new release

My Busboy by John Inman: Release Day Review DSP

July 3, 2016 by Denise

synopsis

Robert Johnny just turned thirty, and his life is pretty much in the toilet. His writing career is on the skids. His love life is nonexistent. A stalker is driving him crazy. And his cat is a pain in the ass.

Then Robert orders a chimichanga platter at a neighborhood restaurant, and his life changes—just like that.

Dario Martinez isn’t having such a great existence either. He needs money for college. His shoes are falling apart. His boyfriend’s a dick. And he has a crap job as a busboy.

Then a stranger orders a chimichanga platter, and suddenly life isn’t quite as depressing.

But it’s the book in the busboy’s back pocket that really gets the ball rolling. For both our heroes. That and the black eye and the forgotten bowl of guacamole. Who knew true love could be so easily ignited or that the flames would spread so quickly?

But when Robert’s stalker gets dangerous, our two heroes find a lot more to occupy their time than falling in love. Staying alive might become the new game plan.

Title: My Busboy
Author: John Inman
Release Date: July 4, 2016
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 210

deanna review
I loved so much about this book that I don’t even know where to begin.

Robert Johnny is a writer with a case of writers block he can’t shake and a stalker he can’t identify. Out to dinner for his birthday with his friend Chaz he happens upon a busboy with his first book in his back pocket.

Dario Martinez is working as a busboy to support himself while attending college. He is a huge Robert Johnny fan Andrew is lucky enough to meet the man himself. Maybe it was fate that put these two in each other’s path or maybe it was pure luck, either way it was electric.

Robert is so drawn to Dario he returns to the restaurant the next night for dinner and the two strike up a friendship. When Robert rescues Dario from is abusive boyfriend and whisks him off for the weekend to recuperate their friendship and the attraction deepens.

As the months go on Dario and Robert cement their budding relationship and Robert’s stalker steps up his game. The two are looking forward to forever, but they have to survive the stalker first.

The plot in this story was amazing! It was fast paced and kept me guessing the whole time. Every time I thought I knew who the stalker was, Bam a new twist.

Even with the age difference between Robert and Dario, the relationship just seemed right. There was no emotional disconnect, no immature angst. It was perfect, they were perfect.

There was humor, there was intrigue, there was genuine emotion. I was already a fan of John Inman, but this just skyrocketed him to a new level.

I can see this book being reread often.

5 pieces of eye candy

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ARe

Dreamspinner Press

Ace in the Hole by Ava Drake: Release Day Review DSP

July 1, 2016 by Denise

synopsis

Surveillance, seduction, and extra-dirty politics.

Christian Chatsworth-Brandeis has a problem. A huge one. The US senator he works for has run away with his latest mistress on the eve of a make-or-break fund-raising event, and it’s up to him to cover his boss’s irresponsible tracks.

Stone Jackson, the senator’s new bodyguard, looks enough like the senator that, with some extensive grooming, he might pass for Senator Lacey. Christian and Stone hatch a plan to fool everyone by substituting Stone for the senator, but Miami madness and the incendiary heat between them are throwing obstacles in their way. It’s a race to find the senator and pull off the con of the century before the attraction between them spins completely out of control.

Title: Ace in the Hole
Series: Wild Cards
Author: Ava Drake
Release Date: July 1, 2016
Category: Dreamspun Desires, Contemporary
Pages: 216

denise review

This was my first book by Ava Drake, although if you look on Amazon, you might find it is her only book (at least there). 🙂 But I would not have known that it was her first book. Everyone knows I love the Dreamspun Desires series. Always reminds me of taking two hours to finish the dinner dishes as a teenager, because I was reading with rubber bands around the paperback, then having to move it page to page. Yep, I did it. Don’t judge.

Nevertheless, great job by the author, and Dreampspinner Press to get this book out so well. The plot was fun, sexy and high drama. These two alpha males, Stone and Christian easily melded together to find the right go-ahead for themselves. Both wanting control, yet, willing to give up control to the other. There was a need on the part of the reader to suspend disbelief a bit that Stone was able to pass himself off as a famous senator, but everyone has a doppelganger, don’t they?

The secondary characters were well done as well. The illustrious politican’s wife was great, and I loved how she moved herself forward despite the challenges brought on by her husband. And Christian’s grandmother! If I had one wish, it would be to have had more of his grandmother, at least one more scene (Ava, would you like to write a bonus scene to post on Two Chicks? Hey, I can ask, right?)

The climax was well done, and fairly unexpected, at least the who-done-it part. And I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. Read it practically in one sitting.

It sounds like this might be a series, and if so, I will put my hand up and be willing to suffer and beta read book 2. 🙂

Great job by the author, and I can’t wait to read more of what’s ahead.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

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ARe

Dreamspinner Press

A Second Harvest by Eli Easton: Release Day Review DSP

July 1, 2016 by Denise

synopsis

David Fisher has lived by the rules all his life. Born to a Mennonite family, he obeyed his father and took over the family farm, married, and had two children. Now with both his kids in college and his wife deceased, he runs his farm alone and without joy, counting off the days of a life half-lived.

Christie Landon, graphic designer, Manhattanite, and fierce gay party boy, needs a change. Now thirty, he figures it’s time to grow up and think about his future. When his best friend overdoses, Christie resolves to take a break from the city. He heads to a small house in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to rest, recoup, and reflect.

But life in the country is boring despite glimpses of the hunky silver fox next door. When Christie’s creativity latches on to cooking, he decides to approach his widower neighbor with a plan to share meals and grocery expenses. David agrees, and soon the odd couple finds they really enjoy spending time together.

Christie challenges the boundaries of David’s closed world and brings out feelings he buried long ago. If he can break free of the past, he might find a second chance at happiness.

Title: A Second Harvest
Author: Eli Easton
Release Date: July 1, 2016
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 206

paula review

Two amazing characters coming together. David and Christie were beautiful together. Christie really grabbed me with his calm demeanor in regards to his interactions with David. His character was brilliantly written. His heart and his bravery in going for what he wants was amazing. Moving from Manhattan to Lancaster County was such a good move for him. I really like how he slowly made himself a part of David’s life. David was so endearing. Journeying with him through his internal struggle to be who he wants to be was so heartwarming. He also was really brave. Growing up surrounded my religion made him hide who he was for so long, but when he finally decided who he wanted to be, he stood his ground. The end bothered me a little bit because of the jump in time, I would have liked a little more of the story before the ending. But overall an amazing read.

5 pieces of eye candy

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ARe

Dreamspinner Press

Anthony by J.P. Barnaby: Release Day Review DSP

June 27, 2016 by Denise

synopsis

Aaron Downing worshiped his mother. She saved his life. She did everything for him. But Anthony Downing has a different perspective. He sees the woman who tossed him into a basement for eight long years and forgot he existed. When Anthony decides he’s done being invisible, he packs up and heads for Detroit to stay with his Internet friend Jay, but fate intervenes.

Brendan Mears lost everything the day the man with a gun came into his father’s store. Now, he’s tethered to a business he can’t manage and a brother who resents him.

Different in all the ways that matter, Anthony and Brendan struggle to overcome their psychological obstacles, until a crushing betrayal sends them running for cover and each other.

Title: Anthony
Series: A Survivor Story
Author: J.P. Barnaby
Release Date: June 27, 2016
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 200

paula review

This is definitely a book you want to read with a box of tissue. Anthony and Brendan were two heartbreakingly beautiful characters. The author did a wonderful job of making me feel their pain and root for them. Anthony was so neglected and felt so invisible in his own home that he was dying to get out. I really like how he kept trying to make things better in his life. He may not have always done it in the best way but he tried. Then he met Brendan. Brendan survived something very traumatic but it wrecked him. However, as the story progresses we see these two slowly but surely begin to help put each other back together. The story was well written and the characters were believable. Start to finish this was an amazing book.

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Dreamspinner Press

Picked Fresh by Posy Roberts: Release Day Blitz, Excerpt and Giveaway

June 23, 2016 by Denise

Title: Picked Fresh

Series: Naked Organics #2

Author: Posy Roberts

Genre: M/M Romance

Publisher: Labyrinth Bound Press

Hudson Oliva loves stability. He was a throwaway teen before finding Kaleidoscope Gardens, but has since thrived at the commune. When Jude Garrity moves in, life gets even better, but Hudson still craves more. He knows he has to be satisfied with their exclusive status being temporary and that Jude will eventually navigate his full sexual awakening with their other housemates.

Hudson has a journey of his own to make. It might only require going home to settle his grandmother’s estate, but he plans to use his time away to figure out how to temper his feelings for Jude and bury his jealousy once and for all. But when Jude joins him on his trip, Hudson falls even deeper in love, especially after Jude stands by his side when he finally confronts his mother for rejecting him.

However, it’s not all hearts and flowers while they travel. They’re over two thousand miles from home when Hudson learns a ruthless corporate farm threatens the commune they both love. In order to save their way of life, Hudson must ask his mother for help. And if he wants a chance at a stable future with Jude, he has to tell him the truth about his feelings, no matter if it ruins the harmony he’s tried so hard to preserve.

Jude shifted in his seat and stared at Hudson. Hudson couldn’t take his eyes off the road, but the desire to turn toward Jude and mirror him was overwhelming. “What was your first impression of me when I met you at the farmers market?”

“Should I be diplomatic or honest?”

“Honest.”

Hudson ran that day over in his mind. It was crystal clear, still, even though it had been more than nine months ago. Jude had meandered from stand to stand. He initially stood out from the crowd because of what he was wearing: a bright blue, almost turquoise wool coat over a black turtleneck and tight black jeans. In the blur of quilted plaid flannel and fleece hoodies in various shades of drab, olive, and Carhartt, Jude was all Hudson could see.

“I couldn’t keep my eyes off you. You were… stunning.” He shook his head. “I don’t know another word for it. I was talking to some customer about how we raised our chickens, and when I saw you, I stopped midsentence. I stared, felt like a dirty old man because you looked so young, and when I turned back to the woman to carry on our conversation, I had no idea what we’d been talking about. Literally none. It was like looking at you sucked the words out of my throat and the thoughts right out of my head.”

Jude chuckled. “Seriously? Was it the coat?”

“It made you stand out, but no, it wasn’t the coat. It was everything about you. Your broad shoulders and your hair and your eyes and your fucking lips.”

“You like my lips?” Jude pulled his rose-flavored lip stuff out of his front pocket and made a show of smearing it across the bottom one. Then he rubbed his lips together and licked them, all while staring at Hudson with soft bedroom eyes.

The bus vibrated, a jagged noise piercing Hudson’s ears as he drove too far to the right, edging his tires onto the rumble strip. “¡Coño!” He maneuvered back into the center of his lane.

Jude laughed. Hudson’s heart thundered against his rib cage.

“You’re evil,” Hudson said. “Evil, I tell you!”

“Maybe.” Jude bit at his bottom lip.

“Stop. Stop tempting me with your fucking gorgeous mouth. I can’t have you doing that shit while I’m driving.”

“Okay.” Jude smirked but kept his tongue and teeth from doing anything else. He put away those hazel sex-eyes too. “So, how did you see this trip going down?”

“Just like that?” Hudson was incredulous.

“What?”

“You can just turn it on and off like a switch?”

“With you, sure.”

“Well, I can’t.” Hudson gestured to his crotch, where his dick was obvious, thick, and quickly moving on its way to fully hard, even though Jude had stopped the licking and the biting.

“Want me to touch you?” Jude’s voice was breathy as he slid his warm palm up Hudson’s inner thigh. He thumbed over the head of Hudson’s cock, and Hudson got harder. Jude played with just the head, moving back and forth, his touch light and delicious.

“Want me to drive off the road?” Hudson managed not to sound choked off.

“No.” Jude pulled his hand away and smiled like the devil. “I want you to drive. And I want you to tell me about what you want to do on this trip besides the obvious. And for the record, turning it off doesn’t happen like a switch. Turning me on with one look, easy!”

“You’re dangerous.”

“Damn right I am.”

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Interested in reading how Hudson ended up living at Kaleidoscope Gardens? Read Naked Origins—Hudson for free. This is not a romance, but for those who want to dig a little deeper, this story covers much of Hudson’s history that is hinted at in Picked Fresh. Visit https://posyroberts.com/2016/02/02/free-read-naked-origins/ to read the summary and download it.

Title: Farm Fresh

Series: Naked Organics #1

Author: Posy Roberts

Genre: M/M Romance

Publisher: Labyrinth Bound Press

Posy Roberts writes about the realistic struggles of men looking for love. Whether her characters are family men, drag queens, or lonely men searching for connections, they all find a home in her stories.

Posy is a Jill of all trades and master of the drill and paintbrush. She’s married to a partner who makes sure she doesn’t forget to eat or sleep during her writing frenzies. Her daughter, a budding author and cinematographer, helps her come up with character names. For fun, Posy enjoys crafting, hiking, and singing spontaneously about the mundane, just to make regular life more interesting.

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Absinthe of Malice by Rhys Ford: Release Day Review DSP

June 22, 2016 by Denise

We’re getting the band back together.

Those six words send a chill down Miki St. John’s spine, especially when they’re spoken with a nearly religious fervor by his brother-in-all-but-blood, Damien Mitchell. However, those words were nothing compared to what Damien says next.

And we’re going on tour.

When Crossroads Gin hits the road, Damien hopes it will draw them closer together. There’s something magical about being on tour, especially when traveling in a van with no roadies, managers, or lovers to act as a buffer. The band is already close, but Damien knows they can be more—brothers of sorts, bound not only by familial ties but by their intense love for music.

As they travel from gig to gig, the band is haunted by past mistakes and personal demons, but they forge on. For Miki, Damie, Forest, and Rafe, the stage is where they all truly come alive, and the music they play is as important to them as the air they breathe.

But those demons and troubles won’t leave them alone, and with every mile under their belts, the band faces its greatest challenge—overcoming their deepest flaws and not killing one another along the way.

Title: Absinthe of Malice
Series: Sinners Series: Book Five
Author: Rhys Ford
Release Date: June 22, 2016
Category: Mystery/Suspense
Pages: 200

I was so happy to get more the all the guys in this one. I think Rhys did a wonderful job showing us the beginning of what is sure to be an amazing band. I liked that we got to see this start from all four band members perspectives. And of course if wouldn’t be a Rhys Ford book it there wasn’t a little bit of mystery and mayhem. Whether it be personality clashes between band members, or crazy people trying to hurt the band.

One part of the book in particular made me cheer and smile(you’ll know when you read it). Miki, Damon, and Rafe all had ghosts to face in this book. Forrest didn’t really have anything to face, other than missing Conner. Miki had a breakthrough moment that made my heart smile, and gave me hope for him and his happiness. Rhys did a wonderful job showing us Crossroads Gin’s growing pains. I like that it isn’t all easy-peasy at the beginning, it makes it feel more real. The end of the book got to me though, Rhys as she sometimes does, leaves us with questions until the next book.

5 pieces of eye candy