He’s KING DORK, APPROXIMATELY–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a newly released contemporary YA title from Frank Portman. KING DORK APPROXIMATELY is a sequel, and I haven’t read the previous title, but that’s cool. Because this book sucked me in, and I didn’t miss out.

King Dork ApproximatelyAbout the book:

From Frank Portman comes the long-awaited sequel to the beloved cult classic King Dork, of which John Green, author of The Fault in Our Stars, said, “Basically, if you are a human being with even a vague grasp of the English language, King Dork will rock your world.”

Aside from the stitches and the head wound, Tom Henderson is the same old King Dork. He’s still trying to work out who to blame for the new scar on his forehead, the memory loss, and his father’s mysterious death. But illicit female hospital visitations, The Catcher in the Rye, and the Hillmont High sex-pocalypse have made him a new man.

What doesn’t make you stronger can kill you, though, and tenth grade, act two, promises to be a killer. Tom’s down one bloodstained army coat, one Little Big Tom, and two secret semi-imaginary girlfriends. Now his most deeply held beliefs about alphabetical-order friendship, recycling, school spirit, girls, rock and roll, the stitching on jeans, the Catcher Code, and the structure of the universe are about to explode in his face. If only a female robot’s notes could solve the world’s problems, he’d have a chance. But how likely is that?  

King Dork Approximately–it feels like the first time. Like the very first time.

My Review:
It’s 1999 and Tom Henderson is a kid with a conspiracy-filled brain. He’s sure one of his former teachers killed his father years ago. This is based upon a whacked-out Catcher Code he believes said-teacher followed, and he’s convinced the ‘psychotic normals’ are after him. Case in point: he had previously been attacked by a tuba-wielding mob and had his head bashed open.

While recovering from this horrific attack, Tom spends time with his bandmates, Sam Hellerman and Shinefield, composing horrid music (with abhorrent drumming) and assembling his case against the universe for his oppression and the (possible) murder of his father. Tom weathers the Y2K-Not-Meltdown, but big change is on the horizon for King Dork–Hillmont High, scene of his hazing and serial brutality at the hands of the normals, is closing.

Oh, and King Dork has other big news:

I did it. With a girl.

And maybe you’re thinking I’m just being cagey, and it will turn out that the “it” that was done, with the girl, by me, was something like baking cookies, or playing Monopoly, or fetching a pail of water from the old well up the hill. But I assure you, it means what people usually mean by “it.”

So! This adventure takes us through the vagaries of Tom’s completely plain life, in a way that is spectacularly textured. Tom’s agitated and verbose narration is a feat of ingenuity. The way he describes his school’s use of alphabetically ordered seating, is well…

The state, having determined that its interests would be best served by turning the lives of its citizens into a living nightmare at as early an age as possible, had entrusted the day-to-day soul-crushing process to the Santa Carla County School District. And the District found that its iron fist could most efficiently grind the aforementioned could into a fine, terrified, inert paste if the bodies they animated were clearly marked and organized in a rigid, alphabetically ordered grid, like books or socket sets, or fireworks.

Tom’s home life is in more dire straights than normal: his apathetic mother is more so, and his sunshiney, platitude-spouting step-father Little Big Tom has moved out due to unknown causes, though his sister, Amanda is sure it’s because of some panties in a gym bag–not that Tom gives Amanda’s theory any credence.

In Tom’s new school, he’s not the King Dork. He’s a Bone, trombone, that is, and part of the Pep Band, because, astoundingly, Clearview High has…pep.

I had long ago given up trying to discern any hint of sarcasm, or mockery, or even mild irony in this sort of behavior at Clearview High School: there really wasn’t any. These people, as crazy as it seems, really were this into it, and the “it” they were into, believe it or not, was simply high school. Damnedest thing I ever did see.

While engaging at Clearview, Tom finds himself a friend, Roberta, the Female Robert, and her best-ish pal, Pammelah, who inexplicably becomes Tom’s girlfriend.

The story is basically about Tom coming to terms with life, finally fitting in (sorta), being ostracized yet again, and realizing that his take of the universe is subject to re-evaluation from time to time. He invests himself in his music, and finds a better path, as it were. Plus, he makes out a lot with Pammelah, which is pretty cool for a 15 y/o boy.

The side characters are rendered so caringly. Sad-sack Little Big Tom and his uber-paranoid friend Flapjack who make attempts to teach Tom to play guitar. Sam Hellerman, and his pill-popping, motivational tape listening ways pining for a girlfriend. Even Roberta the Female Robert (who later becomes the Female Robot in Tom’s head) is fleshed out in girly-notes that are harrowing and hysterical at the same time.

I loved the voice, but sometimes I got lost in the long-winded sentence structure and had to re-read. Tom is an engaging narrator. And I mean that literally: he talks to the reader directly, all the time, which is a fun style for me. I dug the references about music and vinyl and Y2K and clunky cellphones, and I imagine other readers will as well, if not for nostalgia, simply because Tom makes it all so ludicrous and funny. Poor Sam, with his expensive phone and no one to call him becomes a running joke, and one I think tech-savvy teens today might find amusing. The whole awkwardness angle, and being a hopeless “dork” in the pre-anti-bullying timescape is mercilessly exploited what with the ‘psychotic normals’ always on the prowl. Tom’s deadpan wit was so cutting, I’d nearly hurt myself laughing, at points. I really enjoyed the book, and expect teen readers will, too.

Interested? You can find KING DORK APPROXIMATELY on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other outlets, undoubtedly. I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley.

Thanks for popping in, and keep reading my friends! 🙂

They Found WHERE DARKNESS LIES–Review and Giveaway

Hi there! Today I’m joining in the release party for Bella Jewel’s newest release, WHERE DARKNESS LIES. This New Adult romance puts contemporary pirates in a sexy new light.

About the book:
Anger and pain brought them together, but their passion might just set them free.
Dimitri wants only one thing: revenge. His stepfather, Hendrix, has caused him nothing but pain and heartache. At last Dimitri can take something—someone—important to Hendrix and make him pay: Jess.

Jess is feisty and strong headed. Her past haunts her and connects her to the dangerously dark Dimitri in an unexpected way. Dimitri keeps his secrets locked deep inside, and Jess is drawn to this broken man like no one before.

With little to cling to besides their haunting pasts, both could have been doomed to lives spent raging against the darkness that holds them prisoner. Instead, it seems that as their pain draws them closer together, it is their desire that will set them free.

ADD TO GOODREADS

My Review:
Jess and Dimitri suffered horrific abuse in their youth. Jess blames her foster father, while Dimitri blames Hendrix–his stepfather. The difference? Jess manages, and Dimitri doesn’t.

He kidnaps Jess from Hendrix’s ship, sure that Hendrix will come after her and the showdown will ensue, but Dimitri isn’t satisfied–in the least. He has to keep Jess near him at all times, fearing she’ll escape, and this puts a serious cramp in Dimitri’s smexytimes with his cadre of gals. Jess is attractive to Dimitri, but she’s not the whore he took her for.

See, Jess hasn’t willingly given herself to a man, ever. She didn’t think she’d ever want to, not after Roger ruined her, but something about the sheer masculinity of Dimitri calls to her. She can see he’s been broken before–the way he won’t let people touch him is a sign with which she can empathize–and she wants to help him get over his hatred of Hendrix. After all, Hendrix is like the father Jess never had. He protected her when she was alone and floundering and Jess has a strong kinship to him.

I’ll admit, I thought this would be a Regency romance, with swashbuckling and high seas raiding. It’s not. It’s kinda FIGHT CLUB meets 50 SHADES with boats thrown in. I liked the slow build of the affection between Dimitri and Jess, and also her steadfast loyalty to Hendrix. Jess’ relentless pursuit of understanding gets Dimitri out of revenge mode, but it’s a hard battle. It’s a fun read with a dash of drama and a double kidnapping that turns a meek gal into a hellcat cage fighter. Well, for a short while anyway. Decent heat, with flawed, yet likable, characters.

Interested? You can find WHERE DARKNESS LIES on AMAZON: US, UK, and AU, as well as Barnes & Noble.


Also Available: Book One in the CRIMINAL OF THE OCEAN series:

ENSLAVED BY THE OCEAN. This book is the love story between Hendrix and Indigo. I haven’t read it, but imagine this book flows right into WHERE DARKNESS LIES.

You can find it on AMAZON: US, UK, and AU and well as Barnes & Noble.

 

 

****GIVEAWAY****
Click the Raffle Copter link below for your chance to win

a signed paperback copy of WHERE DARKNESS LIES

Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the Author
Bella Jewel is a self published, USA Today bestselling author. She’s been publishing since 2013. Her first release was a contemporary romance, Hell’s Knights which topped the charts upon release. Since that time, she has published over five novels, gaining a bestseller status on numerous platforms. She lives in North Queensland and is currently studying editing and proofreading to further expand her career. Bella has been writing since she was just shy of fifteen years old. In Summer 2013 she was offered an ebook deal through Montlake Romance for her bestselling modern day pirate series, Enslaved By The Ocean. She plans to expand her
writing career, planning many new releases for the future.

You can catch up with Bella online on her website, Facebook, Amazon, Goodreads and Twitter.

Happy Book Birthday DEBT COLLECTOR: SEASON TWO–Review and Giveaway

The Debt Collector Season 2 Blitz Banner 851 x 315 copy

Hi there! Today I get to share the love for a dear friend’s newest release. Susan Kaye Quinn is an indie juggernaut and the variety in her books gives me the chance to dip my toes into several genres, at once. The Debt Collector is an on-going serial novel released in five “seasons” and today the final episode in Season Two is released. Also, you can now purchase the entire Season Two in one single download!

Debt Collector Season 2 CoverOPTIONED FOR VIRTUAL REALITY BY IMMERSIVE ENTERTAINMENT

2014 Semi-Finalist in Science Fiction in the Kindle Book Awards
The nine episodes of Season Two of the Debt Collector serial are collectively 125k words or about 500 pages.

About the book:
What’s your life worth on the open market?
In this gritty urban fantasy, debt collectors take your life energy and give it to someone more “worthy”… all while paying the price with black marks on their souls.

Wraith is a shadow in the night, haunting the bedrooms of the rich “high potentials” who have stolen life energy from the desperate and dying. The justice and the sweet mercy hit that follow keep her from falling into her own personal abyss.

Her secret nighttime work also keeps her on level for her real mission: carrying on her father’s legacy of attempting to bring an end to debt collection as a whole. But when a mysterious debt collector interrupts her in the act and discovers her secret, everything Wraith loves may be destroyed by the one thing she can never fix– the original sin of being a debt collector herself.

How about an Excerpt?

My new collection suit weighs less than a shadow on my skin, and my soft-soled boots don’t even whisper as I creep across the thick, yielding carpet of my target’s apartment. With the best bullet-resistant synthetics money can buy, the black curve-hugging suit makes me look more like female-special-forces than someone’s hot date for the night. It raised the bellman’s eyebrows, but an untraceable debit card got me waved through the lobby, no problem. Money buys a lot of things. Access to one of the highest-security luxury buildings in LA. A ninety-fifth-floor apartment high above the smog-soaked city, complete with all the clean air you can breathe. And the no-doubt illegal collection of ivory-handled daggers I passed on the way in. It’s too bad for data-mining mogul Adrien Odel that money can’t buy your way out of a blackened soul.

I know.

I’ve tried.

And tonight I’ve come to collect a debt he doesn’t even think he owes.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows of Odel’s apartment, the city is lit up with a nighttime electric haze, the kind that makes it look seedy even in the high-rent district. It’s the perfect backdrop for a collection, and my suit is a black silhouette against it, a hole of death punched in the city’s twinkling lights. The high-tech fabric clings to me like the original sin I can never expiate, the one every debt collector is born with: the ability to deliver death with the slightest touch. We traffic in it, surround ourselves with it, and can never escape it.

Not that I haven’t tried that, too.

But even a short three-week dry spell away from collecting has me needy as all hell. The craving for a life energy hit claws at my back, and every step across the carpet amps up the desire. Even the possibility of Odel pulling a gun and shooting me dead hypes the thrill a little. My palm aches in anticipation—for the justice and the high that comes with it—but I take it slow, watching the placement of my feet and checking the windows. Along one edge, next to a mile-wide screen and some pretentious artwork, there’s a control panel. Only the rich want windows that open in the city, but it’s a bonus for me, especially given the windows face the broad expanse of the skyline and not the high-rise next door.

As I check out the control panel, the high-rise becomes a peep show. A woman’s naked body is pressed against the glass, exposed to the city’s onlookers as a man clutches her bare skin and makes love to her. I’m transfixed by the way they move, skin against skin, without care for the contact or the watchers. In a moment, they’re gone. Maybe reason broke through the passion. Maybe the glass was cold, in spite of the perpetual heat of LA.
Regardless, the image holds me hostage.

Having a lover isn’t something that’s part of my future. Or my present, for that matter. But that doesn’t stop the base need from surging up, usually at the least convenient of times. Then a different image—a cold, pale specter from my past—crawls out of the dark corners of my mind and reminds me I’m not the kind of woman who gets to have a normal life. I’m the kind who takes life and then gives it away. And the ecstasy of that is the closest I’ll ever get to the normal kind again—so it had better be good enough.

I couldn’t stomach even that pleasure for a while, not after what the debt collectors did to my father. I managed a whole three weeks without a single collection. But in the end, it’s the only thing that keeps me stable. And I’ve had a severe lack of stable ever since my father’s death nearly tore down the teetering scaffold of lies that comprises my life. That’s when the abyss reared up and stared me full in the face. Will-power alone wasn’t enough to stop it—the darkness just opened its maw and threatened to swallow me whole. At least that would have put an end the torment… but I couldn’t let the sin of who I am destroy everything my father had worked for. That we had both worked for. So here I am, dressed like a phantom, stalking the rich to give to the poor. With a tremor in my hands that’s more than a little unsettling. For better and worse, it’s the one thing that keeps me out of that dark place and gives me hope that one day I might redeem everything I am and everything I’ve done.

DC-teaser

My Review:
I was a skeptic for the serial format–until I tried it. Being a busy mom/worker bee/reader/writer/blogger etc I didn’t think I could “waste” my time on a book that wasn’t even CLOSE to done. Silly me. It turned out to be the perfect in-between read for me, for when I have 30-45 minutes of time that I want to read, but don’t want to get sucked into a full-length novel. Plus, I always had a new episode to anticipate. Well, until now. Because Season Two is in the books.

Alexa “Wraith” Sterling has lived a double-life too long. By day, she’s the anti-life-energy activist owner of Sterling Cybernetics, fighting the good fight to end energy transfers from poor people to wealthy “high potentials”–essentially literally ‘cashing them out’ when their potential earnings outstrip their personal debts. It’s a horrific new reality, and resulted in the the early demise of not only her mother, but her father as well.

So, anyone can understand why Alexa would want life energy transfers to cease, but Alexa’s terrifying secret, that she was born adebt collector, is one she does not want to see the light of day. By night, Alexa dons the debt collecting persona of Wraith and preys upon people who illegally purchase life energy trades in order to enhance their youth, appearance, or just for a high. Wraith is a mean mama jamma, terrorizing the wealthy, life-stealers and paying out to sick kids—well, until she can’t anymore.

And, definitely not once she falls on the radar of a fringe group of debt collectors, called Gehenna, who want to render themselves immortal by eternal collection of humans. By turns, Alexa is pressured, with life or death consequences, to undo the good work of her anti-debt collection non-profit, Lifetime. The Gehenna collectors, headed by Molloch, will get Alexa’s compliance, or kill her–and all those she loves. Alexa find allies where she can, but she’s continually choosing between bad and worse options, always a few steps behind the well-orchestrated plan to de-regulate life-energy transfers and create an open season for debt collectors to ascend into the role of demigods, essentially.

Throughout, Alexa seeks to save her loved ones, and herself, but mostly to shut down Gehenna and its criminal activity. Working within the Gehenna system isn’t really feasible; the debt collectors don’t trust her, and surviving each more harrowing experience in their captivity is a challenge even this high potential/debt collector is hard-pressed to manage. And, frankly, lots of other people would have simply walked.

Not Alexa. She’s a warrior in corporate skirts. She may have been dealt a raw hand, but she bluffs and bets her way to the best victory she can. And, we’re all the better for this maverick willing, not to buck the system, but to tear it all down if it means saving the world from Gehenna overlordship. If I were lost in a dystopian future, I’d want Alexa by my side.

There’s a good bit of steam, and a love story, but mostly there is an amazing story of endurance and doing the right thing, even if it costs you everything.

Interested? You can find DEBT COLLECTOR: SEASON TWO on Amazon. It is recommended that you start with the first season, but each season is a complete story for that debt collector and can serve as an entry point to the series. There are five planned seasons in the Debt Collector series, the first four each from the perspective of a different debt collector with the fifth season bringing all four together.

*****GIVEAWAY*****

Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win
a two-book paperback set of Debt Collector (Season One and Season Two)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

2978c-susankayequinnwebAbout Susan Kaye Quinn:
Susan Kaye Quinn is the author of the bestselling Mindjack Trilogy, which is young adult science fiction. The Dharian Affairs trilogy is her excuse to dress up in corsets and fight with swords. She also has a dark-and-gritty SF serial called The Debt Collector and a middle grade fantasy called Faery Swap. It’s possible she’s easily distracted. She always has more speculative fiction fun in the works. You can find out what she’s up to by subscribing to her newsletter (hint: new subscribers get a free short story!).

She is also NOMINATED for the Illinois Librarian’s “Soon to be Famous Author Project” wherein librarians hope to discover local authors whose “work will jump off the page for readers.”

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest * Goodreads

All They Could Do Was WATCH ME BURN–Review and Giveaway

Hi there! Today I am thrilled to share the love for WATCH ME BURN, the second book in the December People series from Sharon Bayliss. I reviewed the first book, DESTRUCTION last spring, and was intrigued by this contemporary witchcraft fantasy series.


About the book:
David Vandergraff lost his home, his job, and contact with his oldest son, but remains determined to be a good husband and father despite being a dark winter wizard.

His resolve is tested when a flyer for a missing girl–who happens to be a summer witch–begins to haunt him. David believes a spell needs to use him to save her, so he follows the magic’s command and looks into her disappearance. His teenage daughter Emmy resents him for caring so much about a random stranger. But when she uncovers some disturbing evidence close to home, she begins an investigation of her own.

David and Emmy quickly learn that the mystery is not only about a missing girl they barely know, but a deeply personal story that impacts everyone they care about. As their world crumbles, they fear the warning may be true—never mess with summer wizards, because the good guys always win.

Check out the trailer here!

My Review:

David Vandergraff is the head of a family of Winter witches. He doesn’t wish to be, but he is anyway. In this world, where one falls on the magical calendar determines the type of magic one will have. So, if a witch’s “date” is near the summer solstice, he (or she) will have summer magic, and be able to wield the power of light and goodness. Witches with a date nearer the winter solstice will have dark magic–which yields destructive powers. Winter and Summer witches are diametrically opposed, and have a serious battle between them. Meanwhile, witches whose dates fall between solstices, Equinox witches, can wield both light and dark magic.

David’s family consists of his wife Amanda, sons Jude, Patrick, Xavier and daughters Emmy and Evangeline. Xavier and Evangeline were from a different mother, and they suffered horrific abuse from their dark witch stepfather before David recovered them, nearly destroyed his marriage by revealing his infidelity–all of which happened in the first book.

Now, Jude is long gone–consumed by darkness enough that he raped a fellow witch: his sister’s best friend. He’s not COMPLETELY gone, however, because Amanda has been healing his darkness, taking it into herself at great cost to her own health. I can relate–a mother’s love is a strong and powerful force, much like magic.

David is somehow caught in a compulsion spell, one to bring home a missing summer witch. Julie has been gone two weeks, and David is consumed with finding her–and this brings both Emmy and Patrick into the hunt, involuntarily. Emmy knew Julie from volleyball camp, and hated her long before she understood about the animosity between summer and winter witches. It seems they have a physical reaction to each other. Emmy is a resourceful gal, even if she isn’t a powerful witch and feels likewise compelled to find Julie. Patrick is experiencing many disturbing visions of a tortured Julie, and his own role in possibly saving her.

In her searches, Emmy encounters Nathan, Julie’s older brother. He’s searching the forest where Julie went missing relentlessly, but he knows he’ll never find her. There is a strong confounding spell protecting the area, only allowing the access of witches who meet certain criteria. Emmy isn’t taken, either, and Nathan knows it is because the person who has Julie only wants witches who date on the Four Events: Summer Solstice, Winter Solstice, and the Vernal and Autumnal equinoxes. Julie was a Summer Solstice witch–and it made her summer magic powerful. With each Event the captor collects, he (or she) gains immense power.

The rescue of Julie is confounded–and David is struggling to keep his family together–when one of his children goes missing in the forest, too. And Amanda’s failing health seems to be at the heart of some of this problem. Nathan and Emmy join forces in the search, and they become close to each other in a way no one wishes, or predicts. Julie and Nathan’s summer witch family are relentless in their pursuit of the winter Vandergraff’s–wanting to destroy the winter witches, thinking it will protect their family and save Julie. They have succeeded in some destruction, but as Emmy tells Nathan, just because her family is “dark” doesn’t mean they are bad people.

This is a truth Nathan respects; his own family is light—and he knows for a fact they aren’t good.

I really love how this story is unfolding. It’s multi-layered with lots of twists, and significant moral gray areas. So many moral dilemmas: is it okay to kill innocents to protect those you love? Can one trust the visions of magic? What are the bounds of family, when power is the ultimate objective? Can good ends ever justify evil means? It’s fascinating, and deep, with good pacing and enough mystery to keep the series cracking along. The end is a good stopping point, but it’s clear there will be no peace between these two families, and that their conflict between them is only getting stronger.

Interested? WATCH ME BURN releases January 5th, but you can find it on GOODREADS and pre-order it on AMAZON. If you’re new to The December People Series, start with Destruction—99 cents for a limited time!

Catch my review here!

***GIVEAWAYS***

Enter to win!! Get a paperback of your choice of Destruction OR Watch Me Burn.
Just leave me a comment telling me if you’re interested in reading this cool series and which book you’d like. I’ll choose a winner from comments logged before Jan 1st. International entries welcome.
 
Also join The December People Winter Celebration for more giveaways!!
And, Click the Rafflecopter link for your chance to win
one of 5 e-copies of DESTRUCTION or WATCH ME BURN

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck and keep reading my friends!

Sharon BaylissAbout the Author:
Sharon Bayliss is the author of The December People Series and The Charge. When she’s not writing, she enjoys living happily-ever-after with her husband and two young sons. She can be found eating Tex-Mex on patios, wearing flip-flops, and playing in the mud (which she calls gardening). She only practices magic in emergencies.

Check out Sharon online on her website, twitter, and Facebook.

 

Available Now! FREE ME from Laurelin Paige–And $50 Gift Card Giveaway

Banner FB
Hi there! Today I’m getting the word out on a new release from Laurelin Page. FREE ME is the first in a two-book series that gets to the heart of a woman’s pain. Gwen was an accessory character in the FIXED series, and now she has her own spin-off series.

FreeMeCoverAbout the book:
Screw fairytales. The only reward Gwen Anders got from her rough childhood was a thick skin and hard heart. She’s content with her daily grind managing a top NYC nightclub—Eighty-Eighth Floor. So hers isn’t a happily ever after. She doesn’t believe in those anyway.

Then she meets J.C.

The rich, smooth talking playboy is the sexiest thing that Gwen has ever encountered, but she’s not interested in a night-in-shining latex. But when a family tragedy pushes her to the brink, it’s J.C. who’s there to teach her a new method of survival, one based on following primal urges and desires. His no-strings-attached lessons require her to abandon her constant need for control. Her carefully built walls are obliterated.

Gwen discovers there’s a beautiful world outside her prison. Freedom is exhilarating—and terrifying. When she starts to feel something for J.C., she fears for her heart. Especially as she realizes that he has secrets of his own. Secrets that don’t want to set him free.

BOOK ONE OF TWO. This series can be read alone or with the Fixed Trilogy.

FreeMeTeaser1

Interested? You can find FREE ME on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IBooks, and Google Play.

***GIVEAWAY***

Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win
a $50 Gift Card!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck and keep reading my friends!

imageAbout Laurelin:
Laurelin Paige is the NY Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Fixed Trilogy. She’s a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime there’s kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn’t seem to complain, however. When she isn’t reading or writing sexy stories, she’s probably singing, watching Mad Men and the Walking Dead, or dreaming of Adam Levine.

You can catch up with Laurelin on Facebook, Twitter, her website, her newsletter, and Pinterest.

Great Contemporary M/M Romance From Kimber Vale

Hi there! Today I’m chatting about a series of books I’ve received as a reviewer in the M/M Romance group on Goodreads. This is a closed group, but you simply need to request admission, and voila! You’re in. I started reading M/M, or Gay, romance about two years ago. As I’ve mentioned before, I find the struggles of gay/lesbian characters to be uniquely poignant. Not only do these characters have to overcome enormous social pressures, they often have many unsatisfying relationships–either straight, or gay–before finding that “special” match. And I love me a good love story.

Kimber Vale has put out three books this year that I have read. They are a series, but can be read separately. As a reviewer, I received all of these free in exchange for my honest review. And, honestly, I really enjoyed them. Perhaps you will too. I have posted a mini-review for each to give you a flavor of my opinion, with the links to my full Goodreads review if you’d like more info.

These are adult reads, and have a decent level of steam, all within the confines of a monogamous, newly-developed, gay relationship.

Forever Is Now (Shooting Stars, #1)FOREVER IS NOW (Shooting Stars Book 1) Amazon Barnes & Noble

My Mini Review: (Full review here!)

Alex Bremen and Chance Ralan were high school boyfriends, in the closet, until Alex’s abusive father found out. They had written music together and Chance looked to break out with a band–when they are caught he flees Alex, and doesn’t look back.

Nine years later, Alex is a buff, out gay man, successful in his career as a filmographer. He’s pretty much coasting romantically, unwilling to trust his heart long-term. Then a love song he wrote for Chance back in high school suddenly plays on the radio. With Chance singing it. Outraged, Alex decides he’s going to confront Chance the best way he can–by contracting to make a rockumentary film about Chance’s up-and-coming metal band Armageddon Showdown.

It’s a strong M/M romance with all the right elements. Also, I’m a fan of rock romance, so this one really played to my interests. Alex is a solid character. Despite his anger and hurt surrounding Chance’s abandonment, he’s willing to get to know Chance again, and finds the man has developed a maturity that is as attractive as his rock-god persona. Chance, now grasping the success he’s always craved, realizes that it’s a hollow victory without someone to share his personal life. And Alex is only ten thousand times more appealing as a full-grown man.

The sex? Molten. Really. Delish, having these two experience the passion of youth tempered with experience. Liked the book a whole bunch. Had a few issues with plot logic, but they were minor. Supporting cast was exactly that–supportive–excepting one jealous lover and one bigot. But the coming out party was way better than Chance had expected. This book is sure to satisfy.

Double Takes (Shooting Stars, #2)DOUBLE TAKES (Shooting Stars #2) Amazon  Barnes & Noble

My Mini Review: (Full review here!)

Gio Savale is an agin rocker (41 y/o) going through a nasty divorce. His band is working on a come back album, and he’s in the midst of a reality show about rockers’ real lives. Only, the show is boring. The producers want to cancel, but it would mean Gio losing out on a ton of cash–money he needs to pay for his attorneys and studio time. The show producers think it would be a great idea to bring in a love interest to spice up the show–and they hire a gay man, citing a long ago comment in a Rolling Stone interview when Gio confessed to being bisexual.

Well, those dodgy escapades all happened when Gio was strung out on drugs. He’s not really into guys, or is he? Having no way out, but through, Gio allows the farce to go on, hoping that the added publicity will get him some new gigs to pay his way out of the show’s contract.

In the meantime, Gio heads to an antique shop to get help selling all the furnishings his ex left behind. There he meets buff, masculine Lance. And, Lance is a BIG fan of Gio’s music. Suddenly Gio isn’t wondering if he’s bisexual. He’s wondering if he isn’t gay altogether.

Oh, and Lance has a deep dark secret that just might end in murder, if it’s uncovered.

So, yeah. It gets uncovered.

I liked the story. I really liked the tie in to FOREVER IS NOW, a previously published K. Vale book which I enjoyed. There is a desperate chase scene, and a part where the reader is left hanging, wondering if Gio is going to find happiness again. In all the pacing was excellent. The smexytimes were well-written and interesting. In all a satisfying quick read.

Hard Act to Follow (Shooting Stars, #3)HARD ACT TO FOLLOW (Shooting Stars #3) Amazon Barnes & Noble

My Mini Review: (See full review here!)

Kyrie is an out gay man. He’s just graduating from college as a theater major, and had previously been featured as the *possible* romantic interest of an aging rocker, Gio Savale, making a comeback and a reality TV show in book two of the series, Double Takes. His ex-brother-in-law, Greg was also a part of the book.

Greg is an attorney who has burned his candle at both ends to make junior partner. It probably cost him his marriage to Kyrie’s elder sister, Jasmine. They had an amicable divorce, however, and Greg is still close with their family–he’s an extremely close friend of Kyrie’s which makes things uber-awkward that he’s also frighteningly attracted to Kyrie. Romantically.

Lookit, this is a romance. And things get really romantic. The occasion of their reunion is tragic, but their chemistry–once they get the medical okay–is totally organic. And incendiary.

Kyrie and Greg are a good couple, if they can get past their selflessness. Greg was willing to stay away from Kyrie to not make life weird in Kyrie’s family, and Kyrie was willing to shun Greg so he could advance at his law firm–but it turns out neither of these sacrifices were necessary. Yay for us, because this is a super hot, sexy read!

I put the buy links up in the titles, just to keep it simple.

About the Author:

Kimber Vale is an avid reader, writer and gardener. She worked as an RN once upon a time, but is currently a stay-at-home mom to three busy hobbits. She is fortunate to have an understanding husband who never refuses to help with her “writing research.” He answers questions like, “What do you think eyeballs taste like?” and, “Does the term ‘cock-rockets’ sound more like a joke or an explosively good time?” with equal consideration and without batting an eye.

Kimber enjoys crafting in a number of genres, including both gay (under K. Vale) and straight erotic romance, horror, bizarro, and sci/fi. Dark themes frequently creep their way into her stories, but she loves a good romance and is sure to give her MCs their much-deserved happily-ever-after once she is done abusing them.

You can connect with Kimber on her website, email [kimbervale (at) hotmail.com], Facebook and twitter.
Thanks for popping in my friends, and keep reading! 😉

Swooning for VIXEN’S VALOR–Blog Tour and Giveaway

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Hello all! Thank you so much for joining me on another stop of the Vixen’s Valor Blog Tour celebrating the release of Vixen’s Valor, the third book in the North Pole City Tales series. And thank you to my lovely host for having me. On the last stop we talked about the Rein Dears–Mayor Kringle’s handsome ace pilots. Two of those Rein Dears have caught the eye and heart of a couple of Frost monarchs. It would seem those imposing winter spirits are rather hotblooded.

The Frost monarchy has been around since the beginning. No one even knows how old the Frost King is despite his youthful appearance. He could easily pass for Jack’s older brother rather than father, though his eyes are near black in color instead of the Frost family signature silver. They share their imposing stature and natural grumpiness, as well blustering temper. The King lost his queen back when the Frost War broke out. At the time, Jack was attending Clause College with Rudy, and that day Jack lost his heart to the ice. The King was devastated, but he was able to keep himself from losing his heart to the ice as his son had. He had a kingdom in mourning and a war to bring to an end. Two hundred years have passed and he King still mourns his loss, most often than not confining himself to his icy palace with only the staff to keep him company. The king isn’t the most sociable of elves.

Vale FrostMalachi Frost, the king’s brother and most trusted chancellor is far less blustering. He lost his wife during the birth of their twin sons Vale and Hollis. Vale has his father’s temperament. He can be imposing when he needs to be, especially when it concerns commanding their kingdom’s army, but he tends to be sweet and kind, often smiling. Hollis has taken after his cousin and uncle. He’s grumpy and has no trouble speaking his mind. There is no one in the kingdom who doesn’t fear the Frost monarchy.

Back during the war when Jack lost his heart to the ice, Rudy was able to save him. Their love bloomed from there and they have been together since. As imposing and frightening as Jack can be, no one can touch his heart or spread warmth through him like his sweet Christmas elf. When Rudy once again rushed to Jack’s aid in The Heart of Frost, Vale found himself smitten by the cheeky Vixen Rein Dear. He sees something Vixen that no one else–not even Vixen sees, and he’s hopeful that Vixen will give him a chance. But don’t let Vale’s sweet nature fool you. Beneath the impeccable uniform is a fiery winter spirit with the power to command snow and ice. Vale may not be as powerful as his cousin or uncle, but he’s still a spirit elf. He’s also very prim, proper, and shy. Perhaps Vixen is just the sort of elf to stir the embers inside the timid lieutenant.

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VixensValour200Vixen’s Valor (North Pole City Tales: Book Three)
Genre: M/M romance, Fantasy, Humor, Christmas
Length: Novella 82 pages
Published: December 3rd, 2014
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
ISBN: 9781632165183

Story Summary

Rein Dear is a prestigious title, accompanied by admiration, devotion, and celebrity status, all of which one saucy Vixen thrives on. Alas, Vixen’s only concerned with having fun, unlike his stuffy and sensible best friend, Rudy Rein Dear, who Vixen has always been jealous of. Aside from being chosen by Mayor Kringle to be Captain the Rein Dear Squadron, Rudy’s managed to snag himself a prince, even if that prince is the dangerous and imposing Jack Frost.

All’s not lost for Vixen though. He discovers Jack’s cousin Vale has a soft spot for him. Vale Frost might not be a dashing prince, but he’s the next best thing: a decorated Lieutenant for the Toy Soldier Army, and a member of the Frost monarchy.

Determined to get what Vixen feels he deserves, he sets off on a mission to ensnare the kind-hearted lieutenant. But Vixen’s selfish ways are sure to lead to disaster, and it’ll take more than a little courage to set things right.

Out now at

Dreampisnner Press eBook | Amazon | All Romance eBooks

Alert! All novellas, including the North Pole City books, are discounted 25% through December 13th over at DREAMSPINNER!

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Read the first chapter here

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

baublesccMy Review:

This is the third book of the North Pole City Tales series. Click these titles for the reviews on book 1, Mending Noel, and book 2, Heart of Frost.  Vixen’s Valor is a M/M romance featuring Rudy Rein Dear’s BFF, Vixen, and Jack Frost’s cousin, Vale Frost.

Vixen has craved affection and adulation his entire life. Abandoned young, he was adopted and loved, until his new parents conceived their own elfling and Vixen was again forgotten. Vixen is a bit of a tart, eager to have his merry way with any and all Toy Solidiers who’d buy his drink. He envies his friend Rudy, because Rudy has the heart of Jack, the Prince of Frost. Well, catching Vale Frost’s eye is *nearly* as good. Right?

Vale Frost is a soft-spoken man, despite being a Lieutenant in the Toy Soldier army and cousin to the Prince. He carries a fiery passion for vivacious Vixen, and hopes to demonstrate how eager he is to not only have Vixen as a partner, but to build a real love together.

Their time together is nothing like Vixen has ever experienced, or had hoped to have; no man has been so kind, loving and considerate with him before. Despite his brashness, Vixen has a very tender heart, and Vale’s earnest love is winning his way deep into Vixen’s affections.

Well, until the espionage and punishment ensue, that is.

Poor Vixen, and poorer Vale. They get caught up in something neither had anticipated, but it affords Vixen the opportunity to show exactly what he’s made of, and he just might win back Vale’s affection–if he isn’t turned into an elf-cicle, first.

I adored this tender romance and the interplay of all the characters from previous books in the series. Vixen’s initially gold-digging intentions are swiftly derailed by the force of pure love. *swoon*

And, this book features some enchanting elf-loving, too! 4.5 Stars.

About the Author

CCochet100Charlie Cochet is an author by day and artist by night. Always quick to succumb to the whispers of her wayward muse, no star is out of reach when following her passion. From Historical to Fantasy, Contemporary to Science Fiction, there’s bound to be plenty of mischief for her heroes to find themselves in, and plenty of romance, too!

Currently residing in South Florida, Charlie looks forward to migrating to a land where the weather includes seasons other than hot, hotter, and boy, it’s hot! When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading, drawing, or watching movies. She runs on coffee, thrives on music, and loves to hear from readers.

Website | Facebook | Facebook Author Page | Twitter | Goodreads | Tumblr | Instagram | Pinterest | THIRDS HQ | Newsletter
Email: charlie@charliecochet.com

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Other books in the series

MendingNoel200 HeartofFrost[The]200

Mending Noel: Book 1
The Heart of Frost: Book 2

Mending Noel also available in audiobook. All books can be read as standalone but for maximum enjoyment, it’s recommended they be read in order as characters appear in previous books.

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Tour stops

1st Dec – Prism Book Alliance
3rd Dec – Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews
4th Dec – MM Good Books Reviews
5th Dec – Hearts on Fire Reviews
10th Dec – V’s Reads
11th Dec – The Novel Approach

Other Events

Dec 9th – Twitter Takeover

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She Is INCANDESCENT–Release and Review and Giveaway!

Hi there! Today I’m sharing in the release party for INCANDESCENT, first book in a new supernatural series from M. V. Freeman. In this textured world, supernaturals battle for dominance all under the human radar.

IncandescentAbout the book:
When fire meets a force of nature an Incandescent is born.

Laurie Hudson gave up “normal” a long time ago. Isolated from friends and family, she becomes a bartender for an upscale restaurant while she fights to suppress her strange affinity for fire. Around new owner Mikhail Petrov, her careful control disintegrates. She is at once drawn to his urbane, cool demeanor and irritated by his overbearing manner. Now she finds all of her hard won choices being taken away as she is catapulted into a world of Mages, Darks, and mysterious Elementals, all working just below the surface of humanity. As she learns to survive, Laurie realizes her freedom could mean the destruction of the frustrating man she’s come to care for.

A formidable figure in this strange world, Tri-Elemental Mikhail Petrov commands earth, air, and water. He doesn’t give a damn what the untrained Fire Elemental Laurie wants. Her rare power is the key to his freedom, and he doesn’t hesitate to seize her for his use—an act that propels him into a war he isn’t ready to fight. The cost could mean his life and the destruction of his people. With the Mages closing in, Mikhail faces a choice: destroy the fledgling relationship with Laurie to gain his coveted freedom, or sacrifice himself for hers.

My Review:

Laurie lives a nondescript life, working as a bartender in a restaurant and lamenting the miserable state of her family-life. Turns out her parents will not speak with her, or permit her any contact with her younger siblings. She tries to fill this void with two girlfriends, but has a terrible secret to hide from them–and everyone:  when Laurie loses her temper stuff catches fire. Numerous pyrotechnic events have led to her estrangement, but Laurie’s been spark-free going on three years. Well, at least until meeting Mikhail Petrov. Just being in proximity to Mikhail is enough for Laurie’s body to light up–and not in the good way.

Mikhail is a Tri-Elemental, he can control air, earth and water, but he needs a fire Elemental in order to achieve Balance. His most recent partner, Corrine, is nearing the end of her usefulness. He’s also a local magistrate, of sorts, controlling/monitoring the movements and activities of Elementals, Mages and Darks (vampire-like magic-bearing creatures) within his tri-state territory. Misha, as Mikhail’s close friends call him, had survived years of servitude to Mages before ascending to his current power rank. As an young Elemental, he’d been easy prey for powerful Mages in the past, but his wealth of experience, his own power and coupling with Laurie’s Incandescent strength will enable Misha to establish a new elemental world order, one which will banish enslavement of Elementals and Darks to Mages.

Pulling Laurie’s power, however, has unforeseen effects. Instead of simply enhancing the magical strength of Misha’s borders, he ends up in a land-grab with all new Mages on his tail. It’s okay–for now. Misha’s alwasy had his eye on bigger and better things, after all.

Laurie is not happy. She’s hunted by Mages all looking to enslave her and steal her power. Staying with Misha is the best of a bad situation, and she wants out. Of course, every time she leaves, or tries to leave, another supernatural problem befalls her.

She does manage to make a very powerful friend in her own right–Mina, a Dark who travels through shadow-portals–is daughter the the Dark leader and niece to the Mage Executive. By means of a blood tie, Mina assures Laurie life–because killing Laurie would also kill Mina, and her family is fiercely protective.

This comes in super handy when Misha gets double-crossed and the Mages finally kidnap Laurie. It’s a showdown of the Big Bads and there’s an ocean of supernatural blood spilled. Mina had hope to prevent the brewing war, but Laurie’s Incandescent luck might have just created a firestorm–one which could take down herself, Mina and Misha in one fell swoop.

This is an interesting twist on the paranormal genre. I liked the idea of a partnership, and empathized (to an extent) with Laurie’s desire to return to normal. It becomes so clear, so quickly, how unlikely it is for this to happen, unfortunately. Instead of wasting time being obtuse, Laurie could have been better embracingher predicament and figuring out how to best save her skin while under Misha’s protection. I liked how she was clueless, at first, and honed her skills under Misha’s critical eye. This could have become the stereotypical romance–where the attraction is instant and the progression to coupledom is rapid. Not the case, here. Sure, there’s some attraction, but it is far outweighed by Laurie’s wariness. She and Misha spend weeks-to-months in training together before there is any physicality.

The large cast and interesting creature types marked this world as different from other paranormal/supernatural books I’ve read, and the plot moved along nicely. By the end I could really sense the anguish of Misha, Laurie and Mina, as those they love are sacrificed in the name of power. It’s a cool read, and I look forward to the next installment.

Interested? You can find INCANDESCENT on Goodreads and Amazon.

Join author MV Freeman on twitter this evening at the #LightItUp party from 5-9 EST. Books and other prizes to be given out!

***GIVEAWAY***

One random commenter will win an e-book copy of INCANDESCENT.

Post your comments by Dec 22nd for your chance to win.

About the Author:
M.V. Freeman lives in North Alabama. A nurse by day, at night she enjoys creating and exploring alternate worlds within our own. She gravitates toward stories of determined heroines and anti-heroes who push the boundaries as they both fight to find their light in the dark.

M.V. is represented by Victoria Lea from The Aponte Literary Agency. Her award-winning and best-selling debut novel INCANDESCENT is the first in the Hidden Races Series. Currently she is working on the third book in the series, while plotting others. When not writing, she can be found reading, cooking, throwing around kettle bells, or making coffee. You can find out more about her here at: www.mvfreeman.com

In for the Long Haul–SEVENTH GRAVE AND NO BODY–A Review and Fangirling for Darynda Jones

Hi there! Today I’m back to fangirling on Darynda Jones. I fell for Charley Davidson, her Grim Reaper PI main character of the Grave series a couple of years ago–and I especially fell for Reyes Alexander Farrow, Charley’s love interest and, well, the son of Satan.

That’s right. I love a demonspawn. If you haven’t caught any of the series, you’ll need to start at the beginning. It may seem like a lot of work, but it’s worth it. Charley is hysterical, irreverent and charming, and Reyes is all that I could have dreamed for in a male lead, supernatural being or not. Check out my reviews for FIRST GRAVE, FIFTH GRAVE and SIXTH GRAVE, to see if the books pique your interest….but today I’m gonna talk about the latest release, SEVENTH GRAVE AND NO BODY.

Seventh Grave and No Body (Charley Davidson, #7)About the book:

Twelve. Twelve of the deadliest beasts ever forged in the fires of hell have escaped onto our plane, and they want nothing more than to rip out the jugular of Charley Davidson and serve her lifeless, mangled body to Satan for dinner. So there’s that. But Charley has more on her plate than a mob of testy hellhounds. For one thing, her father has disappeared, and the more she retraces his last steps, the more she learns he was conducting an investigation of his own, one that has Charley questioning everything she’s ever known about him. Add to that an ex-BFF who is haunting her night and day, a rash of suicides that has authorities baffled, and a drop-dead sexy fiancé who has attracted the attentions of a local celebrity, and Charley is not having the best week of her life.

A tad north of hell, a hop, skip, and a jump past the realm of eternity, is a little place called Earth, and Charley Davidson, grim reaper extraordinaire, is determined to do everything in her power to protect it.

We’re doomed.

My Review:
I’m gonna try hard not to spoiler-ize.

I loved it. The end.

Just kidding! There’s so much happening in the space of the few days that the books spans. but, to sum up:

Charley is in a delicate condition, for the first time in her life. She’s being hunted by twelve hounds from Hell, and seemingly attacked by them, yet escapes twice with barely any injuries. Meanwhile, Reyes and his Deava compatriot, Osh, are brutalized. For me, it seems there’s a missing link; everybody THINKS the beasts are out to kill Charley, but I expect we will learn the opposite is true. In the effort to defend against the twelve beasts, Charley embraces even more awesome powers, leading Reyes to believe that Charley’s supernaturalness isn’t limited to reaping.

Turns out that, in addition to being the light of Reyes life, Charley is part God. And her freaktastic ability to heal the gravely injured was not a fluke.

And, Charley’s getting to be more than a bit jealous of Reyes and the way women swoon for him. (I’d like to apologize for all the gawking, Charley, really, but you know he’s too sexy for just one glance…) At the heart of this book is a semi-psycho TV reporter who dogs Reyes at every turn. Reyes, naturally, wants nothing of this attention, and is too wrapped up trying to figure out how to keep Charley safe to form the best anti-stalker strategy.

There was a cold case, five unsolved murders, that Charley solves in the first scene, which seemed to set the stage for further drama–but that was superseded by the current unsolved mystery: four seemingly unrelated people have written similar suicide notes and then disappeared, leaving no bodies. And, unfortunately, when their connections are made, well, it lands Reyes back to the police precinct for questioning. Not good. Especially as Reyes and Charley come across a credible prediction that Charley’s due to die, and soon.

That’s all I’m gonna say, except that this book ends with as much of an HEA as any of the others do. And, Reyes is totally gone over Charley, and I’m totally gone over Reyes, which makes for an uncomfortable love triangle, but I’m willing to suffer for at least seven or eight more books.

Interested? You can find SEVENTH GRAVE AND NO BODY on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, probably Target, and definitely your local library.

Darynda JonesAbout the Author:
NYTimes and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious RITA, a Golden Heart, and a Daphne du Maurier. As a born storyteller, she grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, annoying man and beast alike. She currently has two series with St. Martin’s Press, the Charley Davidson Series and the Darklight Trilogy. Darynda lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband of more than 25 years and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys. She can be found at www.daryndajones.com.

Thanks for popping by, and keep reading my friends!

 

They Were Caught HOOK, LINE & SINKER–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m reviewing a Contemporary M/M Romance from a series that celebrates the working man. Piper Vaughn’s Hard Hats series is all about “regular Joes” who connect. I loved book one, WOOD SCREWS & NAILS, and couldn’t wait to get deeper into this series. There are no billionaires, no dramatic rescues, just ordinary work-a-day guys who meet, connect and find love. Which I adore. That they do this near my beloved Chicago? *swoon*

HOOK, LINE & SINKER is a tale of two childhood frenemies who meet again as adults and find the truth in the statement: There’s a thin line between love, and hate. (This is an ADULT read.)

Hook, Line, & Sinker (Hard Hats, #2)About the Book:
When they were teens, Castor McCormick was the bane of Blake Kowalski’s existence. Their mutual animosity led to summers filled with rivalry. Now, nearly two decades later, Cas is moving back into the neighborhood to live in his grandmother’s old house. Blake tells himself he isn’t interested in seeing how snarky little Cas grew up, but when his mother dupes him into visiting his former nemesis, he finds out “pretty” can evolve into “sexy as hell” on the right man.

Cas didn’t think he wanted to see Blake again. No one has ever pushed his buttons like the arrogant boy he remembers from their youth. Turns out, the adult version of Blake still gets him hot under the collar—and everywhere else. With Blake on leave from work to nurse an injured leg and Cas taking time to move and unpack, they form a tentative friendship that turns into a sexual affair neither man can deny. But when Cas’s job sends him out of state to deal with a difficult client, their new relationship will be tested, and if they fail, Blake’s broken leg might not be the only thing to end up scarred.

My Review:
Blake is a construction contractor and an impetuous man in his late 30s. A broken leg has him sidelined from work and staying back in his mom’s ranch home as he can’t quite manage the stairs to his three-flat condo in Chicago with the cast and crutches. While recuperating, Blake’s mom attempts to catch Blake up on all the neighborhood gossip. Turns out, the neighbor across the street has moved, selling her home to her grandson, Castor. Like Blake, Castor is gay. And, Blake cares not a whit, because Cas was a prissy, one-upper when they were kids and time has likely only made that worse….

Castor is a qualified professional, traveling the country to help upgrade Human Resources software and training new clients on its use and implementation. And, he’s sick of it. Well, he’s sick of traveling. He’s anxious to settle down–and buying his Gram’s outdated house is that first step. He’s also been promoted, which means less travel. Yay! He’s an active gay man, with good friends and some casual sex partners, but finding his childhood nemesis, Blake, on his doorstep, ready to add more than a coat of paint to the avocado green-era kitchen, isn’t the beginning of his new settled life…or so he thinks.

See, Blake was told Cas wanted help refurbing his fixer-upper. And Cas? Well, he wasn’t told anything. Polish mother plus Irish Grandmother. Can you hear the scheming? LET THE MATCHMAKING BEGIN!

These guys are really fun together. Their youth relationship still holds sway, for a bit. But, then they decide to just start over. And, they are smoking hot together. Neither expects to find love, but who can deny the fire between them. Besides, they do share some hobbies–like fishing, and watching baseball. They are fit, virile men, living across the street from each other, albeit temporarily, and they exploit the short commute from bed to bed with zeal. (Double Yay!)

When Cas decides to have a full remodel on his house, they are comfortable enough in what has developed between them to co-habitate Blake’s Wrigleyville condo, now that Blake’s cast is gone and he’s back to work. In fact, these guys are looking forward to a “trial run” of living together. Their chemistry has been great and well, they recognize that each could be THE ONE! for the other.

Then, Cas’s job comes crashing down. He’s got to satisfy an irate client by rebuilding a whole HR platform, onsite. In Colorado. It’s supposed to take 4 weeks. And he can come home for weekends. But, the weeks stretch on and job is only getting more complicated. Four weeks turns into six, and then eight, and then…. With absence stressing their fledgling relationship, can Cas and Blake make it work?

It’s a real romance, with solid characters and fun and flirty scenes. The smexytimes? OMG. Off the scale. Blake has to learn to get over his insecurity about infidelity, and Cas has to learn work/life balance–neither of which is easy for these men. I really enjoyed watching them step out of their boundaries. And I’m glad they were able to connect, and reconnect–even if it wasn’t easy. For all the “first love” stories out there, I do appreciate the effort of writing about mature men finding happiness. They have a lot of self-constructed hurdles to leap, which makes for a satisfying read.

This book brought back some characters from the first book in this series–WOOD SCREWS AND NAILS–which was really fun, and introduced us to charming new characters who will undoubtedly carry the next book. I received this book from the author; this is my honest review. I can’t wait to get her next release. /fangirl 😉

Interested? You can find HOOK, LINE, & SINKER on Goodreads, Dreamspinner Press, Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

About the author:
Piper Vaughn wrote her first love story at eleven and never looked back. Since then, she’s known that writing in some form was exactly what she wanted to do. A reader at the core, Piper loves nothing more than getting lost in a great book—fantasy, young adult, romance, she loves them all (and has a two thousand book library to prove it!). She grew up in Chicago, in an ethnically diverse neighborhood, and loves to put faces and characters of every ethnicity in her stories, so her fictional worlds are as colorful as the real one. Above all, she believes that everyone needs a little true love in their life…even if it’s only in a book.

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

Thanks for popping in, and keep reading my friends.