adult contemporary

Three’s a Crowd: FOURTEEN SUMMERS–Review and Giveaway

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a new contemporary romance from Quinn Anderson. In honor of the Three-Day-Weekend I’m featuring some “trio”-love stories. FOURTEEN SUMMERS is a new adult romance for two young men who unexpectedly reconnect–and the twin brother who feels shut out. It’s not a menage, but there is a lot of love shared between these three guys.

About the book:
Identical twins Aiden and Max Kingsman have been a matched set their whole lives. When they were children, Aiden was happy to follow his extroverted brother’s lead, but now that they’re in college, being “my brother, Aiden” is starting to get old. He’s itching to discover who he is outside of his “twin” identity.

Oliver’s goals for the summer are simple: survive his invasive family, keep his divorced parents from killing each other, and stay in shape for rowing season. He’s thrilled when he runs into his old friends, the Kingsman twins, especially Aiden, the object of a childhood crush. Aiden is all grown-up, but some things have stayed the same: his messy curls, his stability, and how breathless he makes Oliver. Oliver’s crush comes back full force, and the feeling is mutual. Summer just got a whole lot hotter.

Fun-loving Max takes one thing seriously: his role as “big brother.” When Aiden drifts away, Max can’t understand how his own twin could choose a boy over him. Summer won’t last forever, and with friendship, family, and happily ever after on the line, they’ll have to navigate their changing relationships before it’s too late.

My Review:
Aiden and Max Kingsman are identical twins with loving and supportive parents. They have a childhood best friend, Oliver Jones, who is so close that Aiden and Max want to make him their other brother. In fact, Aiden presides over little marriages between Max and Oliver to make him their official brother–when they are, like, in kindergarten. Their deep bond is encouraged by Aiden and Max’s parents because they know that Oliver’s home life is troubled. His parents fight a lot and Oliver seeks the peace and security of the Kingsman home until his parents finally divorce and Oliver moves away for middle school.

Fast-forward ten years.

Oliver’s father has bought a little house in their old neighborhood so he could be nearer to his own extended family and to where Oliver lives. See, his dad had moved to San Diego, but, now that Oliver is an adult and entering his senior year at NYU, there’s no legal impetus to force Oliver to spend his school breaks with him. Oliver loves his dad, but his extended family is a bit…in your face. Oliver’s a shy guy, used to blending into the shadows after years of weathering his parents fighting. And, he thinks his dad’s family, especially his beefy uncles, look at him sideways now that he’s come out as gay. He’s in the grocery in his old neighborhood when he runs into Max and Aiden, and they reconnect. It’s a boon to Oliver, who is tired of his loud family and has few friends in the area. Plus, Oliver nursed a crush on Aiden…since forever.

Aiden is likewise excited to see Oliver. An introvert living in Max’s outgoing shadow, he’s never even dated a guy, though he’s had years of wondering about it. And Oliver was a big part of those imaginings. This is a quandary, because Max and Aiden often come as a matched set, and Oliver and Aiden are getting closer while Max is somewhat oblivious. Until, well, Oliver can’t take the pressure anymore and he seeks out Aiden one night on his own.

Seriously, these guys are so sweet together. Aiden is initially timid, but he feels safe with Oliver, his childhood love rediscovered. They still have a connection and the chemistry is intense. But, they are afraid to let anyone else know what is building between them in case it doesn’t go right. When Max inevitably picks up on it he feels snubbed; he wants all of Aiden’s attention and he sees Oliver as competition. Aiden needs to break out of Max’s shadow in a way that doesn’t damage their relationships if he doesn’t want to lose Oliver. Because, well, Oliver’s felt like he already ruined his parents’ marriage and he won’t be in the middle of the Kingsman twins’ battle.

I seriously liked this one. It’s tender and thoughtful, with strongly connected characters. It’s not a menage–Max is straight–but there is no denying that Max, Aiden and Oliver share a lot of love. Aiden, while being his own man, is inextricably tied to Max, and Max–well, he has to learn to back off. It’s hard for him to not be Aiden’s guide, hero and protector, but he manages to move past his own needs so Aiden can find love with Oliver. Not that Oliver doesn’t love Max, because he does–as a brother. There are some really special moments here with growing pains that gave me pause. I liked how Oliver talked with his parents, working on his relationships, as well as how he was honest about his needs with both Max and Aiden. This trio is all about love, and they work together to find the right balance for each of them. The ending is absolutely happy and might bring a tear or two.

Interested? You can find FOURTEEN SUMMERS on Goodreads, Riptide Books, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and Kobo. I read a review copy via NetGalley.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click here to comment on the giveaway post over at Joyfully Jay in order to enter to win a $10 GC on Riptide.
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the Author:
Quinn Anderson is an alumna of the University of Dublin in Ireland and has a master’s degree in psychology. She wrote her dissertation on sexuality in popular literature and continues to explore evolving themes in erotica in her professional life.

A nerd extraordinaire, she was raised on an unhealthy diet of video games, anime, pop culture, and comics from infancy. Her girlfriend swears her sense of humor is just one big Buffy reference. She stays true to her nerd roots in writing and in life, and frequently draws inspiration from her many fandoms, which include Yuri on Ice, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Buffy, and more. Growing up, while most of her friends were fighting evil by moonlight, Anderson was kamehameha-ing her way through all the shounen anime she could get her hands on. You will often find her interacting with fellow fans online and offline via conventions and Tumblr, and she is happy to talk about anything from nerd life to writing tips. She has attended conventions on three separate continents and now considers herself a career geek. She advises anyone who attends pop culture events in the UK to watch out for Weeping Angels, as they are everywhere. If you’re at an event, and you see a 6’2” redhead wandering around with a vague look on her face, that’s probably her.

Catch up with Quinn online on Facebook, twitter and Tumblr.

Out Today! FIGHTING FOR EVERYTHING–Release Day Review and Giveaway!

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a cover for a new contemporary romance from Laura Kaye. FIGHTING FOR EVERYTHING is the first book in her Warrior Fight Club series. It features a PTSD-plagued wounded vet, and the best friend of his life that he’s fallen hard for. I’ve loved RIDE HARD, and her veteran-centered HARD INK books too.

About the book:
Loving her is the biggest fight of his life…
Home from the Marines, Noah Cortez has a secret he doesn’t want his oldest friend, Kristina Moore, to know. It kills him to push her away, especially when he’s noticing just how sexy and confident she’s become in his absence. But, angry and full of fight, he’s not the same man anymore either. Which is why Warrior Fight Club sounds so good.

Kristina loves teaching, but she wants more out of life. She wants Noah—the boy she’s crushed on and waited for. Except Noah is all man now—in ways both oh so good and troubling, too. Still, she wants who he’s become—every war-hardened inch. And when they finally stop fighting their attraction, it’s everything Kristina never dared hope for.

But Noah is secretly spiraling, and when he lashes out, it threatens what he and Kristina have found. The brotherhood of the fight club helps him confront his demons, but only Noah can convince the woman he loves that he’s finally ready to fight for everything.

How about a little taste?

“Noah, are you down here?” Kristina called from the top of the basement steps.

Despite the lack of response, she continued down and crossed the room to the mostly closed door in the back corner–Noah’s bedroom since he’d returned just before last Christmas. God, Kristina had thought she’d received the best Christmas present ever–Noah, home from Iraq, safe and sound.

Well, mostly sound, anyway. An IED blast had taken the hearing and most of his vision on his left side, and he’d struggled with bad migraines and equilibrium problems when he’d first returned. But he was home and he was alive, and having him back again had made it feel like she could finally breathe after years of knowing he was in danger every second of every day.

She knocked softly. “Hey Noah, it’s me.”

All she heard was a long exhale of breath, but it was enough.

Why hadn’t he answered her? Her stomach clenched as she pushed open the door far enough to see Noah standing in the dark doorway to his bathroom, his back against the door jamb, his arms crossed, and his head hanging on his big shoulders.

She didn’t need to ask if he was okay, because he was radiating not okay loud and clear. Kristina walked right up to him. “What’s going on?” she asked. Dim light from the rec room filtered over him, allowing her to just make out the tight clench of his square jaw, the narrowed cast of his dark brown eyes, the harsh set of his beautiful mouth.

Wait. What? Where had that little observation come from?

Noah shook his head, forcing Kristina to drop the ridiculous line of thought.

She stepped closer so that she could look more directly into his eyes. “Come on, Noah. It’s me.” She ached for him to open up, but what she noticed even more was the low buzz rushing through her body. From how close she stood to all his taut hardness. It wasn’t like she was just noticing that Noah was hot, like, dayum hot, but nearly five years in the Marines had matured him and built hard muscle that hadn’t been there before. And clearly her body was just noticing, probably because they hadn’t had the chance to spend much time together since he’d gotten back.

“Kristina,” he said, his voice so low it was nearly a whisper, or a plea. He leaned his forehead against hers. It was such a sweet, needful gesture that Kristina’s chest seized.

“First, I’m hugging you. Then we’re talking, buddy,” she said, wrapping her arms around his big shoulders and planting her cheek against his chest. The embrace wasn’t unusual-they’d always been affectionate with each other. She’d lay against him while they watched a movie or he’d sling an arm over her shoulders while they were out together. When things were bad with her dad, he’d hold her when she finally gave into her grief about it and cried. That’s how they’d always been.

He embraced her right back and leaned his face against her hair.

After a long moment, Kristina pulled away–

Noah wouldn’t let her go. His grip on her tightened, and he held her fast against him. Was he breathing faster? Was he trembling?

Against her belly, he hardened.

Kristina’s breath caught in her throat. Noah was aroused…by her? Or just, like, in her general vicinity? Or…? She swallowed hard as her thoughts flew.

As they stood there, suspended in the dark, stolen moment, the air around them flashed hot and closed in, narrowing the world to all the places their bodies touched. His erection grew, pressing against her with more insistence. Heat bloomed over her skin everywhere and she held herself perfectly still. Because this was different. This was not friendly. This was more.

A strange tension wrapped around them, and it scared and attracted Kristina in equal measure. She shuddered out a breath as her body came to life against his. Her breathing quickened, her nipples peaked, her core clenched.

Noah made a noise in the back of his throat like a moan, and his arms tightened around her, pulling their bodies totally flush.

Kristina’s breath caught at the hard press of his body and at the shocking arousal it unleashed in her.

This is Noah. This is Noah. This is Noah.

But it didn’t seem to matter to her body. The soft cotton of her dress became heavy and irritating against her skin, and all she wanted was for it to be off. So he could be all over her. This sudden, intoxicating need was brand new to her-in general and certainly with Noah. She wasn’t a virgin, but she’d never felt with another man the kind of desire rocketing through her just then. And all they’d done was touch.

Why was this happening?

Her hips shifted without her meaning to do it, and it made her belly grind against all that hardness.

Noah hissed in her ear. His fingertips dug into her back…and then wandered, one hand pressing low against her hip, one skimming up her neck into her hair. Holding her tight. Bringing her closer.

She was half sure she was imagining that they were locked inside this raging bubble of attraction, except that his heart thundered beneath where her head rested, his breathing had gone rough, and his skin felt every bit as feverish as hers.

She had to stop this…whatever this was.

Tilting her head back, the words were on the tip of her tongue. Her eyes locked with his, and even in the dimness she could see that they were blazing hot and almost predatory in their directness. It stole her capacity to speak, because she was unequivocally sure he’d never looked at her like that. Need roared off of him and through her, making her heart beat like a bass drum.

Kristina swallowed hard. What would she do if he kissed her? One kissing experiment aside, she’d never had to ask that in regard to him. Another question followed close behind: what would she do if he didn’t?

My Review:

Noah Cortez is seven months stateside after a disability discharge from the Marines. He’d been in the service five years, but a landmine stole his comrades, hearing and vision on the left side of his head. Besides the visible scars, Noah’s battling some pretty intense emotional shrapnel–which is why he’s tried to stay away form his childhood best-friend Kristina Moore.

Kristina knows something is seriously wrong with Noah; his lackluster attitude, hollowed eyes and fading body are big clues, but being present at one of his flashbacks is a wake-up call. FOr both of them. Noah’s depression and PTSD have been eating him alive, and he doesn’t want it to ruin his relationships, so he pulls away from everyone, especially when they tell him he’s not the nothing, damaged man he sees in his mirror, and feels in his mind.

Kristina, having lived with a parent with mental illness, wants to be Noah’s rock, but a new complication arises: their mutual attraction. They’d never been anything but platonic before, and now? They get steamy–for the moment. Noah’s sure that Kristina deserves better than a broken down, disabled vet, but she knows he’s her everything, and desperately wants to build a life together. Unfortunately, she learns he can’t return her love, not when he doesn’t love himself.

This is a great first book in a new series. The friends-to-lovers aspect was handled really well, with all the confusion that it can entail. Noah finds help in unexpected places–art therapy which leads him to fight therapy designed only for military enlisted and veterans. This Warrior Fight Club provides a safe space for Noah to work out his aggression and regain his balance, both emotionally and physically. He knows he probably doesn’t deserve another chance at loving Kristina, but he’s determined to be a better friend than he’d been when he returned home.  I loved Kristina, and respected her struggles, and frustration, with Noah’s hot-and-cold attitude. It was great seeing Noah turn his life around, though I wished for a little more insight into his challenges once he started seeking treatment. That said, it’s got an upbeat ending and sets up new characters to carry the series forward.

Interested? You can find FIGHTING FOR EVERYTHING on Goodreads, Amazon (US, UK, CA, AU) Barnes & Noble, iTunes and Kobo.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win one of 3 $10 Amazon or B & N gift cards.
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

LauraKayeAbout the Author:
Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty books in contemporary and erotic romance and romantic suspense, including the Blasphemy, Hard Ink, and Raven Riders series. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. Laura also writes historical fiction as the NYT bestselling author, Laura Kamoie. She lives in Maryland with her husband and two daughters, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

Catch up with Laura on her website, Facebook, twitter, or sign-up for her newsletter.
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More Than a WASH OUT–Military Monday Review and Giveaway!

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a brand new M/M military romance from L.A. Witt. WASH OUT is the seventh book in her Anchor Point navy series. I’ve loved JUST DRIVE, AFRAID TO FLY, CHIEF’S MESS, and RANK & FILE. WASH OUT features a main character that appeared in AFRAID TO FLY, but they can all be read as standalones.

About the book:
Casey Olson has always known he was destined to be a Navy SEAL, and the best day of his life was when he was accepted into training. The worst day was when a snapping bone ended his dream.

After three combat tours in five years, Logan Carter left the Marines and self-destructed. Now he’s sober and, thanks to a forgiving ex with friends in high places, has a promising job as a civilian contractor. All he has to do is stay on the rails and out of a bottle, even when his demons won’t leave him alone.

Logan likes his job, and he really likes the gorgeous man at the next desk. Casey tries not to check Logan out, but who is he kidding? From the start, despite their best efforts, neither man can resist the other. Sizzling chemistry leads to sex so hot they can both almost forget why they’re stuck in this office to begin with.

It would be perfect, except Logan can’t stop reliving wars he’ll never forget and Casey can’t stop grieving the SEAL he’ll never be. And they’ll never have a future together until they can make peace with their pasts.

My Review:
Logan Carter is a combat veteran and former Marine who is piecing his life back together. Surviving three combat tours didn’t prepare him for life as a civilian. We met Logan briefly in AFRAID TO FLY as Travis’ drunk boyfriend who embarrassed him at the Navy Ball. He’s been a Navy contractor before, and lost those jobs due to alcoholism–but he’s 6 months sober and in therapy to deal with his PTSD for the first time since he didn’t re-up seven years ago. Travis, good guy that he is, has pulled some strings to get Logan a last-chance job working in the training department, setting up schedules and teaching classes to enlisted sailors.

On his first day, Logan meets Gunner’s Mate 2 Casey Olson, a man grieving the loss of his lifelong dream of being a SEAL. He’d passed the many fit tests and even made it past Hell Week in BUD/S training, but a snapped lower leg in a training run on the loose beach sand brought his career to a swift halt. While he’s recuperating now, it’s highly unlikely that Casey will qualify for SEAL training due to this injury, and he’s having a hard time coming to terms with it. Still, working in the training division on light duty has it’s benefits. His co-workers are cool, and Logan? Logan is HAWT.

Would it be a bad idea to have some fun before he gets reassigned?

While Logan knows it’s a bad idea to mess around with a co-worker, he’s been celibate a long time. And, as they build a friendship in the office, the undercurrent of attraction grows. After a particularly hard day for Casey, Logan’s sympathy is more temptation than they can take, especially when a kiss follows the embrace. But, are they making a big mistake, or stepping into their future together?

There is a lot of awesome details in this book about combat vets and dealing with PTSD. I liked the day-to-day of it, getting into Logan’s head and seeing his issues up-close. It was also interesting how the fictional administration had made specific plans to ensure the personnel had safe spaces in which to work. I hope this is a true look at the reality of life for persons in the military, but I have to guess it’s not a complete picture. We get some deep insight into therapy, as well, and seeing Logan cope through his art was cool. Casey’s heartbreak was palpable, and his frustration at being consoled felt real. There was a moment near the end where he reached an unfortunate boiling point, but it marked the necessary turning point for communication between Casey and Logan. Because they had long passed the point of casual lovers into true boyfriends. I liked this one lots, and found the scorching sexytimes highly satisfying.

Interested? You can find WASH OUT on Goodreads, Riptide Publishing, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks and Kobo. I received a review copy via NetGalley.

****GIVEAWAY***
Click on this link to comment over on Book Reviews and More by Kathy to enter for a chance to win 2 backlist e-books from L.A. Witt.
Gook luck and keep reading my friends!

About the Author:
Lauren Gallagher is an abnormal romance writer who has recently been exiled from the glittering utopia of Omaha, Nebraska, to an undisclosed location in South America. Along with her husband, a harem of concubines, and a phosphorescent porcupine, she remains, as always, in hiding from the Polynesian Mafia. For the moment, she seems to have eluded her nemesis, M/M romance author L.A. Witt, but figures L.A. will eventually become bored with the wilds of Spain and come looking for her. And when that time comes, Lauren will be ready. Assuming L.A. doesn’t have her hands full keeping track of Lori A. Witt and Ann Gallagher, which she probably will.

Visit her website, Facebook, and twitter.

New Beginnings? LOCK NUT–Review and Giveaway!

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a newly released contemporary M/M mystery romance from JL Merrow. LOCK NUT is the fifth book in the Plumber’s Mate series and I hope it isn’t the last. I adored PRESSURE HEAD, RELIEF VALVE and BLOW DOWN. For those who haven’t picked up these books, they feature a plumber with a knack for finding water and lost/hidden items–including dead or missing people, and his former bully who’s now his fiance. It’s set in England, and has some absolutely awesome vernacular.

About the book:
Still waters run deadly.
Tom Paretski, plumber with a talent for finding hidden things, and his private investigator fiancé Phil Morrison have been hired to locate a runaway husband, Jonathan Parrot. The job seems simple enough—until their quarry turns up dead in a canal, and a photofit of Tom’s face is splashed all over the news, making him chief suspect.

The widow, petite ex–porn star Lilah Lovett, is convinced her husband was killed by his gay lover, but Tom and Phil aren’t so sure. Worried they may have precipitated Jonathan’s death, they’re determined to find the real killer. But with a web of incestuous ties linking the suspects, it’s hard to know who to trust. Especially when a second victim dies a gruesome death.

Meanwhile, with their wedding looming and them sharing a house now, Tom’s worried it may all be too much, too fast. The last thing he needs are the mixed messages Phil seems to be sending out. They’ll need to get back on the same track if they want to make it to their honeymoon together—and alive.

My Review:
Tom Paretsky–maybe he is Polish–is a plumber with a unique knack for finding what’s hidden, including dead bodies. His fiance, Phil Morrison, is a private investigator, so it’s a handy skill to have. In this story Tom and Phil are planning their wedding, but it’s not going well, especially when Tom’s face gets put on the telly as a suspect in a murder.

Tom’s committed to finding the true killer before another death gets put on his head. And Phil’s determined to make it to the altar–with Tom intact. Though moving in together hasn’t been without issues. Tom’s a little territorial, and he’s slow to adapt to big changes. Like finding out about his paternity issues and building his familial relationships. Phil knows Tom needs nudging, even when Phil goes a bit far.

As with the other books in the series, the sexytimes are on the down-low but Tom’s raw wit keeps the pace cracking along and we know how very much he adores Phil. That’s totally reciprocated, too, even though Tom has self-esteem issues. Tom’s efforts to track down the killer are more personal this time. He’s making friends with the kooky family of the grieving widow, knowing that she’s the prime suspect. I did like all the misdirection, even if I had picked out the killer in the beginning. The harrowing bits have the appropriate amount of tension, and enough suspense to make me wonder if we’d hear those wedding bells pealing, or not. I loved how it ended, and I really hope to see more of these books in the future.

Interested? You can find LOCK NUT on Goodreads, <a href=”Riptide Publishing, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes and Kobo. I received a review copy via NetGalley.

****GIVEAWAY****

Pop on over to my pal Joyfully Jay and leave a comment to be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card.
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the Author:
JL Merrow is that rare beast, an English person who refuses to drink tea. She read Natural Sciences at Cambridge, where she learned many things, chief amongst which was that she never wanted to see the inside of a lab ever again. Her one regret is that she never mastered the ability of punting one-handed whilst holding a glass of champagne.

She writes across genres, with a preference for contemporary gay romance and and mysteries, and is frequently accused of humour. Her novel Slam! won the 2013 Rainbow Award for Best LGBT Romantic Comedy and her novella Muscling Through and novel Relief Valve were both EPIC Awards Finalists.

JL Merrow is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, International Thriller Writers, Verulam Writers’ Circle and the UK GLBTQ Fiction Meet organising team.

Find JL Merrow online on her website, twitter and Facebook.

Matching Goals LEVEL UP–Release Week Review and Giveaway

Hi there! I’m super excited to share a release week review and giveaway for a new contemporary M/M romance from Annabeth Albert. LEVEL UP is a companion story of the #gaymers series because one of the MCs is a side character we met in both CONNECTION ERROR and OFF BASE. If you liked STATUS UPDATE or BETA TEST, you’ll enjoy this one, but it’s totally a standalone, too

Catch the excerpt, my review and enter the giveaway for a $20 GC below!
About the book:
Landon can’t believe he’s let himself get roped into participating in a charity calendar, let alone one that features tastefully photographed nudes. The genius physicist is hardly model material and he’s dreading the nude part of the photoshoot. Amid his reluctance, the one bright spot is his emails back and forth with the photographer.

However, Bailey ends up being not quite what Landon expects, and their first meeting is decidedly awkward. Bailey’s persistent though, and gradually Landon warms to the burly photographer, and they discover they have a shared love of gamer culture.

A tentative friendship is born, but the road from friends to lovers isn’t easy. Landon’s battling past trauma and must decide how much of a risk he’s willing to take. A sexy connection may not be enough to keep them together unless both are willing to put their hearts on the line.

Approximately 40,000 words. Previously released as part of the EXPOSED anthology, and loosely linked to the #Gaymers universe, this friends-to-lovers, hurt/comfort story stands alone with a guaranteed happy ending. Contains a brief mention of a prior assault, but no on-screen violence or flashbacks.

How about a delicious taste?

Bailey was the type who moved a lot as he gamed, biceps flexing, knees wiggling, shoulders jostling. Landon always liked people who got so into gaming, but it was more than a little distracting. His body was quickly coming to associate that orange scent of Bailey’s with good things, and other parts of him apparently liked Bailey’s nearness, which was a novelty because instead of intimidated, as he would have expected, he was more than a little turned on.

“Oh man, that was a rush.” Bailey laughed as both of their health meters dipped to zero. “I’m almost wishing I’d gone into game art, not photography. Amazing how these graphics have held up over the years.”

“Totally. And speaking of art, let me find the Space Villager stuff.” Landon reluctantly stepped away from the game. He headed to the nearby kitchen, where he was pretty the papers were buried with a stack of mail. Paper control was not his strong suit. “You’ll go nuts at the latest screen shots and promo teasers.”

“Cool.” Rather than follow Landon, Bailey went to sit on the couch.

“You want a drink while I’m in here?” Landon called to him after he found the papers under a pile of pizza ads. “I’ve got four flavors of Snapple, soda, and water.”

“Surprise me with a Snapple flavor.” Bailey looked right at home on Landon’s couch, lounging back.

He really did not look at all like any photographer Landon had ever met, and curiosity had him asking, “So why photography? You said you could have done game design?”

“Yeah, I had plenty of friends at the art institute go that direction. But I’ve been in love with photography ever since I worked on our middle school yearbook. I figured out quickly that taking pictures of events and sports was far more fun than trying to do the sports myself, so I did yearbook all through high school, got a photography scholarship to the art institute in Portland.”

“So you don’t play a sport?” Landon had a hard time believing that. With Bailey’s height and breadth, he totally looked like he lived for weekend games of some type.

“Nope. Hopelessly uncoordinated.” Bailey shot him an endearing smile when Landon handed him the bottle of tea.

“Me too.” Landon clinked bottles with him, then held up the papers. “Found the codes. But can I show you some stuff on the TV screen while you have your drink?”

“Absolutely.” Bailey took a long swig of tea, and Landon had to look away before he got mesmerized by Bailey’s full mouth, how it looked when his tongue chased a stray drop of moisture, how pink it was in contrast to his paler skin and brown beard.

Landon queued up the pre-release trailer Josiah had sent him a link to. Bombastic music filled his small living room as on the screen, and a spaceship pulled in for a landing on a planet filled with ruins of a once-powerful civilization. The narrator had an iconic voice and detailed all the special features of the expansion pack. Landon had already watched this a half-dozen times, and it still gave him happy chills.

“Wow. I can’t wait.” Bailey looked suitably awed. “This is even cooler than when War Elf added the mystic raids.”

“I know, right? Now look at the in-game screen shots.” He brought up another video, body relaxing more and more despite Bailey’s nearness. It was just so awesome to have someone new to share this with. He’d been hyped about this all week, but Pike was distracted by his boyfriend Zack’s deployment, Savannah didn’t game much, and the rest of his regular crew seemed to have other things occupying their attention.

Somehow, as he shared more video clips, he drifted closer to Bailey, so that their knees were almost rubbing. It wasn’t a giant couch, so there wasn’t a ton of room to move back, but even so, Landon wasn’t looking for an escape. He was aware of Bailey, very much so, but not nearly as freaked out as he’d been a few hours ago. Instead, his senses seemed to soak up Bailey’s scent and nearness, and it wasn’t until the fourth or fifth video that he realized that he was aroused.

Clink. Somehow Landon’s left hand, holding his drink, and Bailey’s right hand tangled.

“Oops.” He tried to extricate himself without spilling both beverages. Bending to put his on the floor, he hadn’t realized that Bailey had also leaned down until their heads collided.

“Ow,” they said simultaneously.

“Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry.” Bailey reached out, feeling around on Landon’s head. “Did you see stars? Break the skin?”

“I’m fine.” Landon didn’t pull away. Bailey’s hand felt damn nice. Gentle. Soothing more than just the bump on his head. Their eyes met, and he really needed to move back, break this spell, but he didn’t, instead leaning into to the touch. Bailey’s eyes darkened, and he stroked down Landon’s jaw. God, that felt so good, like an extra blanket on a chilly night, warmth he hadn’t realized he was missing. How long had it been since he’d been touched like this? Hugged, sure. He’d hugged Savannah goodnight, and hugged and wrestled around with his best friend Pike at the last LAN party, but neither of those things was touch like this. Caring. Sweet. Arousing.

Bailey leaned in again, way slower this time, all the time in the world for Landon to stop him. But he didn’t. Bailey’s beard tickled an instant before their lips met, a soft slide of mouths. Not aggressive at all, not the on-a-tight-schedule rush of a hookup, Bailey kissed like they had a sleepy Sunday afternoon to kill, like each reaction of Landon’s mattered, like he was trying to memorize something important and was going to take his time learning the lesson.

Landon was the first one to take things further, mouth opening on a sigh, welcoming Bailey’s agile tongue. He tasted sweet, like tea, and minty like the gum he’d popped after the pizza, familiar yet new at the same time. How had he managed to forget how awesome kissing could be? A laugh bubbled up in his chest, but quickly transformed to a groan of pleasure as Bailey nipped at his lower lip.

Not content to let Bailey be the one exploring, Landon sent his own tongue on a quest, tracing Bailey’s full lower lip, delving inside to rub tongues, retreating playfully to earn another nip. Fuck. This was nice. The video switched over to something random, and he barely registered it. He couldn’t say how long they kissed, just that he didn’t want it to ever end.

My Review:
Landon is a wunderkind physics genius we met in CONNECTION ERROR and OFF BASE, as a roommate to Pike–who crossed those series. Landon is bisexual, but he doesn’t date men bigger than himself having been raped in college by strapping athletes. He often struggles with intimacy, in fact, as a result of PTSD stemming from that experience. Still, he’s a sexy, lithe man and has agreed to pose for a “naughty” calendar for a literacy campaign. He’s been in touch with the photographer via email, and Bailey seems like a nice girl–their cyberflirting has Landon intrigued.

Unfortunately, the photographer, Bailey, well…he’s a guy. And gay. And BIG. Turns out the sweet fey-looking girl featured in Bailey’s Instagram feed is his assistant. Landon is flustered, and frustrated, but Bailey is as magnanimous and warm as he had been online. And, they still have common gaming interests. The photo shoot goes well. Well enough that Landon and his best pal agree to drinks with Bailey and his assistant. There is a mutual attraction growing between Landon and Bailey, but Landon’s afraid his anxiety will crop up if they become intimate. Plus, Bailey’s living in Portland, though he has a job prospect that will bring him back to California where Landon lives.

Landon initially shuts down Bailey romantically, but explains why. His trauma causes Bailey pain, knowing that his physical state isn’t something he can change, but Bailey’s still interested in being Landon’s friend, if nothing else. So they continue to game online, and chat over the phone, too. Over the course of another month they build a strong friendship, one that they aren’t sure they want to risk in case getting physical leads to panic attacks. I love though, how Bailey is so down for whatever, and how his mellow attitude brings Landon peace. They have some sexytimes on Skype and that really helps them build on the attraction in a non-threatening manner.

When they reconnect in Cali, it’s a far better experience than the first time they met–and Landon has been seeing a therapist to help mitigate his panic attacks. Plus, it works for him that Bailey is more than willing to let Landon be the more aggressive partner. Landon’s growth stems from a deep desire to make his friend his lover–and he crosses emotional barriers he didn’t intend to address in order to do so. There is a decent amount of steam for the situation, though the conflict is pretty low-stakes. I found it to be a feel-good sort of book, with two decent guys finding unexpected friendship and love that conquers their fears.

Interested? You can find LEVEL UP on Goodreads, and Amazon.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win a $20 GC.
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

Annabeth Albert avatarAbout 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. The #OutOfUniform series joins her critically acclaimed and fan-favorite LGBTQ romance #Gaymers, #PortlandHeat and #PerfectHarmony series. To find out what she’s working on next and other fun extras, check out her website: http://www.annabethalbert.com or connect with Annabeth on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify! Also, be sure to sign up for her newsletter for free ficlets, bonus reads, and contests. The fan group, Annabeth’s Angels, on Facebook is also a great place for bonus content and exclusive contests.

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 active children.

Find Annabeth online on her website, Goodreads, twitter and Facebook.
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Cover Reveal for FIGHTING FOR WHAT’S HIS

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a cover for a new contemporary romance from Laura Kaye. FIGHTING FOR WHAT’S HIS is the second book in her Warrior Fight Club series. I haven’t had a chance to get into this series yet, but I’ve loved RIDE HARD, and her veteran-centered HARD INK books too.

About the book:
This fight club has one rule: you must be a veteran…
Resisting her only makes him want her more…
Private investigator Billy Parrish is good at three things—fighting, investigating, and sex. MMA training with the other vets in the Warrior Fight Club keeps his war-borne demons at bay—mostly, and one night stands ensure no one gets too close. But then his best friend from the Army Rangers calls in a favor.

Shayna Curtis is new to town, fresh out of grad school, and full of hope for the future. With a new job starting in a month, she’s grateful when her brother arranges a place for her to stay while she apartment hunts. But she never expected her roommate to be so brooding. Or so sexy.

Billy can’t wait for Shay to leave—because the longer she’s there, the more he wants her in his bed. To stay. He can’t have her—that much he knows. But when fight club stops taking off the edge, Billy lets down his guard…and starts fighting for what’s his.

Interested? You can pre-order FIGHTING FOR WHAT’S HIS on Goodreads, Amazon, iTunes, and Kobo. It releases August 7.

You can also pick up Book 1 in the series, FIGHTING FOR EVERYTHING, on Goodreads, Amazon (US, UK, CA, AU) Barnes & Noble, iTunes and Kobo.

LauraKayeAbout the Author:
Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty books in contemporary and erotic romance and romantic suspense, including the Blasphemy, Hard Ink, and Raven Riders series. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. Laura also writes historical fiction as the NYT bestselling author, Laura Kamoie. She lives in Maryland with her husband and two daughters, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

Catch up with Laura on her website, Facebook, twitter, or sign-up for her newsletter.
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Rebuilding Hope: RUSTY NAIL–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a new contemporary romance from Nazarea Andrews. RUSTY NAIL is the second book in her River City series and features a playboy falling for a woman with a bad reputation. The male lead is Aidric, uncle to Dempsey from FIREBALL so I’m sure we’ll run into him and Taite in this one.

About the book:
In a small town, rumor is everything…
Life came easy to him.
Town playboy Aidric Jones has it all: money, women, a life without responsibility. Until his house burns down and a daughter he doesn’t know lands on his doorstep. No one expects him to step up, to grow up, but he finds disappointment is different when someone is counting on him.

And everyone is whispering…
Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks everyone knew Olivia Buckley was going to end up pregnant and stuck in River City with a deadbeat boyfriend. Now she’s a single mom working for her parent’s construction company, unable to escape a reputation she hates. She’s fighting like hell to make a life for herself and her son, to prove everyone wrong.

They’re two people with nothing in common except a falling down house, two angry kids, and a town full of rumors–but maybe that’s enough

They’ll give them something to talk about…

My Review:
This is the second book in the River City series, and picks up with a new odd-couple.

Aidric Jones is an opportunistic lover–with a scandalous reputation in his small hometown. Despite his college degree, he’s a firefighter, on the same crew as his nephew, Dempsey. Aidric likes his no roots bachelor ways, but his life is gonna change when he learns he’s a father—to an eleven year old orphaned girl. HE’d spent one sexy weekend with her recently deceased mother, and moved on like always, not noticing the gal left school at the term and never returned.

To say Aidric is shocked is an understatement, but he’s determined not to mess up Kendra’s life any more than it already is. He reaches out to an old acquaintance, Olivia Buckley, to begin renovating his half-burned childhood home so it will be a livable space for him and his daughter.

Ollie–as she goes–is a tough-as-nails single mother who’s long ago outgrown the “loose girl” reputation she was slapped with when she got pregnant senior year in high school. She’s worked damn hard to support herself and her eleven year old son, Theo, diving into project management for her father’s construction company and assuming full control once he retired.

Ollie has always had a thing for Aidric, but she’s been celibate going on twelve years. No man was good enough for her to upset her son about–and Theo’s a sensitive kid. He takes on the forlorn souls at school, including odd-ball Kendra. As Ollie and Aidric work on the house renovation, the attraction simmers. Meanwhile, Theo and Kendra build a bond. Neither parent wants to disrupt the budding friendship, but they also can’t ignore how their own feelings are growing, too. But would Aidric settle down and be a one-woman man? Ollie never dreamed it could be true, but she’s seen how much he’s changed with parenthood. That said, does Ollie even want to remain in Rover City? She’s had some offers to sell her business…and she always wanted to move away from her small-town ghosts. Will she, once she and Aidric work their lust out of their systems?

For me, this one was okay. It’s a long-slow-simmer with little sexytimes until late in the game, once Aidric and Ollie have built a solid friendship, commiserating over parenting woes and house details. I liked that, honestly, because it showed some solid maturity for these seasoned lovers. What didn’t work for me was how Theo and Kendra both read far older than eleven–late teens, at the least. They are far too self-aware and other-aware to be 11. Their words of wisdom and insight, well, having raised two grown kids and having one nearing this age range, it didn’t feel realistic or natural, for me. Aidric’s age is something of a conundrum. I thought he was in his early forties when we met him in FIREBALL, and him being Dempsey’s older bachelor uncle also pegged him in the mid-late forties bracket, too. But that doesn’t jive with having an eleven year old he conceived in college. That kind of inconsistency had me scratching my head a lot. I didn’t get why Kendra and Theo had chapters in the book–it pulled me out of the story and took the focus off Ollie and Aidric. I’m curious who might be having a love story next in this town–and I’m hopeful it might leave me with fewer questions than answers.

Interested? You can find RUSTY NAIL on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes and Kobo.

You can also find FIREBALL, the first book in the series, on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo.

About the Author:
Nazarea Andrews (N to almost everyone) is an avid reader and tends to write the stories she wants to read. Which means she writes everything from zombies and dystopia to contemporary love stories. When not writing, she can most often be found driving her kids to practice and burning dinner while she reads, or binging watching TV shows on Netflix. N loves chocolate, wine, and coffee almost as much as she loves books, but not quite as much as she loves her kids. She lives in south Georgia with her husband, daughters, spoiled cat and overgrown dog. She is the author of World Without End series, Neverland Found, Edge of the Falls, and The University of Branton Series.

Stop by her twitter and tell her what fantastic book she should read next. You can also find her on her website, blog, Facebook, join her Street Team, or sign up for her newsletter.
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Making a Family: BROTHER’S KEEPER III: LUKE A Military Monday Review


Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a new contemporary romance from Stephanie St. Klaire. LUKE is the third book in the Brother’s Keeper series which features a tight-knit set of five brothers who work in ultra high-profile security business. LUKE is a former soldier who can’t believe himself worthy of love, while the woman he’s protecting is headstrong and lonely–and love the overwhelming sense of family she feels within Luke’s extended family business. I haven’t read either of the previous titles, but I was able to jump in with both feet on this one.

About the book:
Luke O’Reilly has seen it all, done it all, and lived through it all. When a career ending injury forces him to retire from the military, he struggles to adapt. Luke was born to be a soldier, not conform to the nine-to-five mediocrity of everyday life. He needs to protect and serve like he needs his next breath.

Angry, with a bitter taste of civilian life, he finds himself searching for purpose in dangerous operatives through the family business that is Brother’s Keeper Security. Working alongside his brothers, protecting them and those they love, gives him satisfaction. But he still wants more – needs more – and struggles to find it. That is, until the one thing he didn’t think he was searching for, lands on his doorstep. Literally.

Daisy King lives life on her own terms, just the way she likes it. A free spirit, until she finds herself in the protective clutches of Brother’s Keeper, one frustrating brother in particular. As the key witness to a high-profile murder, the stakes turn dangerous and take an unpredictable twist leaving her once simple life an existence she’ll never reclaim.

In a true tug of war between good and evil, Luke fights to overcome his past, to protect his future. Can Luke and Daisy save each other and find a happily ever after? Or, does murder and mayhem prevail, robbing Daisy of her freedom and sentencing Luke to a life alone?

My Review:
Daisy King is a free spirit and performer in the wrong place at the wrong time. She’s looking for a bathroom at a house party where she’s the entertainment and inadvertently becomes the only witness to a senator’s murder. Surveillance operatives whisk her away from Nashville to Seattle–in an attempt to keep her safe. It seems there’s a mole in the WITSEC program and their witnesses against a certain cartel’s crimes all end up dead. Separated from her ailing grandmother–Daisy’s only family–she’s unhappy that taciturn Luke is her overlord , uh protector. But, Daisy loves the sweet ladies who are attached to the Brother’s Keeper security team. And, she’s sure that Luke is attractive man.

Luke hates that he’s unfit for duty, but he’s also happy to be home with his family–if he can maintain a level of privacy. Having Daisy dropped into his quiet home is inconvenient, at first. She’s a boundless problem, however, and often tries to shake the metaphorical shackles he insists are in Daisy’s best interest. Keeping her safe is his top priority, but he didn’t expect to like her so dang much.

This is a pretty fun one, with lots of banter. I had some issues with the time frame, as we jump forward by days and weeks at times, and that wasn’t super easy to follow. Also, I felt there was often too much backstory bogging the pace. I know when there are series tales it’s easy to want to explain who everyone is and how they fit, but I really like sticking with the current protagonists and their journey, so I didn’t need to know all the history between Luke, his brothers and the rest of the gang. At times, I experienced it as telling me the story, and it didn’t work for me in that moment. There’s a bit of romance that does develop, even as Luke protests that he’s not a “forever man,” but Daisy takes a chance anyway. When it seems like she’s likely in the clear regarding pursuit it all goes sideways and it’s up to Luke to save the day, and the woman he’s come to love. Expect an unexpected happy ending where Luke and Daisy really bond, and build a space within Luke’s family that is both supportive and comforting.

Interested? You can find BROTHER’S KEEPER III: LUKE on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and Kobo.

The previous books in the series are also available.
BROTHER’S KEEPER I: DECLAN on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, and Kobo.

BROTHER’S KEEPER II: LIAM on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and Kobo.

About the Author:
Stephanie St. Klaire debuted in 2016, launching her writing career with Rescued, the first book in the widely popular, five book series known as McKenzie Ridge. Stephanie is a Pacific Northwest native currently living in Oregon with her husband, five children, and two ferocious lap dogs.

As a writer, Stephanie brings realistic circumstances to the pages, and fills them with real emotion, reactions, and outcomes. Her characters are passionate, have bold personalities, and full of life. She writes happily ever after’s, with plenty of twists, turns, drama, and of course, steamy romance.

Stephanie has always been a story teller, with the gift of “gab”, and a life-long goal to be a writer. Unfortunate circumstances with her health, finally afforded her the time to do so. Irony at its best, she began writing her first novel at an adverse time, to escape her circumstance and explore the stories in her imagination for relief. She is happy to share those stories with her readers, and bring a little fun, entertainment, and of course smexy characters to the pages.

Catch up with Stephanie St. Klaire online to keep up with her work on her website, Facebook, twitter, Instagram, newsletter, Goodreads, Amazon or Bookbub.

Needing a RELIEF VALVE-A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a contemporary M/M mystery romance from JL Merrow. RELIEF VALVE is the second book in the Plumber’s Mate series and a fave of mine. I adored book 1, PRESSURE HEAD, and book 4, BLOW DOWN, which I read out of order. For those who haven’t picked up these books, they feature a is a plumber with a knack for finding water and lost/hidden items–including dead or missing people. It’s set in England, and has some absolutely awesome vernacular. The book came out several years back, but is being re-released by a new publisher.

About the book:
If you dig up the past, be prepared for some dirt to stick.
The relationship between Tom Paretski, a cheeky plumber with a gift for finding hidden things, and PI Phil Morrison may only be a few weeks old, but already it’s under attack. Tom’s friends and family are convinced the former bully isn’t good enough for him, and they’re not shy about saying so.

Then Tom’s prickly older sister, Cherry, is poisoned at her own engagement party. Tom’s left reeling and not knowing who to suspect. Could it be her new fiancé, Gregory, a cathedral canon with an unfortunate manner and a taste for taxidermy? Or someone from her old writers’ circle, which she left after a row? Or could the attack be connected to her work as a barrister? Meanwhile, Tom’s honorary auntie’s left him a gag gift from beyond the grave that could be more significant than anyone knows.

Phil’s fighting against the clock to solve the case before somebody ends up dead. And with the poisoner hiding a dark secret, Phil’s terrified Tom could have been the target all along.

My Review:
Tom Paretsky–maybe he’s not Polish–is a plumber with a unique knack for finding what’s hidden, including dead bodies. He’s got a trick hip after spending nearly a year in traction when a lorry hit him back in secondary school. The fact that he ran into the street to avoid schoolmate Phil Morrison and his gang of bullies isn’t a fact Tom’s family isn’t loathe to forget. Not even when Tom and Phil have now become an item…of sorts.

That said, Tom’s determine to change his family’s minds, and insists on bringing Phil to his sister Cherry’s engagement party. When Cherry is poisoned there, well, it’s good that Phil was available to help out on the case. This mystery/romance is charming and harrowing by turns. Tom wants to help figure out who might behind the attack, and Phil makes it his first priority; Phil isn’t sure that Cherry was the target. Tom having inherited some undisclosed property seems to make him worth bumping off, is Phil’s thought. I have a special fondness for amateur sleuth stories, and I love Tom. He’s such a fun narrator, and he’s always getting himself into a scrape. His reaction to Cherry’s fiance–whoo boy! Greg is a big man, gregarious and creepily friendly–as well as a canon for Church of England. Tom’s quietly horrified about Greg’s taxidermy hobby, and not sure if Greg is entirely straight–which leads to some inappropriately hilarious situations while Cherry recovers. And Phil’s not amused. Though he does take a friendly shine to Tom’s bestie Gary’s diminutive fiance–a former adult film star turned veg-trader in the nearby market.

While they figure out where their relationship is going, Phil and Tom work on both Cherry’s case, and on finding the “hidden” inheritance from Tom’s surrogate aunt. This last part threatens to tear apart Tom’s family even more so than Tom’s choice of boyfriend, or Cherry’s poisoning. The pace is as brisk as Tom’s rambling chatter. If you dig Brit blokes going on doing ordinary/extraordinary amateur sleuthing, well, this might be a book for you. I’ve devoured them all at this point…and would read another dozen more.

Interested? You can find RELIEF VALVE on Goodreads, Riptide Publishing, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes and Kobo. I received a review copy via NetGalley.

About the Author:
JL Merrow is that rare beast, an English person who refuses to drink tea. She read Natural Sciences at Cambridge, where she learned many things, chief amongst which was that she never wanted to see the inside of a lab ever again. Her one regret is that she never mastered the ability of punting one-handed whilst holding a glass of champagne.

She writes across genres, with a preference for contemporary gay romance and and mysteries, and is frequently accused of humour. Her novel Slam! won the 2013 Rainbow Award for Best LGBT Romantic Comedy and her novella Muscling Through and novel Relief Valve were both EPIC Awards Finalists.

JL Merrow is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, International Thriller Writers, Verulam Writers’ Circle and the UK GLBTQ Fiction Meet organising team.

Find JL Merrow online on her website, twitter and Facebook.

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

Now Available BROTHER’S KEEPER III: LUKE


Hi there! Today I’m getting the word out on a new contemporary romance from Stephanie St. Klaire. LUKE is the third book in the Brother’s Keeper series which features a tight-knit set of five brothers who work in ultra high-profile security business. I haven’t read either of the previous titles, but I was able to jump in with both feet on this one.

About the book:
Luke O’Reilly has seen it all, done it all, and lived through it all. When a career ending injury forces him to retire from the military, he struggles to adapt. Luke was born to be a soldier, not conform to the nine-to-five mediocrity of everyday life. He needs to protect and serve like he needs his next breath.

Angry, with a bitter taste of civilian life, he finds himself searching for purpose in dangerous operatives through the family business that is Brother’s Keeper Security. Working alongside his brothers, protecting them and those they love, gives him satisfaction. But he still wants more – needs more – and struggles to find it. That is, until the one thing he didn’t think he was searching for, lands on his doorstep. Literally.

Daisy King lives life on her own terms, just the way she likes it. A free spirit, until she finds herself in the protective clutches of Brother’s Keeper, one frustrating brother in particular. As the key witness to a high-profile murder, the stakes turn dangerous and take an unpredictable twist leaving her once simple life an existence she’ll never reclaim.

In a true tug of war between good and evil, Luke fights to overcome his past, to protect his future. Can Luke and Daisy save each other and find a happily ever after? Or, does murder and mayhem prevail, robbing Daisy of her freedom and sentencing Luke to a life alone?

Expect my review next week…

Interested? You can find BROTHER’S KEEPER III: LUKE on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and Kobo.

The previous books in the series are also available.
BROTHER’S KEEPER I: DECLAN on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, and Kobo.

BROTHER’S KEEPER II: LIAM on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and Kobo.

About the Author:
Stephanie St. Klaire debuted in 2016, launching her writing career with Rescued, the first book in the widely popular, five book series known as McKenzie Ridge. Stephanie is a Pacific Northwest native currently living in Oregon with her husband, five children, and two ferocious lap dogs.

As a writer, Stephanie brings realistic circumstances to the pages, and fills them with real emotion, reactions, and outcomes. Her characters are passionate, have bold personalities, and full of life. She writes happily ever after’s, with plenty of twists, turns, drama, and of course, steamy romance.

Stephanie has always been a story teller, with the gift of “gab”, and a life-long goal to be a writer. Unfortunate circumstances with her health, finally afforded her the time to do so. Irony at its best, she began writing her first novel at an adverse time, to escape her circumstance and explore the stories in her imagination for relief. She is happy to share those stories with her readers, and bring a little fun, entertainment, and of course smexy characters to the pages.

Catch up with Stephanie St. Klaire online to keep up with her work on her website, Facebook, twitter, Instagram, newsletter, Goodreads, Amazon or Bookbub.