Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

review

Nowhere to Run by Andrew Grey: Quick Review

by

Roy Unger is greenhorn running from his past. He’s gotten a ranch job and works hard to prove himself every day. Since leaving home in a hurry, he’s come to realize that this job is the only thing standing between him and starvation. He isn’t going to mess it up, no matter how much Brad might drive him to distraction.

Brad has been around the block more than once. He’s a cowboy through and through, complete with a failed rodeo career and a love life that could only be described as hopeless. He’s worked hard and kept his head down. Roy makes him want more, but Brad has come to realize that what he wants isn’t what he gets.

Brad knows what desperation feels like and how important it is to fit in. When he decides to help Roy get over his fear of horses, the two men spend more time together, leading Roy to share confidences about his troubled past. Listening builds trust, which shifts into so much more. But before they can have any sort of future, they need to deal with Roy’s past, which could ruin everything.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Andrew Grey always has books that are sweet, sexy and are so varied in their locations, I think he must research for months to get his info correct. (Seriously, in this book, when Roy is cleaning out a stable, there’s information about what is put down on the ground…and who knew it was anything other than hay?)

This one has sweet Roy, who is pretty much as sweet and virginal as you can get for a ranch hand. He’s hiding out to stay away from some unpleasantness at home. His goal was just to keep his head down, not get in any trouble, and make some money. Fortunately, he landed somewhere that didn’t ask a lot of questions, and seemed to want to take in a lost soul.

Brad, meanwhile, had his own issues, after having spent most of his young life dreaming of riding in a rodeo, then his first time, he is thrown and injured. He’s made do with the hand he’s been dealt, and seems to have spent time loving what his new life is. He takes Roy under his wing, teaching him how to ride, standing up for him until Roy could stand up for himself, and figure out how to address the situation at home.

I had a bit of a hard time staying in the story when Roy just decided to go home and deal with the issue. It threw me how he had gained that much confidence in just a few days time. It was a novella, though, so there has to be grace for that. Roy did seem to be able to step back into his parents’ lives and not allow them to step all over him, and much of that was due to Roy being at the ranch, not just being with Brad.

Overall, a nice little cowboy novella, although I’m not sure I would re-read it.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Playing Our Song by LA Bryce: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

by

Jase is famous around the world, and Garrett’s well-known in his neighborhood. They’re two singers. One is living his dream, and the other is living his brother’s.

Jase’s boyfriend’s hostility has increased toward him, making their relationship toxic, but too focused on his band, Jase lets it slide, causing him to almost miss out on the kind of love that lives in his fantasies.

Garrett made a promise to his brother when he passed. But a mistake in its interpretation almost causes Garrett to live out his brother’s dream instead of reaching for his own.

Can these men spot and remove the obstacles stopping them from making beautiful music together before it’s too late?

Amazon

Jase tells Garrett about his writers block and suggests they write together

“Hey. What are you doing here?” Garrett’s smile told Jase he didn’t mind Jase just stopping over.

The knot in Jase’s stomach untied. “I grew stir crazy at home. Needed a fresh space.”

Jase handed Garrett a beer, then pulled a chair over.

Garrett took a swig of the beer, and his body relaxed. “How are things with the new album?”

Jase hesitated for a moment. Maybe he needed this. To talk to someone concerning the rut he’d been facing. Gain insight into what he was missing. He squeezed his eyes shut and took a deep breath, then opened his eyes. “Shitty,” spilled from his lips.

Garrett leaned forward, his brows furrowed, and a frown marred his face. “What do you mean?”

“I’m trying to come up with new material. In two months, we’re back in the studio, and I’m working with nothing.”

“What’s the problem?” The concern emanating from Garrett helped Jase share his fears.

“I don’t have a clue. I had a couple of decent days, and now I’m stuck. Everything I write turns into the same tune. There’s nothing else. I keep hitting a wall.” Jase’s shoulders sagged, and the usual nerves he’d been dealing with came crashing back, causing an ache in his stomach.

“What do you think’s holding you back?”

Jase scrubbed his eyes. “I have no idea.”

“Has this happened in the past?”

“No. Maybe.” Jase’s gaze moved to his fidgeting hands. “Back when I first started writing for the band. When I first started having deadlines—the stress would block my brain. But since then, no, I haven’t had a problem. I have no idea why whatever is happening is happening now.”

“I can see the stress being a problem,” Garrett said. “If I sit, ready to write, I have the hardest time. It’s once I’m busy doing something else that the ideas come to me. That’s the reason I’m always traveling with a notebook.”

“Me too,” Jase agreed. “But right now, the pages are blank. The flow’s dried up.” Jase took a drink. Both men sat silently—Jase with too many thoughts. Then one pushed forward, and with no filter, Jase blurted out, “We should do something together.”

Garrett twitched. “What?”

“Shit. Why didn’t that come to me sooner? We should write something together.”

“Yeah, right.” Garrett smiled and rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, right. It’s a wonderful idea.” Goosebumps covered Jase’s arms. “Your style is just what the band needs.”

“I’m sure something’ll come to you.” Garrett peeled pieces of the label from his beer, no longer looking at Jase. “I don’t think you need my help.”

“That’s exactly what I need,” Jase insisted. “You’re really good.”

“Thank you.” A flush swept across Garrett’s face.

“I’m serious. Your songs rock.” The urge to shake Garrett was strong. “Together, we could do something great.”

Garrett continued to pick at the beer label. “I’m sure whatever you write will end up awesome, but I’m not sure I could add anything to it.”

Jase fisted his hands and whispered, even though he wanted to shout. “Bull shit.” Jase had had enough.

“Your songs are as impressive as any I’ve written.”

Garrett’s laugh sounded hollow. “I’m not too sure about that, but thank you!”

“You need to cut yourself a break.”

Garrett just shook his head.

I’m a fan of rock star romances. I love seeing the behind the scenes stuff, how they live, etc. But this was just…boring. There was nothing really WRONG with it (except the whole lack of management, record companies, photo shoots…), it was a nice story, but there was no real heat or passion. It was just forgettable.

Jase, rock star extraordinaire, is with a crappy boyfriend who ignores him constantly, whines when they are together, doesn’t answer calls and blames everything on his career. HELLO! Red light dude! Jase just comes off as a doormat. Who puts up with that?

He meets Garrett when he stops into a restaurant and Garrett is the entertainment. Jace is immediately drawn to the music, and obviously to Garrett but somehow he doesn’t see it. They end up writing some music together but Jace is hot and cold. Mostly because of the stupid boyfriend.

I’m sure you can see where this is all going…

The book was fine. The story was fine. The sex scenes were fine. But just fine isn’t good enough for me.

2.5 pieces of eye candy

L.A. is a contemporary M/M romance author who loves her men to work hard, play hard, and love hard.

She’s always lived in the northeast and has recently stretched her boundaries and moved farther north — the more relaxed lifestyle giving her more time to write — in theory anyway.

Among the things she loves besides writing and her family are her friends, those she writes with and those she writes about, reading, games (the kind with boards, not in love), her dogs, Nutella and Bok Choy, and the men and women from the military, past and present, who keep us safe.

When she finds herself stuck at the keyboard, her fingers refusing to move, her characters refusing to talk, she likes to take a break, blast some music, and dance like no one is watching her or sing her heart out into her hairbrush microphone.

She’s living her happily ever after and wants the same for all her characters. L.A. believes love comes in all different packages and each should be wrapped in a ribbon and cherished.

Connect with LA:

https://labryce.com/

https://www.facebook.com/LABryceAuthor/

https://twitter.com/labryce_author

https://www.instagram.com/labryce_author/

https://www.pinterest.com/labryce_author/

To celebrate the release of Playing Our Song, LA Bryce is giving away a awesome Kindle Fire 10!!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Save Me: Love in the Pacific Northwest Book 1 by Beck Grey: Audiobook Review

by

Deputy US Marshal Jamie MacDougall assumes his latest assignment is just another security detail, but when he finds himself falling for the gorgeous key witness he’s sworn to protect, it takes everything he has to keep things professional.

When Ashley Pandy enters the WITSEC program, with a new identity and a new life far away from Seattle and Jamie, he tries to move on, but a year later, with no hope of seeing him again, he still can’t forget the man who stole his heart. Ashley walked away from love for noble reasons.

Jamie let him go because it was the honorable thing to do. When a foolish decision gives them a second chance to be all kinds of wrong, can they finally get it right?

Amazon

Audible

As a Deputy US Marshal Jamie McDougall has sworn to protect those in his care. This time around, protecting Ashley Pandy, Jamie is having a hard time keeping it professional. They are both drawn to each other but they know this thing has an expiration date, Ashley is going into WITSEC and transferring out of Jamie’s life as soon as his trial is over.

Once Ashley has started his new life in a non-descript city he can’t stop thinking about his Marshal. Jamie also has a hard time moving on, sort of stuck in a holding pattern wondering how to get over the man he may never see again, when fate intervenes.

Ashley’s new life and his old collide and the only person he knows and trusts is Jamie. Running to Jamie could be the best or worst decision of his life depending on whether they can outrun trouble.

The story was interesting and the character building was good. The author tends to focus on a lot of extraneous detail which doesn’t keep the story moving forward. The story gets stuck around the middle, the characters spend several chapters stagnate and then bam the whole story is wrapped up within two chapters. The ending is a little unbelievable but ends is a HEA so I still enjoyed it.

The narrator is new to me and I did enjoy his performance. The cadence of his voice is nice, sometimes I did have a hard time deciphering which character was speaking but overall a great job.

3 pieces of eye candy

If You Love Something by Jayce Ellis: Release Day Review

by

“A lovingly drawn depiction of Black family dynamics.” —Publishers Weekly on Learned Reactions

A marriage lost is found again in this cheeky new romantic comedy from acclaimed author Jayce Ellis. 

As executive chef at one of the hottest restaurants in DC, DeShawn Franklin has almost everything he’s ever wanted. He’s well-known, his restaurant is Michelin starred and he can write his own ticket anywhere he wants. Until his grandmother calls him home and drops two bombshells:

1) She has cancer and she’s not seeking treatment.

2) She’s willing half her estate to DeShawn’s ex-husband, Malik.

Make that three bombshells. 

3) That whole divorce thing? It didn’t quite go through. DeShawn and Malik are still married.

And when DeShawn’s shady uncle contests Grandma’s will, there’s only one path back to justice: play it like he and Malik have reconciled. They need to act like a married couple just long enough to dispense with the lawsuit.

Once DeShawn is back in Malik’s orbit, it’s not hard to remember why they parted. All the reasons he walked away remain—but so do all the reasons he fell in love in the first place.

Carina Adores is home to highly romantic contemporary love stories where LGBTQ+ characters find their happily-ever-afters. Discover a new Carina Adores book every month!

Amazon

Carina Press/Harlequin

Having read a previous book by this author, Jeremiah, I was looking forward to reading another book by this author who portrays her Black MC’s with great depth and clearly uses her #ownvoice. This book did not disappoint at all.

There was so much going on in this book, and I loved every second of it. The story just worked so well.

DeShawn seemed to have it all, executive chef at a starred restaurant, famous, does a weekly television, men on his arm for all the events, and a dog he adores. However, when his grandmother calls, his entire world changes. Meanwhile, Malik is at the opposite end of the spectrum, working in his family’s restaurant that is just a short time from having to close due to changes beyond his control. Unhappy in his life, with his brother, with the bright spot being his dog.

DeShawn’s dying grandmother, while she didn’t intend to keep any secrets about DeShawn and Malik’s divorce, or lack thereof, she did try to use it to bring them back together. All of these things were so very indicative of real world issues. DeShawn not calling Malik to tell him, because he put it off. Malik not calling DeShawn for the same reason. Avoiding a problem as long as possible. A restaurant that is all old school, with no carry out, no quick foods, dying while the world goes on around them. Even gambling issues.

Through it all, it wasn’t an instant fix. There was a lot of hurt, anger and loss, from years past, thrown in that needed to be dealt with in the present. Then they could deal with the rest of their issues, from the divorce that wasn’t, to the uncle who was determined to get all of his mother’s money, to saving Malik’s family restaurant. All of this, while trying to pretend they found each other again, and fell right back in love.

Also, the fact that the dogs were instantly buddies…warmed my heart so much.

I absolutely loved this book, beginning to end.

5 pieces of eye candy

A Christmas Miracle (Winsford Green, Book 4) by Ruby Moone: RB, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

by

Alfie Hope’s life is perfect. Managing Darley Hall for an employer who hasn’t visited the house in five years. It’s more than a job, it’s his home. A safe haven for him and the staff he considers family. That is, until their master passes away and a new master inherits. A new master who wants to live in the house.

Jolyon Mortimer Devereaux was stunned when he inherited Darley Hall. It offered an escape from his life, his lover, and his awful family. He arrives to find an estate manager who is outrageously handsome in a gentle, yet rugged way, but someone who clearly has never been a servant in his life!

Alfie and Jo grow tentatively closer. That is until a shock Christmas arrival blows everything wide apart, leaving Alfie and Jo struggling to hold on to their love. It will take a Christmas miracle to hold them together.

Title: A Christmas Miracle
Authors: Ruby Moone
Series: Winsford Green, Book 4
Genre: Historical, Regency MM Romance.
Release date: December 18th

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Dances Long Forgotten (Winsford Green Book 1)

People Like Us (Winsford Green Book 2)

The Schoolmaster’s Spy (Winsford Green Book 3)

Alfie was huddled by the fire, both hands around a mug, stockinged feet stretched out in front of him, trying to wake up. He wanted to close his eyes and go back to sleep but they had someone to see to now, and they needed to go back to proper servants’ hours. It was damned murder, particularly in the dead of winter when it was freezing cold and dark. Kate was pottering about the kitchen getting things ready, Robbie was dozing in the chair in the corner, Maisie was sat in the chair opposite in an attitude much like his own. Even the dogs had crept right up to the fire. The larger of the two, Horace, his beloved, elderly, shaggy hound of indeterminate parentage, and prone to the most abominable wind, snored softly so close to the fire it was a wonder he didn’t singe his fur. Potts, a much smaller terrier, tucked in close beside Horace, kept one eye on them all as he dozed, one paw on the hearth, ready to pounce at the slightest hint of food. They’d taken him in not that long ago, and he still behaved as though he was on the verge of starvation when food was in the offing.

“Inconvenient this, Alfie,” Maisie said, taking a long drink.

“Too right,” Alfie said on a huge yawn.

A clattering of footsteps announced Jess who came through the door like a whirlwind. “He’s awake and he’d like some coffee.”

Kate smiled. “Righto, I’ll get on with it now. Does he want anything to eat?”

“I don’t think he’s very well.”

That got everyone’s attention. “In what way?” Alfie asked.

“Well, he looks like death for a start, he’s so pale, and the light seemed to hurt his eyes. I moved the candles away a bit and he was awful grateful. He kept squinting and pinching between his eyes.” Jess demonstrated. “Like that.”

“Headache,” Alfie pronounced, his suspicions confirmed. He’d seen the man wince when he shook his head yesterday and had wondered.

Jess nodded sagely. “I reckon so. I asked if he wanted a powder, but he said no.”

Robbie stirred from his corner. “With a bit of luck, he might not last long,” he murmured around a yawn.

“Robbie!” Alfie gave him a glare.

“What? If he popped off, we could get back to normal.”

“If he popped off, as you so nicely put it, another one would come along to take his place. This one seems to be reasonable. He’s not high in the instep, not demanding, so we might need to make the best of it. The last thing we’d want is a stuffy, up his own arse lordship demanding things and bringing loads of servants with him. I thought we agreed this yesterday.”

Robbie nodded. “Fair point.”

“So, we need to look after him. See if we can get him to see things our way.”

“See things our way?” Maisie said on a laugh. “Do you honestly think that’s possible?”

“You never know.”

I didn’t read the first three books in this series, and that wasn’t an issue…although I will say, I definitely want to go back and read book 3, and book 2, possibly as well. Okay, maybe all of them. 🙂 The point is, this was definitely stand-alone, with just a few small appearances by characters from the previous books in the series.

What a beautiful story. Alfie built himself a little family, giving of himself so selflessly, so that their family could stay together…a gay couple, a lesbian couple, a trans young man. Along comes a new master, after an unexpected inheritance, and everyone is understandably on edge.

Jo, meanwhile, did not have the easiest life prior to coming to Winsford Green, yet it was important to him to treat everyone with respect and dignity, even down to the dogs living on the estate. (I loved that he bonded instantly with the dog that up until that point had been a challenge.) He was a man worth Alfie, without a doubt.

The Christmas miracle…came right at the right time…as I was wondering, in the back of my mind, how everything would work out for Jo and Alfie’s future. The parson didn’t even bat an eye, and found himself somewhat of a confidante.

This was exactly what you want in a holiday book. Lots of love, both romantic and familial, a future ahead of them that included even more love and joy. And dogs…there were dogs. 🙂

Definitely recommend. 4 pieces of eye candy

Ruby Moone lives in the wilds of Lancashire with her husband and writes historical and contemporary romance. At school, her teachers said that she lived with her head in the clouds and if she didn’t stop daydreaming she would never get anywhere. She never did stop daydreaming, and after years of happily living in the clouds, decided to write the stories down.

Connect with Ruby:
Website –  http://www.rubymoone.com/
Facebook Page –  https://www.facebook.com/RubyMoone/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/RubyMooneWriter
Instagram –  https://www.instagram.com/rubymoone/
Facebook Group – Ruby’s Room – https://www.facebook.com/groups/883596845175216/
Book Bub –   https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ruby-moone?list=about
Tumblr – https://www.tumblr.com/dashboard/blog/rubymoone

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Find Me In July by Christie Gordon: New Release Review

by

Troy lives to be a teacher. Jessie knows teachers can’t be gay. These facts could rip them apart.

It’s the summer of 1978. Troy Larson is only one university-year away from living his dream as an elementary school teacher. In the meantime, he’s heading to his family’s annual month-long vacation at a Northern Minnesota lake resort. He’s looking forward to time with his best friend, Jessie, and finding out what has happened to him. This year was odd. They hardly spoke on the phone, and Jessie didn’t come home for the usual breaks. When they meet, it’s clear something’s off with Jessie. One day in, Troy secretly stumbles upon Jessie in an illicit act with another man. The incident triggers questions about Jessie’s sexuality and confusion about his own.

Jessie Smith is set to take over his father’s Minneapolis foundry when he graduates from a New York university next year. But the time in New York has taught him how to accept his sexuality, and his newfound freedom is not something he’s willing to give up. As the families meet for their vacation, it’s clear that Jessie is different. After the first day, Jessie sees an abrupt change in Troy, and it’s baffling. The changes in Troy cause a lifetime of repressed feelings to surface in him.

Troy’s pursuit of the truth brings him closer to Jessie than he ever thought he would want to be. He struggles to understand what’s going on between them and how his best friend is turning into more, way more. With the gay rights movement facing legal challenges from Save our Children, can Troy convince Jessie he’s willing to fight alongside him and face any consequences together?

Amazon

This is a new to me author and honestly I chose to read it because it is set in 1978 and was marked historical. HISTORICAL! Don’t at me. I am not ok with this.

There is no way to NOT know that this book is set in 1978. You are smacked in the face at every turn with nostalgia and descriptions. Shag carpet. Orange counters. Trans Am with t tops. The music. And even with all of that there was one thing that was mentioned that wouldn’t be seen for another 11 years. I don’t know why I am like this, I’m sorry.

So it was a decent story. Best friends, one more year of college yet, spending a month at the lake with their respective families. Except last year Jessie didn’t come home at all. So this was the first time he and Troy were seeing each other in two years. Because Jessie has a secret. And in 1978, you kept that secret at risk of losing everything. But Troy finds out. And starts to explore with Jessie. But again, 1978 isn’t very kind to the gay community. Especially in Minnesota.

I wanted MORE story and less descriptive nostalgia. It was just overdone and not necessary. And the truth or dare and spin the bottle games with siblings involved. Just, ew.

All of the “Wanna beer?” “Wanna get high?” were too much. CONSTANTLY. Jessie and Troy each were ridiculously jealous of the other looking or even mentioning another man or ex.

I was hoping the “historical” nostalgia would make me smile at memories (btw, I was only 7 in 1978) but it all got to be very eye rolling.

2.5 pieces of eye candy