m/m romance

Hidden Gems List: Books you might not have read

June 10, 2015 by Denise

We here at Two Chicks Obsessed want to take some time to spotlight Hidden Gems, as we call them. These are books (in the case of this week’s post) or authors (next week’s post) that people have recommended that are not on the “most often recommended” list. We are all aware of the authors that are recommended when you want a paranormal, or a contemporary m/m, or even historical, and we love them, too. However, these Hidden Gems are books and authors you may not have heard of before…I know many of these, I have not! We will also spotlight, with a review, or an interview, one book or author during each post, so you can have a more in depth look at it.

So take a look at all the books, give us your thoughts, let us know if you have Hidden Gems, and they may be in a future edition of Hidden Gems.

Hidden Gem Spotlight:

Saving Kane by Michele M. Rakes (AKA Mikey Rakes)

Synop

sis:

A twenty-something paramedic suffering from PTSD and a failing relationship with his high school sweetheart becomes embroiled in the tragic life of a young, gay man brutally beaten, raped, and left for dead.Kane Abel can’t help falling for his caregiver, the handsome paramedic who saves his life, but he’s resistant. The one time Kane threw caution to the wind, he was left with a wired jaw and a tracheostomy. He can’t take much more hurt. But with his attacker’s promise to return, Kane lives in a constant state of fear, and with the ever-present paramedic, arousal.Garrett Young struggles with the question of his sexuality, unable to get Kane out of his mind even as he fights against the demise of his long-time engagement with his girlfriend Amanda. Every day is complicated by his ongoing battle with PTSD and alcoholism, compounded by his fear for Kane’s life.

I won’t lie. I was afraid to read this book. Like, big spider holding you hostage in the corner of your bedroom, scared. (Yes, that was a recurring dream for me as a kid…don’t ask…) I read Fourth and Long in March, but hadn’t read Saving Kane. I heard it was a not a light read. And although not all the books I read need to be light (Fourth and Long certainly isn’t), I just kept thinking I needed to mental prepare myself to read this book. I finally did, and I’m sorry I waited so long to read it! It wasn’t a light read, that is true, very heavy subject matter, but these men grab your hearts from the word go. I definitely had built up the fear in my mind, but found it was not as frightening as I had initially thought it would be! I mean let’s face it…it has an HEA, so what was I afraid of? 🙂

I don’t know how to describe the feelings throughout this book. Anguish immediately, as you see what Kane is going through. Hope, as he recovers physically, and Garrett is by his hospital bed every night, talking to him, despite Garrett believing Kane was asleep. Love, as they try to find a way to connect with each other, despite Garrett being straight. Heartbreak as Kane is a victim once again. And pure joy as they are able to connect with their families, after they have vanquished the evil that had lain before them.

In the end, their love began as a questioned emotion by these men, neither quite sure where they stood with the other. However, where they never failed to stand, was right by each others side. They were, without a doubt, loyal to ensuring that the other was safe and healthy, as much as they could be for not being in a relationship.

As a reviewer, I feel that something being an actual re-read, not just an “I hope to re-read this again someday”, but one that will be re-read with certainty is the highest compliment I can pay an author, and deserves a five pieces of eye candy rating. Their work is such a joy, or so emotion evoking, or whatever it is that catches each reader, that you are planning into your time to re-read a book that you don’t have to read, but that you are looking forward to re-reading. This book (as well as Fourth and Long) are both “must re-reads”, without question. Five pieces of eye candy.

Other Hidden Gems Recommendations:

Stay with Me by S.E. Harmon
The Stars That Tremble by Kate McMurray
Owning Corey by Maris Black
Bonds of Earth by G N Chevalier
Out of Hiding by Mia Kerick
Two Sides of the Same Coin (The Blake/Dusty Chronicles Book 1) by Thianna Durston
A Strong and Sudden Thaw by R.W. Day
Wicked Gentlemen by Ginn Hale
Aftermath by Cara Dee
Outcome (Aftermath Book 2) by Cara Dee

Eden Winters Cover Reveal: Diversion Series

June 9, 2015 by Denise

Author Name: Eden Winters
Book Name: Collusion
Release Date: Second edition releases June 20, 2015
Series: Diversion
Book #: Two

Blurb:

Dead men can’t love.

Former drug trafficker Richmond “Lucky” Lucklighter “died” in the line of duty while working off a ten-year sentence in service to the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau, only to be reborn as Simon “Lucky” Harrison. The newbie he trained, former Marine Bo Schollenberger, is now his partner on (and maybe off) the job. It’s hard to tell when Lucky doesn’t understand relationships or have a clue what any sane human is doing in his bed. Bo’s nice to have around, sure, but there’s none of that picking-out-china-together crap for Lucky.

While fighting PTSD, memories of a horrid childhood, and a prescription drug addiction, Bo is paying for his mistakes. Using his pharmacy license for the good guys provides the sort of education he never got in school. Undercover with his hard-headed partner, Bo learns that not everything is as it seems in the world of pharmaceuticals.

When a prescription drug shortage jeopardizes the patients at Rosario Children’s Cancer Center, it not only pits Bo and Lucky against predatory opportunists, but also each other. How can they tell who the villains are? The bad guys don’t wear black hats, but they might wear white coats.

Pages or Words: 70,000 words

Categories: Crime Fiction, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Mystery, Romance, Thriller

Excerpt:

For once the neighbors were fairly quiet. However, if they started their normal shit tonight, Lucky might have to kill them, or whip out the badge he kept carefully hidden in his closet, along with the golf shirt and ball cap emblazoned with the SNB logo.

A few moments later his cell phone chimed with an answer from Bo. “K. Catching cab.” Not an overwhelming response, but Lucky would take it.

He shoved dirty dishes into the dishwasher, scooped clothes off the floor and tossed them into the closet, and put a pot of water on the stove to make Bo a cup of green tea. A knock counterpointed the steady ba-boom, ba-boom starting up from the next apartment. Fucking hell! Why couldn’t the assholes be decent neighbors for one damned night? Lucky opened the door to find Bo slumped against the wall, shirt wrinkled and hair in an every-follicle-for-itself state of disarray.

“You look like warmed over shit.” Lucky held the door open, suspicions about a drug relapse igniting anew.

Bo managed a half-hearted smile. “Yeah, it’s good to see you, too.” He staggered into the apartment and collapsed onto Lucky’s couch. “God, am I ever tired.”

“Tired? What do you do every day? Sit behind a desk and talk on the phone?” Catty, yes, but after days of being ignored, Lucky wasn’t in the mood to play nice.

“I’ve been scrambling since daybreak, tracking down dead-end leads for someone who might supply us with some drugs.”

Lucky put a finger to his lips. “Shh… keep your voice down. You’ll get my crackhead neighbors excited shouting the ‘D’ word.”

Bo pinned Lucky a glassy-eyed glare. “I don’t care who’s living over there, the scary’s on this side of the wall. As I was saying, I’ve been following leads, trying to locate pharmaceuticals for the hospital.” He gave Lucky a “happy now?” face.

“What kind of leads? Any of interest?”

Bo dropped his head back to rest on padded upholstery. “We’ve been approached by seventeen different wholesalers today, not on the list I gave you, who’ve offered us stock at ridiculous prices. The first question they ask is what meds we’re having trouble getting so they can go snatch them up and sell them to us for enormous markups, the bastards. It’s against company policy to tell them anything.

“Graham called another meeting with the department heads for tomorrow. We’re putting in one more plea to let us consider a gray market broker. We’re pretty fucking desperate.”

“Graham?” And we’re?

“Mr. Danvers, the head buyer.”

Lucky had a file on Graham Danvers, such as it was. Squeaky clean with a nauseating disposition toward humanitarian awards. Apparently, he invested a good bit of time and money in local charities. Ava didn’t seem to like him. The highly vocal pharmacy tech just became Lucky’s new best friend. “Bo, remember what I told you about getting personally involved with suspects? You’ve got to remain objective.”

Bo shot to his feet. “Damn it, Lucky! Graham isn’t a suspect! He’s a pharmacy buyer, for crying out loud. Do you have to be suspicious of everybody?”

He had to ask? “Yes, I do. It’s in my job description.”

“Your job description is the same as mine. I read it, I signed it. There’s nothing in there about mandatory trust issues.” Bo added under his breath, “Or about being an asshole.”

“Hey, maybe you got a new revision. Take Keith, for example. ‘Asshole’ was definitely in his.”

Bo pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. “Lucky, I work with Graham, and trust me, he’s on the up and up.”

“Oh my God! You haven’t told him why you’re there, have you?” Shoving Bo back toward Atlanta seemed more and more likely.

Arms folded across his chest, Bo glowered, the stance and expression reminding Lucky of himself. “Do you actually believe I’m an idiot?”

Lucky opened his mouth to reply but Bo cut him off. “Don’t answer that. But remember, I graduated head of my class at pharmacy school and served my country in Afghanistan. I’m not a moron and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t treat me like one.”

After a moment Lucky ventured again, “Did you?”

“Did I what?”

“Tell him why you’re there.”

Throwing his hands up in the air, Bo stomped across the living room. “No, you suspicious son of a bitch, I didn’t. But I also believe you’re out of your mind if you consider the man a suspect.” He flopped back down on the couch with a huff.

Lucky remained standing, leaning against the bar separating the poor excuse for a kitchen from the poor excuse for a living room. He studied his partner, cataloguing the telltale signs of burnout. Tired? Check. Moody? Check. Less sociable? Double check. Some folks weren’t cut out for handling the type of shit the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau dealt with, and from day one Lucky had suspected Bo wouldn’t make it. Of course, he’d said the same about Keith and anyone else who’d stayed long enough for Lucky to learn their names.

“Are you hungry?” Lucky asked, though at the moment he didn’t have much in the way of vegetarian cuisine handy, unless he counted the makings for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

“No.” Bo stared out the window at the brick wall of the next building.

“Can I fix you some green tea?”

A weak, “That’d be nice,” barely reached Lucky’s ears.

Moseying into the kitchen and going through the motions of tea preparation allowed Lucky time to mull things over. He recognized the listlessness, the lack of greeting when he opened the door. Even to himself, he and Bo appeared to be merely coworkers right now, nothing more. Losing Bo as a lover hurt like hell, for he alone came close to understanding what made Lucky tick. Or, lacking understanding, accepted Lucky’s quirks as part and parcel, never trying to change what made Lucky “Lucky.” Bo only nudged and manipulated for the greater good, like weaning him off caffeine so he slept better. Oh, and the whole, “Tell me about yourself, Lucky” thing. Maybe Bo should have been a shrink instead of a pharmacist.

Plain and simple, the man couldn’t handle the job, though Lucky couldn’t imagine very many people dealing with sick kids and remaining unchanged. Before when the pressure reached critical levels, Bo sought comfort in alprazolam. Had he resorted to self-medicating again?

Watching a man he’d come to care about slowly slide back into the nightmare of addiction, and a possible jail sentence, was more than Lucky could bear. He’d do his damnedest, talk to Bo in a better moment, and only if he couldn’t break through would he fill Walter in.

Not tonight. If Bo allowed him to, tonight Lucky would hold him, love him one last time before doing what he had to do. Because if Lucky’s hunch proved right, Bo might never forgive him.

Sales Links:

http://rockyridgebooks.com/titles/collusion-diversion-book-2/

About the author:

Eden Winters was captivated young by storytelling, and her earliest memories include spinning tales for the family’s pets. Her dreams of writing professionally took a sojourn into non-fiction, with a twelve-year stint in technical documentation.

She began reading GLBT novels as a way to better understand the issues faced by a dear friend and fell in love with the M/M romance genre. During a discussion of a favorite book, a fellow aficionado said, “We could do this, you know.”

Good-bye gears, motors, and other authors’ characters; hello plots and sex scenes. This has resulted in such prize-winning stories as Settling the Score, The Angel of Thirteenth Street, Naked Tails, The Wish, Duet, and Diversion.

Somewhat of a nomad, Eden has visited seven countries so far. She currently calls the southern US home, and many of her stories take place in the rural South. Having successfully raised two children, she now balances the day job with hiking, rafting, spoiling her grandchildren, and stalking the wily falafel or elusive tofu pad Thai at her favorite restaurants. Her musical tastes run from Ambient to Zydeco, and she’s a firm believer that life is better with fur kids and Harley Davidsons.

Contact Info:

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

Facebook Author Page: http://on.fb.me/1AzHHrh

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EdenWinters1

Goodreads Link: http://bit.ly/1QX9PZ6

Publisher: Rocky Ridge Books

Cover Artist: L.C. Chase

Tour Dates & Stops: June 9, 2015

Parker Williams, Cate Ashwood, Andrew Q. Gordon, Mikky’s World of Books, Inked Rainbow Reads, Bayou Book Junkie, BFD Book Blog, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Happily Ever Chapter, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Divine Magazine, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Charley Descoteaux, Two Chicks Obsessed With Books and Eye Candy, Love Bytes, MM Good Book Reviews, Dawn’s Reading Nook, The Novel Approach

Rafflecopter Prize: E-book set, 1 each of the four currently published Diversion books: Diversion, Collusion, Corruption, and Manipulation

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Embrace the Fire by Felice Stevens – Friday Five-ish Good Questions, Review and Blog Tour

June 5, 2015 by Denise

Embrace the Fire

Through Hell and Back # 3

By: Felice Stevens

Releasing May 26th, 2015

Loose ID

Synopsis:

Brandon Gilbert has spent years in hiding, but finally he’s accomplished his dream of working as a public school teacher. When offered the chance to help bullied children, there was no way he could say no. Not to mention that meeting Dr. Tash Weber, the psychiatrist who helps them, a sad yet sexy older man, ignited a spark inside Brandon he’d never had before.

Though five years have passed since the death of his lover, Dr. Sebastian “Tash” Weber has no interest in relationships or love. But young, enigmatic Brandon awakens his heart and his desire. Despite Tash’s best efforts to push him away, Brandon unlocks the passion for life Tash thought he’d lost forever.

Falling in love wasn’t part of the plan for either Brandon or Tash, but neither family disapproval nor self-doubts can stop them from embracing the fire that burns between them. And when Brandon returns home to fight for a future he never imagined possible, he and Tash discover that the one thing worth fighting for has been with them all along.

Link to Follow Tour

Goodreads Link: http://bit.ly/1HvOvTv

Goodreads Series Link: http://bit.ly/1GMKQER

Buy Links: Amazon | B&N | Publisher | Kobo | iTunes

Denise’s Review:

Embrace the Fire is the third (and final?) book in the Through Hell and Back series by Felice Stevens. This book features the last foster brother for the reader to meet, Brandon and the previously met, and dashing Tash.

One of the things that I enjoyed most about this book was that it wasn’t filled with tons of angst. I have said on more than one occasion that Book 1, A Walk Through Fire, broke me into pieces when I read it. It is probably on my all time list as number 1, the book that I cried the hardest over. Yes, Felice put me back together in Book 2, but I will always remember how broken I was after Book 1. In many ways, that is what you want in a book. You want it to stick with you, and this entire series has done that for me.

However, there are times you want to read a book, especially the final book in a series with a smile on your face through most of it, having some “insta-love” and seeing that the worst that happens is Brandon believing he had committed a horrible crime. Those books stick with you for a different reason. They make you smile, they make you laugh, they make you happy because you know the main characters, have finally found their love, and their entire family finds a completeness they had been missing.

That’s what this book was for me, it was sweet, and honest, and loving. Tash, while older, and hesitant about the difference in their ages, was no match for the determination of Brandon who decided that he wanted that man without question. I also really enjoyed the fact that although Brandon was beyond grateful to have found his foster brothers, and reconciled, he knew that his place was by Tash’s side, and was not willing to throw himself into a situation he wasn’t comfortable with, merely because his brothers had been searching for him for years.

This book was such a great finish to the series. It answered the questions, and let you know that everyone was doing well. I loved that we still were given a glimpse into the loves and relationships of Ash and Luke. You weren’t just allowed to catch up with them, but got to still see the connection the brothers had with their lovers.

And the best part was the epilogue. That was worth its weight in gold. We wait for our HEA, and many times it is “fade to black”. This was more than fade to black, it was a glimpse into the future for these three (actually four) couples, so we were able to see their HEA in living color. That brought more than a tear to my eye, it brought a huge smile to my face, and left me that way for the rest of the day.

My final determination is four pieces of eye candy, and my sincere hope that we can see glimpses of these boys in the future.

Five-ish Good Questions with Felice Stevens:

(A feature on Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy)

So…tell us about the main character(s)…not Brandon and Tash, the animals, what do you have for us in this book? J In all honesty, I absolutely love how much you put into your animals in your books, it warms my heart even more when I read your books. I think of that as your hallmark, so tell us why that is important to you.

I’m a huge animal lover; when I was a child I used to feel the strays in our backyard, so it always seemed natural to have animals in my stories. Rescued was personal, as it is based on a real life pit bull named Pearl who was rescued from a laboratory, where they were performing brain experiments on her. She is doing very well and lives with my friend.

Brandon is a public school teacher in NYC, which has to be very stressful. What drives him to want to give so much in such a demanding environment?

When you read the book, the underlying theme for Brandon is that he is not your average NYC hipster 25 year old. Because he grew up in such a fractured environment, he doesn’t want others to live like that and wants to make a difference to children, like the teachers in his life made a difference to him.

Embrace the Fire is a May-December romance. Why did you choose to do that with these men? (I’ll admit I haven’t read but one or two of these, so I am excited to see what you do with this.)

I’ll tell you it chose me. People may not believe it and I didn’t’ until I began writing myself, but the characters really drive the story. I started this book three times and each time, if I veered away from Brandon’s love interest being Tash, they fought me. I have to think of it as being that they really love each other (as I evidenced from the instant attraction) and nobody, especially me, the author, was going to keep them apart. Lol.

What is your vision of what Brandon and Tash look like? Do you have celebrity inspirations/crushes for these two characters?

I have a Pinterest Board where I play around with celebrity inspirations. Tash is a Bradley Cooper with his glasses and Brandon is Alex Pettyfair. Check out my board for some cute pictures of the guys.

I get arrested in Tampa, FL (cause it might happen in July at Rainbow Con, just saying J ). I call you for advice. Give me five words of advice.

Hmm, free legal advice huh? Well I could say “Tell them it’s ‘That time of the month’ Always got us out of gym because our male gym teacher was too embarrassed to question us.” Or “Blame it on the alcohol”

Other Books by Felice Stevens:

Excerpt:

Brandon glanced around the empty room. “Guess we’re a little early.” Chairs were set around in a haphazard manner, and the desk in the front was bare of any material.

When Gage checked his watch, he shrugged. “Yeah, only by about ten minutes. Why don’t I go tell them we’re here?”

Before Brandon had a chance to answer him, Gage left. After wandering around the room, Brandon stood at the window, looking out over the dark city sky. It was times like these he wondered if he could risk it all, go back home, and deal with the consequences. He understood a little better now, with the wisdom coming from a life hard-lived, why his foster mother became so overprotective of him. Years of being beaten down and weakened by living with a bully and abuser like Munson would make anyone want to believe in a religion that promised salvation. While he didn’t understand the religious aspect, he supposed it gave her something to hold on to when her life crashed and burned around her.

The door opened. “Oh, hello. I didn’t realize anyone was here yet.”

Brandon turned from his contemplation and faced the man at the door. His eyes widened, recognizing the man he’d seen crossing the street. Once again his body registered an unusual heated response.

“Yes. I’m here for the mentoring program. I came with Gage Taylor.” The man was even better-looking close up. His eyes were hazel with streaks of gold, and his face had a masculine, rugged quality. Not classically handsome, but arresting and, in Brandon’s eyes, so much more memorable.

“Oh great.” The man entered the room, leaving the door ajar behind him. “We were hoping Gage was able to pick up a few volunteers to come tonight.” He extended his hand. “I’m Tash. I run the program.”

At the press of Tash’s hand, a shiver rippled through Brandon. Deciding he was reading more into the touch than he thought, Brandon withdrew his hand a little quicker than he normally would and sat in one of the chairs, drawing a quizzical look from Tash.

“Tash. That’s an unusual name.” To his shock, Brandon realized he’d gotten hard. Mortified and hoping his cheeks weren’t red, he shifted in his seat, trying to get comfortable. This had never happened before. Ever. He took several deep breaths and concentrated on the man speaking.

Tash rubbed his chin ruefully. “Would you believe my mother is an avid reader of Regency romances and Sebastian was her favorite name? My sister couldn’t pronounce it when she was a baby, and it was shortened to Tash.” He chuckled. “I suppose I should be grateful she didn’t also add the title she loved the most, or you’d be calling me Duke.”

They were still laughing when Gage walked in, followed by a group of people, some of whom Brandon recognized from the pictures hanging on the wall.

“Oh good, Randy, you met Tash.” Gage dropped into the chair next to Brandon. “Randy is the teacher I told you guys about. Even though he joined our staff as a permanent teacher only this year, he’s already made a tremendous difference in the lives of the kids he teaches.”

Brandon’s face colored, and he squirmed under the scrutiny as the attention of everyone in the room shifted to him. “It’s no big deal,” he muttered. “The kids are awesome and eager to learn.”

“My man here is too modest.” Gage stretched out his long legs. “Within weeks of the start of the school year, all the kids could talk about was Mr. Gilbert and how much they love him. All the kids want to be in his classroom. He’s taken it upon himself to stay late, well after school is over, to work with any of the kids who are struggling, not only the ones in his class.”

“Come on, Gage, cut it out. That’s not why we’re here,” Brandon protested, unzipping his jacket. He hung it on the back of his chair. “Don’t hold up the meeting. No one wants to hear you talk about me.”

“But you’re wrong, Randy,” Tash cut in. “You’re exactly the type of person we need for this program. Someone young, who the kids can identify with, someone who doesn’t look down on them. Someone with empathy for their pain.”

Their gazes held, and Brandon’s breath grew short in his throat. Like a movie where the sound is muted, the rest of the room disappeared; it was as if only he and Tash were present in that small conference room, with Tash whispering the words straight to Brandon’s heart.

Instead of the familiar trepidation at facing new people, Tash’s presence centered Brandon, untangling all the knots the big ball of his hopes and dreams had twisted themselves up into. For the first time in what seemed like forever, Brandon felt safe.

“You make me sound special. I’m not.” It was the truth. All he gave those kids was his time and concern. They craved attention and the knowledge that another person gave a damn about them. Brandon was anything but special. If they knew who he really was, they’d avoid him.

“Everyone is special.” The man he recognized as the founder of the clinic, Dr. Drew Klein, spoke. “That’s what we need these kids to understand. Because they’re different, either in their looks or their sexual orientation, that doesn’t make them weird or bad. Loving someone differently from the norm doesn’t make you wrong.” The doctor smiled at him with a clear, friendly expression.

Brandon wondered if the doctor was gay. In the chair next to his, Tash’s presence brushed up against him, warming him as if he’d been caressed. Brandon’s skin prickled with awareness.

“There’s a chance Randy can help you since he’s already taken it on himself to tutor the kids.” The door opened, and a young man walked in carrying a box of coffee and a bag that smelled like sugar. Gage’s eyes lit up. “I didn’t know you were having coffee and snacks.”

Tash chuckled and bent over to whisper in Brandon’s ear. “If I hadn’t seen how dedicated Gage was to these kids, I’d swear he did this for the free coffee and doughnuts.”

Brandon snorted, knowing well his fellow teacher’s propensity for caffeine and sweets. “I know. The man should just get an IV of the stuff.”

He and Tash shared a smile, and Brandon’s heart gave a funny thump in his chest. Heat rose in his face, and Brandon knew he blushed. Embarrassed, he fidgeted with his watchband, then raked a hand through his hair. He couldn’t sit still and tore his gaze away from Tash’s mesmerizing eyes.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1I0Kf15

B&N Author Page, http://bit.ly/1LIs1Tq

iTunes Author Page, http://apple.co/1SBGnJK

Kobo Author Page: http://bit.ly/1J0zQ8H

Publisher: http://bit.ly/1J0ZSa8

Author Info:I have always been a romantic at heart. I believe that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending just around the corner. I started reading traditional historical romances when I was a teenager, then life and law school got in the way. It wasn’t until I picked up a copy of Bertrice Small and became swept away to Queen Elizabeth’s court that my interest in romance novels became renewed.But somewhere along the way, my tastes shifted. While I still enjoys a juicy Historical romance, I began experimenting with newer, more cutting edge genres and discovered the world of Male/Male romance. Once I picked up her first, I became so enamored of the authors, the character-driven stories and the overwhelming emotion of the books, I knew I wanted to write my own.I live in New York City with my husband and two children and hopefully soon a cat of my own. My day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. I practice law but daydream of a time when I can sit by a beach somewhere and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there is bound to be angst along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReadsWebsite: http://www.felicestevens.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/felicestevensauthor?ref=hlTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/FeliceStevens1GoodReads: http://bit.ly/1FlTTbp

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Ann Lister: Meant for Me (Rock Gods #5) Blog Tour, Author Interview, Review and Giveaway

June 2, 2015 by Denise

Story Blurb:

Tony Wilcox, the quiet keyboard player for
Ivory Tower, has always believed he was straight. A sexual encounter with his
best friend leaves Tony questioning his heart and the unwavering attraction he
has for Jared. Living and working together is no longer enough for Tony… he
wants more. He wants Jared as his.

Jared Baker, the bass player for the band, has
a past that is getting in the way of him fully embracing what he wants… Tony.
He’s tried everything to create distance between them, but none of it
eliminated the feelings he has developed for Tony.

Trying to
suppress the anger and confusion from Jared withdrawing from his life, Tony
does his best to get beyond the feelings he has for his friend. When Jared becomes
deathly ill, it’s Tony that he calls for help and Tony has to decide if he can
heal Jared without giving away too much of his heart.

Can best friends find their way to true love
and discover if they were meant for each other, or will the challenges of life
force them to choose separate paths?

Book Details:

Author Name: Ann Lister

Book Title: Meant For Me, The Rock Gods series, Book 5

Publisher: SleighFarm Publishing Group

Book Length: 270 pages, 85,000 words

Genre: Gay Romance, Erotic

Book Release Date: May 28, 2015

Cover Artist: Kellie Dennis from Book Cover By Design

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/519355.Ann_Lister

Purchase Link:

Meant For Me

Denise’s Review:

What can I say about Meant for Me? First, I want to take Tony and Jared and give them huge hugs!

I really enjoyed the sweetness of Jared and Tony. Sometimes you just need the sweetness. And honestly for me, at the time that I read this book, I needed one just like that. It wasn’t filled with angst (other than my own, by being pissed at Harry), and they had such a loving connection. It made my heart happy. I didn’t want to read the rest of the night, once I finished MFM, because Ann Lister book cover front and back I wanted that feeling to just stay and soak it up.

I liked the fact that the angst in this book was low. They were connected, not just emotionally, but by their friendship. They both were afraid to take it further because losing a friendship over something that may not work was not worth it for them. I loved that connection, it felt real. It was organic, and had been portrayed throughout the series. In fact, there were several mentions during the book about how everyone knew they were together…before Tony and Jared knew they were together. That shows a growing of characters over a long period of time, and really made this book easy to read and believable.

I’m hoping most people come away with that feeling and enjoy it for the story it is. Not every book needs to be overdone with angst. Sometimes enjoying that connection leaves the reader feeling fulfilled.

Now, don’t get me wrong, that does not mean there wasn’t also hotness, because, I have said this before and I stand behind my statement. NOBODY writes hotter sex scenes than Ann Lister. No one! So, while their connection was emotional, and sweet, and mostly angst-free…their connection in the bedroom almost lit my iPad on fire!

In addition, Meant for Me got me totally revved for Dante and Ash. Those boys are gonna probably crash hard before they actually burn it up! 😀 That ones gonna be a hot one. Definitely some angst ahead there!!!

My final call for Meant for Me is 4.5 pieces of eye candy. When you have a book that you want to re-read, you know its going to get the rating, and this one is definitely on my re-read list.

Author Interview:

Welcome to Ann Lister! Thank you so much for joining us here on Two Chicks Obsessed!

TCO: When you started writing the first book in the Rock Gods series, did you foresee that you would take it this far? Where did you envision it going at the beginning?

Honestly, I wasn’t sure how far this would go. I started with Dagger’s band, Black Ice, and I had rough outline planned for stories about the guys in that band. What surprised me was while I was writing Fall For Me, I started hearing the voices from the men in Ivory Tower and they were LOUD. Next thing I knew I was jumping from Black Ice over to write stories for Ivory Tower. Same thing happened again when I was writing Meant For Me.

Suddenly Dante and Ashton were screaming at me to write their story and I couldn’t shut them up. First time ever, I ended up writing Tony and Jared’s story at the same time I was writing Dante and Ashton’s. Talk about head hopping!

TCO: This story is very different than the other books in the series-in my estimation. It is much more about connection and a sweet romance, supporting each other when times are tough. Was that how you saw Jared and Tony from the beginning?

I absolutely did see them as the quiet, secretive, and very private twosome that everyone questioned what they were up to. For those that have followed the series they should remember Tony and Jared always being in the background which is where they prefer to be, while quietly observing the others. Tony and Jared are immensely loyal to each other and truly enjoy spending time with each other. But spending all that time together opened up a door for them. All they had to do was decide if they had the balls to step through it and explore what was waiting for them on the other side.

TCO: You talk in your dedicatio

n about how this book was the first time you hadn’t been writing while dealing with the grief from the loss of a loved one. How did writing this story compare to writing under what had to be difficult emotional conditions for you.

I think by now many probably know I recently lost most of my immediate family in a relatively short period of time and it did throw me into a tailspin that led to some pretty dark days. I think the writing helped me to crawl out of the hole I was in emotionally. On some days, writing felt like therapy and it was healing. There are a few sections in this story where Tony deals with a little bit of what I was going through. I’ve learned a lot about myself from having gone through the last four years. I believe I am a much stronger person from having lived it and I also feel my writing has improved because I’ve been able to fold some of this emotion into the stories that is raw and very real. I’m happy to say that I am well on my way to having the old Ann back. I missed that crazy bitch, so it is good to feel whole again.

TCO: We get a peek at what is next for this series at the end of Meant for Me. Can you give our readers what you see ahead for Dante and Ashes?

Oh, Dante and Ashton are my fighters! They love to hate each other, but beneath the surface the passion bubbling between them can only lead to one thing: heat that burns up the sheets. Both are total alphas and that leads to some loud and physical…..interactions, once they finally allow the other into their hearts.

TCO: Fun Question.

You and I are in Vegas, and get ourselves arrested. What are we arrested for? And who do we call to bail us out of jail?

Well, we were in Vegas recently, but we shall not speak of what may or may not have happened there due to the Vegas Code of silence. But, if I were to hypothetically answer your question…..I might say we were arrested for one count of soliciting a go-go boy and several counts of lewd and lascivious behavior on stage while we were soliciting this poor boy. The actual arrest got ugly, since we thought it might be fun – and naughty, if we resisted (totally your idea), and that led to yet another count against us of assault on a police officer. Our one phone call was to Sandrine Gasq Dion because we knew she would come into the police station with her guns blazing and break us out of there. And, at the moment, there may or may

not be a warrant out for both of our arrests. 🙂

Excerpt:

“I’m thinking champagne and maybe some strawberries,” Jared suggested.

“Hmmm, romantic,” Tony teased. “I didn’t know you were capable.”

“Capable? I’ll show you what I’m capable of,” Jared countered. “I’ll dribble the champagne all over your naked body and lick you clean, and then I’ll get you dirty with my spunk. I’ll use my dick to paint my name across your chest in the come smears and fuck you while I watch it dry. How’s that sound?”

“Jesussss!” Tony moaned. “It sounds fucking filthy. I love it.”

Jared laughed, a deep, throaty sound that aroused Tony even more. “I knew you’d like that scenario,” Jared said. “It’s why we’re so good together.”

“We do bring out the best in each other,” Tony bit at Jared’s neck and sucked with force.

“Let’s get naked,” Jared suggested.

“I’ll get the champagne,” Tony added.

Author Bio:

Ann Lister writes erotic love stories using beautifully drawn characters; flawed and emotionally damaged, and at the height of their careers, each in search of the one thing that still eludes them: love.

The Rock Gods series gave her Bestselling Author status on Amazon. Each book in this series brings her two favorite elements together: musicians and the love between two men. These stories focus on what it truly means to love; love unconditionally, love without restrictions or labels, love without fear or judgment – to just simply love.