review

Bishop (A True Lovers Story) by A.E. Via: Audiobook Review

June 1, 2020 by Denise

At only 32, Bishop Stockley has lived a hard-knock life. After doing five years in a federal prison, Bishop is back at his dad’s trailer and working for his landscaping company, thrust into a legit world where he’s no longer the alpha – a world where a criminal record is the least of his disadvantages, because Bishop can’t read or write.

Bishop already had the deck stacked against him, but he wasn’t afraid of hard work to change his situation, and he did want to change. Especially after he encountered Edison Scala, a kind-spirited office manager who didn’t hesitate to come to his defense…a man that saw past Bishop’s grass-stained coveralls. A man who wasn’t intimidated by his stern features and his silence.

Bishop knew Edison was off-limits. He’d made personal vows to himself when he was released from prison, ones that he never intended to break. But, when Edison asked him about providing landscaping services at his home, there was no way he could refuse. He hadn’t expected Edison to feed him, praise him, encourage him, and look at him the way he did – as if Bishop was somebody.

Bishop: A True Lover’s Story

A.E. Via

M/M Romance

Audio Release: 03.31.20

Narrator: Tor Thom

Publisher: Tantor

Listening Length: 13 hours and 10 minutes

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Audible

“Bishop,” he breathed. “I can’t believe this. Your drawing is beautiful, but to think you thought of this from looking at that,” Edison pointed to his open patio doors. “It’s unbelievable. You are so talented.”

Edison couldn’t tell if Bishop was blushing, because his skin was too tanned and his stubble too dark. But the way his gaze darted over the drawing, then to Edison’s face was telling. Bishop wanted him to like his work, wanted him to love it. Just like he wanted Bishop to love his cooking.

“I have a couple more.” Bishop’s knee bounced underneath the table as he flipped to the next page.

Edison gasped. It was the same concept, except with different patio sets and different flower options. The lines were still as sleek and complicated as the first possibility. Then Bishop flipped another page. Just as elaborate and intricate as the others. He shook his head, smiling over at this amazing man. “How do I possibly choose?”

Bishop licked his lips and Edison felt his smile fade as he stared at Bishop’s full mouth, wondering what it’d be like to kiss him.

Okay, first, I was so excited for this!

I’m somewhat of a newb when it comes to audiobooks and I will admit that I am very picky when it comes to them because I just neeeed it to sound exactly the way it does in my head.
Don’t come for me, I already know what you’re going to say… but it’s why I can’t get into many that I’ve tried. But let me just say that I never…. Ever…have that problem with this author, her narrator or any of her stories because they’re spot on… (to me at least)

So, into the story… that honestly kept me on the edge of my seat whilst listening to it in the many places I got to sneak it into during my first full week of self-isolation. (with a houseful of children and my husband, believe me, it’s harder than you’d think!)

Edison, who we meet first, is an executive assistant at a law firm. He’s kind of the big wig of the office, though as sweet as he is and as non-confrontational, everyone just kind of walks all over him and treats him like crap. It had me sick to my stomach the way a few people treated, most especially Skylar, but we’ll get to him in a minute. Since losing his mother as an infant and his father, who was his best friend, a couple years back, he was pretty much alone in every sense of the word, save for an Aunt and Uncle. I was glad that he had them, but as Edison is an adult, he kind of left them to their lives and kept himself to himself.

He was lonely, sure, but he had a job he loved, even if the people were less than welcoming, he had hobbies that required only him, like reading and cooking and he’s just an all-around good guy. He sees the best in people, even when they don’t deserve it. When he meets Bishop outside of his office one day, he’s instantly attracted to him but as shy as he seems to be, his co-worker Skylar doesn’t help things the other times they run into each other. Skylar is jealous and selfish and petty and I knew he was going to be trouble… I kind of wish Trent would’ve scalped him or something when he had the chance, but alas, I wished for karmic street justice instead of the legal kind he eventually got… but, I won’t give too much that away. It was only just enough satisfaction, I hope to see more in the next one… but, rewind, back to Bishop.

Now, Bishop was brought up by a teenage father who didn’t know how to be one. His childhood lacked any kind of education or goals, so it wasn’t a surprise he was in and out of juvie as a child and then raised in the streets the rest of the time. When he went to prison for a crime his gang committed, he was lucky an even douchier ex kind of kept him from going away for longer after humiliating him in court. After a handful of years in prison, Bishop was finally out of prison, out of the gang and trying to forge a relationship that he never had with his dad. He and his childhood friend, ex-gang member and prison friend Trent left that life behind and were trying to be better… even if Trent needed a little firmer hand than Bishop did in the beginning.

I adored Bishop’s dad and their relationship. I understand being young parents and doing so many things wrong. I loved how he owned it and was set to be all his son needed him to be, even if Bishop pushed him away and tried to resist it at first. As a parent, better late than never, and I loved how much he loved his son and supported him and encouraged him to better himself, he was amazing. And so was Trent, who as I said was more like Bishop’s little brother and they acted like it too. I loved how loyal Trent was, always down for whatever, always having Bishops back and loving him the way a chosen family would. I adored Trent and the way he’s portrayed and I cannot wait to see him and meet Wood in the next book! Yay!

Growing up the way he did, Bishop had a lot of obstacles in his way to get where he wanted in life, but he was working on it with the help of Trent and Mike and he knew it wouldn’t be easy. When he meets Edison, he knows that he wants to be better for him too.

I love these two together, they were so opposite but in the very best ways and it comes across so genuine and real. Where Bishop was growly and big and intimidating and quiet, Edison was soft and sweet and naive in some ways, but it just made him who he is and you couldn’t help but fall in love with both of them. It wasn’t always easy though, with Bishop wanting to work a little more on bettering himself, though not being able to stay away from Edison and sweet blushing face and amazing ways he took care of Bishop by cooking for him and helping him, even unknowingly that he was worthy. I could imagine Bishop not feeling that with the way he’d grown up.

Of course, there are some bumps in the road, what with Bishop’s ex being petty in the beginning (thankfully he didn’t last long) and then Skylar, the jealous and somewhat psycho co-worker… there were some times that I wanted to grab Bishop a time or two and tell him to stop running away, but I understood it. It was realistic and raw and I felt it for them. Fortunately, Edison loved Bishop for exactly who he was, no question, no hesitation and Bishop pulled Edison out of his shell and boosted his self-confidence and self-worth. It was just beautiful to see, all of it. Aside from Ruxs and Green from the Nothing Special series, this might be my new favorite from Ms. A.

I truly cannot wait for more, I’ll be fangirling like a lunatic until I find out what happens with Trent and Wood and I’ll absolutely be one of the first in line to have it on audio as well as my kindle and a dark and gritty paperback too.

Loved it! <3

4 pieces of eye candy

A.E. Via has been a best-selling author in the beautiful gay romance genre for six years now, but she’s no stranger to MM. She’s been an avid reader of gay literature for over twenty years before she picked up her laptop to place her own kiss on this genre. She’s also the founder and owner of Via Star Wings Books, having published a couple great, new up and coming MM authors.

A.E. has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Virginia Wesleyan College that she used to start her own paralegal firm after she graduated in 2008. She spent five years preparing and filing bankruptcy petitions for struggling blue collar workers who couldn’t afford to file with a lawyer. It was a rewarding and satisfying career… but another path called to her.

Writing.

A.E.’s novels embodies everything from hopelessly romantic to adventure, to scandalous. Her stories often include intriguing edges and twists that take readers to new, thought-provoking depths.

She’s recently celebrated her 20th book anniversary, and is well-known for her hardcore, love hard, bad boy, alphas. However, she does like to push herself to step out of her comfort zone, exploring different tropes. She’s head over heels for gay romance and she has tons of more hot stories to tell.

Be sure to visit Adrienne on her social media pages and subscribe to her newsletter to never miss another release date! Go to A.E. Via’s official website http://authoraevia.com for more detailed information on how to contact her, follow her, or a sneak peek at upcoming work, free reads, VSWB submissions, and where she’ll appear next.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48195130-bishop

Author Official Website: http://authoraevia.com

A.E. Newsletter Signup: https://goo.gl/4hfuMh

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/aeviaauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorAEVia

The New Normal by L.J. Hayward: Exclusive Guest Post, Release Day Review and Giveaway

May 27, 2020 by Denise

Brian Stagliano’s life should be pretty sweet right now. Two of his closest friends are getting married, and he’s taking a new, exciting step in his career as a doctor. Most amazing though, his best mate has been given the all-clear from cancer. But Brian’s normal has just been tipped A over T and the friendship he’s relied on for years is in danger. All because of five little words.

Andrew Fitzroy should be on top of the world. The cancer that’s haunted him is gone. He can finally get on with his life—except he doesn’t know what that life is anymore. Is he brave enough to come out as bisexual? Should he pursue architecture or stay in construction? Either way, Andrew knows happiness won’t be his until he has what his engaged friends have—love, joy, passion. So, he says those five little words to Brian—I’m in love with you.

Friends since childhood, Brian and Andrew have always been closer than brothers. Best mates. Nothing could ever tear them apart. Except for those five little words. Now, Brian’s not sure about so many things—their friendship, his own desires—and the foundation Andrew’s built his world on feels like its crumbling. But if they manage not to destroy everything they have together, Andrew and Brian might just find a new normal with each other.

A Gold Coast Collage Novel, Book 1

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Hello! I’m L.J. Hayward and you may know me from the Death and the Devil series, MM romantic suspense about a spy and an assassin. Now I have a new story for you all, the first book in a series of MM contemporary romances set in my home city of the Gold Coast, Australia. The series is called Gold Coast Collage and book one is “The New Normal”, about Brian Stagliano and Andrew Fitzroy, best friends since they were kids. They’ve shared a lot of ups and downs, including the Big C, and now they’ll have to fight to survive the next one as well—the one where Andrew tells Brian that he’s in love with him.

For various reasons, it’s been years since I’ve had a furry/feathered/scaled companion. I do plan on rectifying that soon (I really want a Bengal cat or two!), so until then (to be honest, after then even) I have to satisfy myself with giving my characters pets, so Brian and Andrew have Schrodinger. They also have Archimedes. Occasionally, they have Tolstoy. In other words, Schrody is Archy is Tolly. A cat with enough names he’s actually got an excuse for ignoring them all.

Archy began his life with Andrew and Brian as a weak, scared kitten who hid in Andrew’s shirt. He grew into a large, opinionated cat with a penchant for dairy milk and terrorising the local German Shepherd. Schrody loves his humans in his own way, but his affections are easily bought, depending on who has what he currently wants . . .

Archimedes, currently planted on the end of Brian’s bed grooming himself intimately, looked up at Andrew, gave a purely feline sniff of distaste, and went back to licking his butt.

“Traitor,” Andrew muttered to the cat on his way past to the stairs. He was barely halfway down when the cat trotted past him.

Archy was sitting by the fridge when Andrew got to the kitchen. His purr kicked in like an outboard motor when Andrew opened the fridge. Up on his hind legs, front paws on Andrew’s knee, he smashed his face into his thigh, rubbing one cheek then the other over him.

“Aw, kitty kisses. Someone wants milk.”

Archy/Schrody is based on two cats I’ve had. One was Jerry, a tiny, grey feral kitten my dad rescued from a cane field. Jerry was so little when he came home my mum had to teach him to lap milk. He grew into a beautiful giant, peaceful and patient, and while we never knew his heritage, he looked very much like a Russian Blue. My dad used to vacuum the loose fur off him. The second cat to inspire Archy/Schrody was Lister. He came from the pound and was a feisty, unknown mix who took forever to grow into his huge ears. He was hugely independent and enjoyed lying in ambush for the unwary. When Willow, a cattle dog/German Shepherd mix, joined us, Lister was the boss of her too, even when Willow grew to four times his size. I used to walk Lister on a harness and lead whenever we moved and he needed to learn his new territory because keeping him inside was impossible.

Our pets are important. They’re companions and confidants, giving comfort, loyalty and amusement. My characters are always going to have pets, even if they aren’t conventional ones.

I’ll start off with this…there was a lot going on in this book, almost too much. There were ex’s all over the place, some sleezy people, lots of friends around and in the MC’s business, and a cat who shan’t (literally) be named. Amongst all that, there were two MC’s who had clearly been together in every sense except the actual physical sense. They lived together (except when they fought), had a cat together, and carried each other through the toughest of times.

It was very clear from the beginning that these two loved each other, and so I have to say I was honestly fairly shocked that Brian became so hung up initially over Andrew’s telling him he loved him. However, as the book continued, it became clear that Brian had his own issues to deal with, since he was not out as bisexual either. That was a wild ride, as well. lol

In the end, what I enjoyed most about the book (besides the cat who could never be named, but also was quite sassy) was that the relationship evolved for them. No pressure from Andrew that Brian had to come out, once they were together. They just found a good rhythm that worked for both of them. Their friends were a bit nosy, but definitely had their friends best interests at heart…most of the time. 🙂

I enjoyed watching the evolution of these two, as they went about their daily lives, trying to figure out what was best for them together and separate. Also, as an aside, because of the book, I had to look up what chicken spaghetti was, and then made it over the weekend. Delicious! Try it. I recommend the Pioneer Woman recipe. lol

I definitely want to see what a second book in this series looks like. 🙂

4 pieces of eye candy

Hi! I’m L.J. Hayward and I’ll be your author for this biography.

Official Blurb
L.J. Hayward has been telling stories for most of her life, a good deal of them of the tall variety. She loves reading but doesn’t seem to have enough time between wanting to be a more disciplined writer, being the actual erratic writer she is, and working for dollars in a dungeon laboratory. She also lives on the Gold Coast in Queensland, but rarely sees a beach and can’t surf, though she thinks living on a houseboat might be fun. At least then she’d have an excuse to get a cat.

Me Just Rambling & Stuff
I’ve been telling tales (some of them of the tall variety) for most of my life. The first book I ever produced was about Easter, as I recall, and was written in crude pictographs. In my defence, I reckon I was about three. Stapler-binding was the format of choice (way, way before the advent of the e-book). First story with words (and pictures) was about a trip to the moon, in which I included the exhaustive research I did on the matter by saying it took three days to get there. Sadly, the trip was cut short when a puddle of blood (!! – quite gory for its day and age) was discovered on the moon, so the characters had to leave before the murderous aliens found them. Nail bitting stuff!

Beyond that, I don’t recall exactly when I began to think seriously about writing. I always enjoyed a creative writing exercise in high school, but hated scientific writing in university. Not enough room for drama or humour or unicorns. But even before I began writing stories down, I was writing them in my head. Serious writing started around the mid-twenties. Good writing started a couple of years later. Even better writing is still in progress.

As a pathology scientist, blood and medicine is a big part of my life and, naturally, have an influence on my writing. My first book, Blood Work, had its origins in how blood behaves in transfusions (vampires drinking blood is basically a transfusion, right? Right.).

Of course, recently I’ve moved into M/M romantic suspense, with the publication of Where Death Meets the Devil. I’m blaming Manna Francis’s Administration series for hooking me into the wonderfully wide and diverse realm of queer fiction. It’s a genre pool I plan on wallowing in for good long while. 😉

Connect with L.J.:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008255073283
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3357919950947183/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/L-J-Hayward/e/B00MT509K0/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3103648.L_J_Hayward
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lj_hayward
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lj_hayward/

To celebrate L.J.’s new release, we are giving away $10 Amazon GC and an e-copy of your choice of one of L.J. Hayward’s back listed books.

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Never Say Never by Felice Stevens: Blog Tour, New Release Review and Giveaway

May 22, 2020 by Denise

One taste leaves them wanting more…

INGREDIENTS:

Francisco “Frisco” Martinelli. Hot and spicy. Beautiful on the outside, dark and damaged on the inside. Handle with extreme caution.

Salvatore “Torre” Rossi. Sweet with a kick of spice. Gentle at first, can become swiftly and irrevocably addictive to the heart.

A RECIPE FOR ROMANCE

One snobby food critic who doesn’t believe in love

One down-to-earth food blogger who does

Add a touch of suspicious brother

A heaping serving of best friend who’s been waiting for this to happen

Blend with secret identities, past hurts, and judgments.

Stir in equal portions of desperate longing, desire, fear, and snarky humor.

Set over open flame, step back, and wait for sparks to fly.

Serve as is for an explosive love story that will leave you with a full heart and a ridiculously happy smile at the end.

Title: Never Say Never

Series: Lost in New York

Author: Felice Stevens

Release: May 21, 2020

Genre: M/M Romance

Goodreads

Amazon US

Amazon CA

Amazon UK

Amazon AU

Fool For Love

The Promise

Amazon US

Amazon CA

Amazon UK

Amazon AU

Guess who has a new favorite book by Felice Stevens? This girl! I love a broken, snarky guy. Especially when we, the readers, see how soft he really is before his love interest does.

We met Frisco back in book 1 as the best friend to Presley. You don’t have to read book 1, Fool for Love, but I think it really gets you to really want to know his story. He is snarky, arrogant, a total playboy and totally damaged. And by his full name he is a famous restaurant critic. One that has drawn the ire of Torre- a local blogger who devotes his blog to “real” New Yorkers. Not the ones who drop a grand on dinner for two at the trendiest spot in Manhattan. But the guy who knows where to get the best tacos or pizza or pasta in the outer boroughs. So he has a deep dislike for Francisco Martinelli. And Francisco Martinelli doesn’t understand why Salvatore Grant has it in for him. Lucky they know each other as Frisco and Torre, huh?

Ms. Stevens can write New York. And I mean that. New York as a character. Because it isn’t just Manhattan. It is Brooklyn and Queens and middle class working people as well. She loves New York and it shows.

Watching Frisco begin to be a “normal” person and not just the stuck up food critic is a treat. Rediscovering his first love of cooking. And perhaps discovering something like love with Torre? He sure drags himself to Brooklyn often enough to raise eyebrows. His own.

Torre is a total family guy. He lives in the basement apartment below his mother still. He drops everything to help out his brother at the restaurant by picking up a server shift. He got burned before by a guy who wanted connections. But Frisco is just a guy, right? HA!

The entire book- until the REVEAL of who they each are- had me turning the pages and holding my breath. It was amazing that they didn’t figure it out sooner, but it also made complete sense.

Of course we get Presley and a few cameo appearances by Nate. Presley wants nothing more than his best friend to find love and let someone love him. So many things with Frisco broke my heart.

So good, it was just so good. We quickly learn to love a man who we should hate. But he owns that arrogance, so just go with it.

4 pieces of eye candy

Felice Stevens has always been a romantic at heart. She believes that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending just around the corner. Her characters have to work for it, however. Like life in NYC, nothing comes easy, and that includes love.

She lives in New York City and has way too much black in her wardrobe yet can’t stop buying “just one more pair” of black pants. Felice is a happily addicted Bravo and Say Yes to the Dress addict and proud of it. And let’s not get started on House Hunters. Her dream day starts out with iced coffee and ends with Prosecco, because…why shouldn’t it? You can find her procrastinating on FB in her reader group, Felice’s Breakfast Club.

You can find all my books, grouped by series in proper reading order on my website located here:

Website

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Ryder’s Guardian (Maiden Voyage, Book 1) by Ann Lister & TL Travis: Exclusive Excerpt and Release Day Review

May 20, 2020 by Denise

For Maiden Voyage guitarist, Ryder Hampton, life is great. He and his bandmates are embarking upon an epic European double headlining tour with their friends from Social Sinners with the band Embrace the Fear opening for them.

Since joining Maiden Voyage in his twenties, Ryder’s life has been a whirlwind of the cliched, “Sex, drugs and monumental doses of Rock ‘n Roll. And he’s loved every minute of it from the sold out shows to the revolving door of bed partners.

Max Hightower has always been a team player. Whether it was working with his team in the Marines or now with the private security company, Ventura Security. These days, his job was to have the backs of a band of musicians. One band member in particular he’d allowed to get too close and now emotions were involved.

Ryder Hampton had left his mark on Max’s closed-off heart and now Max’s job was in jeopardy. Falling for your principal wasn’t safe – nor smart. Neither was missing the mark on protecting him and now Max was guilty of both. The security detail he’d begged his boss for had turned out to be the one that could ruin him and shatter his heart too. Max couldn’t allow either option to happen.

Maiden Voyage series must be read in order as each book starts where the last one ended but is from another band members point of view:

1 – Ryder’s Guardian
2 – Derek’s Destiny
3 – Jaxson’s Nemesis
4 – Shadow’s Light

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Max

I didn’t dare glance around the plane to see who really was sleeping or who could even be hearing our conversation. The risk I was taking by just allowing his hand to be on my neck was huge, but I couldn’t help but fall. When I felt the gentle tug of his hand, I willingly fell into him. My head rolled on the back of the seat and Ryder drew himself in closer to me. Our foreheads touched first and he closed his eyes. A soft hum came from his lips right before his face slanted and our lips brushed. I arched into the contact and Ryder’s other hand latched onto my neck. His grip was firm around my throat, and as his mouth opened to take mine, I felt a rush of his warm breath bathe my face.

I let him lead this dance. I parted my lips and waited for the first subtle flick of his tongue as it reached for mine and then stroked down the side. The touch went straight to my balls and my body exploded into flames. I couldn’t keep my hands to myself another second. I quickly buried my fingers into his gorgeous hair and skimmed them across his scalp. His breath hitched when I fisted his hair around my fingers and tugged.

Ryder bit my bottom lip then and pulled it away from my teeth and I wanted to lay him out flat on his back to climb on top, but now wasn’t the time. This was just a kiss – the real kiss Ryder wanted me to experience, and nothing more. We ate at each other’s mouths for long minutes until Ryder finally pulled away panting for breath.

“That was nothing like the kiss you gave me in Memphis,” I admitted.

“Maybe you’ll remember it this time,” Ryder said and relaxed into his seat by the window.

I was a big fan of Ann Lister’s series The Rock Gods. Then it moved into Guarding the Gods and I lost interest.

This being a new series- with a co-author- I figured I was all in. I wanted to be all in. But, really, it was kind of boring.

Firstly, I just didn’t feel the chemistry between Ryder and Max. It was also mentioned at the end of chapter 1 that they had a quick and dirty one off “after a show in Memphis” but it is never mentioned again. Or it is a timeline issue. Whichever, it messed me up. I kept waiting for one of them to say something to the other about it.

And yes, technically this a new series, but there are obviously things from previous books that come up.

So much of the book is should I or shouldn’t I? I want to but I can’t. Max not wanting to lose his job as a body guard, Ryder taunting him. Then Max’s job is seriously on the line, but they continue on the down low. Really? On the down low with 3 different band members and all of their bodyguards? But don’t worry, soon enough it is all blown off. Everyone knows and there are no repercussions.

Finally, the stalker situation. Which isn’t even a situation until BAM! it is. No lead up, no suspense, nothing.

But wait! There’s more! I won’t spoiler it, but there is some eye rolling for me.

Sorry, not sorry, this is a hard pass for me. Time for a new trope.

2.5 pieces of eye candy

About Ann:

Ann Lister is a native New Englander currently living in Florida with her husband. She has pulled details from her years living in the New England area and uses many local settings and landmarks in her novels.

After graduating art school, marrying, and raising two daughters, she established her own video production company. Her nearly two decades working in video production included work within the music industry and won her a coveted Telly Award. Her ‘behind-the-scenes’ exposure to the music world and her love of rock music is the inspiration for her erotic rock star romances.

Her rock star romance, “Fall For Me”, Book One in The Rock Gods series, was a Finalist in the 2013 Rainbow Award and Book Three, Make You Mine, established her as an Amazon #1 Bestselling Author. Her stories focus on what it truly means to love; love unconditionally, love without restrictions or labels, love without fear or judgment – to just simply love.

Connect with Ann:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnnListerAuthor
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FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1673855842830676/?ref=br_rs
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annlisterrockgods/

About TL:

TL Travis is the published author of a plethora of LGBTQ+ Erotica and Erotic Romance musings that have earned her a “Best Selling Author” status in the US as well as Internationally. In her spare time, when she’s not weaving erotic webs, she enjoys fishing, wine tasting and people watching. Everyone has a story to tell, what would yours be? She’s rescued 4-legged souls in need for as long as she can remember, and would like to remind you to “Adopt, not shop.” Saving that lost soul may very well save yours too.

Connect with TL:

Email: tltravis@tltravis.com
Website: https://www.tltravis.com
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVMT5I_lqTH3s0_tYofEgtA

His Accidental Daddy by Luna David: New Release Review

May 19, 2020 by Denise

With the deck stacked against him from birth, Asher Simmons lives a quiet, simple life. He talks to plants more than he does humans and prefers it that way. Though he’s always felt like something is missing, understanding what that is and how to get it feels like an insurmountable task.

Making a living out of helping others achieve their professional dreams serves to help Thornton Hayes realize his own. He’s also a Daddy, through and through, and Thornton’s one dream of finding a boy who needs a man to take care of his every need is one he’s had no luck of fulfilling.

When a terrible accident brings the two men together, neither of them expect their intense connection. Has Daddy found a little he can pamper, protect, and provide for, or will Asher deny every instinct he has to regress?

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Thorton and Asher… very sweet couple.
When we first meet Asher, my heart kind of broke for him. I think because I saw so much of myself in him, what with his anxiety disorder and constant fear of…well, just about everything. Traumatized by his childhood and his negligent parents, I could understand why he had the obstacles that he did. Getting into a car accident when he was so terrified to drive was the last thing he needed, right? Maybe not…

Thorton is a very sweet Daddy, though I wasn’t so sure of him in the beginning. He had another boy, though only casually and you don’t see any time between them on page, other than a quick conversation, but I dunno… he struck me the wrong way in the very beginning. I loved him though, he was so good to Asher, having been the one to accidentally run into his car after running a red light through a downpour, it was evident from the very moment he saw asher, the kind of person he was. The kind of Daddy.

Though used to being on his own, Asher hesitated when Thorton wanted to do whatever he could to take care of him, he didn’t put up a fight for too long. Trusting the man after he’d spent three days in the hospital at his bedside, he really didn’t have any other option anyway. He needed the help and Thorton was so sweetly offering. He just didn’t know quite yet what all it entailed.

Now, I loved seeing Asher come into his own. I loved seeing him testing out life as a little and I loved the way he let his guards down and could be himself with Thorton. I could understand his hesitance, letting Thorton do everything for him and take care of him a way that they both needed, but it was foreign to Asher, as he’d never had anyone take care of him like that before…. Not even his parents. Watching them together was sweet, and I loved all the side characters. I was so happy to see the Trenton and Mandi angle, and of course, cute little Gigi, I wouldn’t mind reading about that little family some more.

The only part I had a small problem with, and it’s just my own little hangup I guess, was at the end when Thorton and Asher together, they go from Daddys good boy, to Asher being a dirty slut, and like I said, I’m all for kink, I’m all for all of it, honestly, but it felt so out of place with how their relationship was, it confused me and turned me off of it a little. But, it’s probably just me being too extra about it.

Overall, I just loved the pair and I thought they were super sweet together. Zero angst, kinda fluffy and all the sweetness you need. Also, a very sweet ending, I wouldn’t mind reading more of these two either.

4 pieces of eye candy

Luna David is a true romantic at heart who was fortunate enough to find and marry her soul mate. Most of the time she considers herself lucky to have been blessed with having g/b twins, but they’re giving her a run for her money. She’s a stay at home mom and an author, so when she’s not begging her little monsters to behave, you’ll most likely find her writing.

She loves anything book, coffee or dark chocolate related and can’t think of a better way to pass the time than to combine all three. She reads romance novels voraciously and while she prefers contemporary romance with strong Alpha males finding their soul mates, she’s a sucker for any well written, romantic story regardless of genre.

She created the Custos Securities Series because she loves to write what she loves to read. Her books feature strong dominant males and the men they would die protecting. Toss in some BDSM and kink and you’ve got her Catharsis Novel Series, The Boys Club Series, and Kink Chronicles Series. She loves nothing more than making her readers feel a wide range of emotions with her words. And she hopes you enjoy reading her books as much as she loved writing them. Happy Reading!

Connect with Luna:
https://linktr.ee/LunaDavid

Date Me, Bryson Keller by Kevin van Whye: Release Day Review

May 19, 2020 by Denise

What If It’s Us meets To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before in this upbeat and heartfelt boy-meets-boy romance that feels like a modern twist on a ’90s rom-com!

Everyone knows about the dare: Each week, Bryson Keller must date someone new–the first person to ask him out on Monday morning. Few think Bryson can do it. He may be the king of Fairvale Academy, but he’s never really dated before.

Until a boy asks him out, and everything changes.

Kai Sheridan didn’t expect Bryson to say yes. So when Bryson agrees to secretly go out with him, Kai is thrown for a loop. But as the days go by, he discovers there’s more to Bryson beneath the surface, and dating him begins to feel less like an act and more like the real thing. Kai knows how the story of a gay boy liking someone straight ends. With his heart on the line, he’s awkwardly trying to navigate senior year at school, at home, and in the closet, all while grappling with the fact that this “relationship” will last only five days. After all, Bryson Keller is popular, good-looking, and straight . . . right?

Kevin van Whye delivers an uplifting and poignant coming-out love story that will have readers rooting for these two teens to share their hearts with the world–and with each other.

Amazon

Wow. I’ll start with this…I don’t normally read YA…like ever. But something about this book, when I saw it on NG told me that I needed to read it. I actually put it off, only reading it this past weekend, even though I’ve had the ARC for months. Then I devoured it in about 2 days, which with my book reading rate lately is like warp speed.

This is such a great book for #ownvoices. This book was definitely told from the point of view of someone who has lived much of this, as well as someone who spends a lot of time overthinking things, much as Kai does in this book.

I really loved this book, not just for the romance, although that was super sweet. However, the characters were rich, and still were just kids. The story spanned the easy stuff, hanging out at the local diner to learn more about each other, to the very real aspect of being outed when you aren’t ready, and the consequences that go along with that. It spoke the truth about how people will do and say things that are with their own benefit in mind, and not for the greater good.

In the end, though, it was about love. Not just love for someone else, but learning to love yourself, and who you were born to be. And the love of a family, complicated and messy as it always is. There isn’t one right way to love, and we all make mistakes even when we love someone, mistakes that hurt.

But love is love, and was proven in this book, by many of the characters. Fantastic side characters by the way! I would definitely like to see where this author takes his writing.

4.5 pieces of eye candy