Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

m/m romance

Marriage is Murder (Sawyer and Royce: Matrimony and Mayhem Book 2) by Aimee Nicole Walker: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

by

Spring is in full bloom, love is in the air, and Cupid has taken deadly aim in Savannah.

Newly engaged, Royce Locke and Sawyer Key are ready to set the date and charge full-steam ahead into their happily ever after, but homicides and unresolved conflicts keep getting in their way. Neither detective has met a case they couldn’t solve, but their latest investigations will push their limits and challenge their faith when the line between friend and foe becomes blurred. And if that weren’t enough, a random encounter with a stranger will trigger a series of events that could either make or break the couple.

Love—often a thriller, sometimes a killer, but always worth the battle.

Marriage is Murder is book two in the Matrimony and Mayhem trilogy, the second story arc for Royce Locke and Sawyer Key.

** New readers should start with the Zero Hour trilogy before reading Matrimony and Mayhem. ** Marriage is Murder is a continuation of Royce and Sawyer’s happily ever after as they move into the next phase of their lives—professionally and personally. Though some storylines span the trilogy, this book does not end in a cliffhanger. Heat, humor, heart, and homicide abound. You have been warned. 18+

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Book 1: The Magnolia Murders (Sawyer and Royce: Matrimony and Mayhem Book 1)

Book 3: Killer Honeymoon (Sawyer and Royce: Matrimony and Mayhem Book 3) (out 7/1)

When Royce had pulled up to The Pirate’s House restaurant, he figured he’d seen it all and that nothing could shock him at that point in his career. He’d gone through the usual steps of putting on his PPE, signing in at the scene, and chatting with the responding officers, Jennifer Wang and Sierra Knight, who happened to be two of his favorites. Something in their expressions had tipped Royce off that this crime scene was like no other he’d ever seen. His brows edged toward his hairline as they described arriving on location.

“Shot through the heart with an arrow?” Royce had asked when they’d finished.

Wang nodded. “He landed on the wedding cake.”

“Smashed it to bits,” Knight added. “Vanilla cake with strawberry filling.”

Tara arrived before Royce could say anything further. She greeted the patrol officers and asked them to bring her up to speed. Royce noticed what looked like the top of a hickey peeking out from the collar of her shirt. He knew Tara and Candy had gone out a few times since he’d reintroduced them two months ago, but neither had mentioned the dates to him, and he didn’t push. He really, really wanted to, though. As if sensing Royce’s attention on her, Tara rolled her shoulders and adjusted her shirt before meeting his gaze with a quirked brow.

“Shot through the heart with an arrow?” she asked Royce.

“I had the same reaction. Does that make Cupid our prime suspect?”

“Or someone living out Bon Jovi lyrics,” Tara replied.

More adventures for Locke and Key.

Both are settling into their new normal. Sawyer investigating cold cases and Royce working on current homicides with his new partner until his new program for teens is ready. The last book solved a cold case (and a current murder) so they worked in tandem. This time they are working independent cases. Sawyer is mostly closing a couple of cold cases without a ton of fanfare. But Royce has a murder to solve that has some interesting twists and turns to it.

And throughout it all Sawyer’s mother is planning their wedding. Spoiler alert: we get a wedding date!

The book was a fun read, the story uncomplicated with a lot of different loose ends being tied up. And while solving the murder turned out to be pretty interesting, it wasn’t a huge page turner. Like I said, fun. But not really gripping.

I think the next book might be the last and even though I really want them to get their wedding, family and happily ever after, I would love to sink my teeth into a juicy mystery.

Must read for fans of the series.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Ever since she was a little girl, Aimee Nicole Walker entertained herself with stories that popped into her head. Now she gets paid to tell those stories to other people. She wears many titles—wife, mom, and animal lover are just a few of them. Her absolute favorite title is champion of the happily ever after. Love inspires everything she does, music keeps her sane, and coffee is the magic elixir that fuels her day.

I’d love to hear from you.

You can reach me at:
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/aimee-nicole-walker
Twitter – https://twitter.com/AimeeNWalker
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/aimeenicole.walker
Instagram – http://instagram.com/aimeenicolewalker
Blog – AimeeNicoleWalker.blogspot.com

Want to be the first to know about my book releases and have access to extra content? You can sign up for my newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/dlhPYj

My favorite place to hang out and chat with my readers is my Facebook group. Would you like to be a member of Aimee’s Dye Hards? We’d love to have you! Click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AimeesDyeHards/

Connect with Aimee:
https://linktr.ee/AimeeNicoleWalker

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Beck (Bar 28 Book 4) by JJ Harper: Cover Reveal and Giveaway

by

Beck Banner

Cover Reveal & Giveaway:
Beck
By JJ Harper

Beck (Bar 28) Cover

Bar 28, Book 4

Finally, he’s found his perfect man. Will he be able to keep him?

Beck Thompson is out and proud. He has a job he loves and friends he considers his family. Okay, he doesn’t have a boyfriend, but chances are slim he’ll find the man who’ll accept all of him, his past and his tattoos. He’s happy. Sort of.

Until he sees the perfect man…with the same woman hanging on his arm every night. Damn.

Munro Sylvester has put every aspect of his life on hold to make his business a success. And he’s done it. But he’s never been true to himself.

One look at the gorgeous, colourful man changes everything. He knows he has to make the first move, but he may risk losing everything he’s worked so hard for.

Can Beck trust his heart that Munro is the one for him? Is Munro brave enough to come out and fight for their happily ever after?

Beck has a tattooed bartender who has never had any luck with love, a hard-working gym owner who’s never said “I’m gay” out loud, instant attraction, and well-meaning, meddling friends.

It is the fourth book in the BAR 28 series, a MM contemporary series. Each book can be read as a stand-alone, but you’ll enjoy them best by reading them in order. This series is based in the UK.

Pre-Order Universal Link

Goodreads

IG Sized Beck CR 2

To celebrate the cover reveal for Beck, we are giving away 2 advanced e-copies!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cc0f2a57453/?

white background logo

You will normally find her in the living room—typing away—with her wayward puppy, Siddiqi. As a hopeless romantic, JJ dives into her stories, always falling in love with her men, making sure they get the happy-ever-after they deserve, even if they do have to work hard for it.
JJ lives in a small, very quiet, village in Lincolnshire, UK, with her husband and dog, and spends all day dreaming up stories full of really hot men

Connect with JJ:

Website: https://www.jjharper-author.com
Author page: https://www.facebook.com/authorJJHarper
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jessjhoney
Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/ha7whyj6
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessjharper
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jj-harper
Amazon author page: amazon.com/author/jjharper
Harper’s Honeys: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HarpersHoneys/

grr-tours-promo

The Long Game (Game Changers book 6) by Rachel Reid: New Release Review

by

The sequel is finally here! Shane and Ilya’s story, first seen in Heated Rivalry, continues in this long-awaited hockey romance from Rachel Reid.

“Everything you could want from this magnetic couple! A passionate, sexy, emotional sequel that grips your heart! Shane and Ilya forever!” —#1 NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely, author of Hopelessly Bromantic

To the world they are rivals, but to each other they are everything.

Ten years.

That’s how long Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov have been seeing each other. How long they’ve been keeping their relationship a secret. From friends, from family…from the league. If Shane wants to stay at the top of his game, what he and Ilya share has to remain secret. He loves Ilya, but what if going public ruins everything?

Ilya is sick of secrets. Shane has gotten so good at hiding his feelings, sometimes Ilya questions if they even exist. The closeness, the intimacy, even the risk that would come with being open about their relationship…Ilya wants it all.

It’s time for them to decide what’s most important—hockey or love.

It’s time to make a call.

Amazon

Game Changers
Book 1: Game Changer
Book 2: Heated Rivalry
Book 3: Tough Guy
Book 4: Common Goal
Book 5: Role Model
Book 6: The Long Game

Who has been waiting since the end of book 2 to see Shane and Ilya’s happily ever after? We fell in love with these guys in Heated Rivalry and then got glimpses of them for the next 3 books, just whetting our appetites. And this is our payoff.

Something I really loved was the overlap between this book and the one just prior, Role Model. It was fun realizing that book 6 was happening while book 5 was happening. Well, book 5 would have ended about halfway through book 6. But still. Nicely done.

Ilya is still Ilya, but in this book he is vulnerable. Like with a capital V. He is hiding from everyone- especially Shane- that depression has creeped in. Even though he is terrified of ending up like his mother, he also doesn’t believe he would end up like his mother. And wow, the portrayal of his depression and how he goes about hiding it and faking it are so SO spot on. It broke my heart.

Their differing personalities are so evident in this installment. Ilya, the tough guy, the jokester who lets everything roll off his back because his ego is the size of Canada is just done. He wants his happily every after. He wants to tell the world how much he loves Shane. He has the confidence to say “if you don’t like it too bad”. But Shane isn’t there. He just wants to play hockey and win more Cups and not be the poster boy for being an out hockey player. Obviously there are others, but that only means he has seen the scrutiny on them since they came out. He is willing to tough out their original plan of waiting. Ilya isn’t happy with that, but he is also quiet about it.

Their journey includes fights and disagreements and dipping their toes in safe waters of hanging out as a couple when it is safe and of course hockey and a commissioner who gives Shane some veiled threats. And then Shane and Ilya some not so veiled threats.

But they do get their happily ever after and I kind of loved it. A lot. And while their story is, by romance book standards, complete, I would love more. Even as background characters supporting new main characters. I want to see them playing hockey as out players. I want to see them become dads.

I’m not ready to let them go.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Play By Heart by Ariella Zoelle: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, and Giveaway

by

Iason’s known worldwide for his romantic lyrics, but he never thought he’d fall in love. Will his luck change when the stars align to bring Orion into his life?

Iason Leyland

My love songs may have made me famous, but they were beautifully written lies that hid the fact I’ve never loved anyone. I had almost given up hope of finding true love, but then I meet him. Orion is all my wishes on stars who can make my dreams come true. He’s my perfect partner in every way except one: he’s straight. Why, universe? Why?

But the cosmic force that brought us together apparently knows what it’s doing based on the sweet way Orion blushes every time we’re together. Can I convince him that we could make beautiful music together that will be worthy of my most romantic ballad yet?

Orion Donati

I’ve been a fan of Iason and his beautiful voice and lyrics for years. I never expected him to know I even exist, let alone fall in love with me. But regardless of that impossibility, he looks at me like I’m the sun, the moon, and all the stars in his universe. As a straight man, I probably shouldn’t be interested, much less tempted by his flirtations. But despite that, everything in me wants a chance to be his magical muse for the songs I love so much.

Meeting him makes me realize that I’m not quite as straight as I thought. The most unbelievable thing of all is that someone as amazingly famous as him could ever want a shy nobody like me. But I don’t want to doubt his sincerity. I want to be brave enough to believe he’s interested in me for real.

Maybe I don’t have to settle for being a fan who adores him from afar. What if I dare to dream that I could be his boyfriend who loves him with all my heart instead?

Play By Heart is the first book in the Harmony of Hearts series and part of the Sunnyside universe. This novel features a bi awakening, insta love, rock star, shy/flirt, gay romance. If you love cute sweetness, sexy fun, and no angst stories that will make you laugh and swoon, you’ll enjoy this satisfying HEA without cliffhangers. Each book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series in order.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

My heart thudded hard as I stared up at Iason in disbelief. Was he talking about me? I would never forget him singing along to that song in my car on the way back to my place after dinner that first night, but Iason couldn’t possibly mean me, right? On what planet was it possible that our first date was his favorite? I hadn’t known we were on a date!

He winked at me, leaving no doubt in my mind he meant me. Hearing him crooning along in my car under his breath was one thing. Him singing it in earnest was something else entirely.

I forgot how to breathe, how to think, how to do anything other than experience every note he sang on an intimate level. When he tossed his head back and opened up his huge voice on the big climax of the song, I almost lost the battle against my body. I experienced the fullness of Iason’s voice with the entirety of my being, leaving me trembling and on the brink of release.

When the last note faded, everyone burst into applause and cheers, but I couldn’t react. It was too much for me to handle—especially knowing he sang that song because of me. His eyes met mine, causing the theatre and crowd to disappear, leaving only us. He smiled just for me, making me swoon.

Iason lifted his gaze to stare out over the audience, allowing me to gasp for air. I hadn’t realized I had been holding my breath until that moment. They began playing another one of Iason’s songs, but I was still lost in hearing the echo inside my soul of him singing “Last Goodbye” just for me. It suffused me with warmth, serving as further proof that he treasured me in a way nobody ever had before.

He played a single off his last album, pulling me from my thoughts as I got caught up in listening to him. I was still on the brink of embarrassing myself from my body’s intense reaction to him. While I had always had sensitive hearing and had been to concerts before, no one’s voice had ever affected me on such a sexually stimulating level before.

Now, his voice intimately penetrated me, with every rise and fall of his vocalization a satisfying thrust. The desire pent-up inside me became more unbearable with each song he sang. How would I make it back to the hotel without coming first?

I lost myself in the experience of being surrounded by Iason’s magnificent voice, which filled the enormous theatre space with its fullness. I forgot about everything that wasn’t him as I let him carry me away with his music.

Ariella Zoelle adores steamy, funny, swoony romances where couples are allowed to just be happy. She writes low angst stories full of heat, humor, and heart. But sometimes she’s in the mood for something with a bit more angst and drama. If you are too, check out her A.F. Zoelle books.

For real time updates on her writing progress, please join her Facebook group for exclusive teasers or follow her on Twitter or Instagram. You can also sign up for her newsletter to gain access to bonus chapters, previews of upcoming books, exclusive visual guides, and more.

Connect with Ariella:

Website: https://www.ariellazoelle.com/

Newsletter: https://www.ariellazoelle.com/newsletter

Amazon Author Profile: https://amzn.to/3zzxJWg

A.F. Zoelle’s Books: https://amzn.to/3BAgypg

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/amazingafzoelle/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/extraafzoelle

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AriellaZoelle

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariellazoelle/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/ariellazoelle

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ariella-zoelle
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Not a Boy (All American Boy Series) by Elle Keaton: Blog Tour, and Exclusive Excerpt

by

Henry should have kept on walking by when he spotted the younger man sitting alone on the beach. He should never have stopped, never sat down, and certainly never kissed him. Because now Henry is experiencing feelings. And he doesn’t like it one bit.

Things happen for a reason, even random hook-ups. Ben was supposed to get off work early that night. It was no accident the sexy stranger stumbled on his beach hiding spot. The Kiss was destined, as well as what happened afterward. It wasn’t as if Ben believed in love at first sight, but this was damn close.

It’s a good thing Henry lives three-thousand miles away or he might do something stupid, like ask for Ben’s phone number.

Ben’s hometown boss begs him to return and he agrees, only regretting not being able to say goodbye to his snarky divorce lawyer. But all the wanting in the universe isn’t going to bring them together again, he doesn’t even know Henry’s last name. Besides, home is on the west coast, not Maine.

Sometimes the universe is a funny place.

#foundfamily #agegap #acceptance #oppositesattract #boynextdoorisnotaboy

Title: Not A Boy
Author: Elle Keaton
Series: All American Boy Multi-Author Shared World Series
Genre: Contemporary.
Tropes: age gap, small town, hook up leads to love, parents can be stupid

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

“Ben leaned as close as he could and whispered in Henry’s ear. “I’m twenty-six, Henry Carr, not a boy, and if I want to exchange bites with the sexiest man at this table, I will. If you’re worried about Chuck because of something he might say or do to you, let me know, and we’ll keep the whole thing under wraps. But before you make your choice, let me be clear. I want to go home with you tonight. The only good about this…” he glanced around the table, “travesty of a wedding is the fact that it brought you here to me. I’ve missed you and since I didn’t know your last name, where you worked, or what city you lived in, I couldn’t find you. It’s rare for me to buy into Marigold’s tarot readings, but we’re meeting again for a reason, and I’m going to make it hard for you to say no.”

Henry’s mouth opened and closed. “Yes.”

“Yes?” Ben leaned back, giving Henry space.

Now Henry closed the distance between them. “Yes. I want you to come home with me tonight. I want to spend the weekend with you. I want you naked and in my bed.””

Elle Keaton writes contemporary gay romance and MM romantic suspense set in the Pacific Northwest. Elle’s books are known for their hot mm romance, complex characters, and unique sense of place. The men start out broken, and maybe they’re still banged up by the end, but they always find the other half of their hearts.

Elle published first in 2017, now she has over seventeen books available for you to read or listen to.

She loves cats and dogs, Star Wars and Star Trek, pineapple on pizza, and is known to start crossword puzzles with ballpoint pen.

Love always wins, thank you for supporting this indie author!

Connect with Elle:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ElleKeatonWrites
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HighwayToElle/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/elle-keaton
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellekeatonauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PirateQueenRdz1
MeWe: https://mewe.com/profile/5ac2766f310a7853d4ce8ad4
Website: https://www.ellekeaton.com/
Amazon: https://amzn.to/ek-amazon-profile
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/ek-gr-profile

Broken Things (Lost & Found book 4) by Barbara Elsborg: Release Day Review

by

An ancient book of faerie magic. A renegade who will stop at nothing to possess it. And the two boys who stand in his way.

When fifteen-year-old Tar, part vampire, part something else, helps his father break into a remote house, he doesn’t care about the book his father is looking for. What he does care about is the little locked-up faerie kid. Merrick is alone, vulnerable and deaf.

The break in goes wrong, but Tar refuses to leave the eight-year-old even though it means facing his father’s fury. Events spiral from bad, to worse, to out of control: the book disappears, and Tar and Merrick are wrenched apart.

The boys grow into men, one living in the light and one in darkness, yet neither has forgotten the other. As powerful forces rise, the search for the missing book gains momentum, and Tar and Merrick’s paths collide once more.

Merrick is the key to the missing book and Tar is faced with a near impossible task: to keep the man he cares for safe, and do everything he can to stop the book and its secrets from falling into the wrong hands. And maybe, just maybe, save the world as we know it.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

If you have read the previous three and are fans of this series, you know you want to know about the mysterious Tar. The guy in charge of PR, the guy who won’t say what he is, although many have guessed vampire. But he isn’t just vampire. And he is more than the stoic, stand off-ish guy that not many like to be around.

The book starts when Tar is 15, so we get a lot of his backstory and what made him the man he is today. A mother who disappeared when he was young, a conman for a father, a deaf 8 year old boy and a magic book that too many people want to get their hands on.

Then book then jumps to present day. We already know from previous books that Tar is the head of Paranormal Relations, kind of a paranormal police. That is secret because most people have no idea that paranormals exist. We also catch up with that 8 year old boy, who now wears cochlear implants and is a traveling doctor.

Even when they were kids and only knew each other for a few days, you could tell that their souls were connected. The way Tar took care of Merrick, defending him, was quite literally willing to put his life on the line for this 8 year old he never met before. And Merrick just implicitly trusted Tar and looked up to him.

So when their paths cross again in London twenty some odd years later, it seems like kismet. But Tar isn’t who Merrick remembers. He is a broken man who doesn’t trust anyone and can’t stand to be touched. And even though Merrick didn’t have an ideal life, he is just the kind of positive person that can’t help but be positive. Even though he has been running and looking over his shoulder since that fateful day in the forest.

The story brings back old enemies looking for the magical book. Tar and Merrick are trying to get to the bottom of it, using what little magic Merrick has and the resources Tar has. We also see Tar and Merrick as adults falling in love with each other. Tar, the man who is never happy, always grumpy, often scary turns into a bit of a marshmallow with Merrick. There’s a learning curve, though, for the man who doesn’t let people get close, doesn’t touch unless he has to, doesn’t share his life. But Merrick integrates himself like a stray kitten that you don’t want but it keeps showing up on your doorstep so you feed it until you finally break and let him in.

This was by far my favorite of the series. I don’t know if it was because of the change in Tar, or that so many previous main characters are involved in the story or because the magic was just wonderful. And by magic, I mean really faerie magic. It was a beautiful little world hidden inside… well, you’ll see.

You can read this as a stand alone easily, but the others are very good reads as well.

4 pieces of eye candy

Barbara Elsborg lives in Kent in the South of England. She always wanted to be a spy, but having confessed to everyone without them even resorting to torture, she decided it was not for her. Volcanology scorched her feet. A morbid fear of sharks put paid to marine biology. So instead, she spent several years successfully selling cyanide.

After dragging up two rotten, ungrateful children and frustrating her sexy, devoted, wonderful husband (who can now stop twisting her arm) she finally has time to conduct an affair with an electrifying plugged-in male, her laptop.

Her books feature quirky heroines and bad boys, and she hopes they are as much fun to read as they were to write.