Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

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Of Autumn Leaves and New Beginnings by Nell Iris: New Release Review

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At 47, Oren Walker isn’t looking for love. When he knocks on Pete Higgins’ door, all he wants is to thank him for helping his mom after she broke her femur. He never expected that one look at the man would make his knees weak and heart flutter.

Pete is happy, albeit a bit lonely, after divorcing his wife of twenty years and isn’t looking to replace her. But when Oren shows up, all grateful and handsome and in that fancy suit, the longing for the deep connection of a relationship flares up inside him.

As the leaves turn yellow, Oren and Pete spend a lot of time in honest conversations. Their attraction grows. Will the two men recognize the promise of new beginnings, and take the chance to find the happiness they both deserve?

Amazon

Very sweet read. The two characters in this one, Oren and Pete are two middle-aged men who have lived a lifetime already. Oren has spent his life traveling for work, though I’m not a hundred percent sure what it is he does, something to do with the internet lol but, it doesn’t matter. His company is constantly sending here and there so he’s never had the time to settle down and start a family, which is okay because he’s got an amazingly sweet and supportive mom, who happens to have taken a fall and broken her leg at 75, which is why he comes home and goes to check on her. When he finds out this it’s her neighbor, Pete, who heard her crying out for help, he of course, has to go and thank him.

Pete married his college sweetheart and had two kids that they raised to adulthood before he realized that even though he loves her, he wasn’t in love with her anymore. Same with her, they just kind of fell out of love, but stayed best friends. She’s very supportive and encouraging when the neighbors son comes over to thank him for helping his mother when he was out of town, and develops a little crush.

They get along well, but Oren thinks Pete’s married, and why wouldn’t he? The man has pictures of his family together and sees the ex-wife at Pete’s, so it was an honest mistake to make.
When Pete makes it clear that he’s not married and interested, he asks Oren on a date.

It’s all just very cute. Their date is cute and both men know what they want and don’t waste time getting it. No games, no pettiess, no mixed messages or drama. They like each other, they date and then we end on five years later with some wonderful news and the combining of families.

Short and sweet and very worth the read

4 Pieces of Eye Candy 

Science & Jockstraps (Ace’s Wild Book 1) by Riley Hart & Christina Lee: Release Day Review

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Shy science guy Liam and fun-loving jock Isaiah have been roommates since their freshman year in college. On the surface, they couldn’t be more different. What the rest of the world doesn’t know is that tucked between basketball, classes, and hanging with friends are some of Isaiah’s favorite moments—just Liam and Isaiah in their room, watching documentaries or goofing off. Liam certainly never imagined Isaiah would become one of his favorite people, but their friendship was pretty much solidified the first time Isaiah saved Liam from a killer spider.

When Isaiah discovers Liam is looking for a hookup to help him explore a secret kink, the idea of anyone touching Liam that way sparks a protective instinct Isaiah has never felt before. Then, Isaiah confesses that he’d like to be the one Liam experiments with, and Liam is completely bowled over—equal parts thrilled and wary of ruining their friendship.

From the first sting of Isaiah’s palm, Liam’s fantasy finally comes to life. The more they explore together, the closer they become, uncovering feelings neither were willing to admit before. But outside the haven of their room, reality isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Isaiah isn’t out, and worries about his college basketball career. And Liam won’t be someone’s secret, not after he promised himself he’d stop hiding and being afraid.

Deciding how to navigate the world together will be the final exam they’ll need to ace.

***PLEASE NOTE: For the first 90 days of this title’s publication, all sales and page reads will be donated to The LGBT Community Center of Cleveland and The LGBT Center of Raleigh.

**Science and Jockstraps is part of a multi-author series of books that take place in the same fictional town. Each story can be read in any order. The connecting element in the Ace’s Wild series is an adult store owned by Ace and Wilder. The main characters from each book will make at least one visit to Ace’s Wild, where they’ll buy a toy to use in their story! The only characters who crossover to each book are Ace and Wilder. And with various heat levels, there’s sure to be something for everyone!

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Fun, fun, fun!

I love a series that is loosely connected and by different authors. Think Bluewater Bay or Tucker Springs. And now we have Ace’s Wild, a new series connected by an adult store owned by Ace and Wilder. And there are a ton of authors. No one is writing more than one book and they are being released quickly. I want to say every two weeks? Anyway, this is book 1 by two of my favorites- Christina Lee and Riley Hart. They have co-authored before and I have always enjoyed the books.

Oh! And the first 90 days of sales and page turns (Kindle Unlimited) go to charity! How is THAT for awesome?

Now to the book!

Isaiah and Liam are pretty much polar opposites, but being roommates in college for over a year now, they have become good friends. Until Isaiah snoops- by accident- and sees that Liam has a kink he’d like to explore. And the more Isaiah thinks about it, the more he wants to be the guy he explores with.

We watch as they navigate this new kink…and new feelings. And the fact that Isaiah isn’t out as bisexual.

There could have been a lot of angst, but it was light instead. Being a shorter book, they guys had to work through the conflict quicker. That being said, it wasn’t rushed at all. The story flowed with the relationship without the awkward “Three months later” starts of chapters.

Both Liam and Isaiah are lovable guys. It was totally adorable how Isaiah did a bunch of research so that he would do it correctly and not hurt Liam. He was pretty swoony to be honest.

We also got our first taste of Ace and Wilder- the couple that ties all of the books together. They are going to be a funny couple.

So yes, read it. College age, unintended romance, funny, a little kinky. It is well written and the change between authors is so seamless you cannot decipher who wrote what.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy 

Arctic Heat by Annabeth Albert: Exclusive Author Guest Post and Interview, Blog Tour, Release Day Review and Giveaway

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A lasting connection needs more than simply surviving a winter together—they’ll have to outsmart danger, let down their defenses and open their hearts.

Owen Han has a fresh lease on life—he’s kicked cancer’s ass and is roaring through his bucket list. The former investment banker hopes to find his next challenge in Alaska, volunteering alongside park rangers and fulfilling his childhood dreams of snowy winters and rustic life. Of course, those dreams did tend to feature big strapping mountain men in vivid detail…

Ranger Quilleran Ramsey would like to be anywhere other than dealing with newbie volunteers. And really, the only thing he needs less than a green volunteer “partner” is the flirty attentions of a buff city boy who doesn’t look ready to last a week, let alone an Alaskan winter. They’re all wrong for each other, even if Quill’s traitorous body enjoys the flirting more than it should.

As the weeks pass, the two snowbound men give in to temptation. But can their seasonal romance last until spring? For them to have a future together, each will have to trust the other…while hoping that the harsh elements and omnipresent dangers don’t destroy what happiness they’ve found in the moment.

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!

This book is approximately 89,000 words

ARCTIC HEAT by Annabeth Albert

Series: Frozen Hearts #3

Publisher: Carina Press

Release Date: Sept. 23 (ebook/audio), Oct 1 (print)

Length (Print & Ebook): 89,000 words

Subgenre: m/m contemporary romance/ action adventure m/m romance, interracial romance

Warnings: None.

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Hi! I’m so thrilled to be here on Two Chicks Obsessed, one of my favorite blogs! I’m here with some Q&A  about ARCTIC HEAT, my newest release in the Frozen Hearts series set in Alaska. As with the other two books in the series, this one stands alone fine—there’s only the briefest of mentions of the prior books’ couples and no spoilers. This is my opposites-attract, odd couple roommates, snowbound romance as a seasoned ranger finds himself paired with a newbie volunteer for the winter season where they’ll be snowed in together at a remote Alaska state park. Quill and Owen were so much fun to write, and I can’t wait for readers to meet them! Got other questions for me? Be sure and hit me up on social media! I love hearing from my readers!

  • Where did you draw inspiration for an Alaskan series from?
    • I’ve always loved the Arctic setting, and I have a fond place in my heart for the old-school Alaskan romances from authors like Nora Roberts and Debbie Macomber and other category romances taking place in Alaska. When I was brainstorming a new series, I wanted to capture that feel—big scenery, rugged terrain, real dangers, isolated settings—but in a modern way that welcomed some LGBTQ pairings and reflected changes, both in Alaska itself, but also in the romance genre. I wanted romances that felt fresh and real but still had all the appeal of some of my favorite Alaska tropes, like snowbound and close proximity!
  • How much ‘world building’ takes place before you start writing?
    • For this series, there was a ton of background research. Maps. Biographies. Websites. Message boards. State documents. Documentaries. I tried to really immerse myself in the world as best I could and then started fleshing out the plot from that point. While completely fictional, I did try to ground the series in reality, basing locales on actual places I discovered in my research and trying to make the plot points feasible. I also do a lot of characterization work before I start writing, really digging deep into conflict, motivation, wants, need, and desires for each character.
  • When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
    • Each book in the Frozen Hearts series has a different couple with unique background and unique hurdles to their HEA. This keeps things fresh for me because each character needs different things and as a result, each book is very different. I also kept things fresh by doing different times of year—Book 1 is Summer into Fall. Book 2 is Late Spring into Summer. Book 3 is Fall into Winter. Also the tropes vary from book-to-book within the series. Book 1, ARCTIC SUN is very much an opposites-attract, hurt/comfort romance. Book 2, ARCTIC WILD is a May/December romance with a plane crash at its center. Book 3, ARCTIC HEAT, is a fish-out-of-water, close proximity, snowbound romance. Varying the tropes kept me on my toes, and I think it also lets each book stand on its own with readers. I also tried for not too much crossover between books so that each truly can stand alone and reader can read in the order that they prefer.
  • What were the key challenges you faced when writing this book?
    • Writing from Oregon, my biggest challenge was in not being there! Absolutely, not being able to take a weekend trip to explore a locale in the book was a big issue for me throughout the series. I had AMAZING beta readers for the series who were from Alaska, and I owe a huge debt to them.
  • What’s your favorite scene from this book?
    • Without giving away too many spoilers, I have to say that while this isn’t a holiday romance, the Christmas scene is probably my favorite romantic moment in the book, but there were so many little moments and scenes I loved!

Thank you so very much for having me! I hope you check out ARCTIC HEAT!

“Tea for everyone. Then a hot shower and lots of blankets,” Owen declared as they entered the building, bossy streak making a blessed reappearance right when Quill really needed to not be the one thinking. If Owen had a plan, so much the better because Quill wasn’t good for much besides stripping off his gear, stowing his piece, stomping upstairs, and flopping into a kitchen chair. Owen draped one of the blankets from the couch around his shoulders before doing the same for himself, wearing it like a cape as he made tea. “Bourbon in yours? I found a bottle in the cabinet the other week.”

“Yeah.” Quill didn’t often imbibe, but he needed the burn of the liquor even more than any warmth-giving properties. The bourbon was there exactly for nights like this one where Quill had done his best and it still hadn’t been enough. Fucking universe and its random acts of cruelty.

After adding a healthy glug of liquor to each of their mugs, Owen shoved a cup at Quill. He also put a plate of cookies from the batch that got baked on the table. “Here you go. Eat something so the alcohol doesn’t hit too hard.”

“Feels like I should be the one taking care of you,” Quill admitted after he’d had a few sips of tea, let the warmth and burn work past the tightness in his throat and chest.

“We can take care of each other,” Owen countered, pulling his chair close to Quill’s. “That’s what we’re here for, right?”

A few hours ago, Quill would have argued that being alone was the best way to cope with something like this—find a way to push through and on to the next day either with the aid of some strong drink or just a restless night spent replaying the events until sleep did its thing, softened the edges of the awfulness. But when Owen grabbed his hand, squeezed, and looked at him with such compassion in his eyes, Quill couldn’t find it in himself to pull away.

“Yeah,” he said, even as he knew that he shouldn’t let himself come to need Owen like this, to lean on him. He and Hattie had always tended to retreat to their own corners after a hard shift, and he prided himself on being a strong man. Sure, accidents like this affected him as they would anyone, but he’d always tried to handle those emotions on his own. Harsh memories of his father’s comments about men who showed their feelings didn’t help any, but lately all those memories, all the family drama, seemed more distant. Less sharp.

And funny how without that mantle of a painful past, his present seemed somehow more hopeful, old wounds and past fears no match for Owen. In fact, they’d been on the verge of another disagreement when Owen had dropped everything to come help. And now here he was, taking care of Quill yet again. Owen simply didn’t seem to have it in him to hold a grudge too long. Quill would be a fool to pull away now, even if he knew the next night like this, the inevitable one after Owen left, would hurt that much more. But that moment, all he wanted to do was hold Owen close, take every comfort he offered from Christmas lights to hot toddies to underdone gingerbread to that strong hand of his, holding on when Quill needed it most.

Sweet, slow burn, opposites attract. It was….nice.

The third in the series she set in Alaska, this time we get the introverted park ranger and extroverted volunteer. Of course they are paired together.

I really loved the story- Owen the volunteer trying so hard to at least be friends with Quill. Hearing about all that they do as rangers and volunteers. The Northern Lights, the super short days, the cabin fever.

I just didn’t really feel the heat with Owen and Quill. And even though I really liked Owen, I just didn’t see him living a remote life like that. Several times in the book he stated he was going crazy from not having anyone to talk to.

The story is definitely readable- especially if you are a fan of the author and/or Alaska. I’m just not going to put it in her top ten.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer. Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Her critically acclaimed and fan-favorite LGBTQ romance series include the #FrozenHearts, #OutOfUniform, #Gaymers, #PortlandHeat, #RainbowCove and #PerfectHarmony series.

To find out what she’s working on next and other fun extras, check out her website: annabethalbert.com or connect with Annabeth on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify! Also, be sure to sign up for her newsletter for free ficlets, bonus reads, and contests. The fan group, Annabeth’s Angels, on Facebook is also a great place for bonus content and exclusive contests.

Connect with Annabeth:

Website: http://annabethalbert.com/

Newsletter:  http://eepurl.com/Nb9yv

Fan group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/annabethsangels/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6477494.Annabeth_Albert

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Annabeth-Albert/e/B00LYFFAZK

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnnabethAlbert

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

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

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The Prince and His Bedeviled Bodyguard by Charlie Cochet: RB, Excerpt and New Release Review

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Prince Owin

Being a fierce predator—not at all adorable, despite my graceful stature—the last thing I needed was a bodyguard. Especially a wolf shifter, whose presence alone was an insult to my princely principles. As Prince of the Ocelot Shifters, I prided myself on my infallible feline instincts, uncompromisable dignity, and flawless fashion sense. If having a canine follow me around at all times wasn’t bad enough, I now faced the most important moment of my entire life. The time had come to prove I was worthy of my crown. If only I could find a way to get rid of the pesky bodyguard.

Grimmwolf

When the King of All Shifters asked me to guard Prince Owin, I admit I had no idea what to expect. Cat shifters tend to be a little intense, not to mention kinda cranky. Owin was no exception, though he seemed crankier than most. Being his bodyguard was proving to be one of the greatest challenges of my life—but not nearly as great as convincing him there was something special between us. When Owin is faced with a perilous quest to prove his worth, I was determined to keep him safe, even if the same couldn’t be said of my heart.

Title: The Prince and His Bedeviled Bodyguard

Series Title: Paranormal Princes Book # 1

Author: Charlie Cochet

Length: Novella

Genre: Paranormal Shifters

Word Count: 31, 417

Release Date: September 19th, 2019

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

“What the—” Grimm dropped the orb, and we both jumped back. To my utter disbelief, it spread upward and sideways until it was roughly the size of a large doorway, a forest appearing inside. “Hmm. What do you know? A portal that will take us where we want to go.”

How cross would the king be with me if I accidentally pushed Grimm off a cliff? Or left him with the Cù Sìth? Not like he didn’t have plenty of wolf shifters. What was one less in the grand scheme of things?

Grimm narrowed his eyes at me. “You’re not leaving me behind.”

How did he do that? “Are you sure you’re not a seer wolf?”

Grimm didn’t look impressed. “You’re right. I’m a seer. My curse is that I’m limited to visions of you being a jerk.”

I opened my mouth to respond, then thought better of it. “Can we just go?”

“As you wish, Your Highness.” He bowed and motioned for me to go ahead. Clearly, he thought I was an idiot.

“What if it’s a trap and I step through and burst into flames? You go first.”

“Your generosity knows no bounds, my liege. Fine. I’ll go first, but if I meet my demise, my blood is on your hands.”

I shrugged. “I’ll get over it.”

“So mean.” He shook his head at me and stepped through. On the other side, he turned and held his arms out. “See? All good. Wait….” He gasped and clutched at his chest. “What’s happening to me? It burns!”

“Grimm?” My heart lurched in my chest, and I stepped up to the portal.

“I can’t,” he gasped, falling to his knees. “I can’t….”

“Can’t what!” Oh my Goddess, oh my Goddess. I never expected him to actually burst into flames! I flailed around feeling utterly helpless. “What do I do? Is it flames? Are you bursting into flames?” I frantically looked around. “I don’t see a fire extinguisher!” Not that I knew how to use one. I’d just have to toss it at him and hope he could do it himself.

“I can’t….” He gasped for breath. “I can’t… believe you fell for that,” he said with a laugh.

“I’m going to kill you!” I darted into the portal, ignoring his laughter as he took off, his long legs putting him out of my reach in a heartbeat. “I hate you!”

“Admit it! You were worried about me,” he called out from across the field.

“Worried you’d die and I wouldn’t be able to pry the magic purse off your cold, dead, dog-smelling corpse!”

“It’s a satchel!”

A new shifter series by Charlie Cochet! YAY!

Trust me, this ain’t THIRDS. Yes it has shifters and snark and witty dialogue, but that’s where the similarities end.

In this world there are all sorts of shifters, magic, a King, many princes, alphas and don’t forget the Hellhounds. At first I thought it would be complicated to follow along in a different world, but really the story is so focused on Owin and Grimm with different magical creatures being introduced one at a time, so it was no big deal. Ok, that makes it sound like I can’t follow a book. I can, I promise. I am just more of a contemporary reader so the otherworldly thing is just different for me.

Back to it. Prince Owin is tasked with a quest by the King of all shifters to prove his worthiness. He is allowed to bring his bodyguard, who is an Alpha in a wolf pack, with him. Grimm, the wolf, pretty much sees right through the King’s ruse, but Owin is a bit bratty and doesn’t.

So we follow along on Owin’s quest which brings him to different places meeting different magical creatures. With Grimm loyally by his side.

Did I mention that Owin is also a shifter? An ocelot. Which is just awesome. There are dog and cat jokes a plenty.

Read it. If you love Charlie’s other work- especially THIRDS, you will love this. All the shifting, all of the snark, all of the sexy times without the drama.

 

Charlie Cochet is the international bestselling author of the THIRDS series. Born in Cuba and raised in the US, Charlie enjoys the best of both worlds, from her daily Cuban latte to her passion for classic rock.

Currently residing in Central Florida, Charlie is at the beck and call of a rascally Doxiepoo bent on world domination. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found devouring a book, releasing her creativity through art, or binge watching a new TV series. She runs on coffee, thrives on music, and loves to hear from readers.

Website: www.charliecochet.com

Email: charlie@charliecochet.com 

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/CharlieCochetNews

Facebook: http://facebook.com/charliecochet

Facebook Reader Group: http://facebook.com/groups/charliecochet

Twitter: http://twitter.com/charliecochet

Instagram: http://instagram.com/charliecochet

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/charliecochet

BookBub: http://bookbub.com/authors/charliecoche

Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/CharlieCochet

Amazon: https://bit.ly/CharlieCochetAmzn

Save Me: An Omegaverse Story (Finding Free Book 1) by A.M. Arthur: New Release Review

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Alpha Gaven Freel was taught by his doting beta parents to protect and respect omegas, and he sees those parents as shining examples of how to love his future mate. Except he’s only nineteen and still a university student, so Gaven has plenty of time to find his omega bondmate—but fate has other plans, and he scents his omega from across a crowded waiting room. Too bad his bondmate is the son of his parents’ oldest enemy.

At twenty-two, omega Frey Porter has already gone through multiple heats without an alpha. He’s desperate to find a mate, but his sire Monte Porter won’t settle for just any alpha for his only omega son. Frey will one day access a sizable trust fund—no gold diggers allowed into the wealthy Porter family. When Frey insists younger alpha Gaven Freel is his bondmate, Monte is skeptical about the pairing. And Gaven’s parents are skeptical right back, worried Monte might use the situation to punish Gaven for decades-old hurts.

Monte surprises everyone by negotiating a fair financial agreement that limits Gaven’s access to Frey’s trust fund and by allowing them to mate. Gaven has no interest in money, only in being the best alpha possible to Frey, and with Frey’s next heat months away, they have plenty of time to date and get to know each other. Frey is intimidated by Gaven’s huge extended family, but he also adores their camaraderie and genuine love for each other. Frey wants his future to be with the Freels.

Gaven is busy making plans for their life together when the unthinkable happens—Monte serves Gaven with papers dissolving the mating agreement. Papers Frey signed, too, and stands by. Devastated by losing his bondmate, Gaven sinks into a deep depression even his best friends can’t get him out of. But Frey also has a terrible, life-altering secret he’s keeping from Gaven, and he’ll have to learn to trust in the strength of the mating bond in order to save them both from darkness.

SAVE ME is the first book in the brand-new “Finding Free” omegaverse series, which is a spin-off of the fan-favorite “Breaking Free” series. This is an original universe featuring mpreg, A/B/O dynamics, heats, knotting and an alpha-dominated society that is starting to see advances in omega rights. Content warnings for dark themes apply. See interior blurb for additional warning.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

I never read an Omegaverse book before Am Arthur put out her first called Saved. It sucked me right in and I pretty much devoured the series as they were released.

Well, lucky us, but she has done a time jump for a new series based on the kids of the guys in the first series! Whee! I am going to say you really don’t need to read the first series if you want to read this book. I mean, you should, duh, but you don’t have to. She really takes the time to explain who everyone is, how they are connected, who their children are, etc, etc. It is A LOT of information and you can just as easily gloss over it and lose nothing. It’s like meeting a whole room of people at once. You need a few times before the names truly click.

So, first of up Gaven, adopted son of the betas Dex and Serge. I loved Dex and Serge from the first series. I think because they are beta and didn’t have the whole “bondmate” thing. Gaven is happily in college wanting to become a nurse like his father. And then at the opening of a clinic, he scents and meets his bondmate.

Frey is an “older” omega at 22. The way these books hearken back to the traditional gender roles of our parents or grandparents is rather eye opening. Frey is afraid that the 19 year old Gaven will reject him because of his age. But really the issue is Frey’s father, old school, old money and lots of rules.

After lots of promises and a few concessions, Frey’s sire agrees to let them date.

And it was so sweet. They had to actually date each other- with chaperones! Most of their dates consisted of dinners or brunches at one or the other’s house, or a party, but always with a chaperone. (see what I mean about gender roles, etc?)

Frey is super shy but Gaven is always right there to protect him. *swoon* Plus there is like a foot height difference I think, which also makes me swoon.

There is a bit of a secondary story that the author is torturing, I mean teasing us with. Peyton and Layne. Best friends who might be more. But Peyton has a so far incurable blood disease that could disable him at almost any time. I super love them together as well. Even though they are alpha and omega, Layne hasn’t had his first heat yet to emit pheromones to attract his bond mate. So they are just a cute, kind of awkward sort of couple right now.

There is actually more than one conflict that Gaven and Frey must deal with. The first I was pretty surprised with, not totally, but I can’t say. Because spoilers. The second was almost expected, kind of? But I am glad that it was resolved rather quickly.

The story is wrapped up well, with time taken to finish out plot points (except the tease of Peyton and Layne) without just a “tah dah!” and things are fine and dandy immediately. I hate that. Thought and feelings were put into it all.

So yes, I am completely sucked right back into this world and cannot wait for book 2.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

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

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The most dangerous current is between them.

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

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

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

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

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

Length: 290 pages

Cover Design: Wicked Smart Design

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

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

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

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