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Sharing our love of M/M Romance

Keira Andrews

The Christmas Deal by Keira Andrews: Quick Review

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Will fake boyfriends become the real deal this holiday?

It’s the most wonderful time of the year—except ex-Marine Logan is jobless and getting evicted. Worse, he’s a new single dad with a stepson who hates him. A kid needs stability—not to mention presents under the tree—and Logan’s desperate.

Then he meets lonely Seth and makes a deal.

Can Logan temporarily pretend to be live-in boyfriends to increase Seth’s chances at a promotion? If it provides a roof over their heads for the holidays, hell yeah. Logan considers himself straight—he doesn’t count occasional hookups with guys—but he can fake it. Besides, with his shy little smile, Seth is surprisingly sexy.

Make that damn sexy.

Shocked that Seth has only been with one man, Logan can’t resist sweetening their deal to teach him the joys of casual sex. No strings attached. No feelings. No kissing.

No falling for each other.

Easy, right?

The Christmas Deal is a steamy holiday gay romance from Keira Andrews featuring fake boyfriends, bisexual awakening, a clueless single dad with an angry preteen, and of course a happy ending.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Fun and filthy and sweet and sexy as all get out.

To be honest, I didn’t like Logan at first. I get that his life was total crap, but he just seemed like a jerk. But the more I got to know him and his story, the more I liked him and felt badly for the hand he was dealt in life.

Seth was pretty adorable in that “I don’t even know how adorable I am” way. He deals with his crappy situation a by pretending to be happy.

Seth and Logan both need each other for different things- and Logan’s sister offers the perfect solution. Fake boyfriends for the holidays. Add in a teen going through his OWN crap, an overly friendly boss from Texas and a small group of people helping to pull this off, and you actually get a good story that isn’t totally cliche.

Religion did a number on Seth and his views on sex. He isn’t really a prude, he just doesn’t really know better. But let me tell you, Logan knows better. **fans self** He has the filthiest mouth I think I have ever read in a book. And he doesn’t do it to embarrass Seth, but to show him how awesome sex can be.

There was depth to the story, the heart breaking stories of Logan, Seth AND Logan’s stepson had me in tears more than once. I really loved how each of them helped the others to at least partially overcome their past.

Did I mention Logan’s filthy mouth? Ya. That.

We get not only a happily ever after (how could you not in a Christmas themed book?) and a 5 year jump epilogue which was super satisfying.

4 pieces of eye candy

Flash Rip: MM Gay Romance by Keira Andrews: RB, Release Day Review and Giveaway

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The most dangerous current is between them.

Training to be a lifeguard at an Australian beach is tough work, but Cody Grant loves a challenge. He spends long days in the sun and surf rescuing swimmers from treacherous rip currents while trying not to lust after senior lifeguard Liam Fox—who is deeply, painfully closeted.

Liam was supposed to be a football legend. Now in his mid-thirties, it’s been over a decade since his dream shattered along with his knee. Fans still recognize him regularly, and he’s terrified his sexuality will be discovered and his conservative parents will reject him. He has strict rules to protect his secret and keeps everyone at arm’s length. Liam never acts on his need to surrender after being shamed for it years ago by the first and only man he trusted.

Out and proud Cody fascinates Liam—and tempts him to break all the rules.

Cody is practically half Liam’s size and age, but has the confidence and compassion to take charge and give Liam the release, affection, and acceptance he desperately craves. But how long can a secret affair satisfy their hearts? As if saving lives isn’t hard enough, Cody faces his greatest challenge yet convincing Liam to trust him and find the courage to live out loud.

Flash Rip is an M/M gay romance from Keira Andrews featuring a slow burn, an age gap, scorching first times, and of course a happy ending.

Length: 290 pages

Cover Design: Wicked Smart Design

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

I love books that are set in a country other than my own (the US) and they don’t Americanize the language at all. I love reading books with native slang, etc. And this had plenty! What’s better is that one of the MCs is from Canada originally, and while he uses a lot of the slang, some of it still makes him chuckle- or cringe. Like nicknames.

Cody is a lifeguard trainee at a very popular beach in Australia. With their busy season 9 months of the year, but the other three still attracting hardcore surfers to the water, it can be a year round career.

Liam HAD a career, as a player for the AFL. Until a nasty knee injury ended it far, far too soon. Now his career is on the sand, but his personal life is firmly in the closet.

I usually get mad at characters who are adamantly in the closet. ESPECIALLY if it is because of bigoted family. But for some reason, Liam really tugged at my heart strings. The poor guy was so afraid of being outed, that he wouldn’t even hook up with anyone in his own country. He would literally vacation alone in a different country and hook up with strangers who he was pretty sure wouldn’t recognize him from his time in the AFL. It was bordering on a phobia he was so afraid of being found out.

And it wasn’t just his bigoted family- it was the fact that he was famous, in a very masculine sport, that had no out players. So he would be the first. And he would definitely be front page news.

Cody has wanted to be a lifeguard on the beaches of Australia almost since he moved there with his family as a kid. In fact, when his family moved back to Canada, he stayed. His family of academics don’t understand why he wants to be a lifeguard, and he is sick of trying to explain. The fact that veteran lifeguard Liam is gorgeous is just a perk. A big perk.

There’s quite a bit of not even really flirting by either guy. Liam is so tightly in the closet that Cody doesn’t even think he is gay. But they definitely start to become friendly with each other. When Cody does finally make a move, poor Liam is just terrified. Ugh, it broke my heart.

So much internalized homophobia on Liam’s part. Not only hiding it, but the memory of his father making a horribly homophobic remark is burned into his brain. The poor guy doesn’t even know any gay people.

Cody slowly draws him out of his shell, but only in private. And while Cody swears he will never out him, never force him out, he is getting frustrated. Mostly about how Liam thinks he “should” be.

I won’t spoil anything, but the big conflict was definitely not what I was expecting. I love when a book goes off formula a bit. It was a nice change of pace.

So, I’ll say that I loved the Aussie slang, didn’t love how much of it was explained (because I feel a lot was pretty self explanatory within context) and Liam and Cody in bed together was really hot. Hello take charge Cody! And there was story in there. What they actually did as lifeguards, how they reacted, saved people, kept a watch and even helped locate missing kids. It was obvious the author spent some time at the beach.

Definitely give this one a read. You won’t be disappointed.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

After writing for years yet never really finding the right inspiration, Keira discovered her voice in gay romance, which has become a passion. She writes contemporary, historical, fantasy, and paranormal fiction and — although she loves delicious angst along the way — Keira firmly believes in happy endings. For as Oscar Wilde once said:

“The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means.”

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Santa Daddy by Keira Andrews: RDB, Review and Giveaway

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Mall Santas aren’t supposed to be hot.

Hunter Adams is hopelessly adrift after college. He’s still a virgin, can’t find a real job, and has no clue what to do with his life. In desperation, he returns to his humiliating old job as an elf at the Santa’s Village in his hometown’s dying mall. The Santa on the job is an unexpectedly sexy lumberjack, twice Hunter’s size and age. He makes Hunter feel very naughty—too bad he’s grumpy and intimidating.

Years after the tragic death of his partner, Nick Spini has his beagle and long, hard days on his Christmas tree farm. That’s plenty. But he can’t refuse a loyal friend’s plea for help and finds himself filling in as Santa at the local mall. Despite Nick’s attempt to stay aloof, the beautiful, anxious young man playing elf brings out his long-dormant daddy instincts.

When a surprise blizzard traps them alone in Nick’s isolated forest home, their attraction burns even brighter. Will they surrender to the sizzling connection between them and find the release and comfort they crave?

Santa Daddy is a holiday gay romance from Keira Andrews featuring an age gap, steamy m/m first times, daddy role-playing and light spanking, Christmas romance feels, and of course a happy ending.

Length: 30,000 words approx.

Cover Design: Dar Albert @ Wicked Smart Design

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Keira Andrews writes across such a wide range of romance sub-genres. Her characters can be anything from vampires to an age gap to historical and everything in between. But she manages to create a world where those characters find what they are looking for, not just as a romantic partner, but often in their own lives, as well.

The best thing about holiday stories is that, even though you are reading romance, you are always guaranteed a happy ending. And I have to say I absolutely loved the ending to Santa Daddy. Hunter, who is rudderless in life, finding and charting his course, as he finds the love of his life, created a dynamic that worked well for these two MC’s.

There was a large age gap between Hunter and Nick, but with the Daddy kink it worked. Keira Andrews can write some seriously sexy and hot scenes, and this book is no exception. She also writes her characters with heart, as well as real issues and problems.

Nick was a big Grinch who was forced to deal with someone, despite his initial intentions to stay as far away as possible. Then realizing that Hunter was a virgin, and was into having a daddy, his enjoyment of the holiday season took a turn upward.

This was a fun, sexy, cute holiday story, that you’ll definitely want to pull out again next Christmas.

4 pieces of eye candy

After writing for years yet never really finding the right inspiration, Keira discovered her voice in gay romance, which has become a passion. She writes contemporary, historical, fantasy, and paranormal fiction and — although she loves delicious angst along the way — Keira firmly believes in happy endings. For as Oscar Wilde once said:

“The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means.”

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The Winning Edge by Keira Andrews: New Release Review

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After an explosive locker room confrontation with his Russian rival ends in the most intense sex of his life, American pairs skater Dev Avira is distracted to say the least. He’s worked for years to have a chance at Olympic gold, and he can’t let himself—or his partner—down. Playing cat and mouse with the steely and smoldering Mikhail Reznikov is the last thing he needs as he prepares for the biggest competition of his life, but they can’t keep their hands off each other as the Games approach.

Dev soon learns that beneath Mikhail’s arrogant and aloof exterior is Misha, a passionate man who warms Dev’s heart and scorches his bed. They’re both determined to win, but for Misha his freedom could be at stake if he and his partner take anything less than gold. Who will stand atop the podium? And can secret lovers from different worlds make a life together once the competition ends?

This gay sports romance from Keira Andrews features enemies to lovers, two alpha men, sequins, and of course a happy ending. Content previously published as novellas Cold War and Holding the Edge.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

 

Just like always, Keira rocked another amazing read. I enjoyed getting to watch the relationship between Dev and Misha grow and evolve from a passionate dislike to an extreme love throughout the course of the story. It made me look at skating differently as well. It’s always so much fun getting to watch these amazing athletes perform and having a story written about the sport had me excited as hell. I ate this up. Wonderful characters and well written from start to finish. Hot, steamy, sweet and emotional. I definitely recommend taking an afternoon to get lost in Dev, Misha, Bailey and Kisa.

The Next Competitor by Keira Andrews: Quick Review

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If he risks his heart, can he keep his head in the game?

To win gold, figure skater Alex Grady must train harder than the competition morning, noon, and night. He’s obsessed with mastering another quadruple jump, and due to the lack of filter between his mouth and brain, doesn’t have a lot of friends. As for a boyfriend, forget it. So what if he’s still a virgin at twenty? The Olympics are only every four years–everything else can wait. Relationships are messy and complicated anyway, and he has zero room in his life for romance.

So it’s ridiculous when Alex finds himself checking out his boring new training mate Matt Savelli. Calm, collected “Captain Cardboard” is a nice guy, but even if Alex had time to date, Matt’s so not his type. Yet beneath Matt’s wholesome surface, there’s a dirty, sexy man who awakens a desire Alex has never experienced and can’t deny…

This gay romance from Keira Andrews features opposites attracting, new adult angst, sexual discovery, and of course a happy ending.

Amazon

You have to like figure skating to like this book. And I do like figure skating, and the behind the scenes training was interesting to read. But I felt like the book focused on the skating more than the romance. And I wanted more romance.

Alex is focused solely on getting to the Olympics. All of the time, training and money are for that moment. So even though he is gay, he has never acted on it. Training takes first place in his life always.

Matt is a pairs figure skater and Alex hates him. For pretty much no reason. They aren’t in competition with each other. They simply train at the same rink.

Matt and Alex are about polar opposites. Matt is Mr nice guy, Alex runs his mouth without filter and is definitely more average than hot. Naturally, a romance begins.

And the romance is nice and it is sweet. But I wanted more. There were a lot of side characters with stories that detracted a bit from the main story so that at times, although I did really enjoy Matt’s partner.

There were parts that I really really enjoyed. When Matt soothes the prickly Alex. When Alex comforts Matt. And when Alex so awkardly invites himself to do some brief sight seeing with Matt.

I am generally a fan of Ms Andrew’s work, but this wasn’t my favorite. But that is not saying I didn’t enjoy it because I did. You would probably enjoy it as well.

 

Pieces of Candy: 3 1/2

Road to the Sun by Keira Andrews: New Release Review

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A desperate father. A lonely ranger. Unexpected love that can’t be denied.

Jason Kellerman’s life revolves around his eight-year-old daughter. Teenage curiosity with his best friend led to Maggie’s birth, her mother tragically dying soon after. Insistent on raising his daughter himself, he was disowned by his wealthy family and has worked tirelessly to support Maggie—even bringing her west on a dream vacation. Only twenty-five, Jason hasn’t had time to even think about romance. So the last thing he expects is to question his sexuality after meeting an undeniably attractive park ranger.

Ben Hettler’s stuck. He loves working in the wild under Montana’s big sky, but at forty-one, his love life is non-existent, his ex-boyfriend just married and adopted, and Ben’s own dream of fatherhood feels impossibly out of reach. He’s attracted to Jason, but what’s the point? Besides the age difference and skittish Jason’s lack of experience, they live thousands of miles apart. Ben wants more than a meaningless fling.

Then a hunted criminal takes Maggie hostage, throwing Jason and Ben together in a desperate and dangerous search through endless miles of mountain forest. If they rescue Maggie against all odds, can they build a new family together and find a place to call home?

Road to the Sun is a May-December gay romance from Keira Andrews featuring adventure, angst, coming out, sexual discovery, and of course a happy ending.

Amazon

 

Little secret of mine: I am a total sucker for single dads. Like single, single. No mom or partner in the picture at all for whatever reason. Especially if they became fathers young. Like Jason. He was determined to make it work and he is. And now he is on a vacation of a lifetime with his daughter. So I was a little in love with him from the start.

I digress. I really enjoyed this story of a heartbroken man, thinking he was too old to find happily ever after and the single dad who is so busy working and giving his daughter a decent life that he doesn’t even consider a happily ever after.

This story is told in alternating POV’s of the main characters and once or twice from the POV of Jason’s daughter Maggie. I personally really like alternating points of view, and I feel that it was really well done. I never had to flip back to remind myself who was telling the story at any point.

While there was “insta-love” and the plot was a little far fetched, I didn’t mind that so much. The action and suspense that happened was well done and took the story forward for me.

There was a tidy happily ever after, but this book needed that. It didn’t need to be drawn out more for the sake of filling pages. And it had one of my favorite things- an epilogue a few years in the future.

A quick, easy read with some page turning points. Put this in your TBR pile.

 

Pieces of Candy: 4