romance

Freckles by Amy Lane: Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

November 18, 2016 by Denise

freckles_600x900 synopsis

Carter Embree has always hoped to be rescued from his productive, tragically boring, and (slightly) ethically compromised life. But when an urchin at a grocery store shoves a bundle of fluff into his hands, Carter goes from rescuee to rescuer—and he needs a little help.

Sandy Corrigan, the vet tech who helps ease Carter into the world of dog ownership, first assumes that Carter is a crazy-pants client who just needs to relax. But as Sandy gets a glimpse into the funny, kind, sexy man under Carter’s mild-mannered exterior, he sees that with a little care and feeding, Carter might be Super-Pet Owner—and decent boyfriend material to boot.

But Carter needs to see himself as a hero first. As he says good-bye to his pristine house and hello to carpet treatments and dog walkers, he finds that there really is more to himself than a researching drudge without a backbone. A Carter Embree can rate a Sandy Corrigan. He can be supportive, he can be a hero, he can be a man who stands up for his principles!

He can be the owner of a small dog.

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Riptide Publishing

denise review

OMG! The cuteness factor on this is HIGH!!!!

I love Amy Lane books and this one is no exception. Between Freckles, the cutest dog ever, and Carter being the sweetest, sincerest man ever, this book was made to be a comfort read.

I enjoyed how Sandy wasn’t put off by the fact that Carter really had no concept how to socially engage, or flirt, and just went after what he wanted, Carter. Meanwhile, Carter took a few times meeting to open his eyes and see Sandy as a person, and not a vet tech who was helpful. Then he was all in. Carter fell in love with Freckles on first sight, and did the same with Sandy…once he saw him.

This is such a good re-read book. Made to just sit back, laugh a lot (and between Freckles’ antics and Carter’s lack of awareness sometimes there is tons of laughter!) and just want to soak up the enjoyment.

And if you are a Johnnie’s fan, like I am…you might recognize one of the snarky side characters. 😉

Grab this, read it, and laugh it up!

4 pieces of eye candy

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meet the author

Amy Lane exists happily with her noisy family in a crumbling suburban crapmansion, and equally happily with the surprisingly demanding voices who live in her head.

She loves cats, movies, yarn, pretty colors, pretty men, shiny things, and Twu Wuv, and despises house cleaning, low fat granola bars, and vainglorious prickweenies.

She can be found at her computer, dodging housework, or simultaneously reading, watching television, and knitting, because she likes to freak people out by proving it can be done.

Connect with Amy:

giveaway

To celebrate the release of Freckles, one lucky winner will receive Freckles in ebook and another ebook of their choice from Amy’s backlist! Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on November 19, 2016. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!

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The Secrets in my Scowl by A.E. Via: Blog Tour, Teaser and Review

November 18, 2016 by Denise

synopsis

Sparks ignite and tempers flare when a sexy, optimistic wedding planner moves his business in across the hall from a jilted, divorce lawyer’s practice.

“Look smart ass. This is the last time I’m going to remind you about breaking sections of the lease. If there’s a next time, I won’t stop until you and your frilly, white wedding shit is thrown out of here. Do you got it?!”
Wylde looked in Jacob’s pained eyes and answered in his deep voice. “Yeah, counselor. I got it.”

From high school, up until he became a successful attorney Jacob Snowden was convinced that love had it out for him. “Everyone left,” were the words he lived by. His mother, his high school sweetheart, his father, and his fiancé, all left Jacob just when he felt it was safe to let down his guard. Not any longer. Jacob was a determined man, set at keeping people at a distance. If his six foot one, military-made body didn’t scare people off, his permanent scowl surely did. At almost forty, Jacob’s social life was non-existent, but he told himself his work fulfilled him. He helped people get out of their loveless marriages. Jacob Snowden was one of the best divorce lawyers on the east coast and was damn proud of it. So, imagine his disdain when a wedding planner moves into the suite directly adjacent to his… an insanely masculine, male wedding planner.

Wylde Sterling had made quite a name for himself in his hometown of Roanoke, Virginia, working for a wedding planner that catered to the elite. He was known for his charm and impeccable taste. Yep, he was incredible at giving couples the wedding of their dreams. But he wanted nothing more than to plan his own. After striking out in love more times than he cared to admit, Wylde decided to start his own business in a new city, hoping Richmond would give him a fresh start. Things started out wonderfully – until he started to piss off the angry divorce attorney next door.

Wylde could see past Jacob’s mean scowl, knowing there was a reason for it. It was the man’s defense mechanism, his means of keeping people away. Everything in Wylde told him to stay away, but he believed Jacob just needed to meet a man who had been hurt as badly as he had.

Title: The Secrets in My Scowl

Author A.E. Via

M/M GAY CONTEMPORARY / STANDALONE

Edited by: Tina Adamski

Cover Artist – Jay Aheer

PAGE COUNT – 312

Release Date: October 28, 2016

This story ends in an HEA and does not end on a cliffhanger.

teaser

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I am an enormous fan of this author, ever since I read the Nothing Special series and then Bounty Hunters, I knew she’d forever be a one-click for me. This one’s a bit different and no less amazing.

First, we have Jacob, we start with his POV til about the 8th chapter. He’s very unlucky in love, starting with his parents, then his highschool sweetheart and then his first serious boyfriend after that. His parents were selfish, especially his dad but I understood why his high-school boyfriend couldn’t do the things they promised each other; it would be hard to be in that situation. The next boyfriend Mark; I didn’t trust and didn’t like from the very beginning, he was pushy and somewhat whiney and I was glad to see him go; although I didn’t like in which the manner it happened because it was dishonest and it left Jacob more jaded than he was before. I also didn’t like Reggie-and thought that Mark got everything he had coming to him with all that.

Now, Jacob is the epitome of scowling, cynical, untrusting, and everyone around him seems to suffer those consequences. He’s hard and downright a lot of the time, but it’s to protect himself from getting hurt; I think everyone who’s ever had their heart broken can understand that at least a little bit. Even if they didn’t go to the extreme’s that he did. THEN, something amazing happens….

Wedding planner, Wylde moves his office/wedding planning business right across the hall from his divorce attorney office where he’s known for being a shark… He’s got no time for love and see’s marriages ended daily and he’s amazing at his job because, life has taught him that love is crap. Match made in…. something, I’ll say. Wylde isn’t like the typical stereotyped wedding planner; he’s big, strong and intimidating in his own way; and Jacob is attracted to him immediately, even though he keeps putting his foot in his mouth and showing everyone the seriousness of his scowl; Wylde can see right through him; he knows he’s hurting and he wants to be there for him, all the while being attracted to him as well…. He’s not had the best luck either, having had his heartbroken in a betraying way, he wouldn’t wish the hurt on anyone… he’s a great guy, understanding, patient and very much the calm to Jacob’s attitude. They have a lot in common and after an embarrassing drunken night on Jacob’s part, the two become friends/ friendly/dating.

Wylde is amazing for Jacob, he teaches him to be kinder and more trusting, he gets him to open up to the people in his life who are just waiting to care about him; like his secretaries and assistance at work who also really come through for him in his times of need. There were a couple times that my heart really broke for him and I really wished that he would have been able to get closure with people like his dad, or a better relationship with his mom. But, I’m so glad he made up with his one friend and let other people in. Wylde gave him hope and love and a family that he never had and I was so glad for him. From the time we met Jacob to the time the book ended, it was like meeting three different people; the person he was in the beginning, the person he turned into and then the person that Wylde helped him to become. I was so happy with all of it. It was a hard road and I really wish I could gush and gush for a couple more hours about every nuance of this story, but I don’t want to give toooo many spoilers lol, too many more at least. If you’re a fan of A.E. Via, you will not be disappointed. It was amazing and heartfelt and hopeful and I loved every second of it.

Don’t pass it up! 5 pieces of eye candy from me!

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meet the author

ae-author-pic A.E. Via is an author in the beautiful gay romance genre and also founder and owner of Via Star Wings Books. Her writing embodies everything from hopelessly romantic to adventure, to scandalous. Her stories often include intriguing edges and twists that take readers to new, thought-provoking depths.

When she’s not clicking away at her laptop, she devotes herself to her family—a husband and four children. Adrienne Via has tons of more stories to tell, but she really would like to hear yours. Via Star Wings Books is currently accepting submissions for established and aspiring LGBTQ authors.

Visit my site to learn more! Go to A.E. Via’s official website http://authoraevia.com for more detailed information on how to contact her, follow her, or a sneak peak on upcoming work, free reads, VSWB submissions, and where she’ll appear next

Amazon Buy Link: https://goo.gl/4oCCZH

AllRomance: https://goo.gl/9V0GQS

Smashwords: https://goo.gl/QScfZk

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32072126-the-secrets-in-my-scowl

Author Official Website: http://authoraevia.com

A.E. Blog: http://authoraevia.com/blogfann.html

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

Facebook (Friend me): https://www.facebook.com/authoraevia

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorAEVia

Why I Love Geeks by T.A. Chase: Release Day Review

November 18, 2016 by Denise

synopsis

New York City Homicide Detective Chuck Davidson is a guy’s guy. He likes sports, beer, and classic cars—fancy gadgets, not so much. When yet another high-tech phone goes on the fritz, he knows he needs help, and he meets a man who loves technology as much as he hates it—cute but awkward biochemist Herbert Pommerset.

Herb’s never been with a man—not even on a date. He hides behind his research, daydreaming about what it might be like to find someone special. A malfunctioning phone causes his path to cross with a sexy older detective, and Herb wishes he’d spent less time studying science and more learning how to flirt, because he can think of some experiments he’d like to conduct with Chuck. None of his considerable intelligence is helping him express his desires to the other man.

Just when it seems they might overcome their differences, Herb’s research puts him in danger. He’s made a discovery that could cost him his life, and Chuck must use his very different talents to rescue the geek he’s coming to love.

First Edition published by Amber Quill Press/Amber Allure, 2011.

Title: Why I Love Geeks
Series: Why I Love…
Author: T.A. Chase
Release Date: November 18, 2016
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 200

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ARe

Dreamspinner Press

deanna review

This book is adorable, funny and entertaining. I love a good story with a super hot, rugged alpha male and a funny, nerdy brainiac.

Chuck hates technology. He’s so frustrated with the new cell phone that he can’t figure out, he’s about to throw it in front of a bus. Chuck is a cop, and his phone is his lifeline. Along comes Herb to the rescue, as a scientist technology is kind of his thing.

Herb shows Chuck how to get his voicemail and as Chuck heads out on a new case he gives Herb a kiss of gratitude. Herb has lived a pretty sheltered life. As a genius he was always in school or doing research. He never really made time for friends. His parents had never been interested in having children so he lived in boarding schools and dorm rooms from the age of ten. Plus his lack of brain to mouth filter usually killed any potential friendships that may have come along.

Chuck’s demanding job usually kills any romance in his life, but he can’t seem to get the sweet scientist out of his head. Herb can’t stop talking to his lab assistant, Jessie about the hot cop that kissed him. With a little scheming, Jessie invites Herb to Sunday family dinner, knowing that Chuck is the hot cop Herb keeps talking about.

Sparks fly and the two are nearly inseparable immediately. When Chuck catches a new case that involves an employee of Herb’s lab Chuck has to find a way to solve the case and keep Herb out of danger.

This book is so much funnier than I anticipated. Herb is a great character, he’s funny, quirky, and absolutely adorable. There are a few secondary storylines that I would love to see play out, especially Chuck’s brother John. I think this is a good start to a new series, I can’t wait to see where it goes.

4 pieces of eye candy

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Andre in Flight by Laura Lascaraso: Exclusive Excerpt, Giveaway

November 16, 2016 by Denise

synopsis When up-and-coming Miami painter Martin Fonseca encounters youthful pretty boy Andre Bellamy washing dishes in the kitchen of La Candela, he swears he’s known him before, intimately. But Andre only arrived in Miami weeks ago, after running away from small-town Alabama and his abusive father. When Martin discovers Andre trading sexual favors for a place to stay, he offers him a room in his studio apartment. As roommates only.

What starts as a playful friendship turns into something more as Andre begins posing for Martin, whose true passion is painting fantastical portraits. Martin’s obsession with Andre grows until they are sharing more than just flirtatious conversation. But when an eccentric art collector buys one of Martin’s paintings, Martin’s past jealousies resurface and threaten to destroy what he and Andre have so lovingly built.

Title: Andre in Flight
Author: Laura Lascarso
Release Date: November 16, 2016
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 116

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excerpt

13. My Boyfriend

After that I told everyone Andre was my boyfriend, beginning with Nicky when he asked about him the next day while picking up the last painting.

“Where’s your handsome roommate?”

“He’s not my roommate, Nicky, he’s my boyfriend. And he’s in the shower. Will this take long? I’d really like to join him.”

I also told everyone at work: Hector, Melissa, the kitchen crew, the other servers, hosts and hostesses. I even told the guy who drops off the produce. And Fang, more than once.

“Stop bragging, already,” Fang said unhappily.

When we were out, I introduced him as “my boyfriend, Andre,” and said things like, “I’ll need to check with my boyfriend” or “let me see what my boyfriend wants.” It was kind of obnoxious, but the more I said it, the more I wanted to say it.

When the reporter came by to interview me for a lifestyle piece, he asked me about my subject, and I told him it was my boyfriend, Andre. The write-up was borderline scandalous, which thrilled Nicky to no end. A photographer came back to photograph the two of us, a very classy Ralph Lauren-esque black-and-white spread. The title: The Painter and His Muse.

Melissa called us a sappy cliché and was in a constant state of rolling her eyes, but I didn’t care; I was in love.

But even as I was shouting it from the rooftops, Andre and I spent less time together. Between promos for the upcoming show, work, and painting, my schedule was packed. One night after closing, I came into the kitchen of La Candela to find Andre and Fang leaned in together over some new dish they’d just whipped up. They were sampling from the same plate, like lovers, practically feeding each other, said the snot in me. I wanted to be happy for Andre, that he had friends and a life outside of me, but a serpent of jealousy wound its way around my heart.

If Andre is all I need or want, why does he need anyone else?

And there were still times when he went out without telling me where he was going. I consoled myself with the thought that I always knew where he’d end up, which was back in bed with me.

I wanted more from him, but I didn’t know how to get it without seeming like a controlling boyfriend. And I didn’t want him to think I didn’t trust him—he’d never given me a reason not to. My imagination had a tendency to spiral out of control.

And then it was the night of my gallery opening. Nicky and Melissa had me on a tight leash all night long, leading me from heiress to millionaire to art critic to reporter. I had to be charming and aloof and incisive all at once. It was exhausting. Andre tagged along at first, but eventually made his way to the food and then disappeared altogether.

I found him toward the end of the night, in the alleyway behind the gallery, getting high with one of the caterers. There was a moment before he saw me, when he was passing the joint over to his new friend—I assured myself they were only friends—and Andre was flashing his smile, dimples showing, and a bolt of jealousy struck me, kicking my senses into high gear. That smile belonged to me and no one else. He’s mine, I wanted to yell at them both, like some Neanderthal.

My boyfriend, Andre.

And when Andre turned his head and caught my eye, his smile bloomed again, even more brilliant than before because he was mine.

But for that one second, when doubt overtook me, a thought raced through my mind, one so disturbing that it scared me to admit I’d even had it:

I’ll kill him before I let anyone take him from me.

meet the author

headshotwebfinal Laura Lascarso lives in North Florida with her darling husband, two children, and a menagerie of animals. Her debut novel, Counting Backwards (Simon & Schuster 2012) won the Florida Book Award gold medal for young adult literature. She aims to inspire more questions than answers in her fiction and believes in the power of stories to heal and transform a society.

For social critiques, writer puns, and Parks and Rec gifs, follow her on Twitter @lauralascarso. Website: http://lauralascarso.com
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When the Dust Settles by Mary Calmes: Pre-Release Day Review

November 15, 2016 by Denise

synopsis

Glenn Holloway’s predictable life ended the day he confessed his homosexuality to his family. As if that wasn’t enough, he then poured salt in the wound by walking away from the ranch he’d grown up on, to open the restaurant he’d always dreamed of. Without support from his father and brother, and too proud to accept assistance from anyone else, he had to start from scratch. Over time things worked out: Glenn successfully built a strong business, created a new home, and forged a life he could be proud of.

Despite his success, his estrangement from the Holloways is still a sore spot he can’t quite heal, and a called-in favor becomes Glenn’s worst nightmare. Caught in a promise, Glenn returns to his roots to deal with his half brother, Rand Holloway, and comes face-to-face with Mac Gentry, a man far too appealing for Glenn’s own good. It could all lead to disaster—disaster for his tenuous reconnection with his family and for the desire he didn’t know he held in his heart.

Title: When the Dust Settles
Series: Timing: Book Three
Author: Mary Calmes
Release Date: November 16, 2016
Category: Western
Pages: 107

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Dreamspinner Press

jennifer
Ooooh, Mary Calmes… do you ever write anything less than perfect, literary adventures? If so, I’ve yet to read it….. First, let me say that I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in promise to leave an honest review; but those of you who follow my reviews, know that there is no other way I can review. I tend to be a bit ranty at times…. It’s just how it is…. Also, take note that there may be some mild spoilers…

In this one we have Glenn. It took me a minute to remember him from Stef and Rand’s book, but remember him I did. I also felt incredibly sad for him; he didn’t fit in with his family now that the big secret came out in the last book, (which I won’t spoil because if you haven’t read the last two… .pause this review and go read them! You need a little Stef and Rand in your life… everyone does!)
Although I could see where he was coming from and the notice in their relationships were different I did feel like he was a bit guarded and on edge; he was defensive and like Zach said, he was a bit sensitive. He took things to heart, thought they were insulting when the other guys didn’t mean it that way at all….Like I said, I felt for him, I could see where he was coming from but I just wanted to shake them all and make them COMMUNICATE lol it could have gotten the confusion and misinterpretations handled.

Then we had Mac; remember him? Rough around the edges and tough as nails? Well, Glenn didn’t know he was gay but sure enough, he’s not only gay but he’s had a thing for Glenn for a good long time; but it was almost impossible to get close to Glenn until Stef called in a favor and had Glenn going out on a cattle job with the group he’d fought so hard to keep a distance from.

It was hot, how Mac made Glenn change his perception on what it meant to be gay and the stereotypes he’d fit into. I liked that once Glenn let his guard down and started letting people in, we got back to the characters we know and love, like Rand and Mac.
Shout out to Richard Jenner in this one too; I love little crossover cameo’s like that….

Overall, this is your typical Mary Calmes goodness. You have hot possessive, alpha men; down and dirty sex and a little bit of sweet that’s just enough to make these guys the perfect husbands.
My only complaint is that I wish it was longer; but it could have been 600 pages and I’d felt the same way. Loved it!
I can’t wait to read more about these two and well….. all of the guys at The Red Diamond.

Forever a fan! 5 pieces of eye candy!

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Monthly Author Column: Avon Gale recaps GRL

November 10, 2016 by Denise

So, a few weeks ago I attended my first GRL! The only other romancelandia con I’d been to was RT in Vegas last April, and wow, this was a totally different experience. And I had a good time at RT, it was definitely an eye-opening, interesting and worth-while experience…but GRL was all of that AND MORE! I had an awesome time, and I’m definitely planning to go again next year.

This year, GRL was in Kansas City – which just so happens to be about a 2 hour drive for me. I live in Columbia, which is halfway between St. Louis and Kansas City, so! Super convenient. I came up on Wednesday with a bonus! Piper Vaughn, who’d been chilling at my house that week since Mr. Gale was off for a conference of his own in San Francisco (on like, mobile banking, so not nearly as fun as mine). My roommate was the lovely Carrie Pack, who I’d met at RT and chatted with online a little. We luckily got along really well and shared a mutual love of mocking House Hunters, so that was great.

I signed up as a Supporting Author this year, and I’m glad that I did that – it was a great way to both be involved and learn about the conference. The supporting author signing on Thursday was awesome, I love getting to meet readers! I almost fainted when one of my favorite authors, Lisa Henry, stopped by and got a copy of “Let the Wrong Light In” for me to sign. !!! I tried to play it cool and probably failed, after babbling something about how she was a huge inspiration to me as a writer (I love how she can write so many different moods and types of stories and they’re all awesome). I did the same thing to Jordan Castillo Price, who I was so nervous to meet! If you’ve met me, you know I’m super friendly and will talk to just about anyone. But Jordan is one of my favorite authors and her Psy-Cop series was among my first reads in original M/M fiction. So meeting her was totally awesome, and I’m not going to lie – I actually got a little teary-eyed. But there are reasons for that! Other than me being a weirdo who gets nervous around her favorite authors, I mean.

(Lisa Henry and Jordan Castillo Price are both immensely lovely ladies, gracious and fun and I’m so glad I got to meet them! All this awkwardness is on the part of yours truly, let me just get that out there.)

Anyway, something happened between the author signing and my author lounge session that was very significant, and why I got sort of teary-eyed talking to an author I admired so much. I was going down to the conference area and I got off on the wrong floor of the hotel, and ended up…amongst other conference people, dressed in business casual and carrying folders and laptops (meanwhile, I’m in a skull dress with a bow on it, and above-the-knee red boots, carrying a box of buttons with fake hockey logos and a package of rainbow Twizzlers). “Oops,” I thought, (or said out loud, probably, knowing me), “This is not where I’m supposed to be.”
I’d been there before, though. I’d been to conferences during the ten years of my development/fundraising career, and I know they were supposed to be fun and revitalize my love for my career and all of that. But somehow they never did, and while I always loved traveling, I never had that spark of enthusiasm for what I was doing. So I couldn’t help thinking about how incredibly happy I was to be “on the wrong floor”, so to speak. Here I was, doing what I loved and at a conference full of readers and writers who share the same passion for books as I do. It was a wonderful moment of feeling like I was in the right place at the right time, and I think that’s why I got a bit emotional saying hello to Jordan. I had no idea when I first started reading her books that one day I’d get to meet her, and as a reader and as a fellow author. It was a cool moment.

Another cool moment came on Saturday night, when I got to watch an ECHL hockey game surrounded by other GRL-goers! And the Mavericks won, so that made it even better. There’s nothing like live hockey!

All in all, I had a wonderful experience at GRL and I’m so glad I went. It was lovely to meet so many wonderful people, and one of my favorite author experiences thus far – even if I didn’t win a single game of Bingo 😉 TCO note: I’m not sure anyone actually won at Bingo…I feel like it was rigged. 😉