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Redemption: Second Chance Gay Romance by Garrett Leigh: RB, New Release Review and Giveaway

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Reformed gangster Luis falls hard for his boss. When friendship turns to love, it’s up to Paolo to convince him second chances are worth the pain.

Luis Pope is back on the street after a six year stretch in prison, but life on the outside seems just out of reach, especially when the whole neighbourhood knows his face for all the wrong reasons.

Paolo’s temper makes it hard to keep staff, and he knows Luis’s rep all too well. But his nonno believes in redemption, and Luis isn’t the tough guy Paolo remembers. Prison has left its mark, inside and out, and all the kindness in the world can’t fix the three inch scar on Luis’s skull.

And it can’t keep ghosts locked up. Luis’s the best worker Paolo’s ever had, and Luis’s happier than he’s ever been. But his old life doesn’t want to stay in the past. Trouble comes to call, and when it makes him an offer he can’t refuse, keeping Paolo safe hurts the most.

Redemption is an angsty, standalone MM romance novel, with second chances, found family, friends-to-lovers, and buckets of hurt/comfort themed loveliness.

Cover Design: Garrett Leigh @ Black Jazz Design

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

What do I like? Broken main characters! What is better than one? TWO!

So yes, this book sucked me RIGHT in. And let me tell ya, I needed it after reading 3 bombs in a row. I actually started it 10 minutes after I finished a book because I needed good writing in my brain.

Luis walks out of prison after 6 years with nothing. He was a member of his brother’s gang and when he got caught stealing, he admitted it and did his time. It also cost him most of the hearing in one ear. (more on that later)

He is restless without the schedule he had to follow in prison and wanders into a local cafe to inquire about a job. Paolo, owner of the cafe, recognizes him immediately from when they were in school together and later from the rumors about the gang. Paolo is a mess as well. Running his grandfather’s cafe, literally by himself, 7 days a week is killing him slowly. But he needs the money to take care of his grandparents who raised him. He doesn’t trust Luis, but he will give him a chance.

Ugh, Luis. He is like that puppy in a shelter who was beaten daily by his previous owner. He broke my heart. He just wants to live his life. He expects nothing. He doesn’t want what little family he has and all of his “friends” are tied up with that family.

Paolo just plods on. Day by day, doing what he needs to do, never really thinking about the future. These two broken men belong together.

They very quickly fall into a routine, and become hesitant friends. Until the booze comes out. Then perhaps more than friends?

Watching them slowly open up and trust each other and begin to fall in love is swoony. There are no great declarations. So huge romantic gestures. Because they are just 2 guys, working 7 days a week because they have to. Spending time with Paolo’s grandparents when they aren’t working.

Back to Luis’ hearing loss. I am deaf in one ear and everything she described is so spot on. From not being able to hear at all if someone is on the “wrong” side to being overwhelmed with too much sound. Including anxiety attacks because of it. Kudos for that. I think this might be the first character I’ve read that was hard of hearing in the same (or similar) way that I am and I really appreciate the representation.

4 pieces of eye candy

Garrett Leigh is an award-winning British writer and book designer.

Garrett’s debut novel, Slide, won Best Bisexual Debut at the 2014 Rainbow Book Awards, and her polyamorous novel, Misfits was a finalist in the 2016 LAMBDA awards.

When not writing, Garrett can generally be found procrastinating on Twitter, cooking up a storm, or sitting on her behind doing as little as possible, all the while shouting at her menagerie of children and animals and attempting to tame her unruly and wonderful FOX.

Garrett is also an award winning cover artist, taking the silver medal at the Benjamin Franklin Book Awards in 2016. She designs for various publishing houses and independent authors at blackjazzdesign.com, and co-owns the specialist stock site moonstockphotography.com with renowned LGBTQA+ photographer Dan Burgess.

Website: http://www.garrettleigh.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garrettleighauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Garrett_Leigh

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The Making of Jonty Bloom (Unfinished Business Book 1) by Barbara Elsborg: Release Day Review and Exclusive Giveaway

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Finding his fiancé in bed with his brother was bad enough, finding out they’re getting married is the final blow.

Devan Smith needs to cool his anger. He needs to forget the lies and betrayals and work on resetting his life. When his boss orders him to scope out a remote hotel for a possible buyout, Devan’s only interested in getting the job done and getting out. What he’s not interested in is the guy with the piercings, bleached hair, and the smart, kissable mouth behind the reception desk.

Working the hotel reception is the only thing that’s stable in Jonty Bloom’s unstable life. His best friend has had a terrible accident, his ex refuses to move on, and his eight-year-old self is still waiting for his mother to collect him from school. Jonty needs his job. What he doesn’t need is the rude, arrogant, and hot as they come guy who’s rocked up demanding he be let into his room right now.

Thrown together by a freak accident, Devan and Jonty’s lives entwine, and neither wants to loosen the knot. Can the irrepressible Jonty be the reset Devan needs? Can Devan be the making of Jonty Bloom, or will secrets drive them apart?

First in the Unfinished Business series. All books are standalones.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

This is a new to me author, although I see people talking about her books on Facebook quite often. So I figured I would give it a shot. The one main character, Jonty, sounded super quirky and I usually really like quirky characters.

He started out a little too quirky for me. But definitely got better. He has back and forth dialogue in his head between him and his best friend. Remember- in his head. This isn’t out loud on the phone or in person. And at the beginning it was really kind of turning me off because it was so much of it. But it didn’t last, at least not that heavily, as the book went on and I was able to enjoy it much more.

Devan, after hearing that his ex fiance and his brother (whom he cheated on Devan with) were getting married AND his brother wanted him to be best man, Devan’s boss offers to have him scout 2 different hotels that his company may buy. And kind of orders him to stay away for a while, since the brothers work in the same office.

Devan is moody and grouchy and the quirky Jonty is annoying him. While also making him notice. I love that Jonty just refuses to be brought down by grumpy people.

An accident happens that risks both of their lives at the same time. And from then on, Devan seems to have a switch flipped. Acknowledging that he is attracted to Jonty. That he isn’t annoying, he is pretty fun.

Poor Jonty- that kid has had a life. I won’t get into it, I’ll let you all discover it on your own. It’s worth it.

Jonty and Devan together are cute, hilarious, romantic and healing. I really think they helped heal each other from their pain.

Jonty will have you absolutely laughing out loud. I’ve read books with funny characters that I really enjoyed. But Jonty seemed unique to me with his brand of sarcasm and self deprecating humor that almost never stops. But he can also be serious and introspective. And he offers great advice to Devan on dealing with his family and his ex.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the multiple layers of both characters. There were great supporting characters that really helped the story and getting to know these guys as they got to know each other.

I’m looking forward to book two. If it is what I hope it is.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

Barbara Elsborg has generously offered an ebook of any of her backlist books to one commentor on this post. 🙂

Everybody Burns (Enhanced World Book 6) by Victoria Sue: New Release Review and Exclusive Giveaway

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Eli was only seven years old when he had been given to monsters.

Sixteen years later he finally gets the chance for revenge, and with his enhanced abilities changing, nothing and no one is gonna stop him, especially a new partner that seems to see right through the black holes in his soul.

Agent Daniel Connelly left Washington trying to keep his sanity, but the images of the innocent victims are still haunting him and knows the horror in Eli’s eyes is exactly what he is trying to forget.

Everybody Burns is a story about two men falling in love. Except, one doesn’t think he is capable of it…

And the other doesn’t think he deserves it.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

This series is really damn good, if you like paranormal type stuff…although the paranormal isn’t crazy if that isn’t your usual cup of tea.  It truly is abilities that are enhanced.

That being said, this book was a hard one, because when you see Eli’s story unfold, there are a couple things that could be hard for an author to make happen in 200 or so pages and still feel like it was realistic. One of them was that Eli just had not gotten over, or really even started to heal at all, his deep wounds from childhood abuse. He truly didn’t believe he deserved to be happy, and to fall in love during that, well it just isn’t going to work in most cases. There were also physical “wounds” that many survivors of abuse cannot get past…no matter how much therapy, how many drugs, or how many times they “try”. That also really makes it hard to find the person that is going to accept you, and be willing to stand with you as you heal.

I’ll be really honest…as I saw this unfolding, I just didn’t see how that was going to happen without it being wrapped up in a tidy little bow of joy and rainbows. That is a lot of hurt, and pain that one person cannot safely and realistically get through in a very short period of time. Color me surprised when it did work! 🙂 The author didn’t rush it. She didn’t have Daniel make it all better with his magical personality and p***s. It was clear that it was work, and understanding, and a lot of love.

Eli needed all of that to heal and be able to find love. Without it, he couldn’t love himself, and certainly couldn’t love Daniel. The story around the love story, in this case, was more about redemption. The meat of this book was simply that Daniel didn’t force his love on Eli, he simply let Eli find it. Meanwhile Daniel let Eli know that whatever worked for them, worked for THEM. Their love, and their relationship was about what they needed, and what they would find in each other.

And isn’t that what we all want in a relationship?

Also, it was fantastic catching up with all the guys–LOVED the scene with Finn, Sam, and poor wide-eyed Eli. Totally fantastic!

4 pieces of eye candy

Victoria Sue fell in love with love stories as a child when she would hide away with her mom’s library books and dream of the dashing hero coming to rescue her from math homework. She never mastered math but never stopped loving her heroes and decided to give them the happy ever afters they fight so hard for.
She loves reading and writing about gorgeous boys loving each other the best—and creating a family for them to adore. Thrilled to hear from her readers, she can be found most days lurking on Facebook where she doesn’t need factor 1000 sun-cream to hide her freckles.

www.victoriasue.com

@vickysuewrites

https://www.facebook.com/victoriasueauthor

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1182647028418709/

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/VictoriaSueNewsletter

Victoria Sue has generously offered up an ebook from her backlist to one commentor to this blog post. 🙂

A Boy Made Of Sunshine by Colette Davison: Blog Tour, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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A strict Daddy. A sassy neighbour. Can opposites attract?

After taking early retirement, Liam is happy avoiding people and tending to his roses. Or he was, until young film star Felix moves in next door.

With his cheeky, persistent, and very naughty behaviour, Felix gets under Liam’s skin instantly.

Felix needs Liam to teach him how to behave, but will calling the older man Daddy be enough to bring sunshine into Liam’s life?

A Boy Made of Sunshine is a standalone gay romance, with mild D/s play, Daddy kink, a cute Dalmatian puppy, a ridiculous glow in the dark toy, and lots of brattish behaviour.

Book Title: A Boy Made of Sunshine

Author: Colette Davison

Publisher: Independently Published

Cover Artist: Colette Davison

Release Date:  June 29, 2020

Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance

Trope/s: Grumpy and sunshine, opposites attract, age-gap, Daddy kink

Themes: Patience

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length:  approximately 62,000 words

It is a standalone story.

Goodreads

Amazon US – Kindle Unlimited

Amazon UK- Kindle Unlimited  

When a removal van finally arrived in the first week of summer, Liam’s hopes that his quiet existence would continue undisturbed were dashed.

He’d never regarded himself as a curtain twitcher before, but he found himself peering out of his bedroom window as three burly men unloaded the large van. The furniture didn’t scream ‘quiet retired couple’ to him. It was too modern, too loud. Who on earth owned a bright purple sofa, for crying out loud? The bed was even worse. It was a huge monstrosity, easily king-sized, and Liam couldn’t help but feel sorry for the men carrying it into the house. The bed frame was black, probably made of leather, judging by the way the sunlight made the fabric shine, with a massive surround, part of which looked like some kind of lounge chair. Did it even have a built-in speaker? Who needed a built-in speaker in their bed?

His jaw dropped a little more at every item of furniture that was brought into the house. The coffee table looked like it doubled as an aquarium, although thankfully there were no fish in it. There was a bookcase in the shape of a dog, a dining table with what looked like a solid marble top, overstuffed dining chairs, a pool table, and even a bar!

The painting was the last straw.

The canvas and frame combined must have been six feet tall, making the man that had been painted upon it almost life size. Not only was he nude, but he was grasping his cock, his head tilted back slightly, eyes closed, making it obvious that he was in the midst of pleasuring himself. Liam had never been so glad to have no other neighbours. The painting was glorious—he had to adjust himself to make his aching cock more comfortable in his pants—but why in God’s name hadn’t it been covered up? Clearly, his new neighbour had no decorum whatsoever.

If you are looking for a light hearted take on BDSM and a Daddy/boy relationship- this is it. In fact, maybe this would be a good starter book for someone interested in these tropes. Because this was just about as vanilla as this could get while still being called kink.

And listen, that is fine. As long as you know what you are getting into. It definitely started out with promise of serious kink.

Ex cop living on one side of a semi detached house. Super meticulous. Loner. Lives by rules, schedules and order.

B or C list actor buys the other side as he is taking a break from Hollywood. He is young, was a child actor previously and has basically done whatever he has wanted most of his life. He is a SUPER happy guy and loves to push the buttons of his grouchy neighbor.

A bratty boy, a grouchy Daddy, and a puppy. For real a puppy, not a kink puppy. 😉

It was a bit too insta love and a bit too vanilla, but it was a cute book. Definitely readable, but it wasn’t very meaty.

3 pieces of eye candy

Colette’s personal love story began at university, where she met her future husband. An evening of flirting, in the shadow of Lancaster castle, eventually led to a fairytale wedding. She’s enjoying her own ‘happy ever after’ in the north of England with her husband, two beautiful children and her writing.

Social Media Links

Blog/Website  |   Facebook Page   |  Facebook Group: Colette’s Cosy Corner

BookBub   |   Twitter    |   Goodreads  |  Instagram: @colettedavison

Mailing List  |   Newsletter Sign-Up

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Secret Admirer by DJ Jamison: RB, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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You deserve all the kisses you want …

Benji,

I just want you to know how amazing you are. You won’t believe me, because I’m just your brother’s best friend. But everything I feel is undeniable.

A few anonymous love tokens change everything, though. I finally have an outlet for all the things I can’t say, and with each gift and note, you smile. For me. Not your brother’s friend, but something new. Something more. Something that will change everything if we can both find the courage to believe.

All I have to do is confess who I really am:

Your Secret Admirer

Book Title:  Secret Admirer

Author: DJ Jamison

Publisher: DJ Jamison

Cover Artist: Cate Ashwood

Release Date: June 25, 2020

Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance

Trope/s:  Brother’s Best Friend, Secret Admirer

Themes: Bisexual awakening, friends to lovers themes

Heat Rating:  4 flames

Length:  59 000 words

It is a standalone story.

Goodreads

Amazon US

Amazon UK 

ACE

“Is my brother a deal-breaker?” he asked.

I sucked in my bottom lip, feeling torn. I wanted him like crazy. I’d had plenty of time to feel attraction for guys, to get a bit curious and wonder… and my body was fully down to fuck, regardless of the fact I’d never been with a guy. But fucking Benji was a big deal. Jeremy expected me to protect his virtue, not throw him on the bed and ravish him.

“Ace?”

I let out an unsteady breath. “He should be. But fuck, Benji, I really like you.”

“You can never lie to me again.”

“I won’t.”

“And you’ll let me handle my brother,” he said.

I parted my lips to object, but he was full of fire — not anger this time, but something else, something more enticing — and I couldn’t find the words. He must have seen the answer in my eyes. He tilted forward, and I met him for a long overdue kiss.

He was sweet, both tentative and eager as his lips parted under mine. Despite leading our conversation, he let me take over as soon as our mouths connected. I savored the soft feel of his lips, the hitch in his breathing as my tongue met his, the small sound of surrender as the kiss deepened.

“Whoa,” he said, voice filled with wonder, when I pulled back for a breath. His green eyes were bright, his cheeks rosy with a blush. He was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.

“Yeah?” I murmured, feeling a bit of my old ego restored at his reaction. “Just wait.”

I took his mouth again, and this time he met me with more confidence, pushing his tongue against mine, clutching at my shoulders.

The kiss grew wet and desperate.

I grabbed his head, holding him in place to better devour him, and he pushed his hands under my shirt, feeling up my stomach to my chest. When his fingers grazed my nipples, I shivered. When he raked his nails over my abs, I moaned and thrust my hips against his. I felt his hardness behind his zipper.

Fuck yes.

It sent a thrill through me. He wanted me, and I didn’t have to question it. He was hard, just like me. Male, just like me. It was strangely erotic, knowing he was aching in exactly the same way I was.

I pushed him onto the bed, loving the feel of him pinned under me. When we needed air, I moved my lips to the creamy skin of his neck. God, I loved his skin, so fucking pale and soft.

His fingers were tangled in my hair, holding me against him, as he thrust his hips up. I could feel his cock jabbing my stomach, and I didn’t care one fucking bit. I thought maybe I’d be weirded out, like maybe I’d need to adjust to having a guy under me instead of a girl, but it didn’t matter.

Benji felt right; he felt fucking great.

I really haven’t read anything by this author, so thought that this would be a cute one to pick up. I was right! This one definitely hits you with all the sweetness you want in a story.

Benji, a shy introverted artist who’s just trying to get through college, after his brother went off in the other direction to finish his college years, was such a sweet guy. He’d had a crush on Ace since he was little, and once they were at the same college, that crush reared itself again, making it awkward for Benji.

Meanwhile, Ace had some things to deal with himself. He finds himself just wanting to make Benji happy, despite never having had feelings for a guy…or perhaps just always having had some feelings for Benji. He was awkward himself, as he’d always thought he was straight, and had some issues with how he grew up. But in the end, he was just purely an all around nice guy, wanting to make something good happen in someone he cared about’s life.

These guys had a lot of differences, so seeing that they wanted each other based on more than their looks and their past experiences was a little tough to swallow at first. However, they did offset each other nicely as they moved along. Sweetness, light, gooey love.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

DJ Jamison is the author of more than twenty m/m romances. She writes a variety of queer characters, from gay to bisexual to asexual. DJ grew up in the Midwest in a working-class family, and those influences can be found in her writing through characters coping with real-life problems: money troubles, workplace drama, family conflicts and, of course, falling in love. DJ spent more than a decade in the newspaper industry before chasing her first dream to write fiction. She spent a lifetime reading before that and continues to avidly devour her fellow authors’ books each night. She lives in Kansas with her husband, two sons, one snake, and a sadistic cat named Birdie.

Social Media Links

Blog/Website  |  Facebook  |  Facebook Group  |   Twitter: @dj_jamison_ 

Instagram  |   Newsletter Sign-up  |   KoFi for bonus content

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Freedom by E. Davies: Exclusive Book Excerpt and Giveaway

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Agoraphobe Jaden has barely left the house in years. Being dragged to a gay bar by his big brother to bid on a blind date is not his idea of a good time. But then the unthinkable happens: he wins. Sure, he was just about ready to push his boundaries–but on his own time. Not with a probably-gorgeous stranger watching his every move.

Henry hasn’t been on a date in the last year–ever since he finished with lower surgery. He works as a nature guide now in the great outdoors, and his new life suits him just fine. Just one thing’s missing: a man to share it with. Jaden is sweet, accepting, yet terrified by everything about the date that isn’t Henry. But he sees something in Jaden–in his courage for showing up, and his hope and vulnerability along the way.

Back home, when he’s in Denver in between guiding trips, Henry quickly becomes a staple in Jaden’s home. With Jaden’s understanding, Henry grows confident in his own skin. And with Henry’s support, the walls of Jaden’s sheltered life open up. But every step forward seems like it comes with two steps back. Can they take a deep breath and step into the wide open future–together?

This novel is based on “Denver” — a short story from the Heart2Heart 2 anthology. It has been revised and significantly expanded. It is now a standalone gay romance novel with a happily ever after ending and no cliffhanger.

Freedom by E. Davies

F-Word Series, Book 5

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

As afternoon drew to a close, the first sign of evening creeping up on Henry and Jaden was the chill in the breeze. They’d each shrugged on extra layers as the scorching daytime heat faded.

The lamplit picnic area was perfectly serene and romantic, and nobody had interrupted them.

Watching Henry’s effortless confidence reading a map and compass to get them here on their bikes had been so hot. Jaden had always wanted the confidence to navigate, but he’d never gotten that far in his outdoor pursuits. Back in college, he’d gone on trail runs. That was as wild as it got.

But Henry did real wilderness shit. This must be nothing to him. Jaden found himself letting Henry lead the way, and he actually enjoyed it.

Their supper had been delicious—fried chicken, potato salad, a bottle of sparkling wine, all the classic picnic foods. Now Jaden and Henry were lying together, waiting for…

For what, Jaden wasn’t quite sure.

Their cabin was nearby, Henry said. They could bike to it in minutes, even at a gentle pace. For now, they were digesting supper, talking about anything and everything, and admiring the changing colors of the sky.

The breeze rustled through the trees, and being in these woods felt strangely home-like. This was freedom in a way Jaden wasn’t quite sure he was ready to handle, but had been craving for years.

“I’m so glad I did this,” he whispered.

Henry took his hand. “Me too. I wish we could stay out here and stargaze… but biking in the dark would be quite a life choice.”

“Yeah,” Jaden laughed. He didn’t want to leave the clearing just yet. He had one thing left to do first. “We’ve got a few more minutes?” he asked Henry.

Henry frowned, glancing at the fading light, but Jaden widened his eyes with his plea. Henry relented into a smile and laughed. “A few minutes,” he echoed.

“Thank you.” Jaden squeezed his hand. “I’m just… enjoying this.”

A rush of breath left Henry’s lungs, and he looked over. “Yeah?”

At the same moment, Jaden had looked at him. That brought their lips just inches apart as they gazed into each other’s eyes.

Henry was gorgeous: stubbly, gorgeous, rugged. The kind of guy who had tons of followers on Instagram. His jaw was square and handsome, and his lips were thin but very kissable. And best of all were his bright blue eyes, a shade that stood out even in the dimming light.

Jaden wanted a piece of that, more than he was willing to admit.

“Hm?” Henry prompted, but he was smiling slowly. There was wicked temptation in that smile.

Jaden gave up resisting and leaned in to press their lips together.

It was warm and comforting, slow and thick as molasses. Which was what Jaden’s mind felt like as he sank into the sweet kiss. It started as a gentle exploration, but more swelled between them quickly.

So to speak.

Since 2013, E. Davies has crafted feel-good stories of men in love–stories that are brimming with hope, found families, and realistic guys next door getting their modern fairytale endings. As for hobbies: rescuing bees, dancing badly, traipsing through meadows, and studying photos of cute guys for research totally count, right?

Connect with Ed:
www.edaviesbooks.com
facebook.com/edaviesbooks
twitter.com/edaviesauthor
instagram.com/thisboyisstrange
bookbub.com/authors/e-davies
amazon.com/author/edavies

Enter the Giveaway:

To celebrate Release of Freedom, we are giving 2 lucky winners the chance to win an e-copy of Freedom, and the winner’s choice of any book from Ed’s published works!

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