Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

review

Wicked Heat (Chicago Heat Book 1) by Ella Frank: New Release Review

by

Ryan

Kind, caring, and protective. Those are the three qualities I’m looking for when it comes to my dream man. In a city as big as Chicago, you wouldn’t think he would be that hard to find, right?

Wrong.

Sure, my boss found a super-sexy detective and my best friend fell madly in love with the most eligible bachelor around. But the only person I’ve met recently is a broody bad boy who saved me at a sketchy pub.

He’s grumpy, rude, and honestly, not that likeable at all. Hardly my “dream” guy.

So why can’t I stop thinking about him?

Jameson

I don’t do friendships. I don’t do relationships either. The very last thing I’m looking for in life is to fall in love and live happily ever after.

So saving some rich guy from losing his wallet is the last thing I want to do on a Friday night. Especially when he looks like someone who just stepped off the cover of GQ.

Fate seems to have other ideas, though, and every time I turn around, he’s there.

A wicked heat simmers between us, threatening to ignite, and though I’ve been trained to put out the flames, I can’t help but think: What’s the worst that could happen if I let this desire burn out of control?

Wicked Heat is book 1 of 2 in Ryan Carrigan & Jameson Clarke’s story.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

I will admit that I haven’t read the last few books from this author, finding that I just needed a break. However, something was intriguing about this one to draw me back into this Chicago based world of Ella Frank‘s. I will tell you that although this book doesn’t end on a literal cliffhanger, it is slightly open ended on how their relationship would be going forward, setting you up for the next book in the series. I would say, though, that there isn’t a need to “wait” until the series is done, or their arc is done.

I liked these characters a lot. I’m always partial to a little grumpiness, and Jameson had many reasons to be a grumpy guy. He’d had a rough childhood, his childhood best friend died suddenly leaving him bereft, and his sister was a whole hot mess. And despite all that grumpiness, Ryan found Jameson attractive enough to not ignore the many signs the universe were giving him by throwing them together.

Communication was definitely lacking between the two initially, and opening up was not a strength for Jameson, but something they worked through slowly. Jameson begins to open up more, talking about his past, his challenges, and even allowing Ryan to assist him when his sister showed up again.

This book didn’t have a lot of conflict, as they grew closer, but I believe it is setting up for some possible intense conflict in book 2. Jameson is used to being alone, dealing with things alone, and pushing people away. With Ryan’s job, and their different backgrounds, I can see some challenges ahead for their HEA.

A strong 4 pieces of eye candy read, and definitely looking forward to the rest of this series.

Sink or Swim (Shore Leave Book 2) by Annabeth Albert: Release Day Reviews

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Winning and losing are subject to sexy interpretation…

Navy chief Calder Euler loves to win big. His latest score? A remote mountain cabin. Checking it out is supposed to be a quick trip, but Calder’s luck abruptly turns when a freak injury and a freakier snowstorm leave him stranded.

Oh, and the cabin isn’t empty. A silver fox caring for two young girls claims that the property is his, but Calder’s paperwork says otherwise.

Felix Sigurd is on a losing streak, and his ex-husband risking the cabin in a reckless bet is only the latest in a series of misfortunes. He’ll tolerate the handsome stranger for a couple nights–even care for his injuries—but that’s it.

Calder doesn’t know a damn thing about kids, but making pancakes for Felix’s girls is a surprising delight. Trapped in the cabin, the four of them slip easily into the rhythms of a family. But when the ice melts, they’ll have to decide if a future together is in the cards.

Amazon

Carina Press/Harlequin

This book is exactly what I needed. Sweet, low angst, funny kids, two guys navigating whatever it is their relationship is, etc.

Calder and Felix are both of the “no thanks” camp on relationships. Felix is fairly newly divorced and is now raising his two nieces so his focus is elsewhere and Calder just never really believed in happily ever after.

But a mishap leaves them stranded in a cabin because of snow. Calder seems to get right into the groove of dealing with the girls, etc. He comes from a big family so it makes sense, even though he doesn’t think so. And who wouldn’t be enchanted by those 2 girls? I loved them from the start.

It is utterly adorable that Calder makes flimsy excuses for he and Felix to see each other again once they are back home. And it isn’t even for hooking up per se because they do way more kissing and cuddling than anything else. Which I really kind of loved. It wasn’t a sex driven romance at all.

Felix has to realize that he has room in his life for a partner and Calder does everything he can to prove that. I definitely think Calder worked a lot harder at establishing a relationship than Felix did, but he was a bit salty still from his divorce that happened because his husband had no intentions of being a parent.

Even though I really appreciated that it was low angst, the girls didn’t seem very affected by the fact that their mother died and Uncle Felix’s husband left. There as a comment or two, but nothing like that you normally see with similar situations.

So yes, I did love it even though I wanted the girls to express a bit of their trauma and I wanted Felix to try a little harder and not be a martyr.

4 pieces of eye candy

Having really enjoyed book 1 in this new military series by Annabeth Albert, I was super ready for Calder’s book. (If you haven’t read book 1, Sailor Proof, I highly recommend. They are both stand alone, but you get a good little peek into what is ahead for Calder, as well.) This book did not disappoint.

It was super sweet, but with such a different feel than what I would have gone in expecting for Calder, given what we knew of his personality. He’s all about the win, coming out on top, etc. Yet, he is not only a big softie, but also not out for the quick score. He wasn’t all about jumping into bed with Felix. Yes, there was sex, but it felt more like just a gradual step, not a big leap, and it worked for them both. It provided such a deep layer for Calder, one I certainly didn’t expect. It was a different approach, and really allowed Calder to grow into the person he was, but didn’t realize.

In fact, based on other tropes, there might have even been the expectation that Felix would have done the chasing, and Calder didn’t want to jump into a relationship. In reality, both of them realized they didn’t want a relationship, until Calder finally realized, yes I do, and wanted to get Felix on the same page. No small feat.

Felix had every reason in the world to be gun shy, and apprehensive of not just another relationship (what a d-bag his ex-husband was!!!), but one that could mean his nieces might have their hearts broken. Giving any sort of dating a chance was not what he was expecting, but one date, one night, one meal, one text at a time, Calder made Felix see that they had something worth continuing to work on.

Such a sweet, fresh approach, showing a lot of depth of character in the MC’s, and it was just a feel good book.

4 pieces of eye candy

Devil’s Chew Toy: A Novel by Rob Osler: Audiobook Review

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Seattle teacher and part-time blogger Hayden McCall wakes sporting one hell of a shiner, with the police knocking at his door. It seems that his new crush, dancer Camilo Rodriguez, has gone missing and they suspect foul play. What happened the night before? And where is Camilo?

Determined to find answers, pint-sized, good-hearted Hayden seeks out two of Camilo’s friends—Hollister and Burley—both lesbians and both fiercely devoted to their friend. From them, Hayden learns that Camilo is a “Dreamer” whose parents had been deported years earlier, and whose sister, Daniela, is presumed to have returned to Venezuela with them. Convinced that the cops won’t take a brown boy’s disappearance seriously, the girls join Hayden’s hunt for Camilo.

The first clues turn up at Barkingham Palace, a pet store where Camilo had taken a part-time job. The store’s owner, Della Rupert, claims ignorance, but Hayden knows something is up. And then there’s Camilo’s ex-boyfriend, Ryan, who’s suddenly grown inexplicably wealthy. When Hayden and Hollister follow Ryan to a secure airport warehouse, they make a shocking connection between him and Della—and uncover the twisted scheme that’s made both of them rich.

The trail of clues leads them to the grounds of a magnificent estate on an island in Puget Sound, where they’ll finally learn the truth about Camilo’s disappearance—and the fate of his family.

Amazon Ebook

Audible

New author, and a very well done book! It wasn’t an m/m romance, but an LGBTQ+ mystery, with the main character being gay, as well as several of the side characters being on the spectrum.

Hayden’s life was a bit of a hot mess, with a dumpster fire thrown in on top of it. But he was hilarious. He made me laugh out loud many times in my car or on my walks (since it was an audiobook, I’m sure I received several strange looks as I was walking through our neighborhood). Hayden wanted so badly to try to find out what happened to Camilo, the sexy dancer who disappeared after he spent the night with him. He also had to take care of the dog, which just added to the hilarity.

And the mystery was so well done…I had NO CLUE who the “bad guy” was, and what the twist was that caused Camilo’s disappearance.

I would have liked just a bit more of an epilogue, with more info on how everyone was faring, but I’m hoping (crossing my fingers!!!) that we might see more of Hayden, Hollister, Burley, the crazy brother and even find out where X person disappeared to! So, here’s hoping to this being a series, and maybe Hayden getting a little loving that he can enjoy!

While I enjoyed the story quite a bit, the narration left me wanting more. It was much more of a reading, than a narration. I didn’t hear a lot of vocal changes, and in some places didn’t feel the excitement. It wasn’t bad, just probably not the performance that I would have wanted for this funny book.

One more note. I realize that publishers set the price, and I’ve never once mentioned a price in a review, ever. However, I hate to say it, but I believe13.99 for a 300+page ebook is likely a huge reason why this book hasn’t done better. Having read it, I could absolutely see paying that for it, to support the author and publisher. But it being a brand new author, and not having read any of it? I just can’t see paying that price as a consumer. But the audiobook is available for 1 credit, so absolutely doable.

Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this book, and recommend it for a fun time!

Story: 4 pieces of eye candy

Narration: 3 pieces of eye candy

The Right To Remain by L.A. Witt: New Release Review

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Levi Harris has never had a reason to stay on the straight and narrow. Nothing he does is ever good enough for his family, his teachers, his bosses, his drill instructors. He can’t do anything right, so why bother trying?

Then he gets caught breaking and entering, and now he’s bound for prison. Or is he?

Austin Caldwell isn’t thrilled about being burglarized, but when he finds himself face to face with the intruder, he sees himself in those terrified eyes. He knows more than most how much prison chews people up and spits them out. Maybe, just maybe, he can save Levi from that fate.

It starts as an arrangement for Levi to work off his debt to Austin. As trust grows between them, so does an undeniable attraction. Especially as Austin begins to see untapped desires in Levi, and he begins to unlock a whole new world of sensuality for his submissive protégé.

Levi’s in heaven. He’s finally wanted. He finally belongs. For the first time in his life, he has something to lose. All he has to do is stay out of trouble.

And hope trouble doesn’t find him.

The Right to Remain is a 150,000+ word standalone contemporary gay romance with a guaranteed happy ending.

CW: criminal activity, brief mentions of past death of a child, brief mention of past suicide, incarceration.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

This story has a lot. Age gap, kink 101, the evils of HOAs (no, seriously), the immense need for prison reform and a couple of emotionally manipulative pets.

Levi and Austin are more alike than they are different despite outward appearances. Austin owns a home, has pets, a good job, but he has pretty much no family except for a daughter he gave up for adoption but he luckily has a relationship with. Levi has a family, but whatever he does isn’t good enough so he stopped trying a long time ago. He has a crappy job, a crappy car and a crappy apartment he shares with 2 other guys. So to make a little cash on the side, he breaks into houses to steal what he can carry and sell. Until he finally gets caught. By Austin. In his leather room.

Austin starts off with altruistic intentions of helping Levi stop stealing, but there is chemistry there. Levi doesn’t really know what to do with it because he hasn’t really had relationships. Austin can’t stop thinking about Levi in the leather room. A little curiosity finally gets the conversation going.

Levi has NO idea about kink really. Except that it is a thing. Austin takes the time to explain everything to him as best as he can. What I really liked about this part of the story is that it is explained so, so well without feeling like a lesson in kink. He never makes Levi, or us, feel dumb or silly. And while it is explored why Levi might have the kink he does, Austin never gives a reason for being a dominant. Which just says that some people have reasons for their kink and some don’t and both are perfectly valid.

A lot of time is spent on talking about prison reform, why recidivism happens so often, how ridiculously hard it is for people to get ahead at all when they are released, etc. It was also another lesson for Levi. Go to prison once, you will probably end up back there. And if you don’t, you will probably struggle no matter how hard you try and it will follow you forever. I wish more judgmental people would understand all of this instead of just labeling people as bad or whatever.

There are quite a few lighthearted moments as well. Austin dealing with his “Karen” of an HOA president. his dogs and cat, them just hanging out together, getting to know each other, etc.

Levi’s parents will make you want to scream. They just cannot accept anything less than the best. Because of that, Levi gave up long ago. But they still berate him every chance they get, including belittling him and accusing him of breaking into their house. I really wish he or one of his brothers finally snapped and yelled at them. Oh well, can’t have everything.

This book is LONG. There’s definitely some repetition and I didn’t really expect something to happen toward the end, but looking back on it, it really did need to happen. (Don’t you love spoiler free reviews?) Austin and Levi are great together. The love and tenderness Austin has for Levi is so sweet. Seeing Levi learn to accept that love and tenderness is swoony.

Make sure your kindle battery is charged before you jump in. You will love these guys.

4 pieces of eye candy

To Whom It May Concern (For Him, Book 3.5) by A.M. Johnson: RB, Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

by

To whom it may concern,

I can’t be sure what you’re into, that being said, if you like sexy and sweet romance with a whole lot of quirk, keep reading…

Ever since Clay Saxon’s parents passed away a year ago, he’s been stuck in a rut, running their business, and suffering from the worst writer’s block ever. But when Syrus Albie, aka yellow sweater guy, (you’ll see) walks into The End Book Store, Clay’s mundane little world turns to sunshine.

I don’t want to ruin it, but I can definitely say, when an introverted as hell narrator finally meets his favorite author and crush, all of his usual protocols go up in flames.

Set in the For Him World, this standalone is the perfect introduction or addition to this steamy MM collection.

Sincerely yours, A.M. JOHNSON

To Whom It May Concern (For Him, Book 3.5)

By A.M. Johnson

 

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

It was noon when he walked into the bookstore wearing a yellow sweater and pale blue jeans. The yellow, not quite yellow, more mustard than canary, stood out against the muted colors of the book spines stacked against each other on the shelf. A shock of dark brown hair fell over his brow as he dipped his head, kneeling to get a closer look at something on one of the lower shelves. His long legs folded neatly beneath his trim waist, his broad back facing me, I most certainly checked out his ass. He was fit, built more like a runner and less like a tank. And from my first glance, I thought he had a nice face. Handsome with a short, trimmed beard, and a strong profile. I wanted to ask him if he needed any help, but something in the way he held himself, eyes down, shoulders tight, told me he didn’t want to be bothered. I’d been working at The End, my parents’ bookshop, long enough I’d learned how to read people. Hell, I’d worked here ever since my folks had deemed it safe for me to climb the ladders on the stacks. I wouldn’t have ever considered my parents the cautious type, they’d allowed me to cook my own pancakes at the age of six, but apparently climbing a ladder had been too perilous for anyone under the age of ten.

“Do you have this in paperback?” A pimply teen pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and set down a copy of The Street Vendor’s Son, blocking my view of the yellow sweater guy.

Sighing, I leaned an elbow on the counter and shook my head. “The paperback hasn’t been released yet.”

“I heard on Reddit that Wilder Welles hid a bunch of copies throughout the city.” He stared up at me with a superior look on his face.

I’d heard the same rumor, but I didn’t have the heart to tell the kid it wasn’t true. I actually knew Wilder, the author of said book. I was represented by the same literary agency, Lowe Literary, and had met him through our mutual publisher, Bartley Press, at a Christmas party a couple of years ago.

“Maybe try Book on Main?” I suggested and he nodded, his hazy blue eyes widening. I imagined he was plotting out his next move. “I’d hurry though. I heard yesterday there were only a total of three.”

“Three,” he hissed. “Dammit.”

He turned for the door and left without a thank you. Maybe I should have broken his heart. Laughing to myself, I picked up the book and placed it under the counter next to the small pile I planned to reshelve when we closed in an hour. Distracted, I didn’t realize the cute yellow sweater guy had approached the counter. He cleared his throat, keeping his quiet gaze pointed at his feet.

“Hey, man,” I said, smiling in what I hoped was my best flirty, easygoing, no-I- wasn’t-staring-at-your-ass-earlier smile. “Did you find everything okay?”

He cleared his throat again, setting two books down in front of me. “I’d like to purchase these.” Though unsure, his voice was the perfect harmony of smooth and low. It settled in my stomach, warm and heavy. “No bag, please. I prefer to carry them.”

“Yeah… sure.” I picked up the titles, both nonfiction reads on shipwrecks, and rang them up. “Are you a fan of Jack and Rose?” I teased and his shoulders stiffened.

“What?” he asked, and I couldn’t tell if he was confused or aggravated.

He raised his gaze, revealing in short blinks, bursts of green and amber. I’d never seen eyes like his. Hazel, but more. Shiny, but shy. I struggled to remember what the hell I’d said in the first place.

“Um… uh…” I smiled, rubbing at the back of my sweaty neck. When he didn’t smile in return, I scratched my head, looking down at the shipwreck books, and it came back to me. “Titanic. Jack and Rose? I’m the king of the world.” I held out both of my arms like an idiot. Who knew I had such a thing for yellow sweaters?

He blinked again, his throat working as he stared at me. “I haven’t seen it.”

I didn’t waste too much time thinking about how that was possible, and told myself not everyone was into overly produced blockbuster movies. “It’s not the greatest film of all time or anything, but if you’re a shipwreck kind of guy, it would be right up your alley.”

“I’m not a shipwreck kind of guy,” he said, his cheeks ruddy as he handed me his credit card. “This is research.”

I swiped it through the card reader and let the three words hang in the air, hoping he’d elaborate. He didn’t. He didn’t seem much older than my twenty-three, but I was a shit gauge when it came to age. He couldn’t be over thirty, though, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t in college. Or maybe he was a scientist? A sexy, sweater-wearing nerdy chemist or botanist, or something equally intelligent.

“Cool.” I slid his receipt across the top of the counter along with his credit card. “Are you a scientist?”

“What?” He grumbled as he picked up his card and slipped it into his wallet. “No? Why?”

“Research? I figured…”

“That I was a scientist? Lots of people do research for their work. Actors… I could be an author, or a professor, or a… ship maker. Among many other options.” He didn’t sound rude, per se, but definitely annoyed. “A treasure hunter.”

“Now that sounds like fun.” I tried a smirk this time and his entire face flushed.

“I can’t say I agree.” He scooped up his books and tucked them under his arm. “It’s dangerous, for one, and stealing history seems unethical.” I wanted him to keep talking. Honestly, I could listen to him talk for hours. His voice was like a balm, even if he was kind of an asshole. “And there’s no guarantee you’ll ever find what you’re looking for. Seems like a waste of time.”

“But if you do find what you’re looking for, what then?” I asked.

He’d avoided direct eye contact until that very second, and holy shit, my lungs forgot how to work.

Air out, air in. Or was it air in and then air out.

Shit.

“It has been my experience that life is only a game of mishaps and unexpected coincidences,” he said, and I laughed.

“You just quoted my book.”

“Your book?”

“Yeah… The Branches Between Us,” I said, feeling a puff of pride as I exhaled, remembering how to breathe after all.

His throat bobbed again, his face paling as he took a step backward. “Your book. I didn’t realize you were—”

“I’m flattered.” I leaned both elbows on the counter. “Not a lot of people liked… or read that book.”

“I enjoyed it immensely,” he said but not in a starry-eyed, starstruck way. He was matter of fact in the delivery, and even more so when he continued. “I’ve read it ten times.”

“Wow.” My grin pinched at my cheeks. “Ten times.”

The air snapped in the brief silence that descended. I stole a few seconds to unabashedly stare at him while he glared at the floor. His thin nose twitched, and I noticed his upper lip was fuller than his bottom. A subtle crease sat between his thick brows, and it deepened when he scowled.

“I need to go,” he said, tacking on a curt, “Thank you,” before he turned to leave.

I watched him exit the store, bewildered and a bit shocked.

Okay, after I read this novella, I went and looked the author and the series up. I had never read either before. I have every intention of rectifying that. 🙂 I really enjoyed this, and after getting a tiny glimpse of other characters in the series, I’m looking forward to going back and checking it all out.

To Whom It May Concern has to be one of the sweetest books, with a super introvert. Myself being married to an introvert who has so many of the same characteristics, I can see how challenging it would be for Syrus to find love. Putting himself in a situation where he could be embarrassed, or seen in any negative light is one of the most terrifying things extreme introverts can go through. This author portrayed that so well. Syrus’ expressions about how much he loved Clay’s book were 100% on the mark. His logic said he loved it, so why would someone else, even the author NOT love it.

Meanwhile Clay, who is still grieving for his parents, running the store they loved, even as he knew his mother would have wanted him to keep writing had to find little ways to stay within Syrus’ orbit. Their communication via email in regards to Clay’s book, which Syrus wants to narrate is cute and sweet, and oh so flirty. Clay really just didn’t let Syrus get away. He had to make a little more of the effort to win some time with Syrus, even if it meant just saying he wanted a date, even when Syrus couldn’t fathom that. So sweet!

There wasn’t a need for there to be grand gestures, and in fact, with such an introvert as a couple there could not be, but just a sweet story about two people finding each other, and a little more of themselves.

4 pieces of eye candy

Amanda is an award winning and best selling author of LGBTQIA and contemporary romance and fiction. She lives in Utah with her family where she moonlights as a nurse on the weekends and hikes in the mountains as much as possible.

If she’s not busy with her three munchkins, you’ll find her buried in a book or behind the keyboard where she explores the human experience through the written word, exploring all spectrums and genres.

She’s obsessed with all things Hockey, Austen, and Oreos, and loves to connect with readers!

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Doll Parts (The Game Series Book 4) by Cara Dee: RB, Excerpt and Release Day Review

by

The Game Series, #4 [Standalone.]

I have the best boyfriend in the whole world, but there’s one thing I won’t tell him. It’s that I don’t believe in absolute happiness anymore. Not with the cards we’ve been dealt. I mean, come on! Why do we fall for people who don’t want us back? While he’s been pining after Lucian, one of the Masters in his kink community, I’m the lovesick monster-puppy Little who can’t forget my former stepdad KC. Or the kinky porn I once found on his computer…but that’s beside the point!

It’s complicated, to be honest. I try not to think about it. I have Cameron, and I love him so damn much. Why can’t we try to make it on our own? Why does he want us to find a Top that’s just ours? It won’t work. Our stupid hearts refuse to move on.

What’s even stupider is that Cameron insists we seek out a Dom for our relationship in the very kink community where we can find both KC and Lucian.

Ohhh crap. I think he’s got a plan.

The Game Series is a BDSM series where romance meets the reality of kink. Sometimes we fall for someone we don’t match with, sometimes vanilla business gets in the way of kinky pleasure, and sometimes we have to compromise and push ourselves to overcome trauma and insecurities. No matter what, two things are certain. This is not a perfect world, and life never turns out the way you planned.

Series: The Game Series #4 (Standalone)
Genre: Gay Romance/BDSM Romance/Daddykink Romance
Tags: #TheGameSeriesByCaraDee #WelcomeToTheFunhouse #MMMMRomance #ObjectifyMeDaddy #HowToShutUpAMaster #LightSadistsShitRightUp #ThereWillBeClowns

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Top Priority (The Game Series Book 1)

Their Boy (The Game Series Book 2)

Breathless (The Game Series Book 3)

I couldn’t go up there, could I?

I squinted for the sun and peered up at the pale-green–painted trendy restaurant, all three stories of it, including the rooftop terrace. It was one of those restaurants that used to be an apartment building, so you had a bunch of smaller dining areas inside.

I chewed on the inside of my cheek and wondered how the hell I hadn’t connected the dots sooner.

Fuck, it was hot. I ran a hand through my hair and looked around me. The restaurant was right on the corner of a busy intersection, and the sleepy locals on their way to brunch were sharing the sidewalk with tourists.

Maybe I should text him and call it off…

“Excuse me, are you going to the munch?”

I cocked my head to the guy to my left. He was about my age, I estimated. “What if I didn’t know what a munch was?”

He grinned, and it was hot. Hot and cute. “I would’ve said never mind and hightailed it out of here,” he replied. “But I’ve been around long enough to spot someone too nervous to join an event.”

Oh. I wasn’t nervous to join an event. My very first munch, I’d been the first to arrive.

I scratched my head. “I’m stalling because I’m pretty sure I’m barging into someone else’s territory,” I admitted. “My mom’s ex-husband is kinky too.”

The guy made a yikes-face, and I felt the need to elaborate.

“I check his Instagram sometimes, and if he posts four pictures every month, one is from this place,” I explained. “Usually with a caption like ‘Luke is teaching me to post foodporn, whatever that is’ and ‘Macklin’s eggs Benedict are a bit of a religious experience.’”

I could tell I’d mentioned names the guy recognized. I was right. This was the munch of KC’s kink community. Motherfucker. I’d seen eight pictures from this place on KC’s dusty Instagram—or parts of the place. Mostly from the rooftop terrace. Maybe that was where they hosted the munch.

“You know them, don’t you?” I pressed.

The guy smiled uncertainly and shrugged slightly. “We take integrity seriously, but…”

Yeah.

“Who’s your mother’s ex-husband?”

“KC Hayles.”

He nodded once. He’d heard that name too. Then he eyed someone else, or two someones, coming up the sidewalk. They were twins. Hot-as-shit set of twins in their forties.

One of them smirked upon seeing the guy I’d been talking to. “You hidin’, Cameron?”

I observed the guy’s reaction. Cameron. A crooked grin full of mischief lit up his face. He was really fucking cute, and I didn’t usually feel attraction toward men my age. He was a bit taller than me but not much. Blue eyes.

“Does that sound like something I would do, Sir?” Cameron countered.

Definitely a submissive.

One of the twins chuckled and ruffled Cameron’s shaggy, dirty-blond hair. “See you upstairs, boy.” He spared me the quickest of glances, lifted his brow a little, maybe in curiosity, before he and his brother took the steps up to the restaurant.

Cameron turned back to me. “It’s possible you’ve stumbled upon your stepdad’s community.”

I figured. “I’ll just reschedule with the guy I was gonna meet. Thanks for letting me know.”

It wasn’t too important I met him today anyway. It was only a bite to eat to see if I was compatible to play with him and his boyfriend.

Cameron cleared his throat. “Hey, wait. If you know KC… Does that mean you know Lucian too?”

That would be a stretch. “I’ve met him a few times, sure. I wouldn’t say I know him, though.” I’d had my suspicions about Lucian—that he was kinky too. It wasn’t a surprise whatsoever to have it confirmed. He was big-time Master material. “Why? Are you together or something?”

Cameron snorted. “I wish. No, he’s with some dude who’s manipulating him like fucking whoa, and Lucian won’t see it.”

I frowned. That didn’t compute with my impression of Lucian.

“Anyway,” Cameron went on. “Here’s a crazy idea. You wanna get out of here and grab a burger or something? Your plan fell through, and I can think of better things to do than watch Lucian and his little troll.”

I stood straighter instantly. This guy wanted to hang out? Fuck yes! I could use a new friend.

“Absolutely,” I said, sticking out my hand. “I’m Noa.”

Cameron smiled, visibly relieved. “Cameron.”

Ok, I’m calling it. Cara Dee is the undeniable Queen of Kink.

I only discovered her books a year or so ago and since then I devour them. Her characters have depth, they are unapologetic in their kink and if they don’t know who they are and what they want or need in the beginning, they sure will by the end.

The beginning was a little unconventional as it has 3 prologues. One from three years ago, from 18 months ago and one year ago. These set up the relationship KC and Noa started with and what has happened since.

We start off in present day with Noa and Cameron meeting each other outside of a restaurant they were both set to go to for a munch. Instead, they hang out together and find romance and love with each other. But both are submissives- very different kinds of submissives- but still. As much as they loved each other, they needed more. Which means they came as a package because they weren’t willing to give each other up.

Noa can’t forget KC, his former step father who has hasn’t seen in three years. And Cameron is smitten with KC’s best friend Lucian, even though when Lucian had previously suggested they play together Cameron said no. Not because he didn’t want to, but because he wanted to play AND have a relationship with Lucian.

The boys devise a plan to go to the community’s compound and come face to face with both men. It was sketchy at first, but their plan seemed to work.

Now we get to see these four men navigate what their relationships will look like. With each other and as a whole. KC and Lucian were already best friends and play buddies. Cameron and Noa were in love and boyfriends. KC and Noa were Daddy and Little. Lucian and Cameron were Master and slave. It could have gotten awkward with Cameron and KC as well as Noa and Lucian. But they story is so well written that they just come together naturally.

Most of it is all set at the McLean compound, which if you have read previous books in this series you are well aware of. But it is a big Victorian house set up for kink play with rooms that you can reserve to stay over night. The founders of the group each have cabins within sight of the house for privacy.

The kink scenes are written just so well. And we got kink that we don’t see a lot in books. Sounding, needle play, fear… All of them were just so incredibly hot! They also like to set elaborate games up for Doms and subs to play together and this one is a biggie!

The games are meant to test limits with the subs, but also to have fun. The subs ended up having a surprise for the Doms (or D types as they say which is amazing) and it was fantastic.

But then…the book was over. The games were set to be played over two days, but we got only one. And then there was an epilogue. I need more! It was finished but it felt a bit unfinished. Who won the game? WHAT did they win? Did Noa ever talk to his mother? How did that go? I HAVE QUESTIONS!

Sigh.

I know there will be more but I really hope that these 4 guys get another book to themselves and their story isn’t over.

4 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