through it, taking it day by day, building a life, a business, and soon a relationship. The story was more about finding life and love AFTER traumatic events than the re-telling of the fresh from the war difficulties. A fresh baked version of a difficult story, no matter how it is told.

Seeing how Jay reacted to the world Amir lived in, his PTSD, his volunteering at the veterans home, was wonderful. He was able to incorporate his creativity, as well as his connections, and help where Amir couldn’t help any more. His love for Amir made him want to help those that needed help.

I loved seeing Amir focus on expanding his business, wanting to try new things, and not being stuck in a depression that he couldn’t come out of. Although I realize that is how many injured vets return home from war, it is not that way for all, and reading it from that perspective was fresh. Again, it allowed for these men to be living their lives, even if Amir was afraid to love.

Next time, the author needs to put some of these recipes in the book. Just saying. 🙂

4 pieces of eye candy.

meet the author

Hi, my name is Teodora and I live in London with my husband and my son. I’ve been writing ever since I can remember, but it became my full time job a few years ago when I decided that everything else I’ve tried bores me to death and I have to do what I’ve always wanted to do, but never had the guts to fully embrace. I’ve been a journalist, an editor, a personal assistant and an interior designer among other things, but as soon as the novelty of the new, exciting job wears off, I always go back to writing. Being twitchy, impatient, loud and hasty are not qualities that help a writer, because I have to sit alone, preferably still, and write for most of the day, but I absolutely love it. It’s the only time that I’m truly at peace and the only thing I can do for more than ten minutes at a time – my son has a bigger attention span than me.
When I’m procrastinating, I like to go to the gym, cook Italian meals (and eat them), read, listen to rock music, watch indie movies and True Blood re-runs. Or, in the worst case scenario, get beaten at every Nintendo Wii game by a very inventive kid.

Don’t be shy and get in touch – I love connecting with my readers.
Blog: www.teodorakostova.blogspot.com
Twitter: @Teodora_Kostova https://twitter.com/Teodora_Kostova
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teodorakostovaauthor
E-mail: t.t.kostova@gmail.com
Instagram: teodorika1

Believing Blue by Nicole Colville : Release Day Blitz with Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

April 22, 2016 by Denise

Believing Blue

Manchester Ménage Collection, Book Three

Nicole Colville

M/M Romance

Cover Designer

Kellie Dennis from Book Cover by Design www.bookcoverbydesign.co.uk/

Release Date: 04.21.16

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Believing Blue Full cover

Is there a fated path we follow, or is it simply a series of coincidental events?

Police officer Kellan Howard is rumoured to have spent too much time in sub-zero temperatures, leaving him with a block of ice for a heart and women lining up to help thaw it. Mountain climbing is his only love, leaving no time for a relationship, and although meaningless sex satisfies his physical need, it’s empty. When he attends a fatal traffic accident, he didn’t expect his entire life to change. Along with a final message, Kellan is offered something else from the dying man: the chance to fall in love. Kellan’s never considered being with a man, but when he meets Valentino, he’s instantly drawn to him.

Suffering from crippling agoraphobia, talented Italian artist Valentino has a solitary existence, only experiencing life outside the house through his partner Stuart. When their relationship comes to an abrupt end, Kellan helps ease his suffering. A deep bond binds the two men together, and the sexual tension can’t be denied, but Valentino questions if the distance between their very different lives is too much, and if they can bridge the gap by themselves.

Ballet dancer Blue has a vibrant personality which demands attention, but his humour and courageous attitude are a shield. Blue’s good at making others believe in themselves, but what he needs is someone to believe in him. He could be the bridge both men are looking for, but Blue’s never allowed anyone to get too close, and when Kellan and Valentino enter his life, he desperately tries to protect his heart and his secrets.

When all three meet, the chemistry is undeniable, but each have fears about moving forwards. Together, they learn love comes in many forms. It can’t be restrained or labelled, and it doesn’t always appear in the way you first imagined

blue promo

Valentino barked out a laugh. “Bel ragazzo, these are not sexual. They’re admiring. Trust me, if I touched you sexually, you’d know about it.” He began tracing those swirls on Blue’s leggings again, even more provocatively than the last time, or maybe Blue was just more aware of the touches. “I’m a devoted slave worshipping you. A poor acolyte tending to your altar.”

Blue rolled his eyes. “Look, if you were my boss, and I was some sexy over worked, under paid assistant, and you went around the office touching me up like that — No, wait, that’s actually a fantasy of mine. Lemme pick another. So, you’re a teacher, Italian classes obviously, and I’m your student—”

Valentino cupped his ass and squeezed. “That’s one of mine, pick another.”

Blue huffed, not instantly removing his hand, but letting him get in one more grope before slapping his hand away. “Look, what I’m saying is—”

“You enjoy it,” Valentino whispered against his neck and gave his ass another slap as he passed by.

“That’s not the point.” Blue followed him around, fluttering closely to him like an attention-seeking butterfly, or peacock as his outfit declared.

“It’s pretty obvious we’re attracted to each other,” Valentino stated matter-of-factly, like he’d just found out it was raining and decided to share the good news.

“Is it now?”

“Yes.” Valentino pointed to the podium where his uncomfortable chair waited for him. “Now sit, Bel ragazzo.”

Blue sat down with loud sigh. “Fine.”

After he’d got himself into the approved position, perched uncomfortably on the edge with his butt sticking out, his spine curved dangerously close to snapping and his right leg extended, he gave one last epic eye roll and tried to concentrate on being still. And quiet. And not bored. And…

“What does…” He paused, trying to get it right in his head before he cocked it up verbally. “Bel ragazzo mean?”

Valentino was fiddling with his arty stuff behind him. “It’s Italian.”

“I guessed that, numbnut. But what does it mean?”

“Pain in the arse.” Valentino chuckled.

“It does not.” Blue stuck his tongue out. “I’m Googling it later.”

“You do that. What does numbnut mean?”

“The meaning is kinda in the word itself. Numb nut. Get it?”

“I’ve never heard that before.”

“Well, I’m doing my part for the Slang Terminology European Vocabulary International Exchange, also known as STEVIE.”

Valentino was laughing as he walked to Blue, making a few tiny adjustments to his position, placing his arm further back on the chair, tilting his head back a little and extended his throat. “That must be a fun job. What’s STEVIE like to work for?”

“Oh, amazing. He doesn’t touch me up or anything.” He flashed Valentino a wink.

Welcome to the home of bittersweet M/M romances which will leave you craving more

Nicole Colville was born and currently lives in Leeds, England. She is a wife to her very understanding hubby and mother of two young girls who somehow manages to fit in being a full time author of m/m romance and erotica into her busy home life.

She loves writing complex characters in bittersweet romances which will leave you addicted and craving more from her men

Although best known for her popular series, Hidden and Knights to Remember, she also enjoys writing with friend, and fellow author, E.M Leya. Together they have published two books in their Sinful Temptation Collection with more planned.

Her new ménage collection based in the popular city of Manchester, England is her first solo full length novel outside of The Hidden Series and has three books planned for release in 2015 & 2016.

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Dare to Hope by TM Smith: Blog Tour, Excerpt and Giveaway

April 21, 2016 by Denise

Dare to Hope

an All Cocks Story book 4

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Tristan is the second oldest of the Brennan brothers and the odd man out. Most of the Brennan men have careers in law enforcement, but as a psychiatrist, Tristan chooses to help people in a different way. Quiet and restrained, he is content to hover in the background of his more gregarious brothers. Then he meets two men, each broken and damaged from losses beyond their control.

Gabriel Simenson is mourning his lover’s death. The random act of violence that took Gio’s life has left everyone at All Cocks reeling. The only thing keeping Gabe from drowning in misery is the friendship he’s forged with Micah, the newest model at All Cocks. He continues to struggle, and at the urging of his All Cocks family Gabe agrees to counseling with Tristan under one condition: Micah t go with him.

Micah Solo can relate to unbearable loss, having lost his leg and so much more in Iraq. The past two years he has been alone, adrift and vulnerable — the memories of war haunting his dreams, spilling over into his daily life. At All Cocks, Micah has found the acceptance he craves and the family he lost, but still he yearns for happiness and peace within.

The friendship between the three is instant, the mutual attraction evident. They circle each other, wanting more, yet unsure if it is truly possible. Is life the mundane reality they’ve each come to accept for themselves or do they dare to hope?

The All Cocks Stories is a series set within the world of online gay porn.

*Warning* Micah’s PTSD is told in detail, including flashbacks to his time in Iraq.

Grab your copy now!

This story was so brilliant. I absolutely adored Tristan, Gabriel, and Micah. I thought TM Smith did a wonderful job creating this threesome. Unlike so many other MMM books that I have read she did a wonderful job balancing these three characters. She did a wonderful job of creating characters that drew you and made you feel what they felt. The story itself was very well done. Each characters story was told very well and the entire book flowed. This series keeps getting better and better and I cannot wait for more.

5 pieces of eye candy

“There you are.” Gabe bounded down the stairs, stopping and hugging Micah when he reached the step just above the one Micah stood on. “Tristan and I were waiting for you, thought you might like to go into the city with us for dinner.”

Micah’s first thought was to refuse, but the excited look in Gabe’s eyes made him rethink that. “All right, I guess, just let me go change first.”

It didn’t take him long to change and head back downstairs, finding Gabe and Tristan waiting on the porch for him. Just before he walked out the kitchen door, he heard Gabe talking quietly to Tristan. “I think getting out will do him some good; he rarely leaves the house and that can’t be good for his mood.”

Micah froze with his hand on the door knob. Of course his gut reaction was to deny every word Gabe had just uttered, to tell the man to fuck off and ask why the hell the two of them were talking about him. How dare they feel fucking sorry for him! Closing his eyes and taking a few deep, calming breaths, Micah shook off the need to rush to anger, telling that devil on his shoulder that Gabe and Tristan were his friends, only concerned about his well-being.

He jerked the door open a little harder than he probably should have, stepping out on the porch and letting the screen door slam shut behind him. The loud bang didn’t affect Micah the same when he was causing the noise as it did when he didn’t know the sound was coming. Gabe and Tristan both jumped to their feet. “Fuck a duck, Micah!” Gabe shouted. “You trying to give a guy a heart attack?”

Read the other books in the All Cocks Series…

Gay for Pay – Book 1

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Fame and Fortune – Book 2

How to Deal – Book 3

All Cocks Series Box Set

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A military brat born and raised at Ft. Benning Georgia;
TM Smith is an avid reader, reviewer and writer. A Texas transplant, she now
calls DFW her home. Most days she can be found curled up with a good book, or
ticking away on her next novel.

Smith is a single mom of three disturbingly outspoken and
decidedly different kids, one of which is Autistic. Besides her writing, she is
passionate about Autism advocacy and LGBT rights. Because, seriously people,
Love is Love!

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