Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

Katherine McIntyre

Joint Penetration (Hot Under the Collar Book 3) by Katherine McIntyre: Release Day Review

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Liam Kelly is in love with his best friend. His straight, freshly divorced best friend, who wants to experiment…with him.

Ollie

The last thing I expected from my wife was a divorce. I’d checked all the boxes off—cozy house near my folks, joined the family business as a contractor, and married right out of high school. Except the more I think about how distant we’ve been, the more our split makes sense. And the more time I spend blowing off steam with my best friend, the more I want to actually…blow him.

Liam

Have I been hopelessly in love with Ollie my entire life? Yes, yes, I have. Has he been married for the past decade? Yes, yes, he has. However, when his wife calls it quits, my heart can’t help contriving scenarios where he might not be as straight as he seems. And when those scenarios start coming true—from scorching looks to playful grapples until we go much further—I throw myself into the deep end.

The second we start hooking up, I can’t hold back the feelings I’ve been clutching tight to for over a decade. But if this ends up a rebound for Ollie, a blip before he looks for a new wife, I won’t only be out a best friend but the love of my life.

Joint Penetration is a high heat, low angst M/M best friends to lovers romance with a bi awakening, birdwatching jokes, and a loud, nosy family that reads as a standalone.

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I hadn’t read the previous books so I can say this definitely works as a stand alone. Everything else is true too. High heat, low angst, bi awakening, bff to lovers….

Which made this a fun book to read, albeit a little unbelievable at times. Especially the beginning.

Listen, I love a bi-awakening or gay for you. But there’s usually some introspection. ESPECIALLY when it’s your best friend. But nope, he was pretty much all in from the get go.

Still, it was a cute story with good characters and super hot scenes. It didn’t lag or drag on at all and kept me reading. It was a fun beach read that was well written. There’s not a lot for me to say about it, but it’s worth the read.

3 pieces of eye candy

Dexterity Check (Dungeons and Dating Book 5) by Katherine McIntyre: Quick Review

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Eli’s sworn off irresponsible flirts, and Arjun’s one of the worst—aggravating, provoking, and everything Eli can’t resist.

After fifteen years in the military, Eli Reynolds has returned to San Francisco with broken dreams and a broken heart, courtesy of his now ex-boyfriend. He’s determined to avoid anyone like his cheating ex—which means steering clear of Tabletop Tavern’s resident flirt, Arjun Gupta.

Arjun wants a break. Ever since he added his grandmother’s nursing home to his monthly bills, he’s drowning in debt. On top of his job as chef at Tabletop Tavern, he’s been stripping at nights to cover the extra costs. She’s worth every sleepless hour, but he’s desperate for relief—of any sort. Too bad Tabby’s cousin Eli is too high and mighty for a fling.

Eli and Arjun can’t seem to avoid each other, and with each collision they realize more and more that they might have misjudged—especially when all those sparks spill over into something hot and unforgettable. However, when Eli’s folks decide to move across the country, Eli needs to choose: remain in the place that reminds him of his failures or start over fresh—and if Arjun isn’t here for keeps, Eli can’t risk his heart to stay.

Roll the dice on romance at Tabletop Tavern…

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Okay, so I’m late to the party, what else is new? Dexterity Check is the first book in this series that I’ve read. I don’t have any excuse other than I think I was worried I would get lost in the D&D references. Which, of course, I did. However, the author kept the references easy and light, so the reader didn’t have to actually know anything about D&D to enjoy the book, or the Tabletop Taver (which is a BRILLIANT name, I have to say). So, with my lack of gaming knowledge, I ventured in, and am so glad I did.

I loved Arjun, a snarky, sassy man, who kept himself at a distance from everyone, because he was so afraid of everyone leaving him. He only ever could count on his Nani, and did not want to take any further chances, until he had no choice, and had to ask for some help. Side note: having dealt with my father, all his medical bills, his strokes and other medical issues, I understood the emotions Arjun expressed. The anxiety when you get a phone call in the middle of the night, or you rush over to find out what’s happening, without even stopping to put on your shoes. I lived that, and the way he felt, is exactly how I felt. Alone, scared, and afraid to count on anyone else. And I will say, personally…it was a little hard to read sometimes, but very well done.

Meanwhile, I appreciated that Eli, just home from the military, with a broken heart and no idea what to do was drifting.  Sometimes, former military are portrayed as coming home and just jumping right into life, knowing what they need to do, etc. Eli did not have that. He was bouncing from one thing to another, not putting down more roots than he already had down, trying to rekindle family relationships, and struggled quite obviously with depression. He couldn’t seem to appreciate what he had to give the world, only what the world had given him, in all the negative ways. It was heartbreaking to see how much he struggled to keep moving forward sometimes.

These two settled each other, in different ways. Arjun needed someone steady, someone who would show up when he was needed, even if he wasn’t called. He needed to feel safe, but still held so much up to what he wanted in life. Eli, on the other hand, needed Arjun to bring some light into his life. He needed someone to bring back some fun, and some super sexy times…Arjun fit that bill perfectly. They offset each other in all the best ways.

The side characters, which likely were featured in the previous four books, were a mixture of all types of people, drawn together by the Tabletop Tavern. They supported each other, and enjoyed hanging out playing whatever game was on the docket that day. Eli’s cousin, Tabby, never let Eli feel he wasn’t wanted or cared for. They had a great relationship.

All in all, a good story, with lots of fun and sass. Definitely recommend. And now I may need to go back and check out the rest! Or wait for Charisma Check, book 6 and final in the series to come out in May.

Twilight Heist by Katherine McIntyre: RB, Release Day Review

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Heist rule number two? Never fall for a lone wolf.

A blast from Tuck’s circus past draws Tuck and the charming lone-wolf hacker, Leo, into a dizzying web of passion, secrets, and betrayal.

When the circus comes calling, Tuck is helpless to the lure, and this time, his old troupe’s in trouble. Their attempt to leave Reynauld Industries ended with a hit on them, courtesy of the deadly mercenary group, the Stockyard. Tuck can’t sit idly by, and as the resident stealth operator for the Outlaws, he’s in a unique position to help.

Leo’s a lone wolf hacker, and no amount of his best friend’s pleading, Tuck’s flirty smiles, or interesting jobs will sway him into working with the Outlaws. At least, until they land this one. After growing up in the hellish Stockyard, he’s wanted to take them down for years, and this is the Holy Grail of opportunities. Only problem? The Outlaws can never know about his history with them.

When Leo and Tuck start working together, a chemistry emerges that neither of them can deny. Leo’s mantra of “one and done” falters the moment Tuck shows him a care and steadfastness he’s never experienced before, and the more time they spend with each other, the more he doesn’t want to give up the first man he’s started to fall for. However, if the Outlaws discover his past or the Stockyard finds him first, Leo will end up one of the bloated corpses they’ve left lining the Chicago River.

Title: Twilight Heist

Author: Katherine McIntyre

Genre: M/M Romantic Suspense

Series: Outlaws #2

Release Date: January 19, 2023

Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing

Cover Designer: BookSmith Design

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Midnight Heist (Book 1)

Twilight Heist is book 2 in the Outlaws series. Although it can be read as a standalone, I would recommend book 1, Midnight Heist first. This author has such a great gift for storytelling, and her backlist covers quite a few different genres, so if you are in the mood after this, grab some others. (I definitely recommend checking out the Chesapeake Days series.)

In this book, we learn a lot more about Tuck, and his backstory.  As a tightrope walker it helped his ability to move carefully and quietly, and was out for revenge. Meanwhile, Leo, the hacker, is essential to the operation, and himself is out for his own revenge. They definitely had some issues to work through on their way towards their happy ending. Trust is a two way street, and when it’s broken, quite difficult to get back.

Lots of action in this series, and this one packs quite a bit in. However, as always with this author, character development is so well done. You really begin to understand the motives behind their actions, even as they work toward their happy ending.

Well written, and filled with emotions amongst all the action.

4 pieces of eye candy

Katherine McIntyre is a feisty chick with a big attitude despite her short stature. She writes stories featuring snarky women, ragtag crews, and men with bad attitudes—and there’s an equally high chance for a passionate speech thrown into the mix. As an eternal geek and tomboy who’s always stepped to her own beat, she’s made it her mission to write stories that represent the broad spectrum of people out there, from different cultures and races to all varieties of men and women.

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Stronger Than Passion (Chesapeake Days, Book 2) by Katherine McIntyre: Release Blitz, Release Day Review and Giveaway

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.                    .

Hudson West is the enemy. Nico Shah is trouble. However, when they’re forced to collaborate on a town project, they can’t stop the passion from burning.

Hudson West is the enemy.

The calm, arrogant, stupidly hot owner of the rival restaurant in town never fails to push Nico Shah’s buttons. So when he and Hudson are invited to collaborate to cater the Chesapeake Days festival, he wants to say hell no. But with his mother’s upcoming transplant, he needs that money.

Nico Shah is trouble.

Hudson’s noticed the gorgeous, witty flirt and has veered far away. He’s looking for commitment while Nico’s looking for his next flavor of the night. Except now that they’re working together, neither can ignore the chemistry that’s one spark away from burning down a forest. And when they finally collide, the connection is beyond anything either has experienced.

But with Nico still terrified of the word “boyfriend” and Hudson needing someone who belongs to him, this can only end in heartbreak.

Author: Katherine McIntyre
Title: Stronger Than Passion
Series: Chesapeake Days, Book 2
Genre: Gay Romance
Release Date: June 11th
Word Count: 69k

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Stronger Than Hope (Chesapeake Days, Book 1)

Stronger Than Longing (Chesapeake Days, Book 3), Coming 10/22/22

I really enjoyed the first book in this series. But I think I liked these characters even more…must have been the snark. Because the snark was STRONG with Nico and Hudson. And one of the things that I loved the most about their snarkiness…quite often if you have enemies to lovers, and tons of back and forth with strong snark/insult it goes away once they start to fall in love. Nope, not with these two.

Nico was a bit of a hard nut to crack, romantic did not describe him in the least. Him losing that snark would have  been completely wrong for his personality. With Hudson it was just as strong, but he was able to use it to help him reach Nico when he was too focused on his pain, or the issue at hand. It was a chemistry that worked with both their personalities. Their physical chemistry once Hudson decided to meet Nico in the middle was very hot…I’m with Nico…gin and tonic, I might never think of the same. 😉

Nico’s mom…she was just amazing, and how she handled Nico’s questions regarding his father…I was in public when I read that…bad idea. *tissue alert* Meanwhile, most of Hudson’s family were complete a$$holes, and the fact that Hudson had to even give a tiny inch to his father made me grit my teeth, even understanding why.

Nico and Hudson really took their time to get to their HEA, and it was by no means a smooth road, they took many, many detours, but they really had so much in common, they made a very good pair. They just made sense.

We got to meet Silas, (tiny, tiny, spoiler ahead, unless you’ve read the blurb for book 3), who is Taron’s future guy. And we really learn next to nothing about him, other than Taron seems to give him a wide berth, and Nico seems to want to be warning Silas off. So, book 3, Stronger Than Longing, I’m gonna be watching for that, for sure.

All in all, really loved this one, and this series is really hitting the mark for me.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

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Katherine McIntyre is a feisty chick with a big attitude despite her short stature. She writes stories featuring snarky women, ragtag crews, and men with bad attitudes—and there’s an equally high chance for a passionate speech thrown into the mix. As an eternal geek and tomboy who’s always stepped to her own beat, she’s made it her mission to write stories that represent the broad spectrum of people out there, from different cultures and races to all varieties of men and women.

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Stronger Than Hope (Chesapeake Days, #1) by Katherine McIntyre: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, Release Day Reviews and Giveaways

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One man looking to set down roots, the other looking to leave…

Fresh out of a relationship, Nate’s searching for a change—what better way is there than renovating his uncle’s old coffee shop in Chesapeake City? He has a new job, in a new town, and a new lease. And when he almost runs over his hot neighbor, Linc, who happens to be his contractor? Well, based on the explosive attraction between them, maybe he’ll find something new there too.

Linc’s been treading water ever since his wife passed away in childbirth, focusing all of his energy on raising his son, Beckett. The obvious solution? He needs to get the hell out of Chesapeake City. But when Nate charmingly fumbles his way into Linc’s life, he finds his defenses lowering for the first time in years. One date leads to another, and hell, this man makes him feel in ways he’d forgotten.

Even though Nate just finished piecing his heart back together, he falls fast. Yet Linc’s made it clear he’s a bad bet. The man hasn’t clicked with anyone since his wife, and if Nate ends up being “not enough” again, that won’t shatter just his heart—the fragile home he’s trying to build in this town will crumble too.

Title: Stronger Than Hope

Author: Katherine McIntyre

Series: Chesapeake Days, #1

Genre: Gay Romance

Release Date: March 5, 2022

Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing

Cover Designer: BookSmith Design

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Stronger Than Passion (Chesapeake Days #2)

Linc stood, and Nate took that as his cue, rising beside him. A second later, Linc slid in front of him and glanced back. The corner of his mouth quirked in the faintest grin.

“Hop on,” he said, gesturing to his back. “I’ve got something to prove at this point.”

Nate’s mouth dried with want, even as his nerves took over. “No way, I’m not going to be responsible for wrecking your back. I need you to do the remodel on my business, remember?”

“Do it, do it,” Nico chanted behind him, like the devil incarnate.

Linc leaned forward a bit, knees bent at the ready. Goddamn, the man looked delicious, his defined arms as biteable as ever. Nate glanced over to Sarah, who offered a thumbs-up with a cheeky grin, and he rolled his eyes at her.

“Fine,” he murmured and placed his hands on Linc’s shoulders. Within seconds, the man grabbed his legs and hoisted him up. The strong grip around his thighs felt even better than he’d fantasized. Hoots and hollers sounded from the bar as he leaned in, his chest pressed against Linc’s back. The two drinks had nothing to do with the way his mind dizzied right now.

Linc began to carry him out, moving forward with steady strength he should’ve expected, given the man’s livelihood. Nate settled against him, his body lined flush against Linc’s, thighs wrapped around his hips. He dug his fingers in a little tighter as Linc hoofed down the stairs with him on his back. The bumpy way his crotch brushed against Linc’s back had his cock growing hard, something he’d be more mortified about if he didn’t have the pleasant buzz of alcohol numbing him. Nate let out a helpless laugh at the ridiculousness. He’d never expected the spontaneous move from Linc, but damn was it hot.

Hello, hot cover!

I love a good single dad story and this one didn’t disappoint.

Linc has lived in the small town of Chesapeake Bay his entire life. Married his high school sweetheart and had his whole life planned in the town where his parents lived, and his parents parents lived and he was all set to live the rest of his life with his little family forever. However, life doesn’t always work out the way we intend for it to and the loss of his wife during the birth of their son had him stuck in a familiar cycle of casual hookups when the need arose, but otherwise, he was just trying to survive being a single dad in a town where everybody knows everybody and their mama’s.
I live in one of those tows so it was all too relatable LOL

What Linc isn’t prepared for, is the new neighbor, new job that he’d just signed on to, and being completely charmed and smitten with the clumsy softy that is Nate McAlister.

Nate is new to town after an inherited coffee shop comes just in the nick of time. Still reeling from a bad breakup, Nate wasn’t at all looking for the butterflies in his stomach every time he runs into local handyman, Linc, or his adorable little boy that he knows Linc lives for.

The two kick up a quick friendship that naturally turns into a little more, though Linc is honest with about what he wants and how his very first priority will forever be his little boy.
Is that not the cutest?!
Don’t even answer, it is.

Unfortunately, moving on from a great love is hard. Finding a new normal is hard. Coming to terms with a new love is hard. Inviting that love to meet and know and love your child is hard. Figuring out your life after you already had it figured out and then refiguring it to include someone else… is hard.

And I admired Linc so much for how well he navigated it, even though, as an outside, I was like….nope, that’s not good, don’t do that…. a time or two… I knew he’d work it out in the end, and not only because Nate was so worth it and I knew that he knew that, but also because, you could feel how much he cared about Linc from the moment they met.
With every charming glint in his eye to the sexy smirks and the soft looks… even when he didn’t think he’d be able to give him more or even want more, he couldn’t help it.

I loved everything about this story, from beginning to end. I do wish we’d have gotten a smack down drag out with the old manager of the coffee shop but the satisfaction that we did get was enough LOL I’m just petty.

Overall, I adored this story and I cannot wait to see who’s next.
I reeeeally hope it’s Nico! <3

5 pieces of eye candy

What a fantastic story! The fact that Linc, after such a tragic beginning to his son’s life, was still raising his son in the town he grew up in, met and fell in love  with his wife in and still had so many memories in, was such a challenge for him. And who could blame him for wanting to leave Chesapeake? He had spent his entire life there, and felt like the only thing left for him was a new start, where no one knew him.

Meanwhile, Nate was starting a new life as well, and needed Linc’s help to get his new start moving in the right direction. He falls for Linc fairly quickly, but Linc just doesn’t think he can ever get past the great love of his life, and certainly would never have another one. Also, Nate is just super adorable! (And definitely did not like conflict, which ended up leading to some huge conflict!)

This story was not just sweet (and definitely smokin’), it really did tell the story about how someone can be lost, and still continue through each day, until something wakes them back up. Linc was a person lost, just trying to keep himself afloat for his son. Meanwhile, Nate wormed his way into both Linc and his son’s hearts, even as Linc wasn’t aware it was happening.

This book really touched me with the depth of Linc’s pain, and his working out of it, without even knowing he was doing just that. Sometimes grief is a cloud that stays with us, until the sun peaks through and gives us a glimpse of a new day. Linc needed that, and seeing his unwillingness to try that seemed appropriate for his situation. He had lost so much, and just needed that sunshine.

Also, that mean old woman…she deserved so much more than she got…but isn’t that sometimes the way of life? 🙂

I just loved the story. 4.5 pieces of eye candy

Katherine McIntyre is a feisty chick with a big attitude despite her short stature. She writes stories featuring snarky women, ragtag crews, and men with bad attitudes—and there’s an equally high chance for a passionate speech thrown into the mix. As an eternal geek and tomboy who’s always stepped to her own beat, she’s made it her mission to write stories that represent the broad spectrum of people out there, from different cultures and races to all varieties of men and women.

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Website: http://www.katherine-mcintyre.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kmcintyreauthor
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