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Stronger Than Hope (Chesapeake Days, #1) by Katherine McIntyre: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, Release Day Reviews and Giveaways

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One man looking to set down roots, the other looking to leave…

Fresh out of a relationship, Nate’s searching for a change—what better way is there than renovating his uncle’s old coffee shop in Chesapeake City? He has a new job, in a new town, and a new lease. And when he almost runs over his hot neighbor, Linc, who happens to be his contractor? Well, based on the explosive attraction between them, maybe he’ll find something new there too.

Linc’s been treading water ever since his wife passed away in childbirth, focusing all of his energy on raising his son, Beckett. The obvious solution? He needs to get the hell out of Chesapeake City. But when Nate charmingly fumbles his way into Linc’s life, he finds his defenses lowering for the first time in years. One date leads to another, and hell, this man makes him feel in ways he’d forgotten.

Even though Nate just finished piecing his heart back together, he falls fast. Yet Linc’s made it clear he’s a bad bet. The man hasn’t clicked with anyone since his wife, and if Nate ends up being “not enough” again, that won’t shatter just his heart—the fragile home he’s trying to build in this town will crumble too.

Title: Stronger Than Hope

Author: Katherine McIntyre

Series: Chesapeake Days, #1

Genre: Gay Romance

Release Date: March 5, 2022

Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing

Cover Designer: BookSmith Design

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Stronger Than Passion (Chesapeake Days #2)

Linc stood, and Nate took that as his cue, rising beside him. A second later, Linc slid in front of him and glanced back. The corner of his mouth quirked in the faintest grin.

“Hop on,” he said, gesturing to his back. “I’ve got something to prove at this point.”

Nate’s mouth dried with want, even as his nerves took over. “No way, I’m not going to be responsible for wrecking your back. I need you to do the remodel on my business, remember?”

“Do it, do it,” Nico chanted behind him, like the devil incarnate.

Linc leaned forward a bit, knees bent at the ready. Goddamn, the man looked delicious, his defined arms as biteable as ever. Nate glanced over to Sarah, who offered a thumbs-up with a cheeky grin, and he rolled his eyes at her.

“Fine,” he murmured and placed his hands on Linc’s shoulders. Within seconds, the man grabbed his legs and hoisted him up. The strong grip around his thighs felt even better than he’d fantasized. Hoots and hollers sounded from the bar as he leaned in, his chest pressed against Linc’s back. The two drinks had nothing to do with the way his mind dizzied right now.

Linc began to carry him out, moving forward with steady strength he should’ve expected, given the man’s livelihood. Nate settled against him, his body lined flush against Linc’s, thighs wrapped around his hips. He dug his fingers in a little tighter as Linc hoofed down the stairs with him on his back. The bumpy way his crotch brushed against Linc’s back had his cock growing hard, something he’d be more mortified about if he didn’t have the pleasant buzz of alcohol numbing him. Nate let out a helpless laugh at the ridiculousness. He’d never expected the spontaneous move from Linc, but damn was it hot.

Hello, hot cover!

I love a good single dad story and this one didn’t disappoint.

Linc has lived in the small town of Chesapeake Bay his entire life. Married his high school sweetheart and had his whole life planned in the town where his parents lived, and his parents parents lived and he was all set to live the rest of his life with his little family forever. However, life doesn’t always work out the way we intend for it to and the loss of his wife during the birth of their son had him stuck in a familiar cycle of casual hookups when the need arose, but otherwise, he was just trying to survive being a single dad in a town where everybody knows everybody and their mama’s.
I live in one of those tows so it was all too relatable LOL

What Linc isn’t prepared for, is the new neighbor, new job that he’d just signed on to, and being completely charmed and smitten with the clumsy softy that is Nate McAlister.

Nate is new to town after an inherited coffee shop comes just in the nick of time. Still reeling from a bad breakup, Nate wasn’t at all looking for the butterflies in his stomach every time he runs into local handyman, Linc, or his adorable little boy that he knows Linc lives for.

The two kick up a quick friendship that naturally turns into a little more, though Linc is honest with about what he wants and how his very first priority will forever be his little boy.
Is that not the cutest?!
Don’t even answer, it is.

Unfortunately, moving on from a great love is hard. Finding a new normal is hard. Coming to terms with a new love is hard. Inviting that love to meet and know and love your child is hard. Figuring out your life after you already had it figured out and then refiguring it to include someone else… is hard.

And I admired Linc so much for how well he navigated it, even though, as an outside, I was like….nope, that’s not good, don’t do that…. a time or two… I knew he’d work it out in the end, and not only because Nate was so worth it and I knew that he knew that, but also because, you could feel how much he cared about Linc from the moment they met.
With every charming glint in his eye to the sexy smirks and the soft looks… even when he didn’t think he’d be able to give him more or even want more, he couldn’t help it.

I loved everything about this story, from beginning to end. I do wish we’d have gotten a smack down drag out with the old manager of the coffee shop but the satisfaction that we did get was enough LOL I’m just petty.

Overall, I adored this story and I cannot wait to see who’s next.
I reeeeally hope it’s Nico! <3

5 pieces of eye candy

What a fantastic story! The fact that Linc, after such a tragic beginning to his son’s life, was still raising his son in the town he grew up in, met and fell in love  with his wife in and still had so many memories in, was such a challenge for him. And who could blame him for wanting to leave Chesapeake? He had spent his entire life there, and felt like the only thing left for him was a new start, where no one knew him.

Meanwhile, Nate was starting a new life as well, and needed Linc’s help to get his new start moving in the right direction. He falls for Linc fairly quickly, but Linc just doesn’t think he can ever get past the great love of his life, and certainly would never have another one. Also, Nate is just super adorable! (And definitely did not like conflict, which ended up leading to some huge conflict!)

This story was not just sweet (and definitely smokin’), it really did tell the story about how someone can be lost, and still continue through each day, until something wakes them back up. Linc was a person lost, just trying to keep himself afloat for his son. Meanwhile, Nate wormed his way into both Linc and his son’s hearts, even as Linc wasn’t aware it was happening.

This book really touched me with the depth of Linc’s pain, and his working out of it, without even knowing he was doing just that. Sometimes grief is a cloud that stays with us, until the sun peaks through and gives us a glimpse of a new day. Linc needed that, and seeing his unwillingness to try that seemed appropriate for his situation. He had lost so much, and just needed that sunshine.

Also, that mean old woman…she deserved so much more than she got…but isn’t that sometimes the way of life? 🙂

I just loved the story. 4.5 pieces of eye candy

Katherine McIntyre is a feisty chick with a big attitude despite her short stature. She writes stories featuring snarky women, ragtag crews, and men with bad attitudes—and there’s an equally high chance for a passionate speech thrown into the mix. As an eternal geek and tomboy who’s always stepped to her own beat, she’s made it her mission to write stories that represent the broad spectrum of people out there, from different cultures and races to all varieties of men and women.

Want to be an active part of the ‘making of’ process? Join my FACEBOOK SQUAD

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Connect with Katherine:
Website: http://www.katherine-mcintyre.com
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Code Blue by N.R. Walker: New Release Review

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Steve Frost had dreams of wearing the national championship belt in mixed martial arts, maybe even going pro, but instead, finds himself working as a security guard for the rich and famous in LA.

Quickly earning a reputation for his blunt and precise people management skills, he lands a position on the security team for an up-and-coming boyband, Atrous. Years later, he’s head of security. He knows these boys, and with countless tours, flights, car trips, public events, concerts, he’s closer to one band member in particular.

Jeremy’s been a pillar for Atrous since day one, but even more so these last few months. Now the face of the band more than ever, he’s also got himself the attention of a delusional stalker-fan.

When the fame and stress become too much, when Jeremy’s health takes a hit, Steve becomes Jeremy’s lifeline. But as Jeremy knows already, and as Steve is about to learn, not even the brightest star can shine forever.

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I was eagerly awaiting this book! After reading Code Red- which focuses on a band of 5 male members- I knew I wanted more after Maddox got his HEA. But Maddox was the only member who identified as gay. The other four identified as straight. And while a lot of readers seemed to really want a Blake and Luke (BLUKE!) story, instead we get Jeremy. Which is fine with me. “Bluke” would have been an easy way out, if that makes sense. With Jeremy we get his struggle with identity as well as a stalker and a medical problem. All with Steve, the head of security, living with him and making him struggle with said identity.

Something else I really liked about this book is that it is after book 1, but several years have passed. So other relationships have formed, the band has continued on, etc.

This is definitely a slow burn, but it is SOOOOO worth it. Steve is gay, but not out. Not necessarily in the closet but he works so much he wouldn’t have time for a relationship anyway so why bother? Steve started crushing on Jeremy in the first book at least so we have a few years of unrequited feels right there.

Jeremy gets mad at himself- and Steve- for the feelings he is developing because he is straight. He finds no other men sexually attractive. But he also hasn’t hooked up with a woman in a while. BECAUSE OF STEVE. It was kind of cute when he got pouty about the feelings he didn’t understand.

Add a stalker into the mix and some sketchy health issues and Jeremy’s life is kind of fubar. The stalker story line turned out to be pretty interesting at the end when it was all connected and tied up. At one point I was thinking, meh, that’s it? Silly me.

We get plenty of the guys together as well. They are truly a brotherhood of men who love each other fiercely. The book takes place after an 8 week world tour so at least they are home and generally in one place.

Couple other things: Steve-sexual cracked me up. Roscoe and Maddox are still swoony. Why is it so sexy when a main character plays the piano in the middle of the night and the other watches him in secret? Sigh

Honestly, this book is the perfect ending to Atrous. There’s no drawn out thing of maybe this one will be gay or bi, etc. There was closure, the guys were happy and the epilogue was absolutely EPIC.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Only for Ollie by Lisa Henry: RB, Exclusive Excerpt, and Giveaway

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Xander Finch is a top-ranked MotoGP rider, desperate to get back to the circuit after an injury. He’s going stir-crazy in his parents’ house in Ventura while he works on his recovery. Xander has tunnel vision when it comes to his sport—it’s all he’s ever wanted to do in life. When he hires a massage therapist to help speed up his recovery, he’s not expecting the guy to completely flip his universe on its head.

Ollie Baker is living in his car after a disastrous break-up, and jumps at the chance to earn some extra cash through massage. Xander Finch might be hot as hell, but Ollie’s not going there. He’s never going to let some rich guy screw him over again. Besides, Xander’s straight. Isn’t he?

When their friendship deepens into something more, Xander discovers that Ollie makes him feel a way that nobody ever has before, and maybe motorbikes aren’t his only passion after all. Navigating Xander’s newly discovered demisexuality isn’t the only challenge they’ll have to face if they’re going to be together, because Ollie’s been burned before. It’s hard for him to trust Xander, to believe that he’s really willing to make room in his life for Ollie as well as his racing—assuming he recovers enough to race at all.

Only for Ollie is the third book in the Star Crossed series, where regular guys meet famous ones, and sparks fly.

Only for Ollie

Star Crossed, Book 3

By Lisa Henry

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Ollie waved off Xander’s protestations and loaded the dishwasher. Then he said, bending down with his back to him, “So you’re going back to the Netherlands?”

“That’s how it works.” His chest ached. “I race, and when I’m not racing, I go back to Assen, and I train.”

That was how it had always worked. Not with all the guys, maybe, because most of them had made space for partners and kids in the gaps in their lives between track time, but Xander had only ever filled that space with more training. He was the engineers’ darling. If they needed a rider to test drive something, he was their guy because he was always at the track, always learning, always striving to be better. There were rules in place that limited the riders’ time on their race bikes, but Allard had a dirt track where their guys could practice on different bikes, and he was there as often as he could be—it was the reason he’d moved to Assen. The dirt track reminded him of the motocross tracks he’d loved so much as a kid, except there were no jumps.

Ollie stood up and turned to face him, leaning against the kitchen counter. He took his glasses off and cleaned them with the hem of his T-shirt, the movement allowing tantalizing glimpses of the pale skin above the waistband of his jeans. He put the glasses back on. “Your dad isn’t very happy about it.”

“They don’t like that it’s dangerous,” he said. He didn’t want to talk about how his dad felt about his return to racing. He wanted to know how Ollie felt about it. He wanted to know what they were to each other, or could be. “What you said earlier, about not thinking I was gay.”

Ollie froze, staring at him like a meerkat.

“I’m not,” he said. “At least…shit, I don’t know. There’s a lot of different words, you know?”

Ollie’s startled look said that no, he very much did not know what the fuck was he talking about.

“I’m demi,” he said. “That’s what fits, I think. So I’m not attracted to random people, you know?” He scrubbed a hand over his head, his face burning. “Except I didn’t figure it out until really recently because I literally had no idea what I was missing.”

Ollie’s throat bobbed as he swallowed. “Until?”

He winced. “I don’t want to be a creep, Ollie.”

Ollie closed the distance between them and stood on the other side of the counter to Xander. He planted his hands on the granite, his fingers splayed. The index finger of his right hand almost brushed Xander’s left. “Until?”

He lifted his gaze and lost himself for a moment in those wide, dark eyes. “Until you.”

Ollie’s intake of breath cut through the air as sharply as a knife. And then, just when Xander thought he’d ruined everything, Ollie twitched his finger so that it rested against his. “You’re not a creep, Xander.”

His eyes stung and watered. He looked down to where Ollie’s finger pressed gently against his own. Ollie had beautiful hands. “You don’t have to leave. I’ll be going soon, so it doesn’t have to be uncomfortable here for you. I—”

“Xander.” Ollie’s eyes were bright. He curled his fingers around Xander’s hand and drew it upwards. Leaned in and pressed his mouth to his knuckles, and that faint, warm brush of his lips sparked electricity inside him, sharp and brilliant and burning in a million different arcs. The blood roared in his skull as Ollie smiled and kissed his knuckles again. “Shut up. You don’t make me uncomfortable. I like you, Xander.”

And then, as though he was making sure that Xander couldn’t misinterpret that, he turned his hand over in his grasp, uncurled his fingers as carefully as if he were unwrapping a fragile treasure, and pressed another warm, smiling kiss to the fleshy part of his palm.

Xander’s heart stuttered over a few beats before it remembered how to do its job.

Another moment, and this was a big one. He would remember this one for the rest of his life because this was the precise moment when he fell head over heels for Ollie.

Catch-up on the series with Book 1:
Not Until Noah

Carter Westlake is on the brink of being Hollywood gold. Cast as the lead in a highly-anticipated sci-fi trilogy filming in Australia, he’s primed to be the next A-list action hero: all-American, hot as hell, and straight. The problem is, Carter can only check off two of those boxes. But that’s okay—his bisexuality can remain a secret until these movies are behind him.

Childhood educator Noah Jones has a plan. Work as a nanny for six months, make some extra cash, and move to the UK to teach. He doesn’t expect his new boss to be a Hollywood star. And he certainly isn’t prepared to fall for the guy.

One kiss sends them tumbling into a secret relationship, even though they both agree it can be nothing more than a fling. Carter needs to stay in the closet for the sake of his career, and Noah’s leaving. But when their feelings continue to grow into something deeper, Carter has a decision to make. Knowing that exposing his sexuality could cost him his career, would he rather carry on living a lie, or risk it all to stand tall in his truth?

Not Until Noah is the first book in the Star Crossed series, where regular guys meet famous ones, and sparks fly.

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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.

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Sapphire Sunset by C. Travis Rice: Blog Tour, Excerpt and New Release Review

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For the first time, New York Times bestselling author Christopher Rice writes as C. Travis Rice. Under his new pen name, Rice offers tales of passion, intrigue, and steamy romance between men. The first novel, SAPPHIRE SUNSET, transports you to a beautiful luxury resort on the sparkling Southern California coast where strong-willed heroes release the shame that blocks their heart’s desires.

Logan Murdoch is a fighter, a survivor, and a provider. When he leaves a distinguished career in the Marine Corps to work security at a luxury beachfront resort, he’s got one objective: pay his father’s mounting medical bills. That means Connor Harcourt, the irresistibly handsome scion of the wealthy family that owns Sapphire Cove, is strictly off limits, despite his sassy swagger and beautiful blue eyes. Logan’s life is all about sacrifices; Connor is privilege personified. But temptation is a beast that demands to be fed, and a furtive kiss ignites instant passion, forcing Logan to slam the brakes. Hard.

Haunted by their frustrated attraction, the two men find themselves hurled back together when a headline-making scandal threatens to ruin the resort they both love. This time, there’s no easy escape from the magnetic pull of their white hot desire. Will saving Sapphire Cove help forge the union they crave, or will it drive them apart once more?

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“Wow.” Logan’s voice echoed through the rocky chamber.

Here, the sounds of the ocean surf softened into something that was more like a gurgling brook. What whitecaps the cave’s mouth captured were filtered down into something frothy and inviting amidst the labyrinth of low rocks within. The basic security lights at foot level threw a soft golden light across the metal struts that secured the rock ceiling overhead.

“I used to come here all the time as a kid with my friends,” Connor said nervously. “There’re all kinds of caverns back here we used to play and hide in before my mom found out and busted us. She still has no idea they don’t go that deep. She still thinks you could get lost in here. But I’ve got an excellent sense of direction.”

“Do you?”

“Yeah, I usually know where things are headed.”

“Makes sense, I guess. Your life’s kinda laid out for you, right? You’ll probably run this place someday, right? Heir apparent and all that.”

“Oh, God. Do they still call me the prince?” Connor turned, resting his butt against the guardrail so he could focus on Logan.

“Kinda.”

“Is that a good thing? Should I be annoyed by that?”

“Better to be the prince than a peasant, I guess,” Logan said.

“Are those really the only two choices?”

Logan laughed, but there was relief in it. As if Connor’s snarky response had shined a light on possibilities he hadn’t seen before now. “I guess not.”

“Whatever. I’ll let it go.”

Silence then, save for the gurgling of the sea pushing its way past them and deeper into the cave.

Connor rested his elbows on the rail on either side of him, an attempt to look casual even though the sight of Logan leaning against the cave wall, hands in his pockets, studying Connor with a half smile made Connor feel welded in place. “All right, your turn.”

“My turn for what?” Logan asked.

“I told you mine, and my grandpa’s. What’s your magic moment?”

“Okay.” Logan straightened. “So if I remember correctly, it’s like a moment when you’re doing something you love and you feel the most satisfied by it. Is that right?”

“Exactly.” Connor was thrilled that Logan had listened so closely.

“Well, my life is kind of starting over, so I’m kind of figuring out what it is I love to do. Kickboxing’s up there, but that’s more of a fast and furious kind of thing, and the high is mostly when I’m done. Not sure there’s really a magic hour there. There was some stuff about the Marines that I loved, especially once I was a staff sergeant and I was in the zone for gunnery sergeant. But a lot of it was tough, and a lot to hold.”

“I’m sure.”

When Logan started toward him through the shadows, Connor’s breath caught. His feet felt planted to the boards, and the sides of his face got tingly and hot.

“So if I had to pick,” Logan said, “I’d pick this one.”

“Walking rounds?”

“No. I’d pick the moment when I’m finally all alone with a guy who drives me wild, and I know we’re about to kiss, but I’m not sure when. So there’s this tension in the air, and I can feel it. Everywhere.”

They were inches apart now, so close Connor had to look up at him to maintain eye contact.

“And we’re both circling, waiting for the right moment. And I’m trying to take it kinda slow because I know one little touch”—Logan gently grazed Connor’s cheek with the side of one finger—“and it might turn into a lot more than a kiss. But first, there’s a promise to be kept.”

“What promise is that?” Connor asked in a squeaky whisper.

“I believe you promised me a dance.”

“Or you promised me one.”

“Either way, seems like time.”

This is a LONG book, almost 500 pages. However, I will say that it really doesn’t feel that long when you are reading it. It actually went really quickly. I’ll also say I haven’t read anything by this author before, but of course needed to give this one a shot, considering who the author was.

I really loved this book. I loved the story. Love the characters, and even the setting was beautiful. These two MC’s were so well written, and given a really strong backstory, which helped in understanding the reasons why they did the things they did in that first period of time.

One of the things that I enjoyed most about this book was how Connor and Logan had a chance, five years previous to the main portion of the book. They clearly had a love at first sight meeting, spending time together that night, kissing, before Logan remembered that his priority needed to be his job, and his father. Although it wasn’t necessarily a prologue (it was a little to long for that) that first section of the book had me crying. However, it was easy to understand how Logan felt such a need to take care of the man who loved and truly cared for him, despite the things that could have made him NOT love his son.

Connor needed a chance to grow up a bit, as well, become the man he would have liked to have been, but would never have been able to at that point in time. That piece just worked so well.

When they meet up five years later, after the initial “I hate you”, etc, they really did well trying to figure out how to make a relationship work for them.

There’s a particularly bad guy, who you end up feeling a little sorry for, and a really nasty lady, who it’s hard to feel sorry for her, but you still do a little. But of course, love and happily ever after win in the end.

My one little peeve with the book was the vocabulary. There was a lot of vocabulary used that I don’t think would have necessarily come out of a man who didn’t go to college, and spent time in the Marine Corp. But I suspended that belief, because I just loved the characters so much.

I definitely am looking forward to any future book in this series.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

C. Travis Rice is the pseudonym New York Times bestselling novelist Christopher Rice devotes to steamy tales of romance between men. Christopher has published multiple bestselling books in multiple genres and been the recipient of a Lambda Literary Award. With his mother, Anne Rice, he is an executive producer on the AMC Studios adaptations of her novels The Vampire Chronicles and The Lives of the Mayfair Witches. Together with his best friend and producing partner, New York Times bestselling novelist, Eric Shaw Quinn, he runs the production company Dinner Partners. Among other projects, they produce the podcast and video network, TDPS, which you can find at www.TheDinnerPartyShow.com.

Connect with C. Travis Rice

Website: http://www.christopherricebooks.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christopher.rice.writer

Twitter: https://twitter.com/chrisricewriter

Honeymoon Ever After by Ariella Zoelle: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

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Rory’s never been attracted to a man before, but Kieran changes everything from the first moment they meet. Will he be able to embrace his unexpected feelings for the Hollywood celebrity?

Rory Kinsella

My new life plan is going great:

  1. Dump my awful fiancée who was in love with her best friend and not me? Done.
  2. Celebrate my newfound freedom and happiness by going on a solo “me-moon” honeymoon? Great, that should be awesome.
  3. Fall in love with a famous Hollywood action hero when I’m straight? Wait, what?!

Besides being absurdly handsome and incredibly charismatic, Kieran looks at me with his magnetic and captivating green eyes in a magical way that makes me feel like I’m the only person in the world that matters. But is that really enough to make me forget that I’m normally attracted to women?

Apparently, the answer is “Yes!” However, it’s not only his gorgeous good-looks that sway me into switching teams. No, what really makes him tempting is something much deeper than that. How can an academic nerd like me resist someone as sweet as a man who wears TARDIS pajamas and wants to shower me with all the love my ex-fiancée never gave me?

Kieran Aiello

My hide out from the paparazzi “vacation” plans:

  1. Go to Sweden to escape from a scandal? Easy, I can do that.
  2. Stay in my hotel room without leaving for any reason per my manager’s orders? Yeah, that’s not happening.
  3. Find a hot Swede to hook up with in a sauna? Definitely doable.

But things take a surprising turn when I accidentally run into Rory instead, a cute grad student who actually sees the real me that most people don’t believe is hidden under all my Hollywood muscles. He wasn’t part of my original plans, but what could be more tempting than that?

I always thought the insta-love romances I portrayed in my movies were a little hokey, but Rory turns me into a true believer. The chemistry between us is undeniable, but I want more than just a physical relationship with him. If he’s willing to take a chance by opening his heart to me, then why should I settle for anything less than a true romantic ending of a lifetime of love together?

Honeymoon Ever After is the fifth and final book in the Suite Dreams series and part of the Sunnyside universe. This novel features a bi awakening, insta love, celebrity/regular guy, age gap, forced proximity, gay romance. If you love cute sweetness, sexy fun, and no angst stories that will make you laugh and swoon, you’ll enjoy this satisfying HEA without cliffhangers. Each book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series in order.

Honeymoon Ever After (Suite Dreams, Book 5)

By Ariella Zoelle

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

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Chapter 3: Rory Kinsella

“Can we please talk about something else now before I combust into flames from how hard I’m blushing?” I asked.

Kieran laughed heartily. “Fair enough. Why don’t you tell me about what you’re hoping to do once you graduate with your PhD? That seems like a nice, safe, unsexy topic of conversation.”

It was a relief to move into the safety of academia. “My degree guarantees I’ll be teaching at university, since it’s not good for much else. But I’d love to make my own graphic novel series someday when I’m not up to my eyeballs in research for my dissertation.”

“That’s an amazing idea!” His genuine enthusiasm caught me off guard.

“Jude and I have talked about collaborating before. I can illustrate, but I’m not the best storyteller. But he’s an incredible writer, plus we work well together. I think we could make something awesome if we ever find the time to do it.”

“I’m in full support of this idea. You guys need to make that happen for real.”

I tilted my head as I studied him with curiosity. “Why? For all you know, I could be a shitty artist and he could be a terrible writer.”

“No, you’re too remarkable to be anything less than stellar. Not to mention you’re probably a perfectionist who will only accept absolute perfection.” He stated it with so much confidence that it stunned me.

“I think calling me remarkable is a bit of a stretch. I’m pretty ordinary, especially compared to people like Jude or my brothers.” They all were far more spectacular than I could ever aspire to be.

“With all due respect, I strongly disagree. There’s nothing ordinary about you.”

“That’s sweet, but once you’ve known me for more than twenty-four hours, I suspect you’ll have a very different opinion.”

“You’re right. I’ll probably think you’re even more amazing than I first gave you credit for.” He looked at me with such an earnest belief that it astounded me. “Clearly, we need to work on your self-esteem.”

“It’s easy to be confident when you’re you.” I gestured at all of his incredibleness. “But I’m me.”

My breathing hitched when he reached out and cupped my face in his hands to look deep into my eyes. “There is nobody better at being you than you are. Your kindness, your passion, and your empathy make you stand out from everyone else I have ever encountered. You can see the real me that most people don’t believe exists under these muscles. That counts for a lot in my book when the Hollywood veneer blinds everyone. But you don’t care about any of that.”

The warmth in his green eyes as he tried to convey his sincerity got me all twisted up inside, as his touch filled me with nervous butterflies. I wasn’t sure what to say to such sincere praise, but the knock on the door and someone calling out “Room service” spared me. Kieran tenderly caressed my cheekbones with his thumbs before he got up to get the food.

I drew in a shuddering breath as my heart hammered in my chest like a hummingbird’s wings on fast-forward. The experience had been too intense to process. I tried to remember how to act normal while Kieran had the bellhop put our lunches on the small table off to the side. I waited until they left to go over and join him.

Kieran handed me a bottle of chilled cider and held his up in toast once we sat down. “Here’s to exciting new friendships.”

“I’ll drink to that. Cheers.” I clinked my bottle against his before we both took a sip.

Ariella Zoelle adores steamy, funny, swoony romances where couples are allowed to just be happy. She writes low angst stories full of heat, humor, and heart. But sometimes she’s in the mood for something with a bit more angst and drama. If you are too, check out her A.F. Zoelle books.

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Till Death Do Us Wed by Jason Wrench: Excerpt and New Release Review

by

Planning a wedding is hard enough without international politics, an assassin, your fiancé’s ex-boyfriend and your mother to deal with.

NYPD Detective Frank Schultt and his fiancé, FBI Agent Aaron Massey, have bought a new condo, adopted a dog and are planning their wedding. But when an international assassin starts killing people on the streets of New York City, Aaron and Frank must work together to find the killer before she strikes again.

Combine the assassin with the pressure of Frank’s jealousy when Aaron’s ex-boyfriend comes back to town, and can their relationship withstand the pressure? Will Aaron and Frank make it to the altar on time, or will the assassin and Frank’s destructive behavior stop their wedding before it ever heads down the aisle?

Publisher’s Note: This book is best read as the sequel to Twelve Days of Murder.

Amazon

Frank stared around the pink office, wondering if a bottle of Pepto Bismol had accidentally spilled. He watched the perky blonde woman sitting in front of him, doing his best to pay attention. It wasn’t exactly how Frank liked to spend his Saturday mornings. But it was Aaron’s big day, so he’d promised to grin and bear it.

“With Central Park wedding locations, we are definitely somewhat limited. For example, the Bow Bridge only allows for ten guests and the Belvedere Castle Terrace only allows thirty. The North Garden, Southern Garden, Wisteria Pergola and Cherry Hill each allow for up to one hundred. What size are you two thinking?”

“Eloping,” Frank muttered.

“Twenty-five to fifty,” Aaron said, shooting Frank a sideways glance.

“I’m joking,” Frank reassured, patting Aaron’s leg and giving it a squeeze before turning to the woman. “Whatever Aaron wants, I want him to have.”

NYPD Detective Frank Schultt and FBI Special Agent Aaron Massey had met the previous year during a serial murder spree. The Twelve-Day Killer, as dubbed by the media, had terrorized NYC over the holidays. Aaron and Frank had put their lives and careers on the line hunting the bastard down. In the process, they had found each other.

Frank glanced over at the man he loved. God, where would I be without him? He reached up and rubbed the back of Aaron’s neck gently. From the top of Aaron’s head with his dark brown quaff haircut and his Caribbean ocean-blue eyes, to his lithe but fit body, Frank took in this man sitting beside him who was going to be his husband. Frank was still stunned at his good fortune in landing the affection of such an amazingly intelligent and gorgeous man.

Realizing his thoughts had drifted, Frank brought his attention back to the woman sitting in front of him, who was rattling on about Central Park weddings. He glanced down at her nameplate, ‘Amber Wethersfield’. The woman was in her late twenties. And judging by the giant diamond on her wedding ring, her husband was definitely wealthy. Frank glanced across the pink office looking for personal items and was surprised by the lack of photos. For a woman who sells marriage, where are the pictures of her happy day?

“So, do you have an officiant for your wedding lined up? If not, I have a list of great people who work with LGBTQIA+ people.”

“Huh?” Frank blurted before he could catch himself.

“Officiant…the person who will oversee the ceremony and the exchange of your vows,” Amber offered.

“No, you listed off a bunch of letters,” Frank said.

“Oh.” Amber perked up. “Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer-questioning, intersexed, asexual and others.”

Dear God, that sounds like a gay BLT. Frank was about to make the snide comment, but a quick glance from Aaron told him that he’d better hold his tongue. Instead, Frank just nodded his head and gave a thin-lipped smile.

“Actually, we have a few people in mind,” Aaron noted. “Frank knows a judge who volunteered her services, and we have a couple of other names in the hopper as well.”

“Oh, good,” Amber said. “You’d be amazed at how many people totally forget the officiant until the last minute. I even have a license I got from an online church because I’ve had to step in at the eleventh hour when something went horribly wrong. I just don’t enjoy being in the wedding party, because it makes it harder for me to run things behind the scenes.”

Frank leaned back in the chair and watched as Aaron and Amber discussed the wedding. This wasn’t Frank’s first. He’d been married, but his husband had been murdered in a liquor store robbery on Christmas Eve over six years ago. As much as Frank loved Aaron, there was still a vast hole in his heart that had been left by Adam’s death. But Frank loved Aaron and was going to make sure their wedding day was every bit of glitz and glamour that Aaron desired.

“Well, if you have questions,” Amber said, bringing Frank’s attention back once again, “just let me know. You have my email, cell phone, home phone and office phone numbers, so never hesitate to reach out. I look forward to working with both of you on your big day.”

Amber stood up from her desk to usher the couple out of her office. She pushed herself up, exposing her pregnant belly.

“When’s the due date?” Aaron asked.

“Mid-March. But I swear she’s ready to come out any day.”

Frank stared at her belly and just thought, Are you sure there’s only one in there? But once again, he held his tongue.

“Don’t worry. I won’t miss your big day. When I’m out on maternity leave, my assistant will take over the day-to-day preparations, and he’ll be in constant contact with me. When I had my first baby, we were texting right up until they told me to push.”

“Well, it was really was nice meeting you,” Frank said.

“Likewise. And I just have to say, you two make such a cute couple.”

“Thank you,” Aaron said. “I think he’s a keeper.” Aaron gave Amber a little wink before turning to leave.

As Frank followed suit, Aaron’s hand rested in the small of Frank’s back. Frank leaned into Aaron in response.

“Earth to Frank!” Aaron said as they exited onto the sidewalk. The February chill immediately caught Aaron off guard, and he lifted the collar on the trench coat to protect his neck.

“Huh, what?”

“I said, “Earth to Frank.” What’s going on inside that head of yours?”

“Overwhelmed, I guess.”

“How so?”

“The whole wedding planning is just bringing up some memories.”

Aaron squeezed Frank. “I hadn’t thought about that. I forget that you’ve done this before.”

“Yeah,” Frank said, scrunching his forehead. “It’s surreal. Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited to be marrying you. I hope you know that. It’s just that it brings up memories of Adam.”

“I get it,” Aaron said. “I would be surprised if it didn’t, to be honest.” Aaron hesitated for a second before adding, “Just know…I will never try to replace Adam. I know what you two had was special—”

“What we have is special too.”

“I know,” Aaron acknowledged. “I just want you to know that I love you and would never try to change you…warts and all.”

“God, I hope I don’t have any warts.”

“We all have warts. Some have them physically and others have them metaphorically.”

“Sure thing, professor,” Frank teased.

After dealing with the Twelve-Day Killer, Aaron had taken a teaching position part-time with the John Jay School of Criminal Justice. He was technically still on the FBI’s payroll, but his utility as an undercover agent had taken a hit after the amount of press the Twelve-Day Killer had received. And with the forthcoming publication of his new book about the case, Aaron and Frank both knew a fresh round of press attention was right around the corner.

“So, we didn’t have breakfast after the gym this morning,” Aaron said. “Shall we have a quick brunch before heading back to the apartment to get ready?”

“Do we have time?” Frank asked, glancing down at his watch. “It’s already ten a.m. What time is the car picking us up for the reading?”

“The reading’s at two o’clock, so the car is scheduled to pick us up about one-fifteen.”

“I guess we have plenty of time. Any suggestions on where we should eat?”

“How about 9Ten?” Aaron asked, referring to one of their favorite diners.

“Lead the way.”

I really enjoyed book 1, so finding out there was a book 2 was a super happy moment. Book 1 had some seriously sad moments, but of course ended with the HEA these two deserved.

This book really centered more on the mystery of the new killer they were investigating, with a bit of a side story about Frank’s extreme jealousy and insecurity when it  came to Aaron.

The mystery was very well done, with lots of avenues to go down, and incorporated a lot of new side characters. Although we didn’t really learn much about the side characters’ lives, we did get to see their crime solving skills, along with some great one liners. (My favorite is still the ME, and her flirting with Frank. Makes me laugh every time.)

When all was said and done, the killer…well, we’ll go with, there is still more questions in regards to the killer. And Frank’s mother, well that seems to be a story that still needs to be finished. There is a lot of baggage to unpack there.

Frank, with his jealousy that reared up often, had work to do himself. I really liked that he finally was beginning to open up to the therapist, after all the time that he had been seeing her. Finally, he was talking about things that really meant something, and not just the things he was forced to talk about. It seemed so realistic for the place that Frank was at, both personally and professionally.

I’m hoping we get to see another glimpse into these guys, as they seem to work well together.

4 pieces of eye candy

Jason Wrench is a professor in the Department of Communication at SUNY New Paltz and has authored/edited 15+ books and over 35 academic research articles. He is also an avid reader and regularly reviews books for publishers in a wide number of genres. This book marks his first full-length work of fiction.

Find out more about Jason at his website – https://www.jasonwrench.com/

Jason Wrench – https://www.firstforromance.com/index.php?route=product/author/info&author_id=11780