Reviews

Books I’ve read and reviewed

Happy Book Birthday to LESSONS FOR IDLE TONGUES–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing my review for a book just out! Hot from the ebook press is LESSONS FOR IDLE TONGUES, Charlie Cochrane’s 11th book in the Cambridge Fellows Mysteries series. It is historical fiction set in 1910 England and features a pair of amateur sleuths Profs Jonty Stewart and Orlando Coppersmith. I read and enjoyed LESSONS FOR SUSPICIOUS MINDS and jumped at the chance to read the next installment.

Lessons for Idle Tongues (Cambridge Fellows, #11)About the book:
Cambridge, 1910

Amateur detectives Jonty Stewart and Orlando Coppersmith seem to have nothing more taxing on their plate than locating a missing wooden cat and solving the dilemma of seating thirteen for dinner. But one of the guests brings a conundrum: a young woman has been found dead, and her boyfriend is convinced she was murdered. The trouble is, nobody else agrees.

Investigation reveals that several young people in the local area have died in strange circumstances, and rumours abound of poisonings at the hands of Lord Toothill, a local mysterious recluse. Toothill’s angry, gun-toting gamekeeper isn’t doing anything to quell suspicions, either.

But even with a gun to his head, Jonty can tell there’s more going on in this surprisingly treacherous village than meets the eye. And even Orlando’s vaunted logic is stymied by the baffling inconsistencies they uncover. Together, the Cambridge Fellows must pick their way through gossip and misdirection to discover the truth.

My Review:
This book is the 11th in a series of historical mysteries solved by amateur sleuths, Dr. Jonty Stewart and Dr. Orlando Coppersmith. While they all have recurring characters, each can be read as a standalone.

Jonty and Orlando are lovers, on the down-low because there are no openly gay men in 1910 London. They are professors at Cambridge and have excellent relations with Jonty’s parents–who know and accept their relationship. Often Jonty’s parents get involved in the solving of the mysteries, either by societal connections or interviewing witnesses/suspects. They have a minimal,role in this book, which centers on the mysterious death of a young woman.

Jonty and Orlando are asked by an acquaintance to investigate his friend’s love’s suspicious death. Lucy was meant to meet Mr. Joyce, for a clandestine stroll, as her family did not accept him as a suitor, but instead, she was found dead of a presumed brain hemorrhage. And, Mr. Joyce was made unwelcome at her funeral. He has other secrets, however, which include the suspicious circumstances of Lucy’s brother’s death–who was Joyce’s close acquaintance in school.

The more that Jonty and Orlando scratch at this issue, the more connections seem to be drawn to other mysterious deaths in the locale, with serious gossip being bandied regarding Lucy’s neighbor, the reclusive Lord Toothill. The level of scurrilous gossip seems to stymie the investigation, until they begin to realize, it is the gossip which is the biggest part of the case. As with previous cases, the answer always lay close to home.

I do enjoy these cozy-type mysteries. They are always well-written and have interesting insight, plus I adore the realistic historical settings and details. I wish there was a bit more loving on the page, but I am satisfied that Jonty and Orlando are loving, supportive partners who do the best they can within their societal constraint.

Interested? You can find LESSONS FOR IDLE TONGUES on Goodreads, Amazon, Riptide Books, AllRomance and Barnes & Noble. I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley.

About the Author:
As Charlie Cochrane couldn’t be trusted to do any of her jobs of choice – like managing a rugby team – she writes. Her favourite genre is gay fiction, predominantly historical romances/mysteries, but she’s making an increasing number of forays into the modern day. She’s even been known to write about gay werewolves – albeit highly respectable ones.

Her Cambridge Fellows series of Edwardian romantic mysteries were instrumental in seeing her named Speak Its Name Author of the Year 2009. She’s a member of both the Romantic Novelists’ Association and International Thriller Writers Inc.

Happily married, with a house full of daughters, Charlie tries to juggle writing with the rest of a busy life. She loves reading, theatre, good food and watching sport. Her ideal day would be a morning walking along a beach, an afternoon spent watching rugby and a church service in the evening.

You can catch up with Charlie on her website, Goodreads and twitter.

Thanks for popping in, and keep reading my friends!

Caught in the Crossfire in TIME WAITS–A Review for Joyfully Jay

Hi there! Well, I’m feeling elated after yesterday’s big SCOTUS decision, and wanted to pass on my recent update via Joyfully Jay. This week, I shared my review for TIME WAITS, a fascinating near-future time-travel M/M romance recently released by a new author to me, CB Lewis, and Dreamspinner Press.

Time WaitsAbout the book:

Badly wounded and on the run from his WWII Hungarian brigade, Janos Nagy stumbles through a temporal gateway to the future. Suddenly stranded in Manchester, England, 2041, Janos wants answers about a crazy world he doesn’t recognize.

Dieter Schmidt, flamboyant historian/linguist for the Temporal Research Institution has those answers, but the TRI is a neutral entity, set up to verify historical events under a strict code of noninterference. That doesn’t stop Dieter from taking Janos under his protection. Trust doesn’t come easy to Janos, who came from a time when revealing his secrets could get him killed, but the two men slowly build a tentative friendship with a possibility for more. But Janos’s continued presence in the future and Dieter’s persistence raise questions about the limits of the noninterference policy.

Since the rules have been bent once, one agent sees no reason why he can’t push them further, and he travels back to 1914 to make a few changes of his own. Under Janos’s guidance, Dieter must leap back in time to stop the rogue agent from changing the past and risking everyone’s future—if he can survive history.

I really liked the idea of this book and felt like it was well-executed. The romance between Janos and Dieter is slow to build and develop. Each man experiences an attraction he feels is wrong—Janos due to ingrained homophobia and fear, Dieter because he feels like he’s taking advantage of a man trapped in time. Dieter and Janos were fantastic characters. They have a real chemistry that simmers. Dieter is required to retrieve his fellow time agent, and he’s intellectually prepared for a job that he is physically untrained to perform. He’s never BEEN on a mission, and his own mother was lost to a time incident, but Dieter is determined to do this right. It is heartbreaking for Janos to have to train him, both of them knowing that this time jump will likely separate them forever, even if Dieter is successful in his mission.

Check out my entire 4.25 star review on Joyfully Jay Reviews.
Thanks for popping in, and keep reading my friends.

Cephalopod Coffeehouse June 2015–FOR A REASON

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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.

Hi there, folks. Today is a landmark day in the struggle for equal rights for LGBTQ persons in the US. On June 26, 2003 the Supreme Court ruled on Lawrence v. Texas invalidating sodomy laws in the US under the 14th Amendment. On June 26, 2013 The Supreme Court ruled on Windsor v. United States to strike down the 3rd clause of DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) that removed the federal definition of marriage to solely be between heterosexual couples under the 5th Amendment. I could be wrong, but I (and the various news outlets) expect the Supreme Court will render a decision in Obergefell v. Hodges today, which is expected to deem all anti-same-sex marriage laws, in the final 13 states which hold them, unconstitutional. I really hope this comes to pass. Disclaimer: I’m a straight, white, heterosexual woman who is also a feminist and equal rights activist. As if you didn’t know! 

So, in honor of these legislative victories, I’m featuring a good old gay romance set in Florida, the Sunshine State, a place where gay marriage may now be legal thanks to the Supreme Court ruling I expect to be released. FOR A REASON is a tender romance between two men who deserve a strong, loving partnership.

For A Reason (Sizzling Miami #2)My Review:
I received his book via Goodreads’ Don’t Buy My Love program in exchange for an honest review. This is the second book in a series but can be enjoyably read as a standalone.

Ian Jones is a 25 y/o out gay man who has long known he was a throwaway–because he actually was, twice in his life, tossed into a dumpster and left for dead. He survived hellish foster care, barely, and even completed college. He has no one in the world who knows/cares for him, and he’s moved to Ft. Lauderdale, FLA with the grim determination to build a life for himself. Despite a computer science degree, he can’t find full-time work, and his clunker of a car breaks down on his trip to Miami on his way to yet another interview.

Bull Connor is a large and in-charge mechanic, who picks up Ian and his car. Bull’s a former special forces soldier, but he now serves as a surrogate parent to his three younger siblings and as a mentor and rehabilitator to a group of ex-cons he’s trained to work his garage, who also live in his halfway house. Bull likes to help, and he’s got a serious hero complex, so refusing to leave Ian in his near-homeless Ft. Lauderdale roach motel is not even a question.

Against Ian’s protests, Bull insists on taking him to his own home–offering Ian a clean, safe bedroom, and an office job at the garage. Too good to be true? Ian thinks so, but he’s happy to be proven wrong.

After a week or so of both men sharing close quarters, they decide to become more than roommates. It takes time for Ian to really share himself, emotionally and physically, but Bull’s patient. For both men, they find a sense of security they have lacked. Bull’s used to people needing/using him, and Ian’s stalwart stance on independence is very welcome. Ian wants to feel loved, and Bull–with his large family and extended family of employees–becomes the loving community that Ian has always craved.

And, then there were more….Ian is challenged when people from his past turn up, but he’s able to get through the emotional turmoil with Bull standing beside him.

I really liked this cast of characters. I didn’t read the first book, but didn’t feel the lack-all relevant details are seamlessly woven into this story. Both Ian and Bull are such great guys, and their growing affection is wonderful to witness. There is a good amount of sexytimes with a little kink–light dominance, nothing more–and even that melds into really tender experiences for both Bull and Ian. I adored how Bull’s “people” for lack of a better word, took Ian as their own, and made him theirs, too. There seem to be many stories in the offing for this cast, and I’d gladly go back for more.

Interested? You can find FOR A REASON on Goodreads, and Amazon.

Thanks for popping in, and make sure to visit my fellow Coffeehouse reviewers. Peace and love, y’all!

 

Happy Book Birthday THE FORGOTTEN MOUNTAIN–Review & Giveaway

TFM RDL Banner
Hi there! Today I am sharing the love of a new release from Heather Lyons. THE FORGOTTEN MOUNTAIN is a contemporary fantasy, which has it’s roots deep in literature. I really enjoyed THE HIDDEN LIBRARY, where I came to love Alice (from Wonderland) and Finn (from Huckleberry Finn) and how they endeavor to protect the literary worlds that exist behind books from psychopathic killers who seek to destroy them. It was such a wild and fascinating plot idea that I was hooked from the start. And the next book in the series releases today!!!

The Forgotten Mountain (The Collectors' Society, #3)About the book:
After years spent in Wonderland, Alice Reeve learned the impossible was quite possible after all. She thought she left such fantastical realities behind when she finally returned to England.

Now Alice has become a member of the clandestine Collectors’ Society, and the impossible has found her again in the form of an elusive villain set on erasing entire worlds. As she and the rest of the Society race to bring this mysterious murderer to justice, the fight becomes painfully personal.

Lives are being lost. Loved ones are shattered or irrevocably altered. Each step closer Alice gets to the shadowy man she hunts, the more secrets she unravels, only to reveal chilling truths. If she wants to win this war and save millions of lives, Alice must once more embrace the impossible and make the unimaginable, imaginable.

Sometimes, the rabbit hole leads to terrifying places.

My Review:
This is the third book in a series, and should be read in order.

At the end of the last book, Alice and Mary Lennox (of The Secret Garden) are on the hunt for their loves: Finn (of Huckleberry Finn) and Victor (son of Dr. Frankenstein), adopted brothers who may have perished when the book world in which they were chasing known killer Sweeney Todd was destroyed. Against all odds, Alice believes Finn to be alive; she has lost love before, and regained it with Finn. She will stop at nothing to find him, and, if that means breaking and entering, well, she luckily has renowned thief The Artful Dodger on her side.

Unfortunately, finding Finn doesn’t bring her much relief–because he’s been enchanted and will likely die if she cannot find the 13th Wise Woman, from Grimm’s Fairytales, to undo the curse. This entire series is an incredibly creative literary enterprise. I adore Alice, who is single-minded of purpose, and a kickass heroine. She’s all grown up from her first trip to Wonderland, now an exiled queen whose loved-and-lost story is all the more powerful because she chose political peace over personal comfort. She tells the bulk of this story, and her pain and courage is plain.

The main objective of all Alice’s travels is to locate Gabe Pfeffer, or Lygari, or his much older name, The Pied Piper. Trouble is, there’s trouble every step of the way. Like most of the Brothers Grimm’s works, this is not a light-hearted fable. Nope, it’s a dark tale that includes vengeance, lies, enchantment and a teeny bit of sex. I’m kinda frustrated by the end…because I MUST know what happens next, and, alas, it’s a kicker cliffhanger, IMHO. I don’t want to spoil the book, so I’m ending this review here. If you think you’ll like creative literary fantasy with a vengeful queen who will do absolutely anything to save her prince, this book is for you.

Interested? You can find THE FORGOTTEN MOUNTAIN on Goodreads, Amazon (US and UK), Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and iBooks.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win a cool charm bracelet and signed paperback!
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Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the Author:
Heather LyonsAbout the author:
Heather Lyons writes epic, heartfelt love stories and has always had a thing for words. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. She and her husband and children live in sunny Southern California and are currently working their way through every cupcakery she can find.

Catch Heather on her website, Goodreads, twitter and Facebook.

Inkslinger

This is FOR REAL Love–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m so excited to share my review for a newly released contemporary M/M romance from Alexis Hall. I have read his shorter novel WAITING FOR THE FLOOD, and really enjoyed his storytelling, so I jumped at the chance to pick up FOR REAL. This is a frank, sexy light-BDSM romance that develops between a 37 y/o submissive doctor and a 19 y/o Dom. It’s a fascinating  “odd couple” story.

For RealAbout the book:
Laurence Dalziel is worn down and washed up, and for him, the BDSM scene is all played out. Six years on from his last relationship, he’s pushing forty and tired of going through the motions of submission.

Then he meets Toby Finch. Nineteen years old. Fearless, fierce, and vulnerable. Everything Laurie can’t remember being.

Toby doesn’t know who he wants to be or what he wants to do. But he knows, with all the certainty of youth, that he wants Laurie. He wants him on his knees. He wants to make him hurt, he wants to make him beg, he wants to make him fall in love.

The problem is, while Laurie will surrender his body, he won’t surrender his heart. Because Toby is too young, too intense, too easy to hurt. And what they have—no matter how right it feels—can’t last. It can’t mean anything.

It can’t be real.

My Review:
This book is long, but didn’t read that way at all. Often times I feel like I want more detail in a story, want to know more about a character if a situation, but not this time. This time I had everything I needed, and all the stuff I didn’t need but learned that I really wanted once I had it. Thanks for that, mate! (PS, Anglophiles rejoice, they’re Londoners!)

Laurie is a 37 y/o pre-hospital consultant. I honestly had no idea what this was until I’d completed half the book. Turns out it’s a specialized doctor who goes out on scene to assist with stabilizing injured people before they can be brought to the hospital–a medical first-responder who is an actual doctor. He specializes in trauma cases and lives a high stress life as a result. He’s terribly alone since his lover of 12 years, Richard, left him 6 years prior. He does go out for random hook-ups but Laurie is an unapologetic sub who needs a man who will take him in a firm hand–and he won’t fall in love again, so it’s hard for him to develop the trust he needs for more than a random BDSM scene.

Out with friends at a BDSM club he sees a startlingly young man, and approaches him to tell him off for crashing the party, only to have this inexplicably fierce, short, pimply 19 y/o man turn the tables entirely. Laurie is blown apart by this Neo-Dom, and takes him home, only to break down. His Dom is frustrated with having a fantastic moment ruined by Laurie’s callous behavior, and lets him know this–but the two men find solace with each other. It is only the next day that names are exchanged. Toby, the young Dom, is less fierce than Laurie had expected, and the sex is galactic, yet it’s all a one-off as far as Laurie is concerned.

Thing is, Laurie can’t get Toby out of his brain, and is pleased that Toby turns up on his doorstep a week later for another go-round. Afraid that he’s developing actual feelings, however, Laurie behaves like an ass again–hoping to drive Toby away. Which he does, for a while. But, Toby’s persistent, and he’s fully aware that his Dom desires aren’t likely to be filled by anyone his own age. Plus, getting a posh man to drop to his knees is really the height of flattery, for Toby.

The story spans several months over which time both Toby and Laurie fall arse over teakettle for one another, even if Laurie would rather cut out his own tongue than admit it aloud. The emotions here are raw and so brutally honest. Toby is ruthless emotionally, to himself and Laurie–forcing both of them to see the strengths and frailties of their arrangement. I felt like my own heart was being cuffed up and spread open. Toby needs someone to want him, to care about him, and the only people in his life who seem to do so are his dying Grandad and Laurie. His mom cares, but not in a maternal way; it’s too pedestrian for her artistic sensibilities. Laurie’s afraid to pledge his heart to a man so young with so much life in front of him. He doesn’t want to waste Toby’s time–when he thinks Toby will just find a more suitable mate and throw him over. And he feels a bit awkward (read: he’s obsessed) about the age gap.

It’s a delicious character study, and a fantastic read with plenty of kinky sexytimes, but also chock full of tenderness and vulnerability. This is book where the tears shed aren’t only mine, but Toby’s and Laurie’s, too. So much coming to terms with life and its many choices. Of learning to trust, and to give trust. I just adored Toby’s POV. He’s unfailingly honest and open–something that disarms and charms and frightens Laurie. I was so glad their HEA came! It was also so fun to be in Toby’s head as he had his first real and positive experiences as a Dom. I think his youth and exuberance helped soften his sadist side; an older, experienced character would have come off as pompous or cruel–where Toby is more playful in his internal dialogue. Also, I loved how both Toby and Laurie were able to enjoy themselves in a judgment-free sexual zone. The sexytimes are plentiful, but never got boring. I never felt myself skimming.

Interested? You can find FOR REAL on Goodreads, Riptide Publishing, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and AllRomance. I received a review copy via NetGalley.

About the Author:
Alexis Hall was born in the early 1980s and still thinks the 21st century is the future. To this day, he feels cheated that he lived through a fin de siècle but inexplicably failed to drink a single glass of absinthe, dance with a single courtesan, or stay in a single garret. He did the Oxbridge thing sometime in the 2000s and failed to learn anything of substance. He has had many jobs, including ice cream maker, fortune teller, lab technician, and professional gambler. He was fired from most of them.

He can neither cook nor sing, but he can handle a 17th century smallsword, punts from the proper end, and knows how to hotwire a car.

He lives in southeast England, with no cats and no children, and fully intends to keep it that way.

You can catch up with Alexis on Goodreads, Twitter and his website.

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

Stripped Bare: KINKAID-A Review

Hi there! Today I’m wishing a Happy Book Birthday to KINKAID, an erotic romance from Rie Warren. This is the second book in her Retribution MC series, though it can be read on it’s own. I’ve been faithfully following her Carolina Bad Boys series of books featuring tough, sexy, lovable men: STONE, LOVE and STEELE, and the first MC spin-off HUNTER was sexy and swoony, but KINKAID is ready for his spotlight…

Kinkaid (Bad Boys of Retribution MC, #2)My Review:
Kinkaid Ryder is a young, fit, male stripper. He is loud and proud on the stage earning money to pay down his grandpa’s medical debts, but keeps that part of himself secret from his childhood best friends, Sadie. Oh, and also from the guys at Retribution, because they wouldn’t accept a stripper into their club, and he really wants to join.

See, Kinky Kaid, as he’s known on the stage, doesn’t have a lot of people in his life. His dad left before he was born, and his mom died when he was a toddler, leaving him to his Grandpa’s care–and now that Gramps is sick, Kinkaid is gonna make sure his life is comfortable. Then, Sadie spots Kinkaid while out at a bachelorette party. and Kinkaid is just as stunned by the dressed-up version of his overall’s wearing artistic tomboy BFF. The attraction is magnetic, but Sadie’s so furious she cuts Kinkaid off for a bit. He’s frustrated, and angry. And can’t believe that she’s harbored a secret crush on him for years. Finding him bare-ass naked, writhing for a lust-crazed crowd is too much for her to take.

While the make-up is tender, Kinkaid’s job is one mountain on the path they can’t seem to climb. I really enjoyed this quick read. Kinkaid is a 21 y/o, dumb, sexy dude who wants to eat his cake and have it, too. While he can’t bear to have men ogle a clothed Sadie, he sees nothing wrong with giving hundred-dollar lap dances. I had to shake my head at his naivete. Still, he’s earnest and compassionate and he learns his lessons right before the end comes. There’s a lot of heart here and the soulful discussions Kinkaid shares with his ailing gramps are really something special. I’ve read lots of stories with a young gal stripping to support her family or education, so it was fun to get the flipside. It’s a cool literary complement for fans who clamor to catch Magic Mike XXL this summer. Expect graphic sex, crude language, and a cocky stripper who learns to bare his heart and cover his body.

Interested? You can find KINKAID on Goodreads and it’s surrently $.99 on Amazon.

Rie WarrenAbout the Author:
Badass, sassafras Rie Warren is the author of Sugar Daddy and the Don’t Tell series—a breakthrough trilogy that crosses traditional publishing boundaries beginning with In His Command.

She lives in gorgeous Charleston, South Carolina with her small family where she basks in the sunshine during the day, and adjourns to her woman cave at night. A nocturnal creature, she stays up way too late talking to herself, her characters, and anyone who will listen. She’s all about writing with heat, heart, and a hint of the dark, and she doesn’t shy away from the impossible.

Rie’s work has been called “edgy”, “daring”, and “some of the sexiest smut around”.

You can find Rie online Goodreads, Facebook and twitter.

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

Mysteries and Schemes at THE HOUSE ON THE CLIFF–Review for Joyfully Jay

Hi there! Today I’m sharing my review for Jade Astor’s creepily gothic M/M mystery/romance, THE HOUSE ON THE CLIFF. I enjoyed the misdirection, and characters, of this well-paced story.

imageAbout the book:
A small-engine repair degree can only get you so far in a seaside tourist town—just ask Noah Camden. But his luck takes a turn when he stops to help a man change a tire. Obviously wealthy, the man offers Noah a job at the imposing manor, Cliff House. Noah is to care for the man’s vehicles and chauffeur the man’s son, Tristan Peterson, for the summer. Tristan is afraid to drive because of a mysterious accident–and no one will tell Noah the details.

Though the young men come from vastly different social backgrounds, Tristan and Noah slowly bond. One day Tristan confesses the truth: his first love, Martin Praxley, an estate handyman, was killed in the accident. Tristan believes Martin’s ghost is haunting him, bent on revenge. Noah vows to figure out what really happened, how it’s possible Martin is back from the dead to torment Tristan, and how they can find peace and happiness together with the secrets of Cliff House looming over them.

Having been a mystery fan since my childhood, I truly appreciated the gothic quality of the story–parts of it reminded me strongly of (a gay) JANE EYRE or REBECCA, with a whole lot more steamy bits! While I didn’t think this would become a supernatural romance, there was clearly a well-crafted attempt to create doubt. The resolution is good, with an HEA for pretty much everyone…well, okay, maybe not one creepy guy. Head on over to Joyfully Jay to catch my full review.

Thanks for popping in, and keep reading my friends!

Riding Out MY COWBOY PROMISES-Review & Giveaway

My Cowboy Promises Blog Tour BannerHi there! Today I”m sharing my review for ZA Maxfield’s MY COWBOY PROMISES, a contemporary cowboy M/M romance. This one has a less-upbeat story, featuring a severely closeted character living with the fallout of his “out”-ing. I had a bit of heartbreak for Ryder, and was glad that his life turned around for the better. Make sure to scroll down and enter the $25 Amazon GC giveaway.

My Cowboy Promises (The Cowboys, #4)About the book:
A real man needs a real love…

To become the man he’s meant to be, one cowboy will have to be the man he never wanted anyone to know he was…

Ryder Dent is a true-blue cowboy. A devoted son, husband and father, but one who is living a costly lie. When they were both young, Ryder and his closest female friend Andy thought they’d found the perfect solution to both their problems—she was single and pregnant, and he was secretly gay—so they got married and raised Jonas together.

When Ryder gets hurt at a party, his son’s new pediatrician comes to the rescue. The connection between Ryder and Dr. Declan Winters is sudden, powerful, and undeniable. Ryder loves Andy and the family they’ve created together—but they both need more. Can they pursue their hearts’ desire without destroying the life they’ve built and losing the son they love?

How about a little taste? This is the scene where Ryder is struck by a Declan lightning bolt…

The hottest guy I ever saw was playing “Pop Goes the Weasel” on the piano while fifteen cagey preschoolers circled fourteen chairs. My father-in-law’s annual Fourth of July shindig—the biggest event of the year—was a family picnic. We’d set aside a play area for the littlest kids and I’d volunteered to supervise, but the piano man blindsided me and I nearly missed an outrageous hair- pulling incident.

Like a too bright pair of headlights on a moonless night, he was all I could see.

Mayor Calder Hamilton—a cartoon bear of a man with a white handlebar mustache—snuck up on me with one of those painful backslapping man hugs.

“Ryder Dent, you son of a bitch. Which one is your boy?”

“That’s Jonas.” I pointed out my son. “Blue plaid shirt, cowboy hat. Crass determination to win?”

“I know that look, I see it every day when I look in the mirror. But how can that be him? Last time I saw him he was half that size.”

Why do people always say that? Is it some rite of passage? Am I going to be surprised kids grow someday too? “We had to buy him a new pair of cowboy boots just last week.”

“He’s a fine-looking boy. Where’s Andrea?”

“She doesn’t come to these things to hang around with me.” I glanced toward the windows. “You’ll find her wherever there’s dancing.”

“She leaves you in charge of Jonas?”

“Gosh, yeah. Andi’s the social one. She likes to kick up her heels and I don’t mind if she wants to have some fun.”

“So have you met our new doctor yet? Isn’t he something? I have never seen anyone play piano like that.”

“That’s Doctor Winters?” The doc had started playing “Pop Goes the Weasel” like a Russian folk dance, all the while yelling Hai! Hai,! Hai! Hai! The music stopped and the chaos started. Jonas ended up on another chair.

“Go, Team Jonas!” I pumped my fist like a goofball.

“Yeah. Go, boy, go!” Hamilton was already tipsy enough to be unaware he was shouting right in my ear. It didn’t matter; I was going deaf from all the kids squealing anyway. “I’d like to ask your help with something.”

“Sure thing, Mayor. Shoot.”

“I need you and your family in a campaign ad”

“My family?” Good grief. Bitterroot’s founding fathers would shit in their graves at such an idea. “I don’t think we’d make a very good ad.”

“C’mon.” He punched my arm. “You and Andrea are both attractive. Jonas is a cute kid. You had to make some tough choices in the beginning, but look where you are now.”

“Uh . . . I don’t think—”

“I need a family exactly like yours to represent my campaign to the twenty-somethings. I need them to believe they’re important to me.”

Me and Andi? My stomach did a full 360, front to back, as if I was on a Six Flags ride. Mayor Hamilton wanted some picture-frame perfect family, and we were not it. Plus, we hadn’t exactly voted for him. “I’ll ask Andi about it, but—”

“Andrea’s dad just told me he’s backing me all the way again this next election.”

“Is he?” That figures. Her dad likes politicians to owe him.


“So you just tell her you’re doing it, okay?”

“Sure, I’ll mention it, but—”

Hamilton’s wife, Sally, came up to collect him. “C’mon Cowboy. There’s someone I want you to meet.”

She grabbed his hand and, after a good-natured tug-of-war, they left together. I breathed again. Andi’s dad ran one of the most successful ranches in the area. If he wanted to see my family on a billboard, I’d have to figure a way to get out of it or learn to say “cheese.”

It was pretty hard to say no to Sterling Chandler. I’m not sure he understood the word.

Shit.

The new doc managed to make “Pop Goes the Weasel” sound like a funeral dirge and the children all lurched around like little zombies. Then he turned it into a raucous honkytonk song.

Who was this guy?

Jonas got eliminated fourth from last but he wasn’t crushed by the loss. His attention shifted right away to the buffet, where the cater-waiters had installed several trays of Texas-sized cookies, all colored with red, white, and blue sugar crystals in honor of the holiday.

Musical Chairs, the Survivor edition, came down to two particularly crafty-looking femme fatales. One wore a jeans skirt, cowboy boots, and a pretty white blouse, and the other had on a daisy-printed sundress with lacy socks and jelly shoes. Lacy socks girl won by body-checking white blouse girl out of the way and pouncing on the last chair. She gripped the seat so tight with both hands no one could get her off it.

The new doc consoled the runner-up with a box of big-block Legos and gave the winner a play set with pink and purple Ponies but it seemed she thought she was getting the chair as her prize. Eventually her mom pried her up and they all wandered off to join the party outside.

Doc Winters was left to tidy up. I figured I ought to help, being family and all. Plus, it might get me out of small talk outside.

But the doc was the best looking man I had ever seen up close. I was bound to mess up and say something super stupid, and Andi was going to hear about it, and then she was going to tease me for the rest of my life, because she was just waiting for me to lose my shit over some guy.

And Doc Winters, M.D., The Yankee Doodler?

He could be the guy.

My Review:
This is the fourth book in a series, but can be read as a standalone.

Ryder is a stalwart, honorable man–for 23 y/o. He’s gay, and only out to his wife, Andi. He and Andi have been friends since childhood and when she was to become an unwed mother from her pursuit of a completely unsuitable (and uninterested) man Ryder stepped in and took care of Andi and Jonas, foregoing a football scholarship that would have taken him far away from his small-town and the anti-gay prejudice. Ryder has been a faithful husband. Well, that’s not true. He’s been a monk and Andi’s been a nun. They share a bed and parental roles, but not their bodies. Ryder has always been Andi’s biggest cheerleader and encourages her to follow her dreams, even though it goes against her father’s wishes.

Meeting Dr. Declan WInters–the new town doc–is a frightening revelation for Ryder. Declan is exactly the right man to unravel Ryder’s tightly held control. Andi recognizes that Ryder is holding back and encourages him to pursue Declan–undercover.

I liked large parts of this story. I’ll be honest that the “open” marriage solution was not my fave. I know, I know, it works for some folks, but I like my romance with a heaping helping of honesty. A large part of the book was devoted to keeping Ryder’s secret, and it added to the tension, but I was a little uncomfortable with it. Yes, Ryder does come out–and it is like a nuclear bomb in his life. He’s not sure if Andi will follow her homophobic father’s advice and move out–taking his beloved Jonas away. Ryder’s father isn’t best-pleased, either, with extreme risk of both Ryder’s home and job in the balance. And there’s fallout for Dr. Winters–his small-town medical practice might be sunk.

I thought that the resolution of all this heartache was well-told. I do like to see when families heal, and deal, once the dust settles. I’d say that the exact nature of Ryder’s relationships are more honest and stable at the end of the book, and for that I was happy, but it happened more by default than design. I didn’t get the resolution I wanted between Ryder and Jonas, but only because the focus was more on Declan and Ryder, and Andi. Andi had the opportunity to really twist the knife on Ryder, especially as she was essentially destitute and with a small child without Ryder. Her financial issues could have led her to accept her father’s mandates and money. But she made good choices about that, and Ryder was clearly the best Daddy evah.

Having known teen parents quite closely, I’ve seen some of the unhealthy relationship dynamics they experience–Andi, Ryder and Jonas were some of the best emotionally adjusted characters I could have imagined. There wasn’t a lot of sexytimes, but they were good. I guess I just wish there had been more openness, that Ryder could have been open about his sexuality, which would have allowed me to experience that euphoria more. Don’t expect a lot of cowboy life–a couple trail rides is all you’ll find–though growing up and working on Andi’s family ranch, Ryder runs the ranch supply store in town.

Interested? You can find MY COWBOY PROMISES on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, and All Romance.

The Cowboys series CollageBe sure to check out all the books in the Cowboys Series.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card.
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Good luck and keep reading my friends!

ZA MaxfieldAbout the Author:
Z.A. Maxfield started writing in 2007 on a dare from her children and never looked back. Pathologically disorganized, and perennially optimistic, she writes as much as she can, reads as much as she dares, and enjoys her time with family and friends. If anyone asks her how a wife and mother of four manages to find time for a writing career, she’ll answer, “It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you give up housework.”

Her published books include Crossing Borders, Drawn Together, and the St. Nacho’s and Brothers Grime series from Loose Id, ePistols at Dawn and The Pharaoh’s Concubine from Samhain Publishing, and Notturno, Vigil, Stirring Up Trouble, and All Stirred Up from MLR Press.

Catch up with Ms. Maxfield online on her website, twitter, Facebook and Goodreads.
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Enchanted by SPEEDY REWARDS–Review & Giveaway

speedy-fb copy
Hi there! Today I’m sharing my review for a fantastic contemporary M/M romance from Jeff Erno. SPEEDY REWARDS is an ensemble story that captivated me from the first page. The story weaves between characters in and around the Speedy Mart, a gas station/convenience store, set in an economically depressed area of rural Michigan. What these folks get up to in such a small space! Outlandish, and yet fully believable.

Scroll down to check out the totally NSFW excerpt and enter the giveaway, too!

Speedy Rewards (Working Class #1)About the book:
Phil Mitchell pours his heart and soul into his job as manager of Speedy Mart, a local convenience store. He loves his work and he loves his fellow employees, but when it comes to his personal life, Phil is lonely and depressed and still pining for his long-departed ex.

He embarks upon the week from hell where anything that can go wrong does. It begins with a truck crashing into his outdoor sign and only goes downhill from there.

Add an asshole homophobic boss hell bent on seeing him fired and Phil realizes he needs to put into place a plan to save himself and his job.

First step in his plan… do something about his love life.

Meanwhile, Ezra, one of Phil’s team members, is dealing with his own roller coaster ride of a week.

As is Brandon, the local cop…

And Mark, the homophobic boss…

Perhaps, with a little… luck, the next week will be better.

How about a little taste?

Esdras Manuel Covington, aka Ezra, smiled as he slid behind the wheel of his 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix.

“Bitch, you better start,” he said in his most sincerely threatening voice as he slid the key into the ignition. As he turned the key, the engine chugged to life, sluggishly at first, until he depressed the gas pedal, revving the motor.

Wham!

Ezra about jumped out of his skin. His head snapped toward the passenger sideof the car where two palms pressed against the window. The smiling face of a familiar customer beamed between the outstretched hands.

He powered down the window. “Jesus Christ, Jeremy! You scared the fuck outta me.”

The twenty-something he-man grinned mischievously, the corners of his mouth curled upward as his lips peeled back to reveal a row of gleaming white teeth. “Yo motherfucka. Wassup?” With his forearms resting against the ledge, he leaned in. “You off work, man?”

“Yeah, I just got out.”

“I got something,” Jeremy said, lowering his voice. “Special fucking delivery.”
Ezra straightened his posture just a bit and raised his eyebrows. “Dude, that was fast.” He jerked his head slightly, motioning for Jeremy to get in the passenger seat.

Jeremy stood about six foot three inches with broad shoulders and the build of a bouncer. Actually, he did work as a bouncer on the weekends at some nearby club. Of course, that wasn’t his main gig. He also worked security at the Fashion Warehouse, a women’s clothing outlet in one of the nearby strip malls. He definitely put the “body” in “bodyguard”, with his rippling, muscular pecs and abs, and bulging biceps.

“Gonna pull around back,” Ezra said as Jeremy adjusted the seat, sliding it back to accommodate his long legs. “Dude, I didn’t expect you to deliver so quick.” He shifted into gear and backed out of his parking space then pulled around to the rear of the building.

“I told ya, man. I’m hooked up.” He slid his hand into the pocket of his leather jacket and pulled out a baggie.

Ezra parked where he could clearly see if any other vehicles were approaching, but made sure he was not in plain sight of the Speedy Mart patrons. “I… uh….” He turned to face his friend.

“Man, I don’t get paid till tomorrow. I had the cash, but….”

Jeremy’s smile never faded, and with a shrug he tossed the bag of weed into Ezra’s lap. “I know you’re good for it, man. You won’t be playin’ me.”

“Dude, this is like… man, you don’t gotta trust me.”

“Oh, I don’t trust nobody.” He reached into the inner chest pocket of his jacket and removed a pack of Marlboro Reds, flicked one out, and seized it with his lips. He fired it up with a Bic then released a stream of smoke out the open window. “Never said I trusted you. I said I know you’re good for it.”

“Oh. Well, thanks.”

Again, he shrugged. “That’s what friends are for, right? You scratch my back, I scratch yours.”

“Right.” Ezra nodded then stared down at the dope. “This ain’t no eighth,” he said.

“Quarter,” Jeremy said. “Consider it a blue-light special. Since you’re a first-time customer, ya know.”

Ezra grinned. “Really? So, it’s like, same price?”

“Pretty much.” He turned in his seat, not just tilting his head, but shifting his entire upper body, and placed his fingertips against Ezra’s cheek. “Of course, it’d be cool if you—ya know—expressed your gratitude.” He patted, then gently slapped, the cheek a couple times, staring into Ezra’s eyes.

Ezra’s heartbeat quickened as his gaze locked onto Jeremy’s. Though he wanted to speak, to reply in the affirmative, he suddenly couldn’t find his voice. So he simply nodded.

Jeremy slid back, reaching down to locate the control to recline the seat. Ezra stared at his long legs, now spread, and the sight triggered a ripple of fluttering in his own lower abdomen. A familiar tingling, undoubtedly operant conditioning. Jeremy didn’t have to be more specific or cajole him in any way. Ezra already knew. He sensed what Jeremy was after. He could feel it in his gut.

He slid a slightly trembling hand onto Jeremy’s thigh.

Jeremy’s laugh alone could have seduced Ezra, low and sultry. Evil? Well, at least tempting. He took a long drag from his cigarette and then flicked it out the window before settling back in the seat and unbuttoning his fly.

It felt like a dream or a movie, certainly not real. Ezra had chatted with Jeremy numerous times in the store. They’d established a rapport, which in turn had facilitated the transaction that just transpired. Though Ezra at times allowed himself to get overly flirty, he’d never deliberately come onto Jeremy. To Ezra’s knowledge, he’d offered Jeremy no clue of his orientation.

“I knew a joint wasn’t the only thing you liked to smoke,” Jeremy teased.
Ezra slid his hand farther up Jeremy’s inner thigh. “No. I like a nice fat blunt occasionally.”
Another bout of rumbly laughter escaped Jeremy’s throat as he looked into Ezra’s eyes. “I definitely got a fat one for ya, boy. You have such soft, pouty lips.” He extended his arm, pressing against Ezra’s mouth with his index finger. Ezra parted his lips and sucked in the digit, barely an inch then slowly retracted.

“Aw, fuck yeah,” Jeremy moaned.

Ezra felt the throb of a growing bulge beneath the fabric of Jeremy’s cargos. His pulse pounded, throbbing in conjunction with his own hard-on. He shifted in his seat, maneuvering his position to work around the gearshift, and carefully unzipped Jeremy’s fly.

Whew! Well, I guess you figured out that this is NOT a kiddo book… I loved every minute of it. I got chills, actually, reading that piece because Ezra’s about to get a real eye-opener in that scene.

My Review:
This is an ensemble cast book, with intersecting points of view centered around the Speedy Mart, a small-town convenience store/gas station in rural Michigan. If you are a fan of LOVE ACTUALLY, the cult-classic CLERKS, or PULP FICTION (sans the murders) you will love this story.

The main character of the entire story is Phil, manager of the Speedy Mart. He is a 35 y/o, out gay man who has worked in retail his whole life. His tenacity and compassion as a boss helps his eclectic team of workers thrive. Among the employees at the Speedy Mart is an aging drag queen, a secret-drinker Wiccan BDSM Domme, a glam boy, and a gruff–former-alcoholic-former-homeless assistant manager. The Monday morning rush at the Speedy Mart is no joke, and it’s further complicated when Ezra (the glam boy) is nearly hit by a Coke delivery truck. The driver, Vince, makes a heroic save resulting in minimal property damage, which brings Phil’s overbearing and homophobic manager Mark to the scene.

It is now that Phil’s professional life begins to unravel. And it isn’t helped when Ezra is held up at gunpoint the following day. Mark has an ax to grind with Phil, and it’s of a deeply personal nature. His solutions for Phil’s store: fire everyone, including Phil, but Mark can’t make that happen without some HR documentation, so he turns the screws tight waiting for the Speedy Mart to topple. With the turmoil at work, Phil is unlikely to find respite, but he does–with Humberto, a young, suave Mexican-American handyman.

Meanwhile, having two near-death experiences turns Ezra into a mess. His best friend, Jeremy, is not much help–going through some intense relationship issues with his “open relationship” live-in boyfriend, Vince–the Coke deliveryman.

There are further and deeper connections between the many characters in this story, but they all flow seamlessly via the multiple points of view. I developed such love for this quirky cast, and wanted everyone (excepting Vince) to have an HEA. I was really, really close to getting that wish-come-true. Even Mark was redeemed, and in the sexiest way possible.

Speaking of sexy, I did like the sexytimes. The book likely has more per-capita oral action than I’ve read before (if you recall the excerpt above…), but there are some rather tender scenes blending in there, too. I really felt emotionally engaged the whole time. Expect to laugh, swoon, shake your head, and wish to punch out a character, or two. *evil-eyes Vince*

I was captivated by the close interactions this “work family” displayed–and how they banded together to support Phil in his professional and personal life. My one complaint? I didn’t get to experience the company picnic! These people are a total hoot, and I was sad to turn the final page.

Interested? You can find SPEEDY REWARDS on Goodreads, and get 40% through 6/21 at Wayward Ink Publishing. Regular price on Amazon (US, UK, DE and AU), Barnes & Noble and AllRomance.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win one of several prizes including a $20 WIP Gift Card, a $10 WIP Gift Card, or an ebook copy of Speedy Rewards
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Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the author:
JEFF ERNO began writing LGBT fiction in the late 1990s. Although an avid reader and amateur writer from a very young age, Jeff pursued a career as a retail store manager in Northern Michigan. When his first gay-themed novel was published, he was shocked that anyone would even want to read it. So far, he’s published over thirty novels. Jeff lives in Southern Michigan, where he works part time at a convenience store.

Jeff’s writing credits include a variety of themes and sub-genres including male romance, Young Adult, Science Fiction, erotica, and BDSM. He is the winner of a 2012 Rainbow Award and an Honorable Mention in 2011. His style is unpretentious and focused upon emotionally-driven, character-based stories that touch the heart. Jeff is especially passionate about young adult literature and combating teen bullying and youth suicide.

You can catch up with Jeff on his website, Facebook, Twitter, or by email.

Big Secrets Between DAISY AND THE FRONT MAN–Review and Giveaway

daisy and the front man bannerHi there! Today I get to share my review for DAISY AND THE FRONT MAN a contemporary teen romance from Rebekah Purdy. This is the third story in the new Backstage Pass series coming out of Entangled Teen Publishing–one about each member of a boy band falling in love. I recently read and liked MIA AND THE BAD BOY, the second book. Though it’s a series, each book is a standalone, swoony tale. I’ve read other books by Ms. Purdy (HOW TO UNBREAK-UP and THE ROMEO CLUB) and enjoyed her breezy style, so I was anxious to get my hands on this one! Don’t forget to scroll down and enter the $50 Amazon gift card giveaway!

Daisy and the Front Man (Backstage Pass #3)About the book:
Hell hath no fury like a fangirl scorned…

When Daisy Morris finds out she’s spending the summer with her dad, bodyguard for Seconds to Juliet—the hottest boy band around—she knows it couldn’t be more perfect. But not because she’s a fan. Oh, no. Because ever since front man Trevin Jacobs completely humiliated her by standing her up for homecoming, Daisy is out for a little revenge. Yup, Trevin Jacobs is goin’ down…

When one of his bandmates bets Trevin he can’t make Daisy—the gorgeous but surprisingly ice-cold daughter of their bodyguard—fall in love with him, it’s a bet he can’t resist. Sure, Daisy won’t give him the time of day for reasons he can’t understand, and her dad’s hell-bent against his little girl spending time with a superstar. But the terms are set, and Trevin is determined to make Daisy fall…hard.

But every front man should know never to trust a girl with a pretty face…

This Entangled Teen Crush book contains adult language, sexual situations, and seriously hot boys. It may cause swoony daydreams involving a certain super-cute front man.

My Review:
Daisy is a fangirl scorned. She won a contest for the band Seconds To Juliet and her prize was a date to homecoming with S2J’s front man Trevin Jacobs–thing is, the dude stands her up–in front of half her town. Yep. She’s a pariah.

So, she’s more than toying with the idea of humiliating Trevin when she joins her father on the S2J tour. He’s the chief bodyguard for the band, and Daisy has unlimited access.

Trevin is a bit of a jackass. He’s a narc on his bandmates and charged with keeping everyone in line, even though he’s only 18. Still, meeting Daisy has him re-considering the S2J “no girlfriends” policy, and fellow songwriter, Ryder, challenges Trevin to the ultimate bet: if Trevin can get Daisy to fall for him, then he can get special songwriting privileges for the band. It’s Trevin’s dream-come-true—get a pretty girl to love him and he’s set!

Thing is, Daisy is not at all inclined to swoon for Trevin. She’s too bitter. Trevin can’t understand why his normal schtick isn’t working and actually tries to get to KNOW Daisy–he’s smitten, and feeling rather crappy regarding the bet.

For her part, Daisy sees how kind and considerate Trevin is, and thinks maybe her revenge plan is not the way to go. Plus, reconnecting with her dad after several years’ absence gives her a better perspective on life. She thought all men would leave her abandoned: Trevin, her dad, her dead Gramps. Trevin seems earnest in his pursuit of her friendship (and More!) until Daisy learns about The Bet.

So, this is a clean read with just a few make-out sessions. Daisy and Trevin are both young and foolish, making bad choices they regret and seek forgiveness for. It’s a solid YA romance with relatable, imperfect MC’s who make amends and build a real relationship. There is plenty of caustic banter and some definitely swoony moments. I enjoyed.

Interested? You can find DAISY AND THE FRONT MAN on Goodreads, Amazon, Entangled Teen and Barnes & Noble. I received a review copy via NetGalley.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card
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Good luck and keep reading my friends!

rebecca purdyAbout the Author:
Rebekah was born and raised in Michigan where she spent many late nights armed with a good book and a flashlight. She’s lived in Michigan most of her life other than the few years she spent in the U.S. Army. At which time she got a chance to experience Missouri, Kansas, South Carolina, and California. Rebekah has a business degree from University of Phoenix and currently works full time for the court system. In her free time she writes YA stories, anything from YA Fantasy to YA Contemporary Romance. Rebekah also has a big family (6 kids) she likes to consider her family as the modern day Brady Bunch complete with crazy road trips and game nights. When not hiding at her computer, Rebekah enjoys reading, singing, soccer, swimming, football, camping, playing video games, traveling, and hanging out with her family and gazillion pets.

You can catch up with Rebekah online on her website, Facebook and twitter.   ef137-yabounktourbutton