M/M Romance

Reclaiming a JUNKYARD HEART–Review and Giveaway!

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a recently released M/M romance from Garrett Leigh. JUNKYARD HEART is a new book in the Porthkennack series that features romances set in a quiet seaside town in Cornwall. It’s the second book in this series by Ms. Leigh, and shares characters with HOUSE OF CARDS, her previous title. JUNKYARD HEART features a recovering addict and a jilted man finding a passion neither expected. I’ve really liked MISFITS, WHAT REMAINS, and HOUSE OF CARDS, so I was eager to read this one.

About the book:
Tired of the London rat race and the heartbreak that comes with it, photographer Jas Manning returns to Porthkennack, the Cornish seaside town where he spent every childhood summer on his father’s farm. Resigned to year-round rain, wind, and homemade jam, he’s sorely unprepared for the impact that artsy carpenter Kim Penrose has on his heart.

Kim’s free-loving reputation precedes him, and he’s as generous with his inked-up body as he is with his time. The sex is hot, the easy friendship even better, and Jas’s time with him building his family’s new farmhouse canteen is everything Jas was missing in his empty city life.

But Kim’s carefree existence isn’t as simple as it appears. He’s worked hard to vanquish his demons and build his dreams, but the devil on his shoulder is ruthless, and when it comes to call, their happy bubble bursts like it was never there at all. The canteen opening looms, but Kim is gone in more ways than one, and it’s down to Jas to shore up Kim’s soul and convince him that he deserves his place in Jas’s heart.

My Review:
This is a contemporary M/M romance set on the Cornish coast town of Porthkennack.

Jas Manning has returned to his father’s farm in Porthkennack, to sort himself out, now that he’s discovered the man he’d been “exclusively” dating for the past five years is married with children. Jas wasn’t an exclusive type, but there was something special about that guy, and having tried, and failed, monogamy Jas is done with men. Full stop.

And then he meets Kim. Kim’s lanky frame and smoldering eyes turn Jas inside out. And, it’s not long–truly–before they can’t keep their hands off one another. But it’s a one-off, right? Hard to avoid one another in such a small town, though. And why should Jas avoid Kim? Well, there’s Kim’s off-again long-time lover, Lena, and his alcoholism. Those are two reasons Jas finds to keep himself from getting romantically entangled with Kim, but they do develop a rapport, a tentative friendship, that keeps them close. Plus, Jas’ is commissioning Kim’s designs and furniture for their new organic eatery. They are bound to each other, even if Jas is loathe to acknowledge it.

I really liked how this story developed. It’s sweet and steamy, with fun elements, like reconnecting with Brix and Calum from HOUSE OF CARDS, and Kim’s straight-shooting discussion of his disease, and his sexuality. He’s pansexual for anyone keeping score, and this is part of what keeps Jas holding him at arm’s length: the idea that Kim can’t be exclusive to him. It’s wild though, how hot their sexytimes get, and Lena’s a happy witness to some of their passion. That said, these guys are hard on the revelations and long on the stubbornness. It was sweet how Jas’s stepmother (they have an odd relationship as Jas was the product of a swingers party and he feels less-than compared to his half-brothers) steps in to correct his idea of what love truly is. That sets Jas on a mission to define and expand their connection into a relationship that fulfills them both.

Interested? You can find JUNKYARD HEART on Goodreads, Riptide Publishing, Amazon Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link and comment on my gal Joyfully Jay’s blog for your chance to win a $20 Riptide gift card.
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the Author:
Garrett Leigh is an award-winning British writer and book designer, currently working for Dreamspinner Press, Loose Id, Riptide Publishing, and Fox Love Press.

Garrett’s debut novel, Slide, won Best Bisexual Debut at the 2014 Rainbow Book Awards, and her polyamorous novel, Misfits was a finalist in the 2016 LAMBDA awards.

When not writing, Garrett can generally be found procrastinating on Twitter, cooking up a storm, or sitting on her behind doing as little as possible, all the while shouting at her menagerie of children and animals and attempting to tame her unruly and wonderful FOX.

Garrett is also an award winning cover artist, taking the silver medal at the Benjamin Franklin Book Awards in 2016. She designs for various publishing houses and independent authors at blackjazzdesign.com, and co-owns the specialist stock site moonstockphotography.com with renowned LGBTQA+ photographer Dan Burgess.

Otherwise you can find her on her website, twitter or Facebook.

Mazel Tov! EIGHT NIGHTS IN DECEMBER is Here! Review and Giveaway!

Hi there! Today, I’m sharing a review for a new Hanukkah M/M romance from author Keira Andrews. I just reviewed IN CASE OF EMERGENCY but I couldn’t resist a Hanukkah romance. EIGHT NIGHTS IN DECEMBER pairs a shy virgin with his brash roommate’s “geeky” younger brother. We celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas in my bi-faith family, and I could almost taste the latkes and sufganiyot as I devoured this New Adult romance.

Scroll down to read my review and enter to win a backlist book for Keira Andrews in the giveaway!
About the book:
A geek. A virgin. One sexy holiday.
Orphaned Lucas figures spending the holidays with his obnoxious roommate’s family in New York City is better than staying alone on campus upstate. He ends up sharing a room again, this time with his roommate’s brother, Nate. Geeky photographer Nate isn’t at all what Lucas expects. In fact, he’s incredibly sexy—especially when he invites Lucas into his darkroom…

They hide their attraction during Hanukkah celebrations, but behind closed doors, Lucas and Nate can’t keep their hands (or mouths) off each other. Nate’s only looking for a bit of holiday fun, and amazing sex with a hot virgin definitely fits the bill. Yet as the candles burn, Nate and Lucas begin to realize eight nights will never be enough.

This gay holiday romance from Keira Andrews features secret trysts, new adult angst, spinning the dreidel, and of course a happy ending.

My Review:
Lucas is a 20-year old college freshman after spending his last two years assisting his father through terminal cancer. HE showed up to his college late in the term, and got roomed with a party-hard senior, Sam Kramer. Lucas really wants to make some friends, but he’s shy, and especially lonely now that his father–who he was very close to–has passed. His mother died when he was a child. Hearing that Lucas is planning to spend his holiday season alone in the dorms, Sam’s mother insists that Lucas join their family for the break–which begins with the first night of Hanukkah that evening.

Caught up in the whirlwind Kramer family, Lucas tries to adjust to rooming with Sam’s younger, “geeky” brother. With Sam being a gregarious athletic person, he dramatically outshines Nate–on the surface. But Lucas isn’t attracted to brash Sam the way he is to broody Nate. And, it makes Lucas all the more uncomfortable as he tries to fit in. So, he’s really caught off guard when Nate reveals that he’s down for some sexy fun…if Lucas wants to keep that on the super down-low; Nate isn’t out to his parents.

Lucas has never been with a man, though he knows that’s where his attractions lay. He’d come out to his father before the end, and he’s sad that Nate won’t be honest with his own family, which clearly loves him. That said, Lucas is eager to find some comfort with Nate, who is a passionate man behind his cool facade. And, well, it’s hard for Lucas to be free-and-easy the way Nate seems to be. Nate insists it’s just going to be a holiday fling, but they each need shelter, Lucas from his grief and Nate from his feelings of inadequacy. While Nate has no plans to come out, his family is ready for that eventuality. What begins as a temporary tryst of convenience grows into a sweet and tender romance made to last. I really enjoyed it, and loved being along for the ride with Lucas as he learns all the many, many ways he and Nate can find pleasure with each other. Talk about steamy! A delightful Hanukkah novella.

Interested? You can find EIGHT NIGHTS IN DECEMBER on Goodreads and Amazon (US and UK).

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win a backlist book from Keira Andrews.
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

Keira AndrewsAbout the Author:
After writing for years yet never really finding the right inspiration, Keira discovered her voice in gay romance, which has become a passion. She writes contemporary, historical, paranormal and fantasy fiction, and—although she loves delicious angst along the way—Keira firmly believes in happy endings. For as Oscar Wilde once said, “The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means.”

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

Out Now! Loving One’s Self Amid SNOW BALLS–Review and Giveaway!

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review and giveaway for a new contemporary M/M romance from Tara Lain. SNOW BALLS is the sixth book in her Balls to the Walls series which I have devoured. While they are all standalones, you can check out my reviews for VOLLEY BALLS, FIRE BALLS, BEACH BALLS, FAST BALLS, and HIGH BALLS, to see if any of these mancandy books tickle your fancy. SNOW BALLS features an out-femme falling for a butch detective…who needs to be more observant!

Scroll down for an excerpt, my review and to enter the $10 Amazon GC giveaway!
About the book:
JJ LaRousse looks like a quarterback but acts like a queen. He’s trying to be proud of who he is—until a robbery at the famous Laguna Winter Fantasy brings JJ face-to-face with tough cop Ryan Star. JJ hears Ryan likes manly men, so he drops his voice an octave, colors his pink hair, and tries to pass as a football fan.

Ryan Star may be tough, but he keeps his sexuality to himself at work. He learned in New York that being a gay cop can be deadly. His attraction to JJ threatens his secret, but he’s finding it hard to back away from a guy who’s so totally his type. Then, during a ski trip and a confrontation with JJ’s biggest nemesis, all the façades come crashing down. In the aftermath, can Ryan love JJ for who he really is? More importantly, can JJ?

How about a little taste?

The announcer’s voice sounded, and they both faced front. The teams were going to come in now, JJ was pretty sure.

The guys in blue-and-white started to run onto the field. Oh my, the way those narrow butts looked in the tight pants was positively appetizing.

Ryan leaned over. “Who do you like? Any favorites?”

Okay, JJ was prepared. He took a deep breath. “Rivers, of course. He’s a great leader. Bound to make it to 5000 yards this year.” Oh sweet god of boys who like to sew, what did any of that mean?

Ryan nodded. “Amen. What about Gates?”

JJ sipped his beer to sort through his memory banks. “Best tight end to ever play the game.” He held his breath.

“You said it.”

Whew. JJ stared at the field. “Of course, quite a few of those guys look like tight ends.”

Ryan looked at him with his mouth open and then started to laugh. “Yeah. You got that right.”

The coin toss. The kickoff. Wow. That ball went all the way to the end, and a guy caught it. Cool. They all went farther down the field. Yep, just like Jerry had said. The guy in the center—the quarterback, probably—threw the ball. It soared through the air and some lean player caught it and started running like a son of a bitch. Holy shit. Two guys slammed him to the ground. That looked painful. JJ resisted the urge to close his eyes. He’d seen football on TV, of course. His dad had loved it. But JJ’d never paid much attention. In these good seats, the game was in his face.

Somebody came out and measured the field. A lot of people, including Ryan, moaned. He leaned over to JJ. “That was close.”

“Yeah.” Close to getting killed?

The players got back into lines. JJ could hear the cute one, the quarterback, calling out numbers. Some big guy in the front line moved. A yellow cloth flew through the air.

JJ whispered, “Offside.”

Ryan glanced over at him and smiled.

The announcer’s voice rang out, “Flag on the play. Offside.”

Holy shit. He’d gotten it right. Thank God for Jerry.

The whole crew of men moved and then got back in their line. A bunch of stuff happened at once, and JJ couldn’t follow it until everyone on their side leaped up so he did too. The announcer called “first down,” but it sure looked like about a hundred guys went down getting there.

Ryan leaned over. “I didn’t think they could make that one, after the foul.”

“Me too.” What? Good Lord, pretending was hard.

The whole line reassembled. The cutie stepped back and threw the ball a long way. The lean, fast guy ran out and caught the thing, which was clearly a miracle. He headed down the field like a jackrabbit with a pack of bulldogs on his heels. Shit, one bulldog came out of nowhere and tackled the rabbit, and then five other guys piled on. Whistles and yells sounded from their side and cheers from the other.

Then a groan and the crowd got quieter as the bulldogs pulled off and left the rabbit lying there in a heap. He didn’t get up. Oh no. JJ grabbed Ryan’s arm. “He’s hurt.”

“Yeah. Looks like it. Shame. He’s a great wide receiver.”

Receiver, hell. He was a gorgeous, fast-as-lightning black kid who had just got beaten to a pulp in a stupid game. JJ wanted to jump up and scream.

A stretcher was carried onto the field. Some guy put a collar around the player’s neck, and then they picked him up and put him on the stretcher. Hell, they didn’t look nearly careful enough. The crowd murmured and shifted. JJ looked around. They were uncomfortable with his being hurt, but it didn’t seem like they felt sorry for the player, exactly. It was more like they wanted to get on with cheering, and this moment of required sympathy was an imposition.

He looked at Ryan and found those blue eyes gazing at him. JJ’s hand was still locked on Ryan’s forearm. He loosened his fingers. “Sorry.”

“You okay?”

“He just looks hurt bad.”

“Yeah. But they take a lot of precautions, so he may be up and ready to walk and run by the end of the day.”

“And he may not.”

“Yeah.”

The game continued, but JJ couldn’t stop thinking about the player who got hurt. He jumped up when Ryan did and cheered in the right places, but the game had lost its luster. The fun all came from Ryan being next to him. Having the man so close sent JJ’s dick into a constant state of anticipation. Lean to the left, lean to the right, stand up, sit down, fight, fight, fight. Just like the cheerleaders at halftime—who could have used a costume redesign, by the way.

My Review:
This is the sixth book in the Balls to the Wall series, but easily enjoyed on its own.

JJ LaRousse is a big, out, femme and struggles to find a lasting relationship with a man who will treat him as more than a fancy. He suffered an abusive home as a child, so he’s nervous about dating alpha-masculine men, though he is very much attracted to the new detective on Laguna’s police force. Unfortunately, JJ’s convinced that Detective Ryan Star would only be attracted to him if JJ was more masculine. And, when there’s a spark between them, well, JJ decides to test his hypothesis.

So, JJ hides his sparkly-light under blah hair dye, and a crash course in sports analysis. They seem to really hit it off, but JJ’s nervous that Ryan will see through his facade, and he half wants this to happen. The other half, well, he likes being with Ryan, even if Ryan only takes him on dates that are very far from Laguna. JJ understands that Ryan had bad experiences when he worked for NYPD. As a result, and though his superiors know, Ryan doesn’t want to come out to the whole precinct in case his new comrades are homophobic–like before. It nearly cost Ryan his life, and he’s not recovered emotionally from that betrayal.

There are some sweet bits, here, but a lot of it is bittersweet with JJ being unhappy about his deception, and finding himself generally unlovable. He has great friends, however, who do lift him up and support him just as he is, even if that’s a pink-haired, femme boy who’s nonetheless built like a linebacker. Ryan didn’t catch on to any of this tension, seeing the view that JJ presented as truth. It’s a shame he’s not more observant. And, he’s seems to take a whole lot of risks for a cop–both professionally and personally. That said, he was a compassionate and passionate man, and he did treat JJ well. They are able to patch things up when JJ comes clean, and Ryan realizes that he’s not as fixated on his ideal man, when he has a wonderful partner like JJ whose light is too brilliant to hide. It’s a quick read and a sweet and sexy one, too!

Interested? You can find SNOW BALLS on Goodreads, Dreamspinner Press, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, and Kobo.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card.
Good luck and keep reading friends!

About the Author:
Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in LGBT erotic romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her first novel was published in January of 2011 and she’s now somewhere around book 23. Her best­selling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, and Tara has been named Best Writer of the Year in the LRC Awards. In her other job, Tara owns an advertising and public relations firm. She often does workshops on both author promotion and writing craft.

She lives with her soul­mate husband and her soul­mate dog in Laguna Beach, California, a pretty seaside town where she sets a lot of her books. Passionate about diversity, justice, and new experiences, Tara says on her tombstone it will say “Yes”!

You can find Tara at:

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

Review and Giveaway for WILL & PATRICK’S ENDLESS HONEYMOON!

Hi there! I’m so excited to share a review for a new book in the Will and Patrick series by Leta Blake and Alice Griffiths. Leta Blake knew her readers wanted more of this quirky pair, Will and Patrick, two strangers who married while drunk in Vegas and have built a life together–but never had and private time to themselves. So, Ms. Blake wrote them an ENDLESS HONEYMOON, and it’s as fun as the previous six episodes in the Wake Up Married series. Speaking of, you’ll need to read the previous episodes, (WAKE UP MARRIED, MEET THE FAMILY, DO THE HOLIDAYS, FIGHT THEIR FEELINGS, MEET THE MOB and HAPPY ENDING) first, for this one to be fully understood. However, it’s certainly worth your time; I’ve enjoyed them all!

Scroll down to catch my review and enter to win a boxed set of episodes 1-6 in the Wake Up Married series.
About the book:
Genius brain surgeon Patrick McCloud never thought he’d fall in love, let alone get married. He and Will Patterson are two years overdue for their honeymoon, and although romance doesn’t come naturally to Patrick, he’s determined to make it perfect.

Will works himself to the bone helping others and dealing with his family, who bring the drama nonstop. A tropical getaway without the usual shenanigans is just what the doctor ordered. But can Will’s family leave them in peace? Knowing the Patterson-Molinaro clan, it’s not likely…

Will and Patrick’s Endless Honeymoon by Leta Blake continues the soapy, sexy fun of the original six part Wake Up Married serial. In Healing, South Dakota, marriage is never boring!

My Review:
This is the “final” episode in the Will and Patrick serial, and is best enjoyed when read in order.

A quick recap of the storyline: Will Patterson is the heir to the Molinaro crime family fortune, and he uses it to fund Good Works, an organization that builds shelters and hospitals for the indigent. He’s from Healing, South Dakota and was at a Vegas medical conference to recruit surgeons to work in his state-of-the art hospital in Healing when he had a relapse of alcoholism, and met Dr. Patrick McCloud. Patrick, a fussy man on the Autism spectrum, didn’t know the sexy stranger at the bar was either an alcoholic or a diabetic–a deadly combination–but he knew that man was one he might not let get away. In fact, while totally enjoying each other’s company and few more drinks, they got married.

This was a big, inconvenient problem because the Molinaro money came with one stipulation: the trust owner could never divorce once married. Patrick wasn’t especially moved by Will’s predicament, but his sudden joblessness, and Will’s ability to install him as the head of neurosurgery went a long way to bringing Patrick to Healing, where he was soon more than captivated by his unexpected husband. This, despite Will’s zany family and jealous and abusive ex-lover.

Two years have passed since Will and Patrick got married, and these men have been busy. That said, they have never had a honeymoon–they jetted back to Healing straightaway following their nuptials to see if there might have been some legal redress to annul their marriage. Then they got caught up in life. This is an oversight Patrick is dedicated to correcting; he’s planned a tech-free, worry-free, Will’s-family-free ten-day getaway. If only they can keep it that way… And, if you’ve read any of the W+P stories, you know that drama is always around the next corner.

I was so happy to fall back into Will and Patrick’s world. The drama of Will’s selfish mother and manipulative father. The Hurting Times online gossip rag that Patrick regularly stokes. The beauty of their passion. Even their everyday fusses, dealing with Will’s diabetes. Patrick is such a lovable curmudgeon, and he loves Will with his entire being, even managing difficult situations on Will’s behalf–like his abusive ex, who does crop up again here. Their time on the honeymoon wasn’t even close to drama–free, but it was a time for these two to reconnect, and concentrate on all the parts of their lovestory they may have set aside in the day-to-day busy-ness. I prefaced this review with “final” because it does end in a way that could be the end…but I wonder if there will be a “BECOME PARENTS” book in the works… (Or, maybe that’s just my own wishful thinking!!) Either way, I do recommend these yummy books. The first three are rather tame on the sexytimes, but the next four are scorchers. All are chock full of feels, and brought me to tears at more than one occasion.

Interested? You can find Will and Patrick’s ENDLESS HONEYMOON on Goodreads and Amazon (US and UK)  You can check out the entire series here.

Will & Patrick Collage****GIVEAWAY****

Clink on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win the boxed set (books 1-6) of Will and Patrick’s adventures!
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the Authors:
Leta Blake is the author of the bestselling book Smoky Mountain Dreams and the fan favorite Training Season, Leta Blake’s educational and professional background is in psychology and finance, respectively. However, her passion has always been for writing. She enjoys crafting romance stories and exploring the psyches of made up people. At home in the Southern U.S., Leta works hard at achieving balance between her day job, her writing, and her family.

You can find out more on her website, Facebook and twitter.

Out Now: IN CASE OF EMERGENCY–Review and Giveaway!

Hi there! Today, I’m sharing a review for a new Christmas M/M romance from author Keira Andrews. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY puts and unlikely couple together: two former step-brothers. I’ve read and enjoyed many of Ms. Andrews’ books, including KIDNAPPED BY THE PIRATE, ROAD TO THE SUN, and KICK AT THE DARKNESS, so I was looking forward to this one.

Scroll down to read my review and enter to win a backlist book for Keira Andrews in the giveaway!
About the book:
Former stepbrothers find Christmas romance under the tree.
After years alone, Daniel Diaz is finally ready to shake up his orderly, solitary life. He’s about to leave for a cozy Christmas getaway with his new man when he gets the call from the ER that his former stepbrother has been admitted with a concussion and a broken hand—and Cole put him down as his emergency contact. Why the hell would he do that? Daniel barely knows the guy. After all, their parents’ marriage lasted less than a year and it was a decade ago!

But Cole has no one else to look after him and strict doctor’s orders not to be left alone. So fine, Daniel will bring him along on vacation to make sure he doesn’t starve or fall into a coma. This is supposed to be Daniel’s chance to explore romance again after locking down his feelings for too long—except it turns out his could-be boyfriend is more interested in partying and being an obnoxious jerk. Daniel sends him packing, and now he’s stuck with a virtual stranger in an isolated mountain cabin.

Cole Smith crushed hard on cranky Daniel when they were teenagers. Alone with him in a romantic winter wonderland, those feelings roar back to life. Glimpsing the caring, vulnerable man under Daniel’s frosty shell, he yearns to get closer. Christmas is a time for surprises, and Daniel and Cole discover a scorching connection that just might melt their hearts.

This fluffy gay Christmas romance from Keira Andrews features former stepbrothers reconnecting as adults, sexy hot-tub shenanigans, cuddling by the fire, and of course a happy ending.

My Review:
Daniel Diaz’ mother married Cole Smith’s father for a rebound romance back when Daniel was a senior in high school. Though he couldn’t wait to leave that house, he took great pleasure in outing himself with his then-teammate boyfriend. Cole never forgot that, and Daniel’s courage helped him to come out a few years later. Not that Daniel knew; he’d been long gone, as was his mother, though Cole and Daniel’s mom kept in touch.

In fact, she urged Cole to list Daniel as his emergency contact when he moved to Ottawa for graduate school. Daniel has been living there for several years, mostly celibate, on account of not getting over the betrayals of his first love. His bestie calls Daniel “dead inside,” and Daniel’s recently gone through some self-help in order to reignite his passion. Part of that was booking a spontaneous getaway with his newest beau? Okay, so Justin isn’t really a beau–mostly he’s a big office flirt and the first guy who’s almost turned Daniel on in a very long time. Sort of. Either way, changing his life only begins with change, and Daniel’s romantic getaway is derailed by a call from the university hospital ER notifying him that Cole–who he doesn’t even remember because it’s been ten years since he left home–has fallen, broken his wrist and has a concussion. Oh, and would Daniel mind picking up the virtual stranger and monitoring his wellness over the next 72 hours? No? Tough. See you soon…

While Daniel’s not happy about the advent of Cole in his life, he’s not heartless, and he does what a good man should do; takes it all in stride. What he’s not expecting is that Justin has turned their romantic getaway in to something completely unexpected. And unwanted. It’s only a blizzard that keeps Daniel from dumping Justin out on his ear. This part is a little whoa!, and Justin seemed a bit cartoonish, though some people are venal and petty and he was definitely that type of character. That said, as Daniel and Cole spend the quiet time in the romantic chalet, it’s a dream realized for Cole. He’s been so attracted to teenaged Daniel, and now they’re all grown up. Plus, they are both single…and Daniel thinks it’s a pervy thing to suddenly have an attraction to the boy, er man, who used to be a stepsibling….for like a minute and a half. Isn’t it? Cole doesn’t think so, and the comfort of a person who truly gets and accepts you is too strong for Daniel to resist.

Expect a lot of hurt-comfort here, and Daniel finally discussing the shame of his relationships in a way that helps him feel whole, not lacking, for once. Cole is sweet, and his excitement of having Daniel care for him is palpable. I enjoyed it.

Interested? You can find IN CASE OF EMERGENCY on Goodreads and Amazon (US and UK).

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win a backlist book from Keira Andrews.
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

Keira AndrewsAbout the Author:
After writing for years yet never really finding the right inspiration, Keira discovered her voice in gay romance, which has become a passion. She writes contemporary, historical, paranormal and fantasy fiction, and—although she loves delicious angst along the way—Keira firmly believes in happy endings. For as Oscar Wilde once said, “The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means.”

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

Falling For A SECRET SANTA–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a new contemporary M/M Christmas romance just released by Jay Northcote. SECRET SANTA is a sweet story about a holiday mall Santa and the man he falls for. I really liked it, just like I’ve adored all Jay’s books to-date including SUMMER HEAT, PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT, and THE LAW OF ATTRACTION, and TOPS DOWN BOTTOMS UP.

About the book:
Keeping secrets is never a good way to start a relationship.
Theo hardly has time to date. Between work and caring for his four-year-old son there aren’t many hours left over. He’s lonely though, so he joins a hook-up app and starts chatting to a guy called Luke. Luke seems friendly and they arrange to meet. Theo doesn’t mention that he has a child. It’s early days and he’s worried about putting Luke off before they get to know each other.

Luke is currently working as Santa at the local shopping mall. He figures Theo never has to know. Christmas will be over soon and Luke will move on to a new, less embarrassing job. He’s surprised when Theo and a little boy visit Santa one afternoon. Theo doesn’t recognise Luke, and Luke realises he’s not the only one with a secret.

Despite misgivings on both sides, they start dating, and the chemistry is amazing. But as Christmas approaches their secrets pile up like colourful packages under the tree. If they’re not careful, they’ll lose the best gift of all—each other.

My Review:
Luke and Theo are two lonely men who want to find a partner, not a hook up. Still, the easiest way to find someone is through a hook-up app. Luke is attracted to Theo’s unconventional pic, and reaches out–and they seem to find a connection. They enjoy chatting so much, that they move off the app into private chatting and it seems to go very well. They meet in person, and hit it off.

Thing is…Luke doesn’t tell Theo his seasonal temp job is as the local mall’s Santa. And Theo doesn’t tell Luke that he’s co-parenting his son, Archie. The next time they meet, well, it’s when Luke brings Archie to see Santa. So, Luke isn’t sure if Theo is a married man cheating on his wife or what the story truly is. He’s afraid to ask, but soon learns the truth from Archie’s own lips. While he’s okay with Theo being a parent, he’s not okay with Theo giving his generic excuses and bald-faced lies regarding how he spends his time, and why he can’t meet up. It’s a weird situation for Luke, and he’s not sure if he should tell Theo that he knows all about Archie–especially as they continue to make return trips to Santa’s Grotto.

I really enjoyed this sweet read. Luke and Theo have some moral dilemmas to face: Theo doesn’t want to hide his son, but he’s had some bad reactions from men in the past, and he wanted to get to know Luke, at the very least, before potentially scaring him away with his news. Luke is a bit embarrassed about his current job, and then he’s faced with “unmasking” Theo, a man he’s growing to like a lot. He’s hopeful that Theo will come to trust him enough to tell his secrets, and each time Theo fakes an excuse, well, it’s hurtful. They have to take a mini-break, but when all the secrets are laid on the table they don’t hesitate to make things right. They knew they had something worth working out, and their happy ending comes (hard and often) on Christmas day. There’s some yummy sexytimes, and some sweetness with the kiddo. Archie is a cutie, and he acts very much like an unaffected 4 year old. I loved his love of all things dinosaurs, stuffed pals and Santa.

Interested? You can find SECRET SANTA on Goodreads and Amazon (US and UK).

About the Author:
Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.

One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.

Jay writes contemporary romance about men who fall in love with other men. He has five books published by Dreamspinner Press, and also self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press. Many of his books are now available as audiobooks.

Jay is transgender and was formerly known as she/her.

You can find Jay on his website, Twitter, Facebook Author Page, and Amazon.

Thanks for popping in, and keep reading my friends!

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Now Available: NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS–Excerpt and Giveaway!

Hi there! Today I’m getting the word out on a new M/M contemporary Christmas romance from Annabelle Jacobs. NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS is a sweet romance for a young man who finally convinces his childhood crush that he’s all grown up…. I’ve loved other romances from this author, like A CASUAL THING, A CHRISTMAS KISS, MAYBE THIS TIME, and BITTEN BY DESIGN, so I thought I’d check it out.

Scroll down to catch an excerpt and enter the $10 GC or book giveaway below!
About the book:
Ben has Christmas, cats, and mistletoe on his side…. Jason doesn’t stand a chance
For Ben Slater, moving back to Bristol means being closer to his family, living with his best mate, and volunteering at the local animal shelter. But there’s also Jason, his best mate’s eldest brother. Ben’s had a crush on Jason for as long as he can remember, but the eleven-year age gap has always seemed insurmountable.

Jason Armitage works as a vet at his uncle’s practice. He owns a cute cottage on the outskirts of the city, and a loving dog. The one thing missing is someone to share it all with. His brother’s best friend seems a bad choice, but Jason can’t help taking a second look. Ben’s changed a lot since Jason last saw him; both in appearance and attitude. Gone is the shy young boy, replaced with a confident, twenty-four-year-old man.

In the run up to Christmas, the festive period gives Ben the ideal opportunity to show Jason what he has to offer. But concerns for his brother’s feelings hold Jason back. If they have any chance of making this work, Ben must convince Jason that he’s old enough to know what he wants, and Jason needs to believe that a relationship with his brother’s best friend won’t ruin their friendship.

How about a little taste?

Ben tried not to look, but inevitably his gaze was drawn to Jason still sat on the sofa. He stood as Pete stepped back, and Ben got a proper look at him. Ben wasn’t the only one who’d changed a little over the past couple of years. The last time he’d seen Jason, his hair had been short, like an army cut, and he’d had a beard. He’d looked hot then, but now…. Ben had to forcibly shut his mouth so he didn’t gape.

Jason’s thick dark hair, still shaved at the sides, was now a good couple of inches longer on top. And he was clean shaven. Ben kind of missed the beard, but without it Jason looked much younger, and his strong jawline was a thing of beauty. He looked thinner, too. Ben frowned because Jason ate like a horse and had always been bulkier than his brothers. That thought somehow made its way out of Ben’s mouth.

“Have you lost weight?”

Jason laughed softly, one hand immediately going to his stomach. He patted his belly and sighed. “God don’t you start. Mum’s already been on at me about not eating properly.” He pulled Ben in for a quick hug. “It’s good to see you, even if you do put the rest of us to shame.”

Oh God, that voice. As smooth and deep as Ben remembered.

I’m in the middle of this one and plan to share a review next week. It is a yummy one!

Interested? You can find NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS on Goodreads and Amazon (US and UK).

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win a $10 Amazon GC or a backlist book from Ms. Jacobs.
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the Author:
Annabelle Jacobs lives in the South West of England with three rowdy children, and two cats. An avid reader of fantasy herself for many years, Annabelle now spends her days writing her own stories. They’re usually either fantasy or paranormal fiction, because she loves building worlds filled with magical creatures, and creating stories full of action and adventure. Her characters may have a tough time of it—fighting enemies and adversity—but they always find love in the end.

Catch up with Annabelle online on her website, Facebook, twitter or email at ajacobsfiction (at) gmail (dot) com.
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Discovering One’s SECRET SANTA–Out Now!

Hi there! Today I’m posting a shout out for a new book just released by Jay Northcote. SECRET SANTA is a sweet Christmas story about a holiday mall Santa and the man he falls for. I really liked it, just like I’ve adored all Jay’s books to-date including SUMMER HEAT, PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT, and THE LAW OF ATTRACTION, and TOPS DOWN BOTTOMS UP. Watch for my review in the coming week!

About the book:
Keeping secrets is never a good way to start a relationship

Theo hardly has time to date. Between work and caring for his four-year-old son there aren’t many hours left over. He’s lonely though, so he joins a hook-up app and starts chatting to a guy called Luke. Luke seems friendly and they arrange to meet. Theo doesn’t mention that he has a child. It’s early days and he’s worried about putting Luke off before they get to know each other.

Luke is currently working as Santa at the local shopping mall. He figures Theo never has to know. Christmas will be over soon and Luke will move on to a new, less embarrassing job. He’s surprised when Theo and a little boy visit Santa one afternoon. Theo doesn’t recognise Luke, and Luke realises he’s not the only one with a secret.

Despite misgivings on both sides, they start dating, and the chemistry is amazing. But as Christmas approaches their secrets pile up like colourful packages under the tree. If they’re not careful, they’ll lose the best gift of all—each other.

Interested? You can find SECRET SANTA on Goodreads and Amazon (US and UK).

About the Author:
Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.

One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.

Jay writes contemporary romance about men who fall in love with other men. He has five books published by Dreamspinner Press, and also self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press. Many of his books are now available as audiobooks.

Jay is transgender and was formerly known as she/her.

You can find Jay on his website, Twitter, Facebook Author Page, and Amazon.

Thanks for popping in, and keep reading my friends!

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Young Love DESPERATELY SEEKING SANTA–Review and Giveaway!

Hi there! Today I’m so excited to share a review for a new Christmas M/M romance from Eli Easton. I totally loved MERRY CHRISTMAS MR. MIGGLES last year, and I dove right into DESPERATELY SEEKING SANTA, a sweet New Adult romance between an investigative journalism student and the not-so-out heavyweight wrestler at his university.

Also, don’t miss the MERRY CHRISTMAS MR. MIGGLES book giveaway below!
About the book: Journalism student Gabe Martin gets his first professional assignment—to write about a Christmas charity dinner that benefits a children’s home. It sounds like a total snooze-fest until Gabe learns that the event’s Santa is a mystery man. He shows up in costume and no one has a clue who he is. Uncovering Santa’s identity sounds like the perfect angle to turn a fluff piece into serious journalism.

Mack “The Mountain” McDonall, at 6’10”, is University of Wisconsin-Madison’s enormous star wrestler. When Gabe first claps eyes on him at a wrestling match, it’s lust at first sight. Gabe’s friend, Jordan, sets up the pair on a date. But when Gabe chatters on about his plans for outing Santa, Mack goes cold, and their first meeting becomes an epic fail.

As Gabe researches the children’s home, he learns that Mack has secrets a guy famous for being a brute wouldn’t want the world to know. Can Gabe find his holiday spirit, write a killer article, win the heart of a surly giant, and give everyone a very merry Christmas?

My Review:
Gabe Martin is a journalism student at Univ of Wisconsin-Madison and working on his senior project: an investigative piece. He’s also an intern for the local paper where he writes weather and stock updates. Boring! His first actual article is a story on the Elks Club Christmas dinner, which is a fundraiser for a small orphanage in town. Gabe digs in with his usual zest, praying he can find some shady side of this so-called “feel good” piece that can become part of his project. He thinks he might have an angle when he learns that the identity of the beloved Santa who brings gifts to the orphans is a mystery.

In the meantime, Gabe attends a wrestling meet with his best pal Jordan–who is there to sheer on his boyfriend, an openly bisexual team member. Gabe’s not into wrestling, but he does dig the sexy, strong men grappling on the mat. And, he’s especially intrigued by Mack McDonall, dubbed “The Mountain” because he’s nearly 7 feet tall and has to manage his diet in order to stay under his 285 pound weight limit. Yes, Mack is mountain Gabe would love to scale. And, when Jordan sets Mack and Gabe up on a blind date–dinner at his apartment with his boyfriend–where they seem to hit it off. Gabe is initially upset because he didn’t suspect Mack might be into guys. Still, they seem to build a rapport, and Gabe likes the way Mack looks at him…until Gabe discusses his Elks dinner article. Then, Mack gets frustrated and leaves.

Gabe continues on his journalistic endeavors, inadvertently learning that Mack was a resident of the orphanage, and that feels weird. He knows that Mack’s a really private person, and it seems like an invasion of his privacy. Gabe gets that Mack wouldn’t want this information getting around, yet his discomfort is too great to contain. He seeks out Mack, and tells him what he’s learned. He gets a whole lot deeper story than he imagined then, and decides to interview some of the current residents. The glowing praise the kids have for their home–because that is how they feel about where they live–really shines in Gabe’s article which becomes two pieces. The first one that whets the appetites of readers who are now intrigued by the mystery Santa. And, the orphanage garners tons of interest and donations. Good right? Not so much when Gabe learns that Mack’s past is wrapped into the mystery Santa angle. They have been building a connection on the super down-low because Mack is afraid coming out will jeopardize his scholarship status. They have common interests and a definite attraction.

Gabe knows that revealing Mack’s past in the paper will be the end of whatever it is that’s growing between them. They aren’t really dating, but Gabe doesn’t want to lose the connection; he’s been mostly adrift since his parents divorced and he came out. Mack has a small family, and he’s afraid to trust Gabe, knowing that Gabe has the power to hurt him. They have a slow burning romance, that culminates on the night of the Elks dinner, when Gabe orchestrates an even bigger story than the identity of Mystery Santa. It’s a compromise they can both live with, and their future, while uncertain at first, comes into close focus after that.

This is a tender book, with a sweet holiday theme. Gabe and Mack are a fun couple to watch fall in love. I enjoyed how they built a friendship, and then a romance. Mack’s traditional ideas were endearing, and really showed Gabe that hard work and deep investment yields a treasured result. And, also, that sharing information that isn’t essential isn’t a conflict of interest; it’s life. Shakespeare wrote: ‘The better part of valour, is Discretion.’ Even if Mack wasn’t an English scholar, he truly thought Gabe a hero for keeping his secrets safe.

Interested? You can find DESPERATELY SEEKING SANTA on Goodreads, Amazon (US or UK).

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win an ebook of MERRY CHRISTMAS MR. MIGGLES from Eli Easton. Wow! I loved that one.
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

And, don’t forget to check out the previous books in this dog-gone fun series….

HOW TO HOWL AT THE MOON, HOW TO WALK LIKE A MAN, and HOW TO WISH UPON A STAR.

Eli EastonAbout the Author:
Eli Easton has 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, an organic farmer, and a long-distance walker. She began writing m/m romance in 2013 and has published 27 books since then. She hopes to write many more.

As an avid reader of such, she is tickled pink when an author manages to combine literary merit, vast stores of 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, two bulldogs, several cows, and a cat. All of them (except for the husband) are female, hence explaining the naked men that have taken up residence in her latest fiction writing.

Eli currently publishes with Dreamspinner Press and has a few self-pubbed titles as well. She also publishes thrillers under the pen name: Jane Jensen.

Catch up with Eli on her website, Facebook, and twitter.
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New Love LEANING INTO A WISH–Review and Giveaway!

Hi there! I’m so excited to share a review and giveaway for a new M/M romance out today from Lane Hayes. LEANING INTO A WISH is book 3.5 in her Leaning In series, and follows the love story of Ryan, a viticulturalist from Wes Conrad’s winery finding love when he least expect to… I really liked LEANING INTO THE FALL and LEANING INTO ALWAYS, so I was eager to get back to these Bay-area romances.

Scroll down for an excerpt and to enter to win a $20 GC.
About the book:
Ryan Haskell loves everything about the wine business. He’s fortunate to work at one of the most prestigious wineries in Napa Valley doing something he enjoys with the people who are like family to him. But he could do without the good-natured intern slash former jock with the wicked grin who always seems to be in the way. Ryan isn’t sure why the new guy is under his skin when everyone else loves him. Thankfully he’ll be gone after the holidays.

Danny Meyers can’t believe his luck when he lands an internship at Conrad Winery. It’s the perfect temporary gig to wrap up his graduate studies. He’s left his dreams of tennis stardom on the court to focus on a new career and a new life. However, he didn’t count on the spark of attraction he feels for his prickly co-worker. When their tentative friendship blossoms into something more than either man counted on, they may have to change direction and lean into a holiday wish.

How about a little taste?

A vacuum-like static rang in my ears. It wasn’t until Danny nudged my arm that the typical raucous bar noises filtered through again. And when he scooted his barstool back a foot or two and raised his hand to flag down a server, everything seemed to return to normal. Sort of.

“Gin and tonic for my friend and I’ll have another martini, please. Thanks.” Danny tipped back the last of his drink then handed it over before twisting to face me. “So other than being out twenty-five bucks and possibly having an awkward conversation at work on Monday, that didn’t go so bad.”

“I—I don’t get it. What just happened?”

“We agreed to let Geordie win the bet, remember?”

“Sure, but how did I get stuck here with you?”

Danny snorted. “We’ve already established that you like me. Stop being an uptight fuddy-duddy.”

“A fuddy—? You’re…” I gritted my teeth and tried to think of a stinging insult to fit the situation. “Annoying.”

Lame. And the “That’s the best you’ve got?” twinkle in Danny’s eye told me he agreed with me. I was about to let him have it when the waiter stopped to deliver our drinks. When we were alone again, I leaned into him and kicked his shin for good measure.

“Ow. Relax, Ry. I still want to kiss you, you know.” He popped the speared olive from his martini into his mouth. “With tongue.”

“You’re reading way too much into a stick of spearmint gum, honey. Don’t flatter yourself. It was a joke,” I huffed derisively.

“It doesn’t have to be.”

“Are you fucking nuts? I’m not kissing you,” I announced primly.

“You want to though. Admit it,” he teased.

I blew out an exaggerated breath, sucked down half my cocktail, and slid off my barstool. “I’m outta here. See you Monday.”

Danny grabbed my belt loop and yanked me to his side. “You didn’t let me finish. I was about to say…”

“Yes?” I prompted with a rolling hand gesture.

“I want it too.”

We stared at each other for a heated moment. I had no clue what he was thinking, but it seemed weird to ask for clarification. When the growing tension went on a beat too long, I wanted out. “See ya, Danny boy.”

I pushed my way through the crowd and gulped for air when I finally reached the sidewalk. I didn’t dare stop to enjoy the refreshing autumn breeze. If I wanted to avoid any further confrontation, I had to boogie. Danny was the type of guy who liked having the last word, and that wasn’t happening on my watch. I fished my keys from my pocket and power-walked toward the parking lot behind the bar.

“Ryan!”

I ignored him and picked up my pace. I spotted my car and clicked my fob to unlock the door. Danny called my name again. I could tell from the sound of his footsteps behind me that he was closing in quickly. I had to hurry or—

Too late. A hand on my elbow yanked me sideways.

“What the fuck is your problem?” I fumed, pushing his chest to no avail.

He moved into my space until his nose was less than an inch from mine. He was too big and imposing, and the look in his eyes was straight-up dangerous.

My dick twitched in my jeans. Of course it did. I had a bad habit of coveting what I couldn’t have and getting turned on by the chase. My past was littered with embarrassing short-term affairs or crushes on guys like Wes and Finn. Men I admired but never had a real shot with. I didn’t want to add Danny to that list because against my better judgment…I liked him. Really liked him.

My Review:
Ryan Haskell loves his job and life within Conrad Winery. He’s been there for six years and is has developed deep friendships with Wes, Geordie and their pals–even been intimate with some of them. But, he’s still single. And that’s not so happy. He’s uncomfortably attracted to Danny Meyers, an intern who’s stayed on past harvest to finish his term with the winery as part of his graduate studies. Dannyi’s tall and built and charming, and it’s plain irritating to Ryan that he’s fallen for yeat another unattainable man. Because Danny must be straight. He’s had a girlfriend, and all.

Ryan isn’t that happy with Geordie’s assessment that Danny likes Ryan, and he’s sure the mixed messages he’s been getting from Ryan are sheer mockery. A straight dude playing with his head. Ryan blames his faulty gay-dar, but he doesn’t really want to fall for Danny, either. He’s been watching people couple up for a while now…and the idea of falling for Danny when he’s going to leave for school in a couple months doesn’t appeal. Ryan’s been left behind too many times to risk his heart again.

Thing is, Danny is bisexual. And Sexual. He has been attracted to Ryan since the summer began and it’s near Halloween. Ryan isn’t prepared for Danny’s full-charm press, and he’s needed intimacy for a while. So, while Ryan’s sure it’s a bad idea to let Danny into his defenses, he’s also so happy to have the closeness they begin to develop. As autumn edges past Thanksgiving and toward Christmas, Ryan knows he has given his heart away, but he truly wishes that Danny won’t let him down. Danny’s complications with his former career as a tennis pro and his demanding family start to intrude, however, and Ryan’s unwilling to hold him back. After all, who’d choose Ryan anyway? No one had before…

This is a sweet and tender romance for a guy I’d not been thrilled with in previous books. Ryan was a complication for Nick in LEANING INTO THE FALL, and he’d also been in a messy situation with Finn from LEANING INTO TOUCH. Still, he comes across as vulnerable and sympathetic here, and I got hooked in quick. Danny is a gregarious guy, and his signals didn’t seem all that mixed to me, but his reluctance to discuss himself was shady, and that’s where I felt the disconnect for Ryan Lay. They do get it on rather well, and I liked how Danny dealt with his family drama. It was a sweet ending to a holiday read with a HEA in time for Christmas Day.

Interested? You can find LEANING INTO A WISH on Goodreads and Amazon.

****GIVEAWAY****

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

About the Author:
Lane Hayes is grateful to finally be doing what she loves best. Writing full-time! It’s no secret Lane loves a good romance novel. An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. These days she prefers the leading roles to both be men. Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and were winners in the 2016 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in an almost empty nest.

Catch up with Lane on her website, Facebook, twitter, and Goodreads.