Reviews

Books I’ve read and reviewed

Rebuilding Hearts in IMPERFECT HARMONY–Review and Giveaway

BannerTemplate-8Hi there! I’m so excited to share a release day review for Jay Northcote’s new contemporary M/M romance, IMPERFECT HARMONY. I’ve read several of Jay’s books (The Marrying Kind, Like A Lover, What Happens at Christmas, and The Law of Attraction) and I must say this one was the most poignant, for me. Depression, grief and loss are my hot-button topics, and this book hit them all, and served me up a generous helping of love to soothe all my heartaches–personal and fictional.

ImperfectHarmony_FINALAbout the book:
Imperfect harmony can still be beautiful…
John Fletcher, a former musician, is stuck in limbo after losing his long-term partner two years ago. He’s shut himself off from everything that reminds him of what he’s lost. When his neighbour persuades him to join the local community choir, John rediscovers his love of music and finds a reason to start living again.

Rhys Callington, the talented and charismatic choir leader, captures John’s attention from the first moment they meet. He appears to be the polar opposite of John: young, vibrant, and full of life. But Rhys has darkness in his own past that is holding him back from following his dreams.

Despite the nineteen-year age gap, the two men grow close and a fragile relationship blossoms. Ghosts of the past and insecurities about the future threaten their newfound happiness. If they’re going to harmonise in life and love as they do in their music, they’ll need to start following the same score.

A delicious taste!

Luckily there were still some parking spaces outside the church hall where Maggie’s choir met. John made sure they arrived a little early so Maggie wouldn’t have to walk too far. She was managing well on one crutch, but she still tired easily. After he parked, he got out and hurried around to help her out of the passenger door.

“Thanks, love,” she said, patting him on the arm. “I can manage now.”

A vicious gust of wind whipped a strand of hair into her face. It was dark, still sleeting, and probably slippery underfoot. There was no way John was going to leave until she was safely indoors. “I’ll just see you inside. Let me take your bag.”

Maggie let him have it without argument, and he popped it over his arm. He hovered close to Maggie as she made her way slowly to the double doors. He held one open for her and was hit by a blast of warm air. Then he accompanied her inside as she crutched along the corridor towards an open door. Yellow light flooded out, and the sound of a tenor voice singing “I Can See Clearly Now” raised the hairs on the back of John’s neck with its pure, clear beauty.

“I thought you said the emphasis was on fun rather than perfection?” he said quietly. “He’s got quite a voice.”

“That’ll be Rhys, our choir leader,” Maggie said with a smile. “Come and meet him, even if you’re not staying.”

Maggie paused when she reached the doorway and put a finger to her lips. They listened and waited for Rhys to finish singing. John peered over Maggie’s shoulder, hoping for a glimpse of the man the voice belonged to. Rhys, John presumed, was alone in the room. With his back to the door, he stood at a table pushed to the edge of the room, shuffling through some papers as he sang. All John could see of him was that he was small and slight, and quite young, based on the cut of his clothes. A hood covered his hair.

When he finished, Maggie started clapping.

Rhys wheeled around. “Oh my God! You made me jump.” He pushed his hood down and his face lit up as he beamed. “Maggie. How are you?”

John’s eyes widened as he took in Rhys’s front view as he approached Maggie and gave her a careful hug. His hair, which was shaved at the back and sides, was long on top and dyed peacock blue. His eyebrow was pierced, his arms were covered with tattoos, and the front of his T-shirt was emblazoned with a glittery equals sign in rainbow colours. All in all, he was at least twenty years younger than John had expected and completely unlike how John would have imagined a choir leader to look. In this dingy church hall in their small market town, Rhys looked like a bird of paradise that had accidentally ended up in a cage full of sparrows.

My Review:
John is a musician and music teacher who hasn’t even picked up his violin in the two years since his vibrant and loving life partner of 20 years, David, was killed in a car wreck. Since then his mother became ill with cancer and John moved into her home to care for her in her last days–she died four months prior to the beginning of the story. John’s a virtual recluse in his mother’s empty home; he works as a substitute teacher, and has one friend, Maggie–his mother’s longtime neighbor who’s like a second mom.

While caring for Maggie after a hip replacement, he takes her to choir practice and is instantly struck by the larger than life choir director, Rhys. Rhys is so shiny he’s like staring into the sun–and his passion for music jars John from his long doldrums. For many, music is a healing balm and John–a born and trained musician–has prevented himself from experiencing music for so long he’s a desert awaiting the rain. John allows himself to join the choir for the night, and finds it’s just this side of too much to bear. Maggie is pleased that John could find some solace in the music, and overjoyed that he decides to continue accompanying her to the practices. John, for his part, is experiencing an almost unwanted attraction for Rhys–a man too young and too direct and too much for John to handle in his vulnerable state. Learning that Rhys, too, mourns a lost lover, their union becomes a situation that is nearly unavoidable.

Rhys may only be 23, but he’s lived his years. Well, not the last year and a half, perhaps, not since Lyle’s tragic accident in any case. Rhys and Lyle were first lovers, and performing sensations, sure to secure that recording contract they both sought, and the dramatic end of their love and life together left Rhys broken inside. Finding John to be in much the same state, Rhys is drawn to him, a kindred spirit, despite the 19 year age gap. Rhys sees that singing helps John to emerge from his grief shroud, and gently encourages him to embrace the second love of his life: music performance. I can tell you, reading this book was not a breeze. It’s bittersweet, and raw, and captivating all at once. I had so many emotions coursing through me, channeling the grief and loneliness and reluctance of both John and Rhys to move forward in life and love. Their guilt at finding happiness was so understandable, and so poignant. And, John has some real doubts about being so much older than Rhys. Even if they work at it and it works out…John expects he’ll die first breaking Rhys’ tender heart again. Can he do that? It seems unconscionable to him.

There’s a powerful adage that goes something like this: Joy shared is joy doubled. Grief shared is grief halved. I think that Rhys and John experienced that in the story, and I know it’s true in my life. I loved every second of the pain I felt while experiencing John and Rhys’ story, and I loved it even more when I watched their love grow and develop and become a new and bright thing for them to share. As you can imagine, there are some ups-and-downs to the story, yet it ends on a note that is so happy, it’s impossible to believe that the harmony between John and Rhys is anything short of perfection.

interested? You can find IMPERFECT HARMONY on Goodreads and Amazon.

****GIVEAWAY****

Ms. Northcote is giving away single copies of a backlist book to one random commenter on each of the blog posts in support of IMPERFECT HARMONY. For an entry into the contest, tell me what pastime would become (or has already become) a bittersweet memory for you if you lost someone especially dear to you. I’ve already kicked off the comments with my own experience.

About the Author:
Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England, with her husband, two children, and two cats. She comes from a family of writers, but she always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed her by. She spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content. One day, she decided to try and write a short story–just to see if she could–and found it rather addictive. She hasn’t stopped writing since.

You can find Jay on her website, Twitter, Facebook Author Page, and Amazon.

Thanks for popping in and don’t forget to comment in order to win!

pride

Falling For The PRINCE OF THE PLAYHOUSE-Review and Giveaway!

Prince of the Playhouse Blog Tour BannerHi there! I’m so excited to share my review for a new contemporary M/M romance from Tara Lain. As you know I adored KNIGHT OF OCEAN AVENUE and KNAVE OF BROKEN HEARTS, so I couldn’t wait to read PRINCE OF THE PLAYHOUSE.

Catch the excerpt, my review and enter to win the $25 GC in the giveaway below!

PrinceOfThePlayhouseFS
About the book:
Driven by his desire to become a successful fashion designer and concerned with hiding his questionable past, Ru Maitland lets his obsession with action movie star Gray Anson on the big screen replace his social life. Then obsession and reality collide when Ru is asked to design fashion costumes for a special performance of Hamlet at the Playhouse in Laguna starring none other than Gray Anson. Gray turns out to be a compelling mix of shy and brash and, despite a high profile engagement to a female socialite, the signals Gray sends Ru have his libido doing the salsa.

Gray Anson has what most people only dream of—great wealth, huge fame, a job he loves. For that, he’s given up any semblance of privacy and the right to say no to the thousands of people who depend on him and the millions who love him. He sees everything he’s ever wanted just outside the bubble of his life, but how can he make the compromises needed to embrace it? When Ru’s shady past crashes into Gray’s paparazzi-haunted present, both men have to learn that sometimes the only acceptable compromise is the truth.

How about a little taste?

Food arrived. Ru had ordered the salmon, one of his faves, and Gray copied him. Merle had gone for Rick’s famous fish sandwich, as had most of the others. As the waiter placed the plates in front of Ru and Gray, Gray’s napkin dropped to the floor between his legs. He scooted back, spread his knees so he could reach between them, and managed to press the full length of his hard-muscled thigh against Ru’s. Perfect paralysis. Don’t move, don’t speak, don’t make him aware of what he’s done. Shocks of heat streaked into Ru’s balls, and he enjoyed the boil.

Gray snagged the napkin, scooted his chair back in, and—didn’t move his leg. From knee to hip, his long limb rested fully against Ru’s. Didn’t he notice? Was being pressed against another man normal for him? Maybe an action-star thing?

Forget about food, conversation, breathing. Don’t miss a moment.

Artie started talking to Gray about some entertainment industry thing. Gray ate heartily. Nothing abnormal or extraordinary going on in his universe. Ru pushed his salmon on the plate and gazed into near space, every ounce of his consciousness living in his tingling flesh.

“Ru?”

Ru’s glance flicked up to find Merle staring at him. “Sorry?”

“Boy, you were a million miles away. Designing costumes?”

“Oh yes.” He liked Merle. He didn’t want to wish the guy would shut up so he could listen to the sound of his balls expanding.

Merle lowered his voice. “I wondered if you’d like to get that drink we didn’t quite get to have later?”

Gray shifted and pressed his knee harder. Ru sucked wind. “Oh!”

Merle cocked his head. “Is that an unexpected invitation?” He grinned. “I did everything except hire a billboard.”

“Oh no. Sorry. I, uh, have so much to do—”

“It’s not really late. We could go over to the Ocean Bar for a little while, and then you can get home to your designs.”

“I—”

Gray turned abruptly to Ru. “Did you talk with Artie about your great design concepts for the Hamlet character?”

“Oh no, not yet.”

Artie grinned. “I’m all ears.”

Ru glanced at a deflated-looking Merle but launched into an explanation of his glamorized gangster costume. The more he talked, the more excited he got. “It immediately sets Hamlet apart from his family and everyone else. He has other allegiances, a different take on the world. When he says ‘to be or not to be,’ he’s not just depressed and melancholy. He’s seriously considering his options, and they’re violent.”

Gray started beating out a rap rhythm on the edge of the table. “To be or not to be. Yeah, to be or not to be. That’s the question in front of me.”

The others laughed, and Merle joined in.

Ru nodded. “Horatio would have some of the same gang colors as Hamlet, but we can see that he’s being sucked in by the man.”

Artie clapped. “Brilliant idea, Ru.”

“But remember, this will be fashion, not costume, so it will suggest the look but not be slavish.”

“Can’t wait to see it.”

Beverly nodded and sipped more wine. “Amajing. Ruj’s amajing.”

Ru sat back and smiled. Even while he’d been rapping, Gray had never moved his leg. If anything, he’d pressed it harder against Ru. Jesus, he wanted to pull Gray to his feet and press more than their legs together.

Penelope leaned forward and looked toward Ru. “I agree, you’re amazing.”

He nodded. “Why, thank you, lovely lady.” It made him feel a little squirmy to think he was lusting after this woman’s boyfriend, but maybe she and Gray had some kind of agreement?

She put a hand on Gray’s arm. “I think I should ask him.”

Gray frowned. “No, not now.”

“No better time. Ru, I’m soon going to be looking for a designer for my wedding gown, and I’d like to invite you to submit a concept. It’s not right away. I know you’re working on a collection, but I wanted to tell you, so you can keep my needs in mind.”

Ru didn’t move. Even his heart must have quit. He couldn’t hear it beating over the rushing in his ears.

My Review:
This is the third book in a series, but can be enjoyed on its own.

Ru Maitland is a man of fashion talents, and the right-hand designer to stylist Shazam, MC of the first book in the series. Ru has an unhealthy obsession with action movie star Gray Anson. Gray is a bit of a beefcake, but that turns Ru’s crank. Life and love collide when Ru agrees to make the costumes for a charity run of Hamlet at the local playhouse…starring Gray Anson.

Gray Anson feels like he got lucky, in many ways. He was picked out for a role in a film when he was 19, and has had several hits in the following six years. He’s a hot commodity, with a horde of hangers on that his “enterprise” supports. He’s also deeply closeted and practically despondent over his lack of love. Meeting Ru in the playhouse makes Gray want more than he can have–namely the honesty that Ru lives in. (Spoiler Ru’s hiding some dark secrets!!)

Between Ru and Gray there is a definite attraction, and Ru won’t even entertain the idea of dating someone else–and there are suitors. Merle, one of Gray’s out co-stars in the play is smitten with Ru. Oh, and another man from Ru’s past would like to be open with him.

This book took a few turns I didn’t expect, dealing with topics I don’t often read. One was police profiling, which happens and is unpleasant–in real life and the book. I also found the street gang issues to be unexpected and interesting. I don’t feel like there is enough representation of gay life in the Hispanic community, and I liked how Ru and his buddy came from very poor backgrounds to achieve critical and monetary success in their lives. That’s a powerful message, and it’s seconded by the fact that these men live an out-gay life, as well. I feared that the gang aspect would drift into caricature, and was grateful when it did not.

I liked Ru and I liked Gray, but I didn’t like the way Gray treated Ru, much of the time. Mostly, Gray had problems with Ru’s many admirers, and hoe he felt like it was okay for himself to have a “beard” but not for Ru to have a boyfriend. Ru didn’t want anyone besides Gray, but felt being true to a man he’d barely see and could never publicly acknowledge would be too difficult. I can only imagine the pain in that scenario, and Ru certainly felt some of that pain, which was hard for me as a reader to forgive, if you will.

There are moments of the book that felt a little silly, for me, and much of that had to do with Ru’s hand-to-hand combat skills which were hard to comprehend, even with his childhood. I couldn’t reconcile the button-counting mama’s boy with the switchblade-toting gang member–in the given context. That said, it was an interesting attempt, and I loved the depth of character. I also had trouble with the ages of the characters–they are barely mid-twenties. They have accomplished SO VERY MUCH in such a short adulthood, that I’m almost shamed by my lack of success…it seemed to me more believable if they were just a touch (five-ish years maybe) older, because they would then have a bit more gravitas and emotional maturity, which would have made their banter fit their characters better.

There are some serious elements of mortal peril, and bad publicity, and a tender coming out, for Gray. That was far lovelier than I had expected, in truth. I really enjoyed all the play aspects, and how Ru and Gray built a love quietly and privately–all while balancing Gray’s life in the public eye. Those fame aspects felt very true, and a bit sad. I’ve really enjoyed this series, and I’m anxious now for sweet Merle to find himself a man to love. He seems to deserve one.

Interested? You can find PRINCE ON THE PLAYHOUSE on Goodreads Dreamspinner Press (ebook or paperback) Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, Kobo, and AllRomance.

****GIVEAWAY****

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

About the Author:
Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in LGBT erotic romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her first novel was published in January of 2011 and she’s now somewhere around book 23. Her best­selling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, and Tara has been named Best Writer of the Year in the LRC Awards. In her other job, Tara owns an advertising and public relations firm. She often does workshops on both author promotion and writing craft.

She lives with her soul­mate husband and her soul­mate dog in Laguna Beach, California, a pretty seaside town where she sets a lot of her books. Passionate about diversity, justice, and new experiences, Tara says on her tombstone it will say “Yes”!

You can find Tara at:

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

Their Lives Became KNIT TIGHT–Review and Giveaway!

Knit Tight Blog Tour BannerHi there! Today I’m so excited to share a review for a brand new book in the Portland Heat contemporary M/M romance series from Annabeth Albert. I’ve really enjoyed other books in the series, including SERVED HOT, BAKED FRESH and DELIVERED FAST, so I jumped at the chance to review this one. KNIT TIGHT features an overburdened bisexual barista and the fussy knitter from whom he can’t tear himself away.

Check out the excerpt and be sure to enter the giveaway for a $20 gift card below.

Knit TightAbout the book:
It’s no secret that Portland, Oregon, has some of best restaurants, shops, and cafés in the country. But it’s the hard-working men who serve it all up that keep us coming back for more…

One of Portland’s hottest young baristas, Brady is famous for his java-topping flair, turning a regular cup of joe into a work of art. Every Wednesday—aka “Knit Night”—hordes of women and their needles descend on the coffeehouse, and Brady’s feeling the heat. Into the fray walks a tall, dark, and distractingly handsome stranger from New York. His name is Evren, and he’s the sexy nephew of Brady’s sweetest customer, the owner of the yarn shop down the street. He’s also got a killer smile, confident air, and masculine charm that’s tying Brady’s stomach in knots.

The smitten barista can’t wait to see him at the next week’s gathering. But when he tries to ask Evren out, his plans unravel faster than an unfinished edge. If Brady hopes to warm up more than Evren’s coffee, he’ll have to find a way to untangle their feelings, get out of the friend zone, and form a close-knit bond that’s bound to last a lifetime…

How about a delicious taste?

The People’s Cup wasn’t huge by any means, and Knit Night tended to fill the joint up. The space was longer than it was wide, with couches in front of the plateglass window, the coffee bar running along one wall, tables in the middle of the room, and a long wooden farmhouse bench and table for communal seating in the back of the room. The Knit Night ladies liked to turn the couches around and group the center tables together, creating a setup conducive to conversation but a tripping hazard for the rest of the patrons. And the arrangement resulted in an unholy din really, especially on nights when their ranks swelled to thirty or more.

“Remember to keep the aisle clear,” I said to Violet and her minions. I’d warned them about creating tripping hazards with their knitting gear, but it was as futile as telling the twins and Jonas to keep their Legos in one area. Like my siblings, the ladies loved to spread out their projects.

“What’ll it be?” I swung back to the register, no closer to having the right banter for the stranger, but no longer in a position to care. However, he’d stepped aside for Violet and her herbal tea order.

“I’ll be back when the line clears,” he said with a wink. He had a leather messenger bag, the sort meant to look like something Indiana Jones would haul around, for which one paid for every crinkle in the distressed finish. He’d probably come in wanting a quiet place to work.

He had the look and accent of a displaced New Yorker—working some cushy freelance job, no doubt. I liked thinking up little stories about my customers, but I didn’t bother coming up with a lengthy one for him. He wouldn’t be back once he saw how loud Knit Night got. And the ladies were likely to pester him about his intricately knit scarf with its pattern of interwoven cables. One time, I’d made the mistake of wearing a wool beanie I’d found for a buck at the thrift store. Every single knitter needed to remark on its construction. Dude was so going to be beating feet once Knit Night got underway.

My Review:
This is the fourth book in the Portland Heat series and can be enjoyed as a standalone.

Brady is a bisexual barista who’s working hard to support his four younger siblings in the wake of the death of his mother and step-father. He’s stressed and barely coping when the Knit Night crowd arrives at his cafe in Portland. A beautiful man, Evren, shows up. Turns out Evren’s the nephew of Mira–the knitting store owner, and he’s gay. And he’s got a bi prejudice. His last two boyfriends were either cheaters or left him for a woman.

Brady’s frustrated, but still intrigued as Evren shows up every week, caring for Mira who’s dying of pancreatic cancer. They begin a friendship, which ends up leading to more, but a highly regualted more as Evren’s got some astounding hangups about messy, penetrative sex.

The book spans a few months time, during which Evren and Brady come to lean on each other in their mutual grief. Brady’s chaotic life is further frustrated by his adult sister who doesn’t want to be a surrogate mom, while Mira’s truly dying and Evren can’t cope.

I liked the tiny vignettes from Evren’s knitting blog. It showed the vulnerability that he didn’t want to reveal to Brady. I loved Brady. He’s a selfless guy who doesn’t know how to ask for help. The meshing of their families was really special, for me. Plus, I’m a bit of a sucker for handicrafts and Evren lavishes Brady with plenty of knit socks to keep his feet toasty. (Wondering if Evren’s next book will feature ball cozies…)

There are a little bit of sexytimes with some low-level dominance kink at play. I liked how Brady stood up for his needs, as Evren’s kind of aloof, and he also didn’t let Evren discount him for his bisexuality. The book has some serious down moments, due to Evren’s struggle with Mira and her illness, who is the mother he got when his own family disowned him as a teen. They are a special family, and addition of Brady’s motley crew was rather charming to me. I like when characters have real life issues that impair their ability to connect, and do so anyway.

interested? You can find KNIT TIGHT on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Kobo and Google Play. I received a copy of this book via NetGalley.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win a $20 gift card to Amazon or Starbucks (winner’s choice!)
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the Author:
Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two children. Represented by Saritza Hernandez of the Corvisiero Literary Agency.

Find Annabeth online on her website, Goodreads, twitter and Facebook.
1e96c-enchantress2bdesign2b25262bpromo2btour2bbanner

Building Love: LISTEN TO ME–Review and Giveaway!

BlitzHi there! Today I’m sharing a release day review for a spectacular contemporary romance from Kristen Proby. LISTEN TO ME is a tender read featuring a romantically-downtrodden gal and the rocker who turns his life around.

Catch my review, an excerpt, and enter to win a grand prize of TWO $25 gift cards–one for books and one for tunes…

ListenToMe_coverAbout the book:

In New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby’s brand new series, five best friends open a hot new restaurant, but one of them gets much more than she bargained for when a sexy former rock star walks through the doors—and into her heart.

Seduction is quickly becoming the hottest new restaurant in Portland, and Addison Wade is proud to claim 1/5 of the credit. She’s determined to make it a success and can’t think of a better way to bring in new customers than live music. But when former rock star Jake Keller swaggers through the doors to apply for the weekend gig, she knows she’s in trouble. Addie instantly recognizes him—his posters were plastered all over her bedroom walls in high school—he’s all bad boy…exactly her type and exactly what she doesn’t need.

Jake Keller walked away from the limelight five years ago and yearns to return to what’s always driven him: the music. If he gets to work for a smart-mouthed, funny-as-hell bombshell, all the better. But talking Addie into giving him the job is far easier than persuading her that he wants more than a romp in her bed. Just when she begins to drop her walls, Jake’s past finally catches up with him.

Will Addie be torn apart once again or will Jake be able to convince her to drown out her doubts and listen to her heart?

How about a little taste?

“‘In summary,’” Cami, one of my very best friends, and a business partner, reads from the Portland Tribune, “‘Seduction is a restaurant unlike any other I’ve experienced. The food is delicious, the wine bar impressive, and the ambiance so sexy, it will take your breath away. I highly recommend this restaurant for your next date night.’”

“I want to send that reviewer flowers,” Mia says with a wide smile. “Who would have thought that just six months after opening this place, we’d already have a review like this?”

“Well, it’s a no-brainer that they’d love the food,” I reply, and reach for the paper so I can read it again for the fifteenth time. “You’re a genius in the kitchen, Mia. We’ve known that since we were in high school.”

“I still get nervous, especially now that I never know who the customers are going to be. We didn’t even get a heads-up that this guy was going to be here.” Mia bites the cuticle on her thumb and frowns. “Maybe I should add to the menu.”

“The menu is perfect,” Cami replies with a shake of her blond head.

“He loved us.”

We smile at each other, and finally I do a little happy dance in my seat. We haven’t opened for the day yet. Kat and Riley, the final two business partners in our fivesome, haven’t arrived. But Mia, Cami, and I have read this article over and over again, smiling and dancing.

Rejoicing.

Because damn it, we’ve worked our asses off since we opened the doors six months ago. All of our eggs are in this basket. We can’t fail.

And we won’t.

We hear the front door open and close, and I expect to see either Riley or Kat, but instead Jeremy saunters into the dining room, looking all rumpled and messy from sleep. His eyelids are still heavy. His chin is scruffy. His blond hair is standing on end, still in chaos from my fingers last night.

Jesus, this man makes my hormones work overtime.

He grins and kisses my head, then picks up my coffee and sits next to me.

“Why are you here?” Cami asks with a frown. “I’m in too good of a mood to have to pretend to like you.”

I glare at my best friend, but she just shrugs.

“My girlfriend is here,” Jeremy replies and sips my coffee. “I missed her.”

“Please,” Mia whispers with a roll of the eyes. My friends used to like Jeremy, in the beginning, but now they make it no secret that they don’t care for him. But they are just overprotective. They don’t want to see me get hurt. Sure, he’s a musician. Not a particularly gifted one at that, but he does well, booking gigs for his band, Hells Roses, regularly.

And, oh my God, what the man can do in the bedroom should be a felony. He makes me laugh, and despite his arrogant persona around everyone else, he has moments of real vulnerability and sweetness when we’re alone.

Is he the one? Probably not, but I’m pretty much convinced that the one was invented by romance novelists and Disney. “Be nice,” I snap and continue to read the paper. “We got a kick-ass review in the Tribune,” I inform Jeremy with a grin.

“Of course you did,” he replies and kisses my cheek. “Are the music reviews in there too?” He snatches the paper and shifts through the pages, then reads through the reviews of the music and club scene in Portland. “Not one fucking mention?”

Cami catches my gaze, then crosses her eyes in annoyance. I simply shrug. He’s not in the restaurant business. He wouldn’t understand what a big deal this is for us.

“I’ve been thinking,” I begin, and lean my elbows on the table. “Now that business is picking up, I think we should add live music on the weekends.”

“Sorry, cupcake,” Jeremy says with a sigh. “We’re booked.”

Thank God. Jeremy’s band isn’t the one I’d want for my place. But rather than jab at his ego, I simply smile and kiss his shoulder.

“I know, babe. But I’d still like to bring in someone.

Maybe just a one-person act, just a microphone and a stool, you know?”

“We can afford it,” Cami replies with a thoughtful frown. Cami is our chief financial officer. She handles all things money, and she’s a wizard at adding up figures in her head. “Who are you thinking?”

“I don’t know.” I reach for my coffee mug and frown when I see that Jeremy has sucked down every last drop. “Babe, will you please run over to Starbucks and get us more coffee?”

“I forgot my wallet,” he replies with a scowl. I reach into my bag and pass him a twenty. “You got it.”

“Thank you.”

“Oh, and one place you might look for a musician,” he adds as he steps away from the table, “is the open-mic night at Crush this Saturday. There are usually some good acts there. I’d bet you’d find what you’re looking for.”

I grin at my sexy boyfriend and blow him a kiss. “Thank you.”

He winks and saunters out of the restaurant. When the door closes behind him, Mia shakes her head at me. “Seriously?”

“Open mic night is a brilliant idea,” I inform her.  “That’s not what she’s talking about,” Cami says. “Jeremy is a douche bag.”

“He is not.” I roll my eyes and sit back in my chair. Okay, maybe he has douchey moments. “He’s sweet. And sexy.”

“And mooching off of you. His wallet was in his back pocket,” Mia argues. “And I’ll bet all of this month’s chocolate budget that he’s staying with you too.”

“His roommate moved out, and he couldn’t afford his place alone.”

“Addie.” Cami reaches for my hand. “You are not a doormat.”

“He doesn’t treat me like a doormat.”

“Yes. He does.” Mia sighs and takes my other hand. “You deserve so much better.”

“I love you both,” I begin, my stomach heaving. “I know you just want to protect me. Jeremy is a good guy. I like him.”

“Okay.” Cami sips her coffee, then shrugs one slim shoulder. “But when he breaks your heart, we’ll be here.”

“Let’s talk about this open-mic night. Who’s going with me?”

Mia and Cami exchange glances.

“I’ll be working,” Mia says. “I have some new Saturday night specials I want to try.”

“I don’t want to,” Cami says honestly. “I trust you to find exactly what we need.”

“I’ll take Kat.” I chew my lip, ideas already swirling in my head. “She’s a good judge of these things.”

“Good idea.”

The door opens again.

“Oh good. Mr. Wonderful is back,” Cami mutters.

My Review:

This is the first book of a new series and thoroughly enjoyable. The series will revolve around the lives of five women who own and run a restaurant, Seduction, in Portland.

Addison has a broken man-picker, always falling for the bad-boy rocker who is guaranteed to break her heart. She’s barely past the latest doofus, Jeremy, when she catches the attention of Jake Knox, of the rock band Hard Knox. Jake’s band broke up five years ago, but he’s still writing and producing music. Though he hasn’t performed in public in those five years, he turns up at an open mic night and captivates Addie–even though she knows she won’t pursue him. Why bother? All these musicians are bad news.

Thing is, Jake isn’t. Well, not anymore. He still wears the guilt of a friend’s injury like a shroud–which is why he doesn’t perform and is totally clean and sober. That one night, that single song performance, however, has awoken the sleeping beast within him, and he turns up at Seduction to answer their call for a live musician, on a friend’s recommendation.

Addison wants to stay far away from Jake, but she can’t–not now that he’s playing in her restaurant two nights a week. It’s a nice little sexual tension build up–nothing happens for a few weeks, not until Addie’s ex–Jeremy–shows up. And even then, there’s little in the way of romance, just an immediate human connection that both Addie and Jake really need. A friendship, with the potential for far more.

I really enjoyed this slow-burner. I liked how Jake was a great guy, and Addie was a great girl, and they were great together. There’s the patterned “take-a-break” period, which demonstrates the largest part of the ‘romantic’ elements. In truth, I was worried that the book would be too busy, with Addie’s many friends and Jake’s friends and co-workers and exes, and yet I rarely felt overwhelmed. Expect some yummy sexytimes, once Jake and Addie get rolling, and an HEA for this first couple of the series. The stage is set for the next couple at the very end of the epilogue…

Interested? You can find LISTEN TO ME on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and Kobo.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win a grand prize of TWO $25 gift cards–one for Amazon/Barnes & Noble and one for iTunes!
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

Author Pic_MontanaAbout the Author:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Kristen Proby is the author of the popular With Me in Seattle series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong characters who love humor and have a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type—fiercely protective and a bit bossy—and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen spends her days with her muse in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys coffee, chocolate, and sunshine. And naps.

Visit Kristen online on her website, Facebook, twitter, Goodreads, or sign up for her newsletter.
InkSlinger PR Blogger Banner - New

Negotiating A PRINCE’S RANSOM–Review and Giveaway!

BannerTemplate-1Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review and giveaway for a new M/M sci-fi romance from Mary Newman. A PRINCE’S RANSOM is a complete tale of deception, flight, connection and redemption–all in a handy novella format.

Catch the excerpt, my review and enter to win a copy of the book below.

A Prince's Ransom ebook coverAbout the book:
Prince Itu Graus thought coming out in front of the entire royal court was bad. Being exiled by his father to the frozen wastelands where he struggled just to survive was harsh.

But, running for his life is so much worse.

His planet invaded and the royal family assassinated, Itu leaves his world one step ahead of a death squad. Hiding from those who want him dead and just trying to survive are now his only goals.

Loka Chalce is known as a trader who travels the galaxy to buy and sell goods, but he has a secret life known only to a few as a licensed enforcer for the Interplanetary Council. When a contract comes across the com for a deposed prince who is running directly towards those Loka loves, he only stops long enough to be certain it is genuine before accepting the job.

But what happens when the man you have been hired to keep from ever returning to his world turns out to be someone you would much rather protect?

How about a little taste?

“Not getting in the middle of an established relationship, Salio,” Loka grumbled. “Stop matchmaking. You and Bira are terrible at it.”

“Fine,” Salio huffed. “Find your own boyfriend. I was only being helpful.”

“This discussion is over with,” Loka stated, flatly.

“Uncle Loka, will you help me move another bed from the storage room out to the guest house?” Alor asked as he stepped through the back door. “We can put one in Pop Pops old office and move the desk and chair out.”

“Well, well,” Salio looked at him, eyes gleaming. “I guess that answers that question.”

“Shut it, Salio!” Loka growled, pointing a thick finger at her. “I don’t need or want your help.”

Salio’s laugh was pure evil as she flounced towards the front of the store.

“Hey, Bira, guess what?” she called out.

Loka sighed and scrubbed his face with both hands.

“Oh man, Uncle Loka, you better run now. They’ll have you married and settled before morning,” Alor cackled.

“Gods, why can’t they keep their wedded bliss to themselves?” Loka grumbled. “Come on, Alor, let’s go haul out the desk and chair first.”

My Review:
Itu is an exiled prince of the planet Bergradi when an invading army executes his estranged royal family. Escaping the planet with the help of his manservant, Grekor, Itu wants to settle somewhere far away and be safe. While he loves his planet he never planned to rule there–men of his type (those favoring men) had no change of authority.

Finding work on Outpost Sema, Itu and Grekor attempt to build a new life. They have no idea a Galactic Enforcer, Loka, is stationed nearby. Loka receives the contract on Itu’s life–which he notes is amended from execution to observation and notification–if Itu seems poised to return to Bergradi. Loka accepts the contract and befriends Itu, never anticipating falling for the beautiful, compassionate man who is his target.

As the political state of Bergradi continues to degrade some big galactic players come to the fore, and Itu must choose whether to accept the meager terms of the invaders, or be bold, as his true father had been. I really enjoyed this story. The plot had excellent pacing and a logical progression. There is a nice bit of intrigue, and some harrowing moments, but it never felt melodramatic. I liked how the romance built, with Loka being a considerate and patient partner to his younger and less-experienced lover. I think, however, the dialogue could have been a bit better written. There was too much of our everyday slang, for me, which detracted from the otherwise excellent sci-fi world-building and political thriller elements.

Interested? You can find A PRINCE’S RANSOM on Goodreads and Amazon.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win a copy of A PRINCE’S RANSOM.
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

Meet the author:
I’m a self-published writer of stories set on worlds that live only in my mind. If you think it can’t happen, well, I do my best to prove you wrong. I mainly write romance because I like to take the most unlikely of couples (or trios) and give them a happily ever after. My characters quite often pick up the personalities of my family and friends – which can lead to the most interesting of conversations, believe me.

I live in the wilds of Northeast Oklahoma with Mija, a rescued hound of unknown mixed heritage, and a rose point Siamese named Kiko who delights in tormenting both Mija and me when we’d rather be relaxing or sleeping.

You can catch up with Mary online on Goodreads, Facebook and twitter.

pride

Adulting in MANTIES WITH A TWIST–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a contemporary M/M BDSM book that it totes out there from J.A. Rock. MANTIES WITH A TWIST is an absotively posilutely entertaining ride through the brain of a (possibly ADHD) 27 y/o sub named Kamen who has finally begun adulting in earnest, by moving in with his boyfriend/Dom of 4 months, Ryan. I honestly cannot count the times I burst into chuckles, giggles and straight-up guffaws while reading this one.

Manties in a Twist (The Subs Club, #3)About the book:
Look, I’ll never stop missing Hal, but this Subs Club my friends started to review suck-ass doms isn’t gonna bring him back or give him justice. For me, it’s just another chance to hang out with my friends, even if they think I’m too dumb to understand the important work we’re supposedly doing.

But maybe I’m not as dumb as they think—at least I know when I’ve got a good thing going. Which is why I just moved in with my dom. Ryan’s awesome possum. He’s really short, never makes me feel stupid, and is up for anything. One word: costumes. Two more words: women’s underwear. We’re all about the lace, no leather.

Except when we do pony play. We first tried it as a joke, but turns out I’m ballin’ at it. Now PetPlayFest is coming up, and I wanna take down the Subs Club’s archrival, Cinnamon the ponygirl, in the horse show.

My friends think I’m spending too much time with Ryan and ignoring my obligations to the group. But since when is friendship an obligation? Ryan’s my first serious relationship, and I want to take it . . . seriously. At some point I need to think about my future, not my past.

—Kamen

My Review:
This is the third book in a series and I’ve not read the two previous, but that was fine. I slid right into Kamen’s head, which is an extremely busy, yet paradoxically simple, place.

Kamen is one of four childhood friends, and he’s still close to Dave, Miles and Gould–the other principals of the Subs Club. They started the club to raise awareness within their community about bad Doms and much of that was due to the death of their dear friend, and fellow sub Hal, who choked in a public rope-play scene. Dave and Gould are still traumatized by this, as is Miles and Kamen, but Miles and Kamen seem to be getting past the grief–which upsets Dave and Gould.

Kamen’s happy with his live-in Dom, Ryan, who is far smaller than Kamen, a burly athletic man. It’s part of Ryan’s attraction, actually, Kamen loves feeling like a dragon at the end of his diminutive Dom’s leash. I seriously dug their dynamic. Kamen is totally gaga for Ryan, and gets frustrated that his peers are not so enthusiastic. It was bittersweet for him, and I thought it poignantly reflected that break in life, where that first serious relationship intrudes and makes a person less-available for the “buds” than they have ever been before. That resentment was clear between Kamen’s bros and Ryan.

Within their apartment Kamen and Ryan indulge in play they have never considered previously. An errant pair of panties sparks a whole new level for them, with Kamen dabbling in not only manties but also drag. Then, a nasty altercation with ponygirl Cinnamon launches another new phase for them: pet play. (This type of play requires one of the partners to dress and act the part of an animal, while the other behaves as a trainer. It is not always sexual.) Cinnamon was present when Hal had died, and the Subs Club considers her to be Public Enemy #1, so joining the PetPlayFest competition with the intent to best Cinnamon at her own game is a vengeful step.

All of this seems odd and sordid, and I’ll be honest, it is and isn’t. It’s fun and free and flexible and still damn funny, because Kamen is a rock star and does absolutely nothing by halves. He’s never been into pet play but he dives in with and enthusiasm that is unquenchable. He and Ryan invest a ton of cash to purchase all the accoutrements, they build a cart (for the cart race, natch…) Kamen learns all about dressage and how to be the most graceful Thunder Canyon (that’s his stallion name, yo) that he can be.

Through all of this, Kamen has to come to terms with his mostly adult life, and it seems to work out. I had some Whoa! moments where Kamen’s awesome possum insight struck very close to the bone, and it made me love this book. The voice took me a bit of time to enjoy, because Kamen speaks like a twitter account, and I had to acclimate. After that, it was off to the races.

Interested? You can find MANTIES IN A TWIST on Goodreads, Riptide Publishing, Amazon, AllRomance, Barnes & Noble, Kobo , and iBooks. I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley.

About the Author:
J.A. Rock is the author of queer romance and suspense novels, including BY HIS RULES, TAKE THE LONG WAY HOME, and, with Lisa Henry, THE GOOD BOY and WHEN ALL THE WORLD SLEEPS. She holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of Alabama and a BA in theater from Case Western Reserve University. J.A. also writes queer fiction and essays under the name Jill Smith. Raised in Ohio and West Virginia, she now lives in Chicago with her dog, Professor Anne Studebaker.

You can catch up with her online on her website, twitter and Facebook.

Thanks for popping in, and keep reading my friends!

Coming Soon! AN ERIE GARDEN PARTY–Review & Giveaway!

Erie Garden Party Banner v2Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review and giveaway for a contemporary M/M shifter mystery/romance from V.L Locey. AN ERIE GARDEN PARTY is the third book in the Lake Erie shifters series and features copious cross-species lovin’, a bit of revenge, and some dead bodies… This novella releases 4/13.

Catch my review and enter to win a copy for yourself below.

An Erie Garden PartyAbout the book:
Spring has finally arrived along the shores of Lake Erie and no one is happier than skunk shifter, Templeton Reed. Now that the snows have melted, he can frolic and play on the grounds of Lupei Manor, the formidable home that he shares with his life partner, Mikel Lupei, the alpha of the Lake Erie pack. What a pity that his joy is short lived.

Not only does a stranger appear to shake things up in the manor, bodies begin showing up on the grounds as well! Could the newcomer to the pack be the one viciously killing innocent humans and shifters? Or is there a more nefarious force at work lurking just outside the boundaries of the ancient manse Templeton, Mikel, and their LGBT friends call home?

How about a little taste?

“Son of a human,” Mikel snarled.  He stripped and shifted. I stood with his clothes over my arms, watching the wolf work the scent. He padded to the lake, snuffled the shore intently, and then slowly made his way back to the corpse. I turned my head to stare at Erie when he shoved his head under the bloody sheet to smell the body. The water seemed almost tranquil today. How I wished we were planning our spring fete instead of standing here beside a dead man. Mikel tapping my arm brought my attention from the Great Lake back to him. I handed him his pants.

“So, what can you tell us about this poor man’s fate?”

“He’s human.” Mikel zipped his trousers vehemently. “And he was killed by a large animal, either wolf or bruin. Whoever did this dragged him through the lake to mask the scent. I’ll have to gather the pack to scour the woods. Damnation.”

“Oh dear me,” I sighed. “I suppose the call must be made then.”

Mikel threw his head back and stared at the soft white clouds ambling past. “Yes. We have to notify the Elder counsel. That is standard operating procedure when a human is involved in mystical matters. Damnation!”

I reached out to pat his thick bicep. I wasn’t sure he wanted consolation but I offered it anyway. He placed his hand over mine.

“Let me know when they plan to arrive. I’ll take a long stroll through the woods.”

Mikel’s lip rolled as he turned to look down at me. “I hate that as well. You should be at my side. This mansion is as much your home as it is mine.”

“Yes, well, the times they aren’t a changing as rapidly as needed,” I smiled then snuggled into his wide chest. His arms cinched around me tightly, his smoky shirt smashed between us. My ear rested over his strong heart. “If one of the Elders saw me here it would raise questions. I know we have a lie all in place, but I for one do not wish to put that lie to the test. Better I enjoy the forest for an hour or so while they attend to this mess.”

“I love you beyond words, Templeton,” Mikel said into my black hair. “Someday, I swear, we shall not have to hide our love for each other.”

“From your mouth to the Elders’ ears,” I whispered, then tipped my head up for a kiss. We both needed one. Pity it couldn’t be a longer one, but it was tender.

My Review:
This is the third book in a series, and I’d advise readers to begin in order for best enjoyment.

Templeton Reed is a skunk shifter in love with Mikel Lupei, the Alpha of the Lake Erie wolf pack. The feeling is very mutual, and they co-habitate in Mikel’s mansion on the banks of Lake Erie with a few misfit beings: A gay vampire and his thrall, a bisexual wolf and his best pal who happens to love a mer, and the house staff of half-Elves. Mikel, Templeton and Vincente (the vamp) are all agents of OTTER, an underground shifter organization that keeps its eyes on the supernaturals, making sure they’re staying undercover, I believe. This was likely explained in an earlier book in the series, and not really touched upon here until I was half finished with the book.

At the opening, Mikel’s cousin from the Puget Sound pack, Havel, arrives literally in tatters. He’s been kicked out of his pack by his father for behavior unbecoming, which we later learn has to do with Havel’s predilections for beautiful dresses. Coincident with Havel joining the group at Lupei Manor, a murdered human’s body washes ashore on their beach. It’s clear that the man’s life was taken by a beast, but the water has washed away the scents of the perpetrator.

The Elders must be called to investigate, and Templeton’s not above sticking his nose out to find the guilty party–mostly because Mikel’s too moon-crazed to give proper attention to the problem. When a second body comes ashore, however, and Havel seems to be squarely in the mix, Templeton’s really got his work cut out. Also, lots and lots of sex. Mikel’s response to the full moon is running with his pack and rutting with Templeton, with a few nap and food breaks in between.

This is a fun story, and I wished I’d read the previous books in the series so I could have enjoyed it more. I was able to catch up quickly, though there were moments of confusion for me that I know would not have existed if I’d read the first two books. That said, the mystery portion was interesting and Templeton has a great voice, so I did like the story. I am a fan of odd shifter types, and Templeton–as a skunk–was so fun. Poor man was often scared nearly-muskless, and yet his tenacity to discover the murderer, knowing how outmatched he was, was charming. He’s also brave when it comes to his personal relationships. Mikel and Templeton must keep their love affair secret, or risk retribution from the governing Elders. Yet, Templeton hates lying to his parents. Is there a coming out party planned? Maybe…

Interested? You can find AN ERIE GARDEN PARTY on Goodreads and pre-order it in advance of the April 13th release on Torquere Press and Amazon.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win a copy of AN ERIE GARDEN PARTY.
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the Author:
V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, yoga, belly laughs, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, a flock of assorted domestic fowl, and three Jersey steers.

When not writing spicy romances, she enjoys spending her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in hand. You can find her on her website, blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads and tsú.

Blog Button 2

 

Captivated by SIMON Vs. THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a contemporary M/M YA romance form Becky Albertalli. SIMON VS. THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA is a book that has met with critical acclaim, and for good reason. It’s fantastic. As a YA romance it’s not steamy, but it’s got so much heart, and a beautifully told coming-out story. Today is this is the First Book-iversary, as it was originally published 4/7/15, so I thought I’d give it a shout out.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens AgendaAbout the book:

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.

With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met.

My Review:

I just adored this YA contemporary coming out M/M romance.

Simon is a 17 y/o junior growing up in a suburb of Atlanta. His school is mixed and he has friends of color, notably Abby his close friend. His longtime friends Leah and Nick are kind and fun, but a bit more sedate than Abby who is a cheerleader and the object of admiration of many males–firstly, Nick, who is simultaneously the crush of Leah. Makes for an awkward dynamic for Simon. Secondly, Martin Addison, a goofy, lanky boy in the drama club who is infatuated with Abby enough that he blackmails Simon to ingratiate himself into their “group”.

See, Simon is a closeted gay teen, and he has an anonymous email pen pal–another gay teen (calling himself Blue) at his high school. They have been in contact for the past few months, using pseudonyms and decoy email addresses in order to safely explore their places in the world. The emails serve as a sounding board/confessional/journal for the boys and Martin intercepted these communications one day when Simon neglected to completely log out of the library computer. Martin’s an (almost) decent kid who makes some seriously d-bag decisions, and Simon has to decide if he wants to go along with Martin’s plans, or come out. And this is something he can’t reveal to Blue because he’s afraid that Blue will stop communicating with him to protect his own secrets.

It’s a beautifully written teen romance with no steam and some real fun. There is limited angst, and when it does exist it’s not all about the gay thing. Simon’s nervous about the status of his friendships in general. Leah’s frustrated about Nick liking Abby, and Simon always feels in the middle of that. Plus, Leah’s disappearing more and more from their hang out time, and Nick’s not helping by being ignorant to Leah’s feelings.

On the homefront, Simon’s got a rather supportive set of parents, even if his dad makes some off-color jokes regarding gays. Words he’s later sorry for. I loved the family dynamic, and how close-knit it is. Simon makes a “choice” (under duress pretty much) to come out and that causes a bit of a ruffle, but not in the expected way.

I don’t want to give away too much of the plot, but I believe even if I gave a verbatim account of the book it’s STILL a worthwhile read. Simon’s character is a fantastic sketch of today’s youth. He’s not quite sure why he has to come out as “gay” when all those around him don’t have to reveal, or explain, their straightness. And, that’s an interesting idea. When Simon becomes a “topic” at the high school his friends aren’t just in his corner, they are ready to do battle. Even people who aren’t his particular friends are willing to step forward on his behalf. It’s a heartening scene, especially as it’s set in the Deep South. that said, expect some instances of homophobia.

Also, I nearly wet myself when they all went to the “gay”-borhood in Atlanta and Simon was a bit too adventurous. So sweet and cute and endearing.

In all, Simon’s dearest wish is to meet Blue. After five months of sharing his most secret and personal self online he just wants to meet the boy he considers his boyfriend. Blue’s so resistant, and when Blue discovers Simon’s identity and still won’t meet?  It’s more than a little crushing.

Don’t fear though. The books sings with an HEA. It’s just the right amount of tenderness, and there’s no doubt that Blue is just as smitten with Simon. This is a book that I’d recommend to all readers of contemporary YA. It’s completely innocent sexually, and has only a tiny bit of alcohol use. There is strong language at times, including f-bombs, which were not a trouble for me, especially as I was reading a 17 y/o boy’s perspective.

I loved the diversity here. There are a few prominent black characters, and a couple who are Jewish, and others who have no religion and some who are religious and some who are gay, straight or bisexual. The mix was refreshing and fun and awkward and whole. I loved the meddling and the machinations, and the high school antics and hi jinks and the blessed union of Simon and Blue and an end that I never wanted to reach. I’d read about Simon and his life for volumes, probably.

Interested? You can find SIMON Vs. THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes and goodness knows how many other discount outlets and your local library.

About the Author:

You can find out all about Becky Albertalli on her website, which is really, really something. She’s also on twitter and There are some notes in the webspace that she’s working on a loosely-connected sequel-of-sorts to SIMON, and people are clamoring for it. Me among them.

Five Star Reads: TEMPEST by Cari Z

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a link to a review I wrote for Joyfully Jay Reviews for a book that came out yesterday. I’ve been reviewing there for a year now, and every now and again I come across books that I just adore and want to share with my readers, too.

For those who are not familiar with Joyfully Jay, the site pretty much exclusively reviews LGBTQ books, with a heavy emphasis on M/M romance.

I’ve chosen TEMPEST by Cari Z, a high fantasy adventure, to share because it knocked my socks off with fantastic world building and a compelling plot.

TempestAbout TEMPEST by Cari Z:

Love can change a soul. But can it save one life?

Colm Weathercliff is a simple fisherman with an uncanny (some might say preternatural knack) for his trade. He thought leaving his small village to take his father’s ashes to the capital city of Caithmor for a proper burial would be the grandest adventure of his life.

At first, all his hopes seem to be fulfilled. He finds a home where he s accepted without question, the freedom to use his talent to its fullest effect, and love with Nichol, a man with a longing for the sea as powerful as Colm’s.

But Caithmor holds as many dangers as it does attractions. Colm’s greatest secret turns out to be a dark revelation that gets him and his family shunned and changes everything he thought he knew about himself.

The truth about his parentage, his gift, even his physical form could poison his chance for love. And doom both him and Nichol to a gruesome, inescapable fate.

Warning: Contains graphic violence, explicit sex, and scenes of torture that may not be for the faint of heart. These mermen bear no resemblance to those you might have seen in a certain animated film

My entire review can be found here, but these are the highlights:

This is a fantasy and adventure with a romance that grows naturally. I was so intrigued throughout, because the world building is excellent. The elements of magic are considerable, with selkies and mer and curses and priestly charms. I think everyone will know the secret of Colm’s magic from the blurb, but the reveal is so different from my expectations that I was completely blindsided by the next several plot turns. I found the juxtaposition of religion and magic to be unique, with the priests and royalty full practitioners of magic, while even innate magic was forbidden to the regular folk.

It’s an HEA, mostly, and I hope to see another book set in this beautifully-written world.

Interested? You can find TEMPEST on Goodreads, Samhain Publishing, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and All Romance.

Thanks for popping in, and keep reading my friends!

 

Confronting Love–MORE THAN A FEELING–Excerpt and Review

MTAF_Blog
Hi there! I’m sharing a review for a contemporary cowboy romance from Sara Richardson. MORE THAN A FEELING is a book about the lies we tell to ourselves to keep us safe, and how those can be the most damaging of all…

More Than a Feeling (Heart of the Rockies, #3)About the book:
Stop running…and start falling
For Ruby James the Walker Mountain Ranch is her safe haven. Here in Aspen, Colorado, she can finally build a quiet life for herself without fear of her old one rearing its ugly head. Or so Ruby thinks. Any single woman would be happy to indulge a tall, dark, and curious cop-but the closer Ruby gets to him, the closer she gets to losing her newfound peace.

Police officer Sawyer Hawkins is no stranger to secrets. He’s ready to leave town for good until a security threat brings him back to Walker Ranch, and Ruby’s gorgeous green eyes soon have him second-guessing his decision to go. Her kindness and quiet strength awaken feelings he’d thought long buried, even as her reluctance to talk about her past worries him. The cop in Sawyer only wants the truth-but the man in him wants Ruby in his arms forever.

A little taste…

“Sawyer…” There was so much she couldn’t tell him. So many reasons she should ask him to leave, to leave her alone. But the ache tightening inside of her would never go away if she didn’t touch him, if she didn’t feel the generous hunger of his lips against hers, the thrilling sensation of his hands reading every curve of her body. So instead of saying anything, instead of casting him out of her life, she scooted to her knees so she could reach his lips, first touching them lightly with her fingers. “You’re a good man, Sawyer Hawkins,” she whispered. And though she knew he couldn’t have her forever, she could give herself to him now. He could have her for this one moment.

His gaze fused with hers, the mesmerizing blue of his eyes smoldering like the center of a flame. His large hands settled on her hips and tugged them until she straddled him.

The swing pitched forward and she wrapped her arms around his neck to keep from losing her balance.

“This isn’t why I came here,” he informed her hoarsely.

“That’s disappointing,” she breathed against his neck. The stubble made her lips tingle.

Sawyer sighed in a helplessly delicious way and took her chin in his hand, bringing her lips to meet his, brushing them lightly in teasing preview.

Oh, lordy, lordy, lordy…the man could kiss.

He pulled back to look at her, but what good was that? She wanted to feel him against her, solid and safe and warm. So she wrapped her legs all the way around his waist cinching them tighter until the hard bulge of his desire for her pulsed between her legs. It was blinding the way he made her lungs pound, the way he sent her dizzy heart twirling in circles. His touch brought her somewhere else, made her feel like someone else. Someone whole and unbreakable. The person she’d always wanted to be.

My Review:
This is the third book in a series, but can be enjoyed as a standalone. I want to also note what may be a trigger warning: the plot centers on a domestic violence survivor who fled her abusive fiance just a year before. There are some recollections that are troublesome, but no graphic depictions.

When Ruby James arrived in Aspen a year ago she knew no one and was luckily able to find shelter with the loving family at the Walker Mountain Ranch. She’s been a baker in their resort kitchen, and lived in a rental property adjacent to Elsie Walker, family matriarch. She has made friends with Elsie and two other ladies and feels safe and at home for the first time in her life. Thing is, she’s not Ruby James, and she can’t reveal her true identity or her ex might find her and make good on his many threats.

Sawyer Hawkins has moved into the Walker Ranch for the final month of his contract with the Aspen PD. He’s fresh off a nasty divorce and looking to start fresh in Denver, but his house sold too quick and he’s got taken temporary lodgings at the urging of his cousin Bryce Walker. Besides, as a cop he might be able to track down who’s stealing from the Walkers. Sawyer thinks it could be Ruby, she’s there early enough and nobody knows much about her. Digging deeper, Sawyer’s dismayed to recognize the signs of an abuse victim in her interactions. He’s also frustrated to find her attractive. He’s supposed to be leaving in a few weeks, not getting his heart tangled up before then is on top of his to-do list.

I really liked how this one played out. At first, I thought it would be a SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY scenario, with Ruby’s ex becoming a ruthless stalker, and was glad that was not the case. Truthfully, I’ve read a few books like that and I dislike the formulaic feel to them. This book is very different, and the twists were refreshing. Ruby has a whole new life in front of her, if only she’d open up a bit. She’s still a victim, in many respects, and I was so glad to watch her break through the walls she’d built around herself. I also loved how she worked with everyone in the book–foster kids, abused animals, even helping Sawyer face the depression he’d trapped himself within–Ruby sparkled brightest when she advocated for others–and that brought about an ending that was as much a redemption as a resolution.

This is a really sweet book, with a handful of steamy bits, but nothing too blush-worthy. The stage is set for another romance, I believe, with perhaps the widowed Elsie finding love again.

Interested? You can find MORE THAN A FEELING on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, GooglePlay, Kobo, and BAM.

Interested in the book series?
NO BETTER MAN (Heart of the Rockies, #1)
When it comes to business, Avery King always comes out on top. So after a very public breakup, work is the perfect excuse to flee the Windy City for the gentle breezes of Aspen, Colorado. Her mission: acquire the land of a rundown mountain ranch. Avery expects an easy win . . . until she meets the rugged and irresistible rancher who won’t give up his property without a fight.

Bryce Walker is stunned by the stubborn beauty determined to get what she wants. But what she wants is his last connection to the life he used to have. Bryce has plans to return the ranch to its former glory and no way will he sell his family home. Yet the more time he spends with Avery, the more her sweet touch makes him forget his painful memories. Now Bryce must decide whether living in the past is worth losing his future…

Available here: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | GooglePlay | Kobo | BAM | Indiebound

SOMETHING LIKE LOVE (Heart of the Rockies, #2)
IT’S GONNA BE A WILD RIDE

Ben Noble needs to do some damage control. Fast. His heart has always been in ranching, but there’s no escaping the spotlight on his high-powered political family. Now the only thing that can restore his reputation is a getaway to the fresh air of Aspen, Colorado. Not to mention that the trip gives Ben a second chance to impress a certain gorgeous mountain guide. But Paige Harper is nothing like the shy girl he remembers . . . she’s so much more.

Paige is serious about Ben, too: seriously annoyed that the playboy cowboy is using her mountain for his PR. Once upon a time, she fell for Ben’s aw-shucks charm, but the fairy tale didn’t end happily. Paige doesn’t intend to let down her guard again. But keeping their relationship all business and no pleasure may be harder than she thinks-especially if the moonlight, the Rockies, and a certain irresistible rancher have anything to say about it…

Available here: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | GooglePlay | Kobo | BAM

Sara RichardsonAbout the Author:
Sara Richardson grew up chasing adventure in Colorado’s rugged mountains. She’s climbed to the top of a 14,000-foot peak at midnight, swam through Class IV rapids, completed her wilderness first-aid certification, and spent seven days at a time tromping through the wilderness with a thirty-pound backpack strapped to her shoulders.

Eventually, Sara did the responsible thing and got an education in writing and journalism. After five years in the corporate writing world, she stopped ignoring the voices in her head and started writing fiction. Now, she uses her experience as a mountain adventure guide to write stories that incorporate adventure with romance. Still indulging her adventurous spirit, Sara lives and plays in Colorado with her saint of a husband and two young sons. Her first contemporary romance, No Better Man, was released by Grand Central forever 2015.

Catch up with Sara online on her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
InkSlinger PR Blogger Banner - New