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Sharing our love of M/M Romance

review

On Circus Lane by Lily Morton (Wright Brothers Book 1): Release Blitz, Exclusive Author Interview and New Release Review

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The first time Bee Bannister met Tom Wright, he couldn’t stand him.

Everything about the man aggravated him—his perfect hair and body, his confident arrogance, and the way he looked straight through Bee.

Which is why it’s such an unpleasant shock to find that he’ll be sharing space with him while on a Christmas holiday with friends in Scotland.

However, as the days fly by and snowy Edinburgh begins to work its magic on him, Bee discovers that sometimes first impressions can be very misleading. Tom is kind and funny, and somehow, rather than looking through Bee, he actually sees and likes all of him.

The two men grow closer, but will Bee follow his heart or his head when the holiday ends? And can relationships that start so badly ever lead to love?

From bestselling author Lily Morton comes a festive romantic comedy about enemies to lovers and the magic of Christmas.

This is the first book in the Wright Brothers series.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

EXCLUSIVE Q&A WITH THE AUTHOR:

What is a behind-the-scenes anecdote or interesting fact about the creation of On Circus Lane?

In the book Bee is very busy in the run up to the holiday and doesn’t pay attention to the group chats. When he gets to Edinburgh he finds that he can’t get into any of the tourist attractions because he didn’t know you had to buy tickets. This actually happened to me, and it changed the trajectory of the book.

I’d gone to Edinburgh with my husband to do a research trip and I’d planned to take my characters into the big tourist attractions like Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. However, we couldn’t get tickets for the castle, and when we went to the palace they were cleaning it. I was so upset because I needed that info for the book, but then my husband said, “Isn’t it more fun to find unusual things, rather than just focusing on what everyone else is doing?” This led us on a quest to find little things for Tom to show Bee and in the process make him fall for him.

Do you read in the same genre you write? Do you have any favourite series or books?

I do read in the same genre. I love MM. I’m an avid reader so I have far too many favourites to list all of them. Some series that are at the top of my reread list are the Snow and Winter books by CS Poe, Adrien English by Josh Lanyon, the Marshalls series by Mary Calmes, the Soulbound books by Hailey Turner, and the Better Than series by Lane Hayes. There are so many more but those are the ones that came to mind immediately.

Now that you’re finished with this book, what’s next on your writing schedule?

I’m torn between the next book in my Model Agency series, or the final book in my paranormal romance series, Black and Blue. I’m writing both stories next year, so it’ll come down to which character has the loudest voice – Xavier or Blue. It’s Clash of the Titans!

If you could spend the day with one of the main characters in your book, which would it be, and what would you do together?

It would be Tom. Bee is incredibly clever and very focused on his lists of things to see and do in Edinburgh, while Tom is much more relaxed and easygoing. He has a way of taking the seriousness out of everything for Bee and finding off-the-wall interesting things for them to do. I like the care and attention he pays Bee and his innate understanding of what makes the man tick. We all need someone to understand us like that and love us for who we are.

What are your favourite tropes or themes to write in a book? Is it/are they in this book?

I love writing forced proximity. It’s so much fun to see how being close together can override preconceptions or provide the spark to make friends turn to lovers. On Circus Lane features forced proximity. Bee dislikes Tom intensely when he first meets him, but then he finds himself sharing an apartment with him while on holiday with a group of friends. The closeness lets him see how wrong his first impression was of the man as they’re thrown together in Edinburgh.

As I settled in and started reading this book I was quickly confused. Jack? Arlo? Friends? But they are together?

*does some digging*

I see. Lily Morton wrote Merry Measure a few years ago and is officially Wright Brothers Book 2 and this newest is book 1. Once I got that sorted I was ok. It also helped to know that Steven, Jack’s boyfriend, wouldn’t be around forever.

Back to the story. Bee and best friend Ivy and a rag tag group of friends and relations decide to go on vacation in Edinburgh. And although there was a bit of a miscommunication? Missed connection? between Bee and Tom and a lot of stony glares thrown at Tom during the drive, Tom felt that gut punch of “this is my person”. Too bad Bee is not a relationship kind of guy.

I did love that Bee, the child prodigy academic who tends to miss most of what is going on around him, is the one and done guy. Nice flip on the stereotype.

He’s also confident in himself and knows he can catch a guy for a night. But apparently not Tom.

And so Tom courts him in a way. Sneaking on his phone to google things to do that Bee would like. Offering to take him shopping and sight seeing. Offering tea and toast in the morning in their shared accommodations. It’s really rather sweet.

Bee is semi oblivious to this because he is still stung that his masculine wiles haven’t worked on Tom. Everyone else sees it though.

I love both the romantic nature of the story as well as the reading about the various spots in Edinburgh they visit. The group of friends was fun as well. Not expecting the group to stick together during the day, only hoping that they can get together for a meal every night. Except for the aforementioned Steven. Why he got so much page time in Bee and Tom’s story, I’ll never know. He was a pompous ass and too much energy was devoted to him.

Toward the end of the book we get to visit with Tom’s (and Arlo’s) parents again which is always fun. They are unique and fun characters.

And I adored the romance of Tom and Bee being present for each other. Tom at first especially. He LISTENED to Bee. He was interested in what he had to say and made sure to give him his focus. That, to me, is one of the most romantic and intimate things between 2 people.

I really enjoyed this book (except for Steven) and when I finished it, I reopened Merry Measure because On Circus Lane ends where Merry Measure begins and I wanted to see Jack get his happily ever after again.

For reference, Merry Measure review here.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Lily lives in sunny England with her husband and two children, all of whom claim that they haven’t had a proper conversation with her since she bought her first Kindle.

She has spent her life with her head full of daydreams and decided one day to just sit down and start writing about them. In the process she discovered that she actually loved writing, because how else could she get to spend her time with hot, funny men!

She loves chocolate and Baileys and the best of all creations – chocolate Baileys! Her lifetime’s ambition is to have a bath in peace without being shouted by one of her family.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008647656545

Facebook Readers Group: www.facebook.com/groups/SnarkSquad

Twitter: www.twitter.com/LilyAuthor

Instagram: www.instagram.com/lilymortonauthor

Newsletter: https://bit.ly/LilyMorton-Newsletter

Alfie: Part One by Cara Dee: RB, Excerpt and Release Day Review

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Part 1 of 2 • Second Chances • Irish Mafia • Family • Hurt/Comfort • Age Gap
Two broken hearts, pent-up anger, the right amount of Philly grit, painful yearning, and the complete inability to move on… This is Alfie and West’s love story. It begins in the wreckage they created.

Mom always warned me when I was a kid. Remember, mijo, stay away from the Sons of Munster, she’d say, wagging her finger at me and all. They were bad. They were mobsters. Then we’d head into church, and she’d hold my hand almost as tightly as she clutched the secret of who my biological dad was.

Since I’d been a bit of a screw-up all my life, it only made sense for me to blow it out of the park when I finally gave up on my marriage years and years later. Then again, who could blame me? I had two success stories—my kids. I loved them to pieces. But the man I shared them with—the love of my life—was moving on. I was also done pretending to be someone else, I was sick of the lies, and…to be honest, I was going through an identity crisis.

So, to hell with it. Since West wasn’t taking me back, maybe the Sons of Munster would accept me.

—————-

Alfie belongs in the This Life universe by Cara Dee. However, Alfie and West’s story has been written so it can be enjoyed to its full extent as a standalone.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

I pulled into the driveway and parked next to West’s Mercedes, and the kids jumped out. They ran for the door, both forgetting their backpacks.

 I grabbed them and braced myself for my weekly West spotting.

 Motherfucker.

 The front lawn could be a golf green. There was even a tiny fountain at the center with a stone path around it. Flower beds and little trees. Perfectly trimmed hedges. A gardening service that came once a month.

 The house itself was a modest monstrosity, if such a thing existed. Luxury on a slightly smaller scale. The second floor had a balcony, with its two pillars coming down to flank the front door. Everything was white and pristine, and the backyard was made for mingling and bullshit like that.

 A few times, I’d heard from the kids when West hosted wine mixers and charity events.

 I suppressed a sigh as West opened the door, immediately attacked with hugs.

 “Hi, Daddy—we’re not late!” Ellie climbed him like a tree.

 West chuckled warmly and squeezed them both tightly. “It’s so good to have you home, sweethearts.”

 My home is their home too, douchebag.

 I wished I could let go of him. I’d done fucking everything in my power to be the man he deserved—and I was still trying, to an extent. But, nada. He’d pulled the plug. We kept shit civil in front of our children, but the moment they left the room, I could tell he was looking for the nearest exit.

 I let them get the hallway catch-up out of the way, with both kids rambling about the week we’d had, and West soaked it up and wordlessly grabbed the backpacks from me.

 I stood on the doormat. I rarely walked farther. From here, I could spy the kitchen to the right, the den to the left, and the stairs in the center. The door to Ellie’s room on the second floor was visible, and it was filled with her drawings and her name.

 “Can I get a hug before you disappear, kiddos?” I asked.

 “Duh!” Ellie ran over and jumped into my arms, and I was quick to hug her.

 This part fucking sucked.

 I closed my eyes briefly and breathed her in.

 One week. I’ll see you in one week.

 “…and then Grandma and Grandpa will be here tomorrow evening,” West was saying.

 “Okay, but I can stay in my room and read, right?” Trip asked to make sure.

 “Of course,” West chuckled. “I might join you.”

 Trip snickered.

 I smooched Ellie’s cheek and reluctantly let her back down. “Love you, baby.”

 “I love you the mostest!” she sang. “Bye, Daddy!”

 “Bye, honey.” I forced a smile on my face and swallowed the emotions that threatened to resurface like clockwork every other Friday. Trip was next, and he came in for a hug too. I squeezed him and kissed the top of his head. “I love you, son. I’ll see you next Friday.”

 “Love you too, Dad.” He smiled up at me. “Will you get my pillow from Nonna and Pop-Pop before, or should I bring the one I have here?”

 “I’ll pick it up on Tuesday,” I said with a nod. “Nonna promised me lasagna then.”

 He gasped. “Save me a piece?”

 “Always.” I grinned and watched him fist-pump the air, but almost subtle-like, and then he grabbed his backpack and jogged up the stairs.

 I bet he was going to give his pillow a big hug. The li’l lad was obsessed with memory foam.

 “Dinner’s ready in five, kids!” West called up the stairs.

 “Okay!”

 They shut the doors to their rooms, and our reasons for being in the same room once a week were gone. Time for me to leave.

 “Have a good week,” I said, opening the door.

 “Alfie—a moment, please.” West walked ahead of me, to my surprise, and stopped right outside. “I need to tell you something, and I don’t want you to hear it from them.”

 I lifted a brow. It was best to keep eye contact to a minimum. West was always going to be the man in fitted pullovers and slacks, if he wasn’t wearing a suit, and my reaction to him was evidently always going to be the same too. My whole fucking body screamed for his. The comfort and sturdiness he’d represented. Always so solid, tall, warm, and caregiving.

 Until he’d grown cold and said we were done.

 He cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his head. A few more streaks of silver had appeared lately.

 “My parents are watching the kids tomorrow night,” he said. “Knowing my mother, she’ll probably say too much, and I… Truth be told, I’m not sure I even want to—” He stopped with a sigh. “I have a date. That’s all.”

 No.

 Please fucking don’t.

 I clenched my jaw and averted my stare as I broke all over again. My chest suddenly felt tight, from one breath to the next, and I couldn’t fucking believe it. I mean, I could—I’d waited for this day, knowing it would come sooner or later. But my fucking God, it hurt. Holy shite, I needed to go. Stat.

 “Got it.” I nodded once and started making my way back to my car.

 Run. Escape. Hide. Cry. Fall apart where no one can see.

 He was officially moving on. Maybe he already had. Who knew how many one-nighters he’d had the past two years—although, that wasn’t his MO. But whatever. He had a date. He was getting out there. One day, he’d introduce someone to our kids—

 Fuck me, I was gonna be sick.

 Nausea crawled up my throat, and I hurried to the car.

 “Is that it?” West asked. “We once said we’d discuss things when we met someone.”

 “Ain’t fuckin’ nothing to discuss,” I snapped over my shoulder.

 I unlocked the car and got in behind the wheel, and I noticed my fingers were trembling. Rage and jealousy and despair, emotions all too familiar for me. And now the day was here. Fuck Fridays, bitch-ass motherfucking shite.

 I saw West’s expression as I started the engine, arms wide, eyes flashing with disbelief, so I rolled down the windows and backed out.

 “Are you honestly leaving?” he called. “You’re clearly upset!”

 I backed out of the driveway and laughed humorlessly. “Nah, I’m thrilled! I hope you and Whatshisface ride off into the sunset together!” I legit flipped him off. I wasn’t sure I’d given anyone the finger since high school.

 West could not look more incredulous. “Alfie, what the hell!”

 “Yeah, go there and rot! Piece’a shit!” I gnashed my teeth, stepped on the gas, and rolled up the windows again.

 Oh my God, I wanted to kill someone. Maybe the motherfucker West had asked out.

 Had they fucked already? He’d been old-school with me. I’d suggested he rail me in the alley behind the bar I’d worked at, and he’d sort of blanched. Then he’d demanded he take me to dinner first.

 Perhaps that was why this hurt so fucking much. West was all heart, and he didn’t go very far until he was ready to go the distance.

 I sniffled and realized my vision was too blurry, so I angrily wiped at my cheeks and blinked back the tears. Well, too late to take anything back. Fuck, fuck, fuck! I punched the steering wheel and let the fury burst out of me.

 As if on cue, my phone rang, and I picked it up and saw it was West.

Back to the mafia world where I first discovered Cara Dee. The Irish mafia in Philadelphia, the Sons of Munster. This book is VERY TAME in terms of violence compared to the others. Instead it is more of a man finding who he really is and making no apologies for it.

We get a quick first chapter flashback of Alfie and West meeting. Chapter 2 brings us back to the present. And a lot has happened in those years. The scenes or flashbacks to what has happened are pretty seamless in the story itself. It never felt clunky like, oops, I’d better explain that. It all just flows.

Now we have two men, divorced, co-parenting two kids while being barely civil to each other. And that is just for the sake of the kids. Whom I really liked and also fit really well into the story.

While West is a tv producer and comes from money, Alfie is a street kid from Philly. And even though he had a seemingly lucrative career as a model in the past, Alfie ingratiates himself into a position in “the syndicate” AKA, the mafia. Insisting he is stays more in the shadows for the sake of his children, but he feels so at home and welcome in this group that is family. Literally and figuratively.

All of this while still nursing a broken heart from his divorce. A divorce that wasn’t his idea at all. West had his reasons, and the reasons really are valid. But so are Alfie’s.

The pacing of the story was just spot on. Nothing was rushed, nothing was forgotten. My only nitpicking- and it is that, nitpicking- is the stereotypical Irish stuff-the drinking, listening to the Dropkick Murphys all the time- and the random “aye”, “shite” and “mate” spoken by Americans.

But still, I cannot wait for book 2.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

I’m often awkwardly silent or, if the topic interests me, a chronic rambler. In other words, I can discuss writing forever and ever. Fiction, in particular. The love story—while a huge draw and constantly present—is secondary for me, because there’s so much more to writing romance fiction than just making two (or more) people fall in love and have hot sex. 

There’s a world to build, characters to develop, interests to create, and a topic or two to research thoroughly. 

Every book is a challenge for me, an opportunity to learn something new, and a puzzle to piece together. I want my characters to come to life, and the only way I know to do that is to give them substance—passions, history, goals, quirks, and strong opinions—and to let them evolve.

I want my men and women to be relatable. That means allowing room for everyday problems and, for lack of a better word, flaws. My characters will never be perfect.

Wait…this was supposed to be about me, not my writing.

I’m a writey person who loves to write. Always wanderlusting, twitterpating, kinking, cooking, baking, and geeking. There’s time for hockey and family, too. But mostly, I just love to write. 

Find Cara on social media here: https://www.caradeewrites.com/cdwlandingpage

 

Deck The Palms (An Annabeth Albert Christmas) by Annabeth Albert: New Release Review

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Nolan Bell has a very Merry problem this holiday season…

As a native New Yorker, I’ve always dreamed of my name in lights on Broadway. But when my Army officer brother calls in a favor, I wind up in Hawaii to help his family while he’s deployed.

A winter in paradise doesn’t sound too bad until I become the substitute choir teacher at a middle school near the base. Wrangling a bunch of tweens while planning the annual school holiday lights festival is a far cry from playing Peter Pan.
Enter Merrick “Merry” Winters, the school’s grumpy but hot shop teacher. I can win over any audience, but Merry’s a tough sell. And I need his help to make the festival successful.

The more time I spend with Merry, the less grumpy he seems, and the more I like the guy. He’s the third generation of a legendary North Shore surfing family. He’s committed to raising his twin boys on the island as a single dad. And like me, he doesn’t have time for an inconvenient but undeniable attraction.

As disasters pile up, the only holiday magic Merry and I seem to be making is with each other. What starts as a harmless fling becomes the only present I want under my tree.

If I want this romance to last past New Year’s, I have to decide which dreams are truly worth chasing.

Can Merry and I catch a wave for a future together before the sun sets on this holiday season?

A brand-new holiday romance from the author of the beloved The Geek Who Saved Christmas starring two middle school teachers in over their heads in an opposites-attract, fish-out-of-water romance. Deck the Palms features a slightly grumpy single dad and a sunny city slicker navigating family dynamics amid holiday small-town romance vibes with a side of Hawaiian sunshine. Guaranteed low-angst, feel-good, happy ending with a heaping helping of holiday spice!

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

This book was so fun! First, I LOVE that it was set in Hawaii. Unexpected just because in the US, Christmas usually means snow and cutting down a tree and hot chocolate and ice skating. But with this we got the rainy season, a foil tree, Hawaiian shaved ice and surfing.

Another thing I loved is that the native New Yorker was Mr Sunshine and the Hawaiian born was Grumpy. These guys were raised completely opposite. One hippie surfer family, the other uptown NY snobs. Luckily Nolan doesn’t take after his snobby parents.

There’s also twin boys who are pranksters, nieces who Nolan is helping with while his sister in law recovers from giving birth for the third baby and a charter school that has seen better days. Oh, and throw a holidays lights show incorporating all of the kids.

Ms Albert doesn’t shy away from the realities of living in Hawaii. From the Naval base to the natives being priced out of their island and the over running tourism. And she did that without being preachy at all. She also shows us different parts of the island. From the surfing on the north shore to the tourism of the bigger cities and the realities of so many teachers working a second job just to afford the rent.

Working together on the holiday show gives Nolan and Merry time to explore being together. Even for a short time. Because Nolan is going back to Broadway, right? Wink wink

I think this was my favorite Christmas book this year.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Ice & Sweet: An MM Christmas Romance by Charlie Novak: New Release Review

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Falling for my crush at my ex’s Christmas wedding? Piece of cake!

Making the cake for my ex-fake boyfriend turned best friend’s wedding the week before Christmas was easy. Carting it halfway across England in the snow was not. Especially not when a blown-out back tyre leads to me coming face to face with my long term crush for the first time in five years.

I’ve known André since his days of boyband superstardom, but since I was supposed to be dating one of his bandmates, I was never able to act on my feelings. But now we’re both single and stuck in a hotel for the weekend with our interfering friends who seem determined to push us together.

But maybe André and I don’t need a push. Maybe all we need is a chance to see if the spark we felt all those years ago is still there.

After all, it is Christmas. And that means anything could happen.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

This book just made me happy. The two main characters are connected to other side characters we know. So that brought in mentions of other characters who already had their happily ever after. But they stayed out of the way and didn’t demand the spotlight. So even though we didn’t know Andre and Luke, they are still part of the world we know in Charlie Novak’s books.

Being that the book started at a wedding two weeks before Christmas, I was thrilled to know that this wasn’t a two strangers meeting romance or an enemies to lovers romance or even a friends to lovers romance.

Rediscovering each other as people, but on a different deeper level than before. Neither afraid of PDA or moving too fast or being too clingy. They also had a similar background, which put them on more of an even playing field, in terms of status. No worries there.

There were, in fact, no worries. Ok, a bit about their odd work schedules, but still. No worries, no angst, no drama. Just two guys falling in love right in time for Christmas.

4 pieces of eye candy

The Guy Next Door by Devon McCormack: Release Day Review

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ZANE

Is it wrong that I watch him?
Leif Anderson seems like a friendly, kind, normal, boy-next-door type.
Unlike me.
His stalker, a creep who moved into the place next to his parents’ house to keep an eye on him.
I’m not the bad guy, though.
I’m the one who will protect him.
The cops don’t believe he’s in danger.
Maybe they’re right, and this is all in my messed-up head.
I’ve been wrong before.
And no matter how I justify this to myself, my motives aren’t entirely pure.
It’s impossible to watch a guy this hot walking around in those adorable beanies without getting a little turned on.
When he discovers my secret surveillance, I’m sure it’s over.
No way he believes my reasons for watching him, but he doesn’t report me for my crime.
He’s curious about me in a way I don’t expect from a straight guy.
Or as I quickly learn, maybe not so straight.
Before I know it, we’re on a journey, exploring this wild, exciting part of Leif while I try to keep him safe from harm.
But the closer we get to one another, the more I wonder: what if it was all in my head?
What if no one’s coming for him?
What if the real threat to Leif is me, the guy next door?

*The Guy Next Door is a steamy romantic suspense but contains content that may trigger some readers. During the book’s preorder period, a complete content warning will be available on the author’s website. When the book is available for order, the warning will appear at the start of the book and can be viewed using the Look Inside feature.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

What drew me to this book was the mental health representation. And since both characters have mental health issues, I guess you can say it was represented. But I feel like a big opportunity was lost there.

Zane is the strange guy who moved in next door. Leif is taking time off of college after being hospitalized for mental health issues. Zane is definitely sketchy, even after his explanation. His whole reason for moving in next door just didn’t ring true.

I also didn’t feel a lot of chemistry between the 2 guys. Especially since Leif has always identified as straight. And the weirdness coming off of Zane.

That being said, I did like the basic premise of the story, I just wish it had played out differently. It wasn’t all that cohesive of a mystery.

Ultimately, did I think that Zane and Leif were cute together? Yes. Leif exploring his sexuality was fun. And the truest thing with the mental health rep (at least to me) was Leif’s parents checking in on him a little too much, which annoyed him.

Devon McCormack can write well, no doubt. The story just lacked a little for me.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

The Story of Danny Rose (Hillcroft Group Book 1) by Cara Dee: New Release Review

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The Hillcroft Group, #1 Standalone Age gap Military DD/lb
“Try to read his file from the Army from another perspective. Less stone-faced, devoid of emotion, SAS operator and more as…oh, I don’t know, the loving, caring, nurturing Dom that you are.”

There was nothing like kicking off your vacation by realizing someone had broken in to your cabin. More than that, he was waiting when you arrived.

This young guy had plagued my dreams when I’d spent two months with his detachment a couple years ago. He was cocky, volatile, and resourceful. Resourceful enough to track me down, piss me off, and get himself invited for steaks and beer.

I was quickly going to learn there was a lot more to him than being a soldier with boundary issues, though. Starting the moment I accidentally spotted a small stuffed animal in his backpack.

He changed everything. The story of Danny Rose went from anecdotes I occasionally shared with recruits, to…becoming my whole bloody life.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

This book was mostly what I had hoped for. Back to a couple who get together but take the time to get to know each other. Not immediately off to a Game at McLean House or in a scene.

Danny and Emerson met briefly years ago. Danny never forgot Emerson though and after he left the military, tracked him down. Partly because he wanted to be a PMC and partly because he just wanted him.

We got a brief bit of their story previously in a short involving the Tenley twins. This expands on that story. And while it was expanded, and I did enjoy it, the near immediate “I’m a little” and “I’m a Daddy” great, let’s explore that together immediately, was a bit too fast for me. Again, more flirting. More fun. The PMC guys need a little fun and joy in their lives. Also, more background into the characters.

Having the Tenley twins in the background of the story was really fun. Seeing them as 20 year olds, taking orders, being voyeurs without apology and getting insight into how they became the growly Doms we know and love was interesting.

We are also introduced to several characters I am sure will be coming up in future Hillcroft Group books, as well as some excellently placed Easter eggs. I hope that future books in this series can focus more on the couple and less on the missions they are sure to be on, but that remains to be seen.

4 pieces of eye candy