Month: February 2020

Wild Escapes in EXIT PLANS FOR TEENAGE FREAKS–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a contemporary LGBTQ YA paranormal romance from ‘Nathan Burgoine. EXIT PLANS FOR TEENAGE FREAKS is a rollicking adventure featuring a high school senior with an inexplicable ability to teleport!

About the book:
Being the kid abducted by old Ms. Easton when he was four permanently set Cole’s status to freak. At seventeen, his exit plan is simple: make it through the last few weeks of high school with his grades up and his head down.

When he pushes through the front door of the school and finds himself eighty kilometers away holding the door of a museum he was just thinking about, Cole faces facts: he’s either more deluded than old Ms. Easton, or he just teleported.

Now every door is an accident waiting to happen―especially when Cole thinks about Malik, who, it turns out, has a glass door on his shower. When he starts seeing the same creepy people over his shoulder, no matter how far he’s gone, crushes become the least of his worries. They want him to stop, and they’ll go to any length to make it happen.

Cole is running out of luck, excuses, and places to hide.

Time for a new exit plan.

My Review:
Cole Tozer is two weeks from his high school graduation when his normal plan-making life gets upended. Instead of heading inside from the lunch courtyard, Cole steps through a door and into the aviation museum 80 kilometers away. Then, he botches the return trip–not entirely sure how teleport–and ends up inside his own locker at school. It’s only the perfect mess that he’s rescued by Malik King, a boy Cole has crushed on for some time. And then, he promptly passed out.

This isn’t the first time Cole’s had struggles with times and places. He wad kidnapped as a child–some of the nastier kids call him “Colenap” as a joke, but he’s re-evaluating that situation in light of his newly discovered teleporting ability. Still, he’s always been an odd ball, so he fastidiously plans to ensure he doesn’t get himself into any trouble, ever. And, now, with every door he walks through potentially being a door to another plans, Cole needs to keep his wits about him–or else he might just find himself in worse positions if he keeps thinking about Malik, who happens to have a curiosity streak a classroom wide and a glass door in his personal bathroom shower at home…

This is a really creative and interesting story, with a lot of great moments–like when Cole and Malik go out on their first…outing together. Turns out Malik is recently accepting that he’s bisexual, but he’s not exactly out, and he’s not sure how to deal with it. Cole’s experience as a sign interpreter of Deaf people helps him read the situations and draw connections that help Malik. Also, there’s some folks who are trying to track and attack Cole, to lock his teleportation down so he can’t get into trouble like back when he was a kid. Yep, for all his awkwardness, Cole’s precocious when it comes to his powers of teleportation. It takes some doing, but he manages to outsmart the beaurocrats and endear himself to Malik in the process. Well, for part of the climax, anyway. Cole gets some help with his traveling from a gal more experienced than he, and he’s able to save the day–and rid himself of the controllers on the teleportation pathway.

The pace of this book was brisk, and Cole’s narration is sardonic and adorably self-deprecating. His habits of mind: list-making, signing in ASL, extensive planning, all helped create a fully-developed, slightly goofy, teen boy. I was amused and “transported” along with him on this journey of self-exploration. I liked how the romance aspect developed–just the right tone for YA–and wanted to keep taking adventures long after the resolution closed. It’s a fun and sweet read, with a collection of realistic characters whose details I wanted to discover and figure out further.

Interested? You can find EXIT PLANS FOR TEENAGE FREAKS on Goodreads, Bold Strokes Books, Amazon, Barnes & Noble , Kobo, and iTunes.

About the Author:
‘Nathan Burgoine grew up a reader and studied literature in university while making a living as a bookseller. His first published short story was “Heart” in the collection Fool for Love: New Gay Fiction. Since then, he has had dozens of short stories published, including in This is How You Die (the second Machine of Death anthology), and has released his first collection, Of Echoes Born (Bold Strokes Books).

His first novel, Light, was a finalist for both the Lambda Literary Award for LGBT SF/Fantasy/Horror, and the BOTYA 2013 Gay & Lesbian (Adult Fiction) ForeWord award. His second and third novels, Triad Blood and Triad Soul, are also available from from Bold Strokes Books. ‘Nathan’s first YA novel, Exit Plans for Teenage Freaks, released December 2018 from Bold Strokes Books, and is a finalist for the Prix Aurora Award.

A cat lover, ‘Nathan managed to fall in love and marry Daniel, who is a confirmed dog person. Their ongoing “cat or dog?” détente ended with the adoption of Coach, a six-year old husky. They live in Ottawa, Canada, where socialized health care and gay marriage have yet to cause the sky to cave in.

Catch up with Nathan on his website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

Imperfect Existence: THE MATING OF MICHAEL–Review and Giveaway!

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a contemporary M/M romance from Eli Easton. THE MATING OF MICHAEL is the third book in the Sex in Seattle series and is fully enjoyable as a standalone. You will meet Jack from THE TROUBLE WITH TONY as he’s Michael’s boss at the Expanded Horizons sexual health clinic. Michael played a small role in the THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF DANIEL but this book really explores Michael’s role as a sex surrogate, and how his giant heart an fierce empathy help him win the love of his fave sci-fi author.

Scroll down to catch my review and enter to win a $25 Amazon GC.
About the book:
Everyone admires Michael Lamont for being a nurse, but his part-time work as a gay sex surrogate not only raises eyebrows, it’s cost him relationships. Michael is small, beautiful, and dedicated to working with people who need him. But what he really wants is a love of his own. He spends most of his time reading science fiction, especially books written by his favorite author and long-time crush, the mysteriously reclusive J.C. Guise.

James Gallway’s life is slowly but inexorably sliding downhill. He wrote a best-selling science fiction novel at the tender age of eighteen, while bedridden with complications of polio. But by twenty-eight, he’s lost his inspiration and his will to live. His sales from his J.C. Guise books have been in decline for years. Wheelchair bound, James has isolated himself, convinced he is unlovable. When he is forced to do a book signing and meets Michael Lamont, he can’t believe a guy who looks like Michael could be interested in a man like him.

Michael and James are made for each other. But they must let go of stubbornness to see that life finds a way and love has no limitations.

My Review:
Lithe and femme Michael Lamont is a nurse and certified gay sex surrogate. He connects with his home health care patients and assists male clients explore their sexuality through referrals from the Expanded Horizons clinic. He’s been doing this for a few years, and has some regular clients–one, Tommy, is a severe burn victim that enjoys Michael’s company just as much as the sensual massage and “happy ending.” It’s through Tommy’s mother that Michael learns his fave author, J. C. Guise a noted recluse, is having a public book signing in a local book shop. Michael has held a tendresse for the man whose fiction spoke to him so strongly that he took up a career in nursing.

James Gallway is a polio survivor and author, learning that being a successful mid-list author means he needs to get into the public eye. Wheelchair-bound and filled to the ears with self-hatred, James never wants people to see or notice him. Really, if your own mother abandoned him to the Children of God group home for disabled children at age 6, you’d likely feel unlovable, too. The gushing, stammering, beautiful young man at his book signing is a case in point. That sexy Michael would never admire him for real, not if he could see James’ withered, wasted legs.

Embarrassed at the spectacle he made of himself at the signing, Michael is stunned when James’ agent tips him off about where to find James…casually. And that interaction goes stunningly awry when James chooses to paint Michael’s interest as clinical, not sexual. And, that leads Michael to be more forcefully forward than he’s ever been before. Unwilling to entertain ideas of romance, James accepts Michael as a friend–tentatively–and is not sorry for doing so. Michael’s compassion and thoughtfulness over the weeks and months of their acquaintance melts James’ stubborn resistance to opening up, and each man is clearly pining for the other.

Unfortunately, Michael’s “secret” job as a sex surrogate is looming in the background, and it becomes a guilty issue once he and James become intimate. Should Michael stop his caring and clinical therapy, just because it occasionally involves some sexual favors? He’s super conflicted, and unsure if James will even keep him around long enough for it to be a situation. Would it be fair to stop assisting the couple of men he’s developed a rapport with in the event James wants a permanent relationship? Michael knows he’s falling in love with James, but he’s not sure his feelings are reciprocated. IN fact, James actively shuts down romance whenever it could sprout because of his insecurities.

As one expects, James’ reaction when he finds out about the surrogacy is cataclysmic. And, the fall out is nothing short of nuclear winter. Michael is devastated. The thing is, Michael’s friends, colleagues, and clients aren’t going to stand by and allow James to roll off into the sunset without knowing the true facts of his caregiving. As one might, James suspected the worst–a two-timing partner–but the picture in his mind doesn’t match the insight he gains from some unwelcome visitors taking up Michael’s cause. Michael, for his part, is broken in spirit but never imposes himself on James. Surprisingly, the trauma of their failed romance is the inspiration James needs to write a new best-seller. And, his open mind/open heart actions have Michael returning for, well, ever.

It’s a sweet story of finding the right person at the right time. The compassionate depictions of persons at various ability-levels, persons of advanced age, and those with emotional or sexual hangups, really allowed readers to focus on the hard work Michael does to ensure his charges are well cared for. It was so sweet to see the bonds Michael had grown with all the people he worked with on the day-to-day, and how they stood up for him, giving James both latitude and attitude for hurting Michael. I really enjoyed this one, for all its tender and touching moments. James leaves this story much improved from the beginning, with a bevy of friends and new family to bolster his life, and a boyfriend that loves him out past the moon and stars.

Interested? You can find THE MATING OF MICHAEL on Goodreads or Amazon.

You can also find book 1, THE TROUBLE WITH TONY, on Goodreads and Amazon.

Or, check out book 2, THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF DANIEL, on Goodreads and Amazon.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter link and enter for a chance to win a $25 Amazon GC.
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

Eli EastonAbout the Author:
Having been, at various times and under different names, a minister’s daughter, a computer programmer, a game designer, the author of paranormal mysteries, a fan fiction writer, and organic farmer, Eli has been a m/m romance author since 2013. She has over 30 books published.

Eli has loved romance since her teens and she particular admires writers who can combine literary merit, genuine humor, melting hotness, and eye-dabbing sweetness into one story. She promises to strive to achieve most of that most of the time. She currently lives on a farm in Pennsylvania with her husband, bulldogs, cows, a cat, and lots of groundhogs.

In romance, Eli is best known for her Christmas stories because she’s a total Christmas sap. These include “Blame it on the Mistletoe”, “Unwrapping Hank” and “Merry Christmas, Mr. Miggles”. Her “Howl at the Moon” series of paranormal romances featuring the town of Mad Creek and its dog shifters has been popular with readers. And her series of Amish-themed romances, Men of Lancaster County, has won genre awards.

Catch up with Eli on her website, Facebook, and twitter.

Unexpected Choices in THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF DANIEL–Review and Giveaway!

Hi there! Today I’m excited to share a review for a contemporary M/M romance from Eli Easton. THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF DANIEL is the second book in the Sex in Seattle series but is fully enjoyable as a standalone. You will meet both Tony and Jack from THE THE TROUBLE WITH TONY, but they are only secondary characters, helping Daniel figure out his life, and his plan to woo the love of his life: his unhappily married business partner, Nick.

Scroll down to catch my review and to enter the giveaway for a $25 Amazon GC.
About the book:
Business tycoon Daniel Derenzo lives for his work until his dying father reminds him life is short. When Daniel starts to reevaluate his world he experiences a startling revelation—he’s attracted to his business partner and best friend, Nick, even though Daniel always believed himself to be straight. In typical type-A fashion, Daniel dissects his newfound desires with the help of the experts at the Expanded Horizons sex clinic. He goes after Nick with the fierce determination that’s won him many a business deal.

Nick Ross was in love with Daniel years ago, when they were roommates in college. But Daniel was straight and Nick patched his broken heart by marrying Marcia. Two kids and fourteen years later, they go through the motions of their marriage like ships passing in the night. But Nick’s kids mean the world to him, and he’s afraid he’ll never get joint custody if they divorced. If he can trust his heart to an awakening Daniel, they all might find their way to a happily ever after.

My Review:
Daniel Derenzo’s father is dying. Not that they have a close–or any–relationship, however his father’s waxing about missed opportunities and taking time to stop working and truly live life has Daniel’s analytical brain in a whirlwind. Like his own parents, Daniel married young and divorced early–no kids, but lots of heartbreak. He’s been a successful businessman since college running DRE, Derenzo Ross Enterprises, with his best friend and former college roommate Nick Ross. Daniel has always been hyper-focused on success, a lesson he learned from his successful and absentee father, who seemingly regrets those calculating choices when diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

On a long business trip to Hong Kong to purchase a company for turnaround, Daniel and Nick are celebrating the new merger. It’s at the bar that Nick confesses his wife of the past 14 years, Marcia, has iced him out; they’ve had a lackluster sex life for more than a decade and no sex for the past three years. Nick’s ashamed to admit he lives in the guest bedroom, and the only reason he stays married is the fear that Marcia will bar a joint custody arrangement for their two children. Daniel is incensed, but not for the reason he expects–his righteous anger stems from a deep wellspring of love he feels for Nick, the kindest man he’s ever known. Daniel has known since college that Nick is bisexual, but in this moment that nearly-familial love he though he felt sharpens into an unexpected arousal, and a desire to care for Nick in a more than platonic manner. It’s shocking to Daniel, because he’s never really thought of men that way. Before he leaves Hong Kong, Daniel books an appointment with a sex therapist back home in Seattle for the next business day; he needs to know if his attraction is real, or just a manifestation of his recent thoughts of mortality.

Daniel wants clarity, to see if his initial arousal was fluke. Meeting with Dr. Jack Halloran, and a sex surrogate Michael, helps Daniel recognize that he’s definitely bisexual, and totally gone for Nick. Now, Daniel’s challenge is to see if he can get some time with Nick, that has nothing to do with their business–and includes his kids for some quality time, too. It’s not that hard, as Marcia has built a lot of “self care” time into her lifestyle, with long yoga classes, spa days and retreats. Daniel’s also making time to spend with his dad, renting a house on Bainbridge Island so his dad can have home hospice in a relaxing spot as his life ebbs away. Nick and his kids are part of this getaway, while Marcia is out of town, for a change.

Nick’s not sure why Daniel’s interested in spending so much time with him and his kids, but he’s grateful for the connection. Though they are long-time friends Nick had harbored an attraction way back when–and it’s coming back to the surface right now. It’s seeing how amazing Daniel is with the kids–talking baseball stats with his son and getting to the heart of his teen daughter’s insecurities–body issues that have been foisted on her by Marcia and her nitpicky mother. Nick had seen the changes in his daughter, but hadn’t really grasped the impact until Daniel forced him to slow down and spend the time reconnecting with his kids. His unhappiness in the marriage had inadvertently driven a wedge between himself and his kids, who he loves dearly.

On Bainbridge, the chemistry between Daniel and Nick becomes unbearable–and Daniel vows to help Nick escape his loveless marriage with a minimum of damage to the kids. If Nick wants to be free, that is. And Nick knows he can’t continue to live the shadow life Marcia has decreed, including resigning from DRE effective immediately. Once Daniel learns that Nick is ready to make a clean break, Daniel’s mission is to make the divorce as bloodless as possible. In this, Daniel is aided by his father–who has tons of contacts–and PI Tony DeMarco, Dr. Halloran’s life partner. Tony finds secrets even Marcia doesn’t know, but will help ensure she accepts the very generous terms Nick is planned to offer.

I really liked this one, even when I wasn’t sure I would. I’m not big on “cheating” plotlines, so the prospect of Daniel interfering in Nick’s marriage was not ideal, however, I thought it was handled really well. It’s clear from insight we get in Marcia’s POV that she’s supremely unhappy, and being goaded to stay married by her aggressively mean mother. The revelations she gains as a result of Tony’s investigations pave the way toward ultimate happiness for all parties, and that was a nice twist. I really enjoyed the kids, who are just the right amount of present and actively interested in Nick’s happiness. They take to Daniel fine, thanks to his consummate attention to detail. It was amusing how sections of this book were written like a business plan, complete with Daniel’s hostile takeover of Nick’s family. Daniel’s dad assisted his enlightenment, and supported his pursuit of happiness–even knowing he’d never see the full resolution. I liked his dad, who was pragmatic to a fault, and gave advice with hubris and panache. While we get glimpses of Jack and Tony from the first series book, and Michael, from the third one, this story stood on its own.

Interested? You can find THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF DANIEL on Goodreads and Amazon.

You can also find book 1, THE TROUBLE WITH TONY, on Goodreads and Amazon.

Or, check out THE MATING OF MICHAEL on Goodreads or Amazon.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter link and enter for a chance to win a $25 Amazon GC.
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

Eli EastonAbout the Author:
Having been, at various times and under different names, a minister’s daughter, a computer programmer, a game designer, the author of paranormal mysteries, a fan fiction writer, and organic farmer, Eli has been a m/m romance author since 2013. She has over 30 books published.

Eli has loved romance since her teens and she particular admires writers who can combine literary merit, genuine humor, melting hotness, and eye-dabbing sweetness into one story. She promises to strive to achieve most of that most of the time. She currently lives on a farm in Pennsylvania with her husband, bulldogs, cows, a cat, and lots of groundhogs.

In romance, Eli is best known for her Christmas stories because she’s a total Christmas sap. These include “Blame it on the Mistletoe”, “Unwrapping Hank” and “Merry Christmas, Mr. Miggles”. Her “Howl at the Moon” series of paranormal romances featuring the town of Mad Creek and its dog shifters has been popular with readers. And her series of Amish-themed romances, Men of Lancaster County, has won genre awards.

Catch up with Eli on her website, Facebook, and twitter.

Release Blitz and Giveaway for the Sex In Seattle Series!

Hi there! Today I’m excited to share a release blitz and review for some yummy M/M romances from Eli Easton. THE TROUBLE WITH TONY is the first book in the Sex in Seattle series and features a PI working undercover to get info about a woman’s murder…but this time he’s pretending to need the services of a sex therapy clinic because the sexy director is a prime suspect. I have loved all the Eli Easton books I’ve read, including MERRY CHRISTMAS MR. MIGGLES, her HOWL AT MOON books, SECOND HARVEST, FIVE DARES, and Daddy Dearest books: FAMILY CAMP and ANGELS SING.

Scroll down to catch a review of the first book in this series and to enter the giveaway for a $25 Amazon GC.
About the book:
As part of the investigation into the murder of a young woman, Seattle P.I. Tony DeMarco poses as a patient of Dr. Jack Halloran, the therapist who treated the victim at a Seattle sex clinic. This isn’t the first time Tony has gone undercover, but it’s the first time he’s wanted to go under cover with one of his suspects. He can’t help it—Jack Halloran is just the kind of steely-eyed hero Tony goes for. But he’ll have to prove Halloran’s innocence and keep the doctor from finding out about his ruse before he can play Romeo.

Dr. Halloran has his own issues, including a damaged right arm sustained in the line of duty as a combat surgeon in Iraq and the PTSD that followed. He’s confused to find himself attracted to a new patient, the big, funny Italian with the puppy-dog eyes, and Tony’s humor slips right past Jack’s defenses, making him feel things he thought long buried. But can the doctor and the P.I. find a path to romance despite the secrets between them?

My Review:
Tony DiMarco is a private eye investigating the suspicious death of Marilyn White. The coroner said she OD’ed on prescription drugs and wine, her husband’s alibi was rock-solid, yet Marilyn’s parents don’t believe that Marilyn would kill herself. The detective who handled the case, an old buddy of Tony’s when he was on the force always had a sneaking suspicion about the sex therapist Marilyn had been seeing, Dr. Jack Halloran.

Casing the doc’s “bedside manner” Tony is stunned to find the doc irresistibly tempting sexually, but he can most assuredly rule the doc out as a sexual partner of Marilyn’s. Turns out this decorated war veteran isn’t only a sensitive physician, he’s also gay. Now Tony has to figure out if the cause of Marilyn’s death was as simple as it seemed.

Jack Halloran is damaged goods. The scars of his tours in Iraq as a battle surgeon are emotional, as well as physical, and he’s sure no gay man will have him. Worse, he’s unmistakably attracted to his newest erectile dysfunction patient, Tony DeMarco. He’s determined to get a handle on Tony’s dysfunction–and not just in the medical sense. Except, doing so would be a gross misconduct on his part.

Both men struggle with their attraction, Tony pursuing Jack as much as he is answers for Marilyn’s parents. When he finds out the truth behind her death his resolve to become more than a patient to Jack is high on the To-Do list, but a chance encounter ends up shattering their Doctor-Patient relationship. Will it also dash any chance of happiness for them?

The pace of this novel is perfect. The alternating point-of-view satisfied, with intimate glimpses of both Tony–and his deep family ties–and Jack, with his deep commitment to duty. Both men struggle to feel whole in the face of lost careers and physical shortcomings. The resolution of the crime investigation is concise and clear, as is the attraction and escalation of their relationship. I really enjoyed the tension, and the physical developments between Jack and Tony–who was terrified and surprised of his feelings for Jack, at first.

There were some delicious sexytimes, and an HEA now that Tony’s sexual dysfunction seems cured.

Interested? You can find THE TROUBLE WITH TONY on Goodreads and Amazon.

You can also find book 2, THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF DANIEL, on Amazon.

Or, check out THE MATING OF MICHAEL on Amazon.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter link and enter for a chance to win a $25 Amazon GC.
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

Eli EastonAbout the Author:
Having been, at various times and under different names, a minister’s daughter, a computer programmer, a game designer, the author of paranormal mysteries, a fan fiction writer, and organic farmer, Eli has been a m/m romance author since 2013. She has over 30 books published.

Eli has loved romance since her teens and she particular admires writers who can combine literary merit, genuine humor, melting hotness, and eye-dabbing sweetness into one story. She promises to strive to achieve most of that most of the time. She currently lives on a farm in Pennsylvania with her husband, bulldogs, cows, a cat, and lots of groundhogs.

In romance, Eli is best known for her Christmas stories because she’s a total Christmas sap. These include “Blame it on the Mistletoe”, “Unwrapping Hank” and “Merry Christmas, Mr. Miggles”. Her “Howl at the Moon” series of paranormal romances featuring the town of Mad Creek and its dog shifters has been popular with readers. And her series of Amish-themed romances, Men of Lancaster County, has won genre awards.

Catch up with Eli on her website, Facebook, and twitter.