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Dyeing to be Loved by Aimee Nicole Walker: Audio Book Tour and Review, Excerpt and Giveaway

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Gabriel Wyatt is a big city Detective living in a small Ohio town. He expects a peaceful existence once he moves from Miami, Florida, but that’s the last thing he finds. Instead, Gabe discovers murder, mayhem, and one smart-mouthed stylist he can’t get out of his head.

Josh “Jazz” Roman is a small-town business owner with big dreams and an attitude to match. He finds himself in the middle of a case that brings the dreamy detective to the front door of his Curl Up and Dye Salon. Josh learns that the biggest threat to him isn’t a killer; it’s a man who wants something from him that he vowed to never give again – his heart.

Both men deny that there’s something between them, even though they’re drawn together like magnets. Can Gabe convince Josh to let down his guard or will Josh let past hurts destroy his chance at a happy future?

DYEING TO BE LOVED

CURL UP AND DYE MYSTERIES SERIES, BOOK 1

AIMEE NICOLE WALKER

M/M ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

RELEASE DATE: 11.08.16

AUDIO RELEASE: 11.07.17

PHOTOGRAPHER: Wander Aguiar

COVER ARTIST:  Jay Aheer/Simply Defined Art

Narrator: Joel Leslie

Listening Length: 8 hours and 49 minutes

AMAZON US

AMAZON UK

 

My ringing phone woke me up. I was disoriented because it had grown dark while I napped on the couch with Diva and I momentarily forgot what day it was. I looked at the caller ID and was shocked to see who was calling me. I debated on letting it go to voicemail for about two seconds before I answered it.

“Hello?”

“How are you doing?” Gabe’s deep voice warmed parts of me that no amount of purring from a cat could affect.

“I’m doing okay,” I replied. Was I?

“You feel like having company?” I heard the slight hesitation in his voice, as if he wasn’t sure how well his question would be received.

I knew what happened almost every single time that we were alone together. Was that what I wanted right then? “Yes,” I said answering both of our questions.

“Good,” he said, his voice deepening because he also knew what would happen. “Come down and let me in.”

“You’re here now?” I stood up and ran my free hand through my hair in an attempt to smooth it into place.

“Yes. Come down here and let me in. I’m freezing my nuts off,” he groused.

“Give me a few minutes,” I said and then hung up. I flipped on a few lights on my way to the bathroom to brush my teeth. I rushed through my routine so that I didn’t keep him waiting long. It was freezing outside and I didn’t want his balls to freeze. I was pretty fond of them, even if I was unsure of the man they were attached to.

“It’s about time,” he said when I opened the door to him. “What the hell took so long?”

I grabbed him by the coat and pulled him into me, pressing my lips against his. Gabe parted his cold lips and I slid my tongue inside to explore his warm mouth in a languid kiss. For once, I didn’t want to rush him into bed. I wanted to take my time and get to know his body better. Hell, I hadn’t even wrapped my lips around his big cock yet; a mistake I planned to rectify immediately.

“Minty fresh,” Gabe said, when our kiss ended. “You’re forgiven for making me wait.”

“Come upstairs with me and I’ll show you other things I can do with my minty fresh mouth.” I laughed when Gabe growled playfully. I needed to be careful or else I’d start liking the detective and the things he made me feel.

So, I kind of did this whole series out of order (which is actually really strange for me, I try to always read a series in order), I actually didn’t read any of this series, until Someone to Call My Own (Road to Blissville, #2), came out. It wasn’t intentional, it was on my TBR, but I just hadn’t gotten to it. But then I read the synopsis for STCMO, and saw the word psychic, and immediately had to read it. As I was reading it, there were a lot of references to Josh and Gabe, as well as some appearances, and since the book was running somewhat concurrently, I knew I was going to need to read it. But I still hadn’t gotten to it.

Then I found out that Joel Leslie was going to narrate it, and I was done. Yep, had to wait for that. And I am so glad I did. He did a great job with this book! He gave each character a little more personality with this voice, and inflections. I loved hearing him switch from Josh to Gabe, to even Savage, the dirty mouthed bird. 🙂 He brought all the characters to life for me (and I have to say that he really hit me HARD with the prequel, with his voice inflections of the amazing sounding woman who brought Josh and Gabe together), and I couldn’t have asked for a better narration for this book.

The author has created some great characters in Josh and Gabe. Well, Gabe was kind of an idiot and a tool, but he came around. Josh was someone who you wanted to be friends with, someone you knew would have your back no matter what. He is hilarious, and snarky, and I wanted to head to his house for Sunday dinner. Aimee created characters, you WANT to read five books on, and then wonder whether there will be more from these two men.

The mystery was well done (although I’ll admit the prequel threw me for a loop, as I wasn’t expecting it), and I know there will be more ahead in this vein. I’m definitely looking forward to it. Now, I have to decide…do I wait for Joel’s next installment, Something to Dye For, or do I dive right in, and then listen to the audio book later? Hmmmm…

Either way, I highly recommend this book, and the audio narration.

Both get 4.5 pieces of eye candy

 

  

I am a wife and mother to three kids, three dogs, and a cat. When I’m not dreaming up stories, I like to lose myself in a good book, cook or bake. I’m a girly tomboy who paints her fingernails while watching sports and yelling at the referees.

I will always choose the book over the movie. I believe in happily-ever-after. Love inspires everything that I do. Music keeps me sane.

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Dyeing to be Loved, Book 1

Something to Dye For, Book 2

Dyed and Gone to Heaven, Book 3

I Do, or Dye Trying, Book 4

 

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The Remaking of Corbin Wale by Roan Parrish: Exclusive Guest Post, Blog Tour with Giveaway

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Last month, Alex Barrow’s whole life imploded—partner, home, job, all gone in forty-eight hours. But sometimes when everything falls apart, better things appear almost like magic. Now, he’s back in his Michigan hometown, finally opening the bakery he’s always dreamed of. But the pleasure of opening day is nothing compared to the lonely and beautiful man who bewitches Alex before he even orders.

Corbin Wale is a weirdo. At least, that’s what he’s heard his whole life. He knows he’s often in a fantasy world, but the things he feels are very real. And so is the reason why he can never, ever be with Alex Barrow. Even if Alex is everything he’s always fantasized about. Even if maybe, just maybe, Corbin is Alex’s fantasy too.

When Corbin begins working at the bakery, he and Alex can’t deny their connection any longer. As the holiday season works its magic, Alex yearns for the man who seems out of reach. But to be with Alex, Corbin will have to challenge every truth he’s ever known. If his holiday risk pays off, two men from different worlds will get the love they’ve always longed for.

Amazon

Riptide Publishing

My Favorite Holiday Stories are About Emotional Intensity

Holiday stories tend to fall into two general categories: 1.) Stories where, because of family expectations, the holidays are a period of intense emotion and social navigation for the main character; or 2.) Stories where, because of a lack of family or friends, the main character is alone for the holidays, resulting in either a period of intense emotional navigation because they’re alone, or emotional numbness because they’re accustomed to being alone.

I like both types of stories because they’re great set-ups for putting romantic relationships through their paces. When a relationship has to contend with strong family dynamics, it’s placed under a microscope. When a relationship takes the place of family over the holidays, it takes on some of that emotional weight.

As a reader, the key to them working is great character development. I need to see exactly what feelings the characters will have when going to see family, or when treating Christmas like any other day because they don’t celebrate with family. What memories are brought up? What hopes did the holidays used to evince? What fears do they evince now? What do the characters dream of for holidays in the future? If a character doesn’t care about the holidays, how does that affect their partner? And, hey, cozy cuddling, making out in front of the fire, and descriptions of delicious food really doesn’t hurt!

 

About the 2017 Holiday Charity Collection

20% of all proceeds from this title will be donated to the Russian LGBT Network.

Each year, Riptide Publishing releases a holiday collection in support of an LGBTQ charity. Twenty percent of the proceeds from this year’s collection will be donated to the Russian LGBT Network.

The Russian LGBT network was founded in April 2006. It is an interregional, non-governmental human rights organization that promotes equal rights and respect for human dignity, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. They unite and develop regional initiatives, advocacy groups (at both national and international levels), and provide social and legal services.

To learn more about this charity or to donate directly, please visit their website: https://lgbtnet.org/en.

 

This collection would not be possible without the talent and generosity of its authors, who have brought us the following holiday stories:

Buy all three in the collection and save!

 

Roan Parrish lives in Philadelphia where she is gradually attempting to write love stories in every genre.

When not writing, she can usually be found cutting her friends’ hair, meandering through whatever city she’s in while listening to torch songs and melodic death metal, or cooking overly elaborate meals. She loves bonfires, winter beaches, minor chord harmonies, and self-tattooing. One time she may or may not have baked a six-layer chocolate cake and then thrown it out the window in a fit of pique.

 

She is represented by Courtney Miller-Callihan of Handspun Literary Agency.

Connect with Roan:

To celebrate the release of The Remaking of Corbin Wale, one lucky winner will receive a $20 Amazon gift card! Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on December 2, 2017. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!

On Davis Row by N.R. Walker: Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway, Release Day Review

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What could an ex-con and a parole officer possibly have in common?

Nearing the end of a suspended jail sentence should unlock a brighter future for CJ Davis, only the chip on his shoulder is as hard to shift as his bad reputation. Born into a family of career criminals who live down Davis Road, an address the cops have dubbed Davis Row, his name alone is like a rap sheet that makes optimism impossible.

Brand-new parole officer Noah Huxley is determined to see the good in men like CJ. After all, he knows firsthand that bad things can happen to good people. His colleagues mock his doe-eyed optimism, but Noah soon sees CJ’s bad attitude and bravado are weapons he uses to keep people at a distance.

Both men know one simple mistake can change a life forever. At first glance, they might seem to be polar opposites. Yet underneath, they’re not that different at all. 

Amazon

 

“So? Are we doing this?”

CJ chewed the inside of his lip like he was trying not to smile. “Yeah.”

I pushed away from the fridge, where he’d had me pinned earlier, and stepped in front of him. I leaned in as if I was going to kiss him but whispered in his ear instead. “You just made me very happy.”

I went to pull back but he had a hold of my shirt. He still had his head down but he pulled me against him and wrapped both arms around me. It wasn’t a hug that was leading to something more physical. It was one of those soul-soothing hugs that I didn’t reckon he got too often. So I slid my hands over his back, letting him feel my touch as much as I could, and he sighed into me. “You made me pretty happy too.”

I smiled into his neck and neither one of us were in any hurry to move. “I never thought I’d like the smell of cigarettes, but on you, it mixes with something else. I dunno what it is, but I like it.”

He chuckled, his breath warm on my neck. He still didn’t want to let go of me. “I really like how you smell. I’ve always had a thing for guys who smell nice and it was the first thing I noticed about you.”

“Is that so?”

“Mmm.” His arms tightened around me. “This is nice. Hugs are good.”

I chuckled. “Hugs with you are particularly good.”

He rested his forehead on my shoulder. “Are you gonna hound me to quit smoking?”

“Nope.”

“Good.”

“As your unofficial boyfriend, I accept all your dirty, stinking, cancer-causing habits.”

He snorted. “Gee, thanks.” He pulled back now, and with his hands on my hips, he met my eyes. “I wish I could stay, but I should probably get home.”

I sighed. “Yeah.” I cupped his face, and begging be damned, I pressed my lips to his.

Noah Huxley is a brand new parole officer and ready to make a difference. Having had tragedy with his own family where he failed like his sister was failed, he wanted to help people like she wasn’t about to be helped.

Then, we meet CJ Davis, born to the well known Davis family on Davis row, everyone knew them to be the trouble makers they are. Their dad being the absolute worse, but his brothers not any better.

When Noah met CJ, he was hostile and defensive. He was on parole, a 2 year suspended sentence on a crime that he got caught red handed doing. They just didn’t know the reason for what he done the thing that he done… I know there is no justifiable reason to break the law, but when your desperate and someone in your family is in need…. Someone, the only someone in life that cares about you or that you care about… it would be hard not to do what you could to help them…. And that’s exactly what Cj was doing the night he caught caught…. Sadly, because he was a Davis, nobody gave him the benefit of the doubt and painted him with the same brush they did all the Davis’s.

Not Noah, though…. Noah saw what everyone else refused to see. Everyone accept the two people who knew Cj and knew the kind of person he was- his boss and the guy who raised him, pops. They know hes a good guy who just got dealt a bad hand.

When Noah helping Cj turns into attraction that turns into something else…. They both know its against the rules, at least for the next couple weeks until Cj is off parole.  Its tough, but Noah does what he can to help Cj in the meantime… helping him get his life together and do things to better his situation that nobody cared to help him with before.

I loved that about Noah. He was patient and understanding. He was honest and so sincere in the way he wanted to help, not just Cj, but everyone he could. I did get a little ticked at him for forgetting the person he knew Cj to be and my heart broke for Cj once again that things just kept going wrong for him… He was forgiving though and Im glad it didn’t cause more problems than it could’ve. I can imagine how badly that would’ve hurt. Especially because Cj had enough going on with his dad out of jail… he was a terrible, terrible person and I felt for him so much.

Overall, I knew it would be a great read because I’m a fan of the author, but the whole story just sucked me in and gripped me in a way that once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it back down! I love when that happens!!!

4 pieces of eye candy from me!

 

N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance.
She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn’t have it any other way.

She is many things: a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who live in her head, who don’t let her sleep at night unless she gives them life with words. She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things… but likes it even more when they fall in love.

She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.

She’s been writing ever since…


Contact N.R. Walker

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Facebook Author Page

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Email: nrwalker@nrwalker.net

I have some special items from NR Walker-signed too!-that I will give to two lucky winners. Just comment on this blog post and you will be entered!

Romance Redefined by SJD Peterson: Release Day Review with Giveaway

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Opposites attract, but are some differences too drastic for a romance to survive?

On the surface, Benson Howard Winthrop III and Hugh Bayard have a lot in common: they’re young, handsome, and blessed to be one of the wealthiest couples in the country. Surely they have everything anyone could want. But Ben is no longer satisfied with their long-running relationship. Hugh’s need to control every situation is suffocating him, and Ben needs to know if he can make it on his own merits by following his passion.

But Ben’s mother isn’t about to let her son live in a rundown apartment as a struggling actor. She’s determined to get him back to his rightful place at the top of the social ladder—and back with Hugh.

Rekindling their romance will require more than doing what’s expected. Ben and Hugh need to understand and embrace each other’s differences. They’ll have to support each other even when one makes a decision the other doesn’t agree with. For their passionate love to grow, they will need to redefine the meaning of romance… only then can they find true happiness.

Amazon US

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Amazon CA

Dreamspinner Press

Kobo Books

 

I really liked the premise of this book. Ex husbands finding their way back to each other. And it started out well enough. Ben trying to make his way in NYC and pursue a career as an actor. After living under his mother’s thumb and then marrying young, he is spreading his wings. But he can’t stop thinking about his ex.

I actually really understood where Ben was coming from. Why he moved on, why he wouldn’t settle for less that what he wanted and deserved. But in the year he has been single, he hasn’t even tried to date. And when the seemingly perfect guy comes along, he just continually compares his to his ex.

Hugh, the ex, wants Ben back. He has enlisted the help of Ben’s mother. But he never tries to find out exactly why it didn’t work between them. Just that he wants to get back together. And the two of them always fall back on the amazing sex they have. Sex alone cannot make a marriage, but it seems to be the one thing that Ben can’t let go of. How good they are together.

There were good supporting characters in the book. Ben’s best friend in NYC- although she sort of had her own storyline that was unnecessary, and “the uncles” who were hilarious.

Ben’s maybe new love interest Jason was a bit much. He started out well, pursuing Ben with dogged determination, but it went too far. Not stalker far, but come on dude, give it up already too far.

The resolution was neat and tidy, but left me wanting. I actually enjoyed the epilogue a lot more than the entire book.

3 Pieces of Candy


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Tried & True by Charlie Cochet: New Release Review with Giveaway

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When THIRDS agent Dexter J. Daley met Team Leader Sloane Brodie, he couldn’t have imagined how slamming into his new partner—literally—would shake both their worlds. Now four years later, they’ve faced dangers, fought battles both personal and professional… and fallen deeply in love. Now their big moment is finally in sight, and they’re ready to stand up together and make it official. Unfortunately, as the countdown to their big day begins, an enemy declares war on the THIRDS….

With their family in danger, Dex and Sloane are put to the test on how far into darkness they’ll walk to save those they love. As secrets are unearthed, a deadly betrayal is revealed, and Dex and Sloane must call on their Destructive Delta family for one last hurrah to put an end to the secret organization responsible for so much devastation.

Dex and Sloane will have plenty of bullets to dodge on the way to the altar, but with happiness within their grasp, they are determined to get there come hell or high water….

Title: Tried & True
Series: THIRDS: Book Ten
Author: Charlie Cochet
Release Date: November 24, 2017
Category: Paranormal
Pages: 254

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Kobo Books

 

My reading time lately has been cut severely because…life. So, I am only reading the books that I want to read. And there was absolutely NO CHANCE I wasn’t going to be reading Tried & True (btw, love the color reference on the cover!!!!) by Charlie, the final book in the THIRDS series (but not even close to the last book with Dex and Sloane…I talked to Charlie in October, and she is working on a new series regarding the TIN adventures that Destructive Delta has ahead of them!)

This is the THIRDS book that all THIRDS Nerds have been waiting for, the wedding between these two men who started their working relationship with Dexter Daley hanging upside down, and have spent years learning how to love each other. This was all worth the wait, and honestly made me want to go back and start all over again, from Hell & High Water.

There were a few adventures in this book-how those men didn’t arrive at the altar by wheelchair is beyond me-but in the end, it was about celebrating a love that has grown and changed, been hidden then outed, helped them find a family they never knew, and bring about quite a few sexy times. And donuts, lots of donuts. In other words, what we read in that book was the culmination of 4 years, 10 books and countless tears (at least by me!), although most of the ones from this one were happy.

I won’t tell you about the wedding, because if you are a true THIRDS NERD, you will want to read it all on your own, but it is worth every word, every second, and every happy tear.

Thank you Charlie for an amazing journey with these guys, and I can’t wait to see what their next adventure will bring.

5 pieces of eye candy


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Tied by Kerri Ann: Release Day Blitz, and Review

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Governor Chris Rock is Carli Katana’s boss—well, ex-boss. And now that she’s run off with her man candy, Whiskey Crown, Chris finds himself in trouble. Without her keeping him out of the press, out of trouble and in check, he’s in for a dick of a lifetime. I mean, a trip of a lifetime.

Arriving in New York for a Governor’s something or other, he’s finding himself in a predick-ament. As a prolific public figure and ex-Marine, there’s always been an expectation of who Chris is and should be; strong, dangerous, fearless, and the typical man’s man. But that’s not him. And as he finds himself longingly staring at the speaker, Tyler Marshall, Chris knows he’s in trouble. Tyler is gorgeous, and he’s everything Chris looks for in a man. The real problem is that in this venue, Tyler’s unattainable.

**This novella has characters from both the Crown and Anchor series and the standalone Rushed. It’s sexy hot and full of laughs. Pre-warning you about it won’t do you any good.

Title – Tied: A Crown & Anchor Novella
Author – Kerri Ann
Genre – M/M Romance Novella
Release Date – November 22, 2017

Amazon

 

Having not read anything in this series, or by this author before, I was taking a chance by jumping in here, but what the heck? Why not? And although the novella was written well, with a few plot twists, I did find it somewhat confusing, not having read the previous in the series. Not that it wasn’t a stand alone, it was. However, the interactions with the side characters left me wondering who was related to who, and what they had to do with this person or that.

That being said, those same interactions, the brunches, provided the reader with lots of funny moments, showing that clearly all these characters meant something to each other.

Chris and Tyler definitely connected well, despite the push and pull initially. My heart went out to Chris who was forced out of the closet…not just out, but tied up!…by an unscrupulous reporter. No one should be outed that way. But finding a way to make this work, as the MC’s tried to figure out what they wanted from each other was a good challenge for them.

I did like how the author left the story. Not quite an HEA, but something to work towards.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

With an avaricious appetite for stories, Kerri Ann can be found quite often with her nose in a book or writing it. On many occasion it has been said that she’s in her own world, living in the stories of those she reads about, giving them a life they deserve.

She can easily be found under a tree in the shade, or reclining at Starbucks scribbling notes about new stories and new characters, all while keeping the coffee chain in business.

Whether late at night, at a music festival, or sitting on a ski lift, when the thoughts arise, Kerri Ann will add them to those in progress. So be wary, your antics could be in her next book.

 

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