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Beautiful Beast (Those Other Books #4) by Roe Horvat: Blog Tour, Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

by

Kevin used to hold himself back, trying to keep his less conventional desires to himself. With Joakim, he feels free. It’s almost as if Joakim can read Kevin’s subconscious, touching the right places at exactly the right time, and whispering the most shameless things…filthy, and oh so satisfying.

Falling for Kevin is easy. Joakim can feel it happening and he’s powerless to do anything about it. With every touch, his desire grows. Men have chased him for his money and status before, but Kevin doesn’t seem to care about any of that. Maybe this time, Joakim should let himself fall, and hope the landing will be soft.

Beautiful Beast is a light tale of lust and love, about a beautiful dancer who keeps a wild beast locked inside him, and the man who sets it free.

Book Title: Beautiful Beast

Author: Roe Horvat

Publisher: Roe Horvat

Cover Artist: Garrett Leigh (Black Jazz Design)

Release Date: May 1, 2020

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Trope/s: Instant lust, rich & famous

Themes: Dancer & tycoon, light kink (bondage, dirty talk), sexual self-discovery

Heat Rating:  5 flames

Length:  42 000 words

It is a standalone story.

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Amazon AU

Goodreads

 

Joakim recognized him immediately. Kevin’s heart-shaped, plump lips stretched in a careful smile; he was stunning. There weren’t good enough words to describe the man’s angelic face. Light blue eyes, big, round and sparkling, with long lashes. His nose was small and perfectly straight, cheekbones high and sharply cut, jawline soft and boyish, even though the thin lines on his forehead said he must be closer to thirty than twenty. Kevin had an exquisite face and an exquisite smile.

He moved like the dancer he was, drifting gracefully among the people in the crowded restaurant until he stood close to the tall table Joakim waited by. He blinked nervously, and those full lips parted. Joakim wanted to suck on them, see if they turned a darker shade of red… And he was just sitting there, gaping like a fool. Realizing his mistake, he jumped up from his seat to welcome his date properly. The chair scraped on the floor, making an awful sound over the sultry music in the restaurant. Joakim winced.

“Sorry,” he said. “Hi. Hello. Lovely to finally meet you properly.”

“Hi,” Kevin said and smiled a shy smile, which would have buckled Joakim’s knees if he hadn’t been leaning on the table with one hand.

“Hi,” he repeated dumbly. Then he had to laugh. “Sorry, I’m just…” He gestured helplessly at Kevin and shook his head. He’d spent the past few days telling himself it was nothing. Just a lark. But now the beautiful creature that had been following him in his dreams was here in the flesh, and Joakim floundered like he never had before. Could he at least stay coherent, for fuck’s sakes?

“What?” Kevin said, perplexed. He looked down, perusing his own body, probably looking for stains or an open fly.

“No! God, no. You look great. I’m just a bit stunned, that’s all. I’ll put myself back together in a minute, I promise.”

Kevin only looked more bewildered.

“Sit down,” Joakim said decisively. “Sit, and we’ll have a drink. I definitely need it.”

Kevin chuckled, still puzzled, and sat opposite Joakim at the tall round table. The chairs were as high as bar stools but more comfortable with plush armrests. Joakim couldn’t help but follow the lines of Kevin’s body with his gaze as the man settled into his chair, all long, slim limbs and graceful movements. He was dressed casually, in light beige chinos, tight over his sculpted thighs and calves, a blue button-up with a fine pink flowery print, and a silver-gray jacket. His clothes and movements had that subtle feminine flair Joakim always admired. It spoke of courage and honesty, of being comfortable with your true self. Combined with the shine of his blond, windswept hair and his milky skin, Kevin shone in the dim restaurant like a fucking supernova.

Joakim was still staring. Say something normal. Anything! Joakim only thought of telling Kevin he was the most gorgeous being he’d ever seen in his whole damned life, but he stopped himself. Other than that, nothing came. First date, dammit. You’ve done this hundreds of times. Get a grip.

Kevin was nervous now, fiddling with his sleeve, and he looked at Joakim from the corner of his eye.  Joakim realized that in order to restart his brain, he needed to look away. Tearing his gaze away from Kevin was painful, but Joakim managed to steer his attention to the bar. Look, there are glasses and shakers. Bottles. Personnel. A bartender. Say something normal.

“They have cocktails, but there’s also sake. They’re known for their great sake selection. Or Japanese beer? Lager?” And now he was rambling. Jesus! After an epic dry spell, I finally meet a man I actually want to impress, and that’s when my intellect decides to take a day off? Really?

“Sake sounds great. I haven’t had sake in ages.”

“You’re in for a treat. They’re quite busy, so we might have to wait a tiny bit longer, but the food is worth it.”

“I trust you,” Kevin said with a soft smile, and Joakim’s brain scrambled again.

“Wow, I can’t even look at you,” he blurted.

Kevin’s eyes widened. He blinked, obviously at a loss as to what to say and jumping to the wrong conclusions already.

“No! Shit, sorry. Not like that. I… your face is very distracting.”

Still confused, Kevin parted his amazing mouth to speak, but Joakim intercepted him. “You are beautiful, Kevin. Gorgeous. And it’s messing with my head a little. I’ll be fine in a minute. I better stop babbling before you run away.”

“I… erm. Thank you?”

Joakim had to laugh at the sincere bewilderment of the man.

“Let’s order some sake,” Joakim said, trying to climb out of the hole he’d managed to dig himself during the first two minutes of the date.

“Yeah. I think I need a drink too,” Kevin said in a perfectly natural voice, and Joakim thanked all the gods and all the elements and Kevin for saving him from lethal embarrassment. Joakim could talk about food and sake without saying something stupid. He was almost sure he could.

Sometimes a novella or shorter story can be just about all sex with very little substance. But this novella gave us both. AND gave us some quality BDSM play- mostly bondage and some control. But it was really well done.

Kevin and Joakim were background players in the previous Other books. I honestly can’t say that I gave them much thought. But maybe that is good because I didn’t have any preconceived notions about them. Instead, I got to know them as they got to know each other.

Joakim was probably 15 years older than Kevin but really that made no difference. Instead, Joakim was honest that he wanted more than a hook up. He was willing to actually DATE someone. And Kevin, not one for hook ups either, was all for it. They took their time, taking each other on dates, while still having crazy hot sex together.

Neither guy had walls up. Or had mommy issues. Or were in the closet. They were just two regular gay men looking for love.

You absolutely do not have to read any of the previous books to read this. It is an excellent stand alone.

4 pieces of eye candy

Queer fiction author Roe Horvat was born in the post-communist wasteland of former Czechoslovakia. Equipped with a dark sense of sarcasm, Roe traveled Europe and finally settled in Sweden. He came out as transgender in 2017 and has been fabulous since. He loves Jane Austen, Douglas Adams, bad action movies, stand-up comedy, pale ale, and daiquiri. When not hiding in the studio doing graphics, he can be found trolling cafés in Gothenburg, writing, and people-watching.

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Broken Warrior (The Weavers Circle #1) by Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott: Blog Tour, Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

by

Clay Green

A brotherhood? Monsters? Goddesses? Magic?

The world has become a strange place.

After a life on the run, Clay Green is rescued by a crazy old lady with a shotgun and an even crazier story about monsters, goddesses, and a secret brotherhood.

Gifted with the power of the earth, Clay must locate his missing “brothers” before invading monsters can destroy everything.

As if that’s not enough to contend with, Clay can’t keep his hands off the man trying to rebuild the plantation house he’s temporarily living in.

Dane Briggs

Something strange is going on…

Dane knew restoring the old plantation house wasn’t going to be an easy job, but at least none of the clients were going to be underfoot. Since losing his wife and child, the only way Dane can keep going is to focus on the work.

But that focus crumbles the second Clay appears covered in blood and barely hanging on to life.

Mystery and danger cling to Clay and the other men who suddenly show up. A smart man would walk away.

Dane chucks smart out the window in favor of hungry kisses and the silken slide of skin against skin. He doesn’t understand what’s happening, but there’s no question that Clay needs him.

He’s just not sure his heart can survive being broken again if something happens to Clay.

Broken Warrior is the first book in The Weavers Circle series. It includes fast-paced action, explosions, hurt/comfort, sexy times, animal shenanigans, wounded hearts, three crazy old ladies, and magic!

Title:  Broken Warrior

Series: The Weavers Circle #1

Author: Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott

Publisher: Drake and Elliott Publishing LLC

Release Date: April 24, 2020

Heat Level: 4 – Lots of Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 97,304

Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal romance, urban fantasy romance

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Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

“And were you attacked on your walk? Some kind of flying suckerfish? Because that’s definitely not a hickey on your neck,” Baer continued.

Grey lifted his mug of coffee to his lips again, but he paused long enough to agree. “Definitely not a hickey.”

Without thinking, Clay slapped his hand to the spot Dane had sucked on during round one—or was it round three? Fuck, he’d come so many times last night, his balls should need a week to recover, but his dick was refusing to take orders from his brain or balls. The damn thing wanted to say “Fuck coffee” and crawl back into bed with Dane.

Laughter rang out in the kitchen, and Clay groaned. He’d never had a roommate, but he sort of imagined this was what it was like. Fuck, when all six of them were in the plantation house, it would be like a goddamn frat house.

Grabbing a mug out of the cabinet, Clay continued to ignore the duo at the table as he poured himself a cup of liquid sanity. He took his time, adding a little sugar, and then turned to the table. Before he took one step, he lifted a hand, and whatever Baer had been about to say stopped in his throat.

“I won’t discuss it. Not one word,” Clay said firmly.

Baer’s shoulder’s slumped, and his mouth snapped shut. He looked like a sad puppy for all of two seconds before he was up and happy again.

“I’m sure Grey is one of us,” Baer announced, moving on to an entirely new subject. At least this was one Clay was willing to tackle, even if he wasn’t sure he had the brainpower for it yet. If anything, it gave him something to think about besides Dane.

“Yeah, I kind of thought that last night too.”

Clay settled into a chair across from Baer and Grey. He could use a long, hot shower and a clean set of clothes, but one look at the eager expression on Baer’s face and he knew the man would follow him to the bathroom to discuss this. He could do without them sharing the bathroom with him.

“When I saw him running with you toward the Jeep last night, I swear I got the weirdest feeling of déjà vu. I know we’ve done this all before. Well, maybe not at that club, but the running together, the fighting together.” Baer rested his forearms on the table and leaned forward. “Even when we got back to the house, I felt like I knew him. Known him my whole life.”

“The same way you feel with me?”

Baer nodded.

Clay looked over at Grey, who had both hands wrapped around the dark-blue coffee mug resting on the table in front of him. A deep frown was pulling at the corners of his mouth and drawing lines between his thick eyebrows. Without the threat of death and destruction looming over their heads, Clay took a moment to actually look at the man. Gray hair highlighted his temples, and more of it flecked the closely trimmed beard lining his jaw and chin. He was paler than himself and Baer, as if he were more likely to spend long hours inside the house, but there was no missing the lean muscles that filled out his wrinkled button-down shirt. Maybe a swimmer. Or a runner.

“What do you think?” Clay prodded when Grey remained silent.

“That this is all stupid, ridiculous, and utterly impossible,” Grey grumbled. His hands tightened on his mug, but he didn’t lift it back to his mouth.

“But?”

“I can’t deny I have the same feeling of déjà vu with both of you. Something-something inside of me keeps claiming that I know.”

Clay glanced over at Baer. “Did you tell him?”

“Oh, he fucking told me so much,” Grey answered for him with a rough bark of laughter. “Powers and goddesses and other dimensions with alien monsters trying to kill us so they can destroy the world. I heard plenty last night.”

Closing his eyes, Clay pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed heavily. Yeah, that was pretty much how it all sounded. Insane and impossible. That was his life now to a T. Opening his eyes again, he stared at Baer. “And you told him all this stone-cold sober?”

Baer’s chest puffed up and he grinned broadly at his friend. “No!”

Clay rolled his eyes.

“I found that cheap bottle of whiskey we lost. I think Jo hid it. But anyway, we killed that bottle, and I explained about the pestilents, Weavers, and the Circle.”

Clay looked over at Grey, waiting for his response on how the hell he took this information while loaded up on cheap whiskey.

“And then he turned into an ostrich,” Grey said in a deadpan voice.

“I was trying for a peacock. Something flashy,” Baer commented in a low voice.

“Broke the coffee table.”

“I panicked!”

“You were drunk!” Clay shouted.

“Birds are hard,” Baer muttered under his breath, his eyes locked on his coffee mug in front of him in a pout.

So, I don’t do paranormal. Not usually, anyway. I don’t care for shifters or mind readers or any of that jumbo, cuz I like the real world stuff. Real-world romances and real-world problems, ya know? HOWEVER, I do not pass up anything with this duo, so of course, I put my prejudices aside and gave this one a go…I might be converted, y’all. Maybe not all the way, but for this series I am! Let me just try to put into words how crazy and cute and entertaining this whole whirlwind was.

So, first, we meet Clay, he’s being chased by these rot-smelling half-human things and he doesn’t know why, but he knows they aren’t going to stop until he’s dead. Chasing him for months, Clay is constantly on the run, though something is pulling him in one certain direction, he just can’t imagine what. That is, until one night, the human-looking things find him and he’s saved by a goddess named Jo.
She seems to know him and did just save his life, so what’s the harm in going with her? Right? He had no idea that she was going to open this whole new world to him, that I’ll admit, took a little bit to believe. Not near as long as it would’ve taken me, but she did have some pretty persuasive tactics lol
He also meets Baer, who is so much like a rowdy, restless, happy dog, that you cannot help but to fall in love with him. He might be my favorite so far, though I do have a soft spot for all of them at this point. I can’t wait to meet the other guys.

Sticking with this one though, for now… Jo takes Clay to an old plantation house in Georgia that has laid dormant for the last thirty or so years, you’ll understand why, as you read the book and everything will make sense. I will do ruin it for you, though I really could talk about it for at least another hour.
The plantation is being fixed up by a handyman who’d been doing his own running, named Dane, and he and Clay have an insane connection, though after losing his wife and child a couple of years ago, Dane is certain he can’t start anything with anyone else. Guilt and grief are heavy in him, but there is no denying the feelings he has for Clay, both deep and immediate. I loved their story, I loved how quickly their souls just kind of aligned and I loved how they went about it.

I also loved the guys and their banter, like real life-long brothers, again, I cannot wait to see what’s in store for all of them, especially Baer. I cannot wait!
There’s trouble brewing from one world to the next, but with these guys and now Dane fighting for not only the world and each other, but also love, I have no doubt they’ll all succeed. What a crazy ride, but one so so worth jumping on. Don’t pass this one up, I’m glad I didn’t. I need more! (though there wasn’t a cliffhanger, just a whole lot of hope for what’s to come).

5 pieces of eye candy

Jocelynn Drake and Rinda Elliott have teamed up to combine their evil genius to create intense gay romantic suspense stories that have car chases, shoot outs, explosions, scorching hot love scenes, and tender, tear-jerking moments. Their first joint books are in the Unbreakable Bonds series.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | eMail

http://drakeandelliott.com/

https://www.facebook.com/drakeandelliott/

https://twitter.com/DrakeandElliott

drakeandelliott@gmail.com


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Liberating Love by Michele Notaro & Sammi Cee: Blog Tour, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

by

Aiden

Finding out the man I slept with is my friend’s father is terrifying, but maybe forgivable since I didn’t know who he was… right? But falling into bed with him again… and again and again is probably not excusable. Maybe if Delaney got rid of his miles of muscles and stopped being so sweet to me, I could stop. I need to stop. If only I had the willpower—or the desire. Delaney is everything I want in a man, but we have no future together, so it can never be more than this. His sons can never find out. 

Delaney

Serving time for a crime I didn’t commit wasn’t in my game plan, but I’m out now and determined to live my best possible life. After hooking up with a hot younger man, I regret letting him go without even his name. But then luck is finally with me, and he comes walking into my son’s house. In order to make him mine, I have to be honest with my sons about the past as well as my desire for Aiden. But Aiden’s fear of getting involved is deeper than he’s telling me. He’s hiding something, too. 

Will Aiden’s fear of revealing his private life and losing his friends keep him from the man who wants to be his everything or will he allow Delaney to help bear his burden?

Liberating Love is the third book in the Interlocking Fragments series, but is a standalone novel. Each book in the series will feature a different couple, but the couples will show up throughout the whole series. This is a contemporary romance intended for 18+. 

Liberating Love

Interlocking Fragments Series, Book 3

Sammi Cee & Michele Notaro

M/M Romance 

Release Date: 03.16.20

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

I lean my elbows on the trunk of Aiden’s car as I wait for him to walk out of the building. With him working with Jovany right now, I know his schedule, which makes tracking him down easy. The only hard part is keeping a lookout to make sure I don’t run into my asshole ex-brother-in-law and his spineless son. 

Ahh… there he is. Aiden walks with hunched shoulders as he stares down at his phone. Worry prickles at the back of my neck at how turned into himself he is. He doesn’t look up at the coworkers he passes, nor do they extend a passing word to him. In just his walk to the car I see his isolation, and Jameson’s concern for his friend takes on a whole new level. He’s almost to the car before he sees me, his steps falter and his face pales as he quickly scans the parking lot around us. “What are you doing here?” 

“Freckles, I think we need to talk.”

I am fairly certain both of these authors are new to me. But being that the blurb said this book could be read as a stand alone, I decided to jump in. And technically it was a stand alone, but I was also missing a lot. But, after figuring out who was connected to whom and how, it was fine. Previous books just would have made it easier,

Moving on.

Delaney is just out of a 5 year stint in prison for something he didn’t do. He is staying with one of his sons and his son’s boyfriend for a bit- kind of a reunion thing, before moving into his own place. But he also needs people he isn’t related to.

Off to the bar!

There he hones in on a red head drinking alone. They end up having a hot night without even exchanging names.

Until the next day- Thanksgiving, when the red head shows up at his son’s house for dinner. Ooops.

After a bit of an internal struggle by Aiden, they continue seeing each other on the sly. How no one figured it out, I don’t know.

Until the kind of cliche bit of ALL of Aiden’s friends showing up at his apartment at midnight to find Delaney there as well.

A couple things, the writing at the beginning was kind of clunky and there were just odd things. Why did Aiden go to his friend’s house for Thanksgiving and leave his mother alone? Why was he at a bar by himself because he just doesn’t seem like that guy. I don’t even remember them sitting down to dinner. It was kind of weird.

Delaney was also super well adjusted after spending 5 years in prison for something he didn’t do. He acted like he was just on a super long vacation. Like, meh, no big deal.

This is just me, but I HATE cutesy nicknames. Especially when I can’t see a person using that nickname for someone. Delaney called Aiden “Freckles”. Uh, no. Just, seriously, stop it.

The writing got better, there was better flow. But just some things made no sense to me.

Definitely readable, but not memorable.

3 pieces of eye candy About Michele Notaro:

Michele is married to an awesome husband that puts up with her and all the characters in her head–and there are many. They live together in Baltimore, Maryland with their two young boys and two crazy dogs. She grew up dancing and swimming and taught dance–ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, & modern–for ten years before her kids came along. Now she stays home to write about the sexy men in her head and does PTA everything–as long as coffee is involved. Two other tattooed moms run the PTA with her, and though she wants to rip her hair out from it, she still loves it.

Michele Notaro Amazon author page link: https://amzn.to/2S69FXF

 

About Sammi Cee:

Sammi Cee was raised in a family of readers. Summer vacations consisted of a good book while sitting lakeside from as far back as she could remember. After growing up and having her own children, her appreciation of how the written word could transport you on an adventure, bring you to tears, or give you hope, took on a whole new meaning. 

These days Sammi is watching her children develop into fine young ladies while doing the things she enjoys most: drinking coffee, eating chocolate, and writing her own stories. 

Sammi Cee Amazon author page link: https://amzn.to/3aDm7Vg

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Thief in the Light by Jaime Samms: New Release Review and Giveaway

by

Lucky Denver has wandering feet, sticky fingers and an unreliable moral compass—he’s never had a home and he’s not so sure he cares about what he’s missing.

Arnold Kreed who runs a small-town B&B knows what a home should be. So does his home, The Oaks—aka Mildred—and she has some very definite opinions on who should stay and who should go.

Mildred wants Lucky to stay—and while Kreed is surprised, he can’t really blame the old girl. He’s getting sort of attached himself. Lucky might be fine with the house’s eccentricities, but he’s not so sure Kreed will be fine with the man attached to Lucky’s real name. When Kreed falls ill, Lucky needs to make a decision—wander away like he’s always done or stay and be his better self. Kreed’s hoping he’ll stay—and so is The Oaks, and Mildred has a way of getting what she wants.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

This was fun with quirky characters- including a picky house. As seems to happen too often lately, I had time line issues. But they are fairly easily overlooked.

Lucky is walking along a lonely stretch of highway when he has to take a dive into a ditch to avoid a SUV. The SUV driver has her nose in the air, but she does help him out. She gets him into the SUV and drives him to a B&B that she knows of. Not before he swipes her purse.

The B&B owner is that guy that you totally wouldn’t expect to own and B&B but at the same time it fits him perfectly. Lucky takes a room for three nights, giving up half his money. But the bed, shower and food are too hard to resist.

And then the temperamental, quirky house gives involved by knocking a picture off of the wall. Which would have seriously hurt Lucky had he been in the bed. But when Kreed checks on him, he sees the pink purse.

The next morning there is a note next to the pink purse. An offer to work for room and board, or take the money for the two nights he didn’t stay yet and disappear. Against his better judgement, he stays.

Lucky is happy to do any of the work that Kreed gives him. They get along fine, even with the town taking the time to stop in and get a look see at the new guy. Besides being a B&B, Kreed serves breakfast and lunch daily.

Kreed has a friend with benefits show up, with his husband, which gets sticky. Because Kreed and Lucky are definitely interested in each other. Which kind of makes Kreed realize he is worth more than a friend with benefits deal. Plus Lucky isn’t so subtle with his dislike of this guy.

When Kreed gets ill and winds up in the hospital, Lucky does everything he can to keep the B&B afloat. Not by renting rooms and doing big meals, but opening every morning for coffee service and breakfast sandwiches.

He has help from a trio of siblings who own the bookstore across the street, and surprisingly, from the woman who knocked him off the road to being with.

There are secrets that get out, which risk not only Lucky, but Kreed and his B&B. Lucky is ready to bail, but realizes that all of a sudden he has people- friends- in his corner willing to help him and fight for him. Including Mildred. The house.

Seeing Lucky open up and realize that people actually care for him was so sweet. The relationship between Kreed and Lucky is a suuuuuuuuuuuuuper slow burn. In fact, there is only one sex act (I’m pretty sure) and it didn’t even happen in a bed.

Shows that a decent story doesn’t need sex to keep you invested. Even a romance.

3.5 Pieces of Candy

Jaime has generously offered an ebook copy of any of her backlist for one commenter on this post. Leave a comment for Jaime!

Forever by Kindle Alexander: Blog Tour, New Release Review and Giveaway

by

Dr. Robert Adams grew up with more advantages than most—the son of a former vice president, he had two loving fathers, a twin sister he adores and wonderfully doting grandparents. Life is good until one afternoon when his dreams flat-line. And no scalpel can repair the guilt and grief he carries with him for the first time in his life.

For Tech Sergeant Landon Russo, determination isn’t just a word, it’s a way of life. Joining the US Air Force allows him to prove his worth, and he takes the values of integrity, service and excellence to heart in every decision he makes. Until on one fateful night, in celebration of a much-deserved promotion, a simple misstep sends his life flying into a tailspin.

As both men fight to regain control of their lives, they’ll soon discover fate rules. Will they ignore the signs and risk everything or will they take a chance and trust they’re destined to be together…forever?

Title: Forever
Author: Kindle Alexander

Genre: M/M Romance

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Cover Design: Reese Dante Book Cover Art & Design

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Always

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Paperback

I will start this review off with, Kindle had a nearly impossible task with this book as a follow up to Always, at least for me. Always broke me, as a reader, literally broke me. It is one of only two books I’ve ever read that gave me that “book hangover”. I couldn’t read for days. I did the lock thing (KA knows exactly what I am talking about). I cried, and smiled and couldn’t have thought any other book would ever do that to me again. (As I said, only one other did that).

This book did not do that to me. And I’m really glad. 🙂 I wanted Robert’s book to make me happy from beginning to end. I wanted joy for him, considering all that he, his fathers and Autumn had gone through. I got exactly what I wanted. Yes, there was angst, but it wasn’t crazy angst, it was life, just life.

I cried with this book, for sure. Oh, I spent a bit of time curled up on the couch with tissues next to me. But all I ever wanted was Robert’s HEA. And it was hard fought. Landon did not acquiesce easily. Robert, being the gentleman he was, waited and loved and respected, but giving up wasn’t in his vocabulary.

They definitely had their ups and down, what couple doesn’t? But family is what both these men have had in spades around them, and they allow that family to buffer and assist. (Kennedy and Landon’s connection when they first meet is so heartfelt…grab the tissues!). And the little touches of the feathers…hit me in the feels!

As I said, I knew that following up Always would be a tough task, but this is a strong second in the series, which shows the love and devotion these two men have for each other, a love they fought for. Kindle can write men who love hard, and don’t waver in that love. This book definitely did that. They loved each other, basically from day 1, and just could never let go.

Highly recommend this one. I also highly recommend Always!

4.5 pieces of eye candy…or feathers. 😉

Best Selling Author Kindle Alexander is an innovative writer, and a genre-crosser who writes classic fantasy, romance, suspense, and erotica in both the male/male and male/female genres. It’s always a surprise to see what’s coming next!

I live in the suburbs of Dallas where it’s true, the only thing bigger than an over active imagination, may be women’s hair!

Usually, I try for funny. Humor is a major part of my life – I love to laugh, and it seems to be the thing I do in most situations – regardless of the situation, but jokes are a tricky deal… I don’t want to offend anyone and jokes tend to offend. So instead I’m going to tell you about Kindle.

I tragically lost my sixteen year old daughter to a drunk driver. She had just been at home, it was early in the night and I heard the accident happen. I’ll never forget that moment. The sirens were immediate and something inside me just knew. I left my house, drove straight to the accident on nothing more than instinct. I got to be there when my little girl died – weirdly, I consider that a true gift from above. She didn’t have to be alone.

That time in my life was terrible. It’s everything you think it would be times about a billion. I love that kid. I loved being her mother and I loved watching her grow into this incredibly beautiful person, both inside and out. She was such a gift to me. To have it all ripped away so suddenly broke me.

Her name was Kindle. Honest to goodness – it was her name and she died a few weeks before Amazon released their brand new Kindle ereader. She had no idea it was coming out and she would have finally gotten her name on something! Try finding a ruler with the name Kindle on it.. It never happened.

Through the course of that crippling event I was lucky enough to begin to write with a dear friend in the fan fiction world of Facebook. She got me through those dark days with her unwavering support and friendship. There wasn’t a time she wasn’t there for me. Sometimes together and sometimes by myself, we built a world where Kindle lives and stands for peace, love and harmony. It’s its own kind of support group. I know without question I wouldn’t be here today without her.

Find out more by visiting www.kindlealexander.com or email me at kindle@kindlealexander.com

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A Vigil in the Mourning (Soulbound IV) by Hailey Turner: Exclusive Guest Post, Blog Tour, Release Day Review and Giveaway

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I’m so incredibly excited to have Hailey Turner here today to give us a little bit extra about her newest release in the Soulbound series, A Vigil in the Mourning. As you will see below, I absolutely love this series (I try to contain my enthusiasm online, so Hailey doesn’t get creeped out, but I might stalk her IG a little bit, because she is also a huge cat lover like me :)) Anyway, when I asked for a guest post from Hailey I knew it had to be on her worldbuilding, which is so amazing, so well done, you can see these things that you’ve never seen, and understand what they are there for. I can’t think of any other authors who create worlds as well as she does! Anyway, check out her guest post on it, as well as the excerpt and a giveaway at the end!

 

The devil you know is never the one you should trust.

Special Agent Patrick Collins is dispatched to Chicago, chasing a lead on the Morrígan’s staff for the joint task force. Needing a cover for his presence in the Windy City, Patrick is ordered to investigate a politician running for mayor. In the lead up to election day, not everything is what it seems in a city where playing to win means appeasing the gods first and the electorate second.

But Chicago brings its own set of problems outside the case: a stand-offish local god pack, a missing immortal, and Patrick’s twin sister. Fighting Hannah and the Dominion Sect provides Patrick with a sinister reminder that some blood ties can never be cut.

Left behind in New York City, Jonothon de Vere finds himself targeted by hunters who will go through anyone to kill him—including the packs under his protection. With a bounty on his head, Jono is forced to make a choice that Patrick would never approve of. Doing so risks breaking the trust he’s built with the man he loves, but not acting will give the rival New York City god pack leverage Jono can’t afford to give up.

When Patrick and Jono reunite in Chicago, Patrick must confront the fraying of a relationship he’s come to rely on for his own sanity. But fixing their personal problems will have to wait—because Niflheim is clawing at the shores of Lake Michigan and the dead are hungry.

A Vigil in the Mourning is a 102k word m/m urban fantasy with a gay romantic subplot and a HFN ending. It is a direct sequel to A Crown of Iron & Silver. Reading the first book in the series would be helpful in enjoying this one.

A Vigil in the Mourning by Hailey Turner

Series:  Soulbound IV

Publisher: Self-Published

Release Date (Print & Ebook): April 6, 2020

Length (Print & Ebook): 102,951

Subgenre: LGBTQ Urban Fantasy

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Author Site

Worldbuilding – Constraints and Freedom

If you read any of my books, I think it’s pretty obvious that I am fanatic in my love of worldbuilding. In science fiction and fantasy, you need a good foundation to build on if you want your story to thrive.

The fun thing about writing in SFF is that you can do anything—so long as that anything works within the rules you’ve built your world on. Which is a lot harder than it sounds, especially if you’re writing a long series that requires a lot of details, many of which may never make it on page. If they do, it might only be a throwaway line. But you, the writer, will know them, know what rule they help support, and that helps guide the worldbuilding.

When writing, the best way to build a world is to do it organically. Which means your most favorite world fact you created might never see the light of day. I have pages of notes on the science behind the werevirus or genes that carry magic in my series, but I’m never going to drop that long explanation into a book for fear of messing up the pacing and boring a reader.

With worldbuilding, you have a lot of freedom, but I personally believe that doesn’t equate to free rein. You want the world your characters exist in to be believable in a fantastical way for a reader, but actions within the world will still have consequences. Take Patrick and Jono. In my Soulbound world, messing with a person’s soul is a capital offense in the United States. Patrick accidentally tied their souls together, and that’s a crime they have to hide. I need to write the story around that law and the consequences of Patrick’s actions. Sometimes it’s not easy, but I still find it fun.

When you write a long series, you get to flesh out the world more, which I love. Maybe you get to introduce a new country, or a new world, maybe a new moment of first contact. As a writer, figuring out your world and how it works is a labor of love, but readers will always appreciate everything you know, even if they never read all of the pillars that help prop up your story.

“Where are you?” Patrick said when Wade picked up.

“Uh, why? Are you in trouble?” Wade asked.

“Not yet, but I’m being followed.”

“Werecreatures? I saw a couple this morning before I lost them.”

Patrick scowled and drummed his fingers against the steering wheel. “And you didn’t think you should go back to the hotel once you identified them?”

Wade snorted. “The hotel doesn’t have good snacks. I’m at Target getting better ones.”

“Of course you are.”

“It’s not like I can’t tell what they are, and I’m good at ditching people in a crowd. I’m not being followed right now. Trust me, I’d know if I was.”

“Get back to the hotel, Wade.”

“After I get snacks. And maybe another hot dog.”

“Wade.”

“Food first, fight later, bye.”

Wade ended the call, and Patrick swore. “Fucking teenagers.”

Okay, I am going to admit that I only started this series a few months back. I started listening to it on Audible, because I was like “well, I don’t read this stuff…” blah blah, whatever cr*p I told myself. I then got sucked in COMPLETELY!!! And after I finished this series, I moved over to Hailey’s Metahuman series, which is also fantastic. After all that, I figured I better stop trying to tell myself “I don’t read paranormal”. 🙂 This is a fantastic series, and I was totally on board with reading this ASAP. (And yes, I will be grabbing the Audible as soon as I see it drop.)

One of my favorite things about this series is Patrick, and his absolutely snarky, don’t give an f* attitude. Meanwhile Jono is the calming influence in their family, aka pack. Also, Wade and his food adventures never fail to crack me up. However, it is also just the way they all work together so well, after Patrick had years of working alone. They all just fit right.

I don’t want to give anything away, because if you love this series as much as I do, you are going to want to experience all the twists and turns. Just know you see those we have seen before in all their evil glory, some we haven’t seen much of before (think gods), and Patrick and Jono should never be allowed to be apart from each other ever again. lol They work so well together, and I loved how when they were apart, everyone kept asking Jono where Patrick was, even the people they hate. They just know they are made for each other. 🙂

Enjoy this one. I know I did…but please, please, please make sure you read books I-III first. You could read this as a stand alone if you really wanted…but you will enjoy it so much more if you have the background. Besides, you will want to just to enjoy the worldbuilding that is so much Hailey Turner’s specialty.

4 pieces of eye candy

Hailey Turner is big city girl who spoils her cats rotten and has a demanding day job that she loves, but not as much as she loves writing. She’s been writing since she was a young child and enjoys reading almost as much as creating a new story.

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Giveaway: Celebrate this exciting new installment in the SOULBOUND series with a giveaway! Two winners will receive any e-copy of a Hailey Turner book. Must be 18 to enter and win. Open Internationally.

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