Reviews

Books I’ve read and reviewed

Changed by a RITE OF SUMMER–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing my review for Tess Bowery’s newly released M/M historical, RITE OF SUMMER. It’s actually an all-male menage, but that’s only part of the story. It’s set in England, in 1810, and brings in some really scary homophobic issues–as well as packing some incredibly tender and erotic moments. It was a great read.

Rite of Summer (Treading the Boards, #1)About the book:
There are terrors worse than stage fright. Like falling in love.

Violinist Stephen Ashbrook is passionate about three things—his music, the excitement of life in London, and his lover, Evander Cade. It’s too bad that Evander only loves himself. A house party at their patron’s beautiful country estate seems like a chance for Stephen to remember who he is, when he’s not trying to live up to someone else’s harsh expectations.

Joshua Beaufort, a painter whose works are very much in demand among the right sort of people, has no expectations about this party at all. Until, that is, he finds out who else is on the guest list. Joshua swore off love long ago, but has been infatuated with Stephen since seeing his brilliant performance at Vauxhall. Now he has the chance to meet the object of his lust face to face—and more.

But changing an open relationship to a triad is a lot more complicated than it seems, and while Evander’s trying to climb the social ladder, Stephen’s trying to climb Joshua. When the dust settles, only two will remain standing…when they’re not flat on their backs.

Warning: Contents under pressure. Contains three men, two beds, one erotic piercing, and the hottest six weeks of summer the nineteenth century has ever seen. (m/m/m – m/m).

My Review:
Evander and Stephen have been together for nearly a decade, living the gay life in London. Evander is a composer and Stephen a violinist. Evander has a patron, the Earl of Coventry who invites Evander and Stephen for a six week holiday at his country estate. Stephen doesn’t want to go, he hates being confined in places where he can’t be himself, and being openly gay is not possible on the earl’s estate. Plus, he has to suffer the constant company of ‘his betters’ which is aggravating. But, if Evander demands he go, Stephen goes. Plus, Stephen knows their livelihood is dependent on Coventry’s whim and funding so he goes… The only upside is beautiful Joshua, a talented painter who is the distant relation, and personal painter, of one of the noble guests.

Joshua has been without a lover since his beloved sailor sank with his ship two years before. He is terribly attracted to Stephen, and cannot understand why Stephen lets Evander lead him around so much. He is startled to observe Evander and Stephen en flagrante delicto in the dead of night, and is even more surprised when Evander invites him to share their bed. Once.

But once is not enough for Stephen who had secretly desired Joshua, or Joshua. They continue until the party is overtaken by news of catamite (homosexuals) arrests in London. Stephen and Evander are shattered–some of the men taken into custody and hung were friends and former bedmates. Joshua wants to comfort Stephen, but his ability to do so is hampered by the suspicions of their hosts and patrons.

The book is a careful study in the emotional lives of both Joshua and Stephen, who share the POV. Stephen is routinely belittled and abused by Evander, and he knows no other life. Joshua calls to Stephen, supports him in a way Evander never has (or hasn’t in years) and Stephen wants to be with Joshua, but cannot due to Evander’s control.

I was really glad to see the unraveling in this dysfunctional relationship. Stephen really grew in terms of his emotional well-being. Joshua, did not grow so much as curl inside himself. He has lost in love before, and is rather brutal with Stephen in order to prevent being hurt again. He wants Stephen terribly, but won’t accept him if Evander is a part of the deal–forcing Stephen to re-evaluate his relationship, and make choices that are healthy instead of comfortable.

The end was a little too drawn out for me. I liked the story, but wanted it to progress a little bit faster. The characters were all well-drawn and felt very realistic in their goals and behaviors. I really enjoyed the depictions of actual historical events–namely the famous London raids–and how it affected the characters. Expect an HEA and some super sexytimes involving both M/M and M/M/M.

Interested? You can find RITE OF SUMMER on Goodreads, Samhain Publishing, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley.

About the Author:
Tess has been a fan of historical fiction since learning the Greek and Roman myths at her mother’s knee. Now let loose on a computer, she’s spinning her own tales of romance and passion in a slightly more modern setting. Tess lives on the east coast, with her partner of fifteen years and two cats who should have been named ‘Writer’s Block’ and ‘Get Off the Keyboard, Dammit.’

You can connect with Tess on her website, Facebook and twitter.

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

Ending Up SIDE BY SIDE–Review and Giveaway

Side by Side Banner
Hi there! Today I’m joining the blog tour for a contemporary romance from Wendy Louise. SIDE BY SIDE is her first novel and it features a couple separated by violence in childhood only to regain each other via cage fighting in adulthood. Make sure to pop down and enter the giveaway for a prize pack that includes a $50 gift card and a bunch of swag.

Side by SideAbout the book:

What would you do if your childhood best friend, your soul mate, and the one person that means more than anyone else in the world was suddenly in front of you after disappearing from your life ten years ago?

Would you risk your stable life, to allow them back in to your heart, even after they had left you without any explanation?

Katy Lou Reynolds needs to make a choice. She can either ignore the fact that Elijah Trent is standing in the middle of the cage about to fight, or she can face him and demand answers as to why he left her.

Is it worth risking her heart for her one true love even though she knows it may get broken again, or is it better to let him walk away?

***

When Katy Lou tags along with her boyfriend to an Underground Cage fight, the last thing she expects to find in the ring is her childhood best friend, Elijah. Seeing him again brings back distant memories – a drunken mother, an absent father and relentless school bullies. Most of all, it re-awakens the feelings she had for him. Elijah has always held her heart; but after he left her when they were fourteen, without a word, can she risk everything to let him back in to her life again?

Elijah is a great fighter. He channels all the aggression he suffered at the hands of an abusive father in to every fight, every time. His success feeds his lifestyle of new cities and endless women, eager to spend time with him. His one regret has always been leaving behind his best friend, Katy Lou. There’s nothing he wouldn’t give to see her again, but if he does, would she forgive him for leaving her and risk her heart?

My Review:
This is a contemporary reconnection story about childhood friends Katy Lou and Elijah. They were the best of friends with super messed up families–Katy Lou’s mother was an alcoholic and dad was gone, while Elijah’s father was abusive. One night he and his mother disappeared, seemingly without a trace. Nearly ten years later, Katy Lou sees Elijah fighting in what seems to be an underground cage fighting ring–and she has to see him again. She is seriously involved with another man, Jacob–her date at the cage fight–but when she and Elijah reconnect, she knows her relationship with Jacob is well and truly done.

We get some connection between Elijah and Katy Lou, until his miserable father returns needing cash, and threatening Katy Lou. You can catch my full review on Goodreads.

Interested? You can find SIDE BY SIDE on Goodreads, iBooks Australia, iBooks US, Amazon Australia, Amazon US, Kobo, and Barnes and Noble (Nook).

***GIVEAWAY***

Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win a prize pack including a $50 giftcard, tote bag and other swag!
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Good luck and keep reading my friends!

Wendy-Louise-Headshot-small-300x200 (1)About the Author: (in Wendy’s words…)
Hi, I’m Wendy Louise. I’m a wife and mum living in Melbourne, Australia. I love to read and write, and I somehow managed to fit writing this book in between my regular day time duties, which include a full-time job and life in general with two busy children.

Two years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. After many surgeries and treatments, I learnt that life is short and you need to grab it while you can. I always wanted to write, and I realised that it was now or never.

You can usually find me with a few books on the go at once – whether that be reading them, or writing them. I love chocolate and trashy reality TV. It’s not unusual for me to combine all these and attempt to write, while watching an episode of the Kardashians or The Bachelor, and devouring a block of Cadbury Dairy Milk…..

I am so excited to bring ‘Side by Side’ to you all. It has been such a labour of love for me. I presently have four other novels nearing completion, so I am excited to follow this up with many more. I hope you enjoy reading Elijah and Katy’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

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

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At What Cost For FAMILY JEWELS–A Review for Joyfully Jay

Hi there! Playing a bit of catch-up shouting out my review for MJ O’Shea’s FAMILY JEWELS. I am a total swooner for Brit men, and especially the underdog. This book has a bit of both. It features an Interpol art crimes inspector and the thief who steals his heart!

Family JewelsAbout the book:

Corbin Ford, aka the Nightwatchman, named for the antique pocket watches he leaves behind at jobs, has been in the cat-burgling business for years. His father was. His grandfather was. His mother is still one of the most renowned thieves. Corbin likes his high-profile heists, priceless paintings from private collections, artifacts from museums, but his favorite? Jewels. Sparkly, beautiful jewels. If they’re famous, better yet.

Interpol agent Luke Eldridge has one goal and one goal only: to catch the Nightwatchman. Luke’s been after him for months, but getting the slip time and again is getting embarrassing. Luke has never even laid eyes on the bastard, but he’d happily strangle him. And then arrest him.

When Luke meets Corbin, the man of his dreams, he falls hard and fast… only to catch Corbin red-handed with his hand in a jewelry case at the scene of the highest-profile murder that’s rocked the international world in years.

I really enjoyed the tension that built between Luke and Corbin. They had some real chemistry. Plus, they made themselves so vulnerable. They are together for several months before the inevitable happens–long enough to know their relationship is real, and worth fighting for. Even when Luke knows all about Corbin, he’s torn between duty and his heart’s desire.

You can check out my entire review over on Joyfully Jay.

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

DINNER AT FIORELLO’S Is Delicious–my review on Joyfully Jay

Hi there! Today I’m sharing my love for Rick R. Reed’s contemporary M/M romance DINNER AT FIORELLO’S over on Joyfully Jay’s Book Reviews. This was an especially tender romance between a new-graduated high school boy, Henry, and an executive chef, Vito, who doesn’t want to fall in love.

I had previously enjoyed Reed’s LEGALLY WED, and was anxious to read more of his work. I was just as charmed as before with his characters and the lush setting descriptions. As a native Chicagoan I could see my hometown in the pages, with startling clarity. I, too, sweated along with Henry on sultry walks and sweating ‘L’ rides. I’ve had his same sun-baked feet too exhausted to go forward. I haven’t had his sudden lack of home and family, but Henry never squawks. He’s determined to make his life his own, even when the convenience he’s had growing up is suddenly yanked away.

imageAbout the book:
Henry Appleby has an appetite for life. As a recent high school graduate and the son of a wealthy family in one of Chicago’s affluent North Shore suburbs, his life is laid out for him. Unfortunately, though, he’s being forced to follow in the footsteps of his successful attorney father instead of living his dream of being a chef. When an opportunity comes his way to work in a real kitchen the summer after graduation, at a little Italian joint called Fiorello’s, Henry jumps at the chance, putting his future in jeopardy.

Years ago, life was a plentiful buffet for Vito Carelli. But a tragic turn of events now keeps the young chef at Fiorello’s quiet and secretive, preferring to let his amazing Italian peasant cuisine do his talking. When the two cooks meet over an open flame, sparks fly. Both need a taste of something more—something real, something true—to separate the good from the bad and find the love—and the hope—that just might be their salvation.

You can find my full review on joyfully Jay.

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

LOVE, EXES AND OHS–Review & Excerpt

LEObannerHi there! Today I’m sharing my review of Violet Duke’s contemporary romance LOVE, EXES AND OH’S which is a sweet reconnection/friends-to-lovers romance between Xoey and Isaac. While this is part of the Cactus Creek novel series, it can be enjoyed as a standalone.

Love, Exes, and Ohs (Cactus Creek, #4)About the Book:
He may very well be the perfect ex…
Isaac McKnight has had enough loss in his life to know never to take anything for granted. So when the perfectly-imperfect-woman-for-him puts an end to their relationship out of the blue, it’s Isaac that makes sure they remain friends. Now a year later, whether it’s at his gym or her brewpub, or the dog park they visit every weekend–though neither of them own a dog–he and Xoey are steadily getting sucked deeper into buddy-zone galaxy, with its dangerous proximity to watch-me-settle-down-with-someone-else abyss. It’s a reality he’s resigned himself to. That is…until one drunken confession changes everything.

But she’s looking for the perfect oh…
For Xoey Montenegro, history has taught her that sometimes, it’s Prince Charming who vanishes without a trace. And fairytale love? Highly overrated. Heck, give her a real and perfect ‘oh’ over that fantasy any day. So as far as rock-solid tequila-fueled plans for her love life go, coming up with a match-finding formula based on the qualities of the men responsible for her three most epic ohs seems brilliant. Except for the fact that one-third of her genius little man-quation is all about her friend Isaac. Actually, more than a third if Xoey were being honest with herself–which she’s not. Because full honesty would require thinking not just about how perfect Isaac really is, but also about how perfect the fourth epic oh she’s kept buried deep in her past once was.

An easy enough thing to keep ignoring…until her past isn’t past tense anymore.

How about a little taste?

“The man ate his Caesar salad with a knife and fork, Isaac.”

Isaac McKnight tried—really tried—not to grin over that one but he was wholly unsuccessful. “I’m sure that’s not nearly as pretentious as it probably looked,” he reasoned graciously, before adding without any remorse whatsoever, “Or maybe the good doctor has been hiding a really small mouth under that bushy beard, and he needs to take dainty little bites.”
Yep, just call him Saint Isaac, Patron of Grace.

Xoey’s immediate burst of laughter over the phone line, which neither confirmed nor denied his guess, instantly had Isaac wondering which of her killer smiles she was wearing right now. He’d bet good money it was the one that lit up those deep mahogany-rich bedroom eyes of hers with pure mischief—the one that hinted her own thoughts were at least twice as sinful as anyone else’s in the room. And three times as unapologetic.

God, he loved that smile. For a few quality seconds with that smile, he’d gladly pony up with all the zingers he’d been storing regarding her most recent Mr. Wrong. But he managed to restrain himself. The last thing Isaac needed was to give karma more reasons to run his ass over.

He was, after all, one of Xoey’s Mr. Wrongs as well.

The reminder was an effective buzzkill that silenced the ticker tape parade that had been playing in his head all morning over Xoey’s latest love life development…an extraordinary showing of self-control for him that lasted a whole ten seconds. Maybe eleven.

A personal best.

With that new shoulder-patting record under his belt, he was already reaching up to switch the phone call over to his truck’s Bluetooth so he could listen to Xoey’s deal-breaking grievances from her date last night the way it was truly meant to be heard.

In stereo.

What could he say? The woman brought out all his ruthless, miserable-sonofabitch possessive tendencies. As far as he was concerned, hearing Xoey’s throaty voice take over his truck’s speakers with a list of reasons why the ‘third date’ she’d gone out on last night would in fact not be resulting in a fourth date—aka sex—with the pharmacist she’d met a few weeks back? Grammy-worthy music to his ears.

He simply didn’t see himself evolving any time soon.

My Review:
This is the 4th book in a series, but can be read as a standalone.

Xoey’s had some hard times, but she’s worked hard and now serves as the part-owner of Ocotillo’s, a brewpub she manages with the other owner, and her good friend, Dani. Xoey wants to find Mr. Right, and has searched for him for the past decade–ever since her first Mr. Wrong, a one-night stand who left Xoey considerably worse for the wear.

Isaac is Xoey’s ex. She’s collected a lot of them on her search for Mr. Right, yet Isaac’s the only one who’s stuck around to be a friend, too. In fact, he’s a very close friend to Xoey, and he’d like to be more.

They share a lot of close times, but no physicality ever since Xoey broke it off. She’s got some pretty romantic ideas about Mr. Right, and Isaac just missed the mark. Still, over the course of the year he’s been a great friend and confidante, and she’s attracted to him. Now, however, she doesn’t want to risk their friendship. So all her girlfriends make a plan to set her up with potential Mr. Right blind dates–and they sorta sabotage them….so Xoey can see that the best man in her life is the man who’s been the caretaker of her heart: Isaac.

Trouble erupts unexpectedly, however, and Xoey becomes the temporary guardian of a child she never intended to care for–with Isaac right by her side. They make a great team, until Isaac gets a wake-up call, and Xoey breaks it all off, again.

This is a fun contemporary friends-to-lovers story with a twist I didn’t see coming–probably because it bent the line of coincidence way out of proportion. Excepting that, however, I liked it. Somewhat breezy, and a quick read. A bit of a steamer, too.

Interested? You can find LOVE EXES AND OHS on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Google, and Kobo.

Violet DukeAbout the Author:
NEW YORK TIMES & USA TODAY bestselling author Violet Duke is a former professor of English Education who is ecstatic to now be on the other side of the page writing wickedly fun contemporary romance novels. Her NYT and USA Today bestselling books have been Top 10 bestsellers across the major eretailers both in the US and internationally. When she’s not writing or feeding her book-a-day reading addiction, Violet enjoys tackling reno projects with her power tools, trying pretty much anything without reading the directions first, and cooking ‘special edition’ dishes that laugh in the face of recipes. A born and raised island girl, she spends her days getting into creatively fun trouble in Hawai’i alongside her two cute kids (daughter Violet & son Duke) and similarly adorable husband.

You can catch up with Violet on her website and twitter. Find the latest on her books and fan giveaways on her Facebook page.

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

Getting Over it With a TOY BOY–A Review

Hi there! Today, I’m featuring a review of a contemporary romance from Lily Harlem. TOY BOY is a touching story about an inadvertent cougar and the younger man with whom she falls in love.

Toy BoyAbout the book:
Getting something unexpected can be a shock, but it can also be a wonderful treat, if you allow yourself to indulge, that is.

Kay is bubbling with excitement. She’s booked a sailing holiday of a lifetime in Greece with a man she’s fallen for hook, line and sinker. They met on the Internet. She’s from Oxford, he’s from Washington State. She’s a business lecturer, he runs his own successful business.

They’re perfect for each other, and she can’t wait to meet him and spend time in and out of his bed, allowing him to seduce her for real and not just with softly spoken words over the telephone.

But when she arrives in the idyllic port of Fiscardo, she’s in for a shock. There’s a reason Sullivan’s photographs were grainy, and it’s not because he’s sporting a potbelly or balding as she’d suspected. It’s because he’s over a decade younger than her and could rival any Greek god in the looks department. What’s more, his sex appeal and lust for her is off the scale.

Should Kay take what she can with her ‘toy boy’ and have some fun in the sun or hop on the first plane back to England? It’s a tricky decision for a woman who believed she couldn’t be surprised by life anymore.

My Review:
Oh! The INTERNET!!!

Kay is a 42 y/o widow who has been having an online relationship with Sullivan, a man she thinks is her perfect match. They are both successful people–she’s a business management prof at Oxford, and he owns his own company in Washington State. They have spent countless hours online and on the phone revealing their hearts and souls to each other, and Sullivan has finally convinced Kay to meet him in person, in Greece, for a week-long holiday on a sailboat. Just the two of them.

She is beyond excited to share air with this man who has her fragile heart in his palm. But, the Internet strikes!

See, Kay has only seen Sullivan’s picture once in all the months they have chatted, and it was not the best pic. It was grainy and Sullivan was all covered in his winter garb. She’s a bit nervous that he might not be representing himself honestly, but she’s in love with the MAN, not his face, right? He could be balding under that winter beanie, or hiding a paunch under his navy parka, but that’s okay because he is her soulmate.

She’s so shattered when he steps off the boat to greet her. No! NONONONONO! How? Who?

Sullivan isn’t balding, our paunchy. He doesn’t have any horrible scarring or facial piercings. He’s actually stunning. And he’s 28 years old.

Devastated by his shell game, Kay wants to return to Oxford, with haste, but she’s in Greece and has no immediate resources–again the Internet FAILS her, with no service in this remote port and the travel agencies having closed for the evening. With nowhere to stay Sullivan, who’s pretty broken over Kay’s complete refusal to entertain any discourse regarding his age and her uninvited cougar status, convinces Kay to sleep in the boat’s cabin for the night. And then, he sets sail at daybreak effectively shanghai-ing her back into her planned vacation.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS.

I had a lot of trepidation over Sullivan’s shadiness, but his desperation to win Kay over was as forthright as it comes. He never expected she’d be so put off by his age, and he craves her wisdom and steadfastness–she’s a well-settled woman who doesn’t need his money and isn’t looking for a meal ticket. She’s smart and they have fascinating conversations. Sullivan is convinced they will be happy together, if only Kay will give him he opportunity to prove it.

I was so glad she did. The emotional back-and-forth Kay puts herself through is pretty enlightening, and speaks volumes about society’s mores regarding partnerships where a large (in this case 14 years) age difference exists, and the double-standard of that regarding older women. Truth is, I was enchanted by Sullivan, and it took Kay less than 24 hours to recognize that, truly, she fell in love with the man–not his age. The HEA is spectacular, and the sexytimes are as delish as the descriptions of beautiful Greece and its delectable cuisine. Yum.

Interested? You can find TOY BOY on Goodreads, Totally Bound, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

About the Author:
Lily Harlem lives in the UK and is an award-winning author of contemporary erotic romance. She writes for publishers on both sides of the Atlantic including Ellora’s Cave, HarperCollins, Totally Bound, Xcite and Sweetmeats Press. Her HOT ICE series regularly receives high praise and industry nominations.

Before turning her hand to writing Lily Harlem worked as a trauma nurse and her latest HarperCollins release, Confessions of a Naughty Night Nurse, draws on her many experiences while nursing in London. Lily also self-publishes and The Glass Knot, The Silk Tie, Breathe You In (USA Today Reviewer’s Recommended Read of 2013) and Scored have been blessed with many 5* reviews since their release.

Lily also co-authors with Natalie Dae and publishes under the name Harlem Dae – check out the Sexy as Hell Box Set Trilogy available exclusively on Amazon – The Novice, The Player and The Vixen – and That Filthy Book which has been hailed as a novel ‘every woman should read’.

One thing you can be sure of, whatever book you pick up by Ms Harlem, is it will be wildly romantic and down-and-dirty sexy. Enjoy!

You can catch Lily on her website, blog, Twitter, Facebook, Author Page, Pinterest. She’s also got a newsletter, Goodreads and Google +.

Check out her blogs on Raw Talent, BritBabes, and Hockey Romance!

Thanks for popping in, and keep reading my friends!
 

Creating Love With The WEDDING FAVORS–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing my review for Anne Tenino’s WEDDING FAVORS, a contemporary M/M romance. I’ve fallen for the Bluewater Bay series,which has been pretty interesting.

Wedding Favors (Bluewater Bay, #7)About the book:

Lucas Wilder’s best friend is a traitor. First, Audrey moved back to their hick-infested hometown, Bluewater Bay, and now she’s marrying a local. His own brother, in fact. And as her Man of Honor, Lucas gets coerced into returning for an extended stay. Although, between his unfaithful ex-boyfriend and his artist’s block, going home isn’t the worst thing that could happen. Even if the Best Man is Gabriel Savage, Lucas’s first crush, first hookup, and first heartbreak.

The only reason Gabe hasn’t been waiting for Lucas to return to Bluewater Bay is because he never thought it’d happen. Not that it matters now that Lucas is back—Gabe’s still a logger who’s never been anywhere (Canada doesn’t count), and Lucas is now a famous sculptor who’s been everywhere twice. Plus, there’s that shared past.

When Audrey asks Lucas to make her wedding favors, the only place to set up a kiln is at Gabe’s tree farm. Soon, they pick up where they left off twelve years before, then blow past it, discovering why neither of them forgot the other. Now they have to choose how much of their history they’ll repeat, and what future they’ll make together.

My Review:

4.5 stars for this reconnection M/M romance. This is part of the larger Bluewater Bay series, but can be read as a standalone.

Lucas has just finished moving his belongings out from the home/studio he shared with his long-time boyfriend in LA when his BFF, Audrey, calls from Bluewater Bay to tell him not only is she getting married in 6 weeks, but also that she’s marrying his brother, Zach. Lucas is not ecstatic–he loves Audrey, but he hates their hometown, and doesn’t want to return for the nuptials. And he’s especially frustrated to learn that Audrey wants him to be her Man of Honor…so his brother’s Best Man is none other that Gabe Savage, the boy who broke him 12 years ago.

Gabe Savage has carried a torch for Lucas Wilder ever since high school. He loved him, secretly, but never owned it because he knew even then that Lucas was meant for the big wide world–he was a promising artist in school and had been accepted to college states away. Meanwhile, Gabe knew the only place he’d ever live was on his 5th generation family tree farm. Gabe took one forbidden taste of Lucas back then, and learning that Lucas is coming home for the wedding kindles a hope for…more.

Lucas, unfortunately doesn’t harbor any warm, fuzzy feelings for Gabe. He sees, instead, the person who touched him once–he thinks for sport. Gabe wasn’t particularly adept at expressing himself (this hasn’t changed) and made it clear all those years ago that Gabe and Lucas was just a “one off” leaving Lucas feeling foolish and used, and more than eager to flee Bluewater Bay. Gabe was afraid Lucas would stay for him, back then, and it would ruin Lucas’ chances, but he never intended to hurt Lucas for real. Now that they see each other at all the wedding-related events Gabe has a chance to explain; Lucas isn’t thrilled, but he does admit that he may have let that sour memory sit too long.

Working on sculptures for Audrey’s wedding favors requires Lucas to spend time out at Gabe’s farm–where the is plenty of wood, space and, yes, horse manure to power Lucas’ kiln. He’s also inspired by Gabe, who is ever-present and ever-helpful. I really loved how they worked hard to talk this time around. Sturdy Gabe is a taskmaster, which is very much appreciated by Lucas–who has a bit of a humiliation kink. Their romance is really excellent. They have a true affection growing, and are bashful of the repercussions: Lucas is only supposed to stay until the wedding, but he’d consider staying longer if Gabe asked. Gabe wants, with his whole heart, for Lucas to stay, but he’d never ask–he won’t clip Lucas’ wings. On the flipside, the podunk town Lucas hated is better seen with his older, more experienced eyes. Bluewater Bay has developed some in all the years and it’s not long before Lucas imagines himself staying…or at least settling not far away and visiting Gabe….often.

The whole second half is a delicious ramp up to an HEA ending that has all the right feels. There’s a little bit of domination, but it’s never the focus of the lovemaking. Lucas is kinda endearingly odd, as a person, falling into artistic fugues and getting consumed by his vision for hours on end, but his genuine appreciation of Gabe as a man–from the heady rush of body hair, to loving his body scents and firm musculature, was something I could really appreciate. 😉

Gabe was so loving and tender, having the deepest affection and yet being willing to sacrifice it for Lucas’ best interest. I could have smooched him longtime.

There’s a little bit of angst, but it’s downplayed. This book is a smooth ride and a feel-good for any type of day.

Interested? You can find WEDDING FAVORS on Goodreads, Riptide Books, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and AllRomance. I received a review copy courtesy of NetGalley.

About the Author:

Raised on a steady media diet of Monty Python, classical music and the visual arts, Anne Tenino rocked the mental health world when she was the first patient diagnosed with Compulsive Romantic Disorder. Since that day, with her trusty psychiatrist by her side, Anne has taken on conquering the M/M world through therapeutic writing. Finding out who those guys having sex in her head are and what to do with them has been extremely liberating.

Anne’s husband finds it liberating as well, although in a somewhat different way. He has accepted her need for “research”, and looks forward to the benefits said research affords him. He thinks it’s kind of cool she manages to write, as well. Her two daughters are mildly confused by Anne’s need to twist Ken dolls into odd positions. They were raised to be open-minded children, however, and other than occasionally stealing Ken1’s strap-on, they let Mom do her thing without interference.

Anne’s thing is writing gay romance and erotica.

Wondering what Anne does in her spare time? Mostly she lies on the couch, eats bonbons and shirks housework.

Check out what Anne’s up to now by visiting her website, Facebook or twitter.

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

All About BLOWING OFF STEAM–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing my review for BLOWING OFF STEAM, a contemporary M/M romance that features an awkward trainspotter and a reformed playboy. Joy Lynn Fielding has written a truly delicious romance that celebrates all the best in geekery and do-overs.

Blowing Off SteamAbout the Book:
Two guys, a train, and lots of steam.

Sam Chancellor has been in love with the steam engine Old Bess since he was six years old. Well, maybe not literally, but even when he’s lost everything else in his life, he’s always had her. But now her place in his heart has been unexpectedly challenged. Her new driver, Ryan Saunders, is the embodiment of all Sam’s fantasies.

Ryan has written off Sam as just another geeky trainspotter—until the moment Ryan sees him without his usual shapeless hoodie, and realizes that for a nerd, Sam’s pretty built.

When Ryan overlooks Sam’s awkwardness long enough to suggest a hook-up, Sam seizes the opportunity—and Ryan—with both very eager hands. Finding common ground in their shared love of Bess, their time together is better than Sam ever dared dream.

But there’s a reason Ryan never talks about his past. And when Ryan’s job is threatened, Sam’s well-meaning intervention puts both Ryan and Bess in deadly danger.

Product Warnings: Contains train geekery, bed-hogging, a hero with no experience and another with plenty to spare, and a spider called Mabel.

My Review:
Sam is a small-town man, living alone in his late great-uncle’s home in Cardyle. He has always been awkward and not had many friends–growing up a scrawny gay orphan who loves trains did not engender many personal friendships, though he is very well-known in the local and online trainspotting community. Not long ago, Sam spotted something else of interest: Ryan Saunders, the new driver of Old Bess, the prized steam locomotive of Cardyle.

Ryan Saunders has been a flamboyant playboy most of his life. He’s run his wealthy father ragged, and is now under strict orders to not seek any contact or else his monthly allowance will be cut off. This isn’t ideal when he new boss insists Ryan speak to his father for a large endowment to Old Bess’s Trust–or else Ryan can just move on to another job.

Ryan is frustrated over his situation, and takes solace in picking up the geeky but earnest Sam one night after work. Sam is an exuberant, if completely inexperienced lover, and this has a peculiar effect on jaded Ryan. They begin to discuss Ryan’s trouble at work, and Sam is outraged. His attempt to fix the situation pulls up some really disastrous information, the kind that puts more than Ryan’s job security on the line. I really enjoyed the tension here–I didn’t know how or what form the attacks would come, but I was sure that Ryan, and perhaps Sam, was in life-threatening danger which really added a whole different dimension to the story. What I expected would be a wrongful termination suit, or perhaps a botched blackmail scheme, turned out some much more harrowing! I loved it.

I also loved the tenderness that developed between Ryan and Sam. It was entirely sweet, and funny, too. Poor Sam and his pet garden spider! Ryan certainly had no love for Mabel/Shelob. He did, however, have love for Sam, so I guess all was as it should be. As a Yankee, I swoon for British men, and the manner in which they treat themselves. From disparaging each others’ tea strength to the side-eyes they gave over train configuration, I adored every moment of Sam and Ryan together.

This book has a crazy-good amount of sexytimes, though not all of it is described in gritty detail. The scenes were often emotionally present, and that was charming, and sexy, too. As a mother of boys, I get the train fascination and I really enjoyed the trainy details. It was heartwarming to see such a stodgy experience, trainspotting and steam locomotives, brought into contemporary life. And, really, I can’t help loving when a geeky guy lands a sexy keeper. Both Ryan and Sam are essentially alone in the world, and they find such companionship with each other I was rooting for them all the way.

Interested? You can find BLOWING OFF STEAM on Goodreads, Samhain Publishing, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and AllRomance. I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley.

About the author:

Joy Lynn Fielding lives in a small English market town, where she indulges her passions for vintage aircraft, horse-riding and gardening (though not all at the same time).

Joy has a tendency to wax lyrical about the fascinating facts she discovers during her research for books. Thankfully she has a very patient Labrador who has a gift for looking interested in what she’s saying while he waits for the food to arrive.

You can find Joy online on her website, Facebook and twitter.

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

Love Within The FLUKES–Review and Giveaway

FlukesTour
Hi there! Today, I’m sharing a contemporary paranormal romance from Nichole Chase. FLUKES is a sexy New Adult story featuring a shy mermaid and the bad boy who falls for her…

Make sure to scroll down and enter the $50 gift card giveaway.

Flukes CoverAbout the book:
Meena has a secret guarded closely by her family—a secret as dangerous as the sea and buried just as deep. When court-appointed community-service workers are assigned to Flukes, the family-owned animal sanctuary, everyone is on high alert. It doesn’t help that Meena finds herself attracted to sexy-as-sin Blake Weathering, one of the new workers. If he wasn’t so distracting, she might be able to land Flukes a much-needed cruise-line contract.

Blake Weathering, the first in his family to attend public school, has developed a tough image. Unfortunately, it lands him in trouble. Now banned from his high school graduation ceremony, getting his diploma is dependent upon a community-service gig cleaning up fish crap. No diploma, no trust fund fortune—and no way to escape his overbearing father. The last thing he needs is the distraction of a mysterious girl with teal eyes who pulls at his heartstrings.

When Blake discovers Meena’s secret, they are both thrown into a desperate search for information about her past. Two worlds pull them in opposite directions, and they will have to fight to hold on to all that really matters.

How about a little taste?

“He’s friendly.” Blake’s voice was amused and he automatically scratched under Mitch’s chin. She squee’d loudly and spit water at his face.
“Mitch is a girl.” He held his hands up to ward off her wet assault and I couldn’t help but laugh. He didn’t seem irritated by Mitch’s antics, just amused and wet.
“My apologies, Mitch. I did think it was weird that you were so pretty if you were a boy.” Blake reached out a hand and scratched her chin again. He looked at me from the corner of his eyes. “Did you tell her to do that?”
“What? Oh, the splashing? No. She’s just sensitive.” Jallia came over and rolled onto her side. I traced my hands over her belly and cooed under my breath. The baby was healthy and happy. He was going to be a big boy. “Not long now, Jallia. You’re going to have your son out and playing in no time.”
Mitch nosed her mother for a minute, checking the baby as well. After a minute, Stormy started making noises about being hungry and I laughed. I set the fish bucket between Blake and Ime. “Here, feed them, but don’t let them knock the bucket over.” Mitch rose out of the water and flopped onto the decking between us. “Mitch! You got my clothes wet!” I yanked the bucket out of the way and pushed Mitch back into the water.
Stormy darted through the water and opened his mouth for Blake to deposit some fish. It didn’t take us long to empty the bucket and I enjoyed answering Blake’s questions. He was smarter than I had given him credit for.
“Are these markings from the other dolphins? They look like teeth scrapes.” Blake leaned close to Stormy and peered at the teeth rakings on his melon.
“Yeah. Some of them are from playing, roughhousing. Some of them are from being irritating. He is a nosy guy.” I ran my hand over Stormy’s head. “Most of them fade pretty quickly. They shed their skin every two hours.”
“Wow. Didn’t know that.” Blake looked down at the water and frowned. “So my legs are covered in dead dolphin skin. Nice.”
He was so engrossed at looking at his legs in disgust, I couldn’t help myself. It was the perfect chance to get payback for his insulting Flukes. I shoved his shoulder, pushing him into the water. “Now it’s all over you.”
Mitch laughed her dolphin laugh, but Jallia scolded me. When Blake came up sputtering, he glared at me. Mitch spit water at him, but he ignored her and swam to the platform. I thought he was going to sulk until he got closer. He looked up at the last minute and his mischievous smile pulled at the corners of his mouth. His brown eyes twinkled and I knew I was in trouble. I tried to get up and out of the way quickly, but he was faster than I thought. His strong hand closed around my ankle and dragged me into the water. Mitch darted down to me and I grabbed onto her dorsal fin. She surfaced quickly and scolded Blake with sharp whistles.
“She had it coming!” Blake held his hands out in front of him and laughed. He splashed water at me and I returned the favor. Mitch and Stormy joined in, but Jallia swam away, not in the mood for playing. His smile was infectious as he played with the dolphins, not minding when they dunked him or pushed him around. I found myself watching more than playing because I liked seeing him look so happy.
“You had it coming first. Calling Flukes a hellhole.” I laughed at his fake hurt look.
“I apologized! And it’s not like I didn’t notice that I was getting all the crap jobs last week.” He pretended to hold his heart. “I’ve paid my dues. What else can you want from me?”
“Fine. We’re even.” I rolled my eyes and shifted a little farther away from him. There was something compelling about him, something that made me want to be closer. He was dangerous.
“Looks like you lost something.” He tapped his head and I frowned.
“Ugh. My hat.” I looked around and saw it floating toward the sandy bottom. I took a deep breath that I didn’t need and dove after it. When I came back up, Blake was looking at me with wide eyes. “What? It’s my favorite.”
“How deep is this part of the cove?” He looked down and frowned. “What? Eighteen, twenty feet?”
“Something like that.” This part of the cove was twenty-eight feet. Mentally, I berated myself for being so stupid. I should have sent Mitch or Stormy after my hat, but I didn’t want teeth marks on it.
“Heh.” Blake looked at me, his eyebrows drawn together.
I hauled myself onto the platform and felt his eyes following me, making my heart jump in my chest. He pulled himself out of the enclosure and peeled his shirt off. The boy was gorgeous and he knew it. The exact kind of guy I should avoid at all costs. He twisted the shirt in his hands, wringing as much water out as he could.
“What next?” Blake slung the wet shirt over his shoulder.
The water droplets that ran down his chest drew my attention like a moth to flame. My fingers itched to touch him. I scrambled to my feet and backed away from him slowly while squeezing the edge of my shirt. Needing a distraction, I picked up the bucket and turned toward the ladder.
“The others should be here soon. I need to go help Dad with the assignments and then we can come up with a plan for the crews.” I didn’t look back at him after climbing the three short rungs, trying to shake the weird spell he seemed to have on me.

flukesteaser3
My Review:
Um. In case it’s not clear, ahem, this is a mermaid book. I would not consider it to be a spoiler, as we learn Meena is a mermaid within the first five pages. What is clear from the disclaimer is that this mermaid book is more than a little sexy. Not for young kiddos, sorry. (Not ACTUALLY sorry! It was a cool surprise for me… )

Meena lives in the Bahamas with her adopted parents, and works in their animal sanctuary, Flukes, in a prized cove. They don’t have a lot of spare cash and need to spruce up the place for tourism dollars so they contract work via the community service program on the island–essentially bringing low-risk offenders to the sanctuary to paint, scrape and fix the cosmetic blemishes. One of these ne’er-do-wells is an actual well-to-doer, Blake Weathering, whose father owns several hotels on the island. Blake was sentenced to community service after he assaulted a fellow student (with good reason, but still…)

Blake’s not excited about shoveling seal crap for six weeks, but he’s more than attracted to Meena–who holds a grudge over Blake’s nasty comments regarding Flukes. He has struggled with his father’s highly detailed plans for his life and eagerly awaits the release of his trust fund as soon as he receives his diploma. In the meantime, he enjoys rubbing Meena in all the wrong ways.

They have an adversarial thing going, at first, until Blake makes apologies for his tactless comments, and helps Meena’s parents with the design of a new logo and resort-style improvements to entice new visitors. Blake loves working with Meena and her parents who truly value his input and help him feel welcomed in a way his father never did.

Meena has a lot of special abilities besides her mermaidishness. She can communicate with many of the animals at the sanctuary. She is stronger than she appears, and heals quickly in her mermaid form, too. On the other hand, her feet are extremely tender and her skin is very sensitive to chemicals and synthetic fibers. Blake can’t pinpoint why he’s so intrigued by Meena, but part of it is her work ethic. She never tires of helping out. And she’s beautiful, and smart. She doesn’t fawn or feign anything, which he respects.

Other guys in the work crew? They don’t respect Meena nearly as much. One of them, Devin, is a known sex offender, and he’s got some dirty deeds planned. Expect big-time badness and more than one rescue. I didn’t expect his transformation, and it was an interesting development.

The romance does develop rather quickly, and this has a lot to do with Meena’s magic, as she learns from some traveling merfolk. Meena and Blake are both 18, and Blake is Meena’s first boyfriend. If you are expecting some chaste kissing here, well, you’re going to get a lot more bang for your buck. And I mean that literally. Some pretty delicious/graphic sexytimes. Made me curious how the merfolk get it on when they are water-bound…

The book ends on an HEA, and with more sexy. Yay!
Interested? You can find FLUKES on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iBooks.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win $50 gift card to Amazon or Barnes & Noble–winner’s choice.
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Good luck, and keep reading my friends!

NicholeChase
About the Author:
Nichole Chase is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Suddenly Royal, The Accidental Assassin, Flukes, The Dark Betrayal Trilogy, and several short stories.

Nichole lives in Georgia with her husband, energetic daughter, superhero dog, Sulcata tortoise, and two cats. When not writing, you may find her reading, painting, crafting, or chasing her daughter around the house while making monster noises.

You can catch up with Nichole online on her website, Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.
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Love Rekindled ONE NIGHT IN CHICAGO–Review and Giveaway

tourbutton_onenightinchicagoHi there! Today I get to share my review for Megan Morgan’s steamy novella ONE NIGHT IN CHICAGO. As you may recall, it’s my hometown, and I just adored how Morgan brought it to life! Plus, this super-sexy story had a couple on the outs who end up with an HEA…my fave! Make sure to scroll down and enter the giveaway for an Amazon gift card.

One Night in ChicagoAbout the book:
Breaking up is hard to do, especially after four years together.

Taylor Middleton, a singer striving for her big break, and her boyfriend Malcolm Darling, a mover and shaker in the music business, have decided to call it quits. Taylor wants to take her onstage persona—Gracie M—to LA, where she hopes bright lights and big dreams await.

But before they break up, the two decide to spend one last night in Chicago, the city where they once shared a passionate, romantic weekend, in hopes of preserving some good memories. In Chicago, Taylor realizes she’s not so sure about taking her talents elsewhere, as Malcolm reminds her why she fell in love—and lust—with him. Taylor may soon discover the right man, like music, can set her free and make all her dreams come true.

How about a little taste:

She bought a shot glass, some postcards, a pen, and a keychain with her name on one side and the Chicago skyline, lit with little lights, on the other.

She dangled the keychain in front of Malcolm’s face. “Come on, this is a work of art. Look at the lights.”

“They’ll burn out in two days.” He batted it. “You’re the worst impulse shopper I’ve ever met.”

“Some of us like to have fun.” She strolled to the windows. “Just because you’re a boring old man doesn’t mean we all have to be.”

“I’m far from boring. I would think after four years you wouldn’t use that word to describe me.”

“You can be overbearing, sometimes.” She pulled her phone out of her purse. “A wet blanket.”

“I’m reasonable. You can be a bit of a child, if we’re gonna go there. Sometimes you don’t think about the consequences before you act. You just jump in.”

“Don’t worry, after tomorrow I won’t be your problem to babysit.”

He sighed. “I don’t think of it as babysitting. I just thought…maybe after four years we learned something from each other. You know, you help me loosen up, I keep you grounded.”

She took a picture out the window with her phone. “I guess not.”

“You don’t think we’ve rubbed off on each other at all?”

She turned and snapped a picture from a different angle. “It doesn’t seem like it, does it? I mean, here we are, still arguing about the same crap.”

“Surely we’re taking something good from this.” Malcolm followed her as she moved along the railing. “It wasn’t all bad, was it?”

She turned to him. “No. But when it was bad, it was really bad. That’s why this is happening.”

“You’re supposed to say I made you a better person.” Forced humor tinged his voice. “That you’ll always be grateful for the things you learned from me.”

She dropped her phone back in her purse. “Is that all you’re concerned about, that I ‘learned’ something from you?”

“No. But I was hoping we changed each other for the better.”

“Are you changed for the better?”

“I am, actually.”

She gazed out the windows, across the vast expanse of water.

“I feel like I’m not the uptight jerk I once was. Like you taught me how to have a little fun.”

“Yet, you’re still a workaholic.”

“It’s my job! Tay, it’s okay to have fun, but you gotta put in some hard work to have good things. You know that better than anyone. You’re gonna have to work hard in California. Your dream will still take time.”

Anger tightened her chest. “I know that.”

“But it’s okay to dream. It’s okay to look forward to the day when everything you want comes to you.”

“If it does, right?” She snorted. “This could all be a losing game. Why, I might be back in New York and in your arms again before the end of the year.”

He turned toward the window, placing his hands on the railing. “I want you to have your dreams. I wouldn’t mind if you were still in my arms.”

My Review:
Taylor is a 20-something lounge singer from Brooklyn whose 40ish boyfriend Malcolm is a talent agent representing bands, not singers. They have been in a committed relationship for four years, but Taylor is planning a move to LA with two friends in order to launch her singing career there. She’s struggled to find her audience in NYC and is looking for a completely fresh start, even leaving Malcolm behind. This came as a surprise for Malcolm, who’d been more than happy with their relationship. As a big goodbye, he whisks her off to Chicago for a last-ditch effort to rekindle their love, the day before she’s due to move to LA.

The story is told from Taylor’s point of view, and she’s feeling nostalgic and melancholy throughout the first half. She and Malcolm had spent a sizzling weekend together in Chicago early in their courtship, and the memories are bittersweet knowing that tomorrow they will separate, for good. Only, it isn’t quite like that.

Not to spoil, but they do reconnect, in all the right and sexy ways. Their relationship difficulties are all small potatoes, and even a cross country move isn’t the death knell Taylor had once considered. It seems that Malcolm was more than willing to make the changes necessary to facilitate her career–and I really enjoyed his more steady and upbeat advice. Taylor admits to being a diva and drama queen–which I attribute to her youth, in deference to Malcolm’s experience.

This is good, sexy read that will keep readers interested and cheering for an HEA.

Interested? You can find ONE NIGHT IN CHICAGO on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card.
Make sure to follow the whole tour—the more posts you visit throughout, the more chances you’ll get to enter the giveaway.
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Good luck! 😉

MMorganAbout the Author:

Megan Morgan is an urban fantasy, romance, and erotica author from Cleveland, Ohio. Bartender by day and purveyor of things that go bump in the night, she’s trying to turn writing into her day job so she can be on the other side of the bar for a change. She’s a member of the RWA and author of the Siren Song urban fantasy series from Kensington Books, as well as numerous other shorter, sexy, smutty works.

You can catch up with Megan online on her website, twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, or via email: meganmorganauthor (at) gmail (dot) com.

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!