N.R. Walker

Finders Keepers by N.R. Walker: Release Day Review *2

February 2, 2018 by Denise

Finding hope, keeping love.

Needing a change of scene, Griffin Burke moves from Brisbane to Coolum Beach to start a new job. The beautiful white sand, aqua-coloured ocean, blue skies, and summer breezes are everything he longs for. What he finds is a mud-covered dog, lost and hungry, with a nametag and a phone number.

Dane Hughes is stuck in Surfers Paradise at a week-long work conference when he gets a phone call from his distraught mother. His dog, his fur baby, Wicket, has run away. Unable to leave and feeling helpless and miserable, he gets a text from a guy. “I think I found your dog…”

Griffin and Dane start talking, and Griffin agrees to look after Wicket until Dane can collect him. With a few days left before his new job starts, Griffin takes Wicket on some coastal adventures and sends Dane photos of their fun, and so the start of something new and kind of wonderful begins.

Griffin might have moved to Coolum in search of a new life, but what he finds is so much more. What he gets to keep just might take some four-legged help.

Amazon

Sign. Swoon. Smile. *fans self* This story is so sweet, so romantic, so hot. Like a rom com movie in gay book form. With lots of hot sex. AND A DOG NAMED WICKET!

I will read anything my NR Walker. I love her stories. I love how they are all so different. This has to be her sweetest to date. No angst, no miscommunications, no anger. Just two people falling in love.

A good, I’d say, third of the book is them communicating by text and phone calls. Dane is away at a work conference and Griffin found his lost dog Wicket. Since Griffin just moved, he gets to know the down by going on day trips with Wicket and relaying the info to Dane. When they finally meet- the sparks fly.

There aren’t a lot of supporting characters, save for some random co-workers. But Griffin’s landlady and her boyfriend/booty call are awesome. She is definitely the old lady I want to be!!! Both of them added to the story, yet still had their own story. I loved them both.

I don’t always love sweet, fluffy books like this. Oftentimes I don’t feel like I know the characters. But this one was different. You really get to know them, and in turn love them. You cheer for them and smile for them. It was sweet without being sappy and fluffy without being airheaded.

If you need a reconfirmations that love is out there, it is real and it doesn’t have to have obstacles- yes, this is absolutely the book for you.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Griffin is new to the beach town of Coolum and while out exploring places to hike, he happens upon Wicket, a wet, dirty and sweet dog. Griffin uses the contact info on Wicket’s tag to get in touch with Wicket’s human, Dane, who’s out of town on business. Griffin agrees to care for Wicket in the meantime and over the course of the next few days, the two men hit it off as they call and text, then make plans to meet. The rest is just a sweet story.

The book is told in first person by each of the MCs, one per chapter. As usual Walker’s writing is very good and I feel like her characters are real people. I wanted to grab and snuggle Wicket the dog. There’s not much serious angst. Initially they each go through wondering if the other man is gay? Single? Interested? Just being nice? Which, since I like these characters, I enjoy reading about their insecurities, what they really think of each other and how cute each one thinks the other is while not thinking it about themselves. It’s always nice to see likable characters find each other and develop their chemistry and relationship further. What’s not to like about these guys? Dane is devastated that his baby, Wicket, has gone missing. Griffin appoints himself Wicket’s caregiver until he’s sure who he’s sending him back to is worthy. Dane and Griffin are just good eggs, and I want them to care about each other, have great sex and be happy. And I’m not disappointed.

Good guys. A little bit of yummy angst. Sexy times. HEA. What more can I ask? I mean, there’s a DOG for crying out loud. There’s nothing not to like or want, as long as you’re okay with not whole lot of action, which is not a criticism. I’ve read a handful of Walker’s things and you just know what you’re getting from her. And that’s ok with me.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

12 Days of Kissmas N.R. Walker: Exclusive Guest Post and Giveaway

December 23, 2017 by Denise

The last day of 12 Days of Kissmas is here! How did that happen so fast? Our final author this holiday season, N.R. Walker, is one of the most generous people…as you will see with her post. She is giving and caring, and passionate about the LGBTQIA+ Community. Not just her readers, but those that may never see her name in print. Check out her post, and check out the organizations she supports. She has a generous giveaway for you, too! A HUGE welcome to N.R. Walker!!! (And a hearty thank you to all the authors and readers for supporting this fun holiday event we do!)

I cannot believe it is this time of year again!

December has been a crazy-busy month for me. I’ve had two new releases, one re-release, and one translation that will be out on Christmas Day!

The holiday season is always a double-edged sword, and if I’m being completely honest, it’s not something I personally enjoy. Families are such a complex dynamic, aren’t they?

But for most, Christmas, Hanukkah, and the holidays is a wonderful time. Many people celebrate with families, eat too much food, give and receive lovely gifts, and feel very loved.

Some people aren’t so lucky. Some people don’t get gifts, don’t have special dinners, and they don’t have family. Some people are disowned and shunned, simply because of who they fall in love with.

It’s important to remember as we read LGBTQIA+ books, and we swoon over cute pictures of kisses, that there are serious hardships, especially at this time of year.

I don’t want to be a downer on your Christmas mood, but in the spirit of Christmas, this is the perfect time of year to think of others. And if you can, give a little something for those who aren’t so lucky.

Some wonderful organisations you can help:

Trevor Project

One n Ten

SAGE (for our LGBT elders)

It Gets Better

N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn’t have it any other way.

She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who live in her head, who don’t let her sleep at night unless she gives them life with words.

She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things…but likes it even more when they fall in love.

She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.

She’s been writing ever since…

For more info on N.R. Walker, you can find her at:

Email: nrwalker@nrwalker.net

I’ll be giving away a $10 Amazon gift card to one lucky winner, and another lucky winner will receive their choice of ebook from my backlist (any title). And in honour of this post, I’ll be donating $25 to TwentyTen, an LGBTQIA+ support centre in my state here in Australia, and $25 to ACON, an organisation specialising in LGBTQIA+ health, also in NSW.
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Yanni’s Story (The Spencer Cohen Series Book 4) by N.R. Walker: Quick Review

September 4, 2017 by Denise

When Yanni Tomaras is kicked out of his family home, his parents’ final words are religious insults and an order to never return. Homeless and desperate, he’s lured in by Lance—charming on the outside, an evil predator underneath—who abuses Yanni until he finds the courage to leave.
Yanni should feel free. But by the time Spencer Cohen finds him, he’s resigned to being handed back to Lance and once again being caged by fear.
Starting school and a part-time job, Yanni begins to reclaim his life. But a love for silent films leads him to Peter Hannikov, a man with a kind heart but who’s twice his age. An unlikely friendship between them blooms into so much more. Neither man knows what he wants, at first. Finding out exactly what he needs is Yanni’s story.
“I’d spent years as a bird, caged with my wings clipped, tormented and beaten.
I thought I’d escaped when I’d left my abuser, but in hindsight, I could see that I was still caged, this time by fear and self-doubt.
Spencer and Andrew, and Andrew’s parents, opened the door to the cage that confined me.
But it was Peter who taught me how to fly.”

Amazon US – Kindle Unlimited

Amazon UK

Amazon CA

I gotta come clean. I didn’t read the first three books of The Spencer Cohen series. I looked, I own book 1. I don’t know why I didn’t read them. I will correct this error as soon as possible. Because I am a fan of NR Walker. That being said, Yanni’s Story really can be read as a stand alone. I have heard that you HAVE to read the first three before this one. No, you don’t. They are lying liars who lie. Like I said, though-I am going to go back to read the first three.

Phew, confession over.

Now to the review! I’ve yet to read one of NR Walker’s books that I didn’t like. Of course I like some more than others, but I genuinely liked them all. This is no exception. There are a lot of potential triggers in this book, which you are warned about repeatedly. And while there were some tough things in the story, I didn’t find it overly filled with angst. Instead, I found it more of a story of growth that didn’t keep the main character dragged down by his past.

Yanni definitely has some hurdles to get over. But he is 100% willing to do the work to get over those hurdles. And Peter is there every step of the way. What started out as a friendship between two unlikely friends, turns into a nice slow burn of romance until they are ready to make the next step together.

A lot of times when one of the main characters seems to have the patience of a saint, I roll my eyes. But somehow, this was different. Peter really seemed like that guy who was willing to wait, to go slowly, to check in. Perhaps it is part of his Daddy kink (he being the daddy). To nurture, protect and care for Yanni. And Yanni eats it up, but is also so humble.

There was a lot in this book. There is no way that I can touch on it all. This is only the second “daddy kink” book I read. And while it wasn’t the trope at the forefront of the story, it was there. And while I don’t think I will seek out daddy kink books in the future, reading them like this. Part of the story, but it didn’t over take the story.

4 pieces of eye candy

If you steal books, you are an a**hole…

April 23, 2017 by Denise

Recently an author who regularly hits the top of the Gay Romance/Gay Fiction charts found her book had been pirated, prior to release date. To say she was upset would be an understatement, and who could blame her? She worked hard on writing a sequel to a book that people loved (myself included) only to have someone, a blogger, or someone who received it from a blogger, think it was okay to steal it, and put it up for free for the taking.

This angered me as a blogger. Angered might be a little bit on the nice side. I was pissed! I was furious for the author, and I was pissed at the blogger, but even more, I was pissed at the reader(s) who think its okay to steal!

First, it makes bloggers look bad, like we all steal or pirate authors’ books, when that is far from the case. However, when they say “One bad apple ruins the entire barrel”, it’s true. Authors may hesitate to then give bloggers access to ARCs of their books, which makes it that much harder for us to promote their books, a huge part of what we are trying to do.

Second, WHY? This book was $2.99, or on Kindle Unlimited. How much do these assholes (and I will call thieves what they are-assholes) pay for their beloved Starbucks in the morning, or to buy their kids a Happy Meal at McDonald’s instead of making a meal for them at home? When they go to a restaurant, do they say “well, I’m going to go ahead and take the silverware home, because I want it”? (And I have seen a friend of mine do this, and it pissed me off just as much). It’s THREE FRICKING DOLLARS!!!! And it isn’t yours, so you are STEALING. Plain and simple. If you are a reader who has done this, you can call yourself a great person, and even in this genre an ally, but you are still a thief, which means you are not a great person, you are an asshole. Even if the book is $5.99, does that give you the right? Where is the point where you feel it is okay to steal from people? Where the amount doesn’t matter in your mind, even if there are mouths to feed at the other end of that $6 you just ripped out of someone’s hand?

Third, the snowball effect is HUGE! An author works hard to write and publish their book–>Said book is pirated–>Author may or may not spend time and money on filing Cease and Desist or Takedown orders–>They are not able to support their family–>They may or may not have to find another source of income, so they cannot write any longer. Meanwhile, Thieving Blogger receives an ARC–>Hands over to someone that they know will put it on a pirate site–>Author finds out and files Cease and Desist or Takedown orders–>Author is less likely to give ARCs to bloggers to review for the honest readers.

How about instead of stealing, you spend some time finding ways to earn that book that you want so much? Maybe become a reviewer for a blogger? Maybe forgo that Starbucks you have every single day, and make it only twice a week? Maybe take on a part time job? Perhaps enter some of the TONS of giveaways that authors and bloggers put on so people can get something for free legally? But don’t steal, because no matter how you might justify it to yourself by saying things like “I can’t afford it right now” or “Well, they won’t notice, it’s just one copy” or “I want it before its released, because I want IT” (like Veruca Salt from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), it hurts everyone. It hurts the author’s income, it hurts bloggers who also are creating some income, as well as trying to promote those authors, and it makes you an asshole. Stop being an asshole. Buy the book.

I interviewed the above author, N.R. Walker to get her take on the situation. Her book, Imagines (if you want to buy it, go here), was pirated prior to it actually going on sale, so we know it was an ARC that was stolen.

How is it you find out about a truly pirated book? (Often, they are viruses used to lure people in).

A quick Google search. It’s actually really easy. Yes, there are a lot phishing sites and virus sites, but there a LOT of legit pirate sites. Typing in a book title, author name and something like ‘free download’ or ‘read online’ is all it takes.

Unfortunately, more often than not, you’ll find it at a legit pirate site.

I also use a ‘takedown service’ which scans the internet for my titles. But recently, in the case of the ARC being out before release day, a friend told me about it. She will sometimes do internet searches for me (her Google-fu is strong) and she emailed me with links etc.

How much time do you think you spend on a weekly or monthly basis on tracking down pirated copies of your books, and sending takedown notices?

I use a site called Muso, which is a monthly subscription per title. It costs me about $16AUD per book per month, so it’s a bloody expensive investment. I have seven titles listed at the moment and do swap them around (because I have so many titles, it’s not feasible to have them all listed at the one time). And thankfully, when I Google my titles for pirated copies, there aren’t too many. If/when I do find one, I send the URL to Muso and they issue the DMCA to have it removed.

I know a lot of authors write pirating off as a lost cause, and I get it, I really do. It’s expensive, it’s exhausting, and it’s never ending. But part of me, the stubborn part, hates to let them get away with it. I don’t care if they don’t want to pay for books, but I’ll do what I can to make sure they can’t get their grubby paws on mine. I like to think of it as a digital middle finger salute 🙂

In the case of your most recent release, it was pirated prior to you actually uploading it to Amazon (correct me if I am wrong NR). So, how does that affect your new release? Sales, promo, etc

Yes, an ARC of my book Imagines was on a pirate site before release day. I know it was an ARC because there was a certain typo in the book that went out in the ARCs for my blog tour. I didn’t fix the typo until after I’d sent them.

There’s no way of knowing just how much it affects sales. A lot of authors do believe that people who download from pirate sites would never buy a copy anyway, I, while I do agree with that, I’m sure there are some people who will pay when/if they can’t get it for free.

How it affected me personally, was a whole other matter. I found out the day before release day and the hurt part of me wanted to not upload the book and shut the internet down for a week or two. But that wouldn’t have been fair (on anyone) so I hit ‘publish’ with every intention of taking a few hours break from the world while it uploaded (it can take up to 48-72 hours). Amazon had other ideas however, because it only took 30 minutes to go live. LOL

And I must say, my readers are so lovely and so loyal, they helped spread the news and made my release day such a positive experience. I’d felt betrayed by this person who had received an ARC of the book and shared it, but my readers reminded me why I do what I do.

There are many methods that authors employ to try to combat piracy. Will you talk about how you’ve tried to do that? (And I understand if this is a question you DO NOT want to answer)

LOL Yeah, I’m not gonna answer this. In case anyone knows what to look for haha

When the piracy is from a book that you sent to a blogger it makes us all look bad. Will this change how you distribute ARC’s in the future?

Well, unfortunately, I’m considering no longer doing ARCs.

Does this suck? Yes. Is this fair on those who do the right thing? No. But if you could imagine how betrayed and hurt I felt knowing someone violated my trust, then times that by a hundred, and you can begin to understand why I’m reluctant to put myself in that position again.

I’m still undecided, and my feelings might change, but right this minute, my answer is no.

It’s frustrating that you are going through all this. What is it you hope to be the outcome of your follow up on this particular issue?

My “hope” is that the person who shared the ARC is named and shamed, and the site is removed from the internet. LOL But that’s not too likely to happen (the last part anyway). It’s still a process at the moment so I can’t say too much, but the support I’ve had from other authors helping where they can is awesome! I really do love this community <3

Thank you to N.R. Walker for her candor regarding the piracy of her book.

Imagines by N.R. Walker: Release Day Review and Giveaway

April 10, 2017 by Denise

33973808 synopsis Jack Brighton and Lawson Gale have been together for six months and are very much in love. Lawson’s work ensuring the survival of the Tillman Copper is demanding as ever, and Jack’s work with the regeneration of the bushfire-ravaged national park is just as hectic.

When Jack suggests they take a short trip, Lawson agrees. But then he is offered a two-week research position in tropical Queensland to help determine why the Ulysses butterfly is on the decline. Figuring they could combine work and pleasure, Jack and Lawson go on their first vacation together.

Working alongside renowned professor Piers Bonfils isn’t easy. But personal and professional differences aside, Lawson is offered a more permanent role in Queensland. Torn between his new life in Tasmania with Jack and a dying species of butterfly he feels compelled to save, Lawson has to decide where his fate lies.

But fate changes the rules. On a research expedition into the depths of the rainforest, suddenly it’s not only the butterflies’ existence that hangs in the balance

A butterfly’s life cycle never changes. From larvae to imago, their course is plotted by design. Jack and Lawson need to determine where they stand, if they live through it. Because the only thing more incredible than one imago is two.

buy now

Amazon

jennifer

Sigh…I adore this couple and the brilliant mind that writes them. Imago, even though I’m terrified of butterflies and moths… I picked it up and couldn’t put it down. It was hands down, one of the top 5 best reads for me so far, this year. This one was no different. And seriously…. Do you see how hot this cover is?

So, we pick up where we left off with Lawson and Jack. It’s several months after the brush fire they’re still together and going strong.

Lawson gets invited to the rainforest to try and figure out why a certain butterfly is dying off. Don’t ask me to recall it, because they all have such weird names, even if I could remember it, I’d never be able to spell it… So, of course, he’s going to go and try to help and as luck would have it, Jack is up for some annual vacation time, so they make it a planned trip together.

I have to say I was a little weary of Pierce, he’s the man they see about the endangered butterflies. He feels hot and cold to me at first and I just wasn’t sure how to take him. Of course, if it was my life’s work, I’m sure I’d be as defensive and protective. Because Lawson needs to do research, Jack is often left to his own devices during the day, but when he and Lawson are together, they’re all about each other.
I love the way these two love each other. There is no one better than Jack, he’s so patient and kind and caring and attentive. I just adored him. Lawson is perfect for him, especially with his dirty mouth and those suspenders lol. How cute is that?!

Of course, Lawson, being Lawson… it wouldn’t be right if he didn’t unintentionally find himself in a dangerous situation. The side of Jack that we see when Lawson is in danger…. Sigh…. Goals! The love he has for him is so beautiful and I found myself just as nervous as he seemed to be. That never happens to me… I was “in it”…. Just hooked from the beginning.

Of course, everything ends up being okay in the long run and Lawson is a butterfly miracle worker and Jack is a Lawson miracle worker and we end on the most perfect note!

I loved everything about this story. I love Jack and Lawson and I really hope Pierce finds himself his own Jack, or his own Lawson because he just seemed so lonely at times and I like for everybody to just be all loved up and together!
Overall, another perfect read and I can’t wait to read more about these guys and their adventures….. and of course… the butterflies.

5 pieces of eye candy

5-pieces-eye-candy6

giveaway

For a copy of N.R. Walker’s Imagines (or Imago if you don’t have that one yet), tell me who your favorite character of hers is. She has so many memorable characters, but you have to pick ONE (or it can be one couple).

Imago by N.R. Walker: Release Day Review with Giveaway

February 20, 2017 by Denise

synopsis

Nerdy, introverted genius lepidopterist, Lawson Gale, is an expert on butterflies. He finds himself in a small town in Tasmania on a quest from an old professor to find an elusive species that may or may not even exist.

Local Parks and Wildlife officer, Jack Brighton, is an ordinary guy who loves his life in the sleepy town of Scottsdale. Along with his Border collie dog, Rosemary, his job, and good friends, he has enough to keep from being lonely.

But then he meets Lawson, and he knows he’s met someone special. There’s more to catching butterflies, Jack realises. Sometimes the most elusive creatures wear bow ties, and sometimes they can’t be caught at all.

Lawson soon learns there are butterflies he can’t learn about it in books. They exist only in a touch, in a kiss, in a smile. He just has to let go first, so these butterflies can fly.

Imago is the story of finding love, bow ties, and butterflies.

buy now

Amazon

jennifer

First, let’s take note of how cute this cover is. I mean, I’m not a fan of butterflies… I’ll actually be honest and say that I’m downright terrified of them. Have you seen their bodies with the long antenna’s and their wings with the voodoo looking faces on the back? And I’m pretty sure they can smell fear, because I was once chased around the outside of my dad’s house a few years ago by a giant, green and yellow one. I’ve never recovered….. Still… I picked this book because 1: The cover and 2: I’ve yet to read a book by this author that I didn’t love.

This one was no different. Let’s talk about why…

Lawson Gale is on his way to an important interview, in which he’d flown into town to attend when the car renter lady informs him that they didn’t have a rental for him. Already disgruntled from the plane and running a bit late, he doesn’t know what he’s going to do.

Jack Brighton has witnessed a couple reasons why Lawson would be so flustered and overhears him at the rental car counter. He offers him a ride to the museum, since he’s going that way and Lawson, eventually accepts. Lawson is adorable and shy and sweet and classified as a genius, so his social skills, he thinks are lacking. I, personally think that he’s charming. So does Jack. The way he talks, the way he blushes, his cluelessness about how attractive he is.. and of course, his adorable bow-tie. What’s not to adore?

The chemistry between these two charming men, is palpable. Their first date was light but impressive and it felt so genuine. Not like so many dates, now days where it’s like… “Let’s go get drunk and hook up”… No, Jack was a gentleman in every sense of the word. He was polite and charismatic, subtle and just…charming… I can’t say that enough about both of them… They both charmed me, from the very beginning.

So, Lawson was in town, trying to find a new species of butterfly that a former butterfly enthusiast had seen many decades ago. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the proper equipment to record his findings and despite the last many years, trying to find them again, he was unable to. Now, too old and not able bodied enough to trek around searching and researching, he passed the task off to, Lawson because Lawson was much like himself. He done the work because of a passion for it, not because he wanted credit on a great find or because he wanted to be famous. It was his life’s work and he took pride in it. Mr. Tillman (former butterfly enthusiast) respected Lawson because of it and needed it to be him to get the job done.

In the meantime, Jack used the time that Lawson was in town, to woo him- and woo him he did. Their dates were perfect. It was old-school courting type dating and it was respectable and genuine and sweet…Until it got hot and heavy, then little genius, Lawson had himself a dirty mouth lol, it was incredibly endearing. Each of the men also found that because they had such a great deal in common, it wasn’t like the men that they’d both dated before. They each knew how important their jobs were, Lawson especially had a problem with that, because “someone who chases butterflies” might not be taken very seriously. But it was indeed an important job and I loved that Jack saw that… so did Lawson.

I could seriously wax on about this story all day, but I’ll save you all from my gushing and spoiling. If you’re a fan of this author at all, you’ll know not to pass it up. It’s sweet and adorable and you’ll love the banter and chemistry between these two men.

Easy 5 stars from me!
5-pieces-eye-candy5 Enter our monthly giveaway!