Reviews

Books I’ve read and reviewed

Yay! Out Today! THE MATCHMAKER’S PLAYBOOK–Review and Giveaway!

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Hi there! I’m so excited to share a release day review for a sassy New Adult romance from best-selling author Rachel Van Dyken. The first book in her new Wingman Inc. series, THE MATCHMAKER’S PLAYBOOK features a former NFL recruit and the hidden gem he discovers while trying to get her oblivious crush to open his eyes…

Catch the review, and excerpt, trailer and the giveaway below.

VanDyken-TheMatchmakersPlaybook-21818-CV-FT-v5About the book:
Wingman rule number one: don’t fall for a client.

After a career-ending accident, former NFL recruit Ian Hunter is back on campus—and he’s ready to get his new game on. As one of the masterminds behind Wingmen, Inc., a successful and secretive word-of-mouth dating service, he’s putting his extensive skills with women to work for the lovelorn. But when Blake Olson requests the services of Wingmen, Inc., Ian may have landed his most hopeless client yet.

From her frumpy athletic gear to her unfortunate choice of footwear, Blake is going to need a miracle if she wants to land her crush. At least with a professional matchmaker by her side she has a fighting chance. Ian knows that his advice and a makeover can turn Blake into another successful match. But as Blake begins the transformation from hot mess to smokin’ hot, Ian realizes he’s in danger of breaking his cardinal rule…

How about a little taste?

The Matchmakers Playbook Creed
1. Head held high.
2. Always smile.
3. Never slouch.
4. Wear clothes appropriate to the season.
5. Let him open the door.
6. No kissing on the first date.
7. He comes to you.
8. Lingering is frowned upon.
9. NO Facebook stalking.
10. NO STALKING stalking.
11. Don’t be too available.
12. Listen to Lex and Ian.
13. See Number 12.
14. No seriously, go back, re-read #12.
15. If after one week you aren’t satisfied, we will dissolve the contract.

“If you  hurt her, I’m going to break off your favorite appendage.”

“Silly Gabi.” I grinned. “Is that an invitation to touch?”

“Guarantee  if I ever do touch you, it will only end badly.”

“Tease.” I winked.

“Stop that.” She flicked me on the nose. “Your sexual prowess is dead to me. Dead!”

Rolling my eyes, I wrapped an arm around her and steered us both into the kitchen, where the smell of French bread and spaghetti filled the air. “Have I told you how much I miss our weekly dinners? Think we should do it daily? You know, so I don’t starve?”

Gabi shrugged out of my embrace. “Learn how to cook.”

I jutted out my lower lip. “It’s not for lack of knowledge.” I broke off a piece of warm bread, then poured myself a large glass of wine. “It’s because yours always tastes better.”

Gabi groaned loudly. “Damn, do the girls really fall for that? Still?”

“Eh.” I shrugged and made a so-so motion with my hand. “Nine out of ten.”

“You disgust me.”

“You say that every day.”

“Because it’s true every day.”

“When’s dinner ready?” Serena bounced into the room, literally, her head bobbing from left to right. Maybe that’s how girls like her built up more brain cells. They shook the air, and the pressure between their ears exploded, making tiny little brain-cell babies.

Gabi poked her head into the fridge. “When Lex gets here.”

“So it’s ready now?” she asked.

Never mind. No brain-cell babies. I fought the urge to point to the steaming spaghetti and bread sitting on the breakfast bar. Didn’t it look ready, kiddo?

“Technically,” I answered for Gabi. “But we aren’t eating”—I stressed the word “eating” even though I’d just taken some bread—“until my sidekick gets here.”

“Sidekick, huh?” Serena crossed her arms, forcing her boobs to kiss one another and nearly hit her in the chin.

“Oh, I thought you knew.” I gave her a sad face. “I’m the hero in this scenario . . . Even own my own cape. He’s basically the Robin to my Batman.”

“Batman’s hot.”

“So is Robin,” Gabi said defensively.

Whoa. Did she just defend Lex? I felt her forehead. She pushed my hand away and handed me some parmesan cheese.

The door flew open, and Lex stepped through, holding up two bottles of Cab. “Sorry, traffic was shit.”

“Language,” Gabi called.

Lex and I shared a look before Lex stomped over to the swear jar and tossed in a dollar bill.

My Review:
Ian Hunter is a class A womianizing jackass who’s decided his prowess with the ladies is best cultivated into a Love Coach business. Together with his best friend Lex, Ian is the “superman” of getting shlumpy co-eds the man-boys of their dreams. And, then he goes off to find some tail on his own. Lex is no better, they both screw first, take names later–but only with the “dumb girls” who are only in it for a one-nighter.

The girls who seek out Wingmen Inc’s pricey services are highly vetted, as are their conquests. Ian, All-American bad boy, gives them style tips and dating rules. He uses his own reputation and persona to goad the unsuspecting males into jealousy-induced courting, and the girls are mostly (99%) satisfied.

It’s all going great until Ian’s newest client is one he doesn’t want to let go to her Prince Charming. Blake is the roommate of his best gal-pal, Gabi. She’s fit and fun, but is a tomboy in love with her childhood bestie, David. David sees Blake as a boy, mostly, and Ian’s charmed by her sassiness and girl-next-door looks. Ian never pursues his clients, but he’s never met a girl like Blake, and he senses the same isolation and loneliness in her that he, as an orphan, struggles with daily. the more time he spends coaching Blake through the steps, the more he wants Blake to decide David isn’t the man for her.

This is a romance, and Ian is an antihero. He’s meant to come off as brash and ridiculous, to a degree, and boy does he nail that. His commentary, both internal and in dialogue, is so wholly sexist it’s almost intolerable. For the first half of the book I wished Gabi would bite the bullet and actually smother Ian with a pillow while he slept, as she repeatedly threatened. I can’t say that I warmed to him in the second half, but I could see that he made changes in his own behavior that signaled both maturity and self-sacrifice–absolutely new concepts for him where women were concerned. He’s slightly sympathetic, on account of having been an orphan a long time, and also his NFL career-ending injury–before his career even began. I did like how he loved Blake, and how he made her well-being his focus, even against his desires and interests. It’s Ian who tells the story, and the one readers need to bond with, and I was able to enjoy the book almost despite him.

It’s clear that the next book will be a battle of wills for Lex and Gabi, both have a hate-hate experience going on. It sounds intriguing.

Catch the book trailer here:

Interested? You can find THE MATCHMAKER’S PLAYBOOK on Goodreads and Amazon (US, UK, CA and AU).

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win your very own Boyfriend-in-a-Box, courtesy of Wingmen Inc. You’re welcome.
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

rachelborderAbout the Author:
Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.
She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!
Want to be kept up to date on new releases? Text MAFIA to 66866!

You can connect with Rachel on her website, Facebook, Goodreads, Amazon, twitter or sign up for her newsletter.

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Friends-to-Lovers: CATCH A TIGER BY THE TAIL–A Review

Hi there! As you may remember, I’m a big fan of Charlie Cohect’s THIRDS series. Shifters, M/M romance, contemporary alternate world, police romance, interspecies dating…those are all hooks to catch me, I swear. For people who haven’t jumped in a read the whole series, CATCH A TIGER BY THE TAIL is a book you can still enjoy, mostly on its own. Want more info on the previous books?  Click THIRDS, RACK & RUIN, RISE AND FALL, and AGAINST THE GRAIN.

Catch a Tiger by the Tail (THIRDS, #6)About the book:
Calvin Summers and Ethan Hobbs have been best friends since childhood, but somewhere along the line, their friendship evolved into something more. With the Therian Youth Center bombing, Calvin realizes just how short life can be and no longer keeps his feelings for his best friend a secret. Unfortunately, change is difficult for Ethan; most days he does well to deal with his Selective Mutism and Social Anxiety. Calvin’s confession adds a new struggle for Ethan, one he fears might cost him the friendship that’s been his whole world for as long as he can remember.

As partners and Defense Agents at the THIRDS, being on Destructive Delta is tough at the best of times, but between call-outs and life-threatening situations, Calvin and Ethan not only face traversing the challenges of their job, but also working toward a future as more than friends.

My Review:
This book is set in the THIRDS world which is contemporary America with a twist; fifty years ago there was a virus that caused some of the population to evolve into animal shifters. These people are called Therians, and after much civil unrest there is some level of peace between Humans and Therians. THIRDS is the Human/Therian defense organization that keeps the peace and apprehends rogue Therians, as they are very strong, and THIRDS squadrons are made up of equal numbers of humans and Therians.

Calvin and Hobbs are two twenty-fiveish best friends who are also in love with one another. Ethan Hobbs is a large tiger Therian who has Selective Mutism and crippling social anxiety. He is the youngest of three sons, and his father suffers a Therian-virus-related pain disorder. Watching his father suffer seemed to trigger Ethan’s mutism. Some of his own family haven’t heard his voice aloud in twenty years…

Calvin is human, and one of the only people that Ethan is able to regularly speak with, and even then only in close company, and still–only sometimes. They are partners in THIRDS and live together. Calvin has always loved Ethan, as a best friend, and later as a lover, but never told Ethan until recently–when Ethan was critically injured on a mission. It’s been several months, and Ethan’s not sure what to do. He returns Calvin’s feelings, but he struggles to convey his love, being hampered by both his mutism and his anxiety. It was so poignant to be in Ethan’s head, feeling his exasperation with himself, and wishing he could be a better (loving) partner to Cal. His eyes are opened in a new way while they sort things out–Ethan gets the full scope of the suffering Cal has endured by remaining his steadfast friend–some of which was intense bullying by humans at their low-income, low-quality high school.

Cal is a great guy, and partner, to Ethan, and makes his needs and wants, as normal and small as they may seem, known. It is Ethan who commits himself to bridging the gap. Working tirelessly, Ethan begins to expand his group of people with whom he can speak. It was so rewarding for him, and the reader, to observe these progressions. I think this book will certainly appeal to readers who have special needs persons in their lives, as the communication issues Ethan has mirror, to a degree, those present in many kids and adults on the autism spectrum. I loved having such a window into Ethan’s condition.

The setting of working with THIRDS is interesting always on account of the police aspect. There danger is ever-present, and there is bloodshed in this book. People very close to both Ethan and Hobbs get injured and bad guys must be found. Also, loving must (and does!!) happen. While a new reader to the series may not know the full backstory on every character, there is certainly enough in this book to portray Calving and Ethan’s love story and to pique interest for further reading. I’m looking forward to the next one!

Interested? You can find CATCH A TIGER BY THE TAIL on Goodreads, Dreamspinner Press (eBook or paperback), All Romance eBooks, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

BDPB About the Author

Charlie_Cochet_by_madison_parker150Charlie Cochet is an author by day and artist by night. Always quick to succumb to the whispers of her wayward muse, no star is out of reach when following her passion. From adventurous agents and sexy shifters, to society gentlemen and hardboiled detectives, there’s bound to be plenty of mischief for her heroes to find themselves in, and plenty of romance, too!

Currently residing in Central Florida, Charlie is at the beck and call of a rascally Doxiepoo bent on world domination. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading, drawing, or watching movies. She runs on coffee, thrives on music, and loves to hear from readers.

Website | Facebook | Facebook Author Page | Twitter | Pinterest | Tumblr | Instagram | Charlie’s Newsletter

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

Falling for a COCKY BASTARD–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a first-and-second chance romance from authors Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward. COCKY BASTARD is a fun and flirty story about a gal who needs to start over and the guy who breaks her heart. And then puts is back together again.

Cocky BastardAbout the book:
He was someone who belonged in my wildest fantasies instead of a rest stop in the middle of Nebraska.

A sexy, cocky, Australian named Chance was the last person I expected to run into on my cross-country drive.

When my car broke down, we made a deal. Next thing I knew, we were traveling together, spending sexually-tense nights in hotels and taking unplanned detours. My ordinary road trip turned into the adventure of a lifetime. It was all fun and games until things got intense.

I wanted him, but Chance wouldn’t make a move. I thought he wanted me too, but something was holding him back. I wasn’t supposed to fall for the cocky bastard, especially when I knew we’d be going our separate ways.

All good things must come to an end, right?

Except our ending was one I didn’t see coming.

My Review:

Aubrey is an attorney on a cross-country drive from Chicago to Temecula, California to take a new position far from her cheating ex, Harrison, a partner in the firm she just left. She’s pretty much hating on men when she comes across CB, Chance Bateman, a sexy biker boy who teases her at a rest stop. They meet up later when Chance’s bike fails and Aubrey needs a tire change. He agrees to fix her problem, if she’ll fix his:  take him to LA. He sweet-talks her into it, and then proceeds to blow up Harrison’s attempt at reconciliation by answering one of his ten-zillion phone calls that Aubrey keeps sending to voice mail.

Over the course of eight days–because Chance also talks Aubrey into checking out the Grand Canyon and Vegas, they develop a strong friendly bond, and bizarrely adopt a blind goat kid, but don’t get anywhere romantically despite their combustible chemistry. Well, excepting their final night together. Which is everything Aubrey hoped for. Morning after? Not so much.

Fast forward two years. Chance had a debt to settle and it’s now over. Can he win Aubrey back? Will she even let him back in the door now that she’s finally gotten past her heartbreak?

The book is split into halves, first told by Aubrey second told by Chance. This allows us to access both character’s heartbreak and determination to find love again–even with each other. I loved how Aubrey let herself go with Chance, who is as outlandish a man as she’s ever met. He’s not afraid to work hard, and has overcome many a disappointment in his personal and professional life, so going after Aubrey a second time gets his undivided and creative attention. He’s endearingly arrogant, always focused on how to please Aubrey even when she wants nothing to do with him.

Aubrey isn’t a heartless harpy. She’s had two years of suffering, wishing, and waiting for Chance to simply contact her. To explain what happened in Vegas. He never did in all that time. So why should she let him now? After some good relationships and therapy, she’s finally feeling secure enough to get serious, and has been dating a man for seven months. She isn’t the type to simply walk out, even if Chance is literally knocking on her door and reclaiming the love of their blind goat-child. Unwilling to trust him with her heart, Aubrey allows him to work back into friendship, and that leads to more, to some degree. Chance is both determined and despondent, by turns, especially as he learns Aubrey has a time limit in her Temecula life–a new job prospect might take her cross-country yet again.

It’s a very sweet book, with lots of fun, flirtatious bits. There’s just a little bit of steam, and part of that includes a hot shower. I liked how resilient these two people are. They have had such difficulty finding a love that lasts, and it’s not realistic to trust a person who has abandoned you, for sure, so I didn’t begrudge Aubrey some time to really examine Chance and his intentions. The end is sweet an HEA as a reader could hope for.

Interested? You can find COCKY BASTARD on Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

About the Authors:

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Penelope lives for reading books in the new adult/contemporary romance genre, coffee and hanging out with her friends and family on weekends. She is the proud mother of a beautiful 11-year-old girl with autism (the inspiration for the character Callie in Gemini) and a 9-year-old boy, both of whom are the lights of her life. Penelope, her husband and kids reside in Rhode Island. She is the author of RoomHate, which hit #2 on the New York Times Bestseller list and #1 on the Wall Street Journal Bestseller list. Her novel, Stepbrother Dearest, also spent four consecutive weeks on the New York Times Bestseller list. Other works include the New York Times bestseller Cocky Bastard (co-written with Vi Keeland), Sins of Sevin, My Skylar, Jake Undone, Jake Understood and Gemini.

You can find Penelope on Facebook, her website, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads and her Private Fan Group.

Vi Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free time, which she complains about often, but wouldn’t change for the world. She is an attorney and a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, & USA Today Bestselling author. Over the last three years, ten of her titles have appeared on the USA Today Bestseller lists and three on the New York Times Bestseller lists.

You can find Vi on her website,  Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads and Pinterest.

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

Figuring Life Out on THE ROAD TO AMAZING–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a new book in the Futon Years contemporary M/M romance series from Brent Hartinger. THE ROAD TO AMAZING is a fantastic book, and I think it can even be enjoyed with out reading the two previous books in the series, THE THING I DIDN’T KNOW I DIDN’T KNOW and BAREFOOT IN THE CITY OF BROKEN DREAMS. That said, I know I enjoyed it most because I have read those two books. Russel Middlebrook and Kevin Land are getting MARRIED!

The Road to AmazingAbout the book:
“I think gay guys like weddings more than anyone. And it’s not because we want to destroy marriage, like some people say. It’s because we really, really want to get married!”

Russel Middlebrook is gettin’ hitched!

The wedding is taking place in a remote lodge on an island in Puget Sound. Russel and his husband-to-be have invited all their close friends to spend the whole weekend together beforehand.

And for the first time in his life, Russel is determined to not be neurotic, and not over-think things.

But that’s before things start going wrong. Who expected a dead killer whale to wash up on the beach below the inn? And what’s this about a windstorm approaching? Then there’s the problem of Russel’s anxious fiancé, who is increasingly convinced the whole thing is going to be a disaster.

Meanwhile, the wedding is taking place near the ruins of a small town, Amazing, where, a hundred years earlier, the people supposedly all disappeared overnight. Why does it feel like the secret at the end of the road to Amazing has something to do with Russel’s own future?

Can Russel’s friends Min, Gunnar, Vernie, and Otto somehow help him make it all make sense?

The Road to Amazing, the final book in the Russel Middlebrook Futon Years trilogy, is a story about endings and beginnings, and also about growing up and growing older. But mostly it’s a story about love and friendship—about how it’s not the destination that makes a life amazing, but the people you meet along the way.

My Review:

Sometimes a book just sucks me in so hard that I almost cannot break away to do anything functional, like eat, or use the toilet. This book was close to that status. Russel Middlebrook’s voice is one that can take adjusting to, mostly because he’s a plain talker. He’ll speak his truth all day long, even if that truth is unreliable. And neurotic. I think I have a tiny crush on him.

Okay, enough of the fangirling. Russel and Kevin have known each other since middle school. Their on-again-off-again relationship has been documented in several books but they’ve been full-on for the past few years and are engaged to be married, and this book is all about the wedding weekend, and the zany bits that go totally wrong.

They rent a beautiful house, the Amazing Inn, on Vashon Island, Washington, and invite their closest friends: Min, Gunnar, Otto, Vernie and Nate, plus Min’s girlfriend, to arrive on Friday evening and stay for the whole weekend until the wedding ceremony on Sunday afternoon.

Kevin and Russel have been living in LA for the past couple of years and they really miss their good friends who still all live in Seattle, for the most part. This weekend is all about reconnecting, but soon it becomes calamitous. Like the forecasted storm that’s going to shove the ceremony from the epic deck overlooking the Puget Sound into the living area, or the dead orca that seems to take over the beach with its rotting stink, among other issues that nearly cause cool-headed Kevin to flip his wig.

See, Kevin has always been the grounding force in their relationship. Russel tends to get locked into his head, imagining a million worst-case scenarios, and this book flips that script. Kevin agonizes over each misadventure while Russel becomes the problem solver. And Gunnar. That certified genius expands his out-of-the-box strategy to save the day, literally, time and time again.

I felt like I was on a sun-dappled raft floating along a warm vista-filled river while reading this book. I was so engaged with Russel, and his determination to be positive and productive. His connection to all his friends, Min, Gunnar, Vernie and Otto particularly, was really special. He was in the zone, speaking to them from his heart, and learning about them and himself in the same moment. That’s the cool thing about deep friendship, being able to reveal your insecurities and know that you’ll be taken seriously. Russel had several “movie moments,” as Vernie calls them, of connection in the course of the weekend. Except, not with Kevin.

Kevin is determined to make the right show of his wedding, to prove that he’s serious about Russel, and his adult life, to all they’ve invited to assemble. Let’s remember that both Kevin and Russel are 25 years old. This is their first super-serious relationship, and they both have a sense of needing to prove themselves. Each issue that erupts to derail Kevin’s perfect wedding plans seems to also erode Kevin’s confidence and makes him a bit prickly. Russel does his best to assuage these concerns, but he’s still figuring life out, too. And his missteps make for delicious make-ups. Public (secluded) sex, anyone?

I’ll be honest, when I read the blurb for this book–after reading the actual book–I felt wistful and melancholy. I’m not ready to be done with Russel and Kevin. The Futon Years may be over, but I’m crossing my fingers for a Pacifier Years series where Russel has an unforeseen and equally dramatic change of heart and perhaps agrees to adopt some shrill and stinky youngins he cares for with his wide and deep love. A girl can dream.

Interested? You can find THE ROAD TO AMAZING on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.

About Brent Hartinger:
I am Brent Hartinger, and I live to write.

For the last twenty years, I have made my living writing just about everything that involves words.

My most famous book is probably my 2003 gay teen novel, Geography Club, which has been adapted into a feature film starring Scott Bakula, Marin Hinkle, Ana Gasteyer, Justin Deeley, and Nikki Blonsky. It was released in selected theaters and on VOD on November 15, 2013.

You can find Brent on his website, Facebook and Twitter.

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

Deceptions Abound in SMOKE AND FIRE–Review, Egg Hunt and Giveaway!

Smoke And Fire Blog Tour bannerHi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a newly released book from paranormal romance sensation Donna Grant. SMOKE AND FIRE is the ninth book of her Dark Kings series all featuring contemporary romances for millennia-old dragon shifters. This new book is a second-chance romance for Ryder, the tech-savvy Dragon King, and the girl he loved and left three years before: Kinsey. It’s a fast-paced story that encompasses a huge world from which I’ve only gotten a taste.

To celebrate the release of SMOKE AND FIRE and the season of Spring, there is also a DRAGON EGG HUNT going on throughout the tour! Exciting, right? Certain stops throughout the tour will have something special to share with you which will provide you with an extra entry for the giveaway. Just like a traditional egg hunt, you’re going to have to search for these items/information!! Find out more information about the Dragon Egg Hunt at the bottom of the post!

Smoke and Fire (Dark Kings #9)About the book:
She wanted to touch him. There had always been something about being in his arms that made her feel as if she could tackle anything and the world wouldn’t dare get in her way…

SWORN TO PROTECT
A dragon shapeshifter and a computer mastermind, Ryder is sent to guard Glasgow after a devastating Dark attack. But when memories of an explosive affair come back to him-in the flesh-Ryder cannot help but want to protect the woman who haunts his dreams. Even if means shifting into the dragon he was never supposed to reveal…

DRIVEN TO DESIRE
Kinsey could never get enough of Ryder. His every touch only left her wanting more. But now that she’s seen him in his true form, Kinsey’s world is rocked to the core. She knows that to stay-and feel-alive, she must be with Ryder. But is Kinsey’s passion worth the risk of danger that comes with being a part of Ryder’s dark and fierce world?

How about a taste?

Kinsey felt as if she’d been run over by a train. Her heart began to knock against her ribs. There was a rushing in her ears, and she was sure her knees were going to buckle at any second.

How was it even possible that she was staring into Ryder’s hazel eyes that were a beautiful mixture of green and gold? His blond hair was cropped short on the sides with a little more length on the top. It didn’t matter if his hair was long as it used to be or short, he still took her breath away.

Was it his chiseled jaw or penetrating gaze? It could be his mouth and the wonderful things those lips could do to her. She knew there was a possibility it was his body, honed to perfection without an ounce of fat anywhere.

But he wasn’t human.

She needed to remember that.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded.

For a moment, he didn’t move as he looked at her. Then he sat back in his chair and swept his hand from one side of the room to the other. “This is my domain.”
She was damn good at her job, but Ryder exceeded her talent by miles and miles. “You asked for me specifically. Why? Because you had to talk? You could’ve just called instead of going to such lengths.”

“I didna send for you.”

There were few times in her life where Kinsey experienced full-on, please-let-the-floor-open-up-and-swallow-me embarrassment. Today, right at that moment, was the worst she’d ever suffered to a degree that nothing would ever compare.
She wanted to shrink away and disappear, to stop looking into his hazel eyes and trying to figure out what was going on. What did Ryder mean he didn’t send for her? Someone had. She didn’t just show up on a whim.

The room began to tilt. Kinsey blinked rapidly. She wouldn’t faint. She’d never fainted in her life, and she certainly wasn’t going to do it in front of Ryder. Hadn’t she experienced her embarrassment quota for the next forty years?

Beside her, Tristan cleared his throat. “Kinsey, I think there might’ve been a wee bit of a mistake.”

“There’s not,” she said and glanced over her shoulder into Tristan’s dark gaze. “And I can prove it.”

My Review:
When I signed on to read this book I didn’t know it was NINTH in a series. I must say that this book is best enjoyed when read in order. For those who are new to it, it’s still a fast-paced adventure, but the myriad characters, of good, evil, and undecided factions, are a lot to absorb.

The heart of this book is the love story that develops when Ryder, one of the Dragon Kings who inhabit Dreagan mountain (and whisky distillery) reunites with his lost love, an accomplished hacker named Kinsey. Ryder and Kinsey met four years prior and shared a deep love for a year. Then, Ryder disappeared without a trace. And brokenhearted Kinsey searched high and low for him.

In the three years since she’s had only one contact with Ryder, seeing him descend out of a flying dive as a dragon, who morphed into his human form to save her from death at the hands of a Dark Fae. Kinsey was rattled to say the very least. Sent by her company, Kyvor, to Dreagan’s offices, she’s stunned to meet Ryder face-to-face. No one can explain why she’s on the property, and a bogus work order only sends Kinsey and Ryder deep into the inner communications of Kyvor’s elite agents. As the time passes, Kinsey’s struck by her attraction to Ryder, and Ryder’s eager to spend any time he can with Kinsey–even if it means snuggling in beside her as she sleeps, because she ain’t leaving now that she’s breached their inner web of security.

Alongside of this are the continuing plot threads of the series–the looming war with Ulrik, a deposed Dragon King, battles with the Dark Fae, and that pesky Human problem. Just when it seemed as if all would work out, we had another curve ball hefted right at our reconnected lovebirds. This one was nearly fatal, but crisis-averted due to cooler heads at work. Thank goodness, because Ryder would have been devastated to have harmed Kinsey and later determined she was an innocent. There’s a little bit of lovin’ going on, but not much considering the length of the book.

Also, this book is being released in four parts. It’s probably intriguing for fans of the series, but fresh readers are going to want the full-book upfront as the early parts have too many people and too little substance tying them together to keep the narrative compelling. I found that I really didn’t get engaged until the end of the second part, nearly halfway through the book. That’s my own fault for not having read the previous eight books, so I stuck with it to the end and really liked it.

Interested? You can find SMOKE AND FIRE on Goodreads, Amazon (paperback or ebook), Audible, Barnes & Noble (paperback or ebook), Books A Million, iBooks, Kobo, IndieBound, and Tantor.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win prizes in the big giveaway including: a print copy of SMOLDERING HUNGER, a print copy of PASSIONS IGNITES, an ebook copy of DRAGON KING (Dark Kings novella), an ebook copy – Winner’s choice of any book in the Dark Kings series, or a Dreagan tote bag with 4 buttons from the Dark Kings and Reaper series! Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY and is for the duration of the event.
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

Mentioned earlier in the post was a DRAGON EGG HUNT going on throughout the tour. There are 9 “Dragon Eggs” (i.e. Blog Tour Stops) throughout the blog tour. Each representing one of the books in the series! The fun part is that, like a regular egg hunt, you’ll have to find these special stops and then FIND the “Dragon Egg”. The “Dragon Egg” is actually information within the site. Yup, site. 😉 You’ll have to visit each tour host, each day to see if they have a Dragon Egg for you to find. The Rafflecopter widget will provide you with the hint. The hint will be a questions or it will ask you for specific information. The DRAGON EGG HUNT is a fun and interactive activity that will provide you, the reader with some insightful information about the series!

donna_grant_newAbout the Author:
Donna Grant is the New York Timesand USA Today bestselling author of the sizzling Dark King series featuring dragons, immortal Highlanders, and the Fae.
She was born and raised in Texas but loves to travel. Her adventures have taken her throughout the United States as well as to Jamaica, Mexico, and Scotland. Growing up on the Texas/Louisiana border, Donna’s Cajun side of the family taught her the “spicy” side of life while her Texas roots gave her two-steppin’ and bareback riding.
Despite deadlines and voracious reading, Donna still manages to keep up with her two children, four cats, and one long haired Chihuahua.

You can find Donna online on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, Tumblr, Audible, and Tantor.

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Will & Patrick MEET THE MOB–Review & Giveaway!

Will & Patrick Meet the Mob BannerHi there! I’m so excited to share a review for the fifth book in the Will and Patrick series by Leta Blake and Alice Griffiths. MEET THE MOB is yet another big step for these two men who married while drunk in Vegas and are now, semi-reluctantly, building a life together. You’ll need to read the previous episodes, (WAKE UP MARRIED, MEET THE FAMILY, DO THE HOLIDAYS, and FIGHT THEIR FEELINGS) first, for this one to make any sense, however. It’s certainly worth your time; I’ve enjoyed them all!

Catch the excerpt, my review and enter to win a copy of any of the Wil and Patrick episodes below.

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000038_00075]About the book:

Patrick has finally accepted that he’s in love with Will, but his newfound determination to do something about that runs up against his father-in-law’s mobster plans. Though just what those plans are have as yet to be determined. As far as Will and Patrick can tell, they consist of blowing through town, wreaking small havoc, and turning the Patterson family’s lives on end.

Will must face the truth about his family before he can fully come to terms with his feelings for Patrick. And Patrick has to decide if this whackadoodle world is something he truly wants to be part of forever.

Episode 5 of 6 in the Wake Up Married serial.

How about a yummy taste?

The next morning, Will’s romantic musings feel like the product of overwrought exhaustion when Patrick wakes up cranky as a cat dunked in water.

“Turn off the alarm,” he snarls. “Make it stop.” Then, sitting up and glaring at Will like he’s going to kill him with the power of his mind, he demands, “Did you test yet? Did you eat? What’s your BG number?”

Will’s not even out of bed. Only fifteen seconds ago he’d had one hundred and seventy pounds of Patrick spread out on top of him. Of course he hasn’t tested yet. “I just woke up.”

“Don’t make me test you myself.” Patrick flings back the covers and stalks to the bathroom in his underwear. Will rolls his eyes but grabs his kit and quickly tests. Over the sound of piss hitting water, Patrick calls out, “Well? What’s the number?”

“Ninety-eight. Calm your tits.”

Patrick comes out, arms crossed over his chest and his hair sticking up everywhere. “Calm my tits? Calm your tits.”

Will indicates his nipples. “What? Check ’em out. Not even a little bit pointy.”

Patrick narrows his gaze but a reluctant smirk tweaks up the corner of his mouth.

“Let me guess.” Will laughs. “You know how to change that.” The knot of worry loosens in his chest. “Maybe later. I have to eat first.”

While they wait for room service, they shower and shave, and Will endures Patrick making a solid pitch for him to consider a Continuous Glucose Monitoring System.

“I’ll ask Dr. Anastasia about it,” Will compromises.

“And a pump.”

“Don’t push your luck.”

They throw on robes to greet Perry and his cart of warm, delicious-smelling goodies. Conversation is cut dead at that point as Patrick devours his bacon, muffins, doughnuts, and strawberries with fresh cream. Will’s healthier breakfast of cottage cheese, whole-wheat toast, and a small slice of quiche Lorraine isn’t nearly as exciting, but he doesn’t know how Patrick stays so slim eating like he does. If he tried it, he’d be the size of a house.

Once they finish breakfast, Will broaches the topic. “We’re going to need to talk about my dad eventually.”

“What happened to pretending he’s dead?”

“Unfortunately, he’s not.”

“Point.”

“And he’s staying in this building, so we’re bound to run into him sooner rather than later.”

“Better point.”

Will lets a wry grin spread on his lips. “But I’m not going to just sit back and let him run the show this time. I need find out why he’s in town and then get him to leave again. As soon as possible.” He stands up and brings the chess set over to the table, clearing away their plates. “If we can play ahead of his game, we can at least capture his queen. And then maybe even his king. Especially since he won’t be expecting us to be playing at all.”

“If by queen you’re referring to Kimberly, I don’t know about that. She’s a slippery one.”

“You think Tony’s back because of my mother?”

“Historically, her milkshake has brought him to the yard.”

Will sighs as he sets up the board. “She’s only been dating Jason a few weeks. Tony usually waits for her to get serious before he drops in to ruin her chance at happiness.”

“Maybe Jason proposed.”

“That’d be on The Hurting Times forums ten minutes after it happened. Have you seen it there?”

“Nope.”

“And Caitlin would have called threatening to jump off a bridge or shave her head or something drastic in protest.”

“So he hasn’t put a ring on it yet.”

Will moves his pawn forward. “It’s still a starting place.”

Patrick shoves one of his pawns out to an empty square. “Before surgery, I have to know what I’m dealing with. I can’t just cut into someone’s noggin without knowing if I’m going in to repair damage or to cut out a tumor. Same here. We need more information. What’s your dad’s sign?”

Will’s lips flatten. “Seriously?”

Patrick lifts his brows.

“Sagittarius.”

“I knew it!” Patrick shakes his head. “Never trust a Sagittarius.”

Will sighs and ignores this. “Even though the award ceremony isn’t until March, word is getting around now that I won the Healing Hero Award. I hope to God he’s not planning to stick around for that.”

“A congratulatory phone call from Mobster Daddy would have sufficed.”

Will moves a pawn in front of the right bishop. “You’ve been slapped with that stupid malpractice suit. That might have raised his hackles too, if he’s not sure of your intentions toward me.”

“I have zero honorable intentions toward you. So, he’d be onto something there.”

Will snorts. “You made an honest man of me.”

“For now.”

“Yeah.” Will smiles softly as gentle warmth blooms in his chest. “For now.” He bites his lip. “Do you think sex will be even dirtier once we’re divorced?”

Patrick looks up from contemplating the chessboard. “Are you planning on sleeping with me after we’re divorced?”

Will’s ears burn. “Would we have to stop?”

Patrick swallows, his blue eyes shading darker. “Not unless we want to stop.”

Heat zings in the air between them. Will clears his throat. “That’s a long time from now. Who knows when we’ll even have to think about it? You’ll probably be tired of sleeping with me by the time a loophole opens up for us.”

“I’ll never get tired of fucking you.”

Patrick sounds so certain that Will’s dick stirs and he has to look away, focusing his attention back on the chessboard. He’s not sure whose move it is now. “Anyway, there are plenty of reasons for Tony to make the trip from Minneapolis. I’m surprised I didn’t see it coming.”

Ah, Patrick. Always with the sweet talk!

My Review:
This is the fifth book in the Will & Patrick Wake Up Married series and needs to be read in order.

When last we left Will & Patrick they were still determined to get a divorce but separately acknowledged they each had real feelings developing for their spouse. Patrick was especially vulnerable, finally divulging his troubled childhood to Will, and finding Will to be sympathetic and supportive instead of disgusted.

In this episode, Patrick gets a crash course in mob mentality when Will’s father, noted mafioso Tony Molinaro arrives in Healing SD. I absolutely love how Patrick and Will stand on their own two feet in this episode. And Mob Daddy’s definitely pleased in the way that his son, Will, has grown. Tony never liked Will’s ex-boyfriend, Ryan, and he sees the strength and independence that Will now exhibits as something engendered with Patrick’s influence.

Will finally has the heart-to-hearts he’s needed, perhaps for years, with his mom and dad. Their family dynamics are so messed up, and Will’s issues are likely completely related to this dysfunction.

Patrick has his hands full managing his worries regarding a frivolous lawsuit, the indecent proposals he’s facing from Papa Tony, and Will’s medical issues. And, figuring out how to tell Will that he actually loves him. I really respected Patrick’s resistance to being boxed up in the “on the [Autism] spectrum” excuse for his aloof behavior, and the assumed deficiency in his emotional ability as a result. He’s honest, for the first time, with his feelings and wants desperately to own them, but can’t find a way to communicate. His vulnerability is so poignant. Will accepts Patrick at face value, but wishes for more. He’s not willing to imagine his life without Patrick in it, even after their divorce. If that DOES come to pass.

We shall see…I’m totally needing the final episode in this series. #Yesterday.

Expect good-tempered mafia men who play crap practical jokes, Will and Patrick to continue the kink, and some home truths that needed saying long, long ago. Also, love.

Interested? You can find Will and Patrick MEET THE MOB on Goodreads and Amazon.

****GIVEAWAY****

Clink on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win any of the Will and Patrick episodes. (Two winners!)
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the Authors:
Leta Blake
Author of the bestselling book Smoky Mountain Dreams and the fan favorite Training Season, Leta Blake’s educational and professional background is in psychology and finance, respectively. However, her passion has always been for writing. She enjoys crafting romance stories and exploring the psyches of made up people. At home in the Southern U.S., Leta works hard at achieving balance between her day job, her writing, and her family.

You can find out more on her website, Facebook and twitter.

Alice Griffiths
A long-time reader of romance novels, Alice Griffiths finally took the plunge into writing, teaming up with best-selling author Leta Blake for the ‘Woke up Married’ serialized comedy. A lover of tropes, Alice enjoys mining old ideas and putting a fresh, funny spin on them. Formerly working in the newspaper industry, Alice is now an art curator. She lives in Sydney, Australia.

You can find out more about her by following her on Twitter and Facebook.

Running Through the Memories–IN HER EYES–Review and Giveaway

In Her Eyes Blog Tour BannerHi there! Today I’m so excited to share a review for a contemporary New Adult sports romance from Wesley banks. IN HER EYES is a look into two worlds–young parenthood and elite track & field. I really enjoyed it.

Catch the excerpt, my review and enter to win a book and $20 gc below.

inhereyes-kind-final-1600x2560About the book:
When Ben Wilder is given a second chance he focuses on the one thing he’s always been good at: running. After walking on to the University of Florida Track and Field team he begins to quickly move up the national rankings, paving a path towards the NCAA Championships. Everything is going the way he planned, until the day he bumps into Casey Taylor.

New to Gainesville, and focused on her first year out of medical school, Casey is initially hesitant to let Ben into her life. But the truth is she’s worried about letting a guy near the one thing she loves most: her daughter, Emma. After one fun and fateful night Casey can no longer bury her feelings behind these excuses, and takes a chance on a guy she is slowly falling for.

Casey’s relationship with Ben starts to gradually build into a love that she has never felt before. But more importantly, Emma has taken a particular liking to Ben. As they all spend more time together Ben is forced to confront painful memories when he starts to notice something hauntingly familiar in Emma’s eyes.

After a local journalist uncovers the secret of Ben’s past their lives begin to converge on a single promise that Ben Wilder has long since made: to never give up…no matter what.

How about a little taste?

Ben took a seat in one of the blue leather chairs across from his desk. To Ben’s right was a brunette lady sitting against the adjacent wall, wearing a black pantsuit with a white blouse, and clutching a leather bound notebook.

“You wanted to see me, Coach?” Ben said, ignoring the woman in the room for the moment.

Coach didn’t say anything at first, he just leaned back in his chair and folded his hands in his lap. He looked annoyed about something.

“Ben, this is Claire Stewart,” Coach said. He didn’t motion at the woman, or even look at her. He just stared straight ahead at Ben.

Ben looked over at Ms. Stewart. She looked middle aged, maybe late thirties. Her hair was pulled up in a ponytail with long bangs cropping her face, and a pair of glasses tucked into her blouse. Ben was unsure if he should cordially introduce himself or half pretend she wasn’t even in the room like Coach. The woman flashed a quick closed lip smile, and he chose to do the same.

“Miss Stewart here is a journalist for the local ABC affiliate.” Coach paused again, seemingly forcing his sentences out through gritted teeth. “She plans to run a story in the near future.”

Ben tried to remain expressionless as his hands clamped tightly around his legs, as if he were bracing for impact. It hadn’t been abnormal for reporters to request interviews, but Coach was making this particular one seem like a big deal.

“She is here out of the kindness of her cold, black heart to let us know in advance,” Coach seethed.

It would be an understatement to say Coach definitely did not like this woman, or the reason she was here.

The woman who had been sitting silently in the corner of the room began to speak: “Ben.” Her voice didn’t seem hurtful or mean. In fact it was soft and slow and poured out like a stream of cool water. “I want to tell your story.”

Ben looked over at the woman’s dark brown eyes but didn’t respond.

She continued. “I want to tell the story of the young man who returns to running to shatter several collegiate records, after overcoming the tragic loss of his daughter and wife…”

The woman kept on talking about something, possibly even asking Ben questions. Ben still stared in the woman’s direction, but he didn’t see her. He didn’t hear her. All he heard was Grace’s voice. All he saw was her aquamarine eyes.

My Review:
This is a tender, innocent and mostly-sweet sports romance between an elite college distance runner and a first-year medical resident.

Ben is a 24 y/o walk-on to the track team at U of Florida. He’d had dozens of scholarship offers when he was in high school but forewent all of those to marry his high school sweetheart and be a father to their only daughter. Tragedy has struck Ben’s short life–he has no family remaining, excepting his adoptive parents. Trying to rebuild after the loss of his wife and Grace, he contacts the track coach at Florida and becomes the oldest Gator on the team.

In the run-up to the end of season, he meets Casey, immediately drawn to her as he had been to his wife many years before. Casey’s afraid to let any man close to her and her young daughter, though. It’s a bit push-pull, but Ben overwhelms Casey with kindness and sincerity. I really enjoyed the sports-part of this romance. Ben is a dedicated athlete and takes care to do his best, fulfilling the promise he made to Grace not long before she died. There are many references to legendary distance runner Steve Prefontaine, and it’s clear from the start that Ben is in a whole different class of runner–ranked second in the country in his event.

The romance is sweet and tender, with Ben being an excellent partner to Casey and her little Emma. I liked that we had solid working people in the book. I liked how Casey worked to find balance to be a parent, doctor, and girlfriend–that was described very well and realistically. The book is a sentimental read, made especially so because it soon becomes clear that Ben is struggling with some medical issues that may, or may not, be related to some of the tragedy he’s endured.

There’s a little bit of break-up-to-make-up, but the ending is positively HEA, and *might* cause a bit of leakage in the general eye area. The ending twist wasn’t quite as flushed out as I’d have liked, but it was still rewarding. It took me a little bit of time to get used to the rapid POV switching-style of the book. Several characters tell this tale, but mostly it’s Casey and Ben’s story.

Interested? You can find IN HER EYES on Goodreads and Amazon.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win an ebook of HOPE IN EVERY BREATH and a $20 gc.
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

Author Pic - Wesley BanksAbout the Author:
Wesley Banks was born in 1983 and grew up on the west coast of Florida. He graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Civil Engineering. After spending over 7 years building movable bridges from Florida to Washington he decided to focus on his true passion: writing.

Wesley recently moved from Florida to Oregon to get back to the great outdoors that he loves so much. He lives with his wife Lindsey, and his two dogs Linkin and Story. Most of his time these days is spent writing, with as much rock climbing, hiking, or skiing as they can fit in.

You can catch up to Wesley online on his website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, and Instagram.
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She’s Totes ADORKABLE–Review and Giveaway!

Adorkable tour NEW banner
Hi there! Today I’m excited to share a review for a contemporary YA romance from Cookie O’Gorman. ADORKABLE is a sweet and innocent friends-to-couple tale about a geeky gal and her BFF soccer jock.

Catch my review and be sure to enter the $25 Amazon GC giveaway below.

adorkable-finalAbout the book:
Adorkable (ah-dor-kuh-bul): Descriptive term meaning to be equal parts dorky and adorable. For reference, see Sally Spitz.
Seventeen-year-old Sally Spitz is done with dating. Or at least, she’s done with the horrible blind dates/hookups/sneak attacks her matchmaking bestie, Hooker, sets her up on. There’s only so much one geek girl and Gryffindor supporter can take.

Her solution: she needs a fake boyfriend. And fast.

Enter Becks, soccer phenom, all-around-hottie, and Sally’s best friend practically since birth. When Sally asks Becks to be her F.B.F. (fake boyfriend), Becks is only too happy to be used. He’d do anything for Sal–even if that means giving her PDA lessons in his bedroom, saying she’s “more than pretty,” and expertly kissing her at parties.

The problem: Sally’s been in love with Becks all her life–and he’s completely clueless.

This book features two best friends, one special edition Yoda snuggie, countless beneath-the-ear kisses and begs the question:

Who wants a real boyfriend when faking it is so much more fun?

My Review:

Sally Spitz is an unfashionable senior in languishing in tiny, soccor-loving Chariot, NC. Her divorced mother and matchmaking bestie, Hooker, want her to find love. Or, at least a date. So, they keep setting her up with random people–even girls, just in case she swings that way.

Thing is, Sally’s always had a crush on her best guy friend, Becks. He’s a soccer phenom with a sure college scholarship, and no other guy (because she really does like guys!) measures up. Becks never settles on a girl, always finding someone new–and there are plenty of gals who swoon for his scruffy good looks. In order to derail any further ambush dates, Sal begs Becks to be her “fake” boyfriend for one month. She figures that she’ll put up a good show, enjoy time with Becks, and then suffer a horrible “break up” that will keep the matchmakers at bay for the rest of senior year.

Thing is, being with Becks is both horrible and wonderful. It’s all Sally ever dreamed of, and she knows it’s going to kill her when this ends and Becks goes back to his merry dating self. I liked how real all of that felt. And I did like the introduction of a glitch in the form of Ace, one of Beck’s teammates whose long harbored a crush on Sally.

This one is fun and sweet and, at times, bittersweet with an HEA ending. I liked Sally and Becks, they each have strong feelings for the other. I loved how Becks refused to name his college of choice until he could guarantee being near Sally. I think, however, the book suffered just a bit from a case of the Briticisms–namely some British sentiments, character naming, and idiom that seemed out of place for this southern US locale. Also, there was a disconnect in the time frame that made little logical sense–the book opens in autumn, and there’s talk about graduation and getting out of school that seems imminent (weeks!). These kids wouldn’t graduate for 9 months…and so that was a bit of a head scratcher.

That said, the prose is fun and the pace is appropriate. It’s a squeaky clean read with less than a handful of kisses in the whole story.

Interested? You can find ADORKABLE on Goodreads and Amazon.

****GIVEAWAY****

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

cookie o'gormanAbout the Author
Cookie O’Gorman writes YA romance to give readers a taste of happily-ever-after. Small towns, quirky characters, and the awkward yet beautiful moments in life make up her books. Cookie also has a soft spot for nerds and ninjas. Her debut novel ADORKABLE will be released in 2016.

Catch up to Cookie on her website, Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

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Their Connection Was MORE THAN LOVE–Review & Giveaway

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Hi there! I’m so excited to share a review for a new release from Amelia Bishop. MORE THAN LOVE is a contemporary M/M second-chance romance between a small-town cop and the one who got away fifteen years ago.

Catch my review, the yummy excerpt and enter to win your own ebook below.

trustme_cover_v3About the book:
Dan watched the people in his life settle down, get married, and have kids, while he cycled through a seemingly endless string of break-ups and disappointing relationship fails. From time to time, he thought about the one that got away: Ian. The college boyfriend he’d never quite forgotten.

So when Ian comes back to town and wants to get together, Dan jumps at the chance to see his first real boyfriend again. And despite his track record, he holds out hope that he and Ian might make it work the second time around.

While Ian is still just as sweet and sexy as he was back in college, he’s also harder, slicker, and more secretive than Dan remembers. As much as Dan wants to fall head first into their new relationship, he fears those secrets, and worries what Ian might be hiding. Left unchecked, Dan’s doubt and mistrust could threaten his second chance at happiness with Ian.

Sometimes, what destroys us are not the things we fear, but our fears themselves.

How about a little taste?

“Yep. Unless you want to skip it and go right back to your place. I could definitely be persuaded.” Ian raked his gaze over Dan slowly, then unlocked the car and ducked into the driver’s seat with a sexy grin.

“And how am I supposed to persuade you?” Dan buckled his seat belt as they pulled out of the lot.

“Use your imagination, it’s a half hour ride.” Ian shifted in his seat, pivoting his hips and drawing Dan’s attention to the bulge at his groin.

In the car, free from prying eyes and liberated by the cocktails he’d downed at dinner, Dan let his mouth do what it wanted. He licked Ian’s jaw, dragged his tongue down Ian’s neck, and sucked the hollow at his throat while running a hand over the front of Ian’s khakis.

“Careful, any more persuasive and I’ll run off the road.” Ian chuckled and leaned in to Dan’s mouth, a low rumble of approval vibrating in his throat.

“Mmm. I’m trained for that. We’ll be fine.”

Ian laughed and took one hand off the wheel, wrapping it around Dan’s head, holding him to his neck. “That feels great. God, I’ve missed you.”

Dan sucked up the skin under his mouth, not hard enough to leave a mark, but just until Ian moaned. He’d missed this, too. Somehow, no one had ever made him feel as sexy as Ian did, no one ever had given him the same thrill. For years after college, he’d tried to re-enact the frotting he’d enjoyed with Ian, but it never felt as fulfilling with anyone else. Most other guys expected penetration, which Dan was happy enough to partake in, yet somehow, even burying himself in someone else and pounding away wasn’t as satisfying as simply rubbing against Ian.

He was hard and Ian’s neck was damp when they finally reached his neighborhood. He managed to walk up the drive and into his house with some dignity, and even locked the door behind them. As soon as that was done, though, he went back to kissing Ian. Now he could freely take Ian’s mouth, which he did, and reached down to cup his ass for emphasis. Fuck, he felt good, all muscle and wiry strength.

Ian pulled back and pressed his forehead to Dan’s. “I want to be naked with you.”

Dan laughed at the blunt request, but he couldn’t deny he wanted the same thing. “This way.” He led Ian down the hall to his bedroom and undressed, throwing his clothes on the floor.

Ian did the same, and in moments they were both nude, standing by the bed. Dan was just drunk enough to not care about the slight padding around his middle, and Ian was sober enough to respond to Dan’s attention.

“Damn, you’re sexy.”

Dan burst out laughing. “Man, I’ve put on at least thirty pounds since college.”

“So fucking sexy.” Ian repeated, and punctuated his words with a two-handed caress down Dan’s torso.

A spike of lust shot through Dan at the words and the attention, and he urged Ian onto the mattress.

My Review:

I think the last line of the blurb for this books speaks absolute volumes about the story. Dan and Ian had a short love affair in college that ended when Ian took a job in Chicago and moved to take it. Dan felt abandoned and vulnerable–especially as he was still closeted. Still, he never forgot Ian and the closeness they shared.

Fifteen years pass. Dan is a police sergeant in the same town where he grew up. He’s out, and lonely. He’s had some rather serious relationships over the years, but none quite matches the intensity of his experiences with Ian. He often flips through Ian’s social media in order to keep connected, without giving his interest away. When a particular trigger catches him unawares, Dan reaches out and learns that Ian’s moving back to their college town–where Dan lives.

Ian asks for a ride from the airport, and Dan’s confused but willing. They strike a spark, and it seems things will be going along as if they never left off…except. Except Dan’s a suspicious cat. He’s never sure that he’s got the right read on things, and his cop’s intuition continues to batter at his mind as he watches Ian–who has a shady direct sales business–outspend any reason.

I’m not saying that Dan’s suspicions are unwarranted, it’s just that he can’t ever speak about them and lets them build up to a point that he reads as almost paranoid. Honestly, I was more than tempted to read ahead, because I was getting FREAKED OUT, for real. I’m not going to assure you that everything was just a misunderstanding, because that’s all shades of gray, to be honest. Ian is a guy after a quick buck and he does get mixed up in somethings he should not.

Does that mean the end for Dan and Ian? Uh…sorta. For a bit. Dan has some real growing to do, and being honest is one of the steps he takes. I loved how passionate he was, and also Ian–who is NOT a bad guy–has so much love and compassion. These guys never really wanted to step away all those years ago, and coming together now is so right and sweet and terrifying all at once. There’s a lot of sweetness in the book and that’s what had me so nervous. You never want to watch good people get hurt, and–like Dan–I suspected severe hurt on the horizon.

I do appreciate the author’s inclusion of a black MC, and I really enjoyed the flipped stereotype: Dan is a black cop suspecting his white boyfriend of criminal activity. I just wished I had a little more ethnicity to latch onto. Dan could have easily been a white guy. Apart from the cover photo if I hadn’t been told he was black (on page 42) I would have never once suspected it. I’m not about stereotypes at all, I just want to have a better sense of the black community when I read about about black people. I have tons of black friends and I know that there are some specific community issues that could have been highlighted here to engage readers in a way that surpassed the romance.

That said, it’s an interesting read, low angst, high suspense, with a second chance romance that really becomes a “three time’s the charm” situation.

Interested? You can find MORE THAN LOVE on Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

****GIVEAWAY****

Clink on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win an ebook of MORE THAN LOVE.
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the Author:
Amelia Bishop lives in New England, just a block from Narragansett Bay, where she walks almost every day of the year collecting shells, sea glass, and random pieces of garbage she considers “treasure.” Amelia believes there is magic to be found in almost anything if you look closely, and delights in revealing the extraordinary hiding within the ordinary. Her stories celebrate the most magical and extraordinary thing of all: love.
When she isn’t writing or walking along the bay, Amelia enjoys camping, hiking, painting, crocheting, cooking, and spending lazy days reading on the beach.

You can catch Amelia online on her website, Facebook, twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads, and sign up for her newsletter.

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Cephalopod Coffeehouse March 2016–KINGS RISING-A Review

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Hi there! Welcome one and all to the Cephalopod Coffeehouse, a cozy gathering of book lovers, meeting to discuss their thoughts regarding the tomes they enjoyed most over the previous month. Pull up a chair, order your cappuccino and join in the fun.

This month I’m so excited to share the final book in the Captive Prince trilogy from C. S. Pacat. As you know I fell into the rabbit hole on this series, binge reading the books in hours apiece. KINGS RISING was no less stunning than the first two books. Catch my reviews for CAPTIVE PRINCE and PRINCE’S GAMBIT so you can get better oriented to this captivating fantasy/political thriller that has a dash of M/M romance.

Kings Rising (Captive Prince, #3)About the book:
Damianos of Akielos has returned.
His identity now revealed, Damen must face his master Prince Laurent as Damianos of Akielos, the man Laurent has sworn to kill.

On the brink of a momentous battle, the future of both their countries hangs in the balance. In the south, Kastor’s forces are massing. In the north, the Regent’s armies are mobilising for war. Damen’s only hope of reclaiming his throne is to fight together with Laurent against their usurpers.

Forced into an uneasy alliance the two princes journey deep into Akielos, where they face their most dangerous opposition yet. But even if the fragile trust they have built survives the revelation of Damen’s identity – can it stand against the Regent’s final, deadly play for the throne?

My Review:
You absolutely must read this series. Oh, wait. You must read it in order. When you read it, that is. Because you must read it. I had never heard of the author, but what began as whispers in the M/M community soon became a resounding gong of praise for the books that were once an internet phenomenon but are now traditionally published.

For those who haven’t read any of the books, crown Prince of Akielos, Damianos, was captured by his elder half-brother’s guard, chained and sent as a sexual slave to Crown Prince of Vere, Laurent, under the pseudonym “Damen”. Vere and Akielos have had a truce since Damianos struck down Laurent’s elder brother in battle, and Laurent swears he will kill Damianos. Damen must keep his identity hidden to preserve his life, escape, and claim his throne, now that his father has died. That’s rather difficult because Laurent–while he wants little to do with Damen–is unwilling to release him. Further, Laurent is in imminent peril. His uncle, the Regent king, seems to want to remain on the throne and is willing to sacrifice Laurent in border patrol in order to cement his own reign.

As the book opens, Damen’s true name has been revealed in the company of Akielian troops and he takes control of a fort, prepares to battle the Regent’s army and command his smaller garrison win against awful odds. His commanders believe that Laurent is using him, and their worry is great considering the unconscionable issue of Damen, their king, being a slave to a prince–no matter how frigid all believe Laurent to be. Will Laurent try to kill Damen now that he knows his identity? It’s a real fear that Damen suffers–especially as the months of living together and campaigning have brought a particular closeness to Damen and Laurent–one that Damen is loathe to sever. One that endangers Damen’s alliances with his own generals, and causes the Veretians to balk, as well.

It was an amazing set of political gymnastics keeping the combined forces of Veretians and Akielians together, and just when it seems they will win back their thrones the full treachery of both Damen’s brother and the Regent of Vere becomes known. I wasn’t shocked, as I fully expected those revelations–due to excellent foreshadowing–but the manner of revelation springs yet another trap that threaten both Damen and Laurent with execution. The machinations were amazing, and kept the pace incredibly taut. Further, the love story between Damen and Laurent is not easy. They must work at it, and build it, just as with their alliances. It is a quiet affair, because there is so much scrutiny, and yet it is packed with sexual tension, longing, loss and satisfaction. That said, it’s not terrifyingly graphic, so those who are not fans of same-sex pairing do not need to shun the books. In the whole three-book series, I bet there are less than 10 pages of actual sex (that’s 1% of the page volume…)

As a series, this is one I’d enjoy again and again. The storytelling is superb, and the resolution is hopeful and mostly happy.

Interested? You can find KINGS RISING on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and in retail booksellers/libraries all over.

Thanks for popping in my friends! Be sure to hop over to my fellow book reviewers and see which are the best books they’ve read this month.