adult contemporary

Release Blitz and Giveaway for the Sex In Seattle Series!

Hi there! Today I’m excited to share a release blitz and review for some yummy M/M romances from Eli Easton. THE TROUBLE WITH TONY is the first book in the Sex in Seattle series and features a PI working undercover to get info about a woman’s murder…but this time he’s pretending to need the services of a sex therapy clinic because the sexy director is a prime suspect. I have loved all the Eli Easton books I’ve read, including MERRY CHRISTMAS MR. MIGGLES, her HOWL AT MOON books, SECOND HARVEST, FIVE DARES, and Daddy Dearest books: FAMILY CAMP and ANGELS SING.

Scroll down to catch a review of the first book in this series and to enter the giveaway for a $25 Amazon GC.
About the book:
As part of the investigation into the murder of a young woman, Seattle P.I. Tony DeMarco poses as a patient of Dr. Jack Halloran, the therapist who treated the victim at a Seattle sex clinic. This isn’t the first time Tony has gone undercover, but it’s the first time he’s wanted to go under cover with one of his suspects. He can’t help it—Jack Halloran is just the kind of steely-eyed hero Tony goes for. But he’ll have to prove Halloran’s innocence and keep the doctor from finding out about his ruse before he can play Romeo.

Dr. Halloran has his own issues, including a damaged right arm sustained in the line of duty as a combat surgeon in Iraq and the PTSD that followed. He’s confused to find himself attracted to a new patient, the big, funny Italian with the puppy-dog eyes, and Tony’s humor slips right past Jack’s defenses, making him feel things he thought long buried. But can the doctor and the P.I. find a path to romance despite the secrets between them?

My Review:
Tony DiMarco is a private eye investigating the suspicious death of Marilyn White. The coroner said she OD’ed on prescription drugs and wine, her husband’s alibi was rock-solid, yet Marilyn’s parents don’t believe that Marilyn would kill herself. The detective who handled the case, an old buddy of Tony’s when he was on the force always had a sneaking suspicion about the sex therapist Marilyn had been seeing, Dr. Jack Halloran.

Casing the doc’s “bedside manner” Tony is stunned to find the doc irresistibly tempting sexually, but he can most assuredly rule the doc out as a sexual partner of Marilyn’s. Turns out this decorated war veteran isn’t only a sensitive physician, he’s also gay. Now Tony has to figure out if the cause of Marilyn’s death was as simple as it seemed.

Jack Halloran is damaged goods. The scars of his tours in Iraq as a battle surgeon are emotional, as well as physical, and he’s sure no gay man will have him. Worse, he’s unmistakably attracted to his newest erectile dysfunction patient, Tony DeMarco. He’s determined to get a handle on Tony’s dysfunction–and not just in the medical sense. Except, doing so would be a gross misconduct on his part.

Both men struggle with their attraction, Tony pursuing Jack as much as he is answers for Marilyn’s parents. When he finds out the truth behind her death his resolve to become more than a patient to Jack is high on the To-Do list, but a chance encounter ends up shattering their Doctor-Patient relationship. Will it also dash any chance of happiness for them?

The pace of this novel is perfect. The alternating point-of-view satisfied, with intimate glimpses of both Tony–and his deep family ties–and Jack, with his deep commitment to duty. Both men struggle to feel whole in the face of lost careers and physical shortcomings. The resolution of the crime investigation is concise and clear, as is the attraction and escalation of their relationship. I really enjoyed the tension, and the physical developments between Jack and Tony–who was terrified and surprised of his feelings for Jack, at first.

There were some delicious sexytimes, and an HEA now that Tony’s sexual dysfunction seems cured.

Interested? You can find THE TROUBLE WITH TONY on Goodreads and Amazon.

You can also find book 2, THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF DANIEL, on Amazon.

Or, check out THE MATING OF MICHAEL on Amazon.

****GIVEAWAY****

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

Eli EastonAbout the Author:
Having been, at various times and under different names, a minister’s daughter, a computer programmer, a game designer, the author of paranormal mysteries, a fan fiction writer, and organic farmer, Eli has been a m/m romance author since 2013. She has over 30 books published.

Eli has loved romance since her teens and she particular admires writers who can combine literary merit, genuine humor, melting hotness, and eye-dabbing sweetness into one story. She promises to strive to achieve most of that most of the time. She currently lives on a farm in Pennsylvania with her husband, bulldogs, cows, a cat, and lots of groundhogs.

In romance, Eli is best known for her Christmas stories because she’s a total Christmas sap. These include “Blame it on the Mistletoe”, “Unwrapping Hank” and “Merry Christmas, Mr. Miggles”. Her “Howl at the Moon” series of paranormal romances featuring the town of Mad Creek and its dog shifters has been popular with readers. And her series of Amish-themed romances, Men of Lancaster County, has won genre awards.

Catch up with Eli on her website, Facebook, and twitter.

Finding the Right Path WHEN IT’S TIME–A #Throwback Thursday Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a Throwback Thursday review for a M/M contemporary New Adult romance from Zane Riley. WHEN IT’S TIME is the third book in the Go Your Own Way series. Lennox is an outspoken and harassed, out-gay, orphaned, black young man who’s a musical virtuoso. In the past year he’s fallen hard for a country white boy, Will, whose family took Lennox in and loved him as best they could. This is their third story including GO YOUR OWN WAY and WITH OR WITHOUT YOU.

About the book:
In the New Adult series that began with Go Your Own Way, Will Osbourne and Lennox McAvoy must now face the challenges of a long distance relationship that will determine their future.

Despite the fulfillment of his childhood dream, Will is suffocating in too-loud, too-dirty, too-busy New York City. Lennox, who has relied on Will for guidance, is thriving in Boston without him. As Lennox embraces his promising new life and rediscovers old family, Will searches for a future of his own that won’t tear them apart.

My Review:
Lennox McAvoy and Will Osbourne are boyfriends who’ve weathered some storms. Will’s family took Lennox in after his grandfather dumped him at a roach motel in Will’s small hometown in rural Virginia. At that time, Lennox had be recently released from juvie, where he went after he injured his own attackers–white homophobes with powerful daddies–in the midst of perpetrating a hate crime on himself.

Lennox has grown a lot in the past years, and especially flourished living with the Osbournes. Will helped Lennox apply for colleges, an it was his encouragement that got Lennox a prime spot at Berklee College in Boston–where he’s got a full music scholarship. Will follows his own path to NYU, to study journalism. It was his second choice after Sarah Lawrence, but he’s sure it’ll turn out great.

Lennox is a bundle of nerves, but he’s a survivor and though there’s an immediate housing mix-up, Lennox rolls with the situation, gaining a great new roomie plus a cast of new compassionate friends. He’s fired up and energized with all the creativity happening around him. If only life in New York was going half as well for Will. His roommate is a turd, and the kids he met at orientation are vapid and shallow, not to mention Will’s late everywhere he goes and gets turned around easily in the subway system. His frustration is only compounded when he learns he’d been accepted to Sarah Lawrence, but a paperwork snafu kept him from enrolling there.

Will and Lennox are determined to make their long-distance relationship work, but as the weeks and months stretch, it becomes harder and harder to keep connected, despite trips between cities. Lennox gets frustrated with the good advice he gets–that he’s not responsible for Will’s happiness. Meanwhile, Will’s anxiety and depression grow until he’s not able to manage behaving civilly and treats loving Lennox poorly. It’s a big change for their relationship dynamic, and each of these young men needs to find a way to care for himself, while still caring about the other. It’s a tricky balance, especially for two so young–they’re both about 19–but they figure it out eventually. Not without some fireworks, however, and some heart-to-hearts that mend those battered fences.

This felt very genuine, and bittersweet, as I read it. I wanted to shake Will sometimes for hiding his true feelings until they couldn’t be shoved down any longer. Yet, I knew that was an authentic response to his growing despondency. Lennox is a rock, and a great guy. I was so glad to see him grow and flourish completely on his own merit. Both of these guys are great, even though they aren’t at their best of times–particularly Will. I was so happy when Will finally found a way to manage his life, and it was so sweet that Lennox supported his new path even though it meant even larger separations. This was a big compromise, but it was clear both men were making it, which was what needed to happen. Compared with the previous books, WHEN IT’S TIME has fewer sexytimes, but the intimacy and compassion are a constant on the page. It’s great read for people who have relationships in flux, or who just want to remember those awkward new beginnings of college life. For me the nostalgia meter was on eleven.

Interested? You can find WHEN IT’S TIME on Goodreads, Interlude Press, Amazon, Barnes & Noble. I read a review copy made available from the publisher via NetGalley.

Meet the author:
Zane Riley is a transgender writer who wrote his first work of fan fiction in the fourth grade. He is a recent transplant to Vancouver, Washington where he spends his time watching long distance baseball games, hiking, and exploring the musical depths of the internet. His first novel, Go Your Own Way came out in 2015 from Interlude Press.

Catch up with Zane on Goodreads, Facebook, and twitter.

Falling Into ROUGH TERRAIN–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a contemporary M/M military romance from Annabeth Albert. ROUGH TERRAIN is the seventh book in her Out of Uniform series that features romances for Navy SEALS stationed in Coronado, California. Having read and loved OFF BASE, AT ATTENTION, ON POINT and WHEELS UP, I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into this new one–and what a different love story this was!

About the book:
The camping trip from hell may be the first stop on the road to happily-ever-after.

Navy SEAL Renzo Bianchi has a soft spot for Canaan Finley, and not only because the man makes a mean smoothie. He’s the first guy to get Renzo’s motor revving in a long time. But when he agrees to Canaan’s insane charade—one all-access fake boyfriend, coming right up—he never expects more than a fling.

Creating a hot Italian SEAL boyfriend to save face seemed like a good idea…until his friends called Canaan’s bluff. Now he’s setting off into the woods with the very man who inspired his deception, and Canaan is not the outdoorsy type. The sparks are already flying when a flash flood separates them from their group, leaving Renzo and Canaan very much trapped…very much alone in the wilderness.

Working together to come up with a plan for survival is sexier than either of them expects. But back in the real world, being a couple is bringing its own set of hazards…

My Review:
Renzo Bianchi is a navy SEAL, code name Rooster, who’s had some hard times finding a good partner. Generously endowed, but with a heart of gold, Renzo is tired of his mediocre sex life. He’s attracted to a man at his local smoothie shop–Canaan Finley–but he’s not sure he wants to try even hooking up; fully expecting disappointment. He has a big and loving family, but a childhood accident still haunts him, pushing to be the best ever son to his parents.

Canaan is a local to the San Diego area, having been born and raised there by his grandparents after his teen mom couldn’t. Canaan spent years touring with a local punk band, and only gave up drumming professionally when his grandma was dying. He now lives with his elderly gramps, and he’s one semester away from graduating with his nursing degree. He works at the smoothie shop to pay his expenses, and he loves the SEAL eye-candy that rolls through, but he’s made Rooster his mission, at least for a hook-up. Their flirtation leads to a nice date, and a chance to hang some more: Canaan’s old band is planning a reunion camping trip in the Grand Canyon and they’ve invited Canaan (and his PARTNER) to come along. Only, Canaan doesn’t have a partner. The chemistry between Renzo and Canaan seems great though, and he tentatively asks Renzo to come along…and pretend to be his boyfriend.

Renzo can tell that one of the bandmates is especially hostile to Canaan, which gets his protective instincts all riled up. That, and their chemistry is really off the charts, especially once they get some alone-ish time. The trip is tense, though, and it only gets worse when Canaan injures his foot, and the weather creates a harrowing situation. Stranded and waiting for rescue, Renzo and Canaan have lots of time to bond, which ramps up their romance.

When the dust settles and they’re back to “real life” Renzo and Canaan are game to give being real BFs a try. It seems to be going great–Canaan has all sorts of tricks for dealing with his enormo phallus. Each man seems to be falling hard, but there are new obstacles. Thanks to the accidents on the trip, Canaan’s old band mates want him to step in and do some local gigs. And, before they’d even met Renzo had applied for a transfer to a base in Virginia–so he could be closer to his family in Philly. Canaan meets the family, and helps Renzo get past some of his emotional hang-ups, so it’s a big issue when Renzo’s new orders come through. I likes how tender this story was, and how cared for Renzo and Canaan made the other man feel. Being inside their POVs helped me see how much each of them wanted to please the other–sacrificing some parts of their own joy or comfort to boost the other. It was so sweet, and bittersweet, with the specter of huge life shifts in the offing.

Expect the resolution to come after a decent break and some serious soul-searching. I liked how they reconnected, and their plans for the future seemed well-considered and realistic. It’s another happy SEAL and his mate–and I really enjoyed it from start to finish.

Interested? You can find ROUGH TERRAIN on Goodreads, Carina Press, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, and Kobo.

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

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

Find Annabeth online on her website, Goodreads, twitter and Facebook.

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

ROPED IN to a Forever Love–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a contemporary M/M cowboy romance from AM Arthur. ROPED IN is the second book in her Clean Slate Ranch series that features cowboys, cooks and city slickers–not to mention some actors, finding love with one another. I’ve read and enjoyed several books from Ms. Arthur, including SAVED, HERE FOR US, THE WORLD AS HE SEES IT, and FINDING THEIR WAY, so I was eager to check out this new series.

About the book:
At Clean Slate Ranch, the men are rugged, the trails are rocky and lassos aren’t only used for roping horses…
For Colt Woods, Clean Slate Ranch is home. The dude ranch in Northern California helped him heal from a devastating breakup. So when his ex-Dom, the man who broke his heart, waltzes onto the ranch, Colt doesn’t know how to deal.

A research job at a nearby ghost town brings history PhD Avery Hendrix to Clean Slate. He’s not in town forever, but it doesn’t take long for him to feel the familiar draw to Colt. When they find out they’ll be sharing a cabin on the ranch, it’s all Avery can do to stop himself from bending Colt over a saddle right then and there.

In such close proximity, Colt’s and Avery’s old feelings come galloping back. Soon Colt is doing his master’s bidding again and loving every moment of it. And the pair may be in for the ride of their lives—if the dedicated professor and his rugged cowboy can learn to trust again.

My Review:
This is the second book in a series, and I didn’t read the first one, but I didn’t struggle to get acquainted to this world.

Colt Woods is a ranch manager at Clean Slate Ranch, a northern California dude ranch. He’s been there for years, nursing a big secret and a broken heart and trying to keep his life together. In the first book, Colt revealed his big secret–a terrible work accident that deeply affected his dearest friend Mac, who runs Clean Slate with his grandfather. Colt needs a strong partner to help his manage his guilt and grief, and he had a Dom that he really cared for, Avery Hendrix, back before he came to Clean Slate. Miscommunication between these men had Colt running and Avery feeling abandoned. Now, Avery is at to Clean Slate to help with the historical restoration of the nearby ghost town being managed by Mac.

Colt is really nervous about being around Avery again, and Avery has some reservations, too. He’s been a Dom for many years, but he’d not usually been sexually involved with his play partners. That was an exception he made for Colt, and one he hasn’t made since. Of course, the years of celibacy are a struggle, and so is the chemistry between these two when they are forced to share a cabin on the ranch. Avery is reticent to rekindle anything with Colt, since he’s shy of getting his heart busted again. Plus, he’s only a temporary consultant on the ghost town with a life and job that isn’t super close. Letting Colt into his bed and heart is a recipe for disappointment.

That said, these men can’t fight the need for one another. Colt craves Avery’s skilled, yet loving, Dom persona, and Avery needs to make some connections that will support him in ways his family never has. That’s one thing that Colt gained by joining the Clean Slate crew: a family of colleagues and friends. Reconciling with Mac will go a long way toward keeping those relationships intact.

I really enjoyed this book, with the lush descriptions of ranching life, and the excitement over the ghost town restoration. For Colt and Avery this begins as a bittersweet reconnection story, but the end seems resolved toward happiness and a future for these two. Having read on in the series, I know that Avery and Colt do stick together, so it’s a Happy-For-Now type of read. I’ve been picking up a cowboy romance every couple of months, so expect more reviews of ranch life and love coming down the pike.

Interested? You can find ROPED IN on Goodreads, Carina Press, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iTunes and Kobo.

About the Author:
A.M. Arthur was born and raised in the same kind of small town that she likes to write about, a stone’s throw from both beach resorts and generational farmland. She’s been creating stories in her head since she was a child and scribbling them down nearly as long, in a losing battle to make the fictional voices stop. She credits an early fascination with male friendships (bromance hadn’t been coined yet back then) with her later discovery of and subsequent love affair with m/m romance stories. A.M. Arthur’s work is available from Samhain Publishing, Carina Press, Dreamspinner Press, and SMP Swerve.
When not exorcising the voices in her head, she toils away in a retail job that tests her patience and gives her lots of story fodder. She can also be found in her kitchen, pretending she’s an amateur chef and trying to not poison herself or others with her cuisine experiments.

Catch up with Ms. Arthur on her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr.

Getting Cozy in TIGHT QUARTERS–A #Throwback Thursday Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a contemporary M/M military romance from Annabeth Albert. TIGHT QUARTERS is the sixth book in her Out of Uniform series that features romances of Navy SEALS stationed in Coronado, California. Having read and loved OFF BASE, AT ATTENTION, ON POINT, WHEELS UP and SQUARED AWAY, I knew I’d be in for a thrilling romance.

About the book:
Petty Officer Bacon, a navy SEAL and ace sharpshooter, has been on the front lines of more than his fair share of dangerous ops. Yet when a minor injury relegates him to the beta team, he’s tasked with what may be his riskiest assignment yet: the silver fox journalist he’s babysitting is the hottest, most charismatic man he’s ever encountered.

Award-winning journalist Spencer Bryant may have been named one of Pride magazine’s most eligible bachelors of the year, but he’s not looking to change his relationship status. He’s a consummate professional who won’t risk his ethics or impeccable reputation by getting involved with a source. Even a sexy-as-hell military man. But while Spencer can resist his physical attraction to Bacon, he has less control over his emotions—especially when the mission goes sideways and the two men are trapped alone.

Getting out of the jungle alive turns out to be easy compared to facing the truth about their feelings for one another back in the real world. And whether or not they can build a future is a different story altogether.

My Review:
Petty Officer Bacon is a Navy SEAL tasked with escorting an embedded reporter on their latest mission. He’s not happy about it, especially he’s nervous about maybe spilling info that could incriminate two former SEAL team members, Lowe and Strauss who were the MC’s of WHEELS UP. Plus, it’s never good to be on-mission, but not a part of it. As a chaperone, Bacon’s orders are to bring the reporter back in one piece, even if it means bailing on his team.

Spencer Bryant is out to write another award-winning book to highlight issues with veterans and enlisted personnel not getting the support and care they need. A previous confidante, and friend, for whom Spencer wrote a best-seller, was a retired military man whose PTSD put him over the edge. While on mission, Spencer is humbled by the bravery and camaraderie of the SEAL team–and he’s unwillingly attracted to his handler, Petty Officer Bacon, who seems to not have a first name. While running training exercises, Spencer and Bacon develop a camaraderie of their own–tinted with unrequited sexual tension. Their actual mission deep in the terror cells of the South Pacific goes terribly wrong, however, and Spencer struggles with the guilt of Bacon leaving his men in danger to just save him.

The navy shuts down Spencer’s access to the SEAL teams as soon as he’s brought back to base, yet Bacon knows how to find him before he leaves for the US. They know that the navy won’t be happy about any fraternization, even if Spencer’s no longer embedded–and yet the need for affirmation adds gasoline to their smoldering attraction. It should only be the one night, but Spencer’s thrilled when Bacon reaches out later to tell him that things went better the second time around, and his teammates, though wounded, survived.

This communication brings Bacon and Spencer together in a way each man truly needs–contact that supports, not distracts. On leave, Bacon drives from San Diego to LA to visit Spencer and the sparks are ridiculous. These guys fit together so well, Spencer’s far away life providing Bacon with an emo outlet he hasn’t had since high school. Still, the story Spencer wants to write, feels compelled to write, centers on suicide and depression of veterans suffering PTSD, and it’s a wedge growing between them even as their relationship matures over months from buddies-with-benefits to exclusive boyfriend status. When Bacon finally learns about Spencer’s planned book deal he’s crushed–the SEALs are his family and this could hurt them–would certainly offend them that Bacon is dating a man who trashes the navy and other armed forces. It’s the deal-breaker Spencer expected, but he didn’t think he’d fall for Bacon first…

It’s a little bittersweet, but a brief separation and some counseling on both sides helps each man find a pathway back. Bacon’s connection to an amputee helps him see that PTSD and depression are true killers of his comrades, while a mentor helps Spencer remember that life isn’t just a story–it’s meant to be lived and savored. I liked how they each make amends, with Spencer being present for Bacon just when he needs him, and Bacon coming out and trusting his team to support his love for Spencer. There is a lot of support for Bacon, and he’s happy to life his life in the open. The finale brings the story full-circle with Bacon baring his non-classified secrets and them building a life together.

Interested? You can find TIGHT QUARTERS on Goodreads, Carina Press, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, and Kobo.

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

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

Find Annabeth online on her website, Goodreads, twitter and Facebook.

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

Not Easy Finding A HUSBAND FOR SANTA–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a contemporary M/M Christmas romance from Doreen Heron. A HUSBAND FOR SANTA is a cute take on a modern Santa’s life.

About the book:
Father Christmas knows his time delivering presents is coming to an end, and his son is more than ready to take his place at the helm of the sleigh. But family tradition stands in Turk’s way.

He must find a Mrs. Claus to help share the burden. Unfortunately for tradition, he would rather a husband than a wife, and he doesn’t have time to meet anyone anyway.

At the same time, Christmasologist and PhD candidate Symeon Golightly finds himself sad and alone over the holidays.

Maybe a chance encounter and a Christmas wish will bring them together.

My Review:
Turk is Father Christmas’ son and heir, a dedicated future-Santa who wants to be the very best Father Christmas ever. He’s been studying sled aerodynamics since his teens and knows all the key elves and traditions. He’s ready…except his father isn’t. Well, his father is willing to turn over the Christmas magic if Turk will marry. See, it’s kind of a package situation, with a partner to act as helpmeet, and Mrs. Claus explains to her recalcitrant son.

Turk is miffed and determined to prove himself capable, so he whisks himself off to London on Boxing Day to show how very self-sufficient he is…not. Well, using his part of the Christmas magic enables Turk to rent a luxury suite in a posh hotel, but he’s at a loss for how to spend his time, until he meets Symeon Golightly, a doctoral student in Christmasology and moonlighter working the desk at the hotel. Sym loves everything about Christmas, except when it ends! He’s cheered up by chatting with Turk, though, and this pair heads upstairs when Sym’s shift ends. It’s not long before they are cozily kissing the evening away.

A next day appointment turns into a brisk adventure when Turk reveals his true identity. This gets the North Pole up in arms, and we’ve got a big problem. This little novella is a little choppy with a wandering omniscient point-of-view and seemingly impetuous and rambling decision-making by both Turk and Symeon. While cute and happy, the fussy Turk was both pretentious and sulky, and I struggled to like him for most of the story. Meanwhile, Symeon is too perfect to be believed. The story seemed incredibly rushed, and the resolution was so fast I struggled to keep up. That said, the magic of Christmas does get preserved, and happy Turk learns his parents did have his best interests at heart.

Interested? You can find A HUSBAND FOR SANTA on Goodreads, NineStar Press, Amazon. I read a review copy provided by NetGalley.

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

Unexpected Love Surrounding THE BISHOP–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a brand new contemporary romance from Skye Warren. THE BISHOP is a novella set in her Tanglewood world of broody alpha men who act for justice, not necessary the law.

About the book:
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Skye Warren comes the next installment in her Tanglewood series.

THE BISHOP is a story of redemption, a story of revenge. A story of romance finding roots in the darkest places.

A million dollar chess piece goes missing hours before the auction.

Anders Sorenson will do anything to get it back. His family name and fortune rests on finding two inches of medieval ivory. Instead he finds an injured woman with terrible secrets.

He isn’t letting her go until she helps him find the piece. But there’s more at stake in this strategic game of lust and danger. When she confesses everything, he might lose more than his future. He might lose his heart.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

My Review:
Anders Sorenson is a doctor who works outside the law, and seeks the man who destroyed his mother. When Anders was just a child his mother, also a physician, would treat the poor and downtrodden of Tanglewood. She was a brilliant person until she was attacked one night, beaten, raped and left for dead. After that, she never spoke and was homebound, playing chess with a young Anders under hsi father’s watchful eye. The attacker had stolen a priceless medieval chess piece, a bishop, from his mother, and Anders’ father made him promise to keep its mate–the one his father had carried every day for the rest of his life. Anders had long suspected the attacker kept the bishop, as it never came up for auction, or even sale in the dark web.

Now that his father has died, Anders is planning to lure out his mother’s attacker by offering the matching bishop for auction. While surveying the buyers at the auction house, Anders meets a woman who inexplicably catches his attention. When the bishop is stolen, he searches for that strange woman, finding her near death in the alley outside her questionable motel. Anders saves her, stitching her up and caring for her over the days she needs to heal and regain consciousness. Natalie, as Anders learns, did steal the chess piece, but she didn’t give it to the man pulling her strings–suffering greatly as a result.

Natalie has been a burglar under the power of someone very close to her family for the better part of 15 years. Natalie wants out of the situation, but fears her mother will become a target if she refuses to do as told. For once, however, she has a person who cares for her just because she needs it. Anders’ rough edges seem to smoothe Natalie’s battered heart as much as his capable hands repair her battered body. Anders wants Natalie more than his revenge–but he’d like both.

This was an interesting entry in the Tanglewood series–though I haven’t read these books. It’s clear that there are a couple of books in the series, as there are two unlikely couples who aid Anders and Natalie in the cause of justice–even if they break the law doing it. I thought the romance developed a bit quickly, as we don’t have much of a sense of Anders or Natalie during the crisis of her recovery, and Anders’ history is a bit sketchy, especially regarding his off-the-books medical practice. Everyone seems to know what they need to know when they need to know it–which smacked a bit of coincidence, and I’m not a fan of convenient story lines. That said, if you’re a fan of the author, or this series, this novella will likely make your day.

Interested? You can find THE BISHOP on Goodreads and Amazon.

About the Author:
Skye Warren is the New York Times bestselling author of dangerous romance. Her books have sold over one million copies. She makes her home in Texas with her loving family, sweet dogs, and evil cat.

You can catch up with her on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, and BookBub or sign up for her newsletter.

Like Anders and Natalie, I met my hubs in a weird situation–both pretending we were legal drinkers at an illegal campus party when we were young college students. Did you ever meet a Significant Other at a place you shouldn’t have been? Let me know in the comments…
As always, thanks for popping in, and keep reading my friends!

Christmas in A TOWN CALLED NOELLE–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a contemporary F/F Christmas romance from M. K. Hardy. A TOWN CALLED NOELLE is set in a Michigan small-town and features a driven baker dispelling a lifetime of disillusionment for a grieving woman.

About the book:
Just a few days before Christmas, high-flying city exec Brooke Hawkins is forced to return to her small home town due to the death of her mother, who she hasn’t spoken to since she left for college over a decade before. The town, Noelle, is as full of the Christmas spirit as its name suggests. Brooke is more of the “Bah, Humbug” persuasion. She has a funeral to attend, property to sell, and she wants to do it and leave—preferably before December 25th. Unfortunately, the weather and the pace of small-town life both conspire to keep her right where she is.

Small-town baker Holly Jackson gets a nasty shock when she receives the news, just days before Christmas, that her little shop is about to be sold from under her by her late landlady’s estranged daughter. In the years since her husband died in a tragic accident, she and her daughter Maya have been getting by, healing and rebuilding. Holly was beginning to really enjoy life again. She doesn’t plan to let some woman she hasn’t seen since high school come in and ruin everything.

When Holly and Brooke cross paths, sparks fly—and not in a good way. Brooke is determined to sell up and get out of town—and outrun her bad memories in the process. Holly is determined to make her business work. When an unstoppable force meets an immovable object, can the spirit of Noelle change minds… and melt hearts?

My Review:
Brooke Hawkins believes that everyone in her hometown of Noelle will hate her–that’s what she’s been told by her estranged mother all her life, after all. Brooke left for college and hasn’t returned until her mother’s death–and the need to settle the estate. For Brooke, this means selling all her mother’s property and returning to her regularly-scheduled, if lonely, life.

Holly Jackson grew up with Brooke, and looked to her mother as a mentor. She admired Brooke somewhat in school, but they were never close. Holly’s a widow now, raising a young daughter and working hard to make her quirky bakery one of the must-stop places for tourists to Noelle. She’s not happy when her realtor calls to tell her that her lease is being broken–because Brooke is selling the property to a developer and Holly can’t even make a bid.

In such a small town, it’s inevitable that they will meet, and Holly let’s Brooke have it, confirming Brooke’s suspicions of being the odd-woman out. It seems her mother was highly respected by the community, and no one really knows how emotionally abusive she was to Brooke growing up. Brooke wants to sign all the paperwork and leave, but ice storms and a blizzard cut her quick escape off. Force to endure an extended stay in Noelle gives Holly the chance to apologize for her fiery temper–and maybe kindle a tiny spark of desire and connection that each woman needs.

This is a short read, with two rather interesting main characters. I liked them both, but I didn’t really get a good sense of their connection. Brooke was enchanted to be included in Holly’s plans–including the holiday festivities–once she could get over her ingrained shyness. There aren’t many tender moments on the page, which made it hard for me to really understand what changed for Holly, in terms of her attraction to Brooke. I get that she was emotionally connected to the decisions Brooke made that ultimately played in her favor, but Holly’s sudden interest in a physical relationship with Brooke–who could jet out as soon as the weather clears–didn’t have a firm grounding, to me. It’s a decent story, but my disbelief at the situation and the plot couldn’t stay suspended long enough to reach the happy ending.

Interested? You can find A TOWN CALLED NOELLE on Goodreads, NineStar Press, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. I received a review copy via NetGalley.

About the Author:
MK Hardy is the pen name for two geeky women living and writing together in Scotland. They’ve been writing partners for eleven years and life partners for nine. When they’re not typing frantically at one another they like to walk the dogs, cuddle the cats, drink cocktails and play boardgames.

Catch up with MK Hardy on their website, Facebook, and twitter.

Falling For the TOUGH GUY–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a brand new M/M contemporary hockey romance from Rachel Reid. TOUGH GUY is the third book in her Game Changers series, but is a standalone romance.

About the book:
They have nothing in common—so why does Ryan feel most like himself whenever he’s with Fabian?

Pro hockey star Ryan Price may be an enforcer, but off the ice he struggles with anxiety. Recently traded to the Toronto Guardians, he’s determined to make a fresh start in the city’s dynamic LGBTQ Village. The last thing he expects to stumble upon in his new neighborhood is a blast from his past in the fabulous form of Fabian Salah.

Aspiring musician Fabian loathes hockey. But that doesn’t stop him from being attracted to a certain burly, ginger-bearded defenseman. He hasn’t forgotten the kiss they almost shared back in high school, and it’s clear the chemistry between them has only intensified.

Fabian is more than happy to be Ryan’s guide to the gay scene in Toronto. Between dance clubs and art exhibits—and the most amazing sex—Ryan’s starting to feel something he hasn’t experienced in a long time: joy. But playing the role of the heavy on the ice has taken its toll on his body and mind, and a future with Fabian may mean hanging up his skates for good.

My Review:
Veteran Ryan Price is a defenseman and enforcer for the Toronto Guardians hockey team. It’s not a role he relishes, but his bulk and size have pinned him into the situation, so he goes to battle on the ice, and throws more punches than shots on goal. He’s new to Toronto, having been recently traded after having a spectacular meltdown on the bench of his previous team during a game, though his anxiety struggles are being medically managed for the most part. Ryan is gay, and he’s never hidden it, but he’s also never broadcast it–not that he’s had many friends, or boyfriends, to speak about it. His social anxiety, size and reputation usually keep him isolated, even from his own teammates. Ryan’s self-esteem is pretty low, despite being a pro hockey player.

On this team, however, the back-up goalie Wyatt seems determined to make friends with Ryan. He sits with him on flights, helping him to manage his deep-seated fears, and invites him to a local kids club where Wyatt volunteers. This relationship is the first that Ryan cultivates in years. The second, is a reconnection to Fabian Saleh, a boy he lived with in his teens, since Fabian’s family regularly hosted junior hockey players. Fabian is out and fabulous, having a genderqueer sensibility. He keeps a day-job at the drug store nearest Ryan’s new condo in the heart of Toronto’s queer village. Fabian is a first-rate violinist, though, and Ryan has many memories of listening to Fabian play back in his childhood home. Fabian’s rabid hockey fan family has never been that supportive of Fabian, his music or his life. It turned Fabian away from hockey, but he never forgot Ryan, the shy boy who made more of an effort to see Fabian play back then than Fabian’s own parents did.

Ryan had a big regret of never kissing Fabian back when they were young, but he’s not going to make the same mistake again–even if he’s terrible in bed. His meds and his anxiety often make him unable to perform, but Fabian’s outre look has his libido perking up big time–and Fabian’s happy to go at Ryan’s pace–even if Ryan is a hockey player. Fabian’s friends adore Ryan, even wishing to scoop him up if Fabian doesn’t make a claim, and Ryan’s so happy to be accepted by Fabian’s posse–and hear the fantastic music he makes. For a couple of months it seems things are going really well for Ryan, but then Wyatt is traded and he loses that close friendship. Then, he hurts his back on the ice, and the recovery is…bad. Fabian is mad that Ryan won’t take time off from the season to heal, and Ryan’s frustrated that Fabian keeps harping at him. With all his pain meds on top of his anxiety meds it’s an untenable situation.

With a break looming, both Fabian and Ryan are searching their souls. Should they make up? Should Ryan quit hockey? What would help them find the right path to mutual happiness? There are some really touching moments of deep introspection here, while each man figures out how to live a true and happy life. Ryan gets a chance to connect with an old teammate who offers him a chance to explore his passion for hockey in a low pressure situation. Could this be the first step to Ryan taking care of himself–first and foremost? The resolution is tender and awesome, with Ryan and Fabian being the support one another needs–right when they need it. I loved how each man found his personal happiness, and that magnified their joined happiness. Each man is a little bit broken, and to see both healed and whole in each other and in the end was so cool. I loved how uninhibited Fabian is, and how he coaxes Ryan out of his shell by his sheer exuberance. Not only that, Ryan developing a support network for himself was so great to experience. I really liked both of these characters a lot, and I liked the little glimpse of Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander, from the second book in this series, that we get at the end.

Interested? You can find TOUGH GUY on Goodreads, Carina Press, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. I received a review copy via NetGalley.

About the Author:
Rachel Reid is the pen name of Rachelle Goguen. She chose it because it is much easier to say, spell and remember than Rachelle Goguen!

Rachel writes cute, romantic smut, mostly about hockey players.
Rachelle co-hosts a comic book podcast called Living Between Wednesdays.

Rachel/Rachelle lives in Nova Scotia, Canada. She has always lived there, and it’s looking like she probably always will. She has two boring degrees and two interesting kids.

The first two books in her Game Changers m/m hockey romance series, Game Changer and Heated Rivalry, are both available now from Carina Press. Book three is coming soon!

You can catch up with Ms. Reid on her website, Goodreads, Facebook and twitter.

Are you a hockey fan? I am honestly not, because all my winter sports effort goes into wrestling–which my kids do and my hubs coaches. Still, I’ve been reading hockey romance for years now, and have more book reviews coming in that sub-genre over the next month or so. Feel free to share some of your fave hockey romance titles in the comments.

In the meantime, thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

Coming to Terms: JEREMIAH–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a new M/M contemporary interracial romance from new-to-me author Jayce Ellis. JEREMIAH is the first book in her High Rise series. This urban romance features a black, mid-30s, closeted paramedic falling hard for a wealthy, queer, white man who’s trying to get his rambling life on track.

About the book:
Jeremiah Stewart’s sexuality is no one’s business. Not that he’s hiding it. When—if—he finds the right one, he’ll absolutely introduce him to Mom. But a late-night brush with a sexy stranger in too much lip gloss has him rethinking nearly everything…

To Collin Galloway, direction is a four-letter word. Sure, he hates his job, he hates living with his parents and he really hates watching everyone move on without him. But he doesn’t know what he wants to do, long-term, and he won’t figure it out by thirsting over Jeremiah, the superhot, superintense paramedic who is suddenly everywhere Collin looks.

When Jeremiah’s faced with losing all he’s worked so hard to build, he reluctantly accepts Collin’s help. They’re both determined to stay professional…which works about as well as either would imagine. But Collin only does closets with clothes, and Jeremiah has to decide if he’s finally found the one worth bringing home to Mom.

My Review:
Jeremiah Stewart is in his mid-30s and an experienced paramedic working in the Washington D.C. area. He’s a black man who became the “man of the house” at the age of 6 when his father disappeared from their lives leaving his mother to raise the four kids, seemingly on her own. He is gay–out only to his best friend–and lives in a high rise condo. One hot June night he’s arriving home and finds a slender whit man with booty shorts, eyeliner, and lip gloss wrangling two drunk friends into the elevator of his building. The guy is cute, and clearly overwhelmed, so Jeremiah valiantly assists. He would like to get to know the cutie some more, but the stranger shuts him down almost immediately. Maybe he’s dating the dude who’s passed out drunk? JEremiah can’t tell, but he also can’t forget the man.

Collin Galloway is 29 and a college grad working as a pool secretary in a law firm, a job arranged by his wealthy father–who is a longtime friend of one of the firm’s partners, Mr. Carter. Collin lives in his old childhood bedroom in his parent’s posh condo, which his father resents. He has strained relations with his parents, who had him late, after they’d already shipped his older sister off to boarding school. Collin was primarily raised by nannies and refused to go to boarding school when his last nanny quit. He feels like an outsider in his family, and has really close ties with a childhood friend, Lizzie, and Ryan–with whom he’d unknowingly shared an ex-boyfriend in college. He often crashes at Lizzie and Ryan’s apartment on the weekends to avoid being around his parents.

Collin is totally drawn to Jeremiah, but he lacks confidence due to what he feels are low circumstances–drifting through a job, sponging off his parents, and not being a full-adult despite his age. Jeremiah looks way too put-together to suffer a flight man like Collin, right?

A 4th of July incident reunites them–with slightly better results than the first meeting. And another run-in at a local cafe gets them to exchange numbers–Lizzie’s gratitude becomes an offer for Collin to re-work Jeremiah’s resume in search of a new job. In this effort, Collin’s nerves and insecurities disappear. The rapport strengthens and provides a nice segue into sexytimes. Both men have family issues, and isolation problems–there are fights and separations that neither has anticipated. They are different on the outside, but they mesh well. When Jeremiah gets some time off, he convinces Collin to play hooky from his new position as Mr. Collin’s temporary secretary. It is ultimate sexy bliss, until one of Jeremiah’s siblings gets clued in on his sexuality–and it ends up with a bail-out and a freak out–not necessarily in that order.

This is a sweet and sexy romance, with two very different men, who find full acceptance with one another. Jeremiah is awed by Collin’s resilience, and Collin is attracted to Jeremiah’s brawn and determination. Being in the closet isn’t easy, and Collin clings to the idea that Jeremiah will introduce him to his mother. The Stewart family needs to have some heart-to-hearts to clear up the mystery of what happened to their father, and how this affected the whole clan. There is a lot of emotion that needs to get sorted out, but the end is happy, with a lot of support throughout the ending. This is the first book in the series, and I would be eager to read on.

Interested? You can find JEREMIAH on Goodreads, Carina Press, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. I received a review copy via NetGalley.

About the Author:
Jayce Ellis is an author and an attorney. You can connect with her on twitter.

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!