Lane Hayes

Fairy Cakes in Winter by Lane Hayes: Release Blitz , Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

March 9, 2023 by Denise

A grumpy baker, a quirky ad man, and a recipe for forever…

Scott

So this cute guy sits next to me on the plane and proceeds to talk my ear off for hours. Not good. I don’t like talking and I don’t like strangers. But Theo’s sweet, smart, and sexy—the perfect distraction from business woes and personal worries.

Okay, things get overly friendly, but we’re adults who know the score. I’m too old, he’s too nice, and we live on different continents.

Then, out of the blue, he shows up at my bakery with that pretty smile and a list of wacky marketing ideas—like how to make fairy cakes a thing.

I don’t like fairy cakes.

But I do like Theo, so…maybe?

Theo

The new me takes risks. The new me is brave and confident. The new me flirts with hunky, imposing bears on planes while traveling to a foreign country.

It’s going well, thank you.

However, my plans to sight-see, drink tea, and eat my weight in biscuits every day are derailed when I realize there might be a way to help Scott and prove a few things to myself.

Don’t worry. I won’t fall for the grumpy baker. No way. He’s complicated and broody and—

Uh oh…it might be too late. Help!

Fairy Cakes in Winter is a bisexual, age-gap, grumpy/sunshine MM romance featuring a sexy baker, a sunny tourist, and a few dozen fairy cakes.

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“You’re here.” Scott shot a scrutinizing glance at me before moving to the urinals.

I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t have to pee and I certainly wasn’t going to stand next to him with his dick out after what I’d said, so…I washed my hands again, my gaze fixed on Scott’s broad shoulders in the mirror.

He joined me at the sink a minute later and gave me a sideways once-over. “What was that all about?”

“What?” I squeaked.

“The code.”

“Uh…” I licked my lips nervously and shrugged. “Nothing. I didn’t, um—”

“Yeah, you did.” He straightened and moved to the dryer.

“You shouldn’t use that. Germs and bacteria,” I blurted, citing my findings regarding health and sanitation concerns.

Scott arched a brow, ignoring my lame attempt at a subject change. “Thanks for the info. I’m going to guess you wanted me to follow you in here.”

“Yes.”

“And then…what?”

“I hadn’t worked that part out,” I admitted.

He chuckled, low and deep. “Really? ’Cause I think you did, and if it’s what I think it was…you need a tactical lesson or two.”

“Excuse me,” a young man with a lilting British accent and wet hands gestured at the hand dryer.

“Sorry about that.” Scott stepped aside, pulling me with him. “Number one, you can’t just say ‘code,’ and number two…you gotta watch out. There are a lot of shitheads in the world who—”

“Shh!” I smacked his biceps and glanced frantically around the empty-for-now restroom. “We can’t talk about this here.”

“Relax. He’s gone.” He waited a beat. “And you started this. That was your code, Theo.”

I bit the inside of my cheek and winced. “I know. Bad idea.”

“A reckless one, for sure.”

“Now what?” I whispered, following Scott to the sink when someone walked in.

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing. N-never mind.”

He raised his brow and hiked his thumb toward the stalls. “You want—really?”

“Sure, or…I’m open to suggestions,” I choked out.

Scott’s slow, pirate’s smile scared and thrilled me at the same time. “Suggestions. Right. Well, you’re the one calling the shots now. Tell me what you want, Theo.”

This was a cute, fun, no angst romp.

I don’t often read blurbs of authors I like. I just jump in. So I honestly was thinking that Theo was the baker and Scott was a stuffy businessman when they first met on a flight from Seattle to London. Nope. Scott is grumpy, a bit, but he is a baker. And Theo is sort of between jobs. He left a marketing job to become a CPA. In the interim he is off for a month long vacation to see his mother.

His month long vacation turns into vacation fling and some of his previous marketing experience to help Scott’s bakery become more successful.

Theo does spend time with his mother. Seeing the sights in her town. It just so happens that Scott has a pop up shop one town over. How convenient.

Yes, the story is very sweet, but also spicy. But the sexy times are well placed and not used to simply take up page space.

There was a brief thing at the beginning with a friend maybe flirting with Scott by text, but it’s never mentioned again.

This is a quick, fun, happy read for the winter blahs. Grab a fairy cake and a cup of tea and jump in.

4 pieces of eye candy

Lane Hayes loves a good romance! An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and were winners in the 2016, 2017, 2018-2019, 2020-2021 Rainbow Awards. She loves wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a newly empty nest.

Connect with Lane:
My Readers’ Group, Lane’s Lovers: https://bit.ly/3aIbMYg
My Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3cICfaK
Blog: www.lane-hayes.com
Twitter: twitter.com/LaneHayes3
FB: facebook.com/LaneHayesAuthor
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/lanehayes
BookBub: bookbub.com/authors/lane-hayes
Instagram: instagram.com/lanehayes3/
Goodreads: goodreads.com/LaneHayes
Tiktok: tiktok.com/@lane_hayes
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The Humbug Holiday by Lane Hayes: RB, Exclusive Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

December 13, 2022 by Denise

. .

Two grumpy bears and a holiday season neither will forget…

Joe

So this sexy silver fox rolls into my small New England town and buys a run-down old house in need of renovation. That’s where I come in. My job is to do some basic repairs, so he can write in peace. Yep, the hotshot is a bestselling author, but that’s not why I recognize Cameron Warren.

No worries, I won’t let a one-night stand make things awkward. I could use the work, but is he seriously asking me to help him buy a Christmas tree too?

No way.

Cameron

I’m a good-natured guy all year long, but I have to admit…I hate the holidays.

There. I said it.

This season, I’m hiding away on the opposite side of the country in a picturesque village. My family isn’t excited about my decision, and the only way to assure them I’m fine is to deck the darn halls. Or hire someone else to do it.

The handyman might not be the logical choice for an elf, but his grumpy act makes me smile. Which makes me think the holidays might not be so “bah-humbug” this year after all.

The Humbug Holiday is a bisexual, age-gap romance featuring two grumpy bears who find unexpected magic and learn to embrace everyone’s favorite time of year!

Title: The Humbug Holiday
Authors: Lane Hayes
Length: 35k
Series: Standalone
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday.
Tropes: Bears, Second Chance, Holiday Romance, Romantic Comedy.

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Audible – Narrated by Michael Dean

Goodreads

A playful smile ghosted over Cameron’s full lips. “You’re stubborn, but loyal. You’re extremely private, but I can’t tell if that’s a protective mechanism or defensive. You’re a loner.”

All true.

“Anything else?”

“Well…I think you have a bit of a God complex,” he replied carefully.

I narrowed my eyes. “Excuse me?”

“You’re a control freak. In a perfect world, you’d like to control or manage others’ expectations. You hate that you care what others think, but you do. That probably has something to do with the fact that you come from a good place and you don’t like the idea of anything tainting it. Big cities have a way of desensitizing. Trust me. I know how that goes.”

I was too taken aback by the ultra-personal read to reply immediately. Surprise gave way to righteous indignation and anger.

I glowered as I moved toward him. “What the fuck? You don’t know me or anything about my life or—”

“Hey, relax.” Cameron held his hands up in surrender. “It’s an observation, not an insult.”

“Well…don’t observe me. It’s creepy,” I growled. “Especially coming from someone who writes murder mysteries.”

A slow-moving pirate’s smile took over his face. “Fair point, but as you said, it’s my job to watch and take note of my surroundings.”

I cocked my head, studying his chiseled features and proud carriage in those designer duds. Everything about Cameron Warren screamed “special,” and I had no doubt that was the case. But I was still smarting after his astute analysis. I couldn’t help wondering how much of his dapper bear façade was for show.

“Hmm. Maybe. Or maybe you snoop to dodge your own reality.” I shrugged. “Just a thought.”

He arched a brow but didn’t speak.

Was it my imagination or was the air suddenly buzzing? My gaze darted to the darkening skies out the window, but the sizzle of electricity was all us. I couldn’t read any signs.

Were we joking? I mean, we were throwing some personal shit out there. We were both guilty of being borderline rude…and too familiar. It should have felt unsafe to have someone poke at me for a reaction, but damn it…it turned me on.

He turned me on.

Okay, I have a very soft spot for grumpy bears…my dad was one. Bah Humbug! all the way for him. But he had the softest heart buried in that grumpy face that he was so well known for. So, there was zero chance I was passing up not only a grumpy bear book, but two grumpy bears and a holiday story to boot. I was not disappointed.

I will admit, I’ve not read a lot of Lane Hayes’ books…I’ve seen the error of my ways, I promise! This book just hit me in so many good ways. These two did not love the holidays, and both with very good reasons. However, those around them did (all the older ladies who would not let them just be by themselves was so funny to me!) and so because they loved those people, they “suffered” through the holiday season, with all the gruff exterior they could muster. Until they met their match in grumpiness in the other.

Joe was hit hard in the past by a former lover/boss, as well as some nasty allegations against him, and came home to essentially lick his wounds. After being in that situation, I’m sure you would want to be somewhere where people love you, appreciate you, will leave you alone a bit, and that feels comfortable. A bit like curling up with a hot cocoa under the covers. Cameron meanwhile, needed a change of pace, a slower one in order to breathe, away from his aunts, and everyone wanting a piece of him back in California. He had his own demons to battle with regards to the holidays that had been sitting in the background for decades.

These two somehow found a way to learn to like the holidays again, through the magic of being with each other. Or at least, they probably always liked it a little, but came to realize that they did, by finding each other. It was a gradual process, but fun to see the progression.

This book wasn’t super funny, although definitely had its moments. “I picked up a red bulb and gingerly attached the hook to the tree. Okay, that wasn’t so bad.” But it just felt so good to read. Seeing these two big old grumps learning they can be happy inside, and with each other, even if they feel the need to keep up their front to the outside world for their own sanity. Until, of course, everyone just knew they truly loved the holidays. It did my heart more good than I would have ever imagined. It’s definitely on the read again list.

4 pieces of eye candy

Lane Hayes loves a good romance! An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and were winners in the 2016, 2017, 2018-2019, and 2020-2021 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a not-quite-empty nest.

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Love and History: Nerd/Jock MM Romance (The Script Club Book 6) by Lane Hayes: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

November 3, 2022 by Denise

. .

The sporty roommate, the professor, and a history lesson…

Holden
Ezra might be the most annoying roommate ever. He’s loud, obnoxious, and full of himself. So what if he’s a tall, muscular, tattooed jock? His tendency to strip to his boxers in the kitchen while helping himself to my food isn’t endearing in the slightest. Nope. Ezra has to go.

However, I have to admit, he’s the perfect fit to play the king for my historic reenactment event. Ezra in a royal robe…oh, this could be quite tantalizing indeed.

He might do it…if he loses a bet.

Hmm…

Ezra
Holden is the kind of dude who wears top hats and great coats while teaching astrophysics to brainiacs. Weird, right? But I gotta respect that level of commitment. And I respect him.

Sadly, Holden doesn’t feel the same way about me.

I guess I can’t blame him. Cranking his gears has been the highlight of my stint in geek land. I’ve never seen anyone get riled about yogurt like him. He makes me laugh. And think. And want things I’d never thought possible.

So yeah, I’ll take that history lesson. And if it leads to something more, I’m in.

Love and History is a bi-awakening geek/jock romance featuring a messy law student, a picky professor, and a lesson neither will forget!

Title: Love and History
Authors: Lane Hayes
Length: 64K
Series: The Script Club, Book 6
Genre: Contemporary.
Tropes: Geek/Jock, Bi-awakening, enemies to lovers, roommates to lovers, romantic comedy.

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An awkward silence stretched between us, making it difficult to breathe. I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t touch him. This wasn’t okay.

“Are you all right?”

I released my grip on his neck and sat beside him, wringing my hands fretfully. “No, I’m sorry. I can’t pretend that didn’t happen. I kissed you and—”

“And I liked it.”

Silence.

“You…I don’t—” I squinted as if that would help me understand him. “That was supposed to be a joke kiss.”

“Got it. I didn’t think it was real,” he replied logically. “We’re roommates.”

“I know,” I whispered.

Ezra cocked his head. “You want to do it again?”

Yes, I did. I one thousand percent wanted to kiss him again. I wanted to touch him too and—

Wait. He was joking.

“Why can’t you be serious about…anything?” I licked my lips nervously and plucked at my duvet.

“I am serious,” he replied with an inscrutable smile. “I told you I liked it. A lot.”

Still joking.

Or was he?

The scientist in me wanted to get off this roller coaster and dissect the moment the world tilted on its axis because something new was happening here. I could practically feel the sizzle of electricity in the air.

“It’s a bad idea. You don’t even like me, Ezra.”

He almost looked hurt as he shook his head and inched away from me.

“That’s so far from true, it isn’t funny. My problem is that I like you too much.”

“Huh?”

He frowned. “You know what? Let’s pretend I didn’t just say that. In fact, let’s agree to collective amnesia about…all of this. Although, let’s be real, a kiss isn’t really a big deal. People make out all the time—girl with guy, girl with girl, guy with guy. Sometimes it’s real, sometimes it’s an itch or an experiment. I met a cute girl on day one of Coachella and…”

I tuned him out as confusion wrestled with a tsunami of desire. I’d spent months ignoring my inexplicable attraction to this man. We were hostile and often waspish foes who couldn’t find common ground to communicate.

But I didn’t want to hear about other people he’d kissed.

I wanted…

I wanted—

I roughly grabbed his neck and crashed my mouth over his.

It’s fun, it’s cute, it’s jock/nerd but a little older. That in between age when they are done with college, or almost done with college, working on master’s degrees or waiting to take the bar exam. Kind of waiting for life to start, straddling the line between total adult and college kid.

And with that goes roommates. Because who can afford a place on their own nowadays? We also add in a bi awakening. Or a bi acting on it? Ezra had a good inkling that he was bi but he never acted on it. And never told anyone. In fact, his reason for not telling his bff was to not steal his thunder. Which is cute.

Ezra does some stupid things to get Holden to notice him more. Walking around in his underwear. Eating Holden’s food. Leaving a mess in the kitchen. He might has well have pulled Holden’s pig tails.

So of course Holden hates Ezra. Except he doesn’t. Because he is hot af. And a nice guy. And pretty smart.

The conflict was a little odd. I really didn’t get that whole student/boss situation. Didn’t make a ton of sense, mostly how the student acted.

Another jock/nerd cute story where the nerd is actually super hot and the jock and actually smart and they love happily ever after.

It was a decent book. I guess I am just over this trope.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

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The Professor’s Date by Lane Hayes: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, and Giveaway

August 8, 2022 by Denise

. .

The professor, the hair stylist, and a wedding date…

Tommy

Help! My sister is getting married and according to her, I need a date. And a makeover. I’m a busy man, though. I don’t have time to meet eligible bachelors, and the tape holding my glasses together works just fine. Until my hair stylist steps on them.

Yes, Noah, my dazzling dreamboat of a hair guru created a mini-disaster, but I don’t mind at all. He’s a sweet, funny, kind jock who—

Screech! No jocks. I have nothing in common with sporty people.

Except…Noah is different.

Noah

I don’t date. However, I’m not opposed to offering fashion advice to a sexy professor in need. A haircut, a quick shopping expedition…

Boom! Mission accomplished.

Not so fast. I’ve misjudged the situation and my attraction to the geek with the tragic sense of style. Sure, Thomas is too smart for me by a long shot, but there’s something about him that makes it easy to forget my past. It might be his quietly commanding nature or his movie-star good looks. Or maybe it’s just him.

All I know is that I’m very tempted to be the professor’s date.

The Professor’s Date is an MM geek/jock romance featuring a nerdy professor, a soccer-playing hair stylist, and a quest for the perfect date!

Title: The Professor’s Date
Authors: Lane Hayes
Length: 60K
Series: The Script Club, Book 5
Genre: Contemporary
Release Date: July 21st

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“My plan was to take you to a couple of my favorite places, all within walking distance of this one. You probably need a few button-down shirts, trousers, a nice sports coat, right?”

“Um, yes.”

“And maybe a belt and socks too. How are you doing on underwear?” he asked casually. As if it was no big deal to talk about underwear on a busy street in West Hollywood.

Okay, maybe it wasn’t, but I cast a quick glance to my left and right because this was my underwear we were talking about.

“Fine, thank you,” I whispered tersely.

Noah grinned, suddenly seeming more at ease as he stepped toward the store’s entrance. “If you say so, but they sell delicious unmentionables at Harrisons’.”

“Delicious?”

“Yes. Soft cotton that doesn’t bunch around your balls or get stuck in your crack.” His matter-of-fact delivery contrasted with the mischievous glint in his eyes.

I chuckled in spite of myself. “Well, okay. I prefer boxer briefs, if you must know.”

“Me too. Follow me, sir.”

Noah held the door open with a flourish, leading me through the athletic gear and sporting equipment sections to the clothing department. He bypassed the basic tees and made a beeline to a wall filled with men’s underwear, then struck a Vanna White pose.

“Color preference?”

“Black, white, or gray.”

He tsked. “Oh, that’s a tad boring.”

“I don’t need my boxers to be exciting,” I said primly.

“Oh, honey, yes, you do. We all do.”

And there he was again. The slightly sassy and flirtatious man who threw casual endearments like beads at a Mardi Gras parade. I took that as a sign that he felt comfortable with me, though I’d admit I didn’t understand his initial hesitation.

Did I make him nervous? Was that even possible? He seemed so confident, and I wasn’t exactly the mysterious or dangerous type. The only time I incited anxiety was when I assigned pop quizzes on top of lab work to my freshman students.

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Following the Rules (The Script Club #1) by Lane Hayes: RDB, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

May 11, 2021 by Denise

The geek, the jock, and a new set of rules…

Topher-

My friend’s brother needs an academic assistant and I need a job. Problem…jocks are my weakness. Seriously. I lose my ability to speak coherently around muscle-bound hotties. Oh yeah, I lose my inhibitions too—not a good look for a guy with a genius IQ. So what am I going to do about Simon?

Simon-

Finishing college isn’t high on my list of priorities, but my future in professional football is looking bleak. I need a plan B or C, and I could use some help navigating life as an undergrad. Topher is perfect. He’s also a little strange…but in a good way. And I like the way I feel when I’m around him—as though anything is possible. Maybe if we follow our hearts, we’ll find what we’re looking for. But that means changing the rules…

Following the Rules is a MM, bisexual awakening romance starring a lovable nerd, a cool jock, and some extracurricular fun.

Title: Following the Rules

Author Name: Lane Hayes

Series Title and Number: The Script Club #1

Publisher: Lane Hayes

Cover Artist: Sleepy Fox Studio

Release Date: May 7, 2021

Romance Pairings: Male/Male

Other Tags or Categories: Nerd/Jock, MM Romance, Bisexual Awakening, Best Friend’s Brother

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Goodreads

I served us both a slice of each kind of pizza and slid a plate his way, gesturing for him to help himself to the cheese or whatever else he might want.

“I don’t care about money,” I said around a mouthful of food. “Eat up. This is tasty, but it won’t be as good when it’s cold.”

Topher flashed an anxious sideways smile and took a mouse-sized nibble. “Mmm, that’s delicious.”

I washed down my pizza with a healthy swig of wine, nudging his knee as I swiveled to face him. “Are you okay?”

He wiped his hands on a napkin and drained half his water, setting it on the island with a decisive thud. “Yes, I’m just a little nervous.”

“Nervous? Oh. I’m sorry.” I frowned and before I could rein my tongue, blurted, “You seemed fine when we were joking about tiny gorilla penises, and hell…you saw my dick and—”

“I wasn’t joking. I was reciting a fact and as far as your penis is concerned…”

I twisted to face him, unable to contain a mischievous grin.

“Yes? I’m waiting,” I singsonged, biting into the ham and pineapple pizza.

“I told you, Simon…I was simply doing the math,” he replied matter-of-factly. “Six and a half inches.”

“Nine.”

Topher narrowed his eyes, his features softening in amusement. “Six and three-quarters, max.”

I scoffed and hooked my thumb under the elastic waistband of my sweats. “Wanna see?”

“No! Geez. You know, it’s very difficult to stay on topic with you. And staying on topic is the only way this will work.”

“Okay, fine. Back to dick size. What animal has the biggest schlong on the planet?”

He gaped at me for a hot second. “The blue whale. It’s estimated to be seven to ten feet long.”

“Whoa!”

“Although I don’t know that it’s ever been measured during intercourse. Or if that’s even possible.” He reached for his pizza with his brow knit in concentration as though pondering whale dick…as one does.

“Whales are huge. It makes sense. What about land animals?”

“Elephants. They’ve legitimately measured specimens in excess of thirty-nine inches.”

“You’ve got to be kidding.” I snort-laughed. “Christ, I’m feeling very inadequate with my mere twelve inches.”

“Six,” Topher scoffed. “Look, before we get sidetracked again, I just want to—”

“I’ll pay you double.”

“What? Why?”

I sighed as I picked up my wineglass. “I don’t want to fail. No…it’s more than that. I need to look smart. I can’t come across as the fuckup wide receiver who got dumped from the NFL and blew the cushy back-door admittance to a prestigious university by failing his first semester. I thought I might be able to muddle through with a few pointers from George, but it’s going to take more than that. I need a real assistant.”

Topher widened his eyes, then blinked in disbelief when I named an exorbitant salary. I had a hard time keeping my own expression. What the hell was I thinking? Did I really need an assistant?

I didn’t know, but I needed…something.

“Oh, that’s a lot of money,” he whispered breathlessly.

“It’s the going rate for a personal assistant. Ironically, I never had one while I played ball, but I need the help now. I want the best, and George says that’s you.”

Topher smiled. “George didn’t say he was the best?”

“Actually, he did. But we can’t be in the same room for an hour without wanting to take a swing at each other.”

“You and George fight?”

“Not as much now that we’re older, but…yeah, I guess we still fight. We don’t have much in common.”

“You and I have even less in common,” he replied.

“That’s a good thing. Trust me, it’s better for me that you don’t know that I slept with a teddy bear until I was thirteen…or that I still have that damn bear for reasons unknown.” I gave a self-deprecating chuckle, then sipped my wine and set it on the island. “So…are you in? Make me smarter, Toph. I need your brain!”

He stared at me for a long moment, inclining his head. “Okay.”

“Yes!” I fist-pumped the air as if I’d just scored a touchdown and held out my hand for a high five.

Topher left me hanging for a few long seconds before gently tapping his palm to mine. I grabbed his wrist to hold him steady for a redo. The contact was light and breezy…and spontaneous. But that was how I rolled. For a guy who played professional football, it was nothing.

However, this didn’t feel like nothing.

This is one of my favorite tropes. I loved Topher, his idiosyncrasies where down right adorable. I loved hoe open he was in certain aspects of his life. So sweet and confident. But knew his limits and tried to keep to his comfort zone.

Now Si (Simon) was soooo sweet and sexy. The perfect match for Topher. He just stood up and embraced his sexuality. He respected Topher, but also tried to push his boundaries a bit. I felt bad for him and where he was at with his choices. I HATED his agent.

All in all this was a sweet, sexy, funny read. Another hit for this author.

5 pieces of eye candy

Geek and Jock. A trope that will last forever and ever. It’s like the epitome of opposites attract. This time we get EPIC geek and jock. A rocket scientist and a professional football player.

The geek- Topher- is kind of roped in to tutoring/helping his roommates brother with his online college classes. The big jock football player brother who was released from his contract and needs to do something with his life. Jocks are Topher’s kryptonite. Simon is in limbo with his career and kind of lost. But what he does find is a strong attraction to Topher.

What I really enjoyed about this book and made it a bit different from most geek/jock books is that Topher is so sex positive. More often than not the geeky guy is a virgin or has very limited experience. But not Topher. He is experienced, he loves sex, he is open to trying new things and he is NOT shy about it.

And Simon, having grown up with a nerdy brother, isn’t a jerk at all. He’s a nice guy who kind of doesn’t know what to do. He has the beach house but he is lonely and drives an hour to hang out with family and friends. And Topher.

The main reason Topher took the job with Simon was because his paid internship fell through. So he was waiting and hoping for that to come through again, but also open to other internships. And even though that was a big plot point at the beginning, it never really went anywhere as he seemed to spend all of his time with Simon.

Simon also is a house flipper, he is the money man not the toolbelt man, but we don’t really see that either. That would have been some fun scenes looking at houses to flip.

So, yes, I did like it. I liked how confident Topher was and how open Simon was. There were a few loose ends that could have been tied up, but overall a good read.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Lane Hayes loves a good romance! An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and were winners in the 2016, 2017, and 2018-2019 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a not quite empty nest.

Author Links

Website: https://lane-hayes.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaneHayesAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaneHayes3

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7125719.Lane_Hayes

Instagram: https://instagram.com/LaneHayesauthor

Bookbub: http://bookbub.com/authors/lane-hayes

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Leaning Into Touch by Lane Hayes: Blog Tour, Exclusive Guest Post, Excerpt and Giveaway

October 17, 2017 by Denise

Title: Leaning Into Touch

Series: Leaning Into Stories, #4

Author: Lane Hayes

Publisher: Lane Hayes

Release Date: October 5

Heat Level: 4 – Lots of Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 80k words

Genre: Romance, Bisexual, Humor, Second Chance, Friends to Lovers, San Francisco, Office

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Josh Sheehan is unlucky in love and now… newly unemployed. He’s not sure what to do next, but he’s sure he should give up on romance. Especially after last time. His friends warned him that falling for the hunky Irishman was a bad idea. Josh can’t help feeling torn even though he knows it’s best to move on. But when an unexpected dose of family drama blindsides him, Josh finds himself leaning on the one man he’s supposed to forget.

Finn Gallagher is driven by success. He makes no secret that building a name for his tech company is his number one goal. Finn left home a decade ago with a ton of regret, a heavy heart, and a vow to never repeat the same mistake twice. However, there is something undeniably appealing about the self-deprecating man with the silly sense of humor that makes it difficult for Finn to remember why falling for Josh is a bad idea. It soon becomes clear they’re both in deeper than they intended. There is no way to remain untouched. And there is so much to gain, if they’re brave enough to lean in.

Leaning Into Touch is Book 4 in my Leaning Into Stories series. This one belongs to Josh and Finn. Josh is a fun-loving, laid-back regular kind of guy who adores his family and his tight-knit group of college buddies. He has a great sense of humor and an optimistic nature that comes in handy when everything begins to unravel in his world. And Finn is the handsome Irishman with a reputation for being ruthless and opportunistic. But Josh has a strong feeling there’s a lot more to Finn Gallagher than he shows.

Leaning Into Touch is about second chances, self-discovery and letting go. It’s also about family. Josh and Finn come from very different places and yet they share so many of the same ideals. I love the complexities of their relationship. They’re very real… or perfectly imperfect. *sigh

Thank you so much for having me here today. I’m going to leave you with a few interview questions for those who are a little curious about moi!

Happy Reading!

Lane Hayes xo

If you could be a cartoon character for a week, who would you be?

Tough question. I’m going to go way back to my childhood when a good Saturday started with cartoons and a big bowl of cereal. LOL. The first one that comes to mind is Bugs Bunny. He always cracked me up.

If you could have dinner with anyone from history, who would it be?

I just saw Hamilton in NYC so I’m going to say Alexander Hamilton.

What’s your favorite childhood book?

I have so many! One book I still love and actually own two copies of is The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. That book is timeless.

If you had to live in a different state, what would it be?

Easy… New York.

What has been your favorite family vacation?

We took our family to Hawaii for a week a couple years ago and had an amazing time. It was the right amount of mellow to give us time to talk and connect and just be together.

Who is the funniest person you know?

My husband. He’s fun and engaging and quick witted. Our daughter is a close second. And she definitely gets it from him. LOL.

Finn smiled and fell into step beside me. It seemed quieter on the street than it was earlier; there wasn’t as much foot traffic. Typical for midweek, I supposed. I breathed in the refreshing night air, loving the faint smell of the ocean. I shivered and crossed my arms. So much for enjoying a leisurely stroll. It was cold as fuck out here. I picked up my pace, but Finn pulled at my elbow to stop me.

“Are you daft? Where’s your coat?”

“I f-forgot it at the last bar. It’s okay. I’m cl-close.” I visibly shook when the wind whipped up the sidewalk, sending a scrap of newspaper flying by us like a paper airplane.

“Let’s go back and get it.”

“No, my friend will give it to me later. Or her friend will. I’m almost h-home so—what are you doing?”

“Put this on, then.”

Finn shrugged his suit coat off and set it over my shoulders like a cape or a cloak. He was two inches taller than me and far more muscular. It was like being wrapped in his warm, cologne-scented embrace. The gesture was so chivalrous, it left me speechless for a moment. I knew he was just being kind, but I couldn’t contain my smile.

“Thank you,” I said. “Are you sure you won’t be too cold?”

“Where I’m from, this is a summer breeze. You need it more than I do. Now tell me about your mates. I’m relieved to know you weren’t out drowning your sorrows on your own tonight.”

I snickered at his paternal tone. “I’m not above it, that’s for sure, but no…I was with my work crew for one last happy hour. Marley insisted. She was the redhead with the awesome curls I was with this morning at the museum.”

“I remember. She’s the one holding your jacket for ransom, eh?”

“Yeah. She’s on a mission to find the perfect man for me,” I huffed, making sure he saw my eye roll before we turned the corner to my street.

“Has she ruled out women? You’re bi, aren’t you?”

“Honestly, I don’t know what I am anymore. I had girlfriends in high school and even in college but after the first time I was with a man, I haven’t been interested in anything but dick.”

Finn laughed. “Good to know.”

“What about you?” I asked, leading him down a brick path and up a short flight of stairs.

I leaned against the bright red door as I fumbled for the house key in my front pocket. In my head, I was planning a cinematic-worthy good-bye. Something lighthearted but sincere before we parted for the last time. It would have been a helluva lot easier to concentrate if he wasn’t standing so close and looking at me like I was the last brownie on the buffet table. I cocked my head and waited for him to break the spell.

“I like it too,” he said in a husky voice I hadn’t heard in far too long.

I gulped and licked my bottom lip as he moved in, bending slightly to brush his nose against mine. He surrounded me in every possible way. The heat of his body and the warmth of his coat draped me in a seductive cocoon. I felt woozy with a rush of desire so intense, I would’ve swayed on my feet if he hadn’t been standing so close. I set my right hand on his hip to steady myself and leaned in…just as he pushed away.

Finn let out a ragged breath and swiped his hand over his stubbled chin. “Fuck. I forgot how bloody difficult it is to walk away from you.”

“Then don’t.”

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Lane Hayes is grateful to finally be doing what she loves best. Writing full-time! It’s no secret Lane loves a good romance novel. An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. These days she prefers the leading roles to both be men. Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and were winners in the 2016 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a newly empty nest.

Books by Lane Hayes:

Better Than Good, Better Than Chance, Better Than Friends, Better Than Safe, The Right Words, The Wrong Man & The Right Time, A Kind Of Truth, A Kind of Romance, A Kind of Honesty, A Kind of Home, A Way with Words, Leaning Into Love, Leaning Into Always, Leaning Into the Fall, Leaning Into Touch