new release

Redeem (Under My Skin Book 4) by Christina Lee: New Release Review

March 5, 2019 by Denise

Successful financial analyst Michael Walsh leads a picture-perfect life that anyone would envy—unless they caught a glimpse beneath the surface. Haunted by failed relationships and self-doubt, Michael harbors a soul-deep loneliness that no number of casual hookups can fulfill. So why can’t he stop thinking about his New Year’s fling with a man whose quiet desperation matched his own?

Barista Stewart Jenkins has an abysmal track record with relationships, and no matter how hard he tries to keep things tightly under wraps, his life is spinning out of control. His hookup with the gorgeous Michael was only supposed to be sex—hot, dirty, uncomplicated—but that small taste leaves him yearning for more.

Every no-strings encounter that follows between Michael and Stewart peels away more layers, blurring the lines, until they’re left with a raw tenderness and acceptance they both crave. A relationship seems out of the question—they come from drastically different lives and are plagued by inexcusable sins. Being vulnerable is sure to reveal old wounds, and forgiveness seems out of reach, unless they can find a way around their fears on the road to redemption.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

If you read the previous 3 books in the series- well, just books 2 and 3- you know Michael and Stewart. And you hate them. They are assholes and we wished them flesh eating bacteria starting on their asses.

And then Christina Lee made us like them. Dammit.

What was a bonus scene (and not an excerpt from an upcoming book) was in fact, the opening scene in book 4. Michael and Stewart both proverbially licking their wounds on New Year’s Eve and having a hot hook up in the bar’s bathroom.

And then these bastards worm into our hearts. Gah!

We find out way more about Michael and Stewart and what makes them tick. What makes them they way they are. And after both of them lost great men because of their douchebaggery, they realize that maybe they should do a bit of self reflection.

It is slow going, but these guys grow on you more and more. And as they are growing on you, they are growing on each other. Not that they will ever admit it, but still. The whole no strings thing is oh so convenient to men who are afraid.

It isn’t easy to redeem (see what I did there) characters that you previously wanted to punch in the throat, but Christina Lee did it. And she gave us a sweet, sexy romance of two guys who really needed each other.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

Broken by Colette Davison: RDB, Excerpt and Release Day Review

March 5, 2019 by Denise

Rule #1: Keep running.

Jag’s rules have kept him safe and free since he escaped conversion therapy, but that was before he walked into Heaven and Hell. A no-strings fling with the club owner, Michael, turns into so much more as Jag finds himself breaking one rule after another.

Michael hasn’t been able to commit to anyone since his partner died, until Jag walks into his club. Falling in lust with the elfin young dancer is easy, and his heart is quick to follow.

Michael gives Jag a reason to stay, but fear rules Jag’s heart more than love. Despite his deepening feelings for Michael, Jag knows he can’t stay. Can he?

**Contains adult themes, content, and language.**

Book Title: Broken

Author: Colette Davison

Cover Artist: Colette Davison

Genre/s: MM Contemporary Romance

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

“I need to say a few things,” Michael said, pausing as he felt Jag stiffen. “I need to be honest with you.”

“No.” Jag’s hand pressed against Michael’s mouth, no doubt transferring silver smudges to his lips. “I’m happy with the lie you told me last night.”

Well, at least Michael knew he definitely hadn’t fooled Jag. Gently, he moved Jag’s hand away from his mouth. His hand became coated in a sparkling silver sheen.

“I’m not.”

Jag clenched his teeth.

“I care about you,” Michael said. “And I can’t pretend otherwise.”

“You don’t know me,” Jag hissed.

“Don’t I?”

Jag became even more rigid, his muscles so hard beneath Michael’s fingers he felt like a statue as well as looking like one.

“I don’t have to know about your past to know who you are now.”

I went all in on this book because I love angst. But, this was kind of meh.

The whole premise is that Jag is running from his family because they had him in conversion therapy as a teen. BUT HE IS NOW A GROWN ASS MAN. What is he still running from? Ugh

Michael hires Jag and gives him a place to live with no proper id, no real name and no references at all. Mmmmkay. And even though his partner died years ago, he hasn’t been able to move on. Until Jag. Now all of a sudden he is hot to trot. And he seemed to kind of be a stage mother. Dressing Jag up for the stage in paint and wings. It was just odd.

I didn’t get any chemistry at all between the two men. And it seems the only big trauma for Jag going through conversion therapy is that he can’t watch gay porn. But he is totally fine having sex with strangers.

Big disappointment that left a lot to be desired.

2.5 pieces of eye candy

Colette’s personal love story began at university, where she met her future husband. An evening of flirting, in the shadow of Lancaster castle, eventually led to a fairy tale wedding. She’s enjoying her own ‘happy ever after’ in the north of England with her husband, two beautiful children and her writing.

Author Links

Blog/Website

Facebook

Twitter

Facebook Group: Colette’s Cosy Corner

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Step Up With Me By Kris Jacen: New Release Review

March 2, 2019 by Denise

Richard “Tank” Martin was a big boy from the start. Born weighing over 11 pounds, he didn’t stop growing. When he was in middle school, a football coach took him under his wing and finally explained to him the mystery of calories in, calories out and from then on it was all good for him. At least he thought. Being called to meet with his platoon sergeant and told that he was now part of the Army’s overweight program, sent him into a spin that only his crews can help him out of.

Dr. Jack Dillon thought his life was good and finally settled. Part of an active veterinarian practice, volunteering with a service dog organization, spoiling his sister’s triplets and training in sports jiu-jitsu…the only thing missing was a partner. He never thought that his world could be shattered with just a phone call even after being around his military friends.

Tank and Jack have been dancing around each other for months until Tank takes a chance and kisses Jack at their friends’ wedding moving their slow dance into a heated bump and grind. Can these two survive the changes coming their ways together or will all the changes break them apart?

Amazon

Okay….so… hot guys – military guys at that – and guys with babies? Uhmm.. yes, please!

In saying that, I will say that I had a little bit of trouble in the beginning… So many different people, I didn’t know who was who, who was babies, who was puppies, who was related, who was married… it was a lot. I kept wondering if I had come into a series or something where I should’ve read up on all the people beforehand. I had, actually, so, if you’re thinking of starting with this one, just know that it was really hard to follow along….especially because I had to read a few lines at the beginning of a paragraph in order to know who’s POV I was getting at the time…

However, Tank and Jack together, were really cute. I liked how sweet they were and their transition to friends to more than friends was realistic and felt genuine to me. I really liked Tank, and I loved the way Jack was with his sister’s babies…. Both of them really, even though wow… triplets….My heart broke for them and for the baby’s at one point, and I hated the family that tried to give them trouble, but…all’s well that ends well.

I adored the little family that they all made and wished that I knew more about the secondary characters that I’ve seemed to have missed out on…. If you enjoyed this series, this seems like a great addition!

3 pieces of eye candy from me

Halo (Fallen Angel Book 1) by Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine: New Release Review

February 27, 2019 by Denise

Massive world tours. Over a hundred million albums sold. Groupies galore.
Every day is a party for Viper and the guys of TBD, the biggest rock band in the world. But it all comes to a screeching halt when the lead singer walks out of the studio one day and never comes back.

Ear-blistering vocals. Butchered lyrics. Fame chasers.
After months of lackluster auditions, Viper, the lead guitarist and resident bad boy of the group, is ready to find solace in the bottom of a bottle. Time’s running out and the pressure’s on to find a new singer, but it isn’t until an angel walks through the door that the band’s prayers are answered.

Charismatic. Talented. Magic behind the mic. Halo is everything they’ve been looking for.
With a voice to match his stunning good looks, it isn’t long before Viper’s taking notice. But there are several reasons this is a bad idea:

1.Interpersonal relationships in the band are discouraged
2.Viper has already broken rule #1—big mistake
3.Halo is straight

Too bad Viper’s body isn’t listening to his head—at least not the one on his shoulders. But you can’t fake chemistry, not onstage and certainly not off it, and Viper and Halo? They have it in spades.

As both men try to resist the fire blazing between them, and the band is forced to reinvent themselves, it’ll be a complicated rise back to the top. But from the ashes of what was, something beautiful is born. Something better. And when the world finally sees Halo stretch his wings, they’ll discover what it’s like to fall for an angel.

BOOK ONE OF THE FALLEN ANGEL SERIES
A ROCK ROMANCE

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Ok. I am a fan of both authors. And I particularly like when they co-author. And this book was fun as hell. And sexy. And a little bit sweet. And super hot. But if you are fans and have read their books before- Viper is the new Logan and Halo is the new Tate. There were A LOT of similarities.

Did I still totally enjoy this book? HELL YES I DID!

I love rock star books. They are just fun. A glimpse behind the scenes. This glimpse being the band, TBD, looking for a new lead singer after their original one walked out with no explanation. There is quite a bit of back story there that we didn’t get and I can only assume we will hear about in the coming books.

Halo, yes apparently that is his real name, auditions and blows the band away. Viper, lead guitarist, is immediately drawn to him. But he is straight.

After their big comeback show is a flop, the band regroups. Viper flirts HARD with Halo, Halo shows off that he is a musical prodigy, and they discover a new sound for themselves.

I didn’t really understand the comeback show flopping because the lead singer took off 7 or 8 months ago. That had to have been common knowledge. I mean, it is the age of social media. In fact, you’d think there would have been a social media blitz to introduce Halo. These little things bug me. Luckily, most of these little things happened at the beginning and I was able to move on. Mostly.

This book is a slow burn. There’s a lot of flirting by Viper. Quite a bit of soul searching by Halo. But for a gay for you book, slow burn in necessary. Keep us turning the pages waiting for the magic to happen.

I really liked that because of the lead singer change that the group went with a whole new sound and band name. Too easily could Halo have just slipped into a role.

The other band mates are fun and play good supporting roles. Two straight, one gay. They don’t seem to harbor as much vitriol for the missing lead singer as Viper does. Which is another big clue that there is way more to that story than we know yet.

So yes, I drew a lot of parallels between this book and Try. But I also really enjoyed reading it and want book two. Because I need answers!

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

My Anti-Valentine Collection by DJ Jamison: New Release Review

February 27, 2019 by Denise

THE MY ANTI-VALENTINE COLLECTION

My Anti-Valentine: Jaded by relationships gone wrong, Bret throws an anti-Valentine’s Day party to celebrate being single and burn his ex-boyfriends’ belongings. Bret’s low interest in sex has destroyed every relationship he’s had and tarnished his view of romance, but a cute blond guy at the party who says all the wrong things inspires him to hope for more.

My Anti-Boyfriend: Brad has everyone fooled. He’s the casual, sexy friend. The fun-time guy who sleeps around. Except not really. There’s one man who holds his heart: his best friend — with benefits — Riley. Too bad Riley has no interest in a relationship, and as far as Brad can tell, never will. But once Brad acknowledges his feelings for Riley, he can’t continue to ignore them. iley’s days of having his cake and eating it too are over. Then again, maybe Brad is tasty enough to keep a man satisfied.

My Anti-Marriage: Love has never been a good bet for Chris, so going on a Vegas wedding trip for his friends is bittersweet. Especially when Ant, the last man to break his trust, is suddenly along for the ride. Which explains why Chris wakes up in his hotel room with the mother of all hangovers. Not so much why Ant is in his bed … or worse, wearing a matching wedding band.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

This collection of stories came to me at a perfect time in my life! I can totally relate to the anti-valentine theme. Each one has a unique story that is entertaining and at time hilarious, there is something for everyone. This collection provides an Asexual that has sworn off of love and relationships, best friends to lovers, and exes reunited.

The stories were well written with well developed characters and an entertaining plot. This was the first time I have read anything from DJ Jamison, but it definitely won’t be the last.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

Educating the Professor by Sean Michael: New Release Review

February 19, 2019 by Denise

Kenneth Brannigan is a small-town history professor. He’s happy with his life, loves the classes he teaches, and lives in a tiny apartment in a converted house with his best friend, Tim, next door. He’s still recovering from a bad breakup and is content to stick to his comfortable routine. It’s Tim who insists he come to the Queer Alliance’s Rainbow Mixer.

At the mixer, Kenn meets David Burgundy, a new-to-town TA who is working on his masters. Dave is drawn immediately to Kenn and is thrilled when Kenn offers to show him the best pizza place in town. One meal leads to two, which leads to Dave and Kenn spending most of their free time together… and Kenn loosening his self-imposed rules regarding dating and sex for some kinky fun.

Kenn’s ex isn’t going to just let Kenn be, though, and the happier Kenn is with Dave, the less the ex likes it. Will Kenn continue to run away from his past, or will his relationship with Dave help him face it head-on?

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Love this story!

This story has it all: a little bit of kink, a little bit of drama, one hell of a good story. The characters are well developed with great backstory. Even the secondary characters were entertaining. The story is believable and thoroughly enjoyable.

Once I picked this one up I couldn’t put it down which is why Sean Michael has become one of my favorite authors.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy from me!