release day review

Killer Bond by Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott: Release Day Review

May 20, 2019 by Denise

Daniel Hendricks wants a vacation. Ward Security’s accountant and resident code breaker just needs a little R&R from the chaos and usual shenanigans of the office.

But what was supposed to be a sexy vacation hook-up explodes in his face when he’s mistaken for a rogue secret agent.

Now he’s on the run with CIA agent Edward Raines from Bermuda to Barcelona to Paris as they try to find the secrets the real rogue was attempting to sell before another foreign spy does.

The chemistry between them is off the charts, but how is Daniel supposed to trust a man who had originally set out to kill him?

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

I swear, every new one of these books, they convince me they’re my favorite. I don’t think anyone will top Rowe and Noah, or maybe Lucas and Andrei… Mmmkay, nevermind, I can’t pick.

So, in this one we have Ward Security accountant, former FBI-guy, Daniel, vacationing in Barcelona. With a head for numbers and a quieter job than the rest of the guys at Ward, he didn’t really feel like he fit in; so he needed some time away.

Sitting on the beach with a good book and a cocktail, he’s surprised when a very charming and good looking man sits next to him and chats him up. Normally shy and more reserved than the other guys, I liked how confident and flirty he seemed with Edward, even if he was still a little shy.

And Edward, who was supposed to be in telecommunications, turns out to be a secret CIA agent with a job to do and mistakes Daniel for someone else, he figures he’ll do whatever he needs to do to get what he needs from Daniel; even if it means seducing him.

Edward, even though he’s kind of a bad guy disguised good guy… I found him incredibly charming, even when he talked about seducing and probably killing Daniel when he was done with him. Their connection was immediate, and even though he tried to keep his distance from him, it proved pretty impossible because Daniel was equally as charming.

When described like a Bond movie, that’s exactly what this was. I was flipping pages almost faster than I could read them. Every time I thought that the danger was over, they were thrust back into it, and I want to explain it all so you’ll see how amazing and heart-pounding this is, but you just need to experience it for yourself.

Also, if you haven’t read the other ones in this series, what is wrong with you?! Stop what you’re doing and go do it! You’ll find yourself fighting over favorites like I do, I guarantee it!

As much fun as the adventure, the site-seeing, the danger and the getting to know each other was with these two, my heart kind of broke a couple of times for Daniel, because he fell for Edward so quickly, and even though Edward was a little bit better at hiding it, he’d fallen for Daniel too. He was actually really sweet and though dangerous and quite deadly… he was protective and possessive and everything we all love from these guys!

There were twists and expectations that I had that turned out to be completely wrong, which I was glad about because in every story I’ve ever read, the ‘handler’ turns out to be a bad guy. I was waiting for that. And just when you think that everything’s over… it turns out to be just the beginning for these two. I was really disappointed by the end. I hadn’t been paying attention and I wanted about 10 more chapters, just cuz!

Overall though, I love this series…. It’s a frequent go-to for me and I love every single couple and every mini-movie that each story feels like. I can’t wait to see who’s next, and I hope to see more of these two in the future…

5 pieces of eye candy

Mud & Lace by Jay Northcote: New Release Review

May 5, 2019 by Denise

When Wicksy falls for drag queen Charlie, they discover that both sexuality and gender can be fluid.

Simon Wicks—Wicksy to his rugby teammates—has only ever been interested in women. But when he sets eyes on Lady Gogo, a drag queen who performs at Rainbow Place, he can’t stop thinking about her. He knows there’s a guy behind the fishnets and make-up, but he’s ready to explore his fantasies, and Lady Gogo is game for making them come true.

Charlie adores performing in drag. It allows him to indulge in his love of cross-dressing while earning some extra cash. Fooling around with a mostly straight guy in secret seems like a fun diversion, and gives him the chance to explore his feminine side. He feels safe wearing the mask of his confident alter ego, because the real Charlie is hidden from view.

When Wicksy sees more of the guy behind the make-up and glitter, his attraction to Charlie persists, and he realises he’s bisexual. In turn, Charlie begins to understand and accept his gender fluidity. As their mutual journey of self-discovery brings them closer, the secrecy becomes increasingly hard to deal with. If they’re going to have a future together, they both need to find the courage to show people who they really are.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

I was so hoping for Lady Gogo’s story, so I was excited to jump into this one!

Sometimes I forget that these guys are young adult, and I only say that because it was more noticeable in this one. Simon Wicksy is one of the hot rugby guys that hang out at the Rainbow Palace. Allies of the LGBTQ+ community that hang out there. He seemed a bit jockish and brutey in the beginning, I flat out didn’t like him at all. Like straight boys that want to hide in the closet but reap the benefits of foolin around with the pretty boys, I didn’t like how the arrangement between him and Charlie/Ms. Gogo went. Fine to be with him in private but as long as nobody found out. It went on that way for a whiiiiile, and I can’t imagine Charlie being okay with it, except Charlie had some secrets of his own.

We meet Charlie as Lady Gogo, drag performer of RP, and she was sassy and confident and amazing, but apart from her mother knowing that she does it, no one else who knows Charlie, did. Not quite confident in dressing as a girl other times, but loving it, had her questioning her gender fluidity.

Now, here’s what I loved about this story…. Talking about the confusion and acceptance of gender identity. Charlie was trying to come to terms about what he liked and who he was, and what body he felt most comfortable in, and to him…. It wasn’t so cut and dry. He liked both. Some days he felt like Charlie, the boy, and some days he felt more femme, and I loved that. I loved that he had such a supportive parent who didn’t care either way, as long as he was happy…. I like the realistic way it was handled with her, and seeing the struggle with him, because seeing him figure himself out was beautiful. Bravo on that.

Wicksy, though I felt like was selfish in the beginning, was also fighting his own battle, because how would one feel if living their whole life one way, and then at 24 decide they were attracted to a different gender? It would be a bit to get used to, and while I didn’t like the way he used Charlie to figure it out… he sort of made up for it by the end. I was also happy that his family was supportive, though neither men had dads to worry about, and I wondered about that. It doesn’t get addressed though other than Wicksy’s parents being divorced. I only mention that because I remember the psycho dad in previous books and he was the biggest problem. Thankfully he doesn’t make an appearance in this one.

So, I liked that this story tackled such sensitive issues such as gender identity and all the facets of it’s fluidity, and sexual identities, which let me tell you, there are so many, as you will see in this book, and I love that each one is touched on and celebrated.

Overall, it was clumsy and new, it was cute and I enjoyed it. An awesome addition, and I can’t wait for more.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

Montana Sky by RJ Scott: Blog Tour, Release Day Review and Giveaway

May 1, 2019 by Denise

When they spend time alone on a Montana mountainside will Tyler ever convince Martin that like sapphires, love is worth searching for?

Martin’s name was the very last on a kill list. The son of a murderer, he’s had no childhood; lost in a horrific holding pattern of death that turned his heart to stone. Thanks to the man who called him brave and spared his life, he no longer has to look over his shoulder, but he does have one question. Why did Justin let him live?

Tyler Colby has identified a major flaw in the seismic mapping system used to monitor earthquake activity. Sent to Crooked Tree by his employer, the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, he is tasked with adding a new remote station to the network. The installation should be his entire focus, but the lure of sapphires and his attraction to a heartbroken young man called Martin is enough to make him want more.

Length: 43,000 words approx.

Cover Design: Meredith Russell

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Book #5 – Second Chance Ranch – Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

I was SOOO pumped when I heard about this one. I honestly thought this series was over after the last one..

In this one, we have Martin, who was previously known as Jamie Crane, the son of the terrorist/torturer of Justin and Adam. My heart broke for him in the little glimpses we got from him in previous books, especially Justin and Adam’s, and although I could probably guess the kind of person his father was, it didn’t hold a candle to the life that Martin had suffered at the hand of his father and his goons.

So, now that his father was dead and Martin was no longer having to hide from him, he wanted to go to Crooked Tree to ask Justin why he’d let him live. Now, if you haven’t read the others in this series, you should stop what you’re doing and go read them!! I was so insanely obsessed with Justin and Sam, but really all of their stories are amazing!

At the Crooked Tree, Justin wants to tell Martin the answer to his question, but he wants to talk to Adam first, who is away on his honeymoon…so he talks Martin into staying and helping out around the ranch. So, when seismology expert, Tyler, comes to do some research, the group, aka, Justin, sends him to work with the guy. Mostly to keep him around, I’d wager. Justin knew that Martin needed the closure, and Adam really did too. So, Martin stayed and helped, not really having a plan anyway, as to where he was going to end up or what he was going to end up doing.

I’ll admit that the earthquake stuff was interesting to learn about, but it was too much like homework for me to get sucked into it. I did skim a little bit, but I could imagine the way that Tyler had become so animated and passionate about what he was talking about. It wasn’t just a job, it was his life and it was neat to learn.

While the guys are off the range together, even though Martin is broody and hard to get to know… Tyler loved learning what he could about the man, and eventually, he’d gone and fell in love with him.

When you see Martin’s baggage and his internal turmoil, it’s easy to see why he refused so much almost the entire book, but, it somehow felt very realistic and relatable.

It made his final acceptance and letting his guard down that much more enjoyable. I just loved this story and I’m so glad to report that Martin got his HEA, even if it did take a long time to get there. I knew that he wasn’t going to be easy, but he was 100% worth it.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

USA Today bestselling author RJ Scott writes stories with a heart of romance, a troubled road to reach happiness, and most importantly, a happily ever after.

RJ Scott is the author of over one hundred romance books, writing emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, millionaire, princes, and the men who get mixed up in their lives. RJ is known for writing books that always end with a happy ever after. She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isn’t with family either reading or writing.

The last time she had a week’s break from writing she didn’t like it one little bit, and she has yet to meet a bottle of wine she couldn’t defeat.

She’s always thrilled to hear from readers, bloggers and other writers. Please contact via the links below:

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Made For You by Anyta Sunday: RDB, Excerpt and Release Day Review

April 30, 2019 by Denise

Ben wants to find a new home.

Twenty-four-year-old Ben McCormick is the primary caregiver for his brother Milo after their parents’ death. A year into the job, he’s totally got the hang of it. Mostly. Sort of. Not at all?

Defeated and thoroughly chastised for his lack in parenting skills at teacher-parent night, Ben slumps away with the resolve to finally get his life sorted: be a better role model, and sell their parents’ house for a fresh start.

But first, he needs to spruce up his house to hit the market. He’s no DIY king, but Milo’s hot-as-hell woodwork teacher is…

Jack wants an old home to fix.

Thirty-nine-year-old Jack Pecker is waiting for the home of his dreams to come on the market in the summer. What better way to wait the interim months than working on a small renovation gig?

Only trouble is, the gig is for the McCormick brothers. And working in close quarters to red-haired Ben McCormick won’t be easy. Not with the attraction that simmers between them. Attraction Ben makes no effort to hide.

But Jack’s professional. Dating a parent is highly discouraged at Kresley Intermediate, and he’d never cross the lines…

Ben and Jack. Two guys searching for a home – a home that might just be where their hearts lead them.

~ – ~ – ~

Set in New Zealand, Made For You (Love & Family #2) is an MM gay romance featuring two guys at very different places in their lives – but both finding out they are looking for the same thing.

Can be read as a standalone.

Made For You by Anyta Sunday

Series: Love & Family #2

Publisher: Anyta Sunday (self-published)

Release Date (Print & Ebook): May 1^st 2019

Subgenre: Contemporary gay romance, friends-to-lovers, age gap (May-December)

Tropes: friends-to-lovers, slow burn, age gap, found family

Genre: New Adult, light-hearted contemporary gay romance

Amazon

When I return, Milo has turned around, finally facing Ben. “I don’t want you to sell the house.”

“Look, it won’t happen immediately. But it will happen.”

“It’s not fair.”

“Not got the memo yet, bucko? Life isn’t fair.”

They stare at each other. I don’t want to break their moment, but a twig snaps underfoot.

Milo spots me and his body jerks with surprise. “Mr. Woodpecker?”

I cut Ben a look, and he pauses to smirk before turning his chin toward Milo. I think he might tell him to cut that shit out.

“Mr. Woodpecker holds your Fanta ransom.”

Or not.

I’m close to putting an end to this stand-off and barking orders. If Milo were my kid, I’d have his ass in bed by now, no media for a fortnight.

Not my kid. Not my kid.

Ben reads my face and his expression shutters. “Fuck. We’re pissing off your teacher. How much will it take to get you down?”

He pulls a wallet from his back pocket.

“Fifty,” Milo hollers.

“Five.”

“Forty.”

This is not actually happening. Ben’s parenting is unorthodox at best.

“Ten.”

“Thirty-five, and not a dollar less.”

“Fifteen, and you shower before bed.”

Milo leans over the edge and reins in his shout. “Do I have to do my hair?”

Ben looks like he’s about to give into a frustrated laugh. The poor guy is damp and muddy and miserable, and Milo needs to quit it.

I catch Milo’s gaze and hold it. It might not be my place, but I have to do something for Ben. My voice is steady and commanding. “Get your butt down here, boy. Or I’ll have you cleaning the class bins all week.”

“Fine. Fifteen bucks. I’ll do my hair.” He lowers a ladder and I brace the shitty thing as he climbs down.

Ben crowds close behind me, a block of warmth at my back. He lets out a breathy ‘thank fuck’ at my nape that feels a lot like brushing up against an electric line that definitely shouldn’t be crossed.

I adored this story!

I was hoping it would be Jack, as I felt so bad for him in book one, after being introduced as Luke’s ex. I always want the good guys to get their happily ever after.
In this one, we have Jack who is a teacher at a prep-school teaching Milo, who’d lost his parents a year before and has been struggling, both with school and his home life with his brother, Ben.

Ben is doing the best he can, but it seems like everyone is always there, every time he turns around to tell him what an awful job he’s doing with his eleven-year-old brother. In my opinion, everyone in that school was snobby aside from Jack. I mean, the teacher that also had Ben in her class many moons ago, and the principal that was all but blackmailing Jack to keep him in line. I hated that. I was glad that Ben eventually put the teacher in her place… but I would’ve liked for that principal to be called out on her unprofessional and borderline illegal blackmailing BS she was on. She ruined some of the good of the story for me. I can’t lie.

Of course, having a relationship with a student’s parent, or big brother in this instance, is frowned upon, it’s in no way breaking any rules… I understood why Jack hesitated, but it was impossible to not fall for the two boys who needed him so much.

I loved the relationship Jack had with both, Ben and little brother Milo. He was incredibly sweet and patient, and let me tell you…. You need patience with both of them.

He helped Ben grieve for their parents, and assured him that he was doing right by Milo, as well as offering help when he could. And Milo just needed someone to listen. Someone to let him grieve too, and someone to tell him all the ways that his big brother was the best. That part had me wailing like a baby…
Milo was a little bit bratty, as was Jeremy in the last story… but anyone with kids, especially pre-teens, know that hey… sometimes you gotta bribe a kid to wash their hair, or eat their dinner. It doesn’t mean you failed, it means you’re picking and choosing your battles. Hats off to the young Ben…

Overall though, it was a sweet story and one I enjoyed very much.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

A bit about me: I’m a big, BIG fan of slow-burn romances. I love to read and write stories with characters who slowly fall in love.

Some of my favorite tropes to read and write are: Enemies to Lovers, Friends to Lovers, Clueless Guys, Bisexual, Pansexual, Demisexual, Oblivious MCs, Everyone (Else) Can See It, Slow Burn, Love Has No Boundaries.

I write a variety of stories, Contemporary MM Romances with a good dollop of angst, Contemporary lighthearted MM Romances, and even a splash of fantasy.

My books have been translated into German, Italian, French, Spanish, and Thai.

Connect with Anyta:

Author website: http://www.anytasunday.com/

Author newsletter signup: http://www.anytasunday.com/newsletter-free-e-book/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/anytasunday

Instagram: https://instagram.com/anytasunday

BookBub: https://bookbub.com/authors/anyta-sunday

Fracture by Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott: RB, Excerpt, Release Day Review *2 and Giveaway

March 29, 2019 by Denise

After three years, Snow and Jude’s relationship is still passionate and strong. They’re getting ready for a romantic vacation at home when Jude receives a horrifying call no one wants to receive. His youngest brother was found barely clinging to life. While Jude’s family is rallying around Jordan, Jude is determined to find out what happened to him.

Snow and Jude follow the clues, investigating a side of Jordan’s life none of them knew about…and is far darker than any would have believed possible. They get pulled deeper into the seedy side of life, while echoes from a past Snow thought he walked away from return to offer an unexpected insight into the cause of Jordan’s injuries.

But someone else has noticed their involvement and is furious, putting them both in danger. The risk is high but so is Jude’s determination to find the truth—though the knowledge could very well fracture his heart.

Title: Fracture

Series: Unbreakable Bonds Series #6

Author: Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott

Publisher: Drake & Elliott LLC

Release Date: March 29, 2019

Heat Level: 4 – Lots of Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 71,000

Genre: Romance, Thriller/Suspense

Add to Goodreads

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Shiver (Book #1)

Shatter (Book #2)

Torch (Book #3)

Devour (Book #4)

Blaze (Book #5)

Snow rushed through the emergency room with Jude. His heart was pounding so hard it was like he could feel it in his throat, threatening to choke off his airway. A sinister nagging voice in the back of his head kept repeating, <em>Three years, three years, three years</em>.

Roughly three years ago, he’d run into this same hospital to find one of his best friends on the floor, his entire world falling apart because his wife had been killed in what had appeared to be a car accident. And he hadn’t been there to operate on her. To save her life.

Melissa Ward had been light and laughter and happiness. She’d brought joy to all who knew her.

And Rowe Ward had been devastated to lose her. They all had been.

They’d nearly lost Rowe to his grief.

Now Snow was running through the hospital where he and Jude worked nearly every day. He was vaguely aware of familiar faces registering surprise and flashes of sadness as they passed by, but it didn’t matter. They stopped only long enough to find out that Jordan was in surgery and that Jude’s family was already in the surgical ICU waiting room.

“Snow,” Jude said in a low, shaky breath as they waited for the elevator to ascend to the correct floor. That broken sound gutted him.

He reached over and wrapped his hand around the back of Jude’s neck, pulling him tight against his taller frame. “We’ll figure this out,” he replied, forcing the words past the lump in his throat while telling himself that this was not going to be like Mel.

Jordan was a strong young man. Not even twenty-one yet. A good guy who loved to laugh. Definitely not the sort to seek out trouble. This had to be nothing more than him being in the wrong damn place at the wrong damn time. The doctors on call would be able to fix him up and get him safely on the mend.

But he couldn’t give Jude promises that he couldn’t keep or offer fake platitudes. Jude had worked as a paramedic for several years now. He’d been the paramedic first on the scene for Mel. He knew how quickly things could turn bad with nothing anyone could do to stop them.

“My brain won’t accept it. Not Jordan.”

“I know,” Snow said. “But he’s young and he’s strong. That works in his favor.”

The elevator doors parted, and they were quickly moving again to the large, quiet waiting room.

Every time, I think I’m prepared for the wild ride my emotions and my heart rate is going to go on, but I never really am… Its like a little action movie in each story, and I love every second of it!

In this one, we go back to Jude and Snow, which I keep saying are my favorite, but then I remember Noah and Rowe and it’s just a big ol’ toss-up. But, I was glad to see all the guys again, and we get a little peek at all of them, of course they get brought in…. When one person in the family is going through something, they all rally in their bad a $$ glory…

What starts out to be a sexy vacation with Snow and Jude, quickly turns into a nightmare with Jordan, Jude’s baby brother. When the call comes in that he’s been found naked, beaten and shot, it flips a switch in Jude that worries Snow. It’s touch and go for a while for Jordan, but Jude feels somewhat responsible for now keeping a better eye on his brother and therefore feels like he has to find out how it happened and who was behind it.

We know these guys are only inches away from full blown insane, and none of them seem afraid for their safety…. Noah and Rowe seem to find extreme danger, a hobby and a fun past time and it is hilarious when they chase the tails of the evil that sometimes infects their inner circle. It’s entertaining for sure, but my heart broke for Jordan, and Jude for having to watch what happened to his younger brother. I could not imagine, and it had me in tears. Of course, nothing new there, I’m a cryer, but it was heavy and descriptive and it just gutted me. You might need a warning there, it could be triggering to some.

It definitely tripped something in Jude though, even though a healer at heart, he needed to get justice for his brother and I so thoroughly understand that… I know these guys do bad things, it seems like murder is just second nature to them…. But they do it for the greater good. They do it to protect their family, and every single time they take a life, I feel a little vindicated on their behalf.

And through it all, we get such a sweet ending for Jude and Snow. I love seeing the guys with Lucas and Andrei’s baby, and I hope they all get to a point where they have little mini badasses running around. I can’t even imagine the trouble they’d all get into. It would be so perfect….

So, in saying that… you can count it as my vote to just keep this series going forever, because I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of them all. I love it.

Now, if you’ll excuse me… I need to take a blood pressure pill and rest a while til my heart rate goes back to normal. I highly recommend this one! Now, who’s next?!

FAVORITE LINE: “And then, when those twenty minutes were up, they’d plan to set the world on fire.”

5 Pieces of Eye Candy

Oh man I love these books. First the original 4 guys, then little novellas for them. Then a spin off. Now we are getting back to the original 4 and new stories. This book focuses on Snow and Jude- and Jude’s brother.

Jude’s brother ends up beaten, shot and left naked in a field to die when he is found. Jude sees red and wants vengeance, not trusting the cops to do their jobs. So he and Snow poke around a bit themselves, but find that this is way uglier than they thought and enlist Rowe, Noah and one of his hackers to help out.

The more they dig, the uglier it gets. It starts to bring Snow back down a dark path he left behind. But he and Jude are total support for each other without dissolving into that over protective thing.

And even though the guys are working on figuring this out- don’t worry. There is plenty of Snow and Jude hotness to go around.

I really loved that for a good portion of the story it was only Snow and Jude looking into this. They only called Rowan and Noah when they had to. And the other two guys and their significant others are kind of on the back burner and don’t take over the story. Not even Lucas- who loves to take over a story.

The only weak point for me is what brought Jude’s brother to the brink. I thought it was kind of weak. It could have been a lot stronger if the bad guy focused more on the repercussions than what brought him in. How is that for vague? I hate spoilers. Even little ones. Don’t hate. You’ll thank me later. But even that didn’t really detract from the story.

Definitely one of the strongest books of the bunch and I can’t wait for more.

Jocelynn Drake and Rinda Elliott have teamed up to combine their evil genius to create intense gay romantic suspense stories that have car chases, shoot outs, explosions, scorching hot love scenes, and tender, tear-jerking moments. Their first joint books are in the Unbreakable Bonds series.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | eMail

http://drakeandelliott.com/

https://www.facebook.com/drakeandelliott/

https://twitter.com/DrakeandElliott

drakeandelliott@gmail.com

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Family Camp (Daddy Dearest Book 1) by Eli Easton: Blog Tour, Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

March 28, 2019 by Denise

When Geo signs up for Family Camp, he envisions nature hikes, s’mores, and a chance to win over his recalcitrant new foster kids, Jayden and Lucy. He’s tried to become a dad for so long, and he hopes the three of them can be the family he’s always wanted. What he doesn’t anticipate is the prickly and gorgeous camp counselor who constantly comes to his rescue.

Travis spends a week every year at Camp Evermore, the camp his adoptive parents own. As a pro baseball player, his presence guarantees a full campground and excited campers. He has one rule: never, ever mess around with anyone at camp. His profession demands he stay in the closet. But one sweet and funny new dad is about to test all his resolve.

Sparks fly for Geo and Travis, and not because of the nightly campfire. Having been a foster kid himself, Travis is drawn to Geo’s sincerity and big heart and to his kids. The four of them just fit. But will this be a summer romance? Or can they find a way to be a family long after Family Camp is over?

Length: 219 pages

Cover Design: Reese Dante

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Sixth inning. Geo was ready for the game to be over. It was fucking hot on the ball field, all open and exposed, the sun baking down. And he was also not sure how much more Travis-watching he could take—him with his silky burgundy gym shorts and a sweaty Camp Evermore green shirt stretched over those muscles. His long legs were tanned and well-defined from hours at the gym.

Those thighs could fucking crack walnuts. Dude.

Damn, but that was one fine-looking man. Geo knew he should lay off, though. Travis had made himself clear.

Only he hadn’t. At all. One minute, Travis seemed into him him. He sought out Geo’s company, like the way he kept coming by the cabin at night. And the next minute, he’d put distance between them, ignoring Geo or closing himself off behind a granite-like expression and those eye-hiding shades. And Travis had laid a clear line in the sand. Not at camp. Not gonna happen.

Yup. That was fine. Sure, Geo hadn’t been mutually attracted to a guy that hot in ages. Or ever, really. But Geo hadn’t come to camp to fool around. He had other priorities.

It did make him wonder though. Bridget had said Travis wasn’t out. A quick Google search last night had confirmed that. In fact, Geo had been shocked to discover there’d never been an out baseball player in the major leagues. Like, in the history of American baseball. Which was tragic. No wonder Travis was in the closet. It had to suck monkey balls living like that. Especially with all the women who threw themselves at him constantly. There were a dozen women on the sidelines right now that looked ready to have his babies. That had to be weird for a gay guy. Didn’t it?

Geo himself was always super uncomfortable when women came on to him. He felt compelled to blurt out “I’m gay!” in the first five minutes. It was just too weird otherwise.

Then again, Travis’s love life was none of Geo’s business. Maybe the guy was bisexual. Maybe he liked dating women just fine.

Jayden came up to bat. Geo focused on his son, clapping hard. “Come on, Jayden! You’ve got this!”

Jayden took a wide stance beside the plate, both hands gripping the bat, choked up a little. Travis had spent a few minutes with Jayden at the start of the game, showing him how to stand, and Jayden copied him exactly. The kid was a great mimic. He’d been nervous at first, tense and defensive. But by now he just looked focused. He stared, narrow-eyed, at Frank as Frank pitched an easy ball.

Geo loved that about this game, that everyone tried to give the kids easy wins, and no one took the competition seriously.

Jayden hit the ball hard. It flew through the air a short ways then plonked to the ground and skipped along fast. It was heading right down the center line, though a bit more towards third base and Travis’s side of the field.

“Go Jayden! Go!” Geo shouted. He went after the ball. In his peripheral vision, he saw Jayden round first base and keep running.

Travis was going after the ball too, dodging low. He scooped it up. He was going to throw it to third base, keep Jayden back on second. Geo couldn’t let that happen.

He dove in front of Travis, crowding him, holding an arm out to block Travis from throwing the ball.

Travis snorted, bemused. “What are you doing? You’re on my team.” He backed up, trying to get away from Geo.

“Blood before bros, man,” Geo said with fake seriousness. He kept up with Travis, step for step, grabbing Travis’s right arm in a firm grip so he couldn’t raise the ball.

“Stop it!” Travis laughed. “Dork. That’s not legal.”

“Don’t care.”

They took three steps back, like they were dancing. Geo held Travis’s right arm, staring him down. Travis met his gaze, a goofy smile on his lips. Back and back they stumbled. Suddenly, Travis got a sparkle in his eyes. He wrapped his left arm around Geo’s waist and picked him up, swinging him around so he ended up behind Travis.

Geo was still finding his feet as Travis drew back his arm and sent the ball sailing.

Right to home plate. But Jayden got there first. Umpire Cindy made the motion with her hands, safe.

Geo laughed and raised his arms in triumph. “Yeah, baby! Great job, Jayden! Home run, whoo!”

Then he realized everyone was staring at them. On the sidelines, there were a dozen cameras raised, filming.

Oh. Er. Hmm. Geo wiped his face, feeling sheepish.

That’s when a piercing scream rent the air.

First, let me start off by saying that I adore stories about family. Give me a hot dad any day of the week. I’m a sucker for em… throw in some foster kids that need someone sweet and patient and amazing, like Geo, and I’m droolin’ all over myself page after page.

In this one, Geo is on his way to Family Camp. It’s exactly what it sounds like and he’s excited to take his new foster kids to hopefully do some bonding over the next week. Both kids, twelve year old, Jayden and five-year-old, Lucy, both come from neglectful and troubled pasts, and you will melt for them. They’re both so sweet, though Jayden a little prickly, but understandably so… and Geo is doing everything that he can to make them feel wanted and loved. He’d wanted to be a dad for so long, and now that he has his chance, it’s just not going the way he hoped it would. Still…. He cares for them so much, and it’s obvious that no matter how discouraged he gets, he’s made these kids his family.

Unfortunately, on the way to camp, everything that could go wrong, does go wrong… with the icing on the cake being he’s run out of gas before camp. With a moody almost-teenager and a little girl attached to her dolly’s and not much else, he praying for everything, but mostly a miracle.

Enter Miracle…. Professional major league player, Travis, who’s family owns the camp that they’re all attending for the next week, (though neither of them know it yet)….he stops to help the broken down family and the attraction is more than obvious… however, a misunderstanding has them starting off on the wrong foot, and though I can understand where Travis was coming from, I did want to be like… “you know what they say about folks who assume”….. but, again…. It’s hard not to understand why he felt that way…

ANYWAY…. Once everyone gets to Big Bear, it’s a week of fun in the sun, with hilarious mom’s with their likeminded children…and a pro-baseball player that everyone has their eye on… especially Geo. He’s cool about it though, and over the week, the attraction is reciprocated and acted on, even if it has to be secret, because spoiler alert…. Travis isn’t out… not only not out to his teammates and manager, but also his family… especially his parents, though they’re amazing, so it’s more of a fear thing….which you’ll understand if you read it.

Watching these two fall for each other was entertaining, sweet, cute and downright swoon-worthy, especially when you see Travis with the kids. Both men are so reassuring and patient with the kids who so badly needs all of that from them. It’s just a feel good family type read with some secret sexy times between the trees. I loved every second of it… and though things come to light and careers are tested, and friendships and family are questioned… it all comes together perfectly in the end.

You really just can’t go wrong with this one, and the happiest of happy endings is well worth it!

5 Pieces of Eye Candy

Having been, at various times and under different names, a minister’s daughter, a computer programmer, a game designer, the author of paranormal mysteries, a fan fiction writer, and organic farmer, Eli has been a m/m romance author since 2013. She has over 30 books published.

Eli has loved romance since her teens and she particular admires writers who can combine literary merit, genuine humor, melting hotness, and eye-dabbing sweetness into one story. She promises to strive to achieve most of that most of the time. She currently lives on a farm in Pennsylvania with her husband, bulldogs, cows, a cat, and lots of groundhogs.

In romance, Eli is best known for her Christmas stories because she’s a total Christmas sap. These include “Blame it on the Mistletoe”, “Unwrapping Hank” and “Merry Christmas, Mr. Miggles”. Her “Howl at the Moon” series of paranormal romances featuring the town of Mad Creek and its dog shifters has been popular with readers. And her series of Amish-themed romances, Men of Lancaster County, has won genre awards.

Her website is www.elieaston.com

You can email her at eli@elieaston.com

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