Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

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review

LUST HATE LOVE (Fallen Angel Book 4) by Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine: Release Day Review

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USA TODAY bestselling authors Brooke Blaine and Ella Frank continue the story of sexy Fallen Angel rockers Killian and Levi in LUST. HATE. LOVE.

As the sexy, charismatic bassist for world-famous rock band Fallen Angel, whatever Killian Michaels wants, Killian Michaels gets.
Or at least that was the case until the band’s gorgeous new manager, Levi Walker, shot him down after a blistering first kiss.

For Levi, managing these five guys is the opportunity of a lifetime, and he’s not about to let a case of sexual desire get in his way. He’s efficient, professional, and plays by the book. But tension simmers beneath Levi’s cool exterior every time Killian’s near, and soon enough the passion boils over, consuming them both.

As the Corruption tour takes them from country to country, a heated game of cat and mouse ensues. Levi tries to deny the irresistible pull of Killian’s seductive nature, but with an attraction as strong as theirs, it’s only a matter of time before the lust-filled hate turns to love.

LUST. HATE. LOVE. is the fourth book of the Fallen Angel Series and follows a new couple in the band. It can be read as a standalone or following ANGEL.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

The two authors. Whew. They sure can write a smoking hot book. And characters we tend to fall in love with. And while there have been quite a few series of 3, 4 or even more books based on one couple (or throuple), this is one book. Start to finish is their story. No cliff hangers, no questions left unanswered, nothing. And…that makes me super happy. I undoubtedly LOVE the first book in a series. And then I definitely like the second a lot. By the third, I get a little bored. But I still read them because I want to get the story as the authors intended. So ya, one book made me happy.

We met Killian, the de facto “head” of the band with the first book in a previous series. And you don’t even need to read that series before reading this one. It stands alone well.

We also meet Levi, the new band manager, at the end of the last series. This is his absolute dream job- managing one of his favorite bands. Except that he is totally attracted to Killian, Killian is totally attracted to him and Levi has a strict hands off the client policy.

As such, there is a lot of cat and mouse. Killian the cat chasing Levi the mouse.

It was fun to watch, seeing when Levi would give in. How he would give in. Where he would give in. And yep, some seriously hot sexy times there.

We don’t get a ton of Halo and Viper- although their presence is definitely known. And we get a little side story involving three others. That was fun.

So even though this was technically Killian’s story, it was a good wrap up to the series without focusing on Halo and Viper.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

The Dichotomy of Angels by N. R. Walker: New Release Review

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Nathaniel and Chasan are no ordinary angels.

Destiny chose them to be twin flames, fated mates. But Nathaniel has avoided Chasan for nearly a thousand years.

When sent to Earth on a mission to live and work together, Nathaniel comes face-to-face with his destiny. Short-tempered, petulant, and grumpy, he hates the idea of being fated to anyone and has chosen an existence of isolation rather than spending time with the calm, kind, and serene Chasan. But now he has no choice.

One is fire, the other is air; a true dichotomy of angels. Together they will be ignited, or they will be extinguished. This assignment will seal their fate either way.

* * *

85,000 words. A sometimes-funny, sometimes-serious story about love, destiny, and other heavenly disasters.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Proof that I will read anything by N.R. Walker: I am an atheist and things like angels make me roll my eyes. Then she writes a book about angels. GIMME!

I will say this-it was the most non-religious angel book ever. Even with the heaven and hell and Saint Peter and Michael. Religion took a back seat to the story.

Nathaniel and Chasan are a bit like fated mates. But since a failed mission nearly 1000 years ago, Nathaniel has kept away from Chasan. Rarely doing missions (going to earth as a human to help someone), instead choosing to mostly work the hell department with brief detours to the canine department. But St Peter put his foot down and is making them work together on the next mission-without telling them exactly what it entails.

Down to earth they go- New York City in fact- to be married preschool teachers. Nathaniel is horrified, Chasan is delighted.

And it was fun. Fun to read about them navigating life as humans- especially Nathaniel who hadn’t done it in nearly 1000 years. And they have no “angel powers” and Nathaniel can’t curse. It’s pretty hilarious.

Their mission becomes clear to Chasan, but Nathaniel is still clueless. And it is just heartbreaking. Feeling that heartbreak for a character seems to be a specialty of NR Walker. You just fall in love with them.

There is definitely angst, a bit of romance and some really funny lines. Even the two men as preschool teachers was swoony.

This is a great book to just hide under the blanket and devour.

4.5 Pieces of Eye Candy

The Layover by Roe Horvat: Blog Tour, New Release Review and Giveaway

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Eight years ago, Ondro Smrek fled Slovakia and the bigotry that drove his first lover to take his own life, but the demons proved impossible to outrun. Desperate for somewhere to belong, Ondro is returning to start over.

During a layover in Basel, Switzerland, he meets Jamie, an American living in Scotland who is as brilliant as he is beautiful. Jaded Ondro never would have guessed he could fall in love during a brief layover—until now.

When he is put in a position to offer Jamie comfort without hope of recompense, Ondro doesn’t hesitate and soon catches a glimpse of the home he longs for. But with their separation looming, confessing his feelings can only lead to pain and humiliation. Life has taught Ondro not to hope, but then, he never believed in love at first sight either…

Length: 115 pages

Amazon US – Kindle Unlimited

Amazon UK – Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link

Interesting, different, sweet, a little sexy…

First thing that drew me to this book is that one of the main characters, Ondro, is from Slovakia. Not a country we see a lot in books. Plus, how were they going to have a HEA or even a HFN after being together for only 5 days.

Spoiler alert- the author did totally make me believe that after 5 days together they would have a happily ever after.

It’s a short book and I don’t want to rehash the blurb. But I will say these things. I loved how the author didn’t have sex to fall back on when they were together. They actually got to know each other over the five days.

They also had well developed backgrounds and stories. All of which made them who they are today and just made them all the more interesting to read about.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book.

4 pieces of eye candy

Queer fiction author Roe Horvat was born in the post-communist wasteland of former Czechoslovakia. Equipped with a dark sense of sarcasm, Roe traveled Europe and finally settled in Sweden. He came out as transgender in 2017 and has been fabulous since. He loves Jane Austen, Douglas Adams, bad action movies, stand-up comedy, pale ale, and daiquiri, with equal passion. When not hiding in the studio doing graphics, he can be found trolling cafés in Gothenburg, writing, and people-watching.

More about the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roe.horvat.98

Twitter: @roehorvat

Website: roehorvat.com

Publisher: http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=107

 

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The Longest Night by Z. Allora: Exclusive Guest Post, New Release Review and Giveaway

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I’m super happy to have Z. Allora here talking about her latest holiday novella, The Longest Night. She talks below about stereotypes and her dislike of them, but that she is fascinated by those stereotypes. And this novella has stereotypes! Check it out and don’t forget to leave a comment to enter her giveaway!

The holiday season is lonely for construction worker Benjamin Morgan, a big muscular guy who just wants to submit, obey, and serve. But the men he’s attracted to usually don’t have a dominant bone in their bodies. He’s done seeking his BDSM dreams with someone who isn’t interested in putting him in his rightful place—on his knees at their feet.

When a friend sets up a meeting with Foster Ridgeway at the BDSM club, Entiwned, Benjamin has his doubts. Of course he is attracted to bookish Foster, who works for the same construction company, but how will someone so small and delicate-looking master Benjamin? But when Foster–the tiny temple of dominance wielding a crop—heads toward Benjamin, he might get what he’s always wanted, just in time for Solstice.

Title: The Longest Night
Author: Z. Allora
Release Date: December 20, 2019
Category: Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance, Gay, Holiday Romance
Pages: 73

Amazon

Thank you so much for allowing me to visit Two Chicks Obsessed and talk about the locations, stereotypes, and my current release. The Longest Night is a contemporary BDSM with of course a happily ever after. The story is set a few miles from where I grew up. To celebrate I’m doing a giveaway.

The location of the story is crucial to how I write a character because places impact us.

I write stories set in places I’ve visited or lived because location determines so much about people: their attitudes, their use of language, the filters they see the world through, what they’ve had to deal with, how they deal with it, etc.

As with each of my stories, I worship atypical characters that are on the edges because I validate everyone especially though folks on the fringes. I find the uniqueness that emanates from differences intoxicating. Where the person is from determines the details of what they have had to deal with in their past and affect how they view current and future events.

Stereotypes, in general, suck. However, knowing what the “stereotypes” are in an area allows me to acknowledge what the person may have endured (especially if they don’t agree with it or have fought against it). It’s fascinating to me to figure out how a character is affected by the stereotypes they grew up with?

One of the most important things is how do my characters deal with not only what’s thrown at them but how people see them. What do they carry into the world with them because of the baggage the stereotype forces on them? How does this affect their relationships? Their mannerisms….

The Longest Night is set in Upstate NY (Albany). I grew up 10 miles away in Schenectady, NY so I’m very familiar with societal expectations/beliefs from that particular area.

One of the stereotypes I examined through this story is the heavy machismo overtones. My characters came of age with expectation men needed to be manly. (Probably in most parts of the USA, but I’m most familiar with the brand of sexism from this area and how it was translated in day-to-day life.)

So, while my character Benjamin physically meets the criteria of being a man’s man (big and muscular), he’s a sub. In his early 20’s, this stereotype encouraged him to meet the expectations society had about what it meant to be a man, but now in his 30’s he’s no longer willing to compromise who he is or settle for something that doesn’t meet his needs. His struggle happened before the story, so we only see the results and how he deals with them going forward.

Foster, the Dominant, has dealt with the opposite problem. People would see his slender, almost delicate frame as weak and the opposite of control. His struggle was needing to learn how to defend himself and how to dominate people who were much bigger than himself.

Turning these stereotypes upside down pleases both of these men. Benjamin is a sub and countering the manly man stereotype by submitting adds an extra kick for him. Foster gets a boost from dominating larger men. They both acknowledge the fetish-y nature of part of their attraction to each other but it goes much deeper than stereotypes Albany, NY force fed them.

This was a short little holiday novella. Not the traditional holidays, but a little different take than you might normally see in holiday romances. In addition, with both MC’s trying to find their Mr. Right, and having very different stereotypes of what BDSM might look like, it hasn’t been easy for either of them.

I absolutely loved the twist on the stereotypes. Benjamin could not have been a sweeter, more gentle man, with a huge submissive side, who merely wanted someone who was his idea, someone smaller, to Dominate him. He finds that person in his coworker, Foster, but not until good friends put them together.

It’s a match made in heaven, and a sweet, but very sexy story. The joy emanated off Benjamin, and it just made the reader happy to see him be so elated that finally someone saw him for who he really was.

There could be nothing but an HEA here, and the sooner the better. 🙂

4 pieces of eye candy

BIO: Z. Allora believes in happily ever after for everyone. She met her own true love through the personals and has traveled to over thirty countries with him. She’s lived in Singapore, Israel and China. Now back home to the USA she’s an active member of PFLAG and a strong supporter of those on the rainbow in her community. She wants to promote understanding and acceptance through her actions and words. Writing rainbow romance allows her the opportunity to open hearts and change minds.

To contact Z. Allora:

E-mail: Z.AlloraHappyEndings@gmail.com

FACEBOOK:   Z Allora Allora

Website: www.zallorabooks.com

Twitter: @ZAllora

Blog: http://zallora.blogspot.com

Dreamspinner: https://bit.ly/2Jv14r1

 

GIVEAWAY: What stereotypes have you seen in your area? Let me know in the comments to enter to win an e-book one of my other Entwined BDSM stories: Lock and Key or Secured and Free. I’ll contact the winner by Dec 30th.

Rialto by Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott: RB, Exclusive Guest Post, Release Day Review and Giveaway

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Someone has it out for Rialto.

Ian Banner is loving his hectic life. He’s newly married, ready to start a family, and opening a new restaurant. All his dreams are coming true.

The last thing he needs is a problem with his restaurant.

But when one attack after another comes, he grows convinced he has another enemy.

Ian tries to handle things by himself, but his friends are soon drawn in when the attacks become violent. That’s when Ian realizes the target isn’t Rialto. It’s him.

Rialto is the final installment in the Unbreakable Bonds series and features sexy times, Daciana snuggles, overprotective family, fire, and of course, code names.

Title:  Rialto

Series: Unbreakable Bonds Series #8

Author: Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott

Publisher: Drake & Elliott LLC

Release Date: December 16, 2019

Heat Level: 4 – Lots of Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 74,000

Genre: Romance, Thriller/Suspense

 

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Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

4 Cornerstone Locations of the Unbreakable World By Jocelynn Drake

When you’re lucky enough to either be writing a long series around a specific group of friend, or if you’re lucky enough to fall in love with a series like that, you find yourself returning to some of the same locations over and over again. There’s always that one friend’s house where everyone gathers. Or maybe that favorite neighborhood pub where you sit in the same stool every time.

These places start to feel like home as much as your own bed or sofa in your house.

The boys of the Unbreakable Bonds quickly developed four such places that they quickly identified as home and I thought we’d visit those places today.

Shiver

Lucas’s night club Shiver in downtown Cincinnati was one of his favorite and it was the best place to kick off the series. The wild and adventurous night club encapsulated the crazy roller-coaster rides that were ahead of the boys. But Shiver itself was very much described Lucas Vallois – cold, bold, and different from the rest of the crowd. Even in the midst of the all the noise and chaos of the night club, the boys had their own secret hideaway that set them apart.

I think Shiver most closely called to the Lucas and Snow of old. They were cold, unreachable men. Rowe could never be described as cold, so it was a difficult fit for him, but he was always happy to follow his friends wherever they went. Sadly, we never got to see Ian here, but then the chef had his own place in the world.

Rialto

The restaurant created by Ian Pierce and funded by Lucas Vallois, Rialto served as the kitchen and dining room table where this strange little family gathered. Ian’s cooking was to die for, and the boys were always happy to gather here for just another taste. But Rialto was also Ian’s domain. It was the place where Ian started to come into his own, where he found and stretched his self-confidence. It was the one place where he ruled supreme. The Unbreakable Boys had a tendency to bulldoze anyone not speaking loud enough; they tended to overprotect. Standing in Rialto, it was the one place where Ian could be sure that his voice would always be heard. In Rialto, Ian is king.

Rialto has always been a place of family and love. Lucas had his first “date” with Andrei in Rialto. Ian had numerous meetings and important discussions with the boys in Rialto. It was where Ian managed to slowly woo Hollis with his cooking.

Ward Security

If Rialto was the dining room for the family home, then Ward Security was the armory. Of course, if you ask Rowe and Noah, they’d likely tell you it was the toy chest. When you’ve got stubborn, bossy men like Lucas and Snow in your life, it’s hard to claim yourself the undisputed ruler of anything, but Rowe managed to carve out his own territory in Ward Security. The converted warehouse was where Rowe gathered together the very best toys, whether you’re talking about weapons, surveillance, or just random tech. Rowe is a big believer in he who has the best toys wins, and Rowe very much wants to win. But he also wants to be well equipped for any eventuality. He cares a great deal about the people in his employ and he wants them to always be protected against danger.

But more than just toys and gadgets, Ward Security was where the boys came to seek Rowe’s advice. Sometimes they needed his help in uncovering some hidden facts or mounting rescue missions. And sometimes they just needed his expertise on how to proceed. For Rowe, Noah, and Andrei, Ward Security became a second home to meet the other half of their family – the Ward Security family.

The Penthouse

When you received your key to the penthouse, you knew you were a part of something special. Lucas’s penthouse in The Ascent, a condo skyrise in Northern Kentucky, was more than just Lucas’s home. It was a home for all of them. At one time or another, they all slept and ate meals in that penthouse. Ian made breakfast twice a week there. They got drunk so many times in that penthouse. And it was the first home for Daciana Vallois.

Rising above the Ohio River to look down on Cincinnati, the penthouse was a fortress and an escape. When the world threatened, it was the one place they could all run to and be safe for at least a few hours.

For all of the Unbreakable Boys, the penthouse was home.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this quick tour of the four cornerstone places within the Unbreakable Bonds world. If you’ve not read the series yet, we hope that you make a stop in Cincinnati and meet the boys. The series is now complete with eight novels and four short story collections. Jump into the adventure today!

I’m so obsessed with this series that I didn’t even care who it involved, I love them all! However, in this one, we get to see Ian and how amazing his restaurant, Rialto is doing. He’s got an amazing family, a career that he loves and the man of his dreams who he’s taking the steps to become foster parents with. Ian’s life is as close to perfect as he could’ve ever imagined and boy, did he deserve it.

Hollis is working as a PI, which you know is kinda like his work as a cop, but with fewer rules and red tape, so it’s perfect for him. As long as he gets to come home to the love of his life every night, he can’t complain. Everything’s been quiet, the families are getting settled and, well, it was about time for explosions and mayhem, right?

When someone starts attacking Rialto, Ian thinks it’s probably just someone jealous of his restaurant or his success, especially now that he’s opening a second place. It starts off with little things, like a call to ICE, bad reviews online and surprise visits from the health department… but with anything that comes to these guys, it escalates and does it quickly. Only, it’s been years since Ian’s had any trouble with anyone and the person he had trouble with… Is dead… so, who could possibly have it out for him?

The one thing that drives me crazy about these guys, is their all set to suffer alone. Like, you have this family who SPECIALIZES in finding people, eliminating threats and who genuinely take it as an insult when you keep them out of the loop with things that involve your safety…So, why do you insist on keeping everything from them? I understood Ian’s reasonings this time and was glad that that didn’t last long, but still…

It isn’t hard to figure out the type of person behind all the trouble, and let me tell you, you’ll fall more in love with Ian and his big heart when he discovers the who and the why. I don’t want to give anything away, but I’m so flippin’ petty, I might’ve acted as I’m sure, Snow, Rowe, Lucas and Noah would’ve loved too, but Ian, although fierce when he has to be, especially when it comes to his family… I loved his determination in this one. His forgiving heart and his patience and understanding…. I just loved it all, even though it raised my blood pressure and kept me on edge for a good last hour of the story lol

If you love this family, their shenanigans, cute babies, ridiculous code names and lots of steamy love.. don’t skip this one. It was a great ending, though, I’m still hoping for a spin-off or something so it’s not really over… but even if it is… everyone is in such a good place and they’re all so healthy and happy and together. What could be better than that?! Perfect addition <3

5 pieces of eye candy

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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The Fairy Shop (2019 Advent Calendar – Homemade for the Holidays) by Tara Lain: New Release Review

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When Nate Hawthorne meets Asher Dane, the huge, tattooed hunk is the personification of Nate’s dreams. But Nate knows there’s no future, because Asher is also the personification of his beloved five-year-old daughter Delly’s nightmares. She’s frightened of big men. Things turn around for both of them, however, when Delly goes Christmas shopping at the Fairy Shop and begins her quest for a wand that will make her brave. Neither of them guesses that the Fairy Shop will be the source of far more than Delly’s courage. On Christmas Eve, under the influence of a very unusual fairy, Nate’s life will change forever.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2019 Advent Calendar “Homemade for the Holidays.”

Amazon

This is nearly a perfect Christmas short for me. A little romance, a little magic, a little family that you make.

I read several Christmas stories already and while they were good- they were regular book length. But this was a nice, tidy short that had enough packed in that it didn’t feel overloaded, but was also a complete story.

Nate and Asher are adorable, Nate’s daughter is adorable, the Fairy Shop is adorable… But it also isn’t saccharine sweet.

This is probably my favorite Christmas story of the year.

4.5 Pieces of Candy