review

Love on the Horizon (New Adventures in Love Book 1) by R.J. Peterson: Blog Tour, Excerpt and New Release Review

June 2, 2021 by Denise

Two years after losing his husband, the last thing widower Rob Asher wants to do is go on a cruise-for-two by himself. But after some practical advice from his best friend, Rob realizes that his husband wouldn’t have wanted him to hide away from the world with only his grief for company. So despite some lingering doubts, Rob packs his bags for his cruise adventure and flies to Barcelona to board the Ocean Wanderer.

Actor Ben Rockingham has just finished a whirlwind promotional tour around Europe and is looking forward to a week long cruise so he can relax and unwind. He’s felt alone for far too long and doesn’t foresee that changing anytime soon. But a chance encounter in a hotel bar has Ben feeling things he hasn’t contemplated for a very long time.

He and Rob hit it off right away and Ben is both intrigued by and attracted to this conflicted man. Is it possible that Rob is the one who’s been missing from Ben’s life all these years, and can Ben help Rob move past his grief so they have a chance at a future together? They have one week aboard the Ocean Wanderer to find out and the stakes are high on the high seas.

Love on the Horizon

R.J. Peterson

Gay Romance

Release Date: 05.04.21

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Ben rolled over and looked at the clock on the nightstand. The alarm on his phone would go off in fifteen minutes. Just enough time to lie there and think about yesterday. Meeting Rob at the bar had been a pleasant surprise. And though Rob recognized him right away, he didn’t act like he was an over-the-top fan who only wanted to chat with Ben for bragging rights later. He just seemed like an all-around nice guy.

Rob was handsome, but there was more to it than just his good looks. Sure, Ben had always found both men and women attractive, but no man had put butterflies in his stomach since Ryan back in college. Until now. Fuck, was there any chance that Rob maybe felt the same way? Yes, he was gay, but his husband died two years ago and he was obviously still in mourning; only natural considering how long they had been together.

What do I know? I haven’t had feelings like this for such a long time—wait, do I have feelings for Rob?

Something is definitely going on here, but I’m not really sure what. Ryan was a great boyfriend, but it was the ‘80s then and we had hidden our feelings from pretty much everyone. We’d known each other for years and just kind of fell into a romance after admitting that we found each other attractive. At the time, there was so much homophobia out there and neither one of us had been ready to be out and proud. Over time, we had drifted apart and then I met Caroline. And while we got along great at the beginning, our relationship had mostly been rocky, if I was being honest. We did have Kyle though, so it hadn’t been all bad.

“Okay,” he said aloud, “I had a short relationship with a guy thirty-plus years ago and then a longer relationship and marriage with a woman a few years after that, and not much of anything since then.” He paused a moment, trying to organize his thoughts. “Both of those relationships had taken a while to develop. I’d never experienced ‘love at first sight’ or ‘lust at first sight’ or whatever the hell this was. Sure, a few dates here and there, but nothing that really felt completely right. For so many years I thought that either I was bi or that Ryan was just a one-time thing.”

But now, after spending just a few hours with Rob, he’s all I can think about.

Ben remembered a movie set he had been on a few years ago. He’d been chatting with one of the crew one day and the guy mentioned that he was ‘demi.’

“Demi? What the hell is that?” Ben had wanted to know.

“Demisexual,” the guy had replied. “I like girls and I like guys, but unless I have an emotional connection to them, I can’t get serious. Casual sex just doesn’t do it for me, but if we connect emotionally, it’s magical.”

That had stuck in the back of Ben’s mind and sometimes he thought that maybe he was demisexual too. He had done a bit of research at one point and it seemed like the emotional connection took a bit of time to develop. That certainly fit in with what he’d experienced before. It had been so long since he felt anything for anyone, he had started to think maybe he was asexual. Now, those emotions were starting to stir again when he thought of Rob. Was this really happening?

Ben’s phone began to chime, so he reached over and shut off the alarm, then got up and began to get ready for the new day.

This is one of those times I really wish the author had betas and/or editors that weren’t friends. I am totally assuming that the beta readers were friends with the author. Because I can see the platitudes. And here I am, trying to word this well.

The books is…nice. The characters are nice. The story is nice. The setting is nice. The writing can use a bit of polish.

Every meal they eat is described. And so much of the book reads like a big ole advertisement for the cruise industry. It was just kind of tedious. Oooh he chose a lemon danish! That rebel! Oh you can get your cruise wristband made into a necklace. Awesome!

I needed MORE. A lot of time is spent with Rob thinking about and talking about his deceased husband. But where’s the rest? He is 58, he was with his husband 20 years, he had been dead for 2. That is still a lot of background that could have added so much interest to the character.

Even Ben, famous actor. He is only recognized like twice and is very gracious about it. And when he talks about his career it is all sunshine and roses. And he rarely talks about it or himself.

And they constantly use each other’s names. The language was just very formal and a bit stuffy.

It was a valiant first effort for a book. Seriously. But some constructive criticism and an honest beta reader or two can go a long way.

2.5 pieces of eye candy

R.J. Peterson is a retired graphic designer.

He is an avid reader, preferably while sipping a vodka martini or some bourbon on the rocks. RJ’s had a long and varied career, including library page, car wash attendant, customer service representative, interpreter for the deaf, travel agent, and graphic designer in the marijuana industry. He also worked in banking for twenty-five years. In addition to starting up a writing career, he still works as a freelance designer, creating book covers and other items for several authors.

RJ loves to travel and has been on 40+ cruises. When not on a cruise, he and his husband live in New England.

Love On The Horizon is his first book.

Where to find RJ

Website: www.rjpeterson.net

Email: rjp@rjpeterson.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/138818084707307

Twitter: @RJPeterson4

A Husband for Hartwell (The Lords of Bucknall, Book 1) by JA Rock and Lisa Henry: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

June 1, 2021 by Denise

He must marry, or risk his fortune.

The whole of London Society has long assumed Lord William Hartwell will marry his childhood best friend, Lady Rebecca Warrington. After two Seasons, Hartwell remains quite content with bachelorhood–his parents do not. When Hartwell learns they intend to cut his purse strings unless he makes a match this Season, he resigns himself to a marriage of convenience with Becca, and yet he can’t help but be drawn to her younger brother, Warry.

He must marry, or risk his sister’s ruin.

The Viscount “Warry” Warrington is used to being viewed as the tagalong little brother. Now a grown man about to enter his second Season, Warry is desperate to be seen. When Lord Balfour, a handsome older peer, takes Warry under his wing, Warry thinks his dream is finally coming true. Until Balfour reveals his true intent–to make public a letter that will destroy Becca’s reputation, unless Warry agrees to marry him.

Time is running out for both of them.

When an injury forces Warry to recover at Hartwell House, the two succumb to a secret flirtation. But Warry’s sudden announcement of his engagement to Balfour drives Hartwell near mad with jealousy–and right into Becca’s arms. With the clock ticking for Warry to save his sister, will Hartwell discover the truth of Warry’s feelings before it’s too late?

A Husband for Hartwell is the first book in the Lords of Bucknall Club series, where the Regency meets m/m romance.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Hyde Park was lovely. It being March, the ride was cool, and Warry wished he’d worn a scarf. The winter had not been a bad one, although the tail end of it was proving to linger, the pattern of generally bright and sunlit days marred occasionally by chilly, drizzly ones such as this. It had been several years since Town had seen what Warry’s father called a ‘real’ winter; winters these days seemed damper and more miserable rather than sharp and cold. Warry could remember visiting the frost fair several years ago, amazed at the story of an elephant being led over the frozen Thames, even if he hadn’t witnessed it himself. He’d bought hot chocolate and he and Becca had gone skating. Their parents had declared the other children too young, which had led to Charlotte wailing all the way home, but not even that had ruined Warry’s good spirits. He’d promised to take Charlotte to the next frost fair, but every winter since then had been too mild for the river to freeze over.

There wasn’t much traffic on Rotten Row when Balfour drove the curricle over to that end of the Park so that they might watch the riders. A pair of gentlemen raced half-heartedly, though neither they nor their horses seemed much inclined to break a sweat. Warry feigned more interest than he felt, mostly to avoid looking at Balfour. Balfour had been polite and chivalrous from the moment Warry had climbed up into the curricle beside him, which seemed like nothing more than a cruel trick now that Warry had glimpsed the man’s true nature. A part of him would have preferred that Balfour acted like the monster he was.

Instead, Balfour chatted about the weather, the latest news from the Continent, and the slow start to the Season that year. Although people had been coming to Town since just after Christmas, the Season had yet to really warm up. Why, there hadn’t even been any scandals as yet. Warry’s skin prickled when Balfour said that with a sly smile, because they both knew Balfour held the power to uncover one.

“I do believe our match will be widely talked about,” Balfour remarked.

“I suppose so,” Warry said carefully, uncertain of the man’s meaning.

“Marriage can either be a very beautiful thing or a very ugly one.”

Warry’s throat tightened with the implications of that statement.

Balfour went on. “My father was courted by a Lord Bainbridge, many years ago. To hear him speak of it, Bainbridge was his one great love. He cares not at all for my mother. She destroyed his happiness, you see. She did it bit by bit, day by day. I had no siblings. There was no other option available to me but to endure that household in all its misery. Such terrible things she would say to him. To me.”

Warry gazed out at the people promenading. He did not want to feel anything for Balfour—the pain of the man’s betrayal was still too raw—but in spite of himself, he spared a moment’s pity for a small boy in a loveless household. His own upbringing had been full of kindness and indulgence, and he supposed it was unjust that some were granted such blessings and some were not—in the way he’d often thought it unjust that his mother adored him but seemed to find Becca wanting in everything but looks.

“For years, it made me hard and bitter.” Balfour rapped on the curricle’s side as though to jerk himself from his reverie. He turned his gaze toward Warry, his grin false and strange. “But I have come to enjoy a rich social life and the symbols of status that come from being my own man rather than my father’s puppet or my mother’s target practice. I have even begun to believe once more in love. I’m no romantic, you understand, but I should very much like to have what my father had with Bainbridge. And Joseph—” he paused. “I have known since that first afternoon we spent together that you are capable of both feeling and giving this love.”

Warry chewed his lip, wishing that Balfour’s flattery had no power over him. Wishing he did not sit there wondering if it was true. Did he have a rare and admirable capacity for love, and would there be others, if he could only get free of Balfour, who would see it?

Perhaps I would have given it freely to you had you not trapped me, he wanted to say.

People were broken in all sorts of ways. They sometimes use disagreeable methods to achieve their ends, but didn’t they all want essentially the same thing? To be loved? Could that brief flash of pity he’d felt for Balfour grow into forgiveness, and might they have a marriage that was at least civil? “My parents sometimes seem strangers to each other.” He didn’t know what else to say. “That is certainly not what I want for myself.”

“Then I’m glad we’ve made this promise to one another.” Balfour smiled with sincere warmth as though that promise they had made to one another was not born of sickness on Balfour’s part and terror on Warry’s.

I love historical romances. When I started reading back in my teen years…oh so many years ago…that was where I started…Victorian era regency romances. And now reading m/m romance, I do still like a good historical regency, and this gave me a very good taste. There is a little part at the beginning that helps to set up the book, which I hadn’t heard of, so I am guessing it was helpful for the book timeline. And it was helpful for me to stay in the story. 🙂

There was a lot going on in this book, which is what made it such a fun read. Hartwell knew he had to marry a woman, to have heirs, since he was the only son. His best friend was a woman, and a lesbian as it happened, so that seemed to be his obvious choice. Meanwhile, her brother, Warry, was trying to save her reputation from some unpleasant folks, after he found a letter that was a bit naughty. Let the secrets begin!

The book definitely had a lot of the schoolyard bully being mean to the object of his affections feel to it. Which honestly disturbed me a little in the beginning and the middle. I had a hard time connecting how Warry could want to be with someone who was kind of a jerk to him, a lot. As the book went on, though, I could see a bit more the issue was Hartwell really in denial. If he hadn’t redeemed himself about that, I would have been most disappointed.

It was still a fun read, with lots of the things that I’ve always enjoyed about historical romances…lack of communication, people trying to protect people by giving up their virtue/agreeing to marriage, etc. And the final scene with the bad guy was *chefs kiss*, and made me ready for book 2, which must be…well, you’ll have to see. (Or you can check out the preorder that is up now here).

*Side note: These covers are so awesome!!!*

4 pieces of eye candy

About JA Rock:

J.A. Rock is the author of over twenty LGBTQ romance, suspense, and horror novels, as well as an occasional contributor to HuffPo Queer Voices. J.A.’s books have received Lambda Literary, INDIEFAB, and EPIC Award nominations, and The Subs Club received the 2016 National Leather Association-International Novel Award. 24/7 was named one of the best books of 2016 by Kirkus Reviews. J.A. lives in Chicago with an extremely judgmental dog, Professor Anne Studebaker.

https://jarockauthor.com

About Lisa:

Lisa likes to tell stories, mostly with hot guys and happily ever afters.

Lisa lives in tropical North Queensland, Australia. She doesn’t know why, because she hates the heat, but she suspects she’s too lazy to move. She spends half her time slaving away as a government minion, and the other half plotting her escape.

She attended university at sixteen, not because she was a child prodigy or anything, but because of a mix-up between international school systems early in life. She studied History and English, neither of them very thoroughly.

She shares her house with too many cats, a dog, a green tree frog that swims in the toilet, and as many possums as can break in every night. This is not how she imagined life as a grown-up.

Lisa has been published since 2012, and was a LAMBDA finalist for her quirky, awkward coming-of-age romance Adulting 101, and a Rainbow Awards finalist for 2019’s Anhaga.

To connect with Lisa on social media, you can find her here:

Website
Facebook
Instagram
Goodreads
Bookbub
Twitter

She also has a Facebook group where you’ll be kept in the loop with updates on releases, have a chance to win prizes, and probably see lots of lots of pictures of her dog and cats. You can find it here: Lisa Henry’s Hangout.a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bad Daddy (Unexpected Daddies Book 3) by Victoria Sue: New Release Review

June 1, 2021 by Denise

Bad so bad.

Caleb DeLuca knew that tattooed, scarred ex-cons didn’t usually get trusted with anything precious. He’d spent the second half of his forty-three years atoning for the lives he had destroyed in the first half and was shocked to get invited to the club his brother-in-law owned. Especially when he found out what type of club it was.

Max was too young, too beautiful, and too fragile for Caleb to get any ideas they could ever be more than friends. Besides which, Max was searching for a man that would inflict the pain he craved, and Caleb was done with hurting people.

Even if that was what they wanted.

Bad Daddy is the story of a man who doesn’t believe he deserves anything good and the boy who finds out sometimes the best things come in most unexpected packages.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

One Cup Of Daddy and a Dash of Love (Unexpected Daddies Book 1)

A Daddy for Christmas (Unexpected Daddies Book 2)

I haven’t been able to read books 1 and 2 in this series, yet…because life. But I knew I’d be okay jumping into this series, because this author does stand-alone very well. And I really enjoyed this book, so it was a great place to start. I do own at least book 1, so I think I will need to head back and read that soon!

Caleb was the biggest, baddest, sweetest and most caring daddy Dom who happened to be an ex-con. One of the pieces that I loved about him being an ex-con is that although it was a big deal to him, most everyone else didn’t even worry about it. (It does come into play a little bit later in the book, but nothing too bad, because HEA 🙂 ). However, he just didn’t think he was going to be good enough for anyone, much less Max, who knew exactly what he wanted, and that wasn’t Caleb.

Meanwhile Max, who knew exactly what he was looking for passed over Caleb. Until he began to realize that what he was looking for wasn’t really what he wanted or needed. Max needed time to learn more about himself before he could try to find it, and give it to someone else.

I loved that this book was very much about the journey each man went on to figure out what they needed most for themselves, how to support each other and then what they needed from a relationship. It wasn’t just about how they would get together and find their HEA. They needed to figure themselves out first, even if it took them apart from each other at times, and put them in a special room. 😉

This book was a really good depiction of loving yourself before you can love someone else.

4 pieces of eye candy

To Light a Fire (Speak Its Name Book 1) by Kristian Parker: RB, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

May 31, 2021 by Denise

Frank never thought he would find love…until he met his friend’s servant.

It’s 1922 and Frank Harris has finished his exams at Cambridge. He had planned on going home to his parents’ Midlands shop until his friend Charlie Fitzwilliam issues a surprise invitation to stay at his family’s stately home.

Frank has nursed a secret attraction to Charlie since their first meeting and can’t resist a chance to spend time with him, but once there, it’s Tanner, a manservant, with whom he instantly falls in lust.

Charlie tries to force a local girl on Frank, and although Frank knows he should keep up appearances, it’s Tanner who sets a fire in him.

To Frank’s astonishment, Tanner is attracted to him too, and their mutual passion kindles, then burns strong. Only, their feelings must remain a secret—discovery would mean the ruin of them both.

But how long can love that blazes this bright be hidden?

To Light a Fire by Kristian Parker

Book 1 in the Speak Its Name series

General Release Date: 25th May 2021

Word Count: 19,038

Book Length: NOVELLA

Pages: 82

Genres: EROTIC ROMANCE, GAY, GLBTQI, HISTORICAL

Amazon

First For Romance

Goodreads

Cambridge, 1922

“Come on, Harris. Don’t be a chump. You can read your precious architecture books at my place. I don’t know why you’re bothering, anyway—we’ve done the blasted exams.”

So spoke Charlie Fitzwilliam the third…or maybe the fourth, standing there in all his glory. As usual, the rest of his gang flanked him and glared at me. It didn’t do to say no to Charlie. I had been in awe of him for four years at Cambridge.

The polar opposite to me, he could make a boy feel awkward just by entering a room. Blond, muscular and his parents owned most of one of the bigger counties just outside London. I, on the other hand, had dark hair, could have been described as a little on the skinny side and certainly didn’t come from the right side of the tracks.

“Go on, Harris,” said one of his henchmen. They followed him everywhere, doing his dirty work and hoping against hope some of that Fitzwilliam magic would rub off on them. “Charlie will be bored if you don’t.”

“Why don’t you go and entertain him then?” I said gruffly.

It had been made clear when we started at university that I would be the lackey of the group and it didn’t do to let me forget it. Charlie’s lot were Harrow boys for whom Cambridge had been a natural next step. My place had been paid for by my parents saving hard and me getting the best marks possible at school.

My parents had several shops in Leicester, the middle of England, where I’d grown up and nothing ever happened. When I’d come to Cambridge, I’d been an awkward eighteen-year-old who had no idea how to use the right cutlery or which wine went with fish. Charlie had taken me under his wing, the others had been jealous and so my runt-of-the-litter position had become firmly cemented.

Charlie had more money than he would ever know what to do with. University was just a diversion, a chance to drink heavily, romance often and generally live a crazy life. The dire state of the economy didn’t come anywhere near him, happening only to other people.

An invitation to go to his house in the country could not be refused, and I found myself tempted by some time alone with him. Besides, I couldn’t apply in earnest to architectural partnerships until I knew my marks for my degree. We had sat our final exam last week and could only wait until August, when we would graduate.

I had planned to go home and help in the shops, but I would only be taking hours from our workers who needed them more than me.

“Just think of it. You can dig around my father’s books to your heart’s content.” Charlie clapped his arm around me, causing me to blush. He knew he had his fish on the line, and a grin creased the sides of my face.

“Fine. A week, no more.”

Charlie held up his hands. “A week is all I want from you. Mummy has demanded my presence in bloody Portugal after that. I’ll be dragged around endless vineyards in search of the perfect grapes for the perfect port. Oh, well done, old man. I hate being stuck in that house on my own. It’s just so boring.”

Having made the decision, I told my parents, and they were fine with it. They wanted me to get as much out of life as possible. Me having the chance to hobnob with a load of posh people would be a talking point for my mother for the rest of the year. God help her customers. They would soon be sick of hearing it.

With a heavy heart, I packed away my books, to send them home to my parents. I would never stand in this bedroom again. I had been lucky to get a set of rooms to myself—most of the other undergraduates shared. I would miss this tiny bit of independence. It might be cliché, but I had arrived a boy and was leaving a man. Charlie and his cronies were still like boys and probably always would be.

I had never gone in for the carousing life. Charlie had a reputation for smuggling girls from the local town into our halls. More than once he had persuaded me to let him use my room for a bit of privacy. As usual he had a henchman, or two, standing guard, and I would find a corner and retreat into my books. It amazed me why Charlie and his gang bothered with me at all. I must have been so boring to them, but Charlie had somehow bonded with me. On his own, when he wasn’t being an insufferable show-off, he could be quite good fun. We were both studying architectural history together. Charlie didn’t know his Christopher Wren from his Antoni Gaudi, and we’d spent many a late night sorting out his essays. In reality, I would write them for him, but I used to live for those nights. Charlie generally sat on the window ledge smoking and chatting while I scribbled away. The public image of Charlie could be hard to get past, but when he did let a person in, a decent chap lay beneath..

This is a short novella, with a HFN type ending, which makes sense since this was an historical novella.

Since this was told from Frank’s POV, we don’t learn a lot about Tanner and his issues, but we do learn that Frank is trying to make his way without following in his father’s footsteps, but as an architect. When Frank goes home after their time in Cambridge is up, with a friend, he meets Tanner, who lights his fire in more than one way. 🙂

The struggle, as they come to know each other, is to keep it hidden. I won’t say what happens, but someone is given quite a scare. lol

This is a sweet, sexy book, that brings joy for how far the world has come, and hope for how far the world still has to go.

3 pieces of eye candy

Kristian Parker

I have written for as long as I could write. In fact, before, when I would dictate to my auntie. I love to read, and I love to create worlds and characters.

I live in the English countryside. When I’m not writing, I like to get out there and think through the next scenario I’m going to throw my characters into.

Inspiration can be found anywhere, on a train, in a restaurant or in an office. I am always in search of the next character to find love in one of my stories. In a world of apps and online dating, it is important to remember love can be found when you least expect it.

Follow Kristian on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/kparkerwriter

Enter and get a FREE romance book from the author!

Kristian Parker’s To Light a Fire Giveaway – https://upvir.al/114964/lp114964

ENTER HERE AND GET A FREE EBOOK FROM THE AUTHOR! Notice: This competition ends on 8th June 2021 at 5pm GMT. Competition hosted by Totally Entwined Group.

To Hold a Hidden Pearl (Rossingley Book 1) by Fearne: RB, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

May 30, 2021 by Denise

Dr Jay Sorrentino is getting married in ten days’ time to the girl of his dreams, so what the hell is he doing in a gay London club with a stupidly handsome stranger? As if calling off the wedding and alienating his friends and family isn’t enough, Jay also has to contend with starting a new job at a new hospital. So the last thing he needs is for the bloke from the club to be his prickly supervisor.

Dr Lucien Avery is a difficult colleague. He’s also the unexpected and reluctant heir to the vast Rossingley estate. Reclusive and miserable, he hates most of his colleagues, people who eat packed lunches, and supervising junior doctors. That is, until the delectable Dr Sorrentino turns up on his doorstep.

A light-hearted M/M contemporary romance, Rossingley takes place in Southern England and is centred around a fictional country house and estate by the same name. The first in the series, it can be read as a standalone.

Title: To Hold a Hidden Pearl

Series: Rossingley, Book One

Author: Fearne Hill

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: 05/24/2021

Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 73500

Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQIA+, contemporary, doctors, in the closet, coming out, cross dressing, sexual tension, grieving

Amazon

NineStar Press

Goodreads

LUCIEN

I don’t do nightclubs anymore. It’s not an age thing. Sure, I’m thirty-four, but there are plenty of men and women older than me in here seemingly having a blast. It’s…it’s just that I hoped I’d never need to, I suppose. I think I had this ridiculous notion I’d be happily settled with a great job, an even better loving partner, and a comfortable home. I have the job, and I certainly have the home, not that I particularly wanted it. But the loving partner? Not so much. To be fair, though, I’m quite difficult to love.

So here I am, propping up the wall in Spangles, a club I haven’t visited in years, watching my pissed former work colleagues, Sam and Louis, make complete arses of themselves on the dance floor.

There’s a whole gang of us here. I don’t know any of the others, and I don’t really want to become better acquainted with them either, but Sam has been begging me to come up to London for months and months. He’s been a decent friend since the accident, as much as I’ve let him, and joining him for his boyfriend Louis’s thirtieth birthday is the least I can do to show my appreciation. So I’d downed a few colourful cocktails, which seem to have had no effect on my mood whatsoever, put on my glad rags, done my eyes, and now pretend to be the sexy guy I used to be before my former existence was comprehensively annihilated. And tomorrow, when it’s thankfully all over, I’ll whizz back down the M4 to Allenmouth, and having seen how absolutely spiffily I’m coping, they’ll hopefully leave me alone for a while. I deserve an Oscar for tonight’s performance, but I’m starting to flag. Another ten minutes of hugging the wall and my Campari and soda, and I’ll be on my way.

An enormously tall, Italian Stallion kind of guy gives me a blatant once-over, and my eyes skirt past him. Thanks, but no thanks. Curly black hair, eyes like pools of melted chocolate, bulging shoulder muscles, and a broad chest threatening to break out of his tight white T-shirt. As if at any minute, the T-shirt might rip open and his skin turn an ugly shade of green. As he is, with T-shirt intact, he’s what Americans refer to as a jock. Or an especially buff Danny Zuko. But I’m no simpering Pink Lady. He’s absolutely not my bag at all.

My gaze settles on a little cutie chatting to his friends near the bar. Much more like it, exactly my type of guy. Perfect tight arse in the skinniest of black jeans, and he’s demonstrating the grace of a ballet dancer as he reaches upwards onto his toes to speak into a friend’s ear. Slight of build, and floppy, dirty-blond hair with pink frosted tips. Sensing my interest, he shyly smiles at me, and I look away. We all know the rules to this game, and a few seconds later, I glance back at him. He returns the look at precisely the moment that a protective, possessive arm comes to rest across his narrow shoulders, and the ruggedly handsome owner of that arm plants an adoring kiss on his cheek. With a regretful shrug, the cute guy turns to his companion and is pulled into a loving hug. A keeper for sure, only not my keeper unfortunately. Oh well, c’est la vie.

Gloria Gaynor is belting out ‘I am what I am’ at the top of her lungs. Most definitely my cue to leave. I finish my drink and head to where I last saw Sam and Louis. With a bit of luck, they’ll be so engrossed in each other they’ll let me slip out unnoticed to find a taxi to take me home. As I begin to push through groups of sweaty clubbers, the Italian Stallion guy blocks my path. And I mean blocks—he’s broad and beefy. He’s giving me another once-over, this time anxious, through thick black lashes, and his liquid-brown eyes are strangely as skittish as a colt’s. I make to squeeze by. But his big hand reaches around, catching me unawares, settles firmly around my wrist, and I’m tugged towards a dark corner of the club. Granted, it’s an unconventional hook-up technique, but I’m pissed enough and curious enough to go with it—perhaps in the dim light, he’s mistaken me for my cousin Freddie; it wouldn’t be the first time. We both have rather striking features.

So it seems that now he’s got me here, he’s not quite sure what it is he wants. He hovers in front of me, one hand resting lightly at my hip, and I can’t tell if he’s very nervous or very drunk. I’m happy to wait; I’ve nothing better to do. Anyway, I’m mildly intrigued as I have a feeling that, like me, he doesn’t really belong. He licks his lips once—yes, definitely nervous—and it draws attention to his fine mouth, a full Cupid’s bow, now glistening wetly. The sort of generous wide mouth made for laughing. Or cock sucking. I’m focusing on those lips now because the background thump of Ms Gaynor makes audible speech nigh on impossible.

“Can I suck your cock?” he asks.

Gosh, we must be acquainted after all, as this is one of my all-time favourite questions.

Okay, so I’ve not had any sexual activity in any of its manifestations for approaching two years, and I can’t recall the last time I even bothered employing my own right hand. Months and months ago. So if there is a single man in the history of the universe in my current sexual desert who would answer his question in the negative, then I’d like to meet him and shake his hand.

I contemplate replying with a sarcastic “Yes, if you can find it, darling” because, frankly, it’s most likely shrivelled up and died somewhere. But instead, I nod coolly and find myself mouthing, Be my guest, accompanied by a faintly ridiculous sweeping gesture of my arm as if inviting him in for afternoon tea. And that mouth is quite enticing, even if it is attached to a man built like Tarzan. Beautiful skin, too, a rich natural olive.

I don’t know the extent of his lip-reading skills, but I think he gets the message. Still looks nervous as hell though. I’d go so far as to say bloody terrified. I’ve no idea why, as he’s the one leading on this, and it’s not like my cock is going to bite back. If he’s afraid we’ll be spotted and turfed out, then he need not be. This corner of Spangles might as well have a sign above it advertising Sloppy Blow Jobs Here, judging by the stickiness of the carpet and the blatant activities of the couples nearby. However, whatever internal battle he’s fighting, his desire to suck me bizarrely wins out, and he sinks to his knees rather gracefully for such a big bloke.

All fingers and thumbs, he unfastens my belt, then wrestles with the buttons on my skinny Levi’s. If we weren’t in the situation we are, and if he hadn’t made his rather forwards suggestion, I’d assume he’d never done this before because he’s certainly making a hash of undoing my trousers. But eventually, they’re open, and I give him a helping hand by lowering them slightly around my hips. I’m treated to a rather lovely whiff of good old-fashioned Fahrenheit aftershave; it’s been years since I inhaled its woody, leathery aroma. With one last anxious glance up through his thick lashes, he slides his fingers inside the slit in my boxers and unceremoniously pulls out my cock. I think it’s that endearing last look up that gets my juices flowing, a vulnerable mixture of fear and need, and thankfully, my cock is half hard and getting harder. Which is infinitely preferable to watching him endeavouring to shape his lips around something akin to a clammy slug, even if he is a total stranger.

And the blow job isn’t half bad, even for someone who I’m utterly convinced hasn’t ever done it before. There’s a bit too much toothiness at the start, and some overenthusiastic sucking that has me wincing and nearly pushing him away, but then he settles and finds a rhythm and mmm…really not bad at all. What he’s lacking in expertise, he’s more than making up for in enthusiasm.

Should I have warned him against the perils of offering blow jobs to random strangers in dodgy Soho nightclubs? Probably. I am a doctor after all; surely it falls within the bounds of my Hippocratic oath. But I don’t. Because looking down, I find myself suddenly mesmerised by the sight of that big dark head bobbing up and down on my cock, not to mention the rather lovely sensations as his raspy tongue lathes along the length. As my orgasm builds, I bury my hands in the mop of dark curls, arch my hips up, and forcefully fuck his mouth, my cock reaching right into the back of his throat, and he takes it all, bless him, he gamely takes it all.

And so for the first time in eighteen months, I’m transported out of myself to a place where Dr Lucien Avery, the reluctant sixteenth Earl of Rossingley, is reminded of what joy can feel like. To a place where he remembers what pleasure feels like, where he can smile, and his heart can briefly sing again. Because, finally, something good and pure and simple is happening, and he can believe just maybe there is a path leading out of this wretched sadness after all. And the boy who is making this all happen is some big lump of a creature, lacking in finesse, but with such soulful brown eyes and swollen red lips. A boy who even now is gazing up at me through his long lashes with such devotion to his task that my balls clench and my hips jerk, and without giving him the customary polite warning, I spurt again and again into his mouth until my legs wobble dangerously and I sink back against the damp wall.

I eventually open my eyes to find him standing in front of me once more. Well-mannered boy that he is, he’s poking my cock back inside my boxers and putting my jeans back together, acts which seem somehow more intimate and sweeter than sucking my cock. After wiping a trail of my spunk off his cheek with a sweep of his hand, he gently smiles, and it’s the smile of a fairy-tale prince. Such a charming smile that it could launch ships and incite men to fight wars; it sparks sensations in me I’d forgotten existed but want to experience again. I decide, in a moment, when I’ve collected myself—when I’ve come down from my unexpected high—I’ll suggest we go back to my place so I can return the favour. I close my eyes briefly, wanting to hold on to this blissful forgotten feeling for as long as possible.

And of course, as in all good fairy stories, when I open them again, he’s gone.

This is my second book by this author, and I’ve really enjoyed the writing. I think the descriptions of the scenery are quite well done, giving a personality of sorts to each of the locations that are used in the books.

This book had such a wide ranging dynamic for Lucien, as an anethesiologist (which it is very obvious the author has quite a bit of experience in from the medical descriptions-which I love!) who works hard, and is grumpy, due to the other dynamic of his immediate family, who he had adored being killed in a horrific accident 18 months earlier. He was androgynous without apology, and difficult to work with, also without apology. What an in-depth character that we learn about.

Jay was a little more difficult to figure out, mostly because he was still trying to figure himself out. I appreciated, though, that it wasn’t just a light switch with him. He didn’t just turn off his feelings for his ex-fiancee, and his family, and just out himself. He struggled with it. He didn’t want to hurt or disappoint anyone, yet was drawn to Luce from the minute they met. His struggle was more realistic than some you read where it just “happens”, and they come out and all is happy.

Lucien never required Jay to come out. He let him find his way to whatever was going to be best for him, with his job, with his family, with the home he shared with his ex-fiancee. Lucien was the epitome of “if you love someone set them free…”.

One of the things that didn’t work for me, of all things, was the cover model. The rest of the cover made sense with the book, but the cover model didn’t make sense, simply because he was wearing dog tags, which neither MC was from a military background. Meanwhile, Lucien wore his pearls as a clutch, as a way of feeling safe. It might have made more sense to have that. It’s obviously a small issue, and didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book, but worth noting.

I also really enjoyed the peek into book 2, which is about Freddie, and his love, which hopefully we have already met. 🙂 Looking forward to it!

4 pieces of eye candy

Fearne Hill lives deep in the southern British countryside with three untamed sons, varying numbers of hens, a few tortoises, and a beautiful cocker spaniel.

When she is not overseeing her small menagerie, she enjoys writing contemporary romantic fiction. And when she is not doing either of those things, she works as an anaesthesiologist.

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Website: http://www.fearnehill.com/

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Snowbody Like You by Ariella Zoelle: Blog Tour, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

May 27, 2021 by Denise

Getting stranded with an attractive stranger in a hotel room with only one bed is something Jude’s dreamed about forever. When he finds himself in that situation for real, can it live up to his expectations?

Jude Moore

I never expected a blizzard to turn one of my daydreams into a reality. The meet-cute gods generously bless me with the perfect costar to act out my favorite scenario about being snowed in at a hotel room with only one bed. Rigby is my ideal fantasy man brought to life: tall, adorable, with a dash of academic nerdiness thrown in to make him absolutely perfect. The best part is that he’s actually real and not just a figment of my imagination.

Is it too soon to ask if he wants his next starring role to be my boyfriend?

Rigby Pasquali

Falling in love with a charming cutie at the airport during a flight delay was not on my to-do list, but a chance encounter with Jude teaches me that the impossible is actually possible. He’s full of endless surprises like that. Once we get back home, my favorite discovery is learning that his creative imagination is as vivid as mine. That’s when things get really exciting as he makes all of my dreams come true.

Jude is made of magic and muchness, so how could I not love him with all my heart?

Snowbody Like You is the first book in the Suite Dreams series and part of the Sunnyside universe. This novel features an instalove, role-playing, height difference, only one bed romance. Full of cute sweetness and sexy fun, every story ends with a satisfying HEA and no cliffhangers. Each book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series in order.

Snowbody Like You was originally featured as a 14k short story in the Winter Wonderland giveaway. It has been expanded into a 61k full-length novel, which means there’s more of Jude and Rigby to love!

Snowbody Like You (Suite Dreams, Book 1)
By Ariella Zoelle

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Chapter 3: Jude Moore

“Remember how I said my mom and sister pray for me to find Mr. Right every time I fly?”

I didn’t blame Rigby for looking confused by my jump in conversation. “Yeah?”

“My sister’s biggest fear is I’ll be unprepared when I finally meet the love of my life.”

He couldn’t hold back a laugh. “That’s her biggest fear?”

“Well, that, and spiders,” I joked. “Lucy takes it upon herself to ensure that never happens.”

“Meaning?”

“Even though I haven’t been with a guy in five years, I have condoms and lube in my bag thanks to her. I can show you her texts about it if you don’t believe me.”

The spark of interest in his blue eyes made my prick perk up at the promise of some horizontal fun together in our near future. “After hearing your stories about Lucy, I totally believe you, but I also kind of want to see her texts.”

More than happy to indulge his curiosity, I took out my phone. I showed him Mom and Lucy’s group chat messages about keeping an eye out for my Hallmark hottie before I pulled up the private texts with just my sister.

Lucy: How could you let your condoms expire unused? What’s wrong with you?

Jude: It’s not like I need them for solo action.

Lucy: The point is using them with someone else, dumbass! I shouldn’t have to explain that to you. It really has been too long if you don’t know that.

Jude: Sorry, I’ve been too busy being single to fuck around. It takes up all my free time.

Lucy: That’s bullshit, and you know it. Please try not to waste the new box I snuck into your bag.

Jude: It’s not sneaking when you announce you’re responsible for it.

Lucy: One day you’ll thank me for making sure you’re prepared for meeting Mr. Right McDreamy.

Jude: You act like we’ll be fucking in an airplane bathroom the minute we meet

Lucy: Would you rather get back to your apartment with him and realize you can’t get laid because you don’t have condoms?

Jude: I’m about to go through security. I look forward to getting this lecture again in a few years when they expire unused.

Rigby laughed hard as he scrolled through our exchange. “Wow, and I thought I was close with my sister. I can only imagine Lucy’s reaction when she finds out you finally put them to good use.”

The confirmation that we were definitely going to fuck gave me a semi. “She’ll gloat about it for the rest of my life, but I can live with that when you’re the reason I’m getting ribbed.”

He snickered. “Did you just make a ribbed condom joke?”

“I sure did.”

Rigby came over to me and helped me stand up from my chair at the table. Our sizable height difference made me extra horny. “Remind me to thank her afterward.”

To my great delight, Rigby leaned down to kiss me. He was tentative, almost like he feared I’d reject him. There wasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell of that.

I tugged on his sweater to pull him closer as I kissed him back with five years of pent-up lust. Moaning against his lush lips, I was already rock-hard and ready to fuck.

His tongue teased mine, making me crave more. I laced my fingers through his hair as I resisted being swept away by our ardent passion.

When we paused for air, we were both breathless and aroused. He was the first to breathe in awe, “Wow.”

“I’d say.” I couldn’t stop grinning. “And here I was afraid it had been so long that maybe I’d forgotten how to kiss.”

His laughter filled me with indescribable levels of joy. “Oh my god, I was worried about the same thing!”

“Want to see if we remember how to get naked?”

Get ready for Book 2
Flawsome Explorations

Coming July 23

Unexpected sparks fly when a shy, straight, nerdy sweetheart meets a flirtatious, sexy, older Frenchman. Is Zio brave enough to take a chance on Armand?

Fabrizio “Zio” Revello

I embrace the philosophy that nobody is perfect by studying the art of imperfection. But then I meet Armand, forcing me to completely reevaluate my world view. From his gorgeous face, teasing sense of humor, and a French accent to die for, everything about him makes me forget one very important detail: I’ve never been attracted to a man until him. I shouldn’t let him tempt me, but the glimpse of the real Armand behind his playful flirtations makes him impossible to resist.

I’ve never been the adventurous type, but Armand makes me want to be brave and daring. Isn’t a lifetime of happiness with a person who understands me worth the risk?

Armand Bellamy

I approach Zio in search of a no-strings-attached evening of fun to kick off my business trip to Hawaii. But I get way more than I bargained for when I discover a shy, nerdy sweetheart who finds beauty in my flaws. He even accepts the hidden parts of my heart that I hide from the world. It makes me want to make him mine—not just for one night but for every night of the rest of our lives.

He says he’s straight, but when have I ever let that stop me from getting what I want?

Flawsome Explorations is the second book in the Suite Dreams series and part of the Sunnyside universe. This novel features a bisexual awakening, shy/flirt, age gap, instalove, opposites attract romance. Full of cute sweetness and sexy fun, every story ends with a satisfying HEA and no cliffhangers. Each book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series in order.

Pre-Order Link

Goodreads

So. Hmm. Well…it was…cute?

I get it, it was a bit of a riff on Hallmark Christmas movies. Strangers in an airport, snow, forced proximity, etc. Cute. But oh my.

There is literally almost zero plot to this book. It is almost ALL sex. And- there is tons of conversation DURING sex. And not even related to the sex. Like, a conversation about something not sex related WHILE THEY ARE HAVING SEX.

And, of course, insta love. Literally saying they love each other after less than 24 hours.

Jude constantly talking about how tall Rigby is and how much he loves it.

Jude’s sister and mother were a bit over the top. Ok, maybe if you have a really close relationship with your sibling you might openly talk about sex as in depth (eek, sorry) as they do. But his mom as well?

Oof, sorry. This one was a pass for me.

2.5 pieces of eye candy

Ariella Zoelle previously published as A.F. Zoelle. She adores steamy, funny, swoony romances where couples are allowed to just be happy. That means she writes low angst stories full of heat, humor, and heart. Her vast knowledge of weird, wild, and wonderful randomness colors her writing, meaning her characters have some pretty strange and entertaining interests.

There are even rumors that she’s a time management wizard who uses her magic powers to create enough free time to turn her massive horde of plot bunnies into sassy M/M romance novels. Her next feat will be turning herself into a full-time author.

For real time updates on her writing progress, please join her Facebook group for exclusive teasers or follow her on Twitter or Instagram. You can also sign up for her newsletter to gain access to bonus chapters, previews of upcoming books, exclusive visual guides, and more.

Connect with Ariella:
Website: https://www.ariellazoelle.com/
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